A/N This has a combination Wiccan and Anglican Godparent ritual. I found both online and did my best to combine them. There will also be mention of Wiccan holidays that I have researched and tried to do justice to. If there are any of you who practice these religions and can help me, especially with Wicca, I'd appreciate it.
Ch. 19
Sunday 12 July 1998
Sunday morning found Harry up in the nursery feeding Teddy while going over his part in the ritual. Teddy kept trying to bat the papers away but Harry kept worrying about when he needed to stand and what to say. He finally put them down before he went to the kitchen.
"I was wondering where you were." Sirius said. "You are usually up before me."
"Yeah. We were up. I was just reading over the order of service for today." He looked at his own godfather. "How'd you deal with the stress of doing this service?"
"I didn't stress. I was too naïve at the time. The day of the service, I was playing catch-the-nose with you for like two hours. I never really believed Jamie and Lily would die, even with the prophecy hanging over you guys. I thought of myself as more your favorite play toy." He shared his experience. "Also, I never had your fear of being in front of people."
"Yeah. It's amazing how that goes away when I'm teaching." Harry laughed.
Pretty soon he had breakfast made and the extended family, including the Grangers, were at the table.
"So Harry. How're you feeling about this Christening today?" Dan laughed at the nearly green young man. "Nervous?"
"You could say that. I'd say terrified." He ground out.
"Don't be." Dora patted his arm. "You'll do wonderfully."
Later that morning, Harry decided to burn off some excess energy by flying. He wasn't scared to be Teddy's Godfather, he'd been around the boy since he was two weeks old. He was just scared of ruining the ritual for Dora's sake. Dora had really become an older sister/aunt to him over the last month and a half. She was always there to help when they needed it—like when they opened the store or when he just wanted someone to talk to. Now she was relying on him to say the right things at the right time. This was not something he felt he was good at. So, as he flew, he thought about everything that could go wrong.
"Love, it's time to get ready." Mione called as she came out to the pitch.
"All right. I'll be there in a minute." He called back as he came out of the sky.
As they headed into the house, she asked, "You ok, love?"
"I'll be fine once the ritual is over." Harry commented. "You know, Andi should teach about the mixing of rituals in her class. I've never been exposed to the rituals used in wizard society."
"Yeah." She opened the door to the kitchen. "Let's talk to her after the Christening."
"You guys going to get ready?" Sirius asked.
"Yep. We'll be down in a while." Harry and Mione went up to their room. "I'll take a shower first Mione." He stripped off his swimming costume and went to the shower.
Hermione began getting their formal robes and other clothing together for each of them. She knew he was preoccupied and also knew from experience that he didn't pay attention to mundane things like clothes when he was worried. She thought it was adorable how worried he was about the ritual.
While she was getting dressed, she began thinking of all that had occurred these last two months. She was so happy with the way things were going. She had a best girlfriend that she loved like a sister, a boyfriend that she was sure would turn into a wonderful husband and dad, an uncle that loved her and she loved back and an aunt of sorts who was just fun. On top of all that she lived right next to her parents, and they got along with this new family, so much so that they got invited to the Christening. Life was good.
HP
After the family got dressed, they apparated to Godric's Hollow. They had decided to come a little early because Harry was a little nervous.
They walked to the church and went inside. There weren't the usual pews. There were chairs set up in a circle with an aisle down the middle and several circles of chairs behind the first. There was an altar at the end of the aisle. Harry was directed to sit next to Mione and across from Brianna in the front row.
The Priestess, a woman in her thirties and a Priest in his fifties were at the altar. The Priestess began by calling for blessings by Air, Earth, Fire and Water. Then she began walking in a circle saying "In the name of the Divine; God Goddess, All-That-Is;I do separate this place from the world.
I set this place apart, sacred and outside of time and space.
I create this as a holy place, fit for Gods and Men alike."
She then began talking about the four cardinal directions. This really confused Harry. She then called Dora up. Dora stood, handed Teddy to Harry and went to the altar. She then said, "Great Mother, as father to this child, I invite you to join us in her blessing and naming. Please be with us during this special time. All-Father, as mother to this child, I invite you to join us in her blessing and naming. Please be with us during this special time."
"So it is, so it will be." She said and stood back.
The priest came forward and intoned "Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess
together with this child the faith of the Church. Do you believe and trust in God the Father?"
Everyone in attendance said
"I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth."
Priest said "Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?"
Everyone repeated:
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Priest said "Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?"
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
The Priestess asked for the child. Dora turned to Harry. He kissed his godson as he handed him to Dora. He watched as Dora stood there with Teddy as the Priestess confirmed this was a child of love.
Harry took a deep breath as Mione squeezed his hand as he and Brianna stood up and went to the altar. As the Priestess was blessing Teddy with Air, Harry took him from Dora. She just grinned at her two boys.
The Priestess lit the incense and began wafting it around Teddy saying "With air I sense thee, child of Dora and Remus. May all the blessings of the Element of Air surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood."
Then a candle was passed around Teddy as the Priestess said "With fire I purify thee, child of Dora and Remus. May all the blessings of the Element of Fire surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood."
Then she sprinkled water on Teddy's forehead and said "With water I cleanse thee, child of Dora and Remus. May all the blessings of the Element of Water surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood."
She backed away and the Priest came forward. "Praise God who made heaven and earth,
All who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give thanks and praise.
We thank you, almighty God, for the gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life. Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through water you led the children of Israelfrom slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.
In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us from the death of sin to newness of life. We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism.
In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection.
Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, we baptize into his fellowship those who come to him in faith.
Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, they may be cleansed from sin and born again. Renewed in your image, may they walk by the light of faith and continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and for ever.
All Amen."
The Priestess came back and blessed him by salt and did the naming ceremony. Then she looked at Harry and Brianna and asked "These parents have chosen you as godparents for Edward Remus Lupin. Are you willing to stand up as such, for Edward?"
"We do" They intoned.
The Preistess recited: "Please take the wand in your right hands and give your oaths"
They did as asked and Harry repeated his memorized lines "I, Harry James Potter, do swear to stand as godparent to Edward Remus Lupin. I promise to do my best to be a good example for Edward, in deed and thought, in word and heart. I will teach what lessons of faith and religion that I can to Edward, always mindful that he will make his own choices when he reaches maturity. I will support him in his exploration of the world as he grows, and will always lend an ear when he needs someone to turn to. I swear this in the name of my gods. So be it."
He handed Teddy to Brianna "I, Brianna Elizabeth Richards, do swear to stand as godparent to Edward Remus Lupin. I promise to do my best to be a good example for Edward, in deed and thought, in word and heart. I will teach what lessons of faith and religion that I can to Edward, always mindful that he will make his own choices when he reaches maturity. I will support him in his exploration of the world as he grows, and will always lend an ear when he needs someone to turn to. I swear this in the name of my gods. So be it."
The Priestess replied "Your oaths are accepted by your gods, by Edward's parents, and witnessed by all of us here. Now I ask of all those here a similar oath. A child cannot be raised alone; it is best done by a village, as the adage goes. Will you, each alone and together, stand as a village to Edward Remus? Will you be good examples for him to follow, and provide him with shelter, love, and joy as you are able?"
"We will" the congregation replied.
The Priest came up as the Priestess stood back. "Parents and godparents, the Church receives this child with joy.
Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith.
Will you pray for him,
draw him by your example into the community of faith
and walk with him in the way of Christ?
With the help of God, we will.
In baptism this child begins his journey in faith.
You speak for him today.
Will you care for him,
and help him to take his place
within the life and worship of Christ's Church?
With the help of God, we will."
The Priestess came back "Edward Remus Lupin, you are but a young infant, and cannot yet make choices of your own. Until such time as you are mature enough for those decisions, we ask that our gods bless you and care for you, and accept you as their own. May they guide your steps and keep you safe from all harm until such time as you are old enough to dedicate yourself of your own accord. Edward is truly blessed, for he is loved not only by his parent, but by his godparents, Harry and Brianna, and by each and every one of those present here today. We all have things we wish for Edward, and all these gifts will be his in years to come. In token of those gifts, we will now bring around a book wherein we would like you to record your wishes and words. When Edward comes of age, these wishes and words will again be shared with him, and he will see how the love of his community has shaped his life. The Circle is open yet unbroken. May the peace of the Divine go with us always in our hearts and souls! Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."
Harry gave Teddy back to Dora as the Priestess finished the ritual. He sat down next to Mione and dropped his head on her shoulder. "Boy am I glad that's done!" As everyone was getting up, he groaned. They got up and followed Dora out of the church.
Sirius came up from behind, "Weird wasn't it?"
"You could say that. I've never been involved in anything remotely religious and I got a mix of pagan and Christian in one sitting." Harry sighed.
"Well, everyone that got invited is coming to the Madhouse. We better get home so we can greet them." Sirius turned on his heel and left.
"Better go." Harry remarked as he disapparated.
HP
When he got home, the entrance hall looked like someone threw up the rainbow. "Have the twins been here?" Harry asked his godfather.
"Probably one of them. I only saw one at the church." Sirius smiled. "I love those boys. They are so much fun."
They walked into the formal sitting room which had the same treatment. In fact, so did the drawing room, the kitchen and the terrace. Even Dobby was decorated in a multi-colored shirt and pants.
"I can't believe those boys." Mione grumbled as she came into the kitchen. That's when the front door opened.
"Hello, Hello. This is amazing!" Hermione heard her dad say as he came in the kitchen.
"Then you can clean it up Dad!"
"Fair enough but aren't you a witch? Can't you clean this with your wand?"
"That's not the point. Those prats messed up my home!"
"Come on, Mione. Let's move to the terrace." Harry took her hand and pulled her outside, not wanting a fight today. He sat on a double swing and pulled her down on his lap. "I love you. Thanks for putting up with me these last days. I know I've been a pain."
She kissed him "Yes you have, but I understand why."
Soon all their family and friends were out on the terrace sitting around and talking of how their summer plans were going. Brianna kept stealing her godson from everyone who attempted to hold the boy.
Teddy was enjoying being passed around to all the adults who played with him but eventually wanted one of the family when he became overstimulated. He went to Dora first but when Harry was in his line of sight, he held out his hands. No one was really sure if that meant he wanted up, except Harry, who would automatically pick the boy up.
"I think it's a learned reaction for Teddy." Brianna offered as she came into the tail end of this debate.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I think Harry's trained him because every time Teddy does that one motion, Harry picks him up."
"Exactly what I was trying to say." Hermione replied emphatically.
"He's just smarter than every other two-month-old!" Harry retaliated firmly. Hermione and Brianna just rolled their eyes.
"Whatever you say Harry." Brianna said as though consoling a five-year-old.
"I think you're jealous because he loves me best!" Harry replied petulantly. As the women were rolling their eyes again, Dora came up and took her son.
"He loves me best. Don't you little sweetheart?" She cuddled the boy. He held out his arms to Harry, which got the whole crowd laughing as Dora reluctantly handed him back.
Later on, after the food, cake and gifts, people started drifting home. However, it wasn't until about seven o'clock that the Madhouse was only inhabited by its native residents. They were now in the game room relaxing.
"I was talking to Augusta today about the rituals in our society. We have both been taught the practices of those rituals and holidays we celebrate but have both stopped practicing them. Tomorrow, we are going over to talk about the next ritual in the calendar, Lammas." Sirius said.
"Oh goody. More rituals." Harry said sarcastically.
"Harry, you have to at least know these rituals, even if you don't practice our religion." Sirius explained.
"I get that. I just don't like it."
"It sounds fun to me!" Mione said with a big smile.
"Of course, it does Mione." Said Harry and Nev together. Mione just rolled her eyes.
"Can I come?" Luna asked. "Mum was the one that celebrated the holidays, not daddy. I've forgotten a lot of it."
"Of course, Lune." Sirius smiled, wondering if she'd pick up on her new nickname.
"Lune?" Nev inquired.
"My nickname for our little Luna." Sirius grinned as Luna shot herself into his arms.
"I love it!" She looked up at him. "But only you can call me that!" Dang, he loved these kids!
"Just remember Padfoot, Nev and I have to be at Gringotts at one for Headmistress interviews."
"I know."
Soon, everyone realised how tired they were and went off to bed.
13 July 1998
The next morning around half eight, the quartet and Sirius floo'd to Longbottom Estates.
"Welcome to Longbottom Estates." Augusta intoned.
"Hi Gran." Harry reached over for a hug.
She smiled. "Hello Harry."
She reached over for a hug from Neville. "Hi Gran." He smiled. He liked this new version of Gran.
"So," She said as she led them into the sitting room. "Today we are going to talk about rituals. Especially Lammas, which comes up on August first. There are eight ritual holidays in the calendar. Most practitioners consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. That is because it is the shortest day of the year and thus begins the progress to spring and longer days. Most of the rituals you'll learn about have to do with the seasons and nature in origin. However, we have adapted them as we became a non-agrarian society. Traditionally, Lammas was a time of prayer to the Harvest Mother for a bountiful harvest. Also traditionally, we build an altar with things like corn stalks, wheat, grapes anything that is related to the harvest. By this time in the year, they were hopeful for a bountiful harvest but fearful they would not have one. By asking for a bountiful harvest and doing the harvest rituals, we are asking for a 'bountiful crop' in our lives. Do you have any questions so far?" She got several no's in return. She then went over to a small table near the fire with an orange cloth on it and showed them how to decorate their altar.
"Our family not only celebrates the Harvest Mother Goddess at this time but the God Lugh as well. We perform rituals to celebrate both on August 1. In order for you to prepare, I have both rituals written out. We will perform them on August 1, here. I will expect Luna and Hermione to come here early that day to set up the altar so we may perform it at sunset. As the ladies of the house, it is going to be your job to teach these traditions to your children, therefore you must know how to do these things."
Soon afterwards, the quartet and Sirius left for the Madhouse. They apparated in and heard Dobby singing. They went into the kitchen and saw Dobby feeding Teddy and singing.
"Hey Dobby. How's Teddy doing?" Harry asked.
"Wonderful Master Harry Potter Sir. He woke up from his morning nap and I took him so Mistress Dora could get dressed." They heard noise from the entrance hall as Dora came into the kitchen.
"Good to see you're all home." She smiled as she took Teddy for a burp. "So, how'd it go?"
"Good. We learned about Lammas." Harry returned as he sat at the table for lunch. They talked about what they'd learned and what they were doing for the rest of the day.
"Well, we have to go in to interview a Headmistress today. Then another tomorrow and one Wednesday." Harry sighed. "But at least, she'll hire all the teachers."
Dora laughed. "I guess that's a relief for you."
"We're going up to the library to study the journals. We're so close to extending a spell for a specific amount of time." Luna offered.
"I have a Creature Law meeting today." Sirius added.
HP
After lunch, they all dispersed to their various places. Harry and Nev apparated to Gringotts. When they got into Ted's office, they noted Swordback looking through reams of parchment, however, he had a computer next to him.
"Hey Swordback? What are you doing?" Harry asked.
"I'm putting a large amount of parchment work into this computer." He mumbled as he briefly looked at his friends.
"Sounds fun." Harry said sarcastically. He turned to Ted. "So, where's Venus?"
"Right here." She answered as she walked in. "Valerie will be here in 10 minutes."
"Are we using the conference room again?"
"Yep." She grinned as she handed them Valerie's CV. "Here's what she's done."
They looked it over. "She's a witch working in a muggle school?" Nev asked.
"Yes. She has plenty of experience with children. However, she's never dealt with little witches and wizards and, as you know, they come with a whole set of problems."
They spent a good hour and a half talking to Valerie and could see why Venus liked her. She seemed to like kids of all ages and wanted a change from what she was doing. However, she had no experience dealing with administering a school.
After the interview, Venus asked, "What are your thoughts?"
"Well, she's never run a school before." Nev began.
"She doesn't seem like the sort of person who would make a good administrator. She seems to have her own ideas and want to run with them without checking if they'd work." Harry offered.
"It's funny. Those were my feelings too." She laughed.
"Let's put her name down as a maybe and we'll talk to the others first." Nev suggested.
HP
Back at the Madhouse, Hermione and Luna went up to the library to search through the journals and books that came out of the Potter Vault. On top of the five journals Sirius found, there were at least fifteen more that had both Lily's and Remus' handwriting. Some had potions directions, some had made up spells but the most important thing they found that afternoon was in a small section of the journal. It said: Specifically Timed Spells.
"Look at this Hermione." Luna exclaimed, getting very excited. She came over and sat with Luna. She put the book between them. "Here, it says the incantation and the wand movement. I wonder how they came up with this."
"Look!" Hermione pointed to a section of text where it explained how she and Remus experimented with different versions of the incantations. "I think we can do this. Let's go to the Burrow and see if this works."
HP
When the boys were done interviewing Valerie and talking it over with Venus, they decided to see what was going on in the Alley. As they headed over to the Leaky, they noticed both WWW and MIT were doing loads of business. They decided to go into MIT.
"Hey Angelina!" Harry called out to his former captain.
"Hey Harry!" She returned as she wrapped up a sale. "How're Hermione and Luna doing?"
"Well. I think Mione was bored there for a few days after the shop didn't need her but she's back into inventing now." Harry laughed at the horror on her face.
"Is she going to bring them in to sell?" She asked.
"If she gets them working, I think so." They talked for a few more minutes, then the boys left to apparate home.
14 July 1998
The next day, they had their second interview with a prospective Headmistress. This candidates name was April Froshbent. She was the Headmistress at a large Catholic school in London.
Swordback brought her into the conference room where Venus, Harry and Nev were waiting. They talked for a good two hours about what she liked with her school and what she'd do differently if she were running it.
"I believe that, while most of these children are magical, they need a regular primary school education. That means maths, science, history, English, and a foreign language. Most magicals are home schooled or tutored. My problem with this is that in first year at Hogwarts most magicals are at different skill level and are actually behind their muggleborn peers who have gone to primary school. I've always wanted to teach at a magical primary school—we just don't have them here in Britain."
"So, what do you think?" Venus asked the boys after she left.
"I like her." Nev said. "She's smart and has good ideas."
"They aren't pie-in-the-sky ideas either and she has experience with administration."
HP
That afternoon, Harry got a call from Ariana saying they would be ready for groundbreaking tomorrow. This meant everything was right on schedule. The boys decided to stay home and just enjoy an afternoon off.
Although it was Tuesday, they decided to have a movie night. Everyone made pizzas and took them up to the game room where they watched Beauty and the Beast.
After the movie, with all three girls crying about how sweet it was, Harry turned to Nev and Sirius. "Next time we watch a movie, we're watching an adventure. None of this weepy stuff."
"Harry!" Mione squealed in frustration. "The only reason we cried was because we were happy, you dope."
"Don't get me wrong. It was interesting but crying makes no sense." Nev added.
"Don't try and understand it guys. Lily told me that men just don't have to understand. I've accepted this." Sirius contributed.
As it was near ten o'clock and Teddy was out like a lantern, Harry decided it was time for bed. "I think I'm going to take Teddy to his cot and go to bed myself." He got up without waking Ted, which he hadn't been able to do a few months ago.
"I'm coming love." Mione jumped up, kissed Uncle Sirius and followed him down.
A little while later, Nev and Luna decided to go to bed. It was now just Sirius and Dora. "You know, Teddy will be three-months old in two days." He sighed. "I'm just having so much trouble with all the changes in our lives, you know what I mean?" Sirius looked at his cousin.
"Yeah. Three months ago I had a husband and was still pregnant. We had no idea where Harry was. Voldemort was in power. You were in hiding and presumed guilty. We were living in that horrid house. Now, Wolfie's dead, Teddy's alive, we have Harry, Hermione, Neville and Luna. Voldie's dead. You're free and we're living in our own place with our family." She paused. "For the most part our lives are one hundred percent better. That doesn't mean I don't miss Wolfie every day though."
"Yeah. Me too. I'll miss him for the rest of my life."
HP
When Harry and Mione got into bed that night, they just laid there cuddled
together. "I know you and I talked about starting Teddy a photo album for his birthday but I haven't started it, have you?" He asked.
"Yes. I did. I raided your album and copied some of those photos for Teddy. I've also found some of Teddy and put them in." She answered.
"Thank you, love." Harry smiled. "And, if I know you, you've talked to the family about coming over Thursday and to Dobby about the cake."
"Yep." She just grinned as she gave him a passionate kiss, which of course led to other activities that night.