Chapter 35 – A New Year

Submitted: Sunday 18 September 2011 Next Submission: Wed 21 September 2011

A/N: Please if you have a bookmark on chapters 2-7 then move them to chapter one. In a week or so I will be making some small changes to those chapters and I don't want you to lose your bookmarks. I know this is an inconvenience but I need to clean up some of the beginning. This should be the last chapter that our Veela model makes an appearance. For the reader that asked, there is no particular interest in her but I needed a model that held the world's attention in 1998 that had enough staying power to be usable as a character down the road. It does not hurt that she has a tremendous amount of charisma, guys can't seem to keep their eyes off of her and she has gone on to become very successful around the world in the past thirteen years since. Now on to the story...after a shameless plug asking you to review when you are finished reading. It really does help when I get feedback good or bad.

Harry still didn't understand what he had done wrong. He sat at the kitchen table with Hermione and Ron while Mrs. Weasley finished the eggs. Hermione still had her head in Harry's gift and Ron was staring daggers at his best mate. Harry tried to lighten the mood, "Hermione, are you still reading that? I thought you'd be finished by now. I've seen you finish two books a day."

Ron gave out a loud "Harumph." Hermione turned the page and seemed not to notice.

"What is up with you two?" asked Harry. "Are you not speaking to me, Hermione?"

"Are you really that thick?" asked Ron. "How is it you were always so understanding with me but you can't treat Ginny with the same respect?" Harry still didn't understand. The confusion on his face only made Ron angrier, "You embarrassed her in front of everyone, Harry! You realise she spent nearly every knut she had buying you gifts? Hermione and Fleur warned you...I know they warned you because I..." Ron whispered the next part so his Mum wouldn't hear "...spent nearly an entire night hearing about it instead of enjoying a quiet night alone with my girlfriend."

Harry was taken aback but Ron wasn't done, "I always knew that you didn't buy the best gifts because you didn't want to pants me. Now that I'm older I'm happy to admit that I appreciated that. But since you got your hands on that Black fortune you've been a real prick throwing Galleons around like they were nothing."

Molly concentrated as she levitated the food to the table and Harry looked to her for support. She spoke as she sat down, "I must agree with Ron though his language could use some work." She placed her hand on Harry's shoulder, "You and George are two of the most generous young men I know but you must remember that there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. Eventually your mates either feel indebted to you or they become dependent on your generosity."

Molly noticed Harry tense up and naturally her voice softened, "Ginny is a proud girl. She never fancied you for what you had. When she first met you she was overwhelmed by your fame but that ended quickly. Ginny loves you for the person you are but by buying all of these extravagant gifts you are forcing her to feel like she must keep up."

Harry now was the angry one, "But what is the use of having so much without being able to share it with the ones you love?" Harry paused and calmed down as he thought to himself, "Ron, you are right. I should've listened to Ginny...or Hermione...or Fleur for that matter. For that I was a Prat but I wasn't trying to show off – I meant well. I got out of hand...but I cared"

Harry glared at Molly, "But George has nothing to apologise for. Do you know why George gave you that gift? Because you deserve it and because it made him feel that all of his work was worthwhile. It came with no strings and it allows you and Dad to live the lives you deserve to live. It allows Dad to take his old job, which he really wants, and you would never have another financial worry."

"He is merely making the same gesture to you that I made to him a few years back. When I won the Tri-Wizard Tournament I wanted no part of the Galleons that came with it. They had come at a terrible price. George, likewise, sees all those Galleons pour into his vault and the one he was supposed to share them with...is lost – forever. Having you take them instead takes some of the pain away." Harry got up, "You raised all of your children right. All of your children have become successful adults in there own right. But what kind of message do you send them if you deny them their generosity and make them feel bad for sharing with family?"

After Harry left Hermione finally looked up to Molly from her book, "He may be thick when it comes to girls but he's spot on when it comes to family."

Harry was feeding the chickens just outside the barn when Shacklebolt arrived. "Morning Harry," the Minister shook his hand, "finishing chores?"

"I'm not too popular with the Weasley's at the moment. I needed some air."

"You didn't get caught with..."

"No!" Harry interjected. "Nothing like that."

"Well, then what say we get started? I have until Noon and if I am not back I also will be very unpopular with a certain Weasley."

Harry gladly pulled out his wand and they began. Kingsley began by evaluating Harry's blocking spells and wand work. He lazily threw a few stunners and disarming spells at Harry and the young wizard flicked them away with the ease of a much older wizard. Just to see if he'd catch it, the Minister sent a jinx silently at Harry that could not blocked with a shield. Harry caught the threat and the giggling stopped immediately when he performed the counter. "Nice recognition Harry. You won't always be able to step out of the way but if you are prepared you can counter before you too badly affected.

The spells became more and more difficult to detect and counter but Harry was up to the task. Kingsley finally decided Harry was ready for a full on duel and without warning he sent a flurry of spells Harry's way with a few thoughts and flicks. In a series he sent a stunner, a disarming spell, a hex and then shot a rock from the ground Harry's way. Silently Harry blocked the spells with well placed shield charms and he sent a rock of his own to meet the Minister's.

Shacklebolt didn't expect Harry to take the offensive. Harry ran forward, charging the wizard, as he met Kingsley's burst with his own barrage of nonverbal spells and the Minister quickly had his hands full. As the Minister blocked and countered the first round of spells of the charging boy, he tried to read Harry's lips but couldn't make out the whispered, "Avio Impugni." Several birds appeared out of nowhere and attacked the Minister from all directions. As the former Auror tried to banish the birds and their sharp beaks, Harry passed the Minister and flanked him. He sent two more rocks for the Minister's stomach from opposite directions and a body bind that actually took the Minister by surprise. This was because Harry took his free hand and swung for the Minister.

The Minister ducked Harry's blow, banished the birds and deflected the rocks but the body bind was one spell too many. Shacklebolt felt the tight binds pull his arms inward and his legs were pulled together in a comical way not much unlike something seen in a cartoon. The Minister held tight to his wand and tried to to counter the spell but Harry had already anticipated the move and he disarmed the former Auror with a simple "Expelliarmus." The Minister was knocked back by the blow and as he flopped to the ground like a caught fish he let out a whoosh of breath. The young wizard ran to his friend and mentor and asked worriedly, "Are you ok, Sir?"

The Minister was winded and sucking air – unable to speak. Panicked and feeling guilty, Harry banished the binds only to be rewarded with a guffaw. Once the Minister regained his breath he complimented the young wizard, "You..knocked..the..breath out of me. I couldn't laugh. I was too busy sucking air. You did well...you won." The Minister continued to gasp for air and his deep baritone laugh kept him from completing his sentences.

"Sir, all I did was take you by surprise. I couldn't beat you in a full on duel and you know it."

Shacklebolt was still laughing – just lying on the ground laughing with tears in his eyes. The Minister thought to himself that he hadn't had a good hard laugh in quite some time, "I know..Harry..but that is half of winning..a duel." He finally sat up grinning, "Oh Harry, how I needed that laugh. It's been too long." He wiped the tears from his eyes, "The job of a Minister is not an easy one. Can't see why anyone in their right mind would want the job."

"I wouldn't want anyone to take the job that wanted it," replied Harry as he did his best to help the Minister up.

The two decided on a short break. The Minister staggered into the Burrow and said his hellos, "Morning Molly. Morning everyone. Molly, might Harry and I here trouble you for a drink?"

For a quarter hour the Minister sat with Mrs. Weasley and the kids and they discussed recent news. Shacklebolt confided in the group, "You can't let Percy know this Molly, or you lot either," he pointed, "but the Director for Weights and Measures position will be open soon and I plan to nominate Percy."

"Has the Director for Nagging and Preaching position already been filled?" quipped Ron. Pumpkin juice threatened to erupt from Harry's nose. Hermione and the Minister also got a good laugh but Molly swatted her son on the arm, "That is no way to talk about your brother in front of company."

"What?" whined Ron. He gestured to the Minister, "As if he doesn't know as well as anyone what a Nag and Prat Percy can be." Ron looked to the Minister for support. The Minister was an honest man but had recently learned a little in the art of politics, "Ron, I agree that Percy can be trying when it comes to schedules and decorum but he has a talent for keeping an old Auror and bloke like me organised and prepared when it's most important. He deserves the promotion."

"I feel for the cauldron makers," Ron grumbled under his breath.

Harry and Shacklebolt thanked Molly for the pumpkin juice and returned to Harry's training. After a short walk they found an open space large enough so that if Harry misfired when practising a new spell it wouldn't damage anything important. Harry was curious, "Why did you decide to come out here?"

The Minister gave Harry a sidelong glance as they walked, "You need to be ready." Harry didn't understand. "The attacks on the Centaurs, Ron Imperioused...it all points to someone trying to get to you."

"Why?"

"You need to ask Hermione. I can't explain it. You'll just forget it the moment you hear it. It was a brilliant idea but there were too many witnesses. You should have waited." Kingsley's eyes showed the genuineness that made Harry so loyal to him, "I'm not hiding anything from you Harry. You'll understand once she explains. Now let's get started. You may have bested me earlier but there's no knowing what you may encounter if ambushed and it wouldn't hurt to work on technique and a few new spells."

First they worked on stance and wand work. "Harry you need to be light on your feet when duelling – much like a boxer. Have you seen boxers fight?" Harry nodded, "Dudley was into any sport that involved blood. The Dursleys would watch the fights when they were on the tellie. Big fans of Lennox Lewis the past few years." Shacklebolt nodded, "Splendid, you don't want to dance like he did but always keep your legs loose and slightly bent like this. Another analogy would be fencing. You keep your wand arm like this and you weight like this."

"An experienced duellist thinks in three dimensions," Shacklebolt continued. Harry nodded, "Professor Flitwick said during a Charms class you should anticipate a spell from any direction against an experience duellist."

"Yes," agreed Shacklebolt. When you sent those stones at me from opposite sides it slowed me just enough to bind me. The bird spell was brilliant as well. Here is another effective spell." Harry watched as the Minister brought him in close to him. The Minister raised his wand and began to motion it over his head in a circular fashion. Harry watched as fire appeared around them and scorched the Earth. He was reminded of the spell cast by Dumbledore against the Inferni the night of his death. The fire rose as high as he could see and it burned so hot that he felt it on his face. Before he knew it, his mentor had cast a follow up spell and water fell to the ground all around them as if released from a bucket.

"We can't have the Burrow catching fire, can we?" the Minister smiled.

Shacklebolt demonstrated and explained the spell a few times and impressed on Harry the necessity of controlling it. He also had Harry practise the counter to the spell and each time they were doused with what seemed like a sea of water. Harry practised both spells more than a few times and he found himself standing ankle deep in mud by the time he felt comfortable with them. "Good job, Harry," complimented the wizard, "you certainly do pick up spells quickly. You'd think you'd have had better marks, considering."

Harry shrugged, "I'd say I spent all my time thwarting evil wizards but I know you wouldn't believe me. Honestly, I just didn't value my other lessons as much as DADA. Not until I was stuck in the wilderness and I needed all of the other spells. That, and when I saw into Snape's mind, I could finally appreciate why he felt I was wasting my talents. I didn't just see how he saw me, I saw that he realised how much potential I had and that I had followed my father's path rather than my Mum's. I saw how much respect he had for my Mum's abilities and I know if she were alive she'd be as disappointed in me as he was."

"That's not true Harry."

"Oh, it's true. The disdain I saw in her eyes for my father when he was in school. The way she'd look at him when he knocked off lessons. One thing that my Mum and Snape had in common was their love and respect for magic. Sometimes I wish that the two of them would have had a chance. Don't get me wrong, I've forgiven my dad, but he was a bully and lazy at times. He made Snape who he was as much as anyone. I wonder what Snape would have been like if he'd been given a chance...by anyone. Even in Dumbledore's hands he was no more than a tool and he knew it. But he dedicated his life to rectifying a mistake he made with my Mum and he was willingly used despite knowing he was being used."

"Harry, we are all the same. We are all used for some purpose however important or trivial. Some are good causes and some are bad. Now let's get back to your training."

The Minister showed him a few offensive spells that Harry had never seen in his books. A cutting spell, a disorientation charm and a phase charm. "Harry, the phasing charm will take the target out of this plane of existence. The person will appear as a ghost but they cannot affect or be affected by anything while they are in the alternate plane. The spell is rarely used but it is affective in certain situations. The spell must be verbalised – at least in any case I've seen it cast.

"Remember that speed is more important than flash," reminded Kingsley. I recommend you have Hermione track down a book with the eyewitness accounts of Dumbledore and Grindelwald. You will notice that Grindelwald attempted complicated powerful spells while Dumbledore often countered with simple quick spells. Don't get me wrong, Dumbledore made some brilliant complicated moves but he made every move with a purpose. That is why Ron was so effective in combat over the holiday with the Aurors. He sees more than the magic – he sees how the whole picture fits – magic, weather, position, personalities. Ron, despite his disregard for book learning, will probably be the best Auror of his class eventually.

Harry was impressed with the Auror's frank yet complimentary assessment of his best mate. Shacklebolt spent the remainder of the training discussing and demonstrating the importance of using series of spells in combination. "Harry, once a week I spend an hour practising different combinations in order to stay sharp. Each week I have a different series that I work on. I practise four different sets of offensive spells that I cast in succession in order to begin an attack. I will show you a few now that I want you to experiment with as a basis for your own combos. Use your strengths to develop your combos. What works for me may not work for you. In the end you are looking to disorient your opponent...like you did with me...by providing them more than they can handle at once. Anyone can cast spell after spell after spell. If you can create a few combos that you can cast so fast they appear almost simultaneously then you will overpower the average wizard. Practise enough and you can overpower all but the most powerful wizards.

If you read the accounts of Dumbledore like I recommended then you will understand more fully. He used combinations of spells seamlessly. When he was at his most powerful he had the stamina to cast a succession of twenty spells without pause. If you can learn to do this then you will overpower all but the most skilled wizards with even simple spells. Throw in a few more powerful spells and you could be one of the most well respected duellers of your age."

At this point the lesson was cut short. Any angry young man in Ministry robes and ginger hair came plodding up and stopped just short of the mud. Percy shouted, "Sir, did you happen to forget your one o'clock?"

"And there is my leash," grumbled Shacklebolt. "And I'm asked why I'm not married. Until I find this young man another position I'm as good as married."

Harry couldn't help but chuckle as the two slopped through the mud back to the Burrow. Harry took two steps, had an idea and placed his hand on the Minister's shoulder. A blink later they stood directly in front of the kitchen door. "I forgot we lifted the apparition wards after the War," mused the Minister. He cleaned his boots and withstood the admonishments of Percy. "I'll see you at the party Thursday," the Minister said as goodbye. "Expect to be shown off like a prize pig – with luck, this time you may make the front page," warned the Minister as he disapparated with a devilish smirk.

Harry now had to return to his regularly scheduled life. He knew he'd made a big mistake with Ginny. He didn't agree with all of the grief he was given. If only there was some way for his friends and family to understand that he shared because he loved them. If only there was a way to provide for what he saw as his family without them feeling that they owed him. When he thought about it, this is what ultimately separated him from the Weasley's. Families provided for each other and they'd never accept him providing for them until he was truly a part of the family.

New Years Eve came quickly - Harry'd spent most of his post-Christmas holiday with Teddy and Andromeda. He was able to get invitations for Ron, Neville, Luna and their dates for the party. Hannah and Neville were to be married the following afternoon but they decided to buck tradition and spend the evening together anyway. "It's not like he'll see my wedding dress," Harry overheard Hannah explaining to the girls as they prepared to leave. Harry and Ginny had made up somewhat once he apologised.

Arthur had pulled him away from everyone the day before and advised him, "It's time I gave you the talk." Harry ran through every excuse he could think of in order to get himself out of this. "Sit down, son." Harry panicked. "Harry, it has recently come to my attention that I haven't provided proper parental guidance when it comes to relations with the fairer sex. I should have spoken to you about this years before but by the time I took on the role of adopted father I'd assumed you had already been given such information."

Harry shifted in his chair uncomfortably, "Sir, I think I understand the basics of how it all works. You don't have to explain..."

"...But Harry, I do. I'd be remiss in my duties otherwise. Harry, look in my eyes - this is important." Reluctantly Harry looked Mr. Weasley in the eye. "Harry, sometimes you must say you are sorry."

Harry blinked, "What?"

"Say you are sorry. Apologise. Sometimes you must stand your ground, I admit, but if there is any middle ground - just take it. You don't have to tell her she's right. Just don't tell her she's wrong. You don't have to say you are sorry for being wrong. Say you are sorry you argued or that you disagreed. It can be neutral. Then tell her you love her." Arthur paused as if he was trying to decide whether Harry understood what he was saying.

"That's it? That's all you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, yes. I assumed you've heard about all of the other what-not?"

"Erm, yes..."

"Good, Hermione told me you planned to wait until you were married. I wish Molly and I had had that kind of resolve. Anyway, if you have any questions when that comes up..." Arthur paused uncomfortably "...then you can always come to me. Now let's get back with the others." Harry felt like he'd dodged a curse.

He took Arthur's advice and apologised to Ginny that afternoon. He didn't say he was wrong. He did ask her to explain why she was so upset. She told him the whole story about how she had tried to keep up with him and how she had spent all of her money on gifts and how she was so embarrassed when she only had a small gift for him and he had this set of robes that must have cost a fortune. It came out like one long run-on sentence. "I felt like such a fool," she said in closing. He secretly wondered to himself how he had a witch for a best mate and he somehow still did not understand the mind of a witch at all.

The party was incredible. Once again Emelda Gatsby, Shacklebolt's Social Coordinator, had outdone herself. This party was different from the one in June that it was much more party and much less media frenzy. Harry imagined that Emelda had decided to find every person that might prove interesting and invite them. What's more, she was quite talented at pairing people together that might be interested in each other.

There were many sights to be seen. Once again, Heidi Klum was in attendance and when she gave Harry the traditional hello kiss to the cheek he winced as multiple flashes caught the moment. Seeming to understand Harry's frustration, the German asked him quietly enough for only him and Ginny to hear, "Have you ever seen a room full of photographers frown?" He shook his head no. She called to the photographers that had swarmed them to get ready for a brilliant "money shot" and having given proper warning she pecked him on the cheek again with flashes blazing. Immediately after the last flash fired she kissed Harry full on the lips with such a look of passion that Harry heard gasps as the cameramen waited helplessly for their flashes to recharge. Harry stood dumbfounded and the cameramen cursed as Ginny giggled and hugged the woman, "That was simply cruel." Heidi agreed, "Wasn't it?"

Harry had to take a second to regain his composure but Ginny was filled with enough triumph that she didn't bother to mention it. She wiped the model's lipstick off his lips as her eyes followed her new-found hero, "That took nerve. I wish I had that kind of confidence. Did you see those writers? Evil little trolls. Harry, are you listening?"

Harry looked like a punch drunk fighter making every attempt not to fall into the ropes. As his mind finally cleared he fully appreciated all the time he had spent around Fleur. If he had not been used to Fleur's charms he'd have literally been swept off of his feet.

The rest of the party went quickly and by all accounts it went well. Harry and Ginny felt there was a turnstile in front of them as they were presented with guest after guest that was "dying to meet" them. At first the Minister would wink when he introduced a guest but eventually as the night progressed he looked more apologetic than anything. Just after the band played the New Year song, Harry announced to the Minister that he and his date were leaving. The Minister thanked him, "Harry, you do not know how much I appreciate your patience tonight. Did you even get to the floor to dance? With such a lovely witch at your side I'd imagine you'd want to show her off on the floor."

"I made him give me a twirl once or twice," Ginny smiled. "You know Harry, never one for crowds. I imagine if he weren't dragged out into public by his mates occasionally he'd make quite a successful hermit."

Twelve hours later, Harry stood at the kitchen door of the Leaky Cauldron and watched this beautiful witch that knew him so well saunter up a makeshift aisle to the sound of music. When she reached the stairs she took her place opposite of Ron and Neville. Following Ginny was Luna who skipped, rather than walked, with a basket of rose petals and as the music played she tossed them happily to the ground all around her. Neville's Mum and Dad sat in chairs near the bar staring blankly with a nurse while his grandmother stood behind them – refusing to sit. Molly and Arthur, sat in chairs on the other side of the aisle with Rolf, Hermione and Ron. Once Luna had run out of petals she sat next to her boyfriend and he whispered in her ear something that Harry imagined would have equated to "good job."

Moments later the pianist changed the music from the typical festive and joyful intro to the more regal entrance music. It wasn't Mendelsohn's Wedding March but it was a beautiful song that Hannah remembered her mother had described to her for her own wedding years before. She did this when she was presenting her daughter with a hope chest during the winter holiday of her first year at Hogwarts. She had made so many plans with her mum that year for when she finally got married and they had discussed them so many times over tea as she came closer and closer to that day when she'd come of age. Harry had heard the story a few nights before when she'd made a special request of him.

Harry knew she was thinking about her parents as she came out of the kitchen in a beautiful white dress with tears streaming down her cheeks. She broke down as she took his arm and instinctively he pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. She was so sure she would cry she didn't bother to wear makeup. She dabbed her eyes and hugged him tight...quietly sobbing.

This was the reason for the change. Originally Tom was to give her away but she was afraid she would break down while walking down the aisle and Tom would not have the strength to hold her up. Tom had retained enough strength to hold a platter full of plates but otherwise he had a dangerous stoop and she was afraid he might fall over if she fell into his arms. Secretly, she also knew that Harry had lost his family like she had, even like Neville had, and he would understand if it all became too much. She hoped that if he reassured her then that would inspire her to gather the strength to continue.

And that's precisely what happened. She looked into his bright green eyes and saw him smile. He quietly reassured her so only she could hear, "It'll be ok. Let's go meet your husband." She smiled wanly but then pulled herself together and stood straight up. Tears still trickling down her cheeks, she again took Harry's arm and walked the aisle while holding eye contact with her now wowed husband to be.

When they reached the steps an old wizard with flowing beards and a falsetto voice signalled the music to stop. He stepped down and asked "Blessed is the couple which is married with the approval and blessing of their families and friends. Who has the honour of presenting this beautiful young bride to be married?"

"I do," Harry said with pride. He stepped forward and took Neville's hand in his. He then placed Hannah's hand on Neville's and said quietly but meaningfully to the young wizard, "I give to you this young witch to be married. Take her, love her and treat her well." He then stepped back and sat next to Neville's Mum. To his surprise, the witch placed her hand on his and he saw a tear run down her cheek. When she noticed him looking at her she said quietly but with some difficulty, "You," she nodded to him and then to Hannah, "Prittie girl." Harry didn't have the heart to correct her. It was the only words she would speak the entire day.

The ceremony was very short and before Harry knew it they were presenting their vows. Hannah and Neville had decided on a very intimate, very small and very short service because Hannah was afraid she'd become so nervous that she'd faint. So many emotions were pent up inside of her. Neville didn't mind at all – he wasn't any more comfortable with the public than she was. Harry wondered if this was a reason they'd all become so close over the past few months. Really the only one that enjoyed the public in their entire circle was Ginny and that was reserved for Quidditch and the occasional party.

"I promise to love you and hold you, in sickness and in health, through good fortune and bad, and to love you and cherish you forever," Neville was smiling at his still sniffelling bride.

They young bride gathered together her courage but Harry could tell that she had forgotten her vows. "I...I..." the look of panic on her face was obvious to all in attendance. Neville squeezed her hand and mouthed, "It's ok." She gathered her thoughts and rambled excitedly but nearly incoherently, "I love you. I remember the first time I saw you in this place and you invited me to that party and you swept me off my feet on the dance floor. You," she motioned to the crowd, have all become my family and without you I'd be lost. I need you. You are all I have." No-one could see it but she shuffled her feet under her dress. They did see her bite her lip. The Wizard officiating the ceremony took this as a good time to cut in, "By the laws that govern magic and all that is good, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

When Neville kissed Hannah, Harry felt a squeeze to his hand. He looked sidelong at Mrs. Longbottom and she was smiling at her son and new daughter. He noticed her other hand was squeezing that of her husband but the look on his face was still vacant. A moment later the smile was gone and her hand again rested gently on his.

Neville's grandmother was the only one in attendance that never smiled. She had apologised to the young bride for her comments the previous year but she had maintained a stoic silence regarding the matter since. The threat of losing the affections of her grandson and best friend only went so far. Harry imagined that as long as she kept her silence Neville would respect her opinions and not try too hard to sway her.

Seeing as that they were married in a tavern, the reception began immediately after. Help was in the kitchen and food and drink were soon brought out. Tables appeared but the red carpet that denoted the aisle remained. The rest of the Weasleys and a few Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were invited for the reception. No-one begrudged the small service. All knew how much emotion was tied to this day and respected that Hannah needed the privacy.

The piano soon played music and Neville invited Hannah to do the one thing they did not mind doing in public. They took to the floor and everyone clapped as they shared their first dance to the song Wizard and Witch Forever. The couple moved with such grace that the crowd stood enthralled.

The elder Mrs. Longbottom took the opportunity and eased over to Harry, "I know that you don't think much of me Harry but you must understand that I love my grandson and want the best for him."

"Do you truly?" he asked.

"Yes."

Silently Harry summoned a large envelope and handed it to her, "This is her dowry." She opened the envelope and glanced at the documents. Harry explained, "I had the Ministry search through the records and find out just how much was seized from the Abbots when they were killed. The amount came out to just over 11,000 Galleons which I put up as a down payment for her half of the tavern. I have approved a loan to Hannah to cover the remainder of her share which she should easily be able to pay with the tavern's current income."

Harry's eyes sparkled in the dim candlelight, "You were concerned because Hannah did not have a future or prospects. This tavern is her future and I believe with her guidance it's prospects are bright. You were concerned for her lack of family. If she has no-one else she has me. Mrs. Weasley helped me understand the importance of surrounding yourself with good people and the importance of supporting those you love when times are tough."

Mrs. Longbottom looked into his brilliant green eyes, "Harry, if Neville's choice in a wife is as good as his choice in a mate then the two of them will be much better off than I gave them credit."

"Do me a favour and when she is finished dancing please welcome Hannah to your family. It will mean a lot to her if it comes from you. And Mrs. Longbottom?" Her eyes followed Harry's and she saw her son's wife swaying gently but content as she sat at her table watching her son, "I think it was very nice that you pulled some strings and made sure his parents were able to make it."