Chapter 11. Wedding Bells

            Ron and Hermione were sitting on the swing talking when they heard the sound of a car engine. They ran around to the front of the house in time to see Sirius, Harry and Ginny pull up.

            "Wicked car, Sirius! What is it a '66?" asked Ron.

            "'65," he answered. "And it isn't mine. Look at the license plate."

            Ron walked to the back off the car and started laughing. He motioned to Hermione and she started laughing too. Ginny went to see and soon they all were howling.

            Harry could stand the suspense no more so he walked to the rear of the car. There he saw what they were laughing at. The license plate read PRONGS JR. "Sirius…did you have anything to do with this?" Sirius shook his head, laughing.

            "Actually, I did," said a familiar voice. Harry looked up and smiled. "I thought it most appropriate," said Professor Dumbledore.

***

Hermione helped Ginny take her trunk up to her room. As soon as they walked through the doorway, Ginny was pelted by a small ball of fur. "Honestly, Pig, calm down!" she yelled. Then she noticed the large barn owl sitting on her windowsill with a letter. She got the letter, gave the owl a few owl treats then sat down on her bed to read it.

Virginia Weasley

The Burrow

Miss Weasley:

Please come to the Apparation Test Centre at the Ministry of Magic tomorrow morning at promptly 10:00 am for testing. Bring this letter with you. You may bring one other person with you, but they may not be in the testing area. Dress comfortably. Lunch will be provided and remember to rest this evening. We look forward to seeing you there.

Reginald Vanderwylde

Director of Testing

A.T.C.

"Cool. Now you guys won't be able to take off and leave me," she laughed.

***

Ron and Harry had taken Harry's things up to Ron's room. George and Fred had gotten a place in London to be closer to Diagon Alley, but Sirius was staying in their old room. The rest of the house looked the same for the most part, Harry noticed. Obviously, Mr. Weasley wasn't letting his position affect him.

"Harry, I have something to ask you. I know its short notice, so it's ok of you say no," stammered Ron.

"Go on," replied Harry.

"Well, Hermione and I were thinking about trying to get married before we have to go back to Hogwarts to start our jobs, and…well, I want you to be my best man."

"I would be honored…but I will do it only on one condition," said Harry.

"What's that?"

"That you return the favor!"

"Done!" said Ron, smiling.

"Have you set a date?" asked Harry.

"I think so," he said. "July 31st."

***

            Hermione and Ginny had just had a similar conversation. Hermione's parents were coming to dinner, so they would all discuss it then. Mrs. Weasley called up the stairs for everyone to come down to the kitchen.

            As she waited for all of them to come down, she looked over at Sirius. He was whistling and playing with Crookshanks, Hermione's cat. He looked at Molly and smiled.

            When everyone was there, she said "Now that I have your attention, I have a little announcement to make. We are having our own little celebration in regards to the past days events. I want you all dressed nicely and here in the kitchen at 5:00. That includes you, Sirius," she added, laughing.

***

Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron walked outside.  Ginny told Harry and Ron about her appointment the next morning and asked Harry to go with her.

"I'd love to, Gin," said Harry, "but I have that appointment with the solicitor."

"That's right. I forgot," Ginny replied sadly.

"Why not take Hermione?" said Harry. "Ron can go with Sirius and me to the solicitor's and then we can all meet up afterwards." They all agreed that it was a good idea. Then the girls decided to go get ready for the party.

***

            Hermione's parents arrived at 4:30. As they entered the Weasley home, they marveled at the various magical items. Mr. Weasley had already apparated home, and took Mr. Granger on a tour of the house, garden and shed. Mrs. Weasley had tea prepared so that she and Mrs. Granger could chat about the wedding.

            As it neared 5:00, the "Fab Four" made their way downstairs. Hermione and Ron walked over to her parents while Harry and Ginny waited as Sirius came downstairs.

            "Nice car, Harry," said Mr. Weasley.

            "How did you know it's mine?" asked Harry.

            "Let's just say you are a lot like your father," he laughed. "Well, are we all ready? I have cars coming to pick us up."

            "Where are we going?" asked Ginny.

            "That, young lady is a surprise!" answered her father. "There are cars waiting. You four (indicating the teenagers) get in the first one. The rest of us will follow in the other one."

            Everyone followed orders and got into the cars. The drivers closed the doors and drove away.

***

            Tonks was sent to check out the story of a missing boy. She apparated to the forest near the village where the boy lived. She found his home and spoke to his family. He was a good boy, but liked to explore. He had been missing since early in the day, which wasn't unusual. What was unusual (and the reason an Auror was sent) is that a strange looking cloud was seen near the lake out by the moors. It had appeared that afternoon and the wind didn't seem to have any effect on it. Tonks decided to check it out.

            Following the directions given to her by the boy's family, she walked toward the moors. As she reached the top of a hill, she stopped in her tracks. There, less than a mile away, was the Dark Mark floating above a small lake. Pulling out her wand, she scanned for any sign of movement. She slowly made her way through the trees to the edge of the lake. There, floating in the lake underneath the Mark was the body of the missing boy.

            She turned away for a second and let the tears flow. Kingsley always said she was too emotional. Drying her eyes, she memorized the spot and apparated to headquarters. Kingsley should come so that a full report could be made to the Minister.

***

            Remus Lupin had never been a slave to fashion. But when it had become common knowledge that he was a werewolf, he had quite a bit of difficulty finding a job. As his savings ran lower, he spent less on his clothing and soon almost everything he owned had become tattered. He managed to buy some new items when he was teaching at Hogwarts, but that was four years before. Sirius had given him some new robes and a new cloak as a Christmas Gift two years ago, before the fight at the Department of Mysteries. They were beginning to show wear but were usually suitable for him. Tonight, however he wanted to look his best for the party. He loved Harry and all his friends because they treated him no differently than anyone else.

            Sirius had asked Remus to help him find a suitable house and get it furnished. He would then be employed by Sirius as his assistant and would live in the house as well. Sirius confided that he needed help with Harry and other issues and he only trusted Remus. He gave Remus five hundred Galleons to get suitable clothing and to have some spending money as an advance on his wages. So tonight, Remus Lupin wore a new outfit for the first time in years. His hair had been cut and he felt wonderful. He gathered his cloak on his arm and headed out for the party.

***

            After they had ridden for almost an hour, they turned onto a driveway marked "Private" and rode for almost five minutes through a dense forest. They all looked at each other in amazement. Finally they came out of the trees and saw a house larger than any they had ever seen. Gasps were heard as Harry looked in amazement at the House with its manicured lawn. The car pulled up to the entrance way and stopped.

            The door was opened by a man dressed in dark green robes. "Mr. Potter...everyone, this way please," he said.

As they got out of the car, Harry saw Remus coming out of the front door. He was dressed in a new outfit and was smiling. Harry couldn't believe his eyes. "Remus?" he asked. Remus just smiled and nodded. Harry looked at Sirius.

"Welcome home, Harry," Sirius said. He turned to face the others. "Welcome, everyone, to Blackrock. This is my new home."

After they had dinner, everyone congratulated Harry and the others again. Hermione caught Ron's attention and nodded. "Everyone, please! I would like to have your attention. 'Mione and I have thought about this long and hard and we decided that we want to get married before we begin teaching at Hogwarts."

Hermione's mother leaned forward. "Have you decided on a date?"

Hermione smiled. "We think July 31st would be good."

Mrs. Weasley gasped. "That's less than two months away!" She looked at Hermione's mother. "Can we get things done in time?"

Mrs. Granger smiled. "With a little luck and a lot of magic, I think we can." Everyone laughed and fell into planning the details of the wedding. Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna took the opportunity to sneak out to the back lawn. Ron and Hermione invited Neville and Luna to be in the wedding party and they agreed. It was turning out to be a wonderful evening.

***

            Sirius went to answer the door after the doorbell rang. Standing there were Tonks and Kingsley. "Just in time for the party!" laughed Sirius.

            "Wish we were here for that," said Tonks, gravely. "We need to see the Minister immediately."

            Mr. Weasley had gone to see what was keeping Sirius. "What's wrong, Kingsley?" he asked.

            "Arthur, the Dark Mark has been seen again. We need you to come with us to investigate."

***

A/N:  Thanks to all my reviewers. I hope you are enjoying this story. It does get darker, but I felt the need to let Harry have some happiness first. I have already written through Chapter 16, but I have a habit of reviewing them again after they have been beta'd so that I can make sure they fit my plot and other notes. I will try to maintain 2 chapters a week as schedules permit.