Part 10

Mrs Granger was overjoyed and annoyed at the same time. Despite Hermione countering the non too subtle hints of a biological clock ticking with a witch´s much longer life and fertility span she had already imagined her only daughter being on the shelf at the age of thirty. The young woman knew that her mother's fear was based in herself having had her child at the age of 39 after several miscarriages. Why Mrs Granger, being a working woman with strong feminist convictions, lamented not having more time to plan the wedding of her dreams for her daughter was yet a riddle to be solved. Hermione dreaded the moment she would tell her mother that the actual binding would take place barefoot in a simple linen shift. For now she distracted her with planning everything else. The week after Beltane the Grangers were invited to stay at Yaxley Manor for a few days and for Mrs Granger to see the rooms and grounds. This being Scotland they had to plan for sunshine and for rain, Hermione for once was glad for the existence of elves.

Corban was almost as busy as Mrs Granger. His home was equipped with decades old spells to make it unnoticable for Muggles. Those neighbouring Muggle families the Yaxleys always had hunted and dined with could see the manor and its grounds, their descendants as well. Thankfully Antonin was a real genius with wards. Together they might be able to change the wards for Hermione's parents but not the general Muggle public and satellites. The Grangers would be the only Muggles from Hermione's side as the one childhood friend she had kept contact with was living in Australia and close to her second confinement.

The bride, now much more knowledgable of the festivals since her meeting with Antonin and later Corban, was able to feel the more and more excited mood as the traditional wizarding society prepared for Beltane. Invitations were issued, wreaths were wrought, windows polished and houses swept. Couples of all ages were giving each other knowing glances, be it in anticipation or in fond remembrance of Beltane festivals in years long gone.

Hermione had been on the potion for years. Three weeks ago it had run out and the couple had used the contraceptive spell since. The young witch was sure that her groom had noticed her not renewing the six-month contraceptive potion but they had not talked about it yet. Even in her previous relationship the thought of being a parent had been an abstract concept for her, to be applied in a distant future. Now the notion of having a child, of trying to conceive together with Corban brought on tangible exitement. Hermione was determined to talk to her fiancée about the issue before Beltane. It was the fertility festival after all.

April 30th 2010, Yaxley Manor

When Hermione had asked Corban whether he was all right with neither renewing her potion nor using a spell the wizard had tackled her with an unholy gleam in his eyes. Both had been surprised by how much still the intensity of their love-making increased afterwards.

Today's Beltane celebration was held at the manor, with lots of food and a bonfire. Non-magical neighbours as well as wizarding friends were there, Luna, Finn and Antonin among them. The elves had opened up guest rooms and prepared everything before withdrawing, for the evening locals had been hired as waiters. Flora and her family held their own celebration on the Isle of Wight. During the evening Hermione had to endure some good-natured ribbing from her future neighbours after her intended had told everyone about their engagement and issued invitations. Corban was never far from her side and when the bonfire was dwindling the tension between them was palpable. Even a simple dance around the fire had left them breathless and after the last round her wizard had stirred them into the direction of the ritual cercle, which had been warded off against everybody beside the master wandering in that direction.

The ever thoughtful elves had deposited blankets but in the Scottish night still asked for warming charms. Hermione had drawn her wizard into a heated kiss and her eagerness to rid him of his clothes made them stumble. Corban made a step back and took her hands.

"Mo chridhe, you have made me so very happy. I all but buried any dreams of a family of my own until I'd met you. I'm yours forever."

"Corban, love, I can't wait for your dreams to come true." More kisses and maybe some tears followed while they undressed each other. Weighing her breasts in his hands before peppering them with kisses the wizard whispered, "I will love to feel them grow heavy, and your belly to swell with our children."

The magic of the place and the magic of two people very much in love with each other was indistinguishable in the hours that followed before Corban apparated his exhausted bride into the master bedroom.

The morning of May 1st brought a very late, sumptious breakfast. Finn looked dazed, Antonin smug and Luna exhausted but happy. In the afternoon Corban and Hermione got ready for the first of many visits to invite their closest friends to the wedding. Neville and Hannah were first. Both were happy for Hermione. Hannah said, "Hermione, seeing you now and how your fiancée treats you - it is so obvious why boys like Justin or Ron would never be enough for you. Sorry if I'm blunt, but they never appreciated you the way you deserve to be appreciated. And you tried so hard to make those relationships work, even when it was blatantly clear that they were not yet man enough to see what a wonderful witch you are."

Neville nodded, "Hear, hear."

Corban saw the Longbottom heir in a new light. He'd known him as a well prepared if quiet Wizengamot member but had never interacted with him beyond the exchange of superficial pleasantries.

Their next stop was Grimmauld Place, home of the Potter family. Hermione still considered Harry one of her best friends, but after she had started to avoid gatherings where Ron would be present they hardly ever met. The sixth Weasley had taken their break-up hard, even if he instigated it, and had lashed out until the witch would no longer expose herself to his behaviour. Molly naturally sided with her son. Bill, Percy, George and Ginny assured Hermione of their continued regard, George even gifted her a toilet seat with the engraving `Congrats on being flushed of him´, but they rarely saw each other after Weasely gatherings were no longer an option.

The kitchen was still the room of choice for dinner at Grimmauld Place and the athmosphere was lively. Both Harry and Ginny had already suspected the reason for the visit and had exchanged knowing looks after seeing Corban coming out of the Floo after Hermione. Of the children it was Albus who first dared to address the unfamiliar face, enquiring whether Corban had ever flown an Abraxan. When the man answered in the affirmative James wanted to know if he preferred it to flying a broom. Ginny and Harry looked as if they expected the resurgence of a familiar quarrel between the brothers but Corban very patiently explained why he would use a broom for Quidditch and visiting the pub – ` I think an Abraxan would be terribly bored if he had to wait in front of the Leaky Cauldron´ - and an Abraxan for flying over his lands or going to Norway.

Albus nodded thoughtfully, "Daddy says our garden is too small for an Abraxan."

"Your daddy is right. Abraxans love to run, just like horses. And they need a long stretch of ground for taking off and landing, just like aeroplanes."

As Lily was close to falling asleep Hermione and Corban took their leave. Ginny promised to find out a day for their visit to the Weasleys where Ron would be sure not to drop by. Although being happily married to Lavender Brown the redhead was bound to say something insensitive.

The following week was busy at work for both Corban and Hermione and on the latter's side her few breaks were filled with worry about their intended visit to the Weasleys. Corban did his best to distract his bride, to kiss her lower lip – swollen because she tended to bite it when worried – better but even that did not work a hundred percent. In the end he pleaded with her to take a calming draught before Apparating to the Burrow. Hermione started to protest vehemently on principle but the arguments of her fiancée finally convinced her to follow his suggestion.

"Love, it pains me to see you so distraught. And it is not a sign of weakness to be as prepared as possible, it is the mark of sound strategy. At the MLE I always made my newer recruits take calming draughts before a dangerous mission. We are humans with human reactions and emotions. In situations where decisions have to be made in split-seconds the Spock approach is preferable and in the Aurors' cases it saves lives. My person and your hypertension in combination with the Weasley temper is a recipe for disaster, you are right to be worried. But there is an absolutely viable solution at hand. Please let me do this for you."

Hermione had to smile at the Spock reference and agreed to Corban's sensible suggestion. In the end the calming draught might not have been needed because George early on cornered the MLE officer to discuss ideas with him. Some of the twins' inventions from the war might be adapted for Auror use. Ron was too keen a business man to spoil a good opportunity and kept his mouth mostly shut. Molly had been a bit stand-offish at first – somehow she could not let lose of the idea of having Hermione as a daughter in law, although her only still unwed son Charlie was very happily living with his fellow dragon tamer Radu. Corban's effusive praise of her cooking thawed the matriarch a bit and his genuine interest in raising a big family won her over. Arthur was already trying to dismantle his gift of a portable casette player with recording function.

During the week that followed the visit at the Burrow Hermione's parents were staying at Yaxley Manor. Mrs Granger got used to communicating with elves and Mr Granger enjoyed the land and the company of his future son-in-law. Thankfully the witch could early on tone down her mother's ideas for the wedding and they found a compromise on the dress – Hermione would change from her linen shift into a dress for the festivities afterwards.