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(Ash knight, no actually I have something else in mind! Cheers.)
2 -Weddings and friends
Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley's wedding was to take place on a sunny afternoon in August, at the little chapel near the Burrow, where Percy's funeral had been all those years ago. Harry arrived early for his duties as Best Man, he was greeted by Neville's adoring Parents. Harry had finally been the one to break through the barriers of their minds and lead them back to reality. It had been a long and painful process for Alice and Frank Longbottom after surviving for seventeen years trapped in their own minds.
Frank shook his hand and Alice pulled him in for an embrace. Then Frank suggested, "Maybe you should go check on Neville, he's a nervous wreck."
Harry grinned and took his leave of them, passing into the small building. He paused for a moment; it was completely transformed, on every available surface stood fragrant pink roses. The aisles were decorated with pink bows with a long plush green carpet, leading the way to a small platform.
Sitting on the edge of the platform was Neville. His head bowed in his hands and his deep red robes spilling out around him.
"Hey," Harry called cheerfully, "How are you doing there?"
"Harry," Neville looked up at him, "God, is it nearly time? The waiting is killing me."
"You've not changed your mind have you?"
"What? Are you mad?" Neville looked shocked buy the suggestion.
"Then why the nerves?" Harry replied.
"I'm just worried that maybe Ginny will come to her senses and remember what a useless idiot I can be."
"Neville, don't be stupid," Harry laughed, "You haven't been a useless idiot since you stopped taking Snape's potions lessons. Besides Ginny loves you, warts and all."
"Well, cheers mate," Neville joined in the laughter, "I can always trust you to blurt it out tactlessly, can't I?"
"Now get up and come and welcome the guests," Harry offered his friend his hand, and pulled him gently to his feet.
The two tall dark haired men made their way to the entrance of the chapel. Alice moved in to start fussing over Neville's robes and Neville rolled his eyes at Harry.
"Mum, their fine, thanks," Neville said.
"Sorry, it's just my baby's getting married," Alice brushed an imaginary fleck of dust from Neville's shoulder.
"Mum, I am twenty-five years old," Neville ground out, "I'm hardly a baby anymore."
"Well technically your only eight to me," Alice smiled, "I missed a great chunk in the middle." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Frank sensed the change in her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Now love, don't start getting upset. The past is done and you can baby our future grandchildren." To Neville, he added, "I'm proud of you son."
Neville looked as though he just might join his tearful mother for a moment, and Harry stepped in to lighten the atmosphere.
"You know, I think I've decided on a wedding speech," He grinned at Neville, "I was thinking of telling them about the time we were brewing Perbona potion in second year, remember?"
"Oh my God, I thought Snape was going to kill me for sure," Neville groaned at the memory, then turned to his parents and explained. "My caldron melted, for about the tenth time and the potion spilled out on Snape, his robes turned bright pink because I had put too much nettle-reed in."
"It is one of my fondest Potions memories," Harry laughed.
As they stood reminiscing with Neville's parents, the guests started to arrive. Fred and Angelina Weasley arrived with their three year old daughter, Molly. Bill and Fleur were following, shepherding their twin boys. George and a very pregnant Stacy arrived. Tonks and Remus, Mad-eye Moony, several more aurors and their partners appeared. The small chapel was filling up, Harry took Neville back inside to wait, leaving Ron, Seamus and Dean to help the rest of the guest to their seats.
Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall arrived along with Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey. Harry leaned over and whispered, "You didn't invite Snape did you?"
Neville actually looked panicked as he whipped his head around and said, "He's not here is he?"
"No," Harry laughed, "Neville, you round up dangerous criminals every day without a lick of fear and yet you still squirm at his name."
"Old habits die hard, I suppose."
Music filled the air, announcing the arrival of the bride and her father. Neville stood with his eyes riveted to his future wife, Harry couldn't blame him, Ginny looked spectacular.
Her robes were pure white, with long satin sleeves that covered her hands and a lace train that dragged along behind her. Her flaming hair was wound into a slick twist at the back of her head with several curls dangling down around her face; white roses were dotted in it. Harry smiled; the most beautiful thing about her was the expression of happiness on her face as she approached her future husband. The room might as well of been empty, as they stared into each others eyes, blissfully ignorant of their audience.
Dumbledore stepped onto the platform with them and said, "It is with the deepest honour that I ask these two wonderful people to face you all and pledge themselves to one another."
Neville dragged his eyes from Ginny and take the gold ring from Harry. Holding it high for all to see, he said in a confident voice, "Let this ring of gold symbolise my love for you, no beginning and no ending. I pledge my life to you, I would sacrifice it for you. You hold my heart in your hands; keep it safe for me, forever." He took Ginny's hand and placed the ring on her finger.
Ginny's voice echoed his words as she too placed a ring on his finger.
Dumbledore wrapped their joined hands in a silk ribbon and announced, "Let your love for one another grow with everyday, trust in one another and protect one another." He smiled at the congregation and said, "Let no one stand between them. May I present to you Mr and Mrs Neville and Ginevra Longbottom." The silk ribbon glowed and seemed to melt into their hands, and Harry knew if he looked closely they would both have tiny heart shaped marks on the back of their hands, connecting them magically forever.
The party that followed took place in a huge white marquee, set up in the field where Harry recalled playing many a good quidditch game. He, as best man, had made the first speech and true to his promise had told the guests a few embarrassing stories about the happy couple. A buffet followed and as the evening drew in, a band appeared in the corner and the dancing began.
Harry made a subtle exit, unwilling to get caught by any of the single women at the party. He stood staring up at the stars and thought about his friends. With the exception of Ron and Hermione, all his fellow Gryffindors were now happily married, most of them had children as well. Only Harry was still alone, and he cursed his fame again.
He had foolishly believed that people would forget eventually and every time he met a new woman, he hoped that things would be different. He laughed at himself, he could read their auras and knew when they were planning to use him but somehow he always got caught out. He had thought that with Angelina he had protected himself from more stories. He had met her in a public place, they had eaten a meal and then he had left her at her door. But somehow that had translated into a night of passion in the papers.
"Hey Potter," Tonks wandered out to meet him, "Come dance with your partner." Her hair was blue, to match her blue robes, and she had a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
"I don't dance," Harry replied.
"Oh don't be such a stick in the mud," Tonks started to drag him back to the dance floor. "Do I need to get you drunk again?"
Harry glared at her, but she laughed, "That's not what I was suggesting, Mr Potter. I meant to get you to dance – vertically."
Harry laughed and allowed his good tempered partner to drag him in for one dance. He was thankful that Remus showed up at his shoulder and cut in. Harry liked Tonks but he also liked feeling in his toes.
Dumbledore was sitting in the corner talking quietly to Minerva McGonagall. Harry took a seat next to them, and grimaced as Dumbledore complimented him on his dance skills.
"Well Harry, you should be next," Minerva said with a smile.
"Not likely I'm afraid." Harry tried to make light of the conversation. "Ron and Hermione should be next I think."
"Well they're so much like an old married couple as it is, I think people forget they're not married yet," Minerva smiled fondly at her favourite student and her boyfriend dancing close by. "All of my little lions are grown up, Albus," She added wistfully.
Dumbledore smiled and said, "So it would seem my dear."
Harry watched the interaction between his old teachers and found himself embarrassed to have interrupted their private conversation. He excused himself and went back outside for some fresh air.
Neville and Ginny left for their two week Honeymoon and gradually the party died out, Harry managed to escape, and went home, alone.