A/N: Surprise! I decided this story needed an epilogue, so there are 3 chapters today instead of 2! But this is the end, my friends. I hope you've loved this story, and to everyone who has reviewed, commented, liked, and favorited, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
A/N: I went and tracked down a scanned copy of an 1800's printing of the Book of Common Prayer for this chapter. I didn't copy it verbatim, but every word in this ceremony comes directly from what you would have heard in Jane Austen's day. =)
Ginny looked in the full-length mirror Harry had given her and smiled as Healy put the final touches on her hair.
"Are you excited, Miss Weasley?"
"Yes, and a bit nervous as well," she smiled up at her lady's maid. "I've never done this before."
"It's only done once," Healy laughed.
"Ginny," Hermione stuck her head in the room, "are you ready?"
"I think I am," Ginny looked down at her new dress, another deep green color but this new dress had green ivy embroidered over it, giving a depth to the gown that Ginny adored. "Let's go and see if my betrothed meant what he said when he asked for my hand."
Hermione laughed, "He shan't leave you waiting, of that I'm sure."
Ginny stood as her mother came in and she smiled at the tears that filled her mother's eyes.
"You are so beautiful, my darling."
"I think weddings break us all," Ginny tried to blink back her own tears. "I feel as if rain clouds have taken up residence behind my eyes and have the intent of spilling out over everything today."
"That is a sentiment shared among many a bride," Mrs. Potter came into the room. "But the vicar is at the pond and everyone is in readiness, so let us bring them the bride."
Ginny took a deep breath and took her mother's arm. "I'm ready."
Mrs. Potter had a bit of fun in her suggestions for the wedding, and Ginny ended up agreeing to ride in one of the nicer carriages from the house to the willows with her parents and Hermione. It had seemed a trifle much at the time, but with the chill in the air, Ginny was grateful for the quick ride as opposed to the lengthy walk.
She looked up from the carriage as it came to a stop to see Harry waiting for her next to the vicar and she couldn't stop herself from smiling. He looked handsome, he always did, but the way he looked at her today made her lungs forget how to draw air.
The walk from the carriage to Harry and the vicar was not long, but Ginny was sure she had flown for how quickly she arrived at Harry's side. The vicar smiled at them as Harry took her hand.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."
Ginny almost laughed as Harry turned to look back at the little group of their family and friends, but no one said anything and he turned back to her and the vicar, as the vicar addressed him.
"Mr. Potter, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, for as long as ye both shall live?"
Harry smiled so wide that Ginny was certain he was trying not to laugh for the joy he felt, but he kept a level voice as he answered.
"I will."
The vicar turned to Ginny and she reluctantly looked away from Harry to listen to her reading.
"Miss Weasley, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love, honour and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, for as long as ye both shall live?"
Ginny nearly did laugh this time she was so happy but with a great deal of self-control she managed a dignified response.
"I will."
The vicar's smile led her to believe he knew how hard it was for her and Harry to maintain their dignity in all this.
"Mr. Potter, take your bride by her right hand and repeat after me."
Harry turned and shifted her hand so that he was holding her right hand in his. Ginny didn't remember the vicar speaking, she only heard Harry's words.
"I, Harry James Potter, take thee, Ginevra Molly Weasley, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and there to I plight thee my troth."
"Miss Weasley," the vicar turned to her, "release and retake Mr. Potter by the right hand and repeat after me."
Ginny felt the same feeling as she had when the vicar spoke with Harry, as though his voice had faded away and it was just her and Harry and no one else.
"I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, take thee Harry James Potter, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and there to I give thee my troth."
Harry turned to Ron and took the ring from him before taking Ginny's hand again.
"With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." He slid the ring on her hand and Ginny nearly gave into her desire to laugh from the joy that filled her at that point, but she managed to keep her composure as the vicar continued the ceremony, placing his hand over theirs.
"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Harry James Potter and Genevra Molly Weasley have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. God bless and keep you that you so may live together in this life, that in the world to come ye have everlasting life. Amen."
The vicar winked at Ginny then and turned to the congregation.
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Potter. Mr. Potter, you may kiss your bride."
Harry leant in and kissed her, a short and proper sort of kiss. Ginny didn't manage to hold her laughter any longer, and Harry pulled back to her laughing and a few happy tears escaping her eyes. Harry began laughing with her, and as Ginny turned to see their family and friends with them, the laughter spread until their whole group was laughing at the grove of willow trees.