Everything was set in place. The ceiling was littered with thousands of floating candles creating a warm and cosy appearance much like the ones in the Great Hall. Flowers in various stages of bloom were placed in perfect precision, decorating the aisle. Harry stood at the end of it dressed in expensive robes. He was anxiously standing, quite taken with a lot of neutral and disapproving gazes from his peers and friends. Sirius and Remus sat next to the Malfoys much to his surprise, and they seemed to be having a quiet conversation of sorts. What bothers him the most is that Sev-Snape didn't turn up, he may not like him that much, but he still saved him countless of times. His respect for him didn't waver even after that awkward confrontation in the alcove. He did invite him, didn't he?
The pain and guilt he seems to feel when he thinks of him slowly dissipated over the weeks. But he still can't figure out why it happened in the first place, maybe it was pity, he guesses. Harry shrugged and immersed himself on thinking of his wedding rather than Se-Snape. He imagined saying his vows in front of Ginny, with her clear blue eyes and fiery red hair. But that wasn't the image that he saw, instead, he found himself looking at a pair of dark obsidian eyes and a smile that made his heart flutter. Gone was the long ginger hair that smelled of expensive perfume and in place was short silky black hair with a scent that reminded him sandalwood and other potion ingredients. It smelled like home if he was honest with himself.
His reverie didn't last long however as the music played, queuing the arrival of the bride. Ginny beamed brightly as she walked, quite contrasting to Arthur who didn't sport any sign of glee or approval for that matter. When she finally reached the end, Kingsley started to officiate the ceremony. It was Ginny who spoke her vow first.
"I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, take you Harry James Potter, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part." Dumbledore presented the bonding ring to Ginny and she gladly slid it on Harry's finger.
"I, Harry James Potter, take you, Ginevra Molly Weasley, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity." Harry took the ring and gently held her hand, but as he tried to slip in the ring, it didn't budge. The ring was rejecting her, clearly because something is wrong.
Lucius looked at the scene in front of him, with Harry still trying to place the ring onto the Weasley's finger but was hopelessly failing at each attempt.
"Father?"
"Yes, dragon?"
"Why won't the ring slip in the Weaslette's finger?"
"I believe it doesn't recognize her as Lady Potter. Bonding rings can detect if a marriage has used compulsions and potions. It was quite common for pure-bloods to include this to avoid line theft and forced marriages." Sirius answered as he gave out a breath of relief.
Dumbledore panicked when the ring rejected Ginny. he forgot that old bonding rings only honor marriage if both parties have full consent without any sign of duress. He figured that the rings aren't that important now, all they need is Harry's signature and they can still go with the plan.
"Maybe it's because you two haven't signed the contract, my boy." Harry figured that that must be it. He quickly accepted the quill and signed off his name.
Ginny looked in horror as Harry's signature kept on disappearing from the contract. People are starting to wonder what's going on. Most of them are already shooting glares at her, alongside with a hidden beetle taking numerous photos of the scandal brewing.
Ron on the other hand started to shout that there's a just a little trouble and that the wedding will continue. Hermione started to flip through the pages her book, trying to find the source of the problem. They were quite sure that everything was in place, so what did they miss?
The minister took the opportunity to intervene between the couple in front of him. It seems like young Harry was tricked into doing this, because a signature would only disappear if the one who signed was under any influences of sorts. He needs to have him purged in order to find out the truth.
"Harry, listen. I would like to escort you to Gringotts in order to have you purged." Kingsley said as he spelled away the contract for further inspection.
"What?! Why would I need to be purged? I already denied Moony and Padfoot's request on going before the Final Battle. I know that I am not under any compulsions, so why do I have to take it?!"
"Have you ever wondered why your signature kept on disappearing, or why the ring doesn't accept her as Lady Potter?" Lucius stood up and made his way to the front alongside Sirius and Remus. Finally they have a valid reason for him to be taken to Gringotts. The last time that Lucius tried led to a whole argument that ensures a restraining order the next time he asks for it.
"I don't know! But Ginny would never do that to me!" Harry bellowed as he held her hand.
"Harry, they're lying. Why would I slip you a potion? I love you, I'm sure you know that." she said while acting out that she's like a victim.
"How dare you accuse my daughter of such a thing?! I'll accuse you of slander." Molly shouted from behind.
The people behind started on chattering. Multiple Gryffindors, including Luna and Draco pointed out Harry's change in behaviour for the past years. While they still cannot leak the information directly, they can still hint about all the manipulations that have been issued to their friend. They told Kingsley that Harry admitted that loved Ginny from out of the blue.
Meanwhile, Rita Skeeter was having a field day. It seems like the whole marriage was a farce. She was sure that this was planned from the beginning because the accusations of the crowd started as early as Harry's fifth year in Hogwarts. Some students claimed that Harry cannot possibly have fallen in love with Ginny because he was gay.
The Hogwarts staff were shocked about what they've learned, except for Minerva who knows about some but not all of Dumbledore's meddling throughout the years. She may have kept herself quiet after learning about the rules of Dark Veelas, but that doesn't mean that she can add the final nail to the coffin.
"Enough is enough, Albus. I know that you have compelled my Gryffindors into doing bad things, and even after obliviating me, I can still attest that I have proof of your manipulations."
"Now, now, Minerva, I'm sure that it was all a slight misunderstanding." Dumbledore tried to reason out.
"How can compelling the Marauders to bully Severus be a slight misunderstanding?! And don't try to cover up the Shrieking Shack accident."
"What is this about, Minerva?" Kingsley asked, he was appalled of all the charges piling up on the headmaster.
"He made Severus be bullied in order to be a death eater, he wanted him to be his spy and with the hopes of him getting his titles."Harry couldn't explain it but he felt kind of worried when he heard that Se-Snape's been hurt deliberately.
"We shall look into it, gather witnesses and more evidence if you can, but for now, I want Harry to be examined at Gringotts. If the results come out negative, then you are free to be with her, but if it comes out positive, then I'm sorry but we'll have to press charges."
"Well if you really love her, cub, then you will go to Gringotts. We've been trying to take you there but you always tell us to drop it. Now that we have the right incentives, will you please grant us this request? Nothing will be lost if this was all a misunderstanding." Sirius said as he held out his hand for his cub to reach.
"Alright." Harry sighed, defeated. He guessed that an examination won't hurt. It would probably be negative anyway. He nodded his head as he let himself be escorted to Gringotts.