Before you read this chapter, I'd just like to assure everyone that the wedding night and honeymoon will remain rating-appropriate. Which means it will not be explicit, graphic, or entirely detailed. However, this is not meant for anyone under the age of 13.
June 3rd, 2000
Ginerva Molly Weasley rolled over in her tiny bed and groaned, before quickly sitting up. This was her last day as Ginerva Molly Weasley. Tomorrow was the wedding.
In proper fashion, Harry had been sent to stay with George last night and would stay there until they got married. The last time she would see him until she walked down the aisle would be tonight at the family dinner. Her dress stood in the corner of her room. The skirt wasn't too wide and it didn't have a train, but it was still feminine with something the saleslady called "applique detail" at her hip and chest. Surprisingly, it was strapless.
The other dresses were also in the corner, while the suits were at Shell Cottage, where the men (and Teddy) would be getting ready. Harry had decided there was no way he was wearing dress robes.
Mrs. Weasley's dress was dark blue. Angelina, Luna, and Fleur were all bridesmaids. Angelina and Luna's dresses were light blue simple strapless dresses. Fleur had a so-called "maternity dress" in the same colour with straps. Hermione's maid of honour dress was also light blue and strapless but had more detail.
Ginny went downstairs and hugged her mother. Molly patted her back knowingly before sitting down at the table with her.
"I assume now is the best time for your pre-wedding talk, seeing as the boys and your father are all over at Bill's making sure the tuxedos fit. You're going to be married tomorrow, but you're always going to be my little girl. No ceremony in the world will change that. You and Harry are going to go off on your honeymoon in America and then you'll be moving into your flat. But I'll always be just a Floo away. Married life can be difficult. But it's always worth it in the end. No matter how many children you have or how many missions Harry has to go on you should always be there for each other. Make sure you always leave time for yourselves," Molly said. Ginny reached over and hugged her.
'Thanks Mum," she said.
Harry paced nervously around George's flat, dressed in a nice white shirt and trousers. "Almost ready to go?" George asked, poking his head around the door way. "Hey, mate, it's all going to be fine. You and Ron will come back here after the supper and tomorrow all of us blokes will go over to Shell Cottage and Bill will sit you down and talk about marriage and family and life and...other such things...and then you and Ginny will get married."
"But what if I screw it all up?" Harry said.
"Look, mate, this is probably more down Bill's alley than mine, what with Fleur and Victorie and all, but I don't think you'll screw it up. It's sickeningly obvious that you and my little sister are madly in love and you care about her a lot. I may not know much about love, but I do know it when I see it and I've also been raised by the two most in love parents in all of England. You'll be fine. Now tuck your shirt in and get ready to see your bride for the last time before she becomes Mrs. Potter."
Harry nodded, and on impulse, hugged George before the two of them Apparated to the Burrow.
Ginny, wearing a very pretty blue dress, came running out the door to hug Harry. He kissed her before there was a cough and Percy, followed by a smiling Audrey, reminded the couple that they were in public. Laughing, the four of them went inside to greet the rest of the family.
After supper Harry kissed Ginny goodbye before he was pushed out of the Burrow by the women, who were having a girl's night. George, Ron, and Harry Apparated back to the flat to find Bill, Charlie, and Percy all standing there.
"What is this?" Harry said, before trying to run. Charlie got to him first.
"Not so fast. Your marrying our sister here so you'd better sit down and get ready for the wonderful Weasley tradition," Bill said.
"So this is where the lot of you disappeared to the night before Bill's wedding," Harry said.
"Right, so I'll go first, since I'm the oldest," Bill said, "I think we've established that you're marrying our little sister. And while we have no desire to hear what has gone on before," at this Harry blushed.
"We haven't done...well, you know," he muttered.
"Well, that's what every older brother wants to hear," George interjected.
"And we have no desire to hear what will happen," Bill said, glaring around the room, "We really are quite happy that you two are finally getting married."
"All right, now that Mr. Family Man is finished, it's my turn," Charlie said with a smirk. "It's not like I have a lot of experience with women, as it seems I'm doomed to be the family bachelor, but I have lived with my parents and I've seen what Bill has and I can say that you have the same look in your eyes all my brothers and my father have. It's that sparkle. So good luck, Harry, because Ginny will be quite the handful. But if there is any bloke who can handle that while still leaving her as her own human being, it's you."
Percy cleared his throat. "I don't have much to say, Harry, except that I know you and Ginerva are right for each other."
"My brothers are much too sentimental. I speak for myself and Fred here when I say we always knew this would happen. It was obvious from the moment Ginny put her elbow in the butter dish that you two were meant to be together. I know Fred would have loved to be here today, but it falls to me to give you both of our congratulations," George said, his voice cracking slightly when he said Fred's name.
"Well, besides being overjoyed to hear that you and Ginny have remained...appropriate in your sentiments," Ron said, "I really am quite happy that you're marrying her. There's no one better for my little sister. And as long as you keep the snogging to a minimum around me, I'm overjoyed at your 'approaching union.' You'll always be my best mate and I'll always be Ginny's older brother so you can count on me if you ever need a baby-sitter."
Harry was quiet for a moment. "I'm really glad all of you said that. And I know my parents would have loved Ginny. Sirius assured me back in my fifth year, when I was too thick to realise how much I loved her, that both of them would have been absolutely thrilled. And Remus said the same thing before he died. I promise I'll always take care of her and love her."
"Ear, ear!" George said. Everyone laughed before the three eldest Weasley brothers went back to Shell Cottage and George, Harry, and Ron all fell asleep.
The morning of June the fourth Harry nervously tried to tie his light blue bow-tie. He was miserably failing.
"Let me do that," Bill said, pointing his wand. The bow-tie tied smartly.
"Alright, boys, only an hour till showtime. Molly Floo'd to say it was alright if we came over, since Ginny and the girls are locked upstairs finish the last bits. So I suggest we go over and make sure everything is ready for the big day," Mr. Weasley said.
Harry swallowed, his mouth dry.
"I'll take Harry with Side-Along. Don't want him going missing on this important day!" Bill said brightly. He grasped Harry's upper arm and gave a significant look at his father before Harry found himself in the middle of a forest.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"In the woods near the Burrow. Thought you might need a minute to collect yourself before the festivities. How are you feeling?" Bill asked.
"Nervous," Harry replied.
"Don't worry about it. You'll feel better as soon as you see her walking down the aisle. It's all worth it. Everything. I promise," Bill said reassuringly.
Harry nodded, grateful for the reassurance. There was something about Bill that no other Weasley brother had, probably because he was married and could understand exactly what Harry was feeling.
"Ready to go?" Bill asked.
"Ready," Harry replied, and they Apparated to the Burrow.
Music played and Harry shifted nervously. Next to him stood Ron, his best man. Then came Neville, George, Bill, Charlie, and Percy. He saw several familiar faces in the crowd and a lot of red-haired Weasleys.
Victorie and Teddy came down the aisle first. Victorie was throwing flowers and Teddy carried a pillow with the ring on it, attached with a strong Sticking charm.
Next came Fleur, Luna, and Angelina in light blue bridesmaid dresses.
Then came Hermione. Harry heard Ron's intake of breath. She did look stunning in a long, light blue gown. But Harry only had eyes for Ginny as she walked down the aisle with her father. Her dress was beautiful and very Ginny-esque. It seemed like hours before Ginny reached the end and her father placed her hand in Harry's. The couple turned and walked up the steps to the presiding wizard.
Harry heard each word as he said it, but the words didn't seem to make it to his brain, until the presiding wizard announced that he could kiss his bride. Harry took both of Ginny's hands in his and kissed her, long and slow, while everyone cheered.
The reception went by rather quickly. Harry danced with Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Luna. But finally it was time to go. The Portkey to New York glowed as Harry and Ginny grasped it. Their bags were already sent ahead to the lake resort where they would be staying in North Carolina.
In a moment they found themselves in the Portkey office of the United States Ministry of Magic.
"Harry James Potter and Ginerva Molly Potter from Devon, England. Travelling to Lake Lure, North Carolina. Please prepare for your next Portkey. Your bags will be awaiting your arival. The resort is Wizarding owned and operated."
There was another jerk behind the navel and the couple found themselves in the front room of a nice house.
"Hello, you must be the Potters. You have the house just up the road. Your bags are already there. Local time is 9 PM."
The couple took their key before going to the house where they would stay. It had a kitchen, a front room, a bedroom, and a bathroom.
"Well, Mrs. Potter," Harry said as they laid on the bed together, "Since it's already 10 o'clock here even though it's 6 o'clock in England, why don't we make up for lost time."
Ginny kissed him, before beginning to undo the buttons on his shirt. Harry struggled with Ginny's blouse before simply tearing it off. They continued to kiss, both shirtless. Harry undid Ginny's bra as she began to play with the button on his trousers. After several more minutes, Harry looked at his wife for permission and she nodded.
I promised I wouldn't get too graphic! There are only about seven more chapters left. I'm excited to see how this will play out. A lot of stuff got cut from this chapter because it was just too lengthy. But rest assured everyone will be back next chapter for a few hidden surprises. The URLs for all of the dresses in the wedding can be found on my profile page. Please review and happy reading.
-Claire