She didn't think she could get any more nervous than when she had to stand before the press at the Ministry and announce she was front running their latest scheme. She had quite obviously thought wrong. If she'd had anything more than tea before she got ready she was positive that one of the vases along the way would have been used as a receptacle for the contents of her now churning stomach.
"Stop wringing your hands. You're Hermione bloody Granger. Vanquisher of Voldey pants, survivor of war and raiser of dead wizards for the fun of it, you can say a few words and make a marriage legally binding easy peasy. Now chin up Herms, I've got your back," Ginny encouraged. They were stood at the doors of the sun room that had been enlarged slightly to fit all the family that had been invited. She was worried about the use of the word 'slightly' because Fleur hadn't looked completely at ease when reporting.
"Ok is everyone ready? I think I am. Let's go," Hermione announced drawing in all of her courage and needing to move before her feet stuck permanently to the floor. Fleur and Molly opened the doors and Ginny led the way though as a maid of honour.
The room was significantly larger than she had been expecting, but it took her breath away. The warm light from the sunrise that was coming through the window tinged everything in a warm gold. There were pews set up and filled from the doors to halfway into the room. Someone (probably Fleur Hermione assumed because of the style) had set up flower arrangements with iris' and forget me nots. There were small but vibrant crocus all over the ground. The runway carpet was a slightly darker gold than her makeup and nails. The light caught on crystal strands hanging from the ceiling, creating a light show as they moved gently and a soft tinkling sound as they touched. It was filled with people she knew and loved and a few faces she couldn't quite place.
Finally looking towards the end of the room her heart stopped cold for two beats then picked up double time. There were the men she was going to spend her life with. Some she had grown up with, some she had fought against in the war and some she had very little to do with at all. Even knowing that the bond from the ritual created the friendly feelings for those involved in the union, she couldn't help but feel the warmth of affection flood through her limbs making her entire body tingle. They all looked so handsome in their robes, the mixes of dark blue, deep black and chestnut tones made her smile, they were all so different, but they complimented each other very well. She wanted to get Ginny's attention and fan herself. Her wizards were hot. Despite all the guests she found herself thinking about how consummation would work. If she had of been any closer to any of her husbands, the immediate flush would have given her away to anyone of them. A few steps later she met each of their eyes as she approached and was grateful to see her affection mirrored in theirs, and if she wasn't mistake, the same appreciation.
Kingsley stood the farthest away and the wizards stood in a nearly full circle, there was about half a metre between then and only a spot for Hermione left. She slotted in nicely when she got to end of the isle.
"We are here today to officially join these wonderful people, legally in the eyes on the Ministry to be fully supported by the law from here on out. We will be using an old Matrimonial bonding that was previously used in conjunction with the Ames Servile ritual."
At this Hermione narrowed her eyes, He had been keeping information from her, and if you wanted a happy and peaceful life you don't keep information from Hermione Granger.
Unperturbed by her glare Kingsley continued, "I believe we have come to the part where I read from the scroll to activate the marriage bond.
"I call upon the magic of the land to unite the bonded."
As Kinsley spoke a blue light settled on the edges of the room, closing in and getting opaquer as he continued.
"Where they were join spiritually they shall now bare the marks of their union physically.
No small task shall break them. Nothing shall part them. No hopes or dreams shall escape them.
May this union be blessed with kindness and support, loyalty and respect, fertility and passion and most importantly love.
May this rite favour those true and of well-meaning spirit."
The words echoed around the room as the magic they conjured wove through the crowd before landing back on the people the spell was intend for. A yelp from Hermione made the guests jump and now that their attention was drawn back to the front of the room they saw the looks of discomfort on the faces of the men or heard their hisses of displeasure. Moments after the magic had filled them tiny glowing orbs emerged from their chests. A variety of colours sparkled as they filled the room in a kaleidoscope. The shocked awe from the audience was deafening. They mingled together creating one large brilliant white sphere in the centre of the circle. It expanded rapidly before shattering with a loud crash coving Hermione and each of her husbands with the shards. Everyone watched, enthralled as their skin absorbed the fragments. The room returned to the appropriate lighting, now a dull grey from the dim light outside. The silence remained. But only for a fraction of a second.
The room erupted in murmurs and gasps. Too many were talking to get a clear fragment of conversation. But there was a clear topic, and it wasn't the magnificent magic performed moments earlier. The facial expressions of the now 'officially' married wizards changed dramatically when they looked at Hermione. She looked back confused at their expressions
"Oh dear God," Harry muttered. Remus looked like he was about to be sick, Sirius looked wary. Lucius and Severus both had looks of haughty displeasure, but concern was the only emotion in their eyes. Neville's eyes kept darting away only to land back on Hermione. Fred looked worried. George was talking lowly to Theo who was nodding slightly. Draco's hand hit Marcus' chest to pull his attention from his wrist to Hermione. Charlie shuffled, torn between not wanting to get any closer and want to go over and sweep her into his arms. Adrian was fighting the same battle but was slowly moving closer. Greg who had enough of everyone's issues strode forward just in time to catch Hermione as she passed out. At that stage guests and husbands rushed forward. Braver now that she wasn't able to react.
Ginny pushed through and got to Hermione's side. Greg bent down slightly to talk to her.
"I have to get Hermione out of here. Too many people and we don't really know what's going on. If the rest of them feel like I do right now, then we will all be passed out soon. My magic is… unsettled," he finished quickly, his tone worried. Ginny noticed the sweat glistening on his forehead and look around to notice the strained looks on the rest of Hermione's husband's faces.
"Not a problem, I'll run interference with mum and the Minister, you get your lot up to the room we set up. Shouldn't be too long, try and ignore everyone and move as quickly as possible. Don't hurt yourselves," Ginny said nodding to Greg as he started to move towards the door with Hermione – rest of the husbands in tow.
"Mum, we've got to clear the room. There are effects from the ceremony we didn't account for and their energy is rapidly draining. I'm going to get Kingsley on board, everyone else will catch on and help," Ginny quickly spoke to her mother.
"Of course dear, I'll recruit your father. Are you going to make sure they make it to their room or shall I send Fleur?" Molly asked.
"I'll do it mum, I need to put the wards up and key the elves in," Ginny replied. Molly nodded then shook her head slightly, confused at the mention of the elf. Paying no attention to her mother's confusion Ginny moved on to Kingsley.
"Minister, we need help. We have to make sure it's easy for them to leave, even you can see they're struggling. I've got mum working on it but I think if you take a moment to help create some… strategic business relationships resulting in conversations that would better be had anywhere other than in this room blocking them from leaving." She gestured to the large group still trying to make their way out of the room, and still failing to get very far due to the masses trying to pass on congratulations and concern. Releasing a frustrated sigh she moved to start her part of mission.
Together the three of them wound around the room, moving guests out of the way, by inviting them to move to the back yard where there were refreshments set up, or showing them to people that would talk their ear off. They'd effectively cleared the room by the time the group had made it to the door.
Hermione was passed from Greg to Marcus, as Greg was beginning to struggle. The group made their way slowly up the stairs to the room that had been designed to house all of them. By the time they had gotten to the room, they were holding each other up, Harry was leaning heavily on Lucius, who in turn had his arm slung around one of the Weasleys, he was far to tired to work out which. They quietly collapsed onto various surfaces – couches, beds, the floor, anything vertical really- and succumbed to the darkness.