A/N: Yes, Red and Lightning are back. Yes, I don't write enough about them. I know.
I hope most have figured out what Gorphine's ritual is about. If not, you will find out next chapter. Almost there, the last wedding chapter is tomorrow!
You're getting this chapter early because I have places to be today...
Ginny walked into Bill's room to look at the state of her brothers. Most of them were awake but there were a lot of grunts and moans.
"Morning," she said, setting down the platter she was holding.
"Morning," multiple brothers mumbled.
"I brought medicine for all of you," she told them.
They all stood up in a hurry and tried to make a grab for the medicine, pulling each other out of the way. She pushed them back.
"Calm down! There is enough for everyone." She shot them a firm look. "Make a line and stop behaving like an unruly pack of wolves."
There were some objections, but they all got in line, youngest to oldest.
She took up the first goblet. "You will take your medicine, go to your room and get washed. You all need to be dressed and down for breakfast in half an hour." She said, giving Ron his medicine.
He mumbled a thanks and disappeared. Fred and George stood next to each other. She handed both their goblets at the same time and they took off too.
"Percy, here you go," she said softly, amused by his guilty face.
Charlie grabbed the medicine and walked out, cursing under his breath at the bad taste.
Bill stood in front of her. His hair was a tangled mess. He took the medicine reluctantly. "I am sorry."
She smiled. "I know." She patted his arm. "I'll leave you to get dressed." She turned around and found Harry standing by the door. "How long have you been standing there?"
"A while," Bill answered, pushing them out of his room and closing the door.
He smiled brightly at her, his hands landed on her waist and pulled her close. He kissed her softly. "Hi."
"Hi."
He glanced at Bill's door. "That was impressive."
"Ah." She shrugged with a smile. "It's easy to get them in line when they are feeling so very guilty."
She was in a good mood today, at midnight they would be having their last ceremony and then they'd be officially, completely married. Harry appeared to be in a similar good mood.
"You should boss people around more," he told her.
She squeezed his arm. "You're the boss around here."
"Not to you, not anymore," he said softly.
"Does that mean I get to order you around?" she asked brightly.
He chuckled. "Only if it pleases you."
She pretended to think about it and nodded. She kissed his cheek, lingering for a bit. "We should head to breakfast."
"Indeed, we should." He let go of her waist to take her hand instead and they walked down to breakfast together.
Hermione was already at the table and smiled in greeting. "How are the brothers?"
"Washing up," Ginny replied as she sat down beside Harry.
"And Ron?" Hermione asked.
Harry hid his smile behind his drink.
"Apart from ashamed, he'll be alright," Ginny reassured her.
Charlie arrived first. "Sorry, Ginny, Harry," he said as he took his seat.
"Did you dream of dragons?" Harry asked him.
Ginny eyed her brother. "Pretty sure he always dreams of dragons."
Charlie didn't reply and took a piece of bread and started buttering it. Percy and Ron walked in next.
"Sorry, G–"
"Yes, yes, we got it," Ginny interrupted them. "You are all terribly sorry. Sit down and eat your breakfast."
Bill came in last and sat down beside Harry. "What can I do to make amends?"
"You have one full day ahead of you to behave, let's try that." She looked down the table. "All of you."
Her brothers looked at her and then nodded. Bill looked terribly miserable still.
She looked at him. "Bill, you could be King in a few days. Get a hold of yourself! Nothing bad happened and you suffered enough last night. And I won't have Xydite's ceremony ruined by moping."
"Very Queenly," Harry whispered. "I like it."
She raised an eyebrow at him and smiled. Her hand covered his and she squeezed it softly. His hand turned up so he could entwine his fingers with hers.
Harry stood beside Ginny on the steps of the castle, overlooking the garden. They both wore their maroon outfits again with matching cloaks to stay comfortable in the cool weather.
Harry looked around for Hagrid, he had to be here for the ceremony as he was a key part of taking care of all the animals and grounds of the castle. Finally, he appeared, coming from the stables.
"Sorry I am late," he said. He took a breath. "A fawn was born in the herd last night." He shook his head warily. "I've never had a fawn born so close to winter. It cannot survive outside in this weather. Mum and baby are warm in the stables until they are ready to go outside."
"Thanks, Hagrid."
Tassia smiled. "Perhaps it's a gift from Xydite. I'll make sure to pass by there today and bless the little one."
Hagrid took his spot beside Harry. Many animals were gathered in front of them. All the horses were brought out, some donkeys, the herd of deer waiting by the border of the forest. Bowtruckles, puffskeins... Hedwig stood waiting in a cage, ready to be released.
Tassia turned away from the guests today and towards the grounds, as that was the focus today. She took up Xydite's symbol, a stag, and held it out in front of her. "Thank you Xydite for giving us this land centuries ago. Generation upon generation of Kings and Queens have ruled over this land, having honoured your request to take good care of our subjects as well as the flora and fauna of the land to be a sanctuary to the animals who need it as well as nurture the ones that need nurturing. We ask you to bless the animals and creatures gathered today and to bless the woods and the fields. May the harvest be rich and the fruits sweet." She turned to Ginny. "Do you accept your duty as Queen of Ignotia to honour Xydite's request?"
"Yes, I do." She bowed to the symbol.
Hagrid picked up Hedwig's cage and held it up for Ginny. "She's all healed up and very eager to fly."
Ginny opened the cage and held her hand out for Hedwig to sit on. "I am sorry I hurt your wing. Please forgive me."
"Many blessings, Hedwig," Tassia said, petting the owl.
Ginny raised her hand and Hedwig took off. Harry looked on as Hedwig spread her wings. She was in good condition and quickly gained height. Hagrid whistled loudly and a moment later all the owls from the owlery took off too and flew through the sky in a big formation. Hedwig joined the group as they flew around the castle and then returned to the owlery together. The crowd watched in awe.
Tassia turned to them. "Time for the special blessings."
Harry signed for her to go ahead in front of them. First up were Red and Lightning.
"Hello, my two lovebirds," Tassia greeted them. "Many blessings to you."
They passed by a few animals that had been brought forward by people in need of a blessing. A cow that was no longer producing milk, a horse with an ache, a dog that had lost its tail ... Tassia blessed all of them, and the couple followed along. Then they went by the bowtruckles, the puffskeins; they only narrowly prevented the nifflers from sneaking inside in search of the many shiny things in the castle.
Tassia halted as a cat pawed at her shoe. She bent down and picked it up.
"Ce, our oldest cat," Harry told her.
"Many blessings, Ce!" Tassia told him, scratching his chin as the cat loudly purred. "You are in charge of the cat family, aren't you? You protect them, look after the little ones? Of course, you do." She petted behind his ear and Ce happily pushed up against her hand.
"The youngest are just four months old," Ginny told Tassia. "They're keeping him busy."
Tassia grinned. "I bet." She put Ce down on the ground. "Bye, lovely."
They happened upon Prongs, but he was being his dramatic self and didn't even want to look at Tassia.
"He's a bit... special," Harry said apologetically.
Suddenly Sirius appeared out of nowhere. He bowed to the horse and Prongs promptly bowed and stood perfectly still. Sirius petted him. "Hi, boy."
Harry stared at them in utter surprise. "All this time? That was it?"
Sirius paused and looked at him. "You never figured that out?" He promptly burst out laughing.
Harry frowned and crossed his arms. "Are you for real?"
Sirius grimaced. "Yes, kind of. I thought you'd have a few weeks of trouble, but you'd figure it out. How have you been managing him?"
"He can be bribed," Harry admitted reluctantly. "And once you are riding him, he listens well but I ..." He shook his head in disbelief.
Ginny bowed at Prongs and she too could pet him now without any issues. She smiled. "Oh hi, Prongsie!"
Tassia bowed to the horse as well. "Many blessings to you too, Prongs."
When all the animals outside had been blessed, Hagrid guided them to the stables. In one of the stalls was a doe and its newborn fawn. It was still a little unstable on its legs, but it looked at them curiously.
"As King and Queen, you have the right to name them," Hagrid said.
Harry turned to Ginny. "Go on then," he said eagerly.
Ginny's gaze shifted from the fawn to him in surprise. "Me?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
She looked in the stall. "Oh, that's a lot of pressure. Do we know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"It's a girl," Hagrid confirmed. "Her mum is called Dorothy."
Harry watched as Ginny thought it over. She looked at the fawn, as if she would find one that fit just by looking at it.
"How about Doxie?" she suggested. "After Queen Eudoxia."
Harry was somewhat relieved. At least if they named the deer after that Queen, Ginny would not name any of their children after it too. He grinned. "Little Doxie it is."
"Blessings to Dorothy and Doxie," Tassia said, reaching out to touch Doxie's nose.
The little fawn promptly sneezed and ran to her mum in surprise at the noise she had made. They laughed at the cute hops.
When Tassia had left, Ginny turned to Harry with a smile. She was really counting the hours now to Gorphine's ceremony. She was sure Xydite didn't mind, he was married to her after all. They were about to re-enter the castle when she heard a series of giggles erupt.
When she turned around, she saw Red and Lightning were wearing the wreaths she and Harry were meant to be wearing. She pulled Harry along and her brothers parted for them. He plucked the wreath off Lightning's head. She turned to Harry.
He bowed towards her, and she put the crown on top of his head. The green from the branches and leaves matched the green of his eyes. She smiled at him.
Harry turned to her horse. "Red, if I may?"
Red lowered her head, and he took it from her. He faced Ginny again and softly placed it on her head. His eyes were twinkling. He kissed her softly, not for quite long as her brothers were watching. Though they seemed particularly silent today on anything she did.
When they walked inside, their wedding cake was waiting for them. She had heard Lucretia's ideas but no description had done the wonderful cake justice. It was five tiers, there were golden details that mimicked the design on their clothes. One layer was filled with fruits, the other with chocolate. It would easily feed all the guests in the room and then some.
Ginny eagerly looked for Lucretia. She walked to her and pulled her to the cake despite her weak objections.
Ginny spoke to the crowd. "I want to thank Lucretia and the kitchen staff for this wonderful cake and all the food that has been prepared." She looked over at the cake. "This is a masterpiece."
Lucretia blushed furiously as she bowed. "Thank you. Thank you."
Ginny clapped for her as Lucretia made her escape. Walto smiled brightly at her and clapped too as she made her way back.
Harry took up the knife to cut the cake and handed it to Ginny. "You take the lead on this one, this is more your area."
She gripped the knife and Harry's hand came over hers. Together they cut the cake, which proved to be a challenge due to its size. They took out their own slice to share and then moved aside so the rest of the cake could be cut.
They sat down with their piece and Harry put a bite on his fork and then offered it to Ginny.
She took it. "Oh, that is delicious. Lucretia has outdone herself." She then offered a bite to Harry.
"That is good indeed," he agreed. "It was years in the making, I suppose she had time to perfect it."
They ate the rest of their piece feeding each other. She was almost tempted to plop some cake down on his nose, something her brothers would have already tried but she decided not to startle Harry.
When everyone had time to enjoy the cake, Harry stood up together with Ginny to address the crowd. This was the last part of the wedding with guests, so he wanted to say a few words.
"Thank you all for attending our wedding. It was an honour to host you and share this wonderful occasion with you." He looked over at Ginny to see if she wanted to say something.
She stepped forward. "I wanted to thank all of you for being so welcoming to me. I know for some it seems like I came out of nowhere, but you accepted me all the same. I hope I can live up to the task of being a Queen. I know I will do my very best."
Harry smiled at her and nodded. He looked at the crowd again. "Thank you. Please enjoy the rest of the evening."
The many guests clapped and returned their focus to the food and drinks. Harry and Ginny split up to talk to guests, it would be their last opportunity to do so before Monday and many would have left by then.
He settled down with Sirius and Remus.
"We will both be returning home tomorrow, but our troops are ready and should be here on Monday," Sirius said.
"Thank you again," Harry said.
"You're the one sticking your neck out for them." Remus nodded towards Ginny's family.
Harry sighed. "Yeah." He couldn't deny that it was daunting.
"I can't believe I am saying this but listen to your wife when it comes to battles," Sirius told him.
Harry laughed. "I will."
"To be fair, it is usually wise to listen to your wife," Remus said with a smile.
"Noted," Harry said.
"I have been talking to Regulus, he had quite a bit to say about her," Sirius continued. "I don't often hear Regulus talk that highly of someone."
"I hired her because Regulus said she was the best," he looked over at her and found she was talking to Regulus. "And he was right. Her fighting skills have been nothing but impressive."
"This battle is important; we all know it. While I can't fight with you..." Regulus glanced towards his brother. "I wanted to be involved. So I will be doing the only thing I am allowed to do."
Ginny frowned in question.
"I will protect the border of Orion with some of Sirius' men, in case they try something," Regulus said. He looked at her with concern. "If something goes terribly wrong, you come to me."
She let out a deep sigh as she glanced at Harry first and then her brothers. There was no scenario where they lived, and she would leave. There was no scenario where they all died, and she hadn't died with them. She looked at Regulus. "You know I won't do that."
"I know." He nodded. "But still."
She smiled. "Any last advice?"
"Trust your instincts, you know what you have to do." Then he looked more sternly. "But don't get ahead of yourself. Take your time, you are going to need it."
"Thank you." She pulled him into a hug. "Thank you for everything."
"Hey, don't say goodbye to me like that. We will see each other again," he told her firmly as he released her. "It was an honour to train you."
"Now you are saying goodbye like that," she told him softly.
"Regardless of what happens, I will never train you again. You belong here now," Regulus said. "I wish you and Harry all the happiness."
She shook her head. "Stop now, Reg. You will make me cry."
Regulus smiled at her, his eyes bright. "Alright. I'll stop. And when the battle is over, we will meet again, and you'll tell me exactly what happened."
"It's a deal," she agreed with a smile.
Though she had been eager to get to Gorphine's ritual, when Neville informed her it was time to get going, she felt excited and anxious at the same time. She bid her brothers goodbye. "Don't party too late."
"Don't worry, we learned from last night," Bill assured her. "Don't think about sneaking out of your room before it's time."
"I won't. I don't think I'd want to." She smirked, knowing the reaction she was provoking.
Bill clicked his tongue. "Go on. Goodnight."
As she walked to Harry to leave, she didn't miss the knowing glances from some of the guests, especially the married ones who knew exactly what Gorphine's ritual was about.
They paused by the door and put the wreaths they had been wearing in a portable basin filled with water. They were meant to sprout new branches soon and the better it grew, the happier their marriage would be.
Red and Lightning stood waiting outside. The ceremony would be just with them. There were only four guards to escort them there and make sure they got back safely.