The Sign
Chapter 19
Together Begin
They arrived back in the sitting room of the Burrow. "Now. One last thing. We give you these flowers, signifying and blessing you with beauty and peace. The silver cord will be your offering to bind your man to yourself." Minerva presented a small bouquet to each girl.
Molly kissed her daughter again, "Remember, with all this tradition, we do not give you to your men. You're not a package to give or take. We are here to escort you to your next step in life. Come, they're waiting."
Minerva, as sponsor to the groom, led the way with Molly and Ginny and then Luna and Hermione following. They went out the door and down a long path covered in flower petals. During this slow march, the two were instructed what to say. They entered the marquee and a harpist struck a soft song. As they neared the raised platform at the front, Minerva stepped up to join Hagrid and Harry, while the rest of the women stopped.
Molly kissed her daughter again and whispered in her ear, "When I nod, come up and stand beside Harry and me."
Luna hugged Hermione. "When Ginny moves up, come up and stand between me and Ron."
Molly and Luna then went to stand in their appointed places. The music ended, and Molly nodded. With no hesitation, Ginny stepped upwards, with eyes only for Harry. He held out his hand and guided her for the last few steps.
Hermione then walked up. Ron looked as though he would faint, but his eyes shined. He held onto her hand tightly.
The two couples were turned to face the three sets of parents and sponsors.
Arthur stated loudly, "What is your purpose before us?" He looked at Harry, serious and stern.
Harry swallowed hard, "I, Harry James Potter, wish to marry Ginevra Molly Weasley."
Ginny squeezed his hand and spoke up, "I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, wish to marry Harry James Potter."
Ron coughed nervously and took a deep breath, "I, Ronald Bilius Weasley wish to marry Hermione Jean Granger."
Hermione felt a little weak at his words. "I, Hermione Jean Granger wish to marry Ronald Bilius Weasley."
Arthur, Molly and the sponsors raised their wands, "Cosantóir!" Protection. They said in unison. A circle of blue fire surrounded the raised platform.
Arthur smiled and asked, "Ginevra, do you understand and consent without coercion or distress that which you declare?"
"Yes." She said clearly.
He turned to Harry, "Harry. Do you understand and consent without coercion or distress that which you declare?"
"Yes." Harry answered.
Neville spoke to Hermione. "Hermione, do you understand and consent without coercion or distress that which you declare?"
"Yes!" She said a little louder than she meant.
Neville then spoke to Ron, "Ronald, do you understand and consent without coercion or distress that which you declare?"
"Er, Uh, Yes!" Ron had been too preoccupied with Hermione. A few laughs were heard in the audience.
Hagrid then spoke, "Harry and Ginevra, do ya, together, in front of these witnesses, swear and promise to put each other first in all your lives? With no one else 'afore ta other?"
"Yes." Harry and Ginny in unison.
Arthur asked "Ronald and Hermione, do you, together, in front of these witnesses, swear and promise to put each other first in all your lives? With no one else before the other?"
"Yes." They answered, Ron trying hard not to laugh.
Molly smiled through her tears, "Harry and Ginevra, do you together, swear and promise to always stay firm, never to stray from the promises you make together? To lift and carry one another. To walk together, no one the head, no one the foot?"
"Yes." They said simply.
Luna smiled big and read from her card, "Ronald and Hermione, do you together, swear and promise to always stay firm, never to stray from the promises you make together? To lift and carry one another. To walk together, no one the head, no one the foot?"
"Yes." They said. Ron having to cover his mouth to hold a giggle in.
"Harry and Ginevra, do you, together swear and promise to always walk in truth. Keeping nothing from the other, never hiding and never with-holding. No guile and no deception. Honoring and respecting in all ways?" Minerva's voice quivered a small bit.
"Yes."
Molly spoke again, "Ronald and Hermione, do you, together swear and promise to always walk in truth. Keeping nothing from the other, never hiding and never with-holding. No guile and no deception. Honoring and respecting in all ways?"
"Yes." They answered but Ron was having a tough time. The laughter that he had suppressed, was bubbling to the surface again. Hermione's gentle elbow to the ribs sobered him a bit.
The Weasleys, Hagrid, and Minerva held out their wands with their right hands and placed their left hands on the heads of Harry and Ginny, "Anam Chara. Ceangail!" Soul mate, bind.
A rushing wind circled about them, causing the blue flames to grow taller than their shoulders. When it died back down, The Weasleys, Luna and Neville repeated the spell on Ron and Hermione. Again, the wind whipped the flames high then disappeared all the way.
Arthur held up his wand, "Will all rise?"
Molly and Luna took the silver bridal bouquet cords, which had been hanging free until now, and wrapped them around the wrists, tying each couple together. Everyone on the dais stepped back far. Leaving the two couples alone in the center.
Arthur said loudly, "Aontú le áthas"
The audience chanted back, "Unite with joy"
The strings tightened themselves until nearly uncomfortable. Bright blue flame again emanated from the cords and grew until they totally isolated each couple. Slowly, the flames turned white and dissipated into smoke. The cords and bouquets were gone. The couples didn't realize the flames were gone, they were wrapped in each other's kisses.
Arthur laughed, "I was going to say, you may kiss the bride, but they beat me to the punch." There was laughter and a few hoots, then everyone started to stand and mingle.
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There was food and dancing and as the evening went on, Harry drew George aside. "I know you took my wand, I need it back, please."
George, a little straw-brained from the libations that freely flowed, sighed, "I don't know what you mean."
"Uh huh, right." Harry gently nudged him in the general direction of Angelina and went to find Ginny, maybe she would know where her wand was.
"No, I don't have mine, it was taken earlier today. I have an idea, cover me." She moved to a corner where a couple were too involved with each other to notice. Ginny lifted a wand oh so temptingly in sight. She lifted it up "Accio wand." She said as loud as she dared without others hearing. She stayed that way for several seconds until she heard Angelina cry out as a wand lifted itself from her robe and soared to Ginny.
Ginny acted like there was nothing going on. "Thanks, Angelina." She called out. The stolen wand was slipped back in place without ever being missed.
"You pick pocketed another's wand?" Harry demanded with pride.
"It's my night, I can do what I want?" She kissed him and looked around at the celebration. "Besides, that was Charlie."
"You got to get mine too." Harry wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close.
"I will, after you dance with me."
"I will dance with you, as long as you promise we can leave soon." He leered at her and waved his eyebrows up and down.
"Why Harry! You want to run out on your guests?" she mocked her shock.
"Oh, yeah. The sooner the better." He kissed her bared neck.
"Hmmm, yeah. Forget the dancing, let's get your wand and get out of here." She led him over to where George and Angelina were drunk dancing. Without asking, she touched her wand to his robe pocket and Harry's wand soared out. George never knew what happened.
They wound their way through the crowd until they found her parents talking with Hagrid and Minerva. "Mum, Dad, Thanks so much for today." Ginny kissed them, "We're heading out now. Say good-bye to everyone else for us."
"Of course, Ron and Hermione left about a minute ago." Molly hugged her daughter tight. "Now go, before someone sees you."
Harry quickly kissed Minerva's cheek, then shook Arthur's and Hagrid's hands before Ginny pulled him behind a pillar. "Let's go home."
A/N Thank you for going on this journey with me. I fought myself against the theme of soul-bonds. It just wasn't my style, but the story demanded to be written. Who am I to deny? Besides, these two couples deserved something special. I had fun researching Celtic traditions and both Irish and Scottish Gaelic phrases. I hope I got things close (with a bit of poetic license.)
Why would there be Celtic influences? British Islands, Red Hair, and a tradition of very powerful Celtic tradition of Magic. AND I'm of Scot and Irish heritage.
There are many more stories just waiting in the wings, ready to be put into words. Please review so I know what you want to read. Grá agus síocháin duitse , Love and Peace to you.