I don't own Harry Potter, and I'm doing this for fun, not profit. Please let that be a sufficient disclaimer!
...
The rest of the spring term continued without much of note, except that Gryffindor had just managed to beat Ravenclaw at Quidditch, so Harry didn't feel quite as bad at abandoning his old team.
Harry found he hadn't missed the game or the practises too much; sure, he enjoyed playing, but he found that he missed the time with Katie more. Speaking of whom, Katie had got a position with the Holyhead Harpies as a reserve chaser, but she had apparently impressed enough that she would be playing her first game as a starting chaser on the first day of the Easter holidays... though since the game was against the Chudley Cannons, Harry suspected it would be a relatively easy first professional game.
Katie had even got Harry and Gabrielle tickets; originally they were meant to be for Harry and Fleur, but Gabrielle had begged to go – perhaps just to see Katie play – and with Katie's blessing Fleur had given her ticket to her little sister.
So, instead of riding the Hogwarts express back to London, Harry and Fleur spent a night in their Hogsmeade house – a delicious, passionate night – and then the next day Harry met Gabrielle (who got a lift from Sebastian) at the Harpies' stadium.
"'arry!" cried Gabrielle, as she threw her arms around her big brother.
Harry responded by lifting her up and spinning her around. "Hello my little fly! Excited for the game?" he asked.
Gabrielle laughed at being spun around, then nodded happily. "Yes! I can't wait to see Katie's first game!"
Letting Gabrielle go, Harry walked over and hugged Sebastian before he left. "Love you, Papa. I'll see you after the game finishes?" Harry murmured a little shyly.
Sebastian gave him a big squeeze, a happy tear threatening to spill down his face, then replied. "Of course, my son. Enjoy the game, take care of your sister."
"Goodbye Papa! Now come on 'arry, we have to get to our seats!"
A few minutes later, Harry and Gabrielle were sitting in their seats – and very good seats they were – with some popcorn and fizzy drinks, waiting for the game to begin.
"'arry...?" Gabrielle asked, smiling sweetly at her brother.
"Yes, my little fly?" Harry replied, wondering what his sister was after.
"You'll translate the game for me, won't you?" asked Gabrielle, hopefully. She was terrible at English, and didn't want to miss the most important parts of the commentary.
"Hmmm... I've got a better idea", Harry replied. He'd planned this ahead, and was going to suggest it just as the game started – after all, the potion only lasted a couple of hours per vial.
"What's your idea?" asked Gabrielle, eagerly.
"English in a bottle! I think Fleur plans to call it Polymouth Potion; the name sounds better in English" Harry answered with a smile.
"Oh, can I have it now?!" begged Gabrielle.
"Each vial lasts for about two hours, and I only have three vials... use them carefully!" Harry warned, ruffling Gabrielle's hair.
Gabrielle stuck her tongue out, uncorked the first vial and downed it. "Is it working?" she asked after a moment.
Harry grinned. "You tell me, Gabrielle", he replied.
"..."
"Gabrielle?"
"I can speak English now! That's so cool!"
...
Harry was excited to watch Katie play, but it was Gabrielle who was the most enthusiastic of the two. The Holyhead Harpies utterly trounced the Chudley Cannons with a final score of 450-70, which gave Gabrielle plenty of opportunities to jump up and celebrate every Harpies goal, doubly so for the thirteen that Katie scored.
After three of Katie's goals, Katie had clearly spotted Harry and Gabrielle in the crowd, and so after each subsequent goal Katie made sure her celebration included a pass right next to her biggest fans, including high-fiving Gabrielle on a couple of occasions; Gabrielle was delighted.
The main commentator had noted this, and had great fun trying to guess who Harry and Gabrielle might be – family? Friends? Maybe a lover and friend? Maybe a lover and the lover's little sister? Katie had tried not to blush too much at the latter two suggestions, instead focussing on the game.
The game had only lasted ninety-five minutes, so Gabrielle's first vial of Polymouth Potion was only just running out when the match finished. They were about to leave the stadium and Harry was going to suggest they save the other two vials for another day, when Katie left her team's celebration for a moment to fly up to Harry and Gabrielle on her Firebolt.
"Hi there! Anyone want to volunteer for a ride?" Katie asked, still beaming from the match victory.
Harry noted a few desperate fans near them had launched their hands up, but as Harry translated for Gabrielle and handed her a second vial, Gabrielle kissed her brother's cheek, drank the second vial, and merrily replied, "I'd love to, Katie."
Katie grinned at hearing Gabrielle speak English – she had wondered if Fleur had managed to sneak her a vial of her new potion or not – then helped Gabrielle climb onto the front of the broom. She then proved to those watching that Firebolts can be even more of an adrenaline rush than rollercoasters.
Over the next twenty minutes, Gabrielle had shrieked her delight to the whole arena; half-way through, Angelina had come to say hi to Harry, and then had given him a lift down to meet the rest of the Harpies.
Harry was chatting to the team when Katie and Gabrielle landed, both red-faced and grinning.
"Why did you never tell us your best friend was a hot, famous guy who buys Firebolts as birthday presents?!" asked the Harpies' captain, Gwenog Jones.
Katie blushed, but nevertheless gave Harry a big, tight hug. "I missed you, Harry", she quietly whispered, so her teammates wouldn't hear.
Harry masterfully ignored Katie's delicious strawberry scent, mixed as it was with a little sweat, instead returning the tight hug and replying, "I missed you too". Then, a little louder, "You did amazing, Katie! I'm glad to see you've only gotten better."
Gwenog Jones frowned. "Well? You could have introduced us much sooner!" she griped.
Katie pulled away from Harry, though still had a hand resting on his arm. "My best friend is already taken, and it was him and his fiancée who bought me the Firebolt – crazy as they are", Katie added affectionately.
"Anyway, introductions: Harry Potter, meet the Holyhead Harpies. Holyhead Harpies, Harry Potter", Katie teased.
"Sorry to spoil the fun, Katie, but I already did real introductions while you terrorised little Gabrielle", Angelina admitted.
"Hey! I wasn't terrorised! Flying on a Firebolt is amazing!" gushed Gabrielle.
"Do I need to come back a little later?" interrupted a mirthful voice.
"Papa!" cried Gabrielle, running to embrace Sebastian.
Harry smiled and shook his head. "No, we should let the ladies celebrate – they definitely earned it today!" Harry answered, smiling at the team and at Katie in particular.
Gwenog rolled her eyes in mock-frustration. "Fine, you go running, Mr Potter. But you'll need to join us on another day, so we can get to know you better."
Harry smiled noncommittally, gave Angelina then Katie one more hug, then left with Sebastian and Appoline for France.
...
Two days into the Easter holiday, Harry and Fleur received an owl from Smashface, advising them of progress on the house hunt, and to visit Gringotts at their earliest convenience.
So, that day, the couple had postponed their plans ("But I really wanted to talk to Geoff and Barry!" "Well, we can do it tomorrow, and maybe invite Katie too?") and instead went to Gringotts... where they were almost immediately portkeyed to Northern France.
As they landed, Harry and Fleur saw a large building in front of them. It was...
"Horrible", Fleur assessed.
Harry nodded his agreement. The building looked to be a large villa, but its walls were crumbling, the local birds had clearly been using the roof as a large lavatory, there was graffiti over the chunks of wall that weren't covered in wild plant growth... there was a lot not to like.
Smashface chuckled; the sound reminded Harry of a battle cry. "Look past the decay and dirt, and I think you'll see potential. Imagine this house as it was in its prime; magic will restore it.
Fleur looked a little sceptical, but Harry started to see the potential. Walking up to the walls, he spelled away a patch of grime and uncovered promising-looking white stone walls. "It's the style you like", Harry pointed out, hoping he was right; it was one of the minor details Fleur had described when discussing their future home together.
Fleur looked at the clean patch of wall and nodded despite herself. "Does the villa have a pool?" Fleur asked, hopefully.
Smashface nodded. "It does. It's hideous, like the rest of the house, but again that is easy to resolve."
"And gardens? Or other land? How big is the plot?" Fleur asked, hoping again for good news.
"Approximately 4000 square metres – or just over two Quidditch pitches in size", Smashface answered, grinning toothily at Harry.
"How much?" Harry asked.
"A bargain at 30,000 galleons, due to the condition", he replied. Then as he liked Harry and Fleur, he answered the obvious (to him) questions without even being asked. "Repairs and clearing up the grounds will cost around 15,000 galleons extra. Then, as the villa is currently muggle-owned, there will be the additional cost for floo, registering with the ministry, setting up wards.
In total, if you choose this property" Smashface continued, 'which you should', he thought, "It will cost you no more than 50,000 galleons."
Fleur and Harry looked around the villa, albeit not too closely. Harry continued to see the potential, though he did avoid inspecting in the swimming pool. Fleur caught herself looking past the grime, and when she did she could picture them living here, having children here, growing old here.
"Ok, I'm convinced, my cherished", Fleur sighed dramatically, before winking at her fiancé.
"Are you sure? Really sure?" Harry checked.
Fleur nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Yes. We can make this out home, I'm certain."
Harry and Fleur gave Smashface the profitable news, though he surprised them with a question. "Do you want to pay for it out of your joint account, or Harry's London account?"
"Pardon?" Harry asked.
Smashface grinned. "Your London account. That, too, started with a reasonable sum, which was invested. It contains less than your join account, but enough to cover the villa and associated expenses", Smashface reassured.
Harry and Fleur looked at each other dumbly. Harry rarely ever went to Diagon Alley, and it had been years since he'd thought about his London account, let alone considered its value.
"Use the London account, then transfer the rest to our joint account", Harry replied after a moment.
"Are you sure, my heart? It's your money, and..." Fleur began.
Taking Fleur's hands in his, Harry interrupted his fiancée with a sweet kiss, then replied. "We will be married this summer. All that I have will be yours then, as it already is now."
Fleur kissed Harry lovingly – he was so sweet! She stopped at just kissing – Smashface probably wouldn't appreciate witnessing anything else – but Fleur had some ideas on how to reward Harry later.
...
The next day, the whole Delacour household woke up, feeling excited. Today they would be going to see Geoff and Barry, armed with several vials of Polymouth Potion.
They had breakfasted early, and were patiently waiting for their final guest to arrive. Finally, a few minutes earlier than expected, there was a knock on the door.
"Katie!" cried Gabrielle, who ran to hug the older girl she was so fond of.
Katie returned the embrace, a happy smile on her face. "Hello Gabrielle, hello everyone!" Katie said, with Gabrielle still stuck to her like a limpet.
Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes mirthfully. After Gabrielle had let go, he too hugged Katie tightly, again wondering why she had to look, smell and feel so good... but quickly tried to quash those thoughts, as he always did.
After a few more hugs, and after everyone had drank a vial of Harry-imbibed Polymouth Potion, the group was finally ready to go.
"Let's go talk to our friends!" Gabrielle cried excitedly.
"Right now!" Katie agreed, who was grinning at being able to understand Gabrielle at long last.
...
"...not that hungry. It be another week before I'm desperate enough to eat that."Geoff declared sincerely.
"That's not the same one you spat back out a couple of weeks ago, is it?" Barry asked, inspecting it closely.
Geoff slithered over to check. Within a few seconds he was outraged. "Bloody hell! It is! Oh, that's horrible, even for Idiot Simon! Isn't there someone we can speak to about snake abuse?!" he asked desperately.
"Well, since you asked..." a voice answered.
"YES! Sweet merciful cobra, thank you for your benevolence this day!" Geoff exclaimed.
"Geoff, there isn't a cobra there! Just Harry and his gang!" Barry corrected.
Harry, Fleur, Gabrielle, Katie, Sebastian and Appoline at this point were all in the enclosure, laughing, chuckling or grinning.
"Yes, I know... Oh, nevermind."Geoff replied, shaking his head.
"Harry, you've brought almost everyone! Fleur, your secret love child, Sceptical Pete, Vole Wizard and Vole Witch! It's only your big sister who's missing!" Barry declared.
Harry didn't know whether to laugh or cry; he opted for both, crying tears of laughter at the expressions on his friends and family's faces.
"Barry! Get their names right! Gabrielle isn't their love child, sadly. She's Fleur's sister. And I told you before, no-one would call their child "Vole Witch", she's called Mrs. Vole Wizard!" Geoff corrected confidently.
"Vole Wizard?!" asked Sebastian, trying not to cry with laughter. All this time, the snakes had been calling him Vole Wizard?!
"Sceptical Pete?" asked Katie, torn between confusion, horror and laughter. "Harry, where did that nickname come from?!" she asked, incredulously.
"In my defence... Geoff and Barry... came up with the names themselves... I just never... corrected them", Harry choked out, between heavy bouts of laughter.
"Hi Geoff, Barry! I'm Gabrielle and I'm so excited to be able to speak to you!" Gabrielle gushed.
"Awww, she's just as sweet as we thought, isn't she Geoff?" cooed Barry.
"Definitely! When we adopt Harry and Fleur you'll have to come over for sleepovers", Geoff agreed matter-of-factly.
Gabrielle beamed happily; Geoff and Barry were so much fun now they could talk. But she wasn't allowed to monopolise their time.
"Hi Geoff, hi Barry. I'm Sceptical Pete, or 'Katie' for short, and I..." Katie began.
"...want a Special Cuddle with Harry" finished Barry, helpfully.
Katie's eyes shot wide. "What? No, I, erm..."
"He means sex. And you definitely do", Geoff added wisely.
"We can taste it" Barry added, flicking his tongue out in Sceptical Pete's direction.
Katie blushed heavily. This was not the conversation she had been expecting! Harry showed true allegiance to his best friend... by collapsing on the floor with laughter. For a few moments.
"Don't be shy, he wants to mate with you too", Geoff added, mortifying the pair.
"Oh, but maybe not today; we can smell Fleur on him; I'm glad you gave Fleur her Special Cuddle this morning, and aren't neglecting her", Barry added, dragging Fleur into the vortex of embarrassment.
"I knew it! You both looked... weird this morning!" Gabrielle announced accusingly, further embarrassing at least two of the people in the room.
Sebastian and Appoline found this conversation very entertaining, especially as they knew Harry was completely faithful to Fleur, and didn't have to worry about his intentions towards Katie... but they did feel sorry enough for their Godson to distract the snakes from this line of thinking.
"Sorry to interrupt, Geoff and Barry, but I was wondering if you fine, upstanding gentlemen were 'ungry?" Sebastian asked, earning a muttered "thank you" from Harry.
"I'm starving for a vole! No, wait, I'm starving for two voles!" cried Barry, excitedly.
"Oh, I'm so glad you asked, Vole Wizard! Could I please, please have a guinea pig or two? They look so cute and delicious!" Geoff asked, salivating a little.
...
Towards the end of the visit, as the group were leaving, Katie and Fleur hung back whilst the others went ahead. Katie asked her question, which the snakes were delighted about, and then Fleur asked hers, and the pair were ecstatic. Katie and Fleur both promised to keep each others' secrets, so that the events would be a fun surprise.
The rest of the holidays passed quickly, with Harry in particular spending much of it studying, and then it was into Fleur and Harry's final term. Fleur spent two weeks finishing up her mastery, and then sitting a final exam; she would find out later in the term how she had done. The rest of Fleur's term was spent making potions – particularly Polymouth Potion, as she wanted a several vials for personal use and then an entire shop's worth ready for selling... possibly via the twins' store in Diagon Alley?
Harry's last term, on the other hand, was hectic. Harry's NEWTs were going well but required a lot of work, and that was saying nothing about his mastery. Harry's mastery potion was different to Fleur's – instead of creating something new, he wanted to significantly simplify a rare, difficult potion, and ideally significantly reduce the cost to produce.
That was not an unusual area of study for a Potion Master, but what Harry intended to do with the results was – he wanted a simplified recipe disseminated amongst the wizarding population, to benefit many. All he had to do was find a replacement for one tricky ingredient, and he would be done.
...
Ron had managed to lead the Gryffindors to another Quidditch victory, though they lost the cup overall. Still, he had attracted the attention of one Quidditch scout, even if it was for a terrible team... though Ron couldn't have been happier that his favourite team were interested in getting him to try out.
Hermione had managed, barely, not to focus on her NEWTs to the exclusion of everything else in life, though everyone was looking forward to the exams being over for her sake.
Neville seemed sad as the term progressed, as he would miss Ginny the following year, but he made sure to do well in his studies, especially Herbology. And when Professor Sprout offered him the opportunity to study a mastery the following year, both Ginny and Neville were thrilled.
Daphne seemed very focussed, though not always on her studies – the twins had somehow managed to convince her to design pranks for their store, something that Harry found equal parts surprising, terrifying and hilarious.
And Katie? She had impressed in her first game, and was being groomed to become one of the starting chasers the following season, replacing one of the team that was planning a (slightly early) retirement.
...
"You're sure this is safe, cub?" asked Remus, towards the end of term.
Harry nodded. "I've checked it several times, it's definitely not poisonous, and shouldn't have any other negative effects. You'll be the first to try if it works like your usual potion, though", Harry admitted.
Remus nodded and, trusting his honorary nephew, drank the vial. "You're not planning to stay the night, are you?" Remus asked a moment later, concerned.
"No, he isn't", Sirius answered on Harry's behalf. "That would just be stupid", he added, daring Harry to disagree.
Harry really wanted to see the effects first hand, though he understood his uncles' concerns, and gave in with little complaint. "Just let me know first thing if it works; not just because my mastery is riding on it!" Harry joked.
...
The next morning, Sirius and Remus both came to greet Harry, wide smiles on their faces.
"And...?" Harry asked without preamble.
Remus pulled Harry into a hug. "Complete success! Your modified Wolfsbane worked even better than the original – I'm not even feeling too tired after the transformation, which is incredible!"
Harry hugged Remus tightly, delighted. His mastery wasn't at the forefront of his mind – the fact that werewolves around the world would have better access to a potion that removed their monthly danger nights was his main consideration... after the benefits it would bring to Remus.
...
Finally, the end of term exams were over, including Harry's potion exam. He felt like he had done well, and the next week, when Professor Jones had winked and told him he'd get his results soon, he felt very pleased.
For Harry, the end of school couldn't come soon enough. He had loved his time at Hogwarts, but his attention was now fully on his upcoming wedding, which would take place the week after his birthday. However, some important things needed to happen before then, and the first involved a letter he and Fleur received on the last week of term.
"Dear Mr and Soon-to-be Mrs Potter,
Your house is ready for your inspection. Please visit Gringotts Paris at your earliest convenience, and we will confirm the property is to your expectations.
Smashface"
Harry and Fleur exchanged excited looks. Fleur also felt a little apprehensive, but she trusted Smashface – mostly – and surely it couldn't be too bad?
After one last train ride on Hogwarts express – with Harry and Fleur soaking up the company of Hermione, Ron, Daphne, Neville, and even Ginny and Susan – the engaged couple tightly hugged their friends and apparated straight to Paris.
The expected portkey later, and Fleur was confused.
"Snashface, where is our villa?" Fleur asked with a frown.
"Right in front of you", replied Smashface, showing little emotion.
"But... that can't be our villa!" Fleur protested.
"Oh? And why is that, Miss Delacour?" Smashface asked, a slight frown on his face.
"Because... Well..." Fleur took a deep breath, and pushed onwards. "Because it's gorgeous!" she gushed, finding her words.
Smashface grinned a large, toothy grin. "I believe you will appreciate the inside even more."
The white stone villa had been completely restored, with walls fixed, dirt cleaned off, gardens replanted and thriving, swimming pool cleaned and refilled... Harry and Fleur looked at each other and knew what the other was thinking: it was perfect.
"When can we move in?" Harry asked eagerly.
"In theory straight away. But it will be another two weeks for the wards to be set up, and if you wish Gringotts can also arrange for your effects to be moved across from your Hogsmeade house", Smashface replied.
Fleur grinned as a thought hit her. "Let's move in after our wedding. We can stay here for our honeymoon!" Fleur excitedly suggested.
Harry looked perplexed. "But it's going to be our house. Can you have a honeymoon in your house?"
"I want our life to be one long, sensual honeymoon, my cherished. And given the villa's location, it will certainly feel like a honeymoon", Fleur assured her fiancé.
"And if I already have a honeymoon planned?" Harry asked, certainly coming around to Fleur's way of thinking.
"Then we can have two honeymoons", Fleur answered with a grin.
...
The time before the wedding passed quickly, with only two events standing between Harry and Fleur and their happy ever after: a hen do and a stag do.
Fleur was delighted with her hen do. Marjorie, as Maid of Honour, had arranged it, and had invited Amelie, Appoline, Gabrielle, Katie, Hermione and Cheveu – a fairly close group. And the activities?
The day had started with breakfast at Celeste's ("They do breakfast?!" "No, Gabrielle, not usually, but they made an exception for Fleur"), which was unreasonably delicious – French toast, omelettes, pastries, and even slices of cake; Fleur was in heaven.
Then, the group had portkeyed to Southern France, and if Fleur had been a little surprised at the idea of a couple of hours on a secluded beach, all became clear when Marjorie had taken the Angel Drops out of her pocket and announced they were going to practise where falling to the floor only meant falling on the sand.
The group had the best of times, flying free in the air. Katie was particularly skilled, though Fleur shook her head smiling, figuring it was only reasonable that the professional Quidditch player was the best in the air.
The girls had a lighter lunch, then had a couple of hours in a spa, which Fleur made note of and decided she would have to bring Harry back to... though perhaps without the pedicures or manicures ("but my brother would have such pretty nails if he had a manicure!").
Finally, after another short spell at the beach, the girls had a cosy dinner at a small french restaurant - though sadly the Frasier was not comparable to Celeste's – and after that Fleur was hugging her friends and family goodbye, and the wonderful day was over.
...
Harry's stag do started unusually, for several reasons. Firstly, it was arranged so that it wouldn't take place on the same day as the hen do, as several guests overlapped. Secondly, it required Harry's cousin sneaking out, as Petunia and Vernon wouldn't be too thrilled with the day's events. Thirdly, there were two snakes present.
"Geoff?! Barry?! What are you both doing out of the zoo?" Harry asked, half delighted, half gobsmacked.
"We're here for your stag do!" exclaimed Barry excitedly. Geoff nodded his agreement.
"Well, we couldn't leave them out, could we?" asked Katie with a large grin.
Gabrielle was delighted, and gave a big hug to both snakes. Cheveu struggled to stop laughing at the nicknames, though when she did she joined Gabrielle in hugging the pair. Fred and George took great delight in talking to Geoff and Barry, and determined to speak to Fleur about her potion after the honeymoon. Dudley was fascinated, especially by drinking a magical potion! Ron and Neville were nervous, until Katie explained they were old friends. Hermione looked fascinated, and wondered if there were other animals that had their own languages. Sirius and Remus had a few whispered conversations that had Geoff and Barry in peals of snakey laughter, and Daphne was outraged that Harry was a Parselmouth and had never told his closest Slytherin friend!
The stag do itself was similar to Fleur's hen do, in that in contained both Angel Drops and Celeste's. However, Katie had arranged for the use of the Holyhead Harpies stadium for a few hours, and the group used the Angel drops instead of broomsticks for a Quidditch game... It turned out that everyone was terrible, so the game was fairly even. Fred and George decided they might try and make a real sport of it. Geoff and Barry decided Quidditch wasn't for them – after all, they didn't have arms.
The group gorged themselves at Celeste's for lunch, and if Katie went and apologised to the owners for someone's overenthusiastic eating, no-one noticed. Geoff and Barry had to be disillusioned for that part, and whilst cakes aren't normal snake fare, Barry valiantly tried to eat many things. He failed miserably, but the attempt had been made.
The group then spent some time just chatting, dreaming and bonding, and Harry thought he had got away without the customary teasing the groom-to-be usually experienced... until Katie called attention to the group for a final game.
"Ok everyone, before we finish, we have one last surprise for Harry", Katie began.
From the grins on the twins' faces, Harry knew he was in trouble.
"It's a simple game. We ask you five questions about Fleur. For each question you get right, you have to eat a Joy Emotion Chew. For each question you get wrong, you have to eat... another twin product", Katie explained with an innocent tone that fooled no-one.
Harry gulped, but knew there was no way out. He nodded his understanding.
"First, what is Fleur's favourite cake at Celeste's?" Katie asked.
...
Harry had done well, though that meant four Joy chews were causing his jaw to hurt with how much he was beaming. Then he had gotten the last question wrong, and now Harry was desperate to get home. Joyfully desperate.
Katie had teased him by suggesting they go for a drink, but Harry had explained in a painfully cherry tone that he had to get home right away, and the group, laughing, didn't stop him. So, after hugs goodbye, with Harry suffering the delicious agony of hugging Daphne and then Katie – damn it, she needed to let go, she smelled too delicious, he needed to leave! – Harry apparated home, and practically dragged Fleur to their bedroom. She had no complaints.
"Desire Chew at the end?" Katie asked, chuckling.
Fred and George grinned evilly. "Maybe!" they replied together.
"Do those sweets work on lady snakes?" Geoff asked innocently.
...
Finally, after a long, long time of waiting, the morning of the wedding had arrived. Harry and Fleur were more excited than words could express. It was going to be a wonderful day, and the start of Harry and Fleur's new life together.
...
Author Notes:
Just one more chapter to go – The Wedding.
Thanks to everyone who's read and enjoyed this story, especially those who favourite or follow, and those who review. The reaction to this story has been incredible, and is the reason I've written so quickly. Thank you again.
Special thanks to the reviewers, as always: to sebsnowboarder35 and Not Just 11 yearS old; and to the best men and women who are alix33, SiriusOrionBitch, bahnannah, Arnie1701, Spider of Dreams, Mitkon2001, mike3308, Urgazhi, amortentiate, magitech, Blue Luver5000, Darth Flamel, DrackNath, Lolkar, Red Renera and Autumngold, for re-reviewing since last chapter.
alix33 – huge thanks, as always!
Mitkon2001 – first two questions answered in the chapter. As for Celeste's, very – we're talking very high-end deliciousness.
Urgazhi – this is their second year of the mastery. I considered the herbology thing, but figured there was no Herbology prerequisite on taking a potions NEWT, so figured there didn't need to be on the mastery.
Magitech – agreed. Temporary it is.
Darth Flamel – I appreciate you taking the time to review, though I'd be curious to know specifically what you didn't enjoy in the last couple of chapters.
Not Just 11 yearS old – Harry and Fleur's money was invested in companies, not just getting interest in a bank. I based their increases on real-world returns over the period, which had massively out-performed inflation... as good investments have done for decades.