Chap. 28: The wedding, an ill Voldemort, and leaving for their honeymoon.
Daphne was allowed to return home the day before her wedding, on the 19th, a Saturday. When she arrived via the floo, she immediately sought out her father, who she found in the study at the front of the manor, and just off to the left of the reception hall when entering through the front doors. Here, she knocked, and when she heard Cyrus say, "Come in," she did and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"Are you ready for tomorrow, daughter?" Cyrus asked.
"Yes, and I'm looking forward to it," Daphne said. "However, father, I want to know what happened in New Orleans."
"Daphne, dear, you don't want to know," Cyrus said with a sigh.
"I read about those rituals the other day, in Hogwarts' library. Slughorn was willing to give me a pass to the restricted section."
"Oh," Cyrus said, who then stood and poured himself a glass of Cognac before retaking his seat. "What did you read?"
"I do not think that Harry took a life, so that left the other option, and knowing of what little Harry remembers of it, I assume some witch took advantage of him."
Cyrus glared at Daphne with thin lips at this, but then sighed, again, and shook his head.
"Harry agreed to the ritual, Daphne, and asked us not to tell him about it when he learned of a sacrifice.
"Yes, a young couple, who had found that they couldn't have children, wanted a child, and they agreed to be a part of the ritual as payment to Baron Samedi to remove the thing infecting Harry."
"The witch from the hotel's bar," Daphne inquired, "I take it?"
Cyrus' eyebrows shot up at his daughter's knowledge of what took place. Harry must have told her everything he could remember.
Finally, Cyrus gave a nod and took a huge drink of his brandy.
"I will not reveal their names, Daphne," Cyrus said. "I can tell you that we hired her husband and that we will watch over the child and the family. We are to remain uninvolved after that, just as we would in an adoption or as a seed donor."
"Father," Daphne said, "you know that the muggle-reared see things differently than we do and that some might try to raise a huge kerfuffle about this if they ever found out? Why, if Granger was to ever hear of it..."
"It was the best option we had, Daphne. We did not trust anyone here to deal with this, and you know very well that these sorts of rituals have been outlawed for years over the likes of Dumbledore and his lot.
"Dumbledore had it in his mind to sacrifice Harry, and have him walk to his doom at the hands of You-Know-Who while hoping that he was right in that Harry would somehow survive it. The man is a narrow-minded buffoon when it comes to these sorts of things."
Daphne sighed and shook her head. "I still don't like it, at all! At least Harry says that he still doesn't want to know, but what if a child shows up one day wanting to see his real father, huh?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, daughter," Cyrus said. "It's best to let this drop for now."
Daphne stood with pursed lips and made her way to her room.
The next day, Daphne was looking over her hair in the mirror, where her mother, Helen, as well as Tracey and Ruthie, who was Tracey's mother, along with Astoria, had helped her dress and do her hair. It was done up in an elegant chignon with a Dutch braid accent. In the back was a pearl wedding hair comb with diamond accents.
Her bespoke white wedding dress, which they had picked up from Twilfitt and Tattings, was a "Fiorella design." They had obtained the idea for it from Harrods. It was a billowy tulle wedding gown featuring a sheer corset bodice with a strapless sweetheart neckline. A frosted, three-dimensional floral lace appliqué adorned the bodice and cascaded down the gown, which pooled at the bottom to create a wide hemline border. Detachable bishop sleeves, with matching appliqué, added to the bride's fantasy. Daphne knew that the dress was a head-turner and that it would make several attending green with jealousy.
Around her neck, she wore a thin diamond and emerald choker in Goblin silver. It had been in the Potter vault. She also had her engagement ring on, which she was extremely proud of. Its mating ring would be joining it within the hour.
They were having the wedding in their great hall, as it had become rather chilly outside. They had wanted to wed in the garden, but that wasn't really doable today.
Also, the ministry had set up protection outside the ward's perimeter, which were several aurors stalking about. Plus, one couldn't arrive through the floo today without an invitation, and those apparating in had to pass an auror inspection at the front gate.
Really, it was a small wedding when compared to some, since they only had around fifty guests. All of them would be sitting in white folding chairs toward the end of the 24-foot by 40-foot hall, where their large dining table had been removed. She and Harry would be married by Minister Scrimgeour in front of the large floor-to-ceiling bay window at the end of the hall. They had even brought in a small wizarding band, and one of them would play Felix Mendelssohn's wedding march as she made her way down the stairs with her father, and up the aisle between the chairs.
Tracey and Astoria would stand with her, and Ron and Professor Lupin would stand with Harry. Lupin had just returned from a mission, Harry had said, and had been trying to stop the European werewolves from siding with Fenrir Greyback. Harry had said that Tonks wanted to sink her hooks into him. Daphne let out an unladylike snort at this.
Harry was pacing in the area behind the two office chairs in Cyrus' study, while Cyrus was sitting behind his desk with Remus and Ron sitting in the other two chairs. As he paced, he kept looking at his new Rolex wristwatch for the time. It was now eleven-thirty, and Cyrus was supposed to have Daphne at the top of the stairs at twelve for the march.
"There's no need to be nervous, Harry," Remus said for the hundredth time he figured.
"Yea, mate," Ron said, "and just think, after the reception you'll be on your way to, wait, where was it you said, again?"
"The Bahamas," Harry replied. Of course, that wasn't true, as they were going to the west coast of Barbados, also known as the "Platinum Coast." They didn't want anyone to know where they would be except for three people, and they were Cyrus, Gareth, and the Minister for Magic. They did not want to be receiving owls, nor being bothered by anything else unless it was strictly an emergency.
Harry and Daphne would be staying at Holetown in St. James Parish, Barbados, the first town created in Barbados by English settlers, which was where the seafarers had first landed, and at the Colony Club in an ocean view suite. There was a reason for this, as when Sirius was first on the run, he had purchased a home on the island, and the young couple needed to see to it during their visit. It was supposedly near the hotel in what was called West Cliff.
Harry, for the life of him, could not think of why Sirius would leave the island paradise behind to come back to rainy and bloody cold Britain only to be stuck at No. 12. He really did think a lot of his deceased godfather, but why come back when he knew that he wouldn't be free to do as he pleased? Harry knew it was over him, and that was what irked him, since Sirius had started to regain his health in the Caribbean, but reverted and fell to drink back in London. Harry still remembered those tropical birds delivering his letters, which made him give a slight smile.
"It's time for me to go up," Cyrus announced as he stood from his desk.
Harry quickly glanced at his watch at this and nervously nodded to his soon-to-be father-in-law.
"We'll head out as well," Remus announced, who started inspecting Harry's new tux before giving him a nod of approval.
The four left the study, and made their way to the reception hall, and into the great hall. Harry noticed that everyone was already seated as Cyrus took the winding stairs up from the hall. Harry also knew that a team of elves were in the butler's pantry just behind the stairwell and in the kitchen to set everything up after they said, "I do."
They made their way to the front, where a raised dais had been placed and where Harry noticed Petunia, Dudley, and Vernon sitting at the end near the aisle on his side. Petunia proudly smiled at him, Dudley gave him a thumbs-up, and Vernon looked like he would rather be cleaning out a u-bend in a toilet.
Here, Harry stopped, and leaned over toward his aunt, saying, "It'll only be a few more minutes, Aunt Petunia."
Here, Petunia stood and surprised Harry when she hugged him before she began fussing over his tux and tie.
"There, now, you're all set," Petunia said with a sniff and retook her seat.
"Thanks, Aunt Petunia," Harry said as he shook Dudley's hand, and walked past Vernon to say hello to the Weasleys. Harry had to reach over Bill's shoulder to give Hermione a one-armed hug, and then Fleur stood to kiss both of Harry's cheeks while wishing he and Daphne well in French.
Before Harry could say much, he noticed one of the band's members sit down at the piano, so he, Remus, and Ron took their places. Harry was now a nervous wreck, it seemed.
When the wedding march started to play, Astoria and Tracey came down the aisle behind Cyrus and Daphne and stood opposite of Harry after Cyrus stopped at the front just before him. Both wished him well with smiles and winks before Harry saw Cyrus smile at his eldest daughter.
Harry was now completely, totally, and chin-droppingly gobsmacked. Daphne, all dressed in white, and with her hair done up like it was, with the pearl comb and the choker he gave her, looked stunning. He actually felt his head swim for a moment before Remus closed his mouth with the end of his index finger.
Scrimgeour had already come from the kitchen and was standing on the raised dais and before the huge bay window, which had white lilies hanging from every surface.
After Cyrus had marched up and stopped with Daphne's hand still clutching to her father's arm, Scrimgeour asked: "Who gives this bride to be married?"
"I do, her father," said Cyrus, who then gave Daphne a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting down beside Helen, who was already tearing up.
Next, Scrimgeour looked out over those assembled and started with the Preface.
"We have come together in the sight of God for the joining in marriage of this wizard, Harry James Potter, and this witch, Daphne Victoria Greengrass.
"Our Lord said of marriage that from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. So they are no longer two but one.
"What therefore God has joined together, let no one put asunder.
"Marriage is the symbol of God's unending love for his people, and of the union between the creator and his people.
"Marriage should be honored by all and is not be to entered into lightly or carelessly, but with reverent and serious respect for those purposes for which it was instituted by God.
"Marriage is a life-long union in which a man and a woman are called so to give themselves in body, mind, and spirit, and so to respond, that from their union will grow a deepening knowledge and love of each other.
"In the joys and sorrows of life, in prosperity and adversity, they share their companionship, faithfulness, and strength.
"In marriage, a new family is established in accordance with God's purpose, so that children may be born and nurtured in secure and loving care, for their well-being and instruction, for the good order of society, and to the glory of the creator.
"Harry and Daphne have now come here to be joined in this holy union to which God has led them. They seek his blessing on their life together, that they may fulfill his purpose for them; and they ask us to support them in this prayer. If anyone can show why they may not lawfully be joined in marriage, speak now, or hereafter remain in silence."
Nobody spoke a word, though there were several sniffs from the witches in the crowd, who were also wiping their eyes.
"I have known Mr. Potter since he came back to our world, and have found him to have become a good upstanding wizard. I knew his parents, his grandparents, and his great-grandfather, Henry, his namesake. I have also known the Greengrass family since I was young, and I am close with the family yet today. My advice that I give the two of you, is to treat each other as equals and live a long and prosperous life.
"Now, I shall begin with the consent. Harry, Daphne, please join hands.
"Harry James Potter, will you give yourself to Daphne to be her husband, to live with her according to God's word?
"Will you love her, comfort her, honor and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?"
"I will," Harry said with a huge dopey smile.
"Daphne Victoria Greengrass," Scrimgeour continued, "will you give yourself to Harry, to be his wife, to live with him according to God's word?
"Will you love him, comfort him, honor and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?"
"I will," Daphne said with a smile as a tear ran down her cheek.
"All right, then," Scrimgeour said as he looked at Harry, "Harry, state after me:
"I, state your name, in the presence of God, take you, Daphne Victoria Greengrass, to be my wife: to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.
"All this I vow and promise."
Harry did, word for word, and then Scrimgeour looked over to Daphne.
"Daphne, state after me:
"I, state your name, in the presence of God, take you, Harry James Potter, to be my husband: to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.
"All this I vow and promise."
Daphne did word for word.
"Who has the rings?" Scrimgeour asked.
Ron quickly fumbled around in his robes, found the box, and handed it to Remus who then handed it to Harry. Harry took one ring, and Daphne the other.
Here, Scrimgeour said:
"God of steadfast love, by your blessing, let these rings be for Harry and Daphne a symbol of their love and faithfulness. Amen.
"Harry, place the ring on Daphne's left ring finger and say:
"I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage. May God enable us to grow in love together."
Harry did as he slid the wedding ring on Daphne's left ring finger beside her engagement ring.
"Now, Daphne, you say:
"I receive this ring as a symbol of our marriage."
Daphne did, and then this was reversed, where Daphne slid on Harry's ring, and the words were said again.
Finally, Scrimgeour looked out at everyone and touched his wand to Harry and Daphne's entwined hands.
"Before God and in the presence of us all, Harry and Daphne have joined hands and made their solemn vows, promising life-long faithfulness to each other.
"In the name of God, I, Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic of Great Britain, declare them to be husband and wife."
Here, a gold strand of magic encircled their hands, and there was a bright flash of light.
"What God has joined together, let no one separate.
"May the creator bless you and keep you in eternal life. Amen.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Harry and Daphne flew together like two magnets, and their lips met with a rather long kiss for a marriage. When they drew away from each other, both had huge smiles on their faces as those assembled arose to clap.
Voldemort was not having a good day of it, as it seemed that since noon, he felt sick to his stomach. Worse, since the first of October, he had been receiving shocks of pain as if flames were creeping across his skin, and he felt weaker than usual. On top of that, he was having to use Bellatrix's wand, which seemed to hate him.
He had tortured out of Ollivander the truth about the brother wands, and now, the old wandmaker had alluded to the whereabouts of the legendary Elder Wand. He could not make that trip yet, however, as he had to free his most loyal, and that would be on Samhain.
He had also obtained much of the history about the Hallows from Fortescue under torture until he ended his miserable life. After all, he did not want his followers to learn about these powerful artifacts.
It was now just a minute before five in the afternoon, when the reception was ending for them. The bouquet was thrown, and so was the garter. Hermione ended up with the bouquet, even though she had tried to dodge it.
"We will see everyone in a week!" Harry exclaimed.
"Mum, Da', Astoria, I love you, and we will see you then," Daphne said with teary eyes.
There was a flash of light where a portal quickly opened, and the two disappeared from Greenhill Manor. Two minutes later, Harry and Daphne found themselves at the MoM Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, at 12:02 PM.
A/N: Honeymoon antics and fun will be next. Thanks for the reviews and support!