Disclaimer: Not Jo, Not JRR, just a writer who's getting a bit misty-eyed over the imminent end of her story. So glad next chap's a Happy Ending!
Chapter 39- All Together Now
The first week of Easter Holiday was drawing to a close. In the early Thursday morning sunlight, two cloaked and hooded persons waited outside the gates of Hogwarts. A lone figure approached. Tossing back the hood to his cloak, Ronald Weasley grinned,
"Got the polyjuice?"
Huffily, one of the cloaked persons uncovered his fiery red hair and complained,
"Would it have killed you to do the hand-off cloak and dagger, like we asked?"
An identical red-head revealed his face and sniggered,
"Ronnikins is too much like Percy to be any fun, George."
Rolling his eyes, Ron pulled his hood back over his head and whispered from its depths,
"Do you have the…items…I requested?"
Hurriedly, covering their own faces once more, the two said together,
"Here."
A lightly freckled hand reached out to take the potions held out to him through the gate. Dual snorts sounded while the twins took their hoods down again,
"It's no use, Fred…once the mood's been broken…some things just aren't the same anymore."
Nodding solemnly, the twins mourned in unison,
"The thrill is gone."
Watching his brothers Apparate back to their shop in Diagon Alley, Ron couldn't help but laugh. He might've ruined the fun for his brothers, but for him, the thrills were just beginning.
Hermione's face lit up when he returned to the Gryffindor Common Room. No one else was up this early, so she quickly kissed him and took the flagons from his outstretched hand. The boy asked,
"Whose hairs did you get, and when do we get snogging…I mean sleuthing?"
Her boyfriend's eyes were so blue. The jumper she'd given him for Valentine's Day really looked good on him. Almost as good as those royal blue swim trunks Ron wore every afternoon to go swimming in the lake. If she was perfectly honest, it was the lack of clothing which looked the best in her eyes. The pale musculature revealed reminded her of statuary, but oh Merlin, it was so much warmer and felt so much better. Smiling impishly, the girl answered,
"Mary-Kate and Ashley Greengrass, and this afternoon when everyone else is at the lake..."
His jaw dropped. It was incredibly cute.
"Crikey…you expect me to polyjuice into a girl!"
She smirked,
"You can't go up the Girls' Staircase unless you're female, silly." At the misery on Ronald's face, she giggled, "No one will ever know, so what's the problem?"
"I've got to wear a bra!"
It was bad of her to laugh, but she couldn't help it. Hermione shook her head, and informed with relish,
"No you don't- those twins are too skinny to have anything that jiggles. You can shrink your boxers to fit. Come on, it'll be our little secret."
"Aw…'Mione…no…"
The kisses she was pressing to his jaw, and cheek and mouth wasn't Quidditch. They made it hard to remember why he didn't want to polyjuice into a perky blonde.
Walking up to the Slytherin Common Room later, Ron's newly pale pink lips twisted into a grimace. A dark-haired seventh year boy saw the expression and asked,
"You okay Mary-Kate?"
Nodding jerkily, feeling hair bounce, 'she' whispered hoarsely,
"Just forgot the password."
Ron almost decked the bloke for patting 'his' cheek and smirking,
"You're a natural blonde, aren't you?"
Ashley giggled behind them while the boy said the password and escorted 'her' in with a proprietary hand on the momentarily twig thin arm. Jerking out of the guy's grasp once they'd entered the large chamber, Ron headed for the Girls' Staircase.
"Want to come up to my room later, Mary-Kate?"
Slipping 'her' arm around Hermione/Ashley, the false Slytherin said coolly over a narrow shoulder,
"Sorry, but we have to wash our hair."
"Together?"
Snorting unattractively, the girl who'd been transformed into a ditzy blonde named Ashley told the boy,
"We do everything together."
Inside MacDuff's dorm room, Ron pulled away from his 'twin' and demanded,
"Are we having fun yet?"
Unrestrained peals of laughter filled the chamber. Ignoring the girl who thought this fiasco was so funny, the frowning 'girl' pulled out a wand and performed a counter ward on the desks in the room. Sliding up a roll top, 'she' began searching. It was quickly apparent by the BZ, TB doodled into hearts drawn on book covers that this desk belonged to Zabini, not MacDuff. The Gryffindor in Slytherin skin noticed a piece of parchment folded into a tiny square. Unfolding it, the polyjuiced 'girl' saw that it was a note that had been passed in class. Upon it in loopy handwriting, he read,
Hey B, F's taking a poll- What's your favorite color hair on a guy?
A bold hand had replied,
Oh gods, M, that's so Hufflepuff. I shouldn't encourage this, but I'm bored. Red.
Underneath the answer that made him grin with icky Greengrass lips, was scrawled,
Better not tell Terry!
The smile froze when 'Ashley' asked,
"Did you find anything?"
Better not tell Hermione! Quickly re-folding and stuffing the note back before closing the desk top, Ron/Mary-Kate shrugged,
"Nope. It wasn't MacDuff's desk."
"Oh. Well, this one isn't either, let's try the one by the window."
Helping his girl raise the roll top on the third desk, they got lucky. There was a diary in one of the drawers with Morrigan inscribed across the front in gold letters. It didn't take Hermione/Ashley more than a few minutes to break the ward. Opening the slim volume, 'Mione read aloud in her temporarily whiny voice,
My family isn't thrilled that my new boyfriend is The Famous Harry Potter. Gran thinks that the Intruder is going to send reporters to rummage through her trash and find tabloids. What would the vicar say? I think he already knows since she tells the poor man every Sunday where Elvis has been sighted this week. Da laughs at mum's worries that old acquaintances who follow You-Know-Who might try and come round hoping for information- says they were never interested in a sheep farmer before, so why now?
Glancing up, the girl's face crumpled in disbelief,
"A sheep farmer!" Flipping to the final entry, she read,
I keep dreaming about that motorcycle ride through the Forbidden Forest. In the dream, we stop and walk into a fairy ring. Everything is magical. The balmy air, the scent of flowers, the soft grass beneath me as Harry…
The girl blushed and quit reading,
"I don't think Morrigan is using Harry. She might even…"
Hermione couldn't finish the thought. There was something repulsive about her friend hooking up with a Slytherin, but the girl…from the diary entries at least…had feelings for him. That was a relief and a new worry at the same time. Putting everything back in precisely the same places, 'Mione/Ashley crossed to the door and cautiously looked out. At this time of day, the coast was clear. The two 'girls' made their way back down the staircase. Once they'd exited Slytherin House, she noticed that her 'sister's' hair was starting to turn red. They hurried to the one lavatory no one ever went to.
"Ooohhh…Ronald…you look good in a skirt..."
Moaning Myrtle's gushing was interrupted by Ron's yelping,
"Hermione, Help!"
Within the last stall, Ron was back to normal too and undressed except for a plaid mini skirt so short that his boxers showed beneath it. Obviously, he'd undone the back zipper, but hadn't been able to pull it off before the potion wore off completely. It was like a mini-kilt. It should've looked silly, but instead…
"Let me help you."
Pulling the skirt off was fairly easy. Stepping away from her boyfriend was hard. In fact, it was impossible. Hermione kissed him hungrily. His fingers tangled in her hair. They both drew in a deep breath. A voice said breathlessly,
"Look Nellie, did you ever think you'd see this sort of thing in a lavatory!"
Fiercely ordering the ghosts to haunt elsewhere, the girl stooped to pick up, and hand Ron his trousers. The teen's face was redder than his hair. She backed out of the stall to allow him privacy and took out her wand. If Myrtle or that Nervous Nellie specter showed their translucent faces again to gawk at her boyfriend she'd…well, think of something dire.
"Are you disappointed that Morrigan's not a spy for You-Know-Who?"
Pivoting on her heel, 'Mione smiled at her fully dressed guy,
"Not really."
That Mona-Lisa smile of hers was something else. Ron grinned.
"What is it?"
Taking his hand in hers, the girl who looked way prettier than some stick thin fifth year pulled him into the outer corridor and asked,
"Can you drive a motorcycle?"
He laughed. Together they ran towards Hagrid's Hut.
Warily stepping over a pile of discarded clothing after dinner, Remus smiled at the auburn haired woman running a frustrated hand through her short spikes,
"Having a bit of trouble deciding what to pack?"
Waving her hands at the apparel scattered around the bedroom, Tonks complained,
"All this stuff…and I've got nothing to wear!"
Not about to argue, the man whose premature gray and care lines gave him the look of a tragic hero bent and picked up a pair of trousers.
"How about these?"
A flick of her wand had the denims flying out of his hands and into the suitcase lying opened on the bed.
"Yeah. We might go hiking. I'll add boots too. That top might go- that one also. The Ravenclaw blue jumper would look nice. In it goes…"
The heart-shaped face glowed with purpose. It was a very fetching look. Lying on the unoccupied side of the bed, Lupin clasped his hands behind his head and asked,
"Did Lorelei send the OWL at dinner? How does she feel about the unexpected guests?"
Smirking in a way that made hazel green eyes sparkle, his changeable love crowed,
"She can't wait for everyone to arrive. In fact, the clan is throwing a welcome party for us when we arrive tomorrow." Tempting lips curved downward, "We're supposed to bring a couple of dressy ensembles for dancing or some rot."
Affecting a hurt tone, the man asked,
"Didn't you enjoy dancing with me…Valentine?"
The metamorphmagus grinned,
"You know that I did…especially the private dance afterward…but I can't wear that outfit!"
A bark of laughter escaped him.
"I should say not! No one's seeing your birthday suit except me…especially not a roomful of selkies!"
Levitating a long, burgundy velvet dress into the suitcase, her laughter joined his. Rubbing the soft material between her fingers, Tonks briefly thought about exchanging the classic gown for one more modern. She decided to keep it. Something about the Orkney isles with their standing stones and ceremonial circles put her into a medieval mode. A pair of heels joined the dress. Curiously, the woman asked,
"Have you already finished packing?"
Good naturedly, Remus reminded,
"I've not got much to begin with, love. Doesn't take overlong to pack…impoverishment has its advantages."
Sinking down to her knees beside the bed, Tonks assured,
"You're rich in everything that matters."
He smiled lovingly.
"I've got you, and that's worth all the gold at Gringotts."
Aw…he was so romantic, she just had to kiss him. Unfortunately, the tug used to try and lightly pull Remus down to kissing level was a bit too enthusiastic. He abruptly rolled off the bed and onto her. That was not the way she wanted him to make her lose her breath. Untangling and repositioning his body over hers, the handsome man supported his weight with his arms while smiling wolfishly down into her chagrined face. The moment stretched out into an expectant silence. His smile changed from laughing to loving. Gently, he caressed her hair and face before saying,
"I want to kiss you for the rest of my life."
Her heart jolted, stomach somersaulted, and entire body tensed. She whispered,
"Sounds great to me- why don't you start right now?"
The corners of his mouth turned upwards, but it was a sad smile.
"I'm a werewolf."
"Really? I hadn't noticed. Must be the lack of fur and growling..." When he didn't reply, she continued, "I don't care. I love you Remus."
Brown eyes looked haunted.
"I love you too. Is that enough to build a life on? What about children? They deserve to have a father and you deserve to have a partner that doesn't lock himself away every full moon."
Tonks' gaze filled with tears,
"Any children of ours would be proud to have you for a father. I'd be proud to be your wife."
Oh gods…had she really gone and used the 'W' word? He'd said 'partner', and Merlin knew that term was used for anything from casual boyfriend to long time lover...or spouse. Tonks was afraid to see his reaction, so she closed her eyes tightly.
"Was that an offer?"
The amusement in the husky voice gave her hope. Opening one eye, she asked apprehensively,
"Did you want it to be one?"
"No."
Before she could do more than stare full on, crushed, he smiled,
"I'm old fashioned. I want to do the asking."
She frowned, even though inside, a girly part of her was imagining candlelight, roses, Remus on one knee and sighing dreamily.
"That's sexist."
His grin made her insides flutter.
"Do you have a problem with male urges?"
Her fingers clutched his shoulders while he pressed against her. His teeth nipped her earlobe before trailing across her cheek to her lips. Smiling at the teasing pressure of his mouth, she murmured,
"Uh uh."
"Good."
His eyes gleamed with emotion. Tonks knew that hers did too. There was a new intimacy in the way they touched, an assurance conveyed by his strong, lean hands and her soft, capable ones that their love would last forever.
How nice that even at my age, life is still full of surprises.
Sitting behind his claw foot desk pondering the note which had arrived by OWL post to his office during dinner, Albus Dumbledore absently stroked his chin and wondered how to respond to the note that read,
Albus,
Over a bottle of firewhisky one night, a confidence was shared that in your colorful youth, an advertisement in Standing Stones magazine to become a druid celebrant was applied for and duly awarded to you. Lorelei and I wish for you to be our celebrant at a discreet ceremony this Saturday.
Awaiting your reply,
Severus
Fawkes glanced down from his perch when the Headmaster chuckled. Hearing the inquiring sound the Phoenix made, the wizard said,
"When I read Romeo and Juliet in Muggle Studies long ago, my friend, I never dreamt in my philosophy that one day I would be called upon to act the Friar. How romantic…and amusing…this scenario is. A discreet ceremony…secret wedding is more like it…I approve…and must dust off my celebrant's book."
Quickly composing a missive accepting the invitation and passing on his congratulations, Dumbledore sent Fawkes off to the OWLery to send the letter on its way. A brisk knock sounded. In a distracted voice that he knew would annoy this particular visitor no end, he called vaguely,
"Yes, yes, enter…"
Marching into the chamber, the Deputy Headmaster stood in front of his desk. Pretending to be engrossed in a treatise by Gandalf the Grey, Albus inwardly smiled at the way the Gryffindor Head of House clasped her hands to the side like a Victorian housekeeper. Appearances were so deceiving. Making a humph of impatience, the no-nonsense woman demanded,
"Where is Professor Snape? This very evening, one of his students was seen behaving inappropriately behind the statue of Fezzik the Faithful. The girl must be given a severe lecture on the Hogwarts Code of Conduct!"
"Was there another student the Slytherin girl was behaving inappropriately with?"
In a mortified undertone, Minerva stated,
"It was…our Harry…"
Deciding that he'd played his little game long enough, the wizard gazed benignly into striking green eyes.
"Severus and Lorelei are on holiday. I will be happy to act as Head of Slytherin House until Snape's return if you wish me to counsel young Potter and…MacDuff, I expect?"
Placing a hand to her suddenly aching head, Minerva stammered,
"Hol…holiday? Severus Snape? Are you sure?"
Albus rose and moved around to kindly but firmly push her down into one of the chairs facing his desk. The woman's mind was whirling from the thought of Severus…the tourist... Masculine fingers began to massage her temples.
"I approved their leave myself. Smalley's…death…was very distressing."
Her eyes closed. The Transfiguration professor had always known that Dumbledore had talented fingers, but this massage was nothing short of amazing. The teacher known for perfect posture allowed her shoulders to slump while letting her head fall back. Thoughts became fuzzy. She was so relaxed that when the pins started to be pulled from her hair, Minerva didn't even notice. Her narrow mouth was curved into a faint smile. All she wanted was for this man's hands to keep working practical magic.
"This is the way I picture you when we're apart."
Sitting up straight, McGonagall realized that her hair was completely down from her bun. Flustered, she started to stuff the long black strands up into their accustomed style.
"What were you thinking, Albus? What if someone were to see us!"
"What if they did?"
Her mouth opened and closed. The glittering blue eyes held her speechless.
"No one would care if they knew we loved each other, Minerva…no one except you." His hands closed on her shoulders when she tried to stand, to leave. Leaning down, he whispered harshly, "Why are you still punishing us both for what happened long ago? Marina's happy; do we not deserve happiness too?"
She stared at him sightlessly, her mind on the past…
Sitting at the Staff Table, Minerva thought bitterly that a Professor in love with the Headmaster was almost as cliché as a teacher/student relationship…and just as wrong on so many levels. Minerva didn't know exactly when the daily chats with Dumbledore became more than friendly, but they had, and she'd begun avoiding the man. He had a…companion… The Muse, Marina, was beautiful and loved by everyone…except the wizard she'd inspired to create the twelve uses for dragon's blood…and the witch who was bitterly jealous of the siren's place in Albus' life. Meals had become torturous. Even now, she felt his gaze, but refused to acknowledge it. Unable to eat another bite, the woman left the Hall with her head high.
"Minerva, wait!"
Dumbledore pulled her into the niche behind Fezzick the Faithful. She looked down her nose at him. He asked gently,
"You have not visited my office in days…why?"
The wizard moved nearer. She meant to protest. Instead, her hands grabbed fistfuls of his robes and pulled him closer while her mouth kissed his blindly.
Weeks passed. Albus swore that his relationship with the Muse was not physical and almost over- that the woman was only deciding where to go for the summer before leaving. Inevitably, one afternoon when he embraced her, they were careless and an unlocked door was opened…
Sternly repressing her memories and emotions, Minerva said tonelessly,
"Marina attempted suicide, because of us."
Albus lifted her to stand in the circle of his arms,
"It was unfortunate, and I regret my actions, but she later admitted that her unhappiness was not due solely to our relationship, and her recovery on Hoy led to the one thing she most wanted- a child." He continued, "If you had not absented yourself each time Marina visited after the incident…" Breaking off, he studied her face before a smile lit the wizard's striking features. "I'm Apparating this Saturday to Hoy, to officiate at a discreet ceremony thanks to my youthful acquisition of druid celebrant status. Come with me."
Perhaps it was time to face the past. Minerva rested her head against Albus' shoulder and nodded.
Across Scotland, on Mainland Orkney, a young couple sat on a blanket having a picnic. The girl looked at the three standing stones nearby and remarked,
"I bet when all twelve Stones of Stenness were standing, it was an awesome sight. It's still amazing, even now."
Cassandra Priam took a bite of sandwich and gazed contentedly at another impressive sight. Kieran… The selkie boy offered her a piece of sushi. Eeuww. Shaking her head, she smiled at the naughty twinkle in his eyes. Her boyfriend…how lovely that sounded…her boyfriend…knew full well she disliked raw fish. He was lucky that brushing/flossing mints were available, or there would be no snogging afterwards. Lips that were unpainted pressed together to keep from grinning like a Hufflepuff. This was the best holiday ever. Her parents were on some haunted castle tour. They sent cheerful OWLs, glad that she was experiencing a unique part of Scotland with her mate 'Kiera'.
It was hard to believe that it was already Friday, that a week of holiday had almost flown by. When she'd first flooed to Bag End, the Slytherin girl had been taken aback by the strange round, burrow feeling of the home. Never having read Tolkien, the thought of building a real house based on a fictional one seemed bizarre. Cool, too. Rather like Kieran's clan. Selkies were an interesting lot. The seal-people stayed around the coast this time of year, and were always popping by for tea, or dinner, to borrow a book from the library or have a long chat. They seemed to approve of her, if the winks and meaningful nods to Kieran after thorough inspection were any indication. Yesterday, Kieran's mum had come to tea with the rest of the clan and hugged her with a smile. That'd been nice.
"What do you think Snape and Lorelei are doing now?"
Pretending to scowl, Cass told the grinning teen in her best 'seeress' voice,
"Ask not what causes nightmares and drives prophetesses to drink."
A bark of laughter met her words, which held a ring of truth. Sunday afternoon, she and Kieran had returned from taking a walk on the beach to the lounge and the sight of her Head of House accepting a cup of tea from Lorelei on the sofa. The shock had almost made her faint. The older couple didn't appear much happier to see her. After an embarrassing 'talk' they'd all agreed to do their own thing. She and the teen beside her had explored almost every Orkney island. Hoy remained her favorite. It was unique with heather covered hills and rugged cliffs as well as green glens and picturesque burns. The multicolor stones on the beach were so pretty, she'd begun collecting them. Smiling into Kieran's eyes, hers began to lose focus as they 'saw' an inner vision…
On New Year's Day, a young woman knelt in front of her lover within the Stones of Stenness, also known as The Temple of the Moon. She asked Odin to help fulfill her promises and obligations. Standing, the couple made their way to a stone circle not far away. Inside the Ring of Brodgar, called The Temple of the Sun, the young man knelt and repeated the young woman's prayer, and invoked the god's help on his behalf. Rising, he clasped her hand in his and led his lover to The Stone of Odin, named The Temple of the Stars. While holding hands through the hole in the stone, the pair swore upon their love to be constant and faithful to each other forever. To seal their pledge, Keiran and Cassandra came together in a kiss…
"Did you have a vision?"
The blush on Cass's cheeks told Kieran that his girlfriend had. She smiled shyly and promised,
"I'll tell you about it…one day…"
Hmmm…he was tempted to push, but refrained. There was something else that he wanted Cassandra to do more than reveal the future. While they packed up the remains of the picnic and shrank the basket into a tiny square that fit in a pocket, the boy played up the musical lilt in his voice and asked,
"Are you ready to go swimming with me, love?"
"Yes."
They Apparated back to Hoy. The boy smiled when he remembered his anemone asking,
"Aren't you supposed to have a license to do that?"
He'd explained that The Ministry of Magic held no sway over the seal-people. She'd looked envious until informed that she was allowed to Apparate with him.
The moment Cassandra walked out in a sheer black wrap skirt tied over her one-piece swimsuit, the boy's mind became fully rooted in the present. He ran a finger down her arm,
"Have you performed the charms to keep you warm and protected from the sun?" When his girlfriend…strange how territorial those words made him feel…said calmly that she had, he handed her a small item, "This is saltwater gillyweed. I am aware that the appearance is rather…off putting…the taste is rubbery as well…but once we are in the water, it will allow me to show you my world."
They walked down to the beach. Upon reaching the layers of many colored stones that made a wide path down the shoreline, he grinned,
"You may wish to turn your back while I…remove clothing."
Several barks of laughter escaped when the girl's dark eyes widened in alarm and she spun away. Swiftly, the selkie disrobed and walked into the welcoming arms of the sea. He changed into a form that was swift and powerful. On shore, the girl called,
"Can I turn 'round now?"
He said yes, but of course she didn't understand seal…yet… Hearing his bark, Cassandra whirled to stare. Slowly, she walked into the water. He swam forward and nudged her hand with a cold nose.
"Oh, right, eat this rat-tails-in-goo looking thing. Uck, the taste…oh my gods, I'm…"
She was breathing underwater, gills beneath her ears and a blue tint to her pale skin. The seal waited for Cass to wrap slender arms around his neck before taking her down to the undersea world that was his home.
Later, on the beach once more, he transformed back into human form and asked,
"Aren't you glad you came home with me on Holiday?"
She pulled his head down to hers, and Kieran realized that this was what his girlfriend had 'seen' on Valentine's Day. Her breath became his, a warm, sweet promise, and together they made the vision a reality.
People are strange, when you're a stranger…
Humming the tune by The Doors, Piper closed his magic carpet bag. Instantly, the luggage shrank until it could fit into his coat pocket. Closing the door on the organized chaos of his bedroom, the Goblin hurried downstairs. Shea was coming over shortly, and together they would walk over to Ian's place where the band would meet and floo to Hoy. Goblin fireplaces weren't permitted to connect with the Floo Network, so he got by with a little help from his friends. Sharp teeth flashed in a smile over the way songs infiltrated his thoughts…With a little help from my friends…
In his lounge, Piper gathered together some music. His friend had OWLed him and asked that he bring certain pieces, but not to tell the others. She wanted it to be a surprise. He'd been more than surprised. That Snape fellow had appeared too cold and self contained to ever truly share his life with someone. Deep coal-black eyes gleamed. If ever a woman could thaw an icicle, it was Lorelei.
Years ago, a young woman had answered his band's advert for a female vocalist. She'd come in from the rain to the audition. The boys had taken one look at her and said,
"You're hired!"
He'd kept his distance from the human at first. Experience had taught the Goblin that a lot of people who said they weren't prejudiced were liars, too. Over a bottle of firewhiskey one fateful night, the two had shared confidences and become friends. They kept the friendship strong through the years with frequent OWLs and visits. Sometimes it was hard to remember that the woman wasn't a Goblin. One day a few summers ago, Piper had been forcibly reminded of their differences in status within the magical world.
His mate had just completed a ministry assignment, and he was in between gigs. One of his cousins that worked at Gringott's was getting married in his bride's home village in Wales. Impulsively, the Goblin had invited his friend to come along. They'd taken the train to a town near the village of his people. From the moment the pair had stepped foot together on Platform 8 ¾, whispers had started.
At first, Piper had been unaware that they were the source of interest. After all, the friends had traveled together before. They just hadn't been traveling alone, a witch and a male Goblin. An attendant had quickly ushered them into a private compartment. The smaller being's pointed ears had heard the whispered comments of their fellow passengers that were inaudible to human senses.
Unnatural!
Mum, is that lady married to a Goblin?
She should stick to her own kind!
Piper had never dreamt that he and Lorelei would be considered more than friends. It was almost amusing. Thankfully, his mate seemed oblivious to the unfriendly looks and remarks. Upon arriving in the Muggle town in Wales, they had used the floo belonging to one of the MacManus' drinking buddies to travel to the wizard village next to his soon to be cousin in law's Goblin one. Interestingly, all the Squire cabs were 'in use', so they had to walk. The day was clear, and the distance short, so he didn't mind. Until they reached the bride's village, and his relatives acted like he was alone…
Not one Goblin at the wedding addressed Lorelei directly. It was embarrassing. Everyone went out of their way to speak only Goblin tongue. The friends stood at the far back during the joining ceremony, and their table at the wedding feast was almost out of the tent erected for shade. The small inn he'd booked two rooms at pretended that his reservations had been lost. The sack of galleons his companion tossed onto the front desk had caused the clerk to change his mind. Immediately courteous, the Goblin had asked,
"One room or two?"
Lorelei had smiled in a way that made his eyes open wide. Other guests waiting in line behind them stared incredulously while she bent and kissed him. Lingeringly…on the lips… Ignoring the offended gasps, Lorelei said breathily,
"We only need one."
Inside their room, Piper grinned at the woman convulsing in laughter on the bed,
"I always wanted to look up to a girlfriend, but this is ridiculous. Sorry, luv, it's not meant to be."
She sat up.
"I'm gutted, but promise me we'll always be friends." With a wry smile, she added, "I couldn't resist." The smile faded, "I never knew there was so much prejudice in the world…on both sides, until this trip." Patting the second pillow on the bed, she urged, "Come over, there's plenty of room, and I want to know the Goblin viewpoint on rebellions, and restrictions. It might take awhile."
Slipping off his coat, tie, and shoes, Piper complied and began to talk…
A distinctive rap-rap-rap made the Goblin focus on the present and hurry to open the door. His partner was on the step. They'd met at that disastrous wedding he'd taken Lorelei to years ago. She'd asked his cousin's new bride to set them up, and their relationship had made the memory a happier one. Kissing lips that aligned perfectly with his, Piper lifted his guitar and led Shea down the street to Ian's.
Standing in a shadowy corner of the lounge at Bag End, Severus took a sip of whisky and thought irreverently that if he had to be stuck in a room full of selkies, musicians, students and professors at least the chamber had expanded to fit them all. One of the benefits of a magically constructed home, he supposed.
"Hiding, mate?"
Why did Lupin persist in using offensive terminology? Arching a sardonic brow, Snape curled his lip. The former DA professor grinned. The man was obviously a sheet or two to the wind. An involuntary half-smile played across the Potions Master's face,
"Mortally afraid you'll start singing."
The werewolf howled with laughter. Lips twitching, the lean man's gaze flickered across the room. Lorelei and Tonks were conversing with a trio of Goblins. His fiancee looked especially radiant. His eyes fell on the emerald and platinum ring adorning her left hand. So far, no one had noticed it. Perhaps the stone being other than a diamond accounted for the lack of comment. Beside him, Lupin started going on about darts and asking when they were going to finally have a match. Smirking, the man dressed in tailored black said,
"It won't be tomorrow night. I have plans."
The gray streaked head nodded agreeably. Severus became irked. Was the dolt not curious? If he had challenged Lupin to a match and the werewolf had 'plans', he would have asked what they were.
"Pardon me, Professor Snape, but a message arrived by OWL for you…"
The house brownie was twisting his tatty brown cap between his fingers. Making his excuses to the man who smiled with disturbing cheerfulness, he followed Donn into the entry, where a Great Grey owl perched in the open round window. Unfastening the message from the avian, Severus unrolled the parchment to read,
Felicitations and Congratulations to you and Lorelei,
I would be honored to be your celebrant, and will arrive in the morning.
Albus
The pleased expression on his face caused the brownie to ask,
"Good news, sir?"
Almost genially, Snape replied,
"Yes, excellent news."
Bidding the small, brown man to give the owl water and treats, the professor re-entered the lounge. It had enlarged again. The far end of the chamber now contained a dance floor and small stage. Lorelei's friends were playing Gaelic songs with the assistance of several selkies.
Lorelei and her father were twirling energetically. The woman's skirt lifted as she was spun out and pulled back. Frowning at the length of leg exposed, he strode determinedly over and tapped Tynan on the shoulder. The irritating man smiled knowingly and backed away. Twining her arms around his neck, his lover asked,
"Did Albus reply?"
He inclined his head impassively, but his eyes betrayed the answer Dumbledore had given. Smiling so widely that he was concerned for her facial muscles, Lorelei beamed,
"I'm sooo happy!"
The corners of his mouth turned up. Quietly, he echoed her sentiment. His fiancée melted against him while reaching up to press a kiss to his mouth. The band transitioned into a dreamy melody. Mairi, the singer had an accent that made deciphering the words too hard to be worth the bother. Severus glanced down into luminous eyes.
"Translate."
"O I will see, see the great mountains, O I will see, see the lofty mountains, O I will see, see the corries, I will see the peaks under mist…"
Hogwarts immediately came to mind. Strange how the castle he'd first considered a prison had become home. Not that the school's residents were family. Merlin forbid…
"Would ye be wantin' to go fishing tomorrow, Tynan?"
"Aye, Diarmid, but which method were you proposing to catch them…with a rod or with our teeth?"
Hearing the conversation held in carrying tones- the entire clan seemed unaware that such a thing as an 'indoor voice' existed- Snape's narrowed gaze focused on the man beside Lorelei's father. The bloody selkie was tall, dark, and un-naturally handsome. What a surprise. Curling his lip, he commanded,
"Go fishing another day, Tynan, you'll be busy tomorrow."
The man had already given his consent during an uncomfortable meeting in the library earlier. He must have some idea. Unsuccessfully hiding a smile, Tynan said,
"Oh really now…and what will I be doing instead?"
Severus glanced at Lorelei. Her face was bright with expectation. The band had finished the song, and the entire chamber seemed to hush while ears strained to hear his words. Controlling his urge to scowl, he answered concisely,
"Attending your daughter's wedding."
She'd never known that she could love someone so much. That this private man had made a public announcement made Lorelei close her eyes briefly to control tears of joy. While the room erupted into cheers and applause, she buried her face against Severus' chest. He queried with amusement lacing his silken voice,
"You're not crying, are you?"
Sniffing, she smiled and shook her head vigorously. A masculine fingertip brushed away the moisture clinging to the corners of her eyelashes.
"Hmmm…and what is this?"
"Happiness?"
Plastered so closely against him, her love's silent rumbles of laughter shook her too.
"So that's why I had to bring a dress!"
Tonks, currently sporting forest green hair and emerald green eyes, grinned at them along with her partner. The couple supported each other with arms around one another's waist. The pair looked very mellow. After hugging her friends, and watching with a grin of her own as Remus clapped the 'jammy bastard' on the back, Lorelei laughed out loud when Lupin decided that a momentous occasion like this deserved a song. Severus pursed his lips in disgust when the two swept her off toward the band. Piper and the rest of the group asked what she wanted them to play. A Beatles song that her friends used to sing when she'd drop in after a Ministry assignment every summer came to mind. When she named the tune, Goblin teeth glinted white.
Remus chuckled when the band began to play. Tonks exclaimed,
"Hey, I know this one!"
The siren looked across at her fiancée when they sang the Beatles' All Together Now...
In the far corner, Cassandra and Kieran looked torn between shock and amusement at seeing professors sing and dance. Every single person in the room joined in on the chorus, save one. Lorelei started toward him while the crowd sang boisterously.Reaching her fiancée, who looked a bit overwhelmed…or was that under-whelmed…by the enthusiastic noise, she sang the words asking could she take her 'friend' away with a wink.
A sardonic eyebrow arched. It was so sexy. He pursed his lips appealingly and repeated,
"Friend?"
She knew that he was jesting, but her answer was heartfelt,
"Best friend…lover…fiancée…husband…"
He kissed her. Lorelei pressed closer, loving the way her bones seemed to dissolve and how everything else seemed to disappear when she was in his arms. The smell of his skin, the taste of firewhisky on his tongue, the feel of his mouth moving over hers… She loved everything about him. They left the party going full swing. No one made any comments about the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding while they made their out of the room. Muggle superstitions held no sway over the magic of love.
A/N: As FNP wrote in her review…'Mawwiage is what bwings us togetha today'…or next week, actually. You know you're all invited! LOL
