Hi there, sorry if this seems a bit rushed, but I'm leaving to go on holiday for a month and I want to get the story finished before I leave. Thanks for reviewing and enjoy the next instalment!
Chapter 18 Plans and Precautions
Harry returned Emily to her home the next morning and after spending a few moments with her parents and Sarah, he left for the Ministry. He went directly to visit the Minister.
"Good morning Harry," Albus Dumbledore twinkled at him from behind his desk. "You're looking particularly pleased this morning."
"Emily agreed to marry me," Harry replied, his face glowing in a large smile.
"Congratulations, my boy," Albus replied, "I had a good feeling about her since your first visit there."
"Yes, and for once I don't even find your nosiness and manipulations annoying," Harry said with a slight rebuke.
"Well you can't blame an old man for wanting to see his children settled."
"Thank you, I am honoured you feel that way," Harry took a seat facing his old mentor. "I have a few requests however."
"Tell me," Albus replied kindly.
"First, will you perform the ceremony?"
"Of course."
"Secondly, I would like to put a few safe guards in place for Emily and Sarah."
"Anything I can do."
"Well, I want to make them un-plotable, for owls and things – all correspondence can be directed to my home in Scotland, where I can vet it before letting it near them. Then I want to make port keys for them – Sarah will be able to magically activate it when she has her own wand, but Emily's will have to be voice activated."
"You are wise to be cautious, but I know you don't need me to make them for you, and they would be undetectable as well."
"I know, but it is only polite to tell the Minister of Magic when I intend to break the law," Harry quipped.
Albus laughed at that, then asked, "Do you intend to keep Emily isolated from the magical world altogether?"
"Not at all, but I would prefer that the public did not know of her lack of magical ability, just in case," Harry replied. "Do you think I am being selfish? It will be a risk for her to marry me."
"As it was for my own wife," Albus replied. "But with the necessary precautions she will be safe. And of course you have a much greater ability to protect her than I had."
"I can't always be with her though," Harry replied. "She will have to be free to live a normal life."
"If I may make a suggestion," Albus said quietly, "it is not meant as an insult."
"What?"
"If Emily was with child when you make your wedding vows," Albus said, "She would be able to tap into the unborn child's magic and take part in a magical bonding with you. The bond would remain after the child was born."
"Are you encouraging me to get my Fiancé pregnant before I marry her?" Harry asked with raised brows.
"Well, yes," Albus replied. "It is what I did before my marriage. And it let the magical bond between my wife and I last throughout her lifetime. It meant I always sensed when she needed me and when she was in danger."
"Well it sounds like a practical solution."
"I know you are quite old fashioned about these things, Harry," Albus said, "But I'm sure if you explained to Emily, she would understand your reasoning."
"You know, I'm not that old fashioned," Harry replied, a bit red-faced.
"Well, I don't need to know the details," Albus chuckled. "Now, when can I meet this wonderful girl?"
"She is going out with Hermione, Ginny and Tonks this Saturday, and then all her family are going to the Weasleys on Sunday," Harry thought aloud.
"I am taking a few days off and will be spending it at home with an old friend, so perhaps you would like to come on Tuesday."
"Won't your friend mind?"
"I know Minerva will be anxious to meet Emily too," Albus said.
"Oh, Minerva is visiting you for a few days? Is something wrong at the school?"
"You know, you young people are not the only ones to enjoy spending time with the opposite sex."
"Oh…I didn't realise that you and Minerva were…." Harry stuttered and blushed slightly.
"I always assumed you were just too polite to point it out," Albus smiled.
"Um, okay, well I guess I will see you on Tuesday." Harry left quickly and went to work on the portkeys, before he found out any other private information that he really didn't want to know.
Harry's next stop was the diamond factory in Israel, where he chose a diamond solitaire mounted on a white gold band for Emily. Then he went to Hogsmeade and booked a table for two at the Three Broomsticks, and spoke to a few people about real estate. By five o'clock he had returned to Devon and waited nervously for Emily to change her clothes.
Their first port of call was Gladrags, where Emily was enchanted by all the beautiful fabrics and magical tape measures. Harry chose a pale blue silk material and they waited for it to be made into the perfect robe for Emily.
Next they visited Honeydukes, where Harry bought several kilos of sweets and chocolate for Sarah. Harry took Emily to see the school building, which had been built close to the post office. The evening was getting dark as Harry took Emily to the Three Broomsticks and Madam Rosmerta led them to a private booth, set with a table for two – complete with candles and a single red rose in a vase. After ordering some pumpkin juice, Harry held Emily's chair for her, then took the one opposite.
"This is all so strange," Emily said, looking about the room, "It's almost like I've stepped back in time."
"Do you think you could live here?"
"I think given the choice, most people would choose to raise their children in a place like this – no pollution and no traffic. Sarah will love it here."
"But will you?"
"I think that I will," Emily smiled gently. "So do I look like a witch in my new robes?"
"You look beautiful – but then you always do, robes or jeans," Harry replied. He took her hand and kissed her fingertips, then drew out a box and opened it. The diamond twinkled in the candlelight. "I want to spend my life making you smile. Will you marry me soon?" Emily nodded and whispered, "It's beautiful Harry, and it must have cost you a fortune."
"Not really," He replied, sliding it onto her finger.
"Harry, there's something you should know," Emily said quietly. "I went to the doctor today."
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, at least I think so….I'm pregnant."
"Are you pleased?" Harry waited with baited breath.
"I'm scared," Emily replied. "I'm not sure what to expect."
"I will speak to Hermione, I'm sure she will be able to explain anything to you and help you if you need it."
"But are you happy?" Emily asked nervously.
"Just marrying you made me happy, but that we are going to have a child is a gift greater than I ever dared to hope for."
"I'm not marrying you because I'm pregnant."
"I know…but it may be a good thing." Harry went on to explain magical wedding ceremonies and how the couple were bound to one another. He told her about Dumbledore's suggestion and the reason behind it. He also presented her with a diamond drop necklace which he had made into a portkey for her and showed her the little gold heart necklace for Sarah. They ate their meal and then Harry took her back out to walk through Hogsmeade.
Not far from the Shrieking shack was an empty little cottage, set in an untidy Garden with a slightly broken looking fence. "How would you like to live here?" He asked.
"It looks like it could use a little care," Emily smiled up at him, "But I love to garden and this could be pretty, once we renovate a little."
"Do you think Sarah will like it?"
"Are you kidding, a village full of people just like her, where she doesn't have to be scared that something strange will get her into trouble. All that coupled by the fact that she can see you every day….I think she will love it."
"Will you love it?"
"I love you…that is all that matters."
"I love you too."