Chapter 8
Training was hard. Especially when they had to mock dual McGonagall. For someone as old as she was, she was a brutal fighter.
Ben, who had trained with Luke and also with Snoke was having a hard time keeping up with her. Rey was close, but she was also struggling.
"You have to always be prepared the other is tougher than you are" Harry said. "Like with Voldemort. He had everything going for him, but there is always a weak spot. Your job is to find out what that weak spot is and to exploit it."
"Like Voldemort" Rey said. "With his horcruxes."
"Yes. He always wanted power and studied how to get it" McGonagall said. "But it came at a price that not even he knew."
"We all have a weak spot " Fred added. "Mine is my brother. If George was in trouble, I would do anything in my power to save him."
"Mine is Ginny" Harry spoke up.
"Does it have to be a person?" Rey asked.
"No" McGonagall said. "But in this case, yes. You two are so dependent on each other that if one of you were hurt or killed, it would destroy the other."
"So how do we get pass that?" Ben asked.
"You don't" Snape said. He had joined the group not long ago and was observing some of the training. "Years ago I sought to protect the woman I cared about and totally disregarded her own family. I didn't care about them, as long as she was safe, that was what mattered. Voldemort knew it and he still killed her as well as her husband."
"My mom" Harry whispered.
Snape nodded. "James always knew that I wanted Lily, but Lily never wanted me. I found that out in our fifth year. It made me so angry that I called her, well, Harry knows. She wouldn't speak to me ever again. I regret everything that happened back then and even though she still won't talk to me, I will always protect her and her family."
"I think that will be all for today" Harry said. "Let's go get dinner then we will look through some books with Hermione."
Days passed into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Ben and Rey were making substantial growth in their training and McGonagall was really pleased. According to Harry, it took a lot to make McGonagall happy.
Then one day, just before they were set to graduate from Hogwarts, Kingsley arrived. From the way he hurried to McGonagall's office it must be something bad.
What's wrong?" McGonagall asked when Kingsley burst into the room.
"There is three people in London looking for Rey and Ben" he said. "from what I have heard, they think Rey was kidnapped."
"Do we know who they are?" Sirius asked. He had been visiting with McGonagall when Kingsley arrived.
"Two men and a woman" he said.
"I will send for Rey" McGonagall said. "Maybe she can tell us who they are."
Five minutes later Rey came through the door. She smiled when she saw Kingsley. "Minister. How is everything?"
"Not to good" McGonagall answered. "apparently there are three people in London looking for you. They claim you have been kidnapped."
"Are you joking?" She asked.
"No" Kingsley replied. "They seem determined to find you."
"Did they give their names?"
"No. But one of the reporters for the daily prophet captured their pictures."
He held the paper out to Rey who took it. Her eyes widened. "I know them"she said. "They didn't like the idea of me going off on my own after everything that happened. They wanted to use me to rebuild their galaxy. I didn't want to. I wanted a chance to be by myself and be happy. Finn" she said pointing to the one man in the photo, "Was really angry. Especially when I told them about Ben and everything that had happened. He threatened to put me in a cell until I stopped wanting to leave. I left under cover of darkness with the help of Chewie."
"Then who are the other two?" Sirius asked.
"Poe Dameron. He wanted me to marry him and when I refused, he made a proclamation that we were to be married anyways, for the better of the galaxy. The other is Rose Tico. I thought she was my friend, but after Exegol and what happened with both Finn and Poe, she turned against me."
"I see" McGonagall said. "Don't worry Rey. They won't find you. Especially here. Kingsley, I think it is wise that both Ben and Rey remain here at Hogwarts until we get rid of the three."
" I agree" he said. "But what happens if they should find out where she is? And this Poe guy tried to force her to marry him?"
Just then there was a knock on the door and Harry and Ben walked in. "That's why I sent for Ben" McGonagall said. "Maybe he can help us come up with a plan."
Between Kingsley and McGonagall they explained what was going on. Ben bit his lip as he looked at Rey. "Well, I have an idea, but only if you agree."
"What is it?" She asked.
"Well, Poe can't force you to marry him if you're already married" he said.
Rey laughed. "Is this your second attempt at a marriage proposal? Although it's better then the first."
Harry chuckled. Ben and Rey had told him about what had happened where they had come from.
"I guess it is" Ben said.
Rey bit her lip as she looked down at the floor. When she raised her eyes to meet Ben's, she smiled and nodded. "Yes."
"When do you both want to do this?" Kingsley asked.
"Why not now?" Rey asked. "Then that way if they do happen to arrive, then it will already be done."
"Kingsley, as the minister, you can perform the marriage ceremony " McGonagall said. "Then let's get this done with" Rey said.
That night everyone was in the Gryffindor common room celebrating Ben and Rey's marriage. The elves made the wedding cake and Fred and George set off fireworks outside the window in celebration.
As midnight approached, Rey couldn't stop yawning and Ben finally had to excuse themselves to go to bed.
Once alone, Ben pulled Rey into his arms and kissed her. "Look. If you're not ready, we don't have to do anything tonight."
"I'm ready, Ben" she said as she kissed him.
Ben smiled back before he picked his wife up and carried her to their bed. Within minutes they were lost in each other not even realizing that Poe, Finn and Rose had just arrived in Hogsmead.