Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, so please don't sue me! I'm just a humble lil' sixteen year old, playing in the world of Harry Potter. (It beats the heck out of the PlayPlace at McDonald's! LOL)

A Love To Last A Lifetime

Hermione Granger sat next to a panicked Ginny Weasley as she attempted to calm her down.

"Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. That's it sweetie, just keep it up! I'm going to get the wastebasket, just in case the need to vomit overcomes you again," Hermione said in a soothing voice as she stroked Ginny's hair.

Ginny took the paper bag away from her mouth. "Hermione, are you sure I'm doing the right thing?"

"Oh, Ginny. Do you remember before mine and Ron's wedding, how nervous I was?"

"Do I ever! I was holding your hair back for you while you were on your knees in front of the toilet!"

"Oh, sorry about that", Hermione said in a low voice, clearly disgusted with herself. She regained track of what she was saying before. "Anyway, the point is, not matter how nervous I was, one thing remained constant; I loved Ron, and that's how I knew I was making the right decision. To agree to spend your life with someone is a big promise to make, but if you truly love them, you'll never regret it." At that, she rubbed her very large pregnant belly fondly.

Ginny embraced Hermione warmly. "Aww, thanks. You always know how to make me feel better. Maybe I should marry you!" she teased.

"Taken. Sorry, but I'm a little bit locked in to my marriage now," Hermione replied jokingly.

"I do love Harry, so much, and I want to be with him forever. It took too long for him to catch on for me to just throw it all away now. I've always dreamed of this day, since the day I saw Harry's face. Somehow, I just knew," Ginny whispered, breaking apart from Hermione, who was now sobbing hysterically.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard!", she wailed.

"Hormones", murmured Ginny, rolling her eyes.

"Blimey, Harry! You don't look so good." Ron said, evaluating Harry's pallid complexion.

"She said yes, and we're getting married in about an hour. I can't believe she said yes. I love her more than the world, and she said yes. I-I-I can't believe she said yes." Harry whispered, his knees giving beneath him as he fell onto Ron's bed.

"Are you okay, mate?" Ron inquired, sitting down beside him.

"She said yes….."

"We've established that, Harry. I mean, after all, we're not in a tux for evening tea time!" Ron quipped.

"You don't understand. I'm not good enough for her. I'm never gonna be. She deserves a king, and she chose me! I don't deserve someone like Ginny Weasley, much less Ginny Weasley herself."

"Whoa, hold on there, Harry. She LOVES you, and she always has. Since the day she met you, her heart has been yours. You're my best mate, and I know that you're the only one good enough for my only little sister. Granted, I didn't react too well when you first started dating her, but that was only because I was very protective of her. I'm so proud that my best mate is about to become my brother-in-law."

At this, Harry and Ron shared a brief, awkward hug, and then broke apart.

"I can't believe she said yes…."

Ginny stood at her bedroom window gazing at the yard below her. The lawn of the Burrow was decorated for the wedding. White chairs sat in even rows, candles were bewitched to hover in midair, and there was a huge arch of white lilies, under which she and Harry would stand beneath as they said their vows. She could see the band of violinists setting themselves up in the corner as dusk fell fast upon them. Finally, Ginny's fairy tale was about to come true. She smiled faintly as she heard Hermione slap Ron in the kitchen.

"Thank you very much, I'm eating for two, you insensitive – "

She stopped midsentence, probably because Ron was kissing her in attempts to apologize. Evidently, it was working. He had fallen wrath to her horrid mood swings, but at least he had found a valid way to redeem himself whenever he was at the receiving end of her emotional storms. Ginny couldn't wait to experience married life.

A knock at her door brought her out of her musings. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Ginny dear, your mother. Can I come in?", Mrs. Weasley called from the hallway. "Are you decent?"

"Yes mum, come inside", Ginny replied, fighting back the urge to laugh.

"Let me have a look at you, dear", Mrs. Weasley said kindly. Ginny turned from the window to face her. She wore a long, flowing, and white off-the-shoulder gown. It fit snugly across her chest and waist, but where it hit her hips was where it hung elegantly from her small frame. Her fiery red hair fell loosely around her shoulders in big curls, and one half was swept back with a flowery comb her mother had given her. (Something borrowed.)

"My baby girl! It seems like just yesterday I sat in this very room, rocking you to sleep. Now, you stand here, all grown up and about to get married!" Mrs. Weasley began to sob hysterically, oddly enough sounding like Hermione. Ginny rushed to her and embraced her in a hug. It was Ginny's turn to hold her.

Harry opened Ron's bedroom door and re-entered after about his seventh visit to the toilet, to find Lupin sitting on Ron's bed.

"Harry, my boy. I was hoping to have a word with you," he said as Harry closed the door.

"Sure, professor."

"How many times must I tell you? Please, call me Remus."

"Oh, right. Sorry", Harry replied, sitting down beside of Lupin, sounding a bit distracted.

"Harry, I'm so proud of you, and I know your father would be too, as would Sirius." Harry flinched at mention of his father and godfather. "I've watched you grow from a boy to a man, and every day, you've become a stronger person. You have seen more devastation in just nineteen years than most people see in their entire lives. You deserve to be happy, Harry. For once in your life, it's time for you to be truly happy, and I can think of no better way than spending the rest of your life with Ginny. I see the way you look at each other, and do you know who that reminds me of? Your mother and father. They were so in love with one another, Harry. You and Ginny share that same passion for one another, and you're going to be so happy."

"Thanks, prof- I mean- Remus. I love her so much, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her. I can't believe she said yes…."

"Your father had a weakness for redheads. Just like him, you are!"

"Yeah", Harry replied distractedly, clutching his stomach. "I can't believe I'm about to marry the girl of my dreams…."

"Harry? Are you okay? Harry?", Lupin called as Harry once more bolted for the loo.

"Ginny? Is that really you?", inquired a bewildered Ron.

"Of course, you git!" Fred replied, rolling his eyes.

"Honestly, Ron, you can be so thick!", said George, in agreement with Fred.

It was true. The beautiful woman that stood before them was hardly their gangly little sister, but at the same time, it was. She had grown up, into a mature, responsible lady, and she was about to be married.

"How is Harry?" Ginny asked, sitting down between Ron and Fred.

"Honestly? He's a wreck! He keeps saying he can't believe you said yes, and he's made about twenty trips to the loo already!", Ron answered.

"Oh, my poor dear! I hope he's feeling better."

"You better hope he's brushed his teeth before it's time to 'kiss the bride', or else you may decide to leave him at the altar!", George quipped.

"Yeah, that whole 'in sickness and in health' thing may come into effect a little early!", added Fred, high-fiving George.

"You guys! That's not funny!", Ginny said as she shook with a fit of the giggles.

"You know we can always make you laugh! We aim to please, but most of the time, we tend to diplease in the process!", said Fred, grinning.

"True, true, oh how true.", commented George.

"That's one thing I'm gonna miss about living here," Ginny said, suddenly becoming serious.

Silence followed her statement. For a while, they just sat there. Then, Ginny began to cry, and they all put their arms around her, comforting her like only family could.

"You know we'll still come visit you."

Harry sat against the bathroom door collecting his thoughts. Ginny was about to become his, and only his. All of the years spent dreaming were about to be realized. He needed Ginny, like he'd never needed anything before. It's amazing how Voldemort instilled no fear in the great Harry Potter, yet a tiny redhead whom stole his heart could reduce him to this. He wasn't really afraid of Ginny, more afraid of if she felt the same for him as he did for her. True, she had spent years following him around, but did she really love him? He thought she did, and so did everyone else, but he needed to be sure.

Pulling himself up, he stood in front of the mirror and rinsed his face. He brushed his teeth also, because he knew that his breath currently rivaled that of Snape. "She loves you, you stupid git!" He said to himself, smiling. "What are you scared of?"

He opened the door and set off for Ginny's room. On the way, he met Fred and George. "Please, don't puke on us!", George pleaded teasingly. "And really don't do it on Ginny! She looks B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!", Fred added. "Really mate, if she weren't my sister-"

He was cut off by a death glare from Harry. "I'm just teasing, don't get your knickers in a twist! But honestly, she does look beautiful, and if you screw this up, you'll have both of us to answer to," Fred said, smiling. "And I don't think you want that!"

"You both have my word that I will not mess this up. I love Ginny, and I'm too afraid of what you would do to me to try anything!", Harry said with a laugh.

"Smart man", George commented.

"I always knew there was something about him", said Fred, trying to keep a straight face as Harry walked away.

Ginny stood alone in her room, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Twenty minutes to go, and she would begin her walk towards becoming Mrs. Harry Potter. It almost seemed surreal. She had spent years chasing The-Boy-Who-Lived, and finally, all her dreams were about to come true.

She looked down at her hands. They were small and white, and they trembled. These hands were about to become Harry's forever, and she could think of no one else she had rather give them to. A small tear made its way down her cheek, and gently, she brushed it away.

Then, there came a faint knock at her door. "Gin? Are you in there," Harry called softly.

"Yes, but you can't come in! Don't you know it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?", Ginny replied, smiling in spite of herself.

"I know, I won't come in. I just had to hear your voice, and I wanted to talk to you, so bad. I love you, Ginny, with all of my heart. I'm about to be the luckiest guy in the world, and I'm so scared. I just need to know; do you want this as much as I do?"

"Harry James Potter, of course I do. I've loved you for so long, and there's nothing I've wanted to do more in my life than become Mrs.-The-Boy-Who-Lived!", Ginny said reassuringly, her hand against the door trying desperately to touch him. "I can't wait to marry you, to have your children, and then grow old with you. I love you, and nothing can ever change that. With Voldemort out of the way, we can finally have a proper relationship, and be together forever."

"Oh, Gin. I promise I'll always do my best to make you happy. Always.", he whispered, his hand pressing against the outside of the door.

Then, there was silence. The both of them stood there, a door separating them from eternal bliss. Finally, Ginny spoke.

"Harry, it's about time to start. You should be getting down there now. I think I hear mum and dad coming up, and if she sees you, she'll go mental. She's very superstitious, and she'll jump to the worst conclusions. I don't think you particularly want to fall victim to the wrath of her temper. It's considerably worse today.", she teased.

"Okay. Goodbye, love. I'll see you in a few minutes." Harry answered, reluctantly releasing the door.

Peering out of her window, Ginny beamed at the sight below her. Almost everyone was seated and ready for the wedding. Harry and Ron waited towards the back at the side, waiting for the cue to take their positions at the altar.

Ginny heard a small sniffle behind her, and turned to see Hermione, crying once again.

"Ginny! (hiccup) You look so beautiful, (hiccup) and I'm so happy for you!" She began to sob.

Ginny rushed over to comfort her best friend. "Thank you, Hermione, for everything."

They just held each other for a moment, until Hermione's emotions were subdued, then Hermione spoke once more. "It's time to start. I'll walk you downstairs. Your mum and dad are waiting for you there."

"Okay," Ginny answered wiping tears away as Hermione opened the door. "Hermione, you look beautiful in that dress. Teal is a great color for you.", she said, beaming in adoration at her maid of honor. These were her last few moments with Hermione as her best friend. Harry was about to assume that position. A small silence of understanding followed her statement.

"Are you ready, Miss Weasley?", Hermione said in a teasing voice. "I can't say that for much longer, now can I?"

"Shhh, there-there, Molly. It's okay," said Arthur Weasley, Ginny's father, patting his wife on the back as she blubbered into his chest. Bill walked into the kitchen.

"C'mon, mum. It's time for me to take you to your seat," Bill said, prying Mrs. Weasley from Mr. Weasley's chest.

"Yes dear, why don't you go with Bill." Mr. Weasley watched with a mixture of sadness and amusement as Bill practically carried Molly out the door and down the aisle.

Just then, he heard a small cough at the bottom of the stairs. He turned to see Hermione standing there.

"I present Miss Ginny Weasley-soon-to-be-Potter….."

At that, Ginny made her way gracefully down the stairs, her arm linked with her older brother Charlie's. Mr. Weasley gasped in spite of himself. His little girl was all grown up, and she looked so beautiful. When she reached the bottom step, he held out his arm to her, and she took it.

"Well, I'm going to tell Harry and Ron to go to the altar," Hermione said, breaking the silence.

"Thanks Hermione.", Ginny said as both Hermione and Charlie exited.

Mr. Weasley was speechless as a silent tear ran down his cheek.

"Okay, mate. This is it", Ron whispered to Harry as they stood at the altar waiting on Ginny.

Harry's heart was pounding within his chest, and he just knew he was going to explode. So many people had showed up to see them on their big day, and he was beginning to get nervous. Not cold feet, but nerves. Voldemort was nothing to the crowd waiting before him. What if Ginny changed her mind at the altar? He could see it now, everyone would laugh at him, and he would be left broken-hearted.

"She's not going to abandon you." Ron said in a hoarse whisper, as if reading Harry's mind. "She loves you."

Ever so briefly, he and Ron shared one final, less awkward hug as the violinists picked up their bows and the music began.

A/N: That was chapter one! If you liked, please review! It'll make me post an update sooner….lol. Constructive criticism will be most appreciated, as will compliments! See ya later!