Chapter 2. Joining Hands.
Hermione had disappeared from Godrics Hollow the day before the wedding and had been replaced by Ron and Neville, there to keep their eyes on Harry. Dobby stayed at the cottage as well to keep his eyes on all three of them, he had been given very explicit instructions by Hermione as to what the boys could and couldn't do and he wasn't about to let them get away with any high jinks. As it was they sat and chatted about old times and new times and the Ogden's Old Firewhisky stayed in the bottle. Harry enjoyed his time with his oldest friends but he did wonder what it was that Neville was so worried about. Quiet at the best of times, Neville did seem particularly distracted that evening, but Harry was convinced it couldn't be all that serious, because Neville didn't mention anything all evening.
Hermione was with her mother in the large downstairs room of The Refuge, the house in Avalon that the Grangers called their own. They weren't alone, there was a squat witch dressed all in mauve, who was at this moment kneeling next to Hermione who was standing on a small stool. Madam Malkin had a mouth full of pins, and was putting the finishing touches to Hermione's wedding robes.
"There, all finished now dear," the seamstress smiled at Hermione, " just let me run my wand over those last few alterations, then you'll be all ready for tomorrow."
Hermione looked at herself in the long mirror, the same one that Harry had admired his new school robes in on his seventeenth birthday, the day he had discovered Dumbledore had made him head boy.
"How does it look Mum?" Hermione asked, "do you think Harry will like it?"
Natalie Granger sighed, her daughter always beautiful in her eyes, looked radiant, she smiled as she thought of Harry's reaction to what she could see. "I would be prepared for one of his dumb looks if I were you," she suggested, "I think he may be rather short on words."
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Really, you're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
Natalie was about to reassure her daughter when the door opened and her husband walked in. David Granger had seen a lot in the last four years that had given him cause for wonder, some things that had left him confused and a few that had frightened him, but none had brought the tears welling up in his eyes as the sight of Hermione, his little girl, standing on that pedestal dressed for her wedding, did that day. Natalie crossed to him and put an arm around his waist.
"Do you approve?" she asked him.
Her husband nodded, while the tears of pride and joy trickled down his face and he whispered only one word. "Remarkable."
Ginny and Luna arrived at The Refuge that evening, they were to act as Hermione's maids of honour, and it meant that at the ceremony tomorrow the Tyr would be together once more. That evening the three girls learned more of each others wishes and secrets than they had during all their years together at Hogwarts, and it made their friendship tighter and more complete.
The dawn of the following morning was clear and the slight chill in the air was quickly dispelled by the sun that was at least a month ahead of its normal strength and warmth, but that was Avalon for you. The ceremony was set to take place in a sheltered spot amongst a grove of almond trees. As the sun warmed them the rich pink blossoms on the bare branches of the trees opened to welcome the sunlight and the guests to the wedding.
Just before the appointed time, Harry found himself dressed in his best dark green dress robes standing, with Ron and Neville, to one side of a stone ãra, on which rested the crystal pyramid. He was trying very hard not to show how nervous he felt and this resulted in him grinning inanely at any of the guests that approached him to wish him good luck. He was also trying very hard not to think at Hermione and so he took to scanning the people who had gathered amongst the trees.
Harry thought that by now all the guests would be here. All the Weasleys had arrived, even Percy though he was keeping himself in the background. There was Remus, Tonks and Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt was standing near Arthur Weasley as if he was on guard and Mrs Granger was talking earnestly to Molly, who Harry thought looked slightly red faced as if she was a little hot. Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville's parents, were with Poppy Pomfrey and Minerva McGonagall and behind them he could not miss the large form of Hagrid. Luna's father was the only member of the press there that day and he had promised Harry that just one photograph and a small note in the Quibbler was all that would result.
Perversely it was the missing faces that came clearest to Harry's mind as he waited. Dumbledore would have loved this, as would have Sirius, even Snape's face would be welcome here, for Harry had to admit that he would have been invited had he lived. However it was the face of a young boy that Harry and Hermione had known only for a few short months and the faces of his own parents that he missed the most.
'Chin up Harry,' a thought, so clear and welcome, impinged on his own, 'it's nearly time, she's on her way, look happy.'
Then Solomon Aegis, sender of that thought and Headmaster of Hogwarts, with his mother the Lady Niniane on his arm appeared out of thin air in front of Harry to stand on the opposite side of the ãra. He winked at Harry and then moved to one side allowing the Merlect of Avalon to stand on her own. Lady Niniane gave Harry a smile then lifted her eyes to gaze down to the far end of the grove. She gave an almost imperceptible nod suggesting to Harry that he should look in the same direction.
Harry turned and beheld a sight that would stay with him for the rest of his life and far beyond. Hermione on her father's arm was walking slowly towards him, dressed in full length white silk robes that fell smooth and un-pleated straight from the bodice to her knees where the shape flared slightly to allow easy movement. The robes had long sleeves the cuffs finishing to a point on the back of her hand. The shoulders of her robes were cut square and ran to a high backed collar with an open V in the front. Hermione wore her hair shorter these days but it was all piled up to the back of her head, almost cupped by the high collar. Shining brightly at her bare neck flickering with its strange double pulse of blue light was Hermione's Tear, suspended on its white metal chain that only Harry could unclasp. But bright as it was the Jewel at her neck was not the most brilliant, the light in her eyes, shining from that delicate face, tore through Harry's soul like Cupid's arrow through the heart of an unsuspecting lover.
As Hermione's mother had suspected Harry was lost for words but she couldn't hear his thoughts, Hermione could.
'Merlin but you're beautiful my love. I am the luckiest man alive.' he thought at her, and although she didn't reply he saw the light in her eyes flash as she received his thoughts.
Harry didn't take his eyes off his bride from the moment he first saw her, so he missed the sight of the two maids of honour walking behind her dressed in similarly cut robes but in a pink silk that matched the colour of the blossoms on the trees. The two wizards standing with him didn't miss this spectacle though. Ron was more convinced than ever that Luna was the most beautiful one there, and Neville seemed paralysed by the sight of Ginny and began to blush furiously. The progress of the bridal party seemed to take forever but eventually David Granger placed Hermione's hand in Harry's and the ceremony began.
Lady Niniane regarded the couple standing before her. "Time," she said, "is measured by the stars. The turning of the planet and the seasons of the year appear more relevant to wizard kind but are of secondary importance to the celestial clock. The stars reveal everything and yet they hide it also, it takes great wisdom to read the messages they hold, and great wisdom is only granted by time."
She reached out and took Harry's left hand and Hermione's right, and turned them palm up so that the heart shaped marks, a result of Hermione's gift to Harry on his sixteenth birthday, were visible. On that day she had given him everything, her heart and her soul, and her belief in him that he would fulfil his destiny. In return Harry had sealed his commitment to her by sharing the enchantment and since that day they had been handfasted.
"Faith," the Merlect continued, "is something that can be applied to a creed or to an authority, in the hopes that they will lead you to a better understanding. But faith can also be in a person, that they will stand with you at all times, good and bad, and if that faith between you is strong then there is nothing you will not share." Lady Niniane placed Harry and Hermione's hands together again heart to heart. "For that faith to hold true you need love. A love that is as strong and as steady as this stone before us," she said indicating the ãra, "and as clear as the crystal that lies upon it." She looked gravely at the two young people before her. "You have a love that enabled Hermione to hold Harry from death, and a love strong enough to allow Harry to follow Hermione to a place where death could have claimed you both." she paused for a moment. "Harry, Hermione you have won the time you need, you have a faith in each other that has stood the test of a most desperate battle against evil, and you have a love for each other that will keep you forever together." Lady Niniane turned to the people gathered in the grove, "I approve of this union and I give it my blessing."
Arthur Weasley then stepped forward, cleared his throat with a nervous cough, and trying very hard not to sound pompous said "The office of the Minister for Magic approves of this union and gives the couple its blessing." He was only blushing slightly as he moved away.
That was normally it, once the Ministry representative had officially recognised the marriage it was all over, but today was a little different. A stout elderly witch, that no one had seen arrive, was standing by the ãra, she smiled at Harry and Hermione, then Eleanor Wicca said "There are others who would add their blessings to this couple they are waiting for you in the crystal." She motioned to the pyramid, the same one that Hermione had used so effectively two years before.
The pair looked at each other, and then as they had done so many times, linked their minds and entered the crystal. The crystal took them to a path in the woods, or was it a corridor in the castle of Hogwarts, it was both and neither. Figures approached from the distance and then they were there with them.
Dumbledore smiled, he looked young and well, "I approve of this union, and you have my blessing," he said, with a twinkle in his amazingly blue eyes.
Sirius was standing by his side, "You know how I feel about this you two," he said lightly, "but for the record I approve and you have my blessing," he bowed low to them.
Then they moved aside and the couple who had been standing behind them stepped forward. Harry was gazing into the faces of his Mother and Father, he felt Hermione increase her grip round his waist and he was grateful for the added support.
James smiled, "I see you took my advice my son and protected what you had found, and I was right, she was your salvation, my love to you both. I approve of this union and you have my blessing."
As on the only other occasion he had met his parents Harry was finding it hard to keep himself together, he could feel Hermione next to him but there seemed to be others sustaining him as well.
Then Harry looked into the eyes of his mother, he thought they were shining with unshed tears and he felt tears of his own gathering. She reached out with both hands and Harry felt a ghostly touch on his face. His mother then turned to Hermione and reached out to wipe away the tears that were falling from her eyes, but the fingers that caressed Hermione's cheek could not stop them. "Continue to love him as you do, and support him for he is still the protector of you all. I love you both more than I can say, and I approve of this union and you have my blessing."
Harry and Hermione could feel the warmth of the blessings that these four, so important in their lives, were giving to them. Then they became more aware of another source of warmth and love.
"Harry" it was Dumbledore again, "your friends seem to have arrived. It's nice to see you all again," he said, speaking to someone behind Harry and Hermione, "time for you to go now, run along." and slowly the four ghostly figures faded from their presence.
Harry looked around to see who Dumbledore had been talking to and saw that Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna were standing with them. The four ghosts had been replaced by the remaining four of the Tyr. The power that held the Tyr together began to glow around them and as they drew themselves away from the crystal they found that they were standing in the grove surrounded by that golden halo that proclaimed their love for each other.
Lady Niniane raised her voice so that all could hear her, "The union of these two young people has been blessed and approved by all, and their souls are irrevocably sealed together. They are one."
Harry turned to his wife, a big smile on his face, Hermione smiled back at her husband and the kiss that followed brought cheers from the assembled witches and wizards and two very happy muggles. Quietly, out of the way, shielded from everyone by the trunk of a tree, a small house elf sniffed back the tears as his family was made complete. Worried that he should not really be there, let alone watching, Dobby was about to disappear when a voice calling his name held him back.
"You're not leaving now Dobby," said Solomon, "this is your celebration as well." He held out his hand and Dobby shyly took it and allowed himself to be led toward the happy throng.
"I is not sure I shouldn't be going, Sir, Master Solomon," the elf said in a wavering tone, " the Master and Mistress will not be wanting me here, other more important persons are here to see them."
"Nonsense there is no one more important today than family," Aegis said firmly, "and I know they both think of you as such."
"Yes sir, you is right, I am the luckiest elf in the world," and if he was going to say more it was lost for at that moment Harry and Hermione caught sight of him and he was drawn into the tight circle around them, the luckiest and happiest house elf in the whole of creation.
Later that day when most of the guests had left and those few remaining were back at the Grangers house Harry and Hermione partook of the muggle ritual of exchanging rings. They had a far more permanent record of their vows in the heart shaped marks on their palms but it made their Mum and Dad happy to see this final act.
Neville had watched this with trepidation because he knew this was the self imposed signal he had been waiting for. He leaned to Ginny sitting in the chair beside him.
"Can I have a word?" He whispered, she looked surprised he had asked, "not here, out in the garden."
"OK," then to the others, "excuse us, be back in a mo'." She shrugged at Hermione who had given her a 'what's up' look.
Ginny almost had to run to keep up with Neville who had marched at great speed out of the back door and onto the lawn. He stopped suddenly and Ginny bumped into him.
"Nev' what on earth is the matter," she was worried, he had never acted this way before, "have I done something to upset you?"
She saw Neville take a deep breath before he turned to face her, and her worries increased. Of the three couples they had been together the shortest amount of time, but up to now their relationship had been complete and passionate. Ginny's fiery personality had overridden Neville's shyness; perhaps she had pushed him too far.
Neville looked down at her, his face unreadable, "You see Ginny, it's like this, I don't feel we can carry on with our relationship the way it is," for an instant the little red headed witch felt her world crumble. She wouldn't cry, she wouldn't make a scene, she would accept Neville's decision with dignity and calm. "So, he continued, "I wondered if you would accept this." He held out a small box with a ring in it. "I know rings aren't wizarding tokens but as Harry and Hermione started the trend, will you marry me?"
The shriek from the garden startled everyone sitting in the house, Arthur Weasley hearing his daughter, was up and out the back door before anyone could move. They had only risen when he returned waving them all to sit down again, he was laughing and shaking his head at the same time, he sat weakly in his chair and was about to get a blast from his wife demanding to know what was going on, when Ginny reappeared, her face streaked with tears of joy proudly holding out her left hand for all to see the ring on her third finger. Neville appeared behind her with a smile on his face that Harry thought rivalled the one he had the day his parents returned.
That final surprise capped a day that few who were there would ever forget, it had been a gloriously happy event and no one but the bride and groom ever knew that they had one sorrow that had not been resolved.
Both Harry and Hermione had hoped when they had entered the crystal pyramid that they might have seen Austin Henry. It was strange that the child meant so much to them and they both knew that his soul was free. The last time they had seen him was in the same passageway they had met the four ghosts, he was happy then and had given them hope that they would see him again but he had not returned with the others and it saddened them.
At the beginning of March Harry and Hermione returned to Godrics Hollow after a short honeymoon. They hadn't really planned anything; they had just peragated to locations around the world as they had taken their fancy. They spent their last two days on a deserted coral atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean from where they returned calm, rested, and with a lot of sand in their clothes.
There was only six months left before the expected opening date for Thrubwell's. The Ministry was moving slowly but as Ron said at least it was moving and in the right direction. The staff situation was still unsettled, Poppy Pomfrey was in charge of the orphanage and that part of the project was already up and running, there were fifteen children in residence with more expected in the next few months.
The newly engaged couple of Ginny and Neville had decided that Thrubwell's was where they would like to set their roots and they were converting a few of the many rooms in the old mansion into a small apartment for themselves. Neville was also using his talent in Herbology to start a small version of the Hogwarts greenhouses containing some of the safer but more interesting plants Professor Sprout had made available to him.
They still need someone to take over the running of the Academy. Neither Harry nor Hermione thought they had the experience necessary to do the job and they were running out of ideas, then one day Minerva McGonagall approached them with a proposition. She had decided to retire from Hogwarts at the end of the school year, love it as she did she missed the presence of Albus Dumbledore, and perhaps forty two years in the same job was enough. But she wasn't quite ready for the old witches' home, there were a few good years in her yet, and maybe Thrubwell's could use someone of her experience.
Harry and Hermione breathed a collective sigh of relief, Minerva had been involved with the project from the start, her long friendship with Poppy Pomfrey had ensured that, but to have her on the staff would be a wonderful bonus. Getting her to accept the position as Headmistress required a little diplomacy as she thought she would be enjoying a lesser role in her advancing years but eventually she acquiesced, and another problem was solved.
Toward the end of March something happened that was to change the lives of Harry and Hermione for ever. In the intimacy of their bedroom late one night Hermione's Tear, the stone on the white metal chain around Hermione's neck, burned pink instead of its usual blue when the intensity of their love reached its peak. The blushing jewel retained this colour for several days before it slowly reverted to the blue double pulse it normally showed. They were intrigued by the behaviour of the jewel, it had only ever changed colour once before, in that strange passageway that linked the world of the living with that of the dead. Austin Henry had held the jewel in his hand, something that only Harry had been able to do without injury, and the stone had pulsed once then once again, both times that same blushing pink colour.
Hermione was fairly sure what had happened, but the full impact of her necklace's strange behaviour was not confirmed until the end of the following month when she spent several mornings leaping out of bed to disappear into the bathroom to be violently ill.
Harry missed all these little clues and continued in blissful ignorance, until after a visit to the Hollow by Poppy Pomfrey, who gave Hermione the once over and agreed with her. Then Hermione had explained it to him.
It took a little while for the wonder of it all to sink in and for him to accept the fact that by Christmas their family would have another member. To say that they were happy about the baby would have been something of an understatement, Harry spent a lot of time, as do most prospective fathers, being overly protective of his wife and Hermione spent just as much time assuring him that she was fine and would ask for his help when she needed it.
As the summer passed Hermione's condition developed along the normally accepted lines and the passage of Thrubwell's through the Ministry machine seemed to proceed at an even slower rate.
With the retirement of Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts there followed a general shift around in the members of staff at the school. Her replacement came from Durmstrang; a Professor Vacille Deversavich was to take over Transfiguration. The head of Gryffindor house fell to the elderly Gliffley Marks the Ancient Runes Professor and Professor Flitwick took over as the Deputy Head.
Solomon still trying to carry three jobs, that of Headmaster, Head of Dumbledore House and Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor decided that he needed to delegate. He was stuck with the Headmastership, and he had no graduates of Dumbledore House to take that job away from him, not yet anyway. Now Defence Against the Dark Arts that was a different matter and he knew just who he wanted to shoulder that responsibility, Harry Potter. So with that in mind he visited the Hollow late in July to find Hermione blooming and Harry looking just a little frazzled.
"I think you need something to do Harry," Solomon said cheerfully, with a wink at Hermione.
"Err…what?" said Harry, "don't you understand I've got too much to do at the moment, I can't take on anything else."
"Really?" Aegis queried.
"Oh yes," and Harry began to count things off on his fingers. "There's Thrubwell's."
"I thought Minerva, Ron, Poppy and Hermione were dealing with that," Solomon interrupted.
Harry gave him a dirty look, "Well there's, the baby." That was number two.
"Hermione seems to have that under control," the older wizard turned to Hermione, "don't you my dear?" She smiled and nodded.
"But then there is the house and the Hollow to care for," Harry insisted.
"Dobby?" suggested Solomon.
Harry hadn't run out of fingers, but he had run out of ideas. He took on a crestfallen expression and looked at Hermione, "Am I really getting in the way?"
"Of course not," she replied, and he brightened, "but," and he dipped again, "you do need a new focus, other than what is happening to me. I am fine and you are only a thought away, whatever you are doing or wherever you are. It will be good for you."
Then as Hermione realised her slip, Harry's expression became suspicious. "What will be good for me?" he asked, "you two are up to something, come on out with it, what little plot have you been hatching, you've not leaked any thoughts on it either of you."
One of the disadvantages of telepathic linkage is that it is very hard to keep any secrets and if one does it feels a little devious. "Oh Harry, there's no plot," Hermione put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek, "Solomon just checked with me this morning to ask if I minded if he offered you a job."
Harry looked surprised, "A job, what sort of job, Solomon?"
Solomon assumed the pose of Headmaster and declared "Hogwarts has a vacancy in the teaching department, I require a DDA Professor," he grinned at Harry, "I wondered if you would like the position?"
"Oh,… me a Professor…but aren't I rather young for that sort of responsibility? I mean…."
"Harry," said Solomon in an intentionally irritated tone, "you will be twenty years old in a few days time. You defeated Voldemort,… with a little help from your friends, you have vast experience in the subject, and in about six months time you will be a father. It's a bit late now to worry about responsibility, or the lack of it."
"Well in that case," Harry could be irritating too, smiled at them both, "I'll think about it."
Hermione then did a very creditable impersonation of a displeased Delores Umbridge, Harry winced. "OK," he said, holding his hands up in defeat, "I give in, I accept."
So throughout that August Harry planned his lessons, took some pointers from Solomon, and kept a close eye on Hermione as her pregnancy progressed.
In the last week of August Thrubwell's passed all the Ministry regulations and became a living breathing entity, so at least part of the dream Harry and Hermione had hatched those two years ago came to fruition. Then on the first of September Harry packed a small bag, kissed his wife goodbye, and peragated to Hogwarts to start the next chapter in his life.