Chapter 39 - wherefore art thou
The moment they entered the Modern Studies building, Hermione, with Joan still wrapped in her arms, headed straight for her mum. Dan already had Emma in an embrace, Hermione and Joan just joined them.
"Are you ok, Mum?"
"Actually, I'm fine. That witch was going to harm our Joan, I didn't even hesitate for a second. I remember the story you told us, of you, Harry and Ron taking that potion to become someone else. I just assumed this was the same, that was certainly no little girl."
With Cissi still fussing after Severus, it was Andi who approached the group. "Emma, please don't torture yourself over this. Believe me, Bella would have happily killed as many of us as possible - and was deadly serious about her intentions for Joan. You and Dobby saved at least one life today. Our sister didn't deserve to live for all the atrocities she's happily committed, Cissi and I are just sorry you were left to carry out the sentence."
Harry arrived, hugging and then kissing Emma on the cheek. "Hermione and I were a second late. Just seeing Joan in danger froze us for that initial second. Dobby was magnificent, and I just told him that. A member of our family was in trouble and you were amazing…"
This was reiterated by all of the group, especially Antonio. "It was my job to keep everyone safe, and we nearly had a disaster on our hands. Your reactions are fantastic."
Joan was now walking around the classroom, hand in hand with Hermione and Francesca. She didn't seem affected at all by what had happened, that Dobby was walking behind his little Miss certainly helped - normal service had been resumed for the little girl.
-oOoOo-
Minister Fudge actually gave a very good speech, about how things had to change - and that this fantastic new facility could only help with that. He also kept repeating that this hadn't cost the Ministry or Hogwarts a knut - thanks to the unbelievable generosity of Lord Potter.
Harry was then introduced, to much cheering, and invited to say a few words before officially opening the building. He stood there for a moment, slowly shaking his head.
"Sorry folks, I'm in a bit of shock here. I agreed with every word Minister Fudge just said - and that's never happened to me before."
This generated quite a bit of laughter, and Cornelius was certainly prepared to endure a bit of harmless laughter to get a public endorsement like that from Harry Potter.
Harry wasn't finished though, nowhere near finished. "The Minister emphasised the amount of gold I've spent on this facility, but the witch this building is dedicated to means far more to me than any amount of gold. My mother and father fought the good fight, giving their lives in the hope that I might live. They obviously achieved their aims, but here's the problem - nothing in Magical Britain changed."
Harry's gaze slowly traveled over the now massive crowd, trying to make eye contact with as many people as possible before continuing.
"The women in my family have always been strong though, Hermione and Emma defended our family when we came under attack in the very heart of magical Britain - the Wizengamot. Today, their strength, skill and bravery was needed once more as a member of our family was again the focus of a deadly Death Eater attack. When I tell you the member of our family who was deliberately targeted is only four years old, perhaps you'll understand how angry I am."
Using notes Barchoke had provided from prisoner interrogations, Harry explained how Bellatrix Lestrange had murdered the four guards at Azkaban, freed her family, before reducing the prison - and everyone inside it - to ash. How they used these vile acts to cover any trace of their escape - being officially declared dead meant no one was even looking for them. The four of them then traveled all over Europe, searching for their master with the aim of resurrecting him - before Pettigrew, who was also officially declared dead, beat them to it and also botched the ritual.
"Their aims today were to kill as many people as possible, sowing mayhem all around in an effort to aid their main objective here today - the kidnapping and eventual murder of a four year old little girl - just because her last name is Potter. Their disgusting goal was to destroy my family, and hopefully set themselves up as the new leaders of the pureblood movement. Would British purebloods have flocked to support them after they deliberately murdering a small child? We'll never know, because Bellatrix is finally and unequivocally dead, and the other three Azkaban escapees are currently in the custody of our Goblin friends - after being captured by Aurors sent by the Italian Ministry of Magic to oversee this event."
Taking a moment to centre his thoughts, Hermione helping tremendously with that endeavour over their link, Harry then continued with his speech to an enraptured audience.
"It would have been so easy to take my family straight back to Italy, and cut all ties with Britain - does anyone here doubt for one second I had every reason to do so? Looking around though, I see students who - whether because of the Potter Institute class sizes or their age - are being denied access to what is taught there. What will be taught in this new building is the exact same course students at the Institute learn so many life-changing skills from. Modern Studies merely opens students eyes to a whole other world out there, a world that offers so much more than being just a witch or wizard in Britain has to offer. Those same students will demand to be allowed to experience so much more of it, and the Modern Studies course is designed to pass on the knowledge and skills needed to see them do so safely - and especially how to do so without risking breaching the Statute of Secrecy."
Hermione gave him an idea, and Harry just went with it.
"I'm giving away a bit of a secret here, and can only hope Professor McGonagall doesn't give me a detention for it. Yes, I'm not exempt from detentions and it will at least be meaningful work. Next month, students from the Institute will be offered the chance to attend the Arena di Verona, a Roman built amphitheater that's nearly two thousand years old and holds almost thirty thousand people. A play by a world renowned British playwright, William Shakespeare, will be performed. A version of Romeo and Juliet - with quite a well known cast - will be performed that evening - in Italian. Are we pushing the boundaries - yes, but that's what we do at the Institute."
Loud applause coming from those wearing Institute robes - and Cedric loudly shouting about the possibility of blagging an invite had Harry shaking his head but now smiling.
"Mister Diggory, how many times do I need to say this. At the Institute, I'm just a student. Now, if you approached Headmaster Snape about a friendly Quidditch match between the Institute and Hogwarts, I'm sure our quidditch captain, Ron Weasley, would be happy to also approach Headmistress Sprout with the same proposal. Now, if the game just happened to be the same weekend as the play, I'm pretty sure we could get some extra tickets…"
He had to stop talking as the roar of approval from the crowd took his breath away, and also pulled Harry's speech back to happier subjects. Harry then got on with why he was here.
"Apart from the Italian language, those are the types of things this building will make achievable to Hogwarts students - but only if everyone works at it. Minister Fudge, Headmaster Snape and Professor Tonks are all fully invested in this, but they also need the support of just about every witch and wizard in the country to implement the type of changes needed to keep Hogwarts open. Achieving that though is only the first step of the journey, slowing the flow of witches and wizards leaving Britain behind because official policies in place has their circumstances of birth - rather than their abilities or educational achievements - defining what opportunities are available to them. It will be a long and hard road, I can't help but think choosing to travel that road must be a better option than clinging to beliefs that consider murdering an innocent four year old witch as an acceptable problem solving solution."
The audience were enraptured at Harry's words, but there's always one…
"All I'm hearing is honeyed words, words that don't help the honest wizards this dammed Institute of yours is putting out of business. We're standing in front of this brand spanking new and - according to our Minister - very expensive building, how much of that massive mountain of gold needed here was actually spent in this country? I don't know anyone in this crowd who received any orders from its builders…"
Harry's gaze had now locked the disgruntled wizard, he was easy to spot as those around him had quickly moved away - leaving him standing alone.
Expecting something like this, Harry and Hermione had prepared a response. "Let's answer your points one at a time, shall we? An honest business - so your business charged everyone the same price for whatever you sell? You didn't overcharge certain customers to provide discounts to others? That's hardly honest, is it?"
After some indignant spluttering, the wizard finally found a reply. "That's just business, it's the way it's always been…"
"Yes, but you can hardly call it honest - can you? Customers you were deliberately overcharging have now taken their business elsewhere - as they are perfectly entitled to do. Now, while I will happily admit the building was manufactured in Italy and portkeyed here in sections, I am reliably informed by the project's brilliant architect - Lady Francesca Black - that this country simply didn't have the skills or expertise needed to take this job on. Everything inside the building was purchased in this country though, and installed by a British firm. They also hold the maintenance contract to keep all the equipment inside the building in working order, and a member of their staff will be working, alongside Professor Tonks, as an Assistant Professor. That firm are of course here today, and handing out business cards. They are an honest business, who are adapting to the rapidly changing world we live in. The price you would be charged for their services will certainly depend on variables like amount of work involved and materials required - your blood status will not matter one iota in any part of that transaction. Now that is what I call an honest business, one I'm very happy to offer my public endorsement to here and now."
Harry indicated the owner of the company and began to applaud, applause that was quickly picked up by almost everyone in the crowd.
As the applause died down, Harry continued with answering these nonsensical accusations. "That's the way it's always been - I bloody hate that phrase. What does it mean - forever, back a generation or two? To use it as justification to financially discriminate between your customers isn't just wrong - it should lead to a boycott of your business until you change that practice. I don't even know what your business is, I just know neither myself or the Potter Institute would deal with someone so ethically and morally corrupt. You obviously came here today with the sole intention of making a scene - I hope you're happy with the answers you received…"
The wizard was outraged that this whelp had just publicly destroyed his business, where Potter led the country would now follow. He had just been ruined so made another very poor decision - his hand suddenly had a wand in it but auror stunners had him on the ground well before any spell could be cast.
Cancelling their delusion charms, a pair of Italian aurors then dragged him away by his ankles. As the crowd around him had been moving away since the instant he'd shouted at Harry, no one else was involved when the wizard was immediately and easily taken down.
This left Harry shaking his head. "Because a schoolboy wouldn't bow down and agree with his ludicrous opinions, and even stupider business model, he went for his wand. That right there is the problem with wizarding Britain, certain people think their circumstances of birth give them the right to basically rule over the rest of us - and the trouble always starts when those of us they look down upon tell them to piss right off. I had this building built because I have friends at Hogwarts who weren't getting the education they deserved. All I asked was that the building be named after my mother. She and my father died that Halloween, saving me from Voldemort. I can only hope they think their sacrifice was worth it, and that they are proud of their son - I am certainly proud of my parents."
Hermione and Joan joined him on stage, both hugging him as Harry set about finishing his task. "I declare this building open, and can only hope it gets time to start changing witches and wizards minds - before bigoted people decide its changing too much and try to burn it down. Now, if you'll excuse us - I intend to take my family home. It's been a rather trying day…"
Hermione activated her portkey that took the three of them home - to the Potter Institute.
-oOoOo-
It was hours later when Dan and Emma found Harry sitting at the play park, Hermione was pushing a laughing Joan on a swing.
"Our Joan looks none the worse for her experience today, how are you and Hermione coping?"
Harry smiled back at Dan before answering. "Being back home, and hearing Joan laughing, is working wonders. How did the rest of the day go?"
As Emma walked over to join Hermione and Joan, Dan sat and updated Harry on everything that happened - knowing his daughter would catch every word too over their link.
"After you three left, Antonio didn't see the need for stealth anymore. Fifty Italian Aurors appearing meant there was not one word of complaint from anybody, and orderly queues formed to view the new facility. Andi couldn't resist showing off a bit, and had hand-picked students at almost every computer. Aaron was such a great contact to make, and is going to email us advice on laptops - and what types of wireless networks to look at. We can then run that past our contractors here - see what they make of it. I know that politically the Institute needs to choose an Italian contractor, but being able to have access to a second opinion could be invaluable."
Putting his hand supportively on Harry's shoulder, Dan had some words of comfort for his future son-in-law. "You did exactly the right thing today. You officially opened the new building, then got your family home. No one could ask any more of you, Fudge was surprised and delighted you stayed at all. Hogwarts now has a Modern Studies building and course - so they're ecstatic. The Ministry got you standing there and making a speech - so Fudge is over the moon. Sadly, I think what happened around those events will be largely ignored."
Nodding in agreement, an unsurprised Harry answered Dan. "That's just business as usual in magical Britain. The real test will be what happens when the students begin really learning about the modern world - and start deciding they want a lot more of it. To be honest, Dan, at best it's a coin toss between British witches and wizards actively embracing the changes the Modern Studies program will bring about - and the building being burned to the ground to stop this muggle blasphemy destroying an ancient way of life. All we can do is hold our heads up and say we gave it our very best shot - and with Emma's shooting that's really saying something."
Dan couldn't help but laugh at that, and also marvel that Harry was able to joke about this. "You said today that you hoped your parents would be proud of you, Harry, they really couldn't be anything else. Emma and I are so proud of you both, we really don't have the words to say it all."
Dan's hand moved to Harry's other shoulder and gave him a manly one armed hug. "Oh, a word of warning though - you might be in bother with Pomona. Minerva was never going to say no to a quidditch match, so a Hogwarts team are now going to be visiting the weekend of the 'Romeo and Juliet' performance. You will certainly need to organise more tickets, there were a number of Hogwarts staff who would like to see if taking witches and wizards to a muggle event is beneficial to their students - or if it's even possible to do so."
The very thought of this outing had Harry grinning like a madman. "We'll beat them here at quidditch, then totally blow their minds in Verona!"
Dan, and unsurprisingly Hermione too, burst out laughing at that.
Chapter 40 - Epilogue
Fifteen Years Later….
The first person Harry met was Minerva - who soon had her arms around him. She might have retired to her lovely purpose-built cottage in Harmony, but always got a phone call if there was any quidditch taking place - so was still a familiar face in the Potter Institute. It wasn't quidditch Minerva was here for today though, rather something else the Institute was becoming rather renowned for.
"All those years ago, sitting on your terrace when you and Hermione pitched us the idea of the Potter Institute, I don't seem to recall the school being used as an exclusive wedding venue getting mentioned at any point in our discussions. Then again, since the Institute changes the lives of everyone who works or attends here, it's easy to understand why couples want to take their vows in the place that means so much to them. If I remember correctly, it was Percy and Penny who were the first…"
A smiling Harry remembered Percy being more nervous to ask him about holding their wedding here than he was in asking Penny to marry him. "Yip, we did such a good job that the floodgates then opened for others to ask - I'm pretty sure Ron and Milly were the next couple to be married here. My favourite wedding in the Institute though was Remus and Jillian's - with the entire Black Orphanage on holiday here at the time."
This had Minerva chucking. "I'm sure that after today, we'll all have a new favourite - especially you and Hermione."
A smiling Harry hugged his retired friend, before turning and finding himself in another witches arms. Rosa de Marco had tears in her eyes, but her smile told everyone these were extremely happy tears. "I've been a nervous wreck all morning, while nothing is going to wipe the smile off Antonio's face. We've been expecting this for a few years, and now it's here we're just so happy…"
She gave Harry another hug, followed by a handshake from Antonio that contained more emotion than he'd ever seen the large wizard display. Harry understood those emotions, and certainly shared them. It took Harry another fifteen minutes to reach his destination, and he could feel Hermione getting more and more frustrated with every single delay - so many people and friends wanted to talk to him today.
After Harry and Hermione sat their NEWT's and left the Potter Institute as students, their accommodation suite had sat empty. It was rechristened the 'Potter Suite' when Joan and her best friend, Marianna de Marco, were allocated the Suite as eleven year olds. Both young ladies had returned to their suite today and were currently sitting in chairs while Hermione and Emma were 'supervising' those fixing their hair and makeup. Daniel Potter was jokingly complaining that, since this would be his suite come September, those two months would be needed to get the smell of perfume out of the room.
Kissing his wife, Harry then bent down and kissed his eight year old daughter, Lily, on the cheek. Her Gran was working on her hair, as the poor girl had inherited bad hair traits from both her parents. She had such a sunny disposition though, that Lily's smile could - and frequently did - light up an entire room. She had been asked by her big sister to be her flower girl today, Lily had immediately said yes.
Four year old James was, as usual, bouncing off the walls with the unbridled energy and excitement he was becoming renowned for. So much so that his usual shadow, Dobby, followed on behind. The unusual thing about this was a house elf wearing a tuxedo and black tie, exactly matching the outfits worn by Harry, Daniel, and his grandfather, Dan. When Dobby's Miss Joan had asked the little elf to attend her wedding, there had been tears shed for days from the emotional little guy.
Joan had also asked Dobby to wear a suit, while he was always going to agree, he negotiated the right to bake her wedding cake as payment for dressing up. Everyone was very happy with the amicable trade they made.
Dan had drawn his favourite duty today, watching his youngest grandchild, Emma Rose, known as Rose to the family. The toddler had only recently found her feet, and wanted to walk everywhere - but only because she hadn't mastered running yet. She was the only Potter child who had Hermione's eye colour, with the other three inheriting the green eyes of Harry's mother.
Looking at the time, Emma hugged and kissed the three girls sitting on the chairs before embracing Hermione.
"Don't make me cry, mum, today is emotional enough. My little girl is getting married."
Emma thought of a memory that left her beaming with happiness. "Joan was your little girl from the moment you met her in that orphanage. I'm just so glad your dad and I were there to witness that meeting, and watching our family grow over the years has been a dream come true for us both. Miss de Marco, your brother is a very lucky wizard."
As Joan rolled her eyes at her grandmother's antics, Marianna couldn't help but laugh at the woman who was like another grandma to her and her brother. "Of course Gio's lucky, he's marrying my best friend. I watched these two dance around each other since their early teens…"
"Hey, we were teens dancing around each other in the Potter Institute. Most of our family work here, those that don't own it - no chance of keeping secrets and being a Potter here brings absolutely no pressures - not. It took ages for our peers to think of me as just Joan. You and Gio were a godsend, just treating me as a normal girl."
A grinning Harry just had to answer that. "Antonio and I thought it was hilarious the way you and Giovanni made eyes at each other for years. You've run about together since you were four, and he was just turning six…"
His wife wasn't letting him away with that. "Harry James Potter, you could hardly be classed as suave when you were younger either. I had to kiss you first, and ask if you wanted to be my boyfriend."
Kissing his smiling wife, Harry then told his side of the story. "All true dear, and best decision I've ever made. To be fair, I asked you to be my betrothed less than an hour later - and we've been together ever since."
The 'eewwe' came from Daniel Potter. "If they're going to start kissing, then it must be time for us to leave." Emma was chuckling at her grandson's predictable reactions to his parents kissing before leading Danial out, and then Dobby pointed James in the same direction. Dan had Rose on his hip, but still managed to hug his other two granddaughters and Marianne before leaving too.
As the hair and makeup people left, there was now only the five of them in the suite - all family. As Joan had treated the de Marko parents as family since she was four, the Potters and Grangers had gladly reciprocated with the de Marco children - Marianne and Giovanni. Today, that link would become an official one - and every single person in both families were delighted about that.
As Hermione began to hug everyone, prior to leaving and taking her seat for the ceremony, Joan suddenly stood and held onto her mum tightly - and twitched her nose.
"Honey, what's wrong? You know you can ask us anything. It can't be anything to do with who's waiting on you down that aisle - you and Gio have been in love for years."
Taking a calming breath, Joan asked her question. "Dad, I know tradition dictates my father walks me down the aisle, but you and mom do everything together. Could both of you take Joan Potter for one last walk - before I become Joan de Marco."
Hermione lost it, and was in floods of tears. Harry managed to hold it together - but only just. His beautiful daughter was standing there in her wedding dress, wearing a necklace from her 'Uncle Barchoke' that must have cost a fortune, and Harry knew he couldn't deny her request - not that he would ever want to anyway.
"I think that's a wonderful idea, but only if you promise not to swing on our arms - you're a bit to old for that now!"
Uncle Ron was acting as an usher today, and had just been tasked with telling the wedding party they were ready for them. He knocked on the door, and opened it - to be greeted by a room full of riotous laughter.
-oOoOo-
Severus glanced at the Daily Prophet lying on the desk, you a least had to admire the newspaper's moronic tenacity. The paper's leading story was reminding their readers that the eldest Potter daughter getting married today, using years old photographs lifted from back issues of the Quibbler, and unashamedly begging for an invite - or even a picture - of the momentous event. Deliberately describing Rose Potter as an orphan who transformed into a princess under the Potter's care - their attempt at flattering an invite for today - would go down like a lead balloon in Italy.
That no one associated with the Prophet had ever set foot in the Potter Institute didn't seem to discourage them, it just appeared to whet their appetite for when that invitation must eventually arrive. Severus had no difficulty imagine reporters and photographers sitting today in the Prophet offices, just waiting on that golden invitation coming from the Institute so they could cover the biggest story since Potter married Granger - they didn't receive an invite to that wedding either.
Severus had realised years ago that British purebloods were so set in their ways, nothing could shake them from their brainless beliefs. They could now phone each other, and quite happily chat for hours about how stupid muggles were - and how they mustn't let their ways influence pureblood ideology - absolute dunderheads.
Lily Potter's Muggle Studies building undoubtedly saved Hogwarts from closure, but Severus was still certain Magical Britain was doomed. When Scorpius Snape graduated from Hogwarts in three years, Severus would be moving his family out of Britain. Cissi kept looking at Europe, but Severus was certain they would be heading further afield. Draco had served his potions Apprenticeship in Boston, and now somewhat poetically called the state of New England home.
Visiting the Institute, and attending the play in Verona, had a profound affect on their eldest son.
-oOo- Flashback -oOo-
"You've been so quiet, Draco. Everyone else who returned from the Institute has never shut up about their experience. Is something wrong?"
"Everything's wrong, Mother." Taking a moment to put his thoughts in order, Draco then answered. "Rabid Aunt Bella was a grade one nutter, a extremely dangerous psychopathic bitch, but a muggle took her down in the blink of an eye. Potter and Granger then had her husband down a second later - and Severus too…"
Severus could only nod in Draco' direction, that was without doubt the worst pain he had ever experienced in his life - he would gladly never think of that incident ever again.
"Potter seems to have unlimited magical power, his political power is unbelievable and, combined with Lord Black, their financial clout could see them running the country anytime they wanted to. I was struggling to work out why they didn't, until I visited Potter's Institute."
Draco had only been toying with the food in front of him, but need a drink of his juice before continuing. "Potter doesn't want to run Britain because everything and everyone he's ever wanted or cared about is now in Italy - and having an unbelievable time there. The Institute building is unquestionably an astonishing achievement but it was the atmosphere in the school that amazed me most. Greengrass was a totally different person from the witch I knew, Davis too. I hardly got to chat with Daphne - Diggory was monopolising all her time - but Tracy explained to me that the Institute wasn't just a school, it was a different way of life. Already she couldn't see herself coming back to Britain, and then I looked around. Potter, Black, Bones, Bulstrode, Greengrass, Longbottom, Lovegood, a tribe of Weasleys and even McGonagall now plans to retire there - who's next to leave Britain?"
Taking another sip of his juice, Draco then explained what really got him thinking. "The performance in Verona was a whole other world - a world I very much enjoyed. The Institute students had studied the play beforehand so Tracy sat next to me and explained what was happening - it was one of the best nights of my life. She said there was a whole wide world out there, and their European qualifications could open doors that a Hogwarts education left you not knowing they even existed. We're going to be sitting the harder qualifications now, aren't we?"
Hiding his smile, Severus confirmed that Hogwarts students now would be.
A nod from Draco seemed to indicate something had been settled in his mind. His mother though couldn't help teasing her son.
"Are we to assume you'll be joining the queues for the phones in the evening?"
Trying hard not to blush, Draco played it cool. "I might be, I told Tracy we should keep in touch…"
-oOo- End Flashback -oOo-
Draco had certainly kept in touch with Tracy, so much so that both of them now lived and worked in America. They also lived together as a couple but both said they were having way too much fun to settle down and marry just yet.
Severus recognised as a parent there were some questions he didn't want answers to - so didn't push, and convinced Cicci to tale the same approach. He also recognised that Magical Britain was doomed when the pureblood head of the Prince family couldn't wait to head for pastures new after leaving Hogwarts. Draco - knowing his bloodline would see him welcomed with open arms - simply stated that neither the Ministry of Magic nor the Wizengamot held any attraction for him.
The Ministry had once toyed with the idea of not recognising qualifications gained at the Potter Institute, they could have saved themselves the trouble as none of them wanted to return. The Institute students all recognised they had far better opportunities in Italy and beyond - irrespective of their blood status. Thinking that Potter had done their job for them - he saved Hogwarts from closure without costing then a knut - no changes of any consequence were made at the Ministry.
The new Hogwarts though was opening its students eyes to what was available outwith the Ministry, and even beyond Britain's borders. Severus expected the Ministry and Wizengamot to recognise the danger signs one day - he was also sure Scorpius had time to sit his NEWT's and the Snapes leave the country before the shit hit the fan.
-oOoOo-
Emma was starting to panic, Hermione should have been sitting beside them by now - in her place of honour reserved for the mother of the bride. As the bridal march began playing, the guests all stood to watch the bride's entrance - an entrance that put tears of joy in practically every guest's eyes.
A simply stunning Joan Potter was walking down the aisle, in the middle of her parents while each of them held their daughter's hand. Marianne walked behind with Lily, and carried the bride's bouquet.
A radiant Joan simply beamed with happiness. Walking hand in hand with her mum and dad, toward the wizard who would soon be her husband, and surrounded by their family and friends - it didn't get any better than this.
Her family all immediately recognised what was happening here, Joan had spent years walking between her parents - rejoicing in the love they shared. Joan noticed the tears streaming down Jillian's cheeks, but her smile was wide too for the little orphan girl who spectacularly blossomed in the love of her family. Sirius was also in tears but blew Joan a kiss, a move that was taken up by quite a few guests - including an emotional soon to be father-in-law, a tearful goblin and a sobbing elf.
Her grandfather also blew Joan a kiss, her baby sister - still in Dan's arms - then tried to copy the gesture. That Rose ended up blowing a raspberry instead saw a ripple of laughter pass through the guests.
As they reached a waiting Gio, Joan kissed her dad and mum in thanks, retrieved her bouquet from her best female friend before standing next to her soon to be husband.
Her proud parents then took their seats beside the rest of their family, overjoyed to witness their oldest daughter getting married to one of her best friends…
The End