HP Life after Hogwarts
Chapter 15
Pomp en circumstance
--
The three day royal weekend begins starting with the girls christening…followed by the royal wedding...
--
The girls were angels at their christening and were happy to snooze the rest of the afternoon away, while their parents settled the issue of the sword in the stone.
"Let's pose for the press in front of the castle and if the six of us wish to pull the sword from the stone then all the better for us." Harry suggested after coming back from checking on the girls.
"That's an excellent idea, lion. Let's see if we can make the rest of the sharks lose their mental faculties." Hermione kissed his cheek.
"As fun as that sounds, we can't. Dad made me promise to let Kings handle protecting us while in the muggle eye." Harry kissed her on the nose.
"That's as it should be, after all it's his job is it not." Katherine Granger agreed with James decision on the matter.
"Katherine, dearest, it's Harry's job as well, but this way neither of them have to worry about dealing with those simpletons." Alex saw both sides of the problem and pointed them out to her.
"Harry is a trained Auror, as well as the Next Merlin, and has no difficulty keeping us safe. We will indulge the lot of you, but only to ease your minds and nothing more." Hermione said coolly.
"Spoken like a future Queen. It is kind of you to allow Kingsley to feel included in your lives. After all, he has been guarding you since your fifth year." Stephen raised his glass of champagne in toast to her.
"All of you need to keep in mind that they have kept each other safe for years, so it's understandable that they're reluctant to hand over that duty to anyone else." Anna reminded them.
"Well said Anna." Violet agreed with her in the matter.
"Although, James does have a point in wanting to keep them out of the spotlight as much as possible, when dealing with the Muggle press." Harrison countered.
"I promise to try to that's all you're gonna get from me." Harry grumbled under his breath.
"That's all we ask of you, baby, now go outside, and entertain the press." Lily winked at him.
"Let's make the historians really scratch their heads." Henry was in the mood to make everyone question everything they knew about England's legend and lore.
"Anything to take the spotlight off me, about a crown I do not want."
"That's Wills job and he can have it." Henry was in complete agreement with Harry, as they left the room to go make a surprise appearance in front of the castle.
"Don't think that you're off the hook little brothers, like it or not you will always be connected to the crown." Wills linked arms with Rory and they too left the room.
"Especially, after they pull the sword from the stone." Rory smirked.
--
"Your Highnesses, are you gonna try to pull the sword from the stone?" The reporter from The Daily Gazette shouted at them as soon as all of them stepped outside in front of Windsor Castle.
"All right, you lot get your arses back behind the barrier!" Smitty had not expected this and was trying to rein the press back behind the barrier.
Wills grinned at the throng of reports, as he easily pulled the sword from the stone. "Somehow I thought it would be more of a challenge than that." He examined the sword that he now held in his hands, "Nice sword though." He put the sword back in its resting place.
"Hey, now if you can do it so can I!" Henry took a turn and achieved the same results.
This had the throng of onlookers and reporters gasping in amazement.
"Welcome to the club." Wills and Harry clapped Henry on the back.
"Welcome to the club, my foot! Move out-of-the-way!" Rory scoffed.
"Be my guest tigress it's right in front of us." Wills placed her hands on the hilt of the famous sword.
"Princess, only men can remove the sword from the stone! Everyone knows that, why do ya wanna go n' embarrass yourself!" A snide reporter from The Royal Watcher shouted.
"Oi that's right it's a men's only club n' if she goes n' does it I'll change me career!" One of the paparazzi chuckled.
"I'll go one even better 500 quid the princess can't even budge the sword!" Someone from The Sun shouted.
"Nah, mate that's too low of a bet 1000 quid says she can't do it!" Echoed another from The Daily Mirror.
"5000 quid from each of you blokes to my foundation says she can." Harry countered with a challenge of his own.
"Oi, that's a lot of dosh Your Highness." A group of paparazzi frowned.
"You make that with a mediocre photo of any of us, so ante up, or are all you lot yellow?" Wills upped the ante even more. "I'll make it even more of a challenge. I'll wager that Dromi and Hermione will achieve getting the sword as well."
"I'll do one even better than that if we do the impossible you lot have to give us our space and privacy until all of our kids graduate from university." Hermione saw a chance to take out most of the sharks that dogged them wherever they went in public and took it.
"I don't know Princess, that's a shedload of dosh ta risk over a wager." The one from The Tattler frowned.
"We aren't the only celebrities on the planet. We know damn well that you won't starve if our girls perform the impossible. Think of it gents the odds are stacked heavily in your favor." Henry saw this as getting even and upped the pressure for them to agree to the wager.
"If they succeed you honor the wager. It's not like you can back out we have witnesses." Wills pointed out all the LIVE media cameras. "So you will all have to sign an agreement stating that you will abide to what was agreed on as well."
The paparazzi added a clause of their own to the deal. "If they don't succeed then you'll let us do our jobs and we get to take any shot that we like."
"Deal," Harry nodded.
"Yes, I'm agreeing with that." Wills nodded as well. "All that's left is for us to shake on it then."
To their delight, the worst of the lot came up to agree to the bet, as well as many other tabloid reporters.
"All right then ladies, let's make our lives a hell of a lot easier." Rory easily pulled the sword from the stone. "What I wouldn't give to see all of their stunned faces, all I can make out are blurry images of stunned members of the press."
"Colin is covering it for the paper and Dennis is doing a video for us as well." Wills took her hands in his and they returned the sword to the stone together. "That's my girl." He stepped away from the stone so Dromi could have her turn and then turned Rory in his arms kissing her soundly on the mouth.
Dromi stepped up to the sword in the stone. "My turn now I suppose." She managed the impossible in seconds.
"Oh boys, it doesn't look good for you now does it." Henry loved that they one-upped them for a change. "Angel, I bet Mum is laughing from above." Henry pulled her to him and kissed her. "Well done love, well done indeed."
Hermione took the sword from Dromi and slid it back into the stone. "What do you think? I would imagine that if I can hold the sword and put it back into the stone that odds are I can easily take it back out of its resting place." Her eyes never left the dumbfounded members of the press as she achieved the impossible not once, but twice. "I have this best-selling book titled The Pendragon LegacyI would suggest that all of you read it. It explains all about the true origin of the sword as well as the Pendragon legacy that goes with it."
The hoodwinked members of the press of course started shouting that they had been tricked, but Harry put a stop to it by saying. "All of you know that this famous sword appears where it needs to be. I can assure you that no trickery was used, in fact feel free to see for yourself."
None of them, not one could get near the stone let alone touch the sword.
Draco decided to try it just for fun, as did Ginny. "Well it worked for us."
Ron and Luna also took a try and succeeded in the task. "Us too go figure."
James, Lily, Sirius, and Stephen also succeeded.
"Let me have a go at it." Andrew although not able to even budge the sword could at least touch it. "Guess not." He grinned sheepishly.
The sword having fulfilled its task began to glow; as did the stone, and then in a brilliant flash of light it was gone.
No one could believe what had happened in front of their eyes and were still staring and pointing at where the sword and the stone had once been.
"Well now gents and I use the term loosely. You owe our foundation 5000 quid each and have to give us our privacy until our kids are all graduated from university. Now you do realize that failure to honor that agreement will result with you ending in the pokey." Wills was so pleased by the turn of events that thirty-four weeks at Sandhurst wasn't that dreadful after all. "This is Smitty and Shacklebolt you are to provide them with your press credentials, ID, and then expect to have a restraining order in your pockets by evening.
"Cheer up gents. You still have Hollywood and the like to stalk. Now here is where you really aren't going to like me. Your list of targets no longer includes all of our family in case you need examples then here are some. Uncle Andrew, Aunt Sarah, their girls, Lady Katarina and Lord Cedric Diggory, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Clay Aiken, and Josh Groban. Those ones are family to us and are to be left alone." Harry laid down the law.
"That also includes JK Rowling as well." Hermione glared at him for forgetting to include Jo as family.
"Yeah sorry that was crass of me of course Jo as well." Harry grumbled.
"Looks like you lot are going to be spending a shedload of time across the pond, now that we're off your targeting scopes that is unless it's for official appearances and the like. Other than that our private lives are just that off your radar until all of our kids are well into their 20's." Henry loved having the last laugh it seemed like this was eight years coming and their mother was going to approve of their little coup.
"We've got a rehearsal dinner to attend in a few hours, so see you at the wedding tomorrow." Harry led Hermione back through the gates; everyone followed them except for their handlers who were happily taking down names.
The roar of approval from the onlookers and respectable members of the press and media made them all smile.
--
"Well done grandson, I'm proud of you." Merlin was waiting for them in the courtyard by the Queen's apartments.
"Yes that was brilliant thinking!" Diana appeared beside Wills.
"They put their feet in it, so we made it worth our while." Harry twirled Hermione around and she laughed.
"We sure did. I doubt they'll ever wager anything again and we get peace of mind for twenty years plus!" Hermione threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"The vultures are once again locked down in their cages! This is indeed a joyous day!" Henry kissed Dromi.
"Talk about a brilliant strategy! Did you plan that or was it all off the cuff?" Wills grinned at Harry and Hermione.
"Yes you two were brilliant as was my Dreamboat William..." Wills silenced her with a kiss after she said the magic word that drove him mad.
"All of us were brilliant by using their greed against them." Harry was pleased with their coup.
"First-Gramps?"
"Yes Draco."
"Where did the sword vanish to?"
"The sword remains in its new resting place the Wizarding tower at Sanctuary. Where its rightful heir will continue his training with me," Merlin smirked when Harry stared at him in surprise. "Oh no grandson your training is far from complete. I'm giving you this precious time with the triplets, but then your training with me and Hermione's training with Mab will continue."
"Nice one First-Grandpa. I thought that they were only being given a gap year." Rory smirked.
"How long is precious time in your eyes?" Hermione needed to know an idea of how long they were going to have freedom.
"To quote my grandson when all three of your girls are walking, potty trained, and well into speaking their first sentences then your training will recommence." Merlin looked over at Stephen, James, and Lily who didn't look pleased with him. "Do you have a problem with this?"
"Not as long as we get him as well." James scowled.
"Hermione has her Healer training with us as well as with First-Grams Mab." Lily reminded him.
"Isn't that touching honey they're fighting over us. Doesn't that make you feel loved?" Harry drawled sarcastically as they continued to discuss their future free time as if the two of them weren't even there.
"It's nice to be wanted, but we may just focus on writing for a living instead." Hermione spoke up. "Training with First-Grams and Gramps is a given not a choice, but the other is by choice. We're both excellent at writing and this way we're always around our girls."
"I did enjoy writing the first two manuscripts and my next one is gonna be our sixth year seen through our eyes, hell, I might just do from first year on. Now as for the other, as I am a natural born Auror, I'll be there when you need me. Mione will do as she always does and follow where her heart leads her and we will perform our duties as Crowned Prince and Princess of our world. Now as for training with First-Gramps that's a given as well as a necessity." Harry ended the discussion.
"Spoken like a true future King and Queen of our world. Mab and I are looking forward to watching the little ones tomorrow. Try to enjoy yourselves and not think of it as a task that you have to follow through with. The people are looking forward to your big day tomorrow." Merlin vanished.
Harry laid his chin on the top of Hermione's head and sighed. "Tomorrow is going to be one interesting day."
"Only two days to go and we'll be able to relax." She buried her face against his chest.
"From your lips to the powers ears," Harry hugged her close.
"Tomorrow is gonna be a day that you won't ever forget. Remember the people of this country need this boost of happiness, that yours is a love that will endure for eternity, and that's all that matters in the end." Di winked at the two of them.
"Thanks Aunt Diana we needed to hear that." Hermione smiled at her.
"Yeah, it puts tomorrow into perspective for us." Harry wasn't dreading Saturday anymore, but looking forward to making the people of England smile again.
--
London decked out to the nines and everyone queued along the streets to get a front row view of the royal wedding parade. In an hour's time, what everyone had come to call the United Kingdoms forgotten royal family would be carried by horse drawn carriages, with their royal counterparts, towards St. Paul's Cathedral.
Lampposts were decorated in spectacular fall glory in honor of the occasion, as was the entire parade route to the Cathedral. London was going all-out to show the world that not even the everyday threat of a bomber was going to ruin this time to shine in the eyes of the world. Security was so high that all the onlookers felt safe. Any doubt whether this new royal family were not worthy of such a celebration had vanished on Friday afternoon. When the world had witnessed them pull the famous sword from its stone. England and the UK had also officially dubbed them the forgotten royals and true heirs to its throne. It was clear though the Pendragon's were content to let the Windsor Royal Family remain on England's throne. After all, three of their own were either engaged to or already married into the Windsor family.
--
Buckingham Palace
Hermione had once again undergone the ritual that she had endured when she was handfasted to Harry. Lady Ariel and Lady Mabel had arrived looking like they were professional make-up and hairstylist and then tended to her like a princess of Avalon. She was bathed, lotioned, powdered, and then forced to don what seemed like endless undergarments of the finest silk, satin, and lace. When they were satisfied, she stepped into her Mab-original wedding gown, they did a glamour spell to create the perfect look for her big day, and then with their task complete they wished her well, and vanished back to Avalon.
"So are you nervous?" Nanda asked Hermione.
"This is wedding number three, so no I'm not nervous at all. I'm happy that we can bring smiles to all of their faces again." Hermione smiled at her friend. "So how does it feel, being a part of this instead of just looking in?"
Nanda turned her digital video recorder on herself and said. "Well, I'm honored that you included me and nervous that I'm going to trip or fall flat on my face."
"Nonsense you'll be fine." Hermione adjusted her veil as she took in her appearance in the floor-length tri-mirror. "Are you all right Rory?"
Rory was not happy about having to sit in the family pews. "I'm temporarily sight impaired not unable to walk. I can still be one of your attendants." She pouted.
"Well then why don't you?" Hermione walked over and took her hand in hers. "I'm not going to stop you. I want you and Dromi to be there with me."
"Yes Rory, we'll be with you, so in that slim chance that you need us we're there." Dromi hugged her twin.
"I love our gowns. We're like autumn princesses." Emma twirled around in her dress that was the color of flames.
"We look very much like fairies or nymphs in these glorious creations." Ginny agreed.
"Well it's fall, so we went with autumn colors despite what the royal planners wanted. Kate you did a marvelous job designing their gowns. It's just like I imagined them." Hermione hugged Lady Kate Channing-Diggory.
Kate at five months pregnant was happy to sit in the family pews, while the others took the spotlight. "I had plenty of inspiration." She bent down to fuss with the colorful skirts of Bree, Binky, Moria, and Ami's dresses. "You four look beautiful."
"Sissy is the one who looks beautiful." Bree smiled shyly.
"She's right Hermione; you look very much the fairytale princess." Luna smiled serenely at her.
"No one can beat a Grandma Mab original." Thea winked at her.
Hermione had elected to wear her Mab original instead of the thirty-pound designer masterpiece with the twenty-foot train. The Mab original was a gown made of the finest silk, satin, and intricate lace and jewels winked from the fabric and had a royal cloak to match. It seemed fitting to wear her fairy princess wedding gown. The jewels of Mary Queen of Scots that Elizabeth had given her on her second wedding. The sapphire and diamond pin that her mother had given her to wear on her special day, and a crescent moon medallion with three pink diamond stars winking on it that Harry had given her that morning, before they both left for Buckingham palace. She had something from each of her previous weddings which would be with her on this day in front of both her worlds.
"What if they growl about your not wearing the designer original that everyone has been told you're wearing?" Lexi asked.
"This is my day not theirs, besides I will fake an illness if they try." Hermione adjusted the veil around her face. "I'm married this is all for show, so their hands are tied." She glanced over at Lexi who was looking at her with envy. "I plan to give it to eBay and the money can go to the foundation that is unless you want it Lexi."
"Me?" Lexi's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I'm not sure a thirty-pound gown with a twenty foot train is what I wish for my wedding to Seamus."
"Lexi has always had her heart set on wearing mama's wedding gown." Binky winked at her sister.
"Well then follow your heart and wear it." Hermione hugged her. "This dress has layer upon layer to it, but it feels light as a feather, because First-Grams designed it that way."
Nanda decided that this was one day that she didn't want to share with The Insider and shut down her personal video cam. "You are a royal, so it won't surprise anyone if you had dresses to choose from." She went over to the dress that was still hanging in its garment bag and unzipped it. "This dress is beautiful, but then again that's spectacular so good choice."
Dromi walked over to look at the gown. "Nanda is right this is beautiful, but that one makes it look plain."
"Did you really think that they could outdo First-Grams?" Rory grinned.
"I should think not." Mab appeared in the room. "Mortals may try to copy our creations, but to do so is taking on the impossible."
"Is something wrong with the girls?" Hermione worriedly bit down on her lip.
"No child nothing is amiss with your little pixies. My husband is happily entertaining them. I have come to see my Granddaughter on her wedding day." Mab hugged her, "You look very much the princess of the realm, and my Grandson is going to be pleased." She looked over at Rory and sighed. "Come here child. Clearly Lord Raden is lacking in his ability to heal."
"Now First-Grams be nice, no one is as good at healing as you are. I was just humoring him until you arrived back in Avalon." Rory gladly let her heal her injured eyes.
"My Merlin assured me that Lord Raden had healed your eyes, otherwise I would have returned from my sisters forthwith." Mab was not pleased with her husband. "There now, open your eyes and see properly again."
Rory opened her eyes and was once again able to see. "Thank you Grams. Are you staying for the wedding?" Rory asked as she hugged her.
"I'm here to see if any of you need any finishing touches. Mabel and Ariel tended to Hermione, but did not focus on the rest of you." Mab surveyed them all with a displeased look on her face. "The gown needs nothing, it was designed after my own wedding gown, and therefore is perfection. The rest of you nevertheless need some final changes." She went about adding accessories like crowns of jeweled flowers on their heads with all the jewelry to match. She had each of them stand in line and within moments worked her magic, so they indeed looked like fairies of the realm, and members of the royal court.
"Now I know how Cinderella felt." Bree happily twirled around in front of the mirrors.
"That may be so, but I promise that none of your gowns will turn into rags nor will your carriage turn back into a pumpkin at the stroke of twelve." Mab winked a Bree. "Now let's see about the bride." She focused on Hermione. "We shall indulge Elizabeth and have you wear those jewels. After all, you are wearing what I gave you it's only fitting that you wear what she gave to you as well. Nonetheless, that veil needs fixing and those slippers as well." Hermione now wore a knee length veil of intricate lace that winked with jewels and tiny iridescent pearls and her feet were comfortably shod in glass slippers.
Hermione looked down at her feet and giggled. "I shall try not to lose one a midnight."
"Sabrina inspired me." Mab smiled. "Now you are ready for your wedding day."
--
Harry revealed the surprise that he had for Hermione, an eternity band that matched her wedding ring. "I had it made for her to give to her on this day."
"She'll love it." Wills had been about to ask him how he was going to handle the ring part of the ceremony.
"I was barely able to get to the palace this morning, because of the queue of onlookers, and the added security around the city." Daniel was on his second cup of coffee, as he tried to shake the jet lag from just getting in from Australia. "Remind me to not cut things so short next time." He yawned. "I haven't even gotten to see Emma yet."
"Well that's life when you're a big time movie star now." Harry teased. "So how is the movie going?"
"It's a breath of fresh air and something new from playing you all the time. Emma sent me a video clip of your interview and I know all about your displeasure with Jo's version of HBP. I packed the journals with me in case you need them for writing your own version of your sixth year. I was just as shocked as you were, since nothing in her HBP happened in your life. I didn't wish to ruin your happiness with Hermione, that and you were awaiting the births of your girls, so I kept mum about it. I'm sorry that we had to accept being their godparents by phone, but Emma was called to the studio for some last minute voice work for the GOF and I was on a plane coming here."
"You were there in spirit and that's all that mattered." Harry was just happy that he had made it for the big day. "Now as for the other, you and everyone else in my life decided to shelter us from the book, and I promised Hermione to stay clear of it until after this weekend."
"Logan, are you sure that you can do this you look nervous." Daniel frowned at Logan, who was getting paler by the second as he looked outside.
"I can handle it." Logan growled hoarsely.
"Look Logan, no one wants you fainting in front of the world, so you don't have to do this." Harry eyed him worriedly.
"I'll be fine." Logan tried to sound certain of himself, but failed miserably. "I am not gonna lose the bet with Dad. It involves training the Auror recruits on field assignments and I really don't wish to do that, so I'm gonna do this."
"Well then that's great, so Ron how are you doing?" Harry turned his attention to Ron.
"Uh, I'm all right." Ron was staring out the windows and could see the people queued as far as the eye could see. "This has to rival anything the Wizarding World has ever seen."
"Draco you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm great." Draco was also looking out the windows at the crowds of people. "London went all out for this that's for sure."
"The PM jumped at the chance to show the world that London can throw a great party and to hell with the gits who wish us to cower in our homes." Henry looked very much the future Royal Army Lieutenant in his dress uniform, as did Wills the future King.
"They won't try anything today. We're working with the Muggle MI-6 and MI-5, Metro, and Scotland Yard. We've snuffed most of them out. London is in for a peaceful, joyous, celebration." James entered the rooms.
"That's good to know. We're all set here. How are the girls coming along?" Harry was more than ready to get on with it.
"It's time for this show to make its way to the Cathedral." Andrew walked in dressed in his royal finery.
"That's fine by me. Is Grandpa still set on crowning us?" Harry asked his father.
"That he is son." James nodded.
"How exactly is he gonna do that? I mean a Muggle archbishop can't do the honors, it has to be from the highest ranking wizard of our world." Draco frowned.
"Is Uncle Albus gonna do the honors?" Asked Harry.
"Uncle Albus isn't the highest ranking wizard, son. No it won't be him crowning you."
"First-Grandpa is doing the honors?"
James nodded.
"How is that possible when he's supposed to be watching the littlest of the family?" Ron frowned.
"Celestra, Cameron, Xander, Chloe, Ariel, and Talon are watching them. Mab and Merlin are attending the wedding." James explained.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Merlin appeared dressed in royal finery and not Wizarding attire. "I crowned Arthur and I intend to crown you as well. It's one perk that I refuse to delegate to anyone not even Stephen or Albus."
"At least you added some silver to your temples and a wrinkle or two to your face." Harry sighed in defeat.
"No one is going to out our world. They'll think the Isle has a fountain of youth or that excellent genes run in our bloodline." Merlin winked at him. "Excalibur exists therefore even the most skeptical of the muggles knows that magic is real and not only found in fairy tales or lore. Camelot existed and you are its direct descendents. It also proves that I exist as well as Mab."
"Actually, one look at the family side of the pews will shout to everyone that Hogwarts might not be fiction after all." Daniel pointed out.
"Enough, let's go before I lose my nerve." Harry ended the discussion by leaving the room.
--
The media and the world watched as the guests arrived for the wedding, many of whom resembled Jo Rowling's cast of famous fictional characters, smartly decked out in fine Muggle dresses and suits, instead of Wizarding robes and hats.
Smartly dressed ushers led them to their seats. Dean, Seamus, Sean, Alan, and Neville were the ushers.
"This is an amazing turn out." Dean stood just inside the front entrance, but he had a clear view of what was happening outside the Cathedrals open doors.
"I know. They say it's being broadcast all over the bloomin planet." Seamus pointed out the various spots where the networks had to set up shop.
"I'm glad I'm an usher and not a groomsman this time round." Neville eyed the massive queue of people nervously.
"The kids are sure havin' a time of it though." Seamus watched as his little brother and Kate's little brother escorted the guests to their seats.
"They feel important and lucky as hell to get to experience today and Sunday, while everyone else gets to watch at the castle." Dean grinned.
"Well, at least Padma and Lavender aren't upset about not being one of Hermione's attendants." Seamus waved at the two of them from where they were seated in the VIP section that included them with the Lupin's, Black-Du Lac's, Weasley's, Evan's, Dumbledore's, Snape's, Pendragon's, and more.
"They aren't wishing for all the attention anymore, but are happy for her just the same." Neville had just come back from escorting some of the entertainment world's Magic's finest to their seats.
"Trust me when I say that being famous is not all that it's cracked up to be." Clay had arrived for the wedding.
"What no date?" Seamus smirked when he saw that he had come alone.
"No time to date." Clay shrugged his shoulders, "I've got the new album to work on, a Christmas tour, the event tomorrow, UNICEF, the list is endless."
"Looks like it's the same for Josh as well," Dean smirked.
"Hey, I'll have you know that many guys go stag to weddings, besides I've got no time these days! It does not mean that I don't date! It's hell on a relationship when you aren't there forty weeks out of the year." Josh growled in his defense.
"Easy Josh, no one thinks it's a big deal, so relax." Seamus grinned at him. "Follow me mates and I will show you to your seats."
"Don't look now, but Access Hollywood just slipped past the barrier and is heading this way." The two were not in the mood to deal with that today.
"Not to worry mates. You follow Seamus while we handle them." Dean chuckled when the two took him up on his offer and went off to take their seats.
"Sorry gent, but no invite no entrance." Neville prevented Access Hollywood from entering the Cathedral.
"You'll have to make-do with the feed everyone else is getting." Dean growled.
"It was worth a shot. So who are you two, and how are you associated with the royal couple?" Billy turned the camera on the two of them.
"I'm Dean and this is Neville the two of us are mates of theirs."
"How about that we've got two real life versions of JK Rowling's characters right in front of us." Billy grinned at the camera before returning his attention on them. "So, how do you like having someone use your likenesses for their famous book series?"
"To be honest this last book wasn't worth the paper it was written on, but the other five weren't so bad, then again I'm not the star of them now am I." Dean answered honestly.
"He's right. We're not the star of them Harry is. He's the one who has to live with being stared at by everyone." Neville frowned.
"I see your point," Billy nodded. "It's understandable that he wouldn't be a fan of the books nor would I think that Princess Hermione would be for that matter."
"I think Jo Rowling is just twisting things around to sell more copy. Nev here is with Lavender, Dean is with Padma, and I'm here with Lexi. She happens to be a cousin of Harry's, and one of Hermione's attendants. Now with that said you are to take yourself back outside were ya belong. The guests are starting to queue up behind ya." Seamus ended the interview.
"And you are?"
"The names Seamus. Now get back outside where you belong."
"Is there a problem here?" Albus asked.
Stephen, Sirius, Remus, Max, and Severus all strode over to see what was going on.
"No Professor, no problem here." Dean growled.
"The press has plenty of access feed to use for their stories. You need to go back to your assigned position now." Sirius growled.
"Yes, please do so or I will press this and have you thrown out on your arse." Stephen was not pleased. "This is my grandson's wedding not your media playground."
Billy took a step backwards.
"I'll send for Kingsley just to make certain that no one else breaks rank." Max took out his mobile.
"As you can see this family is very protective of their own. Now please go back to your assigned press location." Remus growled.
"Or we can have you thrown out on your arse. The choice of course is yours." Severus snarled.
"This is astounding! We are being asked to leave by none other than his majesty, King Stephen; Albus Dumbledore who by the way as you can see is very much alive. It appears to be Sirius Black also alive by the way, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape at least I think it's him since his hair is blonde and not black, and some unknown man as well." Billy played up to the camera.
"The name is Maxwell Dumbledore that is my father Albus and here comes my mother Minerva." Max scowled at him. "You however are not going to get a chance to meet her because you are leaving."
"Let's go you." Kingsley was not amused. "It's back to your assigned area or am I going to have to have Smitty arrest you and your entire crew?" Kingsley glowered at them.
"Looks like it's back behind the barrier for us, but you got a peak at the real-life versions of JKR's famous characters." Kingsley led off Billy and his crew back to their assigned station.
"Bloody yanks are a pain in the arse." Max grumbled.
"It's in their nature to be curious." Albus was amused by the whole situation. "Now let us go back to our seats, the boys need to finish escorting the guests inside. It looks as if the wedding party is making its way to the Cathedral."
"Oh really Uncle Albus, what gave it away the cheering crowd." Sirius smirked.
Jo arrived for the wedding. "I just made it."
"Hello, Jo, it might not have been a good idea for you to attend the wedding today." Albus smiled at her while the others remained standoffish. "As you can see your latest creation hasn't been the favorite book of the year for most of us."
"Ya got it all bloomin wrong is what ya did." Seamus grumbled.
"It wasn't even close not by a mile." Dean muttered.
"It wasn't very nice of you to do that when we sacrificed so much during that year." Neville narrowed his eyes at her.
"Don't even get me started." Sirius snarled darkly.
"I know that it may not be to your liking, but I wanted to make it more mine and less his. I had the other manuscript and went with it. I am planning to make amends to all of you soon, please see that as my way of trying to make it right again." Jo had never felt like more of an outsider in her life and it stung.
"Harry is beyond upset about it, Hermione isn't happy either, so to not put a shadow on their day you are going to be seated out of his sight." Lupin stated coldly.
"I think what you created was dark and unnecessary it was a turn around from what you created before and it may well put a dark mark on the rest of your series. I don't know what influenced you to write such rubbish about all of them, but you will not ruin this day for them." Minerva was beyond furious with her.
"It wasn't until recently that Harry discovered that you changed the entire story line and he wasn't happy with being confronted by that. In fact he and Hermione are going to be writing their own version of that time and are even thinking of doing the entire series through their eyes and words. This rift between the two of you may take a great deal of time to heal, so please try to understand this." Albus was more understanding with her.
"I had no idea that he was so upset about it. I was under the assumption that this is what he wanted, to be free of the entire series, and to have his life remain his. I will admit that this was one of my darker writing periods and that it is the darkest book yet, but I had two directions with which I could take the story and chose the later of the two." Jo flushed crimson at being verbally told off by all of them. "I am going to share this day with them and I assure you that I will make sure that he does not catch sight of me."
"You disappoint me." Severus growled. "I respected you and your work, but now I realize that you were only in it for the money you could make and not to tell his story to the world. It is an insult that you even use any of our names. He might forgive you for such insolence. He has that kind streak in him, but I will never forgive you for turning me into something on paper that I was not and never will be. I would never kill the man whom I have always seen as like a father. How dare you assume that about me or about Draco, for that I will never forgive you." Severus had his say and then stalked off to where Sibyll was waiting for him.
"I think that she has had enough of a tongue-lashing for now. Neville please escort her to her seat." Albus ended the heated discussion.
"Yes Professor, this way Madame."
--
Harry and Hermione would be the last carriage to arrive, as the first of the parade of horse drawn carriages arrived in front of the Cathedral steps.
"Just think Wills, the next big bash will be ours." Henry waved and smiled at everyone as the carriage stopped.
"I try to not think of it little brother, but thanks for the reminder." Wills smiled and waved at the crowd, as they got out of the carriage and stepped onto the red carpet runner that led into the Cathedral.
"It's just part of whom you are, so just smile, wave, and indulge your loyal subjects." Andrew helped his mother out of the carriage.
"The people needed this day of celebration, so indulge them." Elizabeth gave them a regal look before Andrew escorted her into the Cathedral.
This was followed by another carriage containing members of the Windsor Royal Family all of which left the carriage and went immediately up the steps and into the cathedral.
Next to come were Hermione's parents, Bastion, Moria, Binky, Ami, and Bree.
Alex decided to wait outside with Wills, while he told Bastion to escort his mother and the girls inside the cathedral.
"Just think Uncle Alex, she used to vow that she would never marry a prince or anyone royal, because it involved too much Pomp en circumstance." Wills grinned.
"And look at her now she's a Crowned Princess of Avalon." Henry smirked.
"All that matters boys is that she's happier than she's ever been in her life." Alex smiled and waved at the cheering crowd.
The next carriages arrived with the groomsman and the bridesmaids. The crowd went wild when Wills swept Rory into his arms and kissed her and the noise reached a deafening pitch when Henry did the same with Dromi.
"I know that you hate them, but those glasses were protecting your eyes while they heal." Wills set her back on her feet.
"First-Grams made them all better." Rory smiled up at him. "You look devastatingly handsome my dreamboat William."
Wills reacted to this by kissing her mindless in front of everyone.
Henry was still kissing Dromi when the carriage with James, Lily, Mab, and Merlin arrived.
"You've given them enough of a show." James tapped them both on the shoulders. "It's time to focus on the task at hand."
"Relax James the people love it." Lily kissed him.
"Sorry about that we'll try to behave, but we're storing kisses in our memory to last during our time apart." Wills and Henry reluctantly broke off their kisses with their wives.
"Oh, no need to apologize, you're in love." Lily smiled at them. "James let's give the kids their time to shine and go inside."
"Behave." James growled at them before escorting Lily into the Cathedral.
"Don't listen to him carry on kissing my granddaughters." Merlin winked at them as he escorted Mab into the Cathedral.
Draco kissed Ginny, Ron kissed Luna, Logan kissed Thea, and to everyone's delight and surprise Daniel kissed Emma.
"Well now we can't have you left out now can we." Seamus walked down the steps took Lexi in his arms and kissed her.
"I think we might just be a bad influence on them." Wills and Henry grinned.
"No it's just love." Dromi and Rory sighed.
"Hey, now let's get it together, it's show time." Wills went about breaking them all up as did Henry.
"By Merlin, I can't hear myself think the crowd is so loud." Logan nearly shouted as the final carriage with Harry and Hermione pulled up in front of the Cathedral steps.
"I know it's unreal isn't it!" Thea answered back.
Harry stepped down onto the red carpet and offered his had to Hermione. "Is it too late to change our minds?" He teased her when the crowd went wild as soon as her glass slippered foot stepped onto the coach step and she took his hand in her own.
"This turnout is for us?" Hermione let Harry help her down from the coach and smiled up at him.
"Looks like," Harry led her up the stairs to the first landing where Ginny, Luna, and Kate fussed with her gown until it was perfect.
"You look beautiful sweetheart." Alex hugged her.
"Thank you Daddy. If you don't mind I want Harry and I to walk up the aisle together." Hermione kissed his cheek.
"No angel I don't mind at all that's how it should be." Alex hugged her once more then instead of shaking Harry's hand hugged him as well. "You do both worlds proud by agreeing to this, try to enjoy the experience." He left them with that to think about and went inside to join his wife, daughter, and son.
The glass coach had pulled away from the steps and the royal couple of the day was in plain sight of the crowd. Harry and Hermione turned to smile and wave at them. They even broke protocol when Harry lifted her veil and kissed her.
The people went wild with cheers, whistles, and applause.
Then it was time for all of them to disappear into the Cathedral.
Wills and the other groomsman took their places up by the alter, then the bridesmaids slowly made their way up the long aisle and took their places next to them. This was followed by Binky, Bree, Moria, and Ami who strewn fiery rose petals as they walked up the aisle, after that came Rory and Dromi who were her maids of honor. Harry and Hermione made their way up the aisle where the Archbishop was waiting for them. After several choruses from the choir and a lengthy reading from the Archbishop, the two of them exchanged their vows for the third time and he slipped the eternity band onto her finger. It was after another lengthy prayer that he kissed his bride. The guests broke out in applause, as did the crowds outside.
The Archbishop stepped aside and Merlin now stood before them. "It is tradition on our Isle that the first born son be officially crowned on his wedding day. Therefore, it is my honor as the oldest member of the Pendragon family line to crown you both as future heirs to the Pendragon throne.
Harry and Hermione knelt before him and he placed the crowns of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere on their heads. "May you lead your people wisely, justly, and always with a gentle yet firm hand. Do this and your rein will be that of legend. Now rise Crowned Prince and Princess of Avalon and live a long, healthy, bountiful life filled with love and happiness." Merlin smiled at them.
Harry and Hermione rose to face their family, friends, and guests. Most of whom understood the full meaning of what had taken place. They then made their way back down the aisle and outside to the cheering crowd of well-wishers.
Harry treated them by kissing her on Cathedral steps, before they made their way down to the carriage that would slowly take them back to Buckingham Palace. The bells of the Cathedral rang in celebration, as the waving and smiling royal couple started on their way back to the palace
"Seeing them smile like this makes me happy inside." Hermione waved to the crowd.
"I know. Grandpa and Aunt Elizabeth were right the country needed this boost of happiness." Harry brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
"I miss our angels." Hermione sighed, as happy well-wishers showered them with rose petals.
"I miss them too sweetness." Harry sighed.
It was some time before the carriage entered the gates of Buckingham Palace, where to their delight Xander and Chloe were holding their girls, who squealed happily as soon as they saw that it was their mama and dada.
"See luv, I told you that they would settle down as soon as they saw their parents." Xander grinned at his wife.
"They missed them and we both know that Dani wasn't going to settle down until she saw her Da again." Chloe cuddled Dani in her arms.
:Want Dada.: She whimpered unhappily when she was unable to go to him her usual way. :It no work.:
"Your Da will be with you momentarily little one. You see that pretty trinket on your wrist prevents you from using serious magic. There will be no more porting or jinxing for you." Chloe chided her.
"Yes, that was ingenious of Uncle Oberon to create them just for his little Great-Nieces." Xander greeted his cousins with a smile. "We brought you a surprise."
"We were missing them terribly." Hermione took Ally to cuddle in her arms. "That's a pretty bracelet sweetheart did you get that as a present?"
"Those are a gift from Uncle Oberon to your triplets. You'll find that they prevent them from doing serious magic." Xander laughed when Harry grinned at him in approval. "I thought you might like them. I've heard all about that little ones adventures."
:Want Dada, please.: Dani was brooding and wanted to cuddle against her Dada's shoulder.
"She's not happy about her bracelet is she?" Harry cuddled her against his shoulder.
"She liked it fine until she found out about what it does. Now she'll most likely whine at you that it hurts her wrist, but its made to grow with her, so don't give into her pleas." Chloe cautioned him.
"That's reassuring to hear, so these bracelets keep her in check?"
"It takes an incantation recited by her parents, grandparents, or there above to remove it, so even if she figures out the spell she won't be able to remove it from her wrist." Xander explained.
"Well, princess, it looks like you're gonna have to learn patience and normalcy." Harry gave her the gist of the situation.
:Dani still talks to mama and dada.: Dani pouted. :Dani no do fun no more.:
"This is a good thing, now you can focus on sitting up, then crawling, and after that it's your first steps." Hermione tried to reassure her, but Dani chose to bury her face against her fathers shoulder and ignore her.
"Here's the family. Let's take this inside." Harry suggested.
"Good idea." They headed inside the palace and out of the public eye.
--
Harry and Hermione amazed guests and family alike by being able to carry or tend to any of the girls without missing a step in being the proper host and hostess.
"You must take on a nanny. Your schedules will be full, now that you've made your debut to the world." Lady Sophia Channing was the twentieth guest to suggest that to them and it was growing tiresome.
"Sophia is right you two. You'll be balancing your schedule to accommodate both families. It will be an asset to hire a nanny, now when the girls are in need of constant attention." Lord Randal Channing agreed with his wife.
"We appreciate your suggestion, but we have no intention of hiring a nanny now or in the future. We plan to be the ones that tend to them when they're sick. If they have a bad dream, it's going to be us that they run to or crawl into bed with to chase the monsters away. When they scrape a knee it will be us who will tend to it." It was clear that this was a sore spot with Hermione. "I was raised by a nanny, who was wonderful to me, but I would have loved it if my parents had been there for me, instead of focusing on their careers, duties, and what have you. We're closer now for reasons I can't say, but it isn't the closeness that Harry or Gin have with their parents and I envy that. My brother and sister were handfuls from the start, so they had to be parents to them. I am thrilled that they have had that chance with them. It wasn't the case with me and I will not let anyone else raise my kids."
"Our little miracles will be raised by us and that's the end of it. Now if you will excuse us, I believe that it's time for us to make our official appearance on the balcony." Harry noticed that Wills, who had Dani cuddled in the crook of his arm, was trying to get his attention. "As you can see we have no lack of willing family members who don't have any problem with watching our girls."
"I'll take this one, come to Uncle Henry." Henry scooped Mia into his arms. "Mama and Dada have a Kodak moment on the balcony."
"Up you go munchkin," Draco took Ally from Harry. "Your mum and dad are going to kiss and hold hands on the balcony. No need for you to get squished in the process." He kissed her on the nose.
The two of them patiently allowed Franc, Beau, Mab, and Kate to fuss over them, so they would be picture-perfect, as they stepped out to greet what seemed like half of England outside. The French doors opened the crowd went wild as they walked out onto the balcony holding hands.
"Kiss your princess!" The crowd was eager to see them kiss.
Harry had no problem obliging their request. He however didn't just turn his head, lean down, and kiss her like previous royals had done before. He turned to look down into her shining eyes, cradled her face in his hands, and continued to kiss her as if he would cherish her for eternity. It was clear to everyone that this royal couple was madly in love with each other when Hermione threw her arms around his neck and seriously kissed him back. They were still kissing when the rest of the family joined them on the balcony.
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Chapter 16
Music is Magic
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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.
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Cindra 2004-2008