Chapter 9 A Wedding, A Betrothal, and A Family
The week leading up to the wedding of Bill and Fleur was busy for Harry. True to his word Snape started training Harry to face Voldemort with the help of Draco and Moony. Moony came over every morning at sunrise and returned to Grimmauld Place after sunset. The only time Hermione even saw Harry was at lunch, and then they would spend an hour after together, just as he said he would, and sometimes she woke up in the middle of the night and watched him sleep.
Narcissa Malfoy was indeed grateful to be rescued from her life with her husband. She had never seen her son happier. She and Hermione had many talks about raising magical children and she offered to watch the little ones when the couple needed some time alone. Hermione found that Narcissa was funny and clever; not at all what she appeared to be at the World Cup.
Harry had also hired three more house elves thanks to Winky. He knew that both Dobby and Winky wanted to go to Hogwarts with them and not be left behind but he didn't want to leave either house unattended. Winky had told him of an auction that was taking place and he went, not taking Hermione, because as appalled as he was with it, she would have been furious and probably landed in Azkaban after hexing someone. At first the new elves were timid and afraid that they would be punished for the smallest mistake or accident. Winky finally convinced them that they didn't have to do everything perfectly, just the best that they could. Twinkle and Noddy would be staying at Grimmauld Place while Agie would stay at Godric's Hollow since Narcissa had taken a liking to the elf. While he was out that day he went to Gringotts and placed Fifty Thousand Galleons in Bill's vault as a wedding gift from him and Hermione, telling Sharptooth that it would be non-returnable and to wait until the actual wedding day before placing it in the vault.
Harry and Hermione returned to Grimmauld Place the night before the wedding, leaving Snape and the Malfoys at Godric's Hollow. The house was noisy and crowded making Hermione miss the quiet of the other home. Harry had finally told her what Ginny had said and tried to do to him so that she would be prepared for any attack from the angry redhead, so the dirty look that she received was no surprise. As much as Hermione wanted to stay in hers and Harry's room, Fleur was making that impossible. The bride wanted Hermione to help her with the small wedding and simply someone to talk to. Hermione helped the nervous bride with everything from dress robes to flowers.
Harry was busy helping Bill by basically keeping Fred and George from being over the top in their enthusiasm. He accompanied Bill to Diagon Alley to the same jewelry shop that Harry had bought his and Hermione's rings at. Bill said that Fleur really liked them so he wanted to surprise her. Looking around while Bill made his purchase Harry spotted a silver locket with a blue jewel in its center. The shop keeper told him that the locket was made of white gold and the jewel was a blue diamond, a cut from the now Hope Diamond but carried no curses. In fact only two owners had ever owned the locket in the last two hundred and twenty-five years. Harry thought that it was a perfect present for Hermione for her birthday so he bought it.
At noon Harry and Bill were waiting outside of Amos Diggory's office for Hermione and Fleur and the rest of the Weasleys. Although everyone else watched the soon to married couple, Harry only had eyes for Hermione. He agreed that Fleur was indeed beautiful, but Harry couldn't take his eyes off his wife, silently thanking whomever that she was his and that he finally saw her beauty in all facets. He held her hand through the whole ceremony.
The bridal party returned to Grimmauld place where the elves had laid out a massive feast in honor of the wedding. Presents from family and friends were piled on a special table along with a cake. Bill opened the envelope and tried to return the money, but Harry refused. "It's to start your new life. Rebuild the Burrow or buy a new place I don't care. Just make sure you two are happy. And if it makes you feel any better I plan on giving each Weasley that amount when they get married as well. We're family. I want my kids to grow up with their aunts and uncles near by." Fleur grabbed Harry into the biggest hug and kissed him on both cheeks before she did the same to Hermione. She thanked both of them for the very kind and generous gift leaving no room for argument from her new husband who remained quiet to please his new bride.
That evening while the newlyweds were in their room, the twins with Alicia and Angelina were in the kitchen playing exploding snap Ginny was off sulking somewhere. Harry was in the library reading when Hermione came in with tears in her eyes. She literally threw herself on to his lap.
"What's wrong" he asked massaging her shoulders and back.
"Ginny" she sobbed into his chest.
"What did she do this time" he asked starting to get angry.
"She didn't do anything, it was what she said."
"What did she say then?"
"That you regretted marrying me and wanted her instead and that the only reason why you married me was because no one else would want me and that you pitied me" she said crying harder.
Harry pushed aside his anger for the moment and tried to calm Hermione down. "Hermione, I chose you, not Ginny, but you. I love you I always have, I just have been blind and stupid about it that's all. You are the other half of my soul. Don't ever doubt that" and he kissed her, their first since the wedding. Voldemort and his entire army could come and attack right at that moment and Harry could have cared less, let alone have heard them, so absorbed in kissing Hermione. Ending the kiss he continued to place little kisses along her checks and neck before returning to her lips. It turned into a full snog session before Harry stopped, trying to gain some control over his body. He really wanted Hermione but neither were quite ready for that step yet.
"Sorry" she giggled realizing his problem.
Harry was glad that her mood had improved enough to tease him and he could tease a little back. "I'm sure you are since it's your fault, but at least you know that I am attracted to you." He leaned and whispered "I never got this way with Ginny."
She grinned at hearing that and teased "And you still better not or I might have to use a hex that I learned from Fleur that her mother taught her to use on wayward husbands."
Harry was grinning despite the threat to hex his anatomy, glad that she was back to normal. He settled Hermione more comfortably on his lap and continued to rub her back and shoulders until she relaxed enough and fell asleep. Harry continued to simply hold her, loving the feel of her in his arms, thinking that he really had no regrets in marrying his best friend. He picked her up in his arms and started carrying her up to their room. She let out a sigh and snuggled closer into his chest. As he passed Ginny's door, it opened.
"Well if it isn't the newlyweds. What, are you wearing her out in other parts of the house now" spat Ginny hating the sight of Hermione in Harry's arms. It was supposed to be her, not Hermione.
"None of your business and you leave Hermione alone. You had no right to say those things to her because you are in a temper."
Ginny glanced down Harry's body and saw the bulge at the front of his jeans. "Obviously she's not putting out enough if you still have that problem. I can help you with that" she smirked.
Harry blushed, realizing what Ginny was talking about. "That too is none of your business and no thank you. I have no wish to bed a child." He continued down the hall and into their bedroom, hearing Ginny screaming at him. Sounds on the stairs told him that one or both twins were now with their sister.
Once inside their room Harry layed Hermione down on the bed and started undressing her. Finally all that was left was her bra and shirt. The shirt he decided to leave on but he knew that she never slept with her bra on and he had never taken one off before. Too embarrassed and aroused he tried banishing it, not really trusting himself to touch her. It didn't work. Sighing he turned her over onto her stomach and lifted her shirt with shaking hands. After ten minutes he finally got off the most difficult undergarment known to man and heard Hermione sigh in her sleep. He lowered the shirt and covered her up with the bedding and went to take a cold shower.
Surprisingly Harry woke before Hermione the next morning. She had snuggled up to his back and had thrown her arm over his waist. Deciding that he really didn't want to face Ginny at the table for breakfast, instead he would fix breakfast for Hermione and bring it upstairs to their room to eat together. Making his way into the kitchen, he found Bill, who apparently had the same idea, but was burning whatever he was suppose to be cooking.
"What is that supposed to be?"
Bill looked up and answered "Scrambled eggs."
Harry went over to the stove for a closer look and said "Doesn't look like it, looks more like charred wood. Would you like some help" he asked grinning.
"Prat and yes."
Harry began to fix a better breakfast with very little help from Bill in the actual cooking. It was several minutes before Harry raised the subject of Ginny. "I want to talk to you about Ginny, Bill" he said flipping pieces of french toast.
"What did she do now" he asked wearily.
Harry told him about what Ginny had said to Hermione and his own conversation in her doorway. He left nothing out. Bill got more and more angry. "I don't know what to do about her anymore. She has it in her head that you are the only one for her. Mum, I think convinced her of that and I know that Mum and Dad talked about a possible betrothal between the two of you and that may be where Ginny is getting the idea from."
A light bulb went off in Harry's head as he flipped some sausages. "What about a betrothal to someone else?'
Bill looked up slightly surprised and asked "Who".
"Neville."
"Neville? I don't know. She is my only sister and I do love her and wish to have her happy but Neville? Are you sure that would work?"
"Yes I do. Neville has always loved Ginny. He told me so. He even worked up the courage to ask her to the Yule Ball, after he asked Hermione that is. I think that he definitely would go for it." Just then the floo roared and out stepped Fred and George, looking like a couple of cats that swallowed canaries.
"Ah, it's our imperious leader and our now fallen brother."
"Where have you two been" asked a smirking Bill.
"Why we have been" started George.
"Celebrating your wedding" said Fred.
"Weasley style" they both finished laying down a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of Bill and Harry. The headline screamed "Mysterious Swamps Invade United Kingdom". Harry read the article stating that several homes across the countries of England, Wales, and Scotland had had a swamp mysteriously appear in the home or on their property overnight and that every home that had one was a suspected home of a Deatheater.
"You sent suspected Deatheaters a portable swamp" asked a surprised Bill while Harry started laughing.
"Well yes, in honor of your marriage and we only sent them to those that the Order had confirmed as Deatheaters, even You-Know-Who" answered a grinning Fred. Bill continued to look at his brothers in surprise and shook his head while Harry laughed harder at the image of Voldemort face as he had a swamp appear before his eyes and not being able to get rid of it.
"Since you two jokers are here, I want to discuss something with you about Ginny" said Bill as Harry made more breakfast for the twins as a reward.
"She was in a right state last night saying that Harry tried to assault her, but we knew better since we saw him carrying Hermione up. He just wouldn't have had the time" said George thinking that Ginny had said something to Bill about it and felt that he had to defend Harry against his own sister.
"No, it's not that but something else. We all have to agree to this action, even you Harry." Bill explained the idea of betrothing Ginny and Neville. The twin surprisingly thought that it was a good idea, especially after they heard exactly what Ginny had said to Harry and Hermione last night. They had no reservation about Neville and liked him quite well. George even said that he noticed that Neville seemed to have more confidence lately. They really believed that the two of them could have a happy marriage together, once Ginny calmed down that is. In truth the twins wanted to be the ones to tell her and watch the fireworks when she exploded, but Harry, in a very Slytherin move suggested that Neville be the one to tell her when he performed the ritual. Three very sly smiles agreed with him. Borrowing Hedwig, Bill composed a formal letter to Neville and his grandmother requesting a meeting in a possible betrothal between Neville and Ginny, then left his brothers to share breakfast with his bride. Harry also left with a tray for himself and Hermione along with the twins' copy of the Prophet.
When Harry reached the bedroom he saw that Hermione was still asleep. He set the tray down, leaned in and kissed her awake.
"Good morning sleepy head."
Hermione responded by putting her arms around his neck and bringing him down for another kiss before she whispered "Good morning to you too".
"I've brought you breakfast in bed."
"How very romantic of you. There wouldn't be any other motive, would there?"
"No, not really, other than I don't want to have breakfast in the same room as Ginny."
"No, I don't either. What are we going to do about her?"
"You are not to worry about that. Arrangements have been made."
"Really, what kind of arrangements?"
"I'll tell you later because you probably wouldn't agree anyway."
"What have you done" Hermione demanded.
"Nope, not saying. Now eat your breakfast and read the paper, you'll find the headline interesting."
Harry watched as Hermione picked up the paper and read the headline. A number of emotions crossed her face and she ended in giggles when Harry told her that the twins were responsible and that they even had one delivered to Voldemort. Both enjoyed their breakfast and each others company and it wasn't until half past ten that they emerged from there room with Harry carrying the tray and Hermione trying to tickle him into dropping it on the way down the stairs. Ginny gave them a look of pure venom but didn't say anything as she left the room. Angelina and Alicia were also in the kitchen sorting everyone's mail. They gave Harry a letter from Mr. Prewett asking if he could meet with the both of them that afternoon at two. Harry sent a quick note of acceptance with Zeus, Hermione's owl. They spent the time before the meeting talking, hugging, and snogging, much to Ginny's anger. Bill and Fleur had come down for lunch and they received an invitation to tea from Mrs. Longbottom, a positive sign.
At a quarter to two Harry and Hermione Flooed to the Ministry and walked hand in hand towards Mr. Prewett's office. They had barely sat down when his office door opened and Mr. Prewett invited them in and they sat down
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter, it's a pleasure to see you both again. I felt that I needed to inform you of something that has come to the surface concerning your cousin Dudley Dursley. Yes, I know that he is deceased and I normally don't involve myself in the business of my muggle counterparts. However since the muggle authorities mention your name, I felt the need to do so. It would seem that your cousin was not, shall we say, very nice and unfortunately has been named as the guilty party in a rape case. The victim, a Sarah Brown, who doesn't live that far from your former address, had filed charges against your cousin. However since he has died, those charges are now dropped. Ms. Brown however does not wish to keep the child and has said that the child would be placed up for adoption as she refuses to have an abortion. She also has been discreetly searching for you hoping that you would help her as her parents have 'kicked' her from her home. All she is asking for is coverage for her medical expenses and a living allowance until the child is born, which would be sometime in May."
Harry, unfortunately, knew what Mr. Prewett was talking about. The week before Dudley died, all he talked about was how he had gotten even with 'the Tramp'. Harry had no doubt that Dudley was guilty of the rape. In fact he was surprised that there hadn't been others. Looking at Hermione, who's face looked appalled and held pity for the girl, he saw her nod to him knowing what he would ask. He sighed and said "We agree to adopt the child, but it is to remain anonymous."
"Agreed and I thought that you might so I took the liberty of drawing up the paperwork, including the muggle ones, for both of your signatures." They both signed and Harry told Mr. Prewett to have all of Sarah's bills sent to Sharptooth at Gringotts and that he would settle an account, in Sarah's name, for living expenses.
"Also, I thought that I would mention to you both of a class that St. Mungos is offering about infant child care. It covers all the basics like feeding, changing, bathing, etc. I thought that you two might wish to attend. It starts at nine."
"Thank You Mr. Prewett, I believe we will" said Harry shaking his hand. As they left the office, waiting outside was one of the people that Harry actually hated, Delores Umbridge.
"I am here to escort you to the Minister Mr. Potter" she said in sickening sweet voice, sneering at Hermione.
"I'm sorry, Delores, but I'm rather busy at the moment, so some other time perhaps."
"I am afraid that you have no choice in the matter." Harry then noticed that there were four aurors behind here with wands drawn. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand, nodded to Umbridge, not even bothering to hide his anger. They made their way to the Minister's office with Umbridge leading the way, followed by Harry and Hermione, and then the aurors. Once inside the Minister's office, Scrimgeour dismissed the aurors and offered his hand to Harry saying "Mr. Potter, I'm glad that you could come to see me."
"I didn't have much of a choice" spat Harry
"I'm aware that some, uh, persuasion was necessary, but I really would like to discuss some things with you before you begin school, alone if you don't mind" Scrimgeour looking at Hermione.
"I don't think so Minister. One you have nothing to say that I really don't want to hear and second Hermione stays here. I'll make this short for both of us. I refuse to reveal what Dumbledore and I were working on when he died. I refuse to openly support you or the Ministry for any reason. And I really refuse to be in the same room as her" pointing to Umbridge. "Now let us leave or you really won't like it."
"Are you threatening the Minister Mr. Potter? I thought that I taught you better manners than that when you were one of my students I see how wrong I was. I will bring the aurors back to arrest Mr. Potter Minister." Umbridge made a move towards the door but Hermione pulled her wand stopping her.
Scrimgeour raised his hand to Umbridge and said "It is quite alright Ms. Umbridge. Harry are you really sure that you and I can't come to some understanding. I could help you by making the resources of the Ministry available to you if you give me some information. We are working towards the same goal. I can smooth your way in to your career choice of an auror."
"If I wish to still pursue that choice, I would like to enter under my own merits and yes we are working towards destroying Voldemort I don't like your methods. Good Day." Harry turned and left the office with Hermione before the other could stop him. They flooed home to Grimmauld Place where Harry was still simmering, so much so that Hermione dragged him into the library and started snogging him senseless, trying to calm him down. An hour later they emerged with clothes wrinkled and messy hair but calmer and smiling.
Bill and Fleur had returned from the Longbottoms with the news that the betrothal had been accepted and that they were coming for dinner that night for the ritual at eight. Hermione, as mistress of the house, arranged with the elves a formal dinner to be served in the dining room. Since Hermione was taking care of the detail at home Harry Flooed to Diagon Alley. He went to the twins shop and told them the news and about the dinner. He then went to Gringotts, visited Sharptooth to place fifty thousand Galleons into Neville's vault as a betrothal/wedding gift. Also to verify the orders for Sarah Brown and to open an account, under her name, in the amount of one hundred thousand pounds, to use however she wished. Sharptooth assured him that it would be taken care of and that the muggle bank would contact Ms. Brown. With that assurance Harry returned home to Fleur and Hermione ordering everyone else around in trying to make everything perfect.
When all was ready everyone went to get ready. Harry and Hermione dressed in some of their new dress robes and waited with Bill and Fleur near the fireplace since they owned the house, waiting for the Longbottoms. Harry had no idea what Ginny had been told but the twins had gotten her downstairs looking very pretty.
The floo roared and Neville and his grandmother walked calmly out of the flames.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Johnson, Mr. Weasley, Miss Spinet, thank you for allowing me into your home" said Neville very formally, with the twins slightly snickering. Walking up to Ginny, Neville bowed slightly and reached for Ginny's hand. She giggled expecting a kiss on her hand; instead he placed a ring on her finger and said "With this ring I pledge to wed you within a year from today."
Needless to say Ginny was beyond angry and tried to take the ring off, without success. She turned to the others and yelled "YOU ARE ALL BEHIND THIS. I REFUSE TO
MARRY NEVILLE. I WANT HARRY."
"But you can't have Harry" stated Bill "I love you, but you have been impossible to live with. Mum and Dad would be ashamed at the way you have been acting. So now you will be Neville's responsibility, not ours. And yes you will marry him, we have all agreed to it."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. It was barbaric, that's what. Not giving Ginny a choice in a partner in life. She liked Neville but, if she were Ginny she would fight back too. And Harry was a part of it too. She was staring to get mad. Harry saw the emotions that went across Hermione's face and knew that she was angry at what was being done. He leaned into her and whispered "I'll explain later. Don't explode please?"
Winky announced dinner and they went into the dining room. Dinner was far from enjoyable as Ginny was told that for all intent and purposes Neville was as good as her husband and that he could treat her as such. Neville was showing more backbone that anyone, including his Grandmother, had ever seen. He told Ginny that any retaliations against her family, Harry, Hermione, or the children, would move the wedding itself up a month for each offence. He also informed her that because of the ring she couldn't use her magic against him and the only way that the ring could come off was if the wedding didn't take place within the time limit or if one of them died. The twins were very impressed in the way that Neville was handling their sister. Ginny had refused to eat, so Neville fed her himself since she couldn't deny him, thanks to the ring. He suggested that Ginny spend the rest of their vacation at Longbottom Manor, which the Weasley's pounced on at once and agreed. Winky was dispatched to pack Ginny's things. When it came time to leave, Ginny refused by simply staying where she was. Neville simply stood her up picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He calmly said goodnight to all with a screaming and pounding Ginny on his back. Every one of them saw the determination in his face and the love in his eyes for the witch over his shoulder. Before Neville stepped into the floo, Harry handed him the envelope from Gringotts. A final wave to all and he disappeared.
The other stood around talking about dinner while Hermione went upstairs. Harry followed knowing that she was still angry. As soon as he was in their bedroom and had shut the door she demanded the explanation. Harry explained everything about the betrothal and how he had suggested Neville because he knew how much Neville loved Ginny and that he didn't want her using the babies to get what she wanted from him. Hermione calmed down some and understood the reasons why but didn't like the solution; however she agreed that Neville had surprised her with his determination in the situation. Hermione told Harry that if he ever did something like that to their daughter, there would not be enough left of him to give the bride away. Harry agreed quickly, not wanting to get hexed.
Harry fell asleep quickly but Hermione found it hard to, what with all that had happened and the fact that she realized that she would be a mother in less than two days. For the first time it had truly hit her. Her whole life was changed and that there was going to be two little beings depending on her for everything and she hoped that she could handle it all. She snuggled close to Harry and fell asleep.
Both woke early so that they could attend the infant care class at St. Mungos. Both assumed that it would be lectures and some demonstrations. Never in Harry's wildest dreams did he think that they would use real babies for each person. Boy was he shocked. The healers showed them how to make bottles the muggle and wizard's way, how to feed them, how to change nappies, and how to bathe them. Harry's little charge didn't want to eat but to play. It didn't want to take a nap, even though it was tried and cranky. Then he had to change the most disgusting nappy. He didn't understand how someone on such a bland diet could produce something like toxic waste and completely overpowering. Hermione seemed nervous. She had gotten her charge to fall asleep but she kept checking on her charge every few minutes to see if it was still breathing and if it was warm enough. By the end of the day both of them were worn out but felt better prepared and comfortable around babies.
Both had a hard time sleeping that night excited with the knowledge of their children's arrival the next day. Morning brought anxiety with the excitement. Everyone in the house was awaiting the newest Potters, especially Dobby and Winky. The Weasley had presented gift for the twins at breakfast, not clothes or toys or such, but in the forms of certificates of babysitting the babies for the parents to use. It was greatly appreciated. An owl arrived from Mr. Prewett stating that the twins would arrive at ten at St. Mungos, where they would be checked over by a healer before they could bring them home.
By nine Harry thought that Hermione had packed half of the twin's wardrobe into the diaper bag along with an entire package of disposable nappies, two packages of wipes, and ten bottles. She kept unpacking then repacking, making sure that she didn't forget anything. The carriers were waiting with blankets to cover the babies, mostly to shield them from prying eyes.
Finally at a quarter til ten Harry and Hermione flooed to St. Mungos and were shown into an examination room to wait. Precisely at ten the door opened and they saw two healers, each carrying a bundle. They handed one to Hermione and one to Harry. The healer in front of Harry told him that he had his daughter. A huge grin covered his face as he looked at her face. She was beautiful; black hair and black eyes, rosebud lips, adorable ears and a perfect little body. Harry knew that he was going to have to fight the boys to stay away from his little girl. He had lost his heart to her when she smiled at him. Looking over at Hermione, who had tears in her eyes. He saw that his son had black hair as well and the bluest eyes that Harry had ever seen; the color of blue ice. Harry swore that the boy smirked; a true marauder and mischief maker. Harry wouldn't have it any other way.