Hermione spent the remaining days until the wedding closing down her cottage in Hogsmeade, making the move to Viktor's new home in Manchester. Now that she was no longer at Hogwarts she saw no reason to live in Hogsmeade. Her parents were pleased.
"At least it's not all the way up there in Scotland," Evie had said. "Manchester is just up the motorway."
When he first showed her his home months ago, she was delighted. It was French Country, as the estate agent had told him; a spacious three bedroom that she noticed resembled the Krum home. He only used one bedroom, the second was partially furnished, and the third was empty. A room he called an office had only a desk and chair. The kitchen was truly a bachelor set-up, with the bare minimum of implements and food. She liked the home's location as well. It was away from Manchester proper, in a sparsely populated area in Trafford Park by the waterfront. Best of all, the home was paid for! A week before the wedding, he paid a visit to his parents to take back more of his things to England.
"It is looking like a real home since she arrived," Viktor proudly reported. "Her parents are pleased that she is living closer to them in a fine, comfortable home."
"Ah, this is splendid. If she were a European witch, we would be in negotiations with her father for months over living arrangements. It is good that she likes the home, and the Grangers see that you provide a worthy home for their treasured daughter. In their eyes, she deserves nothing but the best," Marko said.
"June is fine month to marry," Viktor added. "Good weather and no schedule problems since team is not playing for the month."
"Why do you talk of weather and schedules? Are you nervous?" Anna asked.
Viktor shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder if I will be a good husband to her."
Marko chuckled. "Come son, let us talk beside the pond, it is nice day out."
June 18
Before Hermione left her mostly empty cottage hours for her hen night, Viktor recalled the amusing conversation.
"What is this hen night? Will you be doing something with chickens?"
She laughed for minutes and composed herself to explain. "My friends are taking me out for one last night as a single witch."
That was tame explanation. If she knew Ginny and the rest, it would be a night to remember.
"Ah, I understand. A party for witches."
"Something like that."
"You are not sure?"
"Well, Ginny wanted it to be a surprise."
"I see. You have… spirited friends, so you are not sure what kind of surprise it will be?"
"Uh yeah, spirited."
#
At 1 a.m., Viktor was awakened by the doorbell. He hurriedly put on trousers and a t-shirt and answered the door. Harry stood there with an apologetic look on his face.
"Is it Hermynee?"
"Yes."
"Is she alright?"
"Mostly, she's been arrested."
"Arrested? That's impossible, she was at party, what on earth would she do? Wait, I find out later, just give me some minutes to dress."
Minutes later, they arrived at a building adjacent to the Ministry and went inside.
"This is the detention building for those the Hit Wizards and Aurors bring in," Harry explained.
"Hermynee is no criminal."
The wizard on desk watch spoke. "We know she's no criminal, Mr. Krum, but we had no choice."
Viktor registered his visit on the log, turned over his wand and went with Harry. The first thing Viktor noted was the noise, then the smell, and the less than stellar living conditions of the inmates.
"She is housed with this filth?" he asked angrily and some of the inmates made rude noises.
"No! God no! These detention areas are for those who have no one to release them, or to serve short-term sentences. Hermione is in what we call the catch and release area. Mr. Granger is already here to sign her release."
Harry pushed open doors to reveal a cleaner, quieter corridor.
"Why was I not told?" Viktor asked.
"The law stipulates that if an unmarried witch is brought in, the father is notified. John is here, but she asked for you."
They walked through another set of doors and heard singing, one of the voices being that of Hermione. "Ginny was arrested too," Harry said with a sigh. "Welcome to the catch and release room."
Viktor stopped in his tracks before he was even through the door. Hermione was bound by hand irons to the bench she was sharing with Ginny and Pavarti, also restrained. They were leaning against each other, singing a bawdy song. The Hit Wizards on duty looked embarrassed, while another was quickly processing their release paperwork. Mr. Granger, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Patil were shaking their heads at their wayward daughters. The singing stopped when they saw Viktor and Harry.
"Viktor!" Hermione said and waved with an unbound hand.
"Harry!" Ginny said and waved, knocking Hermione in the head.
"I don't have anyone!" Pavarti wailed sadly and the other two drunkenly comforted her.
The Hit Wizards stood straighter and adjusted their robes at Harry and Viktor's approach.
"Good to see you, Viktor," John said and shook his hand.
"I have their papers finished; it just needs signatures. We also need payment of their fines or promissory note for community service," the wizard at the desk said.
"What are the charges?" Viktor asked.
The guard flipped through the papers. "Miss Granger: drunk and disorderly, assault, public dueling, and damage to private property."
"You are joking, are you not?" Viktor asked.
He looked at Hermione, who was now quiet and half-asleep, propped up against Ginny.
"Well, the public dueling charge is dropped, seeing that she did not instigate the duel-"
"But I fucking finished it!" Hermione sang out and all three witches cackled.
"Hermione Jean Granger, mind your language!" John scolded.
"The Hit Wizard who alleges the assault has decided to not press charges-"
The three witches whispered and pointed to a hit wizard across the room with a black eye. Viktor raised a single eyebrow at him, smirking. He dropped the charges immediately upon arrival at the detention center. He would never live it down if he admitted in court that a drunk, five foot six, 120-pound witch got the best of him. Only his pride was hurt, but he did admit that Miss Granger had the fastest right hook he had ever seen.
"However, we cannot drop the drunk and disorderly charge and damage to private property."
"Very well, how much is that going to run?" John asked.
"Fifty galleons or 72 hours of community service for the drunk and disorderly charge. The damages to private property will be a court matter at a later time."
Viktor slid fifty galleons worth of coins across the table. He guessed that John might not have galleons with him.
"This one is doing community service," Mr. Weasley stated. "I have the perfect suggestion."
"I'd rather go to jail," Ginny moaned.
Mr. Patil dug fifty galleons from his cloak pockets.
One of the hit wizards spoke up. "Sirs, we really didn't want to haul them in, but the pub owner insisted on it. They're not criminals, they just got rowdy at a hen night. They're good witches-" which earned a drunken, seizure-inducing batting of the eyes from the three witches- "and they've been sweet while they've been here-" earning another batting of eyes- "so we're releasing them to you."
The hand irons were removed, and they swayed when they stood. Hermione belched in her father's face for her final performance of the evening.
"She's all yours," he stated and guided her into Viktor's arms.
"Can I take you home?" Harry asked John.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," he replied.
"Come along Ginevra, your mother awaits," Arthur said.
Ginny gulped and waved at her friends sadly; when she was called Ginevra, things were about to get bad. Mr. Pavarti was leading his daughter from the room, lecturing in Hindi.
"Come, my pretty little lawbreaker," Viktor said. Tucked under his arm, she clutched him for physical support and they left the detention center.
#
With joy in their hearts, John and Evangeline Granger
cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter,
Hermione Jean Granger
to
Viktor Andrei Krum,
son of Marko and Anastasiya Krum
on Monday, June the 21st, 1999 at Noon
Hyde Park at Kensington Gardens
Reception to follow, Granger Manor
Evie took pictures of Hermione from every possible angle, overjoyed that her baby was standing there in her wedding gown. The ceremony was in an hour, and her daughter would start her new life as a married woman. The gown resembled a sundress, an ivory-colored satin creation with a corseted top; a full, draping skirt and wide shoulder straps. A pearl necklace and earrings perfected the ensemble. Molly, Nikki, and Susan were at the location at Kensington Gardens ensuring that things were arranged for the ceremony. Her mum, Ginny, and Pavarti were helping Hermione prepare. They carefully placed a wreath of delicate baby's breathe on her carefully coiffed hair and stood back.
"Pumpkin, there's no words," Evie said and wiped a tear. "You picked a perfect gown."
"Mum, you're not going to cry again, are you?"
"I can't help it, I've dreamed of this day since you were born. You'll have a daughter one day, you'll see."
"What if said babies are boys?"
At Kensington Gardens, John explained to Arthur where they were and the history of the gardens.
"It is a beautiful location for ceremony," Anna said to Molly.
She looked to Marko, who was giving their son final words of advice and encouragement. At ten minutes to noon, the string quartet started a tune to announce the bride's arrival. The wizards took their places, the guests theirs, and the ceremony began.
"Such a lovely bride," Molly gushed to Arthur as Hermione made her way down the carpeted path on the arms of her parents. Harry and Ron even choked up at the sight of their friend; they had never seen her so radiant. Harry looked to the front at Ginny when he was startled by a happy thought. Ginny's going to look this stunning!
The sight of her took Viktor's breath away. She looked like an angel, with her sweet smile and bright eyes dancing with joy and love. She stopped beside him, her eyes only for him.
"Who gives this woman in matrimony, this witch to be bonded to her wizard?" Minerva asked. The last bonding she performed was for a niece nine years ago, and she was thrilled when Hermione asked her to perform her ceremony.
"Her mother and I do," John replied, his voice wavering.
Every father present understood the emotion of the day. He put Hermione's hands in Viktor's, kissed her cheek, and took a seat next to his wife.
"Blessed be all who attend this joyous celebration, and blessed be the couple to be united today in the bonds of love. If there be any here who can show just cause why this couple should not be joined in the bonds of marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
No one spoke and he continued.
"Bride, is it true that you come before this gathering and to your groom of your own free will?"
Her eyes locked with Viktor's. "It is true."
"Groom, is it true that you come before this gathering and to your bride of your own free will?"
A gentle smile graced his face, his eyes still locked with hers. "It is true."
"Groom, I have not the right to bind you to your bride, only you have that right. If that is your wish, place your ring in her in her hand."
Viktor took a ring from Marko and placed it in Hermione's slightly trembling hand.
"Groom, make your vow to your bride," Minerva stated.
Viktor took a deep breath, held her hand and spoke. "I, Viktor Andrei Krum, take you, Hermynee Jean Granger, to my hand and my heart, to be my wife, my partner, my mate in this life and the life beyond. I vow to love you wholly and without restraint, in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth, in joy and sadness. All that I am and all that I will be I give to you, this I vow."
"Bride, I have not the right to bind you to your groom, only you have that right. If that is your wish, place your ring in his hand."
Hermione took a ring from Ginny and placed it in Viktor's hand.
"Bride, make your vow to your groom," she softly instructed.
Hermione took a deep breath, held his hand and spoke. "I, Hermione Jean Granger, take you, Viktor Andrei Krum, to my hand and my heart, to be my husband, my partner, my mate in this life and the life beyond. I vow to love you wholly and without restraint, in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth, in joy and sadness. All that I am and all that I will be I give to you, this I vow."
Soft sobbing was heard from Anna, Evangeline and Molly. Ginny wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and Minerva had to clear her throat before continuing.
"The rings are a symbol of love, without beginning, without end. Viktor, if it is your wish to pledge this bond of everlasting love, place the ring on her finger."
"It is my wish," he said softly and slipped the ring on her finger.
"Hermione, if it is your wish to pledge this bond of everlasting love, place the ring on his finger."
"It is my wish," she said and a sweet, loving smile graced her face when she slipped the ring on his finger.
"Honored guests, you have witnessed the vows made by Viktor and Hermione, and the exchange of the symbols of their union. Viktor and Hermione, in the bonding of yourselves, you have created a new life, so step forth and rejoice in your new life. I pronounce you husband and wife. Groom, by all means kiss your lovely bride."
Viktor took her face in his hands and gave her a gentle but passionate kiss. "We did it," he whispered and kissed her again.
They faced the cheering, clapping crowd. Marko embraced them both and placed a pendant around Hermione's neck, one like Viktor's but smaller.
"Welcome to the family, dear one!"