A/N: This is extremely short. That makes me extremely sad. The next
one will be longer. For an explanation of the story's tardiness, refer
to my Yahoo group.
Late on Christmas evening, Albus Dumbledore sat in his office and tenderly petted Fawkes, his long-time friend, as he reflected upon the two recent weddings. Harry and Ginny's only hours ago, and Ron and Hermione's the day before.
Despite the secrecy and the intimacy of the two weddings, Dumbledore felt that those two were perhaps the most significant he had or ever would witness. Once Voldemort was gone, those present who had been 'memory charmed' would undoubtedly agree with him. At least once they convinced themselves that it had not been merely a pleasant dream.
The two ceremonies differed from those of the normal magical world in that instead of 'until death do we part,' another sort of vow was taken. Dumbledore had never really considered what happened after death, but it seemed logical that the High Lord and Lady, as well as their Lieutenants would remain together.
The very magic itself had differed as well. Instead of touching their wands and muttering incantations, they faced each other and stretched out on of their hands as if facing themselves in a mirror and then touched palm to palm and finger to finger. From the center of the union rose a golden phoenix which symbolized their bond. There had also been a feel of power in the air.
Shortly after Harry and Ginny's wedding, the two couples had left to spend the remainder of their holiday on a honeymoon. Idly, Dumbledore wondered where Harry and Ginny had gone. Ron and Hermione had mentioned something tropical, but the other couple didn't appraise him.
Dumbledore smiled happily. Harry finally had a real family.
*
Ginny Potter. Ginny beamed to herself as she continued to repeat the wonderful name in her head. Ginny Potter. She had always dreamed of meeting Harry Potter. She had never gone so far as to consider marrying him though. She was just a Weasley, certainly below the attention of someone as great as Harry Potter. Ginny resisted the urge to laugh and jump for joy as she repeated her married name in her head again. Ginny Potter.
She gave Harry's hand a comforting squeeze as they made their way up the staircase to the master bedroom in Valahost Hall. He had been acting nervous all day. Having to perform Ron and Hermione's wedding had kept his mind off it for a while. Ginny could also tell that he was nervous without looking or even knowing the previous situation that led to it. They were linked now! She basked in the light of his emotions and feelings that came from his mind. He was probably doing the same thing as well. Testing how well their power linked could wait though.
*
Harry could feel Ginny's joy as they made their way from the staircase landing towards their bedroom. He wasn't sure what she had fantasized her honeymoon to be, he only hoped that she was happy. He reckoned she was as happy as could be though. They had both agreed that going abroad for their honeymoon would be very nearly reckless though. It was their duty to guard England and the innocent and it wouldn't do to leave them unguarded.
They finally reached the door to the master bedroom, the one which Ginny had earlier dubbed, 'The Honeymoon Suite.' Harry smiled, took her hand and lightly kissed it. "Should we enter my Lady Potter?"
"Oh stop it!" Ginny said, rolling her eyes with mock exasperation.
*
Neville sighed and studied his Rememberall as it glowed the faint red that indicated what irritated him the most. He had lost something. Now if he could only remember what. . . He carefully placed it within his pocket and continued towards the main staircase. He had promised to meet Elizabeth that afternoon so that they could go for an excursion outside.
He reached the staircase and made his way down. Neville idly wondered why both Harry and Hermione had stressed the fact to he and Elizabeth that they were going home for the holidays and would not be available. There was nothing special about that, just about everyone had this year.
As soon as he spotted Elizabeth he waved to her and promptly tripped over something Peeves had undoubtably left on the staircase. On purpose. He caught himself on the rail and waved again to Elizabeth to show that he was fine. She promptly giggled.
They made their way outside and down towards the lake. It had snowed quite a bit, but the paths had been cleared, probably by magic, and it wasn't quite as cold as could normally be expected. Overall, it made for a rather pleasant afternoon.
"Wha. . .?" Elizabeth said as she broke the silence and was about to ask Neville something. She was interrupted however.
BOOM
*
Hermione's eyes sprung open. She was absolutely horrified and felt an immediate urge to do something. Horror at what, she did not seem to know. "Ron," she whispered. "Are you awake?"
"Yes," Ron said quietly, he sounded as if he was suffering from shock. "I think that we need to cut short this honeymoon and hurry back. A person or persons within the Order need us most urgently I think."
"How do you know?" Hermione said. "I can only tell that something bad has happened."
"I know it's the Order because the feeling and urge I'm being drowned in presently is coming from that Order ring that we were presented. The urge isn't a command, it's desperation Hermione." He unwrapped his arms from around her and got out of the luxurious bed.
"Harry and Ginny?" Hermione asked as she too got out of the bed.
Ron shrugged. "I hope not. If those two are desperate, then we would be in a very bad position indeed."
*