Chapter 5: A Wedding

The day before Bill's wedding to Fleur was a blur. There were a thousand and one things to do, with little time to do them all. Harry, though exhausted from his training this week, was into the preparations as best he could. He wanted to help Bill make this a day he would remember.

Already, the Ministry had Aurors in the area, scouting out the area for protective purposes, mainly because Harry was going to be there. They were also working on fortifying the wards over the Burrow, which allowed some protection to those attending the wedding.

Kingsley Shacklebolt and Tonks were the lead Aurors at the wedding, and they were there with the Ministry, protecting the wedding, and fulfilling their duties as members of the Order. The Order would also be out in full force, with many members attending the wedding.

Harry would be in the crowd, sitting next to Hermione, who, like Harry, didn't have a part in the wedding. Ron would be escorting guests to their seats, and Ginny was a bridesmaid, along with Fleur's sister Gabrielle.

However, Harry and Hermione had a lot to do in order to help the wedding go smoothly. Their tasks mostly revolved around cleaning the house and helping set up the decorations. Tomorrow, Harry would have his wand up his sleeve in a quick draw holster type thing that would allow him to access his wand in an emergency.

He and Ginny had already been taught the premises of how to do magic together, and, by that, holding each other, and holding both wands at the same time. This was accomplished by Harry holding both wands in his right hand, putting his left around Ginny, and Ginny's left hand grabbing Harry's hand and the wands so they could combine their magical powers.

Harry was already beginning to master becoming an Animagus, something that surprised Professor McGonagall. He put it down to the quality of his instruction, and the fact that he had a deep desire to do this since his father, Sirius, and Ginny were all Animagi.

Right now, he kept his abilities a secret, knowing that it was best that way. And he'd shown Ginny the night before that he could do it without his wand, which surprised him. Remus was pleased to see the transformation as well, as he knew that it would help Harry out a lot.

Secretly, Remus and Minerva said that Harry's amazing progress was probably due to one thing: love. Both noticed that when Harry was around Ginny, he seemed to forget a lot of things and focus on her. And he seemed much happier to be around her.

For all of them, this was a good thing. It would make sure that he could handle the dark times that they were sure to face in the future, if these weren't dark enough for them.

During the day, when Harry and Ginny got a chance, they slipped away and changed into their dog forms. This allowed them more freedom to play, and would allow them a chance to get away from the prying eyes of others. During the two or three hours they were out playing, they finally got ready to go back, not realizing how long it had been for them.

When they got back, Mrs. Weasley was in a panic.

"Where have you two been," she demanded of Harry and Ginny, as they walked back to the house, holding hands, and laughing about something.

"We were out for a stroll," Ginny said.

"For three hours?"

"Three hours," Ginny asked. "Oh God," she groaned. "We lost track of time."

"What were you doing with my sister," Ron asked Harry.

Harry looked at Ron and smiled.

"We were just walking and talking," he said.

Talking? Yeah. And we were just practicing our wedding kiss.

Harry glanced over at Ginny and tried not to let his facial expression show.

"Oh, you were doing something alright," Ron said.

He stepped menacingly toward Harry, but in a flash, two wands were pointed at him. Harry and Ginny had the quicker reflexes, and were becoming very good at the quick draw, using the new wand holsters Harry had purchased for the four of them.

He'd gone with Tonks and Kingsley to get the wand holsters, and he'd gotten holsters for them as well, over their objections.

For Harry, his money wasn't an object to him. It was a means to an end. And that end was defeating Lord Voldemort and then marrying the girl of his dreams. Then he would add other ends he wanted, using his money toward that, and working at a job he loved.

"No fair," Ron muttered. "You two always are better at the quick draw."

Harry smiled.

"Well, I know I have to because of you and your brothers."

"Especially when you're so stupid as to believe Harry and I would do something like have sex. We know better," Ginny added.

"Yeah," Ron asked. "I'm glad. Because if Harry as little as touches you there, I'm going to kill him. At least before a wedding."

Ginny looked at her brother and rolled her eyes as she released her wand and it slid back into the holster automatically.

Harry did the same, and Mrs. Weasley looked at them.

"Where did you learn that?"

"Tonks and Kingsley," Harry said. "We went out and got the quick draw wand holsters."

"Why?"

"You never know," Harry said. "And I know it'll come in useful when I become and Auror after Voldy is gone."

"Voldy," Ron asked.

"Voldemort," Ginny said.

She was the only one other than Harry who could say the name without fear.

"Would you quit saying that name," Ronald asked.

"Really," Harry asked. "As many times as you've heard me say it, it still gives you the chills? All I have to say is that if you fear the name, you fear the person. And that's exactly what he wants us to do. Fear his name so we'll fear him."

"Yeah," Ginny said. "So if you don't want to say his name, do something like call him Voldefart, or Voldewart. Something like that."

That caused fits of laughter in the kitchen. The twins had come in on the conversation and were chuckling. Mrs. Weasley was smirking.

"Good one," Mrs. Weasley said. "Now Ginny, I want you to help Hermione. Ron, you and Harry go outside and make sure the garden doesn't have any more gnomes in it."

Harry scowled, but he went outside. He didn't want to upset the woman he considered his surrogate mother. He'd told Mrs. Weasley that one night, after everyone else was in bed. He'd stayed up to talk to her and Mr. Weasley, understanding they wanted to know where he stood in his relationship with their only daughter.

And it had helped things. Mrs. Weasley had burst into tears when he told her how he felt about her. Mr. Weasley took it a little better, but even he couldn't help but have misty eyes. He knew that Harry had been through so much, yet, still loved with the biggest heart of anyone he'd ever known.

On the wedding day, Harry stayed out of the way as much as humanly possible. He still had a lot to do with the family, and he knew that he wanted to help Bill out.

He heard everyone fussing as the last minute things were completed. Harry wasn't able to use magic, but he had other knowledge that helped from his years of living with the Dursleys.

He did what he could, and then retreated to the room he shared with Ron to change into his dress robes.

Ron saw him place his holster on his right hand, and another on his left.

"Whose holster is on the left?"

"Ginny's," Harry said. "She can't find a place on her dress to put her wand, so she asked me to carry it for her."

"I see," Ron said. "Even with everyone there?"

"We can't be too careful, Ron," Harry said. "It's better safe than sorry."

Ron nodded.

"I guess so. It is my sister we're talking about. So, yeah, I want her to be able to defend herself."

Harry nodded.

He and Ginny had progressed rapidly through their training so far, and were ahead of the other two. But that was mainly due to their fervor at their mission, which they wanted to do as soon as possible. The longer it took them to defeat Voldemort, the more people would die, and the more families that would be torn apart.

When they got downstairs, they got to their places. Harry looked at Hermione as she and Ginny walked down the stairs to get in their places.

"Wow," Harry said, seeing Ginny's radiant beauty. "I sometimes forget that she doesn't dress up."

Ron smirked.

"Well, duh," he said. "It's not everyday you have a wedding."

"True."

Harry walked up to Ginny as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"You'd better get to your seat," she told Harry.

But he didn't leave before she accepted a kiss from him.

"You look gorgeous," he said.

Ginny blushed slightly.

"Thank you, darling," she said. "Now go to your seat. Fleur might use her anger out on you."

Harry didn't need another word, and he walked out of the house, letting Hermione hold him by the elbow. Ron didn't mind that much. It was Ginny who had suggested it, so it'd be a little easier for them.

"Harry, I don't know what to say about Ginny."

"What do you mean?"

"The way she acts toward you. It's as if you're a couple already."

"We are a couple."

"I meant a married couple. I want to know what's been going on between the two of you to get you acting that way."

"We've spent so much time together in the training," Harry said, quietly.

"Don't look now, but it's your favorite reporter."

Harry looked to see Rita Skeeter sitting in a chair in the back row. She was seated next to Kingsley and Mad-Eye, which made her nervous.

When the two sat down, Tonks and Lupin were seated on Harry's left. On Hermione's right, sat some of the Weasley cousins.

"Wonder if Rita remembers what I told her," Hermione asked. "Remind me to let her know that if she insinuates we're dating, that I will tell her secret to the Ministry."

"What secret is that," Tonks asked.

"Oh, I'll tell you if she doesn't behave."

Tonks nodded.

"Harry, how has your training been going?"

"Great so far," Harry said to his friend. "I can't wait to get it started in more earnest."

"What," Tonks asked. "We're working as hard as we can."

"I know, Tonks," Harry said. "But it's just that I want to hurry up and finish my task so we can get on with our lives without this war."

Tonks nodded.

"I totally agree," Remus said. "The quicker it's over, the quicker we can resume our lives, as normal as possible."

Harry thought about Remus' condition. It made him sad that his type were persecuted for their illness, even when like Remus, they were good people when not transformed.

The wedding went smoothly. After the vows were said and the couple was pronounced man and wife, Harry's hair stood up on the back of his neck. He looked around, and was startled by what he saw.

"Tonks, Dementors," Harry said.

"Huh? Where?"

"There," Harry said, pointing toward the crowd of black figures approaching the Burrow.

Tonks saw them and then screams started to erupt when figures in black cloaks and wearing masks appeared.

As the first Auror tried to do magic, nothing worked.

There was laughter from the Death Eaters.

"You can't do magic there," one said, using a Sonorus charm to make his voice louder. "We've put a magic draining shield around you, so none of you can do magic. Enjoy the Dementors. Oh, and you can't leave the shielded area."

The screams grew louder. Harry tried his wand, but couldn't get anything other than a few wisps of white smoke.

"Harry, I can't get that," Hermione said.

"Ginny!" Harry yelled.

Ginny ran up to him and he grabbed her arm, with both wands in his hand.

"What are you doing," Hermione asked as she saw the two wrap their arms around each other and grab the same two wands.

"Trust me," Harry said. "Expecto Patronum on the count of three."

Ginny nodded and took up her position. People were eying them to see what they were doing.

"One. Two. Three. EXPECTO PATRONUM!" the two yelled together.

After a moment's hesitation, two objects burst from their wands. The two patronuses, Harry's Stag and Ginny's, which was a doe, ran toward the wall. They burst through the shield and the Dementors scattered in earnest as the two ran through their ranks, kicking and everything else they could do.

The Death Eaters stopped laughing, and soon, they saw more people trying that.

But none could do it.

"Ron, Hermione!" Harry said. "Do what we're doing."

Ron hesitated.

"NOW RON!" Ginny shouted. "We can't hold them all off."

Ron nodded and got over his qualms. Remus and Tonks got the same idea, and soon, there were four more patronuses, all larger than usual, running around. But none came close to the size of Harry and Ginny's patronuses.

Within five minutes, the Dementors were gone, having gotten close enough to make Harry feel cold and start to hear his parents' death again. There were several more sets of patronuses, mostly from married couples and dating couples. No one else could produce anything in the shield.

A moment later, the shield was destroyed, and then the Aurors and Order members were chasing after the Death Eaters, who disapparated to get out of the area.

"What was that, Harry," Mrs. Weasley asked, as she and Mr. Weasley dropped their patronuses as well, having done the same thing.

"It's a technique we were taught by Aberforth," Ginny said. "Oh, Ron and Hermione, you definitely have to date now."

"Why," Ron asked.

"Because," Tonks said. "You're soul mates. Only soul mates can do that."

Mrs. Weasley's eyes went wide, and she wiped away her tears. She hugged both of the couples as the crowd calmed down.

"What about Bill and Fleur," Harry asked.

"Their just fine," Mr. Weasley said. "Bill did the same thing you did. But how did your patronuses get so large? And Ginny, a doe?"

Ginny smirked as Remus looked at them.

"I can't help it," she said. "It was a horse, but I was surprised to see it change to a doe."

"You know the last person to have a doe patronus, Ginny?"

"No," Ginny said.

"Lily Potter. And guess who's patronus was a stag?"

Harry and Ginny shared a look.

"Really?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Really," Remus said. "I don't know how you two did that, but I'm glad," he said.

Tonks looked over at Remus and smiled.

"Me too," she said. "Now he doesn't have a choice but to date me as well."

Ginny laughed.

"Ron, are you listening," Harry asked. "If you don't, I bet Ginny may find a good hex for you."

Ron blinked at that as Hermione and Ginny laughed.

"What was that shield," Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Tonks said.

"I want to know as well," Remus said. "I don't think I've ever seen it. Is Minerva around?"

"I'm right here, Remus," the woman said. "That was magnificent, Harry and Ginny," the woman said, with a proud smile on her face. "Never in the whole world would I think two of my students would be able produce such powerful magic as that."

"What did you use as a memory," Ron asked Harry.

Harry blushed.

"Well, it's just that I felt Ginny's arms around me, and that was the memory I used. Of her holding onto me."

"Me too," Ginny said. "Nothing more powerful than that."

"I know what the problem with their shield was," Harry said, suddenly.

"What's that," Tonks asked.

"It didn't take into account love. Voldemort always forgets about the power of love. It's why I'm still here today."

"Of course!" Hermione said, slapping her forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Love," Ron asked.

"Yes, Ron, love," Ginny said. "As in the love you and Hermione have for each other though you won't admit it. Think about it. If you didn't have those feelings of love toward each other, then you wouldn't be able to produce the patronus together."

"But you and Harry had such large patronuses."

"What can I say," Ginny asked. "I like my men who know they have it big."

There were laughs. Even Mrs. Weasley forgot about the insinuation her fifteen year old daughter had told them.

"Now that's over, can we dance now," Harry asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Of course," the woman said. "Let's get things settled down."

"You, Harry? Dance?"

"Yes, Ron. Dance. Though I can't dance, I tend to forget about that when someone is holding me close."

Ginny smiled.

"Well said," she said.

At that moment, Harry's eye was caught by something. It looked familiar. He saw a glint of silver and then went to follow.

"Harry, where are you going?"

"Accio Rat," Harry said, pointing his wand.

A moment later, the rat was in his hand.

Ginny looked at him with surprise, as did several other guests.

"Ron, Hermione?"

The two looked at Harry.

"Why are you holding a rat?"

"Anyone remember Scabbers," Harry asked.

Hermione and Ron blinked.

"Ginny, go get Remus and Tonks."

When they returned, Remus took one look at the rat and spoke.

"Ok, let's go to the side," Remus said.

"A rat," Tonks asked.

"Yes," Harry said. "But not just any rat. An Animagus."

When they got to a clear place, Remus told Harry to place the rat down.

Together, Harry, Ginny, and Remus said the spell that makes an Animagus transform back into a human.

When the rat did, Remus spoke swiftly, making sure the rat couldn't transform.

"Well Peter Pettigrew," Remus said. "Fancy meeting you again."

Tonks had disarmed Peter, and now, two Aurors were coming up at her command. Kingsley arrived.

"Who's this?"

"Peter Pettigrew," Harry said. "He framed Sirius for the murder of twelve Muggles. And he betrayed my parents."

Kingsley frowned and looked at Pettigrew.

"He's an unregistered Animagus as well," Ginny offered.

Kingsley smiled.

"That gives me enough to take him in," the man said.

"And he's the one who helped Voldemort return to his form," Harry said. "And he killed Cedric."

Kingsley nodded as two Aurors took hold of Peter.

"First you tackle Dementors. Now you capture a Death Eater," Kingsley said. "Harry, you're just at the top of your game today."

Harry nodded and smiled.

"I was taught to always be vigilant."

"Constant Vigilance, aye," Mad Eye said. "How do you two know the spell to prevent an animagus from transforming?"

Harry and Ginny shared a look.

"Professor McGonagall is teaching us to recognize them," Harry said. "It's a part of our training."

Mad-Eye nodded.

"Good. Now let's get this rat back to a cell where he belongs."

Soon, two Aurors and Mad-Eye Apparated with the rat.

Remus looked at Harry and smiled.

"I knew you were smart. You're coming along quite nicely."

"Thanks," Harry said. "Shall we dance my love," Harry asked Ginny, holding his hand out to her.

"Yes we shall," Ginny said, taking his hand and heading to the dance floor with him.

Remus shook his head as Tonks smiled.

"What," she asked.

"Just to be their age again and know what I know."

"I know," Tonks said. "But we've got Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. They're all smart even if they don't act like it sometimes. They know more than we do about some things."

"But have less experience," Remus said. "That worries me."

"Don't, Remus," Tonks said. "Let's dance and enjoy the celebration. And let's be thankful that Harry and Ginny were smart enough and cool enough to act without hesitation. Else we all could have been kissed by the Dementors."

Remus nodded.

"I never would have thought they could have that in them."

"Well, they do," Tonks said. "And that's what's important. Remus?"

"Yes?"

"I just thought of something."

"What's that?"

"Don't you think that they'll be the ones to defeat you know who? The four of them? I mean, look at them. See how close they are?"

Remus looked over. He saw Ginny and Harry dancing. Then Ron and Hermione dancing.

"Not only are they dating within the group, they're also friends with each other in the group. Now that's a group bound by love if I ever say so myself."

Remus nodded. He remembered another group of four. But yes, they had a member who wasn't quite a member of the group. This group of four was much different. They totally trusted each other, and they were all very close, or as close as they could be at this stage in their lives.

They were probably closer than some of the people Remus trusted with his life. And that made a lot of sense to him.

"I know," Remus said. "I don't know anything but death that will separate that group."

"That's a brilliant thing to say. I'm afraid one of them may die in the process. They have a very dangerous task."

"Well," Remus said. "If one dies, then the others will fight in their memory. But I don't want to think about it. I want to think about them growing old and dying with their great great grandchildren around their beds."

"Now that's a good thought. Dying after seeing great great grandchildren."

The next day, the four went back to Hogwarts, using the Floo Network this time. They were traveling different ways, for security purposes.

After the morning session for Transfiguration, which happened after their exercises, Harry and Ginny walked into the DADA room to see no one there.

Feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand up, Harry drew his wand and immediately surveyed his surroundings. Catching glimpse of something, he fired a stunner, causing something to collapse. He walked over, surprising Ginny, who had her wand out as well.

Then he fired three more stunners in quick succession, hitting three more targets. After removing the cloaks on the people, he was surprised to see everyone there.

"Ennervate!" he said, causing the first person he hit, Aberforth, to wake.

He then got the other three with the same spell.

"Nice one," Aberforth said, with a smile. "But why did you hit us?"

"Better safe than sorry," Harry said.

There were nods from the three Aurors he'd hit with quick stunners before they could react. They were hiding to see if he noticed them.

"How did you know I was here?"

"I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up," Harry said. "I guess I sensed your presence and the cloak. I managed to see something strange and I shot for it."

"Why did you choose that?"

"Instinct," Harry said.

"And a good one at that," Mad-Eye said, rubbing the back of his head.

"What's going on," Ron asked.

"Oh, Harry just stunned four people underneath invisibility cloaks," Ginny said, with a smile. "Without them revealing their presence."

"How," Hermione asked.

"Did you sense them," Ron asked. "Just like you sensed the Dementors coming yesterday?"

"Yes," Harry said. "Same reaction to the Dementors as I did to the cloaks."

"Ginny, try your wand out," Aberforth said.

Ginny tried to shoot a spell, but it didn't work. Ron and Hermione tried the same thing.

"Harry?"

Harry easily fired off a stunner.

"What happened to our wands," Ginny asked.

The four Aurors tried to shoot off something too. But they failed.

"Easy," Aberforth said. "After Tonks informed me what happened at the wedding, I had to test it out. I think I know the spell they used, so I tried it. Harry, I bet you sensed the spell and went on alert."

Harry nodded.

"And you had a quick draw," Tonks said. "Quickest I've ever seen."

"I tend to practice the draw," Harry said, with a smile.

"Good. It's a good skill to have. Now tell me how you knew that you and Ginny could break the spell?"

"I didn't," Harry said. "I thought it was a good as time as any to try to break it. I guess when our Patronuses broke through the spell, it allowed others to fire off their wands too, but only with great effort."

Tonks nodded.

"Yes. Remus and I had a very hard time doing it. But we finally did."

"The same for Hermione and I," Ron said.

"Wait," Aberforth said. "You and Hermione did it too? How?"

"Harry told us to try it," Ron said. "So we did. And now, I get this funny feeling that somehow, Hermione and I, well, kind of got closer."

"It's not a bad feeling, Ron," Hermione said. "I'd say it's a good thing. Harry supposed the spell didn't take into account one thing."

"What's that?"

"Love," Harry said. "I figured if Love couldn't break it, then nothing could. And when I felt Ginny's arm around me, well, that was all the encouragement I needed to give my all."

Ginny smiled at Harry.