Dobby appears at the apparition point of Harry Black's magical cottage. Magical wards detect him but they don't react in any way. Fawkes leers at him from his perch. Not wanting to wait around for Harry to collect him, he pulls the hood of his parka over his head and heads out.
The dwelling is much smaller on the outside but that's nothing unusual for Dobby. The cold weather makes him shiver. He pulls the parka tighter around him and scurries towards his destination.
To a casual observer, he looks like a child. His clothes do nothing to mask his scent though. A passing wolf catches it. Not having encountered his kind before, he is startled and almost reaches for his gun. Then he recognizes the scent from a memory of one of the other pack members.
Dobby really wishes to speak to John Black but he needs to fulfill his official task first. He arrives to Blacks' house. Elizabeth opens the door.
"Dobby!" she greets him. "I've heard you are here. Come in."
Dobby thanks her in his typical shy and awkward way. Elizabeth wonders whether she should comment that he looks to be in great shape but decides against it - house elves aren't accustomed to accepting compliments and she doesn't want to embarrass him.
"To what do we owe the pleasure?" she asks instead in jovial tone.
"Begging your pardon, Mrs. Black, ma'am," starts Dobby timidly. "Ms. Hermione, Dobby means, Ms. Granger sends her well wishes and a card to your daughter. Miss Ana, Dobby means."
"She's upstairs with her maid of honor and others. Go on, she'll be happy to see you."
"Oh, Dobby doesn't wish to bother the bride..."
"Nonsense. I've already told her to expect you."
"Mrs. Black is most kind. Though, if it's not much of a bother, Dobby needs to talk to Mr. Black afterwards. Mr. Governor Black, Dobby means."
So that is what it is all about, thinks Elizabeth.
"I hope you aren't here to take him away. His sister is getting married soon."
"Oh no. Ms. Hermione has a message for Mrs. Black's mother."
Well, that isn't much better. But it makes sense - Dobby is scared of Bella. She has also killed a house elf, maybe the other ones can sense it.
"I'll notify him," she promises. "Go on upstairs in the meantime."
She almost asks him whether he wouldn't like a glass of water but she stops herself in time. The little fella is embarrassed enough as it is. Likewise, she doesn't ask him whether he is OK. Throughout the conversation, she could sense sadness in him. After all those years, he clearly hasn't gotten over Harry Potter's death and the final departure of his ghost didn't help things.
"Oh my god! E.T.!" Kate screams upstairs.
Ana laughs and introduces Dobby to her. As her mother listens to his prepared speech, she is reminded of a similar scene in Godfather.
The torment is over soon enough for Dobby and he meets with John Black in his house. He is more at ease now. John is all business and cares little for exchanging social phrases. That's the kind of interaction Dobby can understand and is accustomed to from Hermione and her colleagues.
"Does Granger know that Bella's granddaughter is getting married?" asks John. "Only the second of her grandchildren to do so. She shouldn't be missing that." It is bad enough that his two older children can't make it either.
Dobby feels as if he is being chastised despite the fact that these concerns were the reason why he was send in person. "Ms. Granger believes that Mr. Black's grandmother would like to know, sir," he replies in a low, demure tone.
He is right - it is about a possible lead on a Death Eater. Maybe it is just an old guy hiding from justice, wanting to die in peace. Maybe the undead one is making overtures to him. Either way, Bella will want to investigate right away. She is as determined as a Nazi hunter in this regard. Personally, John is worried enough about rogue fledglings of the other true vampire right in the United States, possibly in the State of Washington.
John promises to relay the information right away. Dobby gives him a mini-CD (nothing else would survive the jump) and a Portkey. John and Sue don't have a computer or even electricity in their house. It doesn't matter, he wouldn't waste time by looking at the CD now and it is surely encrypted anyway. He says goodbye to Dobby who is gone before he changes into a wolf and runs towards the Cullen house.
At the house he finds out that Christian Grey and Taylor have arrived already. He shakes hands with Taylor. Christian is talking with Edward at the moment. They are being civil but John can sense that it is a superficial, gentlemen club civility. He nods at them.
He notes the little similarities between the two of them. Both wear immaculate suits and posses the creme de la creme demeanor. Alas, Edward is forever frozen at 17 and, despite being a vampire and all he has been through, he is quite mild-mannered. Christian is older and predatory.
The groom is rather startled by John's appearance. Maybe it is seeing the governor in nothing but some strange elastic shorts. Maybe it is the openly carried sidearm. John doesn't give a damn.
"I need to see grandma," he announces.
Edward points him in the right direction.
Just as expected, Bella considers it important enough to leave.
Esme is rather horrified by the idea. Bella's granddaughter is getting married for crying out loud.
"If I don't make it back in time, you can stand in for me," dismisses Bella.
That gives Esme a pause. After Elizabeth's wedding, the number of allowed vampire guests was limited to two. It was meant for Bella and Edward but can another take their place?
"Would that be alright?" she asks, looking at John.
"I'll ask dad but I don't see why it would be a problem."
Taylor waves at the two approaching cars. The turn-off to the Cullens' property is difficult to spot so he has been waiting there.
As they slow down, he gestures for them to keep driving but Carrick stops anyway and rolls down a window.
"Just keep going till the end," instructs him Taylor and when they pass him, he gets in his car and follows them.
First shock comes soon enough - at least for Grace. Carlisle and Esme are the only ones at home. They walk in front of the house to greet the guests. Grace sees the doctor and for a moment, she is completely baffled.
"Professor Cullen?" she asks.
"Miss Trevelyan!" rejoices Carlisle, raising his arms in a gesture of jubilant greeting. "Forgive me, Mrs. Grey," he apologizes, rapping his head with two fingers. "I still see you as young student. I swear, it seems like you haven't changed much since your graduation."
The others are watching the scene with some confusion. Taylor arrives.
"Haven't changed much?" exclaims Grace. "You haven't changed at all! You haven't aged a day!"
"Oh, shame on you," laughs Carlisle, wagging his index finger. "Shame on you for making your old professor blush!"
The statement is in stark contrast with his paleness.
"Remember what you've signed," Taylor reminds Grace. "This is one of the things you can't talk about."
There are introductions. As Carlisle shakes Mr. Grey's hand (he has used a pocket hand-warmer), he comments about the admirable work the Greys are doing with their charity foundation.
"Well, I'd better get back to Seattle," Taylor informs. He gives a look to Grace. It means, Do you really want me to bring your parents and in-laws? They have refused to take Christian's helicopter so Taylor will be picking them up in a van.
Grace doesn't say anything. Taylor takes it as a signal to proceed as planned and drives away.
Carlisle invites the guests to settle in before going to La Push. They start to suspect that this rabbit hole is really deep when they are warned that only one of the toilets is actually functional - the one for guests on the ground floor.
Carlisle puts the phone down.
"Well, no rest for the wicked and doctors."
He excuses himself to Grace. A patient needs a valve replaced. Since he is the one who put it there years ago, he should handle the case.
"Isn't the patient going to find it suspicious that you haven't changed?"
"It wasn't that long ago. Besides, she's a bigwig who's in the know."
Grace nods, not really knowing what to think about it all. They'll have to ask Christian to shine some rationality on it all.
A short time later, Ana arrives in the truck. At the moment, none of the guests is in a position to notice that she didn't arrive from the road.
"Ana!" greets her Grace, surprised to see her. "How are you doing?"
"Fine, just needed a break so I volunteered to come pick you up. It's time to meet my family and have a lunch with my parents. Now, you can either follow me in your cars or you can take a ride with me. The shortest route there is a little bit too muddy for your cars though, you might want to choose the latter."
They stare at her in incomprehension.
"Go on, it's bigger on the inside," encourages them Esme which confuses the humans even more. Ana grins broadly.
"Dad and the others agreed that you can stand in for grandma," she calls at Esme.
"That's great!"
After a few moments, they manage to convince the Greys to give the truck a shot. Their reaction is similar to Christian's but way more confused and, in some cases, more shocked. Carrick is trying to keep cool but Grace is starting to loose her patience.
"Ana, what's going on here?" she asks in a voice betraying her inner turmoil.
"Oh yes, Christian also wondered how does this work. Come on in, we can talk about it on the way."
"I mean, what's going on in this area?!"
"I'm getting married. Now get in. You are being expected."
"Hey, there's a back room here!" hollers Elliot from the inside.
Mia shrugs and takes a seat.
When everybody is inside, Ana starts the car. Esme waves encouragingly.
"Aren't you going in a wrong direction?" asks Carrick when he sees that Ana isn't taking the road.
"Nah, a direct line is the shortest route there."
"You can't mean to go through the woods."
"Through the air!"
Grace yelps as the car takes off.
"Come on, mom," encourages her Elliot, grasping her shoulder reassuringly. "This is awesome!"
They fly over the woods. Carrick has troubles staying composed. Mia sticks her hand out of a window and feels the cool air rushing by, just like when she was a little girl.
"Don't do that," admonishes her Grace. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"Yeah, your hand might hit a traffic sign or a bird!" remarks Elliot.
Soon enough, they approach the perimeter. Ana lands on a road. There is a checkpoint ahead. Even though the base is on the opposite side and the soldiers usually guard only the base itself, there is a soldier keeping a Quileute police officer company. Ana comes to a stop and the cop looks inside.
"Ana," he acknowledges her. "Welcome to La Push," he tells the others.
Carrick, still struggling with the after effects of the flight, asks, "Are you expecting trouble?" He nods at the soldier.
"Paparazzi. John is back for the wedding, we don't want press snooping around."
They drive to Ana's childhood home. Kate is waiting there for them. Well, mainly for Elliot. As she approaches him, she raises her eyebrows in an exaggerated way. She exudes excitement.
"Kate," greets her Elliot.
"It's amazing, isn't it," her voice pitches up.
Christian walks out of the house.
"To say at least!" remarks Elliot.
"I think I've seen one them," Kate continues, in a wish-to-be hushed voice. "It dived from the sky into the ocean. Hunting for fish, I think."
She is talking about a dragon, though she couldn't be sure from that distance.
"What dived from the sky?"
"I'll tell you all about it. Later."
At the same time, Carrick and Grace approach Christian. They want him to explain what's happening but he asks them for patience. After all, how could he possibly explain everything without it taking at least a whole day.
"Will you be joining us?" Ana asks Kate.
"Nah, it will be full even without me. Besides, the governor and his wife invited me to have a lunch with them."
It is true. It is more than packed around the table, even though there is no one else from Ana's family besides her parents. Seeing them is yet another shock. After all, Jacob doesn't look older than Christian and the fact that Elizabeth is older than Ana is barely noticeable.
"Wait till you meet Ana's grandfather," remarks Christian.
"How long have you known about this?" asks Grace.
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Everything!"
"I don't believe I know everything myself yet. However, Ana gave me the paperwork some time after we met. Taylor was inducted right afterwards by the governor. They served together."
He still refers to him as "governor" rather then John because he doesn't believe that they'll ever get that familiar.
"Excuse me, are all your children similarly long-lived?" asks Carrick. "Including John Black?"
"Oh yes," answers Jacob. "It was a major concern when he was dragged into politics. I hope it won't become too apparent before he runs for president."
"President?"
"Why not? This country has wanted a colored president for ages. John is the best choice to scratch that itch."
"Please, don't discuss politics at the table," admonishes them Elizabeth.
Grace wonders if it is such a great idea to bring their grandparents into this madness. She doesn't voice her concerns.
After the meal, Elizabeth drives the Rabbit to the base to pick up their chaplain. He sometimes performs weddings between Quileutes and non-magical outsiders. They don't intend to do a rehearsal but a little bit of planning is in order. The others head to the beach where the ceremony is to take place.
They pick up Kate on the way - she and Elliot are witnesses. She seems lost in thought. She is a journalist so John was probably "brainwashing" her during the lunch. Elliot almost doesn't notice, he is the excited one now.
They pass a group of three Quileute women on their way. They spot Christian. What happens next is as stereotypical as a scene from a movie adaptation of a Karl May's novel. They huddle together and they whisper something. Jacob can hear them but unlike Ana, he can't discern all the words. The trio bursts apart, laughing and giggling. They scurry away, casting quick glances at the groom.
Kate starts grinning. Jacob is as confused as the Greys, though he has some suspicions. Christian takes Ana by her arm and they break away from the group.
"Does every member of this tribe know everything?" he complains in low voice.
"No, just the women, so keep your voice down. Honestly, what did you expect?"
When they reach the beach, Harry and Lily Black are already waiting there. Harry wears his usual gray-brown wizard robe. Fawkes sits on his shoulder. Ana introduces her siblings but the Greys have eyes only for the bird. Not for long - he flies away a moment later.
"What was Fawkes doing here?" asks Christian.
"I asked him to show up. It took a lot of effort to talk him into it."
Grace rubs her eyebrows. "I think I need to sit down for a while."
"Sure, take any log you want."
There are thick logs there, bleached gray by rain and seawater. Jacob and his sons have arranged them in a manner similar to benches in a church.
"Wait a moment," Elliot asks Christian. "Was that a phoenix?"
"Obviously."
"What else is real?" Mia joins them. "Unicorns?"
"Yes," answers Ana.
"Griffins?" continues Elliot.
"Yes."
"Hippogriffs?"
"I keep a herd of them right here," reveals Lily.
"Excuse me," interrupts them Harry. "Now we are venturing into a need-to-know area."
John, Sue, Elizabeth, and the chaplain from the base arrive then. At the moment, he is wearing his usual uniform without any ceremonial articles of a catholic priest. Elizabeth introduces him and he shakes hands with the Greys.
The planning is simple. Where are the priest and the couple going to stand, where will be the witnesses, and so on.
Christian mentions to his family that there is no wedding march planned. "However," he adds. "If you are used to having one as a cue, we can bring a small electric organ and a car battery here."
They agree that it won't be necessary.
When Christian's family is sufficiently briefed on the events of next day, Jacob asks for their attention.
"Well, there's one last thing to do today," he announces. "The bachelor and bachelorette parties. However, since the same activity is planned for both groups, Elizabeth and me see no reason to split the crowd. Everybody, please follow me."
They go to a shooting range.
"I hope it's not what I think it is," Christian whispers to Ana through a corner of his mouth.
"Don't worry."
Once they arrive, Jacob raises his hands to get attention and continues, "When John and Sue were getting married, we burned a lot of gunpowder. Now, I'm aware that our new in-laws want nothing to do with firearms and I respect that. Fortunately, there are a lot of things which aren't firearms and are still a lot of fun. For example, a bow and arrows!"
He raises one above his as he says that. Grace and Carrick relax. They have to admit that bows and arrows do not offend their sensibilities. They take turns in groups.
Afterwards, Jacob proclaims that another weapon which is not a firearm is a crossbow. This time, they Greys aren't so sure because the weapons are improved by electric wind-up mechanism and are magazine fed. Still, they don't complain, not wanting to be spoilsports.
When they are done with crossbows as well, Elizabeth brings two long boxes.
"Well, so far so good," continues Jacob, rubbing his hands together. "Let's continue our little excursion into not-firearms."
Oh dear, thinks Grace, noting his wicked smile. Jacob unlatches one of the boxes.
"What else doesn't use any gunpowder? Well, a magnetic rifle!"
He hoists one from the box and attempts to display it dramatically while keeping the muzzle downrange. It looks like a rifle to an untrained eye but even a laymen can notice that it is bulkier when observing carefully.
"You have to be kidding me," murmurs Christian.
Ana has to admit, she didn't think her parents would go that far. She wonders how they managed to convince the military to lend the guns to them. John wasn't involved, that much was sure. He was too much of a goody shoes for that. Was it Jasper? Or perhaps grandma?
"Come on, this will be fun," resolves Kate and drags Elliot forth by his hand.
Jacob goes through gun safety for everybody and then he and Elizabeth instruct Kate and Elliot individually.
"Don't!" Elizabeth admonishes Elliot right as soon as he touches the weapon.
"What?"
"Jeez, the finger on the trigger!" points out Kate, rolling her eyes.
When the Greys are back at the Cullen mansion, Grace turns to Christian.
"Well?" she asks.
He looks up at her from the couch he is sitting on.
"What do you want me to say? I was as shocked as you are. Then I started to realize what an opportunity this is."
"Opportunity?" Grace is puzzled, she didn't think that he was marrying Ana because it was "an opportunity".
"These people... I mean, not Quileutes specifically but others like them. They posses scientific knowledge which resolves the biggest problems faced by contemporary researchers. With this advantage, our civilization can achieve unprecedented technological advancement."
"Like what?" asks Elliot.
"Space exploration and colonization, for example. I myself am on a few shortlists for participating on various projects."
They don't prod him any further. After all, he is getting married and shouldn't think about such matters at such a time.
Taylor arrives with Grace's and Carrick's parents. They are tired, as can be expected. Esme greets them and tells them that dinner will be served as soon as they freshen up.
During the dinner, Theodore keeps looking at Grace and Christian, wondering what is the secrecy all about and when they are going to hear about it. Similarly, Grace wonders what is she going to tell them.
Ana wakes up long before sunrise. From what she can hear, her father is still asleep. She rests for a while before she gets up quietly and tip toes outside.
The others will be up before the sun rises above the forest but she still looks in that direction as she contemplates the upcoming day. That's how her mother finds her.
"How do you feel?" she asks.
"I feel that today is a good day to get married!"
"Well, then let's get you ready!"
The rest of the reservation starts waking up. Elizabeth and Ana head back inside. Kate wants to start helping Ana to don her wedding dress only to realize that there is little need to start with that so long ahead.
At the Cullen mansion, Christian, Elliot, and Mia get in a car. They intend to take a longer but nicer road to La Push. The remaining humans are going to follow after them soon enough.
Ana starts getting dressed with the help from her mother, Kate, and an old Quileute crone. She has decided for a simple, semi-traditional dress.
At the moment, Elliot is the only man on "Christian's side" present. Jacob and John come to see how is the groom doing but they don't have much besides sternness to offer.
Carrick and Grace with their parents finally arrive. They meet some new relatives which they haven't met before - Teddy and Leah with their children. Old granny Andromeda is with them, of course. She is as grumpy as she is old and the genetic flaws of the Black family are running their course in her. Teddy is making sure to be at her side at all times. That strategy proves to be a double edged sword. The Greys and Trevelyans are quite interested how a Brit like Teddy has come to speak without a British accent. While Teddy explains, Andromeda gets to bother the new in-laws with her senility.
The chaplain talks one last time with the groom and the witnesses and then the moment finally arrives. Everybody moves to the beach. Esme and Edward meet them there - they simply walk out of the woods and join them on the benches. Neither the old Greys or Trevelyans know how have they gotten there but Grace suspects. Not truly, it is something on an edge of her consciousness.
Then the big moment arrives. Jacob leads Ana in and to a careful observer, it seems like he is about to cry. Edward catches his eye and an understanding passes between them. This is how Edward felt when he had to give his daughter up. Elizabeth was as self-confident that day as Ana is today.
The chaplain gestures to the crowd to sit down and the ceremony begins. Christian realizes that it is happening - he is getting married. He barely thought about the fact until this moment because of everything else that was going on.
"You may kiss the bride," Christian hears the chaplain say. Already? Well, he takes the cue and the crowd erupts in applause.
Edward and Esme congratulate the newlyweds and depart.
Before too long, Christian and Ana are dancing their first dance as a married couple while the others stand around them. Then their parents take turns dancing with them and finally, everybody joins them at the dance floor.
There is a little bit of whale meat, Ana and Christian eat some symbolically. Elizabeth wouldn't mind a taste too, if it was fresher. As it is, she worries it would upset her digestion. John isn't the only local who prefers fish. The same goes for Teddy and Andromeda, John's younger brother Billy, and others. Grace and Carrick ask John about it carefully, almost afraid that they are asking something inappropriate.
"Well, it's simple," he answers with a smile, putting his fork down. "Cetaceans do have large brains and complex behavior. It would feel strange to eat their flesh."
"Oh. Makes sense."
Billy, who is usually quiet during such events and keeps to himself, overhears their conversation and joins them.
"Come one, John!" he implores. "Tell the whole truth."
John sighs.
"You owe it to the voters!" insists Billy, pointing a finger at him.
"Fine. I'm against hunting of whales. They've been here for a long time. What if they are in sporadic contact with an advanced alien civilization? That would be quite a bummer if they returned and found out that all whales are gone."
Grace and Carrick stare at him while Billy beams.
"Well, it's improbable, I'll grant you that," continues John. "But what if? It's better to be safe than sorry."
He grins. Obviously, dragons were on Earth before whales. Still, John does have an inner geek.
Later on, John talks to Taylor. About Taylor's ability to see Mrs. Morrison, about his daughter, and such. Taylor leaves early though to catch a plane.
In the evening, Ana and Christian change their clothes and say goodbye to everyone. Harry presents them with a Portkey.
"Isle Esme, here we come!"