Chapter 16. Always a Bridesmaid
Molly stood weeping silently as she watched her daughter…her ONLY daughter…twirling around in front of the mirror. Here she was, the mother of both a bride and groom, as well as the adopted mother for Harry, crying on what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life. Hermione's mother stood next to her, and they leaned into each other for support. "Molly, what are we going to do? Our babies have grown up."
Hermione looked at Ginny and rolled her eyes. "Mum, you know that you aren't losing me…"
"No, I am gaining Ron. I know…but I remember reading stories to you as a little girl, singing to you when you were a baby…I guess this makes me feel OLD," she added, smiling.
Molly sniffed. "I feel like I have known you forever, Hermione. And now you are really going to be part of the family." She looked at Ginny. "And so is Harry. I remember back when you were just ten years old and we were seeing Ron off…that's when I knew that there was something going on."
"What do you mean, Mum?" asked Ginny.
"Do you remember at the station…right before we were getting onto Platform 9 ¾?" Ginny nodded and smiled. Molly turned to Hermione. "Harry wasn't sure how to get onto the platform, so I explained how to him. And Ginny, my VERY shy daughter, smiled at him and wished him good luck! That's when I knew she saw something there."
"Oh, Mum! Stop it!" laughed Ginny. "Too bad it took Harry so long to notice!"
Hermione laughed. "Well, at least you didn't have to argue with Harry for 5 years!"
All the ladies smiled and returned back to their preparations for the ceremony that was only ninety minutes away.
***
On the other side of the house it was much more relaxed. Ron, Harry, Arthur, Remus and Sirius sat talking about the weather, news and, of course, Quidditch. Harry was sitting there when suddenly his hand went to his forehead. The pain in his scar was intense, but thankfully, brief. He looked around to see if anyone had noticed and found them all staring at him. He smiled weakly, not wanting to alarm anyone. After all, it was brief. "Guess you gave me too much Old Ogden's at the party last night."
The night before these same men, plus Albus and a few others threw a small bachelor party for Harry and Ron. Both Harry and Ron had been given some Firewhiskey, so this was a plausible excuse. Sirius nodded but still looked concerned.
***
Draco looked into the mirror. He smiled grimly. He could feel the power coursing through his veins. Instinctively, he knew what to do. He activated the mark, calling them to him, to see how many of his loyal followers would come.
***
Sirius had outdone himself. The chapel was beautiful, everything had gone smoothly. The two couples had just said their "I Do's" when he saw Harry grab his scar again. Sirius scanned the room for Albus and saw that Snape was holding his arm and talking to him. He saw Albus reach into his robes and then he felt the coin he kept in his pocket grow warm. He knew something bad had just happened.
***
Harry kissed Ginny while Ron kissed Hermione. Then they were presented as Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Weasley to those gathered. All of the sudden Harry felt the pain again.
Ginny turned to Harry and whispered "Are you okay?" Harry nodded, but Ginny noticed Snape talking to Albus. She and Harry started for the back of the chapel, followed closely by a worried Hermione and Ron.
***
Twenty-two surprised Death Eaters answered the call. Among them were Draco's old cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. When they saw who had summoned them they were confused.
Draco smiled evilly. "I have brought back the powers of the Dark Lord. We will cleanse the world of his enemies and revive the fear of his name. From now on, I will be known as Voldemort!" When he said the name, they felt the power crackle around them.
"Now, my faithful…I have need of an example…a demonstration. Crabbe, go to my summer home on the moor. Take Goyle with you. Denton, take McHale and go to this address on Panus Street…" Draco/Voldemort turned to go.
***
As soon as Harry and the others got outside, they noticed that the members of the Order were heading for the barn. Even though it was their wedding day, the four looked at each other and nodded.
Just as the four of them started for the barn, the guests began to leave. Molly ushered them into a receiving line, and also made Arthur, Sirius and the Grangers join her. They greeted the guests cordially, all the while keeping an eye on the barn.
"Thank you!" "It was just lovely!" As they filed by, some with a handshake and others a hug, the Newlyweds could sense that the guests had no clue that something was amiss. When there was a short break, Sirius leaned over and told Harry to act normally. He also told him that Remus was in the meeting and would fill them all in as soon as possible. They all looked up when they heard the sound of someone apparating to see Snape appear. He glared back at them for a moment before going into the barn.
***
The reception was well underway before any of those attending the meeting came back. Hermione noticed small groups returning. Harry and Ginny were dancing when Sirius waved them over. They reluctantly left the dance floor as they made their way to see what was going on. Ginny turned and motioned for Ron and Hermione to follow. Hermione saw that Sirius, Remus and Harry's solicitor were deep in conversation.
As they arrived, Wen-Lee was commenting on Sirius' latest fashion statement. Harry was puzzled until Sirius turned around. He was wearing his inheritance. Everyone started laughing as Sirius turned and bowed.
"I can't believe you are wearing that!" howled Ron.
"It was way too serious around here...needed some distractions," snorted Sirius.
Remus turned to Harry and the others. "Sorry I couldn't congratulate you earlier…"
Ginny smiled. "That's okay." She looked at Harry. "We understand. What happened?"
Remus looked around nervously. "Oh, nothing... just had a bit of news." Then, quietly to Harry, he whispered "can't talk here. Ears, you know. Meet me inside in an hour." Harry nodded.
Sirius turned toward Ginny. "Mrs. Potter, would you do me the honors?" he said, gesturing toward the dance floor. Ginny looked around for a second then giggled.
"You mean ME…Of course, Mr. Black. Just don't tell Harry!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Best be careful, mate. She's been married fifteen bloody minutes and she's already playing around."
Harry laughed as he watched Sirius and his boa bob in and out of the dancers. He felt someone walk up behind him and turned to see Molly standing there. "Would you like to dance, mum?"
"Oh, Harry! I would love to!" Harry led her onto the floor and danced with the one person that he knew loved him like his mother.
***
After several dances and a few toasts, Harry left Ginny dancing with her father and went in search of Remus. He found Remus and Albus sitting in the library, deep in conversation. They looked up when he entered.
"Sit down, Harry," said Albus. "You look remarkably calm for someone who just got married."
"Well, it's not like I hadn't replayed this day in my mind many times…but not quite the way it turned out." He smiled and looked at Remus. "Tell me what happened."
"There was an attack just over an hour ago at Panus Street," replied Remus.
"Panus? Where Wen-Lee's office is?" asked a worried Harry.
"Yes. One of the Order was there when it happened, but it was over so fast that not much could be done. Lauren, Wen-Lee's secretary, was killed as she walked down the street. But she wasn't the target, just a victim of circumstance. The target was Keila McNaugh. She owns a shop that makes and sells knives. She will be okay, but will be in St. Mungo's for a few weeks after the stunners that hit her. It makes no sense, Harry."
Harry sat deep in thought. He was remembering Lauren, how she and Sirius flirted while they were waiting. He looked up at Remus. "Do they know who did it?"
"No…but the dark mark was there."
***
'Where did Harry go to?' wondered Ginny. She had asked Ron and Sirius, but neither had seen him for awhile. She looked towards the house and saw him leaving with Professor Dumble…Albus. That would definitely take some getting used to. He smiled and made his way toward her.
"So, Mrs. Potter," he said, smiling. "Ready to divorce me yet?"
"Not just yet, Mr. Potter," she replied. "But I am ready to kiss you." She smiled as he leaned toward her. She felt her pulse quicken and felt the heat of his breath on her face. As their lips met, she felt all tension released. She was home. Wherever Harry was, she would be.
Harry didn't want to stop, but he knew he had to. Pulling back, he whispered "How was that, Gin?"
She was smiling. "Adequate." She giggled. "I think Ron and Hermione are almost ready to go. Are you sure you want to go on a double honeymoon?"
"Yes. I think it will be a fun memory to share the rest of our lives. I'm really glad you suggested it."
"What did Remus have to say?"
He quietly told her of the attack. The shocked expression on her face was noticed by Ron, who came over with Hermione. As the four fell into discussing what happened, Sirius stood up and walked toward the microphone the band's singer used.
"Excuse me, folks. I want to get serious for a moment." There was a lot of groaning at the pun. "Hey! I didn't mean ME. I just wanted to say a few words. I remember a day around twenty years ago, when a friend of mine got married. I was jealous. I had a steady girlfriend at the time, but there was no one that was as deeply in love as my friend and his bride. You could see it in their eyes. You could see it in the way that they smiled when they spoke of one another. You could even see it when they heard each other's names.
"I asked him how he knew that she was right for him. He laughed and told me that it was magic. Not the kind that comes from a wand or spells. He knew when he first held her hand. And he wanted me to find that magic, too.
"What James and Lily had was very special. I know that these two young couples have it. Some of us have had it for years, but others are still dreaming for it. I want to raise my glass to the Potters and Weasleys. Congratulations and I hope that you have long, happy lives together!" With that he raised his glass and took a drink, with everyone else following.
***
Ron and Harry were standing in the entrance hallway waiting for their brides when Albus, Sirius, Remus and Arthur walked in. Arthur handed small packages to them. "Here. Take these, they may be useful."
"Dad, what is this?" asked Ron.
"There are four coins in there, along with two scrolls of parchment. The coins are one method of contacting us should you need to. The parchment is spelled to the one that I have in my pocket," said Albus, pulling out a similar scroll. "I believe you both know the muggle game of tic-tac-toe. Should you need to contact me, draw the frame for that game and it will appear on my scroll. Once again, just in case."
"You need to check in once a day with Sirius using the mirrors, Harry. That way we can make sure you are okay," added Remus. "Happy Honeymoon!"
Hermione and Ginny came down the stairs and went to their husbands. They were taking muggle transportation to Greece for their honeymoon. After a week in Greece, they were coming back home via ship, which would get them back just in time for Ron and Hermione to get to Hogwarts. Harry would have a week before he had to go for training, and Ginny would be heading back to Hogwarts the week after that.
***
After saying their goodbyes, the "Fab Four" climbed into a limousine provided by the Ministry. While they were en route to the airport, Harry filled Ron and Hermione in about the attack. Ron and Harry opened the packages Arthur had given them and distributed the coins. It was decided that Ginny and Hermione would hold onto the scrolls.
They arrived at the airport in plenty of time to catch their flight to Athens. Harry and Ron took care of checking them in and making sure their luggage was tagged correctly. Harry had made sure that he had plenty of muggle money just in case. Wen-Lee had handled the travel arrangements for them, and had set up financial arrangements as well.
Everyone but Hermione was a bit nervous. She was the only one of them that had ever flown before. As Harry led them to an observation deck to watch planes land and take off, Ron and Ginny marveled at how things like that could fly.
Soon they had gotten on the plane that they were taking to Athens. They were sitting in first class, and they were the only ones there. After Hermione peeled Ron's hands from hers after takeoff, they had a non-eventful flight.
***
Draco loved the power he was feeling. His very thoughts were alive with raw energy. Power coursed through his veins. He apparated to the Malfoy summer house. It hadn't been used in years. He looked with utter disgust at the place he had loved to come to as a child. So young, so foolish back then. Now he understood why his father, that pathetic weakling, had served Voldemort, hoping for a taste of power.
He cleared his mind of the silly memories and concentrated on the one thing that he wanted most…Harry Potter. He remembered reading a muggle book that he had stolen from the muggle library near his home. It was about a creature similar to Voldemort, and the puny unbelieving man that fought him. In it, he read that if you want to truly hurt a man, don't kidnap someone he loves and keep them. You could hurt him more by giving him back something broken. And that's what he was going to do to Harry Potter. He called his faithful…it was time for another show of power…time to break something.
