The crowd applauded when Kingsley walked up to the lectern, he spread a sheet of parchment across the raised block and looked out at the great hall filled with people. He was quite nervous, not about giving a speech or presenting awards that he could do on his sleep.
No the cause of his nerves was what would be uncovered this evening, what Harry would reveal, the betrayal, the viciousness of it all.
The Aurors had been informed of what was to come and what their job entailed, the clone Harry had come to him and confided that he was fairly certain Ginerva was going to announce to the magical community that she and Harry were going to have a baby after he received his award.
Then the real Harry would reveal everything, including all the memories of the Weasley women plotting to end Harry Potters life.
'Thank you for that warm welcome headmaster Snape' Kingsley's deep voice boomed, now as many of you know this ceremony is normally held at the Ministry part way through November, due to unforeseen circumstances we had to move up the date and change the venue'
'Bet Snape named a pretty price for them to have it here' Ginny whispered to Harry, she had never been a fan of Severus' even after all he did in the war the red head hadn't been convinced.
'He really isn't that bad Ginny' Harry replied
'You weren't here when he was headmaster and the Carrows were in charge' she snapped
Harry ignored her complaints and went back to listening to Kingsley's address, the witch just snorted in derision and took a hearty swig of her drink.
'Alright let's get the ceremony under way' Kingsley continued
Severus was watching his husband closely from his place on the stage, the defence Professor seemed to have paled in the last few minutes and the headmaster worried he wouldn't go through with outing the harpies for what they were. He couldn't leave his spot, as that would alert the hall that something might be wrong.
Hermione was sitting closer to Harry and he thought if he could catch her eye, he might be able to communicate to her to check on his husband.
Severus waited for the exact moment when the ancient runes Professor cast her gaze in his direction; with some skilled hand gestures he was able to express what he wanted. It didn't take long for the witch to catch on to what he meant, she gave him a warm smile and focused on Harry.
She tapped him lightly on the hand and waited for him to turn his head, it took a few moments as he was lost in his own thoughts.
'You ok?' she asked
'Yeah, I think so' he shrugged 'just want this to be over'
'I know we all do, remember that we are right here beside you, Severus and Kingsley are there, we won't let anything happen to you' she promised
'Thanks Mione' he patted her hand
'Is he ok?' Seamus asked leaning over and whispering to Hermione
'just a little scared' Hermione mouthed
'Bitch lays a hand on him and it will be her last' Seamus hissed
'Now it's time to announce the Auror of the year' Kingsley broke through their train of thought 'this young man has surpassed every expectation that has been set for him over the last 2 years, not to mention his excellent work this year.
Many of our toughest cases have been closed thanks to the work this Auror has put in and the team he has working with him. I trust this man with my life, so please join me in congratulating Mr Harry Potter this years Auror of the year'
The crowd whopped and cheered as Harry left his seat and walked to the stage, Ginny was beaming, she deliberately looked over to where Hermione, Luna, Draco and Seamus sat along with some other man she didn't know, giving them a smug look. A medal was placed around Harry's neck and his hand shaken by both Kingsley and Severus.
'Thank you everyone, the Auror department wouldn't be what it is without Minister Shacklebolt, he has an immense amount of faith in us and the work we do, he listens and understands when we are presented with difficulties' Harry spoke reverently 'thanks again'
He had just stepped off the stage and was walking back to his seat, when Ginny stood up and shed the robe she was wearing, revealing the Royal Navy dress, Harry had told her not to wear. The hall have a collective gasp and muttered whispers could be heard.
'What are you doing?' Harry spat, the closer he got to his wife.
'We have an announcement of our own to make' she said loudly 'As well as being Auror of the year my husband is going to be a father, Harry and I are expecting a baby'
The whispers were no longer muttered and the volume had increased ten fold, the hall erupted in a cacophony of chatter, no one quite believing what they had heard.
'What do you mean you're pregnant?' Harry snapped 'if you are it certainly isn't mine'
The chatter got louder, people were putting down their glasses of drinks, cutlery clanked on plates as guests emptied their hands, every pair of eyes were trained on the couple at a corner table.
'Of course it's yours, now sit down you're embarrassing me' Ginny said urgently
'I'm about to embarrass you more' a voice cut through the chatter, it came from one of the tables that was closer to the stage.
'What's Professor Weston going to do?' one student was heard to ask her friend ' you don't think he's the father?'
'Do I know you?' Ginny snarled, pissed off that nothing had gone according to plan
'Yes you do and I know you unfortunately' the Professor jeered 'I also know for a fact that you couldn't possibly be pregnant to Harry Potter'
'How would you know a thing like that?' Ginny snarled
'Because I am Harry Potter' with a wave of his wand Professor Blair Weston was gone and the real Harry Potter left in his place.
Know one could hear themselves think for the noise echoing around the hall, Professor Flitwick looked as though he might faint, Professor Trelawney was mumbling something a feeling she had that trouble was brewing, beside her Professor Sinistra was telling Septima vector that she had seen this exact thing written in the stars.
'You're not the real Harry Potter, you just turned into him' Ginny screeched 'the ferret probably put you up to it, he and the rest never liked the fact Harry chose me over them'
'I can assure you that he is indeed the real Harry Potter as I was the one who helped him' Kingsley said in a tone that didn't invite argument 'would you like to elaborate Harry?'
'Certainly Minister', Harry stepped forward. 'You see when the war ended and everything went back to normal, Ginerva here came to me asking if we could resume our relationship, at the time I was unsure as to the direction my life was going to take and didn't really feel that way about Miss Weasley. She had other ideas along with her mother many of which I overheard. They wanted my money and were prepared to do anything they could to get it, even if that meant killing me. I went to Kingsley and told him about this, he in turn formulated a plan that would keep me safe while evidence was gathered to bring these two women to justice. I travelled for a time after the plan was put into place, when I returned I accepted the position of dark arts Professor here at the castle, while my counterpart over there started his life with Miss Weasley'
'You are a liar, none of that is true, we were married, the Minister himself married us' Ginny bellowed
'You married a clone' Harry retorted 'a carbon copy of me'
'What that's not possible' Ginny shouted ' he is my husband and we are going to have a baby'
'About that you're husband over there can't get a plant pregnant let alone you, he shoots blanks, we created him that way, because we knew you would try and fall pregnant' Harry quipped
'I don't believe you' she sneered
'Fine have it your own way, Kingsley if you would be so kind' Harry asked politely
'My pleasure Harry' Kingsley smiled slyly, he waved his wand and a slide show of holographic memories appeared in front of the stage.
The first one showed the real Harry hiding in the orchard and Molly and Ginny talking when they thought no one else was around, then it showed Harry going to the ministry and talking to Kingsley, the next memory was of the clone of Harry being created by a team of unspeakables, the real Harry becoming Blair Weston, who went travelling while the clone went back to the burrow and got back together with the redhead.
Two more showed various conversations between Ginny and Molly, and the plans they made to end Harry's life, he was to have a tragic accident at work.
The memory that earned Molly Weasley the first punch in the face was the one where she suggested the fake pregnancy potion to her daughter, the second one was when they spoke about stealing a baby from the hospital. Ginerva copped a punch for wanting to hurt Harry in the first place. No one knew Luna could hit that hard.
'None of that matters' Ginny howled even if he isn't real we are still married and you have to support me and the baby'
There is no baby you stupid bitch, the potion was changed, I gave the clone Harry the spell he needed to change it, so it does absolutely nothing' Harry shot back (he didn't want to get Kingsley into trouble)
'It does do something' the clone spoke up he waved his wand over the seething redhead cancelling he slimming charm she had used. The dress she was wearing started to bulge at the sides, her face was puffy and red, and her feet looked like someone had cast an engorgio charm.
Molly hastily picked her daughters discarded robe and placed it over her shoulders in an attempt to cover her up, but the robe was now too small and was splitting along the top and under the arms.
'How could you do this to her?' Molly seethed
'Me' Harry raged, you and your daughter have been conspiring to kill me so you can have my money, and you have the audacity to blame me, lady you are eight kinds of crazy'
'Molly Roseanne Weasley you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder against Harry James Potter you will be taken to the Ministry and interviewed in relation to these charges' Kingsley said authoritatively
Two Aurors had moved near enough to Molly during the ruckus to catch her if she tried to run, they now magically bound her and proceeded to lead her from the hall
'Ginerva Rose Weasley your are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder against Harry James Potter, you will be taken to the Ministry where you will be interviewed in relation to these charges' Kingsley intoned
She tried to make a run for it, but the Aurors soon had her cornered, they magically bound her and were leading her away, she struggled against the restraints.
'Not like you had enough money for me to live off anyway' she muttered as they passed Harry's table
'On the contrary Ginerva I am a very wealthy man, enough to last me several life times in fact and the only people who are going to benefit from that fortune are me and my husband' Harry scoffed
Severus came down from the stage and took Harry's hand, the look on the redheads face was like thunder, and realisation dawning at exactly what she had lost. Screaming and fighting the Aurors she was dragged from the hall and whisked away to the Ministry.
Kingsley spoke to Severus and Harry, and then he and the clone left the Great Hall. A hush fell over the hall as Harry explained the ins and outs of why he had to be someone else, most understood and were glad that he could go back to normal.
The headmaster started the music and the Halloween dance commenced, students went out onto the dance floor and moved in time with the music. Hermione was examining Luna's hand, she gave it a gentle kiss, and then they both moved to the dance floor. She gave Harry a small smile as she pulled Luna close.
'Thank Merlin that's over' Harry sighed as he stood with his husband
'Indeed' Severus concurred 'Care to dance husband of mine?'
'Why certainly Mr Snape' Harry bowed
Holding each other close they spun around the floor, Severus perfected each move and Harry marvelled at what a good dancer his husband was. A man of many talents he thought.
'Harry?' Severus said looking into his eyes
'Yeah' Harry replied
'I want to have a baby' he said in a tone Harry had never heard before
Harry looked into the depths of those midnight pools, his heart thudded against his chest, a huge grin broke out on his face.
'I want to fuck you right now, I want to make love to you until you cant walk' Harry breathed his eyes darkening
'Minerva you're in charge' Severus called as he and Harry disapparated from the Great Hall