The Wedding of the Century
Ginny stretched in bed, feeling the now familiar ache of her growing body. Hermione had told her that she would ache until she slowed down in this late growth spurt. Molly and Ginny had gone shopping for new clothes because nothing fit anymore and Ginny was beginning to think that she might end up like Ron if she didn't stop growing. Swinging her legs over the edge of her bed, she stood, put on her swim suit and made her way down to the pool; it was the last fitting for the wedding of the century and she was to floo to Hermione's parents house, go for the final fitting and then look at the new flat they were renting.
Today marked the one week anniversary before the wedding and every morning since Draco had left, (and the wizards had conjured up a nice size pool) she had the same routine. Get up, have a small meal, go swim a few laps, shower then either work on the almost finished drawings for the Delacours or help Hermione with wedding "stuff", visit her nieces or just relax…and write to Draco. She wrote him every day and usually he wrote back, sometimes a sentence like when he said he had arrived in Africa and it was hotter than hell, or sometimes a full paragraph-- which was a lot for him. Ginny had the gut feeling he wouldn't make it to the wedding. He was so busy, collecting specimens, labeling, practicing advanced potions, learning everything he could from Professor Snape, and then reading and taking notes on top of it all.
She thought of him everyday; she wondered if he would like the pool, she wondered what he was doing while she was eating dinner, she couldn't fill the aching void in her chest and tried her best to be happy and distract herself. And, every once in awhile it would work. She would realize that a few hours had slipped by where she didn't think about him. Hermione had said the same thing about missing Harry. She hadn't seen him since the day after Bill's wedding and was probably missing him as much as Ginny was missing Draco.
Ginny sat at the Granger's kitchen table, waiting for Hermione to finish filling out the final paperwork for her application to be trained as a Healer.
"I need to go to Hogwarts and get Professor McGonagall to sign this, then drop it off at St. Mungos…then the fitting, is that ok with you?" Hermione had asked and Ginny nodded.
"Maybe you'll get to see Harry," Ginny offered, tucking her arm through Hermione's as they side along apparated to outside the school grounds.
"I don't know; sometimes Dumbledore takes him off somewhere to teach him things we can't even imagine. He told me he would tell me all about it when he was done. But, it would really be nice to see him!" Hermione held the door open for Ginny and they walked through the quiet school.
Ginny saw her reflection and realized she had grown. Some of the pictures didn't seem so high up and she kept having to slow down for Hermione…Ginny's legs having grown longer.
"Hermione I hate growing so fast…do Muggles do this?" Ginny asked as they traipsed up the staircase.
"A bit earlier and a bit slower; but since we hit that adult age earlier than they do, we do everything different. You'll slow down at the end of the summer, Ginny don't worry," Hermione peeked into the DADA classroom and suddenly drew back.
"What?" Ginny asked and looked in. There was Harry, feet up on the desk, large book in his lap, making notes and looking very intent on whatever he was reading.
"Go say HI, for Merlin's sake!" Ginny whispered. Hermione stood still for a moment. Sighing, Ginny pushed open the door and walked in, forcing Hermione to follow her.
"Professor Potter!" Ginny called and Harry about tipped over in his chair jumping up so quickly.
"Ginny, Hermione!" he walked towards them and Hermione took a flying leap into his arms, hugging him furiously. Harry grabbed her face between his hands and kissed her, then pulled back, seeing Ginny standing, hands in the back of her shorts pockets watching them.
"Merlin, Ginny, you're almost as tall as me!" Harry pulled her into a hug and she returned it.
"I know. I hate this," Ginny grumbled stepping back, noticing she didn't have to look up at him anymore. Harry's gaze lingered on her for a moment then moved back to Hermione.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Healer application paperwork," Hermione held it up, "I need McGonagall to sign it then I'm taking it to St. Mungo's…then off for another fitting for Ginny."
"So much fun," Harry rolled his eyes, then hugged Hermione as if he couldn't believe she was here.
"Why don't you let me take that to McGonagall and you two can…you know…talk?" Ginny said holding out her hand. Smiling gratefully, Hermione handed her the paperwork.
"I'll just meet you by the doors in a bit," Ginny said, waving to Harry and quietly shutting the door behind her she made her way to the Tansfiguration classroom, where Professor McGonagall was working.
After exchanging pleasantries with her Head of House and being told how she looked so tall and so much older, she pocketed the application for Hermione and slowly made her way back down the deserted staircase.
Deciding to wander the halls, she found her feet taking her towards the dungeons, anxious to see what the Potions classroom looked like. Turning the corner she saw the door to the room open and she looked inside. The shades were up, letting in plenty of light and it looked pretty much the same although some of the bottles and flasks were missing. Walking in she went towards the desk, seeing books spread all over it, recognizing Draco's handwriting on a few pieces of parchment. Her fingers trailed the edge of the desk and as she turned back towards the door and owl swooped in and dropped something on the desk and flew back out again. She didn't feel any sense of disappointment that Draco wasn't here; he was going to be in Africa until the end of the month he had said, maybe even the first week of August.
Stopping at a desk near the back, she picked up a NEWT level Potions book she was going to have to buy and flipped through it. How in the world was she going to get through this class? She turned the pages and saw a story about how a Potion hadn't been developed for the Wizard Flu yet, though they were close and it gave the first few lines of the formula. Hearing a noise behind her she carefully set the book down and turned, letting out a yelp as Draco stood directly behind her, looking as surprised as she did.
For a moment they stared at each other in shock. Ginny noticed he was sun burnt, his hair was whiter than she had ever imagined it could be. He was wearing a pair of tan shorts with numerous pockets and a short sleeve, plain white t-shirt and he looked older, bigger somehow. Draco was noticing the way she had grown, even in the three weeks it had been since he had seen her.
For a moment, Ginny felt awkward like she was meeting him for the first time and when it became obvious that words failed him she began her explanation as to why she was there.
"I…I came with Hermione…paperwork, she's with Harry -,"
"I don't care," Draco said his voice sounding odd to her ears and before she knew it, he had taken the few steps that were between them and wrapped his arms around her, lips meeting hers. For a moment she froze, then let her hands slide up his arms, feeling more muscle there than she had ever felt before and sighing she pressed closer to him, letting her hands slide up to his shoulders, taking comfort in his touch. After several moments he pulled away and stared at her and let his hand come to her face, touching her on her cheek, then neck and finally her shoulder where he let it rest.
"I didn't think you would be here; I hope you don't mind I looked around," Ginny whispered, hands still on his shoulders.
"That's fine; I was coming to pick up a delivery and…I certainly didn't expect to see you here," he still hadn't let her go and Ginny wondered how she was going to walk away from him now, it was hard enough the first time. "But, I'm sure glad I did," he kissed her again, then let his hands trail down her arms and took her hands.
"How's Africa?"
"Hot; did you know there is a wizarding school there? Never would have thought that…very small but there nonetheless," Draco explained, still staring at her, then changing the subject, "You're swimming aren't you?"
Ginny nodded, wondering how he could tell.
"You're hair is lighter and you look different, besides being taller," he said letting his hands settle on her hips, which were a bit wider than he remembered and he thought she was growing beautifully.
"Not much else to do besides weddings and swimming right now," Ginny explained, squeezing his hands. "You probably shouldn't stay here much longer…Professor Snape will wonder where you are," Ginny said.
Sighing, Draco agreed. "I wasn't expecting you…here…and I'm still not sure if I can make it next week or not."
Ginny nodded, probably thinking it would be better if he didn't; seeing him now, then leaving again was going to be hard, let along doing it for a third time.
"It's fine. I'll live," Ginny smiled and he smiled back, reluctantly dropping her hands and walking towards his desk, retrieving the package the owl just dropped off.
"I have to go," he said softly, standing in front of her and Ginny held his gaze. Shyly, she reached up and touched his cheek, feeling the scratchy, unshaven face beneath her fingertips.
"I know; this was a nice surprise," she let her fingers rest for a moment then drop.
"Certainly was," Draco said, then kissed her hard. "I'll write, don't worry," he squeezed her hands. Ginny wrapped her arms around him quickly and he pulled her tight, then stepped back. After sharing another kiss, he dropped her hand and apparated…surprising Ginny until she realized that Dumbledore must have granted him and Snape permission. Sighing, Ginny turned and walked out of the classroom and back to the front doors, meeting Hermione coming down the stairs with Harry.
"Hey," Ginny ran a bit to catch up, "I saw Draco in his classroom."
"He's here?" Harry asked surprised.
"He apparated in to pick something up and I happened to be there," Ginny said then said quietly almost to herself, "He looks different."
"How so?" Hermione asked curiously, taking the paper Ginny handed her.
"Like he has been outside working, I suppose…his hair is whiter, he's sun burnt…his clothes…," Ginny's voice wandered off and she felt Harry lay a hand on her shoulder.
"You've changed too, Ginny," and she met his gaze and nodded. His hand dropped from her shoulder and saying goodbye, with one last kiss between Harry and Hermione the girls walked out of the castle and down the road, ready to go to St. Mungo's then Diagon Alley where Hermione had found a witch seamstress to make the dresses that she had wanted for her wedding.
The following week was a blur…wedding plans, gifts to buy…Ginny never knew weddings were such hard work. Thankfully, her teal colored dress fit wonderfully as did Luna's and Samantha's. As the morning of July 31st dawned clear and bright, Ginny realized that she hadn't seen Ron since Bill's wedding. Samantha had said he had just wrapped up traveling and had made sure he had this day and the following free of work.
'Only 11 more days and I can apparate', Ginny thought to herself. She was by herself in the house; her parents were working until 3pm, the wedding was at 4, but both Ginny and Ron needed to be at Hogwarts by 1pm for pictures…taken by Colin. Ron was to meet Ginny at the house and apparate her over to the school. Ginny finished applying the little bit of makeup she wore, made sure her hair was still up like Hermione had wanted, smoothed down her silky, short sleeved dress and made her way downstairs as she heard her brother apparate into the kitchen.
"Ginny!" he yelled as she made her way down the stairs.
"I'm coming," she said seeing him steal a cookie out of the jar. He was dressed in the same type of robes he wore for Bill's wedding.
"Ready?" she asked and he nodded, turning around.
""Bloody hell Ginny, when did you get so tall?" he stared at her, trying to find the sister he left behind under the dress, the makeup and the hair.
"Stop it, I hate being tall. I don't know how you stand it," she mumbled.
"No, you…you look great," he said and she stared at him from across the kitchen, "really."
"Well, thanks…come on, let's go. The best man can't be late," Ginny walked over and she felt him grab her hand and they apparated to the school grounds. The first thing she noticed were the sheer number of people on the grounds. Photographers, students…it seemed hundreds of people and the wedding was still three hours away.
"Don't lose me," Ginny said to Ron, holding his hand tight and he nodded, weaving his way up to the castle. She heard shouts from photographers, who were behind a line so they couldn't get up to the castle yelling 'there's the best man!' 'Where's Harry?' and other sorts of questions. Ginny was floored. She never even thought that this many people would show up; having known Harry and Hermione for six years the novelty that Harry was a hero had worn off and now it came back and slapped her in the face.
Moving through the castle, they found their way to the Great Hall which was set up for the guests who would attend the reception. Both of them skidded to a stop.
"It's gorgeous!" Ginny breathed, looking at the twinkling lights, the gorgeous flowers and magical decorations floating in the air. The walls had been magically changed to a cream color and the tables were covered with cream and maroon colored linens.
"Amazing," Ron breathed, "But we need to find everyone…let's go," he led her up to the common room where Harry would be getting ready in the boys dorm, Hermione in the girls. Separating at the bottom of the stairs, Ginny made her way up to the head girl room and walked in, her breath catching in her throat.
There was Hermione standing in front of a three way mirror, her mother placing jeweled combs in her hair to keep it up off her neck. Her dress was similar in style to Fleur's but with silver threads throughout so every time she moved, it shimmered.
Their eyes met in the mirror and Ginny could see Hermione was a nervous wreck.
"Hello Ginny," Hermione's mother smiled and Ginny said hello, walking in and standing near Hermione.
"Hermione, you look amazing," Ginny reached out and touched the dress. "Harry is going to faint when he sees you in this."
"I might faint if this wedding doesn't hurry up and get over with," Hermione said nervously.
"You'll be fine dear," her mother said absentmindedly, looking up as Samantha came out of the bathroom in a similar dress to Ginny's.
"So, you are doing the Muggle way then?" Ginny asked Hermione, referring to not letting Harry see her before the ceremony. Hermione nodded. The three of them moved around Hermione making sure everything was perfect.
"Ginny, can you go see if the boys are done downstairs with pictures? They were to go first, then it's our turn," Samantha asked and Ginny nodded turning and going back down the stairs.
She could hear them talking before she saw them and as she entered the room Neville, Harry, Colin, Charlie and Ron turned to look at her.
"How are the pictures going?" Ginny asked wishing they would stop staring at her.
"Ginny! You look amazing!" Colin came over and looked up at her. She thanked him and walked down the last few steps and saw Harry standing near the fireplace. "We are almost done here," Colin loaded some more film into his camera.
"You ok Harry?" Ginny asked and he nodded. He was wearing something similar to Bill's dress robe, although Harry's was a deep maroon color, his hair was cooperating and he was a few shades paler than she remembered him being last week. "You look amazing and Happy Birthday too," she smiled at him and he smiled back.
"How's Hermione?" he asked quietly.
"Beautiful," was all Ginny could say, clearing her throat.
"Give us ten more minutes," Colin said and she nodded, making her way back upstairs.
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Hours later, pictures done and the hundreds of guests, professors and media all in their respective spots, the wedding party congregated behind the closed doors of Hogwarts.
"I haven't seen Draco, so I guess he couldn't make it," Samantha said quietly to Ginny who nodded, slightly disappointed but had prepared herself for the realization he was busy. Behind Ginny stood Luna, who was busy gushing over how handsome Neville looked in his black wedding dress robe and even Ginny had to agree that all the boys had outdone themselves. Hearing the first few notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D, brought back a host of memories for Ginny and she followed Samantha outside, seeing flashbulbs go off, seeing the back of the guests ahead of them and Dumbledore's unmistakable figure at the end of their walk, waiting. Walking past the media she could hear their whispers.
"Samantha Granger, she's the cousin. Ginerva Weasley, best friend…,brother writes for-."
"Luna Lovegood, her father owns…friend of the bride…Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor."
Ginny ignored them and walked down the aisle noting that clearly the whole student body had turned out. She caught Maggie and Susan's eye and saw Blaise standing with them. She smiled and they gave a small wave as she walked past them. In the first row she saw Harry's Aunt, Dudley and actually his uncle, looking VERY unhappy but staying quiet nonetheless. Taking up her spot a few paces behind Samantha who was smiling at Harry and Ron she turned towards the doors which were now closed and waited for Fred and George to open them.
Looking quickly back at Harry she saw he was staring down the aisle and she saw Ron's hand go to Harry's elbow as he leaned in to say something causing Harry to smile. Ginny was grateful to her brother for whatever he said; Harry looked like he was going to fall over and as the doors opened, he turned a bit more as did the rest of the wedding party.
The music swelled and Hermione seemed to float down the steps with her father on her arm…flashbulbs going off every
second made it almost impossible to see her until she was halfway down the aisle. Harry broke out into the sweetest
smile Ginny had ever seen, clearly enthralled with his bride to be. Hermione gave her father a kiss, Harry and him
shook hands and the couple made their way up towards Professor Dumbledore, who was smiling as if it were his own
children getting married.
When it was time for Harry to kiss Hermione, Ginny swore she saw tears in Harry's eyes and Ron's as she met his gaze. The noise that came from the crowd was deafening as students cheered and yelled. Ginny turned towards Harry's family and saw the look of shock on Vernon's face…he had never seen Harry in his element and seemed to want to run and hide. Petunia was wiping her eyes and Dudley was just staring at Ginny who met his gaze, causing him to look away. Ginny held Charlie's arm as she walked down the aisle towards the castle where the entire wedding party would be photographed. Professor Dumbledore had allowed the photographers one photograph of the new Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter, then the wedding party before ushering his students inside, to the Great Hall where pictures would be taken.
After smiling and smiling, Ginny's cheeks ached and she looked forward to sitting down and relaxing. Unconsciously she played with her ring which had taken on the hue of her dress…realizing for the first time that it was warm. Smiling to herself she wrapped her hand around her fingers, wondering what Draco was doing so far South. Neville wandered over to their table and sat down, talking about his summer and his trip to the Mediterranean he had taken with his grandmother and uncle.
Meanwhile, Hermione was in the bathroom with Samantha, needing help with her dress to do even the simplest of things.
"Three weddings in one year, Hermione…who would have thought about that this time last year?" Samantha said, washing her hands next to her cousin.
"Certainly not me," Hermione smiled and dried her hands. "Ready to go eat? I'm starving," she carefully stepped through the door and stopped suddenly, seeing a familiar shape materialize in front of her.
"I'll be there in a minute," Hermione told Samantha, who looked at her strangely. She made a shooing motion with her hand and Samantha turned away slowly, as Hermione walked in the other direction, confirming who she thought she saw. She waited next to the loo and he came out, stopped and stared at her.
"Viktor," Hermione said softly and he walked over to her.
"How are you?" he asked looking at her, then smiling. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you. I'm…glad you could make it," Hermione fell in step beside him as they made their way to the Great Hall.
"Where is your husband? I'd like to go talk to him," he held the door for her and she walked in, heads turning immediately to see them walk in together. Harry appeared at her side and looked at Viktor.
"Viktor, you made it," Harry shook his hand and received congratulations. "Let me show you to your table; we can talk after dinner." Harry escorted the two over towards Ginny, Luna, Neville, Charlie and Katharine.
"Everyone, this is Viktor Krum," Harry introduced and Ginny stared at him, remembering him when she was third year. He made the round of introductions and Viktor took the open chair next to Ginny.
"You must be Ron Weasley's sister," Viktor said and she nodded.
"Did the red hair give it away?" she smiled at him and he shook his head.
"He interviewed me for an article he was writing and mentioned you were playing Quidditch this year; I also remember you vaguely from the Tri-Wizard tournament," he explained, then leaned back as the wedding feast magically appeared on their plates.
Dinner was a splendid affair and Ginny's table listened to story after story from Viktor about his travels, his games and the people he met traveling all over the world.
The reception flew by and Ginny had a great time, sharing dances with her father, Viktor, Harry, Tom, Neville, and numerous other boys she hadn't seen since the end of June. Someone had taken a picture of her and Viktor dancing and talking and Ginny realized she would never be able to live in the spotlight like he did, or Harry or even Drano. Touring around the room, she said goodbye to her friends and received a kiss on the back of her hand from Viktor. Wishing him luck in Quidditch she followed her brother to a crowd gathered around the new couple, who were getting ready to go back to their new flat and get ready for their honeymoon to America.
After seeing Hermione and Harry off to their new flat, which happened to be in the same building as Draco's, she decided to go home with her parents, anxious to see if Draco had written to her about not making it to the wedding.
And as she settled into bed, chalking up another wedding that she participated in, she grabbed the parchment off of her desk and opened it, seeing a new entry.
Ginny,
I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding. I thought I might be able to, but at the last minute the Wizarding School invited us for dinner and Professor Snape accepted. Part of me thinks it was to avoid seeing Potter get married, but I can't prove it. So, I spent my evening eating very strange food and being asked numerous Quidditch questions, since this school is too small for a team. I would have much rather been with you, dancing and eating good food, but it just didn't work. I hope you managed to have a fun time and I am sure you were beautiful.
We should be done and back to Hogwarts by the 5th of August. Then, I get to work on making all these potions, fine tuning my notes and everything else associated with teaching. I hope we can find time to get together after I get back.
Give Potter and Hermione my regrets. I should have a "Daily Prophet" arriving tomorrow, so I am sure there will be pictures in there about the wedding.
Yours,
Draco
Draco,
I know you are busy and I wasn't too upset that you didn't make it; you warned me you might not be able to. It was beautiful and I thought of you during the wedding song, as it was the one you played after the chess match. You will never guess who I danced with, besides the usual group…Viktor Krum. He was invited and showed up for the reception having just finished a game in Bulgaria. Most of the school showed up and even Harry's family was there, including his uncle. I am sure you will read about it in the "Prophet"; I have never seen so many photographers and reporters from all the different publications in my life. I am glad to be home and am all wedding-ed out for the moment.
Ron said I can tag along with him when he goes to Spain the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of this month so I might do that, since I have never been there. Other than that, no big plans other than swimming, taking my apparating test and babysitting. Cassandra and Jillian are almost 5 months now and are just about crawling and are growing every day…like me, I guess.
I miss you and love you,
Ginny
Ginny hadn't even had time to fold up the parchment before she saw new lines appear from Draco, who must have been sitting down at a desk somewhere next to the parchment.
Ginny,
I'm glad you had a good time at Potter's wedding. Who wouldn't? I would have liked to see Krum again as it's been awhile, but maybe another time. I'm glad you were out and having fun, I never thought for a moment you would just sit there and the blokes would leave you alone. I found something that might interest your brothers, Fred and George, and will put it to post tomorrow morning; a thanks for finding Salazar's notebook. I look forward to reading the paper tomorrow.
I miss you and love you too,
Draco
Ginny didn't really have anything else to add so she folded the paper and set it upon her desk. Her body was aching and she was tired and it was seconds later that she fell into a sleep…dreaming of Draco walking a rainforest and pocketing plant after plant.