Chapter 6: The Wedding

Fred, George, Darryl and Ernie plan Harry's Bachelor party. Harry gets the wedding day jitters, and a warning of events yet to come.

It was now only two days before the 16th of July, and Harry and Hermione were finally going to get married. To their astonishment, they had managed to keep to all the agreements, except one. They found it necessary to use magic in the Muggle world, mostly just to get to school or to apparate to England, on occasion to see Hermione's family, or even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Hermione even tried to persuade Harry once to go visit the Dursley's, but he had absolutely refused to see them at all. He did however invite them to the wedding but he honestly doubted that they would show up.

The wedding was to take place at Hogwarts, by the lake. Harry and Hermione both decided that they would have ProfessorDumbledore conduct the wedding, and they would invite all of the Hogwarts Professors, including Professor Snape much to Harry's protest. Hermione was insistent on having Dobby as the ring bearer and Winky as the flower girl.

Harry was going to have Fred Weasley, as his best man, Darryl, Ernie, Neville and George, were to be his groomsmen. He even persuaded Seamus Finnegan, (who still hadn't quite forgiven Harry for stealing his girlfriend) to be his ushers. However, the most important decision he made was to have Mr. and Mrs. Weasley give him to Hermione.

It was an honor, he felt, they had deserved. Hermione had decided that she would have Luna Lovegood as her Maid of Honor, Cho Chang, Padma Patil, Nymphadora Tonks, and Lavender Brown as her bridesmaids, and Katie Bell as her usher.

Harry and Hermione had stayed at a room in the Three Broomsticks, in Hogsmeade, arriving a week proceeding the wedding. One night, after a quiet romantic dinner, Harry and Hermione laid in bed discussing their plans together, on how they would eventually would like to have a house out in the country, near a stream. So when they had children, they could run freely. Eventually the discussion got changed to when they first started dating, and all their times at Hogwarts.

Harry asked Hermione, "I got a question for you love, when did you start to develop feelings for me, other than me just being a friend?" He asked, always wanting to know the answer.

Hermione scratched her head thinking back, "Well I suppose, I always have, but one day stands out in particular, it was that one day, when we had captured the Philosophers' stone. Do you remember that?"

Harry smiled, "Yes I do. You threw your arms around me after I had sent you back to go and get Ron. You had told me that you thought I was 'a great wizard.'"

Hermione cuddled up next to him and laid her head on his shoulder, "well, you are, and you're going to be a great husband as well," she kissed him gently, and asked "Ok, so let me ask you the same question, when did you start to have feelings for me?"

Harry thought about it for a couple moments, before he replied, "do you remember at the end of our forth year? When we got off the Hogwarts Express and were about ready to go back through the barrier at Kings Cross, and you kissed me on the cheek? It startled me I had times where I wished you would have just kissed me."

Hermione laughed and said, "I couldn't do that, not with Ron there. Especially the way he was acting about me going to the Yule Ball with Vicktor Crum, and not him. I was honestly hoping you would ask me, but I also knew you wanted to take Cho, so I settled for Vicktor. I did like Ron at the time, but I was so confused, you know. Ron and I could never settle an argument; you didn't seem to have a romantic interest in me."

Harry who was blushing a deep red said, "yeah those where definitely confusing times. I really did like Cho, and she was my first kiss. I really fancied you, but I also took notice that Ron fancied you, and he was my best friend, so I backed off," and then he kissed her.

"Harry…" she said in a seductive voice, and with a look of uncertainty in her eyes said, "will you make love to me? Tonight please, I can't stand this any longer."

Talk about putting pressure on someone. Harry thought perversely, but shook his head, "sweetie, we only have two days until we are married, we've made it this far, two more days will be nothing." In all honesty, Hermione's sudden proposal had taken him by surprise, and he was worried about how he would perform he was still a virgin, and he spoke, before he could think.

Hermione sighed disappointedly, "I love you," and with a swish of her wand the candles blew out next to the bed. Harry started to kiss on her neck, but she gently pushed him away and said, "let's get some sleep. We got a long couple days ahead of us."

Bollocks Harry thought, as he faded off to sleep. That night Harry had a vivid dream. He was walking around the great lake at Hogwarts, and beside him, where Ron and Ginny. They both seemed very distressed about something. Ron looked at him and said, "He's, coming back Harry."

"Who's coming back?" Harry asked,although he didn't want to know the answer.

"You-Know-Who," replied Ginny with a fearful look in her eyes. "He's been laying low for the past couple years, but he's planning an attack, which will happen shortly after the wedding."

"What do you mean an attack? Where?" Harry asked, and the fear started to arise in him.

"We don't know, but it's going to be a full scale attack, and even the Muggles are going be affected. It's going to send them into World War Three. They're going to blame some other group. They won't deny doing it either, because they have connections to You-Know-Who. They are the only Muggle group out there that has a connection to him," Ron said.

Ginny looked piercingly into Harry eyes and said, "You must wake-upnow."

Harry said, "No, I want to know more."

"Harry wake-up," said a strange voice, and he felt someone shaking his shoulders. "Come on, wake-up Harry."

"No, I don't want to wake-up, I want to know more. Ron, Ginny please don't go, come back," Harry said, and they disappeared. Harry woke up and stared into Hermione's face. He was confused but Hermione looked simply petrified.

"Harry, are you alright? You were thrashing around in your sleep. When I tried to wake you, because you were yelling out Ron and Ginny's names."

Harry felt the sweat on his forehead, his scar was burning slightly, "This is going to sound strange, but I just had a dream, that I was talking with Ron and Ginny, and they were warning me, that Voldemort is planning an attack that so terrible, it will send the Muggles into a World War Three."

Hermione said, "but it was just a dream Harry, it's nothing to really get worked up over."

"Maybe you're right, perhaps I am just getting worked up over nothing." Harry said, still not quite convinced it was just a dream, but a warning. He sighed, sat up, and let out a stressful sigh.

Hermione wrapped her arms around him and in reassurance and said, "Harry, if something does happen, then I'll be by your side all the way. I'll fight to the death if you are in trouble."

He looked into her eyes, and their lips' gently met. "I don't know if I should talk to someone about this."

"Harry, if that would make you feel better, by all means go for it, I'll support you all the way. I think that's what you should do anyhow, before you get too worked up." Hermione replied knowledgeably. "I'm just tired of innocent people dying Harry, it's pointless. I just wish that people everywhere, could get along. It doesn't matter where you come from, or if you're a wizard or a Muggle, we are all the same, we're human. There's a divine stark, that shines in each and every one of us," she said, speaking what she thought was the truth.

"From the sounds of it, you're saying that man is an angel. Well if he is an angel, then he damn well must be a killer angel." Harry said, with a deep thoughtful look spread across his face. "Now think, about it Hermione, no two things on this earth have an equal chance. Would you say a tree is the same as a rock, or a leopard is the same as a deer? There's no divine spark, especially if you saw how cruel man is, throughout history. People killing just because a king leads them, or just because they like killing. They kill for land, or power. Or because, they don't like your God." He shook his head, "you're a beautiful person Hermione. Now that's the truth, and to me you're an angel."

Hermione smiled slightly, and remained quiet.

"Well it's about time for us to wake up," he said, noticing the rising sun, "what are your plans for today?"

"Well, I'm going to stay with Luna until the wedding tomorrow, and I'm sure all my female friends are going to be around, and I'm going to show them the wedding dress I picked out, and all that fun stuff. What do you have planned?" She asked although she really didn't need to know, especially with Darryl, Ernie, Fred, and George planning his bachelor party. She just hoped that he wouldn't get himself arrested or worse.

"Well, I'm going to be with Fred, George, Darryl and Ernie, do I need to say more, I'm sure they all have something up their sleeves. It's probably best you don't know." Harry laughed.

"Yeah, you're probably right. Just do me a favor, and don't do something stupid like getting yourself arrested. If they hire a striper, like I'm sure that Darryl and Ernie are insisting on doing, that's fine, just do me a favor and don't tell me about it ok, and you better behave yourself," Hermione said, seriously, almost reminding Harry of Molly Weasley.

"I will love, I promise." He kissed her gently.

She laughed at the look in his eyes and said "you better!"

Harry got up, took a shower and got dressed. After he left the bathroom, Hermione was still laying in the bed. He walked up to her, and gently kissed her and said, "I'll see you tomorrow," and started out the door.

"Oh Harry, one more thing before you leave," she said.

"What's that?" replied Harry.

"I love you, I'll see you tomorrow at noon. Don't be late." Hermione said.

Harry looked at her, and said, "I wouldn't miss it for the world. I love you too, Hermione. See you then." She smiled as he left the room, and decided that it was time for her to get dressed as well.

That night, Harry was with Fred, George, Darryl, Ernie, Remus, Mad-eye Moody, Hagrid, Neville, and Arthur at the Hogs Head, drinking fire whiskey, and other stale ales, having a rather good time.

Harry suddenly remembered the dream he had, and since he had members of the Order in attendance, he decided to ask them what Voldemort was up too. He caught Mad-eye Moody's attention and beckoned him over for a private chat.

"You wanted to talk to me Harry?" Mad-eye said, noticing Harry waving behind his head.

"Yeah I did, what's Voldemort been up too?" Harry asked.

"That's subject I never expected to be brought up. It's your last night as a free man, but since you asked, he's been awful quiet for the past couple years, we do have intelligence that says he's been spending a lot of time in Asia, trying to recruit more followers," growled Moody, "nothing to be concerned about."

Harry said, "I had a strange dream last night, it actually seemed more like a warning to me."

"Tell me more about this dream," replied Moody.

Harry explained in as much detail as he could remember.

Moody raised an eyebrow, and his magical eye spun around quickly, as he said, "I don't think it is too, much to worry. It just sounds like a dream. We don't have intelligence stating that he has any connection, with any Muggle groups. Now come on, this is your last night as a single man, let's have some fun." He passed him a shot of Fire whiskey, which was red in color, and was admitting green smoke. Harry lifted the drink to his mouth and swallowed it. It had a strong taste of cinnamon, and it burned his mouth, it burned his throat, and it burned his stomach. Suddenly smoke came pouring out of his ears.

"Now that's one product that lives up to its name," gasped Harry, as Moody let out a barking laugh, "yeah it's some good stuff isn't it."

Fred and George decided that now would be the time to test their newest invention on Harry, and handed him a drink. Harry said, "What's this?" Not quite trusting Fred or George, because he knew they often tested their products on people without letting them know.

"Oh it's nothing, it's just a drink is all." Fred said.

"Yeah come on, drink up." George replied.

Harry said, " Ok, I'll give it a shot, and he quickly swallowed it. Nothing happened for a couple moments, and then with a small pop he quickly turned into a monkey, and started swinging from the hog's head inside the pub. Fred and George beamed. Darryl and Ernie laughed hard.

Ernie said, "Hey, look at Potter. I've never seen him so acrobatic in my life," and he started throwing bananas at him.

Remus, Arthur and Mad-eye were deep in conversation, not even taking notice to what was going on. A few minutes later, the joke wore off, and Harry reappeared as himself again, and was rather disgruntled, he took note to never to accept anything from Fred or George again for the rest of the night. He sat in a corner alone, deep in thought about tomorrow. What am I doing? I can't believe that I'm actually getting married. I don't know if I can go through this. I just don't know if I'm ready. What if she's not the one I'm supposed to marry?

Ernie and Darryl saw the guest of honor sitting alone, and walked over to him. "You alright bud?" Darryl asked.

"I'm just thinking is all, I can't believe how quickly tomorrow is coming. I'm not sure if I'm ready to do this. I love Hermione and all, but what if we don't work out," Harry replied.

Ernie patted him on the shoulder, and said in reassurance, "Harry what your feeling is perfectly normal. You're just having cold feet is all, trust me, when you see her come out in that dress of hers, and you see the bright smile upon her face, you will have no doubts that you are doing the right thing. I felt the same way, when I got married the first time."

Darryl interrupted by saying, "except, there's one difference Ernie, Harry ain't stupid enough to let the best thing that ever happened to him get away."

Harry looked at Ernie and said, "I didn't know you were married."

Ernie said, "Yep I was married, and technically I still am, but Dawn, she is with some other guy now, I'm guessing. She left me, when I was on the Rodeo circuit." He shook his head, "she was a-good-un' too. Just remember one thing, never take a good woman for granted, because if you do, you will regret it for the rest of your life." About then, Fred, George, Neville, and Hagrid walked over to Harry.

George said, "I'm sorry about that Harry, it's our newest invention, we've been dying to test it on someone, so we figured that since you were here, we'd try you."

"Yeah, sorry mate. Still friends," Fred asked offering him a handshake. Harry accepted and shook his hand.

Ernie said, "Our main man is having cold feet about the weddin' tomorrow."

Hagrid said, " Aww… come on now Harry, I've watched you and Hermione ever since yer first year here at Hogwarts. I can say, I'm damn proud of ya both. Ya have grown up so much, over the past years. To me, yer always be that frightened 11 year old, not known' if ya fit in when you first got here. Now look at you, yer a fully-grown wizard, and yer getting married, to a wonderful girl," Hagrid said, as he started to cry, and he put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

George said, "Come on Harry cheer up, let's have some fun," and about then, the most beautiful woman had walked in. She had long blonde hair that stretched to her buttock; she wore a tight leather robe and carried a whip in her hand. Harry knew exactly who this was suppose to be, and the mood in the Hogs Head changed dramatically, and all eyes were placed upon this woman as she walked up to Harry.

Ernie, Darryl, Fred and George, all grinned mischievously as she asked, "Are you Harry Potter?"

Harry woke up the next morning, in unfamiliar surrounding. As he looked around, he noticed that he was in a bathtub, completely naked with a carrot sticking out of his navel. He had no recollection as to how he got there, nor did he want to know. He heard someone knocking on the door, and saying, "Harry wake up, you got two hour until you have to be at the wedding." Harry sprang up, but the sudden movement didn't do any justice for his head, which was throbbing uncontrollably. Oh man, that's the last time I'm going to let that lot of twins party around me.

He got dressed into his tux rather quickly, and left the bathroom. Fred, George, Darryl, and Ernie were sitting on a couch when he emerged.

"Hey he's awake, what do you think Fred, should we get him to the wedding?" Said George, with a huge grin spread across his face.

"I think we should do that. What do you think Darryl?" said Fred.

"Yea, I reckon so how bout you Ernie," said Darryl.

"Let's get that rascal married," Ernie responded. With a menacing look on his face, they gathered Harry, and quickly left to Hogwarts.

The scene was set, almost as if it were placed in heaven, the ground had wild flowers spread everywhere. At the altar where Harry and Hermione would be joined together in marriage, was made out of solid oak. There were almost two hundred chairs placed on either side. The wind was blowing ever so softly, and the sun was warmly shining upon the Hogwarts grounds.

Harry was looking out at the crowd, and much to his surprise, he saw the Dursley's in attendance. In an odd sense, he was actually glad they showed up. Molly and Arthur were seated in the front row, with Percy, Bill and Charlie beside them. Molly already looked close to tears.

Dumbledore stood in the middle, wearing a robe, with a matching pointed hat, that was littered with stars and half moons. Standing next to Harry was Fred, followed by George, Darryl, Ernie, and Neville.

Finally the sun rose to its midday position, and a soft cello and violin started to play the classical song Cannon, and Hermione stepped out, arm and arm with her father, followed by her bridesmaids, then Dobby and Winky. She was wearing a long white flowing gown with red roses embroidered carefully into the fabric. Her hair had carefully been rolled up, and she was wearing a white veil over her face. She looked stunningly beautiful, as her eye's let out a gentle twinkle. She was smiling ever so brightly as she slowly marched along with the music. Tears were glistening in her eyes as she reached the altar, standing next to Harry, she kissed her father, and whispered into his ears, "I love you daddy," then she grabbed Harry's out stretched hand, and smiled brightly.

The world had disappeared around them, and all that matter to them was each other, and this moment that they had awaited for so long. Hagrid had immediately grabbed his handkerchief, as tears already started pouring down his eyes.

Dumbledore started the ceremony by beginning with the words. "We have gathered together here on this most in joyous occasion to witness the union between Harry James Potter, and Hermione Jane Granger. Who gives this woman to be married?"

Mr. Granger stood up and said, "Her mother and I do."

Dumbledore then continued by asking, "Who give this man in marriage."

Arthur Weasley stood up and said, "His mother and I do." Molly broke down almost immediately into tears, along with half the teaching staff.

"Marriage is a sacred union, that is not to be entered into lightly, so if anyone out there knows why these two shouldn't be married, please speak now or forever hold your peace."

Harry thought, Uh-oh, someone's going to jump up and say, "I love her and she's carrying my baby!" But much to his surprise nobody as much moved a muscle, even Seamus, her ex-boyfriend.

Dumbledore continued on with the wedding ceremony, "The couple has written their own vows which they would like to say to each other. We'll start with the bride."

Hermione, cleared her throat, hmm... hmm with a mock Umbridge cough, causing the teaching staff to laugh slightly, and she started speaking, "Harry, I want you to know, that no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. You're the man I love more than anything on this earth, and I give you all my heart and soul. From this day forth."

Harry looked into Hermione's eyes and said his rehearsed vows, "Hermione, you have always been by my side, and for that, I promise that I'll love you for the rest of all times, and all I will ask you, is that you'll always be mine." He smiled and Dumbledore continued conducting the wedding. "Harry, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife…?"

"Hell yeah, you bet I do," said Harry without a thought.

"Do you, Hermione, Take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband…?"

Hermione said, "I do," and her eyes glittered with tears.

"The ring is a symbol that connects one heart to another, Harry could you place the ring on Hermione's finger and repeat after me."

Fred's face fell, as he frantically searched his robes, and said, "Uh-oh, I lost them!" Harry looked as if he could kill him, "Only joking mate, here you go." The crowd started laughing.

Harry placed the ring over Hermione's finger and recited, "With this ring, I thee wed. To take you in sickness and in health, to honor, cherish, and obey, till death do us part."

Hermione smiled brightly and he slid the ring onto her finger, and she took the other ring, and placed it over his finger and recited, "With this ring, I thee wed. To take you in sickness and it health, to honor and cherish until death do us part."

Dumbledore smiled as he said, "I may now pronounce you husband and wife." He looked at Harry and said, with a twinkle in his eyes, "You may now kiss the bride."

Harry quickly lifted her veil, and then he wrapped both his arms around her body and held her tightly, as they kissed for the first time as a married couple. After the kiss was broken, Dumbledore said, "May I now introduce you to the new Mr. Harry James Potter, and his wife, Hermione Jane Potter." The crowd stood up and cheered gleefully at the newly wedded couple as they walked off the altar arm and arm.

They entered the Great Hall, for the wedding reception where they opened their wedding presents. One of which was anonymous, which Harry had a pretty good clue as to whom it came from. It was exactly something that Darryl and Ernie would give someone as a prank gift. It was a condom tree. He blushed brightly as he whispered into Hermione's ear, "well I guess if we want to hold on having a family, we should be set for a little while."

After the reception was over, Harry and Hermione walked back to Hogsmeade hand-in-hand, just like they had several times from the Hogwarts grounds when they were younger. The sky was filled with countless stars, reminding them of the wonderful country nights in Wyoming. Harry thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head quickly, and he definitely knew he saw something smiling and waving at them.

Curiosity came over Hermione, and she turned her head to see what he was looking at. She saw before them, a transparent Ron and Ginny, waving, and smiling brightly at them before they vanished into the thin air. Harry and Hermione alike wereboth reduced to tears as the same thought crossed their minds. Ron and Ginny's had shown them the blessing of their lives together.

They continued on to the Three Broomsticks, where Fred,George, Darryl, Ernie, Neville, Luna, Padma, Tonks, and Cho all awaited them. They cheered the married couple as they entered the pub. Harry smiled brightly at them and said, "We'd love to hang out, but we have some unfinished business to attend to, so naturally we're going to bed," and with a Wolfish grin on his face, he led Hermione up to their room, carried her inside, and placed her on her feet, shut and locked the door. He turned around and quickly kissed her passionately, and with a flick of his wand the candles in the room extinguished themselves, and indeed the experience was marvelous.

The End of Part 1

To be continued…