(A big thank you to all my readers for being so patient with me and for giving me such positive reviews for my first fanfiction. I will continue to write fan fic's because I had such a wonderful time creating this story! I'm a little sad that its come to an end, but at the same I'm excited because I will be able to start a new journey. As some of you know, I do have an idea for a sequal to this fan fiction and I may explore that route in the near future, but for the moment I would like to begin an idea that I have had stored up in my head for a long time now! Thank you to all my friends and reviewers!! R/R it is greatly appreciated… Hope you enjoy)
~ *~*~*~
Hermione heard slow footsteps making their way up the staircase.
"Harry… is everything okay?" Hermione questioned apprehensively as the footsteps came closer to the bedroom door.
"Its just me Hermione. Harry went with Ron to our house. Its time to start getting ready for the wedding." Luna said appearing in the doorway.
"Oh Luna, you shouldn't be climbing those stairs!" Hermione made her way towards Luna and helped her sit down on the bed.
"I'll be fine. Ron hasn't allowed me to do any walking at home so it's nice to stretch my legs again. I can't wait to get this baby out of me." Luna sighed.
Hermione placed her hand on Luna's stomach and gently rubbed.
"Hello little one, you get to come to your aunty Hermione's wedding. Don't kick your mummy so much today, she needs some rest." Hermione grinned.
"Are you excited?"
"Excited, nervous, blessed." Hermione answered.
"I know exactly how you feel. I remember my wedding day like it was yesterday." Luna grinned.
"Your wedding was wonderful Luna, you looked so beautiful."
"It was a dream come true, you wont be sorry Hermione. Harry's a good man."
"I know." She said patting Luna's hand. "Just like Ron is to you."
Luna nodded. Her eyes looked at the clock on the bedside table.
"We better get your hair and makeup done and then we better put you in that dress and get you to the wedding." She shooed Hermione into the bathroom for a shower.
Moments later Luna heard voices below as Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Mrs. Granger arrived by Floo Network.
Guests began to arrive at Harry's vacation home left, right and center. It was a large get together of old and new friends, family and their children. The sky was a clear blue with few clouds, the sun provided a comfortable temperature, flowers blossomed leaving wonderful scents in the gentle breeze and a choir of birds sang with joy. Harry planned for the wedding to be on the beach in the same place that they had shared their first kiss and nearly made love. At first, the Granger's weren't pleased with the idea because they had always imagined their daughter to have a proper wedding in a church with all the glamour, but they eventually warmed up to the idea when they realized how happy Hermione would be at this type of wedding. The guests were all transported from Harry's vacation home to the beachfront chapel, by horse drawn carriages.
"This vill be a vonderful vedding Harry, I am honored to be your guest." Viktor Krum shook Harry's hand before entering the carriage followed by a beautiful woman who just smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad you were able to make it Viktor, Hermione will be pleased to see you again."
"Ve vill speak later Harry, good luck vith your vedding." Krum answered before the carriage began to move.
Harry felt a gentle tug on the left side of his tuxedo, his eye's met two large silver gray ones. She had short strawberry blond hair, soft freckles covered her nose and upper cheeks and a wide grin revealed little pearly white teeth.
"Hello little Mabel, where's your daddy?" Harry asked picking up the little girl as she giggled with delight.
"I'm right here Harry." Harry spun around carefully to face Draco. "She's not easy to keep track of."
"She's growing like a weed Draco, she'll be attending Hogwarts before you know it." Harry laughed handing Mabel to Draco.
"Yeah, but I'm a little worried… she hasn't shown any signs of magic yet." Draco frowned slightly. "By the time I was her age, whenever I sneezed it always caused something to happen."
"Don't worry, she's just a wee one still." Harry reassured Draco with a pat on the back.
"Where's your best man?"
"I suspect Ron's getting an earful from Luna about one thing or another." Harry laughed.
"Oh its not funny Potter… just wait until it's your turn… pregnancy makes these ladies vicious." He spotted Ginny coming towards them. "Of course, I don't blame them. Having babies is a lot of stress and pain."
"Yes it is… maybe you could have our next one Draco." Ginny giggled.
"Are you saying we could have a second?" Malfoy teased giving Ginny a loving kiss.
"Only if you'll be the pregnant one." Ginny laughed taking Mabel from Draco's arms.
Draco shrugged and gave Harry a pat on the back. "Good luck Potter, don't screw up your lines."
"Yes good luck Harry." Ginny added before they entered one of the horse drawn carriages. "Just wait until you see Hermione. She looks gorgeous."
"See you guys later… You be a good girl Mabel okay?" Harry said as the little girl waved to him.
The guests were all settled in their seats at the beachfront chapel talking quietly amongst one another, Ron was at the front with the priest and Harry swaying from his heels to his toes; he had the same ill look on his face that he had before his own wedding.
"Take it easy Ron, it's not your wedding… its mine." Harry whispered.
"My two best mates are getting married to one another, how can I not be nervous?" Ron mumbled back. "Why aren't you nervous?"
"Because… well… it just feels so right. No matter what happens I'll always be with Hermione, I can't picture my life without her, so there's nothing to be nervous about." Harry whispered back. Yet deep down inside his stomach tingled in nervous reaction and he hoped this day would be perfect for Hermione, he wanted to see her toothy grin and hear her laughter ring in his ears.
Harry adjusted the fly on his tuxedo and took a quick glance at how wonderful the beachfront chapel had turned out. They has smoothed the surface of the sand out and placed a lovely long white carpet as an isle for Hermione to walk down, the lake had several swans basking in the sun as they calmly swam around, the benches where the guests sat were made to slightly hover off the sandy surface and white carpet was placed where the guests feet could rest. Beautiful flower arrangements were intertwined artistically into the archway where the priest stood at a slightly raised podium with a gentle smile on his face.
He calmly cleared his throat. " Ladies and Gentlemen, Witches and Wizards… we are gathered here today to watch a beautiful wedding between Mr. Harry Potter and Miss. Hermione Granger." He paused for a moment. "Please let us begin." He nodded towards a young witch standing a few feet to the left of him, who raised her violin and began to play the wedding melody.
Little Mabel was wearing a soft pink dress, she carried a small basket in her left hand and would put her small right hand in the basket and sprinkle some colorful flower pedals on the white carpet. She had been chosen to be the flower girl and Draco was asked to escort her down the isle, he proudly accepted. When Mabel and Draco made their way down the isle and took their seats, Harry's heart began to hammer, it was time for Hermione to walk down the isle towards him and he couldn't wait to see how beautiful she would look. Harry had promised to not see her until she had a chance to walk halfway down the isle, so his eyes fell on the gentle waves of the lake. He remembered how he had carried Hermione out into the lake with her clothes on and playfully dropped her into the water and how they sat near the fire and eventually ended up tangled together and completely in love.
"You can look now Harry." Ron whispered.
Harry turned and when he saw Hermione, his eyes widened and his jaw slightly dropped. She looked amazing, beautiful, graceful and to Harry, she was just like an angel floating down from heaven. Her father was on her right side holding her delicate right hand in his and Mr. Weasley stood on her left side holding Hermione's left hand in his. Her chocolate brown eyes sparked and shimmered with joy, her face was full of delight, wonder and hope; her gentle cinnamon locks where neatly tied upwards with a few escaped curls purposely left around her face. Her cheeks glowed a light pink with small smile dimples as her lips formed a cute smile. Harry's eyes traveled to her pearly white wedding dress, it fit her figure perfectly and it was fairly simple but looked so beautiful on her. It floated around her causing the butterflies in his stomach to multiply. The material looked soft, as if it was made from the heavens with the finest silk, the dress twinkled lightly in the warm sun; it was perfect.
Harry felt the lump in his throat tighten. He had seen this dress before, he hadn't seen it at any of the weddings he had been at, but he vividly remembered the picture of his mother, father and their friends. The dress Hermione was wearing was the same dress his mother had worn on her wedding day. Harry felt entranced and almost as if his parents were standing beside him with their hands on his shoulders. It was an amazing feeling, like he wasn't so alone anymore because not only did he have Hermione, friends and those he considered a family, he also had what felt like his parents presence at his own wedding.
Mr. Weasley stepped aside and allowed Mr. Granger to give his daughter to Harry, he heard Hermione's mother give a quiet sob and her father gave Harry a reassuring grin.
Harry had a deep and special conversation with the Grangers two months prior to asking Hermione's hand in marriage. He had asked both Hermione's father and her mother, how they would feel if he asked Hermione to be his bride. They both approved and they had a wonderful evening talking about past events and Harry recalled some good memories he shared with Hermione. Of course, Hermione knew nothing about it, he had told her he needed to stay late at the office.
Harry intertwined his fingers with Hermione's as she looked into his eyes and got lost in the enchanting pool of green. They shared a grin, and each took a deep breath before the priest spoke again.
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love is what these two wonderful people are celebrating today by binding their friendship forever and committing their souls to one another. Would you like to say a few words to one another?"
They both nodded and faced each other.
"Hermione, you've been one of my best friends since we both started our journey through Hogwarts and the Wizarding world, you've been my laughter in times of tragedy and sadness, your warm embrace and words of wisdom have meant more to me then anything else I have been offered through the years. You've shown me an unconditional love that has opened up my heart and allowed me to feel what it is to love and be loved. I can't imagine my life without you and… I will love you forever."
A tear made its way down Hermione's cheek; she smiled softly at Harry before speaking.
"Harry you are the first and only man I dreamed of getting married to. I cherish our memories together whether they are good, or bad and want to spend my life with you, to start a family and trust you with my fears, dreams and my heart. You have always meant so much to me, and it took a good friend to tell me that what I was experiencing was a love and devotion to you… I am forever grateful that you love me for who I am and that you treat me with such respect, loyalty and trust. When you hold me in your arms, I feel safe. When you look into my eyes and search my emotions and thoughts, I feel like words aren't necessary because you know me as well as you know yourself. Your voice cradles my insecurities and allows me to be a strong woman, because you believe in me. I have said this before, and I'll say it again… I love you Harry James Potter and nothing can ever change that."
Harry's chest tightened and he had to clear his throat; Hermione smiled at him, placed a hand on his arm and gave him a gentle squeeze.
"As a symbol of your marriage and as a reminder that your souls are combined, we have two golden bands. This marriage is a promise to care for one another, listen to one another and love one another, for as long as you both shall live, in sickness or in health. Harry James Potter, please take this ring and place it on Hermione's ring finger."
Harry did as he was told and whispered, "I love you."
"Hermione Jane Granger, please take this ring and place it on Harry's ring finger."
Hermione took the golden band and placed the ring on Harry's finger, she too whispered, "I love you."
"The inscription that was chosen on your wedding rings was `Forever Yours', let this be a true statement. Harry James Potter and Hermione Jane Potter, I now pronounce you husband and wife… Mr. Potter, you may now kiss your bride."
They grinned at each other. Harry gently pulled Hermione towards him, she brushed a strand of his raven black hair from his bright emerald green eyes and flashed him a soft loving smile. He tilted her gently, caressing her back sending waves of warm chills through her body, she placed her hands on the back of his neck and beckoned him towards her with her submissive hazel brown eyes. He touched his lips against hers, giving her a tender, sweet, passionate kiss filled with so much emotion and love. She kissed him back as if it was their first and last kiss. As their guests clapped and began throwing rice at the newly wed couple, they hesitantly finished their kiss and with a raised eyebrow and mischievous grin, she told Harry that they would have to continue this later. She gently pulled away from his grasp, but he pulled her back towards him and closer then before; she felt his heart pounding against her chest. She bit her lower lip knowing that it drove him crazy. Harry kissed her again, her knees buckled slightly with the amount of tenderness and affection he was presenting; she couldn't help but get lost in his soft, warm, sweet kiss and fall in love with him again and again… forever.
-->