Vows

Chapter 9 Blessings

They walked to the gate of the Abbey. The Abbey looked more like a castle or fortress. Hermione banged the knocker twice and a few moments later a woman peeked at them through a peephole,
“How can I help you my child?” she asked.

“I’ve come to see the Reverend Mother. It is urgent that I speak with her.” Hermione said.

“Very well, child” and she unlocked the door.

“The Mother Superior is in her office and I will tell her you are here. What is your name?” the nun asked.

“She will know me as Sister Jane.” Hermione explained, but the nun threw up her hands and said,
“Thank God you are here and looking well. We have been praying for you for days,” grabbing on to Hermione’s arm and hastily walked her to a small build on the side of the Abbey. She ushered Hermione and Harry in and went through another door and announced to the Reverend Mother that ‘Sister Jane was outside the door.’

The nun signaled for Hermione to come in but stopped Harry.
Hermione stopped and said,
“No. He is with me, he catches the payment,” and she reached her hand towards Harry and he followed her in to the office.

Hermione automatically knelt until the Mother Superior blessed her and asked her to rise.

“Now my child you have brought back the ransom? How was this managed, my daughter?” the older nun asked looking at the box that Harry set on her desk.

“They sent the payment back because you are not getting me back, Mother. I’ve come to show you that I am well and that I will not be taking
my vows as a nun.” Hermione told the Mother Superior.

The old women looked at Hermione and Harry.

She walked out from behind her desk and reach out to Hermione and Hermione gave her hands.

“I see our treasure has been stolen from us and a payment as been returned.” the nun said. She touched the gold band on Hermione’s finger.
“How long have you been married my child?”

“A few hours mother.” Hermione asked.

“Was this a force marriage?” the old woman posed.
“Forced?” asked Hermione

“Did he make you marry him?” the nun asked in a soft voice so Harry couldn’t hear.

“No. Mother we love each other.” Hermione said.

“You know what to expect from your wedding night? Your wifely duties?”
the old woman questioned her.

“Yes mother I know what to expect,” Hermione said smiling at Harry and he smiled back. She blushed as she looked back at the Mother Superior and the nun sighed put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow,
“If you know what to expect my dear then it was a hurried marriage,” and the old woman cracked a smile,
“Well the world needs to be populated. Go forth and multiply,” the superior said as she kissed both Hermione cheeks.

Harry held out his hand to the nun and she took it saying,
“You will take care of her and love her?”
“Yes Reverend Mother. I made a vow to her and she to me.” Harry said.

The nun put her hands on their cheeks
“Bless you both my children. Now go and have a wonderful life.”

“Thank you,” they both said.

They left the office and started walking toward the other end of the
Abbey. The nun who announced them to the Reverend Mother was once more in front of the them,
“ Please Sister Jane come with me so many were worried when you were taken. We all prayed for you. You must come and see them please. They will be overjoyed to see you in the flesh, and the nun wrapped her arm around Hermione’s arm with a bounce in her step.

“Alright I will,” Hermione agreed.

The nun guided her past the nun quarters to the sitting room.
There, Hermione saw many of her follow novices from the convent.
Arms opened and some screamed with delight at seeing her.
Harry followed like unnoticed shadow.

There were lots of hugs and ‘God be praised’ and they all embraced her and asked if she was alright. All commented on how well she looked and how brave she was to survive the nightmare.

Hermione blush a little and said,
“It was not so horrible. They were very nice to me. I got them to say grace at the evening meal.” Hermione looked at Harry,
“They taught me a lot about myself. In some way one brought me closer to God, and helped me to not to judge people so hard and taught me love. I haven’t felt that in a long time.”

“Well God has given you a gift my child and he has given us one today. You will be taking your vows with us this evening?” one of the Novice asked.

But before she could say anything an older nun came in and said,
“Sisters? The Archbishop wants to see our new arrival,” and the nun took her by the shoulders and steer her to the other room.
Harry was behind them in just a few steps.

The nun opened the door to the library and lead her to the middle of the room, the nun curtsied to the man in exquisite robes who’s back was turn to them in prayer and said,
“Here she is, your Eminence.” and left the room closing the door behind her.

The Archbishop turned around and Hermione looked at him. She hid her fear at the sight of him she had a feeling they would meet and a rage swelled in her.

The Archbishop stretched out his arms with a welcoming gesture with a evil grin on his mouth as he walk around the table, his black eyes looking at her with an animal hunger,
“My dear.”

“Your Eminence,” and she knelt on one knee out of respect of his new office. This will be the last time she intended to ever look at him.
He put his hand out his ring protruding out for her to kiss. The iridescent
veil concealed the fury in her eyes and was the cover she had to exhale on his hand making him think she lightly kissed his ring.


“I’m so glad you’ve back unharmed,” he said casually, “Rise, Jane.”

The bishop looked at Harry and then asked,
“He is here to make sure you arrived safely?”

“Yes.” Hermione said, “He is my...”

“You’ve done you job you may go,” the Archbishop said as he waved his hand dismissing Harry.

“You shall take you vows this evening.” the bishop declared his eye lit up as he said it.

“I cannot,” Hermione announced getting up and walking over to Harry,
“I’m not becoming a nun,” she took Harry’s out stretch hand.

“What? Are you turning your back on your sisterhood, your family obligation and God? Kneel, kneel down and pray with me for forgiveness from God,” he hissed as he walked over to her and grabbed her arm and tore her away from Harry.

Hermione fell to the floor and the archbishop knelt next to her,
“You will take your vows,” and there was a long thunderous sound in the room as he clasped her hand together as if to pray.
“Endure the lash at my bed until you call out for mercy and then I will penetrate your flesh with my own.”

Hermione ripped her hands from his grasp as Harry pulled the archbishop away from her Harry wand at his temple.

“You dare touch me again and you will feel my mercy on your back,” Hermione jeered.

“You dared threaten me?”

“ I am.” Hermione said getting up on to her feet.

“This is the way you treat a man of God, your instructor that guided you on to the right path of God and who loved you with all my being?”

“You are no man of God. You would beat a starving man to death for taking bread. A man of God would offer that man bread and drink.
You instructed me to your path and when I refused your advance and defended myself you punished me and marked me a witch to hold it over my head so I would do any thing you said.” Hermione reasoned slowly walking toward him.

“I marked you as my own, your flesh is mine to do as I please and if I so desire to I will possess it.” the Archbishop snared at her.

“Over my dead body,” Harry said pointing his wand in to the man head.

“Who is this boy?” the Archbishop asked moving his head away for the point.

“Boy? I’m the man who is going to cut off any part of you who touches my wife.” Harry explained.

“Wife?” the Archbishop repeated, looking at Harry “ Wife or whore?” Then the Archbishop looked at Hermione,
“Did she crawl in to bed with you? Or cry her love for you with tears.” he said with disgust.

“What? No. No. It’s not like that,” Hermione cried shaking her head at looking at Harry.

“I caught her half naked with a priest. She desired his company too.” he whispered looking at Harry. “But he was saved. HE was sent away from you and all your temptations,” The archbishop announced at Hermione.

“You sent him away because I loved him, he was my best friend and the only family I had. Remus wanted to protect me from you.” Hermione said aloud.

“He wanted you for himself, you stupid girl. I want to bring you closer to God.” He said,

“ I don’t want to be brought closer to God in your way,” Hermione said sternly. She paused and simply explained, “ I go to see God and heaven with him,” pointing to Harry.

Harry smiled at her and got up walked over to her taking her hand and said,
“ And you will see it again tonight my love.”

The Archbishop was still on the floor as Hermione looked at him walking out the door. He looked older, frail and beaten.

“May God enlighten you in a love and not pain as you did with me,” Hermione said to him.

The Archbishop was on his feet a moment later. Hermione heard him say,
“If I can’t have you no man will,” and then Harry pulled Hermione away from the door just as a large cross necklace shot threw the door.

The crucifix fell to the floor a long blade protruded out from the bottom of making it look like a dagger.

Hermione picked it up.
“You wanted to kill me?” she looked at the so-called Holy man,
“ You would see me dead then happy?”

“ You’re damned to hell now Jane. I can still save you, your soul. I can grant you absolution just come with me, I can send you to God,” and he went to seize her and fell to his knee, “You were pure I wanted to bask in your light. I want that radiance to be mine,” and he grabbed at her dress and went for the cross.

A moment later Archbishops fingers were on the floor and the man was waling in pain.

“I warned you I would cut off any part of you that touches her.” Harry told him, pushing Hermione behind him toward the door.

“Damn you both to hell then.” the man said.

Harry stepped towards him and said softly,
“I may go to hell for cutting off your fingers, but I’m going to be loving this angel tonight. I will be caressing her, kissing her and possessing her beautiful soft body. She will say MY name and cry out to God in pleasure
and the only pain she will feel is when she gives birth to our child.”

He walked over to Hermione and gently pushed her away out of the room keeping an eye on the Archbishop. He closed the door behind and pulled his wife past the nuns and into the sunlight.

He walked her quickly to the gate and took out his wand and said,
“Alohamora.”

The carriage was still there waiting as well as the pair of Weasley twins,
“What are you doing here?”

“Moody wanted us to be here just incase you needed help,” they both said at the same time.


They all got into the carriage and drove toward the harbor.

~ ~ ~ ~

“Mom and dad are getting ready for the party tonight,” Fred told the newlyweds.

“Mom is making mounds of food. She loves weddings. She’s decorating the guest room for you two.” Fred said.

Harry took Hermione’s hand and squeezed it. She felt his warm hand in her cold one. His other hand went to her cheek and he asked,
“You alright? You’re feel cold.”

Hermione looked at him and said softly,
“He tried to kill me. Why?”

“He’s mad. You won’t even have to see him again. I won’t let him near you, I’ll kill him first,” Harry told her.

“Who tried to kill you?” George asked.

“The Archbishop.” Harry said, “ He’s insane. He’s tried to kill her so no one could have her.”

“We married now. I’ll take care of you.” and he kissed her sweet on the lips.

“Oh Harry I hope you have more fire in you then that feeble kiss,” Fred asked.

“He has,” Hermione said.

The carriage stopped and they walked to the docks and onto the ships.

Moments later they were casting off.

~ ~ ~ ~

Hermione went below to her room and removed her veil and cap.

There was a knock on the door and it opened a crack and Harry voice come for the open,
“Hermione, may I come in?”
“Yes of course,” Hermione replied.
He stepped in looking a little awkward.
“What is it Harry?” she asked.

“I’m off duty… right now, Moody’s at the helm,” Harry explained, “We’ll be at the Weasley’s in a less than an hour. Not much time to do anything. I mean to consummate the marriage.” he said blushing.

Hermione stepped towards him and put her arms around his neck,
“I do not think so either, but we can kiss and hold each other until we dock.”