Author's Note: Most of this chapter takes place in France, and thus a lot of it is spoken in French (due to translation spells in some cases), but I didn't want to mark up the entire chapter with some sort of bold/italics/whatever because it would probably look a bit silly.
Also: Warning: tooth-rotting fluff incoming. Hope you enjoy!
July 4th, 1997 Delacour mansion
"No."
"Pansy, darling, it's tradition," her auntie Evangeline argued. "It's just for one night. Honestly, teenagers."
Pansy snickered at how the older woman rolled her eyes. "It's not about sex. Well, not mostly anyway."
"Would Harry say the same thing?" Apolline Delacour teased.
Pansy groaned and used her wand to shut the door and give them some privacy. "Do not bother Harry about this. I want my husband and I to be in a good mood for our wedding day."
"If you are going to have some fun in the morning, you will need to wake up early," Apolline advised.
"I'll keep that in mind," Pansy replied as she sat down on the bed across from them. "Harry and I have been sleeping in the same bed for almost four years now. I'm not going to change that just for some silly superstition. Besides..."
"Besides, what?" Apolline asked.
Pansy sighed. "There have only been two occasions over those years when we were unable to sleep together, and Harry didn't handle either of them well."
"I have worried about how young the two of you are," Evangeline replied with a frown. "But now, perhaps I should be more worried about codependency?"
"We're happy together," Pansy countered. "Isn't that all that really matters?"
"If it lasts," the older woman answered as she came over to sit next to her. "I just worry about you, darling."
"It will," Pansy smiled as she leaned into her aunt's embrace. "You have nothing to worry about with us."
"If you want to worry, you can always help me try to keep my youngest daughter in line," Apolline suggested. "I have already had to veto at least a dozen skimpy dresses she wanted to wear."
"I can imagine," Pansy giggled. "I love that girl."
"Please, don't encourage her," Apolline pouted.
Meanwhile...
Sirius smirked as he took a sip of brandy. "So, are you getting cold feet yet?"
"Of course not," Harry scoffed. "I just hope tomorrow isn't too stressful. For either of us."
"I remember my wedding day being very, very long," Henri Delacour said with a chuckle. "But by the end of the night, oh so very worth it."
Harry grinned. "I made sure to have a couple of potions ready so that we'll still have plenty of energy no matter how long the reception lasts."
"Just be glad that Pansy has all those cousins that wanted to plan everything out," Sirius laughed. "I was told several times that men only get in the way when Kathryn and her mum were setting up mine."
"I did try to be helpful," Harry sighed. "She didn't like my idea for her wedding dress."
"Oh? Why not?" Sirius asked.
"Apparently miniskirts that show off her killer legs are not appropriate," he pouted.
"I had to tell Gabrielle the same thing," Henri replied. "You know the old saying- daughters are god's curse for being a man. With Veela, it is so much worse."
"So, I should hope for sons?" Sirius chuckled.
"Very much so," Henri nodded.
"Are you and Kathryn going to do that soon?" Harry asked.
"We've started talking about it," Sirius answered before giving Harry a smirk. "The fact that I only beat you to the altar by a little more than a year is distressing enough; I thought I'd better get some distance in on the whole parenting thing. I might not know what I'm doing, but I think I'll just remember my parents and try to do the opposite of everything they did."
"Harry, it is six o'clock," Henri said as he checked his watch.
"Oh, thanks for reminding me." He stood up and disappeared with a small pop.
"Where's he going?" Sirius asked.
"To get a surprise for tomorrow," Henri smiled. "You know the tradition of a father walking his daughter down the aisle?"
"Yes, but Pansy's father was a bastard. Now that he's dead, I assume they wouldn't be doing that one."
"I don't know them as well as you do, but I know how much Harry likes to spoil her," Henri chuckled. "To be young again."
Sirius grinned and raised his glass. "Indeed."
Harry popped back in with an older gentleman with tanned skin and brown hair by his side. "Welcome to France. And let me introduce you to our host, the most gracious Henri Delacour, and my godfather, Sirius Black. Gentlemen, this is Malcolm Parkinson. Pansy's great uncle."
Sirius stood up and crossed the room with his hand held out. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Henri joined them as well and Malcolm thanked him for the invitation. "I am merely doing as my wife and her friends have suggested I should and trying my best to stay out of their way."
Malcolm laughed. "It's been a long time since I've been to a wedding, but I believe I know what you mean."
"Are you sure you've got everything?" Harry asked.
Malcolm patted the pocket of his jacket. "I packed last night. Don't worry so much; I'm fairly certain I will be able to walk down the aisle and help make my niece's big day perfect for her."
"Speaking of which, I'm going to find her."
"I thought you wanted it to be a surprise?" Sirius asked.
"Not right before the ceremony," Harry shrugged. "I'll be right back."
"Quick, Sirius," Henri waved over to the bar. "Pour the man a drink before the witches arrive!"
"I'll gladly take you up on that offer," Malcolm replied.
They only had a couple of minutes to imbibe before the drawing room they'd been staying in became much fuller. Harry led Pansy in with his hands covering her eyes. "Okay, now you can look."
She blinked for a moment and then hurried across the room as she shouted, "Uncle Malcolm!" and hugged the older man.
"It's good to see you," he said as he patted her on the back.
"I wondered if you were going to make it."
"Harry and I have been corresponding," Malcolm added. "He thought that you might like it if I were to walk you down the aisle tomorrow."
"Thank you, that would be wonderful." Pansy then let him go only to seek Harry's embrace. "I should have known you would do something like this."
"Good surprises are the ones you aren't expecting," Harry said with a grin. "I know how you get all wound up when you're struggling to contain your anticipation."
"You do know me well," she chuckled.
"We have a room prepared for you, Monsieur Parkinson," Apolline spoke up. "I will leave it to Henri to show it to you once you gentlemen have finished your beverages."
"Which room, my dear?" Henri asked.
"Guest wing, third door on the south side."
"Very well."
"I hope there are no further complications for this evening?" Evangeline asked. "Most of us should likely call it an early night after dinner. We do have a lot to do before the ceremony. Pansy, I'll expect you by nine at the very latest."
"I know, auntie," Pansy sighed. "Why couldn't we have the wedding at night?"
"Then we would only have that much more time to fuss over you," her auntie replied with a smirk. "Besides, the reception would go far too late into the night then, at least for those of us who are not nearly as young as you are."
"Oh, please," Pansy rolled her eyes. "You kept us up until after midnight when you started getting this whole thing going."
"It was important," Evangeline stuck up her chin haughtily. "But, my question remains- are there any more surprises?"
"I've got to pop back to see Steven and Vanessa," Harry said.
"Why?"
"Translation charms and to double check when I'll be picking them up tomorrow," he answered.
"Very well, but don't be too long," Evangeline instructed him. "You will need your rest, and you will need to let Pansy get hers, Monsieur Potter."
"Of course."
"Dinner will be ready soon," Apolline said. "Harry, I hope they haven't been giving you too much to drink."
"I haven't had anything, actually," he shrugged. "If what Sirius says comes true, I'll probably have plenty tomorrow at the reception anyway."
Later that night, back in England...
Steven was flipping channels when Harry suddenly appeared in their living room with a huge smile on his face. "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"As soon as I'm done with you guys, I've got a 'night before the wedding night' celebration to get back to," Harry laughed. "Pansy is the best."
Steven chuckled. "I'm happy for you guys. Vanessa should just be a minute; she's changing Grace. Are you sure we should bring her with us tomorrow?"
"I know Pansy wants to see her," Harry replied. "In fact, if Grace were a couple of years older, I wouldn't have been surprised if she was asked to be a flower girl."
"That would be pretty adorable."
"What would be adorable?" Vanessa asked as she came in carrying her daughter who immediately called out for her dada. She rolled her eyes as she handed over the baby.
"If Gracie were older, she could be a flower girl," Steven answered.
"Let's just hope she makes it through tomorrow."
"Dobby has asked to help with her," Harry interjected. "He won't have a lot to do otherwise, and I'm sure there will be plenty of people that will want to coo over such a cutie."
"Including you?" Vanessa asked with a giggle.
"If I have enough time, maybe," he shrugged with a hint of a smile. "But, let me get to the point of my little visit- teaching you French."
Harry brought out his wand with a flourish.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Steven asked.
"I checked to make sure there wouldn't be any problems," he replied. "The only possible drawback is having a headache sometimes, but if you do it before sleeping then it's supposed to help 'settle' things overnight."
"That's why you wanted to come tonight," Vanessa added. "Alright, we normally try to get the princess to bed pretty soon, so why don't I go first?"
"You sure, hon?" Steven asked.
"If Harry can teleport us to another country in the blink of an eye, I think I can trust him to do this," she answered with a smile.
"I've done it before," Harry stated. "And I've had it done to me a couple of times. I didn't have any side effects."
"Okay. Go ahead then, and Gracie and I will watch how it's done."
Harry nodded and turned to Vanessa. "Just relax; this shouldn't take much time at all. Impertire cognitionem modo gallico!"
She blinked her eyes for a couple of seconds. "Est-ce que ça a marché ?"
"Oui," Harry grinned. "Congratulations, you now speak French."
"Oh wow, that's..." Steven laughed. "Magic is pretty amazing. I can't believe our little Grace is going to learn stuff like that someday."
"The spell could have actually been better if I were a native speaker," Harry explained. "Or maybe a French author or poet- something like that anyway. You're limited by the vocabulary and skills of whoever teaches it to you. Pansy learned it from her mum and grandmother; since I learned it second hand via Pansy I've noticed that occasionally there will be a word or phrase that I need help on, which tend to be the same things she doesn't know."
"That's fascinating," Vanessa said. "I imagine there are a lot of people who would love to have the ability to learn languages so easily."
"From what I've been told, language is unique," Harry replied. "Our brains handle it differently compared to other skills we can learn, and that's why the spell works so well. I met a man who could speak over two hundred languages; without magic, I can't imagine anyone would be brilliant enough to do that."
"I guess it's my turn," Steven said. Grace fussed when he tried to hand her to her mum so he sat back down on the couch and let her snuggle into his chest.
"She's already a daddy's girl," Vanessa chuckled.
Harry smiled and cast the spell on Steven who groaned briefly and reached up to massage his temples. "I think I felt that."
"Headache?"
"It's not too bad," Steven said.
"Sorry," Harry responded. "It should be gone by tomorrow. Now, I can't cast the spell on Grace yet- she's too young- but you could teach it to her the old fashioned way as she grows up."
"Just like that, we're a bilingual household," Steven chuckled. "Thanks, Harry, but I imagine you want to get back to Pansy so we won't keep you."
"Yeah, thanks."
"You'll be here tomorrow at one?" Vanessa double checked.
"About that," he agreed. "The ceremony is supposed to be at three, but it's an hour ahead there."
"Have a good night, and we'll see you tomorrow," Steven said. He started to laugh as Harry disappeared.
"What's so funny?" Vanessa asked.
"What do you think he's in such a hurry to get back to Pansy for?" Steven smirked at his wife.
"I remember when we used to shag every day," she said with a sigh.
"Well," Steven looked down at his daughter, who was nodding off and drooling on his shirt. "It's Grace's bed time, so maybe it's ours too?"
Vanessa smiled and hopped up. "I'll take a quick shower while you put the princess down."
July 5th, 1997 Delacour mansion
Harry groaned as the alarm spell woke him the next morning.
Pansy grumbled as she stirred. "Morning already?"
Harry grabbed his watch off the end table. "Yeah. I guess we probably don't have time for a morning quickie either."
"That's why we had fun last night," she yawned. "It's too bad we can't sleep for another hour."
"I didn't keep you up that late," he mumbled as he forced himself to sit up.
"I know," she sighed. "But you also don't have to spend nearly as much time getting ready as I do."
"Not on my account. You're already the most beautiful woman in the world."
Pansy chuckled. "You mean because I'm naked?"
"Not only because you're naked," Harry replied. "Want to share a shower?"
"You take a quick one and let me get a little more rest," she yawned again.
Harry was looking in the mirror as he fixed his tie when the door opened behind him. Luna came in wearing a sleeveless deep purple dress. "You look nice," he said. "I don't think I've seen you in that color before."
"Thank you," she replied as she joined him in front of the mirror. "Usually Pansy's the one wearing darker colors, but for today, I thought it would be fun if we swapped."
Harry chuckled. "You just gave me a clue about her dress. You could get in trouble for that, you know."
"Just because you weren't allowed to see it doesn't mean that you couldn't guess that it would be white," Luna answered. "Her auntie is rather traditional, and I think Pansy is happy to have something for all her French cousins to coo over. There was a lot of that going on before I was sent over here. Speaking of which, it's time for me to fix your hair."
"Good luck with that," Harry snorted.
"I'll say," Sirius agreed with a laugh. "Even with Sleekeazy's, you're going to have your work cut out for you, Luna."
"Don't worry," she smiled. "I just have to make sure it's the right amount and type of messy. Pansy has trained me well, I assure you."
"I'm in your hands then," Harry said as she led him to sit down in a chair while she pulled a couple of bottles out of a purse she had borrowed from his wife.
"Put your jacket on." Harry followed her orders as she set a comb down on the vanity counter. Luna then continued, "I'm supposed to warn you that you will need to not do anything strenuous for the next couple of hours, so you won't undo my work."
"I have to get the Frosts in..." Harry turned to Sirius. "What time is it?"
"You've got fifteen minutes still," his godfather answered.
"Dobby can go get them." There had been no sound at all when he appeared, so Harry guessed that the little elf had been bored by the lack of things for him to do.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Dobby is very sure," the elf's ears flopped as he grinned. "The food is all being taken care of by all the French elves, and Winky is making sure no one messes with the cake."
"Alright then."
"Dobby will be back soon."
"Now, sit very still while I make the magic happen," Luna said with a smile as she rotated Harry to face her.
Once Luna was finished and had left the room, Sirius pulled a flask out of his jacket pocket. "Time for a little shot of liquid courage before the big to do."
"I don't need that," Harry said.
"It's tradition," Sirius replied with a frown. "I did this with your dad, so you can't back out on me. Just a little shot of firewhisky for good luck."
"Alright." As he accepted the flask, Harry made sure to take a sniff, just in case. It smelled like firewhisky, so he had to assume Sirius wasn't willing to risk Pansy's scorn by slipping him anything else.
"Your mum and dad would be really proud if they were here," Sirius sighed as he took his own drink after Harry passed it back to him. "Well, they might have made you wait until you were actually of age, but other than that, I'm sure they're happy to be watching over everything today, wherever they are."
"Yeah, I guess so," Harry murmured. "It's hard for me to really think about how different my life would have been with them in it."
"I understand." Sirius patted him on the shoulder. "It's not the same for you since you never got a chance to know them. I'm sure they wouldn't be happy about some of the things you've had to go through to get here either. But they'd be thrilled for you and Pansy to be so happy together."
"That's all that really matters to me."
A small pop from Dobby arriving brought a halt to the maudlin topic. "Master Harry, it is time to go to the big church!"
"Okay, I'm ready."
"Dobby will be taking you to the arriving room for all the magical peoples."
With a few pops, Harry and Sirius found themselves in a small room where Evangeline Beaumont was waiting for them. "Ah, excellent timing. You may head into the main section of the cathedral. Follow Camille, she will show you the way."
They were quickly dismissed and led down a hall and into the massive central chamber of Senlis Cathedral, a beautiful old gothic building. The ceiling was high enough that Harry immediately chuckled at the idea of almost being able to play a quidditch match inside it.
"Wow, this is some place," Sirius whistled.
"Quite beautiful," Camille agreed as they walked towards the front. "It is more than eight hundred years old, and our ancestors trace their way back to the founding."
"I'm surprised that magical people would be comfortable in a Catholic church," Harry mused.
"There have been times when things were tense, but our little community has been integrated for centuries, long before the statute of secrecy," Camille stated. "From what I've learned, we were lucky that way. We are not so far from Rouen, which is a very black mark between our countries."
"Rouen?" Sirius asked.
"Where the nobles who had allied with the English burnt Joan of Arc at the stake," she answered. "A dark day for our country. It is a shame she wasn't a witch, or perhaps she would have escaped."
"I'd heard rumors that she was a phoenix," Harry said. "That she arose from the flames reborn."
"A pretty story, but sadly untrue," Camille sighed.
"Luna will be disappointed to hear that," he replied.
She led them to the priest who was waiting for them. "This is Father Louis. Harry, you may remember him from cousin Dahlia's funeral."
"Yes, it's a pleasure to see you again, Father," he shook hands with the white haired man.
"I am glad it can be under so much better circumstances, Monsieur Potter," the priest said with a smile. "You should know that my old friend Evangeline has been delighted to boss us all around to set this up for you."
"We're very grateful for her help."
Father Louis chuckled. "Believe me, I know she has enjoyed herself. She has a few years on me, you know, and I only wish I still had half her energy."
"I have more to do, Father, so if you'll excuse me," Camille interjected.
"Of course." Father Louis turned back to Harry. "I understand you and Pansy have written some vows to each other."
"Yes."
"Very well, I will have the two of you recite them first, and then I will lead you through the formality afterwards," he said. "The ceremony itself won't take too long. We wouldn't want to keep you from getting back to your honeymoon."
Harry grinned and nodded. "We're going to America next."
"I've never been myself," the priest replied. "I hope you enjoy your trip."
Pansy felt like she hadn't stopped smiling for hours.
"Are you ready?" Luna asked. "Your auntie said it was time for me to go, so that means you're next."
Pansy nodded, still smiling ear to ear. "I'm more than ready."
"I believe that means it's my cue," Malcolm Parkinson said as he stepped in through the door of the room she'd been getting made up in for the last few hours. "You look beautiful, Pansy."
"Thank you, uncle Malcolm," she replied as she walked across the room to give him a hug.
"Be careful," Luna said.
"Of course." He embraced Pansy softly.
"It was a lot of work to thread the silver strands through her hair," Luna added.
She spun around to show it off. "There wasn't a spell they could use to make it any faster," Pansy giggled. "I feel like a princess in some silly fairy tale."
"Well, let's get you to prince charming then," Malcolm said with a laugh.
It took them only a moment of waiting to allow Luna to go first and have the proper timing before Pansy and Malcolm appeared in front of Senlis Cathedral.
"Your friend should be in place soon," Malcolm said.
"I guess I should take the chance to savor the moment," Pansy laughed. "After all, I'm only getting married once."
"I'm very happy for you."
"Thanks," Pansy exhaled and extended her arm. "Alright, let's do this. Take me to my husband."
Malcolm chuckled as he walked her through the entrance. "Indeed, my dear."
Harry had a huge grin of his own once he finally saw Pansy walking down the aisle to him on her uncle's arm. He wouldn't have known many of the terms for the dress that had been such a big secret for the last couple of weeks- what would tea-length mean to him? The fact that it was strapless was obvious, but a sweetheart neckline was a completely foreign term to Harry.
What was important was how incredibly beautiful she looked, and he definitely loved seeing the pale skin of her delicate neck and shoulders.
It had taken a lot of sunscreen (and charms) to keep the two of them from burning up as they had traveled over the last few months.
Pansy was beaming as she strode towards him. They'd been married for more than six months, but in a way, Harry felt like this was going to make it even more official. And the fact that his wife was obviously thrilled meant that all the pomp and circumstance was very much worth it.
As Malcolm placed her hands in his, Harry smiled at her and she winked back. Father Louis was starting the ceremony, saying some words that barely penetrated his mind.
It was Pansy's voice that told him she at least was paying attention.
She had insisted that they write their vows in private, one more thing to surprise each other with on the big day. He just had to hope that she would like his earnest nature because Harry knew that he was no poet.
"I don't know how I got lucky enough to have you love me," she began.
"There have been plenty of times when I thought I wouldn't ever get to have a love like this. And there were plenty of times when I was sure that I wouldn't deserve to have something this wonderful. Yet in spite of everything, somehow here I am. Somehow, I get to be the woman lucky enough to marry you, Harry. Everything I've been through, everything we've faced together- it was all worth it to be able to stand here with you today. To know that we get to have our happily ever after. And I know that I will give everything I am to make you as happy as you make me.
"Till the end of time, Harry, first and last and always."
Harry didn't need to look into the crowd to see a few watery eyes- over Pansy's shoulder, Luna was smiling in spite of the tears running down her face. It was his turn now. He gulped and took a deep breath before he spoke.
"I remember the day we first really met because it was the best day of my life. Then I remember the first day we kissed, and that was the best day of my life. The first time we slept together, snuggled up under the blankets in your bed, and that was the best day of my life.
"The first time we made love- that was obviously the best day of my life." Several people chuckled at those words, including Sirius, and Pansy's eyes lit up with mirth.
"Our first Christmas together, when we were curled up on the couch together drinking hot chocolate, and it was by far the best holiday I'd ever had. Our first summer together, when we spent a couple of weeks on the beaches of Nice were two of the best weeks of my life. The Yule Ball, when we finally stopped hiding our relationship, was absolutely amazing because I had the best girl in the world there in my arms while we danced. All of the various celebrations we've had, for birthdays and other things, were some of the best times of my life.
"Today, standing here with you, is the best day of my life. Tomorrow, when we get back to our honeymoon, will also be the best day of my life. Five or ten years from now, whenever we decide to have kids, will be the best day of my life since it will mean there will be a little more of you in the world. And fifty or sixty years from now, when we're old and grey and hoping the grandkids will come to visit, will be the best day of my life because all of those days will have you beside me, and I will always be grateful that you came into my life."
She was smiling at him, beaming at his words, as Father Louis drew their attention.
"Pansy, do you take Harry as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
"I do."
"Harry, do you take Pansy as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
"Absolutely." Luna's snicker and the way Pansy rolled her eyes made him straighten his posture. "I mean, I do."
They exchanged their wedding bands and a few more words were said before he was finally allowed to take Pansy into his arms and thoroughly- maybe a bit too thoroughly- kiss his wife.
Since almost every guest at the wedding was magical, it took them a very short amount of time to have everyone apparated back to the Delacour family mansion, where their ballroom was being used to hold the reception. But before the party could get underway, they were led to the formal dining room to eat.
As people found their seats, Sirius stood with his glass of champagne in hand. "It's traditional for the best man to give a speech. While I'm not usually one for tradition, I thought I'd give it a try tonight. After all, I did something similar almost twenty years ago for Harry's mum and dad.
"I'm sure they're filled with joy to see their son marry the girl he loves today, and I'm even more sure that they would be thrilled by how much Pansy loves Harry. We weren't always close; some of you may remember that I had a bit of legal trouble a few years ago-"
He waited a moment for the chuckles to die down. "Before I could get to know them, Pansy threatened to do terrible things to me if I hurt Harry." Sirius turned and winked at her. "I was happy that he had a girl who felt so strongly about him. As for Harry, well I could tell you some of the things he's told me about her... but I probably shouldn't since there are children present."
Harry was too happy to be embarrassed; instead he just rolled his eyes.
"I'd also like to take a moment to thank our hosts," Sirius paused to raise his glass to the Delacours. "Henri and Apolline have been incredibly gracious and helpful to several of us."
"You're most welcome," Apolline answered with a sip of her champagne and a wink. Judging by the way Sirius blushed, Harry had a feeling that some of the Veela allure might be affecting him.
"Well, I'm getting hungry, so let's wrap this up," Sirius chuckled and turned back to the stars of the big day. "Harry, Pansy, may the two of you have very long and happy lives together. You deserve it. To Harry and Pansy!"
The crowd answered loudly as they raised their glasses. By the time the toast was over, the house-elves had popped plates of food in front of everyone.
Harry looked over at his wife's plate, which wasn't nearly as full as his own. "Aren't you hungrier than that?"
"They'll have hors d'oeuvres later, and the wedding cake won't be brought out for awhile either," Pansy smiled at him. "And I want to dance, so I won't be stuffing myself just yet. That means-"
"That I can't stuff myself either," he sighed.
"Don't you want to dance with me?" she pouted.
"Of course I do," he snorted. "You don't need to try to guilt trip me like that."
"Good boy," Pansy said with a grin.
"But for the record, I'm having at least two pieces of cake," Harry added. "Maybe three."
The lights were dimmed shortly after they entered the ballroom and people emptied out the center of the room. Vanessa smiled as she was the only person who knew the song that Pansy had picked. Grace was snuggled in her daddy's arms.
When the violins came in, Steven whispered to her. "INXS? Nice one."
Harry and Pansy were dancing with so much joy on their faces and she couldn't help but remember a few years earlier when they had met at a nightclub. "They have always been so cute together."
"It makes so much sense now," her hubby replied quietly.
"What do you mean?"
"It's no wonder that Harry was so sympathetic and positive when I was talking to him about proposing to you," Steven said with a grin. "I think he's been planning on marrying Pansy for years now."
"Probably," Vanessa agreed. "They've never had any of the break ups and messy relationships that most people go through. I just hope that layer of innocence lasts for them."
"Yeah."
'And they could never, ever tear us apart'
Harry leaned Pansy down in a very dramatic dip at the little pause just as the saxophone solo began and there were cheers. Gracie did not approve- Steven cupped a hand over her more exposed ear and she settled slightly.
"If our little girl will allow it, I'm hoping to get you out on that dance floor too," Vanessa added.
Steven nodded in agreement and patted their daughter's back in time with the music.
After they had opened things up, Malcolm came out and danced with Pansy (since he was effectively standing in for a father figure) in a slightly less traditional great uncle/niece dance, while Harry danced with Luna. Then she wanted to switch, and Harry was starting to chuckle to himself as Luna clasped Pansy to her bosom for a slow dance that was making his wife giggle.
He never should have left his guard down.
"Dance with me, 'Arry?" Gabrielle Delacour said as she claimed his right arm and pulled him back out onto the dance floor. "You know, I offered to be the flower girl, but for some reason I was turned down."
He hadn't failed to notice the very short silver dress she was wearing, which was almost certainly the point, so Harry chuckled before he responded. "I imagine they may have wanted a slightly different look for a potential flower girl. Not that we needed one anyway."
As usual, Gabrielle was not at all shy about invading Harry's personal space, or in this case trying to get him to hold her even closer as they danced. He did his best not to indulge her too much.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with having a sexy flower girl," she argued with a pout.
Harry stifled a chuckle and wondered about what his wife would say to that. Probably something to egg on the younger girl knowing Pansy. But still, it was odd to remember that she had only recently turned twelve. Puberty for Veelas apparently hit them like a freight train, and Gabrielle must have grown four or five inches over the last year- and he wasn't going to say anything about the cleavage she was trying to show off either.
"Well, I hope you enjoyed the wedding anyway," he eventually added.
"It was lovely," she grinned. "Of course, you did come to my wonderful country to get married, so it is only fitting that it would be better than something in dreary old England. It is far too grey there- there should be color and light and joy for a wedding!"
"I can't exactly disagree." As he felt her hand slide down his back, Harry knew he had to distract her and fast.
"Do you like my dress, 'Arry?"
She fluttered her eyelashes at him and he could tell that her allure was getting stronger. Not so strong that he couldn't fight it off, but it was still a bother. "I'm a little surprised your parents allowed you to wear something so-"
"Risque?" she purred. "I may have shrunk the hemline just a touch when they weren't looking."
"I see."
"I would hope so," she giggled. "That is why I wore it."
Harry was starting to get a little worried that he would end up embarrassed by the precocious Veela.
"May I cut in?" Apolline asked, making her daughter pout.
"But-"
"You cannot monopolize Harry's time on his wedding day, my angel."
"Fine." Gabrielle harumphed as she walked away.
"I think I owe you for that," he said as they began to dance.
"You're very welcome," Apolline chuckled. "I love my girls very much, but I am also glad that I stopped after having the two of them."
"They're both lovely young women," Harry replied.
"A little too lovely sometimes," she smirked. "And I know that Gabrielle altered that dress. But, it is the way of things- our children grow up, no matter if we are ready for it or not. I'm just glad there weren't too many problems reported after her first year at Beauxbatons."
"You were expecting problems?"
"Adolescence is hard for everyone, but doubly so when Veela are involved," she sighed. "Not only are we the center of attention for boys, but also the center of jealousy for girls. It can make lasting female friendships quite rare for us, especially when we're young."
"I'm sorry."
"I think that is part of the reason we are so glad to have met you and Pansy."
"She likes Fleur a lot, you know," Harry smiled. "Gabrielle too, actually. I do sometimes wish Pansy wouldn't encourage her though."
"Gabrielle certainly does not need the encouragement," Apolline said with a laugh.
"You're telling me," he sighed.
Thankfully, between Pansy, Apolline, Fleur, Hestia, and even Flora on one occasion, Harry had plenty of help on the dance floor to fend off the amorous Gabrielle Delacour for the rest of the evening.
Luna, on the other hand, kept herself busy playing with little Grace Frost. Steven and Vanessa were happy to have the help, allowing them to dance and mingle more than they expected.
By the time the reception was winding down, Harry was glad that they were spending the night in the guest wing.
Because he couldn't wait to get Pansy out of her wedding dress.
She was already giggling as he hurried to shut and lock the door behind them.
"Are you looking forward to something?" she teased.
"Does tearing that dress off of you count?" he replied.
Pansy turned around, pointed a finger at him, and glared. "You will do no such thing. I love this dress. Why don't you just start by taking off your own clothes?"
"Ah, come on," he whined.
She got a mischievous look and stepped towards him. "We'll compromise." Pansy pushed him back against the bed and then took his hands in her own. "As a reward for good behavior and a preview of what's to come..."
She helped him slide his hands up under the skirt of her dress and along her thighs. Harry groaned while she grinned lasciviously at him once his fingers found her undergarments- what little fabric there was felt silky and he let out a sigh of contentment as he focused on the feeling of pulling them down and off of her.
Pansy kept on grinning as she kicked off her high heels while Harry had a dazed smile on his face as he removed his shirt and jacket, tossing them aside. "What is it?"
"I'm just really happy," he said with a shrug. Then he waggled his eyebrows at her and sniffed at her panties.
"I cannot believe you just did that," she laughed. "Are you trying to prove to me that you're the horniest man alive?"
He shook the underwear at her with a smirk. "You do realize these are a bit wet already, right? Who's calling who horny exactly?"
"Maybe we both are," she smiled as she grabbed her wand. With a flourish, her wedding dress vanished and was replaced by a thin black nightgown that barely reached her thighs. "Ta da!"
"Nicely done," Harry softly clapped.
"The switching spell is amazing."
"You're amazing," he countered as he reached for her. "You look amazing." He breathed in deeply. "You smell amazing." Harry quickly stripped off his socks and shoes, then knelt in front of her. "And I know you taste amazing too."
"Get the rest of those clothes off already," she whispered as she threw back the covers from the bed and lay across it. Pansy opened and closed her legs to tease him.
He grinned as he followed her orders and then joined her on the bed. "I want to devour you."
"Later," she said as she rolled him over and climbed on him. "I've been waiting all night for this."
Harry responded by running his hands over the nightgown for a moment and making her shiver. "Now who's being impatient?"
Pansy shifted her thighs, reached between them and guided him inside her. Letting out a moan before she spoke, "Stop playing around and fuck me."
He lifted the lingerie up over her head and then sat up to suck on her breast as she began to ride him.
It would be a few sweaty hours later before they would get any rest.
