Hello, my freaky darlings! It is wedding day. I hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 30 Wedding Bliss
Five in the morning came all too soon. Hermione nudged her husband awake, striving to avoid waking the sleeping triplets. They agreed to let them sleep If they woke before they departed for the wedding they would take them. Otherwise Bee would watch them sleep. Silently, Hermione dressed in a emerald hued tea length dress. She added beige shawl for warmth. Her gold colored pumps added to her height. Marcus wore a simple brown suit. It complemented her ensemble now, and her bridesmaid dress later.
She tiptoed to check on the boys. She found Remus awake. He sat in the cot examining his surroundings. When he noticed Hermione he pulled to standing, grinning widely. "Good morning, my little love. Want to come with Mummy and Daddy to a wedding?" He burbled and flexed his legs, bumping his butt. "Sounds like a yes. Quiet now, Dommie and Benny are sleeping." She picked him up, "Let's get you ready."
As with any time Hermione attempted to perform tasks the house elves deemed below her dignity, one appeared, knocked her hand away and completed it for her. Soon Remus wore a little brown suit like his father. Hermione straightened his little bow tie before picking him up.
The trio followed the glow-in-the-dark balloons and torches to the fountain. Percy's assistant, Zachary, escorted them to their seats, his grin stretched from ear to ear from the honor. "Somebody's got a crush," teased Marcus in a whisper.
"He's not really your type. But I support you."
"Not who I meant."
She kissed his cheek, "I know." She took Remus from him, "Now behave."
Portable fire pits provided passive heat and lighting in the predawn gloom. Percy, Harold, Bill, and Kingsley took their places as the glow of sunrise spread. Hermione smirked as the crystal beads on Audrey's dress flared in the growing light. She fought Mrs. Hull for those touches. The dark bouquets popped against the light colored dresses. The Prewett tiara sparkled in her blonde hair. Not surprising she wore it, Percy was Aunt Muriel's favorite. Victorie and Hugo looked sweet walking down the aisle hand in hand.
The couple exchanged traditional vows without fanfare. Audrey confessed to Lise and Hermione that she didn't want to overwhelmed Percy's serious nature anymore than they already were. Given the early hour the assembly applauded politely without catcalls or wolf whistles which might have been Percy's plan all along. Remus calmly sat on Marcus's lap taking everything in with wide eyes. The Flints congratulated the newlyweds and then made their way back to their room to check on the other two.
"Do you want to get something more filling than pastries? Lunch is still a few hours off? The perpetual motion machines will need something." She smiled at her sons, "Who wants yummies?" A stream of happy babbling answered her. "Yummies it is."
Hermione focused on helping Benedict walk to the lift while Marcus 'flew' Dominic and Remus in front of them. So she heard her grown up bully before she saw her. "Well, hell tall, dark, and daddy," purred a brown haired woman seductively. "I like a man that's good with kids." Hermione looked around her husband to see a gaggle of women wearing button up oxfords and pajama shorts.
The gaggle dissolved into high pitched giggles, "Tiffany, you're so bad. You're getting married."
"Not married yet, and even if I was, I'm not dead. I have eyes, I can look all I want."
Marcus adjusted his hold on the boys to be more traditional, "You may not be married, but I am. And even if I wasn't, I still wouldn't be interested," he said in a flat cold tone.
"That's what they all say at first," reported one of the girls. They all giggled again.
"Should we share your thoughts with Bart?" asked Hermione coming around Marcus.
"Oh my god, Granger?" exclaimed Tiffany.
"Flint now. This is my husband Marcus and our sons. Excuse us, we're on our way to breakfast." She moved past the slack-jawed women towards the lift. "Congratulations on getting married."
Still stunned, Tiffany answered, "Uh, thanks."
The lift doors slid shut and Hermione collapsed in laughter. "Their faces, did you see their faces when they saw me," she gasped out between peals. "That was perfect, just perfect."
"I'm glad you enjoyed that," he told her.
"I did, but I'm also kind of sad. Today is her wedding day and she's still looking around for a random hook-up. This is the one day that she should be focused on him."
Marcus nodded, "I never understood the obsession with drunken debauchery for one last hurrah."
"Me, either."
Breakfast proved to be a crowded event. Numerous guests from all three weddings, plus random spa guests, availed themselves to various levels of meals. Charlie beckoned them to join him, "Need some fact time with my favorite incidentals."
"Don't let your brothers hear that. They'll be crushed."
"Their egos could use the knock." Everyone laughed and the Flints ordered food.
The triplets fed themselves with their fingers. "Such messy boys," chided Hermione in a teasing tone. "Someone needs to take somebodies to get cleaned up." She gave them a mock critical look.
"And when Mummy says that, she means Daddy cleans you not the other way around."
Charlie chuckled, "Ongoing occurrence."
"Often," Marcus rolled his eyes.
"What some help?" Charlie offered. "I quite enjoy wrangling wild babies."
"I will never turn down assistance or the chance to show off as a good dad." Marcus picked up two of the boys, messiest parts wiped clean by Hermione. Charlie picked up the last.
After waving farewell, Hermione sipped her tea. She knew they would duck into a secluded area and vanish the mess and be back soon. Or a house elf would sense they were alone and pop in to do it. She looked around the room, nodding to those that knew her and acknowledged her presence. Numerous Weasleys ate along the other hotel guests. "What is a lovely lady like yourself do sitting alone?" asked a deep voice.
"Enjoying a moment of peace. Go away before you spoil it. Oh, you're too late," she looked up to find a handsome dark haired man with two preppy men flanking him, Bartholomew.
"Now that's no way for such a sweet thing like you to be."
"Who said I was sweet? What I am is annoyed. Leave me alone.
"No one should be lonely on such a glorious morning," he started to sit.
"Do you want to explain to your bride why a woman blackened your eye on your wedding day?"
He straightened and back up looking confused, "Uh, no."
"Then stay out of my husband's seat before I belt you one, Bartie-Boy."
"How do you know?" he started.
"Your name? Same way I know you're getting married. I'm psychic. Now go away before you spend the day in a spiral of pain and shame."
Marcus and Charlie arrived at that moment. "Everything okay?" asked Charlie, flexing his muscles. Bartholomew eyed both men and decided discretion is the better part of valor and retreated.
"Do I want to know?" asked Marcus sitting down.
"Like his not-so-blushing bride he's making the most of remaining single moments," she rolled her eyes.
"Idiot," remarked Charlie.
"And not our problem," said Marcus.
A few tables away Ron Weasley focused on his breakfast and that of his son's. His wife focused on the fit man from the bar last night undressing her with eyes- his sober eyes. She preened obvious to anyone else. He was as good looking in the light of day as he had been in the dark of nights. But was a pretty face enough to risk Ron's reaction to an affair? Enough to put in the effort of hiding it? Then again the muggle won't be able to find her ever again. It could be one beautiful encounter.
At a table across the room two school chums watched with mounting interest. "Do you think this more than a passing moments?" asked Lavender.
"I'm inclined to think not. Now, her friend Jeffery, I suspected he wanted something more. Padma and I had a bet going about if and when they would break her vows."
"And you didn't include me, cow?"
Parvarti shrugged, "Padma thought you're dating history made including you tacky."
Lavender huffed, "Still."
"I'm not apologizing. Also we never had evidence, they certainly didn't make googly eyes in public."
"I suppose that's fair.'
Veronica excused herself to use the ladies room. Ron grunted in response. She sensed Thaddeus following her rather than saw him. She fought to keep her expression neutral. It had been a long time since someone pursued her. She felt giddy. In the washroom she took extra time to compose herself and check her appearance. Not a single hair out of place as she exited. Thaddeus waited for her in a nearby windowed alcove. "Hello, pretty bird. May I say you look even more delectable in the daylight?"
"I bet you say that to all the girls," she coyly demurred.
"I don't say anything to girls. I prefer women. They know what they like," he leered down at her.
"That's good, since I like men," she cooed back as she stepped closer.
"You will find that I am all man." He crowded her towards the thin sliver of wall between the windows. "I think we should slip off later for a bit of fun. What do you think? I should be able to get away around seven," he ran a knuckled down the side of he cheek down to her chin. "Big bed all to myself, such a shame to waste it on sleep."
"Wouldn't it just," she replied. "I'm not saying yes, and I'm not saying no." She played with his shirt button. "I promise to give your proposal the amount of consideration it deserves. Nothing more and nothing less."
"Then I should give you a preview so you can make an informed decision." He leaned down and kissed her skillfully, cradling the back of her neck in his hand.
Breathlessly, she slipped away, "That is quite the incentive to be sure." He smirked at her. She left, swishing her hips suggestively as she walked back to the breakfast room. Ron barely noticed she'd been gone, let alone returned. Serve him right if she took the offer. Hugo smiled up at her brightly. She wished he was enough of a reason to not potential fuck up her marriage more.
The weather remained perfect for lunch on the veranda. Audrey and Percy choose light salads and soups for the menu. A gentle breeze carried the faint smell of wood smoke and apples from the nearby farms. The bright sun kept the stone area from becoming chilled. The castle staff piped in soft violin and piano music over the speakers. Percy reminded everyone that the cake and dancing portion would take place after the Potters' dinner inside the grand ballroom.
Harry and Malin's wedding party and family gathered for photographs later in the afternoon. Marcus noted how sleepy Hugo looked. Poor tyke could barely keep his eyes open. He nudged his wife, "I know he isn't your favorite smaller wizard, but."
"Hugo is exhausted, Ron has things to do, and Ronnie rarely missed an opportunity for attention. If Ron's okay with it, offer the elves. They'll adore another charge." Ron took one look at Hugo and agreed to send him for a nap. Dax happily took the sleepy boy up the the room. Veronica grinned. She hadn't made up her mind, but had slipped her son sleeping draught at lunch. Leaving with him would give her alibi and kept him out of the way. Now she could be checking on him and he was completely taken care of.
Torches again lead the way to the wedding site. Blue flames lined the aisle, enchanted to burn in glass globed. The burgundy accents on Malin's dress caused the white to glow in the firelight. Hermione and Ron openly laughed at Harry's gobsmacked expression. He'd already seen her, but something about watching her father escort her down the aisle to him stunned Harry.
They exchanged simple quiet vows in front of their close friends and family. Parvarti made notes from the back of the seating with the couple's permission. The wedding of the Chosen One was a big deal after all. Harry promised her three photographs from the professional if she left her camera behind during the ceremony. She agreed since they allowed her plenty of other snapshots of the weekend. She promised Hermione none of the picture would have her and Ron side by side. No one needed to rehash the romantic lives of the Golden Trio.
The wedding headed straight into dinner, Marcus promised to check if any of the boys were awake when he finished eating. Hermione gave him a peck on the cheek and took her seat to Malin's right. She felt grateful she did not have to sit next to Ron, who's table manners had not greatly improved. The meal wound down. Ron and Hermione gave speeches about their friends and lead the toasts. After the last toast people began to disburse to mingle before the dancing portion began. Audrey and Percy's guest trickled in.
Marcus returned with his sons. He gave Ron a nod as Remus flung himself into Hermione's arms and Dominic clamored for Harry to take him. "Dax says he's still out like a light."
"Probably wake up as we're headed to bed and be up all night," Ron grimaced. "Thanks mate, we'll collect him when we head to bed."
Ron made his way through the crowd and found his wife. Regardless of the attitude he found waiting for him, he was determined to play the dutiful husband. For her part Veronica laughed with the others, even flirted with Ron. It felt like the early days of their marriage. He offered an olive branch by inviting her to dance. Maybe it was the ambiance of all the weddings, or the realization that his parents recovered from more dire financial situations, but Ron felt his anger ease. Perhaps he should forgive Veronica. It was only money. And now that he knew the cushion was gone he would keep better track of his own spending. This didn't have to be the end of them. He kissed her gently, but with a touch of passion. "Marcus and Hermione aren't expecting us to collect Hugo for a few hours. Would you like to slip away for some fun?"
The roguish smile Ron flashed her sent a frisson of lust through her. How naughty for the best man to sneak away from the reception to have his way with some woman. "That sounds like a stunningly brilliant idea." He took her hand and dragged her from the dance floor.
The content peaceful smile on Ron's face the next morning gave Parvarti a moment of guilt about the three articles she intended to write about this weekend. She already hated that the news of problems in one marriage would overshadow the happiest found in another, but what else could she do. She stared out of the window, eating her breakfast, deep in thought. "Knut for your thoughts?" Parvarti started and looked over to find Hermione had joined her. "Means, what to tell me what's wrong?"
"I was just thinking about a dilemma I have at work. I have an extremely juicy story, think like biting into an orange juicy."
"Okay, so where is the issue?"
"I know the subject personally and it is not going to be good. We're talking life changing bad."
"That does put a damper in things. Have you considered sharing the story?" Hermione asked reaching for a new angle.
She shook her head, "I'm afraid my editor would want to give it to Skeeter, they are on again. And she's will embellish and invent to make this worse, and try to drag other people in."
"What if you didn't tell your editor, you just gave the story away to the journalist of your choice."
"Maybe," Parvarti said. "I know this sounds kind of dumb, but it was covering your break up with Ron that made me start questioning covering bad things about my friends. Towards the end of the break up coverage I started trying to pull back the negative angle. I know I've apologized, but what I should have done was get you to share your side. That would have been fair and balanced and not let Veronica and Ron get away with being the innocent media darlings."
"I understand. I say continue to be fair and cover this like you covered mine, or give it to someone that will be true to the evidence and not create an new narrative. Then you can cover the other side, if you want to."
"Should I warn my friend?"
"What do you mean?" questioned Hermione.
Parvarti clarified, "Should I warn my friend that the someone they cheated with is cheating on them before I let the story break?"
"If you know when the story is breaking and write it yourself, then I would. IF you have no knowledge and didn't pen the article, you have deniability and you need to decide what you need to do."
"Will Malin or Harry be upset if this overshadows their wedding?"
Hermione looked confused, "They never wanted any coverage to begin with, so how could this effect them? I have no idea if it would bother them is the event happened this weekend."
"I think I can't be the one to write this. I have to step back and give everything to someone else and let them make of it what they will. I have enough writing up The Chosen One's wedding and this spa. Have you tried it?"
"Tried it," snort Hermione. "I have a standing appointment on Tuesdays for some kind of treatment and a massage. Once a month I get the works."
"Can I quote you?"
"Leave out what day I have my appointment and knock yourself out." Parvarti frowned, "Muggle saying, means do what you want, permission to go ahead."
"Thanks, Hermione."
A/N: I know, I know, you have no idea what Veronica did, nor has the other shoe dropped. Look, I made you so long, you deserve this to be a properly paced pay off of destruction.