Disclaimer: All familiar characters and events are from JK Rowling and the only thing I own is the plot… Don't sue me or anything I don't get anything from this except maybe reviews. Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review my work. Good or bad your reviews mean a lot.
Chapter 9: Wedding day and other Celebrations
Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville and Alex all arrived in the Burrow's porch. Luna greeted them and asked them to come in. Ron went to his wife and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before they went to the kitchen.
Molly was waiting for the rest of them in the living room. She was delighted to see Hermione and Harry and to her surprise Neville Longbottom as well whom she had never seen since they all finished school in Hogwarts and he spent the summer there.
"My dear boy," Molly said affectionately to the boy. Neville also lost his grandmother in the war. Having no family left he went to America and worked hard to be the best Potions master in the University. "I'm sure Ginny would be happy to see you. I already called for her," molly added.
"It has been a long while and I'm happy to see all of you again. The Burrow really has changed since I last saw it," Neville commented.
After exchanging pleasantries with Neville who was then bombarded by a group of red head boys lead by a blonde head little girl and dragged to play outside, Molly greeted Alex, "And you must be Hermione's friend. Thank you so much for coming and for keeping our dear Hermione company while she's away."
"Oh, the pleasure is mine, Mrs. Weasley. Hermione is a very nice person and the two weeks I had been assisting her and attending her classes in school had been really fun," Alex exclaimed. "You don't know how delighted I am to be here. I've heard a lot about you and your family and how you took in Harry and Hermione like your own children."
"Well, you can never have too many," Molly replied. "Being one of Harry and Hermione's friend makes you part of the family to. You are quite a lovely girl and my dear, ginger hair just like my Ginny," Molly commented.
"How time passes so quickly, before they were mere children and now, my only daughter is going to get married. Good thing I have many grand children who loves staying in their grandma and grandpa's house," Molly sighed.
"I grew up in a big family too. All my sisters are married now though and my only brother had decided to work with dragons so we barely have time to visit home," Alex said.
"Harry, Hermione, We'll leave the two of you here. I know that time is rather precious for the both of you," Molly told them. "Alex, how would you like to join me outside? I think Neville needs our assistance." The Weasley kids were all running around following Neville who had little Christine over his shoulders. Alex nodded then followed Mrs. Weasley outside.
"It's nice to be back here although I miss our apartment. Can we go there now before dinner starts," Hermione said. Harry stood from his seat and gave his hand to her for her to hold and they both apparated to their apartment.
Hedwig was perched in her cage with a rather cross look on her face. Harry realized that the poor owl was left in her cage and since he had left last night and forgot to leave her cage open must be famished from not being fed the whole day.
"Oh dear, Hedwig I'm so sorry," Harry said as he immediately opened the cage. Hedwig bit his hand and then flew off to hunt.
Hermione laughed. "She's really upset with you," she commented. "Good thing Crookshanks can be left with Mrs. Libby. She simply adores my cat, although I would have loved for Crookshanks to be here. I mean he's always with me," Hermione sighed.
"Actually, I figured you'd miss him so I asked Neville to get him on his way to the airport. Crookshanks is probably enjoying a nice nap on top of the Weasley clock now," Harry said.
Hermione gave him a quick hug. "You're really the sweetest," she exclaimed. "Oh before I forget. The Eagle Quill you gave me I left it in the study. I can't believe I left it here. I have to bring it back with me." Hermione went to the small study room Harry made for her. It was her quiet area where she can finish some of her take home work from the ministry. When she went inside the room it was in its normal order and there was not a speck of dust on her desk or chair. "Wow, you really kept our place clean," Hermione said. Her desk also has fresh picked flowers on her vase. "You even keep my vase filled with fresh flowers just like before."
A single tear rolled down Hermione's cheek. Everything she loved was in London. Harry, the Weasleys, their apartment, this was where she belonged and deep in her heart she knew it too but she worked hard to get admitted at Salem. She also enjoyed teaching.
Harry went to her side and wiped the tear away. He looked at her with love and understanding. "I want you to stay and I know you want too be with me too but I respect the fact that working for Salem is a great accomplishment for you. I'm not rushing you. I'll wait. We'll figure out away. Come to think of it. I'm eager to make it to the finals. It's scheduled to be held in The United States so I should be able to stay with you then," Harry assured her.
"I don't care if I have to apparate from one country to another just so we can be together. I'm sure we can come up with some spell we can use. Maybe I can make a portal of some sort that we can use. We'll find away," He whispered to her then gave her a passionate kiss that made Hermione's knees weak that Harry had to hold her to keep her balance.
"Let's go back to the Burrow for dinner but we'll stay in the apartment tonight. Alex and Neville can use our rooms in the Burrow. I know Molly and the family wouldn't mind if I want to spend more time with you," Hermione said. "Of course we're bringing Crookshanks back with us."
Dinner was pleasant. Harry and Hermione just made it in time; everyone was present including Ginny and Draco. It was rather pleasant. Draco and Neville were civil with each other and Hermione noticed how he was somehow accepted into the Weasley family circle. The twins no longer spoke to him with spite and even Ron seemed to be able to manage civilized conversations with his future brother in-law. They left right after dinner. Hermione asked Luna to accompany Alex while they were away. Luna didn't mind at all and Alex didn't object either knowing the limited time those two had together before they fly back to the United she knew how Hermione wanted to spend as much time with Harry.
Draco left for the Manor after he spoke with his future in laws. Ginny asked to be left and said she would follow in a couple of hours.
Ginny came up to Neville after Draco left and asked him to accompany her outside for a walk and as always he gallantly obliged.
"I'm really happy to see you again Neville," she started. They went towards the bench close to the broom shack where they kept all their Quidditch things when they were younger.
"It had been a while. I remember how after the war you guys invited me here for the summer," he smiled at the memory.
"Yes I remember. How can I forget, I was rather stupid then. I'm really sorry Neville. I know that I hurt you then and that because of me you left London and never really wanted to return," Ginny said apologetically.
"What was done was done. It turned out for the best. You're happy and I persuaded to fulfill my dream of becoming a potions master. We were too young then. I was too idealistic and I admit I was hurt. I loved you and I'd like to think that you felt even just a bit for me then," Neville admitted. He wasn't the same frail little boy. Neville was an adult now and an accomplished man at that.
He remembered that event many summers ago he and Ginny dated after the war Ron would come up with plans to get him and Ginny together but they eventually dated even without the others urging them to be together. Ron was with Luna, Hermione dated Krum and Harry dated a lot of other girls. Everything was okay with them until he visited Ginny in Hogwarts hoping to surprise her but he was the one who got shocked by an unlikely revelation. He caught her with Collin Creevey snogging when he visited her in Hogwarts. Ginny admitted her mistake. She was too carefree and didn't think her actions could hurt others. When Neville left she tried to look for him all over England but he wanted to disappear so no one found him. Harry eventually saw him but his friend made him swear not to tell Ginny and the others where he was. Ginny almost didn't finish school because of it. She wanted to find him and ask his forgiveness but he didn't want to be found. It was already too late.
He went to Salem and used a different name. He stayed away from the crowd. He started as a student and potions master apprentice. He was still polite and cheerful but he always set himself away from other people. Before Salem sent him off for a research overseas he opted to finally use his real name. He realized that maybe it's time for Neville Longbottom to move on. He started smiling and being friendly again. He was no longer the timid, always forgetful school boy back at Hogwarts. He became one of the best loved teachers in Salem so he was sent to many wizarding schools overseas for symposiums and for research.
"Ginny, I came here to say, Congratulations and that whatever happened to us before, I forgive you and I want to ask for your forgiveness too for running away and for almost causing you to drop out of school," Neville muttered. He placed a reassuring hand over Ginny's trembling ones.
Ginny was in tears. "Thank you Neville. I should be the one to apologize I was stupid and I drove away from your friends and your life here. I'm really sorry. I realized that after I tried looking for you it was too late and I wasn't right for someone as good as you. I wish that this time you'll find true happiness," she said. "I know that a good person like you will find someone that can give you the same if not more love that you can offer. I hope you find her soon."
"Yes, I hope so too," Neville said as he looked at the figures sitting in the Burrow's front porch.
"I hope you'll be in my wedding tomorrow. I have to go now. Draco must be waiting for me," Ginny said then stood up. "And Neville, I know you're worried. Draco loves me and I love him too. He would never hurt me," Ginny reassured him.
"As along as your happy Ginny, maybe he really has changed," Neville replied. Ginny disappeared with a pop.
Neville walked towards the Burrow's front porch, Luna and Ron was accompanying Alex and was engrossed in a wonderful chat about their Hogwarts Years.
"I see they're filling you in on the details of our Hogwarts adventures. I wasn't part of it actually until later," Neville joined in as he sat next to Alex who was listening to Ron's detailed accounts of what transpired in the Department of Mysteries.
"Ron's just telling us about how he was jinxed and was acting all funny," Alex said.
"I remember I broke my nose in there," Neville added.
The night went on with Neville catching up with his old friends. He also went for a quick night walk with Alex before he kissed her good night and sent her off to the room that Hermione was suppose to occupy and he took the one adjacent that was suppose to be Harry's.
Hermione woke up elated by the wonderful night spent with Harry. Crookshanks was rolled on top of the chest at the foot of Harry's bed. She realized that Harry was gone. A note was next to the breakfast tray on the bedside table.
Mornin' Love,
I just have a few errands to finish and I'll be back to pick you up for the wedding. I made your favorite Hotcakes with eggs and bacons, and some tea. See you in a little while.
Your Harry
Hermione blushed after reading the note. He was hers. The days that passed was a whirlwind for her but after all the many years that had passed it was just right for things to move faster. Harry was the very reason for her existence and now she was his. It was meant to happen. The many years that they shared, from the day they met inside the Hogwarts Express, the time they saved her from the troll, from her return from being petrified, from the time she and Harry saved Sirius and Buckbeak, from sticking with Harry when he was chosen as a triwizard champion, from the time she almost died in the Department of Mysteries, and their 2 year long quest in defeating Voldemort which even caused her to be an orphan on their sixth year. Hermione Granger had always been by Harry's side. She had never thought of leaving Harry's side even when Viktor Krum who was her boyfriend at that moment asked her to. She knew that she had always been Harry's and that thought that Harry had finally acknowledged it and has professed that he was hers was the best moment of her life. She didn't know that this was only the beginning of a far more exciting day.
Harry got up early. He looked at Hermione who was sleeping in his arms. She was beautiful, he remembered that he had always thought her beautiful even during those times she said that he should tell Cho that he thinks she's ugly. Hermione was never ugly in his eyes. She was beautiful inside and out. She had been the constant being in his life since the time they met. Harry realized that the saying "You will only know that you really love someone if you can't think of living without that person by your side" was actually true.
He realized a lot of this before Hermione left and he couldn't bear those days that he could not see her. He asked help from Arthur so he can visit her and finally they're together but he realized that he had to make sure that she knew that she meant the world to him. He extracted himself from Hermione's arms which made him a bit cold after losing the warmth her closeness gave him.
He made breakfast for her and placed it on the bedside table. He suddenly felt that he has to do something, something he should have done along time ago. He scribbled a note and placed it next to the breakfast tray. He looked at the sleeping Hermione then placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He looked at her again and a sweet smile showed on her face as if she was having a wonderful dream, Harry smiled at the beautiful site before he apparated.
Harry came and picked up Hermione from their apartment and they both came to the burrow holding their dress robes with Harry holding Crookshanks in his carry basket on his other hand.
"I have to go and get ready, I'll see you later," Hermione gave Harry a quick kiss on the cheek and took crookshank's basket then disappeared to big tent which was signed girls dressing room. He crossed the other side of the lawn to the boys dressing area.
"Potter," someone called reluctantly, "I mean Harry," Draco called again. Harry looked the already dressed for the occasion groom. He looked rather pale that usual.
"Malfoy, I mean Draco," Harry greeted as he moved towards him.
"I forgot to give the rings to you last night. Ginny told me that the best man should be the one keeping the wedding rings," Draco muttered as he handed Harry the black velvet box.
"Would you mind if I look?" Harry asked as he examined the elegant looking box.
"Not at all," Draco answered, "Ginny wanted to see it last night but I told her it's a surprise. Do you think she'll like it?"
Harry opened the box which showed a pair of diamond rings that were set on gold bands one was bigger than the other.
"They're beautiful. I'm sure Ginny would love them," Harry commented. He closed the box and played the velvet box inside his pocket. "Don't worry I'll keep it safe for you," he reassured Draco.
"Ron had told me about you and Granger, I mean Hermione. You know I can arrange for the games to be moved to the United States if you really want to be with her. I can ask a few of my associates to work on it," Draco offered. "Ron said that the distance of her work is your only dilemma, if that's the case we can have that arranged to be moved so you can stay with her, Salem, after all has the biggest wizarding population in the United States we're just moving it earlier that expected but the players wouldn't mind they're all used to moving around. I suppose my in laws wouldn't mind it too if it's for your cause."
Harry didn't know what to say but he was really pleased with what Draco said. "Thank you," he said and gave Draco a brotherly hug, "Good luck with the wedding today."
Harry was delighted. His plans are going better than he had expected. The distance was a possible reason for his plans to fail but with Draco's offer his issue was solved. Hermione wouldn't have to give up her career for him and that was really important because she had sacrificed a lot for him already.
The bridal entourage was walking down the aisle. Christine was holding a basket full of flowers and she showered them along the path. Hermione was few feet behind her. She was wearing a periwinkle dress robes that fit her perfectly. She was radiating and beautiful. Harry imagined himself waiting for her to walk down the aisle on their wedding day. He hoped that it would be very soon.
Hermione was walking down the aisle nervously, with all the people who attended the wedding she just didn't like all the press although most of the crowd composed of the Weasleys and close friends the flashing cameras were but a distraction but there next to Draco was Harry, her Harry. She focused her attention to him. He was very handsome as usual even with his glasses on. She hoped that maybe one day she'll be walking down the aisle but hopefully next time it would be on her wedding day. Although she'd hope that her wedding would be a simple ceremony with just herself and Harry with Ron as their witness and Dumbledore officiating it.
Ginny was beautiful as ever and the wedding ceremony took place. The ceremony was solemn and everyone who witnessed the union knew that Ginny and Draco were truly in love. At the reception Draco announced that Ginny was pregnant and they were soon having a baby boy.
Harry and Hermione was in the middle of the dance floor when he asked Hermione to take a walk with him
"I want to show you something but I hope you don't mind riding my Firebolt with me," Harry asked.
Hermione raised an eyebrow but took his hand and walked towards the broom closet where Harry kept his Firebolt. After he took it out he mounted the broom and made her sit behind him. Hermione held tightly on his waist and they kicked off.
At the party Alex caught the bouquet, Fred and George could not find Ron and Luna wouldn't tell them where he had gone, Harry and Hermione was surprisingly missing.
Hermione saw the familiar view of the Hogwarts castle. "What are we doing here?" she asked him. Harry must have used some trick to let they travel quicker although it must have been a really good spell because she did not notice anything.
"You'll see," was Harry's only reply.
They landed by the lakeside with Ron surprisingly waiting for the two of them. Dumbledore was surprisingly standing next to him.
"Harry what is this all about?" She asked him.
"Well, I'm just going to do something I should have done a long time ago. I'm ready Hermione and I hope this isn't asking too much but will you marry me?" Harry said as he kneeled on one knee.
"Of course I'll marry you," she said as she pulled Harry up and kissed him.
"Oh I forgot the ring," Harry said clumsily. His hands were indeed cold.
Hermione couldn't help but giggle. Harry took out a simple platinum band with a nice diamond with two smaller emeralds on each side. He took Hermione's hand and placed the ring on her finger. She had always dreamed of this happening to her and she was floating in cloud nine.
"Hey you two, are you just going to stand there or you going to get married?" Ron asked. Dumbledore just watched in amusement.
"You mean we're also getting married tonight?" She asked. She was a bit surprised. It seemed like everything was moving in lighting speed but she was as happy as ever. She didn't care about her career or his all that mattered was the fact that she was with him.
"Yah we are unless you want to back out?" Harry said with uncertainty. He feared the possibility of rejection. It was after all rather abrupt.
"I wouldn't have wanted it any other way," she replied. She smiled at him before giving him a quick kiss. So Harry and Hermione got married by the black lake underneath the star filled velvet sky. Ron was the witness and Dumbledore proceeded with the ceremony.
It was a special moment that was both intimate and private. Harry claimed to be the happiest wizard alive. For once he was happy because of his title the boy who lived instead of just being a plain person or a simple muggle because if he was then he wouldn't have met Hermione and he may still be searching the whole world for her.
FIN
A/N: ahehehe I decided to end it here…. Thanks for the people who reviewed… I guess I'll just leave the rest to the readers' imaginations… thanks again…Well, I just might make a special chapter to... still contemplating on it though...