Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K. Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Epilogue

One year later, Ron stood in front of Albus Dumbledore and watched as Hermione walked down the aisle on the arm of her father. He beamed at her and she smiled back. The aisle was set up on the Hogwarts grounds, the only place Hermione and Ron could have imagined getting married, with it being the place they met and fell in love. Albus Dumbledore was happy to comply and was even more thrilled when they asked him to perform the ceremony.

Sitting in the chairs set up on either side of the aisle were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger. They had spent a year getting used to the idea that their son and daughter were going to get married. Not that they didn't love their child's choice of a mate, they just wondered why they chose to marry so young. Still, knowing Hermione and her drive to work and be responsible, both couples knew that their children would do just fine together.

Also sitting in the chairs were Ron's brothers. Percy and Penelope were there with 10-month old Phillip Weasley, the first (and much doted upon) first Weasley grandchild. Fred and Angelina watched the wedding each immersed in thoughts of their own upcoming nuptials in December, and George and Katie looked forward to the ceremony's end so they could start to have some fun. Bill was there, with another new girlfriend, and Charlie was accompanied by Dawn once again.

Ginny was Hermione's maid of honor, and Harry was Ron's best man (though he practically had to fight Fred and George for the honor). They both smiled as Hermione made her way down the aisle.

When Hermione was at Ron's side, she kissed her father on the cheek and he took a seat next to Mrs. Granger. They held hands and watched as their daughter stood up and vowed to love Ron forever.

Ron barely listened to the ceremony. After he said his vows, he was too busy staring at Hermione, and how beautiful she looked. He couldn't believe that she had actually agreed to marry him, that this wonderful person wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, Ron Weasley. "Ron?" came a sudden voice.

"What?" Ron asked, causing many people, including Hermione, to laugh.

"The ring?" Dumbledore asked him.

"Oh, right!" said Ron, and he took the ring from Harry, and slipped it onto Hermione's finger. She, still smiling at him, took a ring from Ginny and slipped it onto Ron's finger. The rings immediately glowed a deep red color, binding the two of them, before returning to their original white gold state.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," said Dumbledore. Ron looked at him expectantly. "You may kiss the bride."

The crowd applauded as Ron took Hermione in his arms and placed a short kiss on her lips, and the hugged her. "I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she said, and they walked back down the aisle together, husband and wife.

After taking pictures with their families, the reception began, in the Great Hall. Hermione and Ron stood together the entire night, making the rounds among the guests. "We can't thank you enough, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said when they stood in a small group of their former teachers, "for letting us use Hogwarts for our wedding."

"It was my pleasure, Mrs. Weasley," Dumbledore said, and Hermione beamed at the first use of her new name. "I hear you've completed your apprenticeship, and will be taking on young Ginny next year."

"That's right," said Hermione. "We plan to go into practice together."

"A fine idea. Perhaps you can help me sort through my jumbled thought," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Can we steal these two from you?" came the voice of Mrs. Weasley. "I'd like to dance with my son."

"By all means," said Dumbledore, and he winked at them and headed off to get some punch. Ron and Mrs. Weasley walked over to the dance floor, leaving Hermione and Mr. Weasley alone.

"Care for a dance with your new dad?" he asked. Hermione smiled and nodded, then took his hand and they joined the others.

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The rest of the evening was filled with much more celebration. When Hermione threw her bouquet, it landed neatly in Angelina's hands, as many guessed it would, as she was already engaged to Fred. Phillip fell asleep in Penelope's arms halfway through the reception and spent the rest of the night sleeping in the corner on Percy's jacket. Ron and Hermione were clearly elated at the newest step in their relationship, as anyone standing near them was suddenly filled with happiness.

The clinking of glasses signaled a toast, and the crowd turned as Harry stood. "Well, I guess it's time for that customary best man speech," he said. "Ron and Hermione. What can I say? When they first met, they clearly couldn't stand each other, but before you know it, we were all friends. And then, behind my back, these two went and fell in love with each and changed everything! Not that I'm complaining. I'd had about enough of their fighting and jealously by the time they realized they actually liked each other!"

The crowd laughed. Harry continued. "When I first came to Hogwarts, I didn't know anybody, and I had a family that I hated. I hardly consider them family at all. And then I met Ron and Hermione and they quickly became my family, and I couldn't be happier for them today. So raise your glasses, to Ron and Hermione."

Everyone raised their glasses in a toast to the happy couple.

THE END

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Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing the story. It was my very first Harry Potter fan fiction, and the response has been wonderful! You'll be happy to know that I have a sequel to this story in the works that I hope to have up in a few days. It's called 'Hogwarts Reunion' and it takes place during Harry, Ron and Hermione's 10 year reunion. They all return to Hogwarts, and it's also told in flashbacks so you know what was happening from the time they graduated to the time they arrive back at Hogwarts.

Again, thanks so much for reading!