A/N: I know, I know! It's taken forever, AGAIN, for an update. I even had a reviewer ask me if I was dead. Thankfully, no, but if you'd see my life lately, you'd know why updates are scarce. I was ahead a chapter or two and then everything went to hell. Regardless, here's the bridal shower everyone's been waiting for. I opted to combine them after all. So, there's just one. Next chapter should be the bachelor/bachelorette parties, then the rehearsal, then the getting ready, the ceremony, the reception and then we're all done! So, stay tuned, I may get this wrapped up before HBP … I hope.
Also, my apologies to MapleMountain and any other guy readers … it's another "chick chapter." LOL
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Ok, well, here it is, the day of my bridal shower. We're about 5 weeks from the wedding and I'm getting closer and closer to losing it.
Harry finally got the guys to the tux shop last week. I could have killed him. But, luckily (very luckily), they had vests in all the correct sizes (considering the sizes range from Neville, to Sirius and Remus, to Ron). Harry said it was the funniest thing to watch 4 wizards trying to deal with Muggle formal apparel. Poor Ron put his vest on backwards. I wish I could have seen this!
They are heading to the dress robes shop today before making an appearance at the end of my shower, which we are having at the social hall not far from where my parents live.
I hope I don't regret having a combined shower, but I think Minerva, Ginny, Luna, Poppy and Molly can handle themselves. Tonks I'm concerned about, but Remus assured me that he gave her the low-down about what goes on, so I'm hoping for the best.
I'm putting my earrings in now as Harry knocks on the door.
"Since when do you knock on your own bedroom door?" I ask.
"Since I don't know if I'm allowed to see you or not," he replies through the door.
"Harry, that's on the wedding day, not today. Feel free to come in."
"Oh. Ok. Well, how am I supposed to … know?"
Suddenly, he's staring at me.
"What? What's wrong?" I ask self-consciously.
"N-nothing, it's just that you look beautiful."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I love your hair like that."
"Thanks. Now, what are you going to do today?"
"Well, Mum, first, me and the guys are going to Madam Malkin's to get our dress robes. Then we're going to get a bite of lunch, possibly visit Quality Quidditch, and then the timing should be right to make our grand appearance at your shower."
"Ok, that'll work. Since you get to have fun and I have to deal with the magical gal pal crew wandering around a Muggle bridal shower."
"Mione, they'll be fine. Emily will show everyone how to act and they won't mess things up. If they do, Molly and Tonks can do a quick memory charm."
"Oh sweet Merlin, this'll be a disaster," I say as I bury my face in my hands.
"Hermione Jane!"
My head snaps up at this.
"Pull yourself together! I know this wedding has been very hard on you and Merlin knows that we've had enough hurdles to get over, but let's face it, it wouldn't be our wedding if it was easy. Now, it's time we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and face the wedding music! Go and enjoy your bridal shower! Pretend that Molly and Tonks and Ginny and crew aren't magical, they're just women you know and they want to support you in your wedding. Skeeter is out of the picture now, Miranda is taken care of, everyone we know has gotten married, but it's ok, because now it's our turn. No more whiny Hermione! I know that's not you."
Under normal circumstances, he would have gotten a glare for calling me whiny (and he did get a little one), but he's right. I have been a bit off lately and that was going to change.
"You're right. I haven't really taken the time to enjoy all of this. Well, now I am. I will have fun at my shower! I'm getting a bunch of presents!"
"Bloody right!"
"And I shouldn't worry that the wedding is just a month away! I should be happy about it!"
"Yeah!"
"And I should get moving if I don't want to be late!"
"Yeah! - Oh, yeah, you should."
"Ok, have fun with the boys. Don't be too late, ok?"
"Will do, captain! Have fun, and get lots of stuff for us!"
"I'll bring home all the loot! I love you," I say as I kiss him quickly.
"Love you too."
With a wink, I Apparate to my parents' house.
"Mum? Are you ready?" I call.
"In a minute, dear!" she yells from their room.
My father comes out though.
"Hello, Hermione!"
"Hi, Daddy."
"Are you ready?"
"I think so. I'm not one for being the center of attention, so this will be weird, but it'll be fun."
"Harry coached you on that, didn't he?"
"Maybe a little," I admit.
"Fair enough. He at least got you to say it. I can't believe my baby's getting married in a month."
"Well, believe it! I'll soon be Mrs. Hermione Potter. None of that Mrs. Harry Potter rubbish. I have my own name, thank you."
"That's my girl," my father laughs and puts an arm around me.
"Ok, Hermione, I'm all set. Wow, sweetie, you look beautiful!"
"Thanks," I say with a blush. I'm really not used to getting told that so much.
"You're very welcome. Now, let's get going."
We each kiss my father and get in the car to go.
As soon as we get there, Ginny, Luna and Molly Apparate in.
"Hermione, can I help decorate?" Ginny asks.
"Well, sure. That'd be a time saver," I reply.
Ginny takes the box of supplies and Tonks arrives with a crash.
"Bloody chairs," she mutters. "Wotcher, all! Need any help?"
"Sure," Ginny replies. "Care to hang the umbrellas?"
"Umbrellas? What do we need these for?" Tonks asks as she opens the paper decorations.
"It's a Muggle thing," Mum responds.
"Remus is right. You Muggles are fascinating," Tonks laughs, shaking her head and levitating the umbrellas around.
"Sorry, Tonks, but you'll have to make it seem like you taped those up there. We're gonna have some Muggles here and we can't have things floating," I say.
"Fine, fine," she grumbles.
Within minutes, the place looks great. There are crimson and gold streamers everywhere. Even more balloons of the same colors and a few cardboard umbrellas and brides, just for good measure.
Molly, during all of this, was moving tables, while Mum was putting the tablecloths on them. Ginny and I were putting the placemats and plastic ware down. Luna, looking quite pregnant now, hung the ivy with little fairy lights (charmed to look electric), on the head table.
As soon as the place looked nice, Molly went to the kitchen where she found that Arthur had sent all the food she'd been working on.
"Well, that makes things easier," she cheerfully calls. "Lunch is almost ready!"
Now the guests are arriving. I knew it wasn't going to be a huge affair. It's not like I have a big family, and the only family Harry has now is the Weasleys. My father's mother (Grandma Ruth) and aunts (Betty and Jean) just showed up. Followed by my father's 3 cousins (Maureen, Mindy and Carol). And there's Minerva and Poppy. Mum's mother (my "Nana" Natalie) and sister (Debbie) just walked through the door. A few of the ladies Mum works with are now here. And Patty from the library and Irma Pince arrive at the same time as well. Finally, the other 5 Weasley daughters-in-law show up. Fleur has Julienne with her. She looks so cute! That seems to be everyone. I knew it wasn't going to be that big of a deal, but it means the world to me that these people have come to celebrate Harry and I.
Now that everyone seems situated, I get my bridesmaids and everyone together and stand in front.
"Um, hi everyone! Thank you so much for being here! First, I have to thank my beautiful bridesmaids Luna Weasley and Ginny Weasley for helping me throughout all of this. I want to thank Tonks Lupin for helping to decorate as well. I want everyone to meet my wonderful Mum, Emily Granger and Harry's adoptive mum Molly Weasley, without either of them, today wouldn't be possible. Also, I'd like everyone to meet my adorable flower girl, Miss Julienne Weasley."
Julie bashfully waves from her mother's lap.
"Now, it's time to eat the wonderful lunch that Molly has prepared for us."
I feel like Dumbledore announcing the Welcome Feast.
Everyone sits and waits for my table to get their food first, then there's a rush to the food. It all smells so wonderful.
As we eat, Luna and I chat. She's on her second plate already. Soon enough, it's time for the games. I feel silly, but this is what Mum suggested.
First up, everyone had to unscramble a list of "Wedding Words." Ginny goes through the answers with everyone.
"… and number 20, honeymoon. Ok, who got all 20?" No one raises their hand. "19?" Nope. "18?" Three hands shoot up (Minerva, Aunt Jean and Sarah). Ginny hands them prizes and we move on to the next game.
"Ok, for this game, I hope you were paying attention to what Hermione looked like today because she's gone! Answer the questions to the best of your recollection," Luna instructs.
I feel very silly, hiding in the kitchen. I hear a lot of murmuring as the guests all ask each other just what color my top was (pink) or if my hair was up (it is).
Once I'm allowed back out, Luna uses me as a model to answer the questions.
"She is wearing a pink top … her hair is up … she is not wearing a watch …" (After the time-turner situation, I tend not to.)
Angelina, Alicia, Nana and Grandma all win from this.
Then, the ladies are given a few minutes to fill in a "Bridal Bingo" card. They'll scratch off things as I open my gifts.
Ginny and Tonks start to move the presents to the head table. Luna is situated with a notebook to write down who gets me what, to make writing thank yous that much easier.
The first gift is from my Nana and Aunt Debbie. It's a beautiful crystal serving dish and a punch bowl to match.
"Thank you! Now we'll just have to have parties to use them!" I joke.
Ginny hands me a very long box next. I open the card and see that it's from Tonks (and Remus). "Aww, it's a wreath hanger for the door. And it says "The Potters" on it!"
"We know Christmas is over," Tonks pipes up. "But you can hang other wreaths too! Remus wanted to do that, so now we've always got something on the door."
"Thanks! And thank him for me as well."
Next is the gift from Poppy. It's a first aid kit and book of "modern medicine." I can see the words "and magical cures" on there as well, but I'm guessing that some guests can't.
"Every home should have a first aid kit," she explains.
"Thank you, Poppy! I'm sure this will come in very handy with my klutz running around."
Next comes a present from Mindy, Maureen and Carol. Wow, these are heavy. As I open them, I see that it's a beautiful flatware set and the dishes that match.
"This is so great! We've been using mix and match plates from home and plastic ones we bought. Thanks!"
Tonks hands me a box next from my Grandma. It's a mixer, but a magical one (guaranteed not to splatter everywhere). Someone must have taken her to Diagon Alley for this. I'm touched.
"Grandma! Thank you!"
She winks at me and I wink back. I love her so much!
I open my next gift, which is from her sisters, Aunt Betty and Aunt Jean. It's a knife set, but it must also be from Diagon Alley, since they're guaranteed to never dull and they're self-sharpening.
"These are wonderful. And I bet they work like magic!" I say with a smile to my aunts.
Next is a box in very bright pink paper. It's from the ladies Mum works with. The box is filled with towels; bath towels, kitchen towels, hand towels, you name it, it's in here.
"Thank you so much!" I tell them as Ginny hands me the next box.
This one is from Patty. "I had no clue what to get you, boss," she sheepishly says as I open it. It's a beautiful silver frame.
"Patty, it's lovely!" I exclaim.
"Well, I thought you'd need something to go on your desk after you have the wedding photos."
"Thank you so much. It'll be perfect!"
Irma Pince's is next. I have no idea what she would even think of getting me.
As I open the box, I see that it's a crocheted blanket with our names on it. I forgot that crocheting was a passion of hers after retiring.
"Irma! It's beautiful! Thank you so much!"
Next is the gift from Minerva. It's very heavy. I give her a questioning look as I open it and I see that she's dabbing her eyes. Uh-oh.
Inside is a huge photo album and it's filled with pictures of Harry and I. Plus pictures of our friends.
"There are several pages for each of your years at school. Albus and I racked our brains and memories for what to get you and we thought of that," she tells me. "Hagrid and some others helped as well."
They must have made pictures from pensieves!
"Minerva! Please thank them for me. This is wonderful." Now I'm dabbing my eyes.
And now is the gift from Mum. I'm a weepy mess already!
Inside is a book. It's a memory book. Places for pictures, questions to answer and an envelope for mementos.
"Thanks, Mum!"
"There's more, sweetie," she says.
"Oh! I didn't even notice." I was pretty caught up in the book. Tonks pushes a big package my way. I unwrap it to find a bed set. It's a beautiful comforter and matching sheets. It's a familiar red and gold color as well. I give her a look and she nods. I'm confident that there's no moving lion on it, but it had to be magical nonetheless. I can't wait to get home and unfold it. Then Ginny hands me another box. Inside is a snow globe with the Hogwarts castle in it. As I shake it, I notice a hippogriff with two figures on its back fly by.
"Mum! They're all so beautiful! I can't wait to show Harry the snow globe! Thank you so much!"
She's crying now and making me cry.
"Here, this will make you feel better," Ginny laughs as she hands me next gift. It's a pretty small box and it's awfully light. I'm scared to open it, since Ginny and Luna are cracking up now.
I open the lid a little bit and then slam it shut. Ginny rips the box away from me and quickly shows off the contents.
It is the flimsiest lingerie I have ever seen. The bra (if you can call it that) is just red and gold flowers (people are loving the Gryffindor colors) that seem like they would just be strategically placed. And the panties? Well, that's just a piece of cloth and some strings.
And of course, as she's holding them up, who walks in? Yeah, Harry and company.
"Whoa!" he yells as he walks through the door. The place erupts into laughter and I'm as red as the comforter.
"If I had known there would be gifts like this, I'd have shown up sooner!" he says as he walks over to me.
"Shut up!" I scold, still completely embarrassed.
"Here, these are for you, blushing beauty," Harry says as he hands me a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses.
"Awwww!" everyone sighs.
"You do have one more gift, Hermione," Molly says as she hands me a card, probably hoping to take some attention away from the "lingerie."
The card almost takes forever to read since it's from "Molly, Fleur, Sarah, Penelope, Alicia, Angelina, Luna, Ginny and Julienne." It's a clock just like Molly and Arthur's. Enchanted to look like a Grandfather clock for now, I can see that there are two hands on it for now, but I'm sure it will change.
"Thank you, so much guys," I say, choking back the tears. Hoping not to seem so thrilled about a clock. The Muggles won't understand the significance.
I wipe my tears and look out at my guests.
"Thank you so much for coming and for the wonderful gifts. I'm sure that when we use them, we'll think of you with loving thoughts. Thanks again!"
Everyone begins to line up to say good-bye to me as my friends clean up.
"Well, I think that went well," I say after I hug the last person.
"What'd we get?" Harry asks excitedly.
"I'll show you when we get home," I tell him.
He pouts, but I know it's just because he's excited.
"All right, dearies," Molly begins. "Let's get this packed up and into your flat." She shrinks everything and puts them into a box. "Ok, now, if you need any help with this, let me know, ok?"
"Yes, Molly, but I think we'll be ok. Thank you so much for everything," I say as I pull her into a hug.
"Oh, sweetie, anything for my kids. Now, I'd better get home and tend to Arthur. Congratulations sweetie!"
And she Apparates out.
I turn to Ron and Luna. "Ron, get your wife home and off her feet!"
"Yes, ma'am!" he replies and then kisses my cheek. "Seems like you had fun."
"It was very nice. Luna, thank you so much for your help!"
She hugs me tightly. "Anytime, Hermione, anytime. Ronald, let's go."
And they're gone as well.
"Ginny, go home. Things are almost done here."
"Well, actually, Neville and I are going to get a bite to eat. Care to join?" she replies.
"No, that's ok," I say as I wink at her.
And with that, Ginny and Neville leave. Harry raises an eyebrow at me and I shrug.
I tell Remus and Tonks to leave as well, to enjoy the rest of the day. And that just leaves Mum, Harry and I.
"Sweetie, it was beautiful. It really was," Mum says as she hugs me.
"Thanks for everything, Mummy. I couldn't have done it without you!" I reply.
"Well, since I've got to drive back, unlike some people I'm going to go now. The place looks clean enough," she jokes.
"Ok, love you," I say.
"Love you too. Both of you," she tells Harry and I.
He smiles and hugs her, telling her he loves her as well.
As she leaves, Harry turns to me.
"Well, let's get home! I want to see what we got!"
Like a kid on Christmas, my Harry will always get this excited over things. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
***
Ok, so here is what the vests will look like and here is the tux itself. Standard black dress robes as well. We're going for classic, folks!
Also, sorry if this chapter sucked, I rushed it a bit since I'll delayed it so much already!!