CHAPTER 22: WEDDING PLANS AND SECURITY CONCERNS
In a matter of minutes, they reached Tonks's office. Upon entering, Tonks conjured chairs and cast spells to seal and soundproof the room, ensuring their privacy.
Seated beside Harry, Tonks faced her friends, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air.
"Will you tell us what's going on?" Hermione asked, her eyes fixed on Tonks and Harry.
They exchanged a glance, sharing a smile before Harry placed a hand on Tonks' shoulder, their connection evident.
"Yes, Ron, you'll know it," Harry assured, his voice filled with warmth. "But first, we have news we hope you'll like as much as we do."
"Tonks and I are getting married!" exclaimed Harry, unable to contain his excitement.
"WHAT?" Hermione and Ginny exclaimed simultaneously, their eyes widening in shock. Ron sat there, speechless, trying to process the sudden announcement.
"What do you mean, you're getting married? When?" Hermione's voice was filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"As soon as possible," Tonks replied with a determined smile.
"What happened in that office for you to come out with this news?" Ginny asked, her brow furrowing with worry.
"What happened in the office is that Minerva told me that I would soon have to leave Hogwarts. Due to the archaic policies of the school board, I wouldn't be allowed to continue teaching here," Tonks explained, frustration evident in her tone.
"Why?" Ron finally managed to utter, his confusion evident.
"I would be required to be married or widowed to do so," Tonks clarified, her expression reflecting a mix of defiance and resignation.
"And the only solution is for us to get married!" Harry interjected firmly, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Tonks.
"Don't you think getting married because she has to leave is something...?" Hermione began, her concern evident in her voice.
"No, Hermione, I was planning to ask her when we left Hogwarts. I love her more than my life," Harry interrupted, his eyes never leaving Tonks's.
"So now you know, in a couple of weeks, wedding. Would you mind being my bridesmaids?" Tonks asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"Why so fast?" Hermione inquired, her worry deepening.
"If we don't do it this way, they won't let us separate, and right now, it's not convenient for any of us," Tonks explained, her tone tinged with urgency.
The way Tonks said it made Hermione's mind race with possibilities. "Tonks, tell me it's not what I think it is," she implored, her eyes widening.
Tonks's smile widened. "Yes, I'm pregnant, we're going to be parents!" she announced with joy, her words filling the room with excitement.
The screams of the three girls filled the room, Harry and Ron jumping in surprise. They quickly surrounded Tonks, enveloping her in hugs.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" they all exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with genuine happiness for their friends.
Ron glanced at Harry, his expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "What?"
"I can't even think about sex, and you're already going to be a father!" Ron blurted out, his shock evident in his tone.
Hermione shot him an annoyed look, her gaze piercing enough to make Ron feel more afraid of her than he had ever felt of his own mother. "I was joking!" he quickly added, attempting to diffuse the tension with a nervous laugh.
"I hope so!" Hermione retorted, though her expression softened slightly.
As the girls began discussing the pregnancy, Ron couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. "You're crazy, how many months are you?" he asked, trying to wrap his head around the situation.
"Two months," Tonks replied with a smile.
"Then it will be born..." Ron trailed off, trying to calculate the timing in his head.
"By the end of the school year," Harry finished, standing beside Tonks with a sense of pride and excitement.
"I'm... we're looking forward to it," he added, his voice filled with genuine happiness.
"What I don't understand is how it happened," Ron confessed, unable to shake off his curiosity.
"My mother had you both under control all the time in the Burrow. How did you manage...?" he trailed off, his mind racing with questions.
"It wasn't done at your house, I assure you. We respect you too much," Tonks reassured him, her tone lighthearted.
"Besides, your mother made us promise," Harry added with a chuckle, remembering Mrs. Weasley's stern warnings.
"The only thing we did at home was the same thing you and Hermione did," Tonks continued, causing both Ron and Hermione to blush furiously.
"It seems we're not the only ones with secrets," Tonks whispered to Harry, her voice barely audible over the chatter of the girls.
Ron squirmed uncomfortably, feeling protective of the intimate moments he shared with Hermione. He shot Harry a warning look, silently urging him to keep their private affairs to themselves.
Tonks proceeded to recount the events of the night at the Shrieking Shack, this time adding all the missing details. The girls listened with rapt attention, surprised by the romantic and deeply loving nature of Harry's actions.
Harry glanced at Ron, who returned the look with a mixture of embarrassment and incredulity, silently cursing his friend for divulging such personal information.
"I think a certain redhead is going to need to learn a lot from Harry if he wants to achieve something more," Hermione remarked, casting a knowing glance at Ron, who slumped in his seat, looking defeated.
"I'm learning, Hermy, I promise! You'll see, I'll soon be much more romantic and tender!" Ron exclaimed, his forehead glistening with sweat as he pleaded for assistance from his friend. He turned to Harry with a desperate look. "Help me, please."
The girls couldn't help but burst into laughter at Ron's earnestness. "You're so silly. If I wanted someone like Harry, I'd date him. Don't think too much, Tonks!" Hermione teased, though she signaled Tonks to play down the comparison. "I prefer you, but truth be told, a little less jealousy and possessiveness would be good," Tonks added with a playful smile, "and if we add a few drops of romance, it would be the perfect combination for me."
Ron's expression turned serious as he considered Tonks's words carefully. "Aren't you asking for too much?" he asked, though his question only elicited more laughter from the girls and a playful grin from Harry.
"Ronny, Ronny, you believe everything!" Ginny teased, joining in on the lighthearted banter.
"So, are you getting married because of the baby?" Hermione asked, her tone shifting to a more serious note.
"No, we're getting married because we love each other; the baby is a wonderful extra," Harry clarified, his eyes filled with sincerity.
"But Tonks' expulsion..." Ginny started, her brow furrowing with concern.
"The school board won't allow a single mother to teach at Hogwarts. McGonagall couldn't do anything," Tonks explained, her voice tinged with frustration.
"But you're his student," Hermione pointed out, her concern deepening.
"I'll leave her class, or McGonagall will find another teacher for me, I don't know! The point is that this way, we can stay at Hogwarts," Harry replied, trying to reassure them.
"And the wedding?" Ginny inquired, her mind already racing with possibilities.
"We need to start organizing it as soon as possible. What I don't know is where," Harry admitted, his uncertainty evident.
"My parents will surely let you do it at the Burrow," Ron interjected, though a nervous smile played on his lips. "Although my mother will probably kill you when she finds out," he added with a chuckle.
Harry nervously returned the smile, realizing the gravity of the situation. Hermione, however, had suddenly become serious; she had understood something very important, and her expression reflected the weight of her realization.
"The moment 'He' finds out, Tonks and the baby will be his main target," Hermione stated gravely, her words hanging heavily in the air. The group fell into a somber silence, each of them understanding the gravity of Hermione's warning.
"He'll try to harm both of them. He would weaken you and ensure he doesn't have to worry about a future heir," Hermione continued, her gaze steady as she addressed Harry.
Tonks nodded in agreement. "We are aware of that," she replied, her voice resolute. "But I might already be a target. An Auror descended from a pure-blood witch and a Muggle-born wizard who openly supports Dumbledore. Once they find out I'm pregnant, they'll come to kill me. It would be a way to set an example for the magical society and attack the Order."
Harry squeezed Tonks's hand tightly, a mixture of fear and determination coursing through him. "Together, we have a better chance," he affirmed, his eyes meeting Hermione's with unwavering resolve.
"But as soon as you get married, he'll know everything!" Hermione protested, her concern evident.
"They will try to keep everything in the utmost secrecy," Tonks reassured her, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in her voice.
"But..." Hermione began, but Harry gently interrupted her.
"Hermione, I love her. If I let them take her away, I'll regret it sooner or later. At least this way, we'll be together no matter what happens. Wouldn't you want the same with Ron?" Harry asked, his words striking a chord with Ron, who nodded in silent agreement.
"I'll be your maid of honor, but you should know that I'm choosing the hat!" Hermione declared with a smile, her tone lighter as she embraced Tonks.
"Thank you!" Tonks replied, returning the embrace, while Ginny eagerly joined in the celebration.
"The best place to buy the robes is where Fleur and Bill did!" Ginny suggested, eager to contribute to the wedding preparations.
As they continued discussing the wedding arrangements and potential godparents, Ron voiced his desire to be the baby's godfather if it was a boy.
"This way, I can teach him everything he needs to know," Ron declared proudly, though Hermione couldn't resist teasing him.
"The first thing you'll have to teach him is to be quiet," she joked, earning a playful swat from Ron.
"Although you changing diapers would be something worth seeing," Hermione added with a mischievous grin, causing Ron to blush furiously at the thought. He hadn't considered that aspect of parenthood yet, but the prospect only filled him with more excitement for the journey ahead.
"What, me changing diapers? That won't happen. I think it's better for the parents to do that. It creates a stronger bond with the baby. Yeah, that's better; let the parents do it," Ron asserted confidently, trying to evade the prospect of dealing with soiled diapers. However, his attempt at rationalizing was met with laughter from the group.
"What, what's so funny?" Ron protested, feeling a bit self-conscious under their amused gazes.
They left Ron with his unsolvable dilemma, chuckling among themselves as they shifted the conversation back to Tonks' condition, a topic that dominated their discussions for the next few minutes.
"I think it's best to send an owl to my mother telling her everything," Ginny suggested, eager to involve her family in the unfolding situation.
"It's not prudent, Ginny. If it gets intercepted, they'll know everything, and we'll be in danger," Harry cautioned, his tone serious.
"So what will we do?" Ginny pressed, her concern evident.
"After dinner, we'll have another meeting with the Headmistress; we'll ask her what to do," Harry proposed, seeking a more strategic approach.
"I agree, that's the best. I'm more worried that those kids might spy on us. The moment we find out something, they could inform Him. Something that seems easy could turn into a trap," Hermione added, her mind already racing with possibilities.
"We hadn't told you!" Harry suddenly remembered, his expression changing to one of excitement. "With all the emotions, we forgot to tell you that the girls found something."
"Is it true?" Tonks looked at them, her interest piqued. Hermione was still clutching the book in her hands, her grip unwavering.
"We found R.A.B.!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Tonks's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation.
"You won't believe it. It's Regulus Arcturus Black, Sirius' brother! It seems he knew his life was in danger and decided to do something before the end. We don't know what he wanted to do, but from the note on the locket, he wanted to destroy it," Hermione explained eagerly, her words tumbling out in a rush.
"How did he find out about the existence of the Horcruxes?" Tonks inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"We don't know, Tonks, but we know where the locket was. In the Black house!" Hermione revealed, her voice tinged with excitement and disbelief.
"What?" Tonks exclaimed, stunned by the unexpected twist in their search for the Horcruxes. The revelation left them all reeling with anticipation for the next steps in their quest.
"When my mother made us clean the house, we all saw it; it was that heavy locket that we couldn't open. Remember Lupin said it was probably because of its dark magic?" Hermione reminded them, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency. Tonks nodded in agreement, vaguely recalling the unsettling presence of the locket.
"But we got rid of it with everything else!" Harry added, his brow furrowing with concern as he recounted their efforts to cleanse the Black house of dark artifacts.
"The hope we have now is Kreacher. We know he hid many things, and it's very likely he kept it with many more objects," Hermione explained, her mind already racing with possibilities.
"So?" Ron prompted, eager to understand their plan.
"I'll ask Kreacher if he has it. Kreacher!" Harry called out, summoning the old house-elf to the room. Kreacher appeared, his wrinkled face contorting with disdain as he glanced at Hermione and Tonks.
Harry noticed the elf's hostile reaction and quickly intervened. "Kreacher, I've called you to ask you something," he said firmly, trying to maintain control of the situation.
"Kreacher doesn't wish to serve this master; he's not a pure-blood wizard like Kreacher's previous masters," the elf muttered, his voice dripping with contempt. "They had the bearing of great wizards," he added, lost in bitter memories.
"Shut up; I just want to know what you did with all the objects you took from the house," Harry snapped, cutting off Kreacher's ramblings.
The elf's eyes widened in surprise at the direct question. "Kreacher has nothing! Kreacher didn't keep everything the intruders threw out of his mistress's house!" he protested, though his attempt at denial was feeble.
"You did!" Harry countered, his patience wearing thin. "I just want one thing; the rest, I'll let you keep in the house. I think that's fair," he offered, trying to strike a compromise.
"Will the master let Kreacher keep everything he guards?" Kreacher asked, a malicious glint in his eyes.
"NO, you'll keep it in memory of your mistress, but it will still be mine," Harry clarified, his tone firm.
"Why...?" Ron interjected, his confusion evident.
"If he gives it to Kreacher, he'll be free and can go with pure-blood wizards. He would tell them everything they want to know and could attack the Order at Grimmauld Place," Hermione clarified, her voice filled with concern for their safety.
"What do you think, Kreacher, do you accept?" Harry asked, turning to the old house-elf.
Kreacher muttered under his breath, cursing his inability to deceive them. "Kreacher agrees. Kreacher will give it to the master," he replied grudgingly, his voice laced with hatred. "What does the master desire?"
"Not now! On Christmas, you will go to Grimmauld Place, and there I will ask for what I want," Harry ordered, resuming his duties. Kreacher made a forced bow and disappeared, leaving an air of tension lingering in the room.
"Why didn't you tell him to bring the locket?" Hermione asked, puzzled by Harry's decision. Tonks was the one who answered.
"If he goes to the house to get it, there's no guarantee he won't do something along the way. It's better to ask for it at the house. And I agree with him!" Tonks explained, her expression serious.
"At least we have one of the Horcruxes now! Something is better than nothing!" Ron exclaimed optimistically, trying to find a silver lining in their increasingly dire situation.
Ginny glanced at the clock. "It's dinner time; we should go to the dining hall," she suggested, eager to move on from the tense discussion.
"Afterwards, we'll go talk to the Headmistress and Lupin. We'll try to sort out everything regarding the wedding," Tonks said, her smile brightening the mood as they left the office and headed towards the Great Hall.
Along the way, they crossed paths with a couple of Slytherins who followed the same path. The group remained silent until they reached the Great Hall. They entered and went to their table, Tonks discreetly slipping in through the professors' door to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
"It seems the professor is better," the students at the tables were saying, their whispers floating through the air.
"What happened to her?"
"It's probably the flu. There are two students in the infirmary for that reason."
The rumor of Tonks' illness seemed to have remained just that – a rumor about a sick professor. Luckily, it stayed there, and they were able to finish dinner without further interruptions. As the students watched, the professors left the Great Hall, and Tonks exchanged a nod with the group, signaling that it was time to head to the Headmistress's office.
They all stood in front of the stone gargoyle, waiting patiently since none of them knew the password. At that moment, Lupin and Tonks arrived, joining them as they prepared to meet with McGonagall and discuss their next steps.
"Guys, we're expected upstairs, Strawberry Sweets!" Lupin announced, using the password to activate the moving gargoyle. The group made their way up, curiosity buzzing among the students about what awaited them in the Headmistress's office.
Once inside, they found a large part of the Order gathered there: Mad-Eye Moody, Arabella Figg, Hestia Jones, the Weasley twins, and several others. Mrs. Weasley's solemn expression immediately caught everyone's attention, her usually warm demeanor replaced by a sense of gravity that unsettled the room.
"Come in, come in. I've already informed everyone of the situation and their plans," McGonagall greeted them, gesturing for them to take a seat. "Some don't agree with what they want to do, but we all support them," she added, her gaze sweeping over the assembled adults.
She then turned her attention to Kingsley Shacklebolt, indicating that he would be taking charge of ensuring the utmost secrecy regarding Harry and Tonks' union.
"The ministry commits to keeping your wedding a secret," Kingsley affirmed. "Unfortunately, they ask for something in return."
Harry knew what was coming; Minister Scrimgeour had made his demands abundantly clear in the past.
"That I openly support the ministry and give them my full trust," Harry stated, anticipating the condition.
"Exactly," Kingsley confirmed, his tone grave. "If you agree, a journalist from the Daily Prophet will come tomorrow and interview you. Once it's published, the ministry guarantees all the confidentiality they have in this case."
Harry paused, considering the proposition carefully before responding. "Okay, I'll do it! But I have two conditions: first, Rita Skeeter should not conduct the interview. And second, under no circumstances will I say anything negative about Dumbledore or anyone else. I don't think these are too hard to please," he stated firmly, making his terms clear.
"I agree, and I think there won't be any problem," Tonks added, addressing the fireplace before bidding farewell and disappearing towards the Ministry.
McGonagall took the floor, her expression serious as she prepared to address the group.
"Now, the remaining issue is the wedding preparation," Mrs. Weasley interjected, unable to hold back any longer.
"I don't know what you're thinking; you're going to have a lot of problems. I think it's better..." she started to express her concerns, but Harry cut her off gently.
"Mrs. Weasley, you are the closest thing I've had to a family. I would like to organize everything at the Burrow. Do you think it will be possible?" Harry's heartfelt request completely disarmed the woman. Tears welled up in her eyes as she embraced the boy tightly.
"I think that's a yes, Harry," Mr. Weasley chimed in, offering his support to Harry's proposal. Suddenly, Mrs. Weasley let go of Harry and delivered a resounding smack to his arm.
"OUCH!" Harry yelped in surprise, rubbing his arm where she had struck him.
"That's for being so irresponsible!" Mrs. Weasley scolded, her gaze then turning to Tonks. "And you, you're spared because you're pregnant. How did you both come up with this? I hope at least it wasn't in my house!"
"Molly, I assure you that both Harry and I have respected your house," Tonks replied nervously, hoping to appease the irate woman. Mrs. Weasley, however, seemed to be lost in her thoughts, already mentally organizing the wedding.
Ron approached Harry, a grin spreading across his face. "Congratulations, you're officially a Weasley now! How was your first scolding?" he teased.
Harry didn't bother to answer; instead, he watched in awe as Mrs. Weasley began meticulously planning the wedding.
"We can use the same stone altar as Bill; it's still in the house. The guests will only be those from the Order and the kids, of course. It must be very intimate and discreet. We'll buy the robes at the same place as Bill's, Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, turning her attention to her daughter.
"Yes, Mom, it was..." Ginny started to respond, but her mother cut her off, taking charge with newfound enthusiasm.
"One less problem, Harry will take care of the rings, as is customary, and we'll take care of the robes," Mrs. Weasley declared confidently, surprising everyone with her sudden shift from skepticism to becoming the organizer of the perfect wedding.
Harry turned to Lupin with a puzzled expression. "What's this about me having to find the rings?" he asked, seeking clarification amidst the whirlwind of wedding plans.
"The groom must buy the rings; the bride won't see them until the wedding day. It's important; if she doesn't like them, she can get off the altar," Hermione explained, her tone serious as she emphasized the significance of the tradition. Harry's horrified expression prompted her to clarify, "It's not a joke; it has happened! At most, she might make you change them afterward."
At that moment, Hermione shifted the conversation to a more pressing matter. "Professor Lupin, did you tell them about the Slytherin students?" she inquired, referring to the potential informants of the Dark Lord.
Lupin nodded solemnly. "Yes, we have no way to prove that they are spies in his service. They probably don't have the Dark Mark yet to avoid being discovered."
"We thought about keeping them under surveillance for greater security. And you should be more cautious in your actions and conversations," McGonagall added, her expression grave as she addressed the group.
Tonks interjected with a concerning revelation. "When we left here earlier, two first-year kids followed us, Miss... Parkinson and Mr. Nott."
"We'll have to be very careful with the Slytherin students," Lupin concluded, his mind already strategizing on how to handle the potential threat.
With the wedding plans and security concerns addressed, everything seemed to fall into place. The wedding would be in two weeks, coinciding with a planned Hogsmeade trip. They would slip away to the Burrow to perform the ceremony before returning to Hogwarts under the cover of darkness.
As for the rings, Harry would need to order them via Owl, adhering to tradition. Meanwhile, Tonks, with her role as a professor, would have the freedom to purchase the robes in Diagon Alley the weekend before the wedding.
Alone in his bed that night, Harry reflected on the events of the day. The discovery of the mysterious person who found the Horcrux before him and Dumbledore saddened him, but it also fueled his determination to protect those he loved. The news of impending fatherhood and his upcoming wedding to Tonks filled him with a mix of fear and resolve. He vowed to fight for their safety, even at the cost of his own life. Harry marveled at how much his priorities had shifted over the summer – from a desire to end suffering to a yearning for a future filled with love and happiness with his newfound family.
As Harry lay in bed, his thoughts continued to swirl with a mixture of emotions. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as he contemplated the impending challenges of fatherhood and marriage. Yet, intertwined with the apprehension was a profound sense of purpose and determination.
With each passing moment, Harry's resolve strengthened. He was no longer just fighting for his own survival or to bring an end to the darkness that plagued the wizarding world. Now, he fought for something far more precious – the safety and happiness of his loved ones.
The prospect of becoming a father both thrilled and terrified him. The idea of guiding a new life, nurturing and protecting it, filled him with a sense of awe and wonder. At the same time, the thought of the dangers lurking in the shadows loomed ominously in his mind. He vowed to do whatever it took to shield his child from harm, to create a world where they could grow up free from the taint of Voldemort's legacy.
And then there was Tonks, his partner in this journey, the woman he loved more than anything in the world. The realization that they were soon to be married filled him with a warmth and happiness he had never known before. Despite the challenges they faced, Harry was certain of one thing – they would face them together, united in their love and unwavering in their commitment to each other.
As sleep began to claim him, Harry's mind drifted to the future, filled with hope and possibility. Whatever trials lay ahead, he knew that as long as he had Tonks by his side, as long as he had his family and friends standing beside him, he would find the strength to overcome them. And with that comforting thought, he surrendered to the embrace of sleep, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring.
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