Ron and Hermione travelled up to Hogwarts the day before the wedding with the immediate family. This gave her parents their first experience of the Floo Network. Arthur and Molly had gone first, to be ready to help them. They stepped out of the fireplace in the Headmistresses study somewhat shaken. Everyone else followed closely behind. Harry and Ginny brought Teddy with them, as well as James of course. Teddy was to be a flower child with Victoire.

Professor McGonagall was greeting each new arrival, saying 'Oh, you've grown up so much!'

She had opened up Gryffindor Tower for them to stay in; each family had a dorm. Ron would have his old dorm to himself, and Hermione would have hers. 'I hope that is suitable?' McGonagall asked. Were her eyes twinkling? Ron and Hermione decided that, for this last time, it was. The parents would have rooms in the girl's tower, everyone else in the boy's tower.

'But dad and Mr. Granger won't be able to up the stairs' said Bill.

'Oh, the charm only affects pupils Bill' said McGonagall. Then she smiled at Arthur. 'Although I seem to remember it didn't stop you. Three times you got up there, wasn't it?' McGonagall had been a young teacher at the time.

He grinned back at her. 'Three times I was caught, Minerva.'

All the children gasped as what he had said sunk in. 'Mum!'

'Oh, don't look at me like that. Nothing immoral was going on. Dad used to pop up for a chat. That's all.' She was blushing, though, and not looking them in the eye.

'But how, dad?' Charlie asked. 'How did you manage it?'

'Broomstick' replied Arthur proudly 'didn't have to touch the stairs, you see?' He looked at his sons. 'You mean none of you worked that out? Oh, I feel almost disappointed in you.'

Hermione spent most of the afternoon walking around the school with her parents in the gorgeous summer sun. Finally they were seeing the place that had been such a major influence on her life, but they had only heard about. She showed them the Astronomy Tower where she got in to trouble with Harry, and even the toilets the troll had attacked her in. Her parents were amazed by the portraits, many of whom called out a greeting to Hermione as she passed. They met Nearly Headless Nick, who made a low bow and said what an honour it was.

'No Peeves?' Hermione asked.

'The Bloody Baron has threatened him with dire consequences' said Nick. 'He will be allowed to watch tomorrow from an upper gallery. Under close supervision, naturally.'

They went outside to see the Whomping Willow that Ron had crashed the car in to and walked down to the lake she had been rescued from during the Tri-Wizard tournament, and saw the Giant Squid. Her parents were suitably impressed by it all. Coming back from the lake, she showed them the Forbidden Forest, and they called in on Hagrid. Hermione warned them not to eat anything.

He was thrilled to see Hermione, and gave her a massive hug, saying 'I remember the firs' time I saw yer, and now yer getting' married ter Ron. I knew you was made for each other.' Jane Granger was a little bit scared of him. 'Come with me, I got somethin' ter show yer all.'

They walked behind his hut, and there he had a unicorn that had injured itself. Hagrid was nursing it back to health. The Grangers couldn't believe their eyes. Then there was a rustling in the bushes behind them and Bane stepped out.

'Hermione, I had heard you were in Hogwarts, and I come to wish you well for the future.'

'Thank you Bane, that is very kind.' Hermione had had some dealings with him when the Ministry were trying to establish better relations with the Centaurs. It hadn't come to anything much. He shook hands with her parents, and then melted back in to the forest.

'There aren't any dragons around, are there?' asked John Granger nervously.

'No, 'fraid not' said Hagrid, completely missing the point. 'Wish there could be. I'd love a dragon at Hogwarts. Great creatures, dragons. Remember those four we had for the Tournament, Hermione? Now that were a sight to behold.'

They made their way back up to the school, passing before the Memorial in the Entrance Hall. Mr & Mrs Granger stopped to read the names.

'So many and so young' said Mrs Granger quietly. 'Frederick Weasley. Ron's brother?' Hermione nodded. 'Oh, and here. Lavender Brown. Was that…?

'Yes. She died the day after the battle. I was with her. We'd made up by then. She was my friend.' Tears ran unchecked down Hermione's face. 'She was so brave.'

'Only eighteen' said Mr Granger, putting his arm around her shoulder. 'Such a waste of a young life.'

'Not a waste, dad. Without them, and all the others, we couldn't have had today. I hate to think what the world would have been like if it wasn't for their sacrifice.'

Harry came through the Hall with Teddy. He came over to join them, putting Teddy on his shoulders. They stood in silence.

Suddenly, Teddy said 'Are those the people who died?' 'Yes, Ted' 'Are my mummy and daddy on there?'

Harry took him closer and pointed out the names, next to each other.

'Do you think they were scared?' Teddy wasn't crying, but very still. Harry brought him in to a hug.

'No, Teddy. They weren't scared. They were brave, just like you will be brave.'

Then, as children do, Teddy started wriggling. 'There's Victoire. Can I go and play with her?' He was too young yet to understand. Harry put him down and he rushed off.

As everyone walked away, Hermione paused and turned. 'I'm still trying to keep my promise, Lavender' she whispered.

McGonagall hosted dinner for them all in the Great Hall that evening, and the babies were allowed to stay up as late as they wanted, and eat whatever they wanted, in the belief this would help them sleep well that night. Some hope.

-o0o-

It had been arranged that Hermione, Ginny and Fleur – along with the mums and the flower children – would go to a chamber off the Entrance Hall just after lunch to start getting ready. Harry would take Ron to the room behind the teacher's table later, so there was no chance of them accidentally meeting beforehand.

Just after 2 PM, Hermione could hear people arriving, and kept wanting to go and peep through the door.

'Sit steel 'ermione. I am trying to feex your 'air.' Fleur didn't like being distracted.

Ron and Harry were in their room, playing Wizard Chess. Or trying to. Ron kept forgetting which colour his pieces were.

By 2:40 Hermione was in a fine old state. She kept walking around the room saying 'Oh no! Oh no!' Once she even turned to her mum and said 'What if he runs away?'

Fleur was starting to say 'Pah!' a lot. 'Keep your 'ands by your side! Don't touch your 'air, it weel all come down. Sit down and stay steel. Girlz!'

'Harry, what if she doesn't turn up? What if she leaves me standing there?'

At 2:50, there was a knock on the door, and her father came in resplendent in a pale grey tail coat. He looked at her, and felt a lump in his throat.

'I am so, so proud of you' was all he could manage.

She hugged him fiercely. 'Thank you for being my dad.'

The mums and Fleur left to take their places. 'Don't touch zat 'air, 'ermione, I'm warning you.'

At 2:55, Ron and Harry were called out. 'Ron, please let go of my hand. Hermione might get jealous.'

-o0o-

At precisely 3 o'clock the doors opened as the Triumphal March from "Aida" swelled and Hermione entered the room on her father's arm. There was a collective "Aaah" from the entire ensemble, and the women immediately dipped in to their handbags for a handkerchief. Most men felt their eyes mist over as well. She was a vision of beauty the like of which they had rarely seen.

Hermione wore only the barest minimum make-up, and her jewellery was a simple matching earring and necklace set of tear drop pearls given to her by her parents that morning.

Her dress was a stunning yet simple design of strapless, sleeveless ivory silk. Her bouquet was a posy of roses that matched the colour of her dress perfectly.

Although she had determined to be so cool and elegant on this day of all days, when she saw Ron standing at the head of the aisle with Harry, she immediately began to beam, lighting the whole room with her smile.

Molly Weasley, she noticed, was already sobbing in to Arthur's shoulder.

Ron stared, feasting on the sight of his bride, wanting to hold this moment in his mind forever.

'Oh, Merlin, how ever have I deserved this?'

Harry leant in to him. 'If you ever harm one hair on her head, I will hunt you down and kill you' he whispered.

The party completed their walk, Ginny Potter demurely behind as Matron of Honour. As Mr. Granger handed Hermione to Ron, Harry moved to stand beside his wife, and they linked little fingers. The flower children came and stood besides them, smiling at each other with relief that their job was over.

The music stopped, and an expectant hush fell over the congregation, broken only by the now matching sniffles that came from the two mothers.

'Dearly beloved, these two souls have come here today, before this congregation and those who watch from afar, (Ron had asked for that to be added) to pledge their life to each other. They ask you, as family and friends, to witness their pledge.

Ronald Bilius Weasley, will you take Hermione Jane Granger to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?'

'I will'

'Hermione Jane Granger, will you take Ronald Bilius Weasley to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

'I will.'

The rings were exchanged, and they said to each other 'I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage.'

Then, still facing each other they joined hands and, staring deeply in to each others eyes, spoke the words they had chosen for their personal vows.

Ron spoke first

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

Hermione responded

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

Then they spoke a line each of the final verse

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.

Harry stole a glance at Ginny, and saw the tears running unchecked down her face. He gave up the unequal struggle, and allowed his to join hers. Mrs Weasley and Mrs Granger were both being hugged by their respective husbands, who were also crying like babies.

The new Mr and Mrs Weasley turned to face their guests with smiles as wide as an ocean.

-o0o-

It was such a perfect summer's day that the reception was held outside. Ron and Hermione strolled on the lawn in front of the castle, mingling with their guests and watching the children playing. She noticed Ron looking at them wistfully.

Neville, now Professor Longbottom, came up to greet them and wish them all the best. They thanked him for the floral decorations he had provided in the Hall. Many of their friends were there; Parvati and Dean and Seamus and Luna. They noticed Parvati and Seamus holding hands, and smirked.

Later they went in to change in to their going away outfits. A friend of Charlie's had lent them his lodge in the Romanian mountains for their honeymoon.

Their parents came over to hug them, and so did their old Headmistress.

'Thank you for everything, Professor' said Hermione. 'You've been so very kind to us.'

'It's been a pleasure, Mrs. Weasley,' McGonagall smiled at her 'though I think you will always be Miss Granger to me. A teacher's privilege, you know. This is the best part of my job, seeing my children growing up and making their way in the world.'

Hermione hugged her, and Ron shook hands. Everybody cheered and clapped as they stepped up to the portkey.

-o0o-

They were sat on the veranda, looking out over the mountains illuminated by the moon in a cloudless sky.

'Ron?'

'Yes, love.'

'You know you said you wanted a family? Do you still?

'Yes, I do. I want babies with you. But only if you want them as well.'

'Of course I do. When?'

'I think I'd like them as soon as possible, whilst we're still young.'

They sat in silence for a while, simply enjoying each other's company. She stood and took his hand, pulling him out of his chair and kissing him.

'I suppose I won't need to do the charm tonight, then?'

They went indoors.

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Authors Note:

The poem quoted above is "The life that I have" by Leo Marks (1920 – 2001).