omg this story is over, it's really over. anyway, i tried to give extra care and attention to this dear little epilogue, and i hope everyone enjoys it. thanks for being so fabulous!

It was ten minutes 'til the ceremony and Hermione was already in tears. "What if I mess it up?" she blubbered, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief while Ginny desperately cast repairing charms on her make-up and hair (just in case). "What if he messes it up? You know Ron," she sniffed. "He wouldn't mean to, but it'd be just like him to show up late or forget my name or something."

Caroline and Ginny looked at each other and simultaneously rolled their eyes. Hermione's Muggle cousin had grown quite accustomed to the wizarding world by now, and she didn't seem the least bit fazed by the elaborately magical preparations that took place in order to transform the banquet hall into Hermione's dream wedding. The hall was decked out in silver with twinkling stars on the ceiling. It was only natural that Hermione would want to emulate her favorite place – Hogwarts –when planning her wedding, after all.

"You should see her every year at Christmas," Caroline mouthed as she brushed a tendril of hair behind her ear and shuffled over to comfort Hermione. "She's a bloody nutcase."

Ginny straightened the hem of her silver sheath and looked at herself in the mirror. She was still glowing, as her Mum liked to point out regularly. "Finally, you're in love!" she'd sigh wistfully at dinner, before force-feeding Ginny and Harry some more pie.

The older brothers had given Harry a hard time, but only because it was tradition. Every bloke that Ginny brought home went through the same inquisition and a barrage of threats. Ron had joined in apologetically. "Sorry… I know you're my best mate and all," he had said, shrugging slightly. "But if you hurt or defile my sister… you know I'll have to shove a quaffle down your throat and make you swallow it."

Harry had withstood this treatment rather well, gulping and stammering as was his habit, but still standing determinedly by Ginny's side. He even held her hand as her brothers glared on, even though Ginny noted with interest that his palms were rather clammy and he stood rather stiffly.

But things were okay now.

In fact, things were more than okay. They had just… well, they had just reached that point where they were so comfortable with each other. Harry wasn't awkward around her anymore and she found herself loosening the expectations that she usually felt with other wizards. No need to be demure and ladylike – Harry wouldn't buy that act, anyway. Playing hard to get? Forget it. She was just thrilled to be with him finally.

And Harry got her jokes, laughed at her quirks and random observations.

Things were bloody brilliant, really.

"Oh, what am I going to do?!" Hermione wailed, breaking into Ginny's love struck reverie. She was slumped over on a chair, her long silk gown trailing on the floor as she fanned herself with her hands frantically. "What if this is all a mistake?"

The bridesmaids were all getting nervous. Luna had disappeared (no doubt for a rendezvous with Neville), Caroline was sending Ginny distinct "get over here and help me!" looks, Hannah had escaped to the bathroom, and Ginny was really at a loss for what to do. A panicked Hermione was never, ever good. Ginny knew this from experience. One year, Professor Binns had marked the wrong grade on one of Hermione's essays, and it had been dreadful. The girl had cried herself to sleep for three nights until classes on Monday, when the whole situation was resolved.

She was about to steel herself and go over to offer some useless bit of advice when Hermione's mum strolled in, dressed in a pale green silk suit. She took one look at her daughter and placed her hands on her hips, mouth twitching. "What's wrong, dear?" she demanded.

Hermione looked up, still distraught. "I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, Mum," she explained, bursting into a new round of tears. "I mean, what if I'm not ready for this? What if he's not ready for this? What if we're not right for each other and we just end up hating each other?"

Hermione's mother crossed the room in several strides and came to her daughter's side. She knelt down and gently placed a hand on Hermione's back. "Do you remember what you used to say to me every time you came home for the holidays?" she asked her daughter.

Hermione shook her head.

Mrs. Granger smiled softly. "You were only eleven when you came back for the summer holidays after your first year at Hogwarts," she said. "But you told me that you'd made some new friends. 'Harry is so famous,' you told me. 'But Ron… Mum, he's so aggravating! I don't even know why I'm friends with him, but I'm glad that I am.'"

Hermione sniffled and looked up.

"And you'd talk about him every single time you came home. Ron was messy; Ron was so mean to you. Ron was brilliant; Ron was so exasperating. Ron was so kind in his own way; Ron was so dense sometimes. He's all you ever talked about," she chuckled, shaking her head as she looked at her daughter. "You missed him terribly when you were home, and even when you were twelve I could tell that you were in love with him."

Hermione still looked uncertain. "But," she croaked. "What if he doesn't love me back?"

Mrs. Granger snorted and rolled her eyes. "You're a bright girl, dear, but you can be terribly dense sometimes," she said, swatting Hermione on the shoulder gently. "That boy would do anything for you. If anyone can put up with you when you're stressed out and panicking, it's Ron. He's been in love with you for literally a dozen years."

Hermione nodded and sniffled again, giving her mother a watery smile. "I guess you're right," she admitted, clearing her throat.

Mrs. Granger wiped away her daughter's tears and clucked over her hair. "Alright," she said, once again businesslike and brisk. "Now we've got to get you looking presentable again! You don't want to be all red-eyed and snotty when you go down the aisle, do you?!"

Ginny and Caroline sighed in relief and shuffled out to the foyer to get ready for the ceremony. The boys were already waiting there, looking rather bored as they stood with their hands in their pockets and looked around. Hannah sat on a bench, fixing her hair and makeup.

Luna and Neville were, as always, seated cross-legged on the floor, laughing hysterically at some joke that no one else would probably understand. Harry and the twins, though, visibly brightened when they saw Ginny and Caroline approach.

Caroline made her way over to the twins, who greeted her with glee.

"Hey," Harry said, rushing over and taking Ginny by the elbow.

Ginny giggled and raised an eyebrow. "Why Harry," she exclaimed in mock-surprise. "Aren't you gallant today?"

"It's the dress robes," he explained, running a hand through his hair and grinning sheepishly. "They make me feel like I'm one of those suave blokes who know how to put on cuff links and can charm the socks off of any girl."

Ginny leaned up on tiptoes and brushed her lips against his ear, smirking inwardly as he shivered. "Well you're not quite there yet," she whispered. "But I must say you're getting close. My wool socks are definitely at risk of being charmed off."

She withdrew, noting with satisfaction the flustered look on Harry's face. It was rather adorable and satisfying that she still had the power to make him do that face – the one where he looked so smitten and a little unsure of himself. He was just all-around adorable, like a little puppy or a lost parakeet. "So anyways," she said, changing the subject. "Hermione was a nervous wreck earlier, as we expected. How's Ron doing? Did he swallow his own bowtie or anything?"

Harry chuckled and shook his head. "Well, he's… he's holding up," he said ruefully. "He's nervous as hell and he keeps turning red whenever we mention Hermione, but other than that, I think he'll be alright. He's been dreaming of this day since first year, anyway."

Ginny giggled.

"But err…" Harry turned a little red. "We all left as soon as your dad showed up and decided to talk to Ron about the wedding night."

Ginny's hands flew up to cover her mouth. "Ew!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know. I reckon Ron's pretty traumatized by now."

Ginny was about to open her mouth and fire back a retort when Mrs. Weasley rushed in, pushing them all into a line. "Time to go, time to go!" she shooed at them as the music swelled up.

Ginny took Harry's arm and grinned up at him. "I'll bet you twenty galleons that Ron cries before Hermione does," she proposed.

Harry quirked one of his eyebrows. "You're on," he returned.

------------------------------------------------------

The ceremony went without a hitch, thankfully.

Ron teared up as soon as Hermione appeared on her father's arm, smiling radiantly – ("No!" Harry hissed before slipping Ginny a bagful of galleons) – and both Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger sobbed through the ceremony.

Everything was lovely and tasteful, and Harry had to admit – Hermione's insane planning had paid off. Hermione and Ron managed to get through the ceremony without a single fight (which was kind of a record), and at the end, when, "You may now kiss the bride," was declared, Hermione launched herself into Ron's arms and kissed him rather energetically.

But if you asked Harry, he hadn't noticed all that much. Mostly because, well, his attentions were focused on one Miss Ginny Weasley. He really couldn't believe his good luck sometimes. Here he was, looking at the most brilliant and adorable witch he had ever met, and he could actually say that she was his. It was ridiculous how pretty she looked today, with that silver dress and her hair falling in curls over her shoulders. It was ridiculous how her eyes always looked like they were smiling. It was ridiculous how she could make even the corniest joke seem endearing.

Really, it was almost scary how much he loved her.

As if she could read his thoughts, Ginny looked over and caught his gaze. She mischievously stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes at him.

Harry checked his reaction for any reaction that resembled disgust or embarrassment. Nope, he still thought that she was utterly lovely.

As always.

After the ceremony, the hall was transformed into a lovely banquet hall with dozens of round tables, lovely place settings and dimmed lighting. Harry found himself tugged to the head table along with Ginny.

"Come on," Ginny said cheerfully. "We've got to sit up here so everyone can gawk at us and make us feel awkward about stuffing our faces. It's the curse of the wedding party, don't you know?"

Hermione and Ron were already seated, looking tired but thrilled. "I love this woman!" Ron exclaimed a little hysterically as Harry and Ginny approached, lifting Hermione's to show off the simple diamond band around her left ring finger. "I'm married to her!"

Hermione frowned, though she still blushed. "Honestly Ron," she berated, snatching her hand away. "Have you gotten into the champagne already? Oh, I can't believe it. You promised me that you wouldn't be drunk at our wedding."

"I'm not drunk, woman," Ron snapped back, his moment of gushy love forgotten. "I was just happy, alright? Can't a man be happy on his wedding day? Sheesh."

They scowled at each other.

Ginny and Harry exchanged an amused look.

Just then, Luna and Neville came skipping through the crowd, Luna's dress floating behind her. Her eyes sparkled as she clutched Neville's hand – her wrist was decked out with plenty of bright baubles and a couple of wooden bangles.

"Neville's asked me to move in with him!" she gushed as Neville blushed. "Isn't that splendid? I can stay at home and make my jewelry while he's off teaching those children, and then when he comes back, we can go hunting for Singerabbits!"

"They're just professor's quarters," Neville mumbled embarrassedly. "Nothing much, but I just figured… you know… since we're, erm, together and all… I just wanted to know if you'd like that too…"

Luna cut him off with a peck on the cheek, to which Neville responded by beaming brightly.

It really was good to see all his friends happy, Harry thought as he watched them scamper off ("To dance, of course!" Luna exclaimed. "Not dancing at a wedding is just inviting bad luck burbles."). And Ron and Hermione were happy, despite the fact that they were probably going to glare at each other tensely for the next five minutes or so (before the first dance, at least).

But it was probably the best feeling to be happy himself. Harry stole a glance at Ginny, who was consulting her menu with a contemplative frown. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Harry, can you do me a favor?" she asked sweetly.

Harry nodded without thinking.

"I'm trying to choose between the chicken pesto and the seafood ravioli," she explained. "So how about you order one and I order the other? We can split. Come on, Harry. Be a pal."

And so, of course, because Harry couldn't refuse Ginny (and also because she had a voracious appetite and would be cranky if she didn't get enough food), he acquiesced. They ended up sharing their plates. Harry watched as Ginny forked a piece of his ravioli and then guiltily replaced it with some of her own pasta.

"You don't have to look like you're stealing from me," he pointed out. "I did agree."

"I know," Ginny responded. "But I'm always taking food from you. You're sure you don't mind?"

"I never mind," Harry answered truthfully, and Ginny blushed and smiled as she went back to her food.

The rest of the reception passed peacefully, with only three more spats between Hermione and Ron. They involved:

-Ron's inability to push his chair in when he stood up for the first dance,

-The precise way to cut a cake,

-And, of course, Ron's hand roaming a little too far up when he fetched the garter.

"It could've been worse," Ginny murmured in Harry's ear as she rested her head against his shoulder during one of the last dances of the evening. He instinctively tightened his arms around her waist. "I mean, I was expecting them to start hurling food at each other or something."

"Agreed," Harry responded, glancing down at the top of Ginny's head. He looked around the room to see the typical Weasley family energy still going strong. The twins were off pranking guests, Bill's kids were hopping around the dance floor and Mr. Weasley was asking Mr. Granger about Muggle devices.

After the reception, Harry and Ginny stayed behind to help clean up. Hermione sat dazed in a chair, cataloguing her wedding presents as Harry and Ginny cast cleaning charms around the room. Ron had fallen asleep in his chair.

"The Malfoys sent a present," Hermione remarked. "Reckon I should open it?"

Harry shook his head. "Better just toss it. It's probably cursed."

Hermione shrugged and tossed it aside. "Wouldn't put it past him," she muttered as she sorted through the rest of the boxes. "Dish sets, a collapsible cauldron… great Merlin, baby clothes?"

At the sound of the word "baby," Ron awoke with a start, rubbing his eyes as he turned blearily to Hermione. "What'd you say?" he asked.

"Look," Hermione said wryly, holding up the knit baby jumper. "Your aunt Mildred gave us some clothes for the nonexistent baby. Do you think she's trying to tell us something?"

Ron turned very red and muttered something about meddling old bats.

Ginny threw Harry an amused glance as she charmed away the hanging decorations. She was tired, but she still looked lovely. Her hair had started to come undone and she had taken off her shoes, but Harry thought she looked prettier when she was like this, twirling around a room barefoot as glitter got caught in her hair.

He came up behind her, breathing into her hair as she leaned back into him. "Almost done?" he asked quietly.

"Just about," she responded, turning around and stepping on his shoes so that she could look him in the face. "Are you coming home with me tonight?"

Harry chuckled. "I'm thinking that I should probably just stop paying rent for my flat – I might as well just move in with you," he paused, wrinkling his forehead with a frown. "I mean, if that's alright with you. No pressure."

"Of course it's alright, silly," she laughed as he sighed in relief. Her eyes sparkled as she poked the tip of his nose with her finger. "Who would I bother if you weren't there? I'd have no one to pick on. Life would be dreadfully dull."

"Oh if you're going to be all sappy, you two," Ron grumbled, breaking into their romantic bantering. "Just go." He waved his hand dismissively. "I'd like some time with my new wife, anyway."

Having procured permission, Harry and Ginny bade the newlyweds goodnight ("Be good!" Ginny cried jovially as she kissed them both on the cheek) and apparated back to Ginny's flat.

Harry shed his jacket and shoes and padded into the kitchen as Ginny retreated into her bedroom to change out of her dress and heels, which were apparently "bloody killing" her feet.

He quickly made some hot chocolate and poured it into mugs, adding giant marshmallows. Ginny loved hot chocolate and especially loved sprawling out on the couch together as they sipped hot chocolate and watched Muggle DVDs. She and Harry went on regular excursions to Muggle London, where they'd visit video stores and find new restaurants.

Ginny entered the kitchen, clad in a pair of cotton shorts with snitches on them and a giant white sweatshirt. She took one look at the hot chocolate and grinned. "You are spectacular, you know that?" she remarked as Harry handed her one of the mugs.

They made their way to the living room, where Harry sat down on the couch and Ginny snuggled up against him. Neither of them made a move to turn on the television.

"That was nice, wasn't it?" Harry asked.

Ginny nodded. "I love weddings," she sighed wistfully. "And theirs was so lovely, you know? They were Hogwarts sweethearts, practically – in love with each other since their first year. How many people can say that?"

"Weren't you in love with me your first year?" Harry teased.

Ginny scowled at him and promptly buried her face into his sweater. "Don't make fun of me," she said, her voice muffled. "I was young and smitten. And if you even mention that valentine, I will hex you right now."

Harry chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. "Consider it forgotten then," he promised. "Anyways, today got me thinking... weddings are kind of nice, aren't they?"

Ginny nodded into his chest.

"And I was just thinking," he continued. "That it would be rather nice if we had one someday."

There was a pause, and then Ginny's head shot up, her incredulous face suddenly inches away from his. "Are you asking me to marry you, Harry James Potter?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Not now or anything," Harry said quickly, trying to placate her. "I just wanted you to know that I definitely plan on marrying you and having lots of children with you someday, so maybe," he trailed off, running a hand through his hair as he reddened. "I thought I'd give you a heads up. So you know… if you're not prepared for that, or if that's not what you were expecting… you can get out of this now."

Ginny blinked up at him and Harry cursed himself. Why did he go and say these awkward things all the time? Why couldn't he just… enjoy things as they were? Didn't he remember that it was just scary and creepy to suddenly bring up marriage and children this early? Well… at least he hadn't mentioned his plans to pass on his invisible cloak to the grandchildren. That might've made it worse.

Ginny finally smirked and shifted so that she sat straddling his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. "You are so bloody noble sometimes," she said, grinning at him. "But don't worry, dear. You're not going to scare me away anytime soon."

And with that, she lowered her mouth to his and snogged him senseless.

And all was well with the world for a long, long time.

THE REAL END.

aww, i'm going to miss working on this story, and also i'm going to miss all the kind reviews! send me some last love notes please, sniffle. 3