Chapter Three

Wedding at the Burrow

Tap, tap, tap.

Hermione opened half an eye in the darkness then shut it again. It wasn't morning yet.

Tap, tap, tap. The rapping continued. Hermione ignored it but a muffled voice call out.

"Hermione are you awake? Let me in!"

Hermione grogily stepped out of bed and walked to her door. She opened to find Ginny fully dressed.

"Rise and shine!" she greeted cheerfully.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Four in the morning," said Ginny.

"What did you wake me up so early for and what are you doing here anyway?"

"In answer to your first question, you are getting married in three hours—just enough time to get you ready. And as for the second question, I'm here as your maid of honor to make sure you're ready in three hours."

"Hmmm?" she murmurred sleepily.

"Hello?" Ginny waved a hand in front of her face. "Marrying Ron today? Does that ring a bell? Or have you forgotten?" She lifted Hermione's hand and showed her the gold band still on her finger.

"I know about that," said Hermione. "Just too drowsy."

"What time did you sleep last night? You look like you got hexed."

Hermione tried to recall what happened after dinner at the Burrow. She remembered apparating home with Ron. (Harry said something about staying for a bit more at the Burrow to talk to Ginny). She went through her books and tried to look on any information on wizarding marriages and annulment. She was browsing on several texts when Ron came over where she was studying on the couch and told her it was late and that she should go to bed. It was only ten in the evening, so she ignored him. She remembered getting into a row with him over that. There was a flash of light. After that, everything seemed a bit fuzzy. She seemed to recall being gently lifted off the couch and brought to bed. Ron had hovered over her side and tucked her blankets around her...

She looked down at her clothes. They were the same clothes she wore while she was reading and not her pyjamas that she usually wore to bed. She was suddenly wide awake.

"Damn Ron!" she cried. "He did it again!"

"What?" Ginny asked, startled.

"The sleeping spell! I should never have taught him that. He hit me with a sleeping spell last night when I refused to go to bed. He does that when I study late into the night."

"And a good thing he did too," said Ginny. "That way, you won't be sleepy during the ceremony."

"Well I hardly know anything about annulments! How am I supposed to file one if I don't even know what I need? I don't have time to study for this."

"But you don't have to," argued Ginny. "Harry talked to Percy last night. He'll take care of everything. So don't you worry a thing except looking perfect today. And don't take it against Ron. He only tries to take care of you."

Hermione had to admit Ginny was right. It was nice of Ron to look after her and put her to bed whenever she overworked herself. She wondered if Nathaniel would ever do that to her when she moved in with him.

"Still, what do I need three hours for? The wedding isn't until seven."

"What do you mean what for? Fake marriage or not, you are not going to marry my brother looking like you just got out of bed. We have to make you beautiful."

"Alright, alright. I don't really see what the fuzz is all about. It's just us and the ceremony won't be too long."

"Hermione, where's your sense of fun? You need to dress up for this and..." Ginny stopped and suddenly blocked her way. Hermione heard the door to Ron's room followed by Ron's irritated objections to Harry waking him up before dawn.

"Ginny, what are you doing?"

"Bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding!"

"Oh honestly! You're being ridiculous. It's not like we're really going to be married."

"Let's go to the Burrow before he comes out," Ginny said as if she didn't hear her.

Hermione rolled her eyes but apparated out of her flat with the youngest Weasley.

She found Mrs. Weasley waiting for them in the kitchen, cooking up a feast. But what surprised her were the two people sitting by the Weasley table.

"Mum! Dad! What are you doing here?" gasped Hermione.

"You didn't think we'd miss your wedding, Hermione," said her mother. "Molly told us everything and invited us to come."

"But it's not a real wedding. I'm marrying Nathaniel for real tomorrow."

"I know, honey," said her father. "But it's still a wedding all the same. And we've always wanted to witness how you magical folk do it. So here we are."

"I guess, it's okay. You are my parents after all. I'm sorry, I didn't tell you."

"It's alright, Hermione," replied her mother. "Now let's get you dressed."

Her mother and Ginny escorted her to Ginny's room where a set of white dress robes (formerly Mrs. Weasley's) was laid out for her. After she bathed, the two women subjected her to a make over that lasted for hours. She was oddly reminded of the preparation for the Yule Ball and rather enjoyed herself. Mrs. Weasley's dress robes fit her well and the garland of orange blossoms Ginny placed in her hair complemented it. The end result, she had to admit, left her stunningly beautiful, that she was afraid it was all too much for just a show. But when Ginny, her mother and Mrs. Weasley appeared dressed, they looked only slightly less grand than she.

"It's time, Hermione," Ginny said. The first rays of sun were just appearing and Hermione felt her heart throb. The day was so perfect and she looked the part so much, it was achingly disappointing that this was all just make-believe.

She got up and followed Ginny down the stairs. But when she stepped outside, she had the shock of her life. The Burrow's backyard was decorated with flowers that seemed to have grown overnight. The lawn was perfectly green and devoid of the usual gnomes. There were tables laden with sumptious food. And there was a crowd of people more than the number she expected to be there.

"What in Merlin's name...! Ginny what is going on?!"

She looked guiltily at Hermione. "We couldn't help it. Mum invited a few friends, so did I, and Harry... and Fred and George... okay so we all invited some friends."

Hermione stared at her in amazement. All the regular Hogwarts teachers, with the exception of Snape and Trelawny seemed to be there. On one side, all the Gryffindors in their year were standing along with a few members of the D.A. The surviving members of the Order of the Phoenix were also in attendance.

"This is not what I meant when I said we should keep it quiet!" she hissed at Ginny.

"Relax, nobody's going to squeal on you. We already told everyone here."

"Oh great, now everybody knows what a stupid thing I did trying on Ron's ring!"

"They don't think it's stupid—well some of the boys think it's amusing—but a lot of them think it's romantic."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Now, now Hermione. Don't pout, don't want to mess up that face."

Ginny led Hermione forward and gave a cue from someone up front. Sweet music started to play from nowhere. Ginny left Hermione standing alone and joined everyone else as they formed a large circle on the lawn. Hermione had read about Wizarding marriages, but it was completely different when she was witnessing one. One side of the circle parted and her parents came out, looking a little nervous and out of place in their formal muggle clothes. They each extended a hand out to her and she took them both as was the tradition. They led her slowly to the opening of the circle just as it began raining flowers from the sky. Everyone was watching the three of them intently as they moved towards the center. Halfway through, her parents stopped.

"Molly says, we have to leave you here and you have to walk there on your own now," her father said. He kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful honey. I love you."

"I love you too, Dad," Hermione replied. She could feel tears glistening in her eyes. She turned to her mother, hugged her briefly and kissed her cheek, whispering I love yous.

She turned away from them and looked forward. Standing in the middle of the circle was Dumbledore. Next to him, in his navy blue dress robes, was Ron. He was looking at her as if he was seeing a vision. She felt her heart in her throat. She walked towards him at the same time he moved towards her. He offered his hand. She took it and he led her to where Dumbledore was standing.

The old man looked at them with kind eyes and raised a staff decorated with the same orange blossoms in her hair. He uttered words that Hermione didn't understand. He gave a motion to tell them to hold out their hands. He took them both and placed their hands together. Dumbledore conjured a piece of vine decorated with flowers and it bound their hands together with magic before he uttered some words again. Sparks flew from his staff and showered them with ethereal light.

Hermione sneaked a peak at Ron. She had never seen him look so handsome. Her gaze met his and she was completely mesmerized at the intensity of his blue eyes. She barely registered that Ginny and Harry had moved next to them that she was rather surprised when she felt Ginny place a string of vines over her head. She looked up and saw Harry was doing the same to Ron.

Dumbledore removed the twine that bound their hands and motioned them to face each other. That was the signal to say their vows. Harry approached, bearing a pair of gold rings. Dumbledore conjured a parchment that appeared before them.

"Recite your vows within this circle of friends. They are bound to protect your unity within your lifetime," said Dumbledore.

Hermione was surprised. She had read about magical marriage rites, but had never known a marriage also involved those who attended it. No wonder, divorce didn't exist in the wizarding world. A marriage was considered so important it demanded its security from all the witnesses.

Ron looked at the parchment then stared into her eyes. "I take you, Hermione Jane Granger, within this circle of friends, as my life-long spouse, and accept the bond that holds us together. I offer you my protection, my companionship, and my love for as long as my life permits." He took her hand and pulled at his Weasley ring. It slipped off her finger easily. He handed it to Harry and took another ring. "I gift you with this ring as the mark of my devotion."

Hermione felt her heart beat faster as he slipped the ring into her finger. She could feel the cool gold against the warmth of Ron's hand.

Dumbledore was already nodding in her direction, and she looked at the parchment then gazed back at Ron. "I take you, Ronald Bilius Weasley, within this circle of friends, as my life-long spouse..." she gasped, not trusting the gathering tears on her throat, but Ron's smile bid her continue. "And accept the bond that holds us together. I offer you my protection, my companionship, and my love for as long as my life permits." Harry handed her a ring. She took Ron's left hand and slipped it on. "I gift you with this ring as the mark of my devotion."

"The bind is complete. Friends, mark your vow to protect this union."

As one, everyone raised their wands and sent up sparks that settled on the newly married couple. There was so much affection emanating from all sides that Hemione was completely overwhelmed. But the most blissful feeling of all came when Ron turned to her and pressed his lips to hers.