The Third Time is a Charm

Posted: 12 January 2010

Chapter 65: Getting Married

The wedding was a week away and the guest list was growing by leaps and bounds, much to the consternation of Harry and Severus. They hadn’t wanted a big fuss over their final joining, but as Sal and Becca and even Remus Sr. pointed out, you didn’t want to create any discord among the executives at the company or even the foreign ministries by not inviting people. It was a political strategy, one that they hated, but they may need their help in the future.

So the invitations went out and there were over seventy guests that had sent in an RSVP already, including the German and Australian Ministers of Magic and some of the instructors.

The security logistics were becoming a nightmare until Sentry Dobby stepped in and said, “Masters Prince, if you would, I think there is a way to settle this quite simply.”

“Dobby, if you can simplify this mess, I will give you a raise in salary.” Severus sighed.

“Master Prince, Dobby does not need a raise, he is just doing his job.” The elf gave a slight bow and then explained. “There are five side rooms to the upper level receiving area; we can have groups of four or five arrive in each room and seal it off until everyone is cleared. One of The Seven can be in each room to test the air around the guests. Magical snakes are very good at that kind of magic. We need to station all the off duty sentry staff in those rooms including the night staff. This way, all of your guests can arrive and be settled in half an hour.”

“Dobby! That’s brilliant!” Harry said. “Let’s ask The Seven if they agree. I don’t want to volunteer them without asking first.”

“Dobby already spoke to The Seven and they nodded yes.” The little elf informed them.

“You can speak to my snakes?” Harry asked in shock.

“They understand English; I just can’t understand what they say back.” Dobby explained. Actually, Dobby had gotten quite fond of the little creatures once he understood they would protect the masters at all costs, just like Dobby would.

Lucius Malfoy arrived soon after to speak with Severus as he had asked for the meeting. Severus was going to remove the block that he had placed when they were taking the Occlumency lessons earlier in the year. He was dreading this but knew he couldn’t have the man marry them with this hanging over his head. It just didn’t seem right.

“You put those blocks on me? Why would you do that?” Lucius asked after the blocks were removed. Then he started to remember.

“I did it for a short time to allow you to make decisions without the prejudice notions of your upbringing. If you do not want to be associated with us any further, I will understand. We want to create a magical world that reflects magic from all creatures. It makes our world stronger and will help us to defeat the evil that prevails over it now. The Dark Lord is not the only evil wizard out there. Dumbledore gains power in the ministry and the Wizengamot and uses it to his own means. He will only get worse as time goes on.”

“I will have to think about this.” Lucius answered Severus. “I was not expecting this kind of information. I will stick to my oath and not reveal any of the information that has just been released in my head. But I have to tell you, I am not happy about this.”

“I completely understand, just let us know an answer so we can make arrangements for our bonding in a week.”

“I will owl you tomorrow, one way or the other.” Lucius then portkeyed out of the manor and arrived home to lock himself in his study. He had much thinking to do.”

Severus went to talk to Sal about Lucius and they both decided to wait and see what tomorrow would bring. Severus actually thought that doing the ceremony with Salazar Slytherin would be enough incentive for the man to agree.

Everything was taking shape and the closer the wedding got the worse the wedding jitters became. Not because Harry or Severus were worried about their choice in mates. It was obvious how much they loved each other. No, it was all the fuss and fanfare that had them worried. Neither one of them wanted this much attention, they just wanted to be married. The pool room where the ceremony was to take place had already been enlarged to accommodate all the people coming. What ever happened to the simple small gathering they wanted?

It seems that bonding between soulmates was not a common thing at all and everyone wanted to see the nuptials. Harry hadn’t thought it would be such a big thing, but Severus explained that it only happened once or twice a century.

The next day a letter arrived from Lucius Malfoy.

Severus,

I have given the matter much thought, and can understand your need for protection. Given my behavior, your actions although excessive, seem to be appropriate. I hold no ill will against you.

It would be my honor to officiate over the nuptials of you and Harry with the assistance of Sal. Narcissa and I will arrive at the appointed time.

Lucius

Well, thought Severus, that was one thing less to worry about.

The next surprise was a few days later when they were presented with a gift from Gorbink and Griphook. They had taken the design of the engagement ring that was given to Harry and had goblin hand crafted wedding bands for the two men. They were exquisite with runes on the inside and outside of the band. Each ring had an emerald and onyx stone embedded into the platinum with a gold infinity seal surrounding them, like a figure eight with the stones inside the circles. It had the prince coat of arms on the side of the onyx and the Potter on the emerald side. It was the most exquisite thing Harry and Severus had ever seen. They had been going to use the Prince wedding bands, but had decided not to as Severus Snape would most likely use the same bands from this time period.

With much debate, it was decided to also invite the Weasleys to the wedding. They had been working and doing research for the company for some months now and had not had much contact with the family. Harry was somewhat hesitant, but realized these were not the same Weasleys that betrayed him and it was possible that Dumbledore had something to do with that in his own timeline. This would be a good opportunity to see if they could be trusted. Their RSVP came the same day the invitation went out. They had set aside a room for the younger children that some of the nanny elves could use to babysit. They wanted their guests to feel free to come without the hassles of acquiring sitters and explaining where they were going because they had to keep it a secret.

They had used a similar spell on the invitations as they did with the company memo that had gone out earlier. Anyone reading the invitation could not discuss it with anyone else except another known to be invited. That meant they could discuss it with the spouse or family but no one else.

It was three days before the wedding when Sal had contacted Remus Sr., Tonks, Regulus, Moony, Snape, and Lucius. He was worried about something with the wedding and wanted these people ready to help if needed. He explained what he thought could happen and showed them a spell that they needed to learn. It was one that Regulus and Moony already knew but the others hadn’t seen before. He wanted nothing to go wrong at the ceremony.

The day before the wedding had finally arrived and although it was not really a custom of the wizarding world, Becca and Tonks tried to get the couple apart and not see each other till the next day. It didn’t work. No matter how much arguing, cajoling, or otherwise convincing, the two men flatly refused to be separated for even a few hours. Becca thought it was cute.

As Seamstress Sissy was making the final adjustments and muttering to herself as she pulled and tucked on the final robes, Severus and Harry were having a hard time staying out of each others arms. The poor elf threatened to separate them if they didn’t behave so she could make sure the clothes fit perfectly. It wouldn’t do for the Prince family seamstress to have her masters in anything but the absolute best.

The robes were made of the finest acromantula silk. The snow white of Harry’s robes was offset by the pitch black of Severus’. Both robes were exactly the same style with a few minor adjustments to accommodate their size. The topcoat and tails style they decided on was perfect for the two men with the tailored slacks, shirt and vest. On Harry’s suit, was a black tie but on Severus’ was a white one. They offset each other as if they had just stepped out of a magazine. It was going to be a wonderful wedding. Seamstress Sissy then had them take off the clothes so she could set them on the mannequins provided in the room. She did not want them on hangers to put any creases in her work.

That night as the two men were getting ready for bed, Harry asked Severus, “Are you worried about tomorrow?”

“That depends on what you mean by worried. Am I worried about having nearly one hundred people and creatures in the manor? Yes, I am worried. Am I worried I will forget something? Then yes, I am worried about that too. Am I worried about marrying you? Absolutely not however I am worried about keeping you happy for the next hundred years or so. I love you Harry and want to be with you.”

“I love you too Sev” Harry sighed and snuggled into the man. Tomorrow he was going to be Severus’ husband and he wanted everything to go well for his future bonded. He was worried about being able to make Severus happy, but knew they would work on it together.

Then next morning…

Everyone was having breakfast in the dining room going over last minute plans. The wedding was set for three in the afternoon and they still had things to get ready.

It was an hour before the wedding and the guests were already arriving. Remus Sr. was helping Harry to get dressed and Salazar was helping Severus get dressed in the other room. Both of them were nervous about forgetting their lines or forgetting where to stand. Remus Sr. was assuring Harry that everything would be fine and it was likely that none of the guests had ever seen this type of bonding, so if they made a mistake no one would know the difference.

Remus had given Harry some cufflinks that had belonged to James Potter. He explained that he had gone back to Godric’s Hollow after Sal showed up, looking to see if there was anything of value left to bring back to Harry. He had been carrying them for some time and was glad to finally give them to their rightful owner.

“Don’t worry cub. You will be fine and Severus is perfect for you.” Remus tried to calm the young man. “You know your parents would be so proud of you today.”

“Thanks Remy, I just don’t want to disappoint Severus.”

“I think the only thing that would disappoint Severus would be if you didn’t show up.”

“He said much the same thing last night.”

“Trust in him and your instincts, and everything will be fine, cub.”

Dobby popped in at that moment with a ‘crack’ and announced to Harry. “Master Harry, Sir, all the guests have arrived and you have twenty more minutes to finish before you are needed to walk down the aisle.”

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you Dobby, I am ready and will be there shortly. Are all the children in the play room?”

“Yes, Master Harry, they have the see through wall so they can see the ceremony if they want, but can also play with the toys if they want. Young Master Bill Weasley requested to sit with his mother and father so we allowed him to do that.”

“That’s fine Dobby, he is a little older and used to watching his kid brothers, so is mature for his age. Just keep an eye on things and let us know if there are any problems.”

“Yes, Master Harry.” Then with another crack, the elf popped back to his duties.

It was ten minutes till the ceremony was scheduled to begin and Harry stopped his pacing and left the room with Remus Sr. He was so glad that a friend of his father’s was there to help him. He knew that if Sal had not brought him and Tonks back to him, he would have missed them terribly on this day. He still missed Sirius and wondered what the one from this time was doing. He hoped he could get to know this one more than he knew the other one. His life had been cut too short.

These were such maudlin thoughts for a wedding day, so he changed his focus to marrying Severus. As he went in the lift to the second level with Remus at his side he was thankful for being alive for this. Everything he had gone through in the past year was so incredible it was hard to believe.

The music started as soon as he entered the room, right on schedule. There was Severus standing at the front of the room and Harry didn’t see anyone else. Keeping his eyes on his lover, he walked slowly forward, his steps steady but his hands trembling. He barely remembered Remus at his side, so focused on Severus as he was.

On each side of the room about three meters from the center where Harry and Severus would stand, were two unicorns from the herd in the forbidden forest. They had been portkeyed in straight to the pool room and these were the royal heads, the king and queen, of the herd and had been invited to participate in the ceremony. They were one of the first to sign a pact with Prince Conglomerate for protection in exchange for the precious freely given hair and blood used in their potions. Each had a royal cloak tied around their necks and spread across their back. The coat of arms for the Prince family was on the cloaks, surrounded by the colors of royalty interwoven in an intricate Celtic knot design.

They were doing an ancient ritual that included other creatures to bless the marriage. The creatures at the wedding were goblins, fairies, and the unicorns as well as the house elves. The Light Elves were represented as Shashi was there as well and a few vampires, dark elves, fey and wood nymphs.

As far as the human guests, included were the American, French, German, Swiss, Asian and Australian Ministries. If anyone thought it strange that the British Ministry was suspiciously absent, they did not make comment. Sensei had come back with the Asian Minister of Magic and his family.

In addition to the other creatures present at the ceremony, there were several mirrors in the room connected to an outside sister mirror for the centaurs, acromantula and werewolves as well as the other communities represented here. All these people were considered a part of the Prince Conglomerate organization. The bank at Gringotts, Gringotts II and the company buildings were included as well. All were discretely placed and no one could see unless invited. Harry said something earlier about this being televised in magic. Very few understood the reference.

Lucius started the ceremony. “Who gives this man to be wed?”

Remus responded “I do, in the absence of his parents and his Godfather.” He then kissed Harry on the forehead and sat down next to Tonks until he was needed again.

“The binding of two soulmates is one of the most precious of all ceremonies in the world. Not only are we binding them together in this life, but in the life beyond.” You could hear several people gasp when Lucius said soulmates. Not everyone knew that fact.

“Do you, Harry James, take Severs Masterson to be you’re lawfully bonded?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Severs Masterson Prince, take Harry James to be you’re lawfully bonded?”

“I do.”

“With the affirmation of these words, we will let the bonding of two souls commence.”

Sal stood up to explain part of the ceremony. “The binding of soulmates is a most precious thing. This particular ceremony asks for the blessing of other creatures to solidify a binding trust not just between the two soulmates, but between magical worlds. This will give them protection in their travels through life where ever they may wish to go.”

He then picked up the white rope from the table and said “White represents purity of soul and spirit and magic. Let this bind your purity one to the other and be with you always.” He then wrapped the rope around their wrist, clockwise on Severus’ left hand and Harry’s right, binding the two wrists together.

There were seven fairies, each a different color, circling their head in a clockwise motion; the white one sprinkled white fairy dust onto the joined hands. It settled like glitter on the surface of their skin. When it finished the fairy flew back into the circle to continue on it’s circular journey. The never ending circle not to be broken.

Sal then picked up the purple rope, “Purple is the color for royalty, magic and mystery. It symbolizes spiritual truth and good judgment. It is also the color of peace. May peace and good judgment always be a part of your lives throughout eternity as your magic grows with each other.” He wrapped the rope around their wrists in a counter clockwise motion, letting it settle next to the white.

The purple fairy swooped down from the overhead circle long enough to sprinkle the purple fairy dust over the white, watched it settle on their skin and then rejoined the circle over the heads of the two grooms.

He then picked up the blue rope, “Blue stands for the sky above and the sea below, and is the coolest of colors. It is also the symbol of inspiration and sincerity. May you always have the courage to be sincere with each other and those around you.” He wrapped the robe in a clockwise direction around their wrists.

The blue fairy repeated the actions of the former colors.

The red rope was next, “Red stands for prosperity, passion and love. It also symbolizes life and is the warmest of all colors. May your passion for each other never waiver in your lives together and through out eternity.” The rope was wrapped around in a counter clockwise motion.

The red fairy sprinkled her dust on the hands clasped together. Each time the dust fell on their hands, Harry and Severus felt a tinkling go up their arms as if infusing their hearts with the virtue of the color.

“Green is the color for fertility, life and nature itself. It symbolizes harmony and growth and is the color for the master healer and life force. May you also continue to grow toward and with each other and sooth the hurts of the other in your lives together.” He wrapped the rope in a clockwise motion.

The green fairy gave a little giggle as she sprinkled her dust on the joined hands of the two men. She then gave them a quick wink before rejoining her circle. Harry blushed at the significance of the green being for fertility.

“Gold is the color for success, wealth and good health. It is also a symbol for immortality and divine nature. May you both be successful in your endeavors and in your dealings with each other.” He wrapped the rope in a counter clockwise motion.

The gold fairy swooped down to add her golden dust to the others. She flashed them a smile as she rejoined the others still circling above their heads.

“The final and most important color is Silver. It represents truth of the soul and the moon that shines at night. It brings all the royal colors together in unity. These colors not only are for royalty in this world but throughout the world these are the colors chosen in all royal families to unite them and keep them together. May you always be united in truth between each other and with those around you.”

When the silver fairy came down to sprinkle her dust on the bound hands of the two men, she used more dust to cover the other colors and even on the ropes themselves. This was to unify the royal colors for all time.

Lucius then took up the ceremony and said.

“The rings that are presented today are goblin hand crafted for the special use of our grooms; the gifts may now be presented.” Gorbink and Griphook came forward, each carrying a ring on a silk cloth in their hands. Since the rings had been presented to Harry and Severus, no human hand had touched it. With the ropes still around their wrists, they each picked up the ring in the other hand and held it up.

“These rings have never been touched by human hands, save that of our grooms, and are imbued with the protection magics that will last forever. You may now exchange rings and say your vows.”

Severus was the one to speak first as the dominant partner. “I give you this ring to represent my love and sincerity for our bonding. I accept the responsibility of purity, peace, sincerity, passion, harmony, wealth and unity in our lives. My life is yours and bound to you as yours is to mine.” He then placed the ring on Harry’s left ring finger.

It was Harry’s turn now and he was slightly shaking. “I give to you this ring that represents my love and sincerity in our bonding. I give to you the responsibility of purity, peace, sincerity, passion, harmony, wealth and unity. In exchange I promise to always be the same with you and look up to you in our time of need as well as joy.”

Harry and Severus then repeated together. “Our magic, our spirits, our hearts, our minds, our bodies and our souls are now one with the other. Never shall they be separated even in death.”

The unicorns at this time raised themselves on two back hooves and whinnied as the rings were exchanged. It was their way of blessing the union. Both were powerful in simple splendor as they kicked their front hooves in the air and rang out in their own form of song. When they settled back down, they bowed their heads to the grooms. The fairies that had been circling their heads suddenly stopped and shot straight into the air as if shooting stars where suddenly released.

Sal nodded to the five members that he had trained to join him and Lucius. They quickly left their seats and formed a circle around the grooms. Each one had their wand in the right hand as they joined their hands together and they only left the circle open where Sal and Lucius would join hands with them. This would make the closing of the circle.

“This athame is the final step in which you shall be bonded in eternity. Take this and prick your palms that are bound together and mix your blood one with the other in final acceptance of your bond.”

As they both were busy with the athame, Lucius and Salazar took a step back so they could close the circle the others had made. As soon as Harry and Severus’ palms touched, the seven in the circle pointed their wands and shouted, “Protegos Maxima” and a golden shield dome surrounded the couple just before the ropes flared and sank into the skin of the two men along with the fairy dust.

A blinding white light flashed and the couple momentarily disappeared before flashing into two beautiful phoenix birds flapping their wings to stay airborne; one of the purest white and the other of the darkest black. The power from the flash knocked back the seven in the circle before disintegrating the shield. The two birds took to flight the white going in a clockwise direction, and the black in a counter clockwise direction, circling the entire group of guests as they sang out the purest song of love and devotion. Each time they passed one another, you could hear the brush of their wings together and if you looked close, you could see the bonding rings on their left legs. Three times they circled the room before coming to a stop in their original place and landing on the floor to morph back into their human form, but glowing from the power they had created.

Lucius, who had picked himself off of the floor first and then straightened his robes said, “You may kiss the groom.” Severus then placed both hands on Harry’s cheeks and gently pulled him towards his mouth. “I love you.” He whispered just before kissing him. Harry slid his hands around the waist of his new husband as Severus brought the kiss deeper. When the kiss ended and Severus was standing there looking into Harry’s eyes, the younger man said, “I love you too. Thank you for marrying me.”

Lucius said, “May I now present to you Mr. Severs and Harry Prince. So mote it be.”

Everyone in the audience, that was not too stunned to speak, then repeated, “So mote it be.”