Unofficial Portkey Archive

Author's note: Sorry, this one took so long to get out. I had a little writer's block! You know how bad that can be! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter (THE WEDDING). There will probably be two more chapters of this and that will be all for this fiction of mine. Thank you all for taking the time to read and review it and let me know what you think!

Chapter 21

Come What May

"Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
I want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I Love You more and more"

"Come what may
Come what may
I will Love You
Until my dying day"

(From the "Moulin Rouge" Soundtrack)

Since he'd left Hermione earlier that morning at the hospital, Harry had been moving at one speed-fast. His exhilaration that Hermione had agreed to become his wife couldn't really be enjoyed at the moment as he now had the monumental task of planning a wedding in only a few short hours time. While Ginny, Billie and Kit were helping Hermione get ready, Sirius, Ron and Molly were helping him with the major details. Molly had volunteered to do all of the cooking and promised to whip up a wedding cake that would end all wedding cakes. Harry had told her not to go overboard, but she had just winked at him with a knowing smile.

He could hardly believe that by the end of the day, he would be someone's husband. More importantly, he would be Hermione's husband and she would be his wife. It all seemed so grownup to Harry. Sure, he and Hermione had exchanged their own vows that night at Hogwarts a few years back, but that hadn't been the actual, real thing. This was going to be a real wedding with rings, the wedding dress, the cake, the official ceremony. He had rushed along all morning with the help of Ron and Sirius obtaining a license at the registrar's office, picking up his best suit from the dry cleaner's. He'd asked both Ron and Sirius to stand up for him as sort of co-best men. He had no idea what Hermione was going to do for her side of the wedding party.

He had just finished making arrangements with a florist in Diagon Alley when it hit him all of a sudden that he had forgotten one very important detail. Of course, the moment he'd thought about it, he felt somewhat nauseous. This wouldn't be easy to do and he had absolutely no idea how they'd react. Yet, they had to be a part of it. There was no other way around it. With a heavy heart, he made his way to the downtown London hotel where the Grangers were staying.

______________________________________________________________________

Harry took a long, deep breath before knocking on their door. It was Karen who opened the door.

"Harry?" Karen said, surprised to see him. "What on earth are you doing here?

"I needed to talk to you and Dr. Granger," he said, avoiding her inquisitive gaze.

Seeing the serious expression on his face, Karen felt a sudden sense of panic.

"Is everything okay?" Karen said. "Hermione? She's alright, isn't she?"

"Yes," Harry said, quickly. "She's fine. Nothing to worry about, honestly. But, she is the reason why I'm here and why I need to talk to you."

Karen breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course," she said, smiling at him. "Come on inside. We were going to be heading back to the hospital once Robert finished checking his voice mail."

Coming into the medium-sized hotel suite, Harry saw Dr. Granger sitting on the couch, just turning off his mobile.

"Harry?" Robert said, looking up in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"He needed to talk to us about Hermione," Karen said, taking a seat beside her husband.

"Is everything okay?" Robert asked, frowning.

"Everything's fine. I just wanted to talk to you about something," he replied apprehensively.

Karen and Robert exchanged glances and Karen asked Harry to sit down. He sat on the end of one of the full-size beds directly across from the Grangers.

"I know that the three of us haven't always seen eye-to-eye where Hermione was concerned," Harry began, after taking a deep breath. "But, I think that we all have the same common interest at heart. We all love her very much and want her to be safe and happy. I know you haven't always believed that I was the best person to give her that kind of life. To tell you the truth, neither did I. I tried to push her away time and time again, but she wouldn't hear of it. You know how stubborn she can be."

Karen and Robert laughed at this.

"I love your daughter with all my heart," Harry said seriously. "When I lost her four years ago, I lost everything. Yet, somehow, by some miracle, we've got her back. We've already lost four years that we should have had together. Neither of us wants to waste any more time."

Harry looked at them earnestly before he dropped the bomb on them.

"This morning, I asked her to marry me and to my great relief and amazement, she said yes."

Harry watched them both as they took in this news. Karen put a shaky hand over her mouth and then quickly took it away. To Harry's relief, he saw a smile playing on her lips. Robert, on the other hand, was unreadable. His expression was stone-faced. Harry, who had fought against the greatest Dark Lord of the wizarding world, felt intimidated sitting across from this Muggle. Neither he nor Hermione needed his blessing, but Harry knew that if Hermione regained her memory tomorrow morning, the fact that her father blessed her marriage, would mean so much. Harry mentally corrected himself---not if, but when. He had to believe that this potion would work.

"You're getting married?" Karen finally asked. "When?"

"Tonight at the chapel in St. Mungo's," Harry said. "We wanted to do this before she takes the potion tomorrow morning."

"So soon?" Karen asked.

"Under the circumstances, it has to be," Harry said. "She's in her hospital room right now getting the full bridal treatment from Ginny, Kit and Billie."

At this, Karen's face fell.

"I know she'd love it if you went there and helped her get ready," Harry said.

"Really?" Karen asked hopefully. "I wouldn't be getting in the way? I mean, she doesn't even-"

"You're the mother of the bride, after all," Harry said, with a smile. "She needs you there with her."

Karen nodded.

"So, do we have your blessing?" Harry asked. He looked up nervously at the two of them.

Karen looked at her husband, who still sat there, his expression unreadable. He was still clutching his mobile telephone. He looked shell-shocked.

"Robert," Karen asked, putting a hand on her husband's shoulder.

Robert focused his attention on his wife.

"Give Harry your blessing," she said, her voice had a pleading tone to it.

"I don't know if I can," he choked out.

Harry's smile faded quickly.

"It's not everyday that you hear that your daughter's getting married," Robert said. "Hell, four days ago, I thought my daughter was dead. Then, I find out she's alive and that she doesn't have any memory of me or of anyone else for that matter. Now, you come here to tell me, that the night before she takes a potion that could either help her or render her a vegetable the rest of her life; that you intend to marry her. Forgive me if I don't know how to react to this."

"Robert," Karen said. "Please, I thought you said that you were going to support Hermione in the decisions that she made, even if you didn't always understand or agree with them? That's what you said this morning, right?"

"I know what I said," Robert said angrily. "I just--."

"You just, what?" Harry asked. "I don't mean to sound harsh, here, but sometimes it's like two steps forward and two steps back with you, Dr. Granger. Don't you think I feel guilty about what happened to Hermione? About what's happened to her? If I could change any of it, I would, but I can't. We love each other. We found our way back to each other despite all the odds against us, we did it. Now, tonight at 7:00, I'm marrying your daughter. I don't need your blessing and neither does she---we're both adults. We would love for you to be there. She needs your support and it would mean so much to her if you'd give her away tonight. Please. Can't we put aside our differences for one night? Hate me all you want, Dr. Granger. Don't punish Hermione for it. She doesn't deserve it."

Robert stood up from the couch and walked to the window. Karen looked at him in disbelief.

"Harry," Karen said after a few minutes silence. "Would you mind giving me a lift to the hospital?"

"Not at all," Harry said. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," Karen said. "Robert, are you going to come tonight?"

He didn't answer his wife. He continued to stand stick still, looking out the window.

"Robert, please," Karen said, in one last attempt to reason with her husband. "Don't do this. You'll regret this, please."

"You'd better get going," Robert said coldly.

Karen gave her husband one last scathing look before following Harry out of the hotel room. Only after they left did Robert finally break down in tears.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Harry and Karen arrived at St. Mungo's twenty minutes later. He knocked on the door to Hermione's hospital room and when he heard a voice ask who was there, he looked at his future mother-in-law with a look of confusion.

"Harry," he said simply.

He heard a few gasps and the sounds of footsteps scurrying behind the door.

"He can't come in here!" a voice he recognized as Ginny's said from behind the door. "It's bad luck, Harry! Go away!"

"Not until I drop someone off," he said, winking at Karen.

"Okay," Ginny said. "But you have to close your eyes and promise that you won't open them or I'll do a spell that will make you impotent."

"Ginny!" a voice exclaimed, that Harry automatically recognized as Kit's.

"Can you do that?" Harry heard Billie ask. With a laugh and an embarrassed look at Karen, he listened in as Billie explained to Ginny that she had an ex-husband she was dying to get back at.

"We don't have all day, ladies!" Harry called to them.

"Close your eyes!" Ginny said, as she opened the door. Harry rolled his eyes before closing them tightly. Karen took his arm.

"I'll lead you along, Harry," she said with a laugh.

"Thank you," he said. "Is this really necessary? I mean, I have already seen her today."

"Well, that's a technicality," Kit said. "You really shouldn't see her before the wedding and since this is a very spur-of-the-moment, shotgun type wedding, we're willing to let you get by on that, but you have to keep your eyes closed from this moment on."

"Oh, okay," he said. "Hermione? You're being awfully quiet."

She called to him from behind the curtains Ginny had pulled around her bed, "I'm okay. You really wouldn't want to see me right now, anyway, Harry. I have something called a mud mask all over my face. Trust me if you saw me like this, you'd run all the way back to North Carolina."

"I don't care if you're covered in mud," Harry said with a laugh. "I'd still think you were the most beautiful, most gorgeous girl in the entire world."

The girls in the room gave a collective set of "oohs" and "ahhs" over this last comment.

"That's so sweet!" Ginny asked. "But you're still not getting a quick peek at the bride, Loverboy."

"I meant every word I just said," he said, with a laugh. "I was not trying to get a quick peek at my girlfriend. Hey, and if I have to do this eyes-closed thing, I think she should, too. You make sure she isn't getting any quick looks at me, either. It's only fair."

"Typical man," Kit said. "Okay, deal."

"I wanted to bring Hermione's mum over so she could help out," he said. "If that's okay with you, Hermione?"

He felt Karen let go of his arm and heard her walk closer toward Hermione.

"I'd love it," he heard Hermione say. "I'm glad you're here. As you can see, I need all the help I can get."

"My work here is done," Harry said, inching blindly back out of the room. "Don't you forget, Granger, we have a date at 7 tonight."

"I'll be the one down front with the veil," she said, laughing.

After they were absolutely positive Harry had left the premises, Ginny pulled back the curtains of the bed.

"Are you sure you want to marry him?" Ginny asked. "He's a daft git, you do realize that?"

"Yes, I do," Hermione said with a laugh. "But, he's my daft git."

"Let's get this mud mask off of her," Kit said. "She's been in it long enough."

"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully.

Ginny took out her wand and with a quick flick; the mud mask was gone from Hermione's face. They were about to get started on the next step when Billie distracted them by asking Ginny, again, about this impotency spell.

"I mean if you met Frank, Ginny, you'd understand completely," Billie said. "This would be the perfect revenge!"

Hermione laughed as she watched Billie and Ginny step away from the bed to discuss the merits of impotency spells. Kit, Hermione and Karen laughed. Kit, sensing that Hermione might want time alone with her mother moved to join the conversation between Billie and Ginny.

"I can't believe you're getting married," Karen said, handing Hermione a washcloth so she could wipe away the stray pieces of mud mask that Ginny's spell had missed.

"You and me both," Hermione said. "I'm so glad that Harry told you about our plans. I mean, I know I don't really remember you and my father, but I couldn't imagine getting married without you there."

Karen's face fell.

"What is it? You are staying for the ceremony, right?" Hermione asked.

Karen nodded. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"But?" Hermione asked.

"Um, your father…he's…not…coming," Karen said weakly. "I wish that he would. This has all been so hard on him. He truly wants what's best for you."

"What's best for me is Harry," Hermione said. "If he can't accept that, I don't want him at the wedding."

"I understand," Karen said, but she couldn't help noticing that despite Hermione's firm tone, the news that her father---even one she had no memories of----would not be attending her wedding had hurt her.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Karen said. "I wish he felt differently."

"Me, too," Hermione said. "But, I am very glad that you're here."

"I am, too," Karen said. "Oh, and I have something for you that I think you would like to be wearing when you get married."

Karen pulled out a beautiful silver chain with a silver heart pendant.

"That's beautiful," Hermione said. She took the necklace from her mother and ran her index finger along the beautiful pendant.

"I know," Karen said. "It was yours. Harry gave this to you for your 16^th birthday. You wore it all the time! When we heard that you'd been found, I took it from your jewelry box and brought it with us. I knew that you'd want to have it back."

The other women gathered around the bed to look at the necklace.

"Well, that gives you your something old," Billie said. "Though if we were in a bind, I was willing to let you use me for that, because I am definitely something old."

"Oh, Billie," Hermione said, with a laugh.

"That leaves us with something new, something borrowed and something blue," Ginny said.

They all thought on these three items for a few minutes.

"I've got it!" Kit said. She took off her small diamond earrings.

"You can borrow my earrings," Kit said. "Ron gave them to me when I found out I was pregnant."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. "They're beautiful, Kit."

"Of course," Kit said, handing them to Hermione.

"Okay, two down," Billie said. "Two more to go."

"I'll transfigure this hair bow into a blue garter," Ginny said.

"You'll do what with what?" Hermione and Billie said at the same time.

"Just go with me on this," Ginny said. "In a minute, you'll have a blue garter. Carry on, guys. You still have to come up with something new."

"Her dress!" Kit screamed. "The dress is new."

"Ginny, I can't thank you enough," Hermione said. "Where did you get such a beautiful dress? I mean, it's almost as if it was made for me."

"I have a friend who has a shop in Muggle London and they let me have any dress I wanted," Ginny said. "They owed me a favor. I asked Colin to take some promotional photographs for them. I saw that dress and immediately knew it was just the dress for you, Hermione."

"It's amazing," Billie agreed.

"Well, there we go," Karen said. "I think you're all set."

"Yeah," Hermione said, feeling a sense of warmth, friendship and love with the assembled ladies in the room. She couldn't believe that in less than a few hours, she'd be married. Despite the obvious feeling that she was about to marry the man she loved, the preparation for the ceremony and the ceremony itself had taken her mind off of the potion. She didn't have time to think about tomorrow morning and what would happen. She was getting married and at the moment that was all she was allowing herself to think about.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

With two hours to go before the ceremony, her groom to be was pacing in the empty hospital room that the St. Mungo's staff let them use as a dressing room. Ron was listening to music on Kit's CD walkman and was singing so off-key that if Harry wasn't so nervous, he'd have been laughing his arse off.

Sirius, who wasn't nervous, was laughing at Ron. Ron was sitting on the hospital bed in his white shirt and black pants and was bobbing his head up and down to the music.

"Did you get the rings?" Harry asked Sirius.

"Right here," Sirius said, patting his shirt pocket.

"Okay," Harry said, pacing. "Molly's taking care of the cake and the other food and-"

He was interrupted by Ron's horrible, off-key singing.

"I CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION!" Ron sang. "I CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION. CAUSE I TRY AND I TRY AND I TRY AND I TRY. I CAN'T GET NO I CAN'T GET NO. WHEN I'M DRIVIN' IN MY CAR, AND THE MAN COMES ON THE RADIO AND HE'S TELLIN' ME MORE AND MORE ABOUT SOME USELESS INFORMATION SUPPOSED TO FIRE MY IMAGINATION…"

Harry walked over to Ron and pulled the headphones cord out abruptly.

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "What's the matter?"

"Absolutely nothing," Harry said sarcastically. "Nothing at all, Ron. I was quite enjoying you singing bloody off-key about not getting any satisfaction!"

Sirius guffawed and stepped between them.

"I wasn't that bad, was I?" Ron asked, looking at Sirius.

"Don't quit your day job, Ron," Sirius said. "Let's just stay cool, calm and collected, shall we?"

"Easy for you to say," Harry said.

"You're going to be okay," Sirius said. "Besides, just think that after you go through this, you have the honeymoon to look forward to."

"Honeymoon? What kind of honeymoon could we have in a hospital?" Harry asked. "I hadn't even thought about that part."

"Well, luckily for you, I did," Sirius said. He handed Harry a key card.

"What's this?" Harry asked.

"A key card to your honeymoon suite at The Ritz," Sirius asked.

"But Hermione can't leave the hospital, I mean-," Harry began.

"I cleared it with Sean," Sirius said. "You just make sure she's back here first thing tomorrow morning so she can take that potion."

"Thanks," Harry said. "I don't know what to say. I mean, The Ritz-that's really expensive, Sirius."

"How often does your godson get married?" Sirius asked hypothetically. "You and Hermione are my family. This is my wedding gift to the two of you."

"Thanks," Harry said, smiling at him. He hugged his godfather. "Thank you so much."

"You know, I hate that we didn't get to give you a stag weekend," Ron said. "I would have loved to plan that for you."

"You're just upset because Kit didn't let you have a proper stag weekend before the two of you got married," Harry said, with a laugh.

"You'd be upset too if she'd had Percy plan the whole thing," Ron said. "That was the most boring weekend of my entire life! I swear it'd be more fun watching paint dry than that what he planned."

"I don't remember much of it," Harry said. "I think I'd drunk my weight in Firewhiskey that evening."

"You don't want to remember that weekend," Ron said. "Percy has to be the most boring person on the planet. He's my brother and I love him, but he is dull, dull, dull. Actually, you were the most entertaining part of the weekend, Harry."

"Dare I ask what he did?" Sirius asked.

"Zip it, Mick Jagger!" Harry said to his best mate. "You tell anyone this and I'll hex you into next week."

Ron nodded sheepishly, but when Harry turned his back, he mouthed "I'll tell you later" to Sirius, who stifled a laugh.

"Relax, Harry," Sirius said. "All that's left now is the ceremony."

"Yeah," Harry said, with a smile. "The ceremony."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The moment of truth finally arrived and Harry, Sirius and Ron made their way downstairs to the chapel. Harry felt as if his heart was beating a mile a minute. As they walked down the aisle, Harry saw with approval that Hermione's favorite flower, pink roses, lined the aisle and were placed in beautiful bouquets at the altar.

Harry nodded at the guests as he walked down the aisle. Molly and Arthur were sitting with Fred, George, and Percy. Percy's wife Penelope was cradling their two-month old daughter and she smiled warmly at Harry as he walked down the aisle. Fred's girlfriend Angelina gave him the thumbs-up sign and George's wife Susan was playfully swatting her boyfriend's arm.

Harry caught sight of Hagrid, who was bawling like a baby. Harry smiled at him and this only set Hagrid off again, crying. To Harry's surprise, Professors McGonagall and Sprout were there, too, sitting beside Madame Pince. Neville, Dean, Seamus and Lavender Brown made up the rest of the guest list. Colin Creevey was taking photographs for them and was busily snapping away as the groomsmen and groom made their way to the front of the chapel.

Ron had sent out owls to everyone he could think of. With it being on short notice, Harry hadn't expected this great a turnout. It was wonderful. Everyone that they cared about and loved was here and it was small and it was personal and it was perfect.

Professor Dumbledore winked at him as he stood in front of him. Harry didn't know that Dumbledore was to perform the ceremony. Yet another of Sirius' surprises.

"About time, Harry?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

"I've done a few of these ceremonies and let me tell you if you're feeling nervous, it'll all go away once you see your bride," he said.

Harry was about to respond when he heard the familiar sounds of "The Wedding March". The door to the chapel opened and Ginny walked through the doors first. She wore a lovely pale pink strapless dress and carried a bouquet of pink roses. She smiled at her parents as she walked down the aisle.

Next, Billie came walking down the aisle-sashaying all the way. She winked at Sirius as she did so. If Harry wasn't mistaken, Sirius winked back. Something was going on there, Harry could definitely see that. He had thought it was more one-sided on Billie's part, but maybe Sirius was starting to warm up to the sweet, Southern woman.

Then, Hermione's maid-of-honor Kit came walking down the aisle. She was wearing a pale pink maternity dress and also carrying a bouquet of pink roses. She winked at her husband as she took her place beside Billie.

Then, the doors closed again as "Here Comes the Bride" began to play.

Hermione was about to walk down the aisle on the arm of Remus Lupin, who had agreed to give her away. They were about to reopen the doors when a voice interrupted them.

"I'm not too late, am I?"

Hermione and Lupin turned and were surprised to see Robert Granger walking quickly toward them.

Hermione felt tears come to her eyes.

"No," she said. "You're not late at all. Right on time."

"Good," he said, taking his daughter's hand.

"Thank you, Remus," Hermione said, as Lupin smiled and walked through the doors. He just nodded at Harry, who was surprised to see Lupin without Hermione. Lupin gave Harry a reassuring nod.

To Harry's surprise, he saw the doors open again and Hermione walked down the aisle on the arm of her father. Harry didn't have too much time to take this fact in as he was nearly breathless as he watched the beautiful girl walking towards him.

She wore a velvet satin strapless A-line gown with princess seams and was lavishly decorated with heavy beading and sequins. It had silver embroidery at the waist, skirt and hem. She wore a simple lace veil and her hair was down and styled in ringlet curls.

"Told you," Dumbledore whispered to Harry.

Hermione smiled nervously at Harry, who beamed back at her.

"Wow," he whispered, looking at her. "I mean, wow. You look absolutely breathtakingly beautiful."

"Thanks," she whispered back. "You clean up nice, too."

"Family, friends, and guests," Dumbledore began. "We are here today to celebrate the joining of Harry James Potter and Hermione Elizabeth Granger in marriage."

"Who gives this woman in marriage?" Dumbledore asked.

Still holding his daughter's arm, Robert stepped forward and said with a smile to his daughter, "Her mother and I do."

Hermione beamed at Robert as Robert gave her hand to Harry.

"Thank you," Harry said with a smile to Robert. Robert Granger simply nodded at the young man who would become his son-in-law in a few moments. He smiled at his daughter before taking his seat beside his wife, who touched his shoulder affectionately.

Harry and Hermione, with their arms linked, then turned to face Dumbledore.

"Will you please, as an expression that your hearts are joined together in love,
now please join your hands?" Dumbledore asked of them. Hermione handed her bouquet to Kit.

Harry turned to Hermione as she did the same. He took both her hands in his and gave her a bright smile.

"Today, we gather here today to watch as these two people Harry James Potter and Hermione Elizabeth Granger, pledge their love and commitment to each other. If there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure."

"This ceremony today isn't only for Harry and Hermione, but for us, their friends and family. For we have watched their friendship develop into a deep, abiding love. The love that they were lucky enough to find in each other is one that has known no boundaries; a love that has bridged a wide distance. Their time apart, while painful and heartbreaking, has only fortified their love and commitment to each other."

"If I can offer them any advice, it would be to treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficult and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight."

"That being said," Dumbledore continued. "Can anyone here show just cause why these two should not be joined in matrimony? Let him speak now or forever after hold his peace?"

Harry and Hermione stiffened a bit at these words. Fate was on their side, today, as there was no objection, no sound. Dumbledore looked at them both, his eyes twinkling.

"Harry and Hermione have decided to say their own vows," Dumbledore said. "Hermione, ladies first."

Hermione smiled. "For the longest time, I've felt as if a part of me was missing. I didn't know what it was or why I felt that way, I just knew. When a certain person walked into my life a few short months ago, I knew in my heart that this person meant something to me. I knew that I felt such a strong connection to him, even though I thought I had just met him. I found out the truth about who I was and I felt as if my world had been turned upside down. I was angry and upset and so devastated. There was something in the back of my mind that told me to go where I felt safe, where I felt loved. That led me back to Harry. That led us here."

Harry held on tighter to her hand.

"I love you more than I ever thought possible," she continued. "You are my safe place. It is with you that I feel warm, safe and secure. It is with you that I feel happy and loved and needed. It is with you that I have found my home. You are the only home that I know. It was your love that brought me back here. It is your love that will be with me when I go through good and bad times. I hope that I can do for you what you've done for me. I don't need memories to tell me how I feel. I know with my whole heart and soul that I love you and that will never change."

Harry felt tears coming to his eyes as he listened to her speak. How will I ever top that, he couldn't help asking himself.

"Harry," Dumbledore prompted him.

"I don't know where to start," Harry said honestly. The guests giggled at this.

"I don't know where to start because I don't think there are words to describe how much you mean to me," Harry said. "When I lost you a few years ago, I didn't know how in the world I would go on. I didn't feel as if anything meant anything if you weren't there to share it with me. I don't think I told you enough back then how much I love you and how much you complete me. I won't make that mistake this time. I was given an incredible gift when I found out that you were still alive. I'm not going to take that for granted. I'm going to spend the rest of my life---our lives--showing you and telling you how much you mean to me. Through good and bad, you've always been there for me. I needed that. I needed you. I need you. When I was cold, it was you who brought me warmth. When my life was dark, it was you that brought me light. I love you, Hermione Elizabeth Granger, with all that I am and with all that I have."

Hermione beamed at him from underneath her veil.

"Well said," Dumbledore said, smiling at them. "Well said, indeed."

Harry, do you take Hermione Elizabeth Granger, to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, and keep her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Harry said happily.

"Good answer," Hermione whispered.

"Hermione, do you take Harry James Potter, to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live?

Hermione smiled. "I definitely do."

The guests laughed.

"Do we have the rings?" Dumbledore asked, looking toward Sirius. Sirius pulled the two silver wedding bands from his pocket and handed them to Dumbledore. With a wave of his hand, the rings levitated in front of Harry and Hermione.

"These rings are a symbol of your love and promise to each other. Hermione, please take Harry's ring and place it on his finger," Dumbledore said.

Hermione took the ring and with a shaky hand, placed it on Harry's finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," she said.

"Harry, take Hermione's ring and place it on her finger," Dumbledore said.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said. His hand lingered on hers and it was taking all his willpower not to take her in his arms and kiss her. That would come soon enough, Harry reminded himself.

"Very well, indeed," Dumbledore said. "For as much as Harry and Hermione have consented together in matrimony, and have witnessed the same before this company and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore, pronounce that they are husband and wife. Harry Potter, you may kiss your wife."

Harry pulled back Hermione's veil and saw her brown eyes filled with tears of happiness. He whispered, "I love you" before brushing his lips across hers in a sweet kiss.

The guests rose to their feet applauding as the wedding march played. Hand in hand, they walked out of the chapel.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Following a short reception, Harry and Hermione made their way to their hotel room. The bellman was leading the way to their room, carrying the overnight bag that both of them had packed.

"I can't believe we're actually married," Hermione said. "Married. Us. You and me."

"Yes, we are," Harry said.

"I can't believe Sirius arranged this for us," she said. "This place is amazing."

"Here you go, Mr. and Mrs. Potter," the bellman said. "There's fresh champagne in the bedroom and if you need anything else, just give us a call."

Hermione watched as Harry tipped the bellman and was about to walk through the doorway when he protested.

"No, no, no," he said. "We're going to do this right. Stop right there, Mrs. Potter."

"Okay, Mr. Granger," she said. She started to laugh when he bent his knees and picked her up. He carried her over the threshold. They were both laughing as he kicked the door shut with his leg and proceeded to carry her to the king size bed.

"Are you going to put me down?" she asked.

"How about right here?" he asked, setting her down on the bed.

"Perfect," she said. "Absolutely perfect."

And it was. Tomorrow might be another story, but for tonight everything was perfect.