A/N: And so Hermione's patronus is an otter, not a phoenix. shrug Oh well, that's my fuck up. Thank you to those who told me, but for some of you I would also appreciated an overall review of the chapter and not just a correction. I was having trouble dealing with time in this epilogue, so I used a song that I had stuck in my head to help me along. The song is Steal Me by Jupiter Sunrise, and if you can download music or check them out at I highly suggest listening to this song.

Lucidity- I'm glad the chapter excited you! I was actually worried that there wasn't enough action. And yes, I think Ron is a sexy sort of character. I blame Rupert Grint, and I agree with you that he is quite handsome.

Robin777- Thanks! I didn't want to introduce anything too new and throw people off, so the dementors worked!

Harrysmom- You could make some sense out of the chapter? Good, because if you couldn't I may have had to reread it and hope I didn't doze off halfway through writing it!

HP-Magic- Fluff is honestly not my specialty, but I'm honored to know that you enjoyed my fluff along with the mystery and such.

Angel-and-Devil- I don't know how cool the Weasley ancestors really are. One is alright, but Robertus is a bit of a jerk, really. Still, they came through in the end, so I'll give them credit for that.

Cursed Wedlock by MyKonstantine.

Chapter 16: A Perfect Love In The Twilight

The sun decided not to make an appearance that February morning, but a soft purple glow resided over Hogwarts grounds. The lake shimmered, looking placid except for the occasions when a giant squid tentacle emerged from under the surface.

As it was a Saturday, most children were still lying fast asleep in their four-poster bed. Others may have been down in the Great Hall shoveling down a lovely breakfast, and few academically adept children were shuffling through books in the library. However, none were allowed outside due to the unforeseen circumstances of a pack of Blast-Ended Skrewts getting loose on the grounds.

Hermione knew this was all a quite cleverly planned lie, of course. If there were Blast-Ended Skrewts on the loose, she would have been running around like mad, freezing her arse off. Instead she was quite warm; standing in a sizable patch of grass while the rest of the grounds were covered in a thin blanket on fresh snow that had fallen the night before.

She held six lilies tight between two manicured hands. Golden jewelry framed her body and her chestnut curls were perched upon her head. Her legs itched a bit against the dress she wore, but she tried her best to ignore it. All her friends and loved ones were watching.

Ron stood across from her now, gently smiling and keeping her whole world steady. She took in a deep breath.

Hermione was just glad she wasn't the bride.

A very pregnant Ginny held that position with the utmost grace and beauty. She slowly glided down the isle in her lovely white dress, her crimson hair cascading down her shoulders. Her brown eyes were already teary as she started straight ahead at all that she'd ever lived for. It was a raven-haired man who stood waiting for her.

When Harry and Ginny's hands finally touched, it was like a jolt of electricity shot through the crowd. Nobody could take their eyes off them.

Albus Dumbledore stood in as the Justice of Peace for the ceremony, and Hermione knew that Harry and Ginny wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Trials. Trials are what make up the life of many of us here today." Dumbledore's voice boomed over the wedding crowd. "They are what unite us as a front against all fears, but most importantly, the trials we've endured teach us how to love. Never before have a seen as much love as in those who stand with me at this moment in time."

Hermione's eyes were already beginning to water now. Her best friends were getting married. Don't cry! Don't cry! Don't cry!

"I, Harry James Potter, take you, Ginevra Molly Weasley, to be my wife." Harry began, but Hermione's attention was drawn to a long sob from the audience. Molly Weasley had already broken into tears, but Hermione knew she couldn't.

She was the Maid of Honor! She was the one-woman support group!

"I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, take you, Harry James Potter, to be my husband." Hermione looked over at Ron as Ginny continued to speak. "To have and to hold.." She could see a few stray tears making their way down Ron's cheeks.

It was then that Hermione let her tears flow freely. Ron's stray tears were nothing compared to what sprouted from her eyes.

Dumbledore was now speaking once again. "This love has gone through more trials in a few short years than most will experience in a lifetime, it still thrives. It deserves nothing but praise and blessings. Thus it is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The kiss was long, sweet and simple, and in that moment every soul on Hogwarts' grounds was infinite.

White sparks flew up into the air. The sky was covered in a traditional blessing in the wizarding world. They led the way into the Great Hall, where Hogwarts students had finished breakfast and gone back to their dorms, allowing Harry and Ginny's guest to slip in for a marvelous reception.

The ceiling of the hall revealed a starlit sky with a crescent moon hanging above it all. The foods laid out, like potatoes and pot roast, made the hall feel like home. Ice blue decorations covered the walls and lanterns each containing a single fairy hung from the ceiling.

The table that was occupied only by teachers on a regular school day now belonged to the wedding party. Hermione snuggled into the large wooden seat between Ron and Ginny. She clutched her silver goblet in hand and read the engraving that spelled out "Harry and Ginny" on the goblet.

Hermione put down the goblet when she felt Ron take her other hand. His eyes twinkled as she turned towards him and gave him a keen smile. She was lost for a moment in that gaze until a gentle voice interrupted.

"Lovely wedding, wouldn't you say?"

A man with a long silvery beard and half-moon spectacles stood in front of them, smiling warmly at the young couple.

Ron was the first to find his voice. "It's excellent, Professor Dumbledore." He forked up a glob of mashed potatoes. "This wedding was planned really well."

The elderly headmaster nodded. "And when will you be wedding Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley?"

"In the autumn." Hermione answered. "The week after Halloween in Hogsmeade."

Ron swallowed his mashed potatoes with a loud gulping noise. "You should be receiving an invitation soon."

"Why thank you. I think I'll just continue my rounds now." With that, the wise old wizard walked away.

It took very little time for the wedding guests to devour the hefty morsels of food put before them. Soon the tables had vanished, and it their places were several rowdy dancers.

Fred and George flew all over the dance floor with their dates, Angelina Spinnet and Katie Bell. They wore blue silk robes they'd splurged on now that they had a success business. As usual, the twins looked as if they didn't have a care in the world.

Bill had decided to come to the wedding dateless, but this was to his advantage, because that way he was able to spend a little time hitting on every other girl there. Charlie had come with a Romanian girl named Anica. Much to Mrs. Weasley's disappointment, Charlie insisted that they were just friends.

Only one Weasley brother was missing. Even long after the war's end, Percy was far too ashamed to attend the marriage of his sister to one Harry Potter.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley danced slowly and a bit awkwardly. It was obvious that they had been out of practice, but that wasn't going to stop them from enjoying themselves. Their smiles were young and vibrant as they remembered their own wedding day and the love that had only grown ever since.

In the center of it all were the new Mr. and Mrs. Potter, slow dancing even to the fast songs. They drank each other's presence in, ignoring everyone else in the room. They were in their own irreversible state of bliss.

Ron and Hermione had danced for a long time, but were resting at the Head Table when a twinkling melody began to course through the room.

"Shall we?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow at Hermione.

She let the song sink in for a moment before saying, "Let's go."

They walked out on the floor, surrounded by people they'd grown up with. Some of these people fought with them, others cried with them, and some made the laugh when they needed it most. Not matter what, they were always together.

Sleep in the grass in a blue field.

Fireflies blinking past Orion.

All sprawled out beside the bikes

The wheels still spinning.

Hermione found herself looking back to the days when she'd first met Ron, then to the times when, as a silly schoolgirl, she'd first realized she had a crush on her fiery haired best friend. At that moment, she held on to that youthful innocence she'd lost during the war once again. She was dancing with her best friend. She was dancing with her only love.

I know a shortcut along the stone wall,

Where evergreen soldiers point their branches,

For a child-like mind like yours and mine to follow.

Her world spun to only months before when she finally admitted her love to the man of her dreams. There were so many years in between that she thought she'd never tell him. With all their bickering and pestering, she didn't understand who he could have ever loved her.

So come on, steal me.

Come on, steal me.

But there she was, held tight in his arms. Not only did she love him, but also had the reassurance that he loved her back.

I drew a map so that we can get home,

Or maybe come back here in the summer,

But I'm not sure how to draw a path to get to moonlight.

She looked down at the ring on her finger. Her engagement ring was simple, but that's all she needed. A simple ring from an extraordinary man. He had fought against Lord Voldemort and he had fought against the Weasley curse, never faltering along the way.

So tonight these stars can shine as our halo

And pine trees watch over like guardian angels,

Protecting a perfect love between twilight,

And all a lifetime of yearning.

The fairies above began to admit a green sparkle now. Everyone in the room watched the changing glow in awe. Hermione snuggled her head into Ron's shoulder and felt more at home than she ever had before.

So come on, steal me.

Come on, steal me.

Two days after the wedding, Ron and Hermione moved into their true home at 12 Grimmauld Place. There was nothing quite as comforting as a long night's sleep next to Ronald Weasley. Before bed, two whispers would always fill the room just as they had in Egypt. "I love you, Mr. Weasley." "I love you too, Mrs. Weasley."

I won't be awake for much longer

So come on.

These were the days that Hermione had fought for in war and in curses, in bickering and nagging, in studying and dazing off, in friendship and in love. She felt as if nothing could ever bring her down from her state of pure bliss. This was her reward.

Come on, steal me.

Come on, steal me.

Three weeks later, Harry's ended shone through the emerald fireplace in Ron and Hermione's bedroom at nearly two in the morning!

"Harry?" Ron grumbled in annoyed confusion. "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

"Am I disturbing something?" Harry responded in a slightly stressed tone.

"Yes! My sleep!"

"Fine," Harry said nonchalantly, "If you don't want to be at St. Mungo's when you become an uncle, that's alright with me."

Ron jumped up, exchanging an excited glance with Hermione.

Hermione rolled out of bed first. "We'll be there in five minutes!"

"That sounds more like it!" Harry laughed. Seconds later, his head disappeared from the fireplace.

Half asleep and in mismatched clothing, Ron and Hermione apparated to St. Mungo's. There they found a very nervous looking Molly Weasley with her husband Arthur, who seemed much calmer. Fred and George sat next to them, calmly discussing the issue.

"I realize that Harry is now Ginny's husband, but if she's in that much pain, I say that still gives us grounds to pummel him."

"We never did get to punish him properly when we found out Ginny was pregnant? He was smart enough to propose directly after."

Ron shook his head at the twins. "There will be no pummeling of Harry."

"I guess not." George sighed. Fred leaned over toward Ron as he took a seat. "But you would make a lovely substitute."

"George Weasley!" A shrill voice that could only belong to Molly Weasley cried out. "How could you even think of hurting your brother at a time like this?"

Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Hermione intercepted it. "Not that it would necessarily damage Ron. He's a grow man, you know."

"Thank you, 'Mione." Ron sat back smugly in his seat.

The wait was long and after a while the family had run out of things to talk about. On a few different occasions, the twins and even Arthur had dozed off with their heads against the wall, snoring soundly. For those who stayed awake, the wait was painful. They were unsure if everything was all right, but there was no way to know. All they could do was sit there.

Finally, the doors leading to Ginny's room burst open and Harry strutted out. His robes were rolled up to his elbows and he seemed a bit tired, but he also looked like he'd been crying a bit.

"Harry! Is everything okay? Did Ginny have the baby?"

Harry only smiled, wiping the residue of his watery eyes away. The only thing he said was "Come with me."

The family jumped up. Hermione's pulse raced as she entered the room and saw Ginny lying on a hospital bed. She looked dead exhausted. Sweat plastered her ginger hair to her forehead and all around her neck. She too had a few tear streaks on her cheeks.

Ginny looked at all the people who entered the room, then looked down. In her hands there was a little blue bundle that stood out in the plain white room. On one end there was the head of a miniature baby with the first wisps of black hair already showing.

"It's a boy."

I realize I didn't name Harry and Ginny's baby, but I did this because of one of my own pet peeves. I hate when somebody gives a character's child a name that's a) ultra HP cliché or b) a name I just don't like. Thus, I didn't want to do that to any of you. Now you can all choose your own name for the baby boy.

Okay.. I must ask my loyal reviewers a question. I'm going to continue writing, of course, but as of right now I'm short on ideas. Therefore I was thinking of doing a spin-off of either Love, Actually or Grease. So what do you think? Should I do Love, Actually, Grease, or save it until I can think up another original plot?

Thank you to everyone who has read this story, especially those of you who reviewed it all. I hope the epilogue didn't disappoint.