To Wed or Not To Wed

inyia

Rating: PG13
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 13/06/2004
Last Updated: 04/07/2004
Status: in_progress

Harry and Hermione get married in a weird circumstance. It is from the challenge: a wedding challenge.

Chapters

1. Someone else

2. The remains of the day …

3. Good Morning in the Morning

4. That We Have Get … What?

5. That We Have Get … What?

1. Someone else

First of all I have to write some things down.

I don’t own any of the characters. I guess you all knew that.

I have a beta J: Cheryl, so, thank her if it’s better than before.

Please review.

1. - Someone else’s wedding

I feel it in my fingers,

I feel it in my toes.

Love is all around me

Come on and let it show

Love is all around

Wet, Wet, Wet

‘Here I am,’ thought Harry ‘I am the best man, on what should be one of the happiest occasions of my life. My best friends are getting married. I have to be happy for them… but I’m not. Oh no, here comes Malfoy, and he is heading straight for me, why?’

“You are such a prat, you know that don’t you?” Draco asked.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because you let the women who care about you most get away. First Ginny though I won’t complain about that; now the Mud…”

Don’t you dare, Malfoy! I may have forgiven you for being ignorant in the past but I will not stand you calling my…her…that…”

Malfoy simply smirked.

“What are you smirking for?”

“I knew I was right. You love her, Scarhead. Don’t you realise? You are going to stop this charade, of course…aren’t you?

Harry just stood there staring dumfounded at Draco. He didn’t … He couldn’t believe what Malfoy had just said. Harry was so focused on Malfoy words that he didn’t even notice Ron’s arrival.

“Hey you two. You’re not going to punch each other, are you?” Ron demanded, “This is my wedding day for heaven’s sake!”

“No,” Harry replied before continuing with a sarcastic tone of voice, “I have no intention of fighting with the little ferret.”

“Good,” Ron stated as he preened in front of the mirror, “Am I the most handsome groom of all ages or am I not?”

Both, Draco and Harry rolled their eyes.

After a short period of time, a few minutes actually, the musicians started to play one of the classic wedding songs of all time, of course it was “The Wedding March” and with the firsts notes of that symphony Hermione gracefully entered the church.

(If you are asking why they are getting married in a church the answer is easy, most of the Granger family didn’t know about Hermione’s little secret; she is a witch and one of the best if you asked Harry.)

Hermione was so beautiful in her white dress. She was shinning as she a dainty bouquet of white gardenias in her hands. This was one of the happiest days of her life if not the happiest of all.

There were a great many people in the church. Drs. Edward and Emma Granger and their family and friends were seated on one side. Molly, Arthur, George and Fred with their wives Padma and Parvati; Bill with Fleur, Charlie, Ginny and Draco, Remus, Neville and Hannah, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva, Snape, Luna, Hagrid and Olympe were seated on the other side… Wait a minute Luna? … What was Luna Lovegood doing there?

All too quickly the ceremony had begun. Harry heard the minister say something that was magic to his ears:

“If there is anyone present that believes these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Harry closed his eyes bracing himself for what was about to happen he could almost hear the rustle of Luna’s dress while she charged up the aisle.

-“I…I have something to say,” Luna announced, “Ronald, I love you, and you love me. You cannot go through with this.” tears were forming in her pleading eyes, “Please…Ronald, you don’t love her. We both know you don’t,” she continued as she approached the couple.

Harry opened his eyes to the site of Luna standing before Ron. Hermione’s eyes were wide open with shock. Before anyone could register what was happening, Ron grabbed Luna by the hand. As they ran away from the altar Ron took a very brief moment to turn to Hermione and mouth, “I’m sorry.”

Harry couldn’t believe it. Luna had stopped the wedding and he couldn’t determine if he was happy or upset for it.

He looked over at Hermione; she was standing there looking lost. She started gathering her dress as if it was a life line that was going to save her. There she was in the middle of the altar, alone. Hermione looked over at Harry with her big brown eyes brimming with tears. The beautiful bouquet laying abandoned on the ground, forgotten.

Harry moved towards her wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. “What do you want to do, Hermione?” he whispered in her ear, “Do you want me to make him come back? Do you want me to hex him? Tell me whatever you want and I’ll do it Hermione just please, please stop crying.”

She managed a sad laugh. “No, it’s ok, it’s ok Harry, just, just take me away from here, please.” She looked desperately into Harry’s eyes, “I don’t want to stay here another minute.”

“Your wish is my command, milady,” responded Harry and with a near soundless pop, they disappeared.

***

“Thank you, Harry,” Hermione said, “I’m going to change, I don’t want to wear this stupid dress one more second.”

The Wizard Phone – a complement to the Floo Network that acts as a firewall, should you not be home the wizard flooing would be unable to come through - started to sound and Harry moved to answer the call.

They had added an improvement to the Phone that was called the WAM - (the Wizard Answering Machine) that enabled the caller to leave a message when there was no one home or they were unable to answer; it was a spell that recorded the callers’ message.

“Don’t.” Hermione requested, “Let the WAM answer for us. I don’t want anyone to know where I am. I don’t want anyone to see me like this.” She then turned her back to Harry and asked, “Please, help me to un-zip … this… thing.”

“Of course ‘Minnie.”

She smiled at him.

“Oh ‘Minnie its good to see that you can still smile and a beautiful smile at that.”

“It’s the first time since…well it’s the first time I felt like smiling” Hermione said then turning serious, she continued, “Thank you…for everything. You are a good friend and I love you, but you knew that already. Harry? Will you take me out tonight?”

“Uhh, of course” he answered while unzipping her wedding dress, “Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere, just far away from here, please. I don’t want to go anywhere we could be spotted.”

“Okay ‘Minnie.” Harry said as he kissed the bottom of her neck, “While you get changed I’ll decide where we can go.”

Harry took the credit card from a box he kept next to the TV.

“Do you want to go to eat? We can go to the continent. If you want I could call Maxime’s, we could have dinner there. Next we’ll see-” Harry shouted.

“Okay! Maxime’s is fine Harry. I’m yours for the remainder of the day.”

Harry called Maxime’s for a reservation.

2. The remains of the day …

Answering Reviews:

Austenlover: I have write ‘Minnie as appellative to Hermione because in my crazy mind it sounded cuter than Hermy and less forced than ‘Mione. If you prefer that I change that name please let me notice.

As some of you have requested I’ll try to make Ron and Luna nicer but I don’t know if they would be there a lot. But maybe they will appear, who knows ^_^.

I was asked to upgrade the rate of the fic; thank you Harry-Potter_obsessed. Do you agree with that rate? Tell me whatever you think about it.

Anthony: incest? Where? How? When? I though about George and Fred marry the Patil Twins because as Twins they have the same taste. I know it’s not canon but ¿incest? Maybe I have explained it bad. Sorry. I’ll try to explain it better.

LegalAlien: Thank you for your words. I’m glad you liked it.

Thank you kw702955, I think :P

Thanks Jenna Kathleen, Andrea Potter, for your kind words.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: This chapter is a little too short, I know but it’s only “in between scenes”. It didn’t fit on the last chapter or in the next one.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

2. - The remains of the day …

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for

For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

That's what friends are for

Dionne Warwick & Spinners

“I’m so glad I hadn’t moved my things to the new house that I was going to share…share with that friend of yours.” announced Hermione careful to keep her emotions in check. “I hope you didn’t have any plans for my bedroom because I intend to stay here for a long, long time.” she added then smiled at Harry, “Are you going to go to Maxime’s wearing that tuxedo, Harry?”

Harry was gazing at Hermione she looked stunning. He saw her red lips moving but he didn’t hear a thing, he just kept staring at her in a trance. Her hair pulled back in a ponytail, her short deep blue dress, and black leather jacket the sight before him was mesmerising. Hermione was riffling through her handbag.

“Have you seen my passport?” She asked still searching for something, “Harry?” Hermione smiled again, “Earth calling Harry, Earth calling Harry, Harry, answer please!”

“Wha-Oh yes. Your passport is in there,” he said pointing at the box from which he had retrieved his credit card, “I’m going to run and get changed myself. You don’t want me dressed in a tuxedo do you? Dressed like this everybody will be staring at me,” he offered smiling.

“Oh Harry, it wouldn’t make a difference,” Hermione responded with a soft smile.

Quickly, Harry went to his room to change. He returned to the dinning room where Hermione was waiting for him.

Now it was Hermione’s turn to stare at Harry. He was dressed in a dark grey shirt with a green tie and a pair of black trousers. She smiled dumbfounded while he got his jacket.

“Hermione, we need to head over to the Portkey Administration. Hermione? Is there something wrong; is this shirt dirty?”

“No, NO! Harry of course not. Let’s go.”

At the Portkey Administration:

“Hello,” said Harry to the young girl at the counter; he glanced at her name, “Rachel,” he smiled at her, “may we order a Portkey?”

“Of course sir-” her mouth drop open, “You’re Harry Po-“

“Shh. It’s a secret,” he smiled.

“Yes, well what may I do for you?” asked Rachel somewhat flustered.

“May we order a Portkey for two to Paris?”

“Yes. Right away, Sir.”

Rachel marked some letters at a kind of wizard computer she had in front of her and voilà, a Portkey for two to Paris appeared.

“Do you know how it works?”

“Yes thank you. When do we depart?”

“There is a five minute delay.”

“Okay. What do I owe you?”

“That will be 200 Galleons for you, Sir.”

Harry thanked Rachel again and paid the money. “Minnie,” he caught her hand, “Ready to go? Later I thought we could go to an Irish pub. What do you think?”

“Sounds wonderful, Harry. Better than honeymooning in Somerset with the Quidditch team before their tournament.”

“Oh, Minnie! If you want we can stay-“

“No, let’s go and yes, I think the Irish pub is a great idea. I happen I know of a little place in Wizard Dublin; it’s called W-Eire.”

Glancing at his watch Harry held out the Portkey, “Time to go, take this. Five, seconds…Four…Three…Two…One.”

3. Good Morning in the Morning

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: It has been difficult for me to find the perfect song that could fit in that chapter. I hope that it likes you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

3.- Good Morning In the Morning

Don't stop looking for love
It can be found
In the strangest places
Just when you've given up
Along comes a miracle
That turns your life around
So don't stop, looking for love

Don't stop looking for love

Boyzone

The next morning Harry woke up to the noise of someone trying to floo into the house but he was too sleepy to answer. So he let the WAM pick up the call for him.

Slowly he noticed three things: the first being that his head felt like it was about to split in two pieces… or more; the second was that he was naked under the sheets and last but not least that he was not alone in his bed.

Her brown hair was splayed over his chest covering her face, so he was unsure who this unexpected guest was. The last thing that he could remember was taking Hermione to an Irish Pub. He and Hermione had a great deal to drink, which resulted in the thumping headache he was now sporting. Which drove him to the next question, who is this girl and where is Hermione?

‘Hermione is going to kill me. What if I left her alone and drunk at the pub?’ Harry panicked as he started to move.

*

She noticed three things when she woke up the next morning: the first being that her head felt like it was about to split in two pieces… or more; the second was that she was naked under the sheets and last but not least that she was not in her own bed.

She didn’t dare open her eyes afraid look at the man whose chest she was using as a pillow.

While Harry started to move she opened her mouth and said, “Don’t please…”

“Oh my gods, Minnie?! What are you doing naked in my bed?” he asked stopping his movement

“Ohhh, don’t yell at me, ‘Arry. I don’t know. I can’t remember a thing,” she sobbed holding her head, “It hurts.”

Harry sat on the edge of the bed trying to avert his eyes from her naked body. “Listen, let’s start this morning as civilized people,” he paused, “we’ll take a shower and then eat something. Later we’ll figure out… all … this … stuff…what happened.”

Ugh! Harry what have you done to me? I’m used to being the logical one. You are supposed to be the one who acts without thinking.”

He smiled at her, “Okay. You take your shower first.”

She kissed him on the cheek and made her way to the bathroom rubbing at her throbbing temple. “Thank you, Harry.”

“Yeah. Thank me later after breakfast. I’m going to listen to the WAM and put the mail on the table.” He thought that they were acting like a married couple and not just friends sharing a flat. Sleeping together, waking up naked and beside each other in the morning, and doing house work…

*

When Harry entered in the dinning room he saw that the WAM was almost on fire. He pressed the rewind key and as the WAM rewound he went to check the mail. There were a many letters, the Daily Prophet, The Quibbler and the Hogwarts Daily Ex-Press. The later was the new school newspaper being worked on by some of the fourth and sixth year students at Hogwarts. It mainly contained articles about teachers, classes, and Quidditch with the occasional report on Hogwarts alumni. The paper also carried a problems page initiated by Harry and Hermione about two years ago of which they were co-editors.

“This is Harry Potter’s and Hermione Granger’s WAM speaking. We are not at home just now or we are unable to answer at the minute. You know what to do – beep.”

It wasn’t original but they left it like that after testing it. The funny part was that Hermione said Harry’s name and vice versa.

Molly Weasley’s voice: “Harry? Are you there? Oh darn, I guess you are not! Please floo me back when you listen this message.”

‘Yeah. I’ll get right on that’ Harry thought sarcastically.

Emma Granger’s voice: “Darling? I hate this damn Floo Network. I feel like my head is going to abandon my body; but it’s the only way to contact to you. If you aren’t at home, where have you gone? Your father and I are so worried, sweetie. We are leaving Grimmauld Place this afternoon and we are heading home. Please contact us luv, let us know you’re all right or just apparate home I’ll be waiting for you with a bowl of chocolate ice cream. I almost forgot, tell Harry I said hi and thank him for taking care of you. Bye.”

Harry smiled; Dr. Granger was always so polite.

The next ten messages were hang-ups. Maybe they were from Molly too?

Harry’s very, very drunk and incoherent voice: “Hi you two. Well, better WE two –I’m going to do it.”

Harry didn’t remember leaving this message. ‘What was I going to do?’

Minerva McGonagall’s very angry and demanding voice: “You two come to Hogwarts right now!”

George Weasley’s voice: “You two are the best.”

Fred Weasley’s voice: “And they call us pranksters.” (laughter)

Molly Weasley’s voice (crying): “Poor little thing…you must have been so upset to do what you have done.”

“What is going on?” Harry whispered to himself thoroughly confused.

“Harry!!” Hermione screamed.

“Coming!!” he answered.

4. That We Have Get … What?

4.- That We Have Get … What?

We got everything and more than we had planned,
more than the rivers that run the land.
We've got it all in our hands.
Now it's all for one and all for love.

All for love

Bryan Adams and Co.

- Harry!! – Hermione yelled.

- Coming!! – He answered.

Harry went to the bedroom where Hermione was standing in front of the Cute Mirror. This mirror was able to give you the image you want of yourself, It means you with other hair colour or make-up; other points of View.

The real Hermione was looking at a paper on her hands while the mirrored one was changing the colour on her lips that now where violet.

- What are you looking at ‘Minnie? What is that paper?

Hermione eyes were wide opened and she was staring at Harry as she had seen a ghost.

- Take a look by yourself! – she said holding the piece of paper and giving it to him.

He smiled at her and looked the paper. He read it

- It’s a marriage certificate. – He said

- Yes, I can read Mr. Potter – She said

- But It have to be a joke or a mistake. It’s your name and mine. That’s weird.

- Thank you for your words.

- I didn’t meant that ‘Minnie. – She went to the bathroom and he followed her. He stopped when she closed the door on his face. He started to knock on the door- Listen ‘Minnie. I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t think that you and me would be weird but …

She opened the door and leaned on it.

- Go on. You are going better with every single word. – She said sarcastically.

- Ok. Let’s eat something. Then maybe we can understand what is going on. Maybe if you listen to the messages on the WAM can get some clues. And McGonagall wants to talk with …

- What have you done?- She said looking at him suspiciously.

- No…thing ‘Minnie. She wants to talk to the both of us.

- Ups. I haven’t done anything. You have to be the guilty one here. Well I’m going to make the breakfast while you take a shower. You stink – she shrank her nose and then she smiled. - It’s just a joke Harry.

She went to the kitchen to make the breakfast. She opened the coffee pot and the marvellous aroma of it inundated her lungs. She put some water to boil in order to make some of that coffee.

She opened another cupboard just to find a box of cookies. There were a lot of them. Some with chocolate, some with fruits, some integrals, some without sugar …

- Mothers – She thought.

She prepared also an English breakfast: toasts, scrambled eggs, marmalade… and some aspirins to clear their minds.

While she was waiting for Harry to finish his shower he started to read the Daily Prophet

- My Good Lord! – she yelled

- What’s up darling – Harry said just arriving

- Look at this… No better: Let me read it to you Mr-it-have-to-be-a-joke

The Wedding of the Century

By Rita Skeeter

[On the top of the page was a photograph of Harry and Hermione at their Hogwarts graduation.]

Last night our Golden Man, the Boy who lived got married in the middle of the central circle of Stonehenge.

Harry James Potter is, for all of you that have been living in another world for the last 20 years, one of the most powerful wizard in our World. He has twice defeated The-One-That-Must-Not-Be-Named.

We talked to some of the guests of that Surprising Wedding.

- It’s the most magical place in the world but Hogwarts, of course! – Said Mr. Neville Longbottom referring to Stonehenge. – Where can they get Married if not here?

Mr. Longbottom wasn’t the only friend of them in that wonderful event. There was also Mr. Dumbledore and Mr. Draco Malfoy.

- My wife hadn’t been able to come because our little daughter was sleeping and we couldn’t find anyone to baby-sit her in that short period of time. – Said a proud Draco Malfoy who also was the best man of Mr. Potter. – She is going to kill me but I couldn’t help coming; I’m the best man and I was willing to see it for the past ten years.

I remember you that Mr. Potter was the best man in the Malfoy’s wedding and the godfather of her little Daughter, Vivian Narcissa Malfoy, which is only one year old.

Right now you would have been asking who she was. I’m going to tell you. She was no other than Miss Granger. The one and only Hermione Granger. She was going to marry Ron Weasley the last morning, but he ran away with Luna Lovegood, the manager directress of the Quibbler.

I, Rita Skeeter, have always said that Ronald Billius Weasley wasn’t the right man for Hermione Jane Granger.

She was wearing a long white dress, it was so different to the one she was wearing to marry Mr. Weasley. Her cheeks were a little redder than usual. Her parents weren’t there, surely they didn’t wanted to wake them up.

Mr. Dumbledore gave the bride to the groom who was wearing dark clothes.

That was a very pretty ceremony full of symbolisms.

The priestess asked if they were doing that freely and both answered among giggles that they were.

They joined two pots of sand in one, symbolizing the union of souls and the life they are going to live as one.

They gave one another the “arras”, a Spanish Costume. The “arras” is 13 coins that symbolized the rich and the properties that are going to be for the both of them. The groom gives it to the Bride symbolizing that his possessions are now hers too.

When finally the priestess asked if there was someone that can say something for not letting them get married no one raised a single hand.

- Better this way – Said the Bride with a killing gaze – Or I would manage to make a Silencio Charm without my wand. – Then she smiled to his soon-to-be husband and asked the priestess to continue with the wedding ceremony.

Everybody laugh at it till they saw the determination on her eyes.

- I know she can do things like that.-

Mr. Malfoy gave Mr. Potter the rings. The bride’s band was welded with the engagement ring; the groom’s one was a white golden band.

After that they were proclaimed Husband and Wife and the priestess gave him the permission for kiss her.

- I have been waiting for this all my life, ‘Minnie – the Groom Said.

And then he kissed her; first softly and then hungrily until Mr. Malfoy patted his shoulder. The two of them interchanged some words and then the newly weds turned to the guests to be congratulated by them.

After all that they came to me and my photograph, Mr. Colin Creevey, to have some words with us. I managed to make them a short interview because they wanted to go home.

ü RS: - Can I see your Ring, Ms. Potter?

ü HG: - It will be Ms. Granger-Potter. And yes you can.

She showed it to me. As I have said it was It was a double ring. The engagement ring was united with the band. The first one was a solitaire on a white gold wand. The stone was a diamond in a heart form. The band was also a white golden one.

ü RS: - It’s very beautiful one. How have you managed to have the ring and the dress in so little time, Mr. Potter. We know that it have gone very fast.

ü HP: - Well, the dress was the one my mother worn the day she married my father. I have had it at Gringotts. It’s a very valuable one, as you can see it has some golden strings. The engagement ring was also from my family it has engraved the question: “would you marry me?” and when the bride puts it on her finger it writes the answer: “yes”. The bands were bought by Mr. Dumbledore some time ago. Somehow he knew we where going to get married. They have also an anagram with our names in them.

ü RS: - Oh! That sounds very interesting. Why have you two acted so fast? I think that a lot of people would love to be here.

ü HG: - He asked it to me tonight and it sounded wonderful to my ears and we didn’t want anyone to darken this day.

ü HP: - She said yes. And I couldn’t wait one more second to make her my wife forever. – He said smiling. – Forever- he murmured touching his wife hands

I let them go home to be alone. They will have plenty of time to confront the rest of the Wizard Community.

We will publish some of the wedding photographs tomorrow because we have to make some nice composition. The Potters have answered affirmatively to our question to have an interview to them as newlyweds at their home. It will be as soon as possible.

Hermione looked at Harry.

- What do you say about that? – She said giving the newspaper to him- You can read it yourself in case you didn’t believe me.

Harry was speechless.

5. That We Have Get … What?

4.- That We Have Get … What?

We got everything and more than we had planned,
more than the rivers that run the land.
We've got it all in our hands.
Now it's all for one and all for love.

All for love

Bryan Adams and Co.

“Harry!!” Hermione yelled.

“Coming!!” Harry answered.

Harry went to the bedroom where Hermione was standing in front of the “Cute Mirror.” This magical mirror was charmed to project a desired image of whoever looked into it. Meaning you could see what you would look like with a different hair colour or make-up; other points of view.

The real Hermione was glaring at the document in her hands while the mirrored one was randomly changing her lip colour; it was currently a violet shade.

“What’s wrong ‘Minnie? What is that paper?”

Hermione eyes were wide with horror; she was staring at Harry as if she had been hit in the stomach by a bludger. “Take a look for yourself!” she said as she handed the offending document to him.

He smiled uneasily at her as he took the document. He read it

“It’s a marriage certificate.”

“Yes, I can read Mr. Potter.”

“It must be a joke or a mistake. It’s in your name and…mine. That’s strange.”

“Thank you for that.”

“’Minnie, I didn’t mean…”

Hermione turned and went to the bathroom with Harry following right behind her. He stopped when she slammed the door in his face. He tried the knob; it was locked, “Listen ‘Minnie. I didn’t mean it like that. Its not that I think you and I would be strange but-“

She opened the door and leaned on it.

“Go on. Dig the hole deeper Harry.” Hermione’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Why don’t we have a bite to eat? Talk this through then maybe we can figure out what is going on. You should have a listen to the messages on the WAM maybe we can get some clues. Oh and McGonagall wants to talk with-“

“What have you done?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“Nu…nothing ‘Minnie. She just asked, well demanded to talk to the both of us.”

“Us? I haven’t done anything. You have to be the guilty one here. I’ll go and make breakfast while you take a shower. You smell like a pub.” she wrinkled her nose in disgust then smirked. Harry was a relieved that she could still joke around.

In the kitchen Hermione opened the coffee pot welcoming the marvellous aroma that inundated her lungs. She put some water on to boil in desperate need of some morning coffee. She opened a cupboard only to find boxes of cookies. There were dozens of them. Some with chocolate, some with fruits, and some sugar free.

‘Mother,’ she thought, ‘cookies essential comfort food.’

After taking a quick inventory of the assortment of cookies, Hermione got back to the task of preparing breakfast. Feeling traditional, she put together an English breakfast consisting of toast, marmalade, scrambled eggs…and of course a hangover potion to clear their minds.

While she waited for Harry she picked up the Daily Prophet.

“My Good Lord!” Hermione yelled.

“What’s up hun?” Harry inquired just arriving

“Take a look at this… No better yet, let me read it to you Mr-it-has-to-be-a-joke.”

The Wedding of the Century

By Rita Skeeter

[At the top of the page was a file photograph of Harry and Hermione at their Hogwarts seventh year leaving feast.]

Late last night our Golden Man, the-Boy-who-lived, married in the middle of the central circle of Stonehenge.

Harry James Potter, for all of you that have been living in another world for the last 20 years, is one of the most powerful wizards in the world. He has twice defeated he-who-must-not-be-named.

We obtained some comments from guest at the surprise nuptials.

“It’s the most magical place in the world save for Hogwarts, of course!” commented Mr. Neville Longbottom referring to Stonehenge, “Where else could they get married if not here?”

Mr. Longbottom wasn’t the only friend in attendance at the wonderful event. Among the guests were Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Mr. Draco Malfoy.

“My wife was unable to come because our little daughter was sleeping. Finding proper childcare on such short notice was impossible.” commented a proud Draco Malfoy who also served as the best man, “Ginny is going to kill me but I couldn’t miss this; I have been predicting those two would come to their senses for the past ten years.”

Faithful readers will recall that Mr. Potter served as best man at the Malfoy’s wedding two years ago and is godfather to their daughter, one year old, Vivian Narcissa Malfoy.

Right now, dear readers, you are all in suspense as to the identity of the new Mrs. Potter. There is really no surprise here; the blushing bride is none other than Hermione Jane Granger. Yes, that’s right, the same Hermione Granger set to wed Ronald Billius Weasley yesterday morning. However, the scoundrel left the lovely Miss Granger at the altar to run away with Miss Luna Lovegood, managing editor of the Quibbler.

This humble reporter has always believed that Mr. Weasley was not the right man for Miss Granger. Again, this report has reputed for many years that the newly wed Potters were meant to be together.

Miss Granger wearing an elegant long white dress, very different from the one she donned for her ill-fated wedding to Mr. Weasley. Her cheeks were a little rosier than usual. Her parents weren’t in attendance given the late hour of the nuptials.

Headmaster Dumbledore, in place of her parents, presented the lovely bride to her groom who was attired in a dark suit.

The ceremony was very pretty and full of symbolism. The priestess asked if they were joining of their own free will and both answered among giggles that they were. The couple then joined two pots of sand in one, symbolizing the union of souls and the life they are going to live as one.

They endowed one another with “arras”, a Spanish Costume. The “arras” consists of 13 coins that symbolize the riches and properties that are going to bestow both of them. The groom makes this offering to the bride symbolizing that his possessions are now shared with her.

When finally the priestess asked if there was anyone present that believed the couple should not be married, no one said a word.

“Good,” responded the bride with a killing gaze, “or I might have managed to cast a Silencio Charm wandless.” Then she smiled at her husband and asked the priestess to continue with the ceremony

“She is capable, I know.” offered Mr. Potter. Everyone had a laugh until they saw the determination in Miss Granger’s eyes and crowd fell silent.

Mr. Malfoy handed Mr. Potter the rings. The bride’s white gold band was already welded to the engagement ring; the groom’s band was also white gold.

After the exchange of rings they were proclaimed husband and wife and the priestess gave the groom her blessing to kiss his bride. “I have been waiting for this all my life ‘Minnie” said the groom. Then Mr. Potter kissed the new Mrs. Potter; softly at first but it soon grew more passionate until Mr. Malfoy tapped the distracted groom’s shoulder. The newlyweds then broke apart and turned to the congratulating guests.

After the ceremony the couple made their way to staff photographer, Colin Creevey, and myself for an exclusive interview.

ü RS: - May I see your Ring, Mrs. Potter?

ü HG: - That is Ms. Granger-Potter and yes you may.

Ms. Granger-Potter showed me the double ring. As mentioned, the one-karat heart shaped diamond engagement ring was united with a white gold band.

ü RS: - It’s very beautiful. How did you mange to pull this wedding off in so little time?

ü HP: - Well, the dress was my mother’s she wore it the day she married my father. It was in storage at my Gringotts vault. Did you notice the golden strings? It’s holds great value to me and I am honoured that Hermione chose to wear it.

The engagement ring is a family heirloom. It is enchanted with the question: “Will you marry me?” and when the intended places it on her finger it writes the answer: “yes”. Headmaster Dumbledore purchased the bands some time ago, it seems that he anticipated that Hermione and I would wed and had the rings at the ready. The bands are engraved with our initials

ü RS: - Oh! That sounds very romantic. Why have you two acted so fast? I think that there is a great many people that would have wished to be present.

ü HG: - He asked me to marry him this evening and it sounded wonderful to my ears. We didn’t want anyone to darken our happiness so we decided to get married straight away.

ü HP (smiling): - She said yes. I couldn’t wait one more second to make her my wife forever. Forever.

We concluded the interview and the happy couple went on their way. They will have plenty of time to deal with the rest of the Wizard Community another day.

Tomorrow we will publish exclusive photographs of the wedding ceremony and interview. The Potters have generously consented to a follow up interview at their home at a later date.

Hermione looked at Harry.

“Well, what do you have to say about that?” Hermione asked handing the newspaper to Harry, “Here read it for yourself in case you don’t believe me.”

Harry was speechless.