Chapter 21-Chloe's Fairytale
"NO!" said Percy sharply, "Meghan, you will not skip down the aisle!"
"All gone?" said Alexandria, lifting her basket for her mother to see.
"No, Alexia, darling, we have to pretend there are flowers in it now. Pretend to throw them!" said Penelope making motions with her hands to show how to throw pretend flowers.
Harry rubbed his temples. "Let's run through it one more time, and then we all need to go get dressed."
"What I wouldn't give to be Ginny at this point," said Hermione, getting up from a pew.
Penelope nodded and scooped Henri up to walk to the back of the church. Henri screeched and wriggled around. "Sitting in the gorgeous dressing room, having her hair done. That part was so enjoyable," sighed Penelope wistfully. "I'd love to be a bride again."
"Mmmmhmmm," said Hermione, looking down at her belly, "but look where it gets you."
Hermione and Penelope burst out laughing.
"I'm afraid I know all too well!"
Percy was in his element. Ordering people around, that was..
And Harry was about to kill him.
"All right, now everyone take his place" Percy clapped for attention. "Now who is going to go through the doors first?"
They stared at him.
"Well, raise your hands!" sighed Percy, putting his hand on his hips.
Bill rolled his eyes and lifted his hand slightly. "Me, dragging along some important wedding guest that isn't here for me to practice with."
"RIGHT, Bill," said Percy enthusiastically, as if his brother had just answered a question on a quiz show.
"Then me," said Charlie, yawning, "with some important...yeah...what Bill said."
"We get the idea, Percy," sighed George.
"Skip it," said Harry.
"What?" said Percy.
"Skip it. We've got it down. The children are going to get cranky."
"I'm hungry," said Kyle.
"See?" said Harry. "We'll just send them all off with Isabella to have a little dinner, and then by the time they get back, we'll be dressed and we can get them ready."
"I'm with Harry," said Hermione. "If I have to walk down that carpet one more time besides the wedding, I'll go barking mad."
Percy crumpled his parchment with a sour face. "I don't recommend this at all. This part is the most crucial of the wedding!"
"Wrong, nitwit," grinned Fred. "The getting married part is."
~*~
Harry nervously picked at some invisible lint on his jacket.
Detailed arrangements of red and cream flowers were hung off every deep oak pew. Although the setting sun was shining through the stained glass, the room was still dim enough for hundreds of slim cream candles to be lit. They were perched impressively on gleaming silver candelabras.
A full orchestra was seated at the back of the cathedral in matching black dress robes wearing single rose corsages or boutonnières in cream or red, playing soft background music as guest filed into the church.
"You're fidgeting," said Ron.
"I'm going to die before she even comes out," Harry informed him.
Ron grimaced. "That'd make a great front page story. Stop being so melodramatic!"
"You look really sharp, Harry," said Bill. "You Auror people really know how to dress up."
Harry was in full Confederation dress uniform. His robes were deep navy blue and along the sleeves and hemlines there was thin gold piping. Several stripes of gold on his collar indicated his rank and two columns of gleaming brass buttons were lined up on his chest. The insides of his robe sleeves were a vivid scarlet red and he wore white gloves. Harry's trousers were seen quite plainly as the uniform was tailored to fit much shorter than normal robes. They were the same navy blue and a narrow scarlet stripe ran up the side of each leg. Finally, completing the ensemble, polished black boots.
"Not for everyday wear," smiled Harry.
The long line of Weasley groomsmen were not in uniforms of any sort, but they were wearing formal black dress robes with bowties and red boutonnières.
"Anyone would be nuts to try anything at this wedding," observed George. "The place is crawling with Aurors!"
Harry nodded somewhat proudly. " But only twelve are on duty."
Along the six pews nearest to the altar, twelve Aurors in dress uniform were flanked six to each side of the aisle. They were staring straight ahead, perfectly still at attention.
"Can't they have a pleasant expression on their faces?" Charlie hissed to Harry.
"That is pleasant, Charlie. They're at attention," replied Harry, with a grin.
"I bet you don't have to stand at attention," said Fred with interest. "You could probably make those blokes do whatever you want."
"I could," said Harry thoughtfully. "But one doesn't tend to do that to officers attending one's wedding."
"I would," said George wistfully, "it'd be a riot."
"Having them dance the hurdy-gurdy for me," nodded Fred.
"I don't even think there's an order for that," laughed Harry.
"The one on the left is sort of cute," observed Charlie.
"I certainly hope you're talking about Jennings rather than Schmich," said Harry glancing at the officers.
"Jennings is the girl right?" said Charlie.
"Jennings is the decorated lieutenant," said Harry, fully enjoying teasing Charlie.
"The girl, right?" repeated Charlie.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Yes, Jennings is the girl."
"She's quite a hottie, Harry."
"Somehow I think it's a bit unwise for me to go around calling ranking officers hotties," said Harry, raising his eyebrows.
Charlie nodded and waved his comment aside. "So are you going to introduce me after the wedding?"
"You do realize that she would and could clobber the living daylights out of you," Harry told him truthfully.
Charlie grinned the trademark Weasley sly smile. "If she looks like that, I don't think I'd rightly mind. What's her name?"
"Lieutenant Jennings."
"Does she have a first name?" sighed Charlie.
"If I could remember calling her by it, I would tell you."
"Aw, come on, Harry. Quit holding out! I know you better than that," begged Charlie.
"Anastasia. Now can you hold off on picking up women until AFTER the ceremony?"
"Yes, sir!" said Charlie happily. "Much obliged."
Bill grinned. "Seems to me to be the best place to do it. You know, girls wanting to have a pretty wedding dress too. All those cat fights over the bouquet mean open season for us!"
~*~
The sun had set, and the soft glow of the candles gave the cathedral a very warm and dreamy look to it.
Very slowly, the two rear doors of the cathedral creaked open and the congregation fell silent. There was soft oohing and ahhing as four very small figures appeared in the doorway.
Chloe, Meghan, Alexandria, and Madeline, were all wearing white satin dresses. Chloe, leading the procession began to throw white and red rose petals. Meghan and the little twins followed her in procession. Alexandria with her hair in little white barrettes could be heard saying, "Whee!" as she threw her rose petals enthusiastically.
After the flower girls got to their appropriate spots, and Chloe looked happily at Harry. "Hi, Daddy," she whispered, trying to be sneaky about it.
Harry smiled and tried to keep from laughing. He lifted one of his gloved hands from his side and gave her a small wave.
Hermione looked very nice in a crimson dress, which had finally been made to fit, as Sirius escorted her down the aisle.
Remus and Penelope followed soon after them. Penelope wearing the same crimson colored dress, tailored to fit her very well and looking elegant with her blonde hair in a smooth French twist.
Parading behind the bridesmaids Hunter and Kyle smiled brightly at everyone as they proudly presented pillows with the rings. Harry grinned. Both looked like miniature footmen, clothed in white dress robes, with a red rose boutonnière and their red hair combed smoothly over.
Everything was running perfectly. The priest and his deacons came out soon afterwards, and then the conductor brought the song to a clean ending.
Harry took a deep breath as the Bridal March struck up and lifted his eyes to the doorway once more.
Ginny looked radiant.
Harry gulped as she walked toward him.
Ginny wore a stunning composition of flowing white silk; the fabric shone in the rich candlelight, descending gracefully to the floor. Two dainty straps embellished with a row of diamonds, glittered magnificently off of her fair shoulders. Her veil was light and airy, like spun gossamer; it floated softly around her face and along the back of the dress. Her hair was pulled into an elegant chignon, with wisps curling along the nape of her neck. A delicate tiara that was attached to her veil, perched magnificently on her hair, and sparkled with dazzling diamonds. Attached to the back of her dress, an extremely lengthy train, adorned with intricate beadwork, spread behind her.
Catherine and Mortimer trailed her, each holding up an end of the train.
Ginny looked shyly at everyone staring at her, but she kept her eyes right on Harry.
As she approached the altar, the Aurors standing guard suddenly snapped and they all did a sharp right or left face, so they were looking toward the inside of the aisle, then militaristically thrust their wands into the air, making an archway.
Mr. Weasley looked ecstatic, as he displayed Ginny on his arm. He smiled at Harry when they had arrived at the altar, a smile that brought Harry back down to earth.
"Who gives this bride away?" The priest's voice echoed clearly in the cathedral.
"Her mother and I do," replied Mr. Weasley. Harry saw him squeeze Ginny's hand and then stepped back.
It was Ginny's smile, not Mr. Weasley's, that warmed Harry's heart to the core. She turned and smiled sweetly at Harry and took his hand. Harry took a deep shuddering breath. This was really happening.
~*~
Harry cupped Ginny's face in his hands, and they kissed softly.
The cathedral roared with applause and the orchestra struck up a joyous march.
Harry grabbed Ginny's hand.
"We're married," he said breathlessly, as they began walking together.
"PRESENT ARMS!" bellowed the one of the Auror officers.
The Aurors' wands were thrust into the air again, making an archway for Ginny and Harry, but this time, brilliant sparks exploded into the air, drizzling around them like shooting stars. They began laughing when they heard the children's delighted shrieks behind them.
As they ran to the carriage parked outside of the cathedral, Harry looked up and faced all the cameras, smiling brightly. For the first time in his life, he didn't care about the hundreds of pictures being taken, because he wouldn't give anything in the world to be anyone else.
~*~
Chloe took a huge bite of cake and swung her legs in her chair.
"Yummy!" said Madeline.
"I like weddings," said Kyle, taking another bite.
"Good cake?" asked Sirius walking by their table.
The children nodded.
There were tables heaped with food along one wall of Potter hall. They had just cut the wedding cake, and everyone was drifting into the ballroom for a bit of dancing. The children had been given huge slices of cake for their good behavior at the wedding, and they were content at this moment to have their dessert, rather than see what was going on in the ballroom.
"Wonderful wedding, isn't it?" said Charlie, approaching the Auror he had noticed during the ceremony.
"Quite nice," she said shortly, keeping her eye on Harry and Ginny who were laughing with a group of people from the Ministry.
"Charlie Weasley," he said offering a hand.
"I'm Lieutenant Jennings," she shook his hand quickly but never took her eyes of Harry and Ginny.
"Do you have a first name?" persisted Charlie.
"Mr. Weasley, to be perfectly frank, I'm on duty. It is my responsibility to make sure no one ruins anything. If you don't mind, you're in the way," she said stepping away from him.
"But you see, I'm a close personal friend of Harry's, and I know he wouldn't mind if you happened to have one little bitty dance with one of his groomsmen..."
"Perhaps. But I would certainly mind."
"I'm really not all that bad, Lieutenant. I call after first dates, honest."
She gave him a dry look.
Harry glanced up and leaned over and whispered something in Ginny's ear. Ginny nodded and smiled.
"Jennings!" exclaimed Harry coming over. "Fantastic display at the ceremony didn't you think?"
"Yes, sir," she said smiling. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," said Harry, "might I introduce you to Mr. Charles Weasley? He's an old and good friend of mine. I'm sure you can just call him Charlie."
"We've been introduced," said Jennings tactfully.
"Have you?" said Harry grinning, pretending as if he didn't notice the expression on her face. "Did you know that Mr. Weasley is head of the Dragon Regulation Department? I thought you two would get along, since you've been responsible for many illegal dragon operations going down."
"Is that so?" said Charlie brightening.
Harry nodded. "Anastasia here, is quite the advocate for the proper care of magical creatures."
Jennings colored. "Thank you, sir."
Harry shrugged. "Why don't you take a bit of a break from duty and grab a bite to eat?"
Anastasia's face flattened, and Harry saw her eyes narrow at him briefly. "That's quite all right, sir, I'll complete my task first."
Harry winked and turned back to go to Ginny. "That was an order."
Charlie bit his lower lip to keep from laughing.
"May I get you a plate, Anastasia?" he said gesturing towards the table with a sweeping motion.
She sighed, and then smiled. "That would be nice of you.Charlie, is it?"
~*~
Ginny laughed as Harry spun her around on the ballroom floor. She had removed the train, and her veil, and her wedding gown was now a lovely dancing dress.
"And to think," Ginny said putting her hands behind his neck. "This is where you and I kissed for the first time."
"Much to my surprise and yours," smiled Harry. "I didn't plan on doing that."
"I'm rather glad you did," said Ginny.
"So are a lot of people," he said dipping her.
"Looks like your little set-up worked," said Ginny looking over at Charlie and Anastasia dancing.
Harry grinned the trademark sly Weasley smile. "I know, I think they hit it off pretty well, after that first horrible introduction Charlie made."
Remus waltzed over with Chloe in his arms.
"Look what I found, Chlo," he said to her, "a daddy and a mummy!"
"My daddy and MY mummy," said Chloe hugging Remus happily. "We 'dopted her."
Ginny gave Harry a quizzical look. "Adopted?" she mouthed to him.
"I'll explain later," whispered Harry, quite amused.
"I think Chloe wanted to dance with a certain person before a certain person leaves for his honeymoon," said Remus winking at Harry.
"I'm a very good dancer, Daddy," said Chloe, as Remus spun around with her in his arms.
"Remus, will you have this dance?" asked Ginny playfully.
"Most certainly, but I am quite sad to leave this adorable partner I've had," nodded Remus, setting Chloe down.
"It was smashing," said Chloe politely to Remus.
Remus chuckled as he and Ginny danced off.
"May I have this dance, Miss Chloe Grace Potter?"
"Yes, you may, Daddy," she said smiling brightly.
Harry bowed to Chloe, and she held the skirt of her dress as she curtsied.
Most of the people in the ballroom, laughed and turned to watch when Chloe stepped on the toes of Harry's boots and they began to waltz. Chloe squealed when he swung her up in the air.
"How long will you be gone on holiday, Daddy?" she asked, pushing his hair off his forehead and staring into his eyes inquisitively. "Will it be a really long time?"
"Just seven days," he said. "Then we're going to come back come back for you and take another holiday together."
The song ended, and they bowed and curtsied to each other again amidst the applause of the guest.
"See?" said Chloe, green eyes alight with delight as she waved a little, "I'm a very good dancer!"
~*~
Their honeymoon had been very lovely indeed, but Harry finally decided their holiday with Chloe after the honeymoon was just as enjoyable, if not more.
He watched as she turned over another pail full of sand, making another addition to her sandcastle. Her long pigtails, tied with purple ribbon, whipped in the wind. To his right, Ginny yawned happily and sat up on the heels of her hands with him to watch Chloe.
"How's the bribery coming along?" she grinned, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.
Harry nodded, "He seems to be very docile."
"Docile. Good. He snaps at her once, and I'll curse him to..." began Ginny peering closer at Chloe.
"Down, Mummy," said Harry soothingly, "I've got it under control."
Ginny leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I believe you. Now what's this variety again? I don't ever remember coming across it."
"Sand gnomes," recited Harry, "close cousins of the garden variety."
"Of all things for Chloe to unearth," laughed Ginny, "not to mention, insisting on befriending it."
"Much to that little thief's dismay," chuckled Harry.
"So they mostly hide in sand dunes, coming out to only sneak the occasional Muggle picnic basket away?"
"That and car keys hidden in a pair of shoes. They like shiny things I think. Really, the Muggles really don't need their help losing things.."
"The look on its face when you picked it up out of our basket," laughed Ginny. "Then Chloe's cry of delight. She was really disappointed about having to leave Norbert in the condo. I heard her telling him he wasn't a 'sand-proof' dragon."
"The promise of an entire picnic basket in exchange of playing nicely with her apparently is working rather well. They both seem to be enjoying themselves."
Chloe peered into her castle. "Are you sleeping, Smitty?"
"Me name ain't SMITTY!" bellowed the gnome loudly from inside the sand castle, "me name is..."
Chloe giggled delightedly. "Yes it is! Don't be a silly gnome! Want to go swimming?" she said reaching into the castle, feeling around for him.
"No swimming!" shrieked the gnome, flailing his arms. "Me cousin was ate up by a crab!"
Chloe grabbed him and pulled him out of the sand castle. "It's all right. I'm a witch. I can scare away the crabs."
"No, no, no!" howled the gnome clawing at the sand.
"Chloe!" called Ginny as she waved. "It's time for another sun blocking charm!"
"All right, Mummy," said Chloe putting the distressed gnome in the crook of her arm, and skipping up to her parents.
"Smitty and I are going swimming," she said holding the gnome up by his ankles, and he flopped about like a caught fish.
"Hold still a moment," said Harry handing Ginny her wand from the beach bag.
"Legs," sang Ginny as she tapped her Chloe's legs once, "arms, shoulders, back, neck annnnd.."
"Face," giggled Chloe as the wand tapped her lightly on the nose.
"All finished," said Ginny, "make sure you and Smitty don't go in the water past your ankles."
Smitty began to howl again and wriggled in Chloe's grasp. She smiled fondly at him. "He's excited," she said to her parents in a whisper.
Harry peered at Smitty sternly over his glasses. "Play nicely," he repeated.
Smitty fell lax in Chloe's hands and whimpered pathetically.
Ginny laughed as Chloe scampered off. "He must REALLY want that basket you've promised him."
"Ah, he'll have a story to tell his grandchildren," said Harry. "About the vicious sorceress that took him captive."
Chloe sat down on the sand, letting the waves splash onto her legs. Smitty was trying to climb his way up her arm, away from the water.
"No-no!" she chided, "swim!"
Plunk.
Chloe steered Smitty through the water, complete with motorboat noises. Then she began lifting him high up above her head and then back into the water.
"Aaaaaaaaaaa," he shrieked, "Eeeeeeeeggggggguggggggg."
"I TOLD you it's fun," said Chloe happily making him airplane out of the water again.
"AAAIIIIEIIIIIGH."
"Oh my, you've dropped your hat," said Chloe setting him down by her ankle, reaching for it.
Smitty gasped for air, accidentally making bubbles in water that was almost up to his neck.
Chloe was thrilled beyond anything.
"Daddy!" she cried, "Smitty's blowing bubbles!"
Harry gave a nod and waved at her. "Good, Angel! Make sure Smitty can breathe, please."
"It's lovely having the beach to ourselves this week," Ginny commented happily.
Harry looked pleased about this also. "Mind you, there are going to be some very perplexed Muggles that visit this beach annually, and unable to find it."
Ginny shrugged, very unconcerned. "They have millions of beaches around here, they'll find another and not give this one another thought."
Chloe's laughter rang out from the edge of the water, causing both of them to smile in her direction fondly.
"I suppose she got her fairy tale," said Harry after a moment.
Ginny looked at him blankly.
"Us. Her," elaborated Harry, "She had us figured out before we even knew what to think about it."
Ginny, now enlightened, grinned. "She deserves to have her fairy tale ending."
Harry looked thoughtful. "I DID dance with you...and we DID get married, just as she said we would."
"Chloe Potter, future Diviner?" suggested Ginny innocently.
"Ginny!" said Harry, appalled. "Take that back!"
"Sorry. Really, I just think it's her reasoning behind everything."
"And what is that?"
"Well, that fairy tales are real of course."
Harry put his arm around Ginny's shoulders. "That definitely is a good way at looking at things."
"CRAB!" screamed Chloe, splashing the water with her hands.
Harry leapt to his feet and was about to break into a run to the seaside until he saw Chloe in a fit of laughter.
"Only joking, Smitty," she giggled.
The gnome was far from amused as he scrambled around Chloe's legs and shrieked, clutching his behind.
"Isn't this a FUN game?" she said picking him up and trotting back to her castle.
"GERROFF ME!" screamed Smitty, "GERROFF ME!"
"Don't you bite her, you wicked gnome!" shouted Ginny also jumping to her feet, her wand drawn.
"I don't want no basket!" howled Smitty, when he saw Harry's shadow across the castle. "I-don't-want-no-basket!"
Harry shrugged and sighed. "I suppose you can go."
"GERROFF!" screamed the gnome one last time, about to sink his teeth into Chloe's arm.
"DON'T even think about it," shouted Ginny, bopping him sharply across the top of his head with her wand. "You stay away from her! You wicked little thief! STAY back!"
By the time Ginny finished with him, Smitty was staggering away in a very uneven line. Harry smiled and thought the only thing missing from the picture were stars and birds hovering around his head.
Chloe's eyes were round with surprise.
"I haven't got anyone to play sandcastle with anymore," she said watching Smitty limp away.
"It was just a dirty old gnome," said Ginny kissing her little hand and checking for gnome bites. "Daddy and Mummy will play sandcastle with you."
"You will?"
"I get to build the moat, right?" asked Harry kneeling down in the sand.
"Can you enchant the water pink?" Chloe was eager to begin.
"One pink moat, coming up," said Harry picking up a toy shovel.
"Who lives in this castle?" asked Ginny filing a bucket with sand.
"We do," said Chloe sticking shells along the outside of the castle, "with Norbert."
"He stands guard at the drawbridge?" guessed Ginny.
"Right, Mummy!" said Chloe, very pleased. "And we never have to worry about bad people."
"So that means we live happily ever after?" asked Harry.
Chloe shook her pigtails. "No, Daddy! The story isn't over yet!"
"Goodness, didn't you know that?" said Ginny, her eyes sparkling at Harry.
Harry smiled at them and continued to work on the moat.
~*~
Author's note: Lots of thank yous to Anne who is an awesome beta! No, the story isn't over yet.we've got an epilogue left. Look for it soon.
"Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?"
"NO!" said Percy sharply, "Meghan, you will not skip down the aisle!"
"All gone?" said Alexandria, lifting her basket for her mother to see.
"No, Alexia, darling, we have to pretend there are flowers in it now. Pretend to throw them!" said Penelope making motions with her hands to show how to throw pretend flowers.
Harry rubbed his temples. "Let's run through it one more time, and then we all need to go get dressed."
"What I wouldn't give to be Ginny at this point," said Hermione, getting up from a pew.
Penelope nodded and scooped Henri up to walk to the back of the church. Henri screeched and wriggled around. "Sitting in the gorgeous dressing room, having her hair done. That part was so enjoyable," sighed Penelope wistfully. "I'd love to be a bride again."
"Mmmmhmmm," said Hermione, looking down at her belly, "but look where it gets you."
Hermione and Penelope burst out laughing.
"I'm afraid I know all too well!"
Percy was in his element. Ordering people around, that was..
And Harry was about to kill him.
"All right, now everyone take his place" Percy clapped for attention. "Now who is going to go through the doors first?"
They stared at him.
"Well, raise your hands!" sighed Percy, putting his hand on his hips.
Bill rolled his eyes and lifted his hand slightly. "Me, dragging along some important wedding guest that isn't here for me to practice with."
"RIGHT, Bill," said Percy enthusiastically, as if his brother had just answered a question on a quiz show.
"Then me," said Charlie, yawning, "with some important...yeah...what Bill said."
"We get the idea, Percy," sighed George.
"Skip it," said Harry.
"What?" said Percy.
"Skip it. We've got it down. The children are going to get cranky."
"I'm hungry," said Kyle.
"See?" said Harry. "We'll just send them all off with Isabella to have a little dinner, and then by the time they get back, we'll be dressed and we can get them ready."
"I'm with Harry," said Hermione. "If I have to walk down that carpet one more time besides the wedding, I'll go barking mad."
Percy crumpled his parchment with a sour face. "I don't recommend this at all. This part is the most crucial of the wedding!"
"Wrong, nitwit," grinned Fred. "The getting married part is."
~*~
Harry nervously picked at some invisible lint on his jacket.
Detailed arrangements of red and cream flowers were hung off every deep oak pew. Although the setting sun was shining through the stained glass, the room was still dim enough for hundreds of slim cream candles to be lit. They were perched impressively on gleaming silver candelabras.
A full orchestra was seated at the back of the cathedral in matching black dress robes wearing single rose corsages or boutonnières in cream or red, playing soft background music as guest filed into the church.
"You're fidgeting," said Ron.
"I'm going to die before she even comes out," Harry informed him.
Ron grimaced. "That'd make a great front page story. Stop being so melodramatic!"
"You look really sharp, Harry," said Bill. "You Auror people really know how to dress up."
Harry was in full Confederation dress uniform. His robes were deep navy blue and along the sleeves and hemlines there was thin gold piping. Several stripes of gold on his collar indicated his rank and two columns of gleaming brass buttons were lined up on his chest. The insides of his robe sleeves were a vivid scarlet red and he wore white gloves. Harry's trousers were seen quite plainly as the uniform was tailored to fit much shorter than normal robes. They were the same navy blue and a narrow scarlet stripe ran up the side of each leg. Finally, completing the ensemble, polished black boots.
"Not for everyday wear," smiled Harry.
The long line of Weasley groomsmen were not in uniforms of any sort, but they were wearing formal black dress robes with bowties and red boutonnières.
"Anyone would be nuts to try anything at this wedding," observed George. "The place is crawling with Aurors!"
Harry nodded somewhat proudly. " But only twelve are on duty."
Along the six pews nearest to the altar, twelve Aurors in dress uniform were flanked six to each side of the aisle. They were staring straight ahead, perfectly still at attention.
"Can't they have a pleasant expression on their faces?" Charlie hissed to Harry.
"That is pleasant, Charlie. They're at attention," replied Harry, with a grin.
"I bet you don't have to stand at attention," said Fred with interest. "You could probably make those blokes do whatever you want."
"I could," said Harry thoughtfully. "But one doesn't tend to do that to officers attending one's wedding."
"I would," said George wistfully, "it'd be a riot."
"Having them dance the hurdy-gurdy for me," nodded Fred.
"I don't even think there's an order for that," laughed Harry.
"The one on the left is sort of cute," observed Charlie.
"I certainly hope you're talking about Jennings rather than Schmich," said Harry glancing at the officers.
"Jennings is the girl right?" said Charlie.
"Jennings is the decorated lieutenant," said Harry, fully enjoying teasing Charlie.
"The girl, right?" repeated Charlie.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Yes, Jennings is the girl."
"She's quite a hottie, Harry."
"Somehow I think it's a bit unwise for me to go around calling ranking officers hotties," said Harry, raising his eyebrows.
Charlie nodded and waved his comment aside. "So are you going to introduce me after the wedding?"
"You do realize that she would and could clobber the living daylights out of you," Harry told him truthfully.
Charlie grinned the trademark Weasley sly smile. "If she looks like that, I don't think I'd rightly mind. What's her name?"
"Lieutenant Jennings."
"Does she have a first name?" sighed Charlie.
"If I could remember calling her by it, I would tell you."
"Aw, come on, Harry. Quit holding out! I know you better than that," begged Charlie.
"Anastasia. Now can you hold off on picking up women until AFTER the ceremony?"
"Yes, sir!" said Charlie happily. "Much obliged."
Bill grinned. "Seems to me to be the best place to do it. You know, girls wanting to have a pretty wedding dress too. All those cat fights over the bouquet mean open season for us!"
~*~
The sun had set, and the soft glow of the candles gave the cathedral a very warm and dreamy look to it.
Very slowly, the two rear doors of the cathedral creaked open and the congregation fell silent. There was soft oohing and ahhing as four very small figures appeared in the doorway.
Chloe, Meghan, Alexandria, and Madeline, were all wearing white satin dresses. Chloe, leading the procession began to throw white and red rose petals. Meghan and the little twins followed her in procession. Alexandria with her hair in little white barrettes could be heard saying, "Whee!" as she threw her rose petals enthusiastically.
After the flower girls got to their appropriate spots, and Chloe looked happily at Harry. "Hi, Daddy," she whispered, trying to be sneaky about it.
Harry smiled and tried to keep from laughing. He lifted one of his gloved hands from his side and gave her a small wave.
Hermione looked very nice in a crimson dress, which had finally been made to fit, as Sirius escorted her down the aisle.
Remus and Penelope followed soon after them. Penelope wearing the same crimson colored dress, tailored to fit her very well and looking elegant with her blonde hair in a smooth French twist.
Parading behind the bridesmaids Hunter and Kyle smiled brightly at everyone as they proudly presented pillows with the rings. Harry grinned. Both looked like miniature footmen, clothed in white dress robes, with a red rose boutonnière and their red hair combed smoothly over.
Everything was running perfectly. The priest and his deacons came out soon afterwards, and then the conductor brought the song to a clean ending.
Harry took a deep breath as the Bridal March struck up and lifted his eyes to the doorway once more.
Ginny looked radiant.
Harry gulped as she walked toward him.
Ginny wore a stunning composition of flowing white silk; the fabric shone in the rich candlelight, descending gracefully to the floor. Two dainty straps embellished with a row of diamonds, glittered magnificently off of her fair shoulders. Her veil was light and airy, like spun gossamer; it floated softly around her face and along the back of the dress. Her hair was pulled into an elegant chignon, with wisps curling along the nape of her neck. A delicate tiara that was attached to her veil, perched magnificently on her hair, and sparkled with dazzling diamonds. Attached to the back of her dress, an extremely lengthy train, adorned with intricate beadwork, spread behind her.
Catherine and Mortimer trailed her, each holding up an end of the train.
Ginny looked shyly at everyone staring at her, but she kept her eyes right on Harry.
As she approached the altar, the Aurors standing guard suddenly snapped and they all did a sharp right or left face, so they were looking toward the inside of the aisle, then militaristically thrust their wands into the air, making an archway.
Mr. Weasley looked ecstatic, as he displayed Ginny on his arm. He smiled at Harry when they had arrived at the altar, a smile that brought Harry back down to earth.
"Who gives this bride away?" The priest's voice echoed clearly in the cathedral.
"Her mother and I do," replied Mr. Weasley. Harry saw him squeeze Ginny's hand and then stepped back.
It was Ginny's smile, not Mr. Weasley's, that warmed Harry's heart to the core. She turned and smiled sweetly at Harry and took his hand. Harry took a deep shuddering breath. This was really happening.
~*~
Harry cupped Ginny's face in his hands, and they kissed softly.
The cathedral roared with applause and the orchestra struck up a joyous march.
Harry grabbed Ginny's hand.
"We're married," he said breathlessly, as they began walking together.
"PRESENT ARMS!" bellowed the one of the Auror officers.
The Aurors' wands were thrust into the air again, making an archway for Ginny and Harry, but this time, brilliant sparks exploded into the air, drizzling around them like shooting stars. They began laughing when they heard the children's delighted shrieks behind them.
As they ran to the carriage parked outside of the cathedral, Harry looked up and faced all the cameras, smiling brightly. For the first time in his life, he didn't care about the hundreds of pictures being taken, because he wouldn't give anything in the world to be anyone else.
~*~
Chloe took a huge bite of cake and swung her legs in her chair.
"Yummy!" said Madeline.
"I like weddings," said Kyle, taking another bite.
"Good cake?" asked Sirius walking by their table.
The children nodded.
There were tables heaped with food along one wall of Potter hall. They had just cut the wedding cake, and everyone was drifting into the ballroom for a bit of dancing. The children had been given huge slices of cake for their good behavior at the wedding, and they were content at this moment to have their dessert, rather than see what was going on in the ballroom.
"Wonderful wedding, isn't it?" said Charlie, approaching the Auror he had noticed during the ceremony.
"Quite nice," she said shortly, keeping her eye on Harry and Ginny who were laughing with a group of people from the Ministry.
"Charlie Weasley," he said offering a hand.
"I'm Lieutenant Jennings," she shook his hand quickly but never took her eyes of Harry and Ginny.
"Do you have a first name?" persisted Charlie.
"Mr. Weasley, to be perfectly frank, I'm on duty. It is my responsibility to make sure no one ruins anything. If you don't mind, you're in the way," she said stepping away from him.
"But you see, I'm a close personal friend of Harry's, and I know he wouldn't mind if you happened to have one little bitty dance with one of his groomsmen..."
"Perhaps. But I would certainly mind."
"I'm really not all that bad, Lieutenant. I call after first dates, honest."
She gave him a dry look.
Harry glanced up and leaned over and whispered something in Ginny's ear. Ginny nodded and smiled.
"Jennings!" exclaimed Harry coming over. "Fantastic display at the ceremony didn't you think?"
"Yes, sir," she said smiling. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," said Harry, "might I introduce you to Mr. Charles Weasley? He's an old and good friend of mine. I'm sure you can just call him Charlie."
"We've been introduced," said Jennings tactfully.
"Have you?" said Harry grinning, pretending as if he didn't notice the expression on her face. "Did you know that Mr. Weasley is head of the Dragon Regulation Department? I thought you two would get along, since you've been responsible for many illegal dragon operations going down."
"Is that so?" said Charlie brightening.
Harry nodded. "Anastasia here, is quite the advocate for the proper care of magical creatures."
Jennings colored. "Thank you, sir."
Harry shrugged. "Why don't you take a bit of a break from duty and grab a bite to eat?"
Anastasia's face flattened, and Harry saw her eyes narrow at him briefly. "That's quite all right, sir, I'll complete my task first."
Harry winked and turned back to go to Ginny. "That was an order."
Charlie bit his lower lip to keep from laughing.
"May I get you a plate, Anastasia?" he said gesturing towards the table with a sweeping motion.
She sighed, and then smiled. "That would be nice of you.Charlie, is it?"
~*~
Ginny laughed as Harry spun her around on the ballroom floor. She had removed the train, and her veil, and her wedding gown was now a lovely dancing dress.
"And to think," Ginny said putting her hands behind his neck. "This is where you and I kissed for the first time."
"Much to my surprise and yours," smiled Harry. "I didn't plan on doing that."
"I'm rather glad you did," said Ginny.
"So are a lot of people," he said dipping her.
"Looks like your little set-up worked," said Ginny looking over at Charlie and Anastasia dancing.
Harry grinned the trademark sly Weasley smile. "I know, I think they hit it off pretty well, after that first horrible introduction Charlie made."
Remus waltzed over with Chloe in his arms.
"Look what I found, Chlo," he said to her, "a daddy and a mummy!"
"My daddy and MY mummy," said Chloe hugging Remus happily. "We 'dopted her."
Ginny gave Harry a quizzical look. "Adopted?" she mouthed to him.
"I'll explain later," whispered Harry, quite amused.
"I think Chloe wanted to dance with a certain person before a certain person leaves for his honeymoon," said Remus winking at Harry.
"I'm a very good dancer, Daddy," said Chloe, as Remus spun around with her in his arms.
"Remus, will you have this dance?" asked Ginny playfully.
"Most certainly, but I am quite sad to leave this adorable partner I've had," nodded Remus, setting Chloe down.
"It was smashing," said Chloe politely to Remus.
Remus chuckled as he and Ginny danced off.
"May I have this dance, Miss Chloe Grace Potter?"
"Yes, you may, Daddy," she said smiling brightly.
Harry bowed to Chloe, and she held the skirt of her dress as she curtsied.
Most of the people in the ballroom, laughed and turned to watch when Chloe stepped on the toes of Harry's boots and they began to waltz. Chloe squealed when he swung her up in the air.
"How long will you be gone on holiday, Daddy?" she asked, pushing his hair off his forehead and staring into his eyes inquisitively. "Will it be a really long time?"
"Just seven days," he said. "Then we're going to come back come back for you and take another holiday together."
The song ended, and they bowed and curtsied to each other again amidst the applause of the guest.
"See?" said Chloe, green eyes alight with delight as she waved a little, "I'm a very good dancer!"
~*~
Their honeymoon had been very lovely indeed, but Harry finally decided their holiday with Chloe after the honeymoon was just as enjoyable, if not more.
He watched as she turned over another pail full of sand, making another addition to her sandcastle. Her long pigtails, tied with purple ribbon, whipped in the wind. To his right, Ginny yawned happily and sat up on the heels of her hands with him to watch Chloe.
"How's the bribery coming along?" she grinned, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.
Harry nodded, "He seems to be very docile."
"Docile. Good. He snaps at her once, and I'll curse him to..." began Ginny peering closer at Chloe.
"Down, Mummy," said Harry soothingly, "I've got it under control."
Ginny leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I believe you. Now what's this variety again? I don't ever remember coming across it."
"Sand gnomes," recited Harry, "close cousins of the garden variety."
"Of all things for Chloe to unearth," laughed Ginny, "not to mention, insisting on befriending it."
"Much to that little thief's dismay," chuckled Harry.
"So they mostly hide in sand dunes, coming out to only sneak the occasional Muggle picnic basket away?"
"That and car keys hidden in a pair of shoes. They like shiny things I think. Really, the Muggles really don't need their help losing things.."
"The look on its face when you picked it up out of our basket," laughed Ginny. "Then Chloe's cry of delight. She was really disappointed about having to leave Norbert in the condo. I heard her telling him he wasn't a 'sand-proof' dragon."
"The promise of an entire picnic basket in exchange of playing nicely with her apparently is working rather well. They both seem to be enjoying themselves."
Chloe peered into her castle. "Are you sleeping, Smitty?"
"Me name ain't SMITTY!" bellowed the gnome loudly from inside the sand castle, "me name is..."
Chloe giggled delightedly. "Yes it is! Don't be a silly gnome! Want to go swimming?" she said reaching into the castle, feeling around for him.
"No swimming!" shrieked the gnome, flailing his arms. "Me cousin was ate up by a crab!"
Chloe grabbed him and pulled him out of the sand castle. "It's all right. I'm a witch. I can scare away the crabs."
"No, no, no!" howled the gnome clawing at the sand.
"Chloe!" called Ginny as she waved. "It's time for another sun blocking charm!"
"All right, Mummy," said Chloe putting the distressed gnome in the crook of her arm, and skipping up to her parents.
"Smitty and I are going swimming," she said holding the gnome up by his ankles, and he flopped about like a caught fish.
"Hold still a moment," said Harry handing Ginny her wand from the beach bag.
"Legs," sang Ginny as she tapped her Chloe's legs once, "arms, shoulders, back, neck annnnd.."
"Face," giggled Chloe as the wand tapped her lightly on the nose.
"All finished," said Ginny, "make sure you and Smitty don't go in the water past your ankles."
Smitty began to howl again and wriggled in Chloe's grasp. She smiled fondly at him. "He's excited," she said to her parents in a whisper.
Harry peered at Smitty sternly over his glasses. "Play nicely," he repeated.
Smitty fell lax in Chloe's hands and whimpered pathetically.
Ginny laughed as Chloe scampered off. "He must REALLY want that basket you've promised him."
"Ah, he'll have a story to tell his grandchildren," said Harry. "About the vicious sorceress that took him captive."
Chloe sat down on the sand, letting the waves splash onto her legs. Smitty was trying to climb his way up her arm, away from the water.
"No-no!" she chided, "swim!"
Plunk.
Chloe steered Smitty through the water, complete with motorboat noises. Then she began lifting him high up above her head and then back into the water.
"Aaaaaaaaaaa," he shrieked, "Eeeeeeeeggggggguggggggg."
"I TOLD you it's fun," said Chloe happily making him airplane out of the water again.
"AAAIIIIEIIIIIGH."
"Oh my, you've dropped your hat," said Chloe setting him down by her ankle, reaching for it.
Smitty gasped for air, accidentally making bubbles in water that was almost up to his neck.
Chloe was thrilled beyond anything.
"Daddy!" she cried, "Smitty's blowing bubbles!"
Harry gave a nod and waved at her. "Good, Angel! Make sure Smitty can breathe, please."
"It's lovely having the beach to ourselves this week," Ginny commented happily.
Harry looked pleased about this also. "Mind you, there are going to be some very perplexed Muggles that visit this beach annually, and unable to find it."
Ginny shrugged, very unconcerned. "They have millions of beaches around here, they'll find another and not give this one another thought."
Chloe's laughter rang out from the edge of the water, causing both of them to smile in her direction fondly.
"I suppose she got her fairy tale," said Harry after a moment.
Ginny looked at him blankly.
"Us. Her," elaborated Harry, "She had us figured out before we even knew what to think about it."
Ginny, now enlightened, grinned. "She deserves to have her fairy tale ending."
Harry looked thoughtful. "I DID dance with you...and we DID get married, just as she said we would."
"Chloe Potter, future Diviner?" suggested Ginny innocently.
"Ginny!" said Harry, appalled. "Take that back!"
"Sorry. Really, I just think it's her reasoning behind everything."
"And what is that?"
"Well, that fairy tales are real of course."
Harry put his arm around Ginny's shoulders. "That definitely is a good way at looking at things."
"CRAB!" screamed Chloe, splashing the water with her hands.
Harry leapt to his feet and was about to break into a run to the seaside until he saw Chloe in a fit of laughter.
"Only joking, Smitty," she giggled.
The gnome was far from amused as he scrambled around Chloe's legs and shrieked, clutching his behind.
"Isn't this a FUN game?" she said picking him up and trotting back to her castle.
"GERROFF ME!" screamed Smitty, "GERROFF ME!"
"Don't you bite her, you wicked gnome!" shouted Ginny also jumping to her feet, her wand drawn.
"I don't want no basket!" howled Smitty, when he saw Harry's shadow across the castle. "I-don't-want-no-basket!"
Harry shrugged and sighed. "I suppose you can go."
"GERROFF!" screamed the gnome one last time, about to sink his teeth into Chloe's arm.
"DON'T even think about it," shouted Ginny, bopping him sharply across the top of his head with her wand. "You stay away from her! You wicked little thief! STAY back!"
By the time Ginny finished with him, Smitty was staggering away in a very uneven line. Harry smiled and thought the only thing missing from the picture were stars and birds hovering around his head.
Chloe's eyes were round with surprise.
"I haven't got anyone to play sandcastle with anymore," she said watching Smitty limp away.
"It was just a dirty old gnome," said Ginny kissing her little hand and checking for gnome bites. "Daddy and Mummy will play sandcastle with you."
"You will?"
"I get to build the moat, right?" asked Harry kneeling down in the sand.
"Can you enchant the water pink?" Chloe was eager to begin.
"One pink moat, coming up," said Harry picking up a toy shovel.
"Who lives in this castle?" asked Ginny filing a bucket with sand.
"We do," said Chloe sticking shells along the outside of the castle, "with Norbert."
"He stands guard at the drawbridge?" guessed Ginny.
"Right, Mummy!" said Chloe, very pleased. "And we never have to worry about bad people."
"So that means we live happily ever after?" asked Harry.
Chloe shook her pigtails. "No, Daddy! The story isn't over yet!"
"Goodness, didn't you know that?" said Ginny, her eyes sparkling at Harry.
Harry smiled at them and continued to work on the moat.
~*~
Author's note: Lots of thank yous to Anne who is an awesome beta! No, the story isn't over yet.we've got an epilogue left. Look for it soon.
"Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?"