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Chapter Nine: The Wedding of the Century…?
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The sun swam through the large windows of Princess Hermione's room as she slept. Feeling the warmth of the sun upon her cheeks, she stirred in her bed, smiling for a moment before realizing just where she was at the moment. She sat up abruptly, seeing her gown before her.
"Oh my God," she murmured. "I'm getting married today." She sat there for a few minutes, in thought. 'I'm getting married today!'
She sat there for how long, she did not know. All sense of time seemed non-existent to her now. Suddenly she was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a knock upon the door.
"Hermione, dear, may I come in?" It was her mother.
"Yes mother." Hermione didn't move from her spot on her bed as her mother entered the room. The Queen walked gracefully over towards Hermione's bed and sat down. She placed a soft hand atop Hermione's.
"Hermione, how are you feeling?" she asked in concern. Hermione didn't answer. She couldn't answer, her throat had gone dry and her voice didn't seem to want to work. She just shook her head and lowered her gaze to the bed. How was she supposed to be feeling? Her mother sighed and cupped Hermione's face in her hands. "Sweetheart,"
The Queen was never able to complete what she wanted to say, for just then a knock was heard. The Queen granted them entry, and in came Serenity, followed by a group of young women dressed in robes of deep pink.
"Morning, Hermione," came Serenity's voice. "You're Majesty," she said once more, nodding towards the Queen. "Time to get ready."
"Who," said Hermione, eying the group of girls. "Who are all these people?"
Serenity smiled and gestured behind her.
"They are the ones who are going to be helping you get ready." Hermione made a face as she watched the girls pull out bottles and instruments from their bags and set them up on the table beside them. 'What are they planning on doing to me?'
"Heh, ah, thanks but I don't think I need any help getting ready." Hermione said. Serenity smiled and went over towards Hermione. "Wouldn't magic work just as good?"
"Nah," said Serenity. "Hermione, just trust me, I wouldn't let them in here had I not put my complete faith in them already."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" asked Hermione. Serenity just smiled and pulled Hermione from beneath the covers.
"Come on, we don't have much time!"
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"Harry, are you finished yet?" called Ron from outside the bedroom door. "The twins, Seamus, and everyone else are waiting for you."
Harry was standing before his mirror, staring at his reflection in his elegant robes. All he had left to do was fasten a few more medallions across his waist and he'd be all set. He sighed as he slowly continued.
"I'll be out in a minute, Ron." Harry walked over towards the bathroom and wrestled with his untamable hair. He let out a cry of frustration and gave up, throwing down his brush and wand.
Sitting down on his bed, Harry took a few deep breathes and ran his hand through his hair. He felt like all of his nerves were shot! He couldn't take this anymore.
Harry heard the clicking of the door, and recognized the footsteps to be Ron's. Ron knelt down beside Harry.
"Hey, you ok? You look kind of pale." Ron asked. Harry looked up at him and nodded.
"Yea, I'm fine," he said. Harry stood up with one more deep inhale and walked over towards the door with Ron. "Let's get this over with."
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The Great Hall was buzzing and glowing with décor, and the magical ceiling was clear and sunny. It seemed to be the perfect day to have a wedding!
The hall was filled with people of all four nations. Anyone who was anyone was present, dressed in their best attire.
Harry stood behind the door to Dumbledore's little office connecting to the Great Hall. He stood there peaking through a small crack in the door, in awe at how many were present. He was so nervous.
"You ready?" called Sirius from behind. Harry didn't move, he just stood straight and took another deep breath. Sirius laughed. "Not nervous, are ya?"
Harry gave Sirius a dirty look over his shoulder, which made Sirius chuckle even harder.
"I'd like to see how calm you'd be if in the same situation!" spat Harry. Sirius walked over and placed a hand upon Harry's shoulder.
"You're right," said Sirius. "I've never been in this situation, but,"
"Is every one set and ready to go?" interrupted Dumbledore, who had just entered the little office via the other door. Harry and Sirius both turned and nodded. "Then we best get started. The bride is ready."
Harry cringed. He waited until both Dumbledore and Sirius were at the doorway before he too left the little office and headed for the large oak doors of the Great Hall.
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"You look beautiful, darling," said Queen Charlotte. She was standing behind Hermione, staring adoringly into the mirror before them. Serenity, Ginny, who each looked exquisite in their bridesmaids dresses, and the group of stylists were standing off to the side, all smiling.
Hermione stared at herself in the mirror. Never before had she seen herself look so beautiful, so delicate. She ran her hands softly down the front of her wedding dress, gently grazing the soft material and fingering the fine beaded work. The dress hugged her every curve, accentuating her hour-glass figure, and fell gracefully to the floor in a wave of white silk.
She looked to her face. Her make-up was soft and light, placing accents on her natural beauty, such as her eyes and lips. Her lips were softly painted with a medium pink, and her cheeks had the right amount of blush. She truly had to admit, she thought she looked, for once in her opinion, Beautiful.
Out of her make-up and dress, the thing she seemed to like the most about her reflection at the moment was her hair. Fashioned into soft curls, her hair was pulled once again into a half-ponytail. Her curls fell elegantly down her back and shimmered brightly due to a simple charm by Serenity. Her hair framed her face beautifully, but wasn't complete until the beautiful 400 year old tiara and veil was placed atop her head.
"There, you're ready," said the Queen. Hermione smiled as mixed emotions swam through her. For a split second she wondered what Harry would think about her…. Did she look beautiful? Would he approve?
These thoughts were quickly swept from her mind as Serenity began to speak.
"You're not quite yet ready, Mione." Hermione raised an eyebrow at her in question.
"What are you talkin-"
"Now we don't want to bring any bad luck upon this marriage, so…" Serenity then pulled out a white box with silver satin ribbon from thin air. She handed it over to Hermione. "Something Old," she told her. Hermione smiled. She knew this old tradition.
Something Old.
Something New.
Something Borrowed.
Something Blue.
Hermione took the box from Serenity and carefully opened it. She gasped at the sight.
"It's from Queen Lily," Serenity told her. "It is a quite old, though I am not sure exactly. Queen Lily only wished she could be here to give it to you, she apologizes for her absence." Serenity walked up behind Hermione and looked over her shoulder. Within the box was a beautiful sparkling diamond necklace. Hermione was speechless as she carefully traced her finger overtop the beautiful diamonds. Within the middle of the necklace was a stunning tear-shaped emerald.
"Oh," gasped Hermione. "I can't take this. Serenity really-"
"Oh, nonsense," Serenity told her with a wave of the hand. "This is a gift to you from your mother-in-law. She also told me she refuses to take it back. It was the same necklace she wore to her very own wedding, to King James." Serenity told her. "She would be honored if you too wore it at your own wedding." Hermione could say nothing, she was speechless.
Hermione carefully removed the necklace that she was already wearing. She watched in the mirror as Serenity carefully clasped the heavy diamond necklace around her neck. It was perfect.
"There's more," whispered Serenity. Hermione turned to see another white box within Serenity's hands. "This one is from me! Something New"
"Serenity," whimpered Hermione as she took the box.
"Just open it."
This time, as Hermione removed the white top, her breath caught at the sight of the gift. It was a pair of perfectly matching earrings to the diamond necklace she was now wearing. Serenity smiled at Hermione's face.
"I asked a jewel-smith back home to make a pair of earrings to match the necklace. I asked for them to be simple, since the necklace was enough of a sight." Serenity told the Princess.
"They're perfect," whispered Hermione in awe. The two girls hugged each other before Hermione donned the earrings that completed the look.
"Don't forget," came Ginny's voice. "Something Borrowed." Hermione looked over at Ginny who was now walking over with her own white box. Handing it over to Hermione, Ginny smiled playfully. "Hope you like it."
Hermione smiled at the gift box. "Thanks Ginny." Hermione opened the box and laughed. It was one of the twins Good-Luck Bracelets.
"`Guaranteed to give you 100% Good Luck or your money back'" quoted Ginny. She laughed with Hermione as did everyone else. "The twins added Felix Felices into the charm on the bracelet. They say it works just as well, and lasts longer. Quite ingenious I must say!"
"And finally," said the Queen. "Something Blue." With that the Queen pulled out a small blue box from her bag. She walked over to Hermione and opened it. It was a broach with a striking blue jewel in the middle. "A white gold broach made for your grandmother, the former Queen of Ravenclaw." Hermione saw that her mother had tears in her eyes as she told her this. "When I married your father, she gave this to me. Said it was the Jewel of Ravenclaw. The rarest stone in all of the Four Kingdoms; this here is the Blue Diamond, and is only found here in Ravenclaw.
"You are a daughter of Ravenclaw, and never forget that! Your grandmother told me only a true Queen of Ravenclaw may wear this broach, so you can see how much this gift meant to me, and now I pass it onto you, carrying for you the same amount of certainty your grandmother held for me; that you are the right one to lead our people." As her mother finished, Hermione had to wipe the tears that were now forming in her eyes. She knew how much the gift had meant to her mother, for it meant the same amount to her!
Hermione hugged her mother before asking her to fasten the broach onto the front of her dress. As her mother was finishing, a knock was heard at the door.
"Yes?" asked Hermione as a man entered the bed chamber.
"You're Majesties," he said as he bowed, "Sir Dumbledore says it is time."
"Yes, tell him we'll be out in a minute or so." Queen Charlotte told him. The man bowed and exited the room. Serenity then looked to the clock upon the vanity.
"Hermione, I'll meet you down by the Great Hall, ok." Serenity told Hermione. Hermione nodded and turned to her mother. She took a deep breath and sighed.
Hermione turned to the mirror for one last look at herself. I wonder what Harry will think? She was slightly taken aback at this. She looked back up at herself and traced a finger overtop the beautiful broach.
"You ready?" asked her mother.
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Harry casually made his way down the grand marble staircase leading into the Entrance Hall with Ron, who he met on the way to the Great Hall in search for Serenity. Harry had his hands dug deep within his pockets and his head held kind of low. Skipping a certain tricky step unconsciously, Harry kept unusually quiet. As he and Ron got closer to the large oak doors of the Great Hall, Harry heard someone call his name. He turned to see Serenity running up behind him in a sapphire bridesmaid gown.
"Serenity, what are you doing here?" asked Harry. "You should be with Hermione."
"Yea, I know," panted Serenity softly. "I just wanted to wish you good luck," and with that she leaned over and gave Harry a soft kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry so much, everything is going to be fine."
"Thanks Serenity." Harry told her. Harry was about to signal to the man on the other side of the door that he was ready when he suddenly remembered something. "Serenity! Do you have the rings?"
"Yep," she said as she summoned two small boxes to appear. She had been asked by Queen Lily to have one of the elven jewel-smiths to create the wedding bands. Serenity thought they had turned out beautiful. "Here you go."
Serenity handed Hermione's ring box over to Ron, who was the Best man. Ron opened it up to look at the ring and smiled.
"Very nice!" he exclaimed. Serenity smiled and winked at Harry who smiled slightly despite himself.
After a few minutes had passed, Harry went over and summoned to the usher that he was ready. Serenity stood back as she heard the trumpets begin as the doors began to open slowly. Harry looked over to her with uncertain eyes, and Serenity winked.
"Everything is going to be alright, trust me."
"I hope you are right." Harry turned to face the Hall and as the trumpets signaled his entrance, then regally entered the Hall. Ron entered right behind him, then the doors were shut.
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A few minutes after Harry had entered the Hall, Hermione, her mother, Ginny, a Ravenclaw girl named Luna, and two bridesmaids Serenity didn't seem to know descended the stairs. Footsteps were heard behind her just then, and Serenity turned to see that it was King Richard.
"My dearest Hermione," said the King in awe. "You look absolutely ravishing!" Hermione smiled shyly and thanked him. "Now, Charlotte, you should hurry. Go to Dumbledore's small office connecting to the Great Hall and enter the Hall that way. We should be starting any minute now."
The Queen obeyed, kissed her daughter good-bye, and then made her way towards the office.
"Now Sofia, Kate, Luna, Ginny - you know what to do, right?" asked the King. The three girls nodded and stood in their spots, ready to begin. Sofia stood first behind the doors, then Kate, then Ginny, followed then by Luna. Serenity smiled and went over to Hermione who was standing to the left of the girls. She seemed nervous.
"You look beautiful, Hermione," said Serenity. Hermione smiled at her and fiddles some more with her hands. Serenity grabbed them and looked Hermione in the eye. She wanted to say something else to Hermione, but before she could the trumpets were heard once more and the girls were getting ready to enter. Hermione stood in her planned spot as did her father, and Serenity quickly took her spot behind Luna, as the Maid of Honor.
As the doors opened Sofia took the first graceful steps forward, and then as she passed the threshold, George Weasley stepped up from her right and offered her his arm. Then together they slowly began to make their way down the isle as Kate stepped over the threshold and was met by Fred Weasley. As Ginny stepped up, Seamus met her, but as Luna walked through, Li was supposed to be next, though Ron seemed to be out of order and found himself walking down the isle next to a very dreamy-eyed blonde.
Serenity smiled as she entered the Hall, where she was greeted by Li. She took his offered arm happily and walked down the isle with him. Looking before her at Ron, Serenity let out a quiet fit of giggles. Li raised his eyebrows at her in question.
"What are you laughing at?" he whispered. Serenity looked up at him with smiling eyes.
"I was just trying to imagine you walking down the isle with Luna." Serenity heard Li let out a Heh, which made her giggles continue.
"Yea well, I think Ron does a pretty good job himself. Besides, Luna seems happy with her luck." Serenity continued to quietly giggle at the two before her. Ron seemed to be standing as far away from Luna as he could with out looking too obvious, and Luna seemed to be in seventh heaven as she stared adoringly up at Ron. When the two of them reached the top, Ron quickly dropped her arm and went quickly to stand in his spot behind Harry as Best Man.
As Serenity and Li reached the top, Li slowly let go of Serenity's arm and gave her a wink before walking their separate ways; Serenity on Hermione's side and Li on Harry's side.
Finally, as Serenity took her place, and Li went to stand behind Ron, the trumpets were heard again. Then from the right side came Hermione, and on the left, her father. They came together in the middle and King Richard gently took her arm and began to walk her down the isle.
Serenity stole a quick look at Harry, who looked extremely nervous. Hermione was still a ways away, so Harry couldn't get a good look at her, but Serenity could tell that he was taken by surprise at how graceful she did look. She then looked over at Queen Charlotte who was wiping tears away from her eyes.
When Hermione finally made it to the end of the isle, her father carefully took hold of her veil and lifted it over her head, revealing her to Harry. The King then gently kissed his daughter on the cheek before placing Hermione's delicate hand into Harry's. Harry guided Hermione slowly up to Dumbledore, Hermione never once looking to Harry - Harry never once taking his eyes off of Hermione.
When the two were standing before Dumbledore, Dumbledore began to speak.
"Who here gives this young woman to this man?" asked Dumbledore.
"Her mother and I do." King Richard said.
Harry turned to face Hermione as she did the same. He could tell she was nervous and unready, for she had the same look in her eyes as he did. Hermione still refused to look up at Harry and kept her eyes cast to the floor. Harry took her hands in his and held them tight, hoping to get her to relax a bit. It worked for she slowly began to look up at him.
As the wedding ceremony went on, Harry and Hermione kept steeling quick glances at each other, before quickly looking away. It wasn't until 5 minutes into the wedding that Harry noticed someone he didn't expect to be there. Cho.
Cho… what is she doing here? She looks beautiful! Harry mentally kicked himself for thinking like that. He looked once more at Cho; she was sitting on Hermione's side of the Hall next to her father, about three rows back. Before her was Hufflepuff's Royal Family. Suddenly Harry felt something inside of him respond. He wanted to be next to her and to hold her. All of a sudden, he didn't know what he was doing in this marriage. None of it made any sense anymore!
He looked quickly at Hermione, and then back at Cho. Cho then looked up at Harry, and as quickly as she had looked up at him she averted her gaze. That hurt. Harry couldn't begin to explain how badly that hurt him. Taking in a deep breath, Harry turned from Cho and placed his gaze upon the hands he was now holding.
As the ceremony went on, Harry kept his gaze upon Hermione. He understood Cho; she was here on behalf of Hermione only. Harry would look down at Hermione once in a while, but it seemed Hermione had noticed his change in attitude and focused solely on what Dumbledore had to say, not paying Harry any attention.
Suddenly Dumbledore's voice broke through Harry's thoughts.
"Do you, Prince Harry of Gryffindor; take this woman, Princess Hermione of Ravenclaw, as your lawfully wedded wife?"
Harry stood there for a short moment. He knew what he had to say, but felt his mind and body working against him. Finally, after a short pause, he found his voice.
"Yes, I do."
Harry heard a small exhale behind him and knew that that was his father. Harry looked down at Hermione, who still refused to look up at him, and tried to catch her eye.
"And do you, Princess Hermione of Ravenclaw, take this man, Prince Harry of Gryffindor, as your lawfully wedded husband?"
Hermione, too, paused for a second.
"I do."
Dumbledore smiled and turned towards Ron.
"Do you have the rings?" he asked. Ron nodded and pulled a small box from his robes. He opened the box to reveal a delicate golden band with an intricate elven design carved into it. It was beautiful. Ron took it carefully out of its box and placed the ring into Harry's palm. Harry held Hermione's left hand and gently pushed the beautiful wedding band onto her finger.
Dumbledore then turned to Serenity who too pulled out a small ring box. She pulled the box open, exposing a similar, yet slightly larger ring to Hermione. She handed the ring over to the bride and watched as Hermione slowly guided the ring onto his finger.
The Hall remained quiet as they awaited Dumbledore's queue. The two before him stood facing one another, yet refusing to meet the other's gaze. Suddenly Dumbledore broke the silence.
"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, you may kiss the bride."
Harry and Hermione froze at the last part. Wait… what? Thought the two in unison! They hadn't remembered that part! The two of them stared at each other in shock for a few moments. Harry quickly shot a sideways glance towards the Hall. How was he supposed to just Kiss Her? He didn't even know her! He looked to Hermione and could tell she was thinking the same thing too. Judging by the look in her eyes he and Hermione knew what they must do though dreading to do it, and all eyes were on them, waiting to see if they would go through with it or not.
Finally, Harry slowly moved in closer towards Hermione. He gently placed his left hand on her waist while his right hand went up to cup Hermione's cheek. Hermione's eyes widened at his actions and took in a sharp breath as he moved in closer. She shivered slightly at his touch and then softly placed her hands atop his lower abdomen.
Why am I reacting this way? She pondered. Was it because this was the first real physical interaction she had ever had with a male other than family. The only other time she had ever been touched by a man was when her father or uncles would hug her.
Slowly, Harry lowered his lips to hers and Hermione was suddenly entranced by the color of his eyes and the smell of his cologne. It seemed all her senses were on overdrive at the moment. His touch, his smell, his look - it was driving her mad!
Suddenly she found Harry's lips mere centimeters away from hers and she found it hard to keep her eyes open any longer. She allowed her eyes to flutter closed as she awaited - half anticipating - his touch. Then suddenly -
Spark!
Their lips touched! Harry placed his lips gently atop her petal-soft lips. Hermione couldn't explain just what had happened at that moment, but when their lips touched, she felt the electricity shooting from her fingertips to her toes. She slowly moved her hands up toward his chest as his arm slightly tightened around her waist as the crowd in the Great Hall all cheered at the two before them.
Hermione was breathless as Harry kissed her. Soft and slow were his kisses, and for a moment, Hermione felt that all would be fine as he held her, but like all things good in this world must stop, so did the kiss, and Hermione suddenly felt Harry pulling away.
Half disappointed she was to have it end so quickly. As she opened her eyes, she was submerged in a pool of deep green. Her mind seemed fuzzy and her breath was short. She continued to look into Harry's eyes before he quickly pulled them away from her. Stunned for a second, she turned to look to what he had averted his gaze to, then suddenly she understood. Cho.
Harry threw Cho a quick glance and Hermione could see the longing in his eyes. She was right, he still wanted her. Hermione thought she knew why Harry was distracted through out the wedding and now she knew; he had seen Cho.
Disappointed, Hermione threw her gaze back down to the floor, and mentally cursed herself for thinking all was fine for a moment. She could partially hear Dumbledore's words in the background, but paid them little attention as she was currently fuming at Harry.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Majesties and Highnesses; I am honored to introduce to you, for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Potter!"
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~OMG WHAT A LONG UPDATE!!!! This chapter alone was 11 pages!!! I hope you had enjoyed these chapters!!!
Hope you enjoyed!!!!
~Silver Magick 131
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