Chapter 2: Caught at the Altar

Two weeks later, a very special day dawned at the Burrow. It was the day that Harry's two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, would be getting married. The media was in frenzy, desperate to capture the story of two of The Golden Trio saying their vows.

Harry stood with Ron in the room they had shared throughout many summers in their childhood. After both checked each other to make sure they looked presentable, the Best Man decided to go check on his best friend's bride.

"Just so we're clear, Ron, I'm going to lock you in here until it's time, in case you try and get a peek prematurely," Harry laughed and did so. He then went downstairs to Ginny's room, where the bride was being prepped. He knocked on the door, and the chatter behind the door ceased. "Who ees eet?" called a familiar French voice.

"It's the pizza man. Who the Merlin do you think it is?" Harry joked.

"Oh, open the door, Fleur, it's just Harry," Harry heard his wife say. The door opened, and Fleur ushered Harry inside. Hermione, clad in white, was just checking herself in the mirror. She spun around and smiled when she saw Harry.

Harry grinned and crossed to her, giving her a hug. "You look more beautiful and even smarter," he extolled.

Hermione gave a weaker smile. "It must be the bags under my eyes," she retorted.

Harry gave a Pfft! And laughed. "Ron is going to go berserk when he sees you. You needn't worry!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh? And just what were you feeling on your wedding day, Harry? Impatience?"

"To see Ginny, yes," replied Harry, turning back to look at his pregnant wife. "Nervous? No, I've been in stickier situations."

"Uh-huh," Hermione said, clearly not convinced.

Seeing that all was well, Harry returned to Ron's room. The ceremony began 15 minutes later. Ron and Harry waited at the altar. As Harry had assured his best friend, Hermione came down the aisle and she looked stunning. She joined them at the altar and the ceremony began.

For that one moment, everything was perfect. And then that moment ended when the priest said; "If there is anyone out there who objects to this man and woman being wed, let them, by God, stand up." It was meant to be a token challenge, so Harry was shocked when several men suddenly did stand up.

"We object!" said one with dark glasses on his face.

Ron looked like he was about to hex someone. "What the bloody hell do you think you're playing at, interrupting my wedding?" he roared.

"This is nothing against you or your bride, Mr. Weasley," said the glasses-clad man. "We are here for another reason."

"I can't think of a reason good enough," Harry retorted, himself annoyed that his mates' day was being tarnished.

Glasses Man remained serious. "Well, then, how about this reason, Mr. Potter? In the name of the Wizegamot of the Ministry of Magic-" and he and his three accomplices drew their wands, "-you're under arrest."

Harry's mouth fell open and he gave a nervous laugh. "That is absurd! On what grounds?'

"Involuntary manslaughter," Glasses Man said flatly. He turned to his three helpers. "Seize him". The three men launched themselves at Harry.

"No!" cried Hermione, but it was too late. The Wizegamot agents converged on Harry and pinned him to the altar. Harry tried to fight, but he was overpowered.

"I sentence you to sudden, instant and even immediate life behind bars with the possibility of parole for the murder of the family of Carlton Walker, the 63rd Minister of Magic!" Glasses Man rambled off.

Ron took out his wand to attack the Wizegamot agents.

"Ron!" Harry cried. Ron looked at his best friend, barely visible underneath the agents. Harry shook his head and looked toward Hermione. Ron followed his gaze and after a long moment of internal struggle, stowed his wand back in his robes.

"Excellent," said Glasses Man. "Guards, take Mr. Potter to the side so he can watch the ceremony. We'll leave when it's over." He waved a hand to the priest. "You may continue your sermon, Father."

The ceremony went on without any further interruptions. The holy man pronounced Ron and Hermione husband and wife. They kissed and everyone burst into applause. The guards even relaxed a little.

And that was when Harry seized his chance.

He mentally conjured a Stunning Spell that stunned his captors. He seized his wand from one of them, blasted Glasses Man with a curse and ran. The wedding dissolved into chaos behind him as Harry ran for the woods beside the Burrow. He could hear voices behind him, calling his name but he did not stop until he was deep within the trees.

He sat down on a branch to rest. Moments later, Ron, Hermione and Ginny found him.

"Mate, what are you doing? Get out of here, go!" Ron cried.

Harry shook his head. "I'm not trying to escape, Ron, I just needed a chance to talk to you before they take me away."

Hermione and Ginny were both crying.

Harry turned to Ron. "She's you life now," he said, gesturing to Hermione. "Take care of her, okay? Don't worry about me." He brought his two friends together and joined their hands. "You two deserve this after everything I've put you through. Remember that." He shook Ron's hand, and kissed Hermione's forehead. Last of all was Ginny. "Take care of our baby when he's born," Harry told his wife. "I always had happiness, but I never saw it at all-"

Ginny rushed into his arms.

"Till there was you," Harry finished sadly.

Behind them, shouts could be heard, coming closer and closer. Harry didn't look and didn't care.

"There he is, men! Grab him, grab him," cried Glasses Man. Harry was pulled away from Ginny. Harry's gaze never left hers, his face void of all emotion as his arms were pulled behind his back and wrists handcuffed together. Once they had their man, the Wizegamot agents led him away, chanting "WE GOT POTTER! WE GOT POTTER! WE GOT POTTER!"

Ron, Hermione and Ginny watched them go. Hermione turned to Ron.

"Hold me," she pleaded, and she melted into his arms; Ron kissing away her tears.