DISCLAIMER: HP belongs to JKR. The storyline, all new characters, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property. Glorioux
a/n This is the end in two parts. The other coming this weekend.j
Wedding Time
All the efforts to catch Viktor and the Death Eaters were wasted. Wedding invitations had been sent far and wide. Many who traveled great distance started to arrive two days earlier. If the engagement ball had been a sight to see, this one would be an unforgettable event.
The news that the new noble, Count Rivolo, who was non other than Voldemort, would also be marrying in a ceremony preceeding Prince Harry's wedding, had everyone talking. The fields around the castle were full to the brim. The smell of roasted meats, baking, and other delights filled the air. Music could be heard everywhere, performers and musicians had come hoping to make a coin.
The streets were filled with the common folk enjoying the celebrations. Tents had been set outside the walls. In an act of goodwill Count Rivolo had donated a small fortune, for the celebrations that started the night before the wedding. All the magical kingdom had come to see the wedding procession, and there were tents setup for those coming from other places to see the event.
Magic portraits of the two couples were in display around the town, and copies were being sold by the hundreds.
The foreigners were arriving in magical ships, some by Port Key, many in magical carriages driven by Testrals. Carriages made of fine woods, guild edged with gold and driven by elegantly attired wizards, were a common occurrence. Half giants, Goblins, Centaurs and other magical creatures were a common sight; their royal houses were all represented; it was truly awesome.
Those coming from the Far East flew on their magic carpets, loaded with presents for the couples. Miniature elephants were enlarged to their full size to the delight of children and adults alike. The spectacle was never ending. Unfortunately, the unplotted lands were a beehive of activity which provided cover for those with nefarious purposes. Fortunately, others had come to assist with the protection of the royals and the feared Dark Lord's kin.
Mysterious guests also arrived but nobody saw them. There were at least one hundred of them. They were from three Fey royal houses coming to pay their respects. But M'ling, the good fairy, knew the truth, they came to protect their witches without anyone being the wiser. The fairy princess wished she had never introduced Ursas to her prince, not for a long time, sooner or later they were going to be punished.
Rooms were offered, but they declined. They set up their tents in several hollow trees. They found human housing oppressing, most of the ones that came were warriors, both male and female. They were a reinforcement unknown to many. They took posts around the wall, but nobody could see them, better this way.
The fact that the bride and groom were Half-bloods made them more real to many. Moreover, the Princess-to-be, raised as a house slave, was a romantic figure for witches of all ages. Every single witch hoped they would, one day, find their Prince Charming just like she had.
Not everyone was happy, particularly the new pigsty mistress, Molly Weasley, the evil stepmother. She had changed her appearance; it was a wise decision after repeated attacks by many citizens. She was the epitome of the evil stepmother with no redeeming qualities. She had the opportunities so many wished and had wasted them.
Children begged their parents to spend their hard earned coins to buy the Weasley twins' popular charm, one that would let children under ten become tiny replicas of their prince and his bride for a few minutes.
Sweet magic treats, and many other magic wares being sold all over the place. During the wedding's vesper, fireworks lighted the skies; they were gifts from the Far East. Some would spell the couple's names inside a circle.
Long tables were set on one of the gardens for all the soldiers and their families. Outside of the walls food and drink tables were readied as well. There would be free food and drink for all those who came to pay their respects. The wedded couple would come out to be seen, behind a protective wall but because of the threat they would not parade for everyone to see them, unless the threat was eliminated.
Because of the security, there was no flying, landing, or Apparating within the castle walls. A reception area had been set trying to prevent an attack, rumors that Voldemort's witches were under threat had made many of the subjects angry. Thus many were watching out, but with crowds, perfect security was impossible.
Fresh moss brought from the mountains and the forest was laid by the big altar where the bride and groom would walk on their bare feet. Torches prepared by experts that would release florals scents were set all around the area's perimeter.
Carts carrying flowers, food, and wine were delivering goods all day and night long. Merchants and farmers, all over the country, were lining their pockets with Galleons. The weddings were bringing prosperity after a long war; the one against the one paying for much of the celebrations, the Dark Lord, making people like him a little.
Inside the castle hundreds of house elves and servants worked day and night to make the event an unforgettable one.
Preparations- The Enemies within.
The visiting Fey princes all carried flasks of their favorite poison, Bellatrix's blood. The body had given out, but they had caskets full of it. Each bottle cost its weight on precious gems. The Princes went to spy on their respective future brides.
While their parents and M'ling went to introduce theirselves to the King and Queen, not in their pint size but in their full heights. An invisible Prince L'koij went to moon over Ursas. The prince who had killed Bellatrix Lestrange, sat on the pillow next to her and kissed her forehead. He wouldn't steal mouth kisses, M'ling would have his hide. She loved Ursas, and she wouldn't allow this without Ursa's consent. His friends, the two Fey princes, were also checking on their witches. The three princes made plans for later that day, which turned out to be a good thing.
At the new Royal Tailor's small shop, Peter was busy finishing the last touches of the wedding dress. It was already evening but he wanted perfection. This was his goddaughter's wedding gown . Prince Harry's robes were finished along with the gowns for the queen, and Lady Jane; and of course Lady Ursa's wedding gown.
The Dark Lord had brought him a booty of precious jewels to sew on the gowns of his three witches. No expense would be spared for them. Peter embroidered the fabrics with silks and the gems and he was done. He went to change his clothes, all was well.
He was busy wrapping the gowns; he was so absorbed in his task, that he didn't see the shadows behind, nor he felt the needle stab on his neck. Minutes later, he was chained and taken to a cell. The needle had been dipped in a potent sleeping potion and was charmed to control him.
Thirty minutes later Peter and two assistants left for the palace where they were going to spend the night. Tonight they would make the final touches. At the entrance the guards checked the assistants and let them pass.
The Fey princely trio was getting drunk in, You guess, Bella's blood, "Let's go and see our beauties."
"Did you feed M'ling the sleeping apple?"
'"Uhu, If she finds out I'll say that I had no idea."
They arrived at Ursas on time to see her being packed in a gown box; the gown was impregnated with a sleeping potion.
The princes pointed their wrists and downed the tug in charge. They looked around the room, everyone was out. They panicked for a few seconds, Ursas had suddenly disappeared. They laughed when they saw what happened; the potion had also shrunk her. The Fey Prince fell in love with Ursas, again, because the small edition was even prettier.
They found the same situation in the other two rooms. The other princes fell in love with Jane and Hermione's pint sizes. They all stole kisses, the temptation was too great, but they had a code of honor so a kiss was nearly enough. The two princes decided that didn't want two wives, and after the stolen kisses they agreed to wait for the witches when their spouses died. Time went fast in other realms, the real time could be as short as a couple of years.
"Maybe we should take them right now," one proposed, waiting was difficult, regardless.
"We cannot, it would bring war." Prince L'koij advised wisely.
"But without the powers we can give them, they can be easily injured."
"Imagine them with wings like M'ling."
They all sighed. In their drunkenness, they acted recklessly. Afterwards, they sat to admire the witch fairies, they cowered after they heard M'ling. "Where are you dirty rodents?" She had only eaten a bite of the Sleeping-Apple.
When she saw their deed, she neither screamed, nor she got mad. She grinned. "Great idea, they will be safer, but nobody can know. What you did is naughty but not illegal, unless you didn't plan to marry them. What happened?"
She told them what to do after she read the minds of the three Death Eaters. Then they tied them and left to get Peter. By the time others had reached the chambers the sleeping occupants were waking up, and the witches were back to normal.
An alarm sounded, on the maim hall, hanging from a hook in the ceiling, the guards found the Death Eaters; they were hogtied. A mysterious note, pinned to one of them, explained what happened.
After a short meeting, Remus and Regulus had a plan; they talked to Peter. Sadly, they still didn't know where the others were hiding; it didn't matter, they readied the best they could.
Wedding Day
The palace was a beehive of activity. Harry hadn't slept a wink. He had erotic dreams every time he closed his eyes. Hermione and he, had been watched by the dreaded 24/7, or so it seemed. They had managed a few heated kisses and illicit touches, but not many.
Her uncles, his former allies, were his worst nightmare. "Don't take it bad, we are protecting your life, the 'Dreaded' would cut your bollocks if you anticipated the formal vows." Indeed, one seems to be on sight nearly every second. The only one that gave him some slack was Remus; maybe because he was very involved with Greg Goyle's mother. She was a beauty, just what the tormented werewolf needed.
Before he dressed, his clothes were scanned for hexes. Hermione was getting ready with her ladies and with Lily's help. Jane and Wallburga were helping Ursas. They were all in the same room.
Peter came in an old armory room, nobody had noticed that he was hexed. The charmed needle still imbedded in his neck was used to control him. The other Poly-juiced Peter had carried a satchel the night before and was left hidden, just in case. Out of it, he pulled out a handful of toy wizards. Once he touched them with his wand, the old armory filled up with Death Eaters. They had succeed, all was going according to plan. They had come inside the castle brought in by a trusted wizards with a free pass.
Rodolphus touched Peter's head with his wand and sent him away. Just minutes later, Peter found himself walking to the dressing room. He didn't remember how he got there. He shrugged his shoulders, "No need to worry; It is probably a leftover over from the hex hours before, " he told himself.
Last minutes touches were being made, Peter was fussing, making sure the gowns were perfect. Hermione turned to Peter and gave him a great hug. "I am here today because of you, thank you, thank you. My grandmother Ursas might have a fairy godmother watching over her, but I am the luckiest of all, I had the best, my godfather."
When Jane kissed his cheek, he blushed bright red. "We bought you a big house more suitable for your tailor shop, it is just outside the castle. Tomorrow we'll go to see it. Thanks again."
More servants came in with drinks, guards accompanied them. Once done, they left locking the door behind them. At same time, the wall opened and several masked Death Eaters poured into the room. It happened so fast that nobody was able to act, all the room occupants were stunned with powerful hex. Moving fast, three of them lifted their intended witches and disappeared into the walls.
They laughed, Viktor declared, "Already dressed like brides, we will marry them as soon as we get to our ship."
They walked quickly to an underground well. Only a few minutes had passed before the doors to the dressing room exploded. "What happened?" Regulus asked.
Nobody remembered, they forgot, they were hexed.
Peter came to the rescue, "Last night I sewed finding charms inside their dresses, just like you told me."
Remus came and sniffed Peter, "Damn, something is off. " Wallburga an expert hex finder pointed the wand, and the pin popped out Peter's neck, removing the control and memory blocks.
"They used Peter some how."
"Yes, I remember, luckily I heard part of their plans." He told them.
Regulus pointed his wand around the room, the secret doors not known before were located. They were magically shut. It didn't matter, soon they were opened.
Meanwhile, the Fey princes had overslept, so when they came to check on their witches they were unhappy to find them gone. They cursed when they found out the tugs had taken them. They had no problems locating the witches, they left fairy dust wherever they were, only visible to the Fey.
The princes were on time to see how the abductors were readying to pull the witches into a well. Seeing the Dark Wizards' hands on their beauties made them beyond mad. They remembered M'ling's imprisonment and all that transpired. Viktor and his gang had met their nemesis.
Viktor guffawed triumphantly, a few more minutes and they would be gone. Their plan was a success. They had used old dark spells from the Lestrange and Krum Libraries. Thru sheer luck they found out about this well in a very old scroll. It was the entrance to an underground lake. A large boat waited for them, no magic here, they didn't want to be detected. Soon they would be gone.
They heard an unearthly growl, "What was that?" Viktor asked.
"Probably noises of the wind moving thru the caves," Rabastan offered, but he wasn't so sure.
"Just get in, let's go down quickly, it's nothing."
They could hear voices coming closer. Viktor climbed the ledge, he carried Hermione with one arm and was using the other to start descending. Suddenly, the before cool to the touch ledge, burnt his hand making him jump back. "Bloody hell," he yelled in pain.
They saw what heated the well walls; from three different directions, three giant lizards were coming their way, each one spewing blue fire.
"Place the witches on the ground, now, then lie on the ground face down. NOW!" The largest lizard ordered, with a booming voice.
Viktor tried to use his wand, but, it turned into dust, plus a flame burnt his bum, badly.
Now, they could see clearer, what they mistook for lizards were wicked looking Dragons.
"Now that Bellatrix Lestrange's heart has dried out, we could take two or three new sources of delicious magical blood." The same voice announced, flashing rapid scenes of Bellatrix 's last seconds. Everyone of the Death Eaters saw them and wet their bottom garments.
The search party arrived to find a bunch of frightened wizards who pushed the sleeping witches towards them, "Here, take them," and just like that they were gone.
Viktor and the ones with him, found theirselves in a cave used to store caskets. Figures hung from unseen hooks. What they saw, they never told anyone, but it was the end of the their attacks, for a while, at least.