Chapter 32 - The Wedding
The next few months flew by quickly as Harry and Hermione made their wedding plans. They didn't want to wait too long to be married, because they had decided to start a family right away and didn't want The Daily Prophet making insinuations about a Potter love child. The wedding was set for August 1st, the day after Harry's 38th birthday.
When Harry and Hermione's engagement made its way into the papers, the gossip columnists made all sorts of allegations that they were carrying on a secret affair all those years and weren't they getting married awfully quickly? But the hoopla died down after a while and the happy couple ignored what was in the papers.
They had also broken the news to Ron and Ginny right after their dinner with the children. Both did not seem too surprised at this turn of events, although Ginny was a little miffed that Harry barely waited for the ink to dry on their divorce papers before popping the question to Hermione. Ron seemed happy for his best friends and was hinting that he might be the next in line to get married. He and Luna had gotten quite serious since Christmas and he was planning to propose before the year was out. Luna was also keen to have children, since she was childless from her first marriage.
Harry and Hermione decided to have a traditional Muggle style church wedding. Their first marriages were full on Wizarding ceremonies and they wanted to do something a bit different this time to honor their upbringing. In truth, Harry really didn't care either way; he was doing this more for Hermione, who wanted her parents heavily involved in the planning and service. Molly Weasley had taken over the planning in her first wedding and Hermione's parents didn't have much to do other than walk their daughter down the aisle.
Elizabeth Granger was so honored and happy to be asked to help plan her daughter's wedding. She helped Hermione select a catering hall, food, flowers and helped her find a dress. Hermione wore wedding robes during her marriage to Ron, and never got to wear a traditional wedding gown.
Hermione always loved her mum's wedding dress, a simple cream colored duchess satin gown with long sleeves and an empire waist. They found a seamstress who altered the dress to fit the bride perfectly. Hermione opted to skip a veil, saying it was too old fashioned and settled on a simple pearl encrusted headband to wear atop her dark curls.
Harry was happy to let Hermione and her mother plan the big day, the only thing he wanted to have a say in were their vows. Uncharacteristically, Harry wanted to tell his friends and family why he was marrying Hermione and traditional vows didn't feel right to him.
The guest list was kept small, unlike their first weddings, where it seemed the entire Wizarding World was invited. Hermione invited close relatives and some friends from the Ministry. Harry's list was smaller, but he made sure to invite his only living relative, Dudley Dursley, who was now slimmed down and married to a nutritionist. He also invited a few friends from his Hogwarts days, including Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, his lawyer, Anthony Goldstein and of course Neville Longbottom. Ron agreed to be Harry's best man (for second and last time, he joked).
The rest of the Weasley family was invited, of course. Arthur was excited to attend because he had never been invited to a Muggle style wedding before, although Molly was less enthused. Although she did support Harry and Hermione's happiness, she did feel they were rushing into this marriage and part of her would always be heartbroken that her youngest children did not make them happy after all. Fleur was Hermione's matron of honor and her daughter Rose was bridesmaid. Lily was happy to be chosen to be flower girl. She didn't really know what that was, but since she was named after a flower she liked the idea. On Harry's side, James and Teddy would be standing up for Harry as groomsmen in addition to Ron. Ginny was the last to RSVP, since she had been traveling and was hard to reach. When Hermione received her owl, she was intrigued to see that Ginny was indeed bringing a guest.
On the morning of the wedding, Hermione sat in her hotel suite, which was close to the church, getting ready. She was almost ready, just primping to make sure that her hair wouldn't frizz up in the humid August air. She heard a knock on the door.
"Hermione, dear? Are you ready?" Her mother's voice came from the other side of the door.
Hermione opened the door and saw her mother standing on the other side, dressed in a mother of the bride ensemble, a golden colored silk moiré jacket with matching long skirt.
"Oh, Mum, you look gorgeous!" Hermione exclaimed.
"So do you." Elizabeth replied as she embraced her only child. "Absolutely radiant, as a bride should."
Hermione blushed as she moved aside to let her mother into the room. "You're just saying that because you're my mum."
Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head. "No, you really do look radiant. Although you were happy on the day you married Ron, you didn't have that glow. Now you do, and it's because you're marrying the right man."
Hermione smiled, thinking of Harry. "Yes, I am. I hope the second time's the charm. I really don't want to have to do this again."
"Do you have any doubts?" Elizabeth asked.
Hermione sighed. "Not about Harry, I know he's the right one for me and he loves me. I just worry about me, that I will screw this up somehow."
"Why do you think you'll screw it up?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't know. I suppose because I failed once at marriage that I will do it again." Hermione admitted. "You know how I hate failing. Although Harry says that we've learned from our mistakes and we just married the wrong person the first time round."
"Harry's right." Elizabeth nodded. "But you have to remember that even with the right person, marriage is work. It's about compromise and learning to put someone else's happiness before your own. Just remember to communicate with Harry and be each other's best friend. And since he's been your best friend since you were twelve years old, I think you'll be okay."
"Yes, he is. I know it's a cliché but I'm really marrying my best friend. That's what my vows are about. I have them written on an index card in case I forget."
"Of course you do." Elizabeth laughed. "Before we go, I have something I want to give you." She pulled a small velvet box out of her bag.
"I know you wanted to go bare-necked but this is the necklace that I wore when I got married. I never got the chance to give this to you on your first wedding since Molly was all over everything, but it will go nicely with your headband and the dress."
Hermione opened the box and saw a simple strand of pearls. "Oh, Mum, they're beautiful."
"Will you wear them?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course I will! They're perfect. Thank you." Hermione choked out, a lump forming in her throat.
Elizabeth took the pearls out of the box and placed them around her daughter's neck. "No tears, Hermione. We just spent a lot of money to have your make-up professionally applied. No mascara running down your face before the ceremony."
Hermione chuckled, wiping away a tear as she looked in the mirror at her necklace. "The artist used waterproof mascara."
Hermione and her mum stood in front of the mirror. Elizabeth took her daughter's hands in hers. "Are you ready to become Mrs. Harry Potter?"
Hermione nodded resolutely. "Yes, I am."
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The traditional wedding march played as Harry stood under the altar, dressed in a tuxedo. He had never worn a tux before, and was used to dress robes. The collar was a little itchy, but he tried to ignore it. Ron stood beside him, loving his tuxedo as he had always hated dress robes since he first wore them at the age of fourteen. Harry noticed that Ron kept winking at Luna, who was sitting in the front row, dressed in a creation that looked like a cross between green gossamer robes and a cocktail dress.
"Something in your eye, mate?" Harry teased, looking at Ron.
"Keep your eyes on the aisle, mate, or you might miss the bride."
"Thanks for doing this, Ron, I know it might be a little weird watching me marry your ex."
"It's okay, Harry. She's always been yours."
Just at that moment, Hermione and her parents appeared at the end of the aisle. Mr. and Mrs. Granger smiled proudly as they led their daughter towards the altar. Hermione was dimly aware of the wedding guests standing up and murmuring how pretty she looked, while cameras snapped away. She instead was focused on the man she was about to marry.
Harry's breath hitched in his throat as he watched her come closer. She was smiling and staring right at him. He could do nothing but beam right back. He had never seen her look more beautiful. Not because of the dress which showed off her elegant curves. Not because of her professionally made up face, which had magically erased any tiny lines or under eye circles from her face. No, Hermione was beautiful because she looked happier than he had ever seen her and she was about to become his wife. Harry felt like a lucky man, indeed.
Once Hermione reached Harry, she kissed both of her parents on the cheek and they stood back as Harry took their daughter's hand.
The minister spoke.
"Dearly beloved, family and friends. We are here today to join Harry James Potter and Hermione Jane Granger in holy matrimony. The couple have decided to break with tradition and write their own vows. Before we get to that, let us pray."
The minister led the congregation in a few prayers, although the Wizarding contingent looked confused and tried to follow along. Mr. Weasley, tried too hard to fit in and kept saying "Amen" a bit too loudly, until Molly elbowed him in the ribs.
"And now, the vows. The bride will go first."
Hermione nervously cleared her throat and looked down at her index card. She tried hard to memorize what she had
written and kept glancing at the card but the words wouldn't come. Maybe it was a bad idea to write their
vows?
Harry looked at her encouragingly and whispered. "Perhaps you don't need the card."
She looked into his eyes and smiled, and her nervousness subsided. She handed the card to Fleur and began to speak from her heart.
"Harry, we have been best friends since our first year at school, when you and Ron rescued me from someone who wanted to do me harm. Before you, I never had a best friend. As a child, I was a bit of an outcast, you could say. Other children thought I was too smart, too bossy, and too annoying, and I suppose I can be like that to this day."
Hermione chuckled and the congregation laughed in agreement.
"But you somehow saw through all of that, and recognized a sad, lonely girl who just wanted to have a friend. So not only did you save my life that day, you saved me. And for the past twenty seven years, you have been my one true friend, who would always stand beside me and take care of me. In the past year, we have both finally recognized that our friendship had grown into a deep lasting love, one of passion, trust, and true companionship. And on this day, I become your wife and your partner. I vow to be there for you every day of the rest of my life. I love you so much, Harry."
Fleur then handed a simple platinum band to Hermione, who placed the ring on Harry's finger.
Harry took a deep breath. Now he was the one who was nervous. He looked at Hermione who smiled encouragingly at him. "Do you want my note card?" She whispered jokingly.
Harry chuckled and shook his head as he turned to the congregation. "Well, everyone who knows me knows that I hate making speeches and being the center of attention. But this is my wedding day, and Hermione is the most amazing woman and I'm here to tell her why I want to make her my wife today."
The congregation leaned forward, eager to hear what Harry had to say.
"As you already know what Hermione just said in her vows, that we became best friends after Ron and I saved her life. But what Hermione may not realize is that she has been the one to save me, more times than I can count."
Harry then faced Hermione, who looked up at him with love and affection in her eyes.
"Without you, Hermione, I wouldn't be alive today. Your intelligence, your foresight, and your restraint saved me when we were young. But I'm not marrying you just because you saved me. You have also been my true partner and friend. You have always listened to me, supported me and even fought with me, when you felt I wasn't doing the right thing. You have been my voice of reason, and my conscience when I wasn't sure what to do. You have always been there to pull me back from the abyss, keep me sane and help me cope. Without you, I would be lost. I need you in my life always, to be my friend, my guide, and my love. Today, I make you my wife and partner for the rest of my life. I love you, Hermione and I always will."
Hermione's eyes shone with unshed tears as Harry placed the matching platinum band onto her finger.
The minister spoke once more. "I know pronounce you husband and wife. Hermione, you may kiss your husband."
Hermione laughed as she launched herself at Harry, giving him one of her trademark bone crushing hugs and then pulled back to kiss her new husband as the congregation applauded loudly.
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Later at the reception, everyone was having a great time. There was plenty of good food, drinks and music. Hermione and Harry were watching the scene from their table as various guests danced to the live music. Hermione was particularly interested in watching Ginny interact with her date, Viktor Krum.
"What are you staring at?" Harry asked.
"Ginny and Viktor." Hermione answered.
"Jealous?" Harry teased. "Missed your shot with the Bulgarian Bon Bon?"
"Very funny." Hermione said. "I guess I just want Ginny to be happy. Ron and Luna are practically engaged, so I guess I just want everyone to be paired off and happy."
"To ease your conscience?" Harry asked.
"I suppose so. I'm just sorry that we caused Ron and Ginny pain in our path to finding each other."
"Well, here comes Ron. Why don't you tell him that? I'll talk to Ginny later, if I can pry her away from Viktor." Harry said as Ron and Luna approached the table to sit.
"I think I need to sit down for a while." Luna said, taking off her high heels and rubbing her feet.
"Don't you want me to do that for you?" Ron asked, gesturing to her feet.
"No, it's okay, Ronald. I think you should have a dance with Hermione while I catch up with Harry."
Hermione stood up and offered her hand to Ron. "Care to dance?"
"Okay." Ron said, as he led her onto the dance floor. A slow song was playing.
"So, this must be a bit weird for you, Ron." Hermione said.
"What's weird about me being best man at my best mate and my ex-wife's wedding?" Ron chuckled dryly.
"You definitely deserve some kind of award."
"Whatever for?" Ron asked, eyebrow raised.
"Well, for putting up with me as your wife for nearly fifteen years and then forgiving me for wrecking our marriage."
"Well, as the saying goes, it takes two to tango, and I think you deserve a medal for putting up with me, too." Ron paused. "I think after all this time, things worked out for the best. You and Harry are finally married and I'm very happy with Luna. And by the looks of it Ginny seems to be enjoying herself with Viktor. And we have five great kids between us. Hermione, I may regret some things, but I am grateful that we have Rose and Hugo, they are both great kids."
Hermione nodded as she looked over towards the kid's table where Rose and Hugo were watching their parents dance. She gave them a little wave.
"Yes, they are great kids, I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world."
"So are you and Harry planning for any more little Potters?" Ron asked.
"Are you and Luna planning for any more Weasleys?" Hermione shot back.
"We'll see. I have to propose to her first."
"When are you planning to do that?" Hermione asked. "You've been hinting at it for ages."
"Well, she and I are going to Sweden on holiday, I'm thinking of popping the question then. I need to distract her while she's still in search of the Crumple Horned Snorkack."
Hermione laughed. "You don't really believe in that stuff do you?"
Ron shook his head. "Not really. But Luna does, and that's enough for me."
"Then it's true love then." Hermione said.
TBC
Up Next: The Epilogue, finally!
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