The Music of Love Chapter 3, a harry potter fanfic

"I love you will always sound the same"

A/N: This is a request from user Manwe Iluvatarian. I hope you like it.

Please listen to Oh Honey's "I love you will always sound the same."

Composers: Robert J. Guariglia / Danielle Bouchard / Mitchy Collins / Denis Michael Lipari.

The lyrics within this fic are all property of © Wb Music Corp., I Gotta Tell Ya Music.

Today was their anniversary. Their 30th wedding anniversary. When she woke up, Harry was not on his side of the bed. This wasn't a strange occurrence. They kept themselves busy and many times one would wake without the other. Hermione had hoped they could sleep in today, but clearly, Harry had other ideas. She stretched and sat up. Her back protested. She was reminded of her aging body. She undressed and took a shower. As she lathered her body, she frowned slightly. It was not the same as when she was in her twenties.

She had pushed out three children that she adored, but her body carried the evidence. Her stomach was no longer taut and flat. Her skin was a bit looser. Her breasts were less voluminous and not as perky as before. Hermione dried herself with a towel and put on her favorite robe. As she brushed her teeth, she noticed a note Harry left in the mirror.

"Happy Anniversary, my love,

Dress for a road trip. I had your schedule cleared. I packed you a bag.

Could you see yourself
Growing old with me
Watchin' my hair turn to grey?

Hermione sighed with a smile as she brushed her graying hair. The lines on her face were deeper now. She smiled, most of them were evidence of a happy life. The most pronounced wrinkles were her crow's feet and her smile lines. She had a frown line as well. Hermione knew that was from her three terms served as Minister for Magic. She was much happier working as an Unspeakable. There was a lot less bureaucracy and she could essentially choose her working hours. Hermione was very proud of her Harry. He could have accepted a high-paying position without earning it. But it wouldn't be fair, and he didn't one anyone saying he was given something just because he was The Man Who Conquered.

Harry had gone up the ladder progressively, starting as Auror Cadet once he graduated from the Auror Academy. Then he was promoted to Senior Auror a few years later. Two years later, he was voted Head of Aurors, and now he was appointed Head of the DMLE. He had taken a couple of years when their kids were born off full-time so she could feel more supported and go back to pursuing her career goals. He was in a good enough position financially to do this, and she was grateful to have a partner who saw her as an equal deserving of reaching her goals and dreams.

As they advanced in their careers, both had been in such public positions that their every decision was scrutinized and torn apart. They had, of course, made mistakes. Each had been in hot water for their most important calls and especially for their changes to legislation and the reform they worked on together to the criminal code to establish harsher penalties for terrorists, hate crimes, and magic supremacy. They were retiring soon, but their kids were just finding their way in life so there would probably be many storms still up ahead for their family.

Could you live with me
In my mistakes
And the ones I have yet to make?

Hermione put on her skincare, a little bit of makeup, and dressed in a pastel periwinkle sundress, a white cardigan, and silver wedge sandals. She took a summer hat just in case and grabbed a small handbag where she placed her mobile, her wallet, and Harry's favorite lipstick. She dabbed on perfume and grabbed a white scarf on her way out of the door. Harry had her breakfast under a warming charm. She ate with a small smile. He made her favorite breakfast. She brushed her teeth again and went to the living room to wait for him.

Harry came in with a dazzling smile. He looked at her from head to toe.

"Wow! Morning, wife," he pulled her up and hugged her tightly.

"Morning, husband," she nuzzled the side of his neck.

"Love, don't tempt me. I have plans that do involve that, but much later today," Harry nibbled on her ear.

"Fine... Let's get out of here, then," Hermione pushed herself away from him.

Hermione smiled. Harry had rented a big and comfortable SUV. They never used cars so when they wanted to go somewhere the muggle way, they would rent one. Harry had packed a big icebox and a picnic basket as well as a weekender bag for each of them. She didn't even have to check it. She was certain he had packed everything she would need. In all these years next to Harry, her need to control everything had gone out of the window. Between marrying her opposite and having children which were Marauders since they could walk.

As Harry drove, Hermione was searching for a good station. She finally settled on one that seemed to be playing summer music. It was happy and fun, so she left it there.

"I love your dress," Harry squeezed Hermione's hand that was on his own. He had rented an automatic car so he wouldn't need to let go of her hands and constantly be shifting gears.

"Thank you. I bought it a while ago. I thought it wouldn't fit me anymore," Hermione shrugged.

"You look amazing. You always do"

"Love, you don't have to lay it on thick. We are already married," Hermione chuckled.

"When I saw you, I felt like I was on the Yule Ball all over again," Harry pulled her hand to him and kissed it.

"Your glasses need replacing, Harry."

"You may need a hearing aid, Hermione," he quipped back.

"Why?"

"I have been telling you for decades that you are the most beautiful woman to me, and you are still not hearing me," Harry frowned slightly. "I know you have been feeling unhappy about the way you look but... I don't know why. I don't look the way I did when we got married either."

Hermione chuckled, "It is not the same for men. When you age you are seen as silver foxes. Your gray hair makes you distinguished. Your wrinkles make you wise... For women... we become a grandma. Our gray hair is a sign that we have let ourselves go. Our wrinkles diminish interest. They don't add any."

Harry took a deep breath and was silent for a couple of minutes. His wife was the strongest, most inspiring person he knew, but her appearance had always been a pain point for her. It wasn't as prevailing since they got married, but sometimes he would catch her pulling at her skin or staring in disappointment at some feature. It broke his heart. He was no model himself. His body was aged. His hairline was starting to recede. His hair was starting to look like salt and pepper. Hermione was

"Do you know what I see when I see how you have changed?" Harry asked, staring ahead.

"What?"

"I see the many years that life blessed me with the most incredible partner and wife. I see the happy moments, the heartbreak, the difficulties, the success. I see you having a severe tear on your first delivery and even then, getting up to nurse the baby because I had torn half my arm ligaments in that mission. I see you in labor for over 24 hours pushing the twins and almost losing your life with that hemorrhage. I was terrified. But you pushed through. I see the sacrifices you have made for me and for our family. I see our kids learning to love books on your lap. I see their admiration and adoration for the kick-ass woman that you are. I see the campaigns, the security scares, the good the bad, the ugly. I marvel at how I ever managed to win your heart. After everything you went through with me at Hogwarts, during the hunt, after the war, you would have been better off running away. I don't know why you chose me, but there hasn't been a day in these thirty years that I haven't thanked my lucky stars that you did. I wouldn't be half the man I am... I doubt I would even be alive. There would be no point in living if you are not beside me."

Hermione's eyes prickled with tears. "Harry..."

"I mean it. You are the love of my life. Always have been and always will be. Seeing every wrinkle appear, every gray hair, it has been a privilege. Hermione, I spent the first seventeen years of my life thinking I would die at any moment. I never thought I would get to see myself grow old but growing up with you has been an adventure that I have felt unworthy of but it feels me with gratitude to have been able to live all these years with you. You have been my anchor, my strength, my compass, my haven, my hope, my best friend, and the best mother I could have given our children."

Hermione felt tears escape her eyes. "I love you so much, Harry James."

"No, love, don't cry." Harry pulled over to the side of the road. "I have changed too. I am not the same man you married. I am no longer fit like a Quidditch player. My skin has wrinkles too. I look much older and less handsome than I did when we started dating. But every day I find you more beautiful. For everything you have done for me, for our family. I see all that you have accomplished, and I am in awe of you. You are the only Minister that ever got the job while pregnant and you were working even up until the point when our firstborn was crowning. You are so much more than the way you look. You have always been. You are your heart, your mind, your soul, your work ethic, your charitable nature, your unique friendship, those are the things that make you breathtaking... Oh, and your hugs, and your kisses," Harry squeezed Hermione's thigh. "And I can't wait to spend as many years as we have left with you."

So when our eyes have seen their better days
And our hearing starts to fade
Put your arms 'round my neck, and your heart on my chest
"I Love You" will still sound the same
"I Love You" will still sound the same

"I can't wait either. I feel so silly... I have been mourning my youth when I should have been celebrating us and all the time we have enjoyed together. You are the love of my life. Our changes have made us better," Hermione kissed Harry's hand returning his earlier. They did the rest of their drive in companionable silence. Harry stopped the car and pointed. Hermione gasped. There were three white tents on the edge of the cliff that overlooked the ocean. Under the tents, their loved ones mingled, having drinks, chatting, all dressed to the nines.

Harry went around the car to help Hermione out. She dabbed her eyes discreetly.

"Mom!" Her daughter Rosaline waved at her. "Come here!"

Hey, yea, ey-ey, yea, ey-ey
Hey, yea, ey-ey, yea
Hey, yea, ey-ey, yea, ey-ey
"I Love You" will still sound the same
"I Love You" will still sound the same

Her daughter pulled her away. Hermione was shocked. Harry had managed to plan a whole vow renewal ceremony without her ever finding out about any preparations. She smiled to herself thinking that he could still surprise her after all these years. Her daughter took her to Luna who was waiting for her with a beautiful dress. It was an off-shoulder, white silk gown, with a cowl neckline with a long train. Elegant silver heels complimented the look. Luna and Rosaline helped her dress and do her hair and makeup.

"Rosie, I have something for mom," her son Michael was at the entrance of the small tent. He stepped in. "Mom, you look incredible," he kissed her hands and placed a box on them. Hermione caressed his cheek and thanked him. He left with a smile. She was so proud of her children. Both were working toward getting their second masteries. They were in loving relationships with amazing people and their lives had been the opposite of the stress and fear she and her husband experienced growing up. They had fought hard to keep their private lives out of the paper. Their children were raised in the countryside in a property within a non-magical neighborhood. They attended primary school and did sports and arts with their peers. Harry and Hermione had succeeded in raising their kids how they wanted, away from the limelight and having them do things on their own time and merit.

I can see our dreams
Inside of a child
Long after ours fade away

Over the box, a note in her husband's handwriting read 'Your something new.' She opened the box and almost dropped it. Inside was a set of pearls. It was a three-strand choker, pearl studs, and a stunning pearl bracelet. Each pearl was like looking into her husband's eyes. They were the exact same shade of green. It must have cost a fortune. She caressed the necklace and asked her daughter to put it on her.

"You look divine, Hermione," Luna hugged her.

"Thank you, Luna. Now let's get me remarried to my amazing husband. I want to go on our honeymoon trip again," Hermione squeezed her daughter.

"Ew, mom!"

"You should be glad your parents are still crazy about each other, Rosie. Some of us were not so lucky," Luna sighed. Her marriage to Ronald had been a disaster. His alcoholism and inability to keep a job made her file for divorce after five years. Ronald was now out of their friend group. Luna had put up with too much. When Harry found her with a black eye, he had immediately moved her to their family home, and he had locked himself up with Ron for three hours. No one knew what had been discussed or how, but Harry came out looking disheveled, but not hurt, and with a signed divorce agreement. Ronald was left behind bruised and emotionally destroyed as he had to face that his marriage was over and that Luna deserved much better than him. She put up a restraining order against him the next day. The marriage had been so painful to Luna that she decided to stay single for good. She had lost all trust in kind men.

"Auntie Lu," Rosie said. "I hear uncle Nev sent you flowers."

"Oh, hush you. We are just friends," Luna blushed.

"Not for his lack of trying," Hermione quipped. She walked into the ceremony area holding the arms of her daughter and her best friend. Fleur Weasley hugged her and handed her a bouquet of lilies and white roses. Hermione smiled with gratitude. "Merci, mon ami." Fleur smiled brightly and stepped aside.

Harry had to dab his eyes with a handkerchief his son handed him when he saw his wife walk down the aisle again. How on Earth did I get so lucky?

Hermione reached him and he offered her his hands like he did all those years ago and every day since.

The minister cleared his throat as they lost themselves in each other's eyes and presence as they often did, "We are gathered here today on a momentous occasion, Lord Harry James Potter and Lady Hermione Potter are here to renew their marriage vows. This is a day to remember that wedding promises are for life."

When our rings start to rust
And our skin starts to age
Remember the promise we made

Harry and Hermione were oblivious to everything the minister said. They were far away reliving their first ceremony and many important moments in their lives. They smiled and brought each other to tears without words, as was many times the way in their relationship. They knew the other so well and so deeply that a shared look would tell them all they needed to know. They shared a past, a student life, a work life, a family life, a grimoire... and a secret.

"Harry and Hermione have rings as the outward symbols of your ongoing commitment to each other," the minister stated, breaking their trance.

"We do?!" Hermione whispered.

Harry smiled and nodded. "Of course, my love."

"From earliest times, the wedding ring has been a symbol of wedded love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending. Harry, hold Hermione's hand, touch her ring, symbolically giving it to her again, and say to her these words. From this day on, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my pledge," Hermione's mouth rounded. It made perfect sense that they would keep wearing the same, goblin-forged rings.

Harry stared deep into her eyes and said, "From this day on, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my pledge. However, I also have this for you," Harry placed another ring on her finger." This ring was a simple double band, each had fifteen diamonds incrusted all around, "30 diamonds, one for every year you have gifted me."

Bills pile up
And time tests our love
We'll stay forever in love

Hermione's smile was watery. She still remembered when they didn't own a house and making ends meet was a struggle. They had been given their titles for their roles in the war, but most of the prize money for their Orders of Merlin went to repay Gringotts for the damages they had caused. Harry's small inheritance had grown very little and after he insisted, he paid for both his Auror training and her first mastery, they rented for a few years before they could even consider investing.

Children were expensive, and theirs were three years apart in age which made the expenses considerably more as Harry decided to stay at home since Hermione was making more money at the time. Living on one income with three children was no walk in the park. After the significant struggle and extra hard work for the first ten years of their marriage, things began to look up. Hermione was promoted a third time, and when she became Minister for Magic, she received a significant increase in her salary, and with their kids in primary school, they had more time for working longer hours. Now that their lives were slowing down, they were finally able to enjoy their, now decidedly better, financial situation. Hopefully, they would have many more decades to enjoy.

We'll stick to our guns
Our grip won't loosen up
We say forever ain't enough

The minister carried on, "Hermione, hold Harry's hand, touch his ring, symbolically giving it to him again, and say to him these words. From this day on, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my pledge."

Hermione pulled her husband's hand toward her and kissed his ring, "From this day on, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my pledge. Let these rings serve as the symbol of your continued love and commitment to each other and may they also serve as a sign of your continued happiness and joy. You have made me happier than I ever thought it was possible, Harry."

"I love you, Hermione Jean Potter," Harry kissed her forehead.

"I love you, Harry James Potter," Hermione hugged him.

"You may kiss your spouse," the minister smiled.

Thunderous applause exploded as they shared a soft but passionate kiss. Their kids celebrated the loudest as did their closest friends. They shared a wonderful lunch. They laughed and danced and took pictures, but soon enough, a car was there to pick them up. Harry had another surprise. They were going to Hawaii. As they got in the plane, Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder. He had bought them first-class tickets. Hermione had traveled a lot with her parents growing up, but she had never flown first class. The resort was beautiful. When they woke up the next day, Hermione realized that she had never had any reason to fear. No matter what life threw at them, they had each other and no matter how their bodies changed, their hearts would stay true and their love for one another would be untouched by time or decay.

The Potters celebrated many more anniversaries, the marriages of their children, becoming grandparents, retirement, and getting even older. Then came their grandchildren's weddings and then holding their great-grandchildren. Their love kept maturing. It kept them strong and hopeful for the future. Harry and Hermione lived to the ripe old age of 177 and 178 respectively, in their bed, holding each other. Their family felt joyful that they had passed together. Otherwise, they would have died of sadness and loneliness. They were cremated and their ashes were spread in the Black Lake. Half of their fortunes went to their family and the rest went to charity. Their lives marked generations of witches and wizards for the better. No one had ever seen a memorial with so many attendees. All the flowers around Potter Manor were lilies.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I wanted to write something short for a change. :D -Lux-