A thunderous ovation erupted from the audience as the married couple dashed back down the aisle. Rice flew at them from all directions, and Ron laughed at finally seeing his two best friends tie the knot.
Harry and Hermione were directed toward the Great Hall where their reception had been arranged. Their friends and family followed closely after them.
"Sweet Merlin!" Harry gasped as he gawked at the Great Hall.
There were floral arrangements hung through the entire hall, and he was pleased to see that there were two Gryffindor banners hung on the side wall, signifying their house colors. He hadn't really been involved in choosing the décor for their reception; he'd left that up to Hermione and her mother. However, he couldn't argue with their sense of taste; he hoped that someday she'd show the same skill in their home.
Hagrid greeted them as the Master of Ceremonies, and he directed them to a long, mahogany table at the front of the Great Hall. Harry noticed that the tables were arranged around a large circular area that he knew would soon turn into a dance floor.
He guided his wife to their seats and helped her remove the elaborate veil covering her hair. She handed it to a nearby house elf and thanked the servant warmly. Harry held out her chair for her, and Hermione blushed slightly at his chivalrous action. He took a seat beside her and clasped her left hand in his. Harry's lips brushed her fingertips, and Hermione felt herself drowning in the emerald depths of his eyes.
John and Melinda Granger arrived and took a seat next to their daughter, while Sirius took a seat beside Harry. Ron and Lavender sat down at the table next to the main one as well as Ginny, Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore.
Harry was happy that all of his friends and Hermione's parents were here to celebrate with them, but…deep in his heart…he felt an emptiness. The only thing that would make this day perfect is if his parents could have been here to see it.
'Mom…Dad…I hope you're glad with the way this turned out.'
He felt something tug at the back of his mind, and his eyes fixed on the entrance to the Great Hall. All the guests had already entered, but he could clearly see two people standing in the doorway. His eyes widened as he saw two glowing figures standing in the doorway.
'MOM…DAD!' he'd almost shouted out loud.
His mother smiled warmly at him, and his father nodded his head in approval.
'Your wedding was lovely, Harry, and yes, we were there to see it,' his mother stated.
Harry heard her words but knew that they were being said to no one but him.
'We're very proud of you, son, so don't have anymore regrets about us,' his father said firmly.
'Your life is your own now, Harry. Live a full and rich life; that is how you can best honor our memory. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing a few grandchildren in the future,' his mother laughed.
'Don't worry, that's one area where I won't let you down. Thank you for coming today; I promise not to have anymore regrets.'
'That's good, son. We wish you and Hermione a long and happy life together,' his father said with a warm smile.
Wrapping his arm around Lily's shoulders, James smiled at his son and then down at his wife. Lily did the same, and the pair slowly faded away.
"Harry?"
He felt someone poking him in the side and turned to see Hermione staring at him worriedly; Sirius was also looking at him strangely.
"You alright, boy, you've looked out of it for the last ten minutes!"
"Yes, everything's all right now," Harry replied a bright smile. He looked at his wife and clutched her hand again.
A clinking of glasses drew their attention, and Harry saw that Ron was the one who started it.
'I knew that git was gonna cause trouble, but it's not like I'm not gonna enjoy this,' Harry chuckled silently.
"Hey!" Hermione gasped as she was suddenly hauled out of his seat and right into Harry's lap.
His grin was huge, and his wiggled his eyebrows at her. She just rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry pulled her close and devoured her mouth.
Ron led the charge of catcalls and whistles coming from the audience, and Fred and George followed along from their own table.
After a good five minutes of heavy snogging, Harry heard Sirius clear his throat, and he reluctantly released Hermione's mouth. She huffed indignantly and nuzzled his neck.
"Do we have to stay here?" she whispered into his ear.
"Unfortunately," he growled.
Nodding her head in defeat, Harry lifted her off his lap and back into her own seat. Everyone nearby was chuckling slightly at the newlyweds, including Hermione's parents. Harry glared across the room, but he couldn't help laughing himself.
The house elves truly outdid themselves with a wondrous meal. It was better than anything Harry and Hermione had ever had at Hogwarts in the past. The extravagant banquet was topped off by a magnificent cake that Dobby and Winky brought in themselves. They were levitating it in the middle of the dance floor and gestured for the happy couple to join them.
Harry escorted his wife to their station, and Winky handed her a cutting knife. Hermione took the offered utensil and cut out a slice for her husband. She was tempted to mash it into his face but took pity on him since they wouldn't be leaving for a while. She offered the piece to Harry, and he opened his mouth so she could feed him. Then, it was his turn as he offered Hermione her own slice. She happily accepted the sweet dessert and licked his fingers clean right along with it. A low growl from her beloved signified just how much he'd loved that little gesture from her. Harry yanked her into his arms and kissed the breath from her lungs, while licking off the residual icing from her lips in the process.
"Hmm, best dessert I've ever had," Hermione cooed at him.
"I'd have to say it was the second best I've ever had…" he trailed off and nuzzled her ear.
"…I much prefer having you for dessert, my angel."
Hermione's face turned crimson red, and their friends chuckled as they wondered just what Harry had said to her.
The feasting lasted most of the day, and it was quickly approaching sunset. It was then that Ron Weasley rose from his seat and clinked his glass for the room to quiet down.
"Although I'm not very good at making speeches, I will do my best for my two best friends. There is a part of me that's sad that it won't be just the three of us anymore, but I also know that while we may be losing a part of our past, we are also looking forward to a bright future…" and he clutched Lavender's hand in his.
"Harry…Hermione…I have never known two other people in my lifetime who are like the two of you. You two go together like pieces of a puzzle. Your shape and design are different, and yet you compliment each other perfectly. I can still remember that skinny young man and bushy-haired little know it all that I met on the Hogwarts Express all those years ago."
"And we remember the red-haired menace!" Hermione interrupted making them all laugh.
"We've had so many adventures together, and now, you two are starting another adventure by yourselves. You bring out the best in one another, and I wish you both a long and happy life together…" Ron paused and raised his glass.
"…To the smartest witch of our age and the best damn seeker in Hogwarts history!"
"To Harry and Hermione!" everyone's voices rang.
The couple's eyes were moist as they listened to their friend's heartfelt words, and Harry rose to his feet.
"I thank you all for being here with us today. I remember growing up and not having much of a family - let alone knowing what that word actually meant. But now, as I stand here in front of all of you, I could spend hours recalling my times with each and every one of you. One thing I've learned since Hagrid came to find me seven years ago is that a family is not always related by blood…"
Harry's eyes scanned the room from one table to the next - the Weasleys, Seamus, Parvati, Tom Hutchinson, Snape (Harry was shocked he'd even come.), Mad Eye Moody, Remus Lupin, Ginny, Fred, George, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Lavender, Ron, John and Melinda Granger, Sirius, and finally Hermione.
"…My family is in this room, and I'm proud to have known each and every one of you."
After a few teary-eyed minutes, the Weird Sisters began to play, and Hermione nudged her husband. She nodded her head toward the dance floor, and he gulped slightly.
"Bloody hell, all right."
Hermione led him out to the center of the floor, and the Weird Sisters began playing a slow, romantic ballad. Harry took her in his arms and slowly followed her lead. Hermione guided him through the first few steps when Harry suddenly gave her a big smile. He quickly released her and spun her out away from him. Hermione's eyes widened as she watched her husband practically glide across the floor to her.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Potter?" and he extended his hand to her.
"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Potter."
Harry tugged her towards him, and she spun around before landing back in his arms. He twirled her around the floor without showing any of his usual clumsiness.
"Harry, you learned to dance?" his wife gasped with cloudy eyes.
"What do you think I've been doing this entire week?"
He kissed her before she could respond, and Hermione buried herself in his chest. Harry waved his hands at his friends, and slowly, other couples made their way onto the floor.
Ron and Lavender were swirling around the floor, Ginny was getting a kick out of dancing on top of Hagrid's feet as he practically stomped around the floor, and even Dumbledore convinced Minerva to join him for a dance.
Melinda Granger watched her daughter's face glow with happiness as she danced, and her husband held out his hand to her.
"Shall we join our daughter and son, dear?"
"Of course."
Hermione was overwhelmed with joy as she danced with her beloved. He really had made sure that this day was perfect for her, and she loved him for it.
"Harry…"
"Yes, angel, what is it?" he murmured into her hair. She looked into his shining, green eyes and let her heart speak for her.
"I love you, Harry Potter."
"And I love you, Hermione Potter."
Their lips came together and sealed their proclamation as they danced among their friends and family.
Author's Notes: I know you guys are probably wondering why I left this chapter rather short. Well, I could've added another part to this, but then, it would have taken at least another week to get it written, and everyone's been begging to get out the next chapter. Sorry this took four months, but it's all about to come down to one final chapter.