Disclaimer all characters, settings, etc, are the copyright of JK Rowling and Bloomsbury Publishing
The return
Chapter 2
The Wedding Day
Saturday morning arrived with a beautiful clear blue sky. It seemed to Luna that the birds were singing more cheerfully than usual. Hermione's mother had taken over the maternal role for Luna and was fussing around with the wedding dress, lovingly adding the final touches, carefully sowing on the last few sequins that Luna had insisted on having around the hem.
Hermione was looking radiant in her rose pink dress. It seemed to be the perfect match to her no longer 'bushy' long chestnut brown hair and bright amber chocolate and cinnamon coloured eyes and it was a perfect fit, showing her figure to full advantage without being to revealing.
Every room in the house seemed full of bustle as people got dressed. All the visiting wizards and witch's had been told of the Muggles that would be attending, so they were to do no unnecessary magic whatsoever.
"Relatives of Luna and Hermione you know," Mrs Weasley had told them.
Mr Weasley was rushing around trying to organize every one, until Mrs Weasley pointed out to him that he himself should be getting ready, he then turned and rushed off to change into his best robes.
Upstairs' Ron was busy trying to fasten his collar stud, and was in the middle of cursing when he heard Harry's voice
"I need help Ron; I need Hermione to help me."
Ron spun around his eyes darting all around the room but he could see no one, he was alone. Slowly he returned to fastening his collar.
"Ron tell Hermione I need help."
It was definitely Harry's voice but Ron could not see anyone in the room. "H-H-Haaarry!" Ron stammered, looking all around even bending to look under the bed. Finding nothing unusual or anything out of place he decided to ignore it "I'm just hearing things," he told himself.
He crossed the room and went out onto the landing, leaning over the banister he called down "Will someone come and give me a hand with this collar please."
He then returned to glare in the mirror at the offending item of clothing, just one brass stud had held him up for almost 15 minutes. Over his shoulder he saw one of the guests walk into the room it was Remus Lupin, one of his old Professor's.
"Did you call for assistance Ron?" said Remus as he crossed the room "your mother sent me up to help."
"It's this darned collar," Ron gasped as he almost throttled himself trying to force his hands in the tiny gap between his neck and the collar stud.
He turned to face Remus; his face was turning the same colour as his red hair, "I just can't get the darn thing to fasten."
It did not take Remus long to fix the offending collar, which he did with a quick flick of his wand.
"Big day then eh Ron?" he said in his quiet tones, "the wife and I have been looking forward to it for quite some time now."
"How is Tonks?" asked Ron.
"Well she's rather happy at the moment, having won the bet we all had."
"What bet's that then?" said Ron his curiosity roused.
"Well she was the closest to the date that you two would get together to tie the knot, after Sirius, that is." Remus paused as he remembered his old friend.
"Sirius, but Sirius died ages before we dated." said Ron.
"Yes well, we saw you two together in your fifth year before the DOM, and then we saw how Luna took care of you when you were wounded by those brains." Remus chuckled as he finished speaking.
Then Ron heard it again Harry's voice saying "Ron I need help, tell Hermione I need her."
Ron looked at Remus, who had spun around so fast he almost tripped. "You heard that Remus, you did hear that?" Ron was now looking a lot paler than he had been just two minutes before.
"Yes I heard," Remus said looking worried, he walked to the landing and called down "Arthur can you pop up here a moment please?"
"I thought I was hearing things," Ron was saying "heard it twice before, tried to ignore it."
Arthur joined them in Ron's bedroom; Remus told him what he had heard. Ron told them both that he had heard it earlier saying roughly the same thing.
"How can you have heard Harry? he died, we all saw his body, we were at the funeral, what does it all mean first Hermione and Hagrid then the Dursleys now you two. I think we should consult with Minerva see what she thinks," said Mr Weasley.
Together they went down to the kitchen to find Minerva McGonagall, Molly, Ginny and Hermione, and Luna staring at a very pale Mr Granger.
"What happened here?" asked Remus, Mr Granger looked up "I just saw Harry outside. I was just out looking at the garden pondering all the amazing things that we have seen and heard since we discovered the wizarding world. From that first time watching the wall open onto Diagon Alley and everything since, I had just thought that it was absolutely amazing what goes on unseen and there he was, walking along side me smiling, as though he was as real as you. He told me he needs Hermione's help."
"That's what he said to me," Ron said some of his colour coming back.
Arthur sat at the table and called for his family to join him. "Ok this has to be sorted out, Bill can you and Fleur see to it that all the guests are shown to their rooms then come back here soon as you can. Remus, Hagrid, Minerva you and the Grangers stay here with me."
Bill and fleur began to usher the guests out to the tents pitched out in the Weasley's field.
The Muggle guests were amazed when they entered the tents that had been magically transformed so that they looked like normal tents on the outside but inside they were like on suite hotel rooms of the best quality and luxury. Every one including the magicals were pleased and not a single complaint was heard.
With everyone who had been close to Harry now sitting around the kitchen, Arthur stood up looked at his watch. "Right we have an hour before the ceremony begins, I want you boys to check out the surrounding area and see if there is anything out of the ordinary. Charlie you take charge of that! And be sure you are all back here in time; this is one wedding we do not want spoilt. Tonks can you go with the Grangers and check out all the rooms in the house. Fleur you and Luna check on all the tents. Hagrid can you see to the marquee, shout us if you find anything that is unusual. Minerva could you sit with Molly, and the rest of us and try to work out what on earth could be going on."
Just as they all turned to take up their assigned task's there was a tap at the door. Fred being nearest opened it "Ah its ok it's only the best man," he said as he gave a nervous looking Neville a grand welcoming gesture.
Every one in the room filed off to carry out Arthur's directions. "Hope it's not my after shave," chuckled Neville as he watched them all leave as he entered.
Neville Longbottom had been a friend of Harry Ron and Hermione for a long time now; he had been with them when they had fought Voldemort's followers at the Ministry of magic. He had been one of the few that had answered the call to protect Hogwarts, the night Dumbledore had died.
He and his wife Ginny had been there when needed, and having been unanimously voted for by all Ron's brothers, he was to be best man at Ron's wedding. Ron walked back into the kitchen still looking a little pale, he stepped forward and welcomed Neville with a gentle slap on the back, telling him Ginny was with Hermione. He quickly told Neville all that had been happening and what they were about to discuss. Conjuring two chairs Neville and Ron joined the others sitting in the kitchen.
They chatted animatedly about Harry's last fight. How he had finished of Voldemort. About how they had seen him all cleaned up and laid to rest in a large gold coloured coffin at Godrics Hollow.
They all came up with theories for what was now happening, "Perhaps it's one of Voldemort's old cronies trying to get some sort of sick revenge," said Remus.
"Maybe it is someone playing a bad practical joke," offered Neville.
Thirty minutes later they had not made any headway at all. Each one of them thinking of different reasons for the strange events.
"Maybe Harry is not dead," said Luna quite casually, she had a way of stating the obvious that always made them uneasy. All around her fell quiet as they all looked at her as though she had just made a rude remark.
"Luna I know I didn't want to believe it, I still don't, but we know he died we saw him," said Hermione quietly, who had joined them just five minutes before.
"That's right Luna we were all there, we all saw," Arthur added.
"No we saw a dead Harry, none of us actually saw him die," said Luna just as casually as before.
"Scuse me if I am wrong Luna love," Ron said, "but what's the difference? if we saw him dead then he must have died."
Luna gave a shrug of her shoulders "Like I said I saw a dead Harry, I did not see him die," she said with a tone that meant they should all know what she said made sense. The rest of the family began to arrive back in the kitchen, all having had negative results.
"Right we best get the ceremony under way, Hermione, Ginny you best go finish getting Luna ready and we will meet you out side," said Mrs Weasley.
The girls rushed off closely followed by Mrs Granger and Fleur. The guests were all led out to the Weasley field by Ron and his father, taking seats that had been set up to resemble a set of church pew's. There was a long aisle running down the middle, ending at a linen draped table that was strew with flowers of many kinds.
Ron Neville and Arthur took their seats at the front.
"I am so pleased you asked me to be your best man Ron, I'm just sorry it isn't Harry sitting here," said Neville. Ron nodded in agreement.
Neville continued "Ginny and I are off to Hogwarts in the morning, I landed a job there as an assistant Herbology teacher."
"What you a professor, oh well done Nev, well done. You will make a first class teacher; you were the best by far in Herbology. You got an outstanding plus in your NEWT's didn't you?" said Ron with a big grin.
That'll be something else to celebrate tonight, wait till I tell the others. Professor Longbottom, well I'm Blowed, what did your gran have to say about it?" Ron was truly delighted with his friend's news.
"My gran thinks that I can do no wrong these days. Since we fought off the death eaters at Hogwarts, keeps telling me I turned out like a chip of the old block" Neville beamed as he told Ron.
Just then, the music started and Ron and Neville rose to take their place standing in front of the ancient wizard that had appeared moments before. Hearing the ooh's and aah's behind him Ron turned to look at his bride, he had not till then seen the wedding dress, he stared down the aisle as she approached him slowly looking as far as he was concerned like the most beautiful angel ever. Luna looked the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The dress was a brilliant white satin like material, the bodice was covered with roses made with very pale pink sequins and tiny beads, a long train hung from her waist and flowed out behind her.
As he watched her approaching, closely followed by Ginny, Fleur, and Hermione, his knees went weak and his legs began to wobble. He discretely caught hold of Neville for support.
"God Ron she's absolutely beautiful," said Neville taking hold of Ron's elbow.
From somewhere to his left Ron heard a muffled sniff that he knew was Hagrid, to his right sat his father and his mother, along with professor McGonagall who had a tear in her eye that she was dabbing at with a pink handkerchief.
A few seconds later and Luna stood at his side. As he looked at her he could feel the pride growing in his chest, he glanced down fully expecting to see his heart swell and burst out of his robes.
As the old wizard began to speak, Ron's hands began to shake. He had never in his life been so nervous, he lost track of what was being said until Luna said without falter "I do."
He looked into Luna's glowing face as he heard, "And do you Ronald, Bilius take Luna, Aphrodite, to be your lawful wedded wife."
Ron's chest expanded even more as he said proudly "I do." The old wizard was now saying you can kiss your wife now Ron. But Ron did not hear him he was busy shaking Luna's arm and using his head to indicate to some thing beyond the old wizard.
Luna moved a little to get a better view and there just a few yards away stood Harry, a huge smile on his face. He nodded his approval to them, and then he was gone just as suddenly as he had appeared. Most of the people that had been sitting were now standing looking at the spot where Harry had stood. Ron, Luna Neville and Hermione looked around at professor McGonagall as she in turn looked at Arthur and Molly.
Ron looked at his sister, who though smiling had tears flowing down her face as did several others including Neville. The ceremony was all but abandoned as every one tried to get answers. Eventually it was Minerva who took control "RIGHT THEN!" she shouted above the commotion, causing everyone to go quiet and look at her, "You will all kindly retire to the marquee, where you will find refreshments. The Weasleys and I will investigate this practical joke."
Just like her charges at Hogwarts, every one including the muggles began to file away talking amongst themselves. "Nasty trick to play on Ron that one." Ron heard one of his old school friends saying. Just a short time later as their guests ate and drank; the Entire Weasley family along with Hermione, Remus, Tonks, Neville, and Hagrid were sitting in the kitchen once more.
Professor McGonagall was talking to them, "Tonks get an owl off to the ministry tell them we need an Obliviator team here urgently, Ron might I suggest that you and Mrs Weasley go and get changed and Hermione, Ginny you too."
Ron looked at his mother with a puzzled frown "why's mum…?"
"Not your mother you silly boy, I meant Luna or have you forgotten she's your wife already," said Professor McGonagall with a sigh.
Ron looked at Luna who was smiling at him, "That's me now as well as your mum and Fleur, Mrs Weasley. Mrs Ronald Bilius Weasley," she said with a huge grin and no sign of the dreamy look she usually sported.
"The rest of us had better get more appropriately dressed too," finished the Professor.
It did not take long for the kitchen to fill again as they all returned dressed in their every day clothes. Hagrid was the first to speak "Will some one tell me, did I just see Harry, or was it just in my head?"
They all had questions that none of them could answer and slowly one by one they became quiet until all eyes were on Minerva.
"Well I am sorry to say that I do not have any answers to any of this, it is as much a mystery to me as to all of you, I do have an Idea though," she said. She turned to Arthur, "You go and sort out the ministry chaps, tell them some one Apparated in front of the Muggles, get them to remove just that part of the ceremony from them all. Oh and you had better see they modify our folk as well, just to be on the safe side."
Arthur left for the marquee; while he was gone, Minerva and Molly prepared a port key to take them to Hogwarts school gates. Bill and Fleur were to stay behind along with Hagrid to keep the party going. Molly turned to Ron "You and Luna should go and get your stuff packed, make sure to have every thing you will need."
"What do you mean?" said Ron and Luna together
"Got a bright pair here Minerva," said Molly "your honey moon, remember you are going to Egypt."
Ron looked at his new wife, "Oh no we are not," Luna said with a finality that dared any one to disagree.
"See, my wife says we are staying and stay we will," Ron sounded as firm as Luna had.
"But your honeymoon, your tickets, you were so looking forward," Mrs Weasley looked at her new daughter in law and went quiet she knew she was wasting her time.
Twenty minutes later Arthur reappeared along with the Grangers who had refused to leave their daughter, or to be obliviated. They wanted to help working it all out, along with the rest of them now that they were accepted in the wizarding world. "All done Minerva, oh and I made sure that they would not miss us being there," he said as he sat down "Ron, Luna, I thought you two would be getting packed."
"Oh dad don't you start," said Ron.
As they had all decided to go to Hogwarts to check out the library the Grangers were told by Hermione what to expect from a port key.
"Well then if we are all ready?" professor McGonagall said and they all reached out to touch a part of Molly's largest cooking cauldron, suddenly they were all lifted with a jolt as the port key sped them towards Hogwarts. Except for the Granger's it was not the first time they had used a port key. They knew of the strange sensation of whirling along somewhere outside the normal universe, it felt something like being yanked inside out while being crushed at the same time. They landed with a bump just out side the huge gates of Hogwarts.
Ron peered around, checking that every one was ok.
Professor McGonagall led the way tapping the mighty gate to the school with her wand; they waited as it swung open for them, then closed itself once they were inside the walls. Hogwarts School was a huge castle, built almost a thousand years ago. It towered above them over seven stories high not counting the towers. Just a few lights blinked faintly in the dusk light.
The Grangers had not been to Hogwarts before and it showed as both Mr and Mrs Granger looked in awe at the site that now loomed in front of them, "Hermione you never said," Mr Granger said quite a few times as he took it all in.
It was not long before they stood in front of the huge gargoyle that stood guard over the heads office. "Raspberry ripple," said professor McGonagall "I thought I would keep some of Albus's colourful ways," she said to Hermione's unasked question.
As they entered her office the professor smiled, at least some of them had not had the pleasure of being in the office before. Charlie looked around at the circular room built at the top of one of the many towers, "You have made a good job of this Professor," he said with a hint of admiration in his voice.
"There is something that I don't think all of you will know about," said professor McGonagall with a smile in her eye. She sat at the desk and looked over to the portrait of Albus Dumbledore her immediate predecessor "Albus my dear I need your help, in fact I may need the help of all of you," she announced as she looked around at the portraits of all the previous head teachers.
The Dumbledore in the picture opened his eyes and sat up as though just waking from a snooze in the armchair he occupied, "Yes Minerva how can I help?" he looked around the room "Ah the Weasley's and the Grangers,
I shall assume Luna that you are now Mrs Weasley?" the portrait smiled the warm smile that they had not seen in a long time.
"I am indeed professor and I am so happy," she answered looking up at Ron.
"Yes, yes" Dumbledore went on "We wondered how long it would be before you two realized you were meant to be together."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Ron asked nobody in particular.
"Never mind all that now Ronald," said professor McGonagall.
Dumbledore spoke again "You said you needed our help Minerva, in what way can we assist you?"
Professor McGonagall recited all that they had seen and heard between them, and all that the Dursleys had said. "Now we did all actually see young Harry at the wedding ceremony along with the Muggles who were there," said professor McGonagall, "I wondered if you could shed any light on things."
"I know of only one way a wizard can defy death, Though I believe only Morgana knew the actual curse to imprison someone for all time." Dumbledore told them.
All the other portraits were nodding in agreement, "I am sorry Minerva but it looks as though we can not yet offer you help. Ronald Weasley you take good care of Luna and help her with those Snorkack's, she is after all a great witch," Dumbledore said in a low voice.
"Well that leaves us where we were earlier," said professor McGonagall "we don't know if it was some sort of prank or a bit of mass hysteria."
"It was Harry," Hermione said with certainty in her voice, all eyes turned to her.
"How can you be so sure?" Ginny asked.
"I felt him when he kissed me, a feeling I have not forgotten since we first kissed after winning the last Quidditch match he played here at Hogwarts, I know it was Harry."
Ron gaped at his best friend "He kissed you, why didn't you tell us sooner."
"At first I thought it had just been a daydream, but Harry says he needs my help."
That's when they all realized that Hermione was staring past them to a place behind professor McGonagall; they all turned in unison to see Harry standing there large as life smiling.
"Hermione I need your help my love, they will come to you soon, I must go now I am so tired," with those words he vanished.
"Ahem that was not someone playing a trick, there is no way this room nor indeed the castle can be penetrated by any one, even the castle ghosts can't get in here," Dumbledore said. "I don't know what sort of magic that was but it was well out of the reach of any wizard or witch," Dumbledore continued "it would seem we will all have to wait until they, whoever they are, come to call on Hermione," the portrait of Dumbledore said as he settled back in to his cosy arm chair.
