NOTISE: SORRY, I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGISE FOR THE MISPOSTING OF THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. IT CONTAINED WEDDING SPOILERS, BUT BY ALL MEANS, NOT ALL THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE CEREMONY. BE AWARE GABBY AND I HAVE LINKS AND PICTURES TO ALL OF THE FLOWERS AND GREENERY IN THIS FIC. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. THE FLOWERS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, GABBY AND I SQUEALED WITH DELIGHT AS WE FOUND THEM!!! IT MADE US WANT TO GET MARRIED! Although not to each other, I have a boyfriend hehehe…
Practically since the beginning of Muggle and Magical Arts, physicians and their kind, of virtually every culture had been revered for their gifts and talents
And so it was of deepest-ingrained tradition that a magic couple that ished to be joined was married by a Wizard Healer. The House of Malfoy was steeped in such legend and lore, even if they outwardly appeared to shun such aging superstitions. Not even amongst magicfolk could the origins of the handfasting ceremony be placed. All wizard healers, as well as having a degree for practising their profession, were instilled with the powers of cementing such a ritual.
It appeared that this was the singular crux of the wizardrealm proceedings Draco had arranged. Near everything else, as far as Harry could tell, had been chosen out of deference either to Harry's Muggle ties or significance to something else in both their backgrounds together. It was clear that all of the included substance, whether magical or not, had been chosen with great care and equal meaning.
One of the proceedings involved that each attendee bind their wands inside the sheaths with leatherette and a flower. Each guest had a lily or a narcissus bloom on display. In the magic world, especially in ancient times, one's wand was as a Muggle sword, and when in front of others to be used only as defence or dueling. For a wedding, tying one's wand to the sheath was akin to this, as it showed the utmost faith and goodwill toward all present, as well as marking a pronounced favour in the upcoming union.
The only ones in the ceremony permitted unbound wands were the couple and the Binding Mistress. Although never actually used, it was again considered only good luck for this tradition to occur. No magic was included in the ceremony itself, as it was stated the true power in the proceedings should come from nothing but the couple themselves.
As time went on, precious few changes had been made to the ceremony, and the adding of the House colours for each member of the affianced pair became one newer, yet no less required element.
Each of the two bandmaidens held two lanyards of these colours, one from each of the pre-wedded duo. Star bore the silver from Slytherin and the gold from Gyffindor, whilst Gabby carried the green and red. Their black robes were to signify the shadowed passing of childhood; a closing off thereof, rather than a death. This held a predominantly deep meaning for Harry.
After having reset the starting measures, the Weird Sisters commenced playing their beautiful music, and Harry and Draco walked each other up the aisle, hand in hand.
Determined to memorise every facet, Harry tried to study every single thing and person around him. This was so indescribably special; he wanted to not only remember each moment, but recall it in detail. This was remarkably easier to do once one wasn't thinking about leaving it all behind.
Since it was Christmastime, all the dozen trees with their lovely baubles were still part of the décor; festive fir boughs and swags had been added as well. The only real change was out of representation to the wedding colours; most everything was blue or silver, as the forest green came from the trees themselves.Matching wreaths, wound with their tartan ribbon and holly complimented the largesse to perfection. Amazingly, the wreaths were so colossal; one could actually jump through the centres. Harry thought of the Quidditch hoops outside, and was sure he'd be able to fly through the middle without touching a single pine needle. From each wreath hung a sphere of mistletoe
Where one couldn't see the green of fir boughs were slithering curls of English ivy. Each bench was draped across the back with it, and again the leaves were complimented with interspersed holly sprigs. It was also the greenery of the flower arrangements. Though Harry knew that hearty ivy was perfectly capable of growing itself into stone without the aid of magic, the appearance of it crawling on the windows and into the majestic rafters only enhanced the combined effect.
Harry drew in a deep breath of awe as he noticed the reason they didn't even need enchanted snow. From he bewitched ceiling fell snowflakes of every size and hue. It made everything shimmer in the softened light of the beautiful flowers, which flanked the aisle.
Another part of the wedding tradition was getting married just proceeding sunset, but in this case, Harry suspected it was more for beauty then anything else.
The subdued overall lighting of the Great Hall complimented the magical lighting of the blossoms so well; Harry was at a loss to describe it.
Harry also knew he had things that not even a single monarch in a millennium could ever hope to possess. He had levity and laughter. He'd have a long life. Most importantly, he had true love. And he could experience it and embrace all of these elements freely, and supremely without the pressures of a kingdom or a dynasty. He could build his own, from the ground up. Surely he was the luckiest man to ever walk the earth.
As the music built to a crescendo, so too did the emotions within him. His hand tightened automatically in his companion's, who responded in kind. The four in the wedding processional took the promontory, and each young maiden took a side placement of her attended, lanyards at the ready. Lupin and Snape were off to the wings, both regal and ready to take their respective roles.
The last swelling bars of the melody drew to a close, and Harry could swear he saw his mother and father smiling at him grandly, from just behind the healer up front.
Madam Adonna, title now Mistress Adonna, stepped forward majestically in her crimson robes. Not only was she a well-known healer at St. Mungo's, but she also possessed something much sought-after for weddings. The wand that had chosen her was of a rare and particularly divine quality. It was made of Brazilian bloodwood.
The mistress took them all in at a glance and addressed them expansively."Gathered are we, in time-honoured tradition, to witness and celebrate the handfasting of two individuals who not only love, but also are best friends with one another."
The combined effect of the deep red robes and wand were said to bring all the best, most important qualities of the couple into perfect harmony. For red was the colour of life-blood, it was the colour of fire, it was the colour of heart, and thereby the very representation of love itself. For so much stronger than magic, or even friendship, is the bond these two share today. And so it is their decision to include each of us in the official sealing of professed bond for each other," continued Mistress Adonna, as she gestured Gabby and Star forward.
Harry could feel his heart start to thrum in anticipation. This was where the three women would wind the bindings around he and Draco's arms. He caught his love's eye as they each turned in, and watched the women use a special weaving technique with the leatherettes on the couple's clasped hands, effectively locking Harry's right arm and Draco's left together from fingertip to elbow. The truly amazing thing was the bindings were to be placed without any kind of knot or tying involved. It was said the magic of the couple would be tested by three ceremonial tugs on the bonds. If the bonds held, it was a strong union and they were meant to be together. If they didn't hold…
The Mistress and Maidens stood back, and Adonna faced the bound pair fully again. "Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, by virtue of completing the ceremony and test, you agree to always share your moments of pain and joy, loathing and laughter, wellness and infirmary, and even hatred, but above all else, love. For one without the other is nothing, just as each of you without the other, would be forevermore doomed to bereavement, if you choose to shun or betray your partner." "Harry and Draco, I ask you now. Do you choose each other?"
"Yes." They both answered her of one accord, with utmost assurety. Harry felt little tingles explode in his chest; neither man had hesitated his answer.
Mistress Adonna paused for a beat, and then inquired of the assembly, "What say you all, shall these two be together?"
YES!" reponded every member of the audience in enthusiastic unison. It was the most beautiful thing Harry had ever heard in his life. Not one single person present objected, though they had the right."Father bond guardians, please step forward to perform your duty," continued Mistress Adonna, and gestured Snape and Lupin to take their places on either side of Harry or Draco.upin grabbed Harry's left arm, whilst Snape took up Draco's right. This would prove to be interesting. Remus was extremely strong, due to his werewolf tendencies, so Harry wondered just how Snape would match up against him. Either way, he'd sure have to brace himself. Opposite him, he could feel Malfoy tense as well. Snape and Lupin, at Mistress Adonna's signal, gave the first tug.ONE!" She cried together with the audience. The father guardians had yanked on Harry and Draco so hard, just the once, Harry nearly went cross-eyed with shock. The bindings held.TWO!" continued everybody as one. Ouch. He'd definitely feel that one later. The places where the leatherettes touched his skin was starting to burn. Still, they held well. A little off-kilter, Harry tried to stabillise himself for one final pull."THREE!" exclaimed the crowd, in an ecstasy of enthusiasm.
All at once, Lupin let go of Harry's left arm, and Harry felt himself spinning back in the opposite direction. His lower centre of gravity, as well as his inability to maneuver in circles whilst wearing such long dress robes-not to mention being tied to someone else-caused him to trip over his own two feet.
Even before he could think about it, he realised someone had reached out and caught him. Nobody mentioned what superstition it was if you lost your balance. Probably that you'd be doomed to publicly embarrass your partner for the rest of your life. Harry's worst fear had been realised; he'd made a fool of himself in front of Godric and everyone.
Face now burning with humiliation, at having tripped like a jester at his own wedding, he didn't trust himself to look at his partner's face. He was also expecting the audience to burst into laughter, but they didn't. There was only a collective gasp and then silence. That was, until Draco touched his chin with their clasped and bound hands, a mere suggestion that he wished Harry to look up.
Fully expecting to see an oil-slicked Slytherin smirk, Harry gritted his teeth and determined to face the inevitable. Laughing sapphire eyes met fiery emerald ones, and Draco said, in a voice nobody else could hear, "In the interests of preserving what's left of your dignity, I shall fail to snog you outright from such a compromising position."
Harry felt his face grow even redder, if that was possible, but it was largely because Draco was whispering at him. That always drove him crazy. And even though clearly amused, Draco still was not using a derogatory tone or nasty look on his face. What Harry sensed and saw instead was just….love.
"But…in exchange for that dignity, you must allow me…this."
Wondering what on earth Malfoy could possibly be thinking of, Harry felt his eyes grow huge as his intended closed his eyes and leaned toward him. Then Draco gave him a lingering and tender kiss on the forehead, and as the audience watched, he heard a communal "awwwwwww!" from them all. Harry flashed his love a bright, if embarrassed smile in spite of himself.
At first he'd thought it was just Draco working a crowd, but came to the realisation this had been done entirely for his benefit, in a fit of passion.
Because Draco wasn't wearing his bemused expression any more.
Amazingly, Harry saw that young Malfoy was now unable to compose himself, having been overcome by his intense emotion of the moment, and in front of an audience to boot. Even as he held Draco's look, he watched his eyes become moist with barely-repressed tears. So Malfoy had been feeling the same thing he had. That same incredulity that someone said yes to staying with him…
Draco didn't often lose control like this. The only time Harry had seen him so touched thus far, had been when Harry had accepted his proposal. They literally had some very strong ties which bound their relationship.
Harry straightened himself up to full height and looked as lovingly as he could into Draco's eyes. Now attempting to fight tears of his own, he took his turn to lean in and said, in the same voice Malfoy used, "Dignity has nothing to do with it, and you know it." Draco began to smile a bit through his engulfment.
Then Harry took his free hand and brushed the tears from Draco's eyes, and then his own. "But before I can properly thank you, we have a ceremony to complete." He tip-toed and gave Draco a return kiss on the cheek, and again the audience responded happily, by bursting into smatterings of delighted applause. From the sounds of it, there wasn't a single dry eye left in the Great Hall.
One little known fact was that Harry Potter could be just as commanding and composed as a Malfoy. It was just not his overall propensity to do so. He'd just been given the perfect opportunity to practise the ability, and rescue his partner from himself in the process. Brilliance.
The couple shared their moment together as the applause died down, and faced the binding mistress again.
Adonna, smiling at both of them broadly, asked "All set then?"
Still dabbing moisture from the corners of their eyes, they nodded sheepishly but happily, and said, "Yeah."
She looked upon everyone a final time and spoke up, "Whilst I hardly believe these two need my personal blessing after that-" she paused, and the assembly laughed with her delightedly, "we do have one last rite to perform for the honourees."
AdonnaTonks: Banding Mistress Adonna looked at Harry and Draco as they smiled, to proclaim, "And so through the power of the Shaman of the ancients down to modern times of the Healers, and with the blessing of each of you present today, we declare these two Bondmates For Life and the Beyond!" "BONDMATES FOR LIFE!"
A/N Please review!! I luffed writing this with donneh I hope you enjoyed it .