Disclaimer: JKR owns the HP world.
A/N: Okay so here it is... The second to last chapter. Of course we are going to be skipping right to the wedding... These two chapters were truly the hardest to write and I hope as it draws to an end you all enjoy the conclusion!
Happy Reading! :)
Aftermath: Chapter 21
"And this is the start of the baby room. It was Sirius' old room, but we have been transforming it. We have decided to wait until it is born to find out the sex. So for now we are just painting it bright colors and adding in some furniture." Hermione said to the group of ladies behind her. It was the eve of her wedding and the last group of guest had arrived. They were all going to be staying in the two huge white tents they set up on the north side of the beach. The men were outside setting up the tables and chairs for the wedding and reception. They were also given the job of setting up the decorations under the careful eye of Ginny and Tonks.
"Darling, this place is beautiful. You got a prime location here. Your dad loves it. He cannot wait to go for a swim." Her mum said from the group.
"Thanks mum, when I saw the pictures of this in the realtor office I fell in love. And Sirius and I have made it into a home."
"I enjoy the flowers here; you both have a beautiful garden in back." Petunia said.
"Thank you; we are using the flowers from there to dress the tables and for my bouquet." Hermione responded. "Ooh what time is it?" She asked.
"Seven thirty, 'Mione." Fleur said with a smile.
"Then we need to get to dinner. Come on ladies. Wonderful food awaits us." Hermione said. In all honesty their house seemed a little suffocating at the moment. There were around thirty people in their small home and in their yard. She couldn't wait for the wedding to be over with so she could move onto the rest of her life with Sirius. She needed the break, she needed a nap. The past month and a half was overstuffed with wedding plans, potion making, board meetings, dragon meetings, people visiting, and doctor appointments. Her tentative due date was the third of February and she was told that she was under too much stress currently and Joseph was worried about the health of her unborn child. He had her going in for weekly stress tests and just two days ago, they discovered that she had low blood sugar. Now she was talking a potion to help regulate it.
They walked out of the house and she was pleased with what she saw; lanterns hung in the sky leading up the aisle, she would walk down to get married to Sirius. There were four tables with six chairs on each side of a dividing white carpet. The table had black cloth on them with white chairs and white and red floral arrangements in the middle. The tables were set with golden place settings and white lantern bags adorned with their new family crest created a circle in front of the table and chairs that was the spot they were going to get married at and then would be the area for dancing. Fred and George already promised to be the musical entertainment.
"Excuse me everyone, but we have reservations at eight at Miadanise, they are closing down the place for our dinner so I think we should get going." Hermione said.
"I think that my beautiful bride is right. We should get going." Sirius said walking over to her and kissing her. "How does it look?" He asked.
"Beautiful, Sirius, just beautiful. You boys did a wonderful job." She responded.
"Hey, how are we supposed to get to this restaurant?" Fred asked.
"We walk, now follow us." Hand in hand they led their wedding party up the path the two of them walked a hundred times. They pointed out places in the town as they passed them. Their guests enjoyed themselves as they walked and everyone was laughing and carrying on.
"Congratulations Miss. Granger and Mr. Black on your upcoming nuptials." Rina said as they walked into Miadanise.
"Thank you Rina. You will be there tomorrow, right?" Hermione asked her.
"Rija and I wouldn't miss it. Your tables are ready in the back and the appetizers will be presented shortly." She said leading the group to the back of the room. Everyone sat down and Rija was quick to take drink orders and he and Rina filled them.
"This place is magnificent, Miss. Granger. How did you find it?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Mindy recommended it to me." She said looking at her friend somewhere in the middle of the room.
"I've been going here for years since Joe and I first moved here. We love it. And the food is so fresh and takes the taste buds on a journey." Mindy responded. Soon after Mindy finished talking appetizers were brought out. The meal lasted an hour and the food was delicious. Hermione was very pleased with how everything turned out.
As the last desert plates were cleaned and everyone got up out of their chairs, Joseph made an announcement; "excuse me everyone. After talking with our dear friends, Hermione and Sirius, we decided that their plans of forgo a bachelor and bachelorette party were ridiculous and so my wife and I decided to throw a pre wedding party at our house for everyone. We got the very famous Weird Sisters to provide some music, we have set up a quidditch pitch over the ocean, and have wizard chess and tons of desert and snack type foods for everyone to eat. There will be tons of party type games and opportunity for everyone to kick up their feet and relax before the big day tomorrow." There was a mummer of excitement with their friends and then everyone began flocking out of the restaurant. It was dark out, but that was not going to stop anyone.
Mindy and Joseph using there wands lit the way for everyone to their house, about a thirty minute walk from the restaurant. Their house was relatively large but Hermione knew their yard was bigger. "Those that want to play Quidditch please see Joseph so he can set up teams. As for everyone else, pick an area and have fun." Mindy said opening the gate. The whole area was lit magically by floating candles and lights. Hermione could see the big golden hoops for the Quidditch in the water some thirty feet off the shore. At the back of the yard was a bandstand area which was occupied by the Weird Sisters, they began playing music as soon as Mindy closed the gate. Hermione saw a buffet table filled on the left side with tons of food and a few tables for people to sit. Other stations she guessed were set up around the yard filled with things to do. Most of the Weasleys went to the line that was forming for Quidditch over by the beach. Dumbledore was already hitting the lemon drops on the snack table, and two little house-elves were taking the children over to a magical puppet show.
"Mindy, I don't know how to thank you for all of this?" Hermione said.
"We were not expecting this. We didn't want separate parties because we thought they were pointless, but a single party where we all can be together is splendid."
"You don't have to thank Joseph and I. It was our pleasure and not that hard to set up; a few waves of our wands and voilà a party that can meet everyone's needs." She responded. Hermione hugged the woman, and Mindy hugged her back. "Now go and have fun, celebrate your last night of freedom." She said and then disappeared.
"Well, love, what do you wish to do?" Sirius asked.
"I think you should go and play some Quidditch while I go and sit with Molly, my mum and Tonks. I think I might see how many people I can convince to go swimming with me.
"You sure?" He asked.
"Yes, go and enjoy yourself." She said. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, then ran off with a childlike glee.
Hermione walked over to women sitting around the tables. "Hey I wanted to go swimming and I wanted to see who would like to join me. Even at night the water is going to be warm. And we can keep a good eye on the game." Hermione said.
"I'm game. It looks like Harry and Sirius are going to be the captains of the teams." Ginny said.
"And my husband is going to be playing on Sirius' team with both Arthur and Charlie." This is going to be too good to miss. Tonks added.
"Molly, I think I would like to join them, you?" Hermione's mums said and her father agreed. Just about the time the game began Hermione and most of the ones not playing Quidditch were in the ocean swimming under the game. The game lasted over three hours, in the last half-hour of the game, around two thirty am, the game grew intense and everyone not playing were sat on blankets and towels watching the action go down. Harry and Sirius were in a dead heat for the Snitch, but neither could keep their eyes on it longer than a few seconds because of the darkness. Everyone else on brooms practically stopped playing waiting and watching for one of them to catch it.
"COME ON SIRIUS! Show Harry how it's done!" Hermione shouted! She wanted to see her husband win the game. The tense battle raged on for almost fifteen minutes before Sirius saw the snitch and dove for it. Harry followed suite and both of them nosedived towards the water. Harry pulled up at the last second, but Sirius followed the snitch into the water and when he rose from the water he had the snitch clutched in his hand.
"And with that Team Black wins with 750 points to Team Potter's 600. Great game guys." Joseph said calling it. The players dismounted and Hermione ran into Sirius' arms.
"Good job, love. How did that feel?" She asked him giving him a victory kiss.
"It made me feel alive." He responded. "What time is it?"
"After three in the morning, Mr. Black." Professor Dumbledore said.
"Crap. I think that we all should head back to the house it is going to take an hour to get there!" Hermione sighed.
"Not if we flew." Sirius suggested.
"I like that idea." Harry added.
"Then borrow the brooms and we will get them tomorrow. I have more in the shed." Joseph said. Everyone paired up and mounted the brooms and took off.
"Ooh my gosh! This is WONDERFUL!" Petunia squealed as she flew high in the sky with Fred.
"Mum this is amazing! I want a broom!" Dudley yelled in agreement.
"How are you doing dad?" Hermione yelled as he flew on a broom with Arthur.
"This is magnificent, Hermione. You are lucky to be a witch. Flying on a broom is wonderful. What about you dear?" He asked his wife flying next to him with Molly.
"I don't like it." She said.
"Yeah neither do I, mum." Hermione agreed. "How much longer, Sirius?"
"How much longer, Hermione?" He responded. "You see our house is right there." He said pointing. Twenty some brooms dismounted in the area next to the wedding decorations. Hermione was the first off trying to catch her bearings. Sirius held onto her, worried she might fall.
"You alright?" He asked her.
"Yes of course." She responded. Their guest dismounted and placed the booms on the left side of Hermione and Sirius' home. Quickly everyone said goodnight to each other and departed to their rooms in the tents. Only Hermione and Sirius were left under the stars.
"Are you sure you want to spend the night apart?" He asked her.
"Yes, Sirius. As much as I don't want to, it is tradition. The next time I want you to see me is when I am walking to you in my dress so we can get married." She said kissing him. He kissed her back hard and deep causing her to moan. She wrapped herself into him and all she could think of was their upcoming wedding night. She was the one the broke the kiss.
"Now you go and get some sleep. I am exhausted and I need some rest so I can be a beautiful, blushing bride." Hermione smiled.
"I love you Miss. Granger. Goodnight." He said.
"I love you too Mr. Black. See you tomorrow afternoon for the wedding." She watched as he walked over to one of the tents and went inside. They were set up like hotel rooms with enough space for those that had families and there was even a working plumbing.
Hermione walked into her home and sighed. She wanted to take a long bath. So she did just that. Her dress was hanging in the bathroom and the vanity was filled with what she needed to get ready with in the morning. She drew herself a hot bath and climbed into it. She brought with her a book and settled back to read. She was about two chapters in when there was a knock on her door.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"It's your mum, dear."
"Ooh come in, mum." Hermione said pushing the book to the side.
"I didn't want to bother you, but I thought that you might still be awake and in the mood for some conversation." She said.
"I always have time to talk to you mum. Please come in and sit down. The chair on the vanity is comfortable." She responded. Her mum did as Hermione suggested and Hermione looked at her. "It looks like something is bothering you, mum. Is something wrong?" Hermione asked worried that her mum might have a problem with the wedding.
"No. Tonight I was just thinking about how proud I am of you. And I was worried that I didn't say that enough to you. After you got accepted into Hogwarts and we found out you were a witch, your father and I were a bit scared. You were our baby girl and were leaving us. You came back with all sorts of adventures, and your father and I began feeling like we were keeping you from the world you belonged in. And at the same time we wanted to take you away from that world. We had mixed feelings about it. It felt like you betrayed us for a magical world that could offer you so much more.
"But tonight I realized how much you sacrificed over the years facing that man, Botvermort."
"It's Voldemort, mum." Hermione said with a smile.
"Well, I just realized that your father and I were wrong ever thinking we should keep you from this world. You are happy here and have great friends. You have done a lot with your life since you were a little eleven year old girl. And I am very proud of you. I just wanted to let you know that." Her mum said.
"Mum, I always thought that you and dad were never interested in my new life and world. I never realized that you might've thought I betrayed you. I love the life of a witch, but at the same time I struggled with too many adult things too soon in that world. There are things that I would've changed and then again there are things I never would give up no matter what." She tried explaining. "I am sorry you felt that I betrayed you and dad and my upbringing. I never wanted that."
"Don't apologize, dear. I understand now. And I want you to know how proud I am of you and your new life. You are a beautiful grown woman, Hermione, and tomorrow you will be a wife and soon a mother. We are proud of you. And your father and I wanted you to have these." She handed her a black velvet box. Hermione opened the lid and saw a silver chain with an onyx stone on it and a set of matching teardrop onyx earrings. "We thought you could wear them tomorrow and always just to remember how much your father and I love you. And it is the something new following tradition." Her mum said.
"Ooh mum, I love them. Thank you so much." Hermione said. She handed the box to her mum who sat it on the vanity.
"Now I am going back to your father. Get some sleep. You need it. Love you, Hermione." Her mum said.
"I love you too, mum." Hermione watched as her mother left and then she got out of the bath and put on something to wear for bed. She sleepily walked to her bed and crawled into it. She was asleep before she knew it.