I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Note: Today is number 2. Tomorrow will be the last one. It's a heavy feeling seeing something that I've worked on for 6 months coming to an end, but what an end it is. Thank you everyone for being with me every step of the way.
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The Family that Chooses You
Chapter 143 – Wedding Bell
One year later, again.
"I can't do this, I can't do this," Katie moaned. She paced back and forth, eyes wide and slightly manic.
"Katie, calm down. This is nothing but last-minute jitters," Angelina said soothingly.
"No, it's not. I'm freaking out!" Katie grabbed Angelina's robes and shook the taller girl. "Why are there so many people here?!"
"Because people love you and Harry. Don't worry, we pared the list to only friends and family, only people who legitimately care about you two. There is a giant ward line to keep all press and others out and it's just people you know and vetted and cared about. The press has been preemptively threatened by the Blacks and a whole host of families with Andromeda, Tonks, Moody, and Sirius threatening to duel anyone trespassing. Deep breaths Katie. Deep breaths." Angelina looked askance at Alicia who was casting a charm at Katie's feet. "What are you doing?"
"Checking the temperature of her feet."
Angelina wrapped her arms around Katie to prevent her from attacking their friend. "Alicia! Not helping!" Angelina growled, trying to keep Katie in check.
"After what you two did to me at my wedding, this is barely the tip of what I'm planning!" Alicia shouted.
"Katie, calm down, I don't want to ruin your dress robes!"
"Give me back my wand! I'm going to kill Alicia!"
"No! This is why you don't have your wand until tomorrow!"
"Do…do we do something?" Daphne asked Hermione.
"Not unless you want to get involved with all that," Hermione said.
"I'm legitimately terrified by all of them at the moment, so no," Daphne said with a shudder.
"Don't look at me," Lyla said. "I'm with Hermione, I'm not messing with any of them right now. I just know if I do it'll come back at me even worse."
Luna was looking up and down at the scene, hurriedly sketching the action before her.
The four bridesmaids watched with interest as the first Maid of Honor forced the Bride and the second Maid of Honor to separate, sitting on opposite sides of the room. Angelina shook a fist at both of them. "Sit! Behave! If I have to tie you both up before the ceremony then I will!"
Daphne made a face. "Damn, Tracy really is having an effect on me. I just thought of something rather inappropriate that she would say if she were in here."
"Really? Like what?" Lyla asked with wide open eyes while Hermione sighed wearily.
"Probably something involving being tied up," Luna said placidly, "in a lewd way."
Angelina shook her head and stomped over. "Daphne, go get some wine for Alicia and something that would work as a gag if we need it. Lyla, go get something for them to eat. Something that won't smear makeup and the less crumbs the better. Hermione, you stay here and make sure they don't kill each other. I took both their wands so don't worry. Keep drawing Luna, we need to memorialize this."
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"To see if I can get some help calming Katie down. Be right back." Angelina left the room they claimed for the Bride and her party to relax in and get ready, closing the door behind her. She stood for a moment to admire the chapel. It was beautiful. The ceremony was being held in the small church in Godric's Hollow, something Katie had insisted on and no one disagreed. They kept the interior fairly light on decoration, liking how the natural wood furnishings and walls were warm. Flowers hung in bunches and garlands from the walls and the whole room smelled sweet. Fairy lights glimmered among the flowers and conjured flames danced in bowls lining the walkway.
She crossed to the other side of the church and knocked on a closed door.
"No admittance!" Ron said through the closed door. "Groom's party only!"
"Ron! Open the door now! It's not too late for me to kick your arse out of the Best Man's position and take over as Best Maid!"
Ron opened the door and gaped at Angelina. "You can't do that!" He looked back into the room. "She can't do that, can she?"
"I'm not telling her no," George said while Fred, Oliver, Neville, and Tonks laughed.
"You're my brother!"
"And she's my fiancée!"
"Harry, tell her she can't do that!"
Harry grinned. "I don't think there's anything Angelina can't do." He looked at her with concern. "Is everything okay?"
Angelina hugged Harry. "Everything's fine, mostly. Katie's just being a bit panicky. Not because she's having second thoughts," she said immediately to assuage his fears, "more that she's about to walk down the aisle in front of loads of people and she's a bit queasy because she's not used to being watched by people while not playing Quidditch or focusing on healing someone playing Quidditch. Got any words for your blushing Bride to be?"
Harry thought for a moment then smiled. "I think so." He took his wand back from Ron and without saying a word, cast a spell. A ray of silver light shone from the wand and an argent lioness stood in the open space, even larger and brighter than before. She purred at the sight of Harry, poking her nose at him in approval for a few moments, her tail swishing back and forth.
"Did you just cast a non-verbal fully corporeal Patronus?!" Tonks asked, incredulous.
"Damn Sir Harry," Oliver whistled. "Way to show us all up."
Harry pressed his forehead to the lioness', the big predator purring even louder. When they broke apart, she nodded, swatting Harry with her tail. On her way out, she bumped into all the Groomsmen, the Groomswoman, and the Best Man, before following the first Maid of Honor out of the room.
Angelina rested a hand on the lioness' back, enjoying the feeling of the guardian's muscles moving beneath her hand. Every time she saw it, it was impressive. This time, the Patronus was awe-inspiring. She could feel the love Harry had for Katie and his friends radiating from the lioness in waves. She felt light on her feet in the Patronus' presence. The lioness purred again, comforting and warm.
Angelina opened the door into the Bride's room. "I have a visitor," she announced playfully.
Lyla exclaimed with delight seeing the big lioness. She hugged the magical guardian animal, giggling when the beast licked her cheeks. Daphne whooped when the lioness nudged her over with a teasing push, laughing and shoving the animal back. Hermione knelt to hug the animal too, sighing into the silver fur. Luna giggled as she licked the lioness back before planting a big kiss on the animal's forehead. The lioness gave Alicia a flat look that made Alicia blush a little and she yelped when the lioness swatted her with a long heavy tail.
The Patronus sat in front of Katie and she was so big now, she could look into Katie's eyes while seated. The lioness rubbed her head up and down Katie's face and neck, purring the loudest yet, before pressing her forehead into Katie's. After long moments of contact, the lioness rose and curled around Katie. She stood on all four feet, shoulders broad and head up and proud. She roared, the magical sound filling the tiny room but no one flinched or felt fear. As the roar faded so did the lioness and the eyes were the last to disappear, with a loving look and a playful wink.
"I'll never get tired of seeing that," Lyla sighed.
"How're you feeling?" Angelina asked Katie.
Katie's eyes were wide open, calm and loved. Her brown eyes sang and her lips were pulled back into a giant smile. "I'm ready to get married," she said with complete confidence.
"That's all it took?" Alicia pretended to look disgusted but her smile betrayed her. "That's so not fair."
Katie's smug look plainly said 'deal with it' and soon everyone was laughing.
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The ceremony, to Harry, went by in a flash. He had little experience with weddings in general, Alicia's really the only one he had ever seen or been to, but it was a fun experience. For him anyways. Now with him being the main focus of the wedding, he felt like he should be paralyzed from fear.
Then he compared the wedding to what he had actually been through and he chided himself for being silly and over-dramatic.
He barely kept from crying from emotion when he stood in front of the altar. He looked out over the sea of faces, astounded by all the people there that were truly happy for him, wanting to celebrate the day and the ceremony with him. It still took some getting used to. The Bells were front and center on the Bride's side of course. Samantha crying and laughing. The friends she made at the Academy were there and her Healer friends. Katie had also joined the Pride of Portree team and the team and medic staff were scattered on either side of the aisle.
Sirius, Andromeda, and Ted were sitting in the front on Harry's side, faces bright and eyes wet. The Grangers sat behind them alongside the Delacours with Aimee and Colette. The Weasleys sat behind them and they were all happy to be there. Tracy sat beside Susan, Amelia, Hannah, and Mirabelle behind the Weasleys. Hagrid, Pomfrey, and Remus sat in the back with the big man bawling and the Matron silently doing the same. Moody leaned against the wall, ever vigilant, but in this case politely so.
One by one, the Groomsmen and woman escorted the Bridesmaids in, taking their places around Harry. Bailey came galloping up the aisle, scattering flower petals and running back and forth in pure canine joy, much to the delight of everyone there.
Then Katie appeared, escorted by Thomas.
Harry thought his heart stopped when he saw her. She wore dress robes of white, as dazzling as freshly fallen snow, as luminescent as a pearl. She held a bouquet of lilies and bellflowers wrapped around a glowing candle.
The officiant came up, and McGonagall could barely keep her voice steady as she spoke. She talked about the love Katie and Harry had for each other, of how she watched them grow up, grow together. She said how honored she was to be asked to be the officiant and how it ranked amongst the highest of her achievements.
When the rings were called for, Hedwig flew down from the rafters. She flew up the aisle, landing on Harry's arm and hooted with all her might as she presented the rings to the glowing couple. Her most precious delivery made, she roosted on Bailey's head, the two staring up at their humans with obvious adoration.
The vows were said. Neither the Groom nor the Bride would remember exactly what they said, but they felt the intent behind the words. Like their magic, it's what truly mattered.
Finally, at the ceremony's end, McGonagall wiped her eyes yet again. "Well, in all my years, I have never given anyone permission to kiss in my presence." Laughter filled the chapel. "I am beyond honored to say these words now. Harry James Potter," her voice broke, "Katherine Samantha-Bell Potter, I name you Husband and Wife. May your love always be as strong as magic itself, and may magic bless you forever. You may now kiss the bride."
Harry leaned forward and gently kissed his wife on the lips. It was warm, it was loving, it was proper.
Katie quirked an eyebrow when he leaned back. "Is that it?" she asked.
"Is that it?" Harry repeated dumbly. His face turned deepest crimson. "In front of everyone?" he asked, incredulous.
Katie smiled and handed her bouquet to a grinning Angelina. "I want my sodding kiss," she said and pulled Harry to her, kissing him again, deeper and with too much passion to be remotely proper.
"Miss Bell!" McGonagall cried, scandalized. The chapel rang with laughter and cheers and then McGonagall joined the laughter when she was summarily ignored. "Ahem, Mrs. Potter!"
Katie broke the kiss, looking like a cat caught in the cream and holding a weak-kneed and dazed Harry. "Yes ma'am?" Katie said cheekily.
"Save it for tonight dear," McGonagall said dryly, enjoying the scarlet hue that crossed both of their faces. "Everyone! Let us celebrate the newlyweds!" She waved her wand and a burst of smoke followed by shining lights came into being. Harry and Katie walked down the aisle hand in hand, showered by light and magic and love.
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Everyone reconvened at the Burrow. The Weasleys decorated their orchard and the grounds around it for the reception and party, much to everyone's delight. Candles and orbs of light floated about providing ample illumination. A long table groaned with food and for the first time in his life, his real life as in since meeting the team, Harry cooked none of it. Dobby, Kreacher, Inky, and Fanny had finally gotten their wish and prevented Harry (also known as Master Harry, the Great Harry Potter, and Nest-hair) from doing any work on his special day. They made all of the food happily and stayed to serve at the reception and join in the festivities.
Ron rose to make his speech. "It took me a while to think about what to say for this. Truth be told, I know tons of stories about Harry but not too many stories of him and Katie doing things together because those two didn't get together until way later, so much lost opportunity for funny stories." The original team all nodded at that, making Harry blush and causing Katie to glare at them. "But, I did manage to come up with a few things! I even wrote them down, which is a huge improvement over my note-taking days at school, let me tell you."
Molly and Hermione groaned audibly.
"The first time I thought Harry had feelings was once I was poking through his school bag for some chocolate. He always had some, so I was going to grab a snack. He said I couldn't have the one I picked out. When I asked why he said it was Katie's. He told me that he always carried around a bar of Honeyduke's raspberry and dark chocolate for her, because it was her favorite. I thought he was kidding but he wasn't. Who carries around a bar of candy for someone else just in case? Harry, that's who. 'Course, I thought he was mad at the time and told him and he still refused to let me eat it."
"The second time I realized they had something going on was at the end of our third year. I was sneaking back into the common room when Fred and George accosted me. Yes, accosted," he repeated looking at his brothers who mouthed the word. "It means assaulted. Learn something you two. Anyways, they accosted me and demanded I tell them what happened. I told them to bugge…bug off. I wasn't going to snitch on Harry. They then told me that if I didn't confess, they'd sic Katie on me. They told me that when it came to Harry, Katie would utterly wreck anything in her way. So, I did. No way I was going to risk that."
Katie glared at the twins who looked up and whistled.
"And then the duel fifth year! When Harry absolutely…" his voice faded when he felt the combined glares from Hermione, Katie, Luna, Daphne, Angelina, and Alicia. "Ahem, I mean, let's not talk about the duel itself even though it was super impressive. What I wanted to mention was that Harry defended against the barest hint of a threat to Katie. He did exactly what he needed to make sure she was safe. Not because he didn't think she could handle herself, but because he wanted to protect her."
He grinned at a red-faced Harry. "That's the kind of guy Harry is. He cares. He cares about others before he cares about himself. He'll do anything for the people he cares about. I think the greatest moment, for me anyways, was when I asked him during the summer one year for some advice. I asked him if what I was feeling for Hannah was what he felt for Katie. He could have denied it, could have taken the mickey. Instead, he just said yes. That's it. No shame, no hiding it. He said yes, and that was that.
"We all have things we hide for various reasons, but the love Harry has for his friends and family is something he never will hide. And that's pretty damn admirable. And the most impressive thing is that Katie keeps Harry safe. She manages to keep him from doing too stupid things or at least makes him feel bad about it after and after years of me trying to do that and failing, that's nothing to sneeze at." Harry glared daggers at Ron while everyone laughed. "To Harry and Katie," Ron said, lifting a glass. "To the Boy-Who-Loved!"
Harry's cry of disgust was lost in laughter and cheers. "The Boy-Who-Loved?! You prat!" Harry said indignantly. "Why'd you say that?!"
"I just earned ten Galleons," Ron said smugly. "No one thought I'd actually say that."
Harry's glare became pure malice. "I hope it's worth it. Remember this when it's my turn to be your best man."
Ron wilted. "Is it too late to take it back?" he asked feebly while everyone laughed.
Katie hugged her husband. "It's all in good fun, love," she giggled.
Harry smiled. "I hope you keep that in mind because it looks like it's your turn."
Katie's merriment turned into trepidation as she glared at Angelina and Alicia rising to their feet. "You better remember I still have power," she said to Angelina.
"Calm down, all my stuff is fun and respectful," Angelina sniffed.
"You have no power over me," Alicia said with a hungry smile. "Revenge is sweet."
The co-Maids of Honor waited for everyone to look at them.
"I'd like to wax poetic and say it was love at first sight," Alicia started, "but it really wasn't. Not that kind of love at least. However, it was deep care at first sight. Katie was the first to notice Harry, to see him how he really was and not what people thought he was. She really saw him, and it was the beginning of everything."
"My first inkling was in his first year," Angelina continued. "I came upon this scene in the halls. I found my decent friend at the time, we weren't best friends yet, standing over poor Harry facing off a crowd of six and seventh years. A bunch of cowards who ambushed a poor first year, beaten bloody by a second year. This girl stood up to them and held them off. It was the stuff of legends."
"I almost forgot about that," Katie murmured.
Harry took her hand in his. "I never will."
"Possibly the strongest moment, for me, was during his third year. When Katie Bell, a fourth year, stood up to one of the most respected wizards in the world and scolded him like a child!" Alicia's face was wreathed in glee while Katie tried to sink under the table. "Imagine that! A fourth year girl, a petite thing, screaming at the Headmaster, shoving his mistakes into his face, and making him see the consequences of his actions! I almost fainted from anxiety from standing up to him but she was the picture of justified anger, and it was glorious."
"Hear hear!" Pomfrey and McGonagall shouted. Andromeda, Samantha, and Tonks beamed at Katie with pride.
"And all of that before she actually realized she truly loved him," Alicia continued. "With a foundation like that, there is no question about how strong their love is. She loved him before she fell in love with him. It's beautiful."
Katie teared up at her best friends.
Angelina's smile went from loving to mischievous. "Of course, it took some time and a lot of help to get her to admit it with plenty of little fun moments sprinkled in."
Katie tried to get out of her chair, ready to strangle the Maids of Honor but Harry held her in place, a smile on his lips.
"Shall we recount them?" Angelina asked.
"Oh yes! Like when she told Harry she loved him and then was confused when he asked her if she meant it?" Alicia said ghoulishly.
"You did that?!" Lyla gasped.
"Or when she received the Championship Snitch from him and hugged him and did nothing else?" Angelina said.
The Pride of Portree Quidditch team erupted in laughter and applause.
"Or the accidental kiss on the corner of the mouth during the first afterparty?"
Samantha and Andromeda sighed lovingly at that.
"My second favorite part was when she asked him why he asked her to the Yule Ball," Angelina reminisced.
Daphne sputtered and coughed, her drink going down the wrong pipe. Tracy pounded her back, hiding her face behind her back to keep from laughing out loud. Oliver and the twins had no such reservations, laughing openly.
Katie turned and pressed her brilliantly red face into Harry's chest. "Make it stop," she moaned.
"Ah but our conversation in the Three Broomsticks, that was the kicker," Alicia said. "When we finally convinced our friend that she was in fact the best match for our baby bird."
"If anyone on the team calls me baby bird, I will purposely fumble every Snitch for the entire season!" Harry shouted immediately at his teammates. Everyone howled with laughter.
"But, to sum up things, Katie's love for Harry is inspiring," Angelina said. "One time I asked Rabbit what his love for her felt like and he told me that he felt safe with her. That she treats him like Harry, just Harry. And not only that, he wants to be better for her. Later, he told me that if she didn't love him the way he loved her, that if she found someone else, he'd be okay as long as she was happy. Her love made him feel that way. And if that isn't true love, I don't know what is."
"Harry deserves Katie. Her love is exactly what he needs. And he is exactly what she deserves and needs. Despite the shellacking we just put them through, it's a beautiful thing." Alicia raised her glass. "To a love we all strive for, and one that makes all other forms of love even better by existing."
Everyone toasted and drank, echoing her words.
Katie hugged Angelina and Alicia gratefully at the same time, and tightened her grip around their necks until they yelped and apologized insincerely.
Their first dance was magical in every sense. The lights seemed to bend around them, draping them in color and hue. The air stilled while they danced, birdsong faded into the music emanating from the self-playing instruments. Alicia realized their first official dance was to the same song of their first dance at the Yule Ball, something Fleur confirmed happily. Then it became an orchestral version of Katie's favorite Weird Sisters song.
After their first dance, the dance floor almost always had people dancing on it. Thomas could not keep from crying when he danced with Katie, something she also did. Her tears became laughter when Sirius appeared in truly ancient dress robes and led her in a very archaic waltz. Samantha and Andromeda were happy to dance with Harry, laughing and crying in equal measure.
When Katie threw the bouquet, without the candle inside, Daphne caught it without meaning to. Fred had jumped for it, colliding with Aimee and their flailing arms knocked it into the air. It bounced off Percy's head and fell in Daphne's lap who was sitting at a table nearby. She turned beet red and did her best to try and shove it down Tracy's robes when her girlfriend began saying increasingly lewd things.
Later, Katie smiled when Samantha hugged her from behind. "How's my darling daughter?" Samantha asked.
"Tired but so happy," Katie said. She pointed out on the dance floor and laughed. "Harry's going to conk out tonight. They haven't let him rest all night." The mother and daughter laughed as Harry was literally passed from Colette to Gabrielle with Luna and Hermione right behind. Bailey ran circles around the dancers.
"You're not worried, are you?" Samantha teased.
"Nope. He's coming home with me tonight," Katie said confidently.
Samantha chuckled. "I'm so happy for you dear. I always hoped you would find a love that deserves you. I know I have nothing to worry about."
"I just hope our marriage is like yours and dad's," Katie said.
"Well, you know it's hard work. You've seen it. And you and Harry have been through a lot already. But I know I didn't raise a silly girl and you and Harry will always put in the work. You two have been through fire and came through it strong."
Katie felt much better after hearing that. They chatted for a while longer and Samantha smiled when Harry came up to them. "All danced out?"
Harry laughed. "Just about, but I got one more in me. Would you do me the honor of sharing my last dance?"
"Oh I'd love to," Samantha said. "But Katie might get upset."
Katie snorted and pushed her laughing mother. "Go away, you've got Dad!" She rolled her eyes and took Harry's hand, twirling him as they drifted onto the dance floor. She sighed happily as she rested her cheek against his shoulder.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Wonderful," she replied. "Exhausted, I'm going to sleep for a few days, I feel. How about you?"
"I'm wonderful too. I'm just…I always hoped to be here and it's a dream come true."
"You dream about me?" she gasped. "Perv."
Harry threw his head back and laughed, deeply and heartily. Katie tingled at the sound; her heart melted at his unrestrained laughter. She would never tire of hearing it.
"I totally dream about you," he said with his lopsided grin. "All the time."
"Mmm. How many of those dreams am I clothed?"
"Most of them. I dream about being with you doing all sorts of normal things. I dream about cooking for you. Shopping together. Playing Quidditch. The Yule Ball. I bet I'll dream about this moment, our wedding." His voice became wistful. "Playing with our kids."
"Yeah?" Her voice was soft and warm.
"Mmhmm." He looked down at her. "Do you dream about me?"
"Oh yeah. Usually doing terribly naughty things though." She delighted in his free laughter.
"Does that make you the perv?"
"No. When a lady has naughty dreams, she's being sultry."
"Good to know."
She looked up at him, chestnut brown met emerald green. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you more," he whispered back.
"It's not a contest," she snorted.
"Just saying, I love you like…a lot."
"As much as treacle tart?" She stomped on his foot as he looked off into the distance.
"Ouch! Hey, treacle tart is pretty amazing." He grinned when she stomped on his foot again. "But there is one thing I love more than treacle tart."
"I'll tell Hedwig," Katie said flatly.
Harry laughed again. "Okay, two things." He leaned down and kissed her with all his being. He pressed his lips to hers, breathing her in, biting her lower lip gently and tugging on it before letting go. "Do you have an idea on who it is?"
Her eyes sparkled. "I might have an idea," she said, a little breathless.
"Anything I can do to cement the idea?"
"Maybe." She pulled him down to her and for a while no one else was there. No one else mattered.
It was just him and her, Harry and Katie.
Together.
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alix33 - The Potter children are going to be loved by everyone.
SvenHPotterFan - Thanks I think if google translated that correctly haha. Of course she would, their love is wonderful isn't it?
iamchaos98 - I hope you love the last two too. Thank you for the smiles.
Shamgar777 - I hope you like her in today's chapter. I felt in this one, she was quintessential Alicia.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - She is hilarious. I have! I have 3 chapters completely done and am working on the 4th. One of your ideas was completely done and the other is taking me a while to do but will be good I hope.
yogibears - I'm glad you liked Oliver's line about winning, I thought it was one of those fun silly lines that fit the story and his character. And no maybe on the spinoff, I already have chapters done. And I adored Angelina's shout. I never imagined I would ever sincerely write that line and mean it and it was hilarious. Oh and do check your inbox when you get a chance.
guest - Hope the tears are more happy than the ones this fic usually cause. I hope you stick around for the spinoff fic and that it will lessen the sting.
Urgwaew - Katie has a cruel streak, who would have guessed? Hilarious but cruel. I'm glad you like the two family's reactions and everything in between. I really thought about the ring and the proposal, I wanted it to feel like him and make it feel like it should. They deserved it. I hope you enjoy the last few chapters too. All the best to you.