After breakfast everyone was aware that two of their number were missing but nobody mentioned them in an attempt to keep alive the spirit of Christmas.
Most of them were in a far better place physically, emotionally and financially than at this time last year so it was not too difficult a task being jolly.
It was time to hand out the gifts from under the tree.
Harry and Hermione gave the elves a small package that when opened contained two gold rings.
"These are Potter family wedding rings and we hopped you would use them at your bonding, we consider you both part of our family and couldn't be happier for you." Explained Harry
Dobby answered shyly, "before, an elf had to ask their masters permission and that was it, we have no tradition of bonding ceremonies and are unsure how to proceed."
A smiling Hermione as usual, solved the problem. "Traditions have to start somewhere, why not with you two?"
It was a beaming Winky, who took the imitative, removing a ring from the box and slipping it onto Dobby's finger said,
"Here, in the presence of our family
I offer this ring as a token of my love
I give you my heart, body and soul
And enter into the bond of life mate
Wanting to be by your side for the rest of our lives"
There wasn't a dry eye anywhere as Winky poured her very soul into her vow to Dobby
"I have been blessed to know some special people
And most of them are in this room
But to me, Winky you outshine them all
There has never been anyone as special as you
And though I feel unworthy I gladly accept the gifts offered
I offer everything that I am in return
I, Dobby, enter into the bond of life mate
With the promise to worship you till the day I pass from this earth"
As Dobby placed the other ring on Winky's finger they kissed, clapping and cheering broke out amongst their friends.
"Well I think we should all just head down the pub and leave the happy couple in peace, how the bloody hell are you meant to follow that?" asked a laughing Sirius
"Please ignore the mutt, he's barely housetrained." Said Remus, "Seriously though, I am delighted that you consider me family and honoured to have witnessed this here today. Now another tradition that you have to adopt is kissing the bride!"
Remus kissed a blushing Winky and shook Dobby's hand; everyone soon repeated this.
Harry then handed Remus a gift, he unwrapped a sign that proclaimed 'Lupinville' and gave the couple a puzzled look.
"That's our suggestion for your village, the land is on the other side of the valley and building work can start on completion of the elvin project. The land is in your name and the ministry has no jurisdiction there, it will be up to you and the werewolf community to set up laws and enforce them. Design the houses to meet your specific needs and they should be ready February/March." Said Harry to an obviously overcome Remus.
Hermione continued, "Wolfsbane potion should be available shortly, as will more jobs as different projects come on line. Anyone out there needing help now gets it, we can sort everything as we go along."
An openly weeping werewolf asked, "have you any idea what this will mean to these people?"
Hermione hugged him while answering, "Remus, a job and a home is everyone's basic right. We are only doing something that should have been done years ago. Any werewolf wishing to attend Hogwarts will be welcome, with their village so close the children will be able to go home for their transformations and the potion will help."
Remus could only nod at these two people who had radically altered magical Britain in such a short space of time, his mind was running flat out trying to find the words to describe the couple but they were so beyond anything he had ever experienced that 'unique' was the only thing he could think of.
Ginny unwrapped a long, hard case, which contained the most beautiful broomstick she had ever seen; it even had her name in gold along the handle.
Her whole face lighting up told Harry and Hermione they had got it right.
"Wow, guys! I've never seen a broom like it. What is this?"
"It's a prototype that will be on the market shortly, this is the first multipurpose broom. It's so new we haven't even named it yet." Said Harry
Ginny gave him a blank stare so Harry explained, "the four jewels embedded along your name change the handling characteristics of the broom. If you touch the first jewel with your wand the ride becomes so stable that even Neville or Hermione couldn't fall off."
This comment earned him a couple of good-natured smacks to the back of the head from both women in his life.
"The second puts it into chaser mode, seeker for the third and the fourth gives you incredible straight line speed – just don't try any fast turns in that mode."
.....
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