Something Special About Harry

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Thanks to Keikokin for asking me to write this pairing for her in this situation. Thanks to Tivogirl for the wonderful Beta work and putting up with my ramblings!

Chapter 14


Albus peeked through the doors to the Great Hall. The sight before him was encouraging. He motioned for Severus and Draco to follow him as he entered the Hall. He turned and told the other 2 Slytherins to close and guard the doors until he signaled.

He made his way back to the altar, clearing his throat to get the lovers’ attention. “Harry, Lucius, are things back to where they should be?” He eyed Harry warily. It was probably only the second time in his life that he was afraid. Irony of ironies, both times revolved around Harry.

The two looked at each other then to Albus. Harry spoke first. “Headmaster, things will be closer when I get dressed. I won’t speak for Lucius, but at this moment, I’m ready to inform your ignorant guests they are cordially invited to leave. I want this day to be memorable and special for us. I won’t tolerate any more disruptions. We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare so everything we decided on means that much more to us. I want us make sure it’s started at sundown. I don’t know why, something is urging me to it.” Harry turned to Lucius, “Do you want to add or suggest anything?”

Lucius looked thoughtful. “To speak the truth Harry, I would like to shorten the traditional ceremony so we can share our own vows without being rushed. Albus can you produce a parchment with the traditional ceremony and we can pick out what we want? I think it should be the traditional ceremony, our vows, the bindings and then the broom”

Harry and Lucius worked quietly on the parchment Albus produced, removing what they didn’t want and adding what they wanted. They presented the completely changed parchment back to Albus, who looked it over.

Albus nodded his head and looked at the two, his eyes twinkling more than ever. He looked to the doors and nodded to the two guarding them. Severus and Draco opened the doors as Albus cast a Sonorous charm again. Lucius helped Harry back in his cloths as the guests found their seats and Severus and Draco went back to their places at the altar.

“Gathered guests, please come in and be seated.” Albus waited until all were settled again. “Before we begin, I would ask if anyone here has problems with this union to please leave now, we will NOT have any further disruptions.” He stopped and waited, no one moved or muttered a sound.

“Thank you. We have had a few changes made to our traditional ceremony. I’d like to say I’m surprised, but I’m not. Having known these wizards for many a long year, the best word for each is unconventional. Together, they are still that and so much more. They have found each other and complete each other. May they walk together through this life and the afterlife.” Albus stopped there. Harry and Lucius joined him in walking deosil, stopping at each point, casting the circle large enough to them and the altar.
Albus began again. “We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Harry Potter and Lucius Malfoy. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. We will now hear the vows of Harry and Lucius to each other. Harry, please.”

Harry turned to Lucius, took his hands breathed deep and began. “Lucius. My life has been on a path from the day I was born. None of us knew who would finally walk the path with me. Our paths crossed early, when I was too young to know any of the trials or tribulations I would encounter. You have always been in my life and until recently, I didn’t not know you were watching out for me and over me.” Harry stopped there and raised Lucius hands to his mouth, kissing each palm. “The changes I am going through now, you knew about them and waited for me. Thank you. I have valued and loved you as a friend for a while. You stood by my side on our world’s darkest day. You protected me, fought by my side and continued to watch over me as I healed. The discovery of my heritage was a surprise to me. The best thing is it has brought is the love I had for you before has expanded and deepened. We will be together through this life, the afterlife and the next life. We are not above or beyond the problems of all couples, it will never be with intent that our problems come to surface. We will have our share, but we will work through them. Together. You are my life, my love, the other half of my soul. I pledge to you my unending love, protection and fidelity. May we be blessed as the god and goddess see fit.” Harry slipped a ring of Elven spun gold inlaid with emeralds onto Lucius ring finger before bowing and kissing the ring.

Albus wiped his eyes and the witnesses at the altar were trying to quietly clear their throats, hoping to hold back their own tears. “Lucius.” Albus intoned.

“Harry. I have secretly guarded you through your life. There were times when I wanted to hold you and take your pain as my own but it wasn’t possible. I had another duty to fulfill and I am glad the day came when I could walk away from it and stand by you. It is a tribute to you that you were able to see past my deceptions and accept me as a friend. You also made room in your life for my son Draco. There are not enough words of thanks for that. I also had another duty charged to me by your father. I have worked with another friend and we presented the gathered information to help you on the current path of your life. I am honored to be your chosen, your lover, your beloved.” Lucius stopped and kissed Harry’s palms. “I will walk with you along your path, love with you, will argue with you and we will always celebrate the forgiveness and making up when it happens. I pledge to you my love, fidelity, protection, security and support of any type. I have loved you in the past; I love you in the present and will love you in the future, the afterlife and the next life. Our souls were made to be forged as one. We have found each other and no one will separate us. May we be blessed by the god and goddess as they deem fit.” Lucius took Harry’s left hand and slid on an Elven spun gold ring with white-blue topaz gems, kissing the ring as it settled on Harry.

Albus wiped his sparkling eyes as the ocean of tissues moved through the audience and witnesses. The Headmaster cleared his throat, turned to the altar and picked up the six binding cords. “We have the pleasure of participating in the binding of these two souls. Please join me with the response “So Mote It Be” after each placement. Albus looked at the nervous men in front of him. “Harry, Lucius it is time for you to join right hand to right and left to left. As the two joined hands forming the center of the knot, Albus wrapped the first cord over their hands. We join these two with Pink - for romance, honor, partnership and happiness. So Mote It Be. We join them with the Green for health, prosperity, luck, fertility and beauty. “ He looked at the audience. “So Mote It Be” echoed through the Great Hall. “Red will symbolize for them courage, strength and passion. So Mote It Be. The fourth binding is Yellow for wisdom and harmony in their marriage. So Mote It Be. Our brown cord is for healing animals and the home. So Mote It Be. Lastly our white cord completes the binding. May it bring them peace, sincerity, and devotion.” There was a resounding chorus of So Mote It Be as Albus waved his wand over the bindings completing the knot.

Albus continued. “Our new couple has also elected to perform a broom jumping that has been celebrated and used in the Hebrides of Scotland for many generations as a symbol of marriage. This broom is a symbol of the joining of equals. At the close of the ceremony, the newly handfasted couple will jump the broom to exit the circle. Draco, Severus, if you would take the broom halfway down the aisle. Harry, Lucius, I want you to run and jump over the broom together while holding hands and then stop when you reach the Great Doors and turn to face me.” Severus and Draco set off down the aisle and stopped with the broom, holding it just barely off the floor. Harry and Lucius looked at Albus, their hands and the broom. Albus chuckled. “I move the bindings to the altar in our circle of protection. May the knots be strong and may their love be as strong as the knots.” Albus waved his wand again and the binding moved as one piece to the altar. “Gentlemen, you may jump your broom.” Harry and Lucius turned to the front, then to each other, placing a fleeting kiss upon each other the two went running down the aisle in synch and jumped the broom as smooth and together as one deer jumping a fallen tree. They landed in a step and continued to the doors as the audience turned and watched. They stopped at the door and turned back to Albus.

Albus beamed at them. “By the power invested in me by the Ministry of Magic and the god and goddess, I now pronounce you a married couple. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. You may kiss your partner.” Harry and Lucius moved to stand face to face, each reaching a hand out to cup the other’s face, bringing their lips together in a sanctified kiss while being engulfed in a golden light.

A/N: I gathered a lot of the information used for the ceremonies from different sites and used writer’s prerogative on what to keep. For more information please check the following sites:
www.dfwx.com/medieval.html
www.paganlibrary.com/rituals_spells/handfasting_ritual_5.php
www.earth-dancing.com/handfasting.htm