Christmas 2012
The following morning was Christmas Eve. Harry and Ginny ate breakfast with Rowan, well, they ate, Rowan sipped coffee, before she let Harry apparate them to his home. The young couple was making horrid attempts to make small talk. Finally Harry asked if she would like them to go get anyone and bring them to the house. Rowan looked up as they asked, just a bit blank, and said no. Everyone else would be coming in via Muggle Airlines or PortKey on the 30th.
Hermione entered a few hours later to ask for help with the final preparations for Christmas and 'stuff'. As it turns out, 'stuff' was last minute wedding plans. Rowan knew they were in trouble when she walked into the Potter Great Hall and saw the clash of New Year's Eve decorations, intermingled with flowers and a traditional wedding set up for 1000.
Sirius was already standing there, "Hermione, what happened here? It looks like a clash of parties."
Hermione, noticing the air thicken with tension between the two, decided to just ignore it, and explained what had happened. "It's just that people have to sit for a wedding. The reception is kinda before the weddings, so there is no way to prepare for both."
"Uhm, okay, but without stepping on your toes, why don't you have one party at one house, and walk the guests through to another house for the weddings. Doesn't the Cowan Ballroom expand as necessary to accommodate a large group?" The women nodded. "So why not have the party here and the weddings there?"
Hermione shrieked, jumped into the older man's arms, kissed his cheek and ran to find the others. "Guess she liked that idea." Sirius gave his usual bark-like laugh.
As usual when she saw him, or thought of him, or heard his voice, her stomach rolled. Before she could respond, she grabbed her stomach and put a hand over her mouth, running from the room to the nearest loo. He watched her go and groaned, unsure just how long he could take her running away from him. But as pride usually does, it kept him from following her.
Christmas Eve Day was held at the Potter Estate. A few hours before dinner, the staff of the Riddle House was found in various places throughout the Estate. The table groaned under the weight of the food, the laughter and music was everywhere. New faces joined old however, with the Maples and Malfoy's joining them. The staff of the Riddle house, having no charges to help with, joined them as well. Rowan and Sirius stood at opposite ends of the room not looking at one another. Remus decided to stand near Rowan. Sirius glared at him. She moved quietly out of his line of sight and away from her lover. It was easy, as almost seventy people stood in the open foyer as Harry stood to speak.
"Welcome everyone! What a year we have had. The Burrow was completed, the Riddle House and Hospital are now being utilized with a great staff. This year alone, we have rescued just over 500 children. Well done everyone!" He began to clap for his friends and staff. "Not to mention the fun of next weekend.
"I want to say something personal for a moment; since we started the little adventure we named Search and Return I have been privileged to work with an amazing group of people from the CAC. The lead inspector, not only has helped put just over one hundred adults either into counseling or prison, he has also found his daughter and grandson. Steven, Sarah, congratulations on your reunion.
"Sarah was our first Riddle House child to attend Hogwart's; she was joined by eighteen other students who tested for the special program. Next fall, however, we expect to send a minimum of 300 students to Hogwart's. I can only hope they will expand Platform 9 ¾ as well as the Hogwart's express. Additionally, Beauxbatoun, Durmstrang, Salem Institute and Teguza have agreed to take on students from the Riddle house in order to help Hogwart's with the possible overcrowding.
"The efforts of those people around this table have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. The families around the world have graciously accepted every child into different homes for the holidays. If this staff had not made the extra effort of continued love and comfort, I believe we would have lost several students by now. They have come to us from some of the worst situations imaginable; a few, worse than I lived through. Please, continue the commitment you have begun this year. Don't give up. We will step up construction in the spring, and concentrate our efforts to bring in children as needed.
"We have been granted special rights and privileges through the International Wizened Gamut. First on the list is the CAC is now housed in the office area of the Hospital. This will help when we have disasters.
"I know everyone is hungry, but I have one more announcement. The New Year's Eve Party will begin at eight on Friday night. There will be a lot of people here. Mason and Madison have family coming in so there will be Muggles as well. They know of our world and should anything overly interesting happen, a small memory charm can be cast to help encourage them to forget. Rowan is NOT in charge of those," a small number laughed, "so if you see someone completely lost, just help them a little.
"I cannot imagine a better group of people to help these children. They are blessed to have each of you in their lives, as are we." He raised his glass and toasted the employees and friends. Sitting once again, he leaned over and kissed Ginny.
Rowan walked into the library and left the Estate. Sirius noticed she had not eaten anything. As everyone began making their way to the food, Harry found Sirius. "You need to talk to her. This has gone on long enough." Sirius politely told him to mind his own business before returning to Grimmauld Place alone. Harry looked briefly to Remus who shrugged his shoulders.
Christmas Eve dinner came, but Rowan declined to join them, citing a headache. In truth, the memories were still preventing her sleep. She could not seem to clear the dark fog from her mind long enough to not be sick. She knew she needed to be in the States with her Therapist.
She had already contacted her and set up a series of appointments after the first of the year. She hoped that with enough help, she could keep the little bit of sanity she had. Rather than inflict her lack of enthusiasm on the rest of the family, she stayed in her room alone with her memories. Besides the thought of food making her sick at her stomach, there were people in her head with her, but none physically.
She thought of her magic. She had lived without it for so long that when she had it, it was amazing. But in the past month or so, it had simply decreased until it was all but gone.
She missed her lovers. Her withdrawal from their lives and their seemingly easy acceptance of that withdrawal left her with too much time on her hands. She knew she would need help if she was ever going to be functional again.
Christmas day brought together the Weasleys, Malfoys, Maples, Hermione, Blacks, Remus, Rowan, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Professor McGonagall and Sirius to the Potter Estate. Gifts were exchanged with as much enthusiasm as usual; however, Harry did notice that Rowan was subdued even by her standards. It took over an hour for the group to complete the morning presents. Professor Dumbledore got several pair of socks of which he seemed most proud. It was amusing to watch him raise his foot to try them on, mixing and matching. It reminded Ron of Dobby.
The big surprise of the morning was Sirius and Remus pulling Rowan in front of everyone. It was the first time they had been that close in over a month. Her heart rate quickened as did her breath when she looked at them but said nothing. "Rowan, please forgive us." Remus started.
Sirius picked up the line of conversation, "I've been an idiot, once again keeping you at arms length to protect myself from your memories." Her stomach rolled. He noticed nothing. "I want to say this in front of everyone. I'm sorry. I had no right to walk out on you that day, nor any right to punish you for what other people did. If it helps, I think Remus and I got the worse end of the deal. You see, the problem is that I… we love you. While, I wasn't there to protect you, and there was no one to blame… except me. And I am not good at dealing with that knowledge," he knelt on one knee and presented her with a ring, "I am positive that we should always be together. I ask you now, in front of our children and friends, Rowan Cowan, will you marry us… when all the fun of the other weddings is over?"
The air left her body. For a moment she was unable to think or breathe; shocked at the words that had just left his mouth; she looked into his eyes. Every fiber of her being screamed to her to say yes to this man and make a future with him. But when she tried to open her mouth, her stomach picked that exact moment to expel the coffee and toast she had that morning. Trying to keep the vomit and bile from leaving her mouth, she clapped both hands over it and ran from the room; breaking the hearts of the men she loved and the others in the room speechless.
When she finished in the loo she was too embarrassed to go back. It was that moment that she decided to leave them; knowing that she was not getting better she wanted to give him the freedom from her insanity and instability. She made arrangements when she returned to her home and began packing.
The momentary shock of the crowd of well-wishers was silence. Mason looked to Madison with the question of which should follow her. An unspoken agreement was that they would let her alone for a bit before confronting her. Mason stood and hugged Sirius as the man's tears fell unbidden. Remus walked away.
Over the following week as the weddings drew closer;Molly and Narcissa, helped Hermione, Madison, Ginny, and Katie with last minute purchases. The elves decorated the Great Hall for the four weddings which would be held during the New Year's Eve Party. 500 invitations were sent out, and 486 RSVP's were returned with positive responses. This did not include the immediate families and spouses. They expected somewhere between 570 and 1000 people for the party and weddings.
Chaplain McHargue, from their isolation Chapel days, would oversee the ceremonies' prayers. Professor Dumbledore would be officiating the bonding of the couples. Sirius volunteered to walk with Hermione; Lucius would walk Katie. Arthur, of course, would walk down the aisle with Ginny; while Remus would walk with Madison. The girls were very excited as the day drew near.
December 29th, found the four young men, Remus, and their dads going into Muggle London for a bachelor's party. They met with the Weasley's as well as Rowan's older brothers for the final evening before rehearsal. Now whether it was one Weasley too many, or if it was too many wizards in Muggle London, they were never sure. However, when they entered the tavern on the south side, they began to drink, heavily. Even Remus, who did not drink at all, soon found himself laughing at nothing.
The laughing was okay. The bad jokes were even funny to the inebriated group. But when George and Fred began to flirt with the waitresses, the evening got ugly. Before midnight, ten wizards, two sorcerers, and several Muggles were arrested by the local police for disturbing the peace. They were taken to the local jail, fingerprinted, and put into a large holding cell. Sirius, still laughing, passed out cold when the door closed with a loud CLANG.
By six o'clock the next morning, the girls became worried. Hermione, Ginny, Katie, Madison, Narcissa, Sarah, and Rowan sat in the dining room discussing best ways to find them. Ginny suggested that they tap the rings and see if they could apparate to them. Hermione asked that they all just wait a little longer and give them a chance to come home on their own. Standing, Rowan told them that she needed to get dressed for the day and would return in just a bit.
When she left the room, concentrating on Dobby, who came to her at once; she asked him to see if he could find Lucius and Draco. He bobbed his head and left. He returned a few minutes later, telling her of the holding cell, surrounded by men who all should be at home by then. She shook her head, as they were asleep, walking back into the dining room, she said, "Everyone get dressed, Dobby found them. They are in…jail… in London. If I were guessing, I would say that they are drunk, but I could be wrong. They are at the Southside Police Station."
The shocked faces on the women were nothing compared to the men when they woke to see their significant others' faces when they were awakened with their heads throbbing. Although they could have all apparated out of there, Hermione paid their fines and they left the Muggle way; while, Sirius and Remus walked slowly, lost in the pain of the headache and the heartache when he realized that Rowan did not accompany them.
Sarah and Steven paired off, talking in low whispers. "I dunno," he said, "I think I was drunker than the rest of them. Last thing I really remember is we were at a pub and one of the twins, be damned if I can tell them apart, was flirting with one of the waitresses, and when they were asked to leave, everyone found it funny. I laughed until I passed out cold. Next thing I knew, you were there and someone was telling me to get up." Sarah laughed at her dad.
Molly, however, was not nearly as nice as Sarah. She ranted and raved from the minute that they left the police station, until they reappeared at the Burrow. Hermione, who looked nearly as mad as Molly, could not even get a word in edgewise to yell at Ron. Finally, Hermione turned to her and screeched, "WOULD YOU GIVE IT A REST? SOME OF US WOULD LIKE THE CHANCE TO YELL AT THEM TOO!"
Molly blanched. She muttered and stammered and finally held her hand out in a sweeping gesture, "The floor is yours my dear." Nodding her thanks, she rounded on Ron. With all the grace and dignity she could manage, she grabbed Ron's hand and dragged him into the garden to finish their conversation.
When the door closed behind them, she continued to pull him into the woods. When they were completely out of earshot of the house, surrounded by snow and trees, she rounded on him. "Ronald Bilious Weasley… I… I…" and without the ability to complete the sentence, reached up and kissed him squarely on the lips.
When she finally finished, her knees were weak, she was sweating, and her heart was racing. Ron held on to her when the kiss broke apart. "I'm sorry 'Mione. I love you."
She pulled away from him, an evil grin on her face. "Ron, I am not mad at you. I put on a show for your mum. I was tired of hearing her shriek and the man I am going to marry. Forgive me?"
Ron laughed out loud. "I love you 'Mione." They stood together for a little longer before apparating to the Estate to see how much trouble the others were in. They found Ginny sitting on Harry's lap. Madison lying on Draco's lap across the comfortable couch, and Mason and Katie were wrapped in one another's arms and snogging heavily.
They spent the day pretty much like that; innocent talk, but together in the group.
Sirius and Remus took their time returning to the Estate, not wanting to witness any reunion arguments. They hired a cab for Rowans brothers and joined them in the long silent trip out to the home.
Lucius and Narcissa were laughing out loud. Sarah was relieved to know that her dads were safe and back home. Steven just wanted something for his headache.
Dinner that night was a family affair. Everyone, except Rowan, was together for the rehearsal dinner. There was laughter and when it was over, Harry, Draco, Mason, and Ron left the Burrow for Harry's house. Sirius, Lucius, Arthur and Remus were to accompany them, and, as they were reminded NOT to let them drink.