Chapter 22: The Facts of Life
At the time when Hermione Granger's life narrowed to just one place, one person, and one book of the events long past, her friends' lives were full of the preparations for the future, or, more specifically, for the upcoming wedding celebrations.
Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Ron's two older brothers, Charlie and Percy, waited at the doors of the Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Their last minute appointment was ahead of the opening hours and was only possible thanks to Harry and Ron's fame. Many families, same as the Weasleys, chose to still schedule weddings to mark the unions regardless of how those came to be. Anything to do with clothing, jewelry, food or entertainment was in extremely high demand since the Marriage Law adoption. The tailoring shops were booked for almost a year ahead.
'Oi, Charlie, how did you avoid the matchings?' Harry squinted at the older Weasley brother.
'Did what most threatened to do but didn't,' The wizard's broad heavily freckled face split into a large smile. 'You are looking at the new member of South European Wizarding community.'
Seamstress assistant unlocked the door and ushered the group in. Charlie and Percy asked for the simple off-the-rack dress robes, and were led towards the selection.
Harry and Ron followed Madam Malkin to the custom fittings area. Seamstress motioned for Ron to get on the elevated platform to get measured.
'I was surprised by your appointment, Mr. Weasley. Last time here you were very opinionated about traditional dress robes.'
Harry bit back a laugh. Ron was still sensitive about his Yule Ball outfit.
'My bride will be in dress robes.' The redhead ruffled his hair and gave out a loud sigh. 'She said the design will be based on her great-grandmother's outfit.'
'And you didn't want the two of you to look mismatched.'
The young wizard ruffled his hair again, and shrugged.
'This is very thoughtful of you'
Ron blushed and shifted uncomfortably. Harry swallowed another laugh.
'I assume you at least know the colors you want?'
'Gray, with red and yellow on the waistcoat or the shirt. Not too much. I don't want to look like one of my brother's inventions spit all over me! And, please, no bloody frills!'
Harry finally burst out laughing.
Charlie and Percy's heads popped in the doorway.
'We are off, see you two at brunch! Don't be late!'
Madam Malkin went to fetch samples of fabrics for Ron to approve.
'Gray, Ron? Gray?!' Green eyes behind the glasses danced with mirth. 'How Slytherin of you.'
'Couldn't gray be just gray, mate.'
'Uhuh.'
'Millicent's robes will be yellow.'
'Like Gryffindor?'
Ron just shrugged.
'How did you do that?'
'Honest, I don't think she is that invested in school colorings. For all I know she planned on yellow. Our first brunch was so awkward! I kinda blurted the first thing that came to mind… well … the second thing…' Harry grinned, having an idea of the first thing on Ron's mind. 'Oh shut up, mate, I told her I don't need to wear white.'
Harry chuckled.
'That's the first thing you told your future wife?'
'Seemed relevant.' Ron grinned sheepishly. 'Thankfully she wasn't offended. Started to talk about clothes. She said she'd pick a Gryffindor's color for her robes if I agree to pick one of Slytherin's.'
Harry barked another laugh.
'Mate, she definitely knew her robes' color before that!'
Madam Malkin appeared with a large ring of samples of robe materials.
'Did I hear that you know your bride's dress color, Mr. Weasley?'
'Light yellow with gold and white stuffs. She'll be wearing emerald jewelry too.'
'Ah young Miss Bulstrode.'
'Are you making her robes too?'
'Oh no-no, too elaborate, too time consuming. Saw it at my mother's. She is retired but takes on orders like that sometimes, for personal enjoyment. I now know exactly what I'll make for you Mr Weasley. Don't worry it would be fitting without being too old-fashioned.'
She proceeded to reduce Ron's options of materials to just two, and Ron was relieved to suddenly have no additional choices to make.
The two left the store shortly after that and walked towards the Leaky Cauldron to exit the Alley.
'Do you think Hermione would be able to come to the wedding?'
After Ron's match was set, Mrs. Weasley was eager to set the closest date possible. However Ron, Harry and Ginny insisted on at least trying to give Hermione a chance to attend. So they agreed on the 34th day from Hermione's intent signing, which would also be the 19th day from Ron's Intent signature.
'She sounds like she plans to.'
'I checked with the MIC clerk, the Honeymoon clause isn't removed right after deadline violation. Without a clear issue, and despising each other is not an issue apparently, the committee assigns penalties but also works with the couple to facilitate compliance.'
'So the only way she could make it to the wedding is if…'
Harry nodded.
'Blimey!'
The two friends headed to Ron's new home, Millicent Bulstrode's apartment in Muggle London, to pick her up, and then floo'ed to the Borrow.
Ron shot another impatient look at the fireplace. He needed to talk to his father. The Weasley patriarch had spent most of his waking time in the office over the last several days, and stayed surprisingly mum on the reasons for it.
Ron leafed through the Sunday Prophet.
The papers remained silent about anything happening in the Ministry too. But something had happened. And it got Wizengamot and the whole upper echelons of the Ministry in uproar. Harry heard a rumor that the Ministry was opening investigations into several Wizengamot members. The rumor failed to name the members, or investigative departments, or even the supposed misdeeds.
Ron snapped the paper closed. Tomorrow was Monday, they could see if Ministry grapevine had any more information then.
Preparations for the Sunday brunch were in full swing when Ron finally spotted his father returning from the Ministry.
'Dad!'
'Yes, Ron.'
'Can I talk to you about something.' Ron led his father to a quiet room and cast muffliato.
'Can it wait, son? You mother is already miffed with my trip to work today-'
'I know, but Harry, Millie, and everybody else are already helping. This won't take long.'
'Millie, aye, I take it you are getting along better?'
That was a complicated question, so Ron just shrugged.
'She is alright I reckon.'
Arthur smiled kindly at his son's reluctant admittance.
'Alright, I won't pry. What did you want to discuss?'
Ron swallowed hard and forced the words he practiced out.
'So… well… does it matter who or …hm… how… the couple consummates the marriage?'
The elder Weasley looked around to get a chair to sit on, and to buy himself time to collect his thoughts. He expected to be done with these conversations at this point. Clearly not. He looked curiously at his youngest boy.
'How do you mean, Ron?'
Ron blushed scarlet but forged on.
'Say ifIsatisfymywifefirstwithout… uhm… without…'
'Without penetration?'
'Bloody hell, Dad!' he bellowed. 'Ugh, yes, without that. Would it matter?'
Arthur's frustration from the Ministry affairs dissipated, replaced by a wry amusement at his son's chosen topic of conversation.
'Matter to whom?'
'How'd I bloody know… to the Ministry, to the marriage bonds, to the bloody marriage itself!'
Ron ran his hands through already ruffled hair and over his burning cheeks.
'I'm sure your marriage could only improve if you ensure your wife's pleasure…' The elder Weasley bit back a grin. 'I thought we had this conversation before.'
'Dad!' Ron never wanted to be reminded of that conversation.
'Ron, I don't understand what you want to know.'
'Would… uh… would that be enough for consummation?'
'Ah… you two are waiting until you know each other better before the-'
'Father!' Ron let out another suffering bellow. 'Can you just answer the question!'
'Well since you are standing here and not locked in with the girl at her apartment, I assume it was enough?'
'DAD!' Ron flushed deeper red.
He didn't realize his parents kept such a close track on his timeline to remember right away. It has been only a couple of days, and they actually let the Honeymoon clause get into effect just to see if it actually worked.
'It would be very inappropriate for the Ministry to concern themselves with whatever mode of consummation you chose, son. I can confirm with Millicent…'
Ron's blues rounded comically.
'I mean Commissioner Bagnold, Ron, when I get to work tomorrow.'
That wasn't any better in Ron's book.
'Just brilliant,' he croaked. 'Please don't!'
Arthur gave his youngest son another curious look.
'You know what… Old marriage contracts… I imagine some of the pureblood families would still use those… they had stipulations about private things like number and sex of the children, the deadline for consummation, the permissions for adultery… but I don't recall stipulations about the type of sex-'
'Bloody hell! Thanks, dad, I think I got it. Please don't repeat this again.' Ron cut the silencing spell and all but ran for the door.
'Does Millicent want you two to sign a contract?'
Ron stopped at the door and turned.
'Yeah,' he rubbed the back of his neck which was burning too at this point. 'Not a big deal. We are working it out. Nothing to do with adultery.'
Arthur made a note to pay more attention to his youngest son until he was settled in his union. His least sneaky of children ended up with the most dubious of the in-laws after all.
'Ronald, I want to see that contract before you sign.'
'Bloody brilliant.'
Before Ron could flush anew thinking about some personal stipulations that made it into the contract and before Arthur could recall anything more on the topic, they both heard Mrs. Weasley shout to gather for brunch.
With just a week to go, the brunch conversation was all about wedding preparations. After the meal the younger crowd headed to Diagon Alley. Some went there to shop and others headed to the Weasleys' Wheezes to help George with restoring and restocking efforts. The reopening of the shop was scheduled for the weekend after the wedding to catch the Hogwarts-bound shoppers.
End of Chapter 22
