Chapter 21

Storm found herself unable to believe just how quickly time had passed between deciding to get married and the actual day. She found herself just as planned, stood waiting for Hermione at the end of a short isle on the last Saturday of February. Her smile threatening to split her face as she turned to regard her son beside her.

The weather was nice, and the sun was high in the sky. There was a slight breeze coming off the ocean, and a few small fires set up strategically around the area. Though they had gone with the gazebo as planned, they didn't have to worry about rain just keeping the area warm for their guests. The sound of waves crashing gently against the shore rang through the area, mixing with the low hum of whispers as everyone waiting for the ceremony to start.

Storm was absolutely beside herself, unable to contain the happiness that threatened to burst from her at every seam. Her dark eyes met Joes and for a moment she just looked at him, stunned by how truly grown he looked in a suit that matched both hers and Harrys. A simple black set of robes and bow tie, matched with a crisp white shirt underneath.

They had all managed to comb their hair to the best of their ability, Cho having insisted she help make all three look presentable. Storm found that whole concept quite strange, the mother of her son, the ex of her best friend fixing all three of them in preparation for her own wedding. The Scottish woman having rolled her eyes stating simply, Hermione deserved the best.

Both of them grinned at her in their own way as they stood beside her, unwavering and offering all their courage for her to make use of. She didn't particularly need it, she knew it was going to be the best day of her life; well one of them at least. She would later argue meeting Joe, and Hermione for a second time would fit well into that category.

Before she had time to start fidgeting, the music started to play and there was a collective shuffle as everyone turned to watch the opening of the gazebo. Flowers lined the rows of chairs, and a white carpet lined the sand to provide a more suitable walkway. Storm's own stare had been glued to where she knew Hermione would be emerging in a matter of moments, the racing of her heart drowning out all other noise.

Ginny came first, her red hair plaited and flowing down one shoulder. Her dress an emerald green that almost matched Harry's eyes. Something she was sure was planned, a nice touch she made a note of. She grinned from ear to ear as her best friend met her at the head of the isle, Ginny's lips stretched up into a sly smile as she lent in to press a kiss to Storm's cheek.

"You look beautiful" Storm muttered as the redhead was close enough for her to do so. Her thoughts spilling from her quite honestly as she rested a hand on Ginny's shoulder, pulling the older woman close for just a moment. Grateful to be sharing this experience with her.

"You're not so bad yourself" Ginny quipped teasingly, her light eyes alight with excitement as she moved to take her spot. "Wait til you see Hermione" She added quietly as she flicked her gaze in turn to Joe and Harry who were grinning like fools. All equally as ecstatic to be in the position with the Shifter they had almost lost hope for.

Storm just nodded, unable to voice anything else as a knot formed in her throat. Her dark eyes flickering back to the end of the isle as movement caught her attention. Before she had any opportunity to brace herself for what was to come, everyone was on their feet and the brunette she had become so very attached to stepped into view. Her elbow linking with her fathers own as he held it out to her. They paused for a brief moment, and as dark eyes met equally dark eyes it was as if all else ceased to exist.

Hermione had introduced her to her parents just after the New Year. They had been nice enough, but entirely shocked at the decision for them to get married. It really didn't take much convincing on the older woman's part for them to get on board and her father had been more than happy to walk her down the isle.

All of the air left her lungs as her heart stopped for a moment, the sight entirely overwhelming. She couldn't believe it, couldn't believe just how things had turned out for them, for her. Never in a million years would she have ever contemplated her little school girl crush would turn into this. Never would she have even thought her luck may change and she may just end up with this absolutely fantastic human for herself.

Hermione's face lit up when they made eye contact, her dark doe eyes bright as they reflected flames from the small fires warming the entire area so nicely. Her dress suited her perfectly, cut nicely around her chest to show just a little bit of cleavage and the skirt of the dress flowed out just enough and didn't stop until it was just above the floor.

Storm was sure her jaw hit the floor as the older woman slowly made her way towards her, stopping only briefly to kiss her fathers cheek as he sat himself down next to her mother in the front row. Turning to give Ginny her flowers that matched those that lined the isle before she finally stopped right in front of the Shifter that was soon to be her wife.

"Bloody hell" Storm muttered quietly, or what she thought was quietly. The low chuckle that came from those attending told her it hadn't been quite that quiet. She flicked her eyes away then, to look a little sheepish towards their guests, dark eyes flicking back to Hermione who was smiling in that way that she did. One side of her lips quirked up as she regarded Storm from under long lashes.

The ceremony flashed by, Storm's hands clasped tightly in Hermione's the entire time as they spoke their vows to each other. Whispered them almost just for the other to hear. Their best friends standing close beside them, Storm's son right there as they promised to embark on their new journey together.

By the time they had finished Storm had stepped ever closer, pressing their bodies together so their chests were heaving in tandem. Hermione's lips not far from her own as their eyes remained locked for the entire thing. She was sure she would never remember what they actually said to each other, only the look on Hermione's face as she spoke. The way her voice sounded, how it caught in her throat as they finally said I do.

The laugh of pure elation that met her ears as they were pronounced married, the coy smirk that pulled at Hermione's lips once again as she tugged Storm in for their first kiss as a married couple. The way the applause so deafening sounded so far away at the same time as her own heart thundered heavily within her chest. As she led the older woman out of the tent and back into their empty home on the beach she couldn't fight the grin that had taken her own lips.

The way her fingers held so tightly to Hermione's own as the older witch grasped at the crook of her elbow to keep her near and on course. Leaving the tent for just a moment so Harry could direct the Weasleys into rearranging the furniture as planned. The music starting once again to play loudly as they reached the quiet of their home.

"I can't believe it" Storm started, her voice light as she spoke. The pad of her thumb gently stroking across the back of Hermione's hand grasped so tightly within her own.

"I can't believe you brushed your hair" Hermione laughed, noting as soon as she had seen Storm just how tame her normally wild locks had become. She reached up to drag the tips of her fingers along Storm's hairline and then down her cheek. Settling to cup at the younger woman's sharp jaw.

"Cho made me do it, she made Joe and Harry do theirs also" Storm laughed, though her smile had turned sheepish as soon as she had admitted the fact. "She said she thought you might appreciate it" She laughed again, unable to contain the sheer joy she felt.

The band on her finger catching her eye as it glinted in the early morning sun. They had decided an early wedding would do just fine, as they had hoped to be away to their destination for a long weekend by the end of the day. They had opted to save their proper honeymoon until later on in the year so they could take advantage of a proper seaside holiday.

Instead, they'd be spending a long weekend away somewhere Hermione had chosen. Storm hadn't really questioned it, simply packed her things like Hermione had asked her to and stayed quiet. She was happy where ever she was as long as she was with the older woman she now had the privilege of calling her wife.

"Well, remind me to thank Cho for making sure you looked like someone loves you in my absence. I suppose she must know you well enough by now to know you'd never do that on your own" Hermione teased, her voice light as she poked fun at the woman she wouldn't change for the world.

"Are you looking forward to the rest of the day?" Storm questioned, unsure on what the protocol really was. She knew the basic plan and had a speech ready for when it was necessary. They'd be eating lunch, then doing some dancing and a band would be playing.

Mrs. Weasley and Hermione's mother were on the task of food, all of it sorted and ready to go once the time came. Storm was grateful for the help, as it had all been quite overwhelming the closer they had gotten to the day. Hermione had become stressed herself, and Storm had found she was getting scolded and snapped at much more frequently as the brunette went over things again and again and again.

"I can't wait to get away. I love the idea of being surrounded by all the people that are important to us, but I just am so looking forward to being able to just be with you" Hermione admitted, though she didn't quite look all that upset. Storm definitely shared her sentiments, of course she always looked forward to it just being them two. It was much more relaxed that way.

Harry waving from the entrance to the gazebo caught their attention then, ushering them back in with a clearly visible grin etched into his features, even from the distance they were at. Hermione inhaled deeply, steeling her own nerves as she flicked her gaze back up to Storm's then.

"Are you ready for this?" Hermione asked her then, dark eyes sparkling with delight as Storm lent forward to press a tender kiss to her lips.

"With you, I'm ready for absolutely anything" She spoke honestly, her voice hushed as she lent in one more time for one more kiss before pulling away to straighten her shoulders entirely.

"I knew there was a reason I married you" Hermione spoke, almost awestruck by just how thoughtful the younger woman could truly be. She knew then Storm was entirely correct, she was right in everything she said. Together, they could tackle anything. Together, Hermione felt as if they were truly indestructible. Something she had never actually felt before.

"So, it wasn't the irresistible good looks and incredible whit?" Storm teased as she led the pair back out into the sunshine. Moving slowly towards the gazebo that held all of their friends and family.

"You're impossible" Hermione stated simply with a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head. Her usually unruly Maine tied back into a tidy bun, with only a few ringlets left to frame her face so nicely.

"I'm right here" Storm retorted as she usually did, a lopsided grin snaking it's way across her lips as her features twisted with delight. The sound of a roaring applause meeting their ears as they stepped back into the space that had just held their wedding ceremony. The area entirely transformed now to resemble much more of a reception hall.

Tables lined the outsides of the tent, the small fires never moving as they warmed everything under the canopy so nicely. Their guests were all stood in groups around the tables where they would be sitting. A long table sat at the very front of the room, Ginny and Harry on one side, Cho and Joe on the other with two chairs left vacant in the middle.

As they made their way towards the table, they were stopped a few times for hugs and handshakes. People so happy to be congratulating them on their union. The atmosphere was absolutely pulsing as they finally took their seats.

"It's time for speeches then" Harry piped up, his voice much louder than it should be as he held his wand to his throat. He had helped a tremendous amount with the wedding, and had a very apt ability for being able to corral a large group of people.

Hermione had been elated when he had offered to ensure things went to plan that day so she could truly enjoy herself and relax. She hadn't let him go for a good few minutes, and Storm had been worried he was going to struggle to breath upon release. He had taken it all in his stride and just laughed at his best friend, clearly used to such behaviour.

He had gone first with his own speech, keeping it short and simple as he congratulated them both on finding each other eventually. His words had impacted them as he had stated how he had been privileged enough to be at their sides while they endured many trials and tribulations separately. Stating he was more than grateful to see how strong they were once they had come together. His green eyes had sparkled as he regarded his best friend, and for a moment Storm thought he had welled up.

Ginny went next, her own speech teasing as it mostly poked fun at how awkward the Shifter actually was and how she had started to doubt she'd settle with anyone but her own hand. Storm had blushed multiple shades of fuchsia as Hermione and the rest of the crowd laughed. Of course, Storm figured it would be Ginny to lower the tone.

Cho and Joe had taken their turns to thank Hermione for her patience with the shifter, they had stated how they too were over the moon to welcome the brunette into the fold. Joe had even stated boldly that he was more than pleased to finally see his mother happy.

Hermione had gone next to last, keeping her own words simple as she struggled to choke back her own emotions. Dark doe eyes full of moisture as she thanked the guests for their time and support. As she thanked Ron for being so very nice about the entire thing, and how she had be grateful for him being a friend to Storm after what could have been an incredibly awkward situation. She had thanked Joe and Cho for being so welcoming and warm.

Second to last she had mentioned Ginny, threatening that if Storm acted up she was unafraid to send her right back to the redhead, laughing as she joked that she hadn't gotten rid of her just yet and that there was still time. Of Course that had earned a wry smirk from the youngest woman, and a laugh from the redhead in question. Ginny had simply shaken her head muttering a quiet "She's yours now" In response.

Lastly she had turned to Storm, the Shifter smiling up at her from where she sat at the table. Dark eyes so bright and full of hope that it was hard for Hermione to get through the lump that had formed in her throat. "Storm," She started, pulling in a shaky breath as the Shifter squeezed her hand so gently, in the most reassuring way.

"I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be stood here with you by my side. I knew somewhere deep down from the second you offered up your body to me as a sanctuary during the war for a moment of peace, shielding me with no thought to your own safety from such a vile curse. As you gave me something in those few seconds that nobody else could have, that nobody else would have. I knew every time I caught you doing something daft, and you'd give me that stupid grin that would make my heart flutter and hammer. It'd make me so angry, so frustrated because I just didn't know what I knew" She spoke, her words ringing out over the silence that had fallen around them.

"I was so frustrated, because I just couldn't figure it out I didn't want to know back then I suppose. I do not regret the paths we took so long as we got here in the end. I couldn't imagine myself loving anyone more than I love you. I can not wait for what the next chapter holds, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our days making up for lost time" She continued after a small pause to steel her resolve. She was seconds away from becoming a sobbing mess as she addressed her own truth.

"Thank you for being you, the most patient person on the face of the earth. Please, don't ever change" She finished as tears began spilling down her cheeks and her lip quivered. Storm stood to wrap her arms around gently shaking shoulders, whispering into her cheek words that nobody else was privy too.

Storm held her tightly as she pulled herself back together, her dark eyes watery as she pulled away to press a kiss to each of the Shifter's cheeks before planting one to her lips for a little longer than she normally would in public.

Storm stayed standing as Hermione sat, though she never relinquished the hold she had on the older woman's hand. The pad of her thumb gently rubbing across soft knuckles in the most soothing way. She sighed heavily as she considered just what she might say then, her words written down on the bit of paper in her pocket holding no true value in that moment.

"Hermione, everyone always wants to be compared to the sun" Storm started then her dark eyes fixing the brunette with a firm stare. "But you are the moon. You brought light to what seemed to be an endless darkness that had consumed my life for the longest time. You have set the tides of my very soul into a rhythm they had not had for years. I have found reason within the comfort of your arms, and a home within the presence of your being" Storm continued, her lips quirked up into a wide smile as she watched more tears begin to spill down the brunette's cheeks.

"I am so grateful for many of the people who have kept me on the path that led me right to you. But mostly I am grateful for you, and the guts you had to offer me coffee the first night we had seen each other in years. I'm grateful that you're not a daisy, or anything like that. You are a rose, you are the most beautifully formidable person I have ever met, and I will count my lucky stars every day for the rest of my life because I honestly will never understand why you chose me. But I will never argue the fact that you did." She finished almost quietly, her voice dying out as she lent over to press a gentle kiss to the older woman's forehead.

"Bloody hell, I didn't know you had that in you" Ginny quipped from somewhere behind Hermione, tears leaking down her own face as she watched her best friend with thinly veiled pride.

"Only for Hermione" She quipped with a laugh, earning herself a clap from their guests as she sat back down in her seat. Moving to drape her arm across the brunette's shoulders carefully. She lent in to drag the tip of her nose across the brunette's still tear streaked cheek gently. Listening as her breathing started to even out once again.

The older woman lent over then, running the pal of her hand across Storm's chest to grasp at her shoulder. Burying her nose in the crook of Storm's neck as she hid herself away for just a moment, taking advantage of the sanctuary the younger woman offered up with her very being. Her heart had swelled to bursting as she had listened to Storm's words.

She had no doubt in her mind that she had done the right thing, and she would never in a million years question that fact. Storm's hand found her back between her shoulder blades as she soothed her, running her fingers across smooth warm skin in circles as she pressed her lips to neat curls wrapped up in a bun. Her dark eyes meeting Ginny's and Harry's for a moment each before she moved to take in her son and Cho.

They both looked beyond proud of her achievement, ecstatic for her. Storm figured then, these five people just here were as good as family. She would never miss out on anything as long as she had them at her side. The thought sending a wave of calm right through her chest as she settled back against her chair, bringing Hermione with her.

Harry seemed to nod then towards Mrs Weasley who was waiting for the go ahead, and with a wave of her wand and a few muttered incantations different plates of pre prepared food appeared along the tables. Empty dishes for each guest appearing before them. Much like they had at Hogwarts many years ago.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, as soon as they had eaten they had been ushered out onto the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple. Storm had held the brunette close and had been so reluctant to let go once the music changed to something else and her father cut in. Ginny had taken Hermione's place, and Cho after Ginny.

Storm had been surprised when Ron had cut in, his smile wide and goofy as he congratulated her so warmly. He had seemed so genuinely happy for them both, having taken it on the chin with a laugh when Hermione had thanked him in her speech. Something that had settled nerves Storm didn't even realise she had.

He had joked about how she would have no excuse to avoid Christmases with the Weasley's from then on. She figured, of course that was probably true. After their last Christmas she was sure she didn't actually want to miss anything else. It could have quite easily been her last all together, and she definitely had her eyes opened to exactly what she was missing.

Finally, she had danced with Harry and Joe. Laughing a little as she led them both clumsily around the dance floor. Ensuring she avoided collisions with any unsuspecting guest. Sure that would probably end badly for all involved. She wasn't exactly the most coordinated person in the world, but she did better than them both put together.

She had finally collapsed back into her chair she had vacated hours ago, smirking as Joe sat with another plate of food he had gotten from somewhere. His cheeks full to bursting as he grinned at her from around his fork.

No words were needed then as she reached over to ruffle his hair that had become undone so soon, sticking out in a multitude of different angles. His suit jacket discarded and forgotten draped against the back of his chair. "You're next then" She laughed as he blanched, all colour draining from his face.

"Don't be gross. That's definitely something I'll wait til I'm thirty for!" Joe laughed, shaking his head as he did so. His own dark eyes bright as his features twisted up with his grin.

"You're going to make me wait that long to tease you at your own wedding? Well, what kind of son are you?" Storm teased him, nudging him with her shoulder as she reached forward to grab her glass of fire whiskey from the table. Her own dark eyes finding Hermione dancing with her father once again. Her heart swelling with pride as she found Hermione's stare through the crowd, watching as her own lips twisted up a little bashfully once she noted Storm watching her.

It wasn't long before she was making her way back to her now wife, weaving slowly through the small crowd of their friends and family as she made her way back over. Stopping now and again to engage in conversations she was pulled into. Her cheeks tinged pink through exertion, and a little bit of alcohol as she laughed and joked with people she knew from both past and present.

Finally she collapsed into the chair beside Storm with a huff, reaching out to grab the younger woman's jaw between her pointer finger and thumb. Pulling the younger woman in for a tender kiss, sucking her bottom lip in between her own for just a moment before pulling away once again to make eye contact. The action effectively pulling all the breath from Storm's lungs as the shifter reeled in her seat.

"What was that for?" She questioned a little dumbly, unable to wrap her head around the heat the kiss had sent through her very body straight to her core.

"Just for being you" Hermione quipped happily, though the way her eyes had deepened a few shades told Storm another story. She couldn't wait to get their long weekend away started, for many reasons and not all of them were clean.

Of course, that was still a ways off. So for now, they'd enjoy what was left of their time with their family and friends. Allowing the clock to tick on in a blur of excitement as people drank and danced and laughed the day away. The wedding proving to be much more than either of them could have hoped for.