Chapter Eight:

I Do

It was three weeks after that night that Hermione had spoke of the secret that haunted her for life. She felt even worse though, because Harry knew everything and why it happened. She didn't feel that it was right that she told him, but something good would come of it.

Hermione and Harry sat at a picnic table in the park with items scattered throughout the table top. Letters, envelopes, quills, ink, pictures, and pieces of parchment were placed in neat piles along the table.

"How many should we invite?" Harry asked.

Hermione thought for a bit. She really didn't know. She looked at her already formed list and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She put her hand on her forehead and leaned on her elbow. She sighed.

"It depends." She said simply. "Do you prefer a large wedding or a small wedding?" She asked. She truly wanted to know his opinion.

"It really doesn't matter." He said.

Harry did actually prefer smaller weddings, he really didn't like a lot of people, but he wanted Hermione's happiness more than anything. She should choose, she should pick the flowers, and she should do everything. Harry really wasn't a good decision person.

"Is a small wedding alright?" She asked.

Hermione thought that Harry would want a big wedding, with him being famous and all that, but she figured her own opinion was needed. Harry simply smiled. He looked at her, held her hand in his as she sat across from him and nodded.

"Perfect." He said short.

"So, who do you want to invite?" She wondered.

Harry thought for a moment. The only people he could think of were those he worked with, and the Weasleys Harry then pictured Ginny, what would be her reaction to this? Ginny wished so much to marry Harry, and now Hermione was living her dreams. This was a dream that will never happen for her.

"Let's see…" He thought for a moment. "There is Remus, the Weasleys, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati, Luna, and Neville…"

He picked up a book on the side of the picnic table. It was a black leather book and had a trim of gold on it. Harry traced the golden lining before looking back to Hermione that was writing on a piece of parchment. She was making a list.

"That's the picture book." Hermione said as she scribbled one last name on the parchment and looked up. "If you remember anyone, that is." She corrected herself.

"Dean Thomas," He flipped the page. "Hermione, why don't we just put an article in the Daily Prophet or something?" Harry suggested.

"That's a good idea." She nodded lightly. "But there are some people that I want to send personal invitations to." She said as she started scribbling down some things.

Harry thought for a moment. The only people he wanted to send invites to were Remus Lupin and the Weasley family. If they did put an article in the paper, who would come to watch? Would anyone even care?

Then something hit his mind. If the wedding was open for everyone, then it would be a big wedding. If it was open for everyone, what if the Malfoys saw the article and thought of going? Damn it.

"Hermione," Harry spoke softly and Hermione looked up. "If we get this article out, we might be in store for a really big wedding." Harry said with nervousness.

Hermione thought for a moment, Harry was right. What if people came that hated them and were going to destroy this day? Then what hit Harry hit her too… the Malfoys. They would be there if it was open for everyone, and they might even try to kill them at the ceremony. Hermione gasped.

"Harry, you are absolutely right!" Hermione said as she shuffled through more papers and envelopes. "What if someone came that we don't want?" She asked.

"What if someone comes that hates us?" Harry asked.

"What if the Malfoys come?" They both said in unison.

Hermione and Harry looked at each other. Neither of them felt very comfortable about this idea anymore. They scheduled the wedding to be in five days, and if the Malfoys showed then all hell would brake loose.

Hermione reached across the table and laced her fingers in Harry's. Her pleading eyes were staring at him like never before. She looked at him, begging for him not to put an article in the paper, and hopefully he wouldn't.

"Hermione, I won't let everyone come." He said. "We'll send in an article that says we are going to get married, but we'll have an invitation right." He spoke.

"That's a little safer." Hermione said with a relieved sigh.

Harry removed himself from his seat and walked around the picnic table. He occupied the seat next to Hermione and hugged her close. He raked his fingers through her hair. She sighed again and laid her head on his shoulder. Harry stroked her back gently.

"It's going to be alright." Harry said soothingly. "I promise."

It was the day before the wedding and Hermione was still worried. She paced the empty dressing room at a local store with fear. She was in her wedding dress, and walked back and forth. She stopped.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She sighed in frustration and said one simple word and it was "hideous," but she couldn't possibly describe herself as that. She shouldn't be so hard on herself. Harry loved her, and that's all that mattered. She started pacing again and she shook with nerves.

The lacey, silk was longer then supposed to be. The train of her dress was over forty inches long and dragged lightly on the floor. The beaded embroidery of flowers was across the chest. Her veil was attached by a small, silver tiara with a diamond in the middle. The veil was down to her rear and a little longer than her hair.

She took the veil off and threw it in the chair that sat in the corner. The room smelled of fresh silk with a hint of vanilla. The room was detailed with golden lines and decorative flowers that pressed onto the ivory walls. A thick border of forest green was rimmed along the outside. Were all Diagon Alley stores this fancy?

She knew it was a wedding store for mostly brides and bridesmaids, but why was all the gold needed on the walls? Weddings were supposed to be fancy, but she looked like a fluffy polar bear with all the white on. She tightened the sash on her waist and took a step backwards, further away from the mirror, and smiled.

"There, that's better." She said.

She walked out. The fluffy whiteness had simmered and Molly Weasley and Luna Lovegood stood on the other side. Luna smiled brightly; she worked at the store, and looked positively happy. Molly looked like she was going to cry, but held in her tears as hard as she could.

"Beautiful," Molly said simply. "Absolutely beautiful." She smiled lovingly.

Hermione smiled back. Her hair was pulled back so you could see her face more then usual. She didn't exactly know how she was going to put her hair up, but she'd figure out someway.

"Thank you," Hermione said.

She stared down at her feet. Her shoes were made of the finest and sturdiest glass that was made. They had a carving of a rose on the heel and were opened toed. She walked perfectly in them, like they were her actually feet.

She moved as elegantly as a queen, and looked superb. Harry had told her to not worry about the price, but Hermione was going to pay for it herself anyway. Harry gave her the money, but she bravely turned it down. She wasn't going to take money from him, which seemed too dishonest.

Molly circled her and Hermione started to feel a little uncomfortable. Molly had a knack for perfection. She moved around. She was adjusting small silk flowers, checking each and every bead, looked to make sure nothing dirty was on the silk, and fixed the sash bow on the back. Hermione felt her sash tighten on her thin and curved waist. She felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Molly," She gasped. "Too tight!" She warned.

Molly smiled lightly and took out the bow. She gingerly retied the bow so it wasn't so tight. She giggled lightly and felt rather embarrassed. She turned Hermione around and smiled brightly.

"Sorry dear." She said. "Do you know what you are doing with that hair?" She asked.

Hermione shrugged. She had a stylist that would fix her hair any way she wanted, and she was scheduled for an appointment six hours before the wedding. The wedding would be at two in the afternoon, and she was hoping to wake at seven and attend her appointment at eight. She was anxious to meet Harry at home in two hours.

It was going on three in the afternoon. In less than twenty four hours, she would be Mrs. Harry Potter and live her teenage dream. She couldn't wait. She was crossed between thoughts of happiness, excitement, and nervousness.

Was this wedding going to pommel to the ground? What worried Hermione was what if it rained, would it rain on her wedding day? She pictured the rain; she could already smell the misty scent of the ground after a rain shower. It couldn't rain, it just couldn't!

Hermione had a lot to worry about it, but she didn't have the strength to face a day of rain on the day that her dreams were coming true. She wasn't going to let this little fear of rain ruin her day. She was going to hold her head high and walk down that aisle. She was going to say the two simple words that would change her life forever: I do.

"Hermione," A slight voice said.

Hermione shook herself from her daydream and her deepened thoughts and looked to the side of her. Molly Weasley was talking to her. Hermione gave her a warming smile and gently spoke.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Dear," Molly started. "We need to get you out of this dress, because we are going to be late for the rehearsal."

Hermione looked at her watch and then dashed back into the dressing room. It was going to be only and hour and a half till she would meet Harry, but it would take an hour to get to the church. She had to hurry, but rushing too much she might accidentally rip her dress or ruin it somehow.

She ran in and out of the ivory dressing rooms and dashed back and forth with different things in hand. She gingerly put her wedding gown into a pearl pink box and sealed it. She knew this would be perfect. Her slip and her netted skirt were in separate bags and stuffed into the car with the other stuff.

Hermione could smell the scent of vanilla, even from outside, and she loved it. She took a deep inhale of the air outside and let it out. Summer. Spring was almost over, and she could feel the heat coming. The long, hard, and hot days of summer were drawing closer than they seemed.

After Hermione snapped from her daydreams and her thoughts, she got into Harry's car that she borrowed and was off to the church. They were running late. The church was in Hogsmeade and they were on the outskirts of Diagon Alley. They would never make it in time. Hermione pushed the silver button.

The car had become invisible and the car began to take flight. Hermione pulled the stick shift back as far is it would go, and they were in the air in no time. Molly seemed to have a little fear of flying ever since her husband Arthur had enchanted a car illegally. This car was safe though, Harry made sure of it.

Harry was pacing outside the church in his usual everyday clothes. He paced back and forth across the steps, waiting for his bride-to-be. She was terribly late, and the clock had struck five thirty when Harry sat on the steps. He looked miserable.

"Harry," A man said from behind him.

Harry didn't turn though; he just stared at his watch like it was never going to move ever again. Harry let out a sigh and the man took a seat next to him. It was Neville. Neville put an arm on Harry's back and gave him a manly hug.

"Don't worry mate, she'll show." He assured.

"Neville, I thought so too." Harry said sadly. "I didn't even think she wanted to marry me, who would?" He asked.

Harry took a deep sigh and began to think deep thoughts. Neville couldn't believe what he was hearing, he knew Hermione loved Harry. Even if Hermione was late, she would show. He knew it. Neville picked his hand up and smacked the back of Harry's head quickly.

"You prat!" Neville said. "Of course Hermione loves you!" He shouted.

"What?" Harry asked as he massaged the back of his head. "How would you know about Hermione?" He asked.

"It's because if she didn't love you, than she wouldn't have spent ten thousand dollars on a wedding dress." Neville said.

"She spent that much?" Harry asked, taken aback.

"She spent that much of her own money. She was saving it for the day she married you, and you sit here thinking she doesn't love you. For being the top and Head of Auror's, you really aren't that smart Harry." Neville joked.

Neville patted Harry on the back and he stood. He went to return to the inside of the building, but Harry stopped him. Harry grabbed his ankle quickly and Neville stopped and looked down at him.

"How did you know?" Harry asked. "About the dress, I mean." He corrected himself.

"It's one good reason for having Luna Lovegood as a girlfriend." Neville laughed.

Harry was shocked. He had no idea that Neville was even dating anyone, and that came as a rather big shocker. Harry waited on the steps, constantly looking at his watch, and beginning to doubt everything Neville had said.

Harry was getting nervous. Maybe Hermione just got pre-wedding jitters, yeah, that was all it was. She loved Harry and he loved her. Nothing could stop this wedding from happening. The Daily Prophet strictly said that this was an invitational wedding. So, anyone without an invitation would be denied.

Harry stood and began to pace the steps again. Maybe he was the jittery one and not the bride. He stood there, looking out onto parking lot and a blue vehicle had magically appeared there. Harry squinted his eyes and bit and let out a heavily and most relieved sigh.

He knew this car, it was his car. Hermione was finally here and he didn't have to worry after all. She did show, and that's all that mattered. Hermione was rushing up the stone steps and across the cemented layers of space. She stopped right in front of Harry, panting, and losing it.

"Harry, I am so sorry!" She said over and over. "We were running late because we lost track of time. I'm sorry, this was the step before our big day and I ruined it!" Hermione said sadly as if she were going to cry.

"Hermione, calm down," Harry said in a soothing voice. "You're here, and that's all that matters." He laughed.

He pulled her close and kissed her lips. She put on a nervous smile as she massaged the back of her shoulder. She leaned upon Harry, she was tired. She was running around all day and didn't get a moment of sitting down comfortably. She had to drive and she was afraid she might have killed the car because she was going so fast.

"Let's get this over with." Harry said with a tiny giggle.

Hermione nodded and laced her fingers with Harry's as they stepped into the church together. People were lined up along the rows and Hermione stayed at the entrance so she could walk properly down the aisle. Harry walked down and took his place next to Neville.

Neville was his best man and his groomsmen were Remus Lupin, Seamus Finnigan, and to Hermione's horror, Ron Weasley. Apparently Harry had reconciled with Ron over the last couple of days. Ron would have been the best man, but Harry had promised Neville before. Harry was the type to never break a promise.

Neville had returned to a back-up Auror and Ron took his place back as Harry's partner and secretary. Ron seemed to be more content over the last couple of days then Harry had seen him in years. Ron apologized once to Hermione over the rehearsal, but she didn't believe one word of it.

Ron was the type who always considered himself as right and everyone wrong. He was the kind of person that if you don't agree with, then you stand no chance of being friends with him. Ron has problems with his life. He had brothers to compete with and a friend who is famous.

Ron felt left out, but without Hermione and Neville around then he felt like a true existing human being. Ron might have been jealous of Harry's other friends, but he realized that Harry would always still care for him as well.

Harry was in need of help and Ron was the first on the job to take it. Harry would be gone for a couple of weeks because of the honeymoon. He needed someone to take over the office and make sure everyone was contributing. Ron promised to take that job and treat it as if it were a child. He wouldn't rest until he knew everything was going the way it was supposed to be.

Hermione had rested herself up at the Weasley's house. She promised to spend one night away from Harry until the wedding. She opened her eyes to the golden sunlight the pressed through the broken window. She inhaled a load of air, than let it out again. She looked to her side.

Her wedding dress hung from the back of the door and Hermione immediately knew this wasn't a dream. She could smell the vanilla and she could feel the soft, smooth silk that was tailored into a gown. Hermione sat up from her bed. A pink tank top covered her top half and a pair of black pajama bottoms covered the rest.

She stood, after slipping her feet into a pair of pink slippers, and shuffled her feet as she walked to her gown. The whiteness was blinding. It was so clean, so perfect, so... dreamy. This was not just a dream, this was real. This was actually happening and she was more than anything, excited.

She jumped up a little as the excitement raised high into her. She twirled around and smiled as she whispered something to herself. She opened the closet door and stood in front of the body length mirror. She stared at herself in pajamas and thought only one thing: seven hours, four minutes, fifty-seven seconds.

"Well, well, well." A mad and snippy voice said from behind her.

Hermione jumped a little, she hadn't heard anyone come in, and turned around to face who was talking to her. It was Ginny. The girl with red hair was sneering at Hermione as if she were yesterday's trash. Hermione felt nothing, but longed for the desire to spit at her for making Harry's life miserable.

"What, Ginny?" Hermione asked moodily.

"Don't need to be rude." She said in a snappy voice.

Hermione didn't want to talk to her; she was having a better time without doing so, and just wanted to leave for the wedding. She couldn't wait till she got out of here, and today would possibly be the greatest day of her life. Ginny, though, was fuming with nothing but pure jealousy.

"I can be rude if I want to." Hermione snapped back.

"Well," Ginny growled. "Why is it that you are marrying my fiancé?" Ginny asked.

Hermione breathed deep and turned to her and stared at her. If Hermione heard her correctly, she said Harry was her fiancé. That couldn't be right. Hermione knew it, only because Harry said he hated Ginny enough to slap her.

"Liar, if he was your fiancé then this would be your wedding. But, he's my fiancé and this is my wedding and in less then seven hours he'll be my husband. We'll live happily ever after." Hermione turned around with a winning smile on her face, "Without you." She said.

"I'm marrying him. He only just said so because he changed his mind about marrying a mudblood like you." Ginny hissed.

"That is possibly the most childish thing I've ever heard. Harry wouldn't marry you if his life depended on it." Hermione said with a laugh.

She wasn't fazed at all about Ginny calling her the name that means 'dirty blood.' She had been so familiar with it at Hogwarts, feisty patients, and Ginny had called her that once before. She just turned, her dress was in her hand, and walked out of the door. Ginny held back for a moment and tapped her fingers evilly together.

"We'll see about that." Ginny said with a thinking smirk on her face. "A plan, I need a plan." Ginny said threateningly.

Harry stood in the church. It was half way full of people they had invited. Harry knew that most of them were Hermione's side of the family. Most of them had the same hair as her, well, before she died it golden.

Harry stood there as he was accompanied by Ron, Neville, and Remus. Neville stood next to Harry with the ring in his pocket. Harry made sure that he had it with him, and shook the hands of Remus and Ron. He said the occasional "I'm glad you made it," but he doubted that Hermione would say the same to Ron.

The church was full of white and pink roses. Harry thought it looked like an Easter celebration, but if Hermione liked it then he approved. He stood at the front of the church with a black dressing gown on. He had a pocket watch in hand and opened it every minute. He was wishing Hermione wasn't late this time.

He was jittery with excitement. Harry thought it was getting rather late and he was sick of waiting, he wanted to see her. He was about to walk out, but was stopped by the music playing. The usual wedding march for muggles and wizards played.

Harry was shaking slightly, he felt nervous. What if Hermione got to the front and she said that she denied marrying him? Harry seemed to think that Hermione would always decide the inferior response. He knew he shouldn't be so hard on himself, but after seeing what his life was like he wasn't sure if anyone would ever love him.

He peered through every booth in the church, but his attention was drawn to a young girl in the front row that was wearing black. She looked like she was attending a funeral and Harry knew exactly why this girl dressed this way. It was Ginny. Harry gave her a slight glare and returned his glace to the main door way.

The double doors opened and everyone stood. Harry almost fainted. This girl didn't look like Hermione at all. She was covered in lace, beads, and silk. Her train was almost a quarter of the church hallway long. She stepped elegantly as she kept her head high and smiled as everyone made noises in awed.

Hermione's hair was pulled back and braided into a tight knot at the top of her head. One part of her bangs were curled and bounced beside her cheeks. The sleeves on her dress were flared like they were stretched out and left alone. She looked through the netted fabric of the veil that covered her face.

Harry was positively taken aback. She was drop-dead gorgeous. One layer of her veil was draped over her face. She stepped slowly, behind the bridesmaids, and they stood in the front of the room. Lavender and Luna were in long, pink dresses and stood next to the banister in the front. Lavender was the maid of honor and held the ring tightly in her hand.

Hermione held a bouquet of white lilies, white roses, pink roses, and baby's breath. Harry smiled widely at the front of the room, Hermione was beautiful. All the people in the room had sat down immediately as Harry took her hand in his. He laced his fingers with hers and led her to the priest.

"We are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony." The priest started.

Harry could barely remember anything the priest said. His eyes were glued on Hermione as if she was going to die if he removed them. He felt Hermione's hands tighten around his and he immediately knew how she felt. She was nervous. Harry was indeed correct, Hermione was biting her lip, in no less then one hour she would be a wife.

"Do you Harry James Potter; take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her and help her in sickness and in health till death do you part?" The priest asked. Harry smiled.

"I do." He said sweetly. The priest then turned to Hermione.

"Do you Hermione Jane Granger; take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him and help him in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?" The priest asked.

Harry looked worried. He was afraid she would say 'yeah right' or 'who'd want to marry you' or storm out the room, or something. Hermione heard everyone in the church move to the edge of their seats, listening closely. Hermione bit her lip, stopped, and smiled. She laughed lightly.

"I do."

Author's Notes:

Aren't weddings always the sweetest? I didn't expect to have this chapter of the wedding up yet, but I wanted to get to this story's point. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I personally though it was a cute chapter, and have a great weekend! To everyone: Enjoy life at the fullest, everyone's dreams can one day come true.

Airalynn

To My Reviewers:

PrincessLuckyCML – You are probably one of the weirdest reviewers I've ever had. Lol. There have been some happy that they are getting married, but never that Ron was going to hell. Lol.

DestroyerDRT – Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. And I admit, he does need professional help.

pumpkinpie4ever – Harsh? I've only just begun! Lol.

infallallthingsaremadesplended – Sorry, but I needed a good plot line and I figured Ron would be the bad one. Sorry that it ripped your heart.

bigronweasleyfan – Aww, that's so cute. Lol.

shwa-alalalalala..lol (reviewed chapter 4) – WHY WOULD YOU WISH HARRY TO DIE? HOW COLD HEARTED ARE YOU? And it's suppose to be a lovey dovey story... how can it not be when it's a wedding?

Yo wat up y'all (Reviewed chapter 3) – Crouch isn't dead... what was the point of a review that said only "Crouch is dead!" are you insane?

NicciBubbles – Stop, you're making me blush. Lol.

That's all for now. Sadly, I thought I would get more reviews on this story. I was hopping to get at least ten every chapter, but I have only have gotten six. I guess this story isn't as great as I thought it was. Well, I'm pleased that all of you have read it, and I'm glad you like it. You guys are great!

UPDATED: (SATURDAY) MAY 28, 2008