The Third Time is a Charm

Posted: 13 January 2010

Chapter 66: What Just Happened?

Lucius turned back to Salazar who was still on the floor and extended his hand to the older man to help him up. “Did you know that was going to happen?

Sal shook his head, “I knew the power surge was possible, but not that much power. I never expected the phoenixes to appear and still don’t know what the flying about the room was for.”

“It’s going to be real hard to keep this a secret. I have never seen anything like that before and I would venture a guess we will never see anything like that again either.”

“They are coming into their powers much faster than I anticipated. I have to speak with them about it soon. Right now we have a reception to attend.” Salazar then turned to look at the others who appeared to have been knocked out temporarily from the blast of magical power.

He helped up Remus Sr. as Lucius helped up Snape and then Tonks came next with Moony and Regulus.

“Our shield didn’t hold.” Tonks said, stating the obvious. “Why didn’t our shield hold?”

“It held long enough to keep the blast from harming the guests. I wasn’t expecting the power surge to be so strong.” Salazar told her.

“How are we going to keep this secret? They didn’t want a fuss and now this?” Regulus wanted to know. He was worried about his friends.

Salazar was the one to answer him. “I don’t think it really matters if anyone finds out. Even if Voldemort found out, what could he do against that kind of power? He wouldn’t stand a chance.” He noticed Snape and Malfoy cringe, and then they got a perplexed look on their faces. Salazar watched as they laid their hand on their left forearms with a questioning look.

Lucius was the first one to roll up his sleeve and bare the clear flesh on his arm. Salazar raised his eyebrows at Snape to do the same and they found the same results.

Their dark mark was gone.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that either.” Salazar said with a smirk. “I think we need to go speak with the grooms for a minute.”

The grooms were waiting in a receiving line for the guests to come and offer their congratulations. Becca had to move them several times as they were not looking where they were standing, nor were they paying attention to anyone else. The two ‘love birds’ were so enamored with each other; you would have thought no one else was in the room.

As Salazar approached the two newlyweds, he noticed a magical glow coming off of them both. Never before had anyone seen this type of afterglow from a wedding ritual. He would have to go ask Merlin what it meant.

“Hey guys, get your heads out of the clouds for a minute, we need to talk to you.” Salazar said under his breath so only they could hear him.

They all three moved to the side and quickly placed a privacy bubble around them. “Lucius and Snape are now missing a certain piece of body art. I just thought you should know.”

Severus raised his right eyebrow in shock and Harry just looked at Salazar with a dumbfounded expression on his face. “How?” Harry asked.

“Don’t know for sure, but I think it was the power wave you guys created when you mixed your blood. The seven of us used a protegos maximas to shield the guests, but we got knocked back by the blast.

“I don’t even remember that happening, although I do remember the phoenixes. I didn’t even know we had phoenix animaguses.”

“Neither did I.” Severus interjected. “I also don’t remember a power blast. Is everyone all right? No one got hurt did they?”

“Everyone is fine, and judging from what I could see, more than fine. I think the whole room including the elves received a power boost from your joining. I have never seen that happen before and was going to go confer with Merlin.” All portraits from the training were under a concealing charm on the wall so they could see the wedding of the two men they had trained so hard.

Becca came over and nudged the guys, “Hey you are neglecting your guests! Come on, the line is forming and the sooner they go through the faster everyone can eat.”

“I am sure our guests are hungry now. Please make sure the children are fed and allow some of the hors d’oeuvers to be served while everyone is in line.” Severus turned to Harry, “Are you ready love?”

Harry nodded and they resumed their place to greet their guests. Salazar, Lucius and Remus Sr. were also part of the wedding party, but the goblins, fairies and unicorns were off to the side as this was not their custom. In fact, it was the first time in their entire history of doing a ritual of this nature and they were still awestruck at the power it created.

Becca had arranged everyone in the lines so the Ministers of Magic could be the first to greet the grooms. The German Minister and his family were the first in line.

“Most impressive, Misters Prince. I have never seen a wedding like that and am sure that I never will again. You honor our family with your invitation. I just wish you have allowed us to bring you a gift. The portkeys would not allow it.”

“The best gift anyone can give us is to find someone in need and give them something. It need not be much, but if we are to become strong in the face of adversity, we must come to trust each other.” Harry replied. He and Severus had discussed this at length and knew there was not really anything they needed so had stated in the invitations for a gift to go to a needy person or charity of their choosing.

It was the same for the next hour with everyone wishing them blessings in their marriage, the ceremony was awesome and they wanted to give a gift. The same answer was repeated many times before the line was finished and everyone was eating and waiting for the first dance to begin.

They had practiced for many hours and even in the training, Rowena and Helga insisted that every noble wizard and witch should know how to dance. This evening they were going to do one of the old pureblood traditional dances that many here had probably forgotten.

As Severus pulled Harry to face him, he smiled and said, “Our first dance as a married couple. Are you ready?”

Harry was nervous and a little shaky, but he nodded and looked into Severus’ eyes. As his new husband guided him around the room, they were the center of attention as everyone in the room watched. They moved so fluidly, you didn’t know where one started and the other stopped. Halfway through the song, Becca and Sal joined the couple in dance then some of the others joined as well.

After three dances, Harry and Severus noticed that many of the guests were finished eating. Normally the order would be receiving line, toasts, eating and dancing and cake, but because the line was so long and it was close to dinner time anyway, they rearranged the order a bit.

As they had danced, you could hear the popping and the flash of a camera sporadically throughout the room. Becca had insisted they needed a few muggle pictures to put on the walls of the house. Harry and Severus didn’t even see the slight flashes they were so engrossed in each other.

It was Remus Sr. that got the attention of everyone and told the elves to make sure everyone had a drink for the toasts. It didn’t take the elves very long as there were so many of them in the room. There was one elf for each table of ten so that the guests were taken care of and that didn’t include the elves circulating the room for those that were standing and talking to others.

The room had been rearranged so that there now was a long table at the head of the room where the altar had been, and ten tables surrounding the dance floor with five on each side. Each table could seat ten guests each and they did not include the children who were playing in the magically added playroom with a see through wall so the parents would know their children were behaving.

As Remus Sr. and Tonks stood up, they faced Severus and Harry that had taken their places in the middle of the table. The couple raised their classes of champagne but it was Remus Sr. that spoke first.

“I first met Harry when he was a baby and Severus I met at school before Harry was born, and I can say that when they first met, no one could have predicted this.” There were a few laughs around the room so he waited for everyone to quiet down.

“I have seen them go through the ravages of this war and truly they have come out the victor. A love like theirs will only be seen once in a lifetime. I am sure that we will never see another ceremony like the one we just witnessed either.” Remus Sr, finished to let his wife speak.

“And when I met Harry, he was already fifteen and quite scruffy looking.” She turned to face Harry, “You clean up well, by the way.” They again heard some laughter and waited for the guests to quiet down. “Now I see the young boy has grown into a responsible and very respectable young man. Severus you are indeed a very lucky man.”

To which he replied, “Indeed.”

Then everyone at the head table, that included everyone in the wedding party, “To Harry and Severus, may your life be long and filled with joy.”

Then guests then raised their glasses and said “So mote it be” and took a sip from the glass. It was the traditional pureblood ending to the blessing of the couple.

Then Snape, Regulus and Remus Jr. stood to give their toast, with Regulus as the spokesperson. “We have had the fortune to train with these men and to learn about them in the last few months. Each one has literally saved us from the claws of death. They complete the other in such a way; we can only hope to find someone half as special. To our continued endeavors together and the future of our world, here is to Severus and Harry.”

Not to be outdone, the five Ministers of Magic then rose, but it was the Minister from Germany that spoke. “In order not to be here all night, and at the hopes of not putting everyone to sleep, I have been named spokes person for the five ministries that are represented here. These two men have touched all our lives in the past few months and we would like to simply say thank you. We have not known you long, but after our favorable first acquaintance and now what we have seen here today, we wish to assure you that if you ever need our help, you have it.” All the ministers nodded and then the man continued. “To Severus and Harry, long life and many blessings.”

Everyone in the room lifted their glass and said “So mote it be” and took a sip from the glass.

Not to be outdone, the goblin filled table then stood. Gorbink, Griphook and the rest of their family had come and the whole table was full of goblins. They stood on their chairs so that they could be seen and heard. Gorbink offered the toast, “I too have known these men for many years, and wish to offer our blessing. ‘May your vaults always be full and your businesses prosperous.”

Everyone again lifted their glasses and said “So mote it be” and took a sip.

There were several other tables that did the same, each electing a spokesperson to give the couple their blessing. Finally they reached the last table where Walburga was sitting with Narcissa and some of the other ladies from their group.

“It is fitting that I am at the last table and able to make the last toast. To the Prince men, who saved my son and continue to educate us in the true pureblood ways. You are true royalty and we, at this table, give you our personal thanks for daring to take up a challenge and make a difference.” She raised her voice a bit and said, “Many blessings to the Prince men.”

Harry’s face was flushed as he lifted his glass with everyone else as they took a sip. He was glad the toasting was over; he was starting to feel woozy. He didn’t know if it was the excitement of the day, having too much to drink or that it was getting late. It could be all three, but he was hoping the party was coming to an end soon. They got onto the dance floor and had another dance. Severus seemed to know something was wrong and looked at Harry’s pale face.

“Tired love?” he asked as Harry seemed to be leaning on him a little more than he had earlier.

“Yeah, just a little. Is this going to be over soon?”

“I do believe that people are starting to leave, we should go and say goodbye. It might hurry along everyone else’s leaving too.” Harry nodded so they went to the lift doors everyone had to use to get to the receiving room on the above level and then portkey out.

The Weasley’s were one of the first to leave. All the kids were sleeping except Bill and it was hard for them to carry all five children at one time. Fortunately Regulus, Snape and Remus Jr. were ready to help. They only needed to bring them to the upper level where the family would all touch the portkey at the same time and be transported back home.

“Thank you for letting us be a part of this.” Molly said as she held the baby in her arms. “I have never seen such a ceremony and don’t think I have ever heard of one like this either.”

“Molly,” Severus began, “you are most welcome and we are honored that you could make it. Please remember that we have enemies out there and don’t want anyone to find out about our joining.”

“Oh, we won’t say anything and Bill has already promised not to either. As far as what happened? Well it seems you have some unusual powers and they have united. There was such an aura of color surrounding you both; it was like looking at two rainbows merge into one. I have never seen a dark and light wizard soulmated couple. It was most interesting.”

“Honey, we really need to go.” Arthur said with a smile on his face. Once Molly got going, there was no stopping her.

“Well, yes, good night gentlemen, and thank you again.” Molly said as the lift door closed and they were on their way.

“Now how did she know that?” Harry asked Severus with a frown on his face. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to let them come.

“She must be able to read auras. I didn’t know that about her. I wonder if her power was blocked somehow in our timeline.” Severus speculated before the next set of guests came up to take their leave of the couple.

Some of the last people to leave were the Ministers. They were actually being put up in the same apartment building that Remus Jr. lived in. He would accompany them and make sure they were comfortable as they wanted to explore the city of London and see some of the sights. There were a few executive apartments for guests to use and the elves had already set them up with supplies and whatever they would need. Arbulee was one of the first to come from the ministers’ table and speak to the couple.

“Nice ritual, I have never seen anything quite like that. Now I know why the King Brown wanted to meet you. I have a present for you, and I know the invitations said not to bring one, but in this box is a portkey to my village. Anytime you want to visit, you are most welcome. They have built you a small hut for your own to stay in. It is yours and no one else will be using it. I am sure sometimes you need to get away.”

“Thank you, Arbulee.” Both Severus and Harry said at the same time. They didn’t bother to ask him how he got the portkey in here. Knowing him, he used some kind of strange magic that Sentry Dobby would not have recognized.

Severus continued with, “We are most honored and look forward to another visit to the outback. As you can see from our decorations, certain parts of your country made quite an impression.” Arbulee laughed softly at the mention of the decorations. The whole room looked like one Great Barrier Reef. He had never seen it done quite like that before. It was like swimming underwater but without the water.

“You need to come again soon then, perhaps for a belated honeymoon. I know you have many things to do and you needed to get married for the little one on the way. Becca, is quite an extraordinary witch, and her mate is even more extraordinary.” He winked as if he knew their secret and somehow Harry thought he just might.

“O.K. Stop hogging the newlyweds.” The American minister jovially said as Severus put the small gift in his pocket. “We have not really been able to meet yet, our invitation was made based on our acquaintance of one of the other students, Regulus Black and Sensei.” He said. “Most unusual ritual, you will have write it down and send me a copy of the book. I have never seen anything like that.”

“We will keep you in mind when our new books go out. We are currently revising several of the old text books and the pureblood etiquette books in hopes that the wizarding world can find peace together.”

“I will do anything I can to help you in your cause. Even ‘across the pond’, we have problems with some uninvited guests coming to recruit, if you know what I mean.”

Severus nodded, ready to greet the next person, but the American minister continued in a more conspiratorial tone. “Several of us are wondering if you are planning to broaden your businesses to other countries. I was most impressed when having a conversation with a fairy, no less, and finding out how you help the magical creatures.”

“We have enough to handle right now, but after the war is over, it is a possibility. We had not thought about it. Perhaps someone in your country would be willing to learn and then take our business strategies for themselves or one of our employees would want to stay there and build the business.” Severus was actually thinking out loud at this point as his voice tapered off to almost a whisper and he stared into space.

“Well, my lad, you should think about it and let us know. We need more unity and I know we have several colonies of acromantula as well as fairies, unicorns, not to mention the Vampires, werewolves and other species. Some of them came when the area was settled, but others were there long before the Indians even settled there.” The American minister then shook their hands and made his way through the lift door as it was his turn to exit.

The other ministers had similar ideas for their own countries. Indeed the German minister that they had dinner with had already expressed a desire to do something in his own area. This was like a stone going downhill and picking up dirt along the way. The faster it rolled the bigger it got.

The fairies were the next to leave and as they said their goodbyes, the green fairy again winked at Harry. ‘Merlin’ Harry thought I hope she doesn’t think I am pregnant or did something to help me get there. We already have one on the way.

Gorbink and Griphook were the very last. They too congratulated the couple and expressed their wishes to come see them or ask for them anytime they needed help. Severus briefly told him what the ministers said about wanting to start similar businesses in their own countries and he said he would put a strategy together if that was what Severus wanted. But they decided to hold off until later in the year.

“Salazar Slytherin!” Severus yelled as soon as the lift door closed on the last guest. “I want to know what happened!” Severus had held this in as long as he could and now that the guests were gone, he wanted answers.

Sal looked at Becca and shuddered. They had been talking with Merlin’s portrait and could only offer a theory but not an actual explanation. The guys would just have to hear him out, but he knew they were not expecting half of the ritual that happened. The fairies were a surprise and so were the unicorns. When the other species had found out the wedding was going to happen, they wanted to be invited so everyone sent a representative if they could make it and still be safe. Obviously the centaurs didn’t come because the logistics were just too complicated and the acromantula couldn’t be here either, as they were too big and would have scared the guests witless. That was why the mirrors had been set up.

The Vampires that had come were the rulers of the clans and they had brought the fairies with them, after having infused the fairy dust with a little of their own magic. They helped protect the fairies under the contracts with Prince Conglomerate by protecting the little ones from poachers that would enslave them and sell them. They, in exchange, were given blood on a regular basis from a blood bank started by the company. Every now and then a brave soul would still try to catch the fairies, but they soon understood it was not a good idea. Fairy dust was extremely expensive and the amount used today would have cost a small fortune if someone were to buy it on the black-market.

Salazar walked over to Severus and Harry. The younger man looked like he was all tuckered out and needed a bed, not explanations.

“Merlin and I have a theory” Sal started to explain. Severus looked at him with a quirked eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

“It’s a rather long explanation, are you sure you want to hear it tonight? Harry looks a little tired there.” Severus finally looked at his new husband and the remembered him being tired when they were dancing. That was over two hours ago.

“You are correct. We need to discuss this at another time. Don’t think I am letting you off the hook though. I want answers tomorrow morning at breakfast. I expect you to be there at ten in the morning. Harry looks like he could use a late wake up call tomorrow.”

Severus watched as the two left and turned to his lover. The elves were still there cleaning up but other than that they were alone.

Come on love,” Severus said. “Let’s get you to bed. Harry put his arm around his husband and they took the lift down to their quarters. They didn’t meet anyone else on the way there and quickly got dressed for bed.

A/N I want to thank everyone who has reviewed. Since I answer all reviews possible, I won’t list them here. Also thank you to everyone who is reading the story. You guys are my inspiration and it’s really great when I still get a favorite story or author or story alert.