I'm back, babydolls! I am so sorry this took so long, but I forgot that my usual posting day was the same as the SHARE Memorial Celebration we do every year with my sister. To those of you who are among the 1 in 4, my most heartfelt sympathies and love. I see you and hear you. Then we get home and find out the cat and children shattered my laptop screen, my unbacked up laptop. You see where this is going. So the second to last, or nearly second to last chapter, enjoy.

Chapter 28: Binding A Twin

Narcissa Malfoy suspected someone was playing power games when she found it impossible to make an appointment to talk to Hermione Krum instead of her assistants. That the Greengrass woman was having similar difficulties seemed rather coincidental. And Draco was less than helpful. She knew she had pushed it with her power games, but she never dreamed that spiteful boy would run off and elope! That Daphne and Molly Weasley were having no difficulty planning things was also a bone of contention.

For her part, Hermione hadn't been completely intentional in her avoidance of the Malfoys and Greengrasses. She was legitimately busy. She had a waitlist that was months long, maid of honor duties, and cooking lessons. That Daphne had joined those lessons, and the favored topic of conversation was bonding ceremonies, hadn't been planned. But, she could admit it made everything more fun.

One week Padma had hesitantly asked if she could crash, making Molly laugh, "The more the merrier, my duck."

"Thank you. George mentioned his favorite dinner was steak and kidney pie. I wanted to make it for him, but my mother still favors Indian dishes."

"Oh, you have to teach us some," Hermione insisted excitedly.

"Yes, you do," Molly agreed.

Over the course of the lesson, Padma mentioned George seemed a little sad that the Malfoy/Greengrass shenanigans had changed the Weasley twins' plans to use the same ceremony. "Pavarti and I aren't as close as Fred and George are, but I understand his feelings."

"You could use bands made from the same hunk of metal," Hermione offered. "Have them inscribed with the same runes."

"Do you know where we could have that done?"

"No, but I know where to ask. Leave it to me."

A note to her Gringotts account manager had Hermione being ushered into a senior office the next morning. "What can the goblin nation do for you, Mistress Krum?"

"I wish to have four wedding bands created and engraved with these runes." She held up a piece of parchment. Do you know where I can have this done?"

"Our craftsmen would be honored to do this for you."

"With all respect, and I am honored by your offer, I do not wish for these items to be demanded back at the end of the wizards' lives. Wedding bands are heirlooms to us, items to be passed on for the sentimental meaning, not the material value."

"You misunderstand, Mistress Krum, these would be a gift from a grateful nation. Gifts belong to the recipients. The only being who could demand their return would be you."

"Then I accept your gracious gift. May I ask why you would offer up such a thing?"

"When you assist us in removing the curse on the vaults you did not advertise what you had done. While you might only see it as client confidentiality, we saw it as a powerful witch treating us as equals. And allowing us to keep our reputation by not advertising we required outside help."

"I understand. Please let me know when they are done."

Hermione assured Padma she had the rings in hand. The goblin artisan completed them the day before George and Padma's wedding, much to the bride's relief. "I won't lie, I was a little worried. Thank you so much, this means so much to all of us, even if the boys pretend otherwise."

"I'm glad. Some day I will come to collect."

"Should I be worried?"

Hermione shrugged, "Depends on who you ask." Padma laughed.

The twins behaved themselves during the ceremony. Hermione strongly suspected Molly and Mrs. Patil threatened them within an inch of their lives. During the reception, however, Hermione checked every beverage she drank and every bite of food she ate. Which was good, because the pranks ran rampant. People turned into canaries left and right for a bit. Hermione thanked anyone listening that they skipped the products that made people ill. Though the guests enjoyed the fireworks display that saw the happy couple off.

Hermione smiled as she entered her office Monday morning. Two more weddings, three if one counted the Draco and Astoria's bonding, four if her own muggle ceremony counted. But she wasn't planning anything further for that one, so she didn't. The Hughes were the only couple yet to report a pregnancy. She knew statistically getting a perfect result on the first try was nearly impossible, she just wanted it for them so badly. She had four doses of Penny's team's potion. They would take it for the four weeks it took to charge the runes before the optimum time to perform the ritual again.

Twenty minutes after nine am, Blossom and Remington Hughes slumped into the chairs in front of Hermione's desk. "No pregnancy," Blossom reported sadly.

Hermione nodded, "As long as you're willing to keep trying, I am committed to keep tweaking things, not just for your sake, but for all the other couples like you." She picked up the packet Penny prepared about the potions. "These potions were developed by a friend of mine. They are tailored to the female and male reproductive systems. This will explain how to take the potions leading up to the ritual. It is my hope that the two combined will solve the issue."

Remington took the pamphlet, "We're still committed. Is there anything different we should do?"

"No, we might change the release spell. Change the wording from wishes for to longed for, add more of the desire." They both nodded and promised to begin again, planning for the four weeks to end at the height of fertility for Blossom.

Ginny and Daphne tagged in and out with each other keeping Molly from driving either bride completely nuts. "Not lying, someone needs to announce a pregnancy and distract her with the idea of more grandchildren and soon."

"Your wedding is in five days. Fred's is in twelve. We're in the wedding home stretch," soothed Hermione.

"And we just handed everything over to your mother," Ginny groused.

"You had the same option."

"Can you imagine? It would be a redo of her own wedding from the 70s."

"There is a distinct possibility that you are correct," Hermione laughed.

Theo became a rock of strength the last week as the wedding approached. Every time Molly tried to change something, he distracted her. He sent her to a spa, asked for a special home-cooked meal to celebrate, once he asked to dig through his Gringotts vault looking for a jewel case he wanted to gift to Ginny.

Then, amazingly, the morning of the wedding, Molly transformed into a serene being. She floated through the Burrow and over to Nott Tower. She organized the bridesmaids, kept Victorie and Teddy in line, and helped Ginny get ready. "Who is she, and what did she do with my mother?" whispered Ginny.

"Do you think your father drugged her?" Fleur inquired.

"Possible, very possible," Hermione agreed. "Theo is also at the top of my list."

"Let's not look the gift horse in the mouth. Though if someone can find out what's going on, we could use it next weekend for Fred's wedding." Fleur remarked.

On the cliffs of Nott Tower Ginerva Molly Weasley became Mrs. Theodore Nott. Hermione noticed Molly wipe away a few tears. The look of joy and devotion on Theo's face when Ginny started her walk down the aisle made Hermione happy that she had encouraged her friend to stop dreaming of Harry and find her real happy ending.

Hermione stood sipping a glass of wine watching the happy couples gliding across the dance floor. Strong arms wrapped around her, and a face nuzzled against her neck. "You should know my husband is a powerful wizard and a professional quidditch player."

"Sounds fierce. Perhaps he should not leave such gorgeous witch unattended," he murmured against her skin.

"He knows that any trespassers have much more to fear from me than him," she smirked.

"Yes, yes they do," Viktor laughed. "How long do you have to stay?"

"My matron of honor duties have been discharged. I am free."

"Good, I have a list of duties you've been neglecting."

"Oh you do, do you?"

"More importantly, I have list of duties I have been neglecting."

"Shame on you, Mr. Krum."

"But have to take you home before I can fulfill them. I could start here, but I expect you to object."

"I would." She turned her head to kiss him. "I believe you should take me home, then."

Later that night, Hermione lay in the circle of Viktor's arms. She worried over his earlier words. "Can hear your brain from here, love. What's wrong?"

"Do you really think I'm neglecting you?"

"No, of course not." He kissed her temple. "You are busy with experiment and the hundreds of weddings going on. I have been training. I wanted to tease."

"On one level I know that, on another I know I can focus so intensely I forget everything else around me. You've seen me researching."

"Should I feel neglected in this manner, I will distract you, I promise. Just as I hope you will tell me if you are feeling neglected."

"Of course," she kissed him fiercely. "Hmm, you're looking rather sexy this morning?"

"More sexy than usual?"

"I do believe so. I think I have no choice but to have my wicked way with you."

"Scandalous, but what is a husband to do?" He rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him.

"What indeed?" She straddled him, leaning down to kiss him again.

"We should spend the rest of the day right here." He pulled her down against him, enjoying the feel of her bare skin against his.

"We can't, or rather you can't. You and Dad have a one thirty tee time." Viktor groaned. "But I stay here... just like this... waiting for you." She giggled as he closed his eyes.

He looked about for the clock, "What time is it? Eleven. Plenty of time to ravish wife." He lunged forward and silenced her laughter with his mouth.

At noon as Viktor prepared to leave, Hermione watched him with the quilt draped over the waist. He looked at her behind him in the mirror. "Are you not going to dress?"
"Not unless Annika or Harry wanders in here. I have no plans."
She rolled over on her back. "Why is that a problem?"

"Will have difficult time concentrating on game knowing stunning wife is here naked, and lonely."

"That's a shame."

"You do this on purpose."

"Sorry, not sorry." She jumped up and kissed him. "You and Dad have fun. Give him my love."

"Cruel witch," he muttered.

"You know you love me."

"Yeah, yeah." He kissed her. "We have romantic dinner just the two of us tonight."

"I'd like that."

After Viktor left, Hermione dressed. It was one thing to sit around naked to tease Viktor, but quite another to do it alone. She browsed her bookshelf looking for the guilty pleasure to read for her afternoon alone. Something with absolutely no weddings. She decided to let Sir Neil and Sir Terry make the end of the world hilarious.

The week before the last Weasley wedding flew by. Hermione had finally been forced to meet with Narcissa and Astoria. Lucius insisted that Malfoys always had the best and that Hermione was better than Cassius, one still being the apprentice of the other. Astoria spent most of the meeting making faces when Narcissa and her mother weren't looking. Every time they attempted to plan something grander than previously discussed Hermione looked to Astoria for her opinion. With Hermione's support, the blonde was able to shoot down everything she didn't want. "I want simple and elegant. Along with Hermione and Daphne, I want to set the bar for bonding ceremonies. And both of theirs are, or were, elegant without going overboard. We're done here. Finished, no more changes no more meetings."

"Agreed," Hermione cut in before either mother could react. I have other clients to see and will not be allocating any more time to this. Object and you will have to find a new officiant, and the only two in the country will refuse you because I am going to tell them to. One works for me and the other respects my opinion more than your reputation." Hermione hoped this would, indeed, be the end.

Apparating to the Burrow, Hermione asked Viktor to check with Arthur if anything else needed doing. She headed inside to let Molly know they had arrived. In the living room, she found Madeline Greengrass sneering at the décor. Remembering the misery she and Narcissa Malfoy had put two couples through something inside Hermione snapped.

With a sugary sweet smile that would have sent Harry and Ron into hiding, she greeted the older witch, "Mrs. Greengrass, good morning."

"I assume you're here to plan this silly little thing, Daphne cut me out of the planning. Isn't this all quaint?"

"Yes, I am. But before I do, we're going to discuss your forthcoming attitude adjustment. The Weasleys are wonderful, generous war heroes. Your daughter is lucky to be joining this amazing family. So, you can cram your sour grapes up your arse about a successful business owner not being good enough for social climbing dreams. Then again, given Narcissa's behavior that probably isn't going how you hoped anyway. And you may be foolish enough to look down on my birth, but when you do, please remind yourself of every crazy story you've heard and tell yourself that those stories don't even scratch the surface. And if that doesn't help keep your mouth shut, remind yourself you are on my shite list, just below Delores Umbridge and Rita Skeeter. Both of whom have been checked off." She paused, letting the full weight of her words sink in. "You are about to plaster a smile on your face, march up those stairs, and be the doting mother of the bride your daughter is dreaming of. The only acceptable adjectives to come out of your mouth are beautiful, stunning, and gracious." She snatched the woman's hand and traced the berkano rune for silence on the back of her hand. "Say anything else, or anything petty, mean, or hurtful and you will lose your power of speech. Now, go support your eldest daughter." The older woman scurried away.

A low whistle from the kitchen caused Hermione to whirl about wand out. "Godric's ghost, Granger, does Krum know how sexy you are when you threaten someone?" Blaise Zabini asked.

"Promised."

"Pardon?"

"That was no threat, that was a promise. And call me Krum. As my husband's knowledge, I have no idea. Let's go get him and I'll threaten you and you can ask him."

"That's okay. We will assume the answer is yes. I like living and being in one piece."

"Good plan, I approve." She started towards the staircase. "Did you need something?"

Blaise shook himself, "Yeah, Warrington asked me to tell you he's done prepping the circle."

"Good. Thank him for me. I'll be right out."

Fairy lights and pale pink roses decorated the orchard. In the clearing at the center, Cassius had marked the edges in chalk. Inside a waist-high flattop boulder. Upon it sat a candle and two rings. Hermione nodded her approval. She took her place when Arthur signaled the bride was ready.

Light airy violin and piano music filled the tree-lined space. Arthur and Molly escorted Fred to the circle's edge. As Fred's witness, George followed them. Molly and Arthur embraced Fred and stood back, while George stepped forward to stand next to his twin. Once they were in position the music changed, swelling dramatically as Daphne and her parents repeated the trip to the circle's edge. Astoria joined her as her witness. The music faded as Hermione raised her hands, "Let those who wish to be bound enter the circle with perfect love and perfect trust." Fred and Daphne stepped inside. "Take each other's right hands and complete your vows."

Daphne beamed and took Fred's hand, "With this hand, I will lift your sorrows."

Fred grinned foolishly for a second before answering, "Your cup will never empty for I will be your wine,"

Together they lit the candle and said in unison, "With this candle, I will light your way in darkness."

Fred picked up the thin delicate band, "With this ring, I ask you to be mine." With her nod, he slipped it onto her ring finger.

Daphne repeated the process with Fred, giving a mock growl when she said the word mine, causing twitters of laughter.

Hermione raised her hands again, "By your oaths you are now bound." A shimmer of pink and gold sparks showered over them. "You may depart and walk always in the perfect love and trust you began today." The gathering applauded, then laughed again when George gave a wolf whistle when Fred kissed his bride.

While the guests toasted the happy couple, Astoria sidled up next to Hermione. "Blaise told me what you said to Mum, thank you."

"Don't mention it. And if Narcissa starts in trying to top today

again I will shut her the fuck down, too. I am weddinged out, and I have my own muggle one in three months."

"I agree. And in two months round two is finished and the madness begins again."

"Why, Astoria, why?" Hermione moaned, "What did I ever do to you?"

The younger witch patted her shoulder sympathetically, "I like company in my misery."

"Thanks," Hermione remarked dryly.

"You're welcome."

Hermione danced into Penny's potion lab carrying a bottle of champagne and three flutes, "Get Norton, today we celebrate!" she declared. "Your potion and my ritual just help a couple conceive after seventeen years of trying."

"That's amazing!" Penny cheered coming to take the glasses from her.

"And we didn't destroy her fertility so they can repeat the process and have another one."

"Even better."

Hermione sobered slightly, "This means I need your write-up about the potion to add to my paper post haste. The wizarding world needs this like yesterday."

"I keep a hard copy of everything we publish. I'll owl you a copy."

"Great. I'll arrange a meeting of ritualists. I would start mass production ritual masters the world over and going to be putting in orders."

Penny nodded, "Yeah, they will be, won't they?"