Surprise

When they arrived, Draco was feeding digestive biscuits to Ginny, who was slightly green. Harry explained, "Gin has been having morning sickness really bad. Molly said that the digestive biscuits and weak tea were the best remedy. But I think Draco may call in his godfather for a potion or two."

Hermione hugged Ginny, Draco and Harry before replying, "How is Severus these days? Has his demeanour improved any? It really is strange not to see him in the Potions classroom."

Draco laughingly answered her, "He is as supercilious as ever. He doesn't think Bill is up to teaching Potions as ruthlessly as he did, however."

Hermione just shook her head and asked Ginny if she was up to showing her the baby's room. Ginny brightened immediately and got up to lead her friend upstairs.

Draco and Harry shooed Viktor and Alexei to follow the girls.

Ginny said suddenly, "Oh, I forgot, the magazine that has the pictures is here in the ballroom; let's run in and get it."

Hermione followed Ginny into the very large ballroom to find all of her friends and family waiting for her with a huge cake and a banner that read, 'Happy Birthday Hermione.'

Everyone yelled surprise so loudly that the chandelier shook. Viktor watched his lady look around at everyone and laugh. She turned back to him and said, "You knew about this, I know you did. I feel like I have been subjected to the Wronski Feint."

"Nothing so drastic, love. Just a simple ruse to lure you here to a party with all our friends and family. They all love you as much as I do."

Everyone crowded around Hermione to give her their gifts or to hug her, so Viktor stepped over close to Harry, who was grinning like a lunatic.

"Thanks for getting her here early. This party may finally convince her that people do love her. She has always been very diffident. She never liked the spotlight, except for the Yule Ball with you. You have made her happier and more carefree than I have ever seen her. I have to tell you that Draco, Ginny, and I are overjoyed that you two will be getting married, finally. Herms is as good as my sister, so I guess you'll have to put up with me as a brother-in-law."

Arthur Weasley had walked up behind them and put in his own comment, "And you'll have almost the whole Weasley clan as in-laws as well, Viktor. The Moodys, too, I believe. I know Hermione's parents love you already. You are the best thing that ever happened to that girl. Thank you."

"The same goes for Hannah and me, too, Viktor. It is like watching a rose bush you thought had gone dormant spring back into full bloom again. And you are the reason." Neville Longbottom had joined the group.

Draco walked up, handed Viktor a glass of wine and said casually, "So, what are you hoping the first baby will be, Vik?"

Viktor almost choked on the mouthful of wine he had just drunk.

Draco just smiled and continued, "Posdrawlenia from the three of us. I am getting lessons in Bulgarian from your child. He has taken on the education of Draco Malfoy as some sort of quest. I am learning Muggle things, Bulgarian things, and a lot about myself."

Viktor started laughing so hard Hermione came to see what he was laughing about. She rolled her eyes at Draco and Harry, but kissed them both on the cheek. "Thank you for this party, guys. I appreciate it very much."

Harry looked at her and said very solemnly, "Without you I would never have been able to defeat Riddle. You kept me sane and on track for seven years, Herms. You kept Gin safe as well. You were always there when I needed someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, and a good friend. We all love you, as much as Vik and Alexei do."

Draco had a brilliant idea and acted on it immediately. "Everyone, not only is this Hermione's birthday party, it is now her engagement party. There is more cake and more wine. Drink up."

The party went on for several more hours until everyone was exhausted. The walls and halls of Malfoy Manor had never rung with the joy of friends and family the way they did that evening.

Once the younger children had been put to bed, the adults sat in the library chatting. Viktor's parents were talking earnestly to Hermione's parents while Molly and Arthur Weasley added comments every so often. The topic of discussion was the upcoming wedding. Both sets of parents were aghast that there was nothing to plan.

Hermione was wearing her dress from the shop in Chelsea. Viktor was going to wear a black tuxedo with a red cummerbund. The Great Hall was to be decorated by the house-elves; the menu was to be handled by them as well.

There was literally nothing for either set of parents to handle, until Draco Malfoy happened to walk by and dropped a word in Molly's ear. "There is always the reception and/or the rehearsal dinner. Her parents or his might like to organise those. I was never here, and you never heard those words from me, Molly."

"You're welcome, Draco. I knew those digestive biscuits and the peppermint tea would get rid of her morning sickness. It isn't good to give a pregnant woman too many potions," Molly said loudly, apparently in answer to whatever Draco had said to her.

They winked at each other and went back to their respective groups. The guest list was brought up to the engaged couple, who pared the list to friends, family, fellow teachers, and Viktor's former teammates.

Alastor Moody showed up a bit later, apologising that Minerva had been detained at the school. "The Creevey girl was distraught. She had brought some of her brother Colin's pictures to school and was going to give them to Hermione since they were of the Yule Ball. She was crying her poor little heart out that she hadn't been able to do that. She also misses Alexei. Anyway, here is the present from Min and me, Hermione. You take care of yourself, you hear. Night everyone." And he disappeared back into the fireplace.

Hermione opened the present after saying, "That was a bit out of character for Alastor, wasn't it? Oh, Viktor, look. There's a note from Minerva and all this lace."

She handed him the note, which he proceeded to read aloud, "Dearest Hermione, having discussed this with Alastor, we decided to give you my wedding veil. It is made of Acromantula silk and the spangles are Nessie scales. Yours will be the first wedding ever performed at Hogwarts, and we are thrilled at your choice of husband. Many blessings on you both. Love, Minerva and Alastor."

Hermione took the lace veil out of the box and showed it to everyone. It wasn't a large veil, more like a mantilla than a veil. The lacework was exquisitely fine. Molly said it was fairy work.

Rayna Krum, Viktor's mother, said that the spangles, which formed two roses on the sides of the veil, would probably change colour to match Hermione's dress.

Hermione gently folded the veil and put it back into the box. Her look at Viktor said she was suddenly very tired.

He took the hint and said, "Thank you everyone. It was a lovely party, but I think Alexei and Hermione are both worn out."

Harry realised that the present from the Moodys had somehow shocked Hermione and said quickly, "We have rooms set aside for you and Alexei. Come on, I'll show you to them."

Alexei followed Harry as Viktor took Hermione's hand. He knew she was dealing with some memory that was too emotional for her just then.

Once in their room, Viktor said, "You are not yourself, love. Please tell me what is bothering you."

"A long time ago, during the war, those of us in the Order were pretty much living in each other's pockets at Grimmauld Place. One night I snuck out of the room I shared with Gin and went down to the library to read. I was hiding in the only alcove with a curtain when Remus and Arthur came into the room; apparently, Minerva and Alastor, who were still estranged at the time, had had a whacking great row in the kitchen that night, and Remus was asking Arthur what was up with them.

"Arthur said they had married during World War II and stayed together until the year after the Marauders got to Hogwarts. That was the year that Alastor was injured so badly. Minerva had been carrying their only child, a daughter, at the time. When she came to St. Mungo's and saw his injuries, she lost the baby. Arthur made Remus promise not to tell anyone. Everyone was so overjoyed when they finally got back together that the story stayed sub rosa. I only know it because I was eavesdropping, albeit unintentionally. Their giving me her veil makes me feel so guilty for knowing. Viktor, I don't know what to do," she wailed, almost in tears.

Viktor held her and calmed her down, telling her he was going to get some tea for her. He left the room and went downstairs to the sitting room after ordering tea from a house-elf.

"Arthur, I think you and Molly need to come upstairs and talk to Hermione. She is feeling very guilty about something that happened years ago. I must let her tell you; I cannot break her confidence."

Arthur answered him, sighing sadly, "I think I know what it is, Viktor. This is about the night I told Lupin about Minerva and Alastor, isn't it? When we were all going up to bed later that night, Molly did a spell to see where everyone was. She told me Hermione was reading in the library. I knew the child had heard what I said. Yes, we'll come. Min and Alastor both know that she knows. I think that may be why they gave her the veil. They both love her like a daughter. Bloody hell, we all do."

They ascended the stairs to find Hermione sitting on the bed, holding the veil, crying like her heart was breaking.

Viktor gently took the veil and handed it to Molly. The Weasleys sat on the sofa near the fireplace and Viktor picked Hermione up and sat down in the wing back chair with her on his lap.

"Love, you must listen to what Arthur and Molly have to tell you."

When they had explained that both Minerva and Alastor knew she had overheard Arthur, she raised her head and stopped crying. "They don't hate me? I was so worried. I felt guilty that I had been eavesdropping. And I couldn't tell anyone that I knew. I was miserable that year."

Arthur reached over and patted her hand, saying, "They have known since right after that night, child. That was actually the catalyst that made then get back together. They were impressed that you kept the secret just as I had asked Remus to do. Don't fret about this anymore. It is past history. You have a wedding to look forward to now. Ah, there is your tea. We'll just go on back downstairs. Thanks for coming to get us, Viktor. Get some rest, Hermione. We'll see you both in the morning."

Viktor closed the door behind them and returned to where Hermione sat on the bed. "Drink your tea, love. I'll run you a bath with some of these bath salts. Oho, the label on the bath salts says 'calming, soothing, sensual bath salts by SS Laboratories'; what do you want to bet that is Snape? The scent is Rosemary and Bergamot. Very nice. You just relax in there for a few minutes while I check on Alexei."

By the time Viktor got back to the room, Hermione was asleep in the tub. He lifted her out, dried her off, and put her to bed.

The next few weeks were spent preparing for their wedding and teaching. Celeste Creevey had attached herself to Hermione like a limpet. The girl wanted to know about her oldest brother, Colin, who had died at the Battle of Hogwarts. Alexei took her to the memorial and gave her the same talk that Harry had given him.

The festivities on Samhain that year were a bit more exuberant than previous years. The students were treated to an outdoor show of fireworks donated by Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.

Hermione had been a bit down since finding that she was not pregnant yet. She had voiced her concerns to Ginny, who had sent her a potion in return.

"You take this one and give your Bulgarian a couple of drops of Felix Felicis in his vodka. Do it tonight. Will work wonders, I promise," read the note accompanying the potion.

After they had herded the students back into the school after the fireworks, Viktor and Hermione retired to their quarters about eleven. Hermione quickly downed her potion and added the few drops of golden liquid to Viktor's nightly glass of vodka.

Viktor let himself be seduced by his beautiful fiancée several times that night, unaware of potions and schemes.

November sped by with rain and light snows. December brought the heaviest snow the school had seen in years. The landscape was covered in soft, enveloping white. Most of the students left for the holidays two days before the wedding.

Ginny, Draco and Harry had arrived early to help set things up for the wedding. Hermione had taken her friend up to the guest rooms they were to use and said casually, "It worked, Gin. The potion worked. I haven't told Viktor yet. I am saving that for right after the wedding. I am so happy."

Ginny, whose waist now had disappeared entirely, just laughed at her friend's delighted face.

"I am so glad. Now I won't feel alone in this condition. He should be ecstatic."

Christmas morning found Hermione alone, as Harry and Draco had hauled Viktor off the night before after the rehearsal dinner.The last thing she had heard as Harry was forcing Viktor out the door was, "No, Viktor, you can't spend the night with the bride. It is bad luck to see her before the wedding. We have a wonderful room prepared for you in the dungeons."

Ginny, Rayna Krum, and her own mother had come to help her get dressed. The circlet of Dragon roses that Cestita had made held the veil that the Moodys had given her. The spangles had indeed turned blush pink to match her dress. Neville and Hannah had shown up as well with a bouquet of hothouse flowers Neville swore were non-magical.

Finally, it was time. Hermione's father had appeared at the door to lead her down to the Great Hall. But at the top of the stairs, there were ten other men waiting for her. They formed an honour guard around her as she descended the stairs. Harry and Neville were at the front, followed by Arthur and Alastor, then the twins on either side of her and her father, with Draco, Bill, Charlie, and Percy following behind. Fred, to her right, kept telling her she didn't have to marry the Bulgarian, and she kept shushing him.

Suddenly, they were at the doors to the Great Hall. Two of Viktor's teammates held the doors open as the group passed into the room. They bowed slightly to Hermione as she passed by them.

The Minister of Magic asked the question, "Who gives this woman in marriage?"

All eleven men surrounding her said, "We do."

Her father gave her hand to Viktor, who kissed it. They faced Kingsley Shacklebolt, who moved aside for Harry to read the binding. Draco stood at Viktor's side and Ginny at Hermione's side. Alexei stood next to Harry.

Harry asked them if they were prepared for a journey of discovery and adventure. He warned them that it would not always be smooth sailing. He asked if they were very sure of their love for each other.

"As you both have answered yes to my queries, I direct you now to speak your vows to each other to complete this binding."

Viktor took both of Hermione's hands in his much larger ones, saying, "I pledge my life, my love, my fidelity, and my future to you. I take you as my wife with joy and undying love. I bring you all my worldly possessions, my faith, and my magic. I am yours now and forever."

He slipped the ring Draco handed him onto Hermione's right ring finger where it began to glow.

Hermione responded immediately, "I pledge my life, my love, my fidelity, and my future to you. I take you as my husband with joy and undying love. I bring you all my worldly possessions, my faith, and my magic. I am yours now and forever."

She slipped the gold band Ginny handed her on the ring finger of Viktor's right hand where it began to glow.

Harry smiled and said, "Those of you present who wish to add blessings or wishes to the binding may do so now."

The murmurs in the room swelled with the magic of the blessings.

Harry made one further statement, "Now, if the bride and groom will finish their additional vows, I will declare them bound."

Viktor and Hermione held out their hands to Alexei, who moved forward to stand with them. They said, in unison, "We take Alexei Karolyevitch Krum to be our eldest son, in love and faith. Henceforth, we are a family."

Harry smiled and said, "I pronounce you bound to each other and to this child. May your lives be filled with love and happiness."

The room erupted with cheers, and Viktor, Hermione and Alexei made their way back to the doors. At the doors, Viktor took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. She only had time to whisper one phrase to him.

"We're pregnant, Vitya."

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A/N

Mayka...Mama

Baba...Grandmother

Dado...Grandfather

Mnogo blagodaria...Thank you very much.

Dobro utro...Good Morning

Posdrawlenia...Congratulations