A/N: I managed to make an invitation for Harry and Hermione at www.invitationsbydawn.com, but the website really wouldn't save anything, so I saved the picture for myself. If you'd like to see it, give me your email address and I'll send you the invitation picture.
Also, sorry for yet another delay, but my best friend had her baby!! And we had to go out and visit.
This chapter is Ron and Luna's wedding, yet I still managed to keep it mostly about Harry and Hermione. How one-track am I??
Enjoy and please review! I appreciate every one of them!!
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Well, today is the big day - for Ron and Luna that is. I can't believe that Ronald Weasley is actually getting married. Of course, Luna is perfect for him. They keep each other grounded in certain ways. It's interesting to see.
This morning has been an adventure. All of the Weasley women arrived to help Luna get married. It was like a scene from a movie! All of these women converging onto poor Luna. (A/N: Picture "My Big Fat Greek Wedding")
But before all of that, we went out to find Luna's Miskinip. Would you believe we found one? It sat up and smiled at us before running away. Now, Luna is convinced nothing will go wrong.
However, as I sit here in the living room, escaping the chaos upstairs with the excuse that I needed to use the bathroom, a head pops into the fireplace.
"Mione! Thank Merlin you're there! Is Luna around?" Harry asks.
"No, she's upstairs. Why?"
"Get over here," he mumbles and disappears.
I glance up the stairs, hoping that no one will notice that I've left, and Disapparate home.
"Harry! What's wrong?" I ask before I even finish appearing.
"It's Ron. He's missing."
"Missing!" I screech.
"Now you know why I wanted you to come home. I found this note this morning on our kitchen table."
I grab the note from him and read:
Harry,
Mate, I'm scared. What if I'm not cut out for this? I mean, did you ever picture me married? Or with a kid? What if I'm a lousy husband? Or an even worse father? I can't bear to think that I'll make Luna's life a living hell.
I've gone to clear my head. Please forgive me if I don't return today.
Ron
"I'll kill him," I whisper.
"Now, just hold on, Hermione," Harry begins. "We don't know that he's not coming back."
"Harry, let's be honest! He's gone! On the morning of his wedding! What makes you think he's coming back?" I shout.
"The fact that I'm right behind you," Ron says softly.
"Ronald Weasley!" I start as I spin around, but Ron holds up his hand to stop me.
"I know what you're going to say, Hermione. And I deserve it. But please, just hear me out."
I cross my arms across my chest and both boys take a step back. They know this stance all too well … and they fear it.
"Hermione, I got scared. I mean, when we were growing up, did you ever see me married?"
"Of course I did!" I defend.
"Let's be serious now. You probably never foresaw me settling down. And I can't blame you for that! Never did I give you a reason to see me as a responsible adult. But believe me now, I have made up my mind to change. I'm ready for this. I can be a good husband and I'm going to try to be the best father that I can be!"
I'll admit, I never expected him to be this adamant about it all.
"Ok, Ron, you've convinced me. But you'd better bloody well show me that I'm not making a mistake believing you. And I'm not going to tell Luna about this. She's not nervous in the least because we found her Miskinip and I won't ruin that."
"You saw one?" Ron asks incredulously.
"Yeah," I laugh. "We actually did."
I stop for a second and look at my boys. We've all grown up so much since that chance meeting on the Hogwarts Express. One of these men will marry today. And I love him like the brother I never had. I'm proud of him despite the stunt he pulled today. And the other man will be my husband in a few short months. Time sure flies.
"Thanks guys, for supporting me through this," Ron says and stretches out his arms. Harry and I fly into them for the last group hug before life changes forever. It feels like a Hogwarts moment, it really does.
"Ok, well, I should get back before the bride wonders where I went. Good luck, you two. I'll see you at 2:00! Do not be late!" I add before Disapparating out.
As I Apparate back to the Burrow, I hear Luna shrieking, "There you are!"
"Yeah, sorry," I quietly reply.
"Where did you go?"
"Well, you know, I had to help Harry -" I stop. How do I finish that statement? Help Harry what? Tie his tie? No, he wore one all through school. Fix his hair? No, it'll always look like that. Tie his shoes? Ok, way too elementary. Find the groom? Oh, Merlin no!
"Help Harry what?" Ginny asks.
I'll have to remember to hex her later.
"Oh, you know guys, they never can get ready on their own!" I say with a nervous laugh.
"How does my Ronald look?" Luna asks quickly.
'Present and accounted for?' I think to myself. "He looks so handsome, Luna! Wait until you see him!"
"I knew it! It's the good luck! Perfect day, Hermione! Thank Merlin for the Miskinip!" And with that, Luna has wandered off.
"Do you know where she's going?" I ask Ginny.
"Not a clue. She's been doing that all day," she replies. "Ok, so where were you, really? I know Harry can dress himself and surely he could help my prat of a brother."
"You're prat of a brother almost decided not to make an appearance today," I whisper.
I never promised not to tell Ginny.
"Are you kidding me?" she hisses. "What the bloody hell is his problem?"
"He was scared and ran off. But, he came back on his own. I'm sure right now, he and Harry are playing chess and trying to forget about what happened."
"I'll kill him," Ginny grumbles.
"No, don't let him know that you know. Not today at least. He's got enough on his mind now."
"Fine, but one of these days …" Ginny says as she follows Luna out.
I sigh. It's going to be an interesting day.
Since most of the other girls were getting ready while I was gone, I hurried upstairs to put on my dress. Ginny and I were standing up with Luna today since it was just a simple ceremony (this time). Ginny is the maid of honor while I am something between the best man (best woman?) and maid of honor since I guess technically I'm also standing up for Ron as well, along with Harry, of course. The dresses for Ginny and I are a simple dark blue satin dress and the guys are wearing black suits with gold ties. Luna insisted that they combine their Ravenclaw and Gryffindor heritage. Makes sense, I suppose.
As I finish dressing, I'm trying to decide on how to wear my hair. I finally decide on how Ginny has hers - half up and curled.
Just as I finish, Ginny bursts in. "Come see her! She's almost ready!"
I rush behind her and into Ron's old bedroom (where Luna insisted on getting ready). Mrs. Weasley is just about to put the veil on Luna's head.
I gasp. She's beautiful!
"Luna! You look amazing!"
"Well, it's all thanks to the Miskinip!" Luna boasts.
We all nod and smile, exchanging glances that all say, "Nope, I don't get it either."
"Well, I'm going to go make sure the boys are here," I tell her.
As I leave, I get a bit worried about my own wedding. I mean, I know Harry will show up, but does he have the same concerns as Ron? Will he be as nervous?
I stop on the stairs and begin to stare into space.
"I'll show up, you know," I hear from the bottom of the stairs. I look down and see Harry in his suit. Merlin, I can't wait to get married.
"I'm sorry?" I ask, distracted by how damn good he looks.
He begins to ascend the stairs to me. "I promise to show up to our wedding."
"Oh. Well, that's a good thing. My father has a lot of dentistry tools that he can use for evil instead of good," I say with a wink.
He puts an arm around my waist and pulls me close. "Like I need threats," he says as he begins to kiss me. I can't believe we're kissing like this at the Burrow … on the stairs of all places.
"Hey! Who's wedding day is this?" Ron calls.
And I'm instantly blushing.
"You've got your own beauty to kiss! Let me kiss mine!" Harry returns.
"Hmph!" he mutters. "Hermione, how's my beauty look?"
Harry and I walk down to the groom, but I notice that Harry refuses to let go of my waist.
"Spectacular, Ron. She's going to knock your socks off!"
He smiles that smile that I've seen before. It's that look that used to say, "Yes, Hermione. I knew most of the answers to that test." Now it's trying to say, "Yes, Hermione, I know what I'm doing." He was lying then and he's lying now.
"Ron, you've been with Luna since your 7th year. You've been practically living together for a year and a half. What's so different now?" I ask, sensing his fears.
"I don't know! Well, I do know … it's the baby. When have you ever known me to be responsible?"
"Ron, a baby isn't nearly as difficult as you men make them out to be. It's just love and common sense!" I explain.
"But, what if I drop it?" he asks.
"Then catch it."
"What if I name it something stupid?"
"Don't."
"What if cries?"
"Take care of its need."
"What if it throws up?"
"Ron, do you not sense a pattern here? Just take care of it. Babies will let you know what they need. Just help them out with it."
Ron sighs. "I guess you're right."
"And you're not alone in this. Luna will be there to help," Harry offers.
"Yeah! That's a good point!" Ron says with a smile. "Thanks, guys. I really don't know what I would do without you."
"Life would be a lot more boring," Harry laughs.
"Too true," I agree.
"So, looks like we should get outside," Ron says as he glances at the clock on the wall which reads, Time to get this show on the road.
I free myself from Harry's arm and run up the stairs. "Well, I'll see you two handsome gentlemen outside," I shout from the top.
There are 15 minutes until the ceremony, so I can just see Harry convincing Ron to play one more game of chess to keep his mind occupied. Meanwhile, the last minute makeup and hair adjustments are going on in the Weasley bedrooms. It's pandemonium.
"Are the boys ready?" Ginny asks me as she forces me into a chair and reapplies some mascara on my eyes. I fear that this will never come off.
"If you're asking are both of them here, then yes. The best man and the groom are downstairs."
"Good, good. And the bride is ready. And the maid of honor is ready and the best woman/maid of honor is … ready," she finishes with a flick of the mascara wand.
"Can you believe you're brother is getting married?" I ask.
"Oh Merlin, no! But I think he's found the perfect woman for him," she replies.
"Yeah, that's true. They're an odd couple, but very right for each other."
Ginny nods her head as she primps one last time.
"Ok, all set, sis?" she asks. It's been a joke between Ginny and I for years since neither of us had one, we would be each other's sister.
"Let's go, sis!"
And with that, we go to fetch the bride.
All of the Weasley (or almost-Weasley women) walk Luna to the white tent outside. It's a cold outside since it is late October, but the heating charms are working fine.
The other ladies go inside to take their seats as Ginny and I stand with Luna and her father.
"You look beautiful," Ginny tells her.
Luna smiles that dreamy smile of hers. "Thanks. I can't believe I'm actually going to marry Ronald Weasley."
"Yeah, um, real dream come true," Ginny says. She leans behind Luna and scrunches up her face at me. I stifle the laugh. Sisters rarely understand why anyone would want to marry their brother.
Finally, the music begins and Ginny and I walk down the aisle together.
I catch Harry's eye as we make our way to the front of the tent. His look makes me want to melt right there. I'd marry him right now if not for the fact that it is Ron and Luna's big day.
He winks at me and I wink back. Ginny and I stand off to the side and I have to tear my eyes away from Harry to watch Luna make her way down the aisle on the arm of her father.
He kisses his little girl and hands her off to Ron.
"Take good care of my baby," Mr. Lovegood says. "And your baby," he adds.
"Yes, sir," Ron replies, gazing into Luna's eyes. "Always."
I knew he had it in him.
The ceremony is so beautiful. It's simplicity adds, rather than takes away from the magnificence of it.
As we all do our part to make the tent into a reception hall, I notice Harry staring at me. He's waving his hand and magically making folding chairs surround tables. Showoff.
I wander over to him as I wave my wand at the candles on the tables near me, lighting them.
"Well, Mr. Potter, one wedding down," I begin.
"Two to go," he finishes.
"And they're only going to get bigger," I sigh.
"But more special as well," he says, pulling me into a hug and kissing the top of my head.
"Oi, you two! Would you mind making out on someone else's wedding day, please?!" Ron screams across the tent.
"Too late!" Harry replies and I'm 12 shades of red again.
Everyone laughs and continues what they're doing. Suddenly, Luna is next to me, shouting.
"You know, it's a wedding day and a day for love. If anyone wants to kiss, that's fine with me," she declares.
14 shades of red.
"And if you two need some more privacy, then let me know and I'll cover for your absence," she whispers to us.
16 shades.
"Thanks, but no thanks, Luna," Harry replies.
"That's right! You guys are waiting. Very romantic, but I just couldn't keep my hands off of Ronald."
"Ok! Well, before that story goes any further, Hermione and I are going to help Arthur over there," Harry says, pushing me away.
"Ok, well, if you guys have any questions, please feel free to ask Ronald or me!" Luna calls to us.
I didn't know there were 25 shades of red.
Harry pushes me out of the tent and into the house. "Well, that was … interesting."
"You could say that," I agree.
"But since we have the privacy …"
"Harry James Potter! We cannot be caught snogging in here like a pair of 5th years!" I reprimand.
"Then let's not get caught," he says with that grin he knows I can't say no to.
Suddenly, those lips are on mine and I'm succumbing to his wishes. It isn't until I hear the click of a camera that I break from my reverie.
"Now, now, now, such behavior!" George begins.
"And at ickle Ronnekins wedding!" Fred adds.
"What would Mum say?" George concludes.
"She doesn't have to know," Harry worriedly mentions.
"Oh, Harry, if it weren't for the fact that we're so bloody proud of you-" Fred teases.
"We'd tell in an instant," George concurs.
"But, we won't. However, don't forget-"
"We've got proof!" George teases, waving his camera around.
And with that, they both leave, laughing their heads off.
I never knew I could blush so much.
"Oh, Hermione, calm down," Harry says.
"How can I calm down? They've got a picture!"
"No they don't," he calmly replies.
"But …the camera …"
"Sure, they took one, but I ruined their film." He raises his finger and wiggles it.
"Bloody wandless magic! Harry, I love you!"
I hug him tightly.
"I love you, too, Mione. Now, let's get back to the party, huh?"
"Great idea, Mr. Potter."
So we walk back in, ignoring the catcalls.
Ron runs over to Harry and begins to rant.
"Harry! Mate, I have been looking for you! It's time to eat!"
"Well, we certainly can't keep the groom away from his wedding feast!" Harry jokes.
"Look, if you guys don't want to eat the food my mum made, fine. More for me!" And with that, Ron is charging for the food table.
"Hungry?" Harry asks me.
"We should get over there before Ron eats it all," I laugh.
"I can't wait until this is our day," he says as he takes my hand.
"I know. I just want to be your wife."
"You just love me for my money." He's smiling that smile that makes me melt again.
"I won't even justify that with a retort!"
He winks at me. "Mione, I love you."
"And I love you too, Harry. Always."
Once we join Ron at the head table, he's practically ready for seconds. That's our Ron. We'll have to make a note to make sure there's extra food at our wedding, just in case.
I can only hope that our day is as special as this one was. Ron and Luna's love just radiated today. I don't think we have to worry though. Harry and I have a love that just shows. I hate to brag about it, but it's something I'm proud of. Anyone can tell that we love each other, even if it's just with one simple glance. And I know it'll last forever.
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Picture something along these lines for Hermione and Ginny's dresses.
And here's something similar to Luna's gown. It was her mother's.
Ok, so there was a little break in the Granger/Potter planning. I'm thinking of writing a one-shot of Ron and Luna's big wedding after this monster gets put to bed. Would anyone read that?