The two months were like one long marathon that never ended. Harry and Hermione were not only dealing with getting the house ready for a child with Merlin's Syndrome but also planning for a wedding that would unite them for good. The ceremony would be at Hogwarts and today, September the twentieth, marked the day that all their dreams would come true.

Mrs. Weasley had insisted (DEMANDED) that she pay for everything. And they'd had no say in that; the Weasley matriarch felt horrible about the part she inadvertently played in causing Harry and Hermione to go through everything they had. And so, she helped Hermione pick out wedding robes, arranged the flowers, put the finishing touches on the ceremony, and she had sent out invitations herself. And now, today was the day. It was a beautiful September morning; the cool, crisp weather was a delightful change from the heat that had driven Hermione mad the last few months. Being pregnant was one thing, being pregnant in a hundred degree heat was quite another.

Today she sat in a room off to the side of the Great Hall where the house elves usually took their meals. Rubbing her back, she moaned softly, "I have a horrific backache," She complained. Since last night she'd been in quite a lot of pain. Not even one of Harry's famous massages had helped...after the ceremony she'd see Madame Pomfrey. But Dobby had just come told her that it was time. She smiled at Charlie who was giving her away and linked her arm in his as a particularly bad cramp went through her. Hunching slightly, he held her upright but she just shook her head as the music began. "I'm fine, really...Sirius is just excited that we're marrying daddy today." And then, she started down the aisle.

Harry was beyond nervous. He'd married Hermione once already, sure, but he didn't remember that time. This was doing it all over again, but for him and Hermione, it was the first time. He wore standard black dress robes and paced back and forth in the teachers lounge just off the Great hall. Ron, of course, was having a field day in poking fun at the fact that Harry could take on the worst Dark Lord of all time and his inner circle without flinching...but tell him he's getting married to the woman of his dreams and he suddenly forgot which shoe went on which foot. If he hadn't been so nervous, Harry might have found it all rather amusing himself.

Dobby popped into the room just as Harry was about to hex Ron for all his jokes to announce that it was time. Harry shot Ron a look that said quite clearly, 'you just got lucky', before following the small house elf outside to the altar to wait for Hermione to walk down the aisle. He smiled his best as cameras snapped pictures from every angle, once again wondering what they thinking in allowing the media to be present. Oh, that's right; it was so that they could have them do their wedding photos. Harry gave a small smile to Dumbledore and McGonagall just as the music hit a crescendo to mark the entrance of Hermione.

The dress that Hermione wore was beautifully made, all silk and lace. It had an empire waist which made her swollen belly look slightly slimmer. But everyone knew that she was pregnant; she radiated with her maternal glow (or perhaps that was the flash of camera bulbs). Halfway down the aisle her breath hitched and her steps faltered; damn it, the pain was terrible! Breathing heavily, she stopped, pretending to give a nice photo opportunity before she finally finished the trip down the aisle to meet Harry. She placed her hand in his, and the other rested on her belly as she smiled at him. Finally, they were getting married...all of their dreams were coming true.

Harry watched Hermione approach with bated breath. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was absolutely, hands down, the most beautiful woman in the world to him. He almost ran to her when she seemed to falter but then she seemed to strike a pose for a camera. Perhaps she was just having trouble coming to a stop while pregnant and wearing that dress? He didn't need to worry, Charlie was helping her and he'd tell them if something was wrong. Right? When Hermione joined him at the front Harry took her hand and leaned in to whisper, "You look beautiful."

Blushing, Hermione smiled softly and turned toward Amelia Bones who had really gone all out in her attire. She was wearing all the insignia of the ministry and had even brought out the sacred robes of Merlin that hadn't been worn since the wedding of Arthur and Gwendolyn. "Thank you," Hermione whispered, "You look very handsome yourself." With a tap of her wand, Amelia stood before them, "Witches, Wizards, friends of the ministry and of England, I welcome you today to the binding of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, international war heroes and some of the best friends we could ever hope to have." It had begun.

Harry listened half heartedly to what was being said by Madam Bones. He couldn't focus on anything or anyone other than his wife. She was practically glowing in front of everyone. He gave her a smile while he watched her and rubbed the back of her hands with his thumbs. Before long he did manage to hear three words properly, "Repeat after me." Harry nodded and followed everything the woman said. "I, Harry James Potter, take Hermione Jane Granger, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for as long as we both shall live." He gave Hermione a bright smile while waiting for her to do the same.

Madame Bones waxed poetry in her words and Hermione was very impressed. This was a ceremony she'd only read about in legend...and yet they'd revived it just for her and Harry. His vows were wonderful and she smiled, grimacing only slightly as another pain lanced through her. "I, Hermione Jane Granger, take Harry James Potter to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until..." A burst of water running down her legs made her halt in her tracks, "My water just broke..."

Harry blinked. That was weird vow, "Until your water breaks? Hermione I'm not sure this is the best time for j-" His eyes widened then as he realized what she had just said. "YOUR WATER JUST BROKE?!" Okay, so he hadn't meant for it to be that loud. But it had gotten the attention of everyone else in the room. The photographers were taking rapid fire shots as people started to stand to get a better view. "Alright, we'll go to St. Mungo's right now and have the baby. We can get married another time." He kissed her briefly before turning to Albus to tell the man to make sure Poppy was on her way to the wizard's hospital. Harry didn't want anyone one else delivering his baby if he had a say in it.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Hermione bellowed; her cheeks darkening as she stared at him. "We have time between contractions and I swore to myself that I'd be married before I brought a child into this world." Her eyes darkened as she panted slightly, her legs feeling a little unsteady. Holding onto Harry tighter, she nodded to Amelia who was looking quite pale. "Alright, the rings...with your wand, tap the ring you have brought for your spouse and repeat after me, 'Bonded in my blood, I give you this ring to symbolize my everlasting love'." Hermione, still in pain, managed to grit her teeth and say it and soon the rings were glowing bright white. Please, dear Merlin let this be over soon.

Harry was a little shocked at Hermione's outburst. Not exactly the wedding they were planning on, but he didn't want to upset her. He nodded softly and turned back, ignoring the whispers he heard rising in the crowd. He pulled his wand and did as Amelia instructed him and Hermione to perform the giving of the rings. Harry then slipped his ring over Hermione's finger and allowed her to do the same. He didn't even wait for Amelia to give them the go ahead for the kiss, he reached over lifted her veil and captured her lips with his. As soon as the kiss was over Harry gave Hermione a concerned look. "We're married. Can we go deliver the baby now so you can stop gritting your teeth at me?"

Panting softly as another contraction hit right at the end of the ceremony, Hermione kissed him as much as she could while laboring. Letting out a hard breath of air, she nodded, "Please, the baby is coming! We need to get to St. Mungo's now!" She snapped and a gasp went through the crowd. More pictures were snapped as Harry hurried her toward the floo and instructed Ron to get Madame Pomfrey. "It's really happening isn't it," Hermione murmured as she gripped Harry's hand tightly, "We're having a baby."

Harry nodded and grabbed a handful of floo powder. "Yes, it really is. Come on, love," He tossed the powder into the fire, "St. Mungo's!" The fire flared green as Harry helped Hermione into the fireplace. "Let's welcome Sirius to the world." He stepped in with her, despite Ministry experts warning about the hazards of double flooing, and helped her out at the other end. No sooner had they cleared the floo than Madam Pomfrey came bustling up out of another nearby Floo. "Thank Merlin you're here. She started having contractions in the middle of the ceremony."

"No, I started having contractions last night." She said, looking sheepish. "I just didn't realize that I was until my water broke during the ceremony." But this was no time to argue over this, she had to get to a bed and fast before she toppled over. Madame Pomfrey clucked her tongue and immediately conjured a gurney. Laying Hermione down on it, she wheeled her to a private wing of the maternity ward and instructed her to strip out of everything, leaving only the hospital gown she had provided. By the time Hermione did that, with a lot of help from Harry, things were really heating up. Hermione screamed with her contractions that got harder and closer together as time progressed. "Please, please, I need a pain potion, anything...please!" But Madame Pomfrey had given her the bad news early on as they were discussing birthing strategies...with Merlin's Syndrome, it was impossible to give any potions or use any spells without potentially interfering with the baby's already susceptible magical core and rendering the child a squib.

Harry hated to see Hermione in pain like this. If he had a say in it he'd give her the potion anyway. A squib was the same as a Muggle, and Muggles were fine by him. But the look in Hermione's eyes told him that if he did it he might be trying to find a testicle regrowing charm by nightfall. So Harry was forced to give Hermione his hand to crush while she screamed her way through another contraction. "It'll be alright, 'Mione. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay right here and be with you through it all." His hand might not survive this, but that was why he'd given her his left hand and not his right. He needed it for his wand after all.

Screaming against another powerful contraction, she writhed in the bed, "I hate you, Harry Potter! How could you do this to me, you bloody bastard?" Her voice echoed down the halls, her screams reaching a fevered pitch. She was sweating out of every pore, her entire body was flushed...and she couldn't take a good breath in without struggling. "GET OUT OF HERE!"

Harry shook his head and gave her the sweetest smile he could. Thankfully Poppy had warned him a couple weeks ago to expect this kind of outburst. "Sorry, love. You're stuck with me. Voldemort, his inner circle and the Unspeakables all couldn't get rid of me. You're going to have to try harder than that." Okay, so maybe he didn't need to provoke her, but he couldn't help it. He leaned over to give her a soft kiss. "It'll be over soon, love; don't worry."

Tears leaked from her eyes as she panted, "Oh Harry, I didn't mean it." She kissed him ever so gently when he leaned up. "I'm just in so much pain...I didn't expect it to hurt this much!" The contractions were less than two minutes apart now and Poppy was preparing the entire delivery room for what could only be an explosive birth. On average, one out of three children with Merlin's Syndrome was born with severe health problems, two out of three had magic that flared up and destroyed things. So far the Potter baby looked healthy but she had to make sure...and she had the best mediwitches on staff to help her just in case. Hermione grunted and let out another scream as her contractions continued, "Please, Harry, I need to push...get Madame Pomfrey, get anyone!"

Harry nodded. "Love, Poppy is making sure that it's safe. You know as well as I do that you read those pamphlets on Merlin's. Sirius could come out and destroy the entire wing with his magic if we aren't properly prepared." He gave his wife a sympathetic smile while rubbing her forehead with his free hand. "Just hold on a couple more minutes and she'll be ready. I promise."

"HARRY I BLOODY WELL MEAN IT!" She screamed and ripped the blanket that had been warming her legs. There was no denying it; the baby's head was already starting to descend and she could feel the pressure rising. Grabbing the sides of the bed, she panted, "You have to deliver him! I can't hold him in any longer, Harry. Please," She cried and let out another blood-curdling scream. Harry better be ready to catch the baby in a blanket, because with her next contraction, she had no other choice but to push...and that was right now.

Harry, with skills only a professional level Quidditch seeker possessed, lunged to the foot of the bed and watched as the baby was coming. "Merlin's beard, you weren't kidding." He grabbed the nearest cloth he could find, coincidentally the blanket Hermione had just pulled aside, and held it under the baby's head as he started to come out. "Okay...umm... take a breath and push again." He was really wishing he'd read those books on births with Hermione last week. He was completely clueless on what to do. "Alright...I got his head. Just…err…okay stop pushing!"

Another ragged scream burst from her throat as she suddenly felt the overwhelming pressure release from her. At first there was no sound but as the baby kicked and moved, suddenly a wail pierced the room. The lights flickered and Hermione let out a triumphant cry. "He's here, he's finally bloody here. Oh Harry..." She looked over at her husband who was now looking like he had swallowed an entire bag of vomit flavored Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "Help, someone help!" Madame Pomfrey rushed into the room and gasped, "Merlin's balls!" Quickly she took the baby from Harry and gaped at them. This was highly unusual...

Harry caught the baby and looked down at the little guy who proved to have a set of lungs worthy of any Marauder. He looked up at Hermione and smiled then turned to madam Pomfrey. "I delivered my son." His stupid lopsided grin returned as he handed Sirius to Poppy. "I'm a fath-" Harry's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he hit the floor like a sack of potatoes. It was ironic really. Harry could defeat Voldemort and barely break a sweat, but when he had to deliver his own son, he passed out promptly after handing the baby off.

Hermione watched as Madame Pomfrey measured and weighed the baby, stepping over Harry as she did so. She also had another mediwitch help deliver the afterbirth and patch Hermione up. Before long, a seven pound, twenty inch long baby boy was placed in her arms and the tears wouldn't stop. "Can someone ennervate my husband?" She asked softly, "I'd like him to meet his son for real this time. Now that he's not covered in goop…"

It was like they'd forgotten he was there. It wasn't until Hermione reminded them of the passed out savior of the world that they revived him. Harry spluttered and was helped to his feet by an orderly. He shook his head and had to steady himself for a moment before he chanced making it over to Hermione's side. "Hullo." He looked down at his son who had green eyes that were obviously darkened because of the mix with Hermione's chocolate ones. "Well, I must say he cleans up quite nicely." He wiggled a finger in front of Sirius' face and smiled as the baby sleepily swatted at the offending finger. "Hello, Sirius. Welcome to the world." Harry looked over at Hermione and leaned in, "I love you." He gently pressed his lips to her and only stopped kissing her when he felt a hard piece of paper hit him in the back of the head. "Ow!"

Sniffling softly, she leaned over and gave Harry a soft kiss. She was exhausted after having gone through the entire birth and she couldn't help but yawn as she leaned back against the bed. Madame Pomfrey had already scoured the sheets and helped hr get settled back into bed. "You saved us," She whispered, "You delivered your son. Thank you, love, thank you so much."

Harry rubbed his head and muttered, "No problem," While he bent down to pick up the envelope that had decided to attack him. His brow creased as he opened it up and read. "So...feel like Hogwarts next September? You know after we go on our honeymoon and take care of this little guy?" He held the parchment out to Hermione. "Dumbledore sure has weird timing. It's my letter of acceptance to the Defense job. And an invitation to have you and Sirius stay at the castle during the year so you won't be far from me." He grinned and leaned down to kiss the baby's head. "Lucky bloke gets to see Hogwarts before we ever did."

"You got the job?' Hermione smiled softly, "Let me see." She passed Sirius to him and grasped the letter. After a minute, she smiled, "That's wonderful. I'm glad Dumbledore is giving you some time to get settled in with us and the baby. Not to mention it'll be safer for us to raise him for the first year without exposing him to all the germs that go around school." She smiled and kissed the top of Sirius' head lightly, "I wouldn't want my beautiful boy getting sick," She said and then smiled at him, "I love you, Harry."

Harry took Sirius from her with a worried expression. The last time he'd held the boy he'd passed out. He certainly didn't want a repeat performance. But this time was different. Before he'd passed out form the shock of delivering the baby himself with no help. This time it was just holding his son. He leaned forward and rubbed his nose against the baby's. "I love you too, Hermione." Harry was about to kiss her when Sirius started to fuss. "Think he might be hungry?"

Hermione smiled and set the letter aside. When Sirius' wail pierced the room, her breasts tightened and she hissed in pain. "He must be! It's been a tough night for him. Not to mention I'm going to burst if I don't feed him right now." She took the child from him gently and positioned him near her breast. She'd read articles about Merlin's babies having trouble breastfeeding...but Sirius James was not one of them. He latched on, suckling in greedy pulls. Despite being born early, he was surprisingly hearty and hale. "Erm, Harry? I was wondering...do you think Sirius was conceived before our so called wedding? I mean, Madame Pomfrey was able to detect the pregnancy easily. You don't think...you know that we made love before all this, do you?"

Harry scratched his chin in thought. "Well, it's possible that we did. I mean there's no telling what we did really. What the twins gave us was essentially a lust potion, so I think the most likely scenario is that we slept together and then decided to get married after that. But with as much as was in our systems, I'd think we were shagging every time we got a free moment too. So there's telling really when it was that we conceived." Harry gave her a concerned look. "Why do you ask?" He hoped the possibility of Sirius being conceived before they were 'married' would affect the way she felt about the baby.

Could it be that they conceived him before a lust potion was even administered? Before this whole mess ever started? Nah, what were the odds of that anyway? She chuckled softly and rocked Sirius ever so gently as he nursed. "This has been the happiest day of my life." She said softly, "And it's all because of you. You have given me everything I have ever wanted...how can I ever repay you?"

Harry chuckled softly and stroked Sirius' head while the baby fed. "Well, pop a few more pups like this one, and we'll call it even." He gave her a bright smile and kissed her gently. "You don't owe me anything. You gave me everything I wanted as well. I'd say we're even." Harry pushed Hermione over on the bed so that there was room for him to lay down on it. Sure Sirius was already born, but he didn't want to chance anything by magically expanding the bed. Much safer to just push her over and climb in. Harry wrapped his arms around his wife and smiled. "So, we're finally a family...it feels nice."

Sirius finished up eating and Hermione burped him gently. A mediwitch came in and swaddled him, placing him in a bassinet beside the bed where Harry had climbed in. Kissing him tenderly, Hermione smiled and nodded, "Yes, you are my family, Sirius is my family. I love you...both of you." His whispered 'I love you' sent a thrill right to her heart as she closed her eyes and nestled in his arms. Finally she had found the secret of life, right there in his arms.

They were happy and whole, perfectly matched...and they had finally solved the mystery of marriage.

The End

Well everyone, this has been one wonderful time for us. We thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement and support. Please give us a final review to tell us what you thought! We truly appreciate your support and hope to see you reading some of our other work!

Marina & James