News spread very quickly about the Longbottoms' recovery. Hundreds of people were now crowding St. Mungo's trying to get the Hufflepuff Cup. Harry, Ginny, Albus, and Bill Weasley all warded the suite where the where the Cup was stored so that no one could enter it.
As for the Longbottoms, they had left the hospital and returned to Longbottom Manor where they were catching up with their son and his fiancée. During the day, the Longbottoms would floo to Potter Manor so that Neville and Luna could continue to train while to continue their training while Frank and Alice did some refresher courses with the other adults.
Besides the training, Harry's days were filled with Wizengamot sessions, meetings with the queen, dealing with the Hogwarts Board of Governors, handling the Order of the Phoenix, and of course wedding plans.
The Wizengamot sessions were becoming rather routine and boring. Yes, the Wizengamot was being productive, but it was still boring. Harry had been bringing in some of his reports from Phoenix Nest, to try to free up some much needed breathing space for himself.
Harry's meeting with the sovereign continued to be informative and it left Harry many times spending hours on writing proposals and plans on for the future. Harry eventually had Ginny, Hermione, and Ron join him on these projects; often times they would actually go and meet the sovereign together to discuss certain aspects of their project.
The Hogwarts Board of Governors was a very sore spot with Harry and Ginny too. During their first meeting, the board tried to limit their roles as Lord and Lady of Hogwarts. They felt like two teenagers did not have the maturity to run one of the finest schools of witchcraft & wizardry. Harry and Ginny promptly dismissed the Board of Governors, and then made a public statement about why they had decided to dismiss them.
Harry and Ginny then took it a step further and brought out evidence against members of the board that included corruption and ties to Voldemort supporters. Needless to say, any sort of the statement from the board members was quickly ignored by the public.
The Lord and Lady of Hogwarts did create a new advisory board that replaced the Board of Governors. This new board did not have any power over the school, and were to only advise the Lord and Lady of Hogwarts, who had the final decision. The president of the board was Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Due to his time restraints, Harry began to about Astral Projection. With Astral Projection, Harry could be in multiple places at once and interact without changing time, like time turner use could. So far Harry was able to Astral Project himself once, which he sent to Phoenix Nest to handle the paperwork there. The best part of astral projection is that Harry could remember everything that his projections have done completed while on their assigned task. This was not only good for reading reports, but also for physical training and magical training.
However, the largest distraction in Harry's life was the upcoming wedding. It was August 4th and the women were driving the men mad. To add to this fact, Neville and Luna asked to join in the wedding ceremony too. Today, the women were moving into Hogwarts until after the ceremony while the men left Potter Manor and moved into Potter Penthouse for a stag party that Charlie Weasley said would last a couple of days.
And the party did indeed last two days. Barrels of firewhiskey were consumed by the men. Max, the Potter Penthouse House Elf, Kreacher and Dobby all worked overtime on keeping all the men feed. Of course there were the bride-grooms: Harry, Ron, Remus, Bill, and Neville; but also a number of others. Albus, who was serving as Harry's honorary father, Arthur Weasley, Ted Tonks, Monsieur Delacour, Dan Granger, Charlie, Fred, George, Percy, Frank Longbottom, Xenophilius Lovegood, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Filius Flitwick, Mackrack, Griphook, Oliver Wood, and Viktor Krum.
Oliver and Viktor, who were international quidditch players, were also in town to receive their assignments from the Order regarding their new mission. Viktor had joined the Order right after the TriWizard Tournament and had gathered many resources and members from Eastern Europe and around the world using quidditch as his cover. Oliver joined about the same time as Viktor and tried to keep his eyes and ears open while in England where there had been a run on younger people join Voldemort's cause. This mission was to discover Grindelwald's Storehouse and how to breach it, if possible, and whether of Lord Voldemort was hiding there with any of his followers.
FLASHBACK
Oliver and Viktor arrived at Phoenix Nest the day before the Stag Party. Neither one had spoken to anyone from the Order directly since Harry had taken charge of the Order. They had been communicating thru their normal channels, dead drops, until they received their new pendants. Then a few days ago, they received word from Hestia that they needed to come into town because they were needed for a new long term assignment.
Since the quidditch season had been cancelled, both men had time on their hands. With the prospect of doing nothing and not being any use to the Order of the Light Side, they both responded with where to meet their contact and when.
Since neither man had ever been to headquarters before, it was decided that they would be met by Bill Weasley and Moody at the Leady Cauldron. Bill, as the secret keeper, had to inform them about where Phoenix Nest was, and Moody could detect any potions, charms, or curses they may be influenced by.
The two men were sitting in one of the backrooms of the Leaky Cauldron when Moody and Bill entered.
"Who was your most precious possession during the TriWizard Tournament?" Bill asked the Bulgarian.
"I prized my relationship with Hermione Granger. She was very smart, and very-very pretty, though I knew that she was in love with Ronald. She taught me a much easier way to understand Arithmancy and Transfiguration."
Moody then asked Wood his question. "Who helped you with your training in your first year for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team?"
"Your brother Percy; he wound up off his broom and broke his collar bone. He swore never to ride a broom a gain." Wood responded.
Bill nodded his head, and Moody quickly caste privacy wards around the room. Once done, Bill handed each man two pieces of parchment. The first one was written in Bill's handwriting.
The Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix
Is Phoenix Nest
Located #12 Grimmauld Place, London England
The second piece of paper was written in Harry's. Both men knew his handwriting from a mile away.
Phoenix One Authorizes you to learn the following:
The Members of the Executive Committee of the Order of the Phoenix
Current Leader of the Order of the Phoenix-Lord Gryffindor, Harry James Potter codename Phoenix One
Deputy Leader of the Order of the Phoenix-Lady Gryffindor, Ginevra Molly Potter codename Phoenix Two
Director of Field Operations-Kingsley Shacklebolt codename Royal Phoenix
Director of Covert Operations-Nymphadora Tonks Lupin codename Chameleon
Department of Advance Planning and Strategy-Alastor Moody codename Bishop,
Ronald Bilius Weasley codename Knight
Research & Development-Hermione Jane Granger codename Athena, Fredrick Fabian Weasley codename Mischief, George Gideon Weasley codename Mayhem
Liaison to the Ministry of Magic-Arthur William Weasley codename Firebird
Liaison to Magical Creatures-Remus John Lupin Phoenix Sight, Charles Patrick Weasley codename Fire Breath
Physical & Property Security-William Arthur Weasley codename Archeologist
Dumbledore's Army-Neville Francis Longbottom codename Phoenix Pride, Luna Marie Lovegood codename Eagle
Direct Past Leader of the Order of the Phoenix-Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore codename Phoenix Prime
Direct Past Deputy Leader of the Order of the Phoenix-Minerva McGonagall codename Phoenix Beta
Quartermaster for the Order of the Phoenix-Molly Weasley codename Phoenix Heart
Senior Secretary for the Order of the Phoenix-Hestia Jones codename Phoenix Chronicle
Once the two men read and processed the information they were shown, an unmovable fog was lifted from their minds. The suddenly knew everyone's call sign. Many of the call signs they had heard made sense, but a few did not. As soon as they knew where they were going, they took the portkey Moody handed them and disappeared from the Leaky Cauldron.
They reappeared in the Entrance Hall of Phoenix Nest where Hestia was waiting for them.
"Viktor, Oliver, Welcome to Phoenix Nest, Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Phoenix One and
Phoenix Sight are upstairs. Dobby will escort you up." Noticing the dismissal, they turned around and saw a House Elf that they assumed was their escort.
After climbing four flights of stairs, Dobby led them into an office where Harry and Remus were sitting, waiting for them.
END FLASHBACK
Finally the morning of the Wedding arrived. The men, all sober, shaved, showered, dressed other wise prepared, were all sitting in the Anteroom off of the Great Hall in Hogwarts. The women and the elves were applying the finishing touches for the weddings.
The men were playing chess, reading, or just chatting normally. Finally at 11:00am, Fred, George, Percy, Kingsley, Seamus, Dean, Colin, Dennis, Filius, Oliver, and Viktor all left to perform their duties as escorts and other functions. Mad-Eye, House Elves, Centaurs, Hippogriffs, Goblins, and Griffins were providing protection as well as the MRG who would be handling the queen.
At 11:30am, the fathers of the brides: Arthur, Ted, Xenophilius, Monsieur Delacour, and Dan Granger all gave their future son-in-laws on last hug and handshake before leaving to see their daughters.
At 12:00pm, the grooms, the fathers of the grooms, Mackrack, Griphook, and Charlie left the anteroom and entered the Great Hall. The sight before them was amazing. The Great Hall had been transformed into a beautiful ice palace. The walls and ceiling had been transformed into beautiful ice. The ceiling was showing a picture perfect day with clear blue skies and the sun showing bright. Up where on the raised platform where the professors normally sat was an ice lattice structure covered in white roses, lilies, and daisies.
Minister Bones, who was presiding over the ceremony, was dressed in her official dress robes and standing at the dais, speaking rapidly to the man who performed the funeral for the Headmaster back in May.
As the men were waiting for the festivities to begin, Arthur approached the small group. "Gentlemen, you will be glad to know that none of your brides have fled the castle. However, Molly is suffering the after effects of Ginny's Super Charged Bat Bogey Hex. Evidently Molly didn't like how some of the arrangements were and tried to change them. She was hit by some soft of magical sentry."
Harry and the others were on the ground laughing. Each of the brides had each charmed specific items that they did not want changed, because they all knew Molly Weasley and her need to control everything.
After the men composed themselves, Arthur continued, "Anyway, Minerva and Emily are with Molly right now. I believe that Poppy Pomfrey spiked the drink they gave her with a very strong calming draught.
"But that is beside the point. Harry, Her Majesty and her entourage should be arriving in five minutes."
"Where is she landing at?" Harry asked.
"The main courtyard; as per protocol, you and the other grooms, along with whoever shall be her escort, are supposed to be waiting for her." Arthur answered, looking over his checklist.
As he was about to respond Mackrack, who had left the group when they left the anteroom, approached the group with a couple of goblins carrying come sort of trunk.
"Lord Gryffindor, Gentlemen, please pardon this intrusion. I know that Her Majesty is supposed to arrive momentarily, so I must be quick. I have gifts from the Goblin Nation to present to each of you."
Mackrack presented Neville and Bill with custom goblin made swords. Bill's sword was a katana made in the traditional fashion by goblins who had studied under Japanese Wizards who had been creating the weapons for eons. On the blade were runes etched on both sides and the Weasley Family Crests. The runes were extremely powerful; some of them were a never dull rune for the blade, magical transfer rune, anti summoning rune, concealment rune, and a number of others that Bill did not know.
Neville's sword was a broad sword made from the same forge that Gryffindor's Sword was made from. Like Bill's, his sword had his Family Crest and a number of runes.
Remus and Ron were given battle armor. The armor was made of mithriel, extremely strong, but lightweight. The armor also had runes etched on them for added strength, dexterity, and speed. However the biggest advantage this armor had was that it enabled wandless magic by infusing the arm gauntlets with the wood and magical core of their wands, giving them one advantage.
Harry's gift was the Family Signet Rings of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. These rings had been lost centuries ago when they bloodlines merged into the Gryffindor and Slytherin bloodlines. When the Heads of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff families passes on, their rings were buried with them and considered lost; however, that morning the two rings appeared in a box of Mackrack's desk with a note to give them to Harry.
The rings should have held no magic in them, but when Harry placed the last two rings on his finger they were absorbed into his Hogwarts Ring. The magic that was released from the merging of the rings infused Harry, causing a golden aura to surround him for a moment. When it faded, Harry stood taller and turned to Mackrack and bowed and spoke in perfect gobbledygook, "Thank you for the gift my friend and may your vaults remain full."
Charlie, who was escorting the queen, was also given a broad sword, but unlike any of the others, this one was unique. It had been forged with locks of every living Weasley's hair, Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, and Muriel had all donated a lock. Harry, Fleur, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Minerva, and Albus had also donated a lock of hair. The final ingredients in the mixture were phoenix tears, courtesy of Fawkes, the blood of a Hungarian Horntail and a Welsh Green, and the Heart Strings of a Vipertooth and a Chinese Fireball.
The result was what the Goblins called Ryuu, the Dragon Sword. It was named for the Japanese word for Dragon Spirit. It could only be used by one true of heart and dedicated to the protection of all animals.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Finally after greeting the queen and seating her, the wedding ceremony began. Because of Harry being involved in the wedding, a Crier announced each bride as they entered.
The first bride down the aisle was Fleur "Presenting Miss Fleur Delacour; bride of Mr. William Arthur Weasley, Heir Apparent of the House of Weasley, being escorted by her father Monsieur Delacour." All of the brides decided that they all walk down to the traditional wedding march. She was dressed in a white strapless gown with a long trail. She wore Bill's Aunt Muriel's Tiara, a Weasley Family Heirloom, on top of her head with her hair in a plait. She was wearing earrings and a necklace which were Delacour Family Heirlooms. When she reached Bill, her father spoke to Bill and then left the couple to wait for the others.
Nymphadora Tonks was next "Presenting Miss Nymphadora Aquarius Tonks, Director of Covert Operations of the Order of the Phoenix; bride of Mr. Remus John Lupin, Champion of the House of Black, being escorted by her father Theodore Tonks, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain." For the first time, Dora was in her natural state. Like her mother and two aunts, she had the Black Family high cheek bones, black hair like her mother and Sirius, and gray eyes. On top of her head she wore the Black Family Diadem, which had been worn by every bride of the Black Family for seven centuries. She was wearing a sleeveless gown of white satin with an underlay of gold and red. She was wearing heirlooms from the Black Family; a diamond heart shaped pendant and matching earrings and tennis bracelet. When she reaches the dais, Remus took her hand and escorted her up the stairs. After a hug from Ted, Dora and Remus moved to stand next to Bill and Fleur.
Luna Lovegood came down the aisle next "Presenting Miss Luna Marie Lovegood, Co-Leader of Dumbledore's Army; bride of Mr. Neville Francis Longbottom, Heir Apparent of the House of Longbottom, being escorted by her father Lord Xenophilius Lovegood, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Lovegood." Like the other brides, she was wearing her hair in a plait and was wearing family heirlooms for jewelry. Her father had placed her mother's engagement ring in the locket that she wore. Her earrings were radish shaped rubies, a gift from Neville's parents. She also wore the Longbottom Tiara, which like the Weasley Family Tiara, was a priceless heirloom passed down thru the generations. Her dress was a backless, off the shoulder white gown with an underlay of blue and bronze. Once she reached Neville, Xeno kissed his daughter and sat down as Neville and Luna moved to their spots on the dais.
Hermione came down the aisle next "Presenting Miss Hermione Jane Granger, Co-Director of the Department of Research & Development of the Order of the Phoenix; bride of Mr. Ronald Bilius Weasley, Co-Director of the Department of Advanced Planning and Strategy of the Order of the Phoenix, being escorted by her father, Mr. Daniel Steven Granger of the House of Granger." She was wearing a backless, strapless dress which showed off her assets. She wore a Lion Pendant made from gold and rubies. Her earrings were teardrop diamonds that had been formed around a single small ruby each. Hermione wore a diadem from the Black Family Vault, a gift from Harry. Her father, like all of the other fathers, wore black dress robes with the Granger Family Crest and the Insignia of the Order of the Phoenix. After reaching Ron, Dan gave Ron his little girl's hand and then handed Ron one of the few heirlooms from when the Grangers were Wizards, a ceremonial dagger. Hermione and Ron moved to stand beside Neville and Luna.
Finally was the moment everyone was waiting for, Ginny Potter, who would use her maiden name for the ceremony, stood at the doors to the entrance hall. Because she was the Lady of Hogwarts, the suits of armor that had lined the entrance hall preceded her into the Great Hall and stood at attention. Finally the Crier spoke, "Presenting Lady Gryffindor, Ginevra Molly Weasley-Potter, Matriarch of the Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter, Azkaban, Black, Flamel, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, Lady of Hogwarts, Deputy Leader of the Order of the Phoenix; bride of Lord Gryffindor, Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter, Azkaban, Black, Flamel, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, Lord of Hogwarts, Leader of the Order of the Phoenix, Lord Protector of the Realm of Magical Great Britain, being escorted by her father Lord Arthur William Weasley, Head of the Ancient of Most Noble House of Weasley, Deputy Minister of Magic of Great Britain."
Ginny was wearing her traditional ceremonial robes which were transfigured white with red, gold, green, silver, bronze, blue, black, and yellow underlay. On top of her head, she wore Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem with her hair pulled into a plait. She wore a pendant of a golden snitch made from real gold with Gryffindor Lions as earrings.
As Arthur handed her off to Harry, Arthur spoke up, "Take good care of her Harry" Without another word, Arthur turned and left to his seat next to where Molly was weeping, even with the calming draught in her. Harry and Ginny turned and took their places on places with the other couples. Once in position, Madam Bones, who was officiating the ceremony, removed her wand caste a sonorous charm on herself.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to watch as these couples enter the bonds of matrimony. Marriage in the wizarding world is a lifetime commitment, there is no such thing as divorce. Once you enter into the bonds of marriage, you are bound both in this world and the next for eternity.
"If there is anyone who feels that none of these people should be married, please speak now, or forever hold your peace."
The room fell quiet as everyone waited to see who was stupid enough to say anything to ruin this day. After a full minute, Minister Bones continued. "Because of the unique nature of this wedding, the couples have decided to write their own vowels. They will go in the order they were introduced."
Bill and Fleur stepped up in front of the Minister and then turned to each other, Bill spoke first. "Fleur, when I first met you, I was mesmerized by you. As I taught you English, I fell in love with you more and more. When I was attacked by Greyback, you stood by me, and even went toe-to-toe with my mother. I love you and vow to always be there for the good and the bad, in sickness and in health, for now and forever."
"Bill, when I first saw you during the TriWizard Tournament, I fell in love with you, my red-headed-rogue. As you might have learned, I knew almost perfect English, but I needed a reason to be around you. You were not entrapped by my Veela powers, but rather by the real me. Bill, I vow to always stand by you no matter what happens, no matter where you go I shall follow you, for now thru eternity."
The couple retuned to their spot as Remus and Dora stepped forward. "Nymphadora, when I first met you, I knew you were a klutz. But somehow, someway, you and your klutziness wormed your way into the heart of this old wolf. You didn't care that I was too weak, too old, or too poor for you. I love you and I vow be with you, protect you, love you, stand by your side, and make you the happiest woman in the world from now until eternity."
Dora spoke next, "Remus, my old wolf, when I first met you, the first thought in head was, 'Man this guy needs a new wardrobe.' Then I looked into your eyes and I was done. I spoke to Sirius that night and he told me that you were a tough nut to crack, but if there was anyone who could do it, it was me. I befriended you and learned that underneath that shabby exterior was a warrior scholar who was at ease within a library or in a fight to the death. Remus, I vow to love you now and forever. I vow to never to bed angry with you and to wake up every morning in your strong arms. I vow to be your partner, your wife, your mate, your conscience, and your sense of adventure."
Neville and Luna traded places with Remus and Dora, this time Neville spoke. "Neville, when I first met you, you tried to protect me from some members of my own house. When they laughed at you, you were so angry that sparks flew out of your hands. Then we worked in the DA together and I met the real you. With a little confidence, you grew into the man that stands before me today; the man I love. Neville, I vow to love you, bare your children, be a good wife and partner to you, and stand by you and those you choose as friends now and forever."
"Luna, my Moon Goddess. The first time you spoke to me, I fell in love. We were on the Hogwarts Express at the start of the year of hell thanks to Umbridge and I knew that needed you. My Goddess, you are like a drug that I am addicted to. I can never get enough of you. I vow to protect you, love you, be a good father and husband, and take care of you in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times, now and forever."
Ron and Hermione stepped up and held each other's hands as Ron spoke. "Hermione is it possible to meet the love of your life at eleven years old; because I did. I remember like it was yesterday. I was sitting with my new best mate, The-Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter when this girl with bushy brown hair and buck teeth walked into the compartment looking for Neville's toad Trevor.
"She was a bossy-know-it-all and I was enthralled. Unfortunately I placed my foot in my mouth, many-many-many times—" This grew loud laughs from the entire Great Hall "—including when I made you cry and the resulting Mountain Troll incident where we almost died." At this point, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Flitwick, and the other professors all perked up, for they finally discovered the truth about why they were in that bathroom. "Then we went to fetch the stone and the Chess Game. I awoke as you were praying for me to be ok. I wanted you to kiss me, like in the fairy takes mum and dad told us when I was a kid.
"However I was never as scared as when you were petrified in our second year. I spent day and night by your bed, praying you were going to be ok. I knew that I loved you, but I didn't know how to tell you. When you awoke, I was the happiest person in the world. I was happier at the moment I saw you in the Great Hall then I was when I saw that Harry had rescued Ginny.
"Then in my fourth year I got insanely jealous of Harry and of Viktor Krum, who I have learned is a really nice guy. I was so pissed off at myself for not asking you to the Yule Ball. I knew you were a girl, hell I knew since I was eleven years old, but I couldn't risk our friendship.
"Then the Lavender situation and my poisoning. When I was in the hospital wing, I had a dream about you and me living in cottage with children with bushy red hair, brown hair, big vocabularies, and love of quidditch running around us. I knew what I wanted and that is why I broke up with Lavender. I wanted you.
"Hermione Jane Granger, I vow to love you, protect, argue with you like there is no tomorrow, and be your partner, now and forever."
Hermione, who was in tears, continued "Ronald. I have loved you just as long you have loved me. I pushed you harder than Harry because I love you and I only want the best. I vow to love you, honor you, stand by your side, argue with you till we are both blue in the face, and hold you when the Chuddly Cannons lose, bare your children, and be your partner in all your endeavors now and forever."
Harry and Ginny now had their turn to make their vows. After a second of silence, Ginny spoke. "Harry James Potter, I love you. I always have and I always will. I vow to love you, be your partner, bare your children, and be a good wife, mother and soulmate."
"Ginny, I love you and wherever I go, I know you will follow. Whether it is going after Voldemort or dealing with the responsibilities of the Order, you are my equal partner in all things and I will love you through eternity."
Madam Bones returned to her position and addressed the couples. "Mackrack, will please give out the rings?" Mackrack passed out the proper rings to the couples and returned to his spot. "Gentlemen, please take your bride's left hand and repeat after me. 'With this ring I be wed. I vow my life, my heart, my soul to you.' Now place the ring on her finger. Now ladies, please repeat after me. 'With this ring I be wed. I vow my life, my heart, my soul to you.' Now place the ring on your bridegroom's finger." All of the couples completed the ritual together.
"By the power vested in me by Queen Elizabeth II, reigning monarch of Great Britain, I pronounce you all, husbands, and wives. You may now all kiss your own brides."
"Together in a choreographed sequence, they five men all lifted the veils of their brides and kissed them deeply and passionately to a multitude of applause and cat-calls. After they we all finished, Minister Bones called for attention once again.
"Lords and Ladies, Ladies and Gentleman may I present to your happy couples. Mr. & Mrs. William Arthur Weasley, Mr. and & Mrs. Remus John Lupin, Mr. & Mrs. Neville Francis Longbottom, Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Bilius Weasley, and Lord and Lady Gryffindor Harry and Ginny Potter."