Chapter 9- Checkmate
Author's note: Please forgive me for taking so long to update. I was very busy with school and work. Now that I am finished for the summer, I hope to update more frequently. This is a filler chapter, but I promise things are REALLY going to start speeding up with the next one. I hope you like what I have planned. Enjoy!
After Harry's first day of auror training, the months began flying by. He was so busy with his work, that it left little time for him to dwell on anything else and before he knew it, three years, three-hundred-twenty-seven days, eight hours, and seventeen minutes remained in his pact with Hermione.
He hadn't completely forgotten about her, on the contrary. She still managed to creep into his dreams, causing him to wake up sweating and smiling in the morning. She also wrote to him often, and he kept each and every letter safely tucked away under his bed, reading them frequently. He spent many hours lost in the memories stored within his pensieve, desperate for anything that could remind him of what he was missing not only with Hermione, but with Ron as well. The young and talented Mr. Weasley had been keeping busy himself. After breaking the record for consecutive saves by a Keeper, he became the most coveted Quidditch player in Europe, and six months ago he had achieved his dream of becoming a member of the Chudley Cannons. Not only was his athleticism widely publicized, but he also managed to knock Harry to the number two spot on Witch Weekly's Most Enchanting Young Wizard list. Not that he minded at all, Harry enjoyed spending time out of the spotlight, especially when Ron was in it. He was also grateful that he had made it to the game to see Ron break the record, even if he had missed Hermione, he at least got to celebrate a joyous occasion with one of the people he cared for the most.
Harry also spent a lot of time watching Remus and Athena. He was so amazed by the two of them, that sometimes he couldn't help but stare. He had never seen so people so completely in love that it was impossible to believe they'd endured a twenty-some year separation. He noticed the look in Remus' eyes when he was gazing at Athena. There was a gleam there now, something more than when he looked at anyone else. It was one of the most incredible things Harry had ever seen, and he often wondered if that spark came alive in him when he was looking at Hermione. Only time would tell if their love was strong enough to withstand so many years apart. Part of him was certain, but another wasn't so confident.
"Daydreaming again, Potter?" Remus' jovially voice called through the doorway of Harry's bedroom as the young wizard looked up from his pensieve and smiled.
"Sometimes the dream is better than the reality." He replied as he stretched his arms and then put the pensieve away.
"Just wait til you get the girl, you'll never want to close your eyes again." Remus said with a grin as he entered the room and shut the door behind him. "Do you have a few minutes? I need to ask you something."
"Sure." Harry nodded, "Everything all right?"
"Everything is perfect." Remus assured him, "I' just discussed something with Sirius and he and I have a plan in the works, but in order for us to be successful, we're going to need two things from you."
"Anything." Harry replied
"One, you're going to have to break your pact with Hermione for one night. This will count as an insinuating circumstance, and we will need Ron here, too."
"Okay.." Harry answered, extremely clueless as to where Remus was heading, "what's the second thing?"
"Will you be the best man for our double wedding?"
"Are you serious?" Harry asked as a huge grin spread across his face. "I would be honored! When is it? Why didn't you two tell me before? What do you need me to do?"
"It's on Valentine's Day, we didn't tell anyone and all you have to do is show up and look pretty. Think you can handle that, Potter?"
"It's what I do best," He said with a wink. "I am so happy for you Remus. You and Athena deserve all the best, so do Sirius and Rosmerta, but you two have just- well, you know what I mean."
"Believe me, Harry," Remus said as he placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder, "if things are meant to be with you and Hermione, it will be *well* worth the wait."
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Dear Harry,
It's great to hear the news about Remus and Athena and Sirius and Rosmerta. I've already told the coach I'll be needing that day off, rest of the family should be coming, too It'll be great to see you again, and Hermione. Take care and write back soon. I want to hear more about Auror Training.
Ron
P.S. We beat the Haileyburg Hammers in Toronto last night, but I got a broken nose. You should see the teasing I got from Fred and George (who say Hi, as does the rest of my dysfunctional family). Hope you can make it to another game soon, let me know when you can come and I'll send you some tickets. (good ones at that)
Harry laughed as he pictured Ron with a broken nose and Fred and George cracking jokes about it. He missed being able to spend weekends with the Weasley family, getting into all kinds of mischief and staying up late in fits of laughter. It would be good to see Ron and the gang again.
Harry had sent off letters with Hedwig as soon as Remus had told him the good news. Ron and Hermione both responded right away and Harry was ecstatic to hear that both were coming, but especially happy that he'd heard from Hermione.
Dear Harry,
A double wedding! How incredibly romantic! I would not miss this for the world! It will be great to see Sirius, Rosmerta and Remus again, and I cannot wait to meet Athena! Both couples deserve so much happiness, and I am so excited to see you as best man. They couldn't have picked a better wizard for the job. It will be wonderful to have the trio together again.. Valentine's Day can't get here fast enough!
Send my love to everyone and let them know I will be attending! Please owl back soon, I miss hearing from you.
All my love,
Hermione
P.S. I think Hedwig deserves a break, don't you? Perhaps you could send a letter with Appollo?
Harry grinned at her last line. It was nice to know that Hermione was missing him, too. As grim as their separation had been, things were starting to look up. The Double Wizard Wedding was without a doubt going to be the event of the year.
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"This wedding sounds great." Ed said as he instructed his Knight to capture Harry's Castle. "It's also wonderful that you will see your friends."
"Yep." Harry said with a smile as he told his Queen to move diagonally. "I'm looking forward to it. You should come if you want, they'd all love to meet you. I've told them what a good friend you've been. I'll even introduce you to Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore, I don't know if I could meet him," Ed replied in a nervous tone as his Bishop took Harry's pawn and moved just one square away from his King. "Check."
"Why not? He's the most fantastic wizard of the age. Voldemort himself fears him. I thought you would enjoy meeting him."
"Just nervous I guess." He answered with an awkward grin, as Harry had his King from harms way. "He's such a strong and powerful presence in the wizarding world, I think I'd be a bit overwhelmed."
"He's just like you and me, a good guy out to get the bad guys." Harry assured him as Ed moved his Bishop back to take one of Harry's pawns.
"Perhaps he should come here and rid us of Zomba then. Albus Dumbledore should be able to sniff that rat out with no problem." Ed sneered.
"You still don't trust him, do you?" Harry asked, as he eyed Ed suspiciously.
"Nope, and I never will. Something's going on in this Ministry, and I'm the only one who seems to care."
"We all care, Ed. I had Moody check out Zomba months ago and he said he was okay. I think it's just his attitude that you don't like." Harry answered as he took one of Ed's pawns with his Knight.
"Well, I hope I am wrong." Ed sighed, as his Queen took Harry's castle. "I just have a feeling that things are going to go terribly wrong, and Zomba is involved somehow. I told you months ago, it's all in the name."
"Yes, I know, but Tom is a common name and a lot of people have the middle initial R. I think it's just coincidence. You've got to relax. If Voldemort did have someone in here, I think we'd know by now. If and when he does strike again, we will be ready. You have to have faith in the Ministry." Harry replied as he moved Bishop to Ed's Knight
"I guess." Ed nodded, as he searched the board for his next move. "I just think that things are going to get out of control very quickly."
"What makes you say that?" Harry asked, looking up from the game and noticing the far off gaze in Ed's eyes. His behavior was extremely odd.
"Just a feeling, I mean, it's how it happened the last time. He came out of nowhere," Ed replied softly as he moved his Queen to the left of Harry's King. He had him right where you wanted him.
"When the Dark Lord comes back to power, it's going to happen fast, so fast we won't even see it coming. Faster than you can say 'checkmate'."