The fourth wedding at the manor was held five weeks later. It was definitely not the most unique pairing; No one would have seen Luke marrying his old potions professor or Cassey marrying Percy. But the marriage of Mad Eye Moody to his protégé who was not even half his age, a year short, was up there. Sirius had been asked to stand for Moody as is best man and Tonks had asked Luke. It seemed the house decided he was the born best man. It was the third wedding he was, the only other he had been a groom in.
He came into the room where Tonks had finished dressing. "You are a very beautiful bride Tonks."
Tonks smiled as he kissed her cheek. "I would say your husband would be jealous but I don't think he had anything to worry about."
Not only as Luke was gay and not even bi. Of course Luke was two months pregnant with their first child and though it would be a few months before he showed, the baby was never far from their minds. Luke had been having a bit of morning sickness but the pregnancy had been a pretty easy one on him so far. Definitely easier then his godfather or Cassey had.
Tonks put her hand on his belly. "I hope I am the next one with a baby bump. Alastor has agreed to go back to England once and a while but still..."
Luke hugged her. "You know you will give him a lot to come back to as well. And the sooner this war ends the sooner all our little ones can be safe."
Looking at the kids in the house there sometimes was some guilt. They had all left England for the safety of Bulgaria. Their children were safe here as the war had not spread to the continent. They did not leave the manor but they really could have. Back in England none of them would have risked it. Lyra would have been the only new baby in the house. With Voldemort and Albus' men around there was just too much danger back there to risk it. The order members were still at risk as they returned for the war all the time but they still knew their families safe here. The home was nicknamed Eden. It had become the paradise, a place set away from the war and troubles beyond. Here for a time they could enjoy weddings and babies and anniversaries and for a time forget the war beyond the walls.
Tonks was surprised when Severus and Poppy came in as well as his godfathers. "What are you all doing here?"
Luke sat down. "Well I thought you needed some inspiration and the best man is to give you something for luck. I am two months, I can have my sonogram,"
Beaming Tonks kissed his head while she watched Poppy set it up. She agreed it definitely was a wonderful start to her wedding day. She considered Luke more like a little brother sometimes then a second cousin or what ever their relationship actually was. She and Moody wanted him and Severus godparents when they had a baby.
Sirius looked at his godson. "Stealing our idea I remind you. I had my first ultrasound on the day we were married."
Luke shook his head. "That was your own and not a good luck gift. Besides I can not have a proper ultrasound for gender for another month now."
All their talk was cut off when the room filled with the sound of the baby's heart beat. Luke had not even realized his parents and brother, and Aunt and Uncle had also come into the room. He should have just had the ultrasound in the ceremony room he realized. Practically half the guests were there. But after Cassey's he was not surprised really.
Severus reached and kissed him and he saw his husband was in tears as he was. "This is so amazing. You have our little one in you, it is so real."
Luke returned the kiss. "It seems so much more real. I know when the bump comes and the baby moves it will but I just felt like I had a twenty four hour bug."
There were a few groans from others who had been pregnant in the room. They had all thought Luke had got off quite easy with pregnancy symptoms. He heard his mother reminding them he had another seven months to go. There was plenty of time for all of the other wonderful symptoms to hit him as well.
Tonks hugged him when the test was done. "Thank you for that Luke. It definitely meant a lot to share it with you. Inspiration as well like you said for tonight."
Andromeda smiled and came over to adjust the flower in her daughter's hair. "Your dad and I are so happy about the wedding and about you two trying."
Even after she came out of the coma and they had sworn they were happy she had been unsure and worried. But they had kept to their word. Her mother had helped plan the entire wedding for them. And her dad had sent for her cradle and some of her baby things from their home in the UK for when it was needed. She had worried her fiancé might get a bit anxious with all the pressure but he was proving more and more he was anxious for children too.
Poppy handed her a little item. "This is a magic recording device. I recorded the sonogram. Alastor could not be here, bad luck and all. Now he can hear it."
A few laughed but Tonks just smiled. "Not exactly the romantic music for wine before bed, but I know my soon to be husband will want to hear as well."
They had all known her for some time but no one had seen Tonks quite as happy as she was that morning with the family as she prepared to head downstairs for her wedding ceremony. More then any of the others she knew there was a chance she would loose her husband to the war as he was still an auror but she would risk it. She was sick of pitting her life on hold and she wanted what the others here at Eden had, she wanted a normal life. She wanted a husband and kids. And she would.
Ted took her arm. "Well we should get down there before your groom thinks you have cold feet and left him at the altar."
Severus spoke up. "He had a message. He apologizes for breaking the one condition you had of accepting his proposal. Ahead of time."
They all broke into smiles for they remembered him calling her Nymphadora several times during his proposal. He never called her it before, always Tonks or Dora. She told him she would marry him as long as he never did again. Of course though during a bond ceremony she would have to use her full legal name during it.
Her hair the brightest shade of pink any of them had seen turned to Sirius who had to go join him. "Assure my groom I will forgive the use just this one time."
Sirius kissed her on the cheek. "You make a beautiful bride cousin. Now I should go and check on your groom. He might be feeling lonely up there alone."
Reminded that her cousin was acting as her groom's best man she nodded as he took off. Moody was down where the wedding was with what ever guests were not here in the room with them right now. They were being married out in the gardens as it was such a beautiful late August day and he might be sweating for more then just the nerves if they left him waiting much longer out there.
When Luke, Ted and Tonks were the only ones left she turned to Luke. "Lead the way Luke. The others should be down there now. Don't want to keep him waiting."
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Staff meetings were drilling a hole in the head of Albus. He really wished this futile war would end soon so he could stop pretending to care about the school. It had its perks but he did not need to be the headmaster to enjoy them. He was sure to find entertainment enough when he was the head of the government. Things had become even more of a futile headache since Minerva turned out a traitor in their midst. And with the order at him all the time for Voldemort as well as the foreign group causing problems, his work never seemed done.
He looked at his two pets as they came into his office, his only comfort right now other then their father. "I hear your pregnancies are progressing."
Ron smiled as his hand lay against is swollen belly. He was now well over six months pregnant, nearing seven. "Your son is definitely a strong one."
Drawing the boy close he took such pride in laying his hand against the swell. His son definitely was strong. He was kicking all of the time. He had been forced to separate the bed in two for Ginny had been complaining she could not sleep. Her brother was so restless with the kicking baby. An extra bathroom with two toilets in it had been added as well for the pets. He definitely was not sharing his with two pregnant mares.
Ginny was just starting to show but was quiet believing she might actually be spared if she kept her tongue. "And you little mare, how is my daughter?"
Ginny did not look up. "She is progressing fine. She has only shifted a bit. The healer assures me that is normal. She should start kicking in a few weeks time."
Though he would be proud to have a few daughters for they were good as political bargaining chips he was glad Ron was the father of is son. Ginny was proving more and more just how worthless she was. If she really wanted to prove he should keep her she should be trying to pleasure him and not snivelling like a small baby.
He looked at the two. "Your brother William is to be married this weekend and for some absurd reason he has requested you be there for the wedding."
Ron was the only one who showed any response. "If master would allow us to go we would be honoured. Are we permitted to know who he is to marry?"
Albus nodded. "You will be going so you will know soon enough. I can arrange enough guards. There will be spells to hide the bumps of course."
There would be a number of important people from all three sides at this wedding and he could not have his enemies or even his allies know they were pregnant yet. Voldemort he knew would have spies there and the ministry and the Malfoy group. He would not have his children at risk by people knowing about them. There would be a spell to hide the bump as well as security to ensure his two pets were safe enough.
He smiled. "I have arranged for your brother to marry Florence Avery, the eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Avery and their heir."
Ron smiled. "The Averies are members of Voldemort's group are they not? Is this a way to try and get into their inner circle?"
Laughing he was reminded of how little of the war and the politics of it were understood by these foolish children. Lord and Lady Avery were not Death Eaters. Most of the purebloods who were Death Eaters were younger siblings. Oh the older ones were usually conceited and liked their power and pure blood, but were not stupid enough to follow Tom. Or in a few cases like the Malfoys and Rodolphus, had turned from the path a long time ago. Even Lord and Lady Black never were, or their older son and heir. Only Regulus had been. If he wanted to cement his power to ensure he could take over he needed to start marrying into these clans.
He smiled. "Your eldest brother will become William Weasley-Avery and upon the death of his elderly father in law he will become Lord Avery."
Arthur had come in behind his master. "And your brother Charles will when he marries in a few weeks will become the future Lord Goyle."
There were not many old blood families who had heirs who were daughters, at least not originally. Lord Goyle had an older son but he had died from a little accident arranged from Albus. Lord Goyle's brother was the father of Gregory Goyle, and they were the death eaters of the family. Evelyn Goyle had become heir since her brother's unfortunate death and the sixteen year old would marry Charlie in mid September. She had been home schooled as a lot of pure bloods were recently.
Ron shrugged. "Well titles are all good but I am much more proud to be the carrier for your children master. These children will be so powerful one day."
Albus smiled. "That they will be. I am happy you are so honoured to carry my children. Many would have preferred the marriages."
He shared a look with Arthur who knew of course full well what the fait of the children would be. Ginny to be whored out and Ron after a few children would be given some small home and money to live off of, never allowed to marry for he would be so sought after. His link to Albus' children would be to great a risk.
He watched as his pets headed up the stairs. "I am not certain yet whether they will go. I am worried word will reach those in the Malfoy group of the wedding."
Arthur sighed. "You are still worried that the information has leaked that Ginny and Ron are pregnant with your children? I agree, it would be too great a risk for you."
He had to go to the wedding and of course he could defend himself but the last thing he needed to worry about was the brats. He did not care whether they lived. But they had to stay alive long enough to have his children first. After that if they were captured, well he would not ransom them. He'd just choose a few new pets.
He walked over to the fireplace. "I really need to send word to Hestia. We need to find out if the information was leaked or not. There has to be some way to learn,"
Arthur kissed him and handed him the floo powder pot. "I assume you will be seeing the whore I wed. See if she finally has signed the papers."
He had believed Molly would not have fussed when he moved to school to be with his master. Hell she had lovers for years but she had. She had sworn and thrown things saying that he was betraying their children. Having lovers was one thing but leaving her for one was just plain absurd. She had been more upset though about the embarrassment then she had been about caring about her husband or any of her children. She had demanded that he at least stay till the weddings were over. She did not think the rumours could help their sons and the union any. He had said he would not make it public till after Charlie wed.
Albus nodded. "I will. I will also remind her that it won't come out unless she keeps complaining so loudly. Most think you are away on order business alone,"
Arthur smirked. "She is too much like Ginny, that is where the brat gets it from. She does not know when to hold her tongue even to save her own life."
It did seem the women in the family did not know how to hold their tongues. Albus had never thought Molly was such a nuisance before. She had definitely been valuable to him over the years. Not as good in bed as her husband but she had been helpful in killing members of the order including her dad. She had also helped with the kids last summer and drugging them for his use. But he had no use for a lover who did not know enough common sense to hold their tongue.
Albus put the floo powder into the fire and with a sigh as he was really starting to hate this trip he called. "Grimmauld Place."
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Luke's eyes were on his husband in the front row as he and Tonks made it to the front. His father was doing the honours. They had chosen the simplest of weddings, just rows of chairs out in actually oddly Severus' herb garden which was wild and had beautiful fragrant flowers. Andromeda had wanted to plan more but her daughter and Alastor had said they had wanted it simple but beautiful.
Alastor smiled. "I Alastor take you Nymphadora Electra Tonks as my wife and bond, united in body, heart and soul until death."
Lucius turned to Tonks. "Repeat after me I Nymphadora take you Alastor Walter Moody as my husband and bond, united in body, heart and soul until death."
Tonks beamed. "I Nymphadora take you Alastor Water Moody as my husband and bond, united in body, heart and soul until death."
Luke handed a ring to Moody. "Take this ring and claim my cousin Nymphadora as your wife while I stand witness."
Moody slipped the ring on. "With this ring I take you as my wife."
Sirius handed a ring to Tonks. "Take this ring and claim my friend Alastor as your husband while I stand witness."
Tonks slid the ring on. "With this ring I claim you as my husband."
Lucius smiled. "By the powers that be I pronounce you husband and wife. Alastor you may kiss your bride."
Everyone laughed and cheered as Tonks instead pulled her husband in for a long tender kiss. Luke and Sirius were the first to hug and congratulate them as the four took turns signing the wedding contract to have them sent off.
Finally Lucius turned. "Presenting for the first time as man and wife, Mr and Mrs Alastor and Nymphadora Moody."
Tonks smirked. "But if anyone calls me Nymphadora one more time today I swear you will find why I could give the marauders a run for their money."
That of course brought a great deal of laughter. Both Sirius and Remus admitted as they hugged her, that she was right. Even James who was the best at hexes could be outdone by Sirius' little cousin some times. He always claimed it was because he was never willing to use a full spell on a child and a girl at that.
Before the reception started the bride and groom left for a bit but when they came back Moody hugged Luke. "Thank you for your good luck and inspiration."
Luke smiled. "I hope it works. I know few people would say this to you before but I really do think you will make a cool dad one day."
Though even Moody had his doubts he had every intention of trying. Lucius reminded him that many men felt that way but as soon as their first child was placed in their arms they turned a total softy. They had seen Moody with the twins and even Lyra, and he definitely did have a soft side for kids.
Andromeda called them in towards where oddly picnic tables had been set up forming a make shift dance area. "Lunch will soon be served."
Severus led his husband towards the tables. "It seems that people are having to become creative to find new ways of romantic weddings around here."
Definitely the picnic feel though at tables and not on blankets, with very basic picnic food like sandwiches and fresh fruit, was different then the weddings before. It suited the couple perfect and even Andromeda had agreed it was perfect. She wanted the day to be perfect not as a day but for her daughter. And watching Tonks with her husband there was absolutely no doubt she had succeeded. No one had ever seen either the bride or groom as happy as they were. They wed before lunch as they were having a honeymoon though Luke was not sure it was better then his. They were headed back to London as they were to meet with Fudge. Moody had told his wife she could stay behind for he did not want to risk her but she had insisted on coming especially after they timed the wedding around it.
As Luke and his husband danced after lunch he rested is head against his husband. "Hard to believe in a month we can find out the gender of this little one."
Severus knew his husband was thinking of the sonogram. "And we will have our own little photo of the baby. I never thought I'd be so excited about such talk."
He smiled when he heard his husband talk to Moody about how fatherhood changed a person, for his dad was not the only one who had spoken to Moody on his concerns. Their baby was not even born yet and his husband was changing. He could only imagine if it was the daughter he was hoping for. She'd have Severus wrapped around her little finger from the ultrasound on.