Disclaimer: How many time must I tell you! I do not own Harry Potter!
Credit goes to Kit for giving me the perfect name for this chapter. Which was thought up in July or August of LAST year by the way.
Credit also goes to Gil-Celeb and Luinel for the lovely dress they designed. To GC for the Prince, King and Emperor Peanut comment and to GC for the ring she allowed me to borrow. I suggest you read the story it comes from, Green and Red, Candles and Snow, it is really sweet. You can find it here on FF.Net or at www.gsfi.bravepages.com. Thanks you guys!
Synopsis of last chapter: Picking up where chapter 28 left off, it back tracked a bit. It explained exactly what happened to Seri and Kit, that both were put under the Imperious and fed Arde's Revenge by Pomfrey and showed what happened in the Great Hall from the Healer's perspective. After almost allowing himself to freeze to death, Severus is caught up in the summoning, but quickly helped by his ever-vigilant son. The next day, Severus and Seri once more met with rather horrible results. After being forced to poison her love, Seri gained her mage powers (as did Kit) through her anger and was able to save Severus. It was then they discovered that they were what they had been searching for, the Star of Hope. Now to continue on.
~...~ Means telepathic speech
Chapter 30- Is That Wedding Bells I Hear?(If so, it's about damn time!)
The days seemed to pass in a flurry of preparations that made Seri's head spin. The wedding date had been set: December twenty-fifth, Christmas day. Any who wished to come were invited. Neither Serenity or Severus had a great deal of family they could summon for the joyous occasion that weren't already at Hogwarts. Severus, of course, had none whatsoever, but Seri.....
"They're muggles. They cannot see Hogwarts for what it truly is," the golden-haired healer reminded as Severus sat beside her. With one of his long fingers, he captured one of those curls and he twisted it. Playing with his love's hair was one of his favorite pastimes. Her eyes still on the Headmaster, she leaned into the touch, grabbing the silver bumblebee charm. When he had discovered her love for playing with the heirloom he'd extended the chain so she had easier access to it. Albus hid a smile behind his hand at the two's actions as he appeared to give this grievance much thought. After a few moments and they seemed lost in one another he cleared his throat. Both jumped and blushed like teenagers caught by a teacher doing something they shouldn't. He allowed himself to chuckle as he stood to come around the desk.
"There is no need to worry," he assured the physician, "If you were to bring them here and use a special shielding charm, I believe it will work." He stroked his beard, again adopting a thoughtful expression.
"I will have to work on it," He held up a hand to still their arguments. "No, it is best that I do it. You two have enough to worry about." This time he allowed his smile to show, patting the healer's knee and ruffling his son's hair. Both returned his smile and watched him as he exited. Seri let out a contented sigh and buried her face in Severus's neck. He reacted by pulling her closer and burying his own face in her wild hair. Twittering birds at the window sill, their song a sweet melody, wrapped the two in a harmonious shawl. Except for the sounds of the world around them, they were only conscious of the other's breathing, heartbeat, mind.....
An inquisitive voice momentarily intruded upon their bubble before quickly retreating, not wishing to disturb the two's peace. Seri and Severus barely noticed, too engrossed in their own quiet thoughts. Suddenly, Seri chuckled. Severus lifted his cheek from her hair and raised a questioning eyebrow only resulting in reinforcing her laughter. She reached through their link and tugged at his wings.
~Kit's angry,~ she offered in explanation.
~Ah. That is certainly not surprising. Her and Artemis both have been basket cases since the trial began.~ The trial the Potions Master was referring to was the one over custody of Draco. Lucius and Narcissa were putting up a hell of a fight in order to get back their 'son', which was surprising. They had all been sure they would want nothing do with the boy and hand him over peacefully. Their judgement was sorely inaccurate. The blonde Death Eater's vow in the Forbidden Forest was coming back to haunt them all. Kit and Artemis, however, were not about to give up their cub as both had become rather attached. They knew what the Malfoys had planned for Draco if he should ever fall in their clutched again: direct training from Voldemort or death. As the blonde teenager swore he would never serve the wanna-be snake, death would be his only option. Kit and Artemis were not about to let that happen.
~At least it is almost over and I'm glad Dale is the judge in this case. If anyone will be fair, it will be him.~ Seri had to agree with that opinion for it mirrored her own.
~Not to mention the fact there are at least six members from the Order of the Phoenix, two of which are from the council itself, on the the jury. I wonder how that was managed.~ She smirked up at his innocent expression.
~Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin,~ he replied, blinking wide black eyes. A chuckle welled from deep within her chest and she kissed his chin.
~And I wouldn't have it any other way, love.~
"Let me go!" Lucius snarled as he tried to dive over the table at the dark-haired Potions Mistress/Healer. Kit met his furious gaze with her own frosty glare, anger hardening her midnight blue eyes. A cold wind blasted through the court room, sending shivers down everyone's spines. No one knew this display came from Kit, but many noticed that she was not bothered by the strange weather activity. The blonde man ceased his struggle against his wife's hold and righted his chair, seating himself on it.
"There will be no more similar outbursts from you, Mr. Malfoy, or you will find yourself removed from this court room for the duration of this trial. Am I understood?" Dale's no-nonsense tone held no room for arguement. Lucius nodded reluctantly, glare firmly set on Kit. Her attention was elsewhere, namely on the boy who now occupied the stand. Draco fidgetted as his 'father' continued to give his Mother Leopard an extremely peeved glare, one Draco himself knew all too well. He shuddered at the flood of unwanted memories and wrapped his arms around his stomach, determined not to lose his composure.
~Little cub,~ a soft, purring voice intruded upon his thoughts, ~are you well?~ She knew the answer was no but it was best he should give his own estimation.
~Not entirely,~ he admitted reluctantly.
~Don't worry, cub.~ A deeper, more masculine voice held a distinctly calming element. ~We will be home soon and this will be nothing more than a bad memory.~ Draco feverently hoped this was true as he felt the minds retreat. The sound of a throat being cleared brought the boy back to the present and Draco found himself gazing into the face of Lucius. His 'father'. The term for him held nothing but acid contempt, venom he wished to inject back into its giver. It was difficult for him to grasp that he at one time used to look up to the man before him. The very thought made him want to retch. Gods, how he despised the man.
Seeing that he now had the boy's full attention, he put on a sickly sweet smile for the jury.
"Draco, my only son, please give the court a truthful answer. Have I ever a abused you?" For a moment, the slate gray eyes held his own captive, demanding a negative answer. But two others rudely barged into his mind, snapping him from his daze; he gave his head a shake. No, he could not afford to fall under Lucius's mind spells and games. Artemis offered himself as an anchor and Draco gratefully accepted. He raised his head from where it had fallen on his chest and met his enemy's slate gray eyes.
"Yes." Simple and decisive. Fury made Lucius's normally handsome face grotesque as he drew in a deep breath.
"Don't lie to me, boy!" he roared, causing Draco to flinch away and Kit and Artemis to leap to their feet, ready to come to the boy's aide if necessary.
"Objection, your honor! Yelling at Draco will serve no purpose but to upset him," Kit stubbornly pointed out.
"Sustained," Dale granted with a nod, "Mr. Malfoy, you will refrain from yelling further. Anymore ruckus and I promise you will be gone faster than you can apparate." The blonde man growled silently but nodded. When he turned back to the stand it was to find him staring into Draco's confident blue eyes.
'That won't last,' he thought, 'I will tear that down.' And proceeded to do thus with little success. It was an ethereal persona that encompassed the blonde teenager, a confidence and steadiness that was not of this earth. Or rather, the man reflected, it was of the earth. It was Earth. Try as he might he could not shake the boy from whatever deep roots held him.
"No further questions," he finally hissed, taking his chair. Taking this as her signal to begin, Kit rose gracefully in formal blue robes, glinding like a cat toward the front of the courtroom.
"Draco," she began, encouraging him to be calm. He quirked an eyebrow and promised he would be, curious as to why she would do this. Lucius was no longer drilling him and he was perfectly relaxed.
"I'm going to ask you about the night the Slytherins lost their Quidditch match to Gryffindor. Do you know the night I speak of?" The earth mage paled considerably; now he understood why she had told him to remain calm. He had made a promise to himself to never allow that incident to haunt him but was perhaps a futile battle. Numbly he nodded. Sensing her cub's enourmous distress, the dark-haired mage continued with even more gentleness.
"Was Lucius there that day?"
"Yes, he had come to see the match. It was only a few days after he'd been sworn in as Minister." The healer nodded and began to pace before him, pensive expression now held firm on her face.
"We won't go into the match, that would be senseless. What did you do afterwards?" The blonde drew in a deep breath and allowed it out slowly, closing his eyes.
"When I flew away from the field, my only thought was to be alone....."
He tore through the air at such a high speed he briefly worried about his clothes being torn from his body. That worry was immediately banished when he remembered he was still in his Quidditch uniform and it was shred resistant. He chasted himself for being concerned over such a trivial thing when there were far greater worries to mull over; his father to name one.
When he was fairly certain he was at a safe distance, he pulled up and landed at the base of a mighty oak. Allowing his legs to give way he collapsed against the trunk of the arbor, hugging it for support. He knew he could not hide forever, Hogwarts's castle and grounds would only provide protection for so long. Even if he somehow managed to avoid his father now, there was no guarantee he would at the next visit or even the next. Then there was summer vacation......there was simply no escaping Lucius and his plans.
"What 'plans' do you mean, Draco?" Kit interrupted. The blonde's blue eyes slid back into focus and he looked at her. Time to drop this bombshell on the court.
"He wanted me to become a Death Eater, like him." The room immediately began to buzz with speculation; Lucius appeared as though he were going to climb over the table and strangle his mis-begotten son; Dale slammed his gavel down several times before he was able to restore order.
"Objection, your honor. That boy is lying. I have not been, nor shall I ever be a Death Eater," the man snapped, folding his arms across his chest. Kit turned toward him, smile set firmly on her pale face.
"Then perhaps, Mr. Malfoy, you would care to put that claim to the test." Her smile widened when his face turned ashen gray. "Ah, I see we understand one another. I call for Veritaserum!" The last sentence was yelled for all to hear, sending the buzzing to running again. When Dale had regained control once more he called the woman to him and leaned forward.
"Do you know what you've asked? Veritaserum has not been used since the Death Eater trials a decade and a half ago," he whispered.
"Trust me, Dale," Kit said, smile still in place, "I know exactly what I'm doing." The judge sighed and waved her away before turning to the bailiff.
"Bring the Veritaserum, bailiff, and be quick about it." With a nod the man disappeared briefly through the side door, reappearing moments later holding a glass vial filled with clear liquid. A hush fell over the crowd as the man order Draco to tilt his head back and administered three drops. The boy's hands, which had been tightening into fists at irregular intervals, now fell still. Soft blue eyes were now inhumanly wide and unblinking, not seeming to see the crowd.
"Draco, can you hear and understand me?" Kit asked gently.
"Yes." The tone was more flat than an out of tune piano, holding no emotion. The woman allowed her eyes to close, hoping to hide the pain but in the boy's current state he would not sense anything through their link. Merlin, why did she have to make him relive this? Lucius was such a sadistic bastard.
"Good, now, I would like you to continue with your story, picking up where you left off." The boy gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"For a time I thought I was safe. My plan was to camp out on the grounds until my father left but that proved to be impossible."
"Why?" Kit asked, wanting him to clarify this point.
"Because," Draco continued, "he sent me an owl....."
Draco watched with growing dread as the distant form of an owl drew close. His eyesight was excellent; that was his father's personal messenger. He was only used for special occasions. The blonde swallowed thickly. Gods did he wish he hadn't warranted a 'special occasion' for it was guaranteed not to end in his favor. The sleek black creature glided to a stop at his feet and stuck out his leg. With trembling hands he untied the string and allowed the parchment to unroll.
"Meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest near the broom shed. Lucius." The words, written in red ink, fairly leapt from the page which curled into ashes once he'd finished. Draco threw the gray dust as far away from him as possible and turned back to find the bird still staring at him.
"What are you waiting for?" He screamed at it. "Tell him I'll meet him." Hercules bobbed his head once before taking off once more. The Slytherin did not understand that creature at all; it was the one animal he didn't get along with. Totally devoted to his father it was. How anyone or anything could ever be was beyond him.
"Draco," Kit began, voice betraying her puzzlement, "why did you agree to meet him? Would it not have been better to ignore the note completely?" Black robes rustled as the boy shifted, the only motion that betrayed his uneasiness.
"I had to. You do not ignore a summons from Lucius Malfoy, most especially when he was your father. I had seen what had happened to those who had done so before," The wide eyes narrowed and a shiver ran through the thin body, "It was never pleasant. My only hope was to answer and hope he was lenient." The healer rubbed her temples, beginning to wonder if she could put him and herself through this.
~Trust in yourself, darling, trust in your love.~ The woman lifted her head and gave Artemis a grateful smile which he returned with an added wink.
"Very well, Draco, continue."
"I did not go to dinner, that practice had almost become a ritual. When the sun went down....."
He made his way toward the meeting spot, ball of dread growing with each step; he could see the distant shape of his father. Leaning casually against the side of the shed, Lucius was partially hidden by the building's shadow. As Draco drew closer, the shape stirred.
"So, you decided to show." The tone was a carefully schooled neutral and increased the boy's alarm. But he was a master of hiding his true feelings and allowed none of what he felt to show.
"You did summon me," he reminded with exaggerated politeness.
"Yes," The form of his father answered with some amusement, "so I did." With one quick movement he emerged from the shadows and grabbed his son by the throat. "I'm merely curious as to why you were avoiding me in the first place." Draco choked and sputtered as he tried to gasp for breath, clawing at the man's hands. With a laugh, Lucius tossed his son against the shed. The teenager's head swam from the impact and his body refused to respond as it slumped to the ground. A faint crunch; his father. A tight grip around his collar surprised him and he did not protest when he was hauled to his feet.
"Listen to me, you little bastard, you are going to come with me and you are going to come now!" The controlled voice had risen to a shout as Draco managed to twist away from the strong grip and stumble away.
"No, I will not. I am not like you father." He was not given the chance to react as Lucius hit him across the face with his cane. Pain exploded through his left cheek and stars danced before his eyes as the ground rushed to meet him. Dazed and disoriented, he was unable to resist his father's pull.
"You will come with me now!" Grass brushed against his skin like spiky needles as he was dragged against his will towards the looming forest. Before he could protest and give his father a good hex, a challenging whistle blasted through the silence. The man yelped and released his prize, scrambling away. Finally able to pull his senses together Draco propped himself up on his elbow and felt his eyes (or eye as the other refused to cooperate) widen. Between him and his father stood a great beast of a Barice Unicorn. Hoofs spread wide, head lowered, silver horn glinting in the moonlight the unicorn snorted when Lucius tried to approach. A loud buzzing in the teenager's ears prevented him from hearing the words exchanged but he knew he could not allow this beast put itself in danger for him. He opened his mouth to call it off but that was a mistake; pain burst through the left side of his face and he promptly fainted.
Several hours later he woke and found himself with a blinding headache, the light piercing the thin lids of his eyes. A groan escaped his lips and something velveteen brushed against his uninjured cheek.
~How are you feeling, Draco?~ The voice was masculine yet comforting and gentle, displaying its unusual understanding of his situation.
"Light...." The words were slurred almost beyond recognition but their meaning was understood. The light dimmed noticeably and the teenager was able to crack open his eye to see the Barice Unicorn approaching his bedside once more.
"What did the Barice Unicorn do? It seems most odd that a creature such as that would become involved with human affairs," Kit commented as the boy stumbled to a stop. For a moment, Draco seemed to be wrestling with himself to answer.
"He made sure I was comfortable before leaving." Was the eventual answer. The healer stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"I see," she murmured, "And were you alone long?" The teenager shook his head, eyes still wide.
"Harry came in a few minutes later."
"That Harry?" Kit moved aside and pointed to the dark-haired teenager seated in the crowd. Draco's answer was instantaneous.
"Yes, Harry Potter-Snape-Dumbledore." The fire mage smiled at his name and nodded.
"Very well; and what did Harry do?"
"He tried to check on how I was healing."
" 'Tried to'?" The Healer repeated. Draco shifted somewhat uncomfortably.
"I wouldn't let him," he answered quietly. Several jury members arched their eyebrows. Why ever not? The woman voiced the question for them. "I just didn't want him to. For years he had been my enemy and now he was acting like a concerned friend. It did not make sense to me." The healer nodded as did several jury members. Of course, that had its logic, who would not be leery of such an offer especially after all he'd been through?
"And what did Harry do, Draco?" Kit prodded after a moments silence. The boy shifted again, his uncomfortableness now definite.
"He told me to quit being a bloody asshole and let him treat me." Several chuckles rippled through the crowd and Dale covered his mouth to hide his grin. Sounded like the fiery boy he had met. By the large grin present on the Gryffindor's face, it was exactly what he had said. The questioning continued and the tale unfolded; the only facts excluded were that Harry, Albus and Severus were animagi.
"Thank you, Draco. No further questions, your honor." Kit nodded to the judge and returned to her place beside Artemis. Lucius rose from his chair and stalked towards the stand. His agitation had grown steadily throughout the questioning and he was nearly ready to explode. The nearest victim for this sufficating rage just happened to be his son.
"Draco," He purred dangerously. The boy lifted his head slightly.
"Yes?" The "sir" that was absent only added fuel to the fire and the blonde Death Eater ground his teeth. "I'm going to ask you again. Have I ever, in the past, abused you?" Artemis and Kit traded glances and rolled their eyes. Stupid question that; just because the boy was under the influence of a truth serum did he seriously expect the answer to be any different? The teenager did not hesitate.
"Yes, repeatedly." To his credit, Lucius did not explode, merely flushed pink.
"Are you certain, my son," he emphasized, "Or is that a story that the Healer and Professor," He did not spare them a glance, "told you to tell?" Again no hesitation.
"No, you did beat me, Father, and if no one believes that, perhaps they will believe this." Slowly the boy stood and began to remove his robe. The garment crumpled to the ground, quickly followed by the white shirt beneath. Gasps of horror mingled with surprise in the expression of the on-looking crowd. Harry closed his eyes, the image too much like his own body. Kit buried her face in Artemis's shoulder, a sob stifled by the fabric of his robe. Lucius and Draco were locked in their own world as they stared down one another. The teenager's eyes held a spark of victory; there was no way the older man could refute this physical evidence. Lucius's expression held no defeat but his eyes betrayed his resignation. He knew he had lost this battle and perhaps even the war but he would never give in. When the moment of shock passed the judge cleared his throat.
"Mr. Malfoy, you may put your clothes back on. Mr. Malfoy," he addressed the senior, "go sit down. I think we have all seen and heard enough." Unable to protest, the former Minister returned to his place, silently fuming. Dale drew himself up as the blonde teenager stepped down from the stand, taking a seat beside his fellow Gryffindor. The two exchanged brief words before turning their attention to the front.
"This court is in recess while the jury deliberates." He slammed his gavel down once, stood and exited through a back door. Narcissa and Lucius moved out of the room, the crowd parting to allow them unhindered passage. This action was not out of respect but, rather, disgust, as though the two were some vile creature that turned one's stomach to even look upon. They had not even reached the door when the jury began to file back in. Quickly the room returned to order and waited with breathless anticipation as Dale re-entered. Arabella Figg handed a piece of paper to the bailiff who transferred it to the judge. The large blonde man took care in opening it, aware the eyes of all were upon him. He was silent for a moment as he read the contents, a smile spreading over his features.
"This jury finds Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy unfit for parenting and awards custody of Draco Malfoy to Kitiara Winter," His next words were nearly drowned out by the healer's squeals as she leapt over the barrier and engulfed the blonde boy in a hug, "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy are to have no visitation rights and it is also this jury's wish that further investigations be done into Mr. Malfoy's possible Death Eater activities," The cries of joy from the group were now so loud the judge had to bang his gavel several times to be heard. "That is the judgement, this court is adjourned."
"I think things are finally quieting down," Harry commented as the family (Harry, Severus, Albus, Seleyna, Seri, Kit, Draco and Artemis) was seated by the lake, an invisibility spell cast over them in the hopes they could enjoy a few moments of peace.
"Enjoy it while you can, fire child, because I can guarantee it's not going to last," Severus commented from his left. The boy smirked; his father was lounging beside the golden-haired healer, arms wrapped leisurely around her waist. Some would think that Seri marrying Severus would disrupt Harry's relationship with the man. On the contrary, it only added to it. The woman was the missing element; the yin to balance Severus's yang. Besides, there needed to be a bit of estrogen in the testosterone ruled dungeon quarters. A chuckle escaped him at that thought; yes, balance indeed.
"You are probably right and I am likely jinxing it by saying such a thing but you must admit, it has slowed down." Albus spoke up as he twisted a lock of Seleyna's silver hair.
"Everyone but Minerva has." There were nods of agreement all around. Once the Transfiguration professor had been revived and the situation explained to her, she spilled her side of the story. None of the held any animosity toward her, all of that was directed at Pomfrey. It was difficult to hold someone responsible for actions they had no control over. They had accepted her apology immediately but for some reason she felt that she had to do more. And she did just that; she had offered to plan the entire wedding herself, taking that away from the twins. But Kit insisted on helping as did one other.
"I got an owl back from my parents," Seri began, attracting the rest's attention.
"And?" Harry and Severus prompted impatiently. The woman grinned, ribbing the man beside her.
"They demand to be present and Mother insists on helping plan."
"Well, that makes it a council of three," Kit commented thoughtfully. "Or should I say four, my mother wishes to come as well and help."
"And by the time this is over, we'll have all added in our own two knuts, rest assured," Draco added with a chuckle.
"So when are we going to get them, the new shielding charm is ready?" The fire mage wanted to know. The healer shifted enough to look at him.
"We can leave any time, I was thinking this afternoon if none of you are averse to that." None were.
"I believe that Artemis, Draco and I will stay behind," Albus said, "Not all of us can leave at the same time." Kit's eyes widened in alarm and she sat up.
"No! There won't be a castle left!" The others burst out laughing.
"Privet Drive," Ernie drolled as the Knight Bus rolled to a stop.
"Thanks, Ernie," Harry said as the group exited. The man tipped his hat and pimple-faced Stan waved cheerily as the doors shut with a snap and the purple triple-decker disappeared with a bang. The fire mage joined his family as they walked down the street. For him it was a stroll down memory lane; not all of the his memories were unpleasant. There had been some kids his age that lived on the street at one point or another that hadn't been chased away by Dudley's gang. Even the adults, he'd spent as much time with them, helping in anyway he could, because he enjoyed it. The chores he'd done at the Dursleys' had been forced upon him with harsh punishment for incompletion. Neighbors he'd assisted always offered a kind word, candy or even money for his work. Thanks to them had been profuse, if scarce he was able to help. He sighed as his eyes swept from the Dantons' yard to Number Four. The mage stopped dead; there was a car parked in the driveway of the Dursley home.
"Harry?" The sound of his name brought him back to the present but his eyes remained fixed upon the intruding vehicle.
"Why don't you all go on, I think I want to go in." He gestured toward the house. Severus and Seri traded glances and thoughts before nodding.
"Call if you need us." Harry nodded, already heading toward his intended destination. The car was fairly new, he surmised as he circled it; fire engine red, tan leather interior, whoever owned this vehicle had money to spare. Having gotten all he could, Harry abandoned the car in favor of the house. Not surprising was the fact the door was unlocked. Could a new family have moved in?-he wondered.
The interior was just as he remembered it: white walls (though there were distinct red spots in one place), blue carpet, a plethora of pictures of Dudley. What negated his earlier theory of a new family was the thick layer of dust covering everything. Harry trailed his finger along the table with the telephone; the tip was gray when he lifted it away. He glanced around but there was still no sign of any occupant besides himself in the house.
It was his acute hearing that discerned the first sign of life: a heavy footstep on the second floor. Allowing his curiosity to get the better of him he approached the stairs and began to ascend them.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" He finally called out. The steps upstairs increased into a run and Aunt Marge from the master bedroom. She paused a moment at the railing, staring down at him. The mage froze; her! He hadn't expected Vernon's sister to be the one! It was the woman who recovered first and stomped down the stairs, the whole house shaking with each step. He automatically backed away as she approached, brandishing what appeared to be an umbrella.
"Boy!" She roared as she came closer, "What happened to them? What happened to Vernon, Petunia and my nephew?" she demanded. The boys blinked and drew himself up, twisting his cane in his hands.
"Aunt Petunia is at my school, Dudley's at a school near by and Uncle Vernon is.....ah.....at.....ah...." He drew in a breath, "at a mental institution." It was a moment before his words sunk in.
"They're what!?" She exploded, taking a step towards him; he remained where he was.
"Why is my brother in an insane asylum and, for that matter, why is Petunia at St. Brutus's?" Harry could not help but shake his head. He could understand the woman's anger and frustration for they were very much justified. Part of her family had disappeared overnight without informing anyone of their departure and had not been seen since. Then, the 'freeloading' nephew appears almost from thin air and seems perfectly healthy; but he was alone. This was the situation from her point of view and by the crazed light in her pig eyes, she was tired of being in the dark and wanted an answer from him. Even if it meant, by the way she was holding the umbrella, she had to beat it out of him. There was nothing more he could do but be calm and hope his family heard his call.
"Aunt Petunia is not at St. Brutus's; I do not go there." He got that far before he was interrupted.
"Of course you do!" The large woman bellowed, "Vernon said you did." The boy took a deep breath; he would try and make her understand. That, however, was going to prove most difficult.
"Uncle Vernon lied to you, Aunt Marge, because he did not want you to find out what I truly am."
"Oh," She drew back slightly and crossed her massive arms over her equally massive chest, "And what would that be?" She demanded airily.
"That I'm a wizard or, more to be more precise, a mage." Harry wasn't sure what to expect as a reaction from the woman but had to admit, seeing her gap like a fish out of water was pretty damn funny. Not that he could blame her, he'd given Hagrid a similar reaction when he'd first learned this. But he'd at least expected her to say something. He wasn't disappointed.
"Wizard? Mage?" Her words came out as a scoff. "There is no such thing. You're just lying to protect yourself. Now I'm only going to ask you once," She lifted the umbrella and the teenager's eyes widened, "Where is Vernon, Petunia and Dudley?" Neither he nor the woman were give a chance to react when a voice boomed through the house's relative stillness.
"Don't even think about touching him with that or, I promise, you will discover the true meaning of pain." Marge whirled around to find herself being glared at by seven very pissed off people, three of which had canes similar to the boy's pointed at her. She turned back to grab him but found only air and a chuckle behind her. As she again faced the group, it was to find the raven-haired teen standing next to a dark-haired man.
"How- how did you do that?" she sputtered, dropping the umbrella in surprise. The boy tilted his head to the side.
"As I said before, I am a mage, I can apparate."
"Meaning," The golden-haired woman picked up, "that he can disappear from one place and appear in another. Rather nifty, wouldn't you say?" Vernon's sister blinked at them before she was able to regain her voice.
"Who are you and how would you know all this?" She wanted to know.
"My name," The man broke in with a superior smirk, "is Severus Snape-Dumbledore and I'm Harry's father." The boy smiled when the man laid a hand on his shoulder. The woman repeated the action.
"I am Serenity Winter soon to be Snape-Dumbledore and I will soon be Harry's mother." Marge stared at them for a moment before her eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted, shaking the house with her fall. After a brief check to ensure she would survive, the group was able to leave. As the walked down the street the fire mage sighed.
"I'm glad you came when you did, I wasn't sure what I was going to do next." He gave the group an angelic smile. Seri offered her own in return and kissed his forehead.
"We wouldn't leave you with that woman, fire child, never would we do that." There were four more adults with them; Harry noticed them for the first time as they surveyed him with ill-disguised caressed. The man and woman walking beside Seri were obviously married; evident by the bands on their left hands. The female was quite short, little over four feet tall. Her dirty blonde hair, flecked with gray, fell to her shoulder in a cluster of curls. From beneath a fringe of bangs, bright green eyes shined with a mischievous twinkle. The man was almost the exact opposite, towering slightly over Severus. His hair was slightly darker than his wife's but cut short in the style of the military. Hazel eyes held a soft edge of a father as he viewed Seri. It locked in, these were Seri's foster parents. The realisation must have shown in his eyes for the two smiled.
"You must be Harry," The man shook his hand firmly, as did the woman, "It's a pleasure to meet you; Seri has told us so much about you."
"But I'm curious," the woman began, "Why were you in the Dursleys' home?" She gestured back toward the little house with the once perfect lawn and the teenager sighed. Running a hand through the slightly tangled raven locks, the young mage set out to explain.
"I used to live there with them but I know they don't live there any more and I was just curious who was there." The four adults stopped.
"You lived with the Dursleys? You're that Harry?" Confusion flighted through the emerald eyes before being dashed away.
"Mr. and Mrs. Calburn? Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield?" The group was now fully stopped, Severus, Seri and Kit trading puzzled expressions. They knew one another? But, how? Any questions they may have wished to pose were post-poned as Harry embraced both married couples. When they broke apart, Harry had a large grin plastered on his face.
"I didn't expect to see you again and I certainly never expected you to be related to Seri or Kit."
"It is amazing how small a world this is, no?" Alecia Calburn replied with no small amount of amusement as she gave the boy another hug.
"How do you know each other?" Kit finally burst, bouncing on the balls of her feet eagerly. It was Jonathan Calburn that answered.
"When Harry here was a mere sapling, not the grown man he is now," The teenager blushed, "he would come and visit us often, sometimes everyday."
"Usually," Christina Mayfield continued, tossing her black hair over her shoulder, "Luke and I would be there as well. We all fell in love with him, he's such a sweet boy." Harry was rapidly approaching the point that he resembled a cherry and the ice mage could do nothing but laugh. The raven-haired teen had mentioned little of his past at Privet Drive (it was not his favorite subject) but had spoken of a few nice people who had helped him when they could. Perhaps these were those individuals. Harry confirmed his suspicion with his next words.
"I remember coming to you all when I had trouble with my homework; you always helped. That's more than I would have gotten from the Dursleys at the time." Severus swung his arm around the boy's shoulders.
"Time has changed many things, fireling, including your relatives." The boy conceded that point with a nod.
"Both for the better and the worse," he added with a slight dark air. Kit, Severus and Seri closed ranks on him, each giving him their reassurances. The Calburns and Mayfields weren't sure, but it seemed the three were somehow speaking to the boy without actually saying a word. They walked the rest of the way in silence.
Severus finally stopped, causing the others to as well. He closed his eyes briefly before re-opening them with a smile.
"We're far enough away now. Just touch this." He held out a chewed basketball. "It's all right," He said quickly when the two couples made faces, "It's just one of Fluffy's chew toys."
"Fluffy?" Luke inquired as they all prepared to grasp the torn leather.
"The gamekeeper's three-headed dog," Harry explained as if it were commonplace, "I'll have to show him to you. Quite playful when he wants to be." The portkey took a hold before anymore could be said but the looks on the couples faces were enough to explain all.
"Oh my God." Where the first words out of Christina Mayfield's mouth as they stared in complete awe at Hogwarts. Kit smiled and put an arm around her adopted mother's waist.
"Is it more beautiful than I described?" She whispered into the woman's ear. All she could do was nod, all words having left her. Her husband and the Calburns seemed to be in similar states and not likely to emerge from them for quite some time. Only with the persistant tugs and gentle nudges from the others did they move at all. Yes, they could see Hogwarts for what it truly was. The shielding charm had been placed over them before they had touched the portkey and now it's effects were showing. Severus could hardly blame them; the grounds were blanketed in a foot of snow, the lake frozen over. All was cold and dark, except for the castle. It shown like a torch in the waning light, warmth inviting. As much as he loved the cold and snow (his element was ice after all) he wished greatly to be inside, to be warm. Harry and Seri moved closer, sensing his thoughts. He put an arm around them both and forged onward.
Their journey was relatively short and they soon found themselves in the Entrance Hall, shaking the snow from the hidden folds of cloaks and boots. Almost instantly, a house-elf appeared and began taking their things.
"Thank you, Carrie," Seri said with a smile as she handed over her green wool cloak. The elf handled it with care yet managed to bow.
"Is Carrie's pleasure, Miss. Will take these to be cleaned." With that she popped away.
"Who was that, Seri?" Alecia asked.
"Just a friend we brought from an enemy's home," the healer offered cryptically.
"An enemy's home?"
"That's now a pile of ashes," Kit added with her customary bounce.
"Pile of ashes?" Mr. Calburn repeated.
"We missed most of the fight," Seri continued as she fell into step with the Potions Master, snaking an arm around his waist, "but it was quite spectacular. I'm just glad I saved Voldemort's books." Kit glanced up.
"You did?" The golden-haired healer nodded.
"Shrunk all eight thousand, including his journal, and fit them in a small pouch. I just haven't gotten around to unpacking them yet."
"Ah," the other healer nodded. They would have fallen into silence that likely would have led to a tour of the castle had not.....
"Madam Seri! Madam Kit! Madam Seri! Madam Kit!" The group halted as a small first year Hufflepuff careened around the corner. Unfortunately, she was going a might too fast and stumbled. Harry, showing his lightening fast reflexes, dashed forward and caught the girl before she hit the floor.
"Easy now," he soothed, conscious of her wide-eyed expression. She nodded and gasped out a thanks before turning to the two waiting healers.
"Madams, you must come at once. There was an accident in Herbology and...." Seri cut her off with a wave of her hand.
"Say no more. Are they in the Hospital Wing?" The little girl nodded. "Then we'll go to them now. You two watch after our parents," She kissed Severus on the cheek, "We'll be back soon and stay out of trouble." Severus returned the kiss with a smirk.
"Me? Trouble? You must be joking." All the healer could do was roll her eyes as she and her sister flew up the stairs, disappearing in a brief flash of light. "Well," Severus clapped his hands together, turning to the two couples, "How about Harry and I give you a tour of the castle?"
"That sounds wonderful," Mr. Calburn proclaimed then hesitated, "Severus," He raised an eyebrow, "You don't mind me calling you that do you?" The professor shook his head, "Well, Severus, I was wondering when we would get to meet your mother and father, they seemed to have raised a fine boy." Harry grinned and let out a chuckle at his father's crimson face. Severus gifted him with a brief glare before opening his mouth to answer. Another voice from the distance, however, beat him to the punch.
"Would right now be fine?" Emerging from the shadows, one wearing silver and the other black were Albus and Seleyna. Albus, resplended in the silver that brought out his auburn hair, glided gracefully into the Entrance Hall, pleasant smile on his face. Pattering along silently beside her love, Seleyna's black dress hugged her body, flairing at the hips. She had her arm hooked with the Headmaster's and smiled in greeting at the castle's visitors.
"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and Severus's father." He extended his hand and each adult took a turn shaking it heartily.
"Seleyna. Severus's very old mother." She flashed a grin at the dark man and nodded to the two couples. The Potions Master recognized the game immediately for what it was; it was one of their favorites. He groaned dramatically and hung his head.
"Oh, mother, how many times must I say it? You are not old and never will be. Just like father." Seleyna moved over to him, patting his shoulder gently while Albus and Harry chortled silently apart from them. The Calburns and Mayfields glanced between them then at one another and shrugged. It was obviously an inside family joke.
"But I thought," Luke spoke up as they began to walk through the halls, "your name," He gestured to the Potions Master, "was Snape. But your's is Dumbledore and yet he is your son."
"My full name is Severus Snape-Dumbledore. Albus adopted me just before school began. The same for Harry here." The dark-haired man slung an arm around his son's shoulders. "That's why he has such a long name."
"Harry Potter-Snape-Dumbledore," The fire mage nodded.
"Then what was she talking about when she said that house-elf came from an enemy's house," Alecia paused when the four's expressions darkened considerably, "I take it this is not a good story." The fire mage shook his head.
"You are right about that. Where should we begin?" Severus ruffled his hair.
"Where you start any story: At the beginning. Let us forgo the tour and take this up to Albus's office. If we are going to give this story, we might as well be comfortable."
For the next couple of hours, over a steaming cup of either tea or hot chocolate, they gave the account. Gasps and storms of curses came at the predicted moments but most time they were left in shocked silence. At one point Seri and Kit reentered and added choice comments of their own. The only two who were absent were Artemis and Draco; both were in class at the moment.
"You two spent over a week with that...creature?" Mrs. Calburn asked when they finished the tale. Seri, comfortably wrapped around the Potions Master, nodded, her eyes unfocusing as the memories assaulted her, sending shivers through her body. Severus took her hand in his as did Harry; the glazed expression only lingered for a few more seconds. She smiled in thanks to both and snuggled closer to her fiancé. Mr. and Mrs. Calburn watched their daughter sadly. It must have been a more horrible experience than they could comprehend if it gained such a reaction from their daughter. She had seen and been through a great deal of hardship in her life because of the war and not much could rattle her; that this did spoke volumes. There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence before the Headmaster cleared his throat.
"Perhaps it would be best if you were shown to your rooms. It has been quite an exciting day and I believe everyone could use a bit of rest. Kit," He looked to the healer who nodded and rose from the loveseat.
"I'll take you all and maybe tomorrow I'll be able to introduce you to my two sweetlings." She glared when Harry and Severus glanced between one another with a look that said "sweetlings?" and snickered. "I don't want to hear anything from the peanut gallery."
"Hey!" Harry cried indignantly, straightening. "I'm not a peanut gallery. I'll have you know that I'm the Prince Peanut."
"And I, the King Peanut." Severus gave her a superior smile.
"Making me," Albus said proudly, "the Emperor Peanut!" Laughter rippled through the room as Kit rolled her eyes.
"Heaven help me."
"No! I don't know! By Slytherin's name I don't know!" Pomfrey screamed. Voldemort raised an eyebrow at the squirming form before releasing her from the influence of the Cruciatus.
"Is that so," He commented, the infliction in his voice suggesting amusement. "Why would the nurse of Hogwarts not know about the wards?"
"Because," She admitted with a gasp, "I was fired." Non-existant eyebrows rose and a smile lurked in those serpentine red eyes.
"Really. I'm curious, do tell." He leaned forward, elbow on knee and chin on fist, all attention focused on her. She spit blood in his face.
"Go to hell, snake!" The red eyes narrowed and the dark wand rose.
"Wrong answer." Seconds later Pomfrey's screams echoed through the manor.
She shook her head to dispel the memories and continued forward. The nurse couldn't believe her luck as she crawled across the well manicured lawn. Voldemort and the other Death Eaters had left, allowing her the perfect opportunity to escape. Now all she needed was to get beyond the wards. The journey was long but she finally made it. Gathering what strength she had left, she apparated.
The landing was less than perfect; the breath was knocked from her. Groaning she turned on her side and spit out a mouthful of blood. She had been doing that a lot lately and knew that it spoke of internal injuries. She, however, was in no shape to handle them. Digging her hands into the dirt she attempted to pull herself forward but found she hadn't the power. Resigned, she curled up, hoping for at least peaceful sleep. It was not to be granted as a shadow fell across her. Craning her neck, she gasped at the sight of half-grown dragon towering over her. She recognized what it had to be immediately, having seen one the previous year; it was a Hungarian Horntail. The blue eyes studied her critically, sniffing the air around her. Its lip curled and it let out a un-dragonlike bark. Several animals emerged from the dense growth and the nurse watched them approach as the world spiraled into darkness.
Severus did not react when Harry sat down beside him on the edge of the Astronomy Tower. No words left either's lips as they basked in the moonlight and frigid night air. After a time like this, the fire mage scooted closer, offering his warmth to the other. The ice mage graciously accepted, wrapping his arms around the thin body that reminded him so much of his own. Harry rested his head comfortably against the broad chest, listening for the soothing litany of the other's heartbeat.
~It would be bad, you know, if the groom caught a cold the night before his wedding.~ Came the light jib. It was answered with an unconcerned snort and grin.
~Then it's fortunate both my father and son are healers, no?~ The fire mage, who was now no bigger than a first year, wriggled a bit, punching his father lightly on the arm.
~Yes, it is, but then again, both of us could refuse to and let you suffer the consequences.~ It was an idle threat and one that made the mage smirk, stroking the silken hair. Again there was silence.
~Father,~ the voice was more child-like, much younger than it should have been, ~Will we continue to be like this? Will we still be this close?~ Harry found himself suddenly pushed away, confirming his fears but was only turned around and pulled back against the chest once more.
"Yes, fire child, we will always be this close. The love for a child is the strongest their is and no matter how much I love Seri, there will always be a place in my heart for you." ~Do you understand, fireling?~ For the last sentence he switched to the more intimate speech, burying his face in wild locks. The phrase came with an overwhelming wave of deep red love. This was his child, this was his world and Seri was going to join it. That did not mean he would love his child any less. Harry had helped him come back to the light. Come home to his family. More than once. He could not imagine life without him. Another body wrapped itself securely around the back of the Potions Master, arms lying across his. The silken beard fell in front of Severus's face.
"Iceling, you're going to catch a cold out in this weather, even if your element is ice. It is not good to dwell on the frosty exterior, lest it creeps its way into your heart." The dark-haired man, though appreciating the words, glared at the offending whiskers in front of him. They were ticklish and were going to make him....
"Achoo!" he sneezed, only succeeding in blowing the whiskers briefly away. It came back to haunt him. "Achoo! Albus! Your...."
"Now see, Severus, we warned you. You had better come back inside before it get's any worse. Come now." Amidst the petulant protests of the Potions Master, the older man managed to wrestle him back inside. Harry had politely refused to accompany them and remained sitting Indian style at the Tower's edge.
To say he was happy for the two that would be joined tomorrow was an understatement. He'd been just as anxious about this as them. To put this nervous energy into good use, he'd helped prepare as much as possible for the joyous occasion. But that had all been completed a week ago and all he'd been able to do was sit on his hands. He could have filled his time with helping in the classes there was only one problem: classes had ended a week ago. Well, he could help the teachers with their grading; none of them would let him. Most, if not all, still felt extremely guilty about what they had done while under Pomfrey's influence and had tried to help them in any way possible. He'd finally gotten to the point were he'd gone to help with the dress. More precisely watch them make the dress and fetch the items the asked for.
He didn't know what to give them for a wedding gift; they were going to get what they needed and didn't from everyone else. He talked to his grandfather about it and the man had admitted to having the same dilemma. So, after putting their heads together, they had come up with the perfect solution, one that would be given to the entire family.
Now he had one gift left to give. Glancing up into the endless sky, he allowed himself to flow into his phoenix form. Lifting his elegant head he opened his beak and his deep trill flowed out, caressing the ears of all those who were listening.
The healer smiled as the cry of the phoenix reached her ears. It was such a soothing sound, deep, so much so it vibrated pleasantly in her chest. It was easily identifiable as the little one's; he was rejoicing for them. The moonlight fell through the windowpane, illuminating her pale complexion. Her hand was wrapped tightly around her choker. It was the one thing besides her staff that had remained behind. She knew how to summon the rest if necessary but so far, it had not been. She could only hope this continued to be true but it could not last forever; Voldemort would have to be dealt with eventually.
She glanced back when there was a soft knock at her door. Rising from her chair she opened it, allowing the other to enter. With a wave of her hand the covers on the bed pulled back and she and her sister climbed in, covering themselves against the chill. A strong storm of chocolate and honey splayed out on to the pillow, mingling in an unconcerned fashion. Each had an arm around the other's waist as they stared into the other's eyes.
~Why aren't you asleep?~ Kit asked in a mock scolding tone. Seri merely shrugged. ~But you know what tomorrow is, you need your sleep.~ The other sighed.
~That's just why I can't, I'm too nervous.~
~And excited,~ Kit added.
~Most definitely, I've never been more so in my life.~ Kit shifted a bit so she touched foreheads with her sibling.~
~Do not worry you will not be alone. Never. I want you to remember that.~ Seri smiled.
~How could I forget.~
~Have been making that pretty difficult haven't I?~ A cheeky grin. The golden-haired healer sighed.
~Exceedingly. You've hovered over me more than mother has.~ She paused. ~Do you suppose that Thomas and Joyce, you know, our real parents, do you suppose they'll be watching?~ Kit nodded.
~I know they're watching always.~ The sigh this time was happy.
~Thank you for staying with me.~
~Of course. I just ask you the same for me before my wedding night.~ Seri swatted her arm.
~Of course I will. Why? Are you expecting Artemis to pop the question soon?~ She wiggled her eyebrows at her sister. Kit rolled her eyes.
~He hasn't yet but I think....~
~Yes! Kit and Artemis sittin' in a tree....No!~ She started to sing but was cut off by her sister's tickling.
"Harry, stop fussing! Everything is in place for Merlin's sake! Gods, you're acting like a mother hen or Albus." When he finished he sent an icy glare the man's way. The Headmaster, as always, was impervious and merely smiled at the man. Harry, likewise, ignored the man's jabbering and continued to adjust the black ceremonial robe.
"If you wouldn't move so much and let me finish I would have been done ten minutes ago," He swatted the man's rear end, earning a yelp and deadly glare, "but no, you have to complain and fidget. If I could use your element I'd freeze you, I would. Now stop moving!" With a distinct sulking expression, the Potions Master obeyed, sneering at the Headmaster when he snickered openly.
"They are only trying to make sure everything is perfect, Severus, and it would be easier if you cooperate," Seleyna chasted as she entered and joined Albus by his desk. "They want it all to go smoothly that's all. They're doing this for you." At her words the Potions Master's expression mellowed and he sighed.
"I know, I'm just nervous and that makes me....." He was cut off.
"Surly? Intractable? Damned annoying?" The fire mage offered helpfully. The scowl returned as he twisted around and tugged at Harry's braid sharply, earning a muffled "Ow!" in response.
"Hah hah, very funny."
"Well I'm afraid it's true," Albus said with a long suffering sigh, "But allow Harry to finish, Severus, the ceremony should be starting soon." With a final sigh of resignation the man quieted, his nervousness only being betrayed by the twisting of his hands.
"Seri! Be still! Great Slytherin's ghost, did you swallow wiggle worms before this or what?" Kit blew away her bangs in frustration as she straightened out the fabric her sibling had bunched up for the tenth time. The scolded woman spared her a brief look of guilt before she once again began knotting the fabric in her nervousness. Seeing this, the dark-haired woman growled and jerked down the hands; conjuring a bit of cloth from Merlin knew where she thrust it into the twitching hands and resumed her work. The look this time was grateful as the green fabric was wrapped and re-wrapped around her sweating hands.
This was it; the moment had finally come and she was ready for it. Sort of. It was nerve racking as hell, her well of patience had gone dry long ago. Now she just wished it would begin; her walking down the isle and Severus waiting for her there......
Her thoughts were cut short when there was a knock at the door. Hermione poked her head in, hair falling around her face in curls.
"We're ready and waiting on you." Seri bit her lip and Kit rose with a smile.
"We're coming." The tone was a polite suggestion for privacy. Hermione bowed out, the door clicking shut softly behind her. Kit turned to her sister and placed her hands on the other's shoulders.
~Are you truly ready for this? Because if you're not we could always....~ She was not allowed to finish.
~No! I am, I'm just a bit scared.~ A dark eyebrow raised in speculation.
~Of what?~ Seri shrugged helplessly, not looking up. Kit tipped her chin upward so she could meet her sister's eyes. ~Do you love him with all your heart?~ The other nodded. ~Then there is nothing to worry about. I'll be right behind you, literally since I'm helping with your train.~ Seri hugged her sister fiercely, thanking her over and over again. Kit returned the hug before pulling away and wiping the tears that had spilled from their eyes.
"Don't do that, you'll ruin your make-up and mine. Now are you ready?" Seri smiled and sniffed.
"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go!"
Severus tugged at the cuff of his sleeve, eyes wandering down to the end of the red carpet where the door was still closed. That was where she would enter. Beside him were Artemis (his best man) and Harry. Opposite them were Ginny, Hermione and Evelyn, all in powder blue gowns, each with a bouquet of white (with a strange silver hue) and powder blue roses. They spoke quietly among themselves and looked down the isle expectantly. In the center and raised on a platform, was Albus Dumbledore. It was within his powers, they had discovered, to perform ceremonies of marriage and bride and groom would have no one else. So now he stood, waiting anxiously as the rest for the arrival of the bride.
The Great Hall, where this was all taking place, had been made glorious for the occasion. White satin curtains hung from the rafters of the ceiling, which still resembled the sky, and seemed to drift down from the heavens themselves. Tables and benches had been transfigured or replaced with more suitable seating. It was by no means uniform; more, rather, as if someone had raided antique shops and attics with the thought of finding anything to sit upon. That was comfortable of course. These seats were filled with current and past Hogwarts students and professors, ministry officials, families of students, acquaintances of the Hogwarts's Three or twins, all of the Order's council and various other witches and wizards. But it had not been excluded to magical humans, oh no, there were the creatures as well. All of Windchaser's heard was present, off to one side. The other's were centaurs and even a few merepeople. These particular guests were sheparded and kept in place by Su Lin, Rowena, Hedwig, Fawkes and even Amanda who had proven to be quite bossy and commanding when she wanted to be. Octavian was wrapped around Harry's wrist. The animals enjoyed their special task and took it seriously for they wanted nothing to go wrong, not on this day.
Severus glanced up; the hour struck three. Time for them to begin. Fawkes, who had taken up perch on the arch above the minister, lifted his head and let out a heartfelt cry of joy. As if hearing the creature's summons, Seri appeared in a bright flash of blue before the door. The Potions Master's breath caught in his throat; she was marvelous, stunning, ravishing. There were simply not enough words. She wore a powder blue sheath gown with thin straps and a sheer white over-dress. The sleeves reached the tips of her fingers; they were wide as in the days of old; the flounced skirt whispered with the smallest of movements. The white over dress was sprinkled with gold star dust and abstractly patterned with gold stars around the neck and under the bodice; they popped up on the skirt and train as well. At her waist was silver tabard belt, the coat of arms of all of her family on it.
At the belt's center was a large white bumblebee trailed by seven smaller bees that formed a 'D'. To its right was a gryphon readying itself to attack: Potter. Next to that were two cats with their backs to one another. Between them was a sword in a stone, the coat for the Winter clan. The shade of the background was dark blue to symbolize her sister. Last on that end was a Hungarian Horntail circling three mountain peaks: Draco's own symbol. To the left of the bumblebees was a Runespoor, an egg coming from each of its mouths: Snape's crest. Beside that was again the two cats only this time in a lighter shade of blue. On the end was a black gryphon perched on a rock, its claws around a swirling crystal; the Maxwell family emblem.
Placed among the numerous curls was a circlet of intertwined gold and silver. A Dumbledore family heirloom, it curved to dip to a point at the center of her forhead and was encrusted with three sapphires, the middle of which was the largest. From her ears hung more sapphires in the shapes of teardrops. The moon-shaped sapphire choker was firmly in place, the steel giving off a high polish. Her golden hair was piled on top of her head, spilling over and down her neck. Eyes bright and cheeks rosy, her ruby red lips trembled as she came closer. He spotted the engagement ring and noticed that it had been enhanced. A silver chain that extended to her wrist and encircled it. An interesting addition.
She was so close, so close.
As Seri caught her first look at her love her breath caught in her throat. The black leather pants that she wished she saw more of where now in place, showing off the shape of his legs. The white silk poet shirt underneath held a lace-up top that was not tied but instead left open, allowing a bit of his chest to show through. At the cuffs were emerald studded silver snakes, family heirlooms of his own. The sleeveless black silk robe hindered no view of this and brushed at his ankles. Silver lined it in the shapes of phoenixes; the pants were similarly lined. At his waist was a tabard belt exactly like her own only wider. His head was crowned with a circlet silver wrapping around gold, coming to a point at his forehead. His, however, held opals, not sapphires. His silken hair was held back by a black tie in a loose braid that fell to almost the middle of his back; he'd been allowing it to grow out. His onyx eyes were alive with warm light which seemed to increase with each step she took.
He was so close, so close.
Harry smiled as he saw the awe struck expression of his father and touched his throat, muttering "Sonorous". When his grandfather nodded and just as Seri took her first step.
"It was no accident, me finding you." Those who were not completely dumb struck by the approaching bride turned, very startled, to see the fire mage singing. "Someone had a hand in it. Long before we ever knew. Now I just can't believe you're in my life. Heaven's smilin' down on me. As I look at you tonight." Behind Seri was Kit, holding the blue and white train, a huge grin plastered on her face.
"I tip my hate, to the keeper of the stars. He sure knew what he was doin', when he joined these two hearts. I hold everything, when I hold you in my arms. I've got all I'll ever need, thanks to the keeper of the stars." In the very front rows were the Calburns, Mayfields, Petunia and Dudley. Both Mrs. Calburn and Mrs. Mayfield were crying softly and it seemed Mr. Calburn was desperately trying to stave off his own tears, discreetly dabbing the corner of his eyes.
"Soft moonlight on your face; it takes my breath away. Just to look into your eyes, I know I don't deserve a treasure like you. There really are no words to show my gratitude." In the back standing guard over a seemingly empty chair was Draco. As he spotted Harry looking his way, he winked and nodded. The chair that was "seemingly empty" actually contained an invisible bound and gagged Pomfrey. Since the woman had wandered back into Hogwarts three days before the group had managed to keep it a secret from Severus and Seri, at least until after the wedding. Both were bundles of nerves as it was, having this woman around would only make it worse. But they had not been able to resist, be a bit vindictive, had decided she should see the unity she had tried so hard to destroy. So the Earth Mage had volunteered to be her guard and now viewed her struggles with a smirk.
"I tip my hat, to the keeper of the stars. He sure knew what he was doin' when he joined these two hearts. I hold everything, when I hold you in my arms. I got all I'll ever need, thanks to the keeper of the stars." Unbeknownst to everyone, including the ghosts and mages, two other couples had joined the on looking crowd. They were less than ghosts, barely spirits at all, but that's the way their kind functioned; all those killed by the Killing Curse, that is. The dark-haired woman held tight to her husband's waist, sniffing pitifully. The man laid his golden head on her chocolate brown, watching Seri take the final steps to the alter.
"It was no accident, me finding you. Someone had a hand in it, long before we ever knew...." The fire mage allowed the words to fade as Seri stepped up to stand beside Severus. The music and sounds too gave way to silence as the Headmaster cleared his throat.
"We are gathered here today to see the joining of two very special people. Severus Snape-Dumbledore," The Potions Master lowered his eyes briefly, "and Serenity Winter." She repeated the man's action. Turning his attention from them to the hall, he raised his voice even more. "Before we begin, does anyone here object to the wedding of these two?" Several turned when they heard rattling in the back of the hall. The Earth Mage gave it a swift kick and smiled at the hall, shaking his head; the chair ceased to rattle. Albus cleared his throat and continued.
"Very well. Normally this would be where I begin to have them recite the vows but I have been informed they have their own they would like to say." He gestured for them to continue on their own. Severus and Seri turned shyly to one another, the man finding her hand and pulling it to his chest.
"When we first met, Seri, I was nothing more than an angry child but you helped change that. With a patience that bordered on god-like and a gentle hand you showed me that not everyone was against me, that it was possible to love. I never understood what you saw in the stubborn, mean-spirited Slytherin and I still don't. Perhaps I never will. What I do know is I would not be complete without you.
"It is true I would not be the same if Harry and Albus weren't. Likely I'd be it to be tied but my love for you is different and just as strong. You are my other half, most definitely the better one, but I promise you this: never will we be separated; not by war, Death Eaters and most especially Voldemort; we will be together, forever, no matter how corny that sounds." He caressed the ring.
"When I created this ring, my only thought was of you and those lovely green orbs I love getting lost in. That's why it is green and I hope will remain so," he finished, letting out a long breath. Seri smiled, knowing it was now her turn.
"I don't know about your better half....you most certainly are mine. You speak of how I changed you now it's my turn. Severus you showed a shy, scared-of-her-own-shadow girl that she had to stand up for herself, prove to the world that she was not a push over. And I took that to heart.
"I took a lot from people who thought we shouldn't be together, especially the Slytherins and Gryffindors. No one understood how a Gryffindor could care for a Slytherin let alone love one." She grinned, "But I did. They didn't understand that love transcends everything, even the long standing rivalries, especially those rivalries.
"When you gave this ring, I knew nothing would tear us apart and that it would glow green forever, never doubt that." She stopped, smiling up at him.
"And I make this vow upon my honor," They continued in unison, "life and love to cherish every moment we have togther. From this moment on." Each slipped a ring on the other's left hand and turned back to the Headmaster. He beamed at them and spread his hands.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. From now and forever more you will be known as Mr. and Mrs. Snape-Dumbledore." Albus winked at Severus. "You may now kiss the bride." Severus grinned and dipped the unsuspecting healer.
"Gladly." And pressed his lips to her's. She responded enthusiastically as did the audience whose clapping was thunderous and whistles piercing. When he pulled back and her up, she too wore a grin.
Harry glanced up and waved his hand. Rose petals began to cascade downward like soft rain. Music started up again as the newly-weds turned to walk back down the isle together. Ginny moved to stand next to Harry and nodded. He tapped her throat, magnifying her voice before doing the same to his. She took a deep breath and proceeded in a whispery tone.
"I do swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything and everything and I'll always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow," Her voice dropped, "For better or worse, I will love you," Her voice rose again, "With every beat of my heart." The music beat was soft and tentative, almost shy and afraid of what was happening. Ginny began to sing, she also soft and hesitant.
"From this moment, life has begun."
"From this moment," Harry picked up, beginning to sway with the rhythm of the music, "you are the one"
"Right beside you," Ginny began before being joined by the fire mage, "is where I belong. From this moment on." Seri and Severus stared straight ahead, her hand laying lightly over his. They were unaware of any sounds but the singing behind them and the gentle mental buzz from their family. They had done it; they were married; they belonged to no one but the other. A dream neither thought they could achieve and here it had come true. The moment could not have been more perfect and the rose petals continued to fall.
"From this moment, I have been blessed," The male Gryffindor continued.
"I live only, for your happiness," was the female response.
"And for your love," They continued together, "I'd give my last breath. From this moment on." Each row they passed stood, still clapping. Moody, one of the first they went by, had a large, rare smile on his craggy smile. Remus winked and gave them a thumbs-up. The Weasley twins, unable to contain themselves, set off Filibuster Fireworks that bounced around harmlessly and lit the room with a variety of colors. McGonagall sniffed and dabbed her eyes with a hankerchief, fruitlessly fighting off the tears that brimmed in her hazel eyes. She had done it, had helped them get to this point. Pomfrey had lost completely. The red-head picked up her cue.
"I give my hand to you with all my heart." Harry went next.
"Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start." They joined in a duet.
"You and I will never be apart. My dreams," They extended that note, "came true," and that one, "because," that one, "of you," The pitch went up and then down again. The music rose to a crescendo, confident and true, "From this moment, as long as I live. I will love you, I promise you this. There is nothing I wouldn't give," The crescendo grew even greater. "From this moment on." Both quieted as the song went into and instrument break, allowing them to focus solely on the slow moving couple. Harry could safely say he was as happy now as he had been when they had signed the adoption papers. They were a complete family, no part missing, except, perhaps, more siblings. He smirked at that thought and continued to do so as they sang.
"You're the reason I believe in love," Ginny continued.
" And you're the answer to my prayers from up above," Harry answered before they continued together.
"All we need is just the two of us. My dreams came true because of you." Albus could not keep the smile from his face as he watched the two. Seleyna crept from her place in the front row and leaned against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. Their child had found his mate, just as they had always hoped he would. He put his arms around her too as they sighed together. A sudden thought struck Albus and he turned that radiant smile down upon the silver-haired woman. She blinked and he almost laughed at her innocent confusion. If only she knew what he was thinking, if only she knew. Perhaps it would be them walking down this isle one day. He stared within the deep pool of her ocean eyes. Perhaps.
"From this moment, as long as I live, I will love you, I promise you this. There is nothing, I wouldn't give, from this moment."
"I will love you," Ginny whispered, her blue eyes trained on the now distant couple.
"I will love you," Harry echoed, he too watching them.
"As long as I live," Ginny began before the fire mage joined her, the music slowing to the end. "From this....moment......on......Mm Mm." It slowed to and end, the guitar picking out the last notes before it too faded away. The new couple had reached the end of the red carpet and turned to the gathered crowd, blinding smiles and sparkling eyes present. Neither had appeared more happy.
The four spirits drifted upward and away from the pressing crowd which was allowed to flow into the waiting rooms while the mages (excluding the bride and groom) slipped back into the Great Hall. After a bit of rearranging, all was set for the reception. All talking ceased when Harry entered. The fire mage cleared his throat unnecessarily and stepped aside.
"We are ready for you." They flowed back into the hall, some halting in astonishment. The room they had left moments before had been full of chairs and other types of seating now had its customary staff and four house tables. A feast of untold proportions awaited the guests and when they spotted this, they hurriedly took their places. The Hall still had the satin sheets hanging down and the tables were decorated in silver and light blue, draped around the edges. Behind the staff table were the runespoor and two cats, the Snape and Winter crests. Severus sat in the Headmaster's normal spot, Seri to his left. He rose to his feet and tapped his glass to gain everyone's attention.
"I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate with us, especially considering it is Christmas, so please enjoy the food and the rest of the evening." Soon the Hall was filled with the soothing clank of silverware and the low buzz of conversation. The staff table was no exception.
"I don't think we'll get much out of them for a while," Hermione giggled as she pointed to the new couple. The healer and professor were lost in one another's eyes, no doubt deep in conversation.
"I believe I agree," Evelyn remarked with a bemused expression, "But, Ginny, you sang beautifully. No one could have done a better job." The female Weasley blushed, her face matching her flaming hair.
"You would have done fine....." She began only to be cut off.
"Oh please, I sound like I have a frog permanently stuck in my throat when I try to sing but you," She put a hand on the Gryffindor's shoulder. "You've go talent. Show the world you have it." Again Ginny's cheeks turned crimson from the praises, a smile curving around her lips.
"She is right," Harry commented from the other side of the Ravenclaw, "I'm glad you agreed. I doubt I could have found anyone else. Thank you, Ginny." The girl could not help but grin, her face burning red. She was not used to so much attention and they seemed to keep piling it on. Sensing the girl's thoughts, Seleyna broke into their conversation.
"They were good songs but I'm curious as to where you got them. Harry?" She looked to him for an explanation. He shrugged carelessly, popping a meatball in his mouth.
"When Grandpa and I went to London to take care of some business, I dropped into this music store. Now you have to remember, I wasn't allowed to explore much when I went shopping with the Dursleys and was scolded for doing so. I was like a kid in Honeydukes, I scanned through everything and was able to listen to some. I was in an American section when I ran across "Keeper of the Stars" and my first thought was of Mother and Father," He nodded in the direction of the couple, "That's when I got to keep digging and it wasn't long before I encountered "From This Moment On", another that seemed perfect. About that time, Grandpa found me and I showed him my findings. He seemed to like the idea but warned me that I would need a female partner for the second. When Evie here informed me in no uncertain terms she was tone-deaf..." He was cut off.
"I sang for him." The red-haired Ravenclaw explained.
"...That you did and I would really love it if you never did so again." Several of the surrounding teenagers snickered at Evelyn's annoyed expression as she rolled her eyes. "And since Hermione was going to be the flower girl..." He was once more interrupted.
"I think you outdid me with the flowers, Harry." The brown-haired girl nodded at the petal carpeted floor. The fire mage grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, Hermione, but you could say I was completing something important. As I was saying, since Hermione was going to be busy, that left Ginny," He grinned and tugged playfully at his would-be sister's red locks, "And I couldn't have made a better choice." There were murmured agreements as conversation took a backseat to eating.
When the feast had been consumed, the tables once more vanished, allowing for room to dance. Music drifted down from the rafters as Severus led his new bride out onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. They naturally fell into the rhythm of the waltz, eyes only for one another. The first song was their own but after that they were joined by others: Harry and Evelyn; Albus and Seleyna; Ron and Hermione; Ginny and Neville, just to name a few.
"They really are beautiful together," Evelyn whispered as they drifted to sit down at the small round tables.
"I know," Harry answered, sipping a glass of water, "And it has always been that way and seeing them apart seemed somehow...wrong." He shrugged as he struggled for the right words. The Ravenclaw nodded, showing she did understand. To a certain degree she did, but she did not know the two as intimately as he did. Even a first year could sense the chemistry that flowed between them.
Draco casually made his way toward them and took a seat, all very calmly. Too calmly.
"What happened?" The fire mage immediately demanded. Draco's clear blue eyes widened slightly.
"What do you mean, Harry?" The tone was so obviously fake and his mind stubbornly closed off that Harry knew something was amiss and he hated being in the dark. He raised an eyebrow.
~You know exactly what I mean, Draco Malfoy-Winter, spill it and do it now.~ The blonde grinned cheekily but it faded back to the innocent look when Kit approached, Artemis at her side.
"Draco, what did you do with Pomfrey, stick her in a room somewhere?" she asked, leaning casually against the Ancient Runes professor. The once-Slytherin twiddled his thumbs, looking everywhere but at his mother. The dark-haired healer was not fooled for an instant by this stalling and straightened, coming closer.
"Draco Malfoy-Winter, you have until the count of ten to tell what happened or I promise I will spank you in front of all of these people." It was not an idle threat. The healer, though she loved her new son dearly, would not let him get away with anything. Draco knew she would do exactly as she promised and he would never live down the embarrassment. That meant he had to confess. Damn.
"She...uh...she sort of got away," He answered weakly, closing his eyes against what he knew was coming next.
"What!" Harry leapt to his feet with a shout, attracting the attention of those nearest, including...
"Fire child, what is wrong?" Severus asked as he and Seri moved to stand next to the mage. He glanced at them quizzically and sank back in his chair.
"Nothing, nothing at all. Really," he added weakly when the two seemed skeptical. The earth mage threw up his hands.
"I didn't mean to let her escape! Really, there's nothing to worry about," He assured.
"Who escaped? And what do you mean there is nothing to worry about?" Seri wanted to know as Albus and Seleyna joined them. Harry glanced at his grandfather and aunt, silently asking for permission. They granted it with a nod. He let out a sigh; this was not what they had wanted.
"Three days ago, Pomfrey wandered back onto the grounds."
"Pomfrey?!" The water and ice mages gasped in unison. Seri grabbed Severus hand and he squeezed it reassuringly. No, not her of all people. The fire mage nodded.
"Draco was the one to find her and brought her to us. I treated her for her wounds and we've kept her locked away ever since," he explained. The Potions Master sunk into the nearest chair, bringing his wife down with him, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Why didn't you tell us?" The question was full of accusation and tinged with hurt. How could they keep such information from them, especially considering who it was about? Harry did not flinch but instead reached out to take each of their hands, one calloused and the other possessing softness that had known work but did not show it.
"Because we didn't want to worry either of you. With the wedding so close, your nerves were shot to hell and we didn't want to make it worse. Please don't be mad." The man and woman looked at one another; how could they be mad? Their family had only wanted to protect them, a thing they could hardly be blamed for.
"We forgive you, we only wished you had told us sooner," Severus said finally, giving the hand he held a squeeze which was returned.
"But there are a few things I don't understand," Seri persisted, "Why was she at the wedding in the first place?" Albus coughed conspicuously, drawing eyes to him as he stared off at nothing. They waited, they were patient. He glanced up and shrugged. Still they waited. This time he broke down.
"All right, all right! I'll tell! The fact of the matter is that we all felt that Pomfrey should be allowed to see what she had tried to destroy. So after tying her to a chair and casting both a invisibility and silencing charm on her we stuck her in the back, allowing her full view of what was going on. It should have gone off without a problem..." He trailed off, a frown creasing his forehead.
"What happened to her?" Harry demanded of his cousin. The blonde shrugged.
"I honestly don't know how but she somehow managed to get out of the restraints and was about to escape into the forest when...." He left the sentence unfinished, definitely not meeting the others' eyes.
"When?" Artemis prompted with a tap on the shoulder.
"WhenshemetNorbertandheateher," he rushed in confession, leaving some confused.
"When she met Norbert and he ate her?" Severus translated, "Who's Norbert?" Harry, having a sinking feeling about who 'Norbert' was, had to ask.
"Was it a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon?" It was as though he were asking if it had been Voldemort. Draco seemed surprised and taken aback.
"How did you know?" He demanded, not a little of suspicion coloring his tone. The raven-haired teen gave a great groan and began banging his head against the table. Why him; why always him? Severus and Seri glanced at one another then the fire mage (who was still banging his head on the table) and at the Headmaster for some sort of explanation but it seemed he was just as confused.
"Harry, do you know that dragon?" The white/auburn-haired man asked, curiosity coloring his voice. The fire mage looked up, a pained expression on his face because he now had to confess (or perhaps it was the bruise that was blossoming on his forhead).
"Do you all remember when Hermione and I were caught out of bed in our first year by McGonagall and all of us, including Draco, got in trouble?" The Headmaster nodded, the memory returning, as the Potions Master's eyes narrowed in irritation at the mention of his son's delinquent past.
"Wasn't then when you all lost one hundred and fifty points all at once?" A bit of the old Severus and Professor Snape whipped through that question. The fire mage winced and nodded; wonderful, just wonderful.
"Please, that's the last thing I wish to recall, that was not the best time of that year, but yes, that is of what I speak. We were actually taking a dragon to the North Tower so it could be transported to Romania. Its name was Norbert and it was a Norwegian Ridgeback." Draco's jaw fell open. This was just too much of a coincidence.
"Are you saying that the dragon I asked here to guard the wedding was the same one Hagrid tried to raise in his hut?" The raven-haired teen nodded. "Damn, no wonder he seemed eager to come." He suddenly chuckled. "He said Pomfrey tasted like chicken by the way." Kit pulled his head back by a lock of his white-blonde hair.
"You mean to tell me, young man," The boy flinched as did everyone else. The dark-haired healer did not sound happy. The Gryffindor seemed to shrink under her critical eye and tone. Oh shit, he was in such deep trouble. By the edge in her eyes, very very deep. "that you went to Romania without informing anyone?"
"Well..." He was cut off.
"And without asking for permission?" Realising that trying to make excuses would be burying himself deeper into trouble, the boy hung his head. He hadn't meant to make her mad.
"Yes, Mother Leopard, I'm sorry." He truly and sincerely was. "It will never happen again." The woman released his hair with a sigh and patted the top of his head affectionately.
"We'll discuss it later, right now I just can't believe Norbert ate her, what are we going to do?" As if by magic, they were answered, literally.
"There is no need to waste energy with worry, Ms. Winter, I'm afraid that was our doing," The whispery voice of Alecto confessed. The group looked up to watch the approach of the incorporeal forms of the Furies. There was an immediate realisation that they were different, very different. In place of their warrior clothing were thin white gowns. Their hair, once comparable to a rat's nest, was now tamed and flowed like calm streams down their backs or to their shoulders. The skeletal wings were now covered with flesh and feathers, beautiful angel wings. All that remained of their former form were their red and black marks around their eyes and cheeks.
"The Furies," Severus whispered, his hold tightening around the healer. Of all the creatures in the world, these truly frightened him to the core. Megaera smiled at the small gesture and shook her head.
"There is no need to worry, Severus, as we have told you before, you have atoned. We are not here to harm you. In fact, we've come to inform you on what happened to the late Pomfrey." This confused the groups to no end.
"But we know what happened," Seleyna pointed out, "a dragon ate her." It was Tisiphone's turn to speak as she too shook her head.
"Before that though, that is a part of what we speak of."
"What she means is," Alecto picked up, tossing a golden strand over her shoulder, "That we allowed her to escape her first place of imprisonment."
"You must understand," Megaera continued, "she tricked us into believing she regretted the crimes she had committed. If this was so, then we had to release her. It is law." Harry raised a hand.
"What exactly was 'her first place of imprisonment'?" the fire mage inquired curiously. Tisiphone's grin was like that of a hunting jaguar.
"Voldemort of course. He tortured her for information she did not possess. Rather amusing to watch, I must say."
"Ah," Harry replied weakly, regretting he had asked. That left the question of why he had not had any visions or nightmares.
"We blocked those," Alecto answered as though she had read his mind. "There is no sense in letting you suffer for crimes you did not commit." She ran a hand over his head, her touch like that of a mother. "You have suffered enough, fire child, we will not cause you more."
"But that still doesn't explain how she ended up here," Draco reminded, bringing them back to the point.
"Ah, but it does." Megaera assured, "You see, when we allowed her to leave, she found her way back to Hogwarts."
"When she entered the grounds, we immediately understood her true intentions and could not allow that to happen," Tisiphone went on, her expression darkening. Ice seemed to form around those chocolate eyes, reflecting their dangerous glint.
"We do not enjoy being fooled," Alecto added grimly, her eyes flashing green steel for a moment. The others shivered at her tone; it was all too deadly. "So we guided you to find her and put it into your minds that she should watch the wedding."
"But then why did you let her escape again?" Kit asked.
"Ah," said Alecto with a smile, "that was a part of the plan. She was to escape."
"But as she did so," Tisiphone grinned, "she would be inflicted with a terrible madness. (Not that she needed that much help.) And that is why," Her grin widened, "that she jumped into the dragon's mouth in the first place." The gathered group glanced at on another, eyes wide. These three women had shown their powers and will, there was no denying that. Thanks to them, Pomfrey would never darken their lives again.
"Quite true," It was Megaera who read their thoughts this time. "Her soul is now in our hands and will remain so for some time." The three goddesses looked up, seeming to listen to a call.
"We must go, our duty awaits. Please, all of you, take care and do not give us any cause to come after one of you, that would be most regrettable." With that final warning, Alecto and her sisters were bathed in a soft white light and disappeared. After glancing around, the group realised no one had noticed the three extra guests; most were still dancing though some seemed to be preparing to leave. Harry rose, Evelyn at his side.
"I'll see to the leaving guests, you all have fun." Albus grabbed his elbow, giving it a squeeze.
"Before you go, Harry, isn't there something we need to give them?" Dumbledore stated carefully, eyes communicating with the teenager's. The fire mage smiled. Ah yes, there was indeed.
"That is right, I had almost forgotten." Reaching deep into the folds of his robes and into a pocket, he drew out a small black box. With a twinkle in his emerald eyes that rivaled his grandfather's, he handed it to the golden-haired healer. She accepted it with startled compliancy. The Headmaster handed an identical box to his son who seemed to be just as startled as his mate. He was the first to open the gift, however, and a gasp escaped his lips. Following her husband's example, Seri pulled it open and echoed her mate. Inside was a ring, but ordinary it was naught. Severus lifted it and held it to the light; the silver shone. He recognized what it had to be, there was no doubt about that, but could he truly be given this? Conjuring a blank parchment and plucking a candle from the air, the Headmaster laid the parchment on the table and dipped a small amount of the white wax, pressing the head of the ring he had taken from his own pocket to it. After a second he took it away and held it for them to see. Clearly impressed into the wax were the same symbols on the ring only now they seemed more clear. In the upper left corner was the Potter crest; the upper right held a runespoor, the symbol of Snape; lower left was the Winter crest, one side light blue the other dark to symbolize both sisters; in the lower right was a large white bumblebee followed by the seven smaller ones for Dumbledore. In the center of all of this, in the exact place where the 'H' was on the Hogwarts seal, was a star; the top most point was white, the points to the right and left were silver and gold. The bottom was dark and light blue.
Seri and Severus wore identical expectant expression, wishing what they suspected confirmed. Harry and Albus allowed beaming smiles to shine through.
"Perhaps a bit of explanation is in order," the Headmaster began formally, only to have the fire mage to lightly punch him in the arm, clearly giving a look that said to get on with it. "Yes, well, neither Harry nor I could decide what to get you two for your wedding or Christmas."
"So," Harry picked up, "we combined our brainpower and this," He held up the ring, "is our brainchild. You are looking at the new crest of Potter-Snape-Dumbledore."
"It allows people to know exactly who we are as I suspect we'll be around for quite a long time. (A/N: Oooh, that's an understatement.) So what do you think?" The two waited anxiously for a reaction. The Potions Master glanced at his wife who nodded and both engulfed the other two in crushing hugs. They were returned heartily amid delighted laughter and a spattering of clapping of the others. When they separated, Seri and Severus slid their rings on their right hands, watching as they Headmaster and teenager did the same. Apparently their actions had caught some attention for Ron and Hermione trailed over to find out the cause.
"What is going on?" the girl asked as she leaned casually against the tall red-head. Ron nodded, signaling he wished to know as well. Harry showed them the ring and gave them a brief explanation.
"Wicked," Ron replied when he let the hand fall away, "Now everyone will know who you guys are." The fire mage nodded then glanced at the door, noticing more people were now leaving. Time to take care of that.
"I better go attend to that. Come on, Evie." The two once more set off on their journey to the door but it was Seri's hand that halted them this time.
"Harry, may I speak to you," She glanced at the Ravenclaw, "Privately." The girl bowed her head and continued on to their original destination. Seri smiled and drew him away from the crowded Hall and into a deserted room. When Harry glanced back at his father he saw the man offering him an encouraging smile. She closed the door softly and directed him to a seat before she sat across from him. There was an awkward silence between them before Seri cleared her throat.
"Harry, I know I am new to your family..."
"Hardly!" The teenager exclaimed, his expression bright. "You've been here since the beginning. I may not have known you as long as Severus and Albus but you still are a part of it." The woman smiled. What he said would help her.
"Thank you, fire child. For Christmas I got you two things and I'm not quite certain about either. I do hope you like them." Raising her cane up slightly a neatly wrapped package dropped into Harry's lap. He blinked a few times in confusion before touching the shiny gold ribbon.
"Go on, open it," she encouraged. Hesitantly he pulled it apart. The silver wrapping fell away, revealing the neatly folded material. The first thing he noticed was its rich red color. Carefully spreading it out his emerald eyes widened. It was a quilt, and not just any quilt; it was the same one his mum had wrapped him in when he was a baby.
"Yes," Harry glanced up, "I remembered the pattern Lily used and tried to reproduce it as best I could." The teenager's face scrunched up, caught in a confusing whirl; he thought it had been bad before, now it was worse. Running a hand over the center he was startled by how vividly gold the phoenix was as it was rising off the ground. Its eyes were the same bright green as Harry's own. His finger brushed across the black scar.
"I added that, it was not there originally. Do you like it?" She waited, biting her lip. He looked up, eyes sparkling strangely bright as he continued to stroke the downy soft fabric.
"I love it, you really have no idea." But she had an inkling. Though he was trying to keep a tight rein on it, his emotions were slightly spilling over his protective wall. If she received this kind of reaction for her first gift, she could only imagine what it would be like for the second.
"As I said before, I have two gifts for you," He was once more innocently confused, producing a chuckle from her, "since you so like your first, I'm not so afraid to give you the second. Or rather, ask you." Now he was really confused. What in the world could she want and be so nervous about?
"What is it, mother?" She chuckled again, nervously this time.
"You just made it a bit easier." She took a deep breath.
"Harry, will you let me adopt you?" He gaped at her openly and she floundered for words, mis-interperting his expression. "I want to make sure I can take care of you if something were to happen to Severus or Albus, Merlin forbid, but..." She was cut off as she found herself with an armful of teenager. He laughed through the tears as he hugged her tight.
"Yes, mother, I want you to be my mother!" He grinned when they parted, knowing how silly that sounded. Before Seri could comment on this, she got a thoughtful look on her face. Putting a finger to her lips she crept to the door. Flashing a devilish grin in the Gryffindor's direction she tapped the knob once before leaping away. It was just as well she did for the door opened at once and in spilled Severus, Albus, Seleyna, Draco, Kit, Artemis, Ron and Hermione. There were a few wheezing grunts and a couple of groans of pain but otherwise everyone seemed fine. The golden-haired healer stood over them, glaring down disapprovingly, hands on her hips. Harry was reminded of Mrs. Weasley.
"You got what you deserved, all of you. You shouldn't be eavesdropping like you were!" A few comments, several glares and all around grumbling met this statement as the snoopers pulled themselves back to their feet.
"Well?" Severus demanded, adopting a mirror stance to his wife's. Seri and Harry traded conspirital glances before the woman put on an innocent, yet ignorant, smile.
"Well, what, Severus?" She asked coyly, batting her long eyelashes. The group snickered; Harry clutched his sides in pain from laughter as Severus grew more flustered.
"You know what, Seri! Tell me, did Harry accept? Please," He got down on his knees and groveled, sending the group behind them into new fits of laughter, "I must know. Please, my lady, tell your humble servant, did he accept?" She tried desperately but it was to no avail; she burst out laughing. Falling back into the chair she had previously been sitting in, she clutched her sides as her bell-like laughter continued to fall from her lips.
"All right, Severus, all right! I'll tell! But please get up off the floor, you look ridiculous," she pleaded between giggles. The dark-haired man rose in triumph.
"I knew that would get you. Well?" He repeated his first question.
"Yes," She drew Harry to her, "he said yes!" Severus let a whoop of joy and pulled them both into a suffocating hug.
"I knew it! I knew it!" He crowed when he finally released them, allowing them to be swept into the wave of congratulatory pats, hugs and kisses from the others.
"Yes, Severus, I know you told me he would but that didn't mean I was any less nervous. Hello, Dale!" She added brightly when the tall blonde entered the room. The agent let off an easy smile at the call of his name and pushed his sun-blonde hair from his eyes.
"Hello, Seri. I'm assuming since young Draco came to get me that Harry accepted?"
"Did everyone know about this but me?" he wondered in exasperation, rolling his eyes heavenward.
"Just everyone in this room at the moment," Albus assured in an attempt to make the boy feel better. The fire mage locked eyes with Ron and Hermione who tried their best to hide behind the Headmaster and Seleyna.
"You guys didn't tell me." It was supposed to be accusing but it was more teasing in nature. He was truly aggravated with anyone for keeping the secret, he liked good surprises, but that didn't mean he couldn't tease them a bit.
"We couldn't, Harry," Hermione defended in a huff, "We were sworn to secrecy." Ron nodded in support. He chuckled, waving his hands to dismiss the argument.
"I'm only joking, I know you guys couldn't have told me." He peered at the agent. "Do you have the papers ready for signing?" The man smiled and drew them from the inside of his robe.
"That I do, all that needs adding is both of your signatures." The Healer took them from him and laid them on a desk, summoning a bottle of ink and a quill. Her new name, Serenity Isabella Snape-Dumbledore, was still wet when she passed it to the fire mage. He placed his own name and handed it back to Dale. The man glanced over them to make sure he'd forgotten nothing then notarized the documents and made copies, leaving one with the family.
"I'm going to make sure these get down to the office before I head home; Catherine and the wee ones are waiting for me." Severus clapped him on the shoulder.
"Have a safe trip and a wonderful Christmas," he wished upon him. The blonde smiled.
"I believe I will; enjoy the rest of your holiday and congratulations!" Several farewells followed his wake as he left the room. Before anyone else had a chance to speak, Kit acted.
"I have a nephew!" she bubbled happily, squeezing the boy around the neck. The others chortled as Harry's face began to turn red from lack of oxygen.
"Kit dear, as much as I love you, you had better release my son now or I will hex you," Seri threatened dryly, raising her cane to show she was serious. Her sibling grinned and released the teenager who had been rapidly turning blue. Harry sputtered incoherently and rubbed his throat.
"Damn, I just saw my life flash before my eyes. Thanks, Aunt Kit, I really appreciated that." She grinned cheekily and ruffled his hair.
"You're welcome! Now come one, let's go enjoy the rest of the reception!" Ron and Hermione were the first out, then Kit, Draco and Artemis.
"Come on." Severus helped both his son and wife to their feet, sliding on arm around the boy's shoulders and her waist. "Let's go enjoy the party." Albus and Seleyna trailed after them at a discreet distance, arms linked together.
"They do seem happy, don't they?" The silver-haired woman whispered into this ear as they made their way out onto the dance floor. The Headmaster's eyes followed the trio as they walked around the room, oblivious of anything but one another.
"Trying to speak to them now, even mentally, would be like trying to see through a thick fog. Believe me, I've tried. It's best to leave them be for now; Harry will be staying with me for next month or so as it is." Seleyna closed her eyes, laying her head against the tall man's chest, enjoying the rhythm of his heartbeat.
"I believe you, I always will," she whispered as they swayed to the music. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"I''m glad it was Seri, she's perfect for them," the red-haired spirit whispered. The male-spirit beside her hugged her tight.
"It's hard to believe that's the same Severus Snape we knew all those years ago," he remarked, adjusting his glasses. The other couple floated over to them.
"That's because it's not," the other woman commented with a smile. "He's Severus Snape-Dumbledore now and always will be." The light-haired male-spirit pulled her close.
"Our daughter has found happiness with that man and your son." James and Lily smiled.
"Thank you for bringing us here today. I didn't want to miss the wedding of one of my best friends or," She gestured to the wandering trio, "miss seeing my son so happy." James nodded in agreement. Joyce and Thomas Winter smiled at one another. This was exactly what they had hoped for when they'd brought these two, to offer them a bit of peace.
"Look," James pointed into the crowd, allowing his ethereal body to descend down, "there's Moony and Padfoot, Harry seems to have come to them." Indeed, this was true. The fire mage had left the newlyweds, feeling they need their privacy.
"Oh, Harry," Remus drew the teenager into a hug while Padfoot barked enthusiastically at their feet, "that was the perfect ceremony." The mage smiled and glanced over at the dancing couple.
"Yes, it was," he remarked before turning back to them, smile now a grin.
"You'll never guess what Seri did for me for Christmas!" By his puzzled expression, the Defense teacher didn't have a clue.
"What?" he asked. Harry could hardly contain his excitement, bouncing from one foot to the next.
"She made me a blanket just like the one my mum made for me when I was little!" He exclaimed, bubbling with excitement. A shocked expression passed from the Defense professor's face only to be replaced by curious uncertainty.
"The scarlet one with the huge golden phoenix with his eyes on it?" Lily wondered as she joined her husband.
"The scarlet one with the huge golden phoenix that has your eyes?" Remus nearly mirrored his dead friend's question. The teenager nodded and added,
"Though it now has my scar." Lily drifted towards him, lightly running her fingers over his forehead as if to brush the dark bangs away.
"You should never have gotten scar, I'm so sorry, my son," she whispered, eyes filled with unshed tears. He did not jerk away but his emerald eyes widened and he looked in her direction, squinting as if he were looking in the dark or through a dense fog.
"Mum?" Escaped his lips. The red-haired spirit pulled her hand away and glanced back at James.
"Is he supposed to be able to see us?" He shook his head, his own eyes wide.
"Only the strongest of diviners would be able to and even then it's a sketchy thing. Maybe..." Remus cut him off when he moved toward the boy, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry? Something wrong?" The teenager seemed to snap from his trance, his pupils returning to their normal size.
"Nothing," he reassured the older man. What in the world had he seen? Could it have truly been his mum? But why now of all times? "I just thought I saw..." he trailed off, not ready to say more.
"Saw what?" Remus pressed. The boy hesitated before sighing.
"I thought I saw and heard my mum. Something about my scar." Remus's eyes widened and he paled.
"You saw Lily?" he asked hoarsely. The boy nodded and continued to look for her, his eyes slightly desperate. Lily bit her lip and frowned, tears pricking her eyes. No, she never wished to cause her child grief, the furthest idea and want from her mind. Hesitantly, afraid of touching him, she leaned in again, her lips hovering by his ear.
"Do not be sad, my son, Harry. Know that I love you," Abandoning caution to the wind she kissed him on the cheek and flew back to James, covering her face to hide her betraying tears. James wrapped his arms around her and they glided gently away, the male Gryffindor glancing back now and again. When he did, he spotted the teenager raise his hand to his cheek and cup it around where the woman had placed her kiss. A smile tugged at his lips as he mouthed "I love you too."
As the Potters headed toward the exit, Severus and Seri were passing, twirling to the three-beat waltz. Lily broke away and hurried towards them, plunging her hands into the healer's skull. She froze, causing Severus to do the same.
~Seri, I know you can hear me. Please, just take care of Harry; love him like I never got to. I'm entrusting him in your care. Be his new mother.~ She withdrew her hands. Seri's forest eyes regained their focus. She whipped her head around, searching for the ghost of her dead friend, only to find thin air. A glance at Severus showed him to be in the same state she had been in previously. After another second, the look faded and he too glanced around in search of someone.
"I heard Lily," the healer remarked faintly.
"And I James." They locked eyes; they knew what the other must have heard: the messages from their deceased counter-parts.
"We promise to take care of him," They assured in unison. A few neighboring couples glanced in their direction, giving them strange looks, but many of them shrugged and turned away, thinking nothing of it. James and Lily nodded in satisfaction, knowing these two would go to great lengths to keep this promise. Joining the Winters at the door of the Great Hall they left Hogwarts, knowing their living family was content.
The rest of the reception was short, the remaining guests leaving in large masses, off to their own celebrations. Albus, Seleyna, Kit, Artemis, Harry and Draco saw to them, allowing the bride and groom to slip away. The dark halls held the quiet of a castle settling down to sleep. The torches had died down to a faint flicker, allowing the moonlight streaming through the uncovered windows to light the path. The two walked in silence but no words had to be spoken. Inhabitants of the paintings were silent; some conspicuously absent (no doubt at their own Christmas celebrations) or sound asleep, their snores gentle and unobtrusive. As they approached the Dungeons and were plunged into complete darkness, Severus's hand found Seri's and he guided her to their quarters.
The Potions Master smiled though the darkness hid it. Their quarters. Their's. They were married. A hard concept to comprehend after all they had been through. She was his wife, his partner, his heartmate. Nothing at this moment could make him more happy. He felt intense eyes upon him, knowing, trusting. He gave her hand a squeeze of reassurance though none was necessary. She returned it and they proceeded onward.
Though the darkness hid his face, Seri knew he was smiling. Knowing what he was thinking was one of her special talents. The shadows and blackness of the space was not all warm and friendly. She could feel them, like great black hands, reaching for her, enticing her to join the dark. Severus, as though he too sensed these intruders, pulled her firmly to his side, allowing his silver aura to flair challengingly as well as light the way. He would be this way for a time, perhaps a long time, protective, but she did not mind. She would merely have to remind him she was not made of glass. To do so, she too allowed her aura to spread and mingle with his. Where they touched a bright light sparked and she could feel the darkness cringe away. She wondered; was this what Severus felt when he would make this journey in the middle of the nigh after duty or, worse, a Death Eater meeting? The cold seeping into your bones, freezing the very marrow. A descending lethargy that made one wish to stop and just lean against an unseen wall. The darkness reaching out and enveloping your soul. Did he ever feel that? She only had a vague memory of the feelings when she had traveled down here during her school years, Merlin's beard, over two decades ago. Then it had only been a scant acknowledgment of one too focused on her objective to notice anything else. But, as she learned, there were older and fouler beings in this world that had never been seen or even heard of. But she knew they existed; call it an empath's intuition. That feeling that you're not alone even though you know you're the only one in the room, those types of things.
But none of that could harm her, not when her love was near. She buried her face into his shoulder and breathed in his mint and soap with a hint of spice smell. She loved and never could get enough of the strange scent. It fit him so well. It seemed to her they had been walking down this hall forever when Severus suddenly brought them to an abrupt halt. They had finally arrived at Merlin's portrait. Unlike the others, he was wide awake and waiting.
"Wingbrothers," Severus offered, "and make certain we are not disturbed." His words sent a delightful shiver down her spine as the portrait swung aside to reveal the dimly lit interior. Releasing his arm from her waist, he took instead her hand and guided her with ease through the maze of furniture to the bedroom door. He glanced back at her as they reached it, an undeterminable expression on his face. Expectance? Longing? Certainly both of them had been longing for this moment. He drew her inside, allowing the door to remain open. Fear perhaps? But what would he have to fear? Then she discovered she too held fear along with the breathless excitement of his body being so close to her own. His lips were by her ear.
"Are you ready?" How could she not be? The aching need for him had been within her for so long. A small, seductive smile curled around her lips as she stood on tip-toes till her lips hovered above his.
"I've been waiting a long time for this moment, heartling." And kissed him. He returned it enthusiastically, deepening it as he drew her to the bed. With one hand he charmed the door closed and locked. No one would be able to enter.
(A/N: What, did you people think I was going to go into what went on in there? Hell no! That is behind closed doors.)
Harry sat on his bed in the Headmaster's Tower, idly stroking Amanda's fur as she slept. Even though she was deep asleep, soft purring rose from her. All of the animals that normally resided in the Dungeon quarters were staying with him for the next week. The creatures had mutually agreed to leave the new couple in peace and allow them some much need privacy. Su Lin and Octavian, who surprisingly got along well, were wrapped around each other on the chair atop his scarlet cloak. Or rather, Tave was wrapped around her neck and head, covering her white ankh with his diamond head. He wasn't sure he understood that relationship; the two worked well together, better than any of the other animal pairings. It was true Rowena was a good teammate and one that blended well with their particular cohesion but it was best if the cat and snake worked together.
In one corner was a cauldron bubbling softly, its gentle popping sound adding a soothing background noise to the room's warm atmosphere. There was no need to monitor its progress; it would be another week before he had to add in the final ingredient. It was one of the projects his father had him running. Though his N.E.W.T.'s were behind him Severus wanted to impress upon him the need to continue his studies so he would continue to progress. The ice mage had informed him that to brew Potions at the level he did now would take years of practice. Harry wanted to learn, very much so and had taken to this hard-line teaching with a vengeance. Severus had been pleased, though had not shown it, and taken the role of task master with a grim determination to work his boy to the ground. Harry knew this and did not care.
Seri, Lupin and Kit had taken up this same attitude and Harry found his schedule filling out once more. When ever they had a spare period, it was devoted to his training or the training of the seven. They worked together as much as possible but more often than not is was them working in groups of five or three.
Glancing at the grandfather clock he discovered it to be three in the morning. The reception had gone on till almost midnight and after two hours of helping the house-elves clean up the mess and another for a shower he was ready for bed but there was something he had to do first. As if hearing his thoughts, the dresser opened and a black leather bound book floated out and into his lap. Not far behind that was an ink well and quill. He ran his finger-tips over the silver lettering: H P-S-D. Ron and Hermione had given it to him as an early Christmas gift when they had learned of his frequent nightmare/visions. He kept the Dream Journal faithfully and it was already a quarter full. But tonight he would not be adding to it but instead he opened it to the very first page. The first entry had not been a dream but the premonitions he had had in Divination. Beside each was a small box with checks in them and he added another. So far he'd checked off when Seri and Kit had been taken by Voldemort and Draco and Kit being family. The other, with Draco kneeling before the Dark Lord, he had crossed out. His reasoning was that Draco's future had been uncertain at the time and it had presented two possibilities. Now that it was, there was no longer any need to consider it. And now he'd checked off the wedding.
He frowned at the parchment and shook his head. That left only one prediction left: him kneeling before Voldemort.
A/N: Yeah, I know I suck for giving you that kind of ending to such a joyful chapter and should be damned to the bowels of hell but if I was, I couldn't finish, now could I? That might be a good thing, I don't think I want to know where this is headed. Hush, Sev. You mean you don't know either? Not a clue, Harry. We're her muses, we ought to know. *Looks offended* I don't tell you guys everything. I promise it will be good! *snort* *snort* *snort*. *rolls her eyes*
*This style of talking to my muses is borrowed from Saerry Snape. May she live long and continue to write on her stories!*
A/N: Again, I beg forgiveness for taking so long but with school and Carousel I had to get up early and try and finish this. Now that school is over, I should be able to get more done. If it's any consolation, I've already started on the next chapter, I'm five pages into it. Please don't hurt me and instead review as that prods me along faster! Thanks again, GC!
If you would like to read about when Severus turned two, go to www.gsfi.bravepages.com and to the forum. It is by Rosaleen, a very talented writer and it is quite an enjoyable read, very funny indeed.