Chapter 8: The Rehearsal

"Oy! Think fast, Potter!"

A Quaffle came flying towards Harry and hit him hard in the stomach, winding him. Gwenog Jones of the Hollyhead Harpies laughed heartily.

"What kind of man can't even catch a Quaffle? Ginny, are you sure about this one?" she teased.

"Well, you know it was kind of manly when he defeated Voldemort and everything…" Ginny mumbled under her breath. She had had just about enough from Gwenog and she had only arrived at the Burrow a few hours ago. Seeing her team captain around her family and friends, made Ginny realize how mean spirited Gwenog actually was. Hermione, true to form, played the peacemaker. She tried in vain to smooth things over when Gwenog had snidely complimented Luna on her bright yellow robes. Ginny and Neville both glared at Gwenog as she cackled at Luna, but luckily Luna didn't seem to be bothered.

Harry forced a smile, which was more like a grimace. He wasn't really hurt by the Quaffle, but he was worried about Ginny. He didn't want anyone to ruin her happiness. She should be able to focus on celebrating their love, not on some rude guest, no matter how famous.

The rehearsal had gone well enough. The ceremony was run through quickly with the help of the tufty-haired wizard who would be officiating tomorrow. And even Ginny had to admit that Ron had done a good job of setting up. He had enchanted snitches to float around the garden and glow like Chinese lanterns, and the effect was quite romantic. There were many snacks and three kinds of punch that foamed and frothed in glittering bowels.

Hermione was sitting on a bench with Ron cradling her, looking entirely contented. Harry watched them together as the murmured softly to each other. He regarded their easy intimacy, and hoped that someday he and Ginny would have a child. It surprised him that Hermione had gotten pregnant out of wedlock. It seemed uncharacteristically relaxed compared to her usual emphasis on doing everything by the book.

No one could doubt that pregnancy suited Hermione, looking at her now. Compared to how frazzled she had been in her first trimester, she was practically transformed. As her body prepared for the birth, Hermione's hair had softened from it's bushy curls into flowing ringlets that framed her radiant face. Her skin was clear and bright. She was often seen grinning to herself these days, and had a glint of mischief in her eyes in anticipation of the day she would bring Ron's child into the world. It was a special time for both couples, for after a few weeks they would all have new roles to fill. Husband, mother, wife, father, everyone would become bonded together as family, strengthening even further the bonds that had developed between the friends all these years.