From the Past

So it was that Mika continued to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts by proxy while trying to plan a wedding that no one could really know about but everyone did. The main thing that had to remain secret was the time and the location and so far those secrets were safe. At any rate, Sirius wouldn’t show up as himself, he would send ‘Snuffles’ instead. This was the name given to the renegade wizard when he was in his animagus black dog form. It always made those who knew about it chuckle, especially Mika. She had never met Sirius, but had heard more than her share of stories about the ‘good old days’ from Remus. Apparently, James and Sirius were quite a troublesome pair. It seemed to Mika that their antics and exploits would put even the Weasley twins to shame!

For the following few weeks anyway, things were relatively quiet. The children all buckled down to their studies and Mika was kept busy with ferrying and translating lessons and plans and correcting papers etc. Lupin of course did his share when he wasn’t indisposed. The new formula that Mika had managed to develop not only kept Lupin in his own mind but retarded the transformation process as long as he remained quiet and indoors.

Then of course there were the wedding preparations. The boys could really have cared less but the girls were absolutely thrilled. They knew that the actual ceremony would not be held in the castle but there was to be a hum dinger of a party afterwards in the great hall. Only Hermione, Ron and Harry knew anything about the actual ceremony for they were among the few invited to it. Hermione of course was to be Mika’s maid of honour with Sirius being best man.

“So do I walk Snuffles down the aisle on a lead or what?” she giggled one day when she and Mika were taking a much needed hiatus from the ‘real world’ up in the branches of Clarence. The days were growing longer and warmer and it was a very pleasant evening. In confidential meetings with Dumbledore, it had been decided that the ceremony would take place the afternoon of the last day of classes and the celebration part that night so that all the students could partake of their favourite teachers’ happiness.

“So, Hermione,” said Mika after she had managed to quieten their laughter. “You’re part of both the magical and ‘normal’ worlds, just what does a wizard wedding entail? I mean, is it much different from a normal ‘muggle’ wedding?”

Hermione thought on this for a moment. “Well, it depends. I guess they’re the same in that there are many different versions. Basically, the only real requirements are the witnesses, the signing of the registry, and the exchange of vows and rings. Pretty much the same I suppose, though traditional wizard weddings can last up to two days.”

“So I’ve heard,” she muttered.

“I am sure yours will be very beautiful. I love weddings.” Hermione smiled. Mika had a feeling she knew something she wasn’t telling. But she knew her friend well enough to know that wild hippogriffs couldn’t drag a secret out of her. “Can I see it again?”

Mika held out her hand for Hermione to see her engagement ring that Remus had finally got around to giving her. Apparently he had intended to give her this particular ring for a long time, but had to go to great lengths to retrieve it.

“He says it belonged to his great-great-grandmother,” she said proudly.

“It is very old and very beautiful,” Hermione smiled. The ring was made of ancient goblin gold and inscribed with lovely scrollwork and what seemed to be ancient runes. The traditional engagement ring for wizards had either a diamond or an emerald, but this one had an enchanted fire opal which glowed with all the colours of the rainbow. It was stunningl. Funnily enough, it fit Mika’s finger as if it were made especially for her.

“Can you tell what it says?” Mika said.

Hermione took a closer look. “It looks a bit like ancient runes, but I think they’re incomplete.” Realisation then hit her. “Oh my, I know what that is…” the girl suddenly became excited. “It’s one of those union rings. They used to be very popular back in the days when couples got married and stayed married for life. There should be another part of the band that is traditionally given on the day of the actual wedding. When reunited the two parts fuse together to complete the runes. The halves will not separate until one of the couple passes on.”

Mika brought her hand closer to her face, re-examining the ring in the growing twilight. Her thoughts went immediately to Remus. What must his great-great-grandmother have been like? She imagined the woman who last wore this to be noble and strong, loving and totally dedicated to her husband. She wondered who had died first. In her mind she could see a lovely woman with deep blue eyes… eyes she clearly recognised. The woman smiled at her through the mists of the ages as if to say that she was pleased that her great-great-grandson would be in good and loving hands.

“Mika, are you ok?” Hermione noticed that her friend, still staring at the ring, seemed miles away.

It took a moment before Mika realised that she was being spoken to. “Oh, I’m sorry, Hermione. I… I think I saw his great-great-grandmother.”

“Whoooooa! Really? How?”

“Being time sensitive I often have glimpses into time, but they’re usually of the future, not the past.” Mika was still a little foggy, the feeling of warmth and comfort she had experienced overwhelming her.

“What was she like?”

“Beautiful. She must have been young when she got married. And her eyes… they were Remus’.”

“As Ron would say, wicked! So what do you think it means?”

Mika looked at the ring again. She couldn’t help but smile. “I think she’s happy that we’re together. It’s like she was giving us her blessing.”