Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter/Wizarding World. They were all created by the genius that is J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reading. Last chapter was kinda short which I apologize for and for the most part the story hasn't really progressed in the last few chapters but they were important for the development of the characters. I also decided to ax the idea of Harry having a large dose of poly-juice before the wedding after all it kinda makes things confusing.
Chapter 26: Black Wedding
Bill and Fleur's wedding was beautiful and the love for they had for each other radiated through the room. Hermione was sure that there wasn't a person there that day that hadn't been affected by it. While she knew that this was supposed to be a happy time, she couldn't help but be a little sad. The happiest moment of someone's life shouldn't be rushed through because their world was on the brink of destruction. It seemed that death loomed in the back of all of their minds. It had since the fateful night that Cedric Diggory was murdered and Lord Voldemort returned. It had taken them all out of their comfort zone. It was inevitable that he would return. They all wanted to believe that it would be later, rather than sooner, when they were older and more prepared to handle this. Dumbledore was supposed to be there to help them and guide them and Mad-Eye well he was supposed to be there for protection. It wasn't supposed to happen like this, it wasn't fair it wasn't fair at all. Harry had been through more in his life than one person deserved to be. As she watched Fleur and Bill exchange their vows she wondered if it would ever be her and Harry. Would they both survive what was coming? The odds seemed stacked against them.
Harry watched Hermione wipe tears from her eyes. He knew exactly what she was thinking and tightened the arm he had wrapped around her and gently squeezed her bare shoulder. "He's not going to take this from us." He whispered to her before kissing the top of her head.
Hermione just nodded, she was afraid that if she spoke she'd really start to cry again. After the ceremony and before the reception she excused herself to freshen up her make up but once she got up stairs she was crying hard. She opened the door to the bathroom and walked in on Fleur who was smoothing her hair. "'Ermione?" she asked surprised.
"Oh Fleur, I'm so sorry I didn't know that you were in here." She quickly wiped her eyes.
"Eez everyzing alright?" the other woman asked pulling Hermione into the small bathroom and closing the door behind them.
Hermione nodded, "Weddings…they make me cry." She lied.
"You are not a veery good liar, 'Ermione." Fleur scolded as she handed her some tissue.
The younger girl sighed wiping her eyes. "I have a lot on my mind."
"You are worried zat somezing eez going to 'appen to 'Arry."
"How do you know?" Hermione asked in shock.
"Because I spent days in zee 'ospital wing at 'Ogwarts wondering eef Bill would be alright." Fleur said.
"I've spent many days like that. I just worry, I worry everyday all day. When Harry and I are alone," Hermione blushed. "It's intense like it's the moments we'll have to be together like that."
Fleur gave Hermione a quirky smile, "And zat eez a problem?"
Hermione gave a small laugh. "No, it's not."
"'Arry loves you 'E will 'old on to zat. Eet will keep 'im alive." Fleur said. "Now lets fix your face."
Harry was setting at a table by himself starting to wonder if he should go looking for Hermione. He'd heard enough about Ron's Aunt Muriel's views about Dumbledore and the abomination of a book Rita Skeeter had written about him. If he had to hear any more he'd end up doing something he would regret and he wouldn't do anything to mess up Bill and Fleur's special day. Besides, he knew that the wedding had upset Hermione and he knew why. Some might have thought that it was insensitive of him, to have purposed marriage before going on a mission. It was a mission where the chances of them actually making it out alive were probably going to be slim. Still, that selfish part of him needed that commitment more than anything. He felt relieved when Hermione came into the marquee accompanied by Fleur both looked as stunning as ever. Before he had a chance to join her they were all surprised by a late comer to the wedding, "You look vonderful." Viktor Krum said sweeping Hermione up and spinning her around causing her to laugh.
"Viktor!" she cried the small beaded bag that she'd taken to carrying with her everywhere slipping from her hand. When it hit the floor it made a displaced 'thumping' sound that echoed through the tent. "I didn't know you were-goodness-it's lovely to see-how are you?"
Harry's brow wrinkled and his hand, without realizing it, was inside the jacket to his dress robes reaching for his wand. It was when Ron spoke that he was snapped out of it. "What are you doing here?" he asked Viktor.
"Fleur invited me." Krum said raising an eyebrow at Ron.
Hermione pulled away from Viktor and Harry wrapped a possessive arm around her. It was to distract himself from going for his wand again more than to steak his claim on Hermione. "Viktor," He said shortly holding his other hand.
"Harry." Krum replied shaking Harry's hand.
"I was going to ask if you'd like to dance." Harry said to Hermione as a slow song started to play.
"I'd love to." She smiled then looked at Krum. "We'll catch up later."
"Yes." He agreed and watched as Harry escorted Hermione onto the dance floor. He looked at Ron. "They are together now?"
"Yeah they've been together for a while. I thought Hermione would have written you. They're engaged you know." Ron said enjoying nettling the champion Quidditch player.
Harry's brow was wrinkled as he encircled her waist with his arms. "Did you know Krum was going to be here?"
"No, I hadn't really been writing him much lately." Hermione said. "You're jealous."
"What? No…I just didn't like his hands on you." He said.
"It's really cute." She said then leaned up and kissed him softly. "It's you that I love Harry. Krum is nothing compared to you. Besides, it's only your hands I want on me."
"Yeah?" he couldn't help but grin.
"Yeah." She smiled.
After the song ended Harry lead Hermione off of the dance floor. It was then that a glowing Patronus lynx landed in the middle of the floor. "The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
"Shit!" Harry cursed. His hand was inside of his jacket and his wand was. Many of the guests who'd been only a few moments before were already Disappearating.
"Harry we have to get out of here." Hermione said her own wand in hand.
"We can't leave; Death Eaters are on their way." Harry said as Ron ran over to them.
"Harry, get out of here!" Remus shouted as he ran towards them.
Death Eaters were flooding the marquee as Harry, Hermione, and Ron joined hands, before they Disapparated there was a green flash. Dean who'd been standing in front of Ginny protectively was now in her arms dead Ginny was screaming in grief.
A/N: Please don't hate me for killing Dean I'll make it better late I promise.
