When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 95

Opportunities Abound

May 1944

In many ways, it felt as though it had taken forever for this day to arrive. Between planning and assembling a rather extensive guest list, the wedding of Charlus and Dorea had taken much longer to arrange than Harry and Minerva's rather rushed affair.

"Do you wish we had a day like this?" Harry asked as he and Minerva were taking a turn around the dancefloor.

The heavily pregnant woman shook her head.

"No, it would have been too much for me," she assured him. "Look how many people are here."

Harry couldn't forget if he wanted to.

For the most part, he had avoided going out in public, and as a result he had spent much of the day being inundated by those that wished to impose themselves upon him.

He didn't mind those that wished to offer their humble gratitude for all he had done, but the sucking up became tiring rather quickly from those that only wished to be associated with him for their own gain.

Harry would never pretend to be politically astute in comparison, but he was not so naïve.

The hours spent in the company of Abreo and Sokolov during his meetings with them over the past months and attending the ICW meetings had taught him enough to see through other's intentions.

Much to his relief, with the conundrum that had been Austria and Hungary finally having been solved, those meetings had become less frequent, though he did check in with both men regularly.

The countries that had supported Grindelwald so steadfastly had, after months of negotiations, received a similar treaty to the Italians who were being watched closely.

Germany had yet to formally surrender but had been keeping abreast of the process and sanctions imposed on the others before making contact with the ICW.

The negotiations regarding them would begin soon enough, but until then, Harry was looking forward to simply spending some time away from the continent.

"I don't think I would have enjoyed a wedding like this," Harry admitted.

Minerva smirked knowingly at him.

"No, you wouldn't have," she agreed. "Imagine how much worse it would be if you were the groom?"

Harry grimaced and shook his head as he caught sight of the ice sculptures depicting the Potter and Black family crests acting as the centrepiece of the top table.

"Is that really necessary?" he asked.

Minerva nodded.

"To the purebloods it is," she snorted. "Weddings are an opportunity for them to show off to the other families. There has never been a marriage between the Potter and Blacks, so a display of wealth is expected. There are standards to uphold, my dear husband," she added, sticking her nose in the air mockingly.

Harry chuckled amusedly.

"Let's be grateful we're not them."