Chapter 55
Harry watched as Ron disappeared through the door from which they had entered earlier to race down the hall and meet the wedding party minus the groom in the entrance way. He gave him a few moments and listened to the tranquil music being played in the distance.
Dumbledore looked at his watch, "It is time Harry."
He nodded and watched as the headmaster exited the room to his seat and followed soon after to the front of the dais. Harry's breath caught in his throat when he saw literally thousands of faces in the crowd, all turned toward him.
He paused for a moment at the sheer silliness of it all. Hermione and he didn't know a fraction of the people in attendance except for her parents, one of which, her mother, who was sitting front row right and his school mates who were scattered all about with their parents or friends. He did see a number of the Order of the Phoenix in attendance.
Harry set himself in position and waited for the chamber music to end, all the while trying his best not to bolt back the way he came, screaming and pulling his hair out until he slipped his hand in his pocket and withdrew a lemon drop, popping it into his mouth.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
The tension eased and a new song started as the large doors to the Great Hall opened. Hagrid and Professor McGonagall entered arm in arm. Hagrid seemed decidedly uncomfortable in his groomsman's suit of black tails and bowtie and McGonagall in her poofy Royal Blue bridesmaid's dress. Harry almost laughed at the sight of a prim and proper Minerva McGonagall in something other than her black teacher's robes.
When they reached the halfway point Remus and Parvati Patil were next to enter, each looking much more comfortable. Harry even got to see Remus' new haircut which was cropped above his ears and collar. He looked almost spry as he escorted the young and beautiful Parvati down the aisle. They were followed by Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood and lastly Ron and Ginny as Best Man and Maid of Honor.
Harry screwed up his courage for he knew who was coming in next. the music faded.
"Last chance, mate," Ron said as he took his place beside Harry.
Harry smiled. "Oh, do shut up."
Ron laughed softly.
A sudden blast of trumpets sounded the beginning of the wedding march. Everyone in the Great Hall stood and blocked the doors so that Harry could not see. He heard decidedly loud ohh's and ahh's before he saw a figure clad in white come around the bend being escorted by Mr. Granger.
Hermione shimmered as she floated down the aisle and the rest of the world tuned out for Harry. Her gown was v-cut and barely hung off her shoulders with boarders of lace and silk underneath. Her waist seemed shrunk and tight because of the sudden expanse of material flowing down from her hips. It wasn't a poofy hoop style but somewhere in between. A large veil trailed off behind her and a small veil lay just over her eyes so that he couldn't see them until she arrived next to him so suddenly.
Mr. Granger shook Harry's hand and returned to his place beside his wife.
There was a moment of silence before the minister approached.
"You look, beautiful, Hermione."
The smile she held all the way down the aisle hadn't faltered once. "So do you, Harry."
He took her right hand in his left and they turned to face ... Professor Dumbledore?
He smiled down upon them. "Being Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot does have its privileges."
He withdrew his wand and tapped his throat. "Sonorus."
"Ladies and Gentleman, Wizards and Witches, honored guests. We are here today to witness the joining of two friends that have become more than friends, two souls that will become one. In this time of celebration we shall rejoice with them as they share their joy with us."
He tapped his wand to his throat again. "Quietus." And then once more in a circle around them which Harry understood would let even those that sat in the back to hear what was said.
Then to Harry and Hermione:
"Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage."
Dumbledore crossed his hands in front of him.
"Hermione, please face Harry and hold his hands, palms up, so that you may see the gift that they are to you."
Harry held out his hands as instructed and Hermione cupped them gently.
"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
"These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.
"These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you."
Dumbledore took a deep breath and turned to Harry.
"Harry take Hermione's hands."
He did so as she held his moments before.
"These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
"These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will hold each of your children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
"These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness."
Dumbledore stopped and reached out to place their hands entwined with one another.
"Do you both promise to fulfill each other's needs and dreams for as long as you shall live?"
They both nodded and said in unison. "We do."
Dumbledore smiled. "Then by the power invested to me as Chief Warlock I pronounce you Husband and wife. Harry, you may kiss your bride."
Harry released Hermione's hands and reached up to her veil, lifting it up and away from her shining eyes. His hands traced the line of her face and cupped her head gently in his palms as he brushed his lips, feather light on hers.
The Great Hall erupted in thunderous applause.
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"Just one more picture, please!" the photographer moaned.
The wedding party had posed for what seemed like a hundred and fifty pictures and Ron finally burst out. "Last one, I'm hungry." He dug at the tight bow tie at his neck. "And I want to take off this blasted tie!"
Harry laughed at his best man. They were saved moments later by a the sound of Dumbledore's voice. "If the wedding party would join we could begin the reception."
The photographer frowned as Harry and Hermione led the way through the front doors of the castle, back to the Great Hall where everyone was gathered in the middle to see the happy couple as they approached the head table and sat in the middle to snack and receive well wishes from guests and best of all, wedding gifts.
A very large book sat at one end of the table for guest signatures and written well wishes, while each person was allowed a few moments to give gifts and be seen by the honored couple as Ron and Ginny scrambled to take notes of each gift and who it was from. Occasionally you would hear a muttered, 'Blimey' from Ron or a groan from Ginny who was acquiring a severe case of writer's cramp in the palm of her hand. She was soon relieved by Luna Lovegood.
Virtually everyone at the Ministry of Magic had attended as did almost all of the school including virtually all of the teachers. Noticeably there was no sign of a black clothed greasy git that will go unmentioned.
Narcissa and Draco Black passed by for a moment. She handed Luna an ornate card and shook each of their hands. "Thank you for helping us in our time of need."
Harry shook his head. "It's the least we could do, Ms. Black."
She smiled and Draco looked bored. "At my insistence, Remus and I have performed a little redecorating of the house you let me stay at. It is my wedding present to you."
Hermione looked shocked and pleased as did Harry. They wouldn't be able to take a proper honeymoon until school let out for the summer and was only looking forward to a few days at the dreariness of Grimmauld Place.
"Thank you. I'm sure we will love it." And Harry wasn't complimenting falsely at all. He knew what Malfoy Manor looked like before the mass destruction. She had excellent taste.
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By the end of the reception Harry was sure his hand would fall off if he touched anything other than his new wife, and even then he wasn't very sure. Awaiting them in front of the castle was a very long black Ministry Limousine, compliments of Kingsley Shaklebolt, that would take them to their new home and their weekend together.
They were showered with cheers along the way and fireworks by the Weasley twins. The crowd became quite thick at the doors of the castle and Hagrid stepped forward and started to brush his way through, creating a path for the exhausted couple.
He opened the back door for Hermione and kissed her hand as he helped her in. "Now, don' go bein' a stranger, alrigh'?"
She smiled. "Hagrid, we'll be back on Monday for classes."
The half-giant nodded and smiled. "Sure ya' will."
Harry shook his hand. "Thanks, Hagrid."
"Go on," he sniffed and looked like he was going to tear up.
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"Let's never do that again, okay?" asked Harry.
Hermione smiled and leaned into him as the limousine left the gates of Hogwarts and accelerated to blurring speed. The sun was just setting when they arrived at Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore had gifted them with a Putter-Outer which Harry took advantage of before exiting the car. Once it had started off they entered number twelve and Harry put things back to order in the square.
"Torca Ignis!'" Hermione called to the dark. The gas jets ignited playing soft light down the hall and the landings upstairs.
They stood there and looked around, remembering what Narcissa Black had said about redecorating. The first thing they noticed was the missing portrait of Mrs. Black and the entire lack of dark colors and the old unfinished wood floor.
Instead the walls were and off white and trimmed with ornate moldings. A chandelier hung at about the third floor landing. The house smelled clean.
Harry put his arm around his new wife. "I'm afraid to even look at the other rooms."
Hermione grinned and turned in his arm. "Good, then we'll worry about it tomorrow."
She went up to her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "I have more important things to do to you tonight."
"Like what?"
She smiley impishly. "You'll have to help me out of this dress and find out what's underneath to find out."
Hermione lifted up the front of her dress and stepped lively upstairs. Once she reached the first landing she kicked off her heels and kicked them at Harry. "Coming?"
A sly grin spread across his face. "Just giving you a head start."
She giggled loudly and raced down to their room.