Chapter 1: HR & Lily: Before the (Official) Wedding

2025

The early morning weather was perfect at The Burrow, better than the previous few days would have predicted. Yes, the ground was somewhat mushy in spots but George, Ron and Bill Weasley had completed a series of spells, charms and enchantments that returned the surface to a perfect level of dryness. Hopefully the weather would hold off until after next week, because if it was raining then, well, things would be interesting to say the least. I offered to help, but as Ron reminded me, I'm Professor Muggle and only 1.3% wizard. Since my offer of work was done I did what I wanted to do anyway, skive off working and smoke a cigar.

I watched my wife walk out of The Burrow and head towards me, her glasses on the top of her head and a look that said I was in for another in-depth conversation about things that, if I'm honest, I really didn't care about. Yes, my son was marrying Lily Potter, but it was just going to be a family and friends ceremony; after all, they'd both snuck out of a party at The Burrow and got married without telling anyone. It had taken me a little while to get used to the idea that my son was married, but Melody took it a lot harder than she let on. I'd already endured a number of conversations about stuff that I considered completely female stuff, which in the grand scheme of things really didn't matter to me. I anticipated a conversation about the proper procession order or something, but as usual I was wrong.

"Hank, have you seen The Prophet today?" She held out the paper towards me, and shook her head. "I swear those people have nothing better to do."

"Um, it's their job, Mel. Let me see."

After taking the paper from her I took a look at the front page, and not seeing anything I turned to the next page and saw exactly what bothering her.

Boy Who Lived's Only Daughter to Marry Professor Muggle's Son

The Daily Prophet has learned that Lily Luna Potter, only daughter of Harry and Ginny Potter, will marry Hieronymus Robert Boyd, only son of Melody and Hank Boyd, on Saturday, July 19th at the Weasley family home in Ottery St. Catchpole. The wedding is sure to be event of the summer, as a veritable who's who of the Wizarding world will obviously be attending the event. While no official announcement has been made, readers can be assured that this newspaper will provide full coverage in our special wedding edition.

I lifted my head from the paper and looked at my wife. "A special edition? Have the Potters seen this yet?"

Melody shrugged. "I don't know, Hank, but I have a feeling the small, family wedding is out of the question now."

Later that afternoon I found myself in my office at home or Colony House as George called it. When Melody and I had first moved in, years ago, he called it the American Muggle Colony and the name stuck. Our Stintborough house was still fairly full despite my son's transfer of most of his belongings to his new place. He and Lily had moved into the flat above George's shop until they could afford to find a place of their own, and even though Melody wasn't happy about having him move out of the house, she was happy that he was going to be very close. Well, they'd technically moved in, as Ginny had insisted that Lily stay with her and Harry until after the "official" ceremony. HR had already gone ahead and moved, an event that resulted in more than a few tears from Melody.

I looked over at the wall covered with family photos and watched them move; it seemed strange to think that my son was married to Lily Potter, well, Lily Boyd now, and that we'd be going through an "official" ceremony soon. The ceremony was Ginny's idea, as she was bound and determined to see her only daughter get married. I looked over at the picture of Melody and I on our wedding day so long ago, looking much younger as we stood on the stairway at Hogwarts. Hell, I even had some hair back then. We were waving in the picture, and I gave Melody the start of a very memorable kiss. That was the picture that had embarrassed all of our children at some point. My eyes began following the progression of pictures, Hieronymus' birth, Virginia's birth and then the surprise of Hermione and Minerva. A picture of Hieronymus with Gin when she was little, about the time that we started calling Hieronymus "HR" because Gin couldn't say his name, HR and Gin with the twins after we'd brought them back from St. Mungo's, and then the succession of Hogwart's uniform pictures. HR proudly wore his Hufflepuff scarf and waved his wand at the camera, Gin in her Slytherin green, Minnie in her Ravenclaw colors with her arm around Mione in her Gryffindor scarf. Neville had always teased me that my kids had to end up in every house to dispel any favoritism, but I'm proud that they all have managed, so far anyway, to forge their own identities outside of being the children of the Muggle Studies professor.

It was oddly quiet at the house, as usually someone was about playing music, watching television or visiting with the school friends that always seemed to end up over at our place. I couldn't count the times that I would wake up on a Saturday and find extra mouths ready for breakfast, but I didn't mind. I was glad that they all felt comfortable enough to stay over, and to be honest Melody and I were happy to know that our kids weren't completely embarrassed to be around their parents, especially with my lack of magical abilities. I had just got up from my desk to turn on some music when I heard a knock at the door, so I figured it must be someone about the wedding. I was right, but it wasn't who I expected.

"Lily, nice to see you. I'm afraid HR isn't here."

"I know, Professor Muggle. Are you busy?"

"Not at all, come on in, Lily. Let's go to my office."

As we walked to my office I noticed that she was very quiet, something that was unlike Lily. She was definitely chatty enough when she had my classes, not to mention all the other times she and HR had been over at the house, so I knew that something was up. After sitting down I looked over to her. "Lily, I think you can stop calling me Professor Muggle now. You're out of Hogwarts, and I'm your father-in-law. No worries about taking away House points."

"Is it ok if I call you Dad?"

I looked over at the beautiful, red-haired young woman who I'd known all of her life and smiled. "Of course. Now what's on your mind?'

Her small frame took a deep sigh and she looked up at me with an intent gaze. "Since The Prophet published our wedding date Mum's decided that instead of a small, family wedding…well, as small as a Potter and Weasley family wedding could be, that we're doing the big production. Mum and Melody are at The Burrow right now going over the guest list, and it's going to be around three hundred people."

"Lily, you promised your mother that whatever she wanted you would go along with it. You know how much it hurt her that you and HR got married and she wasn't there. You're her only daughter." Not to mention how much it pained Melody and me as well.

Lily nodded her head and looked over at the photos on the wall. "I know."

I watched as Lily absentmindedly began turning her small gold wedding ring over and over on her finger, a sign I knew well. "What else is on your mind, Lily? I know that you don't play with your jewelry unless you're worried."

She stopped suddenly and looked at me. "You know that? How?"

"Muggle Studies. You used to do that when I was calling on students and you didn't know the answers. Usually happened right before a big Quidditch game, if I remember correctly."

"Prof…um, Dad? I'm worried about HR."

"You can't be worried that he won't want to go through with the ceremony? You already did that once." That couldn't be the case, as HR has been in love with Lily ever since he was about six years old.

"No, that's not it. It's just, well, one of the reasons we got married like we did was to keep HR from being drafted. I overheard HR and James talking at The Burrow, and James is going to enlist soon…I'm afraid HR is going to get caught up in things and enlist with James." She sat on the edge of her chair and looked at me pleadingly. "Talk some sense into him, he can't go off to war!"

The war. The topic that nobody really wanted to discuss but was hanging over everything. The WLF had become an umbrella organization for all of those witches and wizards who wanted to get rid of Muggles forever, and they'd started forming armies years ago, but now open warfare was happening in several countries. The UK had started forming a magical army last year, and I'd watched several of my former students join, namely Hugo Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy. War fever had gripped the country; patriotism was the rule of the day and all over people were nervous. Now my new daughter-in-law was trying to keep her new husband from joining the ranks.

"Dad? You're doing it again."

I took off my glasses and ran my hand over my bald head. I was famous in class for zoning out, and all of my former students and friends enjoyed teasing me about it. The look on Lily's face said that she was definitely not enjoying our conversation.

"I can't make up his mind for him, Lily. He's of age, and he's your husband. I think this should be a conversation that you two should have. And for the record, I'll always be here for you, but I don't think it would be a good idea to put me in the middle, do you?

Before another word could be said the sounds of the twins entering the house in their normal, boisterous manner could be heard. I made sure to say it quickly, before the twins entered. "I won't say anything to HR or anybody else about this conversation, Lily. Just find some time and tell HR how you're feeling. I'm sure the two of you can work things out."

"DAD! ARE YOU HOME?"

"In the office, Mione!"

"Mum said that you…Lily!"

I watched my blonde-headed daughter run up and hug her new sister-in-law.

"Lily's here?" Minnie walked in and her strawberry blonde hair swung behind her as she too gave Lily a hug.

"Girls, give her some space. Now, Mione, what did your Mom say?

It was like I wasn't even there as my thirteen year old daughters began peppering Lily with questions about the ceremony, her dress and all sorts of things. Finally I'd had enough. "Hermione Helen and Minerva Lane, would you both be quiet for a second?"

The twins looked over at me and then Mione whispered to Minnie, rather loudly, "he's using the Dad voice. We'd better listen for a bit."

I shook my head at the girls and Lily laughed. I gave her my best Professor stare, but she shrugged. "Like you said, I'm not at Hogwarts anymore."

"Ok, fine. Now, Mione, what did your mother want you to tell me?"

"She's staying over at the Potters for supper and we're supposed to bring you over there."

I looked over at Lily, who seemed resigned to hours of wedding planning, then to the twins. "Ok, then, let's go."

Later that evening I found myself in Harry Potter's study, drinking a butterbeer and talking with Harry and Ron Weasley. The Weasleys, well, Ron, Hermione and Rose anyway, had joined us at Grimmauld Place for supper. As usual, Lily and Kreacher had prepared the meal. Even after all this time I was still amazed that Kreacher let Lily help with the cooking, but I suppose at his advanced age he didn't mind the help. Ginny had commented once that Kreacher was almost as proud of Lily's cooking as her Grandmum Molly was, so I guess there was also some pride involved for Kreacher as well. It was with a very full stomach that I found myself talking about what seemed the only other topic besides the wedding, the war.

Ron sat in a large leather chair and looked over at Harry. "I suppose you heard about my transfer, you being head of the Aurors and all."

Harry ran his hand through his salt and pepper hair, showing his famous scar briefly. "Signed off on the paperwork earlier this morning, actually."

"Transfer?" I looked over at Ron. "Where you going?"

"Strategic Command Corps. They're the lot that's in charge of troops and resources. As of tomorrow morning I'll be in the army." Ron looked down at his butterbeer, then up to Harry and me. "Scary part is later tonight when I tell Hermione. I'm not sure how she'll take it. Took her a good week before she could look at Hugo without crying. You know, I thought we'd never go through anything like this after we got rid of Voldemort."

"He's back bigger than ever, though. Have you seen the propaganda coming in from Switzerland?" Harry looked over at me. "The Wizarding Liberation Front is using Voldemort as a martyr figure."

Harry must have noticed the shocked look on my face, as he said "He's not really back, they're just using his image on propaganda and saying that he and the Death Eaters were the first freedom fighters for true Wizard rule."

"Is this a private party?" James Potter walked in and sat down on the only available chair in the study. "If so, I'm crashing it. Any more butterbeers?"

Ron laughed and levitated a butterbeer over to James out of the small refrigerator in the corner of the study.

"Thanks, Uncle Ron. They're wearing me out down there."

I couldn't resist, so I winked at Harry and looked at his eldest son. "Too much girl stuff?"

James made a disgusted noise and nodded. "Completely. Women are mental when it comes to weddings. Grandmum Molly didn't make George do another ceremony, so I don't see why Mum's making Lily do it. And HR, of course. The only thing that saved me from giving an opinion on whether or not the forks for the reception should have three or four tines was that Al showed up and the twins almost knocked over the table to go see him."

I laughed along with everybody else. It was common knowledge that both Minnie and Mione thought that Al Potter was the greatest thing in the world. After I'd started a theater group at Hogwarts Al had been one of my first volunteers, and his acting abilities landed him the male lead in most productions. The twins had been around him all of their lives, but suddenly seeing him on stage as Romeo sealed it in their minds, and now there was no person in the world in their eyes to equal Al. As Al had been sorted into Hufflepuff he'd come over to Colony House quite often, usually to raid my books, and from the moment he would arrive the twins would be his shadow. I was glad that the twins had picked someone like Al to have a schoolgirl crush on, as he always treated them very well, never acting like they were little kids who were bothering him. Now that he was in George's WeasleyVision Wizarding Movies, well, they weren't the only teenage girls drooling over Al Potter.

I pushed my glasses onto the top of my head and looked over to James. "So what's the latest with Al? I haven't heard from him lately."

"Well, he's been in Ireland shooting another movie. Something about a hippogriff."

Ron's eyes locked into James, "Still under contract to Puddlemere? You could sign with the Cannons, you know. We're not a last place team anymore. We could use a Beater with your talent."

"Yeah, you're second to last. Sorry, Uncle Ron. Still got three more years on my contract."

"Holy crap, the party's in here."

I recognized that voice, it was my son. HR and Al walked in, conjured chairs and sat down. Before they could ask James levitated two butterbeers over to them. I watched as HR and Al took long drinks and shook their heads.

"Had enough planning tonight, boys?" Harry looked over at me and smiled, then back to his son and his new son-in-law."

"You can say that again. Mum and Ginny have decided that since this is going to be a big deal we have to dress accordingly. Um, Dad? Mum wants to know if you can take us to all get kilts." HR shook his head. "Mum says that Grammy Boyd told her it's a family tradition, and you got married in your kilt, so it's the least we can do for her at her age."

"Yes, tell your mother that I'll take you and the wedding party to go get kilts and everything else tomorrow morning. I'm just glad McPherson makes kilts the Wizarding way. Takes forever to make one the Muggle way."

Al looked over at me, and then to Harry. "I think I might be up for a part in one of the Highlander Wizarding Rebellion-era movies soon, though, so it probably wouldn't hurt to know how to wear a kilt."

Ron looked over at HR. "What's Hugo going to do? He was planning on wearing his uniform."

HR rolled his eyes. "Mum's already got that planned out. She's sent an owl to the Scottish division head to find out what the proper formal military uniform is; I swear Calliope's going to need a week off after the wedding with all the owls she's sending. Crap, I still have to owl Parker that he has to wear a kilt. He's going to love that." HR got up from his chair, "I'd better Floo him now to make sure he can go tomorrow. Meet at Colony House at ten; that work for you, Dad?"

I nodded. "Sure, HR. You and all of your groomsmen show up at the house and we'll go from there."

Eventually HR, James and Al became bored with us older folks and decided to brave the mass of wedding planning downstairs, leaving us to sit in quiet for a moment. I looked over to Harry. "Just so you know, we're old."

Ron laughed heartily and pointed at me and Harry. "Just think, you two could be grandfathers soon!"

Harry looked at Ron from the corner of his eyes. "How old is Rosie? She seems pretty serious with Oliver Wood's boy."

Ron's face changed expressions immediately. "Shut up, Potter."

That night as we were getting ready for bed I watched Melody pull on her nightgown and begin brushing her hair; streaks of grey were now more visible, but it did nothing but made me feel lucky. I'd been with her long enough to see those streaks begin appearing, and I knew that I'd be with her long enough to see the streaks eventually take over.

"Why are you staring at me? Hank, you've seen me brush my hair a million times."

"Yes, love, I have. I'm just thinking how lucky I am to have you."

Melody smiled, put her brush down and pulled back the sheets. "You always get like this when there's a wedding. Makes me glad I'm too old to have children. You remember what happened when Poesy got married, right?"

I laughed. We'd attended the wedding of one of my favorite students; Poesy Phillips, the main troublemaker in my first year of teaching at Hogwarts, had married Basil Jones. The wedding had reminded me of when Melody and I got married, and…well, nine months later the twins arrived. "Yes, love, I do. Don't worry, we're both too old to be getting up all the time and changing nappies."

"Good. I've changed enough nappies. Speaking of which, I had a nice little talk with HR. Told him that I don't want to be a grandmother anytime soon…"

"You didn't?"

"Yes, I did. He took it quite well and assured me that it wouldn't happen right away. He's still concentrating on working at Ollivander's and figuring out how he and Lily can buy a house."

I got into bed and pulled the sheets up. "You know we could help him." After being somewhat comfortable initially, we'd finally become very comfortable. My Muggle Studies textbook had been adopted in many Wizarding schools, and my first book about living as a Muggle of sorts amongst witches and wizards had been very popular. The last two had been moderate successes, but I was happy with that. Melody made a good living as the editor of Witch Weekly, not to mention her trust from her father, so we had saved money for all of our children. Then there was that little investment I'd made with George Weasley…

Melody nodded. "I know, but HR said that he wants to do it on his own, so I think we should let him. Ginny and I talked about it today; Harry wants to help them too, but they're going to go along with HR and Lily's plans. I think that's the only thing that Lily was happy about today. Ginny's definitely making Lily pay for eloping."

"She stopped in to see me today. Did you know that?"

"No, I didn't. Why'd she stop by?"

"She wanted me to talk to HR, said she'd heard him and James talking about the army. Lily wanted me to tell HR that he shouldn't enlist."

Melody nodded emphatically at me. "Well, she's right. Smart girl. I don't think HR could have picked a better wife. What'd you say?"

"I told her that HR is of age and that she should talk to him about her fears, but that it's his decision."

She looked over at me with an exasperated look on her face. "That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Of course you should tell him not to enlist!"

"Mel, it's his decision. Of course I don't want him to enlist, but it's not our choice anymore, it's his."

"Well at least my daughter-in-law has some sense. You're going to talk to him about it tomorrow when you go get your kilts. I'm going to sleep now."

With that she turned over, fluffed her pillows and with a wave of her wand turned out the lights, leaving me sitting there in the dark. Shit.

The next morning I woke up to find Melody was already up, something that didn't happen very often. After finding my glasses I scratched in the appropriate places, yawned several times and didn't bother to put on a robe or anything, as I desperately needed a cup of tea. Upon walking into the kitchen I was greeted by not only my wife, but Ginny Potter and Hermione Weasley.

"Merlin, Hank! Go put on something!" Melody rolled her eyes and put her head in her hands.

"Morning, Hank!" Hermione smiled brightly at me. "Sorry we didn't let you know we were coming over. Nothing I haven't seen before!"

"Does Ron know that?" Ginny chuckled, causing Hermione to turn several shades of red.

"I'm, uh, I'll just…yeah." I immediately turned back around and went into the bedroom, threw on my robe to cover my boxer shorts and returned somewhat embarrassed to the kitchen. The moment I entered the women just giggled at me. "Really, at your ages, giggling? Are you third years or something?"

"As the father of the groom I hope you're planning on something a touch more dignified." Ginny cocked her head at me. "At least your kilt."

"Nice, Ginny. So thoughtful. Thanks." I was thankful that the kettle was still hot, so it didn't take long to make my tea. Once I'd fixed a cup I gathered my robe around me and sat down at the kitchen table. "So what's this, a meeting of the minds? A MacBeth read-through?"

Melody shook her head. "No, we're going over the guest list. Now that the damned Prophet published that article the owls haven't stopped. It is going to be an event, unfortunately."

I elbowed Ginny. "At least we know the venue can handle a celebrity wedding."

"Molly's…well, you know Molly." Ginny sat back in her chair. "She's all in a tizzy, making Dad do all sorts of things around the house. I think Neville might have to sleep over there with all the work he's doing on the grounds, flowers, plants, you name it.

"I caught Neville with a couple of tears yesterday." Melody sighed. "I think he's taking the fact that his godson is already married rather hard."

I took a look at my watch. Luckily for me I wouldn't have time to be involved in all of the guest planning. "Well, I supposed I should get ready. HR and the boys will be over soon to go get fitted for kilts."

"Just wear your robe, Hank. Looks smashing." Ginny gave me a sarcastic smile and then took a drink of tea.

It was almost time for bed when I arrived back at Colony House, since I had taken the boys out to eat and for a few pints after the kilt fitting, and everyone without four paws was sleeping. Melody was sprawled out on the sofa, Ginny was in a chair with her feet propped up and Luna Scamander's prone form lay on the kitchen floor; all of them were out like lights. I quietly brushed off the Floo powder and tiptoed into my office, only to be met by the arthritic bundle of fur known as Spit, our Corgi. I knelt down and petted him quickly to prevent him from barking. After he was satisfied I quietly made my way into my office and almost immediately after sitting down my giant grey kneazle cat Virgil perched on my lap.

"What did you do to them, Virg? Stun them or something? I knew you'd learn to use a wand eventually, you're too smart for your own good."

He simply purred, closed his eyes and made himself comfortable, covering my lap. I took a look at my watch and wondered when I'd have husbands dropping by to pick up their wives. Harry I saw all the time, but I hadn't seen Rolf Scamander in ages. It didn't surprise me that Luna was there, as Lily's middle name is Luna, but I did wonder where Hermione had gone to.

I read for a while and then decided that it was entirely too late; I needed to go to sleep. I thought about sending owls off to Harry and Rolf, but instead I moved Virgil off of my lap, went into the linen cupboard and pulled out some extra blankets. I knew better than to try and move Melody when she crashed out so I covered her with a light blanket and then did the same with Luna and Ginny. It looked strange to see Luna asleep on the hard floor of the kitchen, but I'd given up trying to figure out Luna years ago.

As usual I didn't bother to turn on any lights, as I was intimately familiar with the layout of my house. It always drove Melody nuts, as she always banged into chair and tables and whatnot, but she was asleep anyway. I saw a series of parchment on the kitchen table with little seating chart diagrams and knew I was too tired to even think about that, so I went into the bedroom, pulled off my clothes, dumped them on the floor on my side of the bed and slid into the sheets in my Hufflepuff yellow and black boxers that Melody bought me years ago. It had been a long, long day and I was tired.

I was in that small space between sleep and consciousness, the time when things seem unreal, as if dreams are happening. It was in that time that I felt a leg against mine and realized that Melody must have come to bed. I rolled over and put my hand on her back, reaching up to feel her hair…and that was the moment that I became utterly, completely and definitively wide awake, as it wasn't Melody's hair.

I sat up quickly, causing everyone in the bed to become wide awake. Hermione Weasley sat up, almost pulling all of the covers off of the bed.

"Hank!"

"Hermione! What are you doing in here?"

"Melody and everybody fell asleep early, something with the tea, and my back has been bothering me and earlier today Melody said your bed was wonderful for her back and I figured you'd wake everyone up when you got home but you didn't, did you? Oh Merlin, don't tell Ron!"

"Are you kidding? I want to live." I got out of bed quickly and put on my robe. "I'm just going to the guest room. This never happened, did it?" I didn't wait for her to say anything, I headed to the guest room as quickly as possible.

The next morning at breakfast I was up early and had to step over Luna in order to start the kettle. While I was turned around, head in the fridge, I felt arms around my waist. Luckily I knew those arms very well, as a jangling silver charm bracelet was on one of the wrists.

"Hey love, looked like you ladies had a hard night of it. Get into my bourbon?" I turned around and gave her a hug. "Planning was that bad?"

"No, Hank. Luna brought over some tea that was supposed to help calm everyone's nerves."

"Looks like it calmed y'all down, all right."

"Morning Melody! Um…good morning, Hank." Hermione stood in the doorway looking embarrassed. "Ready for more planning today?"

Melody moved out of my embrace and went over to the cupboard and took out some cups. "I guess so, but no more of that tea." She stood there for a moment. "I feel very rested, though. How about you, Hermione?"

I didn't look at Hermione when she answered, I stuck my head back into the fridge to try and find something for breakfast. I knew it was going to be a very, very long day.