Harry Potter and the Amulet of NaRuin
By JaBootiekins
Chapter 7
Wedding Bells
Harry sat in the common room long after his schoolwork was finished; he even completed the work assigned for the next week and a half in all of his classes.
Ginny came through the portrait hole an hour after all the other students had headed up to bed, only Harry sat staring into the fireplace. She flopped down beside him.
"What's wrong?" Ginny had learned all the different moods and faces of Harry over the summer. The one he wore now was one of great apprehension. He often looked this way when trying to figure out a problem.
"I'm just thinking." Harry's voice sounded distant.
"About what?" Ginny wasn't going to let him off that easy.
"Joslurhen." Harry didn't have to say anything more.
"What bothers you more, that she won't tell you who it is or that you just found her and already she belongs to someone else?" Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Wasn't it you that said a woman cannot be owned?"
"Oh, you're just trying to change the subject." Ginny said as she lightly hit Harry on the arm.
Harry contemplated his answer. "I think I'm upset because she doesn't have a choice." Harry moved so he could look Ginny in the eye while he spoke. "She was born into all this. She never asked to be a Guardian. It wasn't her choice to be linked to me." Harry's shoulders slumped. "I just want her to be happy and I don't think she will be until all this is over with." Harry was referring to Voldermort and Ginny understood.
"You didn't ask for any of this either." An unexpected voice cut through the air.
Harry and Ginny both looked up to see Joslurhen standing on the stairs to the girl's dorms.
"I suppose that you're right."
Joslurhen walked slowly to the fireplace in front of Harry and Ginny.
"I don't have to save the world. I just have to marry a man I barely know. I don't think that you and I are in the same boat." Joslurhen said while locking eyes with Harry.
Harry could see Joslurhen's love and concern for him in her eyes.
Joslurhen continued. "It is said that there are two kinds of great men, Giants and those that stand on the shoulders of Giants. You Harry are a Giant. I'm just along for the ride."
Harry got up and embraced Joslurhen fiercely.
"Don't worry about me I promise I'll be happy." Joslurhen made a promise to her self that no matter what she would live, truly live when the war was over.
"So are you having a ceremony?" Ginny asked as both Harry and Joslurhen sat down.
"No, I don't think so. Dumbledore is supposed to call us up to his office so we can properly sign the papers."
Harry jumped up, a plan forming in true Maurder style. "Well, night girls. I really have got some business to be attending to."
"Harry! It was after curfew when I came in. You'll get caught!" Ginny yelled indignantly at Harry.
Harry just pulled out his Head Boy badge and pined it on. "See, I knew that this had to be good for something." Harry smirked at the look of disgust on the girl's faces. It was just way too easy to make them mad.
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It was Friday and after Potions a free day for all sixth year Gryffindors. Ginny had lucked out and had only Care of Magical creatures with Hagrid that day.
Potions were only all the more interesting since one of Snape's star students traded in her green and silver for red and gold. It seemed that the only person Snape had ever hated more than Harry was Joslurhen.
Although, Harry still received his fair share of glares and snide remarks, Joslurhen received full-blown rages. Snape went as far as calling her lower than a mud-blood for not having her cauldron at the right temperature. It had taken all of Harry's will power not to punch the git in his oversized beak of a nose.
Joslurhen took it far too well in Harry's opinion. She never spoke out but to say 'yes sir'. Her head was down cast as to not catch his gaze. All it did though was get a biting remark about Gryffindor courage.
The last straw came near the end of class. He strode up to Joslurhen's worktable and gazed into her caldron. "This is perfect Slytherin work." He all but whispered. "It's a shame to be wasted on Gryffindor scum." And with that he tipped the caldron over.
It wouldn't have been so bad; even though it took them over two whole weeks to brew it wasn't anything that Harry hadn't seen Snape do before. What made it so horrible was that it spilled all over Joslurhen.
Now the potion was one of those that did not react well to contact with human skin or any skin. In fact it could strip a Hippogriff of all his flesh in mere seconds.
Gasps were heard around the room as the potion coated Joslurhen from the waist down, some splashing onto her face and arms.
What caused everyone horrible dreams for years to come was that she just stood there. Joslurhen stood staring coldly into Snape's eyes as her robes dissolved, her skin smoldered, as her body began to slowly liquefy.
In a second it felt like Harry had died. He just stood there staring at Joslurhen and Snape in turn. He was about to raise his wand to kill the wretched man when Joslurhen moved.
No one present would ever forget how, powerful a sight she was.
She raised her arms wide above her head. A glow of magic surrounded her slender frame. Her eyes locked still with her former head of house. Words silently caressed her lips. Even amidst the whimpers of the other students her soft sentences where heard. Her hands closed tightly and she brought them down weaving patterns across her face arms and lower body. Leaving a trail of pure magic. All the while staring at Snape. Her hands did one more pass over her body.
Harry was utterly speechless now. Joslurhen appeared as if nothing at all had happened. Her clothes looked brand new. Her skin glowing fair as the day Harry had met her.
"Professor Snape, I will not be attending you classes. You will however let me sit for the Newt's." She turned on her heal and stalked out of the classroom.
Neville was the first one to recover from his shock. He did something that only made Harry more flabbergasted. Neville after all, feared Snape above all else.
He beat the bloody crap out of the git.
It took Harry, Ron, Seamus, and even Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle to drag Neville off the Potions Professor who was defiantly worse for the wear. They all had a newfound respect for the usually timid Gryffindor, and began to understand why he had been put into Gryffindor.
The bell rang for the end of class and Harry bustled Neville out of the dungeons while Ron got their bags.
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Professor Snape tested his chains once more, the cold hard mettle biting into his wrists. He had been in this wretched dark hole of existence for nearly two weeks.
How was it that Dumbledore had not noticed by now that he was missing, Snape thought coldly.
A small hole at the top of the small circular room let Snape keep track of the days.
With nothing else to do Snape examined his prison. The walls where made of heavy stones. By the size he would guess each stone to be about three feet wide, which meant the walls three feet thick. The hole in the roof looked to be caused by a very forceful blow, one that can only come from magic such as a reductico spell. Even with the use of such a powerful spell the caster had only managed a hole the size of a standard size two caldron.
Everyday a woman would enter the cell. Snape wasn't sure how she did it there were no doors. He examined the stonework for a false door but there simply wasn't one. The woman was covered from head to toe in black. She reminded Snape of the women in the middle east for even her face was covered. The woman would walk up to him cut a single strand of hair and put it in a vile. She would then feed Snape an awful concoction. Snape suspected that it was a nourishment potion mixed with a power reducer. The result was one foul tasting drink that made Snape not hunger or thirst but left him with little or no magical reserves.
Snape was beginning to be very bored. Even thoughts of seeing Harry fail all his Newts didn't amuse him any more. To Snape boredom was worse than death.
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Dumbledore was quite the busy man this day. Not only did he have his usual work as Head Master of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry to worry about, and his added duties to the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic. Today he had to seal an unusual arranged marriage. A marriage unusual even for the rare arranged marriages that still occurred.
A smile crept over Dumbledore's face. He had a wedding to plan. How he loved weddings.
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Joslurhen had spent most of the day avoiding everyone, even Harry. News of the events that morning had made it around the school in record time.
Fred and George had even sent an owl loaded down with Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. For the much planned vengeance of course. Those two always put a smile on her face. While they tried desperately to cover their serious side Joslurhen cut though their act with practiced ease. They were very intelligent and amazingly thoughtful.
To Joslurhen's surprise Bella flew down from Gryffindor tower and perched on the tree across from her.
"And just what are you up to?" Joslurhen directed her thought to the bird of eternal fire.
"I felt your power. It was pure. I expected less of you Guardian." Bella sent back.
Joslurhen had received this particular gift from Seth himself. It was a testament to how much the Father cared for Harry that he would appear to a Guardian. Even more so that he would endow her with the gift to communicate with animals as he did.
"It wasn't exactly necessary. I apologize for demonstrating my power. I shouldn't have done it." Joslurhen slumped in her already seated position, head hung low.
Bella floated from her perch and gracefully walked over to Joslurhen. With one wing she raised the young beauty's face. The tears falling down her new skin pulled at Bella's heartstrings.
"My dearest little one you let the opinions of others affect you too much. Until now I confused your attempts to hide them with false confidence and pride. You young one are worthy of much more than you have been given. A descendent of the dark one you may be but I see much of the light one in you. He will be pleased with you. You cannot fool me anyway; I know what the big beak did. We can not have you laid up in the hospital wing with horrible scars all over on your day of union now can we." The bird then sang as only an Imperial Arch Phoenix can, a song to mend broken hearts, and warm your soul. "Now the long haired white one wants you in the room of many uses right now."
Joslurhen thought once again that she would never get used to the way animals communicated. They didn't use words but images, sounds, smells and emotion. A lot of the meaning would get lost if she ever tried to put it all into words.
Bella touched her golden claw on the side of Joslurhen's robes and they both misted, disappearing from sight as only an Imperial can.
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When Joslurhen appeared Hermione and Ginny ambushed her with satin, ribbon and flowers from all sides. There was no escape as the girls prepared their new friend to be wed.
"You still don't know who it is?" Ron asked as he fiddled with the sleeves of his new dark blue dress robes.
"Nope, Dumbledore said he respected Joslurhen's wishes. The groom did request that I be the best man and you a groom's men." Harry replied as he finished some last minute paper work.
"Ah! I see you both made it. The Groom will be here shortly and the fun will begin."
Harry didn't like that particular glint in the headmaster's eye. It was too much like the twins.
Neville stumbled into the room as Dumbledore finished his sentence. He was all decked out in red and gold dress robes.
"Are you a groom's men too?" Harry asked confused. Dumbledore had only mentioned Ron and himself as groomsmen.
"Um...No." Neville fidgeted and looked at his shoes looking nothing at all like the man that had wiped the floor with Snape a few hours before.
Harry with his new thought process new immediately that if Neville wasn't a groom's men than he was the groom. Harry's instant rage at knowing who would be stealing Joslurhen was put aside by that new thought process. Images of Neville flew through Harry's mind. An image of Neville standing up to his friends when he thought it was best. An onslaught of images of Neville fighting beside Harry at the Ministry of Magic squashed any objection that Harry had to Neville marrying Joslurhen.
"I couldn't have asked for a better man." Harry held out his hand.
Neville walked past it and gave Harry a very masculine hug. "Thank you."
"Hey now, your not knocking me now are ya?" Ron quipped.
"Joslurhen would have you begging for mercy in under an hour. Neville here is the right man for the job."
"How right you are Harry, how right you are." Dumbledore replied as he handed Harry two rolls of parchment. "Those are the results of the tests you asked for. Not even the subjects have seen them. I'm surprised you even knew of the spell."
"Yeah well I was just as surprised that you knew how to do it." According to Seth no one should have.
Harry unrolled them and smiled from ear to ear. He then handed one to Neville and the other to Ron. "If I were you I would wait and open that with Hermione later tonight." Harry advised.
"Come on now men we must start the union spells so that everything will be smooth during the actual event." Dumbledore rubbed his hands excitedly.
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Joslurhen was happy. She couldn't believe that she was getting a dream wedding. She inhaled deeply as the wedding song began.
"Can't go down the aisle by yourself now can you? Not a bride as beautiful as you." A male voice said to Joslurhen's left.
"Grandpa?" Joslurhen almost shook with joy. This was just perfect.
Mr. Porter took his granddaughters hand and squeezed it tightly after a long embrace. "Let's get this show on the road rose bud."
Joslurhen almost stopped dead when she walked further into the Room of Requirement. It had transformed into an immense sanctuary, one that fit the times when the castle was made. With beautiful gothic arches and stained glassed windows. Light pored in from them all. They must have been charmed.
Thousands of Lilies entwined with silk lined the pews and streamed across the vaulted ceiling. They matched Joslurhen's bouquet of fifty white and pink Lilies.
The Pews themselves were filled with people Joslurhen knew both muggle and magical. All of Neville's family was there too. His grandmother had forgone one of her legendary hats. There was even a section for Hogwarts staff and students. It looked to Joslurhen that the only person not there was Snape. Even Frieze was in attendance.
As Joslurhen neared the alter she noticed Dumbledore smiling the twinkle in his eye almost too bright to look at. Ron stood next to Harry. Both looked about to burst with pride.
Neville stood stock still in awe. When Joslurhen smiled he stood up straighter and looked exactly like his father did at his wedding, proud and full of love.
"Who gives this women to this man?" Dumbledore's voice filled the room without the need of amplification.
"Her Grandmother and I do." Mr. Jones turned to Joslurhen raised her veil and kissed her on the forehead before taking his seat next to Mrs. Porter.
Joslurhen stood facing Neville. The floor length dress and full train only heightened her beauty. Crystals, or what she thought were crystals, were woven into the very fabric of the dress. Making her every move shimmer and dazzle.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Dumbledore was never one to draw things out, especially when there was food to be had. The proper documents were signed and Joslurhen officially became Joslurhen Lily Rain Longbottom.
The reception was held in the Great Hall. It too was decorated in Lilies and silk. Fairies flew along them and generally across the enchanted ceiling mingling with the stars.
The house tables were gone. The Great Hall was set up exactly like it was during the Yule ball back in fourth year. Only it was Joslurhen and Neville that opened with the first dance. Not many students where willing to pass up a feast and a ball. Not to mention most took the opportunity to snog like mad and stay out past curfew.
Harry as best man had made an incredible speech. A speech about friendship and love, about how no other two people deserved to be as happy as Joslurhen and Neville did. Harry decided he rather preferred this type of speech as he never fumbled with his words and spoke from his heart. He also received a standing ovation; a few people had tears in their eyes. Professor McGonagall was one of those truly touched by this side of Harry.
The rest of the reception went by in a blur of laughter and joy. Soon the students were returning to their dorms and only the newly-weds Dumbledore, McGonagall and Harry were still there.
"I have made special arrangements for a honeymoon." Dumbledore said as he handed over an itinerary, tickets and reservations. "You will be under a charm to protect you from being recognized and should you need help just call Falwks or Bellona." The Headmaster left, his pink and green robes flowing after him.
"Upon your arrival back at Hogwarts all your things will be moved to one of the married rooms. They have not been used in years but the house elves have prepared one for you. When you get back I shall show you how to get to them."
McGonagall went to leave but stopped at the door. "Don't forget to have fun. Your will have to make up the work you will be missing." With that she closed the door behind her.
Harry just stood there for a second taking in how Joslurhen and Neville acted towards each other, always touching. Much the same as how he and Ginny acted.
"I have a special wedding gift."
"You mean besides the wedding itself?" Joslurhen smiled as Harry blushed slightly.
"I knew you'd figure that one out sooner or later. Spoil all my fun why don't ya? That wasn't really my present, this is." Harry handed Joslurhen a large document and a sealed envelope.
Joslurhen scanned the document. "Oh! Harry we can't accept this it's too much."
Harry laughed. "If you think that is too much just wait till you open the other one."
Joslurhen ripped open the envelope and the expression on her face was priceless. She brought one hand up to cover her open mouth. She handed Neville both items as she embraced Harry.
"Thank you Harry." A single tear ran down her porcelain face.
Neville having read both documents pumped Harry's hand and thumped him on the back with a remarkable force. He kept repeating how Harry was the greatest, most honorable, gracious… he went on and on like that and mumbling under his breath about naming their first son after him.
Harry decided to razz him, just a little. "You do know that I expect to be a proud Godfather in about nine months so you two better get a cracking."
"Don't you worry, Harry I'm sure Longbottom's will soon out number Weasley's at Hogwarts." Joslurhen mocked.
"Is that a challenge?" Harry asked seriously
"Yes, I believe it is. And we have a head start."
"You wont have much of one if you don't start that honeymoon of yours soon." Harry smiled cheekily.
"And just what do you mean by that?" Neville finally got over the shock of receiving a rather large estate and an even larger amount of money in the form of a dowry of sorts.
If all this was supposed to be an arranged marriage than Harry felt that they needed some of the perks of such a marriage. It was customary in days of old for the bride's family to give her husband land, titles and money. Most families did so as an incentive for their daughters to marry above their current status, for others it was simply the only financial contribution that they or the bride would make.
So Harry seeing that as of late he had quite a few pieces of property and more than enough money for just himself decided to share the wealth. The Longbottom's needed somewhere to stay during the summer and Harry just couldn't picture Grandmother Longbottom doing too well with a teenage couple under her nose all the time. Harry had searched his inheritance and found two lovely pieces of land not far from each other. Both were large manors, they looked more like small castles to Harry. He had decided to give one to Joslurhen and the other he would take for himself. Grimmauld Place was all good and well but Harry didn't think he could survive another summer there.
In addition to the manor Harry gave them a miniature mountain of gold. Harry didn't want Joslurhen or Neville to ever have to work, it would be there choice to do so.
"You will find that out tomorrow night." Harry yawned as he replied.
"Later on today would be more accurate. Lets go Neville before I get really tired." Joslurhen smirked playfully.
"I don't need to be told twice. Bye Harry." Neville all but carried Joslurhen out of the Great Hall to the awaiting carriage loaded down with their luggage.
Harry smiled all the way to Dumbledore's office. No rest for the weary.
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A/N First of all I would like to thank my new Beta r h 4 ever, she is just incredible. And speedy too I might add. Hope you all enjoyed. I want umm 10 reviews minimum before I even start writing the next chapter that will include Harry's wedding. I'll even make you a deal if you review then at the end of it you can ask me one question. I will answer it no matter what it is. You just have to supply me with an email address. You are not however aloud to tell anyone your answer. If you do I shall punish you. Cue thunder and lightning, and start evil laughter.
Any who make sure to Review, you know you want to.
Poll: who is pretending to be Snape?
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