Chapter 10

"I've been told that the United States and Canada already share several leagues with Muggle sports," Wood was saying.

There was nothing like Quidditch talk to kill time while waiting fir the start of the ceremony. Ron had read that there would be a historic merger between the United States' and Canadian Quidditch Leagues the following season. Apparently, Wood had been offered the position as first Keeper in the Moose-Jaw Meteorites team for a period of at least two seasons, with options to extend the contract if the new North American League title was won within those two years.

"And if some crazy American wizard is willing to pay me nearly three times as much as I'm earning with the Magpies right now, why not do it? I mean, I have five children to think about."

"I read about the merger," Ron said. "Several European, South American and African star-players have been contracted to strengthen the league, right? But is it cost effective to do so?"

"I wouldn't know. I don't know much about these things. But I do know that it's a five-year government-sanctioned project. The Ministries of the Unites States and Canada are partially subsidising it. They hope to create a stronger league that in turn will refine the native players and thus lead to stronger national squads that are able to penetrate to the finals or the semi-finals in the next couple of World Cups." Wood frowned. "I'm surprised that no one in Britain or the mainland cried foul over that."

Matt shrugged. "Perhaps they're confident that their domestic talent can make up for your departure, or maybe the obscene profits they've made have led them to believe it was worth it. I mean, you don't believe that the Magpies actually let you go without any compensation?"

"Now that you mention it, the Magpies' management didn't put up much of a fight when I brought up the subject. I can't believe all of that happened behind my back."

"Could be that it didn't happen. I was just speculating. Anyway, I'm fairly certain that, legally, that matter has been put to rest before they even announced the merging of the leagues, in case someone would cry foul. And I think I know how their teams might earn back their investments," Matt told Wood. "The sponsorship-endorsement relationship is great way to get revenues, and I know for a fact that it's widely used in the United States' Quidditch and Quodpot Leagues. Teams endorse certain products, and in return receive compensation from the firms and companies whose products they endorse."

"We have that in Britain," Wood said.

"I know you do, but to a much lesser extent," Matt said. "In the Unites States, Canada, and even Australia, the names of the broomsticks and equipment they use are clearly visible, and the names of non Quidditch-related products on boards along the sides of the Quidditch pitch. In Australia and New Zealand, the main sponsor's name is even printed on the robes."

"You mean advertising? But in Britain they advertise too," Ron said.

"Except for the teams' robes. Those are sacred," Wood said. "You'll only see a team's emblem on the uniforms."

Matt continued. "And whereas the advertising revenues in Britain go to the Ministry's Department of Magical Games and Sports, in North America and Australia, the teams get a sizeable cut. They get a substantial amount of revenues that way, so I'm guessing that that crazy American you're talking about isn't all that crazy. You're the Keeper of the English national team. He'll use your fame to squeeze more gold out of the companies your team endorses. I think the extra revenues easily cover the extra salary he has to pay you. And if you play your cards right, Wood, you might get some personal sponsors. Make sure to include that clause when your contract is drafted. If they want you that badly, it won't be contested."

"D'you think so?" Wood asked uncertainly.

"Well, your demands can't be too outrageous, and your personal deals can't conflict with the team's deals, but I'm sure there is room to negotiate. It's a seller's market, and a Keeper of your skill is in high demand."

"What do you mean by personal deals not conflicting with the team's?"

"Broomsticks, for example. Many teams have contracts with broomstick manufacturers, and they exclusively use brooms from those manufacturers. If they have a contract with the Cleansweep Broom Company, you can't endorse the new Nimbus 2700."

"That doesn't really give Wood much space, does it?" Ron said. "Professional Quidditch teams always have contracts regarding Quidditch gear as well."

"One doesn't have to stick to Quidditch-related products. He could endorse certain clothiers, like that nancy-boy Chaser for the Quiberion Quafflepunchers, Donadieu, does. If you're enough of a role model, everyone with something to sell will want you to endorse their product."

"Like Harry," Ron said, suddenly remembering that Harry had a similar agreement with the Firebolt's manufacturers. Of course, that income went straight to charity.

"What about Harry?" Wood asked.

"He endorses Firebolt Mk II's here in Concordia, and gets a small fee for it. It's automatically transferred to a vault that periodically sends funds to charitable causes."

"Really?"

"Yeah, though I'll have to remind him to fly with a broom from time to time, or they'll dissolve the deal," Ron said. Then his gaze fell a small crowd of guests, and the woman on Neville's arm. At first Ron was a bit confused, wondering if Neville had divorced his wife. But upon closer examination, he saw the similarities and realised that it was Eloise herself. She caught Ron's gaze, and smiled.

"If I had a Galleon for every time my acquaintances have given me that look these past few months, I'd be able to afford an early retirement."

Her nose had been centred on her face and shrunk and her chin was less pointy than it used to be. "Eloise . you look good!"

"Thanks to Justin Finch-Fletchley," Eloise replied, beaming. "After becoming a Healer, he started a practice that specialises in permanent body reconstruction. At first I was a bit sceptical, but when I saw how he fixed Millicent Bulstrode, I was sold."

"Yeah . Millicent," Neville grinned. "Now people can actually look at her face without flinching."

"I've always wondered when this idea would finally take root in the wizarding world," Matt said. "In the Muggle world, it's big business. Speaking of which, we should talk about your plans for that wine. You must have noticed that Concordia's climate is ideal for vineyards, and I happen to own a sizeable patch of land outside the city. Are you aware that Concordia's treaties would allow you to bring locally produced wine to foreign markets at a very competitive price-"

"Really, husband of mine, at times I think you should become a businessman," Gudrun said as she approached, flanked by Parvati and Padma. While the twins had been nearly identical in the past, Parvati's four pregnancies had left their mark. It hadn't been as noticeable when they'd run into them during the quest to clothe the blow-up doll at Harry's bachelor party, since both had been covered by summer cloaks. Now, however, the Patil twins were draped in saris, and Parvati had clearly avoided keeping her midriff bare like Padma had.

"If I were to become a businessman, I'd slack off on my exercise, and you wouldn't have a husband with the body of a Greek god anymore," Matt replied, sliding his arm around Gudrun as she strolled into reach.

"That wouldn't be a problem," Gudrun said sweetly. "I'd just find myself a boy toy to cheat on you with."

"My love, your callous words hurt me so."

Parvati and Padma giggled.

"Sweetheart, meet Neville Longbottom and his wife, Eloise."

"How do you do?" Gudrun said, shaking their hands.

"Is our younger offspring taken care off?" Matt asked.

"Serafina's babysitting Rachel, and the other children under four. The older ones are allowed to attend the ceremony."

"Why didn't you bring your children, Parvati?" Ron asked.

"You have no idea how much of a hassle it is to travel with five small children, do you?" Parvati sighed.

"Both sets of grandparents wanted to spend quality time with their grandchildren. Parvati and I will be staying here a few more days to unwind."

"Ah, the participants of the ceremony are here." Gudrun nodded to the forest, where Wolfe, Harry, Hermione, and the others appeared, following an old centaur out of the forest. Behind them, seven more centaurs appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

Ron strode over to meet Harry and Wolfe, who had stopped closer to the edge of the more private part of the forest.

"Is everything set?"

"Brother Francis is finishing the consecration rituals," Harry said. "Keep an eye on your watch. You need to announce the beginning of the ceremony at four o'clock."

Ron smiled. Harry was beginning to get nervous. He kept looking at the bridal tent, where Ginny and Heidi were putting the final touches on their preparations. "Easy, Harry. Everything will be fine." He fished his watch out of his pocket and checked it. Seventeen minutes to four. "It won't be long now. C'mon, let's go say hello to some of the guests some more."

Sixteen minutes later, Ron could happily conclude that greeting the guests had taken Harry's mind off the imminent ceremony. He'd been very pleased to see Professor McGonagall again, and he was laughing merrily at something Professor Lupin had said. The time had come at last. Ron extracted the Summoner's bell from its pouch. Then he cleared his throat, before drawing his wand and casting the Sonorus charm on himself.

"Hear ye, hear ye," he began, feeling slightly ridiculous as he rang the bell three times. But since the archaic words were a matter of tradition, he endured it. "The service is about to begin."

He repeated the call twice, ringing the bell thrice with each call. From the corner of his eye, he saw Harry, Wolfe, and the women excuse themselves and follow the old centaur to the ceremonial site, this time also accompanied by a quartet of musicians. Doc's brother and two witches each carried a violin, while a tall wizard carried a contrabass.

He waited for everyone to gather around. There were about sixty people.

"Let us follow the pathfinders to the ceremonial site."

With that, the procession set off towards the clearing deeper in the forest. Ron had a feeling they were taking the scenic route, and guessed that the centaurs probably lived very close by and wanted to keep the exact locations of their favourite dwellings a secret. After roughly ten minutes, they arrived at a large clearing in the forest. He could see the ceremonial circle, and he knew he had to go to where Wolfe was standing, holding his ceremonial staff.

As the Guardian, it was Wolfe's task to establish safe passage into the circle.

"Please move sunwise within the circle to make room for those behind you," Wolfe instructed, barring the possibility for anyone to move counter clockwise by blocking the way. Millie and Susie took it as a challenge and tried to dart past Wolfe, but he'd anticipated their defiant act and levitated them with wand-less magic. Their legs futilely kicked in the air a few times before they gave up, glaring at Wolfe. Bill and Charlie plucked the girls out of the air and carried them around the circle, while their grandmother hissed a few threats.

It took another seven to eight minutes for everyone to enter. Not every adult grabbed a ribbon. Couples like Parvati and Wood, and Neville and Eloise, chose to share a ribbon. As the people chose their ribbons, Wolfe suggested that they charm their names on them, to allow Harry and Ginny to remember their attendance in the future. When everyone was in the circle, Wolfe 'closed' the gateway, and Ron turned to follow the pathfinder centaurs to the bridal tent.

*

"Ginny, Heidi . it's time!" Ron called from outside the tent.

With a violently flip-flopping stomach, Ginny rose from her stool. She turned to Heidi and accepted an elaborate bouquet bound in gold and white ribbon.

Most people simply followed the custom of bridal bouquets without understanding the meaning behind them, but to those few who knew the intricate language of flowers and herbs, Ginny's bouquet was a brilliant example of floral metaphor. A dozen roses in three colours dominated the arrangement: creamy white, symbolising worthiness and perfection; golden yellow, for friendship and absolute achievement; and deep red, for harmony and passionate love. The spaces between the roses were filled in by sprays of forget-me-not, signifying true love, orange blossoms for marriage, lavender for devotion, and ivy for fidelity.

"How do I look?"

"Not quite as gorgeous as me, but I doubt anyone will notice," Heidi said exasperatedly. "Ginny, you look beautiful, all right? How about my gown? Is the bodice still laced up properly? With all the bending I've been doing."

Heidi's gown was made of velvet in a rich golden yellow reminiscent of sunlight on a warm summer's day. A snug bodice with fitted sleeves and a low V-neckline trimmed with a thin band of embroidery flowed into a full skirt that just brushed the tops of Heidi's dainty slippers. A long girdle of ivory silk cord was slung low across Heidi's hips, the tasselled ends dangling just above the hem of the skirt. A simple chaplet of white and yellow flowers crowned Heidi's hair. The garb radiated an air of warm and welcoming friendship, a perfect complement to Ginny's own gown.

"It's fine," Ginny said.

"All right, then. Come on, we can't keep the guests waiting."

Her brother's impatient expression melted into an uncharacteristic look of tenderness as he beheld Ginny in her dress.

"Ginny, you look beautiful," he said in a barely audible voice.

Ron's reaction dispelled Ginny's anxiety a great deal. She gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks."

Heidi cleared her throat, looking at Ron expectantly.

"You look nice too, Heidi," Ron said quickly.

"Thank you," Heidi said. Then she stepped towards Ginny and gently lowered her veil in place, tugging at it here and there to get it just right.

Ron offered her Ginny his right arm. "Shall we?"

Nodding, Ginny took his arm.

"Lead the way," Ron told the centaurs.

A grey-bodied male took the lead while the remaining six fell into place at either side of Ron, Ginny and Heidi, forming an honour guard of sorts.

Ginny initially kept a close eye on the path, looking out for anything that might snag her dress. But the path seemed to have been cleared of any debris that normally lay on a forest's floor, and after what seemed like an eternity, the clearing harbouring the ceremonial circle appeared behind the tree line. As they cleared the trees, the lead centaur stepped aside while the others fell back.

"This forest's centaur community offers you its blessing," the centaur whispered as Ginny passed him.

Though Ginny was surprised, she remembered to answer. "Thank you."

When they had reached the perimeter of the circle, a quartet of violinists began to play what Heidi had told her would be the Bridal March, by a Muggle composer named Wagner. In the haste leading up to the wedding, she hadn't had the opportunity to ask Heidi what it sounded like. If Heidi had simply said that they'd play 'Here comes the Bride,' Ginny would have known what Heidi had been talking about, instead of worrying whether or not she'd like the musical piece.

Wolfe left Harry's side and met them at the gateway, brandishing his staff. He ushered them in with a bow. Stepping in time with the music, Ron and Ginny moved towards the high altar, where Brother Francis and Harry were waiting.

The gathered crowd gasped as Ginny stepped into the circle, and she was delighted at the expression of stunned awe that crossed Harry's face as he was similarly enchanted by the sight of her.

Regina had done her work to perfection. The princess-style gown was made of butter-soft ivory silk crepe that flowed from shoulder to floor and playfully whispered with Ginny's every movement. The wide, round neckline was trimmed with a band of knotwork embroidery in gold thread, and the sleeves were made of ivory silk chiffon edged in gold, fitted close at the shoulders but widening to a soft bell-shape at her wrists. An overskirt of the same gold-edged chiffon floated across the ground as it followed Ginny wherever she walked. A belt decorated with embroidery similar to that at the neckline rested on her hips, cleverly hiding the seam between the bodice, underskirt and overskirt; the belt's free end hung down in front to just above the floor. The ensemble was completed with a veil made from a wide circle of more of the gold-edged ivory chiffon, held in place with a circlet of delicate gold wire and pearls.

For his part, Harry looked very dashing in his silver and black dress uniform, identical to the uniforms worn by Ron, Wolfe, and the other male Rangers in attendance.

When they had reached the high altar, Ron kissed her hand and placed it in Harry's, before retiring to the outer circle, where he'd witness the ceremony with the rest of the family.

Wolfe returned to the high altar and lay his staff down in front of it. Then he produced the rings and placed them on the small plate upon the altar.

When Wolfe had taken his place to Harry's right, Brother Francis raised his arms and spoke the blessing. "Great Maker, grant Your blessing upon these two, who have come before You, to celebrate the sacrament of marriage in front of their friends and loved ones. So mote it be!"

Everyone murmured the blessing.

"Now we shall introduce Harry and Ginny to the Elemental Powers to seek their blessings upon this enterprise," Brother Francis said, gesturing for Heidi to lead the groom and bride around the circle.

She led Harry and Ginny to the East, where Hermione stood behind the altar. "Hail, fields of the East!"

Hermione raised a small bowl of Earth. "What is it you seek from the Powers of Earth?"

Ginny knew it was her turn to speak. "We seek your blessings and guidance for our marriage."

Hermione sprinkled a little bit of Earth on the backs of Harry and Ginny's hands while she recited her blessings. "Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the East. Strength to do what you must do, when you must do it, and together as one. Fertility, in all its many forms and manifestations. Stability, such that you can always meet your family's needs."

Hermione replaced the bowl on her altar and offered Heidi a green ribbon. Then she motioned the party onward, and Heidi led them to the South altar.

"Hail, fires of the South!"

"What do you seek from the powers of Fire?" Fleur asked.

"We seek your blessings and guidance for our marriage," Harry said.

Ginny handed her bouquet to Heidi, before Fleur handed Harry and Ginny a lit candle to hold together.

"Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the South. Shared discoveries as a family experiencing new things together. Inspiration to find new ways to surprise one another. Opportunities to take on new ventures, and receive great rewards, together."

She collected the candle from Harry and Ginny and placed it on her altar again.

After having received a red ribbon from Fleur, and giving Ginny her bouquet back, Heidi led Harry and Ginny to Hannah, who served as the Keeper of the West altar.

"Hail, waters of the West!"

"What is it you seek from the powers of Water?" Hannah asked.

"We seek your blessings and guidance for our marriage," Harry said.

Hannah lifted the shell with one hand, briefly dipped her other hand in, and then sprinkled drops of water on Harry and Ginny.

"Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the West. Clear understanding of each other's desire. Resolve to stand by each other, no matter what may come to pass. Patience in those moments when your children ask a great deal of you."

Heidi received a blue ribbon from Hannah, and led Harry and Ginny to Angelina, the last Keeper, who represented the element of Air.

"Hail, winds of the North!"

"What is it you seek from the powers of Air?"

"We seek your blessings and guidance for our marriage," Ginny said.

"Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the North," Angelina said while she wafted scented smoke from the censer on the altar towards Harry and Ginny with a large ceremonial fan. "Clear understanding of each other and of yourselves. Knowledge that each day is a fresh start of your life as a family. Joy in teaching your children together and watching them learn about life."

Angelina put her fan on her altar again, and handed Heidi a yellow ribbon. Heidi accepted it, and led Harry and Ginny back to the high altar.

Brother Francis smiled benignly at Harry and Ginny. "Love is an integral part of life, for without the spark of love, there is nothing to empower the mystery of continuance, and without continuance, all like will cease to be. This is how we came to be, and now we are gathered here together because our parents, and our parents' parents, and so on before them, felt that spark, and empowered that continuance, and made it possible for us to be who we have become.

"So it is today that, in the presence of their friends and loved ones, and the abiding love of God, Harry and Ginny are about to marry one another, and share that spark of love with one another. And perhaps in this moment we too will feel its passage, and again participate in that mystery of continuance that becomes life itself.

"Harry and Ginny wish to declare, in our sight, their formal intent to share their lives and make a family together with their children. In this day and age, many people do not feel the need to make such a declaration. Yet many more still do, for they remain aware of the presence of the mystery that underlies the sacrament of marriage. And they value this presence, and so they make their decision and act on upon it as Harry and Ginny are about to do.

"As they make such a decision, there are some things which we must ask of them. They must both understand what they are committing themselves to, for nobody should stumble into marriage with eyes closed. They must freely consent to their marriage, for any sort of trickery or duress would render such a consent meaningless. There must be no turning back. Both parties to a marriage must fully and passionately intend to stick with it through difficulties as well as through triumphs, lest they grievously hurt each other and the children who trust in their wisdom. From this day forth, Harry and Ginny will hold each other's hearts in their hands. Lastly, in considering their decision to marry. We must ask them what they understand by the word, 'love.' The decision to marry must stem not from material gain, social advantage, or any other extrinsic reward. It must stem from mutual and realistic love. A marriage without love, one far too common, unfortunately, is an empty cup indeed.

"Now, of the matters I just mentioned, the one which matters most is love. The abiding yet surprising, practical yet passionate, mirthful yet reverent love-the difficult and complicated sort of love that we have to grow into. Marriage is a place where we can learn from each other about that love.

"Let Ginny and Harry be not afraid to turn to us all for help when they need it. By coming here together to this wild and wonderful place, we demonstrate that we are willing to stand by them as they consummate this great decision. And even though none of us, least of all them, can see what is to come, let us all encourage them as they go forward in hope, trusting in God, their friends, and each other.

"Harry and Ginny are most evidently not afraid of adventure. Look at where they are standing today!" Brother Francis allowed the assembled crowd a chuckle before he continued. "Together they embrace the uncertainty of adventure, awaiting the surprising discoveries which they shall make. Love, this spark of life, is the greatest adventure of them all. And now, let us pray."

Ginny was barely aware of the prayers she was reciting. She wasn't sure whether she was saying the right prayers. She was oblivious to anything but Harry, whose own lips were also barely moving.

When the murmurs of the crowd stopped, she knew that the prayer was over, and that she had to pay attention again. Reluctantly, she broke eye contact with Harry, focussing her attention on Brother Francis again.

He had taken the large Unity candle from the altar and held it up for all to see, facing Harry and Ginny

"Marriage is unique among the rites of life, in that it is a sacrament which requires not one, but two empowered celebrants. Each celebrant comes to this rite with his or her own history, abilities, empowerment, and hopes. Through the sacred mystery of marriage, all of these things are commingled for the common benefit of the celebrants. And so, in commingling their flames as one, Harry and Ginny now demonstrate their desire to work together as husband and wife."

It was time to light the candle together. Once more, Ginny handed her bouquet to Heidi for safekeeping. Then she and Harry accepted two lit candles that Wolfe had taken from the altar. They had to be magical, since any ordinary candle would have been blown out in the breeze.

Harry's had a golden sun imprinted in its side, while Ginny's displayed the silver crescent of the moon. They represented the male and female aspects of the divine, as it resided in men and women. Bringing the two candles together over the Unity candle, they lit it. Then they handed their candles back to Wolfe, who replaced them on the altar. Heidi didn't return the bouquet. She wouldn't do so until the end of the ceremony. Ginny's heart began to pound faster as she realised that the ceremony's climax was imminent. She had dreamt of this moment for a long time.

"Neither man nor woman is property to be bought or sold, given or taken," Brother Francis said. "And yet, the sacrament of marriage is a contractual act, proposed and consummated by those who wish to share a life together."

"We already talked about this," a child's voice piped up. "Hurry it along, will you?"

Ginny smiled. Deep down, she agreed.

"Susie!" Molly's threatening voice rang out over the crowd's sniggers.

"She's not Susie, I am," the girl's twin protested.

Brother Francis laughed. He seemed highly amused by Millie's interruption. "Now, Molly, I'm sure the child spoke everybody's mind. Don't worry, child. We'll get to the interesting part soon."

"Good, because I'm not getting any younger." Susie, or Millie-Ginny wasn't sure which one-huffed, and the crowd roared in laughter, joined wholeheartedly by everyone save their mortified grandmother.

After the laughter died down, the friar continued. "Bear in mind, however, that the rites of life are the rites of faith, not exercises in legal draughtsmanship. So it is, that we simply ask our friends if they are who they claim to be, if they are free to marry, and if they come of their own free will." He turned to Heidi. "Do you know the name of this woman?"

"She is Virginia Margaret Weasley."

"Can you vouch for her being free to marry this man?"

"Yes, I can."

Brother Francis then turned to Wolfe. "What is the name of this man?"

"He is Harry James Potter."

Can you vouch for him being free to marry this woman?"

"Yes, I can."

"Ginny, have you come here of your own free will and accord, without coercion or false pretence?" the friar asked Ginny.

"I have."

"Harry, have you come here of your own free will and accord, without coercion or false pretence?"

"I have," Harry responded.

Brother Francis gestured to Heidi, who was holding up the plate with the rings, so that they were within Ginny and Harry's reach.

"Then you may proceed. Harry, only you have the power to marry this woman, your best friend and partner, who stands beside you. Do you now wish to have Ginny as your wife, knowing her as you do?"

Harry looked her deeply in the eyes. "It was at King's Cross. All I had was a ticket, telling me to be at platform nine and three-quarters. No one seemed to know where it was, and I felt hopelessly lost until I heard someone mention Muggles. I turned around and saw a mother with her children. Four boys, and a small girl, holding her hand."

Ginny felt her face warming up. She couldn't believe that Harry had chosen to talk about this.

"The girl wanted to go to Hogwarts so badly, but she was too young, and she had to settle for chasing the train along the platform, until she couldn't keep up. Fate had given me a glimpse of the only girl who would complete me, and the following year, events were set in motion that would entwine our destinies forever. But at that time, I never would have guessed what fate had in store for us. It was both wonderful and terrible, enough to make any other woman run away screaming. But that small girl didn't abandon me, which is why I consider myself the luckiest man in the universe, and dearly wish to have her as my wife."

"Then take your own ring, and place it in Ginny's hand," Brother Francis said.

Harry took his ring off the platter and placed it in Ginny's hand.

Then Brother Francis turned to Ginny. "Ginny, only you have the power to marry this man, your best friend and partner, who stands beside you. Do you now wish to have Harry as your husband, knowing him as you do?"

Ginny swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry, but Harry's words had moved her.

"I often wondered why you risked your life to save me from the Basilisk, after you found out how dangerous it would be. You were only twelve, but you chose to do what very few would have dared to do. You really became my hero that day. Not the boy who gave my world a reprieve from an evil wizard, but a boy who saved me. Over the years I tried to put you in an objective light and downplay your courage, hoping that it would ease the pain of not being in your life like I'd hoped to be, and distance myself from you. Then, it seemed like fate had been listening to my thoughts and feelings, and events conspired to pull us apart. Yet you never gave up on me either, Harry. Yes, I want Harry to be my husband."

Without waiting for the friar's instruction, she took her ring and put it in Harry's hand.

The friar heaved a heavy sigh. "And so we have arrived at the point where vows ought to be exchanged. Now all of you must wonder what I am talking about, and why I am straying from what is commonly seen as the proper procedure of the ceremony. In reply, I bid you to ask yourself what the vows are for. They serve to confirm, in the presence of mortal witnesses as well as the Great Maker's, to take another to be one's beloved partner, and to honour their union with words of adoration and acts of consideration. Though the words may vary, in essence one promises to stay true to another and give unconditional love through good times and bad, and to grow with another through any challenges that might lurk in the future.

"In practice, far too many don't keep this promise, and thus this ritual has been made into a shadow of what it is meant to be. Thus, I believe it is superfluous in Harry and Ginny's case." He seemed to pause to allow his words to sink in, before roaring. "Not only superfluous, but an insult"-he dragged the word for additional effect-"to submit this worthy couple to that 'tradition'." Brother Francis put a mocking emphasis on the last word. Again he stopped speaking for a few seconds, before continuing. "They've actually done all the things that others promise to, but often fail to do in practice. And I dare anyone to disagree!" he finished, letting his gaze sweep around the circle.

Ginny also risked a glance, seeing expressions that ranged from shock to nods of grim approval.

"I didn't think so." Brother Francis smiled. "The circle of friends often reflects the character of the couple within the circle, and I'm sure that my words also ring true for many of the others who are gathered here today, so I apologise for my rant. Now I'd best get down to the exchange of the rings, which are visible and tangible tokens of Harry and Ginny's love for one another."

He turned to Ginny. "Ginny, in consideration of your desire to marry, you may place Harry's ring upon his finger."

With a trembling hand, Ginny slid Harry's ring over his left ring finger.

"Harry, in consideration of your desire to marry Ginny, you may place her ring upon her finger now."

Ginny felt her ring slide over her finger, and a warm feeling of mild euphoria settled over her.

"And so you have both done. So mote it be!" Brother Francis shouted, and the crowd repeated the exclamation.

Wolfe cleared his throat before addressing the crowd. "The handfasting knot, which binds two lovers' hands together, represents their sincere and hopeful intention to make an indissoluble union. Each of us has our own thoughts on the matter, our own words to say, and our own blessings to offer.

"In a moment, you will all be invited to come and add to the knot of handfasting, But first, we will commence with the bride's and the groom's ribbons, which represent the good things that each brings to share in marriage."

Having said that, Wolfe handed the ribbons he'd been carrying to Brother Francis.

"Please, join your left hands."

Harry and Ginny faced each other and held up their hands, placing them palm to palm.

Bother Francis nodded approvingly and tied the white ribbons around their hands. Then he accepted the four ribbons Heidi had been holding and tied those around their hands as well.

Wolfe turned to face the crowd again. "Now you are invited to come and join the bride and groom, and offer your blessings to them. As each of us contribute our ribbon to the knot, we share with Harry and Ginny our love, friendship, and abiding support for the marriage which they are making. Bound together around their hands, the ribbons demonstrate our collective ratification of their decision to marry one another."

When Wolfe had finished, the violins began to play a musical piece to accompany the blessings of the guests.

The guests then entered the inner circle, alone or in pairs, and offered their blessings and congratulations to Harry and Ginny. Gudrun sobbed uncontrollably all through her and Matt's turn, and Professor McGonagall's puffy eyes betrayed that she too had cried at some point during the ceremony.

Finally, when everyone had bestowed their blessing and tied their ribbon around Harry and Ginny's hands, Brother Francis grabbed their hands and raised them for all to see.

"Made to measure, wrought to bind, blessed be these lives entwined! By the powers in me by the elders of our faith, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss now!"

Ginny met Harry's gaze. His eyes mirrored her own in the thought that it had finally happened. They were husband and wife. And then they kissed, and it felt like the first time all over again. She lost all awareness, and when they finally broke apart, she noticed the absolute silence that had befallen the crowd.

She looked around and saw that a mixture of amethyst and golden light kept alternately flashing across the astonished crowd, and it took her a moment to realise that she and Harry were the source of that light, which was fading much more slowly than usual.

"Well," Brother Francis began. "I reckon this proves that we've witnessed the union of a very special couple. I present to the people here assembled, the Potters!"

Enthusiastic cheers and applauding ensued, and it took quite a while for it to finally die down. When it did, Wolfe addressed the crowd once more.

"And now the celebration will continue in the presence of a larger number of guests. Harry, Ginny, the immediate relatives of the bride, the Maiden, and myself will take a head start to be at the receiving line. However, after the Outer Circle's closure, the rest of you may follow the pathfinders to the carriages that are waiting for you at the edge of the forest. We'll see you at the reception."

***

A/N: I'll answer the reviews now, including answers to questions and remarks made after Chapter 8, if they haven't been answered by the chapter's contents. :-) Oh, and the dress descriptions have been done by my beta, Christine. A special thanks to her.

LadySiri: Thanks for the heads up. I fixed the error. Good to know that someone is reading my story so carefully.

Gogirl: I hope the peaceful wedding wasn't too much of a disappointment. I mainly used this fic to wrap up Harry and Ginny's long and difficult road towards marital bliss, and to plant some new plot seeds for the next fic. There will be a rather unexpected twist in the final chapter, though.

Nya: Maybe.

nycgal: First of all, allow me to mention that, in the real world, the psychiatric community' is still divided on whether or not Multiple Personality Disorder is real.

Back to the question of Nicolai's sanity. First you have to ask yourself when a person can be considered insane. If you think about it, you'll realise that this term is only used when the individual in question affects society negatively. Well, that's a very simplistic way to put it, but it will have to do for now.

I think that the word insane can't be applied to Nicolai. First of all, his brain is physiologically different from that of a normal human being's. So there is no sane baseline model to measure the 'mental software' against, because the hardware is different. Follow me so far? Secondly, Nicolai seems to have a firm grasp on his condition, and he isn't affecting society negatively.

Still, you'll have to make up your own mind on whether or not he's insane.

Foxfur: I can't recall in which chapter it was discussed, but they did decide who would give Ginny away prior to Chapter 8. Anyway, Chapter 10 answered your question on that issue. And I also amended my ten-chapter prediction to eleven, ages ago.

As for Ironheart's conquests, who knows? Maybe he's been a good boy in his old age.

Cosmos Rose: I think Ginny feels that there's no use in letting her longevity get her down at that point in time.

anon: Maybe.

Miss Frizz: It's better than some of the published authors I've read, too. But I aspire to become even better.

Kalen: Ah, okay.

The Keymaker: Thanks.

Angie: I don't have a bio on each original character, but I do plan to post a compilation made by Foxfur about all the characters and their first appearance in the story.

The Bronze Snidget: A lot of people seem anxious to find out what Ginny's powers are. :-) I had no idea that I'd stir up so much curiosity.

Angel of the Flames: I couldn't see anything wrong with the phrasing. ;-) And no, I couldn't resist.

Chloe Black: There will be one more chapter, which will entail the reception and a startling revelation about some characters, as well as a teaser for the next fic at the very end.

jynzx: Good.

Ferret of Darkness: I hope you weren't too disappointed.

StarWest45: When in doubt, follow your nose.

~*Obsessed~with~Snuffles*~: One more chapter. I'll add a teaser to the end of the next chapter, but don't expect to see the actual story until May, at the earliest.

Fragarach: Yes, I knew that it is Bilbo who actually sings that song in the book.