Angel on Campus Keeperoliver Chapter 4
Harry's request for vacation had been approved, though reluctantly. They would miss the delicious treats he provided to most every one in the city. His fame had reached deep into the populace of Cambridge. In small circles, he was considered the God of Sugar, flour, and enjoyed his first few days of vacation, sleeping in.
The morning of the wedding, he woke up early to the scratching on his window. Rainbow was there with another letter from Luna. He offered Rainbow his coffee, and a Crepe, Filled with strawberry jam, and topped with whipped cream. Rainbow attacked this like he had never eaten before.
Harry read the letter he was delivered.
Dear Harry:
I hope you still are considering coming to my wedding. If you would, please come early, as Rolf and I need to ask you something. It is not bad, but, hopefully you will agree to it.
Hope to see you soon.
Love, as always:
Luna and Rolf.
P.S. What ever you are fixing for Rainbow, bring me and Rolf some. I do so enjoy your cooking.
Harry laughed at her request, and made her and Rolf three crepes each, the same way he fixed Rainbows.
He then got dressed in his dress robes, and prepared to leave. He returned to the kitchen, to see Rainbow finish off his breakfast. Harry was amazed at the bird, and his fascination for Harry's cooking. "Did you enjoy that, boy?"
Rainbow looked at Harry with, If harry read it right, Admiration. He nodded his head. He had a whipped cream mustache, and a strawberry beard. Harry went to clean it off, and Rainbow looked offended, and backed off. He then did something Harry never saw a bird do before. He licked his mustache and beard off his face.
Once again, Harry laughed as he opened the window, to let Rainbow out to return home. Harry grabbed his bag, and popped out of his apartment, and landed in the field outside of Luna's house. He approached the door, and it opened before he could knock. He was pulled into a hug by Luna, and she didn't want to let go. And to be honest, Harry didn't want to let her go. But, he did, and offered the container of Crepes to Luna, as he walked into the House.
Harry went into the kitchen, to find Xeno and Rolf sitting there looking up at Harry. Xeno looked back down at the table, not knowing what to expect from Harry. Harry saw the look, and assured Xeno that there were no bad feelings. He only did what he did, to protect his daughter. Harry would have done the same thing.
They divide4d the six Crepes amongst themselves. Rolf took his first bite, and had a look of amazement on his face, then joy, and then displeasure. They were all gone. "Mr. Potter these were excellent, where did you learn to cook like this. If you ever need a job as a cook, please think of me first. I could get very fat eating food like this every day."
Harry snickered, "Sorry Rolf, but, there are already over 100,000 request for my services, But, since I already have a job, that I like very much, I have to pass on all the offers. However, if you send Rainbow with a request, I might be able to fill it the next day. Rainbow seems to agree with you on this. So do Luna and Xeno, it looks like." Luna and Xeno were hard at work eating there breakfast.
"I'm afraid your right Mr. Potter. I have never tasted anything like this before. What are they called?" Xeno asked.
"First off, would everyone please call me Harry. Second, Xeno, they are called Crepes. My work has me explore all lines of cooking. Different cultures call for different styles, and I have to be flexible. Now, Luna, what is it you needed to talk to me about?"
Luna glared at Harry for disturbing her meal. She swallowed her bite, took a drink of her coffee, and answered, "Harry, Rolf has a best man chosen, but, it is not for sure he will show up. He is very shy, and reclusive. Even more than you I'm afraid. He has a complex, and fears people keep staring at him. If he doesn't show, we want you to be Rolf's best man."
"But Rolf, you don't even know me. This is the first time we met. Isn't there someone else better suited for this?"
"I'm afraid not Harry. Growing up with my father, kept me traveling, never settling down. I only knew Aaron, because he was orphaned quite young, and father took him in. He traveled with us on our adventures. This makes him sort of my brother. But, like Luna said, he is very shy around people. Even if he shows up, he may still back down. I have to be ready for this. So, will you do this for us, if the need arises? I will tell you honestly, I am expecting him to back down. If he does, I will help disguise you, so that no one will recognize you."
"If the need arises, I will do it. Just make sure no one will recognize me. Me and the press do not get along."
AoC-}
The guests were gathering in the seating area, talking with friends. Ginny and Hermione were standing alone. Ginny saw Hermione keep looking up at the stage, where the best man, and bride grooms were. "Fancy one of them do you, there Hermione?"
"Huh, what? Oh, sorry. It's just that one of them looks awfully familiar. I can't place where I have seen him, but, I am sure I have."
"Well then, why don't you go talk to him then? We might have a few minutes before the wedding starts."
"No, I'll wait until after the wedding to ask. It's just he is so familiar. I can't see his face, with that hood, but, the body language is what I recognize. The way he holds himself up. It's like he is confident, but is afraid of something. Where have I seen that before. Yes, that's it, Harry. He looks like Harry. Don't you see it Ginny? I wish he would turn around, so that I could see his face." About that time, the music started up, and the figure turned to the doorway. Hermione saw the face for the first time, and almost cried when she saw it. It was covered with scars. Could this be Harry? What has he done to himself if it is? He was joined on stage by the groom. They shook hands, and then parted. The maids of honor were next, and followed by Luna and Xeno.
As the ceremony continued, Hermione kept looking at the disfigured face, when she noticed something. It was like an actor, who was made up for a part, and the make up started to peel off. Of course. If Harry was him, naturally he would want to be disguised, so as not to be noticed. She had to prove to herself, that this was Harry.
Once the ceremony was complete, and the wedding party mingled with the guests, Hermione took her chance. She walked up to the man, and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned around, she reached up, and pulled the piece of make up off his face. Unfortunately, it wasn't make up. It was loose skin. The man backed away form Hermione, putting his hand on the spot Hermione had just pulled the skin from. The horrified look on Hermione's face was nothing compared to the look on the man's face. Luna saw what was going on. "Hermione, what have you done? Oh, Aaron, please forgive her. She didn't know what she was doing. Hermione, why?"
Hermione had tears in her eyes, and Ginny was shocked at what her friend had just done. "Luna I'm sorry. I had this feeling, I knew this man. He reminded me of Harry. When I saw his scars, I thought what has he done to himself. Then I saw the loose skin, and thought he was wearing makeup. I had to know. I'm so sorry sir, please forgive me?"
When he didn't answer her, she cried even more. "Hermione, do you know what a Manticore is? Well, Aaron was attacked by one two years ago. As you know, Manticore scars are sores that never heal. They fester and continue to leak out their infection. This attack also ripped out his vocal cords, and he is unable to speak. Why didn't you ask me before you acted on your thoughts. Do you realize that Aaron has made a great leap forward, by being here, to be Rolf's best man. You just killed two years of trying to bring him back to us. Why are you like this Hermione?"
"Because she can't let anyone have any peace. She is uncaring of others feelings. For some reason, since the war, she likes hurting people." Said a voice from behind them.
Hermione turned around, and there was Harry, staring at her with rage showing on his face. She knew she had just screwed her one chance to get Harry back to his family. "Harry, I'm so sorry?"
"For what Granger. Not getting accomplished what you set out to do? Destroying your supposed best friend. Taking away any thing that might have resembled love to the boy who lived. Making sure that the savior of the wizarding world, would vanish forever from your world. Sorry if your disappointed. Sorry that in your mind I was a nuisance, and I needed to be gone."
"No Harry, that was never my intention. I was so.."
"So what, Granger? Angry for interrupting you love making? Ashamed for being caught? Humiliated in front of the whole school? Tell me?"
Ginny had enough, "Harry, leave her alone. She regretted what she said to you that day. She never meant to hurt you. She didn't know what Ron was doing."
"How could she not know, when the rest of the school did. Was she enjoying it so much, that she ignored every one else. When did you start sticking up for her Weasley? Has Granger set her sights on a different Weasley now?"
Ginny slapped him hard across his face.
Harry stared at his ex girlfriend, then turned to Luna. "Luna, it was a beautiful wedding, but, I can't say much about the party after it. I will keep in touch. I think I have worn out my welcome." and Harry apparated off the property.
Hermione collapsed to the ground, sobbing heavily. What has she done. Her best friend hated her. She ruined Luna's wedding. She ruined any chance for Harry and Ginny getting back together. She stood up and turned to Luna, "Luna, I'm sorry for ruining your wedding. I'm sorry for making a fool out of myself, and embarrassing you in front of your guests. Please forgive me. If it's alright, I think I will leave you now, and understand if you never want to speak to me again. Good bye, and please tell your friend I am really sorry." Hermione turned on the spot, and was gone.
Ginny was a wreck. She had been crying the whole time. She never wanted to see Harry in this way. She was hoping it would be under nicer conditions. Hermione acted out of instinct, and was wrong, but, she did it, because she loved Harry. She knew that, but, Harry didn't. She had to stick for Hermione, because they were friends. She also knew that there was no chance for them to make up with Harry. Then she remembered what Harry had told Luna, before he left. "What did Harry mean when he told you he would keep in touch, Luna?"
"I have a way of contacting him."
"How, Luna? He has put up charms that don't allow Owls to find him? He has no floo connection? He has blocked out apparition attempts? How do you contact him?"
"Sorry Ginny. That is something between Harry and me. He does not want to be approached by anyone else. After what I just saw, I can't say that I blame him, really. What is wrong with Hermione, that she hurts people like she does?"
"She is frustrated Luna. She knows what she has done to Harry, and can't forgive herself for it. She loves Harry and it hurts her to know what she has done to their relationship."
"Well, she certainly has a funny way of showing it. doesn't she. Ginny, tell Hermione I forgive her, but, in the future, talk to me, before she does anything irregular. I hope we can keep Aaron from going back into his shell."
Ginny nodded, said her good byes, and left, to find Hermione.
It took quite a while to calm her down, but, Ginny finally got Hermione to drink a cup of tea, and to talk to her.
AoC-}
It has been two years since the wedding, and like Harry promised, he kept in touch with Luna. Rainbow became a regular visitor, and Harry could see where he was gaining weight. "Rainbow, we are going to have to put you on a diet. You are getting to be a little rotund. I think I need to put you on a sugar free diet."
Rainbow looked at him as if to say, "No way."
Harry took the letter form his breakfast buddy, and read the letter.
Good morning Harry;
You have to cut back on the sugar you give Rainbow, he is getting to be a porker. However, that does not mean you have to stop sending us them. I am quite trim thank you very much.
However, I don't know how much longer I will remain thin, as I am pregnant. Not only pregnant, but with twins. Harry, I am so happy, and Rolf is strutting around like he was king of the world. Dad is right there with him, happy to be a grandfather for the first time. I hope you can come and visit us soon, and say hello to you newest cousins.
Ginny came by the other day, asking about you. She really does care about you Harry. She comes by once a month, on the Weasley Family dinner, asking about you. And no Harry, Hermione doesn't come by. Ginny says she is too ashamed of herself, to look me in the eyes. She knows I forgave her, but, she can't bring herself to face me. I wish I could talk you into seeing them. They miss you Harry, and I know you miss them.
Well, that's enough pleading for now. I have to go. Oh, Rolf wants to know when you can make some more Crepes. For that matter, so do dad and I. Why won't you give us the recipe? I have tried using some from cookbooks, but, they aren't yours. You truly are an amazing cook Harry.
Love you,
Your unofficial sister, and her brood
Luna
Harry thought it over. It has been four years since the incident, and two since the wedding. Perhaps it was time to talk to the two. Ginny was just protecting her friend, like he would do. He didn't understand Hermione's actions though. Why did she change so drastically. He wrote back
Luna my love;
Congratulations on the twins. I look forward to rubbing your tummy. Tell Rolf to keep strutting. He has a reason to be proud, and tell grandpa to take pictures of your progression through your pregnancy. I bet you'll look cute waddling around. Excuse me for getting gross for a second, but, I bet your breasts become huge, trying to maintain milk for two.
Listen, sweetheart. If you set up a date, I think it is time for Ginny, Hermione and I to talk. I don't know what it will accomplish, but it has been too long, and if I was being truthful with my self, I miss them. Let me know when you get it set up, and where.
Love you sis and the rest of the brood
Harry
He attached it to Rainbows leg, and sent it on it's way.
When Luna read it,she was over joyed. She got hold of Ginny, and told her of the meeting. Ginny cried from joy. When she told Hermione, it was worse. They were finally getting the chance to speak to Harry, and clear the air. They selected a neutral site, which happened to be a room in the Leaky Cauldron. Ginny asked Luna to be there also, as Hermione wanted to say something to her s well. It would be on Sunday of the following Weekend.
Luna sent the messabe to Harry, and he returned his agreement. Luna asked Ginny to keep Hermione under control. She didn't want arepeat of her wedding day.