Happy Friday, my freaky little darlings. I hope everyone is well or is on the road to doing well. October is Infant Loss and Miscarriage Awareness month, and my sister has had 4. So, we will be doing a memorial event/baby birthday party tomorrow, meaning you get tomorrow's update today! And to those of you who are 1 in 4, all my love and hugs. (Including the dads!) (And yes, you are parents, don't make me get the elephants, they make people cry!"
Chapter 50 Wedding of the Season
For wedding colors, Hermione chose azure and violet. At her request, Narcissa left the menswear to Marcus. The week before the bridesmaids' dress shopping Narcissa dragged the mothers dress shopping. She ensured both had acceptable dresses in appropriate colors for their roles at the event. She also invited Esme and Cressida to join the group the following week. "Merrick has given them permission to spend as much money as I deem necessary."
"Good," Hermione responded. "And the more the merrier."
Having two blonde bridesmaids and two brunettes, Hermione elected to dress the blondes in blue and the other two in purple. "I want you all to find dresses you like and then I'll pick from your choices," she instructed them. She then turned her attention to her soon-to-be sister-in-laws. "Any thoughts, ladies?"
Cressida bobbed her head, "I've had my eye on a set of formal robes since Marcus proposed." She headed for the front display.
Esme looked about, "I'm not sure. I want something classy. I'll be meeting some of Percy's family. I don't want to embarrass him."
"I doubt anything you picked to wear could embarrass him. I'm sure he's far more worried about the twins embarrassing him. They do like their pranks."
Luna giggled, "Lucky for you they fear Mione more than they love pranks."
"They know when to behave," defended Hermione.
All four bridesmaids agreed on the same dress. The glittery halter top wrapped around the neck held up the rest of the satin dress. The softly draped neckline rested on the bodice creating a pleasing neckline. The bodice glided down to flare out just below the waist. Hermione had to agree it was perfection. It would compliment each woman. "Let's see if they have one in each of your sizes."
The group talked Esme into a sheath dress with a double slit to the knees that would allow her to walk normally. The deep burgundy color suited her coloring. "I have the perfect garnet set you can borrow," Hermione promised. "And aquamarines set in platinum for Cressida."
"Aren't you supposed to be borrowing something?" asked Cressida.
"Sure, but that doesn't mean I can't loan out some things, too," Hermione answered. "The phrase you're looking for is 'Thank you, Hermione.'"
"Thank you, Hermione."
"You're welcome."
Dresses settled, menu selected, flowers ordered, invitations sent out, Narcissa declared the planning complete. For the last two weeks, they had no appointments, no errands, no obligations. Voldemort invited her to review the preparations to begin implementing the Muggleborn Initiative with existing muggleborn students. "I decided Hogesmeade should be the site of our first cinema house," Voldemort told her. "We won't have to hide construction."
"And it will give the students more to do on village weekends," Hermione observed.
"Yes, there is that. Severus reports Professor McGonagall and the liaison agents will be ready for next school year."
"Excellent. Though we should look into protecting magical children from childhoods like your own and Harry's."
"In those cases, they can move in with their mentor family or another."
"You've given this great consideration."
He inclined his head, "I have."
"No more poor unfortunate souls," she smiled sadly.
-O-
On October 8th Hermione headed to Lestrange Hall while Marcus returned to Flint Lodge. She walked into the foyer only to have several Clearwaters knock into her as they stormed out. Rodolphus calmly followed them. The front door slammed shut. "Found out those businesses are practically defunct, did they?"
"They did, and they discovered that they paid for most of that farce they called a wedding."
"Poor dears. Do you suppose they will boycott my wedding in protest of their mistreatment?"
"Not a chance!" Penelope declared. "This is the biggest social event of the fall. Anyone with an invite will be there, including my family. And despite the setback to their ambitions they will want to remind everyone how connected to the bride they are."
"Barely?" pointed out Hermione.
Penelope tittered, "Not quite how they would put it." Hermione laughed with her.
Rabastan wrapped an arm around his wife, "I would say be nice, but your family annoys me no end." He looked at his niece, "Joining us for the night, little witch?"
She shrugged, "Alva wanted Marcus to come to the Lodge today, and Harry's moved into his new place. I didn't want to be alone."
Penelope took her hands, "I completely understand. All those nervous thoughts running through your head."
Bellatrix looked her over, "You want to run, way the word. I'll help. But if you let the show start you're out of luck."
Hermione shook her head, "I'm not nervous about marrying Marcus, my concerns are about what comes after."
"You already live together," Rodolphus told her. "Pretty much the same thing. Just continue the way you've been and you'll be fine."
Dinner was a light informal affair. The family discussed the ramifications of adding muggleborns to their lives. "Not all of them are going to be as educated as Hermione," groused Bellatrix.
"Yes, but the Dark Lord has been quite clear," her husband told her. "And I'm sure Hermione and Penny will take the brunt of the work in the early years."
"Certainly," said Penny. "While not impossible, it is highly unlikely a young child would be coming to live with us. Our first experiences will be at least twelve, if not older, and only for a few days."
"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "We aren't going to be handed toddlers."
"Plenty of those soon enough," laughed Rabastan. Penny blushed.
"Are you?" asked Rodolphus.
"Not yet, but we're not trying to prevent anything," answered Penny. She turned to Hermione, "What about you?"
"We haven't given it much thought, or discussion. We'll need at least one. And honestly, I hated being an only child. I want at least two, maybe three."
"Not seven?" teased Rabastan.
"I'm good, thanks. That may be some people's cups of tea, but not mine." She sipped her drink. "I suppose sooner or later we won't try to prevent anything, or slip up and forget," she shrugged. "I suppose after tomorrow it doesn't matter."
"No, it doesn't," Rodolphus assured her.
"I'm still too young to be a grandmother," Bellatrix told her.
Hermione giggled, "Won't you always be too young?"
Bellatrix looked thoughtful, "You're not wrong." The table laughed and continued eating.
-0-
The autumn sun shone the next morning, promising a beautiful day. Penny tapped on the door, poking her head into Hermione's room. "Good morning, Narcissa asked me to come to wake you. She said you needed a good breakfast to see you through the day. And she's not wrong."
"I'll be down in a few minutes. Thanks." Hermione stretched.
"See you, then." Penny left her. She climbed out of bed and slipped on her silk robe, seeing no reason to dress when she would be undressing soon enough.
She skipped down the stairs to the informal dining room. Narcissa sat at the head of the table, reviewing the plans for the day with the rest of the family. "Good morning, darling. Eat up, we have a big day." She turned her attention back to Rodolphus as Hermione served herself breakfast. "The caterers are arriving at ten. The florist will be here around eleven. The string quartet should be set up by noon. The guests will be arriving at twelve-thirty. Everyone should be in place by then. They all know what is at stake."
"Does Draco know you're using this as a practice run for his wedding?" her sister asked.
"Don't be silly, highly unlikely his bride and her mother will let me help. Such is the downside to male children," she sighed.
"Then they are fools," said Bellatrix hotly.
Narcissa looked surprised, "Thank you, I think." She looked at Hermione, "The bridesmaids will be here in an hour. Luna wants to perform the cleansing baths even if you aren't having a traditional ceremony. She wants to return the favor. Dora will be bringing Teddy over after his nap around noon. Maisie will be bringing you a light lunch around then. The ceremony starts promptly at one." She made eye contact with everyone and then gave them a nod.
Rodolphus addressed Hermione, "Bas and I have something for you. We went to the family vault and collected a tiara for you."
She returned his grin, "Is this where you say it isn't a big thing and then produce an elaborate crown?"
"No, this is where I tell you that this trinket appears and disappears. It can only be found to be worn by a bride when the marriage will be a happy one."
"Does this mean bad things for Uncle Bas and Penny?" she asked concerned.
"We didn't look for it," Rabastan confessed, "you found her a headdress, remember?"
"I did."
Rodolphus handed her a green velvet box. With trembling fingers, she opened it. Nestled on the velvet cushion, a diamond and pearl crown twinkled at her. It reminded her of the Spencer tiara Princess Diana often wore. Reverently, Hermione picked it up with her fingertips. The long teardrop pearls dropped with gravity. "You approve?" her father asked.
"I do. It is gorgeous. Thank you." She replaced the crown and stood. She rounded the table and hugged them both tightly.
"Hermione, the girls are here," called Narcissa.
"I need to go. See you in a few hours."
Coiffed and made up, Hermione sat in her silk robe nibbling on cheese and fruit
when the door to her bedroom flew open and Teddy toddled in followed by his mother. "Look at this handsome young man," cooed Vanessa. "Aren't you a heartbreaker in training?" The girls made over Teddy who lapped up the attention.
Tonks slipped over to Hermione's side, stealing a grape. "Ready for this?"
"Who knows?" Hermione swallowed down her nerves again. "How can anybody know if they are ready?"
"That's very true."
"But I do know Marcus is the one I want to find out with."
"Well, there you go. The ring bear wanted to come see his Mione before we join the boys."
Teddy climbed into Hermione's lap, patting her curls. "Ring bear?"
"Yeah, 'cause he's a teddy bear," Tonks laughed. "It's Remus's joke, by the way."
"It does seem like a corny dad joke. Tell him I laughed."
"I will, all right, little man, time to get you to the groom." Teddy held up his hands like paws and roared. "Oh, what a ferocious bear. Luck for me, I'm a brave auror." She scooped up the laughing blue haired boy and waved as they left the room.
Narcissa entered as they exited, "Time to get dressed, ladies." She moved to Hermione's dress bag and removed her gown. In what felt like forever and no time at all, Hermione examined her reflection: gown, tiara, jewelry, and all. "Simply perfect," Narcissa brushed away a tear. "You look stunning."
Luna grinned at her best friend, "Marcus might forget how to breathe."
Alex barked a laugh, "Good for him, Hermione knows what to do in an emergency."
"And keep a cool head doing it," Britta added.
"I seriously doubt that his body will forget such an important automatic reflex, but sure." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh, sarcastic Hermione means she's a nervous Hermione," laughed Luna.
"Or an awake Hermione," the bride snapped back. The rest laughed at their antics.
At ten minutes to one, Narcissa returned to collect the bridesmaids, "Roddy will be here to escort you in five minutes." Hermione nodded her understanding.
At the three minute mark, the door opened. Harry slipped inside. He whistled, "Don't you clean up good? Forget all this Flint crap, run away with me instead."
"If I thought you meant that, I would at least consider it," she told him, "for the thirty seconds it took us to determine it would
"I know. I just wanted to see you before you took your little flower carpet walk."
"I appreciate that and if you don't ask if I'm ready or nervous."
"Wouldn't dream of it," he assured her. "Can I ask you to save me a dance later?"
"Yes, you may. And I will. And we're getting lunch in three weeks when I get back from the honeymoon."
"Where are you going?"
"Black Island, Sirius gave me the portkey and attuned the wards to me back in 5th year. I was supposed to take you there if we ever decided to do a runner and just take off."
Harry nodded, "Good of him to give you an escape, too."
She shook her head, "I think my safety would have just been an unintentional bonus. I never used it because I knew you would never be willing to run and stay lost."
"Very true, but that is neither here nor there. One of us is willingly getting married without someone being pregnant. I'm thrilled for us."
"You say that like it nearly happened," she replied sarcastically.
"That said, I'm grateful you broke those spells on you and you were a good enough person to want to heal me, instead of hexing me and handing me over as is. I wouldn't have been healthy enough or rational enough to have discussed anything." He took her hands, his tone somber, "I would be dead, Hermione. I can't thank you enough."
"Yes, you can. You can be the friend I always thought you were. My second oldest friend, after Neville. My best friend."
"Always," he promised. "Don't cry. If you ruin your make up Bellatrix will kill me because she let me into the house. She'll know who made you cry." He pulled a small bag out of his pocket. "Luna just told me they forgot to do the borrowed blue thing. I told her I had you covered. Your veil and dress are something new. Your tiara is something old. The ribbon on your flowers is something blue."
"And my knickers," she supplied.
"Thanks for an image I neither asked for nor wanted."
She giggled and rolled her eyes, "Sorry, not sorry."
"Anyway," he opened the small bag and a pence fell out. "My mum had this in her shoe when she married my dad. Her mum used it. As the sister of my heart, I want you to put this in your shoe as your something borrowed."
She threw herself at him, crying, "Oh, Harry!" He hugged her tightly. "Slip it in for me?"
Harry bent down and slipped the coin into her right shoe. Rodolphus knocked on the door. "That's my cue to vamoose. See you on the other side." He slipped passed Rodolphus out the door.
"Everything okay, princess?"
"Yes, Daddy. Harry just wanted one last word with Hermione Lestrange."
"I see. Shall we?" He offered her his arm.
"I think we shall." She took his arm and he lead her to the doorway of the back terrace. The music changed and swelled. The doors swung open.
As they slowly marched down the aisle, Hermione glanced at both sides, hoping to recognize someone, anyone really, that she personally knew. Fleur gripped Bill's arm, one hand pressed to her chest as she admired Hermione. The twins gave her thumbs up. And Percy smiled at her from his place at Esme's side.
Flowered arches decorated the staging area in front of the assemblage. Marcus stood with his groomsmen and Yaxley, the ministry official marrying them. The man had been most insistent about it. Now, he smiled broadly at the sight of Rodolphus walking her towards them. Marcus simply stared, his eyes shining. He caught her eye and maintained it until they stood in front of them. Yaxley addressed them, "Who brings this witch to be wed?"
Rodolphus leaned over, under the cover of kissing Hermione's cheek, he whispered, "In the place of Malcolm Granger," he stood and louder stated, "I, Rodolphus Lestrange, have brought her." He placed her hand in Marcus's. "Care for her or I will know why."
"Yes, sir," Marcus nodded.
Yaxley addressed the crowd, "We have gathered here today to bear witness to this couple swearing binding oaths to one another." He addressed the couple, "Grasp one another's right hand." Hermione beamed up at Marcus as she took his hand. He grinned down at her.
"Hi," she mouthed.
"Hello," he mouthed back.
Yaxley cleared his throat to gain their attention, "Hermione, please make your vow to Marcus."
She tightened her grip on Marcus's hand, "Love is the beginning and end of everything. I love you, my husband, now at the beginning of our lives just as I will at the end, from today, tomorrow to every day."
Yaxley nodded and turned to Marcus, "Marcus make your vow to Hermione."
"Love is the beginning and end of everything. I love you, my wife, now at the beginning of our lives just as I will at the end, from today, tomorrow to every day."
"By the power of your words, and the authority vested in me by our Ministry of Magic, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." The wedding guests applauded as Marcus pulled Hermione into his arms and kissed her soundly.
When they pulled back, she whispered, "I love you."
"And I you," he whispered back. "Ready to face the throng?"
"I am," she answered. He placed her hand on the inside of his elbow.
Yaxley grinned, "Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Flint." Again they applauded as Marcus escorted her back down the aisle and into the house. Narcissa organized them into a receiving line leading into the largest ballroom.
Harry hugged her tightly and shook Marcus's hand. She recognized a third of the guests, through all of them offered the warmest of wishes. Nora and Oakley embraced both of them, Nathan and Ethan solemnly shaking their hands, causing Hermione to giggle. A few social-climbing former classmates greeted them, most not seeing what was right in front of them, but one or two glances back in confusion or thought. Hermione's facial expression never changed. The Clearwaters attempted to be overly informal, which neither the bride nor the groom gave much attention to. The photographer Narcissa approved snapped shots throughout the afternoon. He would leave after the couple shared their first dance, and with their parents. The Malfoy matriarch would then approve three for publication.
The evening proceeded impeccably, just as it had been planned. Once the dancing began, Hermione barely saw Marcus. She danced with Rodolphus, Rabastan, Harry, Lucius, and Draco in rapid succession. After a brief break, she graced the floor with each of the groomsmen and Yaxley. She escaped to the edges of the room, grabbing a glass of wine. She hid in the shadows, savoring her drink as she rested her feet. A quiet cough broke her solitude. To the right, Percy Weasley waited. She gestured to the empty chair next to her, "Have a seat, Perce. What's on your mind?"
"I'm considering proposing to Esme," he confessed.
"That's wonderful," gushed Hermione. "I'm sure she'll accept."
"Do you really think so?"
"I know so. She is so the smitten kitten with you."
"I'll pretend I know what that means," he laughed. "I know the Flints are allowing their children to make love matches, but do you think I should approach Mr. Flint?"
Hermione thought for a moment, "I would. I would tell him that you feel ready to take this step, and while you know it is entirely her choice you want to include him in this. Marcus did something similar with Rodolphus."
Percy nodded, "Not asking his permission to, just respecting the idea of letting him know, and nodding to the tradition, while moving into the modern age. I like it." His face fell.
"What's wrong?"
"Mum always promised me that I could have Grandma Cendrella's ring to use as an engagement
ring.
"Percy, I'm sure she would love to see you and hear you're wanting to get married and give her grandchildren."
"Not once she learns who I want to marry. The Flints are firmly in the enemy camp in her book."
"So ask Arthur for the ring, she was his mother, shouldn't he get a say in who gets it?"
"Actually, she left each of us a ring of 'engagement quality.' Grandmother's words, not mine."
"Of course. I still say, go ask your father for what was left to you," encouraged Hermione.
"I don't know. It probably isn't as fancy as Esme grew up expecting."
"Then she isn't the girl for you. Being given a treasured family heirloom means more than wealth. Esme knows that. She adores you. You're everything she wants. Go talk to her father, collect the ring from yours, and ask her your question. And stop waffling."
"Yes, Mrs. Flint," his eyes twinkled with mischief.
Hermione fought to keep the goofy grin from stretching across her face at being addressed by her new last name. "Sometimes it is
very easy to see how you are related to Bill and Charlie."
"Not Fred and George?" he asked curiously.
"No, those two would have produced doves from chocolates or mini fireworks while addressing me as such for the first time." She made shooing motions.
At midnight, the newlyweds made their farewells and collected Hermione's beaded bag that contained their luggage. After Hermione returned Harry's coin she joined her new husband. Marcus stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her. She grasped her emergency portkey and murmured the activation phrase. Magic whisked them away from the cool autumn of England and dropped them into the warm spring of their hideaway island. The island sat hidden from muggles and wizards alike, just below the equator, not too far from St Lucia. "What time is it?" asked Marcus looking at the sun sinking into the horizon.
"Hmm, around seven, I believe. Isn't it beautiful?"
"Third most beautiful thing I will see today," he said as he began to nibble down her neck.
"What are the other two?" she asked curiously.
"You walking down the aisle in this dress," he said running a hand over her satin covered bust, "and you out of this dress under me."
"I'm not out of the dress, yet," she replied breathlessly. She squirmed at the image his words created.
"That's why it is things I will see, not things I've seen." He pulled away and began undoing the buttons down her back.
She stepped away. "Nope, no sir, we are not having sex out here on the beach. Sand will get everywhere." She began walking up the sprawling beach house behind them.
Marcus frowned as he followed her, "How do you know?"
"Because sand gets everywhere when you just swim in the ocean and sit on the beach. What do you suppose would happen if you rolled around naked out there?" She paused to look at him when she reached the wooden steps, "I can tell you. You get sand everywhere."
Standing two steps behind her, Marcus swept her off her feet, "Then which way to the bedroom? I've spent the last two days imagining tonight, being teased about tonight, and I would like to get tonight started."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, "In the second door and to the right. The master suite is the fourth door on the left."
"Got it." He marched purposely into the house.
