Hello, my freaky darlings. Another chapter for you all to enjoy. I, of course, own nothing. I have to put everyone back where I found it when I'm finished.
Chapter 63 Wedding Planning
January 4th the floo roared to life and Britta raced into the room before Maisie could announce. "Harry proposed!" she waved her left hand in front of her.
Marissa kicked her feet in her bouncy chair at the excitement. Hermione swiftly hugged her, "I'm so glad he risked it. He was so nervous."
"I could tell," Britta smiled brightly as they pulled out of the hug.
Harry entered the dining room with the twins. "You'll be my best woman, won't you?"
"You know it," Hermione moved to hug him and greet James and Meredith.
"Any plans yet?" asked Marcus politely. He gestured for them to serve themselves.
Britta answered as she put scrambled eggs on the plate for Merrie and Jamie. "Mamo thought two weddings, but I refused. I barely want the fuss of one."
Harry nodded, "I would be willing to just pop into the ministry, but I think your parents would kill us."
Hermione considered the dilemma. "Have an intimate destination wedding. Get married once, somewhere everyone travels to." She began ticking off the pros on her fingers, "Everyone travels, no favoritism, no press, you can't invite everyone, so you can keep it small, and it keeps wedding crashers at bay."
Britta beamed, "Viktor is correct, you are a genius. I love the idea, now we just need the where."
Harry shrugged, "Where would you like?"
"Somewhere secluded, I like the idea of privacy and no reporters," growled Britta.
"Indoor or outdoor?" asked Hermione.
"Outdoor, maybe by a cliff. Or a meadow. No beaches, the sand gets everywhere."
"How many guests are you thinking?" Hermione asked.
Britta thought it over, "My immediate family, which is eight. The Weasleys, that's seven allowing Fred and George a date each. You, Marcus, and Rissa add three. That's seventeen." Britta looked at Harry.
"Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, and the Lupins. That's another five."
"My boss and his wife. Maybe a few other aunts and uncles and friends provided space is available. Let's say fifty."
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Gives you an idea of the size of venue you want. Is there enough space? Is it large enough to have accommodations for everyone needing to stay the night before or wishing to stay the night?" replied Hermione.
Harry looked at Britta, "And this is why I have dibs."
"Dibs?" questioned Marcus.
"I called dibs on Hermione as best woman before Britta could snag her as maid of honor."
"Matron of honor," she corrected," I'm married."
"See?" Harry gestured, "And she'll bully everyone into letting us have the wedding we want."
"Bully is so harsh," protested Hermione.
"Fine, she will stubbornly refuse to budge until everyone else buckles under. Is that better?"
"Not really," she shrugged, "but not inaccurate I suppose. Who else are you asking to be attendants?"
"Since Harry chose you, I will ask Viktor to be Man of honor. And Luna to be my bridesmaid. She has become such a dear friend."
"Besides you, Neville is my oldest friend. I'll ask him to be a groomsman. And the twins can be flower girl and ring bearer. Since Esme and Percy are getting married at the end of June, we're planning for the beginning."
Marcus nodded, "Thanks, mate. We're going to need all the wedding breathing room. Cressida got engaged at Christmas. She says she wants a fall wedding. And Malcolm thinks he'll pop the question to Louise soon."
Hermione clucked her tongue, "Look what you started?"
He looked thoughtful, "I did, didn't I?"
"Don't get smug," Hermione told her husband. "Here," she handed him a bottle, "feed your daughter."
"Come here, monster, Mummy wants me to fatten you up some more. Make you more cuddly." He dodged Hermione's swat. "Can't hit me when I have the baby."
She shook her head at his antics. "Harry, will you help me find Jamie's sock? I put it in the kitchen, but Varl moved it on me."
"Sure," he followed her to the kitchen. "Um, Hermione, it's right there."
She handed him the sock, "Good job, found it right off. I wanted to talk to you privately. The estate at Mount Circeo matches everything you guys want. The villa can easily handle two hundred guests. And before you say anything, I am offering. I know I do not have to. Consider it my wedding gift to you." She handed him a small clay decorative vase. "This is all provided Britta even likes the idea. Take her and go have a look. We'll watch the twins."
Forty-five minutes later Britta and Harry returned. "Are you absolutely sure, Hermione? We would not wish to impose." Britta asked.
If it was an imposition I wouldn't have offered."
"A wedding in Italy would stop complaints and attempts to plan everything," Britta said. "If you are offering, we accept. Thank you."
Wedding planning, pregnancies, and babies seemed everywhere. "The war ended," Tonks said when Hermione remarked on it. "People feel safe moving forward. Remus and I have talked about a sibling for Teddy. Something we refused to consider before now."
"Eleanor always said you notice people in the same circumstances."
In March, Harry and Hermione visited Molly again. This time with news of Luna's twins, Lorcan and Lysander Montague. They shared the details of Charlie's elopement, and Fred proposing to his long-time girlfriend, Angelina. They also discussed Percy's wedding plans and Fleur's surprise pregnancy. They ended by mentioning seeing Ginny at her job. "She seems to be doing well, or at least breaking even," Hermione told her. "Perhaps we should invite her with us next time?" Molly simply glared at them silently.
Telling Molly about Ginny reminded Hermione that she intended to visit the jewelry shop. This time she brought Daphne Greengrass with her. "The perfect partner in crime to annoy Ginny would be Parkinson, but that punishes me, too."
"You're not wrong," Daphne sniffed with disdain. "Poor delusional thing still expects to marry Draco."
"How? Isn't he seeing Tracy?"
"Not seriously. Despite the baby boom, he's not interested in settling down."
Hermione nodded, "Aunt Cissa has Marissa to dote on for now."
Daphne pulled the shop door open, "Right, and by the time she's past the adorable baby stages Tonks will have popped one out. She'll have baby, toddler, and small child to spoil and Draco still won't have to tie himself down."
"Hello, how can I help you?" Ginny's voice wavered slightly once she realized who stood before her.
"Yes," said Daphne glacially. "I would like to see something in an emerald sapphire combination."
"A necklace, a bracelet, a ring, earrings, or a decorative piece?" Ginny asked in a polite voice.
"Yes." When the redhead merely stared, "I'm not sure what I want, but I'll know it when I see it."
Ginny spent the next seventy-five minutes showing her every piece in three cases before she selected the first thing Ginny had shown her. "Anything I can show you, ma'am?" she asked Hermione.
"Yes, those tiaras over there, are they display or for sale."
"They are for sale."
"Splendid, Victorie wants to have a fairy princess tea party for her birthday. I need two big ones and three of the little ones."
"You cannot seriously be buying six hundred pound tiaras or a three-year-old's birthday party!"
"Of course, I can. And I am. I may not let them wear it every day, that would be tacky." She looked at Daphne, "The last year has had a lot of drastic changes. She's been so mature about them. She deserves a special party."
"My mother knows a witch who does glittery fairy wings. They leave temporary dust trails."
Hermione looked at Ginny, who stood gobsmacked, staring at them. "Two adult ones and three little ones. Now, please." Ginny wrapped up the purchase and tried not to glare as the total exceeded her six-month earnings. She tried not to cry when she thought about the life she should have had, the charmed one Hermione now led. Stupid Ron. She frowned as they left, holding the door open for Creepy Steven. The last things she needed right now. And she was alone in the shop until noon. She couldn't pass him off or avoid him. Hermione beamed at the man, "Hello, again. You're in luck, your favorite shop girl is ready and waiting." She winked at Ginny and let the door close behind her. "Pretend to look through your purse. I want to watch her try not to explode."
"Remind me to stay on your good side. You like to rub salt in the wounds," Daphne laughed.
"Because you don't?" Hermione grinned.
"True." They turned down the street to have lunch.
Fleur stared at the tiaras, "You bought them why?"
"Mostly to poke at Ginny. Not the most mature move, I admit. But what's done is done."
"So, we're going to have a princess tea?" Fleur asked.
Hermione shrugged, "I suppose if Victorie wants to. I'm game."
"Should we take photos for the jewelry store?" she asked. "Looks, like you're not the only immature one." Both laughed. Eventually, they did take photographs with all of the girls wearing their tiaras.
The day Marissa turned six months old Hermione and Harry took her and the twins to a park to enjoy the May sunshine. Hermione spread a blanket on the grass and place Marissa on her tummy. James toddled over and plopped onto his butt next to the baby. He patted her head gently, "Baby."
"Yes, James, Marissa is a baby," Harry told him.
"My."
"My?" questioned Harry.
"My baby," James answered. He patted her back.
"Marissa is Aunt Hermione's baby," Harry told him.
"And my," he insisted.
"Mine," Hermione corrected, "She can be your baby, too. Why don't you go play with Merrie? She has the ball." James grinned and with effort climbed to his feet and moved over to his sister. They began a complicated game only they understood involving shoving the ball from both sides until one of them fell over. They both laughed and did it again. "Your children are so weird."
"Look at their influences," Harry retorted. "Poor things never stood a chance." He watched them fondly. "Britta wants to do the adoption right after the wedding. She considered making it part of the ceremony until she found out how long it was."
"Do you have everything you need?" she asked.
"We will. Rodolphus was nice enough to order it all for me."
"Wonder if any of their features will change?" she asked idly.
"Don't care. After that they will be our babies," he said fiercely.
She placed a comforting hand on his leg, "Harry, they are already her babies. Watch her with them for even a minute. The second she agreed to be with you, they became hers."
"Thanks, Hermione."
"You're welcome." She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he rested his on hers as they watched their children enjoy the sunshine filled afternoon.
Hermione wrestled Marissa into her flower girl dress for the final fitting. Esme's seamstress was kind enough to make house calls. Hermione invited Esme and her bridesmaids to use Lestrange Hall as it was larger than Flint Tower. Penny watched her great-niece's antics while resting her feet. Penny's elf, Din, entered the room, "Mistress, Missy Hermy has visitors."
"Show them in, please," Penny answered. "Give me the little beastie, Hermione."
"Here, monster, go see Aunt Penny." The little girl giggled and stuck her fingers in her mouth. "She's teething, so don't let her chew the dress." Hermione turned as the newcomers entered the room. "Hello, come on in, have a seat." She turned to see two wizards in business robes. "You are not who we are expecting. How can I help you, gentlemen?"
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Flint, my name is Healer Miles Stark, and this is my associate, Healer Benjamin Johnson. We wanted to speak with you about a serious matter if we could."
"About what?" she asked suspiciously.
"A patient at our facility." Healer Stark asked, smiling politely.
"Again, what about? I don't know anyone in the hospital or a long-term care facility."
"We are part of the team providing care Ronald Prewett."
Hermione interrupted him, "Not interested. You may go."
"Mrs. Flint, we feel that it would be in Ronald's best interests, towards his healing that is, to be allowed to confront the people he believes wronged him," Healer Johnson said in a soothing voice.
"You want me to come to your facility so that Ronald can have a go at me?" she demanded hotly.
"That is not exactly what will occur," Healer Johnson. "We would have you speak with him, to clear the air so to speak."
Esme and her entourage arrived at that point, shuffling the healers off to the side. The Seamstress began setting up her portable platform, while the other unpacked their dresses. Esme plucked Marissa from Penny's lap, "There's the world's prettiest baby!" She twirled her around. "Oh, Hermione, I didn't know the Lestranges have guests. We can leave."
"They don't, and neither do I. They were just leaving."
"Mrs. Flint, you need to reconsider. This will be very beneficial to his recovery. You owe it to him to help. A fellow wizard needs you." Healer Johnson implored, looking at the others in the room."
Hermione froze, staring at the two, her fists closing and opening. "But is it beneficial to me? For six years of school, he bullied me, belittled me, insulted me, and demeaned me. He was given the ability to order me about and abused it. Had he been so inclined he would have ordered me to sleep with him and that would have been rape. He maligned me in public to friends and associates. He attacked me. What exactly do I owe him? Why should I help him."
"Because it is the right thing to do?" Healer Stark replied. "His successful treatment will help others."
Her eyes narrowed, "You mean I should do it for the greater good?"
Missing the danger signs, the healers grinned, "Yes, if that's how you need to look at it." Esme moved further from them with the baby.
"I think you smarmy troglodytes should have done more research into your patient and his victims before you deduced this was the best source of action," Hermione began. "Ronald Bilius Prewett does not need to confront the people he mistreated he needs to be confronted with what he did! Your proposal will cement in his brain that he is the victim. He is not! He is the monster."
At the sound of her nickname, Marissa laughed and called, "Ma."
Hermione flashed her daughter a smile. She looked back at the healers. "I suggest you leave before I let it be known you have upset me. There are at least three people who live here who will ensure your remains are never found. Do not contact me again unless you want to make Ronald confront his sins." They both stood stunned, they looked at the others watching the scene. "Don't look to them for assistance. No one will ever make me do something I don't want to ever again." Her tone became colder as did her expression, "Now, get out." Marissa laughed, clapping her hands and bouncing in Esme's arms. The healers retreated quickly. "Sorry, usually when Rissa hears that voice Adrian or the Weasley twins have done something and will comically run away. She thinks it's funny."
"She does now," laughed Cressida, "wait until she's in the blast zone. She might think differently then."
"Right?" Esme said putting the little girl down on the platform, "Let's get started with the second most important woman in the wedding." The seamstress laughed and started measuring the hem against the baby's height.
Cressida came over to Hermione, "If you want, go take a bath, let off some steam, whatever, Esme said she'll have you go last and stall as long as you need."
"Thanks, I doubt I'll need long, but a minute or two would be nice."
"Go on," her sister-in-law urged.
Hermione slipped out of the room and headed for her room in the Hall. How dare they act like Ron had done nothing wrong and that she owed it to him to let him rant at her like she was the bad guy. Then again, she could always tell them she changed her mind, they were right she owed it to Ron to help him and then verbally destroy the wanker. She felt the vicious grin cross her face. That sounded like far more fun than it should have. And the least Ron deserved. She hurried to the desk and penned an apology to the healers and promised to come first thing tomorrow. She had Din owl it for her. Fifteen minutes later they replied thanking her for reconsidering for the good of wizardkind. She should probably warn Voldemort and his puppet about her plans. But that would wait. Right now she needed to go support her sister-in-law as a bridesmaid.
After the fitting, Hermione took Marissa with her to Malfoy Manor in search of Voldemort. She found them in Lucius's study. "Look who we found, Rissa."
Both men stood, and when Marissa reached for Voldemort he eagerly took her, "She has excellent tastes." He sat back down.
"Speaking of tasting, be careful, clothing is her favorite thing to chew on. Here's her bunny."
"Is this a social call, my dear, or did you need something?" asked Lucius. "Either way Narcissa will be devastated she missed you."
"Mostly that she missed Marissa. Tell her she can pop by and watch her tomorrow morning if she wants. I have an appointment."
"Is everything alright?" Lucius asked.
"It won't be for long." At their concerned faces, she held up a hand. "Let me explain. Healers from the place they sent Ronald Prewett showed up asking in a condescending manner that I come and let Ron confront me about how I have wronged him so he can have closure. At first, I was furious and told them they were stupid to let him think he was the victim. In fact, I told them he needed to be confronted with his sins. So, tomorrow morning under the guise of cooperating with those morons I will be confronting Ron. In case they throw a fit, I thought I should warn you."
"A wise decision. I will alert the proper channels to expect something and make it clear that anything you do is warranted. Do try to not kill him."
"I try not to make promises I don't know if I can keep," Hermione responded.
Voldemort chuckled, "A wise policy, do the best you can. But sometimes accidents happen."
A/N: Oh, look. It just stops there. Right on the edge. Hmm, I guess next time. Have a great weekend everyone!