Chapter thirteen
Chapter thirteen
Hermione knocked on the door, Sirius opened it, ‘It’s time.’
‘Has the guests been told about us?’
‘Yes, Kingsley filled everyone in. You lot are going to be as much of a curiosity as Harry normally is.’
‘Charlie’s just headed down with Bill and Fleur, so come on Harry, it’s time you officially became a member of this family.’ Ron said as he stepped into the room.
‘The Potter’s and the Weasley’s are about to be joined,’ Sirius said cheerfully.
‘We’ll leave you with your two best friends. We’ll be downstairs with the guests,’ Lily kissed Harry on the cheek, then she did the same to Ron and Hermione, ‘The two best friends my son could ever ask for.’
‘Thank you Mrs. Potter,’ Hermione said shyly, Ron just blushed making Harry, James and Sirius laugh. But the two men hugged Ron, kissed Hermione before they left with Lily.
‘Let’s go so I can get married.’
‘I think I’m still in shock here,’ Ron said, ‘Not about what your mother said either, even if it was nice. But your mother, father, Sirius, Fred, Remus, Tonks, they are really here, we can touch them.’
‘I know what you mean Ron. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and realise it’s a dream.’
‘Well, it’s not, now let’s get you two married so you can spend more time with your parent’s and Sirius,’ Hermione said.
The three friends walked down the stairs, ‘You look beautiful Hermione,’ Harry kissed her cheek, ‘You clean up good to Ron,’ he smirked.
‘Thanks mate,’ Ron rolled his eyes.
‘Alright, let’s head out,’ Bill said as he saw Harry, Ron and Hermione, he stuck his head out the door and nodded, music began to play.
Hermione hugged Harry then Charlie, Ron did the same, then Bill and Fleur before they walked as couples outside and down the aisle between the guests.
‘Are you ready Harry?’
‘I’m past ready Charlie,’ Harry grinned then held Charlie’s hand. As soon as the music changed the two men stepped out of the house and made their way down through the guest to where Kingsley was standing. But Harry and Charlie kept smiling at the guests, including the six extra guests who were sitting together on one side with Andromeda, Teddy and some of the staff of Hogwarts. Teddy was sitting on his mother’s lap, Tonks couldn’t stop kissing her son. Everyone understood why, she only had a few more hours with her son then she would be back beyond the veil.
‘Let me start by saying that I have been shocked and surprised a lot in my life, but from the day I met Harry Potter, I have been more than surprised. He seems to be able to do the impossible, then he joins with Charlie and between them the impossible becomes possible. So as we join these two men today, we are again witness to the impossible but also something incredible and beautiful. They were given a gift, a gift of life,’ Kingsley smiled down at James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Fred who had used magic to make sure they were dressed for the wedding of Harry and Charlie. Then Kingsley began the ceremony, joining Harry Potter and Charlie Weasley, joining two families together. When Harry and Charlie spoke their vows, which wasn’t written or memorised, they both spoke from the heart, it cause Lily and Molly to cry, along with many others in the audience, not just the woman either, but many men were seen wiping tears from their eyes.
After Harry and Charlie kissed and came up for air, which neither of them really wanted to do, their mothers were the first to congratulate them, then their fathers. Sirius was next before Ron, Hermione, Bill and Fleur, after that it was Kingsley, Remus, Tonks, then Fred before the rest of the Weasley family before the guests.
The photographer kept taking pictures of Harry and Charlie, but he kept bringing in the six guests that no one expected to be there. Once they had the official pictures taken, they all made their way down to the other part of the marque where the drinks was flowing and the food had everyone feeling hungry.
Harry and Charlie did dance the first dance, then Charlie danced with his mother while Harry danced with his mother, something he never thought he would do.
‘It was a beautiful ceremony sweetheart and one day you will give your father and I beautiful grandchildren.’
‘I will but I wish you were going to be here to see them. How did you do it mum, how did you have me when a war was going on?’
‘We knew it was risky, I admit we would have put it off if we knew about the prophecy beforehand. But nothing would have stopped us having a family, you were to be the first of many.’
‘I would have loved siblings, then I met the Weasley’s and all the boys treated me like a brother, Hermione has always been my sister,’ Harry glanced around, ‘So many of my friends feel like a brother or a sister, like Luna and Neville.’
‘You have some wonderful friends and I’m glad you are finally allowing others into your heart.’
‘It took me a while to get close to people, but I’m glad I did. Do you know that you look around my age, it’s hard to believe you’re my mother.’
Lily chuckled, ‘Well I am, but as you would have worked out, we don’t age where we are.’
‘Yeah, I did work it out. We haven’t got long, I should spend time with dad and Sirius as well, not to mention Remus, Tonks and Fred.’
‘Yes, let’s go join them. I can already see Sirius and your father being a bad influence on George.’
‘Fred and George wanted to be just like the Marauders, so George has the chance now to ask them questions.’
Lily kept hold of Harry’s hand as they walked over to join James, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Fred, George, Andromeda and a sleeping Teddy. Even though they had conjured a cot for Teddy and placed a silencing charm around it, Tonks refused to put her son down, so he slept in her arms.
Molly, Arthur, Minerva, Kingsley and many of the other guests including Charlie, Bill, Ron and Percy were all watching Harry with his family and the twins talking to James and Sirius.
‘I get why Harry was given this gift, and I don’t mean to take anything away from what Charlie did, but I still find it impossible that they can be here,’ Minerva said.
‘None of us wanted to believe it, but Fred, Sirius and Remus said some things that only people in the order would know,’ Molly said.
‘After we got over the initial shock, I began asking questions. Hermione did as well since she knew a lot about Sirius from Harry. It is strange though, so many helped win this war, why weren’t they included. Was it mainly Harry, was Fred given this chance as he did help Harry a lot. Many people turned up at Hogwarts even if Charlie brought hundreds more. I suppose we are not meant to understand, just accept it,’ Arthur said.
‘Even though I’m glad that Harry is getting this time with his parent’s, he can finally say he knows them. But wouldn’t you think it’s going to be harder on him when they leave, especially Sirius,’ Kingsley said.
‘I never thought of that, but you are right Kingsley, it will be hard on Harry and the entire Weasley family when they have to leave,’ Minerva glanced at Molly and Arthur who were staring at Fred.
‘It will be hard, but I will take this any time,’ Arthur said.
‘I have to ask that gorgeous woman to dance.’
‘Which woman Padfoot?’ James asked.
‘The one in the group over there, the tall blond.’
‘Jessie, she’s one of my aurors,’ Harry grinned, ‘She came over here to help, Kingsley found her fighting a death eater. He went to help, she didn’t need it. We’ve got time Sirius, go ask her.’
‘Even though we’ll be gone soon, I do want to do normal things, but are you sure Harry?’
‘Yes, go, I’m talking to my parent’s, so go,’ Harry laughed as Sirius kissed the top of his head before running off towards the group of aurors.
‘We’re proud of you sweetheart. You were hurried through training but you are meant to be an auror.’
‘At first I thought it would help with the fight, then it was over. When I first moved into the house, I did a lot of thinking about what I want to do and being an auror just felt right. I admit the dragon does help, so does the Morphixen, I sense so much because of it. But I have to ask, what’s it like where you are?’
‘It’s difficult to really describe, we’re us, we’re together, we see other people we know. Lily and I will have our time alone then join with friends or family,’ James said.
‘That’s nice, but…I mean, I’m not sure how to put this.’
‘Yes, we’re still shagging each other,’ James said.
‘James,’ Lily scolded slapping her husband on the arm, ‘Don’t say that to our son.’
‘It’s what I want to know even if it’s none of my business. I just wanted to know what it’s like where you are. So it’s actually like your alive, living and having normal lives but your actually dead.’
‘Yes, it is, and even though there isn’t a minute that goes by that we wish we could be with you, we do have a life. It is difficult to explain.’
‘Let’s leave that, tell me more about you two, what are the types of things you like to do. I want to know my parent’s now I have a chance.’
‘Then we’ll spend this time filling you in on everything.’
And that’s what James and Lily did. They told their son about their lives before they died, even about their times as students at Hogwarts. It was time Harry got to know just who James and Lily were.
Lily and James felt Harry tighten his hold on them and they knew why, it was getting close to midnight.
‘You’ll be fine Harry, you have Charlie. You have the rest of the wonderful Weasley family, not to mention Hermione and all your other friends,’ Lily said kindly.
‘We don’t want to leave you either and we knew this would be hard on you when it was time,’ James said.
‘It’s like I finally get something I always wanted just for it to be snatched away. I’ve never asked for anything in my life, I never really wanted anything, now I do and what I want is for you to stay,’ Harry buried his head onto his mother’s shoulder, but both his hands held his parent’s hands.
Charlie watched Harry, he could feel his heart break. He wanted to hold Harry, but right now Harry needed to hold his parent’s. So, while he had a few minutes he went over to Fred, just like the rest of the Weasley family. Sirius had joined Harry, James and Lily, so the four of them just held each other. Remus and Tonks were holding their son while Andromeda kept her arm around her daughter.
The invited guests were quiet as they watched the group of people that very soon would disappear. None of them knew what to say or how Harry and the Weasley’s were feeling. Their families were reunited, yet very soon those six people would return beyond the veil.
Sirius looked over his shoulder at Charlie, nodded, he understood. Charlie slipped his arms around Harry and moved him away from his parent’s and Sirius.
‘No, no, please,’ Harry’s face crumbled as he stared at his family, ‘Don’t leave, not again.’
‘Remember sweetheart, we’re always with you, in your heart,’ Lily blew him a kiss then stood with James who also blew Harry a kiss.
‘We love you son and we are so proud of you.’
‘You did good pup.’
‘Make sure Teddy has some Marauder in him mum,’ with one final kiss from Tonks and Remus, Tonks handed her son to her mother.
‘Keep our dream going Forge.’
‘I will Gred.’
‘We love you Fred,’ Molly kissed her son then she broke down in her husband’s arms. Each Weasley went up to hug and kiss Fred. Charlie did before he went to his husband. It was time.
Harry’s eyes never left his family. Charlie kept watching Fred just as his parent’s and brothers were. Andromeda stared at her daughter while she rocked the baby in her arms. The guests were all quiet as they watched James, Lily, Sirius, Fred, Remus and Tonks.
Kingsley looked down at his watch and silently counted in his head like so many others were doing right now.
‘Eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one.’
Everyone looked up expecting to see those six people fade or just disappear, but nothing, they were still standing there, looking around. No one knew what to do, no one knew what to say. When the time reached ten past twelve, Harry raced back to his parent’s, Tonks went back to her son and George raced back to his twin.
‘What is going on?’ Arthur said as he stood beside his twin sons.
‘We’re not sure Arthur. All we knew we were supposed to return at midnight,’ James said.
‘Are you sensing or feeling anything now like before you arrived here?’ Minerva asked.
‘No, nothing, we don’t feel like we did before,’ James said.
‘It couldn’t be permanent, could it?’ Sirius asked staring around.
‘We have no idea what is going on, but we didn’t when you arrived,’ Kingsley said.
‘Do you think someone should check the death registry to see if they are still classed as deceased?’ Hermione asked.
‘I might go do that now, if they…well, disappear let me know,’ Kingsley looked once more at the six formally dead people who were surrounded in their family and friends.
‘You’re still here, does that mean you get to stay?’ Harry asked hopefully as he stared at his parent’s and godfather.
‘We don’t know Harry, so let’s just take this time now we have it. But it’s your wedding night, I’m sure you and Charlie want to be alone.’
‘No Mrs. Potter, you can stay with us from tonight. If this isn’t permanent then you lot and Harry should stay together.’
‘Are you sure Charlie?’
‘I am babe, we don’t know how long they will be here, so let’s just take your family home. I’ll come here early tomorrow to see Fred, if they are still here.’
‘We should go see our guests then, they’re in as much shock as we are,’ Harry smiled at his parent’s then at Remus and Tonks who were again with their son, ‘Hey Sirius, if you are here for good then you can get to know Jessie, but she’s a good auror don’t go corrupting her.’
‘Yes…Head Auror Potter,’ Sirius saluted making everyone laugh before he hurried away from his family to the good looking girl he wouldn’t mind getting to know, if he stayed, which he hoped he did.
Harry pulled his aurors aside, ‘Since we’re not sure what is going on, Ron will want to some time with Fred. Seamus, you are in charge for the next few days. But as I’ve already said, if anything dangerous comes up, floo me and Ron.’
‘You put Michael in charge last time boss.’
‘True, but all of you are good at your job, so I figured I would keep who was in charge random when I’m not able to. I already talked it over with Ron and he was actually pleased that he wouldn’t always be in charge. It’s good practice as well. You know as well as I do how easily any of us could end up hurt, so this way all of you will know what it’s like to be in charge.’
‘We get it boss, it is a good idea. But I have to ask, do you know why it was your parent’s and the others and not people like Dumbledore or Colin?’ Ernie asked.
‘No idea, we thought the same, why Fred and not Ginny? Why not the ones that died the night at Hogwarts? Why not the Prewett twins? We just don’t know, neither do they. Anyway, I’m heading home with my family and husband.’
Harry hugged all his aurors but this time he hugged them because they were his friends. He went to his other friends like Neville, Hannah, Susan and Luna, then to the staff at Hogwarts who were all wondering how this miracle happened. Harry wondered the same thing but right now he wasn’t going to question it, he just wanted to spend time with his family.
After saying goodbye to Fred and his family, Charlie joined Harry and his family then raised his eyebrows at Harry who had created a port key.
‘It would be easier than the five of us apparating, it’s set for the unwarded part of the garden.’
‘We also thought it might be risky to apparate when we have no idea how much of our magic is still available to us. We transfigured our clothes using Arthur and Molly’s wands but that is a simple spell compared to what power you need to work apparition,’ James said.
‘I never thought of that. Well, you lot can test your magic tomorrow, let’s go home, it’s been a long day.’
‘But a great day,’ Harry grinned, then held out the port key, once they all took hold he activated it. They felt the pull behind their navel as they were whisked away from the Burrow.
Harry smiled as he spelled his mother, father and Sirius into his home, ‘Let’s have a hot chocolate before we head to bed.’
‘Sounds good, but you take them into the kitchen while I fix up the spare rooms, none of those beds have linen,’ Charlie kissed Harry then hurried into the house.
Harry, James, Lily and Sirius walked inside, ‘You have some of our furniture,’ Lily smiled as she looked around.
‘Yeah, Dumbledore sealed the house after he got you out of there. When the war was over, I decided to see if I could get some pictures. I want things that would tell me more about you, so I basically decided since it was just sitting there and in good condition, I would use it.’
‘We’re glad you did sweetheart. All that stuff was only a few months old since we only just moved into the cottage.’
‘So it wasn’t your home?’ Harry asked as he put the water on the boil.
‘No, we lived in Potter manor, on the outskirts of Godric’s Hollow. We thought there was no way Voldemort would believe we’d remain in the same town and he probably would never have known if it wasn’t for Peter.’
‘I’ve never heard of Potter manor, another thing Dumbledore didn’t tell me,’ Harry got some mugs ready then turned to face his parent’s and godfather, ‘Did you really hex him when he…arrived?’
‘We did, every day, he knew you were not to go near Petunia. I had explained how she was, how she hated our kind and was jealous of me. If you were lucky to survive and we weren’t, I knew she would take it out on you,’ Lily said.
‘Sirius was named first, even though Alice Longbottom is your godmother she was already cursed at the time so we named a few others. Amelia Bones as she is my fourth cousin twice removed or something like that, I could never understand all that. Next was Andromeda Tonks as we knew she was against any dark, she also knew her family didn’t like her since she married a muggleborn. Finally we wrote that if they were all unavailable then you were to be raised by a magical family who were loyal to the light, to the fight against Voldemort and any dark witch or wizard.’
‘Did he tell you why he went against your wishes?’
‘No, we have no idea, but we did find out he never planned to get cursed. He thought he would live a lot longer, to help you fulfill your destiny,’ Sirius said.
Harry nodded then fixed the cups of hot chocolate just as Charlie stepped into the kitchen so the five of them sat down at the table. One thing that James and Lily knew, if they were here for good then they would stay with Harry for a while, probably a week or two then they would return to Potter manor, they would just visit, a lot. Sirius would also stay with Harry for a while before he worked on his own place, he would need to talk finances over with his godson since he had left Harry everything. Sirius, James and Lily knew that Remus and Tonks would remain with Andromeda, they were not sure if it would be permanent or not, but Andromeda was alone now Ted had died, so that family would stay together.
Charlie was thinking about Fred and how having the twins together again would help his parent’s get over what Ginny had done. Fred died in a fight to save the world, Ginny died for spite and her hope of keeping Charlie and Harry apart. He sort of understood why Fred was given this chance and not Ginny, and he hated to admit it, he was glad his sister was not sent back. She did not deserve a life of any kind, she deserved what she got. He did wonder if she had been where Fred was, he never once spoke about her, neither had the others who had return. Which made Charlie curious, did the good go to a different place then the people who did wrong. The muggles believed in heaven and hell, did the magical world have similar places, for the good and for the bad. Maybe with the resurrected people the magical world might get some answers.
At the ministry Kingsley Shacklebolt was staring. He thought the shocks was over for the night, but now he was gazing at the hundreds of people standing in the department of magical births and deaths. He knew they had all been killed by Voldemort and his death eaters from the first war, right up the last war. Now they had all been returned and going on the files, their deaths had been erased as if it never happened. It seemed that Harry Potter not only saved the world, with the help of his friends and people who wanted to do what was right for their world, but it seems the end of the war has reunited hundreds of family who had been torn apart by the war with Voldemort. Kingsley thought life for all magicals could not get better than it was right now.
The end.