Chapter Eight

The Wedding

They woke up early to get a Portkey back to Stoatshead Hill. By the time they had retuned to England, it would be near lunch time there. After they had returned to Stoatshead Hill and continued to the Burrow; Harry could tell that the Burrow looked different.

There seemed to be a makeshift outdoor chapel and chairs were being set up. Harry guessed that the wedding was being held here. Harry just remembered that the wedding was at the beginning of July and he was curious how wedding ceremonies were held in the wizarding world since the Dursleys would rather leave him behind when they went to a friend's "normal" wedding.

Harry spent his time outside since it was rather hectic; due to the fact that Mrs. Weasley insisted that everything was perfect and was very easily agitated if something didn't go right. He spent; along with Hermione, Emily, Ron, and Ginny, spent their time under a tree near the Burrow, and away from the wedding preparations. Harry spent his time reading his mother's diary, Emily was rereading Hogwarts, a History, Ginny was doing her homework, and Hermione helped Ron with his homework. Ron had become easily agitated; just like his mother, with Hermione when she criticized that his essays were wrong. Ron had gotten angry with her and left to be under a nearby tree; far enough away from Hermione. Hermione took one of her course books that she had with her and continued to read her book.

The first of July and the day for the wedding came with emotions running high. Two tents were set up not far from where the wedding ceremony would take place. A few hours before the wedding and everyone at the Burrow was getting ready for the wedding. Bill was nowhere to be seen and according to Ginny; it was considered bad luck in the wizarding world to see the groom on the day of the wedding; as well as the bride-to-be. Harry tried to make sure that his hair lied flat, but to no avail. Harry was dressed in emerald green robes and he could see that Mr. Weasley was considerably nervous; since he was name the best man by Bill. Ron was having trouble getting his robes on and Harry didn't know what was wrong with Ron since he now has new robes that were fire red.

An hour before the wedding, the guest started arriving and bringing gifts for the couple-to-be. A band called the Weird Sisters arrived and began to set up since they were the entertainment for the reception party. Harry saw a man in black robes carrying a book as he left to go outside for some air, and Harry guessed it was the one to do the ceremony.

Hermione had come out, wearing periwinkle blue robes, with her cousin, Emily, wearing yellow robes, to join Harry before heading toward their seats near the front. Ron and Ginny, who wore bright red robes, joined them near the front. Mrs. Weasley joined them later while being accompanied by Charlie and Percy since she already had tears of joy in her eyes. Fred and George joined them later wearing identical robes of dragon-scale green. Harry saw on the right-hand side near the front was an ancient witch sitting at an old organ and Harry guessed that she was waiting for the start of the wedding.

Both sets of chairs on both sides slowly filled as the time for the wedding drew nearer. They arrived by Apparating, Floo powder, Portkey, or by broomsticks to the Burrow. The ancient witch sitting at the organ started playing and Harry guessed that the wedding had started.

First came Mr. Weasley; dressed in black robes, with a lady with silver blonde hair, and following them was the rest of the wedding party. Following them was the man Harry had seen early and after him was a little girl dressed in white with a flower crown on her head. She had a basket of flowers and she was throwing them as she walked. After her came Bill; dressed in black with a flower attached to his robes.

After Bill made it to the front; the music changed and everybody stood and faced the back. A tent in the back opened up revealing a beautiful lady dressed in white with a veil covering her face. She carried a beautiful bouquet of flowers in her hands as she slowly made her ways towards the front near Bill.

The song ended and everyone sat leaving only the ones up front standing. The man presiding over the ceremony cleared his throat and opened the book in his hand. He spoke saying that they were gathered to witness the bringing together of the two. Harry could hear Mrs. Weasley sobbing every now and then, but at times his eyes wondered toward Hermione; who didn't seem to notice. He couldn't shake the feeling just how beautiful she look.

"Ring bearer, please present the rings," the man presiding over the ceremony said bringing Harry back to earth.

Mr. Weasley gave Bill a ring as Bill said his wedding vows to Fleur before sliding the ring on her finger. She did the same to him. The man presiding asked if there were any objections, but no one spoke.

"I pronounce you husband and wife," the man said.

There was applause and Harry heard Mrs. Weasley sob harder. Bill removed the veil off of Fleur's face and kissed her. Some of the guests shot up sparks with their wands while others conjured doves that flew around Bill and Fleur's head. They returned back down the aisle towards the direction where the wedding reception was being held while the doves continued to circle their heads.

Harry had a particular fun time; he ate and talked with his friends. Bill and Fleur cut their cake after everyone had eaten. They both had their pictures taken and Fleur tossed her bouquet. Hermione and Ginny joined in for the fun of it; even though they might not catch it. To Harry's surprise; Hermione caught the bouquet as it bounced off the hands of the other ladies that tried to catch it.

Bill was about to toss the flower he had on his robes; Harry was dragged by Fred and George to join. Harry didn't want to join in on the fun. Bill tossed the flower and Harry watch it reach its highest point in the toss. As if by pure instinct; his Seeker reflexes surfaced and he caught it. Harry was very surprised that he had caught it. He had to endure Fred and George's teasing and he found out that since he and Hermione caught both flowers; they would get married to each other soon. Harry guessed that the Fred and George were joking about Harry and Hermione getting married to each other since they caught the flowers. Harry knew, from books he read, that if a lady caught the bouquet; she would be the next one to get married.

Bill and Fleur had their first dance with music provided by the Weird Sisters. It was a slow waltz-like dance. After their dance, Fleur's father, a man with black hair, had a dance with her as part of the wedding tradition. After their dance; everyone else started to dance. Harry didn't feel like dancing ever since the fiasco during the Yule Ball during his fourth year during Christmas. Ron kept his distance from Harry and Harry just watched everyone else have fun. Hermione had just returned with pieces of cake for Emily, herself, and she gave the last to Harry.

Harry ate silently as he heard Emily question Hermione more about the classes she was going to be taken. An hour had passed as the sun slowly set and Hermione asked Harry, "Would you like to dance, Harry?"

Harry, taken back, at Hermione's question declined politely. She looked rather disappointed but she sat back down in her seat to watch everyone else dance. Fred and George set off a stock of their fireworks after the last song as a little celebration for ending the night of a wedding. Bill and Fleur went on their honeymoon, via Portkey, in Egypt. The night had ended as the wedding guests left as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley took the wedding gifts inside the house so that Bill could pick them up after the honeymoon. Harry changed out of his dress robes and into his pajamas. He had another dream of a brown haired girl. The were standing in the same place that Bill and Fleur had stood. Harry removed the veil on the girl. She had eyes like chocolates and they etched to kiss. A loud snort woke Harry up. He lay in bed thinking again of the dream and swore that the girl in his dream had bushy hair.