A/N ~ I'm sorry, I forgot all about this fic. I honestly thought that all of my fics were completed. I guess a combination of R/L, DH and an absolutely shockingly bad memory are to blame. But I am not one to leave things unfinished. I've decided that since this story is now officially AU... in addition to Harry and Hermione getting together at the end of everything as they should have, they also did finish their NEWTS and were Head Boy & Girl. *happy sigh* Ah the sweet freedom of AU! Harry and Ginny never got back together after 6th year and she is now happily dating Neville and Ron is with Luna (as mentioned in chapter 1) Also the Weasley's who died in my world were Percy and Fred, and I don't think that's correct in Cannon either but I've decided I don't care! Anyway, enough lengthy author notes, On with the Show!
Accidentally Married chpt 3 ~ The Breaking News
The stop at the Granger home had gone much better than anticipated to say the least but they still had one more stop to make before they could feel comfortable and start planning their wedding. Hermione had promised her mother that she'd come back later in the week once they'd set a date and had worked out a few details so that they could start planning in earnest. With that promise made they set out for the Burrow to make their announcement to the other group of most important people in their lives. They apparated into the front yard of the Burrow and walked toward the front door hesitatingly.
`Tell Ron first do you think?' Harry whispered
`Ok, might make this a bit easier.'
So they knocked on the front door and waited for the answer, thankfully it was Charlie who answered the door.
`Hey guys how's it going?' He asked opening the door and welcoming them inside.
`Good, we just came to visit Ron.'
`He's up in his room, head on up. Should I let mum know your staying for tea?'
`If it's no bother.' Harry said feeling uncertain
`Don't be silly mate your always welcome, you know that.'
`Thanks Charlie.'
Harry and Hermione quickly scurried up the stairs to Ron's room eager to avoid the rest of the family. As they hurried away they heard Charlie call to his mum,
`Harry and Hermione are here to see Ron, can they stay for tea?'
`Of course they can,' was Mrs Weasleys reply.
Ron having obviously heard this exchange threw open his bedroom door just as they reached it, for a second they all stared at each other in shock , before Ron reacted to the sudden appearance of his best friends outside his bedroom door.
`Hey Guys! I just heard Charlie say you were here, was gonna come down.'
`We wanted to talk to you alone for a second if we could.' Harry asked cautiously.
Ron caught his tone and looked at him curiously, `sure come in.'
They entered the room in silence and sat down on one of Ron's twin beds, Ron watched them curiously, closed the door and sat down on the bed across from them. They all sat in silence for a moment before Ron spoke again.
`So you gonna tell me what's going on or is this some kind of game where I have to guess?'
Harry laughed while Hermione shifted uncomfortably, `we won't make you guess, I bet you couldn't anyway but... anyway that's not the point. Basically we've accidently gotten ourselves into a bit of a situation that we are intending on following through with and...Oh bugger this is so hard.' Harry ran a hand through his messy hair and looked at Hermione for help.
Hermione stepped in, `Yes you see, it's kind of related to why I fainted during my speech. When I was in the infirmary Professor McGonagall told us... and we had no idea that it could happen but... well Harry and I ... um. Oh Merlin.' She turned to Harry, `I can't do this, this is even harder than telling my parents.'
`Let me help you out, Hermione's pregnant?' Ron asked guessing.
`NO!' Harry and Hermione all but shouted at once.
`She's not? But it's the only thing I can think of that fits, with the activities that I'm fairly certain you've been involved in, the fainting, finding out in the hospital wing, telling Hermione's parents... what else could it be?' He looked between them.
Harry looked at Hermione, `on the count of three?' she nodded, `1,2,3... We're married.' They both said together.
`WHAT?!' Ron bellowed jumping to his feet, `Why didn't you tell me? Why couldn't I be there? I would've thought, being your best friend since we were 11, would've entitled me to be your best man mate or at least to friggen be there! Why on earth would you get married now anyway? You've only been dating for not even a month? What the hell are you thinking?'
Harry jumped to his feet and grabbed Ron by his shoulders shaking him, `It was a freaking accident okay! We didn't mean for this to happen, if we had you definitely would have been there!'
This action did not calm Ron in the slightest, `By ACCIDENT?! How on earth do you get MARRIED by ACCIDENT? It's just not possible, if you didn't want anyone to know you should've just said instead of making up bullshit stories!'
Hermione stood up then, `Even if we didn't want anyone else to know, you know we would've at least told you Ron. It was an accident and if you'll just calm down for on Merlin-be-damned minute we'll explain it to you!'
Ron looked at her for a second his mouth flapping before finally he closed it and sat down on his bed again with a thump, a belligerent look on his face. `Fine, explain to me how you get married by accident.'
Harry and Hermione both sat back down, `right,' Harry began uncertainly, `So you know the night before the graduation ceremony Hermione went for a walk by the lake and fell asleep down there? We got back just in time for the ceremony and were both in a massive rush?'
Ron nodded.
`Right well, that night when we went for a walk we were talking about the future and stuff and I told Hermione that I really loved her and all the reasons why and stuff and told her that I couldn't imagine my life without her. She said the same sort of thing to me and we spent the night by the lake. We didn't realise what had happened at first cause we fell asleep right after and were in a massive rush the next morning. It wasn't until Hermione's speech when she tried to thank her "best friend" that it all came out because she physically couldn't call me her best friend, she kept starting to say husband. When McGonagall realised what was going on she told Hermione and that's why Hermione fainted.'
`I don't get it. I'm sure Luna and I have had that exact same sort of evening and we never ended up married.'
Harry put his head in his hands and started massaging his head, Hermione sensing his distress took over, `Well the way McGonagall explained it, effectively what we had said to each other must have unknowingly been the equivalent of wedding vows and then because we sealed the promise with a kiss and, ah...' she coughed, `consummated, the vows it was like a wedding ceremony.' She rushed on obviously feeling uncomfortable, `apparently it's an ancient ritual hand fasting that is very rarely stumbled onto by accident. She said that we were the youngest couple to ever have accidently gotten married.'
Ron looked at them both his gaze unimpressed, `You're serious aren't you?'
They both nodded.
`Bloody Hell,' then he laughed; a short bark of laughter, `trust you two!' and he erupted into a fit of laughter.
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances and reluctant smiles broke out over their faces, Ron's howls of laughter continued and finding the mirth infections they both began to laugh too.
`Can't do anything the normal way, can you mate!' Ron said amidst gasps of laughter.
`Not the extraordinary Harry Potter.'
`Piss off!' Harry said trying to contain his own laughter.
Their mirth continued unabated for a few minutes and when it finally died down they were all wiping tears from their eyes.
`So, married huh?' Ron said now that he'd calmed down.
`Yep,' Harry replied nodding and taking hold of Hermione's hand.
`Right and you've already been and seen Hermione's folks then? How'd they take it?'
Harry shrugged, `They were ok about it really, they were a bit disappointed about Hermione not getting a wedding at first, but then we figured out that we could still have a muggle wedding so they were fine with that. Even happier of course when I said I'd pay for it.'
Ron raised his eyebrows, `So you are going to have a wedding then are you?'
`Yep, I suppose after your reaction before, I don't need to ask if you'll be my best man?'
Ron just stuck out his hand which Harry shook, `It'd be an honour mate.'
After that there wasn't really anything more to do but go down stairs to tell the rest of the Weasley's. When they reached the kitchen they found George and Charlie setting the table for dinner while Mrs Weasley, with assistance of Ginny, prepared dinner and Mr Weasley sat at the table reading the paper.
`Hi Mr & Mrs Weasley, Ginny, George' Harry said as they entered the room.
`Hello dears, how are you?' Mrs Weasley asked coming forward and enveloping them both in a big hug, `Good to see you, why don't you have a seat, I'm just putting up dinner now.'
`Anything I can do to help Mrs Weasley?' Hermione asked
`No dear, it's all under control.'
Within moments they were all seated around the table covered with dishes Mrs Weasleys delicious cooking and heaped plates in front of them. The discussion around the table was general and Harry and Hermione, by unspoken consensus, decided to wait until after dinner was over to make their big announcement. Dinner stretched on as the Weasley boys helped themselves to second and third helpings. When at last it seemed everyone was finished and they were all lolling about just picking at the remainder of the food on their plates Harry and Hermione exchanged a significant glance and Harry cleared his throat.
`Um, I'd like to have everybody's attention please,'
Everyone stopped their idle chatter at turned to look at Harry, `I just have an announcement to make, um, on the night before the graduation ceremony Hermione and I accidently got married, and after discussing the situation together and with Hermione's parents, we've decided not only to stay married but to have a proper Muggle style wedding ceremony and reception.'
The table of people was silent with shock, except for Ron who was watching everyone's reactions with an amused look on his face.
The first to recover was Mr Weasley, Harry assumed he must know about the ritual and had guessed what happened.
`Congratulations both of you, Hermione you will make a beautiful bride, Harry you couldn't have chosen a better woman to be your wife.'
Harry and Hermione both smiled, `Thank you Mr Weasley.'
The congratulations of the rest of the Weasleys flowed in smoothly following that until everyone once more fell silent. The silence stretched for a few seconds to be finally broken by George.
`So how exactly does a person get married by accident then?'
Harry and Hermione both went bright red, `er, well,' Harry began haltingly before Hermione took over in her trademark bossy tone.
`Professor McGonagall said it's a very ancient spell that almost no-one stumbles onto by accident. Apparently we were just lucky all the conditions were met by coincidence and we were married.'
`Well I just think it's lovely dear,' Mrs Weasley said kindly, `have you thought about a date yet or how many bridesmaids you'll have?'
`No not yet Mrs Weasley, we've really just decided today that we'd have a wedding.'
`I see, now you said it was going to be a Muggle wedding? Are you going to marry in a church then?'
`Oh I really don't,' she glanced at Harry, `we haven't discussed any of it yet.'
`Ooh Hermione, can I be a bridesmaid?' Ginny asked
`No way! I'm not walking you down the isle, I'm the best man you know.' Ron protested.
`I didn't say maid of honour Ron.' Ginny snipped back, `I'm sure Hermione's already got someone picked out for that job. I just want to be a bridesmaid and help organise the hens night.'
`Oh I don't know about a Hens night,' said Harry looking worried
`I don't know how many people we'll have in the wedding party,' was Hermione's concern
`You'll let me be MC though won't you?' Asked George
Suddenly a loud piercing sound filled the air, Mr Weasley stood at the head of the table with a whistle in his mouth.
`Ok everyone, I think that'll do for now, you've all put in your requests, how about we just let Harry and Hermione have a chance to discuss what they want to do and they can let us know eh?'
Following his words Harry took advantage of the momentary lull in the conversation to stand up, he grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her to stand.
`Well we better get better going it was lovely seeing you all again, we'll let you know about that stuff as soon as we've made some decisions. Goodnight.' And they practically ran from the house.
-->