CHAPTER FIFTY

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December 25th PT3

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They didn't make up any soppy, overdone vows and nothing other than the most basic of I do's were said, but because of the way it had happened and the sheer shock of the days events, Charlie found himself overwhelmed by the romance of it. He cried at multiple points during the actual ceremony, as had Hermione and every other woman who witnessed it. It didn't matter how utterly bizarre the morning had been, or how annoyed he had become that day. Hell, it didn't even matter that it was Christmas. All that mattered to him was that Hermione, his Hermione, was now his wife. He didnt find his voice until the guests were seated at magically conjured tables, when he tapped on his glass and stood up.

"I don't know what any of you were expecting when you woke up this morning, maybe some presents and a lot of food, like I did. I definitely didn't expect to get married, that's for sure," he snorted and all of the guests nodded, laughing, "I don't think I could have imagined a better gift, though, than a lifetime with Hermione."

"Charlie…" she whimpered from beside him, looking up at him with tear filled eyes and he smiled softly down at her, shaking his head.

"This woman is the single strongest, most incredible woman and mother I have ever known. She brought Arty up alone for five years, never once complaining or bemoaning her life and not just that, she allowed me back in after thinking I'd chosen not to be here," he said, sighing as he took Remus from Ginny, "I knew from the moment I met Hermione that she was special, but I never in a million years thought she would honour me with not just herself, but two amazing little boys, a home, a life that I love and a place where everything just fits. My wife-"

"That sounds so odd." George muttered and Charlie nodded, snorting.

"Tell me about it," he grinned, holding Remus in one arm and offering his other to Hermione, who took it and stood up, pulling Arty with her to stand as a family, "My wife, my sons, my home and my family. I am truly a blessed man. I love you, Hermione."

"I love you too." She mouthed as the guests clapped and cheered.

It wasn't until some time later, when the sun was starting to set and Lee had arrived with a shrunken DJ booth, that Charlie and Hermione managed to have their first private conversation as husband and wife. At least, it was somewhat private unless their guests could lip read, as their talk was during their first dance.

"I can't believe you pulled this off." he smiled, his hands on her hips as hers were wrapped around his neck and Hermione, smirking, shrugged her shoulders.

"You built our home, Charlie," she chuckled, nodding at the house, "I figured that this would be an equally big surprise."

"It worked!" He grinned, turning her around and holding her back to his chest, whispering in her ear, "I honestly thought I might be going crazy when they all showed up here."

"That was the plan," she grinned, closing her eyes as he kissed her neck, "Harry and Ginny need some best acting awards or something, they were amazing."

"If I don't kill them first," he laughed, turning her around to face him, "I love you, do you know that?"

"I love you too, Husband," she grinned, brushing his hair from his face, "nice speech, by the way."

"You liked that, huh?" He grinned, running his hands up and down her sides, "I meant every word."

The song ended and the guests began to spill out to join them, the couple soon finding themselves separated to dance with other people. Charlie danced with his very tearful and proud mum, his smug and amused sister plus all of the other female guests and, for a very bizarre dance, George. Hermione was whirled around the dance floor by almost everyone there, including Arty who was beside himself with happiness and excitement at now being what he called a 'proper family'. The dance that made her more emotional than any other, though, was with her now father-in-law.

"You've always been a daughter to Molly and I, Hermione, but I can't tell you how proud I am to now have you as a true Weasley," he said as Hermione sniffled and laid her head on his shoulder, "I know how tough it's been for you, with Arty and not having your own parents around, but you are truly an incredible young woman and Molly and I both love you very much."

"I love you too, Arthur," she sniffed, chuckling as she wiped her eyes, "you've always been my dad in the wizarding world, you know that."

"I know," he nodded, grinning as he gestured to Charlie as he danced, for a second time, with Molly, "you've made him into a better man. You've brought him home and I can't thank you enough for that."

"You don't have to," she shrugged, smiling as the music stopped and Charlie turned to look at her, frowning as she saw her watering eyes and coming toward them as she turned back to Arthur, "having him here with me is all I need."

"Upsetting my wife, dad?" He grinned and Arthur, putting his arm around his son, chuckled.

"I am so proud of you, son," he grinned and Charlie sighed, clearly emotional as he pulled his dad in for a hug, "take care of each other."

"Of course," Hermione shrugged as Charlie pulled away from his dad and moved to put his arm around her, but she stopped him with a kiss on the cheek, "stay here, I have to talk to Lavender."

He nodded and Hermione, glad she had not chosen to wear heels that were too high, ran off toward Ron and Lavender who were sitting next to one another and laughing happily. She hasn't seen the blonde since they had met in Diagon Alley and hadn't had a chance to discuss her with Ron, either, so she was so glad to see them together. As she reached them, Lavender jumped up and pulled Hermione into a tight hug, both women grinning happily as Ron stood up.

"Lavender told me that you met up with her," he said and she winced as she pulled away from the other woman, but Ron snorted, draping his arm around Lavender's shoulders, "I'm not mad, Hermione. Hell, thanks to you I've got the woman I love AND George has learned a valuable lesson."

"I hope he has." Hermione sighed, looking over to where he was chasing Arty around the buffet table.

"Oh he has," Lavender snorted, leaning toward her and whispering in her ear, "shrinking solution works… Down there. Ask him."

"Oh god!" Hermione yelled, covering her mouth as she bent double, laughing, "that's amazing. Seriously, impressively devious."

"You should have seen him," Ron grinned, laughing, "he went to Mungo's and everything."

"Those poor healers," Hermione snorted, seeing her husband telling off poor Harry and Ginny, who shrugged and grinned when they caught her looking their way, "I'm glad you two are good."

"Seems you have a knack for putting people where they belong." Ron shrugged, pointing to Charlie who was coming toward them, before hugging her.

Charlie whisked her away and back onto the dance floor, spinning her around as she giggled happily. As they danced, she took the time to look at all of the faces of her guests, all smiling and happy. Everything had changed and yet everything was so much better since Charlie had returned. Arty, who was now chasing Victoire under the tables, had his father and a brother. They were a family and no matter what, whatever the future threw at them, the Weasleys in all of their shapes and colours would deal with it like the massive, crazy family they were.