Chapter 18

Ladies Day

When their hoods were lifted, Hermione and Ginny found themselves in a large white room, soft chairs and mirrors lined the walls.

Within seconds, nearly two dozen friends popped in to join them.

"Ladies! Attention!" Angelina had to yell to be heard. When she had their attention, she continued. "As hostess for today, let me say Thank you and welcome! Now, we have two brides with us today. What say we pamper them a bit?" There was applause and cries of approval!

"Excellent! Hermione and Ginny. You two are getting married tonight. In preparation, we have a day planned just for you. We'll start with Brunch." Angelina guided the two brides towards a large table in the center of the room.

"But no, this is just a betrothal. The Vows are next year!" Ginny protested.

"Ah, but dear young friend, YOU have the sign. That changes things up. It's a rarity and as such must follow traditions that have stretched nearly three thousand years. Long before the Romans, long before Merlin himself. We can't break traditions that have stood this long. What would your ancestors think?"

"But what…?" Hermione started to ask.

"Don't worry. The Vows are still on for next year. In the meantime, Let's have some fun!" Angelina flicked her wand and the table groaned with fruit and pastries. When they sat, Fleur and Angelina broke a small loaf over their heads, "May you always have plenty."

There were wedding gifts to receive and well wishes from each woman attending.

Normally not ones for fuss and frills, neither of the brides thought of balking at the activities. They floated in sweet smelling bubble baths. Afterwards, they were dressed in their new, beautiful under-garments and wrapped in silky robes. Fleur touched each forehead with a drop of olive oil, "fáilte bá". Welcome sister. Nails were done, followed by skin treatments and make-up.

By 4 pm, they both admitted that this was the best way to spend the day. Ginny also had gathered enough courage to ask how it was all paid for.

"Oh, Zat was zee easy part." Fleur waved the question away. I just asked 'arry for some money to buy you somezing special. 'e handed me his card and told me to get whatever I needed. 'e never knew what hit 'im." She laughed and kissed her sister-in-law on the cheek. "'e will find it is zee five hundred Galleons 'e 'ad ever spent."

"FIVE HUNDRED?" Ginny yelled.

"Hush, hush. 'e will not not mind the bill. So we now change zee subject. Would you still like to shorten your 'air?"

Knowing she had no choice in the money, she gave in. Her waist length hair was getting a bit ratty. "Yes, maybe just at the shoulders? It'll fit under a quidditch helmet better." She glanced around and found there were many more stylists, working on the others around in room.

"Excellent! Did you hear zat Pierre? A coif at her shoulders, framing 'er superb cheekbones. No, no, not fringe, zat will distract from her eyes. Ah, yes. Magnifique! What say you, Ginny?"

Pierre had been casting glamours, showing how different styles would look best. She turned her head about, "Yes. I love it! Do you think it will knock Harry's socks off?"

Fleur giggled in a way only a French woman dared, "'is socks? My dear, it will knock off everything else 'e is wearing also."

"Fleur!" Ginny blushed deeply.

"What, Little Sister? Did you think you will paste photos in an album tonight?" Fleur laughed again, "If so, zen we shall have a little talk, shall we?"

"Let's just say I know the theory, I'm sure Harry and I will pick up the practicalities soon enough." Ginny hoped it sounded brave enough. She knew there were a few raised eyebrows at her youth.

Hermione and Ginny eventually came out of their protective capes with their new looks. Hermione's hair was in a sleek up-do, retaining just enough curls to frame her face. Make-up and nails were perfect. Before they could admire the results too much, a small chime sounded, and three women assembled at the center of the room. It took Ginny and Hermione a moment before they realized they were her mother, Luna, and Professor McGonagall.

"Mummy!" Ginny didn't realize who she had been missing until she saw her. She wrapped her arms around her mother, "Where have you been?"

"Setting up the rest of the night." Molly held her daughter while reaching for Hermione to join in.

"How do we look?" Ginny asked.

"Absolutely radiant! I knew I could trust Fleur." Molly kissed Ginny carefully on the cheek. "My dear, we are running out of time. It's time for my part. Come along this way." Molly led the brides towards the far end, where the rack was standing. She turned and faced the girls and the dozen women behind them. "Since the beginning of this ancient tradition, there have been many rituals and spells. Some, you have already experienced, your bath, the food and drink, the oil, even the hair and make-up all have tradition behind it. Molly motioned Luna to join by her side.

Luna read off a card, "Fruits and breads, for plenty and prosperity in your future. The wine, for health. The bath to wash away your childhood. Oil to anoint you to membership in the sisterhood of women." Luna stepped back, and Molly spoke again.

"Ginevra, you wear Harry's mother's ring. Hermione, you wear your grandmother's silver necklace. Something old. These tie you to a long line of women who were loved. Please accept this as something new," Molly took Ginny's hand and clasped a silver charm bracelet from which a tiny horseshoe hung, around the slender wrist. Luna then gently did the same on Hermione's. "Something new to start afresh, building on the past, but becoming a new family. The horseshoe to bring protection and luck."

She then wiped her eyes as she and Luna let Minerva step forward, "To borrow, means to keep a continuous relationship of give and take. A reminder of friends and loved ones. A commitment to give of oneself to lift another's burdens." She gave them each a heavily embroidered handkerchief then stepped back. Molly took her place again.

"Now, we get to the important part. Something blue. In the wizarding community, world-wide, blue is a sacred color. A color of wisdom and luck. A color of the sea and sky. Life and light. As such, tradition holds that Soul-Bonded women wear blue robes. Fleur helped you choose these dresses just for tonight." She stepped aside. "You're lucky, Aunt Muriel chose my robe and it was horrendous." She whispered to the two.

Luna gently disrobed Hermione of her dressing gown and motioned her to take off her shoes. She then draped the new dress over her head.

Molly wiped her tears as she lifted Ginny's dressing gown. With a kiss on her forehead, she draped the new dress over her daughter. At a nod to her daughter's feet, Ginny kicked her shoes off. Molly spoke loudly but concentrated on the brides. "Women dressing women signifies and blesses you with companionship and comfort. Women dress those who are beginning a new life, and we dress those who have passed from this life. The brides divest themselves of their shoes to touch Mother Earth, becoming one with she who nourishes us.

"We, as women, are not lessened by these traditions. We are strengthened. We are not given away to men, rather we invite men in, body and soul." She held up her wand, "Will all in attendance please raise your wands." All but Hermione and Ginny raised their wands high. Their wands were taken from them from the beginning. Molly continued,

"Gu leòr is barrachd" She said loudly.

"Enough and more." The rest of the ladies repeated.

Ginny looked over at Hermione who seemed just as startled. A hum, nearly a purr, softly pulsed up from the floor through their feet. It rose and seemed to settle in their hearts.

"You are ready. Please take our hands." Molly said as she gave Ginny her hand. Luna, standing as her sponsor, held her hand out to Hermione. Minerva, as Harry's sponsor, held their hands and joined them in a circle. They all left together.

A/N I have been researching Irish and Scottish Gaelic for these phrases, but we all know how Google Translator is. Please, if you know these languages and phrases, correct me. I'm looking for 'Enter the sisterhood of Women' especially. If you don't know, pretend it's all correct. Thanks.

A/N part 2 tomorrow, we reach our last installment of this long story. Let me know how you feel about this whole journey!