Disclaimer: As much as I would like to, I don't own Harry Potter…
Chapter 13: The Happiest Man Alive
A/N: JFYI: Last Chapter was 404 words less than the chapter before it. I just thought that was interesting...
Soccer101: Sorry you were grounded. S'okay. I forgive you. At least you reviewed on chapter 12! It's been 2 days since i posted ch. 12 (when i'm writing this) and you're the only one who's reviewed! Thanks a bunches! I do hope you enjoy this chapter.
Ginny walked into her room for the very last time as a single woman. She knew that once she left this room, she would never be the same. The last time she walked out of this room determined, she faked her own death then got married to someone who was just a person she cared for, not loved.
"Thirty minutes Ginny! Oh my. You're not even dressed! Let me help you!" Mrs. Weasley ran into the room and started to unzip the dress from the garment bag. After ten minutes, Ginny was dressed in her white strapless gown.
The top of the dress had pink and blue fabric sewn in with sequins and white beads to give the illusion of flowers running across the top. The back had a slight 'v' dip that ran to her mid-back. It had a full-length skirt that was very poufy. At the train in the back, the same flowered pattern from the top was repeated to offset the illusion of the flowers that the flowergirl would be tossing. Hooked buttons ran from the top of the back to just above the rear. On the front, at the bottom, the flower pattern was repeated on the left side of the gown. The gown had cost a fortune, but for Harry, it was worth it. Plus, she still wasn't showing so she could pull it off.
Finally, her mom fixed her up-do, a twisty bun that only her mom could do. She fitted in the veil, which was the same color as the dress and was fingertip length with white silk around the edge. Her shoes were two-inch heeled shoes with a strap across the toe and a rhinestone ring on the toes.
Charlie's six-year-old daughter, Mary, was to be the flowergirl. Her mother died in childbirth and so now Charlie attempted to raise Mary the best he could. Her dress was contrasting the white 'lily' theme. It was a mother-of-pearl floorlength gown and poufed out just as Ginny's did. It had pinpoint work done on the chest with little pink flowers sewn in like Ginny's. Due to the cold weather, Charlie insisted that she wear shoes that covered her toes. So Ginny found matching ballet flats that fit perfectly with the dress. Just as Ginny was thinking about her, Mary ran into the room, hyper from the candy Fred and George had given her.
"Aunt Ginny! The told me to come and tell you that it's time for you to go to Hogwarts now!" This caused the two women to stir, and grab the young girl, and apparate just outside the Hogwarts grounds. A carriage was meeting them there to take them up to the castle. (Just imagine Cinderella's carriage. but Ginny's wasn't originally a pumpkin!).
"Mum? What if I'm not a good wife?" Molly sensed that Ginny would get nervous, but not now. She figured she would have gotten them earlier.
"Oh, Gin! I'm sure you'll be a great wife and mother! You helped Harry get through his time of need and now he and Miranda are getting along as siblings should! Plus, you have already been a wife before. And mother too! But not really, but... Oh well! Ginny, you are marrying the man of your dreams today. Actually, you're marrying the man of everyone's dreams today!" This joke allowed the mother and daughter to laugh a little before the ceremony. When the carriage pulled up, Molly got out. Ginny and Mary were told to remain in the carriage until it was time for them to come out.
"So, Aunt Ginny? How come you left everyone?" Ginny was thinking of the perfect way to answer when the door swung open and Charlie guided Mary out.
"Come on Little Sweetheart! It's time for you to go!" Charlie helped Mary out. He turned and winked at his youngest and only sister before shutting the door.
Not much time passed before it was time for Ginny to exit the carriage. Her own father came to the door and helped her out. Ginny took her dad's hand and squeezed his reassuringly, though in retrospect, she was really reassuring herself. Ginny and Arthur made their way to the end of the aisle. The music started and so did they.
Harry knew this day was here. He'd been waiting for it since forever. He looked out in the audience to see the whole of Hogwarts situated at the back, Ministry officials sitting just in front of them, reporters from all over graced the edges, and friends and family sat on either side of the aisle in white wooden chairs.
Harry looked at all the Weasley's situated on the first two rows of chairs. Then he looked to the first two rows on his own side and was proud to see family sitting there. In the first chair, his very own sister was sitting there grinning madly at him. They made eye contact then she made a face and he started to laugh. Next to Miranda was Aunt Petunia who was looking nervously at all of the people gathered there. Next to her was Vernon, Dudley, Anne, Lilianne, Lucy and Lucy's father.
In the row behind Harry's immediate family, Professor McGonagall sat with what looked like a portrait, but he couldn't be sure. Next to her was Professor Lupin and Tonks. Then Neville and some other professors. Harry smiled when he realized who the portrait was of- Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall had brought Dumbledore to Harry's wedding. This thought brought the largest smile to his face. Well, before he heard the music begin to play and he saw Ginny walking down the aisle with her father, arm-in-arm.
'Wow, I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Me, Ginny Weasley getting married to Harry Potter! This was my childhood fantasy! I never believed it would actually come true. Oops Ginny, don't trip on your dress. That's not very lady-like. Especially when- Oh my God. Harry is absolutely stunning in that tuxedo! He looks so handsome. Oh, I can't wait till we're actually married! Legally married!'
Ginny let go of her father's arm and grabbed Harry's hand. The two walked up to where the preacher was standing.
"Who gives this bride away?"
"We do." The entire Weasley family chanted, though it was only supposed to be Arthur and Molly. This caused everyone in the audience to chuckle slightly. Harry and Ginny smiled but only looked at each other.
After exchanging vows and rings, the preacher announced them husband and wife.
"It is my honor to be the first to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter." Harry and Ginny broke apart from their passionate kiss and faced the crowd. The two made their way down the aisle and into the carriage, which would take them to the entrance to the castle.
"You look beautiful. I love you Ginny." Harry kissed Ginny on the lips then started moving downwards to her neck.
"No, Harry. Not now. Not till after the reception." Ginny smiled then kissed him on the lips. He kissed her on the forehead as the carriage rolled to a stop.
"I guess it's time to go in now..."
"Yeah..."
Harry and Ginny walked hand-in-hand in the Great Hall. When they walked in, everyone started clapping and cheering. The two instinctively looked up to see what the ceiling had in store for them for today. The were surprised when they saw white lilies floating around and fake doves flying around the ceiling. The two smiled then made their way to the front to greet the guests.
They got a lot of 'congratulations' and 'welcome back's. But the one that made them the most happy was when Petunia walked up to him. Instead of being glad that he was back in the wizarding world (she was anyway), she just hugged him. Finally, she let go. Then she looked at Ginny and hugged her as well. They didn't get a congratulations from her.
"I'm proud of you Harry." She said, smiled, then walked away. Harry smiled at Ginny then looked shocked.
"What just happened? Did my aunt actually hug me? Even through the past nine years, she's never hugged me!" Ginny just smiled then leaned up to kiss him.
"Congratulations little bro!" Harry and Ginny broke apart to see Miranda walking towards them. "I'm really glad that you invited me. It means a lot. This is my first family wedding I've been to that it wasn't my wedding! Quite funny. So, how are you Ginny? You look fantastic! I absolutely love that pattern on the dress! It brings out your eyes!" Harry took this as his cue to leave.
He left and found Hermione and Ron sitting at a table talking. He sat down to join them, remembering the evening of the Yule Ball.
"Happy Christmas you two." he smiled then looked at all the couples dancing on the floor. Then an idea struck him. He got up and walked around the table.
"Hermione? May I have this dance?" He smiled and she obliged. The two danced through two songs before Fred cut in saying that Harry needed to dance with his own wife.
Harry left the dance floor smiling. He had to find Ginny. Too late. It's time for the Father/Daughter dance.
Harry watched Ginny grab Arthur and head to the center of the dance floor. Then the music started. It was Butterfly Kisses, by Bob Carlisle, a muggle singer who Ginny adored listening to when she was living as a muggle.
There's two thing I know for sure,
She was sent here from Heaven,
And she's Daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night,
She talks to Jesus, and I close my eyes
And I thank God for all of the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses, after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk beside the pony Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny Daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh with all that I've done wrong, I know I must
have done something right,
To deserve a hug every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet 16, today, she's lookin like her Mama,
a little more every day.
One part woman, the other part girl.
From perfume to makeup
From ribbons and curls
Tryin her wings out in a great big world
But I remember...
Butterfly kisses, after bedtime prayers;
stickin little white flowers all up in her hair
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, but if
you don't mind. I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek
this time." Oh with all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right...
to deserve her love every morning,
and butterfly kisses at night.
Oh the precious time
Oh like the wind the years go by.
Precious butterfly,
Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise, and I'll give her away.
Standing in the brides room, just staring at her.
She asks me what I'm thinkin, and I say
"I'm not sure, I just feel like I'm losin my baby girl."
And she leans over; gave me butterfly kisses
with her mama there, stickin little white flowers
all up in her hair.
"Walk me down the aisle, Daddy. It's just about time.
Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something
right. To deserve your love every morning, and butterfly kisses-
I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses
The song ended and by the end, the whole room was in tears as were Ginny and Arthur. Ginny didn't want to let go of her father, but he pried her off. Ginny walked to Harry and hugged him as hard as she could.
"Oh Harry! This is what I want your relationship to be like with our children! I love you!" Harry hugged his wife and let her cry in his arms.
"I know hun, me too." Harry stroked her back then led her to a chair so she could sit and have a glass of water.
Harry and Ginny walked to the cake so they could cut the cake (and eat it too!). Harry placed his hand on top of Ginny's and slowly, they cut a piece of the cake Mrs. Weasley made them.
They entwined their free hand's fingers and began to use the other hand to place the bite of cake in the other's mouth. Just as it got close enough, Ginny smushed the cake in Harry's face and the couple started laughing, causing the rest of the room to burst out in contagious laughter.
"I love you Ginny."
"I love you too, Harry." The two hadn't stopped staring at each other then they finally kissed causing cheers to come from the crowd and a few cat calls from Fred and George. Harry and Ginny did the rest of the ceremonial cake stuff then made their way to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Harry placed his hand in hers and wrapped the other around her waist. Ginny held Harry's hand and placed her other hand on his shoulder. The two stared at each other, then "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley came on and they danced all smiles,
Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
"I love you Harry. So much.'' Ginny leaned in closer to Harry and rested her head on his chest.
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you
"I love you too, Ginny. Till the end." Harry smiled and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you
for I can't help falling in love with you.
The dance ended and Harry and Ginny continued dancing to the next song, then the next. Finally, Mrs. Weasley asked them to step aside so they could take a few informal pictures. A few with friends from school, some with teachers, and Percy insisted that he take one with Harry Potter and his wife.
"I don't see why he can't say he wants to take a picture with his sister! It's just preposterous. I think he just wants one so he can have a nice picture for the Prophet." Mrs. Weasley ranted on and on then finally they found the perfect place to take these pictures, in front of a large portrait of an old Headmaster with a nice arrangement of lilies in front. The two stayed there and took what seemed like fifty pictures before they were told they could go back to dancing.
"Come with me." Ginny grabbed Harry's arm and took him out of the Great Hall.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked but she didn't answer.
"Just trust me."
The two ran through the castle, Harry knew where he was, he just didn't understand why they were going there. Finally, they ended up in front of the Fat Lady's portrait.
"White Lilies" Ginny said the Gryffindor password and dragged Harry to a spot just inside the hole. She stood there, then kissed him passionately.
"Why are we here?" Harry was not understanding the importance of this spot.
"Think Harry." Was all Ginny said before kissing him again.
"I still don't get it."
"Arg, Harry! Think! In your sixth year, this is the place where you first kissed me! You came back from your detention with Snape and walked in, then kissed me! This is where we shared our first kiss!" Harry smiled then picked up Ginny and kissed her. They stayed like that for a little then he pulled away and set her down.
"Well, Mrs. Potter, shouldn't we go back down? Won't they be wondering where we are?"
A sly smile creeped upon Ginny's face.
"Nope. I told Hermione where we were going, and I made sure that she was to make it seem as if we were just not where the person who was looking for us was. We have a little time." Ginny smiled then started walking over to the couch and sat down. She leaned over to Harry and they began to kiss even more passionately. After a while, they both decided that they probably should go back down to their own wedding reception.
Harry and Ginny, hand-in-hand, made their way down the grand staircase and back into the Great Hall to continue greeting and talking.
Hours later, Harry and Ginny finally took their chance and announced that they were leaving. They grabbed Harry's newest broomstick and hopped on. Ginny held tightly on to Harry and they took off. Slowly at first, circling the crowed gathered outside, then sped up and left for their first destination, Greece. Ginny leaned up and kissed Harry and he felt as if he were the happiest man alive.
A/N: Thanks for reading this chapter. I hope you liked it. Please Review!