4.- That We Have Get … What?
We got everything and more than we had planned,
more than the rivers that run the land.
We've got it all in our hands.
Now it's all for one and all for love.
All for love
Bryan Adams and Co.
"Harry!!" Hermione yelled.
"Coming!!" Harry answered.
Harry went to the bedroom where Hermione was standing in front of the "Cute Mirror." This magical mirror was charmed to project a desired image of whoever looked into it. Meaning you could see what you would look like with a different hair colour or make-up; other points of view.
The real Hermione was glaring at the document in her hands while the mirrored one was randomly changing her lip colour; it was currently a violet shade.
"What's wrong 'Minnie? What is that paper?"
Hermione eyes were wide with horror; she was staring at Harry as if she had been hit in the stomach by a bludger. "Take a look for yourself!" she said as she handed the offending document to him.
He smiled uneasily at her as he took the document. He read it
"It's a marriage certificate."
"Yes, I can read Mr. Potter."
"It must be a joke or a mistake. It's in your name and…mine. That's strange."
"Thank you for that."
"'Minnie, I didn't mean…"
Hermione turned and went to the bathroom with Harry following right behind her. He stopped when she slammed the door in his face. He tried the knob; it was locked, "Listen 'Minnie. I didn't mean it like that. Its not that I think you and I would be strange but-"
She opened the door and leaned on it.
"Go on. Dig the hole deeper Harry." Hermione's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Why don't we have a bite to eat? Talk this through then maybe we can figure out what is going on. You should have a listen to the messages on the WAM maybe we can get some clues. Oh and McGonagall wants to talk with-"
"What have you done?" She eyed him suspiciously.
"Nu…nothing 'Minnie. She just asked, well demanded to talk to the both of us."
"Us? I haven't done anything. You have to be the guilty one here. I'll go and make breakfast while you take a shower. You smell like a pub." she wrinkled her nose in disgust then smirked. Harry was a relieved that she could still joke around.
In the kitchen Hermione opened the coffee pot welcoming the marvellous aroma that inundated her lungs. She put some water on to boil in desperate need of some morning coffee. She opened a cupboard only to find boxes of cookies. There were dozens of them. Some with chocolate, some with fruits, and some sugar free.
'Mother,' she thought, 'cookies essential comfort food.'
After taking a quick inventory of the assortment of cookies, Hermione got back to the task of preparing breakfast. Feeling traditional, she put together an English breakfast consisting of toast, marmalade, scrambled eggs…and of course a hangover potion to clear their minds.
While she waited for Harry she picked up the Daily Prophet.
"My Good Lord!" Hermione yelled.
"What's up hun?" Harry inquired just arriving
"Take a look at this… No better yet, let me read it to you Mr-it-has-to-be-a-joke."
The Wedding of the Century
By Rita Skeeter
[At the top of the page was a file photograph of Harry and Hermione at their Hogwarts seventh year leaving feast.]
Late last night our Golden Man, the-Boy-who-lived, married in the middle of the central circle of Stonehenge.
Harry James Potter, for all of you that have been living in another world for the last 20 years, is one of the most powerful wizards in the world. He has twice defeated he-who-must-not-be-named.
We obtained some comments from guest at the surprise nuptials.
"It's the most magical place in the world save for Hogwarts, of course!" commented Mr. Neville Longbottom referring to Stonehenge, "Where else could they get married if not here?"
Mr. Longbottom wasn't the only friend in attendance at the wonderful event. Among the guests were Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Mr. Draco Malfoy.
"My wife was unable to come because our little daughter was sleeping. Finding proper childcare on such short notice was impossible." commented a proud Draco Malfoy who also served as the best man, "Ginny is going to kill me but I couldn't miss this; I have been predicting those two would come to their senses for the past ten years."
Faithful readers will recall that Mr. Potter served as best man at the Malfoy's wedding two years ago and is godfather to their daughter, one year old, Vivian Narcissa Malfoy.
Right now, dear readers, you are all in suspense as to the identity of the new Mrs. Potter. There is really no surprise here; the blushing bride is none other than Hermione Jane Granger. Yes, that's right, the same Hermione Granger set to wed Ronald Billius Weasley yesterday morning. However, the scoundrel left the lovely Miss Granger at the altar to run away with Miss Luna Lovegood, managing editor of the Quibbler.
This humble reporter has always believed that Mr. Weasley was not the right man for Miss Granger. Again, this report has reputed for many years that the newly wed Potters were meant to be together.
Miss Granger wearing an elegant long white dress, very different from the one she donned for her ill-fated wedding to Mr. Weasley. Her cheeks were a little rosier than usual. Her parents weren't in attendance given the late hour of the nuptials.
Headmaster Dumbledore, in place of her parents, presented the lovely bride to her groom who was attired in a dark suit.
The ceremony was very pretty and full of symbolism. The priestess asked if they were joining of their own free will and both answered among giggles that they were. The couple then joined two pots of sand in one, symbolizing the union of souls and the life they are going to live as one.
They endowed one another with "arras", a Spanish Costume. The "arras" consists of 13 coins that symbolize the riches and properties that are going to bestow both of them. The groom makes this offering to the bride symbolizing that his possessions are now shared with her.
When finally the priestess asked if there was anyone present that believed the couple should not be married, no one said a word.
"Good," responded the bride with a killing gaze, "or I might have managed to cast a Silencio Charm wandless." Then she smiled at her husband and asked the priestess to continue with the ceremony
"She is capable, I know." offered Mr. Potter. Everyone had a laugh until they saw the determination in Miss Granger's eyes and crowd fell silent.
Mr. Malfoy handed Mr. Potter the rings. The bride's white gold band was already welded to the engagement ring; the groom's band was also white gold.
After the exchange of rings they were proclaimed husband and wife and the priestess gave the groom her blessing to kiss his bride. "I have been waiting for this all my life 'Minnie" said the groom. Then Mr. Potter kissed the new Mrs. Potter; softly at first but it soon grew more passionate until Mr. Malfoy tapped the distracted groom's shoulder. The newlyweds then broke apart and turned to the congratulating guests.
After the ceremony the couple made their way to staff photographer, Colin Creevey, and myself for an exclusive interview.
ü RS: - May I see your Ring, Mrs. Potter?
ü HG: - That is Ms. Granger-Potter and yes you may.
Ms. Granger-Potter showed me the double ring. As mentioned, the one-karat heart shaped diamond engagement ring was united with a white gold band.
ü RS: - It's very beautiful. How did you mange to pull this wedding off in so little time?
ü HP: - Well, the dress was my mother's she wore it the day she married my father. It was in storage at my Gringotts vault. Did you notice the golden strings? It's holds great value to me and I am honoured that Hermione chose to wear it.
The engagement ring is a family heirloom. It is enchanted with the question: "Will you marry me?" and when the intended places it on her finger it writes the answer: "yes". Headmaster Dumbledore purchased the bands some time ago, it seems that he anticipated that Hermione and I would wed and had the rings at the ready. The bands are engraved with our initials
ü RS: - Oh! That sounds very romantic. Why have you two acted so fast? I think that there is a great many people that would have wished to be present.
ü HG: - He asked me to marry him this evening and it sounded wonderful to my ears. We didn't want anyone to darken our happiness so we decided to get married straight away.
ü HP (smiling): - She said yes. I couldn't wait one more second to make her my wife forever. Forever.
We concluded the interview and the happy couple went on their way. They will have plenty of time to deal with the rest of the Wizard Community another day.
Tomorrow we will publish exclusive photographs of the wedding ceremony and interview. The Potters have generously consented to a follow up interview at their home at a later date.
Hermione looked at Harry.
"Well, what do you have to say about that?" Hermione asked handing the newspaper to Harry, "Here read it for yourself in case you don't believe me."
Harry was speechless.