Chapter 14:
The Weddings
The common room was bustling with people when the heads came stumbling in.
"Good morning Harry, Draco!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerily while sweeping the young men into her arms.
She seemed to have forgotten how cross she had been a few days earlier. Apparently letting her come today was a good thing to do.
"Oi, Prongs, Dragon are you two just going to stand there or what? We are getting married in thirty minutes." Whiskers hollered.
"What!" Dragon stormed back into their room fixing their robes. Prongs ran to the fireplace to pour two cups of coffee and sprinted back to their bedroom. Fifteen minutes later the two heads of the Clan came out looking incredibly handsome according to Mrs. Weasley. The entire Clan and their entourage headed towards the Great Hall.
Professor Dumbledore had announced yesterday that there would be another set of weddings at breakfast and to celebrate everyone had been given the day of. The ghosts claimed it had never been done before a triple wedding and a hand-fasting.
The Great Hall was filled with early risers. It seemed everyone wanted to witness the triple wedding and hand-fasting ceremony. From left to right the betrothed were Fury and KiA, Snare and Mother with Howler standing slightly behind them, and Whiskers and Storm. Since the seven of them wanted their ceremony to be simultaneous. Harry had asked Ron if it would be all right if he wouldn't be his best man. Ron had agreed after Susan had pointed out in private why Prongs opted out. Dragon was best man to Fury, Dean Thomas to Snare and Bill Weasley to Whiskers. The bridesmaids were: Lavender to KiA, Cho Chang to Mother, Parvati to Howler and Victoria, a Hufflepuff, to Storm.
The hall grew silent as Dumbledore stood.
"It is my pleasure and honour to lead you to the union of these seven individuals. It has come to my attention that you, Blaise Jorge Zabini, son of Jorge Zabini and Juanita Zabini nee Gomez of Zabini Manor wish to bind yourself to Hermione Emma Granger, daughter of Dr. Paul Granger and Dr. Emma Granger nee Johnson of London."
"With all my heart and soul do I, Blaise Jorge Zabini, wish to bind myself to Hermione Emma Granger for all eternity."
"Whom have you chosen to be your witness?"
"The head of my Clan Harry James Potter and Remus Lupin, my head of House."
"Do the witnesses agree with the choice of the Dragon of Slytherin?"
"We do," the wizards answered.
"And do you Hermione Emma Granger, daughter of Dr. Paul Granger and Dr. Emma Granger nee Johnson of London, wish to bind yourself to Blaise Jorge Zabini, son of Jorge Zabini and Juanita Zabini nee Gomez of Zabini Manor?"
"As sure as there is love and good in this world, do I, Hermione Emma Granger, wish to bind myself with body, mind and soul to Blaise Jorge Zabini for all eternity."
"Whom have you chosen to be your witness?"
"My father Dr. Paul Granger and my mother Dr. Emma Granger nee Johnson."
"Do the witnesses agree with the choice of the bride?"
"We do," was their curt reply.
The Headmaster continued to the next couple.
"Do you Neville Longbottom, son of Frank and Alice Longbottom, wish to bind yourself to Luna Lovegood, daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood and Elizabeth Lovegood nee Barkwith?"
"With all my heart and soul do I, Neville Longbottom, wish to bind myself to Luna Lovegood for all eternity. "
"Whom have you chosen to be your witness?"
"My grandmother Mrs. Augusta Longbottom and my father's old mentor Alastor Moody."
"Do the witnesses agree with the choice of the groom?"
"We do," the witnesses answered.
"And do you Luna Lovegood, daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood and Elizabeth Lovegood nee Barkwith, wish to bind yourself to Neville Longbottom, son of Frank and Alice Longbottom?"
"As sure as there is love and good in this world, do I, Luna Lovegood, wish to bind myself with body, mind and soul to Neville Longbottom for all eternity."
"Whom have you chosen to be your witness?"
"My father Xenophilius Lovegood and my mentor Madame Poppy Pomfrey."
"Do the witnesses agree with the choice of the bride?"
"We do," was their curt reply.
Dumbledore glided over to the last couple.
"Do you Ronald Bilius Weasley, son of Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley nee Prewitt of The Burrow, wish to bind yourself to Susan Catherine Bones, daughter of George Bones and Glenda Bones nee Thomas of Bones' Mansion?"
"With all my heart and soul do I, Ronald Bilius Weasley, wish to bind myself to Susan Catherine Bones for all eternity. "
"Whom have you chosen to be your witness?"
"My father Arthur Weasley and my mother Molly Weasley nee Prewitt."
"Do the witnesses agree with the choice of the groom?"
"We do," the witnesses answered.
"And do you, Susan Catherine Bones, daughter of George Bones and Glenda Bones nee Thomas, wish to bind yourself to Ronald Bilius Weasley, son of Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley nee Prewitt?"
"As sure as there is love and good in this world, do I, Susan Catherine Bones, wish to bind myself with body, mind and soul to Ronald Bilius Weasley for all eternity."
"Whom have you chosen to be your witness?"
"My aunt Ms. Amelia Bones and my mentor Professor Minerva McGonagall."
"Do the witnesses agree with the choice of the bride?"
"We do," was their curt reply.
"Mess. Potter, Thomas and Weasley if you please", the Headmaster asked.
The best men announced the names of the couples they would bind and continued in chorus: " you will be bound throughout eternity"
Wrapping the first ribbon around their wrist, thus tying them together. "You are now bound in your human forms."
Wrapping the second ribbon around their wrists, "You are now bound in your spiritual forms.
Wrapping the third and last ribbon around their wrists the best men said in chorus: "And now you are bound in your magical forms as well."
"Dobby will you please be so kind as to present the rings which symbolize their union in matrimony?" the headmaster asked the young wizard kindly.
The former house-elf walked proudly to the front wearing his new wizard robes.
Blaise and Ron took the ring from Dobby and placed it on their mate's left hand with the words, "You are my love, my mate, my sister in arms and my friend. I swear by the Gods and Goddesses that I shall love you, care for you and protect you with everything I have."
Hermione and Susan copied their mate's actions and said, "You are my mate, my love, my brother in arms, my friend and my everything. I swear by the Gods and Goddesses that I shall love you, cherish you, protect you and care for you with everything I have."
Eyes twinkling the Headmaster continued, "Now with one unique couple we will also have the Hand-fasting Rite according to the Wiccan tradition as wizarding law prevents us to marry three people even though they are mated to one another."
The other couples and their entourage took a few steps back to allow the Hand-fasting Rite between the Pendragon and her mates.
"I shall however not be the one presiding the Hand-fasting Rite. Those presiding this rite shall be the Pegasus and his Veela mate. I shall merely be a covener."
Harry trotted towards the front, his pure white horse-body and pearly white wings radiating. Prongs had decided to walk around bare chested for the ceremony as he was handed the role of the Priest. His horn protruded from his forehead though he kept his upper body including his head human. Draco glided next to him assuming his place. The Veela was dressed in the robes of a Priestess and his long, silver-blonde hair loose; his silky black wings were out. Many awed and aah'd in the hall. Marvelling at the Priest and Priestess for the ceremony.
The Headmaster continued, "There are those in our midst who seek the bond of Hand-fasting."
Draco in his role of Priestess declared, "Let them be named and brought forward."
The covener laid his hand on Howler and said,
"Ginerva Molly Weasley is the Pendragon", then he did the same to the others,
"Neville Longbottom is the Man and Luna Lovegood is the Woman."
Howler took her place standing in front of the Priest and Priestess, a bit between them as the Man and Woman were to stand directly opposite of the Priest and Priestess during the Ritual.
The Priestess asked the Man, "Are you Neville Longbottom?"
"I am."
"What is your desire?"
"To be made one with Ginevra Molly Weasley and Luna Lovegood in the eyes of the Gods and the Wiccans."
Then the Priest asked the red-haired lady before him, "Are you the Pendragon, Ginevra Molly Weasley?"
"I am."
"And what is your desire?"
"To be made one with Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom in the eyes of the Gods and the Wiccans."
"And are you Luna Lovegood?"
"I am."
"And what is your desire?"
"To be made one with Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Molly Weasley in the eyes of the Gods and the Wiccans."
The Priestess raised the sword high while the Priest handed the Priapic Wand to the Brides and Groom. The three of them held the wand using both their hands.
"Lord and Lady, here before you stand three of your folk. Witness, now, that which they have to declare," the Priestess stated.
The Priestess replaced the sword on the altar and took out her silver and gold athame. She held the point of it to the Groom's chest.
"Repeat after me: I, Neville Longbottom, do come here of my own free will, to seek the partnership of Ginevra Molly Weasley and Luna Lovegood. I come with all love, honour and sincerity, wishing only to become one with them whom I love. Always will I strive for the happiness and welfare of Ginevra Molly Weasley and Luna Lovegood. Their lives will I defend before my own. May the athame be plunged into my heart should I not be sincere in all that I declare. All this I swear in the names of the Gods. May they give me the strength to keep my vows. So moth it be."
The groom had repeated every word in a tone of devotion and determination. Few had ever heard Neville Longbottom so sure about himself. The Priestess lowered her athame. The Priest now raised his gold and silver athame and brought the point of it against the chest of the Pendragon.
"Repeat after me: I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, do come here of my own free will, to seek the partnership of Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom. I come with all love, honour and sincerity, wishing only to become one with them whom I love. Always will I strive for the happiness and welfare of Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom. Their lives will I defend before my own. May the athame be plunged into my heart should I not be sincere in all that I declare. All this I swear in the names of the Gods. May they give me the strength to keep my vows. So moth it be."
The Pendragon repeated the words fiercely leaving no doubt to those present that both Bride and Groom where hers. The Priest repeated his actions to the Bride and the Groom had repeated the words full of love and sincerity. The Priest lowered his athame.
The Priestess took the three rings, which bore the sign of infinity and sprinkled and incensed them. Then she handed the Brides' rings to the Groom and the Groom's rings to the Brides. They took them in their right hands leaving their left hands to hold onto the Priapic Wand.
"As the grass of the fields and the trees of the woods bend together under the pressures of the storm, so too must you three bend when the wind blows strong. But know that as quickly as the storm comes, so equally quickly it may leave. Yet you three will stand, strong in each other's strength. As you give love; so you will receive love. As you give strength; so you will receive strength. Together you are one; apart you are nothing," the Priest intoned.
"Know you that no three people can be exactly alike. No more can any three people fit together, perfect in every way. There will be times when it will seem hard to give and to love. But see then your reflection as in a woodland pool: when the image you see looks sad and angered, then is the time for you to smile and to love (for it is not fire that puts out fire). In return will the image in the pool smile and love. So change you anger for love and tears for joy. It is no weakness to admit a wrong; more it is a strength and a sign of learning," the Priestess continued.
"Ever love, help and respect each other, And then know truly that you are one in the eyes of the Gods, And of the Wiccan," the Priest finished.
Every person present in the Great Hall, save four Slytherin students, answered: "SO MOTE IT BE!"
The Priest took the Priapic Wand from the Pendragon and her mates and replaced it on the altar. The Brides and the Groom placed the rings on their respective fingers and kissed. Then the three of them moved towards the Priest and Priestess and kissed them to signalling the end of the Hand-fasting rite. Prongs and Dragon retreated once more and changed back into their original robes before returning for the end of the ceremony.
"Ladies and Gentlemen", Dumbledore's voice boomed with pride, "It is my honour and privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Blaise Zabini, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley and Mr., Mrs. and Mrs. Ginevra Weasley."
The student body stood and applauded at the newly weds. After family and close friends had congratulated the newly weds, the rest of the students approached them to congratulate them. Colin Creevy had promised to make some copies for them of all the photos he shot including those he'd made of Harry and Draco's wedding after he'd overcome his shock. This earned the over-active boy a pat on the back from his hero.
Mrs. Weasley was still drying her eyes as the clan and their guests took their seat at the Clan's table for the morning feast. After Cakes and Ale the remaining Marauder challenged the wings against a race with Charlie, Cissy, Bill and himself.
The students quickly grabbed wind of it and soon all the stands at the Quidditch pitch were filled with students, faculty and guests alike. Madame Hooch would reside as referee and explained the rules. Whiskers and Arthur Weasley were going to be assistant referees so they too took of into the air. The racetrack would be as followed cut across the Quidditch field, circle each tower of the castle, fly over the forbidden forest and return past the Whomping Willow without influencing the Willow in any way, before landing at their starting point. Having explained the racetrack and the rules that consisted of not setting fire to the brooms of their opponents or cutting the brooms of their opponents and they had to be fully transformed. The stands howled in laughter.
The rules were solely made up to protect those on a broom, those on a broom could basically do anything including hexing their opponents. The team who got back first would win.
Dumbledore send a stream of red sparks into the sky signalling the start of the games. Those on a broom quickly shot away into the air though the dragons where closing in on them. The dragons were blocking those on the broom so the Pegasus and the Veela could catch up on them. Lee Jordan had resumed his commentator's role for the occasion.
"And there they go! Lupin, Bill, Charlie and Narcissa are in the lead. Blaise, the green-black dragon, following closely with Hermione Granger, the silver dragon. Oh no, the dragons are blocking the fly path of the wizards! Stalling them! Sorry Narcissa." The former student said realising he'd said wizards thus excluding the witch.
"Look at that, Charlie Weasley dodges the Dragons I guess being a dragontamer has its advantages. Charlie fires a string of hexes which both dragons skilfully evade, wow! The Pegasus and the Veela have caught up with the dragons using their wings to shield the dragons from the curses the dragontamer fires. Must be some hex if the dragons are weary of them."
The others on the brooms fired hexes and curses towards the others now too. Prongs yelled, "FURY, KiA, DRAGON FORMATION!"
"What in Merlin's name is Potter yelling at the castle? Look! Draco mounted his husband mid-air, they're being flanked by both dragons. Is that legal?" Jordan yelled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen it seem that the winged opponents are flying in a formation and it's legal", Jordan said with disgust.
"Mr. Jordan you'll refrain from being biased or I'll hex you!" the voice of McGonagall sounded in the pitch. Everyone roared in laughter.
"The Clan leads, they've finished circling around the towers and Draco Potter is jumping between the back of his mate and the dragons blocking the curses and hexes. The wizards and witch are lagging far behind now. Come on guys, you need to show a brooms faster any day! Ouch, professor!" Jordan cried out after he received a hex from McGonagall.
"The wizards and witch are gaining speed again. They're closing in on our winged friends. Merlin, the Clan's already at the Whomping Willow!"
Suddenly everyone heard Draco holler, "BREAK NOW!"
The winged members of the Clan broke their formation just in time to evade one of the branches.
"That was close people! The Whomping Willow is really trying to take them down."
An agonizing roar came from Hermione who got hit by one of the branches. Fury blew smoke on her injured part and she flew as if nothing happened.
"Did you see that? Zabini healed his wife mid-air after she got hit. The winged clan is almost over the Quidditch Pitch and our broomed friends and Professor are dodging the Willow. Oh no, Bill Weasley's been hit. Charlie is going after his brother Bill. He can't get close; Narcissa and Professor Lupin are now also trying to get Bill from the ground before he gets beaten up to badly by the tree. Shit! What's that? It's Draco Potter, where the hell did he come from?"
Even McGonagall was too shocked by what was happening to hex Jordan for his language.
The clan had heard Jordan's comments and Dragon said he'd go back and get Bill out. He flew back full speed at high altitude and then tucked his wings in, free falling towards the ground evading the sweeping branches. Just above the ground he grabbed Bill and flew back up again.
When they were save out of reach from the tree he called out, "PRONGS, FURY, KiA HELP!"
The clan who was still hovering above the pitch turned and flew towards the Veela. The wizards and witch on the brooms hovered near the Veela worried for Bill. The dragons connected their tails thus creating a stretcher. Draco laid the eldest Weasley carefully on it and Prongs started healing the man he'd come to love as a brother with his horn. Only after Bill was healed and sitting upright holding on to the two dragons did Draco get on Harry's back. He felt exhausted. Clinging on to his mate the eight of them flew together to the finish.
"Did you see that?! Amazing, Draco is definitely a Potter. That was one death defying stunt he pulled off. The Clan is really something else. They don't only work as a team; each one will drop everything and go back to save someone in need. If there are any death eater-wanna-bees here I suggest you reconsider. There is no way anyone can win from them," Lee Jordan said defiantly daring anyone to contradict him.
Madame Hooch blew the whistle and Poppy Pomfrey stormed on the field examining Bill and Hermione. When she wanted to examine Draco the later politely refused and rested in his husband's arms. After about ten minutes the Veela was fully recovered and smirked at the undignified looking Mediwitch that no one could heal him better and faster than his lover. Seeing that everyone was okay the school cheered.
The eight of them decided to give one last tribute their supporters and each of the clan carried one of their opponents. Bill rode KiA, Charlie climbed on the back of Fury, Remus Lupin mounted Prongs and Dragon carried his mother. They flew near the stands grinning. After they'd passed all the stands they landed and the clan transformed back into their human-selves.
While the clan and their guests returned to the Shrieking Shack the other students returned to their respective houses as well to party.