A/N: Ok, back to the Granger/ Potter wedding. I'm glad you guys seemed to like the Lovegood/Weasley affair. It was nice to take a break from this. Please enjoy the next piece of conflict. J
*****
I can't believe how good I feel today. I'm sitting here in my library, surrounded by quiet students. My wedding is a few months away, plans seem to be falling into place, and my fiancé is currently in his office working on those lesson plans I had to remind him three times to finish. And here comes my copy of the Daily Prophet.
Let's see here, they caught the guy who was making selling faulty cauldrons, good … the children's museum is finally opening, very good … an article on Ron and Luna's wedding … wait! An article on Ron and Luna's wedding?! By Rita Skeeter?! How is that possible? No one but family was there. As I read on, I see that she has all the details correct, right down to the blue open-toed shoes that Ginny and I wore. Fine, I know how she got the story, damn bug, but how did she know when and where to be?
I don't even finish the article, but run to my library assistant and ask her to watch the counter as I fly to Harry's office.
By the look on Harry's face, his copy has arrived as well.
"You saw it?" I ask.
"How did she know?" he asks in reply.
"I don't know. I mean, I know how she knew, we all know how she knew, but-"
"Mione! I meant the part about our wedding."
"Our wedding?" I shout. Apparently I should have finished the article.
Harry hands me his copy and I begin reading where I left off last time.
"'Bride looked fabulous …' 'proud parents …' 'best man Harry Potter who is engaged to long time friend and fellow "Hogwarts Trio" member Hermione Granger …' I'm missing the bad part here, Harry."
"Keep reading."
"'Sources tell us here at the Prophet that the romantic pair is planning a Valentine's Day wedding at their alma mater Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.' WHAT? How did she know?"
"That's what I'm asking."
"We have the apartment warded against any animagi that we don't know. So she didn't eavesdrop there," I state.
"And she's not allowed here at Hogwarts," Harry adds.
"So where does that leave?"
Just then, one of the few students that I can honestly say I do not like knocks on Harry's closed door.
"Professor Potter?"
"Yes, who is it?"
"Gina, sir. Gina Gnatty."
I roll my eyes and Harry gives me a reprimanding look. He stands and walks around to the front of his desk.
"Come in, Gina."
"Professor, I was just wondering if you could give me a few extra days on my Defense essay."
"Gina, you know that I can't. I've given you 3 weeks to finish that essay. I'll need it on my desk in 2 days," Harry tells her.
"But, Professor!"
"No buts," he says
As Harry and Gina argue back and forth, I can't help but wonder just who she looks like. Those eyes, that scowl, that argumentative nature.
"Fine! But don't expect anything good. I can't write like everyone else in my family!" Gina yells as she runs off and slams the door behind her.
"Well, that went brilliantly," Harry sighs as he leans on his desk.
"Does she remind you of anyone?"
"Not that I can think of. Why?"
"She looks like someone to me." I shake my head to clear my thoughts. "Anyway. So now what?" I ask.
"We sit back and try to figure out just who's spying on us and how!"
I nod. "Anything else in that ridiculous article I should be concerned about?"
"Nah, more details about Ron's wedding, but that's about it."
"It never ends, does it?"
"Afraid not. This is what you get for marrying a celebrity," Harry says, leaning back a bit with his hands behind him. He's got that cocky grin that he knows I hate.
"Well, where's my autograph book! Seriously, Harry, we have to find out how she did it."
"And we will. Don't worry," he says putting a hand on the small of my back and leading me out of the room. "Get back to your library. We'll take care of this at home tonight, ok?"
"I guess so. Have fun with your lesson plans."
"How do you know they're not done yet?"
"Because I know you, Professor." I give him a quick kiss on the lips and leave.
As I'm walking back down to the library, I really begin to wonder about things. Just how did that woman find out about Ron and Luna's wedding? And how did she find out about ours? She's not allowed at any of the places we normally are and we've never discussed anything out in public to avoid just this. Now everyone will want a piece of the wedding.
Reporters will be hounding us more than normal. We knew that they'd find out and that some would be at the school, but we had hoped not to worry about it until right before the wedding. Quick photo op outside and that would be it.
And we never hid the fact that we were engaged, a lot of people knew, but now everyone knows. The day just got more stressful.
Good thing tonight's one of the nights that the Assistant Librarian takes over. I can't spend all day in here worrying!
As I return to my desk, I see that Ron has read the article as well. Pig is sitting quietly there with a letter. He really has calmed down.
I remove the letter and find an owl treat for the tiny bird. "Thank you, Pig."
Pig seems to not want to leave, so I pour some of my water into the little cup I have on my desk for Hedwig. Then I begin the letter:
Hermione,
I can't believe that woman! She won't rest until you two are miserable! I have to apologize that our wedding caused this. I never thought to check for bugs. What are you guys going to do now?
Ron
An addition at the bottom was included from Luna.
Harry & Hermione,
If you need revenge, let me know. I have a book filled with wonderful tribes and creatures that will help you.
Love,
Luna
And a final addition from Ron:
Ignore her; it's the hormones.
I laugh at the last bit. Leave it to Ron. But it doesn't help me solve my problem. Fine, she got the information about Ron's wedding firsthand, but we barely mentioned our wedding that day. Certainly not the date and location.
What are we going to do?
The day is dragging on. It's only Monday, so I have the entire week to sit in this library and think. I need someone to come in here and make me feel better. And, as if on cue, here comes Albus.
"Madame Granger, I must assure you that it was no employee of this school that told Ms. Skeeter about your impending nuptials."
"Why, Headmaster, I never thought such a thing. And neither did Harry," I add for good measure.
"I'm very glad to hear that. Do you have any ideas?"
"No, I'm afraid not. I mean, she can't come onto the grounds here and our apartment is protected, so where does that leave?"
"Alas, Hermione, I do not know," he says, so upset that he addresses me as "Hermione" in front of students.
"Well, I'll guarantee you that we're going to find out and get to the bottom of this!"
"That's the spirit, Madame Granger. Is there anything else you need in the meantime before your big day?"
"No, I think we're alright, otherwise. Plans are going smoothly. We just need to schedule the rehearsal with you, and we can do that whenever."
"It sounds like you have things well at hand then. Well, I shall leave you to your precious tomes once again. Please let me know if there's anything you need to solve this."
"We'll do that, Headmaster. Thank you."
Albus nods and leaves.
After he's gone, I pick up my quill and begin a reply to the newlyweds.
Ron,
I don't know what we're going to do. I'm afraid she's caught us quite off-guard. Tell Luna we appreciate the offer for revenge, but I think it's time we took a different approach. Time to at least bust her animagus identity. I don't know if it will help since it's so small and barely detectable, but that's enough revenge for now. What I'm concerned about now is how she found out so much about our wedding. We didn't really discuss it at the Burrow and we have the apartment protected and she can't be here at Hogwarts. It's a real mystery and I intend to get to the bottom of it. Are you up for another "Trio adventure?" *wink*
Give my love to Luna and the baby. (I can't believe I'm saying that to you!)
And please don't feel bad about the news leaking out. I really don't think she got any info from your wedding.
Love,
Hermione (& Harry)
I give the letter to Pig and send him off. I'm going to ask Harry what his opinion is on giving the Skeeter story to The Quibbler. I think he'll enjoy the idea.
For now, I'm stuck with 2 more hours until I can leave. But here comes four 7th years that I recognize from Harry's Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"Madame Granger, we have a note from Professor Potter to check out these books," Christopher Morris asks as he hands me the note.
Madame Granger, I give the following students (Amelia Costas, Christopher Morris, Melinda Parnotti and Michael Rudnick) permission to check out the following books:
Complex Curses and their Counters by S. P. Snuffles
Powerful Defensive Charms and Spells by Lily and James Potter
Werewolves: Facts and Misconceptions by Romulus Moony
The Patronus: Not to be Taken Lightly by H. Prongs, Jr.
Thank you,
Professor Harry J. Potter
I had to laugh at the list given. All of these books were written by Marauders. Harry wrote the book the Patronus last year, inspired by Remus (obviously) writing the book on werewolves. Sirius penned the curses book while being cooped up in Grimmauld Place (his mother would be so proud to know all the research he did with the family books) and Harry's parents wrote the defense book (we found their notes hidden well in the back of their vault and published it the same time we published Harry's). The remaining Marauder's all used pseudonyms to prevent people from buying or not buying the book solely because of the author, but they wanted to give Lily and James the full credit for their work.
"Well, Chris, what is your final project on?" I ask. Apparently there's a book for each of them.
"I'm researching werewolves. Fascinating creatures!" he replies.
"That they are. Many myths have given them a bad reputation. Amelia?"
"I'm looking into the creation and stability of a Patronus and it's affects on other creatures," Amelia says.
"Another great topic. And who's writing on defensive charms?"
"That's mine," Melinda replies.
"I'm sure you'll do wonderful with that subject," I tell her. Harry has mentioned to me that she's his best student, especially with defense. "So that leaves Michael with the counter-curses."
"Yes, ma'am. I want to be able to know the affects and cures to curses. I want to be a healer."
"And you'll make a fantastic one," I tell him. His brother was killed in the war by a then unknown curse. I'm sure that's his reason for this topic. "Well, good luck with those. Work hard since Professor Potter is such a stickler."
The students giggle and proceed to their books.
This job can be so rewarding. I love seeing students in the library. Sure, some of them wear faces similar to Harry's and Ron's when I would drag them along, but some of them remind me of myself: glad to be studying, researching. Warms my heart.
Harry's students make their way into the Restricted Section to find their books. It takes them no time at all to find them, but I see them each take a seat and peruse the books to see what they're up against. After some time, they bring them to my desk. I wave my wand over the books and remind the students that the books are due back in 10 days.
I'm sure they're wondering why I'm still laughing at the book selections, but they simply walk away.
I glance to the clock … one hour until dinner. Most have the students have left to return to their dorms to get ready.
Harry and I always have dinner in the Great Hall on Mondays. We're considering moving to the castle soon just for the convenience of it. I'm looking forward to dinner tonight so I can question Harry about his book selection.
As I think about Harry and the Marauders, my thoughts naturally change to Lily and James. When they got married, did she worry about the same things I am? Will Harry be as nervous as Sirius says James was? Will we be as happy as they were?
Questions and comparisons fly through my head as I wait for the dinner bell to ring. I try to think of something we can do at the ceremony in memory of Harry's parents. While the Weasleys have been great to Harry, they can never truly make up for the loss of Lily and James.
Finally, as I begin to dream up something involving with candles, the bell rings and my assistant shows up at my desk.
"Have a great night, boss," she says.
"Yeah, you too, Patty," I reply and hurry to the Great Hall.
When I arrive, I see Harry already at the table, chatting away with Minerva.
I pull up the seat on the other side of him and squeeze his knee. He places his hand on my leg to show that he knows I'm there, but he keeps talking. That's ok. It must be important. It's not like I need the attention constantly. Though, it does make me curious as to what's going on.
After a few minutes, and only after Albus has begun dinner, Harry ends the conversation and turns to me.
"What was that all about?" I ask.
"Minerva wanted to say some things about that article. Seems like everyone wants us to know that they didn't tell. She also gave some advice about outing Ms. Skeeter's alter ego."
"And what's that?"
"Two words, 'Quibbler exclusive.'"
"Great minds do think alike!"
"Huh?" Harry asks with that adorable confused look.
"I was just going to talk to you about that! I want to give Luna the full story. What another breakthrough for her dad!"
"I knew I loved you for a reason!"
"What? My revenge skills?"
"Precisely!"
I smack Harry's arm playfully, but I just keep thinking about our plan now. There will be a lot of backlash from this story. I know Mr. Lovegood will be more than happy to publish it, but this will mean that Rita will be coming after us full force.
She will be digging all the more now. And if she has a secret informant here at the school that we don't even know, the trouble may be growing.