My Hero, My Friend, My Love

A/N- You may want some Kleenex for this one.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot.

Chapter Eighteen: The Joining of Two Souls

Ginny stepped from the dressing room of the most elegant dress shop in Hogsmeade. "Well, what you do think?" She was dressed in a white strapless gown, with intricate beading along the bust-line that flowed out at her waist to the floor. The matching robe had a high collar, with identical beading going down the back along the train.

Hermione, Shaine, and Katie all gasped, and Hermione clutched the throat of her robes. She began to smile broadly. "Ginny, you look so beautiful!" she said.

Shaine nodded in agreement. "It's perfect, Gin. I think this is the one."

Katie just cried. "It's just so wonderful, Ginny. You and Remus are going to be so happy." Tears streamed down her cheeks and she sobbed.

"Katie, are you alright?" Ginny asked, amused.

"Yes, I'm fine," her sister-in-law said, wiping her tears. "I'm just so...emotional."

"Because I'm buying my wedding dress?" Ginny questioned.

"Yes, I'm just so happy for you," she said, sniffling.

The girls left the village a short time later, with Ginny's new dress, as well as a few things from the unmentionables shop, and headed back home. Upon entering Grimmauld Place, the four girls giggled up the stairs to Ginny's room, but neglected to escape the curious stares of Sirius, Harry and Ron, who were in the sitting room. "What have you got there?" Harry shouted up at them.

His wife giggled down at him. "Nothing that you men can see," she said teasingly. The others laughed loudly, except Ginny.

"Stop! Shaine!" she whined.

They girls fell into another fit of laughter and the men looked at each other curiously. Well, Sirius wasn't curious. He had immediately recognized the mysterious pink bag, having been in that shop quite a few times in his younger days shopping for girlfriends. He snickered at the thought of Ginny wearing anything from that shop in front of his old pal. "Moony," he thought to himself, "I hope you take can it, old man." He chuckled at his thought.

---------------------------------------------------

It was two weeks before Christmas. Snow fell lightly to the ground outside a church in Northern England. The sun had set and the stars shown brightly in the sky.

Remus Lupin, clad in elegant black dress robes, paced around the parlor's private chamber, wringing his hands. George Weasley laughed at his former professor. "Told you that you should've eloped," he said quietly. Ron chuckled at his brother, but Remus glared at him. Harry patted Remus on the back.

"It's all right, mate," he said. "We were nervous too."

"Really?" Remus asked the younger men.

They both nodded. "It's true," George said. "Even I was nervous."

That seemed to calm the older man, slightly. "Is Ginny nervous?" he asked.

"Yes, definitely," Fred said, entering the room. "She's wearing a rut in the floor. Poor Hermione is having a hard time keeping her still." The other men chuckled at this, but Remus just forced a weak smile, still pacing. Fred handed him a rolled piece of parchment. "She said to give this to you before the ceremony."

Remus smiled to himself. This was it, her last letter to him before she became his wife. He opened it eagerly and read it, blinking back tears.

My dear Remus,

Can you believe that in a short time we'll be married? I've dreamed of this day since I was a little girl, but never in my life did I imagine that I would be marrying the most wonderful man ever put on this earth.

You have brought so much happiness to my life. You've been my teacher, my mentor, my hero, my comfort, my friend, my lover, my inspiration, and now you will be my husband.

I want you to know that no matter what life brings us, we will go through it together. I will be by your side through anything and everything. Whenever I think of how we came together, I can't help but laugh. So much seemed to be against us, but love led us through it all and it will lead us through the days to come.

I will meet you at the altar soon, my love, and our lives can begin.

All my love,

Ginny

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Meanwhile, Sirius was watching Ginny pace around the bridal chamber. "Oh, God," she moaned. "What if I fall? What if I forget my vows? What if I drop the ring?" she asked wearily.

Sirius looked up at her from his chair. Sighing slightly, he said, "Well, if you fall, you'll get up. If you forget your vows, say whatever's in your heart, and if you drop the ring, I'll pick it up." She looked back at him, wondering why he was so calm. She was about to ask when Draco came into the room.

The younger man looked to Sirius. "Can we have a moment?" he asked. Sirius nodded and stood.

"I'd better see to Moony," he said walking over to her, "Make sure he's still there." He winked, but Ginny didn't look amused. "I'm only kidding. I've known him almost my entire life, Ginny, and he's never been happier." Sirius kissed her cheek and choked back tears. "I'm so very proud of you."

She smiled back at him through her own tears. "Thank you, Sirius. I love you." She hugged him again.

"I love you too, dear," he replied before leaving to attend to his duties as best man.

Draco walked over to Ginny and took her hands. "Nervous, love?" he asked. She nodded. Draco's happy expression darkened briefly. "Gin, do you really love him?" he questioned.

Ginny looked at her friend, puzzled. "Yes, of course. I wouldn't be marrying him otherwise," she answered. Draco dropped their hands, and Ginny became worried about him. "What is it, Draco? What's troubling you?" she asked.

He turned away from her. "Part of the reason Rebecca left me is because of you...because I've never really gotten over you," he said quietly. Ginny was stunned. He turned back to face her. "I just wanted to know if there was any chance- any at all- for us-"he started but was interrupted.

"No, Draco," Ginny said gently. "There's not. I love Remus with all of my heart. He's the one, the only one, for me. I'm sorry." Draco shook his head and forced a smile. He tried to blink back the tears in his eyes.

"It's okay," he said. "I just wanted to ask. I didn't mean to upset you."

Ginny smiled at him, trying to hide the pity she felt for him. "It's okay Draco. But I want you to remember something you told me once. You said that all you ever wanted for me was to be happy, remember?" He nodded. "Well," she continued, "Remus makes me happier than anyone in the world. I want to be married to him. I love him."

She sighed. "Draco, there's someone out there for you. I know it. But you have to move on with your life. You have to open your heart and let love back in. Promise me you'll try."

"I promise, Ginny," he said softly. He kissed her cheek as Hermione entered the room.

"It's time to start," she said softly. Ginny merely nodded, and Draco exited the room. Hermione looked at her friend and began to cry.

"You look so beautiful, Gin," she sobbed. Ginny giggled at her.

"Are you going to make it?" she asked, giggling.

Hermione waved her hand in the air. "I'm fine. Just, you know...hormones."

"You're pregnant again?" Ginny asked incredulously. When Hermione nodded happily, Ginny asked, "What happened to waiting two years?"

Hermione blushed. "Well, we meant to..." her voice trailed off, and Ginny put up her hands.

"Stop," she said forcefully, "that's my brother. I don't want to know any more." She stopped laughing and smiled at her sister-in-law. "I'm happy for you, Hermione."

"Thanks," the other girl replied. "Now let's get you married!" Both girls laughed and left the parlour for the chapel.

Unlike Harry's wedding, which had been a huge event and the "social event of the season," according to Witch Weekly, Remus and Ginny had decided to have a small wedding, with just close friends, including members of the Order of the Phoenix, and family. So, it was a rather small, intimate affair.

Bill was waiting for them at the entrance. He smiled at Hermione as she began her ascent up the aisle. Ginny gripped her brother's arm, and he patted her hand in comfort. "Ready?" he asked.

"I've never been more ready," she replied. He smiled and kissed her cheek. The music began again, and he led her down the aisle towards the love of her life.

Remus beamed as his bride walked towards him slowly. Ron and Harry grinned at their old teacher from their seats. Sirius, standing behind Remus, patted him on the back.

Finally, Bill and Ginny reached the front of the chapel and he handed her left hand to Remus, and he squeezed it affectionately. Bill went to sit with his wife and brothers, and the couple turned to face the Minister of Magic, who would perform the ceremony. Edward Smyth had been named Minister after Arthur Weasley's assassination and had done well. Not only was he Remus' boss, but also he was a strong supporter of the werewolf. Edward began the ceremony:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here this evening to witness the marriage of Remus John Lupin and Ginvera Molly Black-Weasley. This is a special time to share with these two people, and it is to be entered into quietly, humbly and with reverence.

Remus and Ginny have chosen to have a unique charm placed upon their marriage, a Soul-Joining Charm. It is very rare, very powerful and will unite their souls for all eternity. Now, we will begin the vows. Remus, please repeat after me." He said the vows and Remus repeated them, solemnly, yet lovingly.

"I, Remus John Lupin, promise to love you, Ginerva Molly Black-Weasley, with all that I have, through good times and bad, through wealth and poverty, through sickness and health, all the days of my life. I choose to have my soul bound to yours for all eternity. This is my solemn vow."

Next, it was Ginny's turn.

"I Ginerva Molly Black-Weasley, promise to love you, Remus John Lupin, with all that I have, through good times and bad, through wealth and poverty, through sickness and health, all the days of my life. I choose to have my soul bound to yours for all eternity. This is my solemn vow."

Edward smiled at the couple and continued with the rings. Sirius handed Remus Ginny's ring, and he slipped it onto her finger, saying, "Ginny, please accept this ring as a token of my unconditional love and devotion."

Hermione handed Remus' ring to Ginny, and she slid it onto his finger saying, "Remus, please accept this ring as a token of my unconditional love and devotion."

Edward pulled out his wand to begin the Soul-Joining charm. "Please face each other and join hands." The couple did so, and the Minister performed the incantations of the spell. When it was finished, a thin mist emerged from Remus' and Ginny's chests, where their hearts were, and intertwined between them, before splitting in half and floating back into the two people's hearts.

Their friends and family gasped at the beautiful spectacle in front of them. It was an intimate display of emotion and commitment, and the women present wept silently. Even Sirius was choked up, watching the spell being performed.

When the mist faded Remus and Ginny smiled warmly at each other. The Minister, smiling proudly, looked out at the guests. "It is my honor to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Remus John Lupin. Remus, you may kiss your bride."

Remus grinned like a schoolboy before cupping Ginny's face in his hands and gently lowering his lips to hers in a soft kiss. Then he did something very un-Remus-like. He suddenly picked her up, twirled her around and whooped loudly. Their guests applauded, and Harry and Ron yelled in appreciation, as everyone laughed. Hermione wiped tears from her eyes. So did Sirius, even though no one noticed.

As the guests made their way back to the parlor for the reception, Remus pulled Ginny into an empty room and kissed her passionately. "I can't believe we did it," he said breathlessly. "Mrs. Ginny Lupin," he said almost to himself.

She kissed him back fervently, "I like the sound of that, dear husband."

Remus shouted loudly again. She laughed at him.

"Come on, you," she said through her giggles. "Our guests and going to think we couldn't wait until the wedding night." He blushed and they followed the guests to the reception.

The rest of the evening went along beautifully. They happy couple danced, drank and celebrated with their friends. Ginny had remembered a muggle tradition from Hermione's and Fred's wedding, known as the "Father-Daughter Dance," and asked Sirius to dance with her when it was announced. He did so, proudly. Ginny laughed with her girlfriends, as they watched the four Weasley brothers pull Remus aside for a "discussion." Remus was good-natured about it, though, and went along with the men, nodding seriously and looking properly afraid of their threats.

After the candles in the parlor began to wane, the couple left to the shouts and well-wishes of their friends...and the cat-calls of the men present, even Sirius. They apperated back to Remus' flat. They'd decided to spend their first night as man and wife there before departing for their honeymoon the next morning. As he carried her over the threshold of the bedroom, Ginny smiled at her new husband, thinking she'd never been happier in her life.