This story is based on my love for the old 1954 musical 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' that I first saw at my aunts when I was four and my obsession of the 'Harry Potter' books.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are both the work of someone who isn't me. Any one you don't recognise is mine thought!
Chapter One: Wife Hunting and Bless your Beautiful Hide
United Kingdom, 1850
Harry Potter drove his wagon into the small town of Hogsmeade. It was a warm day in early summer and he had come to get some supplies, and a wife.
He urged the horses to a halt outside the 'McGonagall and Snape Mercantile'. He hefted the large load from the wagon and entered the shop. The small bell above the door jangled, alerting the two owners to his presence.
"Mr Potter!" Cried Minerva McGonagall. "We haven't seen you since just before Christmas." Harry smiled and ran his hand through his hair, "We got trapped up at the farm due to an avalanche. Some of the boys got a little drunk."
Minerva tutted at this information, and shook her head in disapproval. "Well what can we be doing for you today?"
Harry dropped the load of rabbits onto the counter. She nodded before calling for Severus. He sauntered into the room and sneered slightly when he saw Harry.
"Mr Potter, to what do we owe this pleasure?" Severus asked sarcastically. Minerva shot him a dirty look, "Measure out how much rabbit he has and let the boy be on his way."
Severus rolled his eyes and picked up the rabbit carcases and placed them on the scales. "A little over ten pounds," He informed. Harry asked, "How much is a pound worth these days?"
"Five Galleons a pound," Minerva informed. Harry nodded, "Well I'll trade you for a new plough, some lard and flour and five bottles of your best ale. And you wouldn't have a wife under the counter? I'm looking for a wife."
Minerva laughed, "Why?"
"I need a wife. It's me and my six friends back out on the farm. Place is pigsty and the foods not much better. So I promised myself next time I'm in town I'll get me a wife," Harry imparted.
Severus sneered, "You'd better go south to Diagon Alley, if you're looking for a wife. There are ten men for every woman out here."
Just then four of the local girls, Lavender, Parvati, Sally-Anne and Mandy, entered the shop.
"We're having a quilting-be, Miss McGonagall," Lavender informed Minerva, who had gone to assist them. Sally-Anne continued, "We wondered if you had any odds and ends?"
Harry nodded in their direction then asked Severus, "What about them?"
"They're spoken for," Severus replied disdainfully. Harry looked them over; the girls squirmed under his gaze. "A girl can change her mind, right?" He laughed with a smile. The girls blushed and adverted their gaze from the young man.
"Mr Potter!" Minerva reprimanded. "Load his things in the wagon, Severus. Mr Potter needs to be on his way."
Harry shook his head. "I've got all day." He took one final look at the girls. "Well, you're all pretty, young things. I'll keep you in mind. But I'm not a making a decision 'til I've seen them all." As he says that he leaves the shop, with four angry girls in his wake.
Harry starts whistling a jaunty tune. He surveys the village and starts singing:
"Bless
your beautiful hide
Wherever you may be
We ain't met yet but
I'm a'willin' to bet
You're the gal for me."
Harry stops by a woman in a garden feeding hens. "Morning, ma'am!"
"Morning," She replies. Then a little girl runs out shouting, "Mama, mama, papa wants you!"
He walks off still singing:
"Bless
your beautiful hide
You're just as good as lost
I don't know
your name but I'm a'stakin' my claim
Lest yore eyes is
crossed
"Oh, I'd swap my gun 'n' I'd swap my mule
Though
whoever took it would be one big fool
Or pay yore way through
cookin' school
If'n you would say 'I do'."
He stops in front of another young woman, "Morning, ma'am." She smiles at him, "Morning backwoodsman."
"Nice day for marrying," Harry says.
A man stands up, "That's a right good idea." The woman gasps, "Oh, Lem! I'd thought you'd never ask me!" Harry walks off leaving the couple alone:
"Bless
your beautiful hide
Prepare to bend yore knee
And take that
vow 'cause I'm a'telling you now
You're the gal for me."
Stops by a water pump. A young blond hair girl in blue walks by:
"Pretty and trim but kinda slim."
Next a stouter woman goes past:
"Heavenly
eyes, but oh that size
She's gotta be right, to be the bride for
me
Bless your beautiful hide
Wherever you may be."
He comes to a stop opposite the bar. He spots a beautiful red head out chopping wood. The owner, Madame Rosmerta, comes out, shouting, "Ginny! A dozen men are bellowing for food, and you're chopping wood! Get in!"
"Coming!" She replies picking up the wood she had just chopped and running inside.
"Pretty
and trim but not too slim
Heavenly eyes, and just the right
size
Simple and sweet…"
He watches her through the window, as she hits a man he lets out a little laugh:
"And sassy as can be
Bless her
beautiful hide
Yes, she's the girl for me!"