A/N Enough death and destruction for a while…this chapter, we are gonna have a bit of fun in the spirit of 2008…Happy New Year, and please enjoy!
Chapter X: `Til Death Do Us Part
The night was reaching its climax, slowly, but surely. Harry and Ron had already consumed generous amounts of firewhiskey. Ron's propensity to drink without restraint was showing itself time and again, as drink after drink disappeared down his throat. Draco had joined the company, but he was showing more restraint, exercising his trademark Slytherin tightness of character, and looking on with a slight expression of disdain. Fred and George had were also quite intoxicated, trying to flirt with two other girls that were sitting close by - unfortunately, the latter were very unimpressed by the humorous twin duo.
Bill and Charlie, however, were of another caliber; they were proficient in consuming large amounts of alcohol, and still retaining their cool air. As a result, a large company had gathered around them - Bill was telling tales of spectacular curses he had seen in his career, and Charlie was animatedly involved in regaling spectacular moments of his life as a dragon tamer - the burns on his arm merely impressed the ladies around him even more.
Percy, as awkward as usual, was sitting in the periphery of the bar, sipping a drink uneasily, and doing his best to impress a very attractive woman sitting beside him - sweating, fidgeting, waving his arms wildly, and words shooting rapidly out of his mouth, he was only succeeding in causing his companion to become immensely bored by the proceedings.
Music, both of a Muggle and Magical variety, provided entertainment and an atmosphere of excitement for the visitors tonight. Guests that were more humbled by the influence of firewhiskey, found the task of dancing quite challenging, as keeping one's balance and trying to follow the pace of the music was not an easy combination to accomplish. Caught up in the moment, Ron shakily rose to his feet, and deciding to try his luck with the ladies, asked one attractive member of the opposite gender to the dance floor.
The blue-eyed blonde beauty that was the subject of his attention sized up the redhead from head to foot, turned around to her group of friends, and exchanged a few whispered words with them. Then, a second-long hesitation, she smiled broadly, and dragged Harry's drunken best friend off towards the dance floor. In around a minute, they were lost from view within the swelling mass of people crowding the center of Madam Rosmerta's bar.
Walking along rather pompously and energetically, Percy was leading the mysterious woman he had been so vainly trying to impress earlier, and had seemingly decided to try another way - his own dancing skills. Nonplussed, he initially tried to force his way among the many bodies that were crowding the floor, but eventually gave up, and started moving his body to the rhythm, with his date participating rather half-heartedly.
Unknown to Percy, however, Harry was following his actions, and heartily laughing at the older Weasley's ridiculous moves - frankly, the brunette beside him had changed her demeanor from boredom, to one of outright embarrassment.
"Percy!" Harry heard her shout rather loudly to capture the latter's attention. "Percy!"
He, however, was too absorbed in the music to hear her. Sighing, and rolling her eyes with impatience, his date said something about going to the bathrooms, and stalked off in the direction of the bar.
Suddenly noticing that he was dancing quite alone, Percy stood, uncomprehending, for a few seconds, before realization dawned on his features, quickly to be replaced by a look of immense fury. Still rather awkward, and looking to the floor in silent anger, he walked off stiffly to join Fred and George, who were sitting next to Harry.
"I don't understand it!" Percy blew up, once he sat heavily beside his brothers.
"What don't you understand, Perce?" Fred asked with a grin. "Considering you're a walking and talking book."
George guffawed and nearly spilt his butterbeer down his front when he heard Fred. "Yeah, Percy," he added, "That's news."
"Women!" the object of their jabs said in exasperation. "No matter what I do, they are always bored of me. What should I do?"
Harry thought that, for the first time in his life, he saw a side to Percy that was not pompous, arrogant, and self-interested. Oddly, he seemed to have feelings too…
"Oh, Percy, why didn't you say so!" Fred boomed, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "George - let's show this chap how to deal with the ladies!"
Staggering to their feet, and slightly unsteady, the twins took their brother by the arms and dragged him off in the direction of the same brunette that had left him earlier. Harry, deciding to tag along after them, stood up, dazed, and trying to keep his balance, followed the redheaded trio.
"Hello!" he heard Fred shout when they reached the bar, where the woman in question was sitting. She was slightly startled by his voice, but turning around she took in whom her visitors were.
"Yes?" she raised an eyebrow questioningly, a note of annoyance in her voice.
Still grinning broadly, Fred continued, slurring his words a bit. "Our friend here - Perce, we think he's called - has been talking about you all night to us."
"I'm sorry, but I already wasted enough time with this stool tonight," she replied defensively, waving dismissively at Percy, who had turned a deep shade of red.
"This was not a good idea, definitely not," Percy was muttering angrily at George, but the latter was too interested in the exchange to hear a word his brother was saying.
"You think he's a stool?" Fred echoed, before laughing heartily. "Did you hear that Perce," he turned to his extremely embarrassed brother. "She thinks you're a stool. Aren't you going to prove her wrong?"
The brunette's chocolate eyes settled on Percy expectantly. Feeling the pressure, Percy silently cursed his brothers, and right there and then, he wished the Earth could swallow him whole and save him from the scrutiny he was being subjected to.
Instead, he was taken aback by surprise momentarily, when a voice he didn't think could belong to him, escaped from his lips, "Yes…yes, I think I will."
He disengaged himself from his brothers' grips, and took a brave step forward. "Last time around…I was dense enough not to ask your name…would you forgive that blunder of mine, and let me know your name?"
The sudden transformation in his character surprised the mysterious brunette as much as it did Percy. He was typically eloquent in speech, but the results of the added confidence had surpassed even his own expectations…
"Certainly," a smile graced the woman's features, and she absorbed herself in his company, exchanging pleasant conversation with someone for the first time that night.
"Well, brother, our job here is done," declared Fred theatrically. "Another drink to celebrate the occasion?"
"Oh, yes, definitely," George replied with equal vigor. "Madam Rosmerta!" they shouted together.
"Put me down for a firewhiskey too," Harry told Madam Rosmerta, who was just happening to pass by as the twins were shouting.
"Will do," she chirped, moving on hurriedly towards the bar.
The music continued to play endlessly; it created a good mood, helped by the flowing drinks, and making people enjoy themselves more and more. All sense of time had disappeared, and instead, it was a perpetual mix of happiness and forgetfulness.
**
The following morning dawned, bright and early. Sunshine rays entered through the window, illuminating the specks of dust that flew in the air. A lingering smell of firewhiskey, and the rhythmic breathing of the two individuals that occupied the room was the only noise in the otherwise quiet room.
Harry was the first one to stir, as his eyes were in the direct path of the sunlight, and he could not stand it much longer. Cracking one eye open did not make him feel better - his head felt heavy and muddled, as if his brain was being pounded against the inside of his skull; the thudding pain made him feel nauseous and dizzy.
Ron, on the other hand, was still fast asleep. Unfortunately, he would have to rise early too, as the wedding was to commence that very same afternoon. The thought simultaneously excited and scared Harry - he had mere hours to assemble himself together for the event and hope it proceeded without problems. Yet, it wouldn't be so, if the best man were still slumbering peacefully.
"Ron!" Harry prodded him in the side. "Wake up!"
Ron simply mumbled something incoherent under his breath, turned towards the wall, and continued to snore.
"Mobilicorpus," Harry muttered under his breath, as he raised his hand towards Ron's sleeping form.
Just as it had happened all those years ago, now Ron hung upside down in the air, suspended from his ankle by an invisible force.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" he shouted disdainfully once his senses caught up with his body's position. "Put me down!"
Smiling ironically, Harry thought of the counter-curse, and watched Ron tumble to the ground in a heap.
"You could've waked me up normally," Ron told Harry in annoyance, as he stood up. "Why did you have to use that curse again?"
"Because waking you up by any other means is a fool's errand," Harry explained calmly. "Now, the wedding is in a few hours, so go clean yourself up."
Mumbling darkly under his breath, Ron headed towards the bathroom. "Watch your back, mate!" he shouted at Harry, seconds before he shut the door.
Harry had reason to take heed of Ron's threat, but currently, he was not overly worried.
He sat down on the bed to wait until the bathroom was freed - in such a large house with so many people present - a single sanctity of personal hygiene was an object of fierce competition.
Harry rushed to be the next one to go about his business after Ron, but alas, that was not meant to be. Hermione had succeeded in arriving before him.
"I'll only be a few minutes," she said hurriedly in Harry's outraged face.
The scenario repeated itself several more times, and the atmosphere did not becomes less chaotic and frustrating as the day progressed. People were hurrying to dress appropriately, perform last-minute adjustments to elaborate hair arrangements and fix minor details on finely decorated dress robes. Outside in the backyard, Harry and the male portion of the Weasley were busily arranging chairs and tables, setting the minister's podium firmly on the ground and laying out the carpet that the newlyweds would walk on in a matter of hours.
They finished quicker than expected, and Harry quickly departed to put himself in the right attire for the occasion. On the way, he met Hermione and Ginny, who had been charged with the responsibility of putting final touches on the wedding decorations.
Around the same time, the first guests had begun to arrive. The invitees included dignitaries from the Ministry, including the unannounced presence of the Minister of Magic, several prominent Aurors, among which the name of Kingsley Shackebolt was present, and acquaintances of Mr. Weasley's from the department he was still heading quite successfully. For the purposes of wizarding relations, the Muggle Prime Minister had also been cordially forwarded an invitation, but it was not clear whether he would show.
On a more personal level, friends of the family formed the majority of invited guests. The company of Remus and Tonks was welcome one once they arrived, bringing Teddy with them. Draco Malfoy was in a more awkward position, as the reservations and dislike oriented towards his family in the time of his parents, and since, had lessened with time, but still remained. The Delacours had arrived rather formally, dressed exquisitely in a typical French fashion, and Fleur had also come with them. Last, but not least, Hermione's parents arrived with a lot of noise and soot from the fireplace in the sitting room, tumbling forward from the fireplace and landing rather awkwardly on the floor.
They, however, had been hurriedly cleaned up by Mrs. Weasley, and joined the festivities and conversation in the yard, mingling surprisingly well with both the formal and more personal acquaintances of the Weasley family.
Ron, looking quite handsome in his dress robes, walked out into the congregation, his hand laced through Luna's. Not a hint of his irritated air earlier today remained, and he was smiling quite broadly, as he led his wife and kids towards Lupin and Tonks - to catch up in their lives, and also introduce the children to one another.
In one corner of the backyard, both Prime Ministers were engaged in deep conversation. The Muggle equivalent of the wizarding world's foremost office holder had found it respectable to show, and had indeed done so. Without a doubt, they were discussing matters quite akin to mutual relations and possible treaties…
Harry, who looked very presentable, considering the short amount of time he had to prepare, also entered the party, together with Hermione. His eyes swept the scene, before settling on Hermoine's parents - a small smile lit his face when he saw Mr. Granger telling something animatedly to the twins, and waving his arms all over, which caused them to laugh with gusto. Mrs. Granger, on the other hand, was absorbed in conversation with Mrs. Weasley - Harry was prepared to say that they were talking about embarrassing stories from their children's childhoods.
"Hermione, you didn't tell me your parents were so suave," he turned to Hermione with another smile.
"To tell you the truth, Harry, I'm more surprised than you are," Hermione answered wonderingly. "I thought they would just embarrass me completely."
"There's time for that too," Harry said with a hint of bravado, a devilish glint playing in his eyes. "In the meanwhile, let's find something to drink."
"Fine," said Hermione, and she followed Harry to where Remus and Tonks were standing, still talking to Ron and Luna.
Music had also started playing in the background, with the onset of the evening. Bright stars adorned the sky as the sun slowly sunk on the horizon, and torches, strategically placed around the backyard, burst to life, providing warmth and light for the guests.
Tonight's affair was shaping to be a pleasant one. Gone were the impatience and frustrations that accompanied the preparations. Instead, a sense of calamity, serenity, love and understanding had taken over - the feeling that nothing could ruin the special occasion was present in every single guest.
The evening wore on, amidst pleasant conversation, jokes, toasts and laughter, but eventually the time for the culmination of the wedding came.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Mr. Weasley's magnified voice carried over the crowd. "May I ask your attention?"
Questioning glances turned towards the Weasley patriarch, and the sound of talking voices subsided gradually, as people paid more attention to what Mr. Weasley had to say.
"It is time," he began impressively, "or nearly so, for our two guests of honour tonight - Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, to enter into an union that will bond them for life!"
Cheering erupted, and wolf-whistles shrilled from someone - possibly a Weasley. The noise eventually died down enough for Mr. Weasley to proceed, since he had tried to recapture their attention. Once he succeeded, he continued speaking.
"So, I ask you, to please sit down on either side of the aisle, and be ready to offer your respect to our happy couple."
With those words, Mr. Weasley stepped down, and the crowd engaged itself into the task of filling their allotted seats. About twenty minutes later, full of negotiations about who was to sit where, and the confusion that ensued from those deliberations, everyone had been finally seated and waiting in anticipation.
Up on the podium, under the soft glow of the multi-coloured lights, Harry stood, waiting, with Ron beside him. Luna was next to Ron, unable to contain the large smile that had broken across her face. James and Madelyn were mesmerized by the proceedings, standing in front of their mother, and watching the setting with undisguised wonder.
The minister himself had taken his post behind the altar. Flowing red robes, embroidered with a gold thread, and a shapeless hat, made in the same manner, formed his attire. He waited patiently, and was perhaps even a little bored, having performed many such services over the years. On the other hand, it was not commonplace to be the one performing the ritual at Harry Potter's wedding.
At last, a very strange, yet pleasing to the ear music, issued from an unknown source somewhere above their heads. The questioning looks, however, lasted mere moments, and quickly turned into ones of surprised delight and exclamation, as a fireball erupted in the darkness, turning the night into a day for the briefest of moments - it was a Phoenix' Lament, and the fireball, which had trained all attention onto itself, rapidly adopted the shape of the magnificent fiery bird.
The trail of golden sparks showered the congregation below, as the phoenix circled above, still piping its ethereal tune. Then, out of thin air, two people appeared - by apparition, or portkey, it was not clear, but it was Hermione and her father. The latter looked happy, but still surprised and impressed by the wizard norm of conducting weddings. Regardless, he took Hermione by the arm, and led her down the red carpeted aisle, towards the podium, where Harry, smiling, stood waiting…
Hermione's mother was standing opposite Harry, with tears glistening in her eyes. Through the crowd, whisperings of awe at Hermione's beauty, magnified by the splendid white dress she wore, accompanied her all the way down the aisle. The female portion of the audience seemed to be sobbing freely, and even some of the members of the opposite gender seemed to be trying to hide watery eyes…
Finally, Hermione reached the podium, ascending it to stand on par with Harry. Anticipation built, as the atmosphere became more tangible, and emotions more intense…
"We are gathered here today," the minister began speaking shakily, "to honour two souls, decided to merge into one for the rest of their days; to honour the sanctity of family and virtue, as the steadfast building block of our society, and a shelter for our children."
The eloquent speech continued for about another minute; the audience's attention was raptly focused on the minister's every word, and the occasional subdued sob still escaped the crowd.
"Harry James Potter," the minister pronounced his name loudly and clearly, "do you take this woman, Hermione Jane Granger, to be your lawfully wedded wife - to protect her, cherish her, and love her until death do you part?"
"I do," his voice was raspy, quivering with emotion.
"And do you, Hermione Jane Granger, take Harry James Potter, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to protect, cherish and love him until death do you part?"
"Yes, yes I do!" Hermione exclaimed, nervous and shaking.
"Then, I pronounce you man and wife," the minister finished graciously. "You may kiss the bride."
Magic pulsated through them, as their lips met in an electric kiss. Both Harry and Hermione had closed their eyes, absorbed in each other's presence. The crowd watching from the chairs was in awe at the sight, as a trail of golden sparks from the circling phoenix showered the still embracing couple…
**
The wedding had been a success. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, prepared by Mrs. Weasley mainly, and coupled with a healthy helping of firewhiskey. Much later, after yet more toasts, the large cake had been hauled out, and once everyone had received a piece, Ron sneakily charmed Harry's piece to fly up, and smash against his face. Taken widely with humour, Hermione easily repaired the damage, and summoned another piece. Her parents, standing true to the belief that their purpose was to embarrass their daughter, regaled Harry with stories of Hermione's childhood, much to his amusement and Hermione's frustration. sAt the end of the night, once the wedding celebration had been declared over, and everyone thanked the hosts time and again for the wonderful occasion, and congratulated Harry over and over, they at last began to apparate away or exit via the fireplace in the Weasley house, and some other guests chose to sleep the night at the Weasley's.
As for Harry and Hermione, they had started upon another journey in their lives - one that would surely bring them joy, happiness, sorrow and pain, but it was also a journey they would always be together on.
A/N There's chapter 10…next one is coming up after I chart it, and in the meanwhile, I hope you enjoyed this one, and reviews are more than welcome…:D
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