Chapter 12
Hermione came round to find a very concerned Winky looking at her, the creep was being dragged none too gently out of the room while his wife sat unmoving throughout the whole episode. All this was observed with a glance as she remembered why she was on the floor, Harry.
Winky popped them to his side as the room descended into total chaos.
Millicent was screaming, "He's mine now leave him alone."
Meanwhile her mother was shouting at the goblins to unhand the Lady Gryffindor as they dragged her daughter from the room, after having carefully removed the ring from her finger.
Hermione only had eyes for Harry, he lay convulsing and foaming at the mouth while his magic wasn't allowing anyone to touch him.
She put her hand on his face and there was an immediate improvement to his condition, Hermione asked the elves to take them to Poppy.
Both elves put their hands on Hermione and they disappeared from Gringotts.
They arrived in the Potters bedroom and when Hermione enquired, Dobby replied that Harry's magic had brought them here.
She put him to bed but his magic started forming a shield, which expanded out from his body gently, but steadily pushing the elves out the room.
Ginny had heard the commotion and ran into the room but, as she headed for Harry, the little redhead found herself pushed back when trying to get closer than about three feet.
Harry's magic had set the boundaries, Ginny was allowed in the room but only Hermione was able to touch him.
Hermione got into bed beside him and their clothes disappeared, skin contact was obviously what he wanted so she hugged him tight, being immediately rewarded by feeling his slight presence in their bond. This caused her to cry with relief onto her husband's chest.
She hadn't realised how much they shared over the bond until it was no longer there, she felt as if a void had opened in her mind and in her heart, a void so vast that it had caused her to faint.
Ginny became the relay for news as Hermione wouldn't leave Harry and not even the elves could enter the room.
The potion inside the ring may at one time have been capable of affecting someone's emotions but it was extremely old and had been inside the ring for decades, slowly decomposing and evolving into something totally different.
No one knew exactly how different and the chances of them making a discovery soon were pretty remote.
Hermione surmised that Harry was drawing power from her using their bond to fight the potion and the more skin-to-skin contact there was the easier it seemed for him to do. When she got up to visit the bathroom, Ginny could keep him calm for a few minutes by talking to him but after that, his magic started reacting to the lack of contact with his wife.
When Ginny passed this information to the now full room of concerned people, both elves confirmed Hermione's hunch and left the common room, returning twenty minutes later with a goblet of broth for Hermione and a sealed flask for Harry to be drank when he regained consciousness.
Hermione didn't realise how much Harry had needed but the special Elvin broth topped up her energy banks nicely.
Ginny also brought news that the goblins were seriously pissed off; two friends of the goblin nation had been attacked inside their bank. Seriously pissed off was maybe an understatement.
-oOoOo-
Millicent and her mental mother were dead.
The goblins hatred of these potions is well known; hence the total destruction of the burrow, so to be caught using one inside Gringotts on a wizard with 'friend of the goblin nation' status was a death sentence. The fact that her mother knew and not only did nothing to stop it but actually encouraged and, according to Harry's notes, participated in trying to convince Harry of her daughters beauty sealed the delusional woman's fate as well.
Albert the creep might have escaped with just Winky's punishment but for the fact the goblin medic noticed how the poor woman was sitting. She refused to speak but a preliminary exam showed heavy fresh welts across her back and shoulders with scar tissue dating back years. She was currently in hospital under sedation due to hysterical laughter. When being informed of her husband's fate, the abused witch kept repeating, "topped and tailed" then collapsing into laughter. This was opening the wounds on her back leaving sedation, the only choice.
Narcissa was currently finishing the interviews with the members of House Potter though with four goblin guards with swords in their hands standing ready for anything.
-oOoOo-
Harry opened his eyes to the sight of beautiful brown hair as his wife cuddled into him, what had woke him was the strong feelings of concern emanating from Hermione.
'What's the matter love?' Harry asked over the bond.
'HARRY!' exploded in his head, while kisses rained down on his face and neck.
He was enjoying this immensely until he felt his wife's tears mixed in with the kisses, a slight movement of his hand raised the lights as he looked at the love of his life, Merlin she was beautiful, and MERLIN she was naked!
"Hermione what's going on love?"
"Oh Harry," was all she could manage between the sobs and kisses so Harry did the only thing he could think of, he hugged Hermione closer and started returning her kisses.
When she'd recovered enough so her mind could form sentences, Hermione stopped kissing and just hugged her husband as though her life depended on it.
'Harry what's the last thing you remember?'
For some reason Harry had trouble recalling, 'the Tonks interview went well, Theo Nott needs watching but could be great, Crabbe and Goyle were surprisingly very supportive and even swore allegiance while both mothers wanted to assist with the preschool program we want to run. My next memory is of a troll in make-up trying to convince me I didn't know what I was missing. I felt a flash of something over our bond and was desperate to get to you, what happened?'
'Millicent Bulstrode injected you with a love potion that was seriously past its sell by date.'
Harry just stared at her in astonishment before bursting into laughter.
This was not the reaction Hermione was expecting and she was starting to worry about residual potion effects when Harry spoke through their bond again.
'Oh love, its ok. I'm just continually amazed at the stupidity of the wizarding world. The Boy Who Lived is going to give up the most beautiful woman in the world for a troll in a dress and they think questions won't be asked. She was probably delusional enough to believe I would love her when the potion wore off. What are we going to do about her?'
'The only punishment available is to try and ban her entry into the headless hunt. The goblins beheaded three people from House Potter.'
'Three?'
'Millicent, her mother and the creep who tried to feel me up!'
"WHAT?" Harry was out of bed, looking for robes and ready to hack a body to pieces but felt weak and really light headed.
Hermione led him back to bed, giving Harry the flask prepared by the elves to drink from.
Harry didn't know what was in the flask but felt the energy rush through his body while Hermione cuddled into him. He glanced at the bedside clock, which indicated 3am.
'Please tell me what happened and have I been here all day?'
'He put his hand on me and before I could react Winky blasted him across the room, removing certain body parts in the process. I was really shocked when Dobby then refused to help him.'
'Hermione, a member of the Potter house made sexual advances to the lady of the house. The minute his hand touched you, his life was forfeit. The elves knew this plus they love you nearly as much as I do, Dobby would probably have killed him, as would I. They are our family and will defend its members with their lives.'
Hermione just nodded her agreement before releasing the bombshell; with tears in her eyes she thought 'Harry, its Saturday morning you've been unconscious for three days.'
'Please tell me the wedding's not cancelled?'
'I could feel you getting stronger in the bond so hoped you would recover in time, cutting it fine as usual Potter,' she joked.
'Nothing could keep me away from you love.'
'Harry, I don't want to wait any longer. I think we should finalise the bond right now, I nearly lost you and not feeling your presence in our bond was devastating. Completing the bond will make us stronger and allow Poppy to treat any injuries. Please Harry?'
'Would you mind waiting just a little bit longer love?'
He could sense the hurt as she asked the question, 'why?'
'Well I really need a shower, but I promise I'll be right back and then I'm all yours.'
The joy and love radiating from his wife would melt stone hearts, 'only if I'm allowed to join you in the shower.'
'Second best idea you've had today love.'
The windows rattling wakened Sirius, he didn't think it was stormy before his senses felt the magic pulsing through the room, he could only think of one source, Harry!
He shot out of bed and headed for their room to find Emma, Dan and Ginny already there but being stopped from entering, not by a shield but two elves named Dobby and Winky.
A golden light was all around the door guarded by the elves from an upset Emma Granger.
"My daughter is in there and may be in danger or require help, I order you to let us pass," ranted Emma.
Winky tried to keep the laughter from her voice as she replied, "the Lord and Lady Gryffindor are finalising their bond. They are in no danger and I can assure you do not require your assistance at this moment in time."
Dan had 'TMI' screaming through his brain while Emma was wishing she was anywhere else but outside this door. Sirius however just couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"You mean we're out here worried sick and their in there…well, way to go pronglet."
This earned him a severe smack to the back of the head from an embarrassed Emma as Ginny roared with laughter.
Neville had refused to leave while Harry was unconscious and had been sleeping on the sofa. He was woken by the disturbance and made his way down the small corridor to be confronted with Sirius rubbing the back of his head and Ginny almost doubled over with laughter.
"What's going on? is Harry up yet?"
Neville stood bemused as two muggles, a witch, wizard and both elves collapsed onto the floor with laughter.
Ginny recovered first and led the bewildered Neville back to the sofa joking that she promised to tell him about it when he's older.
-oOoOo-
The wedding breakfast in the Gryffindor apartments was in full swing, the relief of Harry's recovery enhanced the already party atmosphere when the golden couple made their appearance everything stopped, nobody spoke, everyone just stared.
Dan Granger was almost in tears as he looked at the beautiful young woman who was his daughter, every father thinks their little girl is beautiful but there was no exaggeration here, Hermione was gorgeous and definitely not a little girl.
They weren't sure if it was finalising the bond or sharing magic for three days but both now looked at least nineteen. Hermione could have graced the cover of any fashion magazine and Harry was a very handsome young man but the effect magnified by a factor of about five when they stood together, arms around each other, radiating their feelings for the person standing next to them.
Any lingering doubts in Dan's mind were melted by the power of Hermione's smile as she held her man close to her side, heaven help anyone who tried to part these two.
The stillness ended as suddenly as it began with everyone jumping out of there seats to hug the couple, greetings were exchanged, tears shed before some semblance of order was regained and Harry sat to eat his first meal in days.
Ginny, as expected was the first to try and tease, "Wow Hermione, if that's what three days in bed with Harry does will you hire him out? please?"
Hermione just laughed, "Sorry Ginny, but he's booked solid for the next hundred years or so you'll just have to get your own."
Ginny glanced at Neville, while muttering under her breath, "working on it."
"What age are you both now?" asked Emma
"We performed the spell this morning and we are both nineteen," said Hermione
"Does that mean you've lost four years of your lives?" asked a horrified Dan Granger.
Hermione smiled reassuringly, "Dad, with the boost or magic received from the bond it probably added fifty years to our lifespan, Dumbledore was over one hundred and fifty and we're both more powerful than that."
This had a more startling effect on the Grangers than anything they had heard since discovering Hermione was a witch. How do you respond to the fact your child will outlive you by over a hundred years?
"Good to see you Neville, glad you got here early," said Harry.
Ginny laughed, "he hasn't left, Neville's been sleeping on the sofa waiting on you recovering. I offered him a bed in my room but grandma said no."
This brought a chuckle from Harry, "thanks Emma, anyone trying to get near Miss Potter here is going to need my permission to court" joked Harry.
Neville cleared his throat, "Lord Gryffindor, may I have your permission to court Miss Ginny Potter?"
SHIT thought Harry, how do I get myself out of this? Every pair of eyes in the room watched and waited for his answer; there can be only one – the truth
"Neville, I was joking about the permission to court and I apologise."
Neville and Ginny's faces both fell.
"As head of house Potter I have dissolved all marriage contracts and will enforce the rule that it's the lady's opinion that counts."
Neville and Ginny just looked confused now
"The best advice I can offer you is to ask the lovely Miss Potter, if she says yes then we will wholeheartedly give you both our blessing."
Neville looked at Ginny who just said "yes" and pounced on him, kissing the delighted young wizard.
"I really don't need to see that at breakfast," grumbled Harry.
"I know exactly how you feel," answered Dan, before they both burst out laughing.
"Ok, does mommy or grandma get to give Ginny the talk?" joked Harry.
"Only if daddy or granddad speaks to Neville," responded Hermione, causing the whole room to laugh.
"Seriously Neville, you know if you hurt our little girl I'll have to set Hermione on you," said Harry half joking.
"And me!" added Emma, not joking.
"And me!" said Winky, who was totally serious.
Neville's face lost all colour and nodded, he didn't need to add the obvious that Ginny would kill him first.
"Ok some of us have had a bit of a lie-in so could you bring us up to speed since we're the ones getting married today," said Hermione.
Emma explained that leaving from their house was still too large a security risk, they had booked an entire hotel about a hundred yards from the church where all the wedding party would be 'staying'. They would get dressed here; the elves would take them to the hotel then muggle transport to and from the church.
The floo activated and Narcissa came out, looking in shock at the young couple.
"Long story, Miss Black what have you got for us?" asked Hermione.
Shaking off her disbelief at the couple's appearance she replied, "all arrangements for today have been checked and confirmed, Madam Bones has Aurors along the route and surrounding the church. Ragnok has his people doing the same while I heard a rumour that Dobby here has elves checking everything."
Dobby just smiled, he was taking no chances today, his whole family was in that church, and Winky.
"All the dresses and robes have been delivered and Winky assures me the elves can handle any last minute alterations required," the whole room looked at Harry and Hermione.
"The flowers are in the church and the minister knows we were unable to have a rehearsal due to illness, he will walk everyone through the procedure trying to keep our bride and groom here under control. I thought it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony?" said Narcissa
"Hermione and I learned a valuable lesson the other day, we're stronger together than apart so superstition will just have to give way as I wont be leaving my wife's side," answered Harry earning a kiss from Hermione.
"You can't see the dress!" said a scandalised Emma
"I'm not marrying a dress but the beautiful woman inside it so superstition is losing again," which earned another kiss from his delighted wife.
"Mum you should know the family motto by now," as the whole room chorused
"Potter's don't do normal!"
-oOoOo-
Harry stood in front of the alter with Dobby and Neville by his side, Minister Stewart had quickly run them through the procedure so they now stood waiting the arrival of the bride.
The stain glass window was massive and consisted of the whole wall behind the minister though Harry suspected there was more than restoration involved here. The main scene of the montage was St. George famously fighting a dragon but the figure looked suspiciously like one Harry James Potter, while the sword he held was an exact copy of Godric Gryffindor's goblin forged blade. The dragon in the window was a Hungarian Horntail while a golden stag and his mate grazed quietly in the bottom corner. For all that it was a work of art in any language.
Hermione sat in the horse drawn carriage beside her father as they headed towards the man she loved more than life itself. As the carriage pulled up outside the most beautiful church she had ever seen, her father took her arm as they went to meet Harry. The plaque situated at the church entrance declared:
The Restorations were commissioned by
Lord Harry James Potter Gryffindor
In celebration of his marriage to
Hermione Jane Granger
'Beauty Deserves Company'
She couldn't believe it; everyone who enters this church forever more would know how much Harry loves her. The church organist began playing Felix Mendelssohn's Wedding March.
Harry heard the music and turned to see the vision that was his wife start walking down the aisle with her father. He couldn't have described her dress if his life depended on it, he just saw Hermione and that was more than enough.
The church was packed and the whole congregation held its breath as Hermione made her entrance, even Lavender and Parvati, who had shared a dorm with her for years and saw her only last week, couldn't believe this vision was Hermione Granger. Up and down the church the same whisper could be heard "that's Hermione?"
Hermione walked down the aisle, having planed this moment for years, where everyone gets to eat their insults and snide remarks as she proves them all wrong. She looked at Harry, her prince waiting at the alter for her and suddenly nothing else mattered, she didn't care what people had said, would say or speak of in the future she had Harry and that was more than enough for her.
Dan passed his daughter over to Harry before sitting next to Emma and Amanda Granger. Ginny and Winky took their places at Hermione's side while Minister Stewart began the service.
He began to speak
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of…"
Neither Harry nor Hermione were aware of what was happening around them, as they seemed to lose themselves in the moment. It was only Dobby's elbow into Harry's ribs that made him realise the service was coming to its conclusion and time for their vows.
Harry spoke first
"There was darkness for a long time and then there was light, and that light was you.
Your love has given me the power to challenge the world, and our journey begins today.
I pledge before this assembled company to be your husband from this day forward.
Let us make of our two lives one life. I want you for today, tomorrow, and forever."
He took the gold wedding ring that Godric had made for his wife Rowena and placed it on Hermione's finger
Hermione spoke next
"You are my best friend, my love, my inspiration and today I give myself to you in marriage.
I have dreamed my whole life of having someone as wonderful as you love me the way you do.
I promise here to treasure for all of my days the love we celebrate today.
Let us bring together our lives and find ourselves anew each day."
Ginny handed her Godric's wedding ring, which she placed on Harry's finger. A surge of power passed through both of them leaving the couple breathless.
The minister then continued the proceedings
"Marriage vows have been spoken and rings exchanged.
By the power vested in me I now pronounce you man and wife.
You may now kiss the bride."
Harry heard the words he was waiting on and needing no further encouragement proceeded to kiss his wife.
When the kiss finished the minister turned them round to face the congregation and announced,
"My Lords, ladies and gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to present Lord Harry James Potter Gryffindor and his wife Lady Hermione Jane Potter Gryffindor"
The congregation had just begun to applaud while getting to their feet when the massive, newly restored stained glass window imploded, shooting razor sharp fragments of glass throughout the entire church and its congregation.
Death and destruction visited the Potter's wedding as the purebloods struck back.
Chapter 13
Harry sat on a hard backed chair in a corridor of St Mungo's, head resting in his blood stained hands, wondering how a day that was going so well could turn bad so quickly.
One minute he was standing with his bride by his side with all their friends and family applauding happily, then glass and blood was everywhere.
Harry could feel Hermione's distress as she sat with her mother and grandmother beside the unmoving body of Dan Granger. He had just left them to try and clear his head and make some sense of today's events.
-oOoOo-
When the window exploded the wedding party had their backs to it and almost no time to react. Harry had pulled Hermione closer while Dobby had started moving to try and help them. The wedding rings of Godric and Rowena carried ancient charms to give the married couple unparalleled protection, but Harry doubted even that would be enough to shield them from the razor sharp shrapnel filling the air.
What saved them could possibly qualify as divine intervention, the Reverend Stewart's rather large body was between them and the window which resulted in his unintentional absorption of projectiles heading in their direction, leaving the trio with barely a scratch while the poor church minister died almost instantly. The rest of the main wedding party were not so lucky.
On one side Winky had moved to try and protect Ginny but a rather large shard impacted into her back, impaling the elf as it continued through her body and into the youngest Potter, pinning them both together as they slowly slumped to the ground.
On the other side Neville Longbottom stood wearing no protective charms and with nothing or no one to block the progress of the glass, he was cut to ribbons.
The elves saved many lives that day and Neville was one of them, though he was not expected to make it through the night.
There were many elves inside the church, using their unique magic to remain unseen as they watched the ceremony. They were delighted to see their Lord and Lady but it was the sight of Dobby and Winky standing proudly beside them that the vast majority of the elves had come to see, never before had elves been held in such high esteem by wizards and even goblins.
Dobby was greatly admired by the elves but Winky was loved.
She had worked tirelessly helping the new elves adjust; treating their injuries and they all adored the new tunics. Add to that the worst abuser of house elves was currently scrubbing floors and washing dishes while Winky stood proudly at the Lady Gryffindor's side.
The elves knew it was the Potters who were trying to help their plight and they loved the couple for it, but they didn't know Harry and Hermione, it was Winky who helped everyone with a smile on her face and the elves adored her.
When the window exploded elves immediately started to shield the congregation however, in the race of flying glass against expanding shields the glass almost reached the third row before being stopped.
Regrettably for Harry and Hermione, custom dictated that their family and friends sat at the front.
Not satisfied with saving most of the congregation the elves proceeded to pop the badly injured to St Mungo's, evacuating everyone within two minutes, but what a hellish two minutes.
Directly after the explosion, Harry checked Hermione was unharmed then began to help the injured. He saw Neville taken away first, closely followed by the joined Winky and Ginny. Harry felt a massive jolt of despair across the bond and turned to see Hermione trying to help her mother and grandmother out from under her father, who'd obviously used his body to protect both women.
Unfortunately he had paid a heavy price for his actions in the form of a rather large piece of stained glass imbedded into the back of his neck.
Harry asked Dobby to get them all to St Mungo's as he knew his friend would be desperate for news of Winky as well.
Sirius and Remus were cut pretty badly but had refused to leave until they knew the couple were all right, a pair of quick 'careful of injuries' hugs later and they were off for treatment.
A goblin guard had used his body to protect Ragnok and it cost the brave goblin his life while Griphook looked likely to loose his sword arm to a viciously shaped glass segment. He was apparated to St Mungo's while Ragnok was sending medics and supplies to aid with the medical emergency.
Harry had wondered why Poppy hadn't been seen tending the injured but he soon found out as she knelt beside her best friend of many years who now lay in the arms of Filius Flitwick.
For the first time in his life the diminutive professor was glad of his height, when everyone stood up and started applauding Filius was about to stand on the pew when the explosion struck. The glass implanted into the wood in front of him told it's own story while the piece sticking out the left eye of the unconscious Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall told another story altogether.
Harry had to shout at Poppy to bring her out of her trance and let her professionalism take over, she then examined her best friend before being popped by elves to St Mungo's.
The five Weasley brothers were all bleeding but more concerned about Ginny than their own health.
Bill had thought his heart would burst with pride and love as he watched his sister walk down the aisle in her bridesmaid dress. Hermione was stunning but Bill had been unable to take his eyes off Ginny as he saw a glimpse of the beautiful woman she would become.
He had wrestled with his conscience for days after making his decision to allow his sister to become a Potter but not anymore, every Weasley brother was in agreement that they had never seen Ginny look happier.
Bill watched as the elf threw herself between Ginny and the glass projectiles, saving her life before another two elves apparated them away, hopefully to St Mungo's.
He was still staring at the spot where Ginny had lain when Bill felt a hand on his shoulder and there was Harry asking if he was ok.
He quickly glanced at his brothers who were bloody but whole, Percy was in danger of throwing up again as he looked at his camera with the spike of glass sticking out. He was taking a picture at the time and would now have a tremendous black eye from the force of the impact, but without the camera it would have passed through his head.
Harry left the Weasley brothers, heading towards Amelia and Ragnok while signalling to the uninjured Narcissa to join them.
Amelia spoke first, "we have no idea what happened, the Aurors outside reported something travelling at tremendous speed exploding against the window. There were wards and shields in place but nothing could stand up to that. They think it came from somewhere on the other side of the river."
Ragnok continued, his anger barely contained, "our information matches exactly, whatever hit that window exploded, killing and severally injuring wizards, goblins and elves outside as well. We were lucky, without those Elvin shields many more would have been injured inside the church."
Amelia continued, "Rest assured whoever did this will be brought to justice."
Harry was looking at Ragnok when he replied, "This was a direct attack on the noble house of Potter, spilling its members blood therefore I, as head of house, declare a bloodfeud against anyone involved in this attack. Please be aware I'm talking about the people who planned this, financed the operation, gave information and carried out this atrocity. They will all get the justice deserving of this cowardly act."
Ragnok nodded his agreement, goblin blood had been spilled and his own life spared only at the cost of another's, no one was walking away from this alive, yes his fallen comrades would be avenged on this he pledged his oath.
Harry continued, "Our first priority is treatment of the injured while we gather information. The hotel is booked all day so please organise getting the people up there for a hot drink or something stronger and have any minor injuries treated there rather than St Mungo's. Narcissa, the chance of this information being leaked from some of our house's newest members is not something we can ignore. Please see what you can find out as I must head to the hospital."
-oOoOo-
Harry called for Dobby and they both appeared in the lobby of St Mungo's to be faced with a very irate male receptionist with a rather large bruise on his jaw.
"Your elf attacked me!" he shouted
"Why would Dobby attack you?" asked Harry
"I just told him we don't treat his kind here so he had to leave when…"
The "when" was when Harry punched him, he'd been fighting to control his temper and now here was a perfect excuse to let it go, boy did he let it go.
As the arsehole hit the deck a doctor entered, stepped over his fallen colleague and went to greet the newly arrived goblin medics with their supplies. Now there was a future Stag Industries employee thought Harry.
They hurried to the suite of rooms and the first bed they came to was Winky's and she didn't look good.
Dobby sat down beside her and placed his hands on her forehead and chest, they emitted a golden glow as Dobby fed his magic into Winky. Five elves entered the room and placed their hands on Dobby, allowing him to siphon off some of their magic and pass it onto Winky.
Harry watched for a few minutes as elves came to make their donation and left until Dobby sat back exhausted but leaving Winky looking a lot better.
The last elves left before Harry asked, "why didn't the other elves just give their magic to Winky?"
Dobby gave a sad smile, "Giving your magic to another being can have consequences but when they give it to me to transfer they don't face any, as part of my best elf speech today I was going to ask Winky to be my life mate."
Dobby thought for a minute before he quietly asked, "Harry, if anything happens to Winky will you bind me as a house elf? Otherwise I will hunt down and kill everyone involved in this and that's not behaviour becoming to an elf."
Harry replied just as quietly, "Dobby my friend, the people who did this are already dead, they just don't know it yet. Is there any way I can donate some of my magic to Winky?"
Dobby nodded while replacing his hands on Winky, "place your hands on my shoulder and just think what Winky means to you while letting your magic go."
Harry placed his hands on Dobby's shoulders, closed his eyes and thought of Winky pushing Hermione away from Ron's curse then throwing herself to protect Ginny today when he heard a voice shout "Harry stop!"
Harry lifted his hands and opened his eyes to see a fatigued Dobby but a glowing Winky.
Dobby staggered off his chair and embraced Harry with tears in his eyes, "thank you, she'll make it now." He sobbed
Harry was crying to as he hugged his friend, "she would do the same and more for any of us and you know it. You've got an exceptional elf their Dobby so make sure you ask her the first chance you get. That's an order Dobby!" he said jokingly.
Dobby managed a laugh as he replied, "Yes my lord Gryffindor, it's my duty to obey and may all your orders be as pleasant as that one."
Harry left to enter the next room finding Ginny sitting up in bed with her brothers all around her.
Harry was so surprised that he had his arms round her before even realising he'd moved from the doorway while Ginny cried her eyes out into his chest.
"Oh Harry, they told me you were ok but I had to see it for myself, where's Hermione? how's Winky and Neville?"
"Hey, slow down there. Hermione's fine, I've just left Winky and we think she's going to be ok while Neville is next on my list after you, how are you feeling?"
"Oh thank Merlin Winky's going to be alright, I was so scared she'd die saving me." She was sobbing with relief now.
Bill had to answer for her, "she's going to be fine Harry, she needs to stay in bed for an hour while the blood replenishing potion works then she can go home. Winky took the brunt of it."
Harry disentangled himself and promised to return with Hermione to take her home later.
Harry and Hermione were in continual contact through their bond so she was now aware of Winky and Ginny's conditions but it hadn't improved her feelings one bit.
Hermione was in pain and Harry was desperate to get to her but both knew this had to be done. The reason for her pain was lying face down on a bed and they understood Harry couldn't help there so he went to see Neville.
He entered Neville's room to find his grandmother sitting by his bedside; she'd been part of the congregation and had luckily been sitting far enough back to remain unscathed.
"Madam Longbottom I'm so sorry."
She held her hand up to stop Harry saying anymore.
"Lord Potter today I saw my grandson the happiest I've ever seen him. He was so proud to stand by your side and has great admiration for your wife. I spoke to him for a minute and he told me he was courting your adopted daughter and was going to introduce us after the ceremony. Today I saw the fine man my grandson would become and for that I thank you. Neville lying here is not your fault because my generation must share the blame for what we allowed our society to become."
"The healers have closed the wounds and stopped the bleeding but he lost too much blood. The replenishing potion tops up a wizards blood supply but he must have enough of his own blood available for his magic to convert it to real blood. A wizard's blood is unique to them as it allows their magic to flow and everyone's magic is different. His body will start to shut down in under twelve hours."
This strong, proud woman sat with tears running unashamedly down her cheeks and Harry thought no words could make a difference here so he sat quietly with his friend's grandmother before eventually excusing himself and heading for Hermione.
She knew he was coming and was heading for the door so when Harry opened it, his sobbing wife in her now ruined wedding gown engulfed him in a hug of despair.
Dan Granger was in a critical condition, even if the healers managed to save his life chances were he'd be paralysed from the neck down.
Emma, if anything was in a worse state than Hermione as she made her way over and clung to them as if her life depended on it, Amanda just sat staring unbelieving at her only son.
Harry sat with his wife and new mother either side of him as a procession of healers would come in, cast a few diagnostic spells, shake their heads and leave.
It was Emma who broke the silence first, "you made your father the happiest man in the world today, his dream was to walk his daughter down the aisle and give her hand to a man who really loved her, his wish came true today."
They held each other tighter
"He was having a set of golf clubs made for Harry's Christmas with the Gryffindor lion on them, Sirius helped with the design and he was really looking forward to spending hours away from the nagging women teaching his son to play golf."
Harry held the crying mother and daughter close before speaking, "Mum we have the combined resources of the magical and muggle world as well as the goblin and elvin nations behind us. If dad can be fixed I promise to move heaven and earth to make it possible. I want him teaching his grandchildren to play golf."
Amanda Granger spoke for the first time since the explosion, "Harry there's something I want you to promise me, that the bastards who did this to my son wont get away with it."
Harry went over and knelt beside the woman who for once looked her age, "Gran I've already sworn a bloodfeud against the people who did this, nobody attacks my family and gets away with it. We're looking after our people for now but trust me when I say we'll get the bastards. You have the word of Lord Harry James Potter Gryffindor, it will cost them their lives."
"Harry I can use a shotgun if you let me help," offered a very serious Emma Granger.
-oOoOo-
At this point Harry had left to clear his head and now found himself sitting staring into blood stained hands. He decided he could at least deal with that problem and headed for the nearest bathroom.
Having washed his hands and face he stood looking in the mirror, searching his reflection for some inspiration on how to proceed when a beautiful calming sound filled the room before a wondrous sight appeared on his right shoulder. "Fawkes!"
'Hello young Potter, you've grown a bit since we last met'
Harry was amazed, not only was the phoenix here but he could understand it.
'Where have you been Fawkes and what happens now with your master?' asked Harry
'Albus was never my master but a companion and I want to apologise for not seeing the changes in him. I have been amongst wizards too long and am leaving for my homeland. I only delayed in the hope that I could somehow repay you for my mistake so I offer my services in this your hour of need.'
'Of course, you can heal Dan and Neville.'
'Alas my young friend both is not possible, my tears need time to recharge their potency which would take too long to be of assistance. I can only save one.'
Harry's mind was spinning but the phoenix words gave him hope.
'Ok my friend, lets go see what you can do.'
Harry walked along the corridor with Fawkes perched on his shoulder, causing everyone he passed to stop and stare, another few pages had just been added to the Potter legend.
Hermione had felt the surge of hope through the bond but for some reason she couldn't communicate with Harry. She was about to go looking for him when he entered the room and all her questions and prayers were answered in an instant.
"Fawkes!" she screamed with joy.
Emma and Amanda looked at Harry with the beautiful bird but couldn't understand what had got Hermione so excited.
Harry spoke calmly but with absoloute athourity in his voice, "listen to me ladies, we only have one shot at this so please stand back and don't interfere no matter what happens."
Emma wasn't sure what was happening but the look of joyous hope in Hermione's face made up her mind. This was another situation where she'd have to trust these two knew what they were doing because she was completely out of her depth. If they pulled this off she would never question them ever again.
Dan Granger lay face down on the bed, he was stunned to prevent movement and feeling any pain as the piece of stained glass still protruded from the back of his neck. Every healer who examined him had been afraid to remove it, fearing the damage it might cause. Knowing whom he was related to just added to the fear, nobody wanted to make a mistake with this patient.
The phoenix informed Harry he was ready, one wandless summoning charm later and the piece of stained glass was held in the young wizards hand.
Fawkes began crying into the wound straight after the glass was removed.
Emma stood still, locked in position by the disbelief at what her eyes were informing her brain was happening. The wounds in her husband's neck healed because a bird cried into it, shit bring on being a grandmother because she could believe anything after this.
Harry lifted the spells on his father in law and Dan opened his eyes.
Emma and Amanda were holding on to each other crying tears of disbelief while Hermione approached the beautiful phoenix.
"Fawkes you have now saved the two most important men in my life, if you ever need anything it's yours."
The room filled with the sound of phoenix song before Fawkes disappeared.
Harry called a healer into the room who spent the next fifteen minutes examining Dan before announcing he could find nothing wrong with him.
Hermione was almost dragged by Harry out of the room, explaining his plan over the bond while going to find Ginny.
As they entered her room the little redhead shot out of bed knocking the twins flying before grabbing Hermione in a bone-crushing hug. They finally got her to release her grip on Hermione and sit back down while Harry explained his plan.
"Ginny we may be able to save Neville but we need your help."
She was up again ready to go while Harry just shook his head.
"Remember the conversation we had about thinking before taking action? Well this is definitely one of these times."
She sat back down prepared to listen now.
"Neville is dying because he lost so much blood, there's not enough magic left in his body to keep him alive. We're going to try and put magic into his body to recharge his system but there's a problem. Whoever does this runs the risk of their magic reacting with Neville's causing a bond to form. For obvious reasons neither Hermione nor I can do it and his grandmother probably couldn't take the strain of the magical transfer, which brings us to you. We know you like Neville and we both have a high opinion of him but you have to make the decision here, as I told you this morning it's always the ladies choice."
Bill spoke to his baby sister, "Ginny you have to take your time and think about this. I got my first look at Neville today and he seems like a nice young man but this could be for life. You have to be sure Ginny but we'll support you whatever you decide."
Ginny spoke calmly, "as I understand the situation if we attempt this and it works I may find myself bonded on some level to a really nice, decent guy who I like and know he's interested in me, not Miss Potter."
Everyone nodded his or her agreement.
"My other option is to do nothing and he dies. If those are my choices I'm ready to go now."
Hermione held her close as they and the Weasleys followed Harry to Neville's room, he explained what they wanted to attempt to his grandmother.
She looked at Ginny with wonder in her eyes, "you'd do that for my Neville?"
Ginny replied saucily, "If this works he might be my Neville to."
This brought a chuckle from the elderly woman, "oh I like this one my Lord, exactly what Neville needs to bring him out of his shell. I have nothing to loose here and everything to gain so of course I give my permission."
Harry told Ginny what to do while he and Hermione put their hands on Ginny's shoulders.
Ginny's thoughts of their first kiss that morning soon had her magic flowing into the young wizard while Harry and Hermione poured magic into their adopted daughter.
Ginny, being the stubborn young witch she is, was told to stop three times then practically forced to break contact by Bill before collapsing with exhaustion. Harry picked her up and put her in bed beside Neville while Hermione explained that if a bond had started to form, this would keep it stable.
All they could do now was wait.
Hermione left to collect her parents, she would now be the one keeping Harry informed through the bond while he watched over Ginny and Neville.
She found her father sitting on the edge of his bed being fussed over by Emma and Amanda, Hermione rushed into his arms.
"It's ok dear," said Dan "Harry knew they would come after us at some point didn't he?"
Hermione nodded her head, "we just didn't expect it today, and the security around the church meant nobody should have got within a hundred yards of the place. We're waiting on more information before deciding what to do next."
"Harry told me his response would have to be brutal, at the time it alarmed me but not anymore. We were very lucky today; their intention was to wipe everyone out so get me a gun and I'll stand beside Harry. They can't get a second chance at this, we may not be so lucky next time."
Emma said in all seriousness, "I've already offered dear, a shotgun each?"
"I looked into Harry's eyes when he promised to get the bastards and you won't need those guns, they have no idea how big a mistake they just made," said Amanda, effectively ending the discussion.
Dan was passed fit so they left in search of Sirius and Remus.
-oOoOo-
The hospital was slowly recovering from the sudden influx and everyone from the Potter wedding was being treated on the same floor be they wizards, muggles, elves or goblins. The first time in the history of St Mungo's this had ever taken place, just a pity it took such an event to bring this momentous occasion to fruition.
The first room Hermione and the Grangers entered held the strangest pairing she could imagine, Lavender Brown and Tina Elliot!
Tina and her friend Carol Burns had been the two most popular girls at Hermione's primary school and had made her life hell for six years with their snide comments and cutting remarks. Anyone who even spoke to Hermione received the same treatment ensuring it was a friendless Hermione Granger who boarded the Hogwarts express.
Both had been cut with the flying glass though looked as if they had recovered well.
"Oh Hermione your beautiful dress is ruined and you looked sensational in it and those bridesmaid dresses were gorgeous and your vows had me crying, how's Harry, Ginny and Neville?" gushed Lavender in one breath.
Hermione noticed the state of her dress for the first time and asked a passing elf wearing a Potter tunic if she could bring her a change of clothes. She also noticed the order of the enquiries, which was typical Lavender, clothes counted more than lives.
Hermione smiled "Hi Lav, Harry and Ginny are fine but we're not sure about Neville yet. Hello Tina, how are you?"
How are you? Simple question except Tina Elliot had no idea how to answer it. When she received the wedding invitation her original thought was a practical joke until learning others had been invited as well.
Then today entering the church and seeing the plaque shocked her but nowhere near the jolt she got when looking at the hunk standing in front of the alter, waiting on his bride.
The consensus amongst the group of friends was that she was marrying some old academic who was getting himself a sixteen-year-old bride, not too bothered about her appearance, but looking at the groom blew that theory out the water.
Then the bride entered looking like a fairytale princess and her prince never took his eyes off her, Tina had never seen a couple so obviously in love with each other that nothing else mattered. When they spoke their vows every person in the church had tears in their eyes.
Tina was suddenly covered in blood and was about to start screaming when she just appeared in a hospital of sorts. She had cuts to her face, chest and upper arms and thought she'd be scarred for life until a strange woman waved a stick while humming a tune and her cuts disappeared.
After being given some medicine to drink she found herself in bed, sharing a room with a girl called Lavender who knew the bride and groom very well. Lavender then proceeded to tell stories that had Tina questioning her sanity as well as the ingredients of the medicine she received.
How are you? No bloody idea but she had to say something to this confident woman bearing no resemblance to the weird, nerdy little girl they used to tease mercilessly.
"Are you really a witch? Hell, are you really Hermione Granger?" asked Tina.
The elf had returned with Hermione's armour and cloak so she snapped her fingers changing immediately. The elf looked startled until Hermione said, "Winky taught me, she really is special and we're sure she'll be ok" the beaming elf bowed deeply and left.
Turning to Tina, "yes I am a witch and actually I'm Lady Hermione Jane Potter Gryffindor now. Where's your friend Carol?" Hermione was feeling quite pleased with herself until she saw the pain in Tina's eyes.
"Carol couldn't make it, it's a chemotherapy day for her," said Tina with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Hermione while informing Harry by bond that the Lily Potter Clinic just got it's first patient.
"Lavender was telling me your husband fought a dragon and the figure in the window looked remarkably like him. Did you notice?" asked Tina.
Hermione just smiled as she dreamily replied, "Tina, why would I look at a window when the real thing was standing right in front of me? No window could ever do my Harry justice."
"I just can't wait to tell everyone, they'll never believe me!" said Tina.
Hermione just shook her head and left explaining to her puzzled grandmother that Tina would have all memory of St Mungo's removed when she was fit enough.
"Will I be having my memory wiped?" asked Amanda.
Emma chuckled while Dan gave his mother a reassuring hug, "mum you're Harry Potter's grandmother now. Believe me when I say that no one will be approaching you with a wand in their hand."
-oOoOo-
The group waiting in Neville's room were all chatting about the changes planed for Hogwarts when a young doctor entered the room, looking disapprovingly at the bed where the young witch was sleeping while hugging the dieing wizard.
Recognising Harry, he wisely decided to say nothing and just carry out the diagnostic scan he'd been sent to perform. After casting the spell for the third time and getting confirming results, he rushed out the room and ran down the corridor to find his superior, leaving behind a room full of smiling people.
Hermione and family next found her favourite professor lying in bed with bandages covering one side of her face, Filius sat trying to comfort a crying Poppy.
"How is Minerva?" asked Emma who had liked the no nonsense professor since their first meeting.
"We think she'll be alright, the glass didn't reach her brain though her eye and optic nerve were beyond repair. At least she'll be spared 'Mad Eye McGonagall' as the damage is so bad that wouldn't even work," sobbed Poppy.
Hermione had to leave the room, silently informing Harry that she was going with him when they knew who was responsible for this.
They eventually found the marauders both in the same room and, while Sirius was still a bit groggy Remus had those werewolf powers of recuperation to fall back on, he was sitting up in bed.
Both were going to be spending a day or two in St Mungo's but were expected to make a full recovery. Enquiries about the conditions of others were being answered when a raging Ragnok and Amelia burst into the room looking for Harry.
"He's on his way," answered Hermione "what's happened?"
"They used muggles that's what happened," answered a raging Ragnok.
Harry arrived and Amelia started to explain, "we thought the story was contained with the muggle guests. We claimed the new window hadn't been finished properly and had fell out, smashing causing some flying glass. A few modified memories and it was taken care of."
"What's the problem then? Rita Skeeter concocting her own version of events as usual?" asked Hermione
"That would be impressive since she's dead! Rita was found ten feet of the ground pinned to the wall by glass and no ideas how she got in the church or up there, total mystery," said Amelia
"The problem is a muggle one. It's all over their news that an old couple were murdered while terrorists used their garden to fire a missile at a plane, but it hit the church instead," Amelia said to be greeted by total silence.
Ragnok was barely containing his anger, "that missile was aimed at the church and designed to burst through the window, exploding inside the building, killing most of the wedding guests. Only the wards and shields caused it to explode outside though they couldn't cope with the blast exploding right next to the stained glass. The muggles are saying it was a malfunction that saved us because if it had exploded inside, they would be looking through the rubble for bodies!"
"Our furthest perimeter was a hundred yards, we just didn't know something like this was even possible." Amelia was just as angry as Ragnok, she just hid it better.
Harry eventually answered, "we need to take them out and quickly, who knows what other technology they have available or what targets they could go after next. Missiles don't come cheap so someone has been moving a lot of gold but not necessarily in the last week. They must have had the muggles and missiles in place just waiting on a target so the money trail needs to be looked for. How's Griphook?"
"He lost his arm but will live. This is now an assassination attempt on the head of the goblin nation, the elves look to Dobby and Winky as their leaders and with the acting minister and chief witch there as well it would effectively beheaded the magical world" replied Ragnok
"If the goblins follow the finance while elves gather information then we want to publicise that whoever's behind this hired muggles to do their dirty work. The old pureblood houses will be appalled cutting off potential support." Said Hermione
Harry hammered home his point, "We have to be in agreement, this threat has to be wiped out before they get a chance to strike at an unshielded target, only the fact that half the elves in the country were in church kept the death toll down. Neville and Ginny would both be dead but for elves. There can be no buying their way out of this mess, those responsible will face the ultimate justice and pay with their lives."
Ragnok was in total agreement, this was a direct attack on the goblin nation and at any other time would signal a war, or as the wizards were fond of calling them, 'goblin uprisings'. Only the spirit of co-operation that they were working towards stayed his hand. That and the fact that he knew Harry wouldn't rest until the threat was extinguished.
Amelia listened to Harry's words and the thought of the damage done by one of those things fired at the ministry or, Merlin forbid, St Mungo's left her with only one answer. Whoever was involved in this had just lost the right to live.
-oOoOo-
Neville Longbottom awoke slowly, unsure where he was. What he was sure about was the gorgeous little redhead that was cuddled up in bed with him.
He glanced around the room and saw the five Weasley brothers, Harry, Hermione and his grandmother.
"Ok, I'm dead." said Neville
"Only if you don't kiss me right this minute!" answered Ginny.
Neville quickly figured out which scared him most and kissed his girlfriend.