Chapter 21 Publicity.
Harry Potter to Marry
While reporting on the wedding of Ron Weasley(star keeper of the Chudley Cannon's) and Hermione Granger, this reporter learned of the up coming nuptials of our Boy-who-lived and his sweetheart, a Miss Emily Prewett (possibly a distant relative of the Weasley clan) it has also been discovered that Harry will adopt the orphaned daughter of his Fiancée's sister. We were unable to confirm a date for the ceremony but we will keep you informed. There is no register of Emily Prewett in the Magical world, leading to speculation that she may indeed be a muggle. If so, how will she adapt to public life with our Hero. We will being trying to interview Emily as soon as possible to learn of their whirlwind romance. (Remember it was a few months ago that our play-boy was linked to a certain Miss Prattle.)Harry is obviously a fast mover.
Harry flung down the paper - typical, nothing is ever private to them, he thought as he made his breakfast. Then he realised that Emily was probably in danger of being inundated by reporters, trying to get the story first. He apparated to her home and knocked on the doors of her private room. He was greeted by a sleepy Emily, still clad in her white silk night-shirt and with tousled hair.
"Good morning," she smiled and Harry almost forgot what had brought him here.
"Hi gorgeous," he kissed her lightly, and then followed her to the small kitchen. He gave her the Daily Prophet to read while he started the coffee.
"Well, that didn't take long," Emily said after she read it, "But Hermione warned me it was likely."
"So you're not angry?" Harry asked as he served her coffee.
"I was expecting worse to be honest, it happens in our newspaper whenever some famous bachelor announces his engagement."
"They're going to hang about your house now though, are you ready for that?"
"I thought they weren't allowed to be noticed in the muggle world?"
"Yes, but they could simply dress as muggle reporters and stalk you that way."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"I don't know, I never really learned to deal with the press – they generally just print what they like anyway," Harry responded.
"Can't we organize an exclusive with one of them then?" Emily asked.
"An exclusive?"
"Yeah, if you tell one of them they can have interviews and photographs of the wedding, if they promise not to write their own stuff in the meantime," Emily explained.
"Okay, but it still means they write about us," Harry replied.
"Yes but this way, you get to control what they write and when they write it," Emily replied, "famous people do it all the time."
"You are a smart girl," Harry smiled, "I knew you'd think of something."
"Hey, I don't have to be a witch to understand how these things work," Emily laughed.
"Well I'm a wizard and I still don't," Harry replied. "I should probably get going on that then. I actually know one of the newspaper editors: she was in Ginny's year at school."
"Well Mr Hero, you get on with that, I have a fitting for my wedding dress today, and you're not allowed to see it."
"Where are you going to get it?"
"It's a secret; Mum and Molly are taking me."
"I should have know Molly wouldn't be able to resist helping out; she loves weddings," Harry smiled.
"Good thing too, I wouldn't know where to begin with a magical wedding. The only wedding Mum organised was Janice's, and that was a while ago."
"I trust you to arrange things that you're comfortable with – I would be happy to get married in Dumbledore's office."
"Well, it's never too late."
"No, this way I get to see you dressed up like a princess," Harry bid her farewell and set off to visit Luna Lovegood-Creevy, editor of the Quibbler.
The next few days were hectic as Harry went to work during the day, spent the evenings renovating the cottage at Hogsmeade, and the night trying to sleep alone, missing Emily by his side. Luna had been thrilled by the offer of an exclusive to the wedding, and her husband, Colin Creevy, agreed to do any photographs of the big day (allowing Harry and Emily a final say in which photos would be printed.) The Daily Prophet had been forced to back off, as Harry threatened to sue them over every blatant lie they had written about him in the last decade.
The wedding was approaching fast, and Ron, Remus and Neville had arranged a stag night for Harry. All the Weasley men where in attendance, and they left the burrow with a flee in their ear courtesy of Molly, 'on no account where they to get Harry into trouble thereby upsetting Emily.'
They apparated to Amsterdam and dragged an unwilling Harry into the nearest strip joint they could find. The twins had made a large cardboard sign and hung it round his neck that said, "Last night of bachelorhood." This insured that every one of the scantily clad women, who appeared on stage, made straight for him and embarrassed him thoroughly. Harry sat for an hour with a bright red face as his friends laughed at his discomfort and took 'blackmail' photos of him. His only relief was that they were ordinary muggle photos and so the ladies in question wouldn't move around.
At around midnight, the guys took pity on him and let him disapparate back to his flat. Ron went with him to make sure he arrived safely. Harry fell, exhausted, onto his bed and slept –fully dressed- until seven the next morning.
"Hey, get up," Harry nudged Ron as he passed on his way to the bathroom.
"Yeah," grumbled Ron into his pillow.
Fifteen minutes later when Harry had showered and changed into jeans and a t-shirt, he returned to find Ron still sleeping. He conjured a jug of cold water and let it pour over his friend.
Ron leapt from the spare bed spluttering and cursing. "What you do that for?" he said eventually.
"Time to wake up," Harry grinned. "I've missed doing that to you."
"Well I bloody haven't," Ron grumbled, good-naturedly as he ambled off for a shower.
Harry made some breakfast and waited for him to return.
"Aren't you nervous?" Ron asked as he sat at the table.
"Yup," Harry replied, eating his breakfast.
"You don't look it," Ron replied, "I couldn't eat before my wedding."
"That's because you're a big wuzz."
"Who you calling a wuzz?" Ron challenged.
Harry laughed and took away his empty plate, "Just kidding mate. I am nervous you know – I half expect her not to show up. But I'm trying not to think about it."
"She'll show up – she loves you, strange girl."
"Hey, that's no way to talk to the nervous groom."
"Look at it this way – she's distantly related to my mum. And you know how stubborn Mum is when she decides to do something," Ron reasoned.
"I guess," Harry conceded, "So you have the rings?"
"Course I do."
"Do you think I should get ready yet?"
"Might as well," Ron replied. "Then we can check out the chapel and things. Guest will begin arriving at ten."
"Right, I can do this," Harry squared his shoulders, trying to fake confidence.
"Look at you," Ron laughed, "You can face Mad Dark wizards and a little wedding sets your knee's knocking."
"Do I need to remind you how nervous you were?"
"Nope, but I managed to make it through the day without any major mishaps, so will you."
Harry smiled at his old friend and then went to change. He decided to wear dark green trouser with a paler green silk shirt and an open set of deep green velvet robes. His boots were dark brown nubuck that stopped over his ankle. His hair was brushed fairly flat, and his wand in a sleeve holder. Looking critically at himself in the mirror, Harry thought he looked okay. He couldn't really see what it was that attracted Emily to him – but he was thankful for it anyway.
Ron knocked on his bedroom door, and shouted, "Are you going to stay in there all day primping?"
Harry swung the door open to find his friend, fully dressed in a similar outfit, but in roay blue. "Looking sharp Mr Weasley."
"Not looking too bad yourself Mr Potter. Ready to go?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Harry straightened his shoulders and they apparated side by side to the Chapel.