Harry let out a very long sigh and rubbed his palms together; he couldn't stop his hands from sweating. He stood at the front of a long aisle with Ron by his side. They were just outside the main gates of Hogwarts where nearly a hundred chairs had been set up for guests. He knew that most of Hogwarts would be watching from their dormitories so it was a lot more people than there were seats for. Madam Sprout had placed several enchanted bouquets around the area, and each of them was charmed to re-blossom over and over again. A long, white, silk carpet that ran all the way from the back to the front of the altar where Harry stood split the seating. He tugged at his dress robes anxiously, and Ron chuckled.
"Would you relax, pal, you're gonna make your hair turn gray?"
"Sorry Ron, I know that I shouldn't be nervous, but I…"
His best friend clapped him on the back.
"Don't worry about it; it's your wedding day; you're allowed to be nervous. Especially considering the special circumstances."
"I know what you mean. Ron, I'm gonna need your help today; this is not going to be easy. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but…"
"Say no more. Trust me, I'm not gonna get killed before I see you domesticated, Harry," he laughed.
"Oh really, and just who was it that started to learn poetry for Lavender, huh?"
Ron's eyes shot open, and he glared at his best friend.
"Don't you dare tell anybody about that!"
"Not to worry, Mr. Weasley, I won't say a word," someone interrupted.
Harry turned to see Dumbledore strolling up the aisle. He'd been honored when the headmaster had asked to perform the ceremony for he and Hermione. His robes were different that normal. This time, they were a glowing white with gold and red trim sewn into the lining; he looked very much like a priest.
A moment later, Hagrid rumbled down the aisle and smiled at his friends.
"Well…everything is ready, Professor Dumbledore. Harry, I wish you the best of luck; if necessary, I will see that guests are safely evacuated."
"Thank you, Hagrid, I appreciate all your hard work."
Harry couldn't think of anything else that needed to be check. Remus and Lupin were guarding the perimeter of the gates, and Sirius was escorting Hermione. Reporters from the Daily Prophet were seated in the audience, and they were all scribbling down on the notepads. Harry saw Tom Hutchinson among them and smiled, knowing that he would make sure the truth was printed. His eyes also found Rita Skeeter among the reporters, and his stomach turned. Hermione was not going to be happy about that, but he had bigger fish to fry today. Closing his eyes, Harry cleared his mind and focused on the tasks ahead of him.
"All right, Hermione, let's put on your veil," Lavender stated and picked up the lacy material.
Hermione was seated on a large round stool in front of massive mirror. She was dressed in a lovely, white wedding gown, and her hair long hair was pulled into a bun on the back of her head. Ginny, Pavarati, and Lavender were helping her get ready, and her three friends lifted her veil into place.
Hermione looked at herself in the mirror, and her eyes almost glowed. She was really getting married. Remembering what she and Harry discussed, she double-checked that she had everything she need. Her wand was tucked between her breasts, and she had on very comfortable shoes. If and when the ceremony got ugly, she was gonna need to move around easily.
"Okay, all done, girl," Lavender said happily.
Hermione stood up and hugged her friends.
"You look great, Hermione," Ginny said happily.
"Harry's gonna faint when he sees you," Pavarati laughed.
A knock on her dressing room door signaled that it was time for the ceremony to begin. Sirius was waiting outside, and he smiled approvingly.
"Hermione, you look lovely; that godson of mine is going to have coronary when he sees you," he chuckled, and she blushed.
"All right, let's get this show on the road!"
Harry's eyes were scanning every which way as he heard the music begin. His battle senses kicked into overdrive, and he waited for any attack.
The wedding party made their way through the gates. The bridesmaids headed down the aisle with Pavarati, Ginny, and then Lavender. Ron smiled appreciatively at how beautiful she looked in her dress. The music changed to the wedding march, and everyone turned towards the back. Sirius appeared with Hermione on his arm, and Harry felt his heart throb when he saw her. She was devastatingly beautiful, and he was going to tell her that for the rest of their lives.
Hermione smiled as she saw Harry waiting for her. He looked wonderful standing there in his wedding robes. They were black like his class robes, but these were a little more elegant and form fitting than school robes. She kept her eyes on him the entire time; she was positive that she'd floated down the aisle.
The pair approached the altar, and Harry stepped forward. Sirius offered him Hermione's hand, and he took it happily. Giving his godson a wide grin, Sirius backed away and moved next to Ron. Harry brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, making Hermione's cheeks tint slightly. Dumbledore then stepped forward.
"Friends…we are brought together today to celebrate a most joyous occasion. It is my privilege to preside over the marriage of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."
"That won't be necessary!" a voice called out. Harry had a split second to react.
"Hermione…move!"
The couple barely rolled out of the way before the area where they'd been standing exploded upwards. Harry had Hermione pressed against his chest and opened his eyes. She wasn't hurt, but the crowd was screaming in shock. He knew the voice that he'd heard and quickly helped his fiancé to her feet.
"It's time, Herm, let's go!"
Harry drew out his wand, and Hermione pulled hers out of her gown. A quick flick of her wrist, and she was wearing her normal school robes.
"Where are you, Cassandra?" Harry growled.
The blonde removed her charm and suddenly appeared behind the altar; she'd been standing there the entire time! She had an arrogant smirk on her face, and her eyes were laughing at the couple.
"Sorry to put a damper on your wedding plans, but I just couldn't let my Harry marry such an ugly bookworm!"
Hermione saw red!
"Shut-up! First of all, I'm not an ugly bookworm, and second, he's not yours, you bitch!" she hissed.
Harry grinned at the fire in her voice; she was seriously pissed! Dumbledore was evacuating the guests back inside Hogwarts, and Harry nodded at his actions.
"All right, Cassandra, no more games; it's time we finish this," Harry stated.
"Why Harry…can you honestly bring yourself to harm me?" she snickered.
Hermione stepped in front of her fiancé.
"Who said that you'd be fighting, Harry?"
"Oh, don't make me laugh, I could swat you like a fly!"
"I'm not as weak as you think I am," Hermione growled.
"If you're talking about that little duel we had, don't flatter yourself. I let you win!" Cassandra spat at her.
"Why don't we find out," and Hermione raised her wand.
"I would like to see that as well," another voice called.
Harry's eyes snapped in its direction; he knew that voice! Just as he'd expected, from within the Dark Forest, Lucius Malfoy emerged with Draco by his side. Behind him, there were about twelve others - each wearing black robes, and hoods covered their faces. It was a group of Death Eaters.
"Malfoy, I should have known you'd crawl out from somewhere," Harry growled.
"I'm merely here as an observer, Potter; I wish to see this duel play itself out. That bitch is on her own; I wouldn't help her if my life depended on it."
"Oh…but Lucius…you have," Cassandra laughed and pulled out the amulet he'd given her. The older man actually snickered.
"You stupid girl, do you think I'd give you something that powerful; you're not worth my trouble! That amulet is nothing but a fake," he cackled insanely.
Draco started laughing as well, but he was surprised to see that Cassandra didn't seem surprised at all.
"You are the one that is stupid, Lucius; you were tricked by your own plan. I know that this amulet is a fake…or is it?"
Cassandra waved her wand over the amulet, and it transfigured into a glowing green orb. Lucius' eyes shot open, and he reached into his robes. Drawing out an identical orb, he watched in horror as it transfigured into the amulet he had given Cassandra.
"Do you think you're the only one who knows about this orb, Lucius? The Orb of Slytherin is a famous artifact from Salazar Slytherin himself; it contains powers that you could never imagine."
"Give that back to me, you thieving bitch!"
Harry and Hermione stood watching as the two argued, and Harry leaned towards her.
"Hermione, what is that thing anyway? I think she called it the Orb of Slytherin."
"I'm not quite sure, Harry, but if I remember my history correctively, that is supposed to have belonged to Salazar Slytherin. It was supposed to be like an archive of his most powerful magic; it was said to enhance any wizard's magic up to ten times that of normal. However, no one has been able to use it; everyone who has tried was kill instantly by its magic."
"I must thank you for obtaining this for me, Malfoy; it is most appreciated," Cassandra sneered. Lucius immediately drew his wand.
"You backstabbing whore! I should send you to right this minute, but I'm going to make you suffer first! That orb's power will be mine; I'm the only one who can wield it!"
"You demented fool, you know nothing. If you tried to use this orb, it would kill you instantly. The only person who can wield its power must be a descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself. That person…is me!"
Lucius Malfoy was shocked, and his son's jaw was hanging wide open. It couldn't be; this wench was descended from the greatest wizard in Slytherin.
"An interesting tale, my dear, but I don't believe a word you say. There's no way you could be related to the great Salazar Slytherin; his last known heir was Voldemort himself, and Potter destroyed him last year."
Harry felt it was time to make his presence known once more.
"Hold on, Malfoy, you're slightly misinformed."
"Shut-up, boy, or I will kill you first!"
"You just don't get it, Malfoy. Cassandra Cross may be her current name, but that is not her true name…"
The blonde smirked at Harry's words but remained silent. Hermione stared at her fiancé in shock.
"Harry…what are you saying?"
The young wizard took a deep breath and prepared his next few words.
"Her name is…Cassandra…Alundria…Riddle!"
Author's Notes: All right, I know it was short chapter, but I must end it here. That battle begins in the next chapter, and it's gonna get messy. I thought about things recently, and I decided that I'd like to see some fanart for my trilogy. I suck at drawing, but if any of you would like to create something, please let me know. Thanks.