Hello, darlings! I know some of you are annoyed at Rowle for exploiting the system. No surprise the system hasn't been updated since it favors men and has been in place for centuries. (Gee, who would be indignant enough to get that changed?) But I promise that all innocent babies in this story will get happy endings. (I just haven't quite decided on one.) But while I lay on the floor with my alpha and argue with my muse y'all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 42 Warnings and Weddings.

Hermione raced through the house calling for Harry. He met her on the staircase, "So, banshee?"

"Please, please tell me you did everything to cut ties with Ginny?"

"And Ron, why?"

"Ginny just showed up claiming to be up the duff, and since she couldn't find you, she was looking for Thorfinn to step up. He also cut ties when she got clingy."

"Oh, this is not good." Harry sat on the steps.

*-*

Ginny sobbed into her pillow. Unable to locate Harry, Rowle had been her next best hope. She knew Harry desperately wanted a family, he would marry her instantly. She had hoped Rowle might at least be willing to shoulder his half, just enough to support their child, but no, he had to a selfish bastard. A memory niggled at her. She clamped down on those thoughts. It had been an impulsive mistake. She wanted to pay Rowle back for his lack of attention, maybe make him jealous. She regretted it instantly. He hadn't cared and now she had three possible fathers instead of two. None of her family would understand. Bill might, or at least he might be willing to help her. Her mum would be furious. Her father wouldn't keep it from his wife. She decided to write her eldest brother and ask for help before she gave up and confessed to Molly.

*-*

"Any possibility it could be your baby?" Hermione asked.

"Depending on how far along she is, it could be. I was so befuddled protection of any kind was the last thought possible. Which was probably part of the plan."

"Supposing it is, what do you want to do?"

Harry frowned, "Having grown up unwanted I could never leave a child in that position. Even though I know the Weasleys would never treat a child the way I was treated by the Dursleys. I would want to raise the child away from Ginny. Any spouse I married could adopt. I hear it is going to the all the craze soon."

Hermione sat next to him, "Then I guess we have until October to get you settled somewhere, just in case."

"Thanks, Hermione."

"You're welcome, Harry."

*-*

Bill invited Ginny to Shell Cottage. Over dinner, he questioned her closely. "You're sure Harry is the father?"

She rolled her eyes, "For the tenth time, YES. Harry James Potter is the father of my unborn child." In the silence of her mind, she added, 'I hope.'

Her oldest brother sighed heavily and scrubbed his face with his hands. "I'll see if Gringotts can reach him."

Ginny leapt from her seat, hugging him. "Thank you, oh, thank you, Bill. Thank you."

"I promise to try. They may not be able to reach him. He may not be able to answer," he cautioned.

"Just trying is wonderful," she danced about the room briefly. Bill smiled briefly, happy to see her acting like her old self. Ginny left soon afterward, promising to see a healer the next day to be sure.

Fleur looked at her husband, "This is not good."

"No, it isn't. First of all, she just lied through her teeth. I know she's been out and about with Thorfinn Rowle, I doubt he just wanted to hold hands. Second, Harry cut ties with her, Ron, too. It was just in the paper."

"Third, he has evidence of her misdeeds. Fourth, he has stronger allies." Fleur responded.

"Well, she made this bed, she has to lie in it."

"Are you going to tell Harry?"

"Yes, poor bloke doesn't deserve to get blindsided in October."

"Do you think your parents will try to force something?"

Bill shrugged, "Who knows anymore? I never would have dreamed my mother would keep someone under an obedience charm, so there we are."

The couple invited Harry and Hermione to dinner the next day, saying they needed to discuss something. Curious the duo arrived on the early side bearing a bottle of wine. "Thank you," Bill took the proffered bottle, "Come on in." He stepped back to allow them to enter.

Fleur put the finishing touches on dinner and called them to eat. "Forgive me, I wanted to show off my French cuisine skills this evening, so coq au vin with asparagus."

Harry gave Hermione a questioning look. "Duck in wine sauce," she answered.

"Smells amazing," he complimented.

Hermione waited until they had all served themselves, "So, how formal are we going to be?"

Bill looked surprised, "Huh? You're our friends, both of you."

"Sure, but are we going to make small talk through dinner or talk about has you both tenser than a cat in a room of rocking chairs?"

Harry laughed at the wizards' blank faces, "That is so much fun."

"Right?" she agreed.

"We can talk about it while we eat," Bill shifted his weight. "Gin came to visit. She claims to be in the family way, and that Harry is the father. The only possible father."

"Funny, she told Thorfinn Rowle the same thing," Hermione remarked calmly. "He told her tough luck and to kick bricks."

Bill looked uncomfortable while his wife flashed a scandalized gleeful smirk. Harry nodded, "I knew because Hermione was there and told me. I cut ties with her and I have copies of the potion reports."

"And if the child is yours?" Bill asked.

"I will raise it without her. Depending on her behavior during her pregnancy I will consider some kind of muggle style visitation. Your family's access would also be provisional on acceptable behavior."

"Dad might try to force the marriage issue, we are purebloods."

"And blood status shouldn't matter. But Lucius Malfoy's solicitors helped me draft my letter and petition. He would only embarrass himself and her." Harry told him.

Fleur nodded, "We did not wish for you to be ambushed or blindsided. I wish we could do a paternity spell now, but the baby's magic blocks it."

"I appreciate that," Harry thanked them. "Not much we can do until October."

Fleur changed the subject to the excursion to Mount Cicero. "It was delightful. More modern than Greece. Orene suggested letting the tourist types that I'm willing to let in go there. Though the cellars have some strong wards on them."

Bill perked up, "Did you take them all down?"

"No, they mostly seemed to preservation and anti vermin wards."

Would you be willing to allow trusted curse breakers to bring in trainees? Safe wards of that strength are rare."

"I could be persuaded if it was a curse breaker I felt comfortable with," she smiled coyly.

"I'll send it up the ranks and send you an official proposal."

"I'll be watching for it." She turned to Fleur, "How is your pregnancy going?"

"Ugh, some days it is glorious. Other days I feel like a giant sea cow."

"You look radiant," Bill assured her.

"You have to say that," she snapped, "you did this to me." Then she laughed, taking the sting from her words. "Which, I will not mind so much when there is a delightful baby to cuddle." The friends laughed and enjoyed the remainder of the evening.

Mrs. Clearwater pushed for a quick wedding, a late March ceremony on the terrace that ran the length of the house, with dinner and reception in the formal dining room and largest ballroom. Penny confided in Hermione the only thing keeping her from hexing her mother was Hermione and Bas's revenge waiting for her. "I hate everything."

"Even your gown?"

"I hate almost everything. The decorations are garish, the invitations are tacky. The food sounds too posh and gross. Any time I protest she tells me that she knows best."

"I would console you, but there's a betting pool about what goes tragically wrong and how long it takes."

"I really?" asked Penny.

"I have Mummy Dearest hexing your mother two hours into the reception for excessive social climbing."

"That's a good guess. Mum is furious you don't call me Aunt Penelope. I put my foot down and told her that was absurd. I'm only four years older than you, and we went to school together."

"I appreciate that. I'll be sure to goad her a bit for you by stressing Aunt Cissa and Uncle Lucius."

"You're a peach."

"Just taking one for the team," Hermione laughed.

"Worst of all, to ensure my awful relatives attend, she's making me have my cousins as bridesmaids," Penny moaned making a face.

Hermione shrugged, "Demand a traditional wedding."

"Nope. I cannot do that. I am not brave enough to parade about naked in front of anyone." Penny blushed, "My mother is zero help for wedding night jitters. She said to lay back and endure, Rabastan will enjoy himself even if I don't. And that's what matters."

"Have you considered a trial run before the big event?"

"When? My mother is consumed with planning, she keeps me busy with it all day long. It's like she doesn't want us to get to know one another."

"Well, I would modify your mother's advice. Lay back and enjoy. Bas is experienced, let him help you learn what you like and what he likes. He knows how it's done. I've heard stories." Hermione waggled her eyebrows, "He's got a substantial reputation from his younger days."

"I, uh, I just couldn't," Penny stammered.

"Penny, take a breath. As embarrassing as the conversation feels, have it. Express to Bas your uncertainty and inexperience. His ego will demand you have an enjoyable experience."

"You think so?" Penny asked shyly.

"Having spent significant time with men of various ages, I know so."

"I'll try to."

Hermione sighed and stretched, her back popping. Hours of interviews zapped her energy. The mind-numbing annoyance of it wore on her. Many people simply wanted the prestige of saying they had been there, with no interest in historical research or preservation. "Ugh."

Marcus came up behind her, his strong hands massaging her shoulders, kneading the knots from her muscles, "Long day?"

"So many people seem to be under the impression that because they want something I have to give it to them, for free even."

"They didn't like your answer did they?"

"Most of them did not. A few found the request to peruse their family grimoires amusing."

"Are you letting anyone in?"

"A few actual researchers who could make their careers," she shrugged, "and some Gringotts curse breakers."

Marcus slid into the chair next

to her, "Still coming to Japan with me?"

"Of course, Harry agreed to take care of Crooks and Sir Hiss."

"Because the elves wouldn't?"

"Hush, you," she swatted him.

"Are you ready for Bas's wedding right before that?"

"As I'll ever be. Narcissa has signed off on my gown and jewelry as worthy of my standing. My escort is from an acceptable background," she winked at him.

"Though, my family received our own invitation."

"Every pureblood family of any standing of note received an invitation. I have seen the decorations. This is about to be the tackiest event in the history of such events."

"It can't be that bad," chuckled Marcus.

"The flowers are shades of orange, blue, and red. The bridesmaids are wearing mint. Mrs. Clearwater wanted the men to wear powder blue formal robes but Bas refused. Violently. He set them on fire."

"So that's not happening."

"It is not," she agreed. "I'm also hoping to not have to keep Mummy Dearest from hexing the bride's family. Wish me luck."

He kissed her forehead, "Good luck, little dove."

Hermione wove a warming charm into her shawl in preparation to ward off the afternoon chill. Maisie assisted her with her hair, pulling it up and holding it back with sapphire barrettes. The simple A-line dress shimmered in candlelight granting it effortless elegance. She wanted to wear her glass slipper necklace from Marcus, but Narcissa vetoed it. Instead, she took her niece to collect something flashier from the Lestrange vaults. The selected jewels stretched across her chest and collar bones with matching chandelier earrings. Narcissa convinced her also wear a thick cuff bracelet.

Though a delicate hair piece caught Hermione's eye, Made of pale milky blue stones wrapped in silver flowers and leaves. It also bore the Lestrange family crest. "This would make a wonderful headpiece for Penny. Her mother kept her from getting one."
"Probably in hopes we could supply a family masterpiece," sighed Narcissa.

"Most likely, but I've decided to focus on Penny. I want her to feel welcomed into the family. I doubt she's going to fight us in the future as we keep their access to the family as limited as possible."

"Oh?"

"Her dress has been the only thing she had any say in. She knows Bas is only paying three galleons per bill and thinks it fitting and hilarious. She appreciates that they will be living a the Hall with Roddy and Mummy Dearest, but that Marcus and I will live at my house to help give people space."

"And if you host holiday gatherings, that cuts them off."

"Does it? Huh, I hadn't considered that." Hermione gave a mean little laugh. She collected the piece to offer to the bride. She purchased a lace veil to go with it.

Hermione instructed Penny's elf, Pip, to let her know when Penny was dressed and alone. Then she had the elf sneak her in. "Oh, Hermione, you look so lovely." cried Penny.

"You look gorgeous."

Penny preened, "Thank you. But, I have to ask, why are you here?"

"Aunt Narcissa and I wanted to offer you a Lestrange headpiece as your something old, and something blue. I have a veil for your something new and bobby pins for something borrowed."

"Is that a muggle thing?"

"It is," Hermione pulled out the delicate wreath.

"How charming? Are you sure no one will mind?"

"Bas and Roddy are unlikely to even realize to care. And if Mummy Dearest does, I will let her know I offered it as a surprise and behind your mother's back. Pip, would you do the honors?"

"At once, Miss Miney."

Pip quickly twisted Penny's hair up into an elaborate braid with the hairpiece resting on it. When Hermione nodded her approval the house elf set the veil and pinned it into place. "Oh, Penny, it is perfection. Like it was designed with you in mind."

The bride admired her reflection, "It does, oh doesn't that sound so conceited."

"Nonsense, every bride should feel this way. Now, I need to be going. Spoils the secret if your mother finds me here." She winked and held out her hand to the house elf so she could be returned to her room.

Downstairs she joined her parents and the Malfoys, giving Narcissa a wink, which the older woman returned. Marcus greeted her warmly when he arrived. "Ready for a demonstration about what a wedding should not look like?" she asked teasingly.

"As any of us can be, I suppose." Marcus offered her his arm. He guided her to the waiting ushers that escorted them to seats reserved for the groom's immediate family. She looked over the seats, noting numerous pureblood families, and ministry officials. She happily noted some Ravenclaw classmates of Penny's. She nodded a greeting to Percy, sitting with Esme. Noticing his sister, Marcus leaned down to whisper in Hermione's ear. "Esme told him she's open to the idea of making their relationship permanent."

"How did he reply?" she whispered back.

"That he too is open to the idea and that he would speak to Father."

"Think they'll beat us to the altar?"

"No, Esme will have some issues with Mum, whereas you have your aunt and mum to intimidate her into submission."

"There is that."

The bride glided down the aisle on the arm of her father, and from the first look, the groom only had eyes for her. That gave Hermione hope for the couple moving forward. With an angelic smile, Penelope promised Rabastan, "I join my life with yours. Wherever you go, I will go. Whatever you face, I will face. For good or ill, in happiness or sadness, come riches or poverty, I take you as my husband, and will give myself to no other." Rabastan returned her vow with his own.

The minister official congratulated them, "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you make kiss the bride." Rabastan gave her a quick peck on the lips and whispered something that made her laugh and blush.

A/N: Next time the reception.