48

The wedding marquee had been transformed from a place of ceremony to a place of reception. There was a long table at one end for the main wedding party, and then little tables around the edges of the marquee for the guests to sit and return to with their buffet food, which was set out at the other end of the marquee. This left a big space in the middle to dance later.

A few messages were read out from people who couldn't be there. Mr. Weasley gave a nice speech, which made everyone laugh and at one point where he spoke about watching Ginny grow up, everyone felt weepy including himself. Harry talked about Hermione and Ginny, having known both nearly the same amount of time, and his speech was mostly funny, with Ron calling out comments to add to it.

With the set speeches finished, and a moment before the cake was brought out, Ginny held Hermione's hand and they both stood up. The marquee went silent, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked on in surprise, not really knowing what to expect.

"Hermione has given me a little surprise wedding present," said Ginny smiling. "I say little, it's pretty huge, but I thought we would share it with you. She told me that today she has officially changed her name to Weasley!"

A gasp of delight filled the marquee, and they heard Mr. Weasley say "Wonderful!" just along the table.

"I thought you were keeping your own name?" Mrs. Weasley asked, deeply surprised.

"I was going to," Hermione said. "But I thought about it all. I have felt such a part of this family for many years, since my first stay here. You have all given me so much love and generosity, and with the events of last year, I know I would not be alive today without you all. In truth, I have felt more a Weasley than a Granger for a long time, and it became clear to me, that I would be overwhelmingly proud to share Ginny's name."

A cheer went up in the marquee with a spontaneous round of applause. Mrs. Weasley had jumped out of her seat, her second application of make-up ruined with more tears, as she came and hugged Hermione.

"You dear, dear woman," Mrs. Weasley said hugging her tightly.

"Steady on Mum, let her breathe!" Ginny laughed, then promptly got bear-hugged by her mother too.

The cake was brought in and the two women cut it and had photos takens. There were a few posed family photos taken, although Ginny and Hermione were looking forward to the impromptu ones that others would take later, when people were either not aware of a camera or were more relaxed. They had both muggle photos and magical photos taken, so they could pick and choose which ones they liked best.

Ginny and Hermione had the first dance. The music might have seemed an odd choice to some and it was a muggle song, which Ginny had caught Hermione listening to on an old CD of classic songs several weeks ago. It was "Eternal Flame" by The Bangles. In the planning for the wedding when it came to music for this moment, it was the first song Ginny suggested, surprising Hermione. They both listened to it together to decide for sure, and somehow it almost seemed written for them; the way they interpreted it anyway. Hermione no longer cared that in the muggle world it might have been called "puke-worthy", it was perfect for them, and that's what mattered. The brunette helped to work out a way for the song to be played at the reception without needing a huge stereo-system...it just required a simple spell that read a CD just like a CD player did and resonated it to a large space.

The women had both thought the first dance would be embarrassing and not just because of the music they chose; being stared at by everyone and everything. However, once they were there and swaying to the music, it became clear that it wasn't embarrassing and that they were so busy looking at each other, that all the people in the room became irrelevant.

Later in the evening, the two women sat back and decided to watch other people on the dance floor for fun. They spotted Madam Rosmerta dancing with Neville.

"God, I hope he knows what he's doing?" Hermione said for Ginny's ears only.

The redhead cracked up laughing. "Well, if he doesn't know what he's doing I'm sure she'll show him!"

"I always hoped Neville and Luna would get together," Hermione said wistfully.

"You're a matchmaker now, are you?"

"No, not really, but I always had little thoughts about people, other than dirty ones about you that is."

Ginny chuckled at that. "So do you have any other match-ups?" she asked interested.

"George and Angelina IS going to happen, believe me," Hermione said. "Maybe I should give him a shove, like he gave me."

"Yeah, those two would be good together." Ginny said, then gazing over to a different part of the marquee. "Merlin's balls!"

"What?"

The redhead leaned in to Hermione and said. "Prew, 10 o'clock," she said, getting Hermione to look in the correct direction.

Hermione looked and saw Prew dancing with an upright, fairly tall woman. "Bloody hell!" the brunette couldn't stop herself.

"Look where Prew's hand is!" added Ginny.

They were both looking discreetly at Prew dancing with none other than Minerva McGonagall, and the auror had managed to rest her hand on the backside of the Headmistress, with the said woman looking not at all bothered and actually enchanted by the younger woman.

"Surely not?" Hermione asked.

"Have you ever heard of a bloke connected to McGonagall?" Ginny asked, and seeing Hermione shake her head. "No wonder she was fine about us being together!"

"I wonder if Prew knows what McGonagall wants to do as a cat?" Hermione asked, setting Ginny off into a fit of giggles. "This also gives Prew a whole new meaning to 'stroking a pussy'?" added the brunette.

Ginny snorted loudly with laughter. "Oh gods, don't!" a couple of tears of laughter running down her face, which set off Hermione laughing. One or two of the guests looked at them, wondering what was so funny.

"Oh no!" said Hermione suddenly.

"What?"

"Straight ahead, Rosmerta has moved on to her next target."

The redhead looked and nearly choked. "He can't be that desperate, surely?"

They both looked on in amused horror to see Ron dancing with Rosmerta. "She must have a thing for Weasleys?" Hermione said.

It was getting quite late into the evening, and lots of the guests had taken turns to come and sit with the newly weds, and they themselves had had another dance or two.

"Let's go now," Ginny said.

"You're sure? I'm ready to, but if you wanted to stay that's okay?"

"No. We've spent most of the day with everyone. I just want some time with you alone now, and some peace and quiet," said the redhead as she played with some strands of her wife's hair.

"Let's tell your mum, then."

They both rose, holding hands and went to find Mrs. Weasley who was dancing with Harry.

"I hope he's not getting any ideas, because that would just be eww!" said Ginny deliberately, to make Hermione laugh.

"Mum?" Ginny said, when she reached her mother. "We're going to leave, now." Mrs. Weasley and Harry turned to look at them, both smiling.

"Okay," the older woman said, looking a little sad that the day had passed so fast. "We'll announce you leaving, then go to the house and you can Apparate from there."

"Thank you for everything," Hermione said, hugging her mother-in-law. "This has been the best day of my life."

"It's been a pleasure," Mrs. Weasley said. "Aww, to see you both married and leaving together, so happy..." she tailed off starting to sniffle again.

"Oh Mum," Ginny said, hugging her. "We're not emigrating, we're just going to be at Holyhead."

"I know, but it's such a big moment in your lives."

"We know, Mum," said Ginny. "Nothing will really change, we'll still be coming back regularly for your cooking," she smiled at her mother.

After Harry hugged them both, Mrs. Weasley found her husband, who also came over to embrace them, and then he announced the pair would be leaving to start their married lives together.

Everyone stood on either side of the marquee to make a way for them to leave, almost like a guard or honour. There was much clapping, and a few whistles as Ginny and Hermione left, holding hands.

They went inside the house, and made their way to the bedroom, locking the door, with a temporary charm, so that Mrs. Weasley could get into the room tomorrow if she wanted to.

Hermione picked up the only bag they needed to take with them, then wrapped her arms around Ginny and they shared a soft, tender kiss, and as they continued to kiss they both Apparated and appeared in the living room of the cottage on Holyhead.

"Home," said Ginny.

"Yes, I am, wherever you are is home," Hermione replied. "What an amazing day?"

"Yeah, it was fantastic, wasn't it?"

"When I first set eyes on you today, I melted," Hermione said. "I fell in love with you all over again. You looked sooo beautiful."

"It was the same for me when I saw you. I couldn't believe that I was going to be marrying you in just minutes. I could have skipped!"

"Thank you," Hermione said, placing a kiss on Ginny's lips.

"What for?"

"For giving me a chance, for opening yourself up to me, for loving me, for helping me, when others would have grown tired of me and my problems."

"I could never have turned my back on you," Ginny said in a quiet voice. "Never. I discovered all too soon that I was deeply in love with you."

Hermione had a tear roll down her cheek, and like so many times before, Ginny gently brushed it away, with Hermione returning the favour as Ginny too had a tear down her own cheek.

"Let me show you," Ginny said wrapping her arms around Hermione. "Let me love you for the first time as a married couple."

Hermione cupped the redhead's cheeks and kissed her; the kiss becoming more deep and passionate with every moment that passed. They broke briefly to go up the stairs to the bedroom, hand in hand. Ginny led the way, until she suddenly stopped outside the bedroom doorway, halting Hermione in her tracks.

"What?" the brunette asked.

Without warning, Ginny got hold of Hermione and lifted her in her arms, receiving a surprised squeak from her wife as she walked through into the bedroom, seemingly effortlessly despite carrying her lover. Ginny kissed Hermione as she gently set her down on the bed.

"I had to do that properly," the redhead grinned. "It's supposed to be the doorway into the house, but the bedroom doorway will have to do."

"I didn't think we'd do any of that traditional stuff?" Hermione asked, amused.

"Well, you've lumbered yourself with the name 'Weasley', so the least I can do is carry you to our bed," said Ginny, as they both smiled at each other.

Hermione laid back and pulled Ginny down on top of her, kissing her deeply, moving her hands up and down the redhead's back.

"Hmm, that was so sexy. I had no idea how strong you were?"

"Quidditch has more than a few plus points," Ginny said, as she began to kiss Hermione's neck.

Hermione wordlessly summoned her wand, from wherever it was in the bag they had brought back with them, which was downstairs. She flicked it twice and both women were left naked, and their lovely wedding dresses were hanging up on hangers from the wardrobe doors, with their underwear in a tidy pile on the floor. Ginny looked around briefly to see their dresses so neatly dealt with. Hermione then flicked her wand again and all the flowers in Ginny's hair, broke fee and landed on one of the bedside cabinets in a neat heap.

"My my, you are organized, aren't you?" Ginny said, in a low purry voice as she continued to kiss, nibble and lick at Hermione's neck, coming up to kiss her lips briefly.

"I might be organized," said Hermione, getting hold of one of Ginny's hands, bringing it to her lips to kiss before guiding it down her body. "But I'm also very wet," she said as she guided the hand between her legs.

They both gave a little moan from the contact. Hermione spread her legs more so that Ginny was lying between them, the redhead's hand straight to work to pleasure her lover.

The two women loved each other with a strength of passion that surprised them both. Everything had even more meaning. Every kiss, every touch, every gasp or moan carried with it a knowledge of how deep their love was for each other, and that they were sealed to each other now. Every orgasm felt weighted with more power from that knowledge too.

It was as if they didn't want to stop the feelings they were experiencing, and made love on and off for most of the night. Sleeping for a time, only to awaken together and search for the other's touch once more, both women tingling with sensations.

When morning came, both had finally slept for a little longer, sated, content and feeling secure beyond belief. They shared a gentled kiss, and smiled, amused at their night of almost continuous passion.

"I think Fleur was right," Hermione said.

"Oh?"

"I don't think we will be able to walk after last night!"

Ginny laughed and kissed her again. "We'll just have to stay in bed then, won't we?"

"That won't help us to walk again any faster?" Hermione laughed.

"No, but it'll be fun."

"I still have only one regret," said Hermione, thoughtfully.

"What's that?" Ginny asked, a little cautiously.

"I really wish I'd told you about my feelings sooner. So many years wasted, when we maybe could have been together."

"I know," Ginny said, smiling again. "We can't change that. But it will be nice catching up on those lost years, won't it?" she winked.

"Absolutely!" grinned Hermione. "Although, I think we caught up on at least six months of it last night."

That made Ginny laugh, as she wrapped her arms more tightly around Hermione again.

"I love you Hermione Weasley."

"I love you Ginny Weasley." Hermione then gave a little groan of disgust. "Urgh! We're soppy gits! You know that, don't you?"

"Ah, but we're incredibly sexy, horny, soppy gits!" Ginny corrected her.

"Come here, sexy." Hermione said.

She pulled Ginny in for a kiss, and with both women soon finding their chuckles turning into little moans, they set about catching up on some more lost time...

THE END

A/N: For those unaware of The Bangles the basic lyrics to "Eternal Flame" are below:

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling
Do you feel my heart beating, do you understand?
Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming?
Is this burning an eternal flame?

I believe it's meant to be, darling
I watch when you are sleeping, you belong to me
Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming
Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Say my name, sun shines through the rain
A whole life so lonely, and then you come and ease the pain
I don't want to lose this feeling

Close your eyes and give me your hand
Do you feel my heart beating, do you understand?
Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming
Or is this burning an eternal flame?