All in all, the wedding was quite a success and went off without a hitch, much to the pleasure of Lupin. The poor man had decided that wedding planning was not for him. Between all the questions he didn't have answers to, (It's not like he had been able to get all the details from Mrs. Weasley about the order of things, after all) the constant running around to check up on things, and the occasional crisis, the man was exhausted. Lupin groaned inwardly as he remembered that he still had a reception to facilitate. Luckily, he had had a mild stroke of genius before the wedding. Instead of holding the reception outside, like originally planned, Mr. Weasley helped him to magically transform the first floor of the Burrow into a reception hall. It was absolutely brilliant. They could make the dance floor as big as it needed to be and still have ample room for tables and chairs. It was times like these that Lupin wondered how on earth Muggles ever got on without magic.
Lupin checked his watch. Fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes till the nightmare would begin again. This time, however, it had been Mrs. Weasley to have a stroke a genius. She had planned to have a half hour reprieve between the wedding and the reception. It would give the guests some time to socialize and everyone else a chance to rest their feet. It was a good thing, too. Lupin's feet were killing him. It was actually quite difficult to stay standing for that long.
'Just a few more hours and it will be all over with,' Lupin thought to himself. 'Just a few'
"Would you please stop pacing around the room, Harry? You're making me nervous," said Hermione desperately.
"You're nervous?" said Harry incredulously. "You're nervous? You're not the one who as to get up in front of hundreds of people tonight and sing, knowing all the while that each and every single one of them is judging you!"
"It will--" Hermione began, but was soon drowned out by Hedwig. The bird was hooting loudly and frantically nipping at the latch on her cage.
"She must want out," Hermione said. "She has been cooped up for quite some time now.
"Yeah," Harry shouted as his owl became more and more frantic," but she's never acted like this before."
He desperately tried to unlatch the cage to let the panic-stricken bird out, but to no avail. The damn thing was stuck and Hedwig, in her hysteria, bit down on Harry's finger.
"Ouch!" Harry yelped, angrily sucking his finger. Using his other hand, he was finally able to undo the latch, and without missing a beat, Hedwig flew out the open upstairs window.
"What's gotten into her?" asked a dumbfounded Harry.
"No idea…Anyway Harry," Hermione said, standing up, "I'm sure it'll be fine. You just have to believe in yourself."
She turned to walk out, but stopped at the doorframe.
"Harry."
"Yeah."
She turned around to face him, a furtive look on her face. "Just…pretend you're singing to her--and only her." She smiled sweetly, gave him a wink, then turned on her heels and left.
Taking in a deep breath to prepare himself, Harry slowly walked downstairs to where the reception was being held.
The sight that met him when he reached the top of the stairs was not at all what he expected. The room didn't even half resemble the Burrow as he had come to know it. It was about three times as big as it was before and simply bursting with people. Most of them were huddled in groups talking amongst themselves, waiting for the newlywed couple to arrive and the music to begin.
"Blimey, I didn't realize we knew so many people," said Ron, a little bewildered.
"Yeah, lots of people," Harry said uneasily. He felt the familiar rush of nervous adrenaline, making his heart pound wildly in his chest and the butterflies in his stomach flutter madly. All of these people were going to be watching him, scrutinizing every note he uttered. He felt himself instantly pale at the thought.
"Harry, you don't look so well," said Ginny, walking up to the table the three of them were sitting at.
Harry slowly raised his head to her, looking terrible. "I know," was his only reply. He paused. Then, all of a sudden, he grabbed her by the hand and led her away from the table, away from all of the people, till they were outside the Burrow, all by themselves.
He spun her around and faced her, desperation in his eyes.
"I can't do this Ginny…I can't…I'm sorry, but you've got to find someone else…I'm so sorry…"
"Yes you can do it," Ginny said adamantly. "It's just you and me, Harry, no one else, just you and me. We can do this."
Ginny could see the objections rising up in Harry's mind. She was getting desperate. She needed him to do this for her, no matter what the cost.
"Please, Harry. I've never asked you for anything. Please do this for me," she begged him.
And just like that, his walls crumbled. She was right. She had never asked him for anything before now, not even for the love that he withheld from her.
Realizing he had no choice, he nodded his head in agreement.
"Alright, I'll do it."
Like magic, Ginny's eyes instantly lighted up. She smiled at Harry, whispering a small thank you before he turned around and went back inside.
Ginny took a deep breath, replaying the conversation she just had with Harry in her head. She wasn't sure at that moment whether she had been begging Harry to sing with her or for him to give their love a chance. The more she replayed it, the more it seemed like the latter. "We can do this," she remembered herself saying. Do what? Inside, she already knew the answer. Unconsciously, she had asked him for what she really wanted--the chance to be with him, to make him see what love really is, to show him that not all love ends in pain. He didn't have to do it all alone. She could help him. Their love could be his strength, not the liability he thought it to be.
In the end, it wasn't about some stupid song, it was about…hope.
Ginny closed her eyes and drank in the cool, night air. She temporarily put her thoughts aside as she gazed at the crystal clear stars. A strange tranquility broke over her as she calmly walked back inside.
The time had come at last for her to show off her talents…And, Merlin, was she ready for it.
Harry waded through the crowd of noisy people in an effort to get back to the table where Ron and Hermione were still sitting. They remained thankfully silent as he took his seat. He feared that opening his mouth to answer questions would only make him get sick right there.
When all was said and done, he and Ginny had decided that their duet would be performed as Bill and Fleur's couple dance. Maybe then, everyone's eyes would be on Bill and Fleur rather than on him. It was at least slightly comforting. The plan was that Ginny would sing a few songs beforehand and then introduce him before they would start the duet. It would give everyone a chance to eat and do a little dancing before giving the dance floor over to the newlyweds.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please," Bill's brother Charlie said. "First of all, I'd like to congratulate my brother and his new wife. May all the happiness in the world be theirs to cherish." Charlie lifted his glass, toasting them.
"However," Charlie continued," As Bill's best man, I feel obligated to give him a small piece of advice before the two of them start their lives together…Never, ever, let the children in your household outnumber the adults!" The crowd gave a unanimous peal of laughter. It was quite funny, considering that it came from a Weasley, whose family had a grand total of seven children in it.
"Now, if I could direct your attention here for a moment," Charlie said, pointing to the corner where two gargantuan cakes stood on a small table," we can begin the cutting of the cakes, while my sister Ginny plays a little music for us."
The entire room went dead silent as Ginny climbed a few stairs to the stage, bewitched the guitar there to play, and softly began to sing into a microphone.
He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is love. There is love.
She had to have been an angel, plain and simple, for never before had Harry heard a voice so beautiful. It rang out, loud and clear, filling the room with nothing but loveliness. One by one, the guests turned their attention away from the newlyweds and instead, focused on Ginny, her voice enrapturing them, rendering them unable to turn away as she continued.
Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home.
And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning is now until the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.
And there is love. There is love
Harry learned a long time ago that life had the habit of knocking you on your ass just when you thought you knew everything. This was one of those moments for him. He stood in the midst of beauty itself, dumbfounded…utterly dumbfounded.
He looked back at the table where Bill and Fleur were. Bill had stopped mid-slice to listen to Ginny as well. Fleur was by his side, a huge grin covering her face.
She quickly leaned in towards her new husband's ear, "Zat is one of my favorite Muggle songs," she whispered to him.
He turned back to her, and without missing a beat, leaned in and kissed her, completely ignoring the knife still stuck in the side of the cake.
Little by little, the guests turned their attention back to the couple, and with Ginny's musical accompaniment, the scene was beautifully picturesque. It couldn't have been more perfect.
Is it love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
Or if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh there's love, there is love.
Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain.
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is love. Oh there's love.
But as the song wound down to a close, a terrible sense of dread overtook Harry. He was going to have to sing with her…and his miserable voice was going to sound like rubbish compared to her exquisite one. A wave of nausea hit him at the thought. He closed his eyes, trying to prevent what he knew was going to happen anyway.
"Are you okay, mate?" a concerned Ron asked.
Harry felt whatever color was left in his face drain away.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," he mumbled before dashing off to the lavatory. 'Perhaps this is a good thing.' Harry thought to himself after losing all the contents of his stomach to a nearby toilet. 'At least now I won't get sick in front of everyone on stage." He groaned, as he leaned against the stall door. Distantly, he could hear Ginny's voice going in and out. She had moved on to some other songs now. He slid down the door until he was sitting on the floor, listening to her. One song faded into the next as Harry lost himself in her voice. But with each passing tune, he got closer and closer to the time when he would have to get up there with her, until suddenly, he heard his name softly being called.
The time was right, Ginny thought to herself as she finished the last of her songs. The night was winding down and the guests were getting restless. It was time for the grand finale.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you would, please, clear the dance floor for our bride and groom. Thank you…I'd like to introduce you to a very special friend of mine, who has been kind enough to sing a duet with me. Harry, would you please come up here?"
Ginny looked around the room, but Harry was no where to be found.
"Harry?" she asked again.
"Hang on. I'll go get him," said Ron, jumping out of his seat. He rushed into the men's room and called for Harry. He turned to see a disheveled Harry coming out of one of the stalls. He was a complete wreck.
"Come on. You're up," he said, trying to fix Harry's jacket in an effort to make him look a bit more presentable.
Harry took a deep breath and fixed his hair before walking out the door.
"Oh, there he is," he heard Ginny say over the microphone. As soon as she said it, a large cacophony of applause met his ears as he meandered his way to Ginny. She gave him an encouraging smile and a wink when he got up to the stage.
He took in another deep breath, remembering Ginny's words.
'It's just you and me, Harry, no one else.'
The music began and Ginny started.
From this moment life has begun (Ginny)
Harry opened his mouth and was pleasantly surprised to find that sound came out, better than he ever imagined it would. 'Just you and me, Harry'
From this moment you are the one (Harry)
Ginny smiled, 'He really could sing.'
Right beside you is where I belong (Ginny)
From this moment on (both)
From this moment I have been blessed (Harry)
I live only for your happiness (Ginny)
And for your love I'd give my last breath (Harry)
From this moment on (both)
Lupin opened his mouth in disbelief. He knew Ginny could sing, but Harry? Then again, he shouldn't have been surprised, given Harry's lineage. His mother's entire side of the family was musically gifted. Her father was even a composer.
"They're simply splendid together. Perfect harmony!" said an enthusiastic Mrs. Weasley. "Harry is a fantastic singer!"
"It's to be expected. Lily had quite a voice herself. Her whole family did," Lupin replied.
"Well, I knew that, but…I never expected this," she said incredulously.
I give my hand to you with all my heart (Ginny)
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start (Harry)
You and I will never be apart (Ginny)
My dreams came true because of you (both)
From this moment as long as I live (both)
I will love you, I promise you this (both)
There is nothing I wouldn't give (both)
From this moment on (both)
It was at that moment that Harry realized that it truly was just him and Ginny. They were singing to each other, pledging their own love. They were both putting all their love and passion into their voices, making it authentic and tangible, not made up as many duets were. The love behind it was real.
You're the reason I believe in love (Harry)
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above (Ginny)
All we need is just the two of us (both)
My dreams came true because of you (both)
From this moment as long as I live (both)
I will love you, I promise you this (both)
There is nothing I wouldn't give (both)
From this moment (both)
I will love you as long as I live (Ginny)
From this moment on (both)
Harry felt a rush of excitement as the song ended in applause. He glanced over at Ginny, who was positively beaming with delight. He gave her a warm smile, which she returned.
He had done it. They had done it.
When the last of the guests had left and Bill and Fleur had departed for their honeymoon vacation, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all pitched in to help clean up the reception mess. Thankfully, it only took them an hour to get everything cleared up since just about everyone involved in the wedding helped.
After the first floor was cleaned and back to normal, Harry trudged up the stairs to the bedroom that he and Ron shared. He was exhausted and looked forward to a long night's rest, but when he reached the room, he realized that someone else was also there. At once, he whipped out his wand and flipped on the light switch, only to find Ginny sitting on the edge of his bed.
"What are you doing here, Ginny?" he asked.
She stood up and made her way towards him. "I didn't get a chance to say it earlier, but you were really spectacular tonight. I had no idea you could sing…and to tell you the truth, I had my doubts beforehand," Ginny admitted, chuckling to herself.
"Oh thanks, Miss 'I have faith in you'," Harry teased.
"Well, I did…It's just…not that much," she replied sheepishly.
Harry smiled. "Well you weren't bad yourself. You have quite a voice, Ginny."
"Really?" she asked, stepping closer to him.
"Yeah…It was…" Harry trailed off, realizing just how close Ginny was to him. Their lips were only inches apart and growing even closer together. His mind screamed at him to pull away, to push her back, but his heart…his heart told him to go ahead, to take the plunge.
A rattling at the window broke their trance and both took a step back from each other. He had come too close, way too close for his comfort.
He went to the window to find Hedwig frantically trying to get in.
"Would you make up your mind, Hedwig? First you wanted to get out. Now you want to get in. What's the deal today?" Harry asked Hedwig.
But then Harry noticed a roll of paper tied to Hedwig's leg. Oddly enough, it wasn't parchment, but regular Muggle paper. 'This is weird,' he thought to himself. 'Who would be writing to me on plain Muggle paper?'
"Who's it from?" Ginny asked curiously.
Harry unfolded the paper and scanned it for a name. His eyebrows furrowed as he stared at the name in disbelief.
Dudley Dursley?
A/N: The songs used in this chapter are From This Moment On by Shania Twain and There Is Love by Peter, Paul, and Mary. These do not belong to me.
