CHAPTER 37 - LAS VEGAS, Tuesday, 8/13/1996, Part A
By the next morning they had heard back from Bill, Gringotts, and Shiko Shiroma. They would all be available that week for interviews. Shiko was easy, they scheduled a meeting for that afternoon. Bill would have to be transported from England, so it would be Wednesday before he could arrive.
Just at the group was sitting down to breakfast Felix popped in. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Maloney and Mr. Grahamson have arrived, but they have two others with them that were not originally included and therefore cannot access the elevator."
"Did you get their names?"
"Yes sir, they are Sarah Maloney and Annie Grahamson, their wives."
"Oh, no problem then, allow Sarah and Annie to come up also."
"Thank you sir."
About three minutes later the two couples arrived on the rooftop. "Sorry about the surprise. We didn't think to mention that we would be bringing our wives, I hope that is not a problem."
"Of course not Greg. Glad to have them." Remus stuck out his hand, "I'm Remus Lupin." Introductions were made all around. "Would you care to join us for breakfast?"
"Actually, we have had breakfast, we completely forgot about the time difference, but a cup of coffee wouldn't go amiss."
"Remus, now that everyone is here do you think we could tell them our news?"
"Are you sure, we haven't heard back from your parents yet."
"I know, but I want to tell someone!"
Laughing, "Okay, go ahead."
"Well everyone, while we were writing letters yesterday we sent one to my parents inviting them to join us here for a couple of days. Hope no one minds." Nods all around.
"Is there a reason you invited them?"
"Well, Prof. McGonagall, you see, while we were walking around yesterday, we saw a lot of little, umm."
"What she is so eloquently trying to say is that we have decided to get married!" There was stunned silence for about 3 seconds and then everyone pounced on the couple. There was a lot of back slapping and hand shaking, and hugging on the rooftop.
/FLASHBACK/ On the rooftop terrace after everyone else has retired for the night, "Remus did you notice that there were a lot of little wedding chapels dotting the strip when we walked today?"
"I did, but I didn't know if you did."
"I did. Did it give you any ideas?"
"Yes, that we need to keep the kids away from them since we don't want them to get any ideas!" This of course earned him punch in the shoulder.
"That wasn't really what I was thinking."
"Me either." Remus dropped to one knee. "Dora Tonks, would you marry me?"
Dora really wasn't expecting this and figured it was just a joke, but never willing to pass up a good thing, "Why Mr. Lupin, I would be honored." She fully expected Remus to start laughing and get up and pull his photo of Sirius out of his pocket. Which he did, but not for the reason she was expecting.
"Sirius, I did it!"
"You did what?"
"I asked her and she said yes!"
"Congratulations Moony. When is the big day?"
"I don't know, we haven't talked about that yet, I just asked her and she said yes!"
"Bad form, old man, did you at least remember to kiss the girl?"
"Oh yeah, guess I should do that."
"Yes, you should!" While this conversation was going on Tonks was standing there looking stunned at Remus. He had asked her to marry him, but instead of talking to her he was talking to of all people his DEAD best friend. Somehow that just didn't seem right. Then…He grabbed her and kissed her and spun her around and now everything seemed right, the whole time both of them whooping for joy. /END FLASHBACK/
Then a shout was heard from Harry's picture frame, which was again lying on the table everyone was gathered around, "REMUS LUPIN, you have 5 seconds to get the two of you in this room before I start thinking of appropriate hexes."
"Umm, everyone, I guess we will be back shortly. Bye." And with that Remus grabbed Dora's hand and they took off running. Dora may not have experienced Lily when she was hexing, but Remus sure had and he was not willingly do it again. The two of them arrived in the owl room in very short order. Lily, James and Sirius were all already out of their frames waiting on them. The celebration was a very joyous one.
After they left Emma voiced an idea. "How about if we plan them a surprise reception? Steven and Greg do you think you could either stay or come back if necessary to be there for them? We don't know too many people here in the United States to invite, but I would really like to do this for them. When we return to England we can plan something to include all their friends there as well?"
"Emma, I am sure we can manage to stay here or come back, whichever is needed. I know it will be difficult, but I am sure we can find somewhere to stay, even this time of year."
"Mr. Maloney, that won't be a problem. We have a lot of rooms here and we also have the trunk, so having room to stay won't be a problem." Harry answered.
"What about a honeymoon? We can't expect them to stay here with us for their honeymoon?"
"Well, Niagara Falls is considered the honeymoon capital of the United States. I would think we could probably get them something there." Annie said.
"Oh Annie, that's wonderful. I have heard of Niagara Falls. So, do you think you and Sarah could be in charge of making those arrangements? Then I can concentrate on doing the reception."
The two women looked at one another and smiled, "I think that would be fun."
Dan interjected at this point, "Don't you think they might like to make their own honeymoon arrangements?"
"Probably. But since we are giving it to them as a wedding gift I am sure they won't mind. And if they don't like it they can always plan their own trip later. Besides, do wizards and witches even take honeymoons? I have never thought about it."
Minerva answered this question, "Some do and some don't. Just depends on whether the couple has the finances available or if their family has a home somewhere that they can use for a few days. Most don't though because they don't have the financial ability to afford an overseas portkey and don't have the time built up to take off work. So unless you work someplace like Hogwarts that actually has a down season, it's not really done too much."
"Well, good, then it will be a good wedding present, because they probably won't even think about doing it."
"Mum, what about other guests? If Dora's parents come then that will be her whole family. But what about inviting Greyfeather, Dove, the kids, and the Shaman? I know the Shaman doesn't usually leave the reservation, but maybe he would be willing to come here for just the one day."
"It won't hurt to invite them. I am sure Greyfeather and Dove at least will come. We could send an open invitation to the whole village, then if anyone wanted to come they could."
"Okay, let's make a list of the things we need to do and who is going to do them." Minerva transformed another lounge chair into another white board, and the organizing began. An hour later when Remus and Dora returned from the owl room they had everything sketched out and the white board hidden from view.
"Well, have you set a date yet?" Minerva asked.
"Not yet, we are waiting to hear from my parents when they can come, but I have a feeling it won't be until next week sometime. Why?"
"Well, I was assuming I would be invited?"
"Of course, you're invited, it wouldn't be the same without you, Professor."
"Thank you Ms. Tonks, I guess I will need to be writing a letter of my own."
"Why is that, Professor?"
"Well, Harry, I am supposed to go home day after tomorrow, so I will need to inform Dumbledore that I won't be back until later."
"Minerva, you know he is not going to be happy with you not coming back. He depends on you to do all the paperwork for the students, getting out their booklists, and all. Plus you have to check all the names against their OWL scores and make sure they can take the classes they asked for."
"Oh well, Pamona, he'll just have to get over it. Even though it isn't actually a part of my duties as deputy, I have been doing his work for him for years, this year he can just do it himself.
"Oh, Minerva. I would like to see his face when he gets that letter."
"Me too Filius, but I guess we will just have to use our imaginations."
"Remus do you think it will be before we all have to go back by the end of August?"
"I certainly hope so, since we will be leaving then also."