Chapter thirteen

Harry, Charlie, Kingsley and Minerva stepped out of the house in Godric's Hollow. Thousands of people lined the road. The ministry had placed charms all around the area to stop muggles coming close so they wouldn't hear or see what was going on.

Harry waited until everyone fell silent, 'With help from Charlie Weasley, I found out that I'm an ancestor of Godric Gryffindor, but he also worked out something else. As all of you know I was in this house when I survived the killing curse, the house where my parents were murdered. But there is more to this house than anyone realised, my father realised it, but kept the truth about this house to himself apart from telling my mother,' Harry looked back at the house again, then moved his hand around until half the front was transformed into a very old cottage.

'This is the home of Godric Gryffindor, Godric Gawain Gryffindor. My father researched his family and Godric Gryffindor's family. He found that all first born male children had Gawain as either their first or middle names, my father's name was James Gawain Potter. He found this out before I was born, so to keep the secret he decided that Gawain would not be part of my name. He did this for one reason, he knew that the ministry would claim this house under the historical act, he did not want to give up his home his father had left him, and his father before that.

'After what took place in this house when I was a child I knew I would never live here, I only repaired it so I could see a piece of my parent's lives, which is what I have been doing, seeing a small part of their day to day lives. But once I realised that this is the home of Godric Gryffindor, a house that hundreds of people have been trying to find for century's, I decided since I would never live here, then it should be open to the public. The Minister came up with an idea that I agreed to instantly. Like the front of the house, parts of inside have been restored to his old charm from the day of Gryffindor and part of the inside is how my parents had their home. The Minister and the headmistress of Hogwarts both believed that everyone would appreciate seeing both, they also said it's a way for people to pay their respect to someone that helped build our way of life.

'Anyone that studied Godric Gryffindor knew he was one of the founders of Hogwarts, some of you might not realise that he was also instrumental in some of our laws, some of our most important healing charms, some spells that we all use in our everyday lives. He is an important part of our history, so now you can all get to see a small part of that.

'My parents were murdered in this house, I was almost killed as well, but thanks to my parents sacrifice I survived to be able to finish Voldemort. Now you can see part of what their lives were like and pay your respects to two people who were willing to die to keep me safe, but also to allow me a chance to do what the prophecy said. Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies. That is part of the prophecy, the prophecy that sent Voldemort to this house all those years ago. So I believe that my parents deserve to be recognised for their contribution to ending our war and opening their home, Godric's Gryffindor's home is a way to do that, for everyone to see two very different parts of history,' Harry smiled at the crowd then stepped aside with Charlie, Kingsley and Minerva.

As there were so many people here, the ministry had placed people from the law enforcement squad to allow in only twenty people at a time and for the first day, those twenty cannot spend more than half an hour inside the house to give everyone a chance. But over the coming days the numbers of people will ease to a regular easy amount to manage.

'That was a very nice speech Harry,' Hermione smiled.

'Thanks Hermione, I basically just spoke from the heart.'

'You seem to be doing that a lot lately, like the one you did at Hogwarts?' Ron smirked.

'Yeah, I sometimes wonder how I didn't stutter through that and I didn't have a speech written, just like today.'

'Sometimes they make the best speeches Harry, but it was good. You spoke just enough about both your parents and Godric Gryffindor, not one over the other, it was good.'

'Thanks Kingsley, but I've done what I have to, I might head off. Charlie and I have a few things we need to take care of.'

'You two are disappearing quite often, what are you up to?' Arthur asked.

'You'll find out soon enough, everyone will find out soon enough,' Charlie smirked, 'But we really need to go, so much still left to do.'

'I hate it when Harry keeps things to himself,' Hermione huffed.

Harry kissed her cheek, 'I know, but you'll love it when you find out, trust me. But thank you, all of you for being here today, it meant a lot to me.'

'You're family Harry, of course we'll be here,' Molly hugged him then Charlie. Then they were hugged by the whole family, along with Hermione and some of Harry's friends before they said goodbye to Kingsley and Minerva. The huge crowd who all applauded Harry who smiled before walking off with Charlie. Once alone and in a secluded area, they apparated straight into their shop, 'Not much longer love.'

'No, another week to get all these potions finished, then after Ron and Hermione's wedding, we can finally have our grand opening. Are you sure about the name of the shop?'

'Yes, I am, it's a combination of our names, so it works. Now come on, we've got to get these finished and I'm almost sure I'll be able to do that spell over your potion, which means Fred and George will murder us.'

'Oh yes, I can see them coming up with something to get back at us for this. But they just weren't as good as we are or as fast,' Charlie pulled Harry into his arms, 'After this, Ron and Hermione's wedding, then we can tell everyone about ours.'

'I can't wait Charlie, everything is finally working out, isn't it?'

'Yep, it is and just think, if I didn't come onto you that day, all this might not be happening.'

'Someone must have made you do it and made me see that I could trust you and I think I know who it was,' Harry took Charlie's hand and placed it over his heart, 'Sirius said he was always here, my parents as well. From the moment I admitted how I felt about you, I felt it Charlie, felt them here. They were telling me to trust you and that everything will work out in the end. I had to stop being afraid to open my heart and I did, so I opened it to you. You are my love, you are my life, now and forever.'

Charlie kept his hand over Harry's heart but his eyes never left Harry's face. The two men stared at the one they loved, the one they would spend the rest of their lives with, lives that would be full and happy.

Hermione and Ron's wedding went off without a hitch. It was a beautiful sunny day, Ron had managed not to pass out through nerves and Hermione looked gorgeous in her beautiful white traditional gown with a veil over her face. Photos were taken, speeches were made, again Harry spoke from the heart about his two best friends and how much they meant to him. There was lots of food, lots of laughter, lots of drinking, lots of dancing and naturally Fred and George had to play a lot of pranks on everyone. But they restrained themselves by not doing anything to the bride and groom.

Two weeks after, Harry and Charlie were sitting at the long worn table in the Burrow's kitchen, the whole family was there including the Grangers as Ron and Hermione were due home from their honeymoon, so Molly insisted on a family dinner.

'Ah here are the happy couple now,' Arthur called.

Everyone hugged Hermione and Ron, but Harry held onto his two friends longest then stared at them.

'You both look…content, happy, I like seeing that.'

'We are mate, very happy. I see you brought the bike this time.'

'Yep, I missed riding it and Charlie loves it as well. But I'm teaching Charlie to ride then he's going to get his own.'

'So you can go riding together, that'll be nice,' Hermione smiled as she sat beside her parents.

'Yep, it will, especially from the house in the Scottish highlands, it's a nice ride from there down to Hogsmeade.'

'Oh, are you at the house now?'

'No, we're going to move in there soon,' Charlie said giving Harry's leg a squeeze, 'We have some news we'd like to share with everyone.'

'Is this about how you two kept disappearing all the time?' Hermione asked.

'No, you'll find that out soon, this is personal,' Harry smirked at Hermione, he knew keeping this secret was killing her.

'So what do you want to tell us?' Arthur asks.

Harry and Charlie stand up, 'We're getting married,' they say together to lots of surprised looks, shouts of glee from Hermione, Ginny and Molly, then they are being squeezed as everyone hugs them.

'We wanted to wait until after little brother here married the smartest witch around,' Charlie grinned then looked over at his father who nodded.

'So another wedding to plan,' Molly said happily.

'Yep, we know it'll be here and we want it in a month's time. It will be catered for but it will be a fully magical wedding,' Charlie said as he sat back down but pulled Harry onto his lap.

'Who do you want to perform the ceremony then?' Arthur asked.

Charlie looked at Harry to answer, 'I'm hoping I can get Minerva to perform it. As headmistress of Hogwarts, and one of the governors as well as a member of the Wizengamot, she can officiate bonding ceremonies.'

'I figured you'd asked Kingsley, being minister he can do them as well,' Ron said.

'We talked about Kingsley, but Harry's always had a soft spot for Minerva.' Charlie explained.

'So Ron, best man,' Harry grinned.

'I better be mate.' Ron beamed.

'Bill, will you be my best man?'

'Of course I will Charlie, thanks.'

'If you don't mind me asking, is a ceremony for two men any different from a traditional male female wedding?' Jean Grangers asked.

'No, it's the same just no bridesmaid, I hate that as Hermione is my best friend as well she can't be involved like being a bridesmaid, but it's two best men. There is one thing that we can do that Charlie and I both agreed to do that is not normal. Like how Mr. Granger gave Hermione away, Charlie and I want to do that, have someone give us each away,' Harry looked at Charlie.

'Yes, so I want the twins to give me away,' Charlie grinned then laughed at the twins shocked faces.

'And I want Hermione to give me away, since I have no family and she's like my sister and will be after we're married, I want my other best friend.'

Hermione squealed in delight as she jumped up and hugged Harry tightly. Everyone heard her sniff even though she had her head buried in Harry's shoulder.

'You've made my wife cry again Harry.'

'I've never made your wife cry before, I made you're girlfriend cry.'

'Oh you're still being a smart arse,' Ron shook his head.

'Charlie, are you sure you want us?' Fred asked.

'Yep, Bill best man as we've always been close being only a year apart. But you two, let's just say you made life interesting. We know normally is would be dad, but he'll do the traditionally giving away with Ginny, father of the bride.'

'I think your idea is wonderful,' Molly sniffed, 'Our family is still growing Arthur and our surrogate son will be officially part of the family.'

'Yes he will Molly,' Arthur said, then turned to Harry, 'But I need to know Harry, why the big change when you said Charlie was pushing too fast?'

'He was, but as I said, I still cared about him, he was just becoming a little possessive. I couldn't leave his side for a minute without him finding me. So after that day we talked at Hogwarts, Charlie and I talked more, worked a few things out.'

'We did, but Harry had fallen in love with me but wouldn't tell me and I found out why. I can't say what it was just yet, it's all linked to what we've been doing. But Harry was afraid because of Sirius, so once I gave him the reassurance he needed, then he asked me to marry him. You saw the twins looked shocked before, I couldn't talk or move, well move as Harry was sitting on me,' Charlie smirked at Harry, 'But he really took me by surprise.'

'We all knew you were wary of committing because of Sirius,' Arthur said.

'That's why Harry refused to admit he loved us, at first anyway, scared that something would happen,' Hermione smiled kindly at Harry.

'I had only ever said I love you to Sirius, then he dies on me. Mum,' Harry gave Molly a cheeky smile making everyone laugh, 'I was fifteen months old when my parents died, would I have been talking, enough to say I love you to them?'

'All children are different, but by fifteen months old you could probably say love you or even just love. Percy was able to talk pretty good at fifteen months old, Bill was next, Ron was the slowest at talking.'

'Only because I couldn't get a word in with how many brothers I had,' Ron smiled at all his brothers.

'Ron would go to say something and we'd butt in,' Fred grinned, 'Then make spiders appear around him which made him run from the room, so he learned to stay quiet.'

'You two will never change and I hope you don't,' Harry laughed, but he looked around at the family, his family and very soon he would be officially part of the Weasley family and Hermione would be his sister, Ron his brother. To Harry, he found a family, but he also found a home.

Harry and Charlie had sent off invitations to everyone they knew so they could be in Diagon Alley for their opening. Harry had also contacted all the major magazines and newspapers to place adds about the shop and opening. They had no idea it was Harry Potter requesting the adds, he only gave the name of the shop and what would be sold.

Harry and Charlie stood just inside the shop, the whole front of the shop was still covered so no one knew anything about what the old icecream parlour had now changed into. When it was time, Charlie looked at Harry, nodded, so Harry waved his wand to reveal, Charry's Potions, a shop for all your potion needs, ready to buy, including the brand new virtual potion. Have virtual sex or believe you are a teacher at Hogwarts, whatever your heart desires, this potion will make you believe it's real. Harry and Charlie laughed as they saw Fred and George gaping at them through the window, but so were Hermione and almost everyone else.

Charlie opened the door and stood back with Harry, 'Welcome to our shop.'

'How could you Harry, we were going to do that virtual potion,' George glared.

'My spell, my idea, Charlie got the potion I did the spell over it, we beat you to it boys.'

Charlie and Harry moved aside with the family to allow everyone to look around at all the potions ready to be used. They started being asked about the virtual potion straight away, so Harry and Charlie explained before they ended up being run off their feet. They knew that potion would be popular, so they made enough so they had enough stock for a few days until Charlie could brew up some more. Hermione ended up buying the one to stop her hair going bushy all the time. Eloise Midgeon shyly bought the one for pimples, Harry gave her a smile and guaranteed her it would work perfectly. So many people that Harry knew bought all types of potions and he realised that most of these people never did learn potions mainly because of Snape being the teacher.

'You two are going to make a fortune,' Ron stared wide eyed at everyone.

'Well you know I was hopeless at potions without that book, you were just as bad. So when Charlie said how good he was, but Snape made it impossible, it gave me the idea for this place, combining our talents.'

'That's how I gave Harry his guarantee. He wouldn't tell me how he felt because of my job, dragons are dangerous. When he mentioned this at first I thought I couldn't afford it even if it was a great idea. So we talked it out, I let Harry finance it only after he asked me to marry him. What do you think of our name though?' Charlie glanced around at his family.

'Charlie and Harry combined, Charry, it works,' Bill said, 'You always did like potions Charlie, but I figured you'd always work with dragons.'

'I probably would have if Harry didn't come up with this idea. He made sense though, I had trouble with potions only because of Snape, but I knew I was good. So many others couldn't learn or ending up hating potions because of Snape, so they can't make them, even simple ones. So now instead of going to St Mungo's or having a friend or family member make the ones they need, they can buy anything from here. Naturally we don't do any of the powerful healing potions, they need to be passed by the head healer at St Mungo's. But all the ones we sell are ones anyone can make at home if they are able, like mum, she always made our potions, anything from colds to temperatures.'

'It's very good and you were always good at potions. It's a shame that Severus made it such a dislikable subject,' Molly said.

'Yeah, Slughorn's good though, treats everyone the same, so hopefully more people will finally start to learn.' Harry said.

'We'll go look around while you take care of your customers. I'm proud of both of you,' Arthur hugged Charlie then Harry before following his wife further into the shop.

Harry and Charlie stood behind the counter, sometimes discussing potions with customers, selling potions or explaining about the virtual potion and how it works. But both men couldn't stop smiling because they realised that their shop was needed and will help their world.

The day of Harry and Charlie's wedding, Minerva McGonagall arrived with the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. As headmistress, she was the only person allowed to remove portraits from the castle, it was a surprise for Harry who had no idea she was bringing it. Both men were in the house but in separate bedrooms with their best man's, Hermione also with Harry and Ron as she was giving Harry away, the twins with Charlie and Bill.

When it was time, Arthur took Charlie, Bill and the twins out one door and stood at the side of the house while Molly took Harry, Ron and Hermione out and stood at the other side of the house.

When Minerva nodded the music started. Arthur and Molly stepped out first, linked arms and walked down between the seated people. Then Bill and Ron stepped out and walked together down the aisle. Finally it was Charlie with the twins on either side of him and Harry with Hermione beside him.

Harry and Charlie glance at each other, both smiled before they walked towards each other, joined hands as the twins and Hermione took a step behind. The two grooms walked hand in hand down the aisle and as they got close to the front Harry gasps loudly as he stared at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore who was smiling over his half-moon glasses, his eyes twinkling in that familiar way Harry had seen so often over the years.

Harry turns to smile at Minerva who is smiling back, Charlie tightens his hold on Harry's hand then the ceremony starts. Minerva speaks of commitment, of friendship, of communication and of love. Harry and Charlie exchange rings, Minerva moves her wand over their joined hands and a golden sheen spread out from their joined hands to their rings then up their arms to their chest and disappears inside, inside their hearts, joining their hearts, joining their souls, joining Harry and Charlie together, forever. The large crowd cheered and whistled as Harry and Charlie kiss passionately, their first kiss as bonded partners, as lovers and as friends. A kiss that told everyone that these two men will be together until they took their last breath.

The end: