A/N: Finally got to the wedding scene, which takes place just a few weeks later. Enjoy! I hope to get the next chapter up next Tuesday (September 1st).


Chapter Seven

Ron and I strolled up to the church.

Ron was tearing up small bits of tall grass in his hands. He had been quiet for some time and he seemed even more nervous than I was. "Nervous?" he asked.

"Me? No, no, just hoping I don't do anything embarrassing like trip over or something."

Ron and I both laughed.

"Hope you've got a good speech prepared." I said.

Ron started chewing on some of the grass and then spitting it out, he threw away the rest of the grass and rubbed his hands together.

"Well, I can't promise it will be perfect." he said in that simple, humble way he always did but I knew I could trust him.

We were very early. Ron and I were already dressed to the nines, sharp suits and bow ties, hair slicked back, our shoes shiny so it caught the reflection of the midday sun hanging over us in a cloudless sky.

I wanted to get there early before all the people came and all the distractions, the chatting and the questions. I'm sure lots of people had lots of questions. After all, it was quite odd to suddenly arrange a second wedding.

Charlotte was with Hermione, helping her to get ready. I knew it was bad luck to see her before the ceremony but I was glad when she sent me a text message to tell me that everything was fine.

It must have been quite a thrill for her, to be a bridesmaid at such a tender age. I was hoping it would be a memory to last a lifetime.

The church inside was cold and stale; the faint lingering smell of incense hanging in the air. The hollow sound of our footsteps echoed off the high arched ceiling as we walked down the aisle to the altar. The light shone through the stained glass windows giving the room a golden glow. Ron tested out the pipe organ, letting out a few long, sustained keys. I told him to stop. I didn't really want to get told off by the priest on my wedding day.

I looked back from the altar at the empty church and breathed it all in. The empty benches would soon be filled with the smiling and tearful faces of our friends and family. I saw them there as if they ghostly apparitions, sitting quietly hands in their laps waiting for me to say "I do."

And then I say it and Hermione does in kind and we I lean into her so I can smell her sweet breath and with that, our mouths connect and our tongues collide as I kiss her for the longest time.

"Harry, are you ok?" The deep voice snapped me back; back to the empty church.

Ron was standing right in front of me waving his hand like an hypnotic pendulum. "Hey Harry, you looked like you were in another world there. You're not having second thoughts are you?"

"No, no way. I really mean this. I don't want to sound all melodramatic or anything but I really think this is a chance of redemption."

"Redemption?"

"Yeah, I'm being given a second chance at life. You know a month ago I thought everything was just going downhill. All I could see was blackness, the world everything around was black. But I've realised that it was all in my head. The world is still a beautiful place full of rich and vibrant colours."

Ron nodded his head in that kind of way people do when they're not really listening. I was losing him.

"That's great, Harry."

He didn't understand.

"I saw the light again, Ron. All I needed was to carry her. I needed to hold her weight and cradle her and love her and let her know how important she is again. I needed to feel her soft skin, her long hair draping over my shoulders - her face so near. I needed to feel that again."

"So you really love her, huh?" said Ron with a boyish grin. "I told you I'm jealous. I wish there would be someone in my life like that."

I chuckled and patted him on the back. "You'll be ok, Ron. There's someone out there for everyone."

The two of us fell silent, both deep in thought. I could tell Ron wanted to say something but was having a hard time. "Not still nervous are you?" I asked.

"No, no, it's not that." he replied. "I spoke to Ginny the other day. She's not coming."

I felt a bit disappointed. I knew I had been harsh with her but I still liked her as a friend and I wanted her to come.

"Did she say why?" I asked.

"No, she wouldn't say. It seems like it's something pretty major though. We talked for ages and she just kept crying and crying, weeping like a baby."

"Best not to hassle her." I said. "Our business in London isn't as good as it used to be. She's been under a lot of stress."

"Ginny said she quit. Do you know anything about that?"

"No." I lied and hated myself for lying but what could I tell him. He surely wouldn't like it if I was having an affair with his sister. Thankfully the priest came in and spared me anymore awkwardness.

He was a large burly man with a balding head, grey on the sides with just a few tuffs still clinging on at the front. He was wearing all black with a white robe, but even if he wasn't wearing those clothes I would have thought he was a priest. He just had that aura about him.

The priest ran me through the days events. I knew the score, I had been here well before. I knew the drill, the pomp and the pageantry. My memories were rich with life's special moments, running through me like a river.

Ron wanted to check on Hermione but I told him to stay. He was my best man, my best friend, always with that friendly ear and that helping hand when I was down so many times.

When the guests started filing in, that's when the butterflies really started to hit, fluttering in my belly and I thought I was going to be sick.

The guests arrived one by one. It was so great to see everyone again. Cho Chang was there looking as lovely as ever wearing a sequinned blue dress and white heels. Neville sat hand in hand with his wife Hannah and even old Hagrid made it, taking up at least half a bench just to himself. He was looking me with a gleam and a tear in his eye, so proud.

Draco Malfoy was sitting at the back by himself with his arms folded. He seemed fed up and bored but I could tell that deep down he was happy for me. No one forced him to come to the wedding. He must have respected me really and I respected him too. He had learnt a lot since leaving the Death Eaters. The rows of benches gradually filled and soon the church was full to capacity, everyone chatting and laughing. I felt proud too although I wished Ginny had come. It was silly of her to cut me out of her life completely.

I looked over at Ron who was sitting in the front row. He didn't say anything but he gave me a wink and a thumbs up. His friendship meant so much to me - more than he would ever know. Ron then noticed Cho looking at him and smiling. He smiled back nervously. Maybe things were going to work out for him after all.

And if only my parents had been here to see this. I bowed my head and thought about them for a moment. My mother and father would have been overjoyed at me renewing my vows with Hermione. I just hoped that I wouldn't let them down. "Congratulations, Harry!" Hannah shouted. "Best of luck with everything!"

Neville tried to shush her but she wasn't listening and the everyone turned around and stared at her. Neville went bright red. I laughed and waved back to her.

Then the pipe organ boomed.

The bridal song played and everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the large door at the back of the church. And out strode the bride followed by her bridesmaid.

Dressed in the most beautiful long white wedding dress and veil, Hermione walked forward, with little Charlotte bringing up the rear holding her dress up making sure she wouldn't trip over it.

My baby darling Charlotte was such a picture in her violet dress and flower headband. I watched them both approach the altar slowly, one step at a time; she came to me. I extended my hand, my palm facing up and she placed her hand delicately in mine as we faced the altar together, Charlotte now between us, her smile so wide, it was literally a mile long.

I removed the veil. Hermione lifted her head and our eyes met and in that one moment our souls collided. No words were shared, but I could tell just from the look in her eyes exactly what she wanted to say. Our feelings passed over like telepathy, our hearts connected, woven together with our love.

"Ladies and gentleman," said the priest, his voice low and loud. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the reaffirmation of the wedding vows of Harry Potter and Hermione Potter. After years of marriage they have learned that happiness is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created."

His words were so true and I felt a little ashamed that I had never realised them until now. The priest spoke in a calm but captivating tone. I hung off his every word.

"In a good marriage," he continued. "You should never take the other for granted. It's about standing together to face the world."

I peered over at Hermione and caught her gaze. The way she batted her eyelids; she was the loveliest sight I had ever seen. She squeezed my hand. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

The priest then told us to face each other and we did as I encircled both of my hands around hers. The priest then spoke and I copied his lines, hoping I wouldn't choke.

"I, Harry Potter, promise to love and support you with each passing day. From the day that we met, I have loved you, adored you and cherished you. I will continue to love you all the days of my life."

I got out all my lines just fine. I didn't have a ring but I didn't need one either. Our love was enough. Hermione understood.

She coughed a little before beginning her vows. I think she was nervous too. She squeezed my hand tighter and I smiled letting her know that there was nothing to worry about. We were in good company with our friends and family watching on.

Hermione took a deep breath and regained her composure. The priest then recited the vows again, replacing my name with hers. She copied and read them with so much passion, so much love; not just going through the motions, but with real emotion - I could hear her gentle spirit soaring and knit with mine, her voice was so heavenly and divine. "And now," the priest continued. "You may kiss the bride as you pledge your lives together."

I leaned in just as I imagined and placed my lips on Hermione's. Charlotte was the first to clap her hands together and shout and scream. Then everyone was in raptures, the applause ringing out throughout the church.

I kissed Hermione one more time. I just wanted to freeze time and cherish this moment forever.

And then we turned to face our friends and family. Camera bulbs flashed as we walked down the aisle together. Hagrid stood up to shake my hand and almost broke it as he gripped with all his strength.

I grimaced in pain but it couldn't wipe the happiness off my face.

Hermione and I stopped to pose for photos in the centre of the aisle. At one point, I even swept Hermione off her feet, and held her in my arms as Neville and Hannah cheered wildly. Even Draco Malfoy couldn't help but applaud.

"This is how it all started." I whispered into her ear.

"This wasn't how it was started." Hermione said. "This is the way it was meant to be all along."

"Would you mind if I carried you all the way home?"

Hermione giggled. "I'd love that, Harry, but I'm a bit too heavy."

Hermione and I continued to pose for photos as I continued to hold Hermione. Charlotte wanted to be in the photos too and she ran up and hugged my leg. Ron came over and picked her up. Hagrid took a photo of the four of us in the aisle that I still have safely tucked away in my drawer. I sometimes look at from time to time but the still kills me every time.

"Mommy, you've got red on your dress." said Charlotte looking down from Ron's arms.

I looked at Hermione's dress - three small red dots, then four - blood. I looked at Hermione, her nose bleeding, her eyes glazed over.

"Hermione?" I cried.

I put her down as more blood rushed from her nose and spilled over her beautiful white dress. She started quivering and convulsing and the flashbulbs stopped and everyone hushed and rushed to her side.

The next moments were just a blur of shouting and screaming, all fading in and out, my whole world slowed and everything seemed like it was far away and under water.

"Mommy!"

"Hermione!"

"Mommy!"

I looked into her eyes now and felt nothing, no love or life, just a soulless puppet as the whites of her eyes washed over and her pupils dilated. I couldn't speak. I couldn't think. All I could hear was the shouting and screaming. Cho, Ron, Neville, Hannah, Charlotte,Hagrid, their faces blurred all melding into one.

"What's wrong?"

"Hermione!"

"We need an ambulance!"

"Will someone call a doctor!"

"Help her!"

"Is she going to be ok?"

I was shaking. And then I touched her cheek. Her skin was cold, so cold. So cold.