The Wedding
Harry was nervous. There was no denying the fact that he was about to marry a Dark Lord with a sadistic and murderous streak. Sure, he hadn't hurt Harry so far - and by this point he felt secure enough to argue with or tease the man - but a certain doubt about being completely safe was still hovering in the back of his mind. After all it was Voldemort, the man who wanted to kill him since he was a baby.
Severus was helping him getting ready for the ceremony and even the dour potions master was more silent than he usually was. Which was saying something as he usually wouldn't talk without necessity.
It was an awkward silence. Snape helped him into the robes and tied them correctly while occassionally snapping at him for fidgeting too much.
But the teenager couldn't help it. He would be wed in front of dozens of people while also telling them what he wanted from the marriage with Tom because of ancient magic. The thought still made his skin crawl even though Tom had reassured him that he wouldn't say something all too intimate. His wedding vow wasn't supposed to be influenced by his subconsciousness as well as being heard by the whole wizarding world! Harry wanted to scratch his arms but they were covered with the white robe and he didn't want to wrinkle it too much.
Harry sighed and looked at himself.
Tom had done an excellent job in procuring the wedding robes. The white flowy material of his trousers hugged him just right while the robe jacket was tight in the waist and his sleeves were decorated with silver threaded ornaments, depicting magical animals as well as runes.
It was beautiful and looked expensive enough to make Harry feel undeserving of such fabrics.
Snape had also tried to get his hair under control but as usual it was a lost cause. His hair was as frazzy as his nerves.
"The magical Potter hair never seems to obey anyone other than their owner's emotions.", Snape had muttered but Harry ignored it.
He knew his hair was a catastrophe but he didn't care. Not when he is going to be married in less than an hour.
"I believe we shall depart, lest we be late to your own ceremony. Come.", the man instructed abrasively and they left the manor to walk behind the wards.
Snape would apparate him as going through the floo in white robes would end in a disaster.
They appeared directly in the atrium. Harry was confused as usually there were wards preventing people from apparating in. He shook the thought off and walked quietly behind Severus. It was obviously another one of those special treatments that Harry had become accustomed to. The man was seemingly shielding him from the people already there to watch the ceremony.
Whispers rose around him making him draw his shoulders in.
"Do not let them get to you. Hold your head as high as you can. There is nothing wrong with trying to save the world even if you are marrying a Dark Lord for it.", Severus whispered in front of him.
Harry was asking himself how the man was able to see him but he had already accepted a long time ago that Severus had eyes everywhere.
So the teenager straightened his shoulders, raised his chin and walked through the aisle without looking at anyone. He could almost feel the potions master's satisfied grin.
They arrived in front of Tom and Fudge who was nervously rubbing his hands. The man seemed to be sweating as well and Harry almost grimaced but decided to keep his disdain to himself.
As he looked towards Tom, the man was watching him in amusement. It seemed Tom knew what he thought.
Harry rolled his eyes lightly and Tom chuckled.
"Harry! Wonderful, wonderful. You're just on time. We will begin immediately with the ceremony.", Fudge blundered nervously and turned around to stand as the registrar inbetween Tom and Harry.
Severus moved and stood on Harry's right side where usually the best man would stand while Lucius Malfoy seemingly materialised next to Tom.
Harry let his eyes sweep over the guests and noticed three tufts of red hair near the middle row as well as some bushy hair next to them. So three of the Weasleys and Hermione were here. He was surprised that any of the Weasleys would attend after the thing with Ginny.
But no matter how often he would look, there was no sign of the headmaster and Harry felt a deep anger settle into his gut. Dumbledore was the reason he was in this situation but he couldn't even attend the wedding? The teenager huffed quietly, annoyed at the way the headmaster was treating him again.
Harry turned his attention back to Fudge who was blundering through the ceremony out of nervousness and Harry sneered slightly. He couldn't help it. The man was as incompetent as a toddler.
"I was informed that you would like to do a traditional vow. Please Mr. - uhm - Riddle proceed then.", Fudge said breathlessly.
Harry rolled his eyes at the man. He would have liked to have Scrimgeour as the officiant but unfortunately the Minister of Magic's timetable didn't allow him to be there now.
Tom grabbed his wand and held his left hand out to Harry.
Harry took the hand and a warm gush of Tom's magic rushed through him.
"Matrimonium per magicam ostende intentionem tuam.", Tom spoke quietly.
Magic washed over Harry and he inhaled sharply at the sting on his temples.
"Let it in, darling. If you fight it, it will hurt you.", Tom whispered gently.
Harry took a few deep breaths to calm himself and the sting subsided gently. Their hands remained clasped.
"You will now recite the vow your magic presents you with. Mr. Riddle please begin.", Fudge said and turned expectant eyes towards Tom.
"I vow to protect you under all circumstances even if my life will be forfeited. I vow to hear your opinion on my political approach and I vow to cherish you for the person you are during our matrimony.", Tom said reverently.
His intense red eyes were piercing through Harry and willing him to understand. Harry gasped as he finally understood just what Tom wanted to be for him and for a second he was overwhelmed. No one had ever wanted him for him. But this man was declaring under a magical vow that he wanted to be Harry's husband.
"Your vow please, Mr. Potter.", Fudge said and looked at him expectantly.
Harry took a deep breath before opening his mouth.
"I vow to be at your side with help and advice should you need them. I vow to be yours and only yours until you decide you don't want me anymore and I vow to be your moral compass for every decision you decide to make."
The vow surprised him but thinking about it made him realize that this was what he wanted to be for Tom.
A glint had entered Tom's eyes again and Harry was captivated by the deep red of them. It was an intense moment neither wanted to break.
"I shall pronounce you now to be wed. You may kiss the groom."
Fudge's voice was at the edge of his awareness. Tom was moving slowly, brushing their lips teasingly before kissing him properly and Harry gasped into the kiss.
His magic was dancing through his body and he felt its need to be released.
Tom broke the kiss and whispered against his lips: "Let it go, darling. It will only produce fireworks."
The teenager didn't know how Tom was so sure of this but Harry trusted his husband - what a weird sentence that was - and let his magic run wild. Not a second later he heard pops and fizzles of fireworks.
People were commenting on them with ooh's and aah's while Harry was still mesmerized by the kiss that had happened moments prior.
The applause from the crowd pulled Harry back into the moment and he looked towards their audience.
Fudge took the word again and declared: "You are now officially wed to one another. For the acceptance of the magic you will have to consummate the wedding tonight."
The crowd cheered and Harry thought that they were quite cheerful now for criticising him when he had first made the decision to marry Tom.
"Don't fret, darling. They will always go with the flow of whatever opinion is the strongest. Let's enjoy our ceremonial party, shall we?", Tom whispered into his ear.
Harry nodded.
They walked down the aisle, hands clasped together. As soon as they reached the end of the seating rows a pop drew their attention to the - quite frankly - huge wedding cake and different appetizers near the walls.
"I suggested a rather muggle approach for the party. We should cut the cake, darling.", Tom said to a dazed Harry.
The teenager nodded quietly.
They reached for the knife lying next to the cake tower on a plate. Harry was gripping the handle and Tom had laid his hand above Harry's so they could cut the first piece together. It was a rather silly muggle procedure but Harry liked it. He couldn't imagine Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon doing that on their wedding day and he let out a small giggle at the thought.
It didn't take long for people to start mingling and Harry wished he could just disappear from the attention.
People he didn't know were congratulating him to be wed to Lord Voldemort, not bothering to think about the fact that they literally sold a teenager to a Dark Lord just to get their peace. Not mentioning that they had deplored this decision not a month prior.
Harry smiled through every ordeal, glad that Tom was at his side to support him. The warm arm around his waist was grounding.
It took quite a while for most of the audience to leave him finally alone. Unfortunately that meant that the Weasleys and Hermione were able to come over.
As they moved closer Harry recognized the twins as well as Bill. Huh, he would've thought it would be the twins and Ron. That could only mean that Ron was angry with him. Harry grimaced at the thought.
"Harry! Congratulations on.."
"... marrying the Dark Lord Voldemort!", Fred and George said and Harry snorted.
Trust the twins to be their usual obnoxious selfs.
"I believe I left my alias behind after being exonerated by the Wizengamot.", Tom said silkily.
Harry quickly intervened: "They only meant to be funny, Tom. Don't be petty. You do have humour after all."
Tom chuckled darkly but reached for both hands of the twins to shake them. The red gaze was put upon Bill who - to his credit - neither flinched nor grimaced.
"Congratulations to the both of you from me and also from the Goblin nation. I am here on their orders to wish you both a happy marriage.", Bill said formally.
"Oh, tell Griphook my thanks, will you?", the teenager replied happily.
Bill was looking at him oddly but didn't comment on it. The growing silence was getting awkward and Harry cleared his throat.
Hermione was standing next to the twins but hadn't moved towards Harry nor had she said anything. It made the teenager nervous.
"Hermione, it's... uh... good to see you."
She nodded, turned away and started talking to Neville's grandma who had been standing not far from them.
Harry sighed deeply, she was obviously not here to congratulate him and Tom. She was probably more on Ron's side now than his. It made something in Harry's chest squeeze painfully but he ingored it as he turned to Neville to talk to his friend.
Tom never left his side and it was the continuous support that made Harry relax into his husband's side.
The party was more relaxed than Harry had assumed it would be with Tom and the general wizarding population. But upon seeing their vows the mass must have decided that they could forgive the Dark Lord and Harry. Harry snorted at the thought, Tom throwing him a curious glance but he didn't comment.
Right now they were standing in a secluded corner watching their guests mingle and enjoy themselves. Harry was glad for the opportunity to get a break. People talking to him because of his fame wasn't something he tolerated on a good day. And today was a stressful day for him mentally.
"Darling, do stop scowling. It makes you look like an angry penguin.", Tom whispered into his ear.
Harry laughed.
"Thanks, dearest.", he said sarcastically. "I was just remembering how much I hate the masses talking to me because I am their 'Saviour'." Harry rolled his eyes while turning his head to look at Tom.
The man was giving him a look that Harry couldn't decipher. There was something in his husband's gaze that made him flush with warmth.
"I love it when you go all misanthropic. It makes me wonder what dark nuances you have hidden from the world.", the man rasped into his ear.
Harry gasped at the shiver the voice sent down his back.
The hand, that had been on his lower back before, was now lightly gripping the back of his neck and Tom's mouth moved along his outer ear.
"I hope to see more of that reaction to my voice when we consummate our marriage. I will take advantage of all of your reactions to me.", Tom whispered.
His breath ghosted along Harry's ear and neck and he shivered.
"I...", Harry broke off. He couldn't form a sentence.
Just then a commotion broke out near the fountain. Both of them snapped their heads toward it before drawing their wands.
"Stay behind me. I will not have you hurt on our wedding day.", Tom ordered.
Harry growled lowly.
"And what makes you think I'll allow anyone to hurt you?"
Tom smirked dangerously and they both moved towards the masses.
A loud voice could be heard that Harry instantly recognized.
"I want to see that traitor myself! Let me through, Snape!", Ron bellowed.
Severus was only narrowing his eyes further and moved his wand. It sent Ron flying a few feet back towards the well.
"Don't bother, Severus. We'll deal with him.", Harry said and the man turned around to give him a short nod.
Harry noticed that he kept himself next to Harry. Probably to help should this escalate. Harry smiled at that.
Ron was now looking directly at Harry.
"How could you! How could you bring Ginny in front of the Wizengamot! Do you even know what that did to our family?!", the ginger yelled angrily.
Harry sighed.
"It wasn't me. Tom brought Ginny's attempt at bewitching me to the Wizengamot. As you probably know I was with the Dursleys and I had no intention of getting her in trouble.", the raven-haired boy answered.
Ron let out a laugh without humour.
"And how did he even know what Ginny had tried?"
Harry scowled at the hint that he would have snitched to his - then fiancé. It was as if Ron didn't trust him anymore after Harry had decided to marry Tom.
"Ginny wasn't very secretive, was she? Draco saw her attempt."
Harry was getting angry. It was not his fault that she tried to bewitch him. And Ron had even tried to tell her that Harry wasn't interested! He had been supportive before!
Ron was staring at him open mouthed.
"Well, still. I'm sure you could have stopped him.", Ron accused and Harry laughed scornfully.
"Sure, if I had known anything about it I would have tried to stop him. But as I was locked away with the Dursleys I was hardly able to do anything against it. I didn't even know until you send me your Patronus. Thanks, by the way. Vernon beat me half to death because of your stupid comment about me being gay.", Harry growled.
Ron huffed.
"As if it was that bad. Even Dumbledore says you overdramatisize your relationship with them.", the ginger scoffed and Harry gaped.
That did not just come out of his mouth. He was not saying that Harry had lied about the treatment he'd received at his relatives' hands.
"I assure you, Mr. Weasley, as the healer in attendance to Mr. Potter's injuries it was a life or death situation. Had he not been able to use a portkey to get to safety, he would have died.", Severus answered in his stead.
The look he was giving Ron reminded Harry of the look he had received in his fifth year after he had looked at the man's memories. It was full of fury and so icy, Harry thought Ron must've been frozen to the floor.
Ron glared at the potions master with all his might, which was nothing against Severus' derisive look down his nose as if he smelt something excrutiatingly bad.
"Mr. Weasley.", Tom spoke and all attention snapped towards the Dark Lord. "Have I heard correctly that you are the reason why Harry was hurt by his relatives?"
Everyone still whispering to themselves stopped short. Tom's tone was dark, icy and promising pain.
Ron gulped but in his inherently Gryffindor bravery nodded.
"I see. You were aware that they would hurt my husband if you decided to send the Patronus?"
Ron defiantly shoved his chin upwards and nodded again.
Harry closed his eyes. This admission hurt worse than Ron being unaware. So his best friend decided it was alright if Harry got hurt in retaliation for the Galleons his sister needed to pay? Wonderful.
"Ron, you should leave. Before Tom decides it would be easier hurting you than discussing with you.", Harry murmured into the silence still settled over the Hall.
Harry opened his eyes and looked into Ron's flabberghasted face.
"What? Are you serious right now?"
Harry winced away from the tone but answered nonetheless.
"Yes. I believe you should go. It is my wedding and I decide who can stay and who needs to leave.", Harry said stiffly.
Ron's face had been depicting shock before it slowly morphed into anger.
Before he was able to even say a spell, Harry had disarmed him with a wordless and wandless motion of his hand. Ron's wand flew into his hand.
Whispers broke out again through the guests and Harry sighed. He had wanted to leave this piece of himself hidden but well, what's done is done.
"If I give your wand back, do I have your word that you'll leave?", he asked his best friend.
Harry was suddenly unsure if Ron would stay his best friend after this.
"Yes.", came the whisper.
Harry nodded, sent the wand over to Ron and turned away.
He was looking directly into Hermione's hurt face, her wand at the ready.
He heard a commotion behind him but didn't turn around. Severus and Tom had still been facing Ron, they would deal with him.
"Hermione?", Harry asked quietly, pleadingly.
"I... I can't... You've changed, Harry. I don't think I like how you've changed.", she said in a choked voice.
In a move that demonstrated the side she was on, his other best friend walked to Ron, took his hand and they both vanished. Harry sighed, rubbed a hand across his face and turned towards Tom.
"Come, darling. We will take a few minutes to let you calm down. Severus, with us.", he ordered the potions master who only inclined his head.
"The rest of you, I apologize for this unruly interruption of the wedding party. Please feel free to reemerge yourself into the party mood. We will return shortly."
Severus put a hand on Harry's shoulder and started steering him towards a side room Harry hadn't noticed before.
The room was decked out with plush looking armchairs, a coffee table and a fireplace.
"Sit, Harry.", Tom ordered, gently this time.
Harry obeyed.
"I gather there is a reason why Dumbledore needs your friends to be this way. Severus?"
Harry's attention shifted to the potions master who was walking up and down in front of the door, deep in thought.
"I think that Dumbledore did not change his plans according the murder of Harry. I think he only changed his methods.", Severus said slowly.
Harry groaned.
It was Dumbledore who wanted him to marry Tom in the first place! Why would he risk the peace offering with ill-considered plans of his murder?
"I will not be murdered by an old fool who made me marry him in the first place.", Harry said angrily, pointing to Tom.
Tom only snorted while Severus huffed a laugh.
"What shall we do to prepare?", Tom asked.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess this time it's only me against Dumbledore. Ron and Hermione have chosen a side. I'll be all alone at Hogwarts again."
Harry groaned and let himself fall backwards into the armchair.
"I could always order Draco to keep you company.", Tom retorted drily and Harry threw him a glare.
"Thanks, that would end well. Not only am I married to bloody Lord Voldemort but I am also suddenly friends with his Death Eater's kid. That would go over well with the other students.", Harry remarked.
Tom threw him a glare but agreed that this would be a bad idea.
They sat in the room and threw ideas together but none of them would stick.
"I have an idea. I will improvise - no listen to me!" Tom had opened his mouth to interrupt him but closed it promptly. "I will improvise my movements and keep you on track. Tom, Severus, if I give you an artefact would you be able to replicate the magic used on it?"
They both nodded.
"Good, tomorrow you will receive a mirror shard from me. It was spelled to be a two-way-mirror my dad and Sirius had used in school during detention to talk. It shouldn't be too difficult to replicate, two fifteen year old boys developed them after all.", Harry decided.
Both men agreed that this would be their best shot. Harry drew a hand across his face and sighed. Back to being social again! Yey.
"So now that that's out of the way I would like to get back to my party.", Harry said, stood up and headed for the door.
Tom and Severus followed him silently.
The party was finally dwindling down after what felt like days. The last insistent person wanting to celebrate the peace of the wizarding world left and Harry was glad that he could go home now.
And then it dawned on him what would await him.
"Oh.", he breathed.
Tom chuckled lightly.
"I believe we shall head home as well. Have a good night, Severus.", Tom said and wrapped an arm around Harry's waist.
Harry waved towards the potions master who nodded to them and disapparated on the spot. It seemed as if he had waited for Harry's dismissal. The teenager shook his head, that was impossible. Severus didn't take orders from a seventeen year old.
Harry looked up into Tom's face and swallowed heavily.
"Don't be afraid, darling. I will take good care of you.", the man said and with a twist they both disappeared from the Ministry Atrium Hall.