Chapter 48- Wedding: The Next Generation

When you meet someone who can cook and do housework-don't hesitate a minute-marry him. Unknown

Rose and Kevin saw no point in delaying marriage. She also wanted to wear her mum's wedding gown, but when they took it from the stasis-charmed box, it was what Hermione feared.

"Rosie, you're taller than I am, this just won't work," she said and held the gown against her. "Wait, let's take this to Madame Malkin's and see what magic she can work with it."

At the shop, the great grand-daughter of the celebrated clothier analyzed the gown and Rose. "I do believe I can make this work with just the slightest of changes. I can simply add 4 more inches to the bottom and hide the seam with lace. Will that work for you?"

Rose nodded eagerly. The woman held the gown up again.

"This gown is a classic, but a beautiful classic. You must have looked positively ravishing in it, Madame Weasley."

"She was, you should see the pictures," Rose said.

Kevin would wear his father's marriage robe and Arthur was asked to officiate the ceremony to be held at Hogwarts on the veranda. Rose wanted the ceremony same place as her parents had theirs, and since theirs, it was the place to be wed. Ronald and Lady Hermione Granger-Weasley
cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their daughter
Rose Elizabeth Weasley
to
Kevin Zachary Warner Jr.
son of Rachel Warner and the late Kevin Zachary Warner Sr.
on Saturday October 5, 2027 at Noon
Hogwarts School Veranda
Reception to follow

Hermione protested the "Lady" addition and hyphenated name on the invitations.

"It's who you are mum, I'm proud of who you are," Rose said. "Haven't you always told me to be true to who you are? That you went to war and almost died for who you are?"

"I stand corrected, you're absolutely right. It's your wedding anyway sweetheart," Hermione conceded.

October 5

Lily and Hermione carefully placed a delicate crown of baby's breath on Rose's carefully coiffed hair. Ginny fluffed out the train one more time while the photographer snapped pictures. Hermione stepped back and gazed at her beautiful daughter with trembling lips.

"I have no words," she said softly. Rose and Lily looked helplessly at each other thinking the same thing. She's not going to cry again, is she? Ginny gave her a quick hug.

"You'll be doing this with Lily soon, you'll see," Hermione said and blew into a tissue. There was a soft knock on the door and Ron poked his head in. Hermione had to take his hand when when she saw the look on his face, the same he had the day she was born.

"Blimey Rosie, Kevin won't know what hit him," he said. "You look as stunning as your mum did."

As different as they were personality-wise, Rose knew right then and there why her mum had said yes to her dad. He was simply the best.

At 11:55, everyone took their places outside the veranda doors. Scorpius, an usher, escorted Hermione to her seat. James, the other usher, escorted Mrs. Warner to her seat. The wedding march started, James and Scorpius opened the doors and Rose strolled through on Ron's arm. Ten minutes later, they were pronounced Mr. And Mrs. Kevin Warner. At the reception, the cake was cut and champagne toasts made. Ron watched Rose dance with Kevin for their first dance. I just gave my daughter away. He realized Hermione was clutching his hand under the table, pressing a handkerchief to her eyes from time to time.

"Are you all right?" he asked. How many times had he asked her that since the heart attack?

"Just look at her. She's so happy and beautiful," she said. "Look at how he holds her."

Ron knew how Kevin was feeling, understanding the covetous kind of hold Kevin had on Rose. Ron still felt that way about Hermione. "I know how he feels," he said softly and drew her closer.

They would be honeymooning at the age-old Warner family estate in northern Ireland. No one lived there, but it was still maintained. The estate "big house" was settled in the middle of picturesque piece of land that was isolated from civilization by at least fifty kilometers in any direction. Kevin and Rose agreed that it was perfect.

The next day, Scorpius went to Malfoy Manor to breakfast with his family.

"Do you need a hangover drought?" Draco asked when he met his son at the door. "You know what your grandmother will say."

"Yes, Scorpius darling, what will your grandmother say?" Narcissa asked from behind Draco. "Quit fussing Draco, he's just a young wizard about the world, having a good time with his friends." He hugged his grandmum and smirked at his father. Scorpius could do no wrong in her eyes.

At the dining table, Narcissa took the day's Daily Prophet from Lucius. "Don't growl at me Lucius, you still have the financial section, I only want the society section."

"Yes dear," Lucius mumbled.

She paid no mind to Lucius' morning grumpiness, settled in her chair and opened the paper. "Why Scorpius, you looked marvelous at that wedding. Where did you get your robe?"

"What wedding?" Lucius and Draco asked.

Scorpius and Narcissa looked at each other and shook their heads."My friend Rose was married yesterday, I was an usher."

"Might I see the paper, mother?" Draco asked.

He saw the headline "Daughter of War Heroes Wed" and read the article, written by Lavender Brown, amazingly still single. I work at the Ministry, how could I have not heard about this? Am I that out of touch? Father's confined to the manor, it's understandable, but me?

Rose Warner, formerly Weasley, was wed to Kevin Warner Jr. in a touching, intimate ceremony at the scenic veranda at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft on Saturday, October 5. The bride, 21, daughter of Ron and Hermione Weasley, is a qualified Mediwitch but is continuing training to become a Healer. The groom, 28, son of Rachel Warner and the late Kevin Warner Sr., is an investment advisor at Gringotts. The newlyweds, both Ravenclaw alumni, are reportedly honeymooning in Northern Ireland.

Attending the bride and groom were the following:
Officiating Wizard-Arthur Weasley
Lily Potter- Maid of Honor
Serena Hightower- Bridesmaid
Diane Warner-Bridesmaid
Connor Hangleton- Best Man
Oliver Wood- Groomsman
Brendan Jennings-Groomsman
Scorpius Malfoy-Usher
James Potter-Usher
Teddy Lupin Jr.- Ringbearer
Emily Wood- Flowergirl

"It almost didn't happen," Scorpius said.

"Troubles with the happy couple?" Lucius asked.

"No, Mrs. Weasley had a heart attack the day Kevin proposed to Rose last month. I was there, it was frightening," Scorpius said. "She's fine now, but the family was overwrought until she left hospital."

"Gracious, a heart attack? I shall send a note wishing her the best of health in the future. You really care for them, don't you?" Narcissa asked Scorpius. Draco couldn't believe it. He also knew better than most that perceptions of people can and do change over time. Of the Golden Trio, Hermione had always seemed the solid one, the unbreakable one, ever since that terrifying night years ago when he was witness to her torture. To be felled by a heart attack? Impossible.

"Ther're a good family. Seeing as one of them is living with me and sharing my bed, yes I care. I know your-" he said, gesturing to the three with a fork, "history with them, but they don't have a problem with me. I'm just Scorpius, Rose and Serena's friend."

"Have I been living under a rock, or on the moon perhaps?" Lucius asked. "What young woman shares your bed? Is this relationship serious?"

"Serena Hightower, Rose's best mate. Yes, I'm serious."

"Do you foresee marriage?" Lucius asked.

"Yes grandfather, I do. I'm just waiting for the right time to pop the question."

"After breakfast, we must talk about this young woman and what ever else is happening in your life," Lucius said.

"Certainly," Scorpius said.

Gratuitous post-honeymoon-night scene, a brief fluffy filler really

Kevin woke and started to stretch then stopped, realizing it might wake the woman curled against him. Memories of last night danced through his mind and overwhelming feelings of love and affection for his new bride washed over him and he couldn't help but draw her close. He heard a muffled "morning" and felt her soft lips on his chest. She had been amazing last night. After all the time he had known her, he finally experienced the truly passionate side of her. She let go last night, fully surrendering to her love of him and the result had been nothing less than astounding. Her lack of experience made no difference; her enthusiasm and energy more than made up for it.

"I don't want to leave this bed," he said.

"Neither do I," she agreed and gently pushed him on his back. She peeked under the bed covers, grinned and slowly grasped his cock.

He flinched. "Insatiable woman, let me use the loo first," he laughed and tossed the covers back.

"Hurry back," she said.

He did and less than a minute later, she held up the covers for him to return. "Now, where were we?" she asked and started stroking him again.

"Eager are we?" he asked and moaned when she squeezed a tad harder.

"For this? Absolutely," she said and scooted on top of him, both sighing in pleasure when he was fully engulfed inside her.

The same morning, David arrived at Potter Hill for breakfast. He knocked and Harry answered.

"Where's Lily?" he asked David.

"At home I assume, she told me to meet her here this morning sir," David said. "She's not here?"

"Ginny!" Harry called, gesturing for David to come in. "Does Lily have a tennis match or anything this morning?"

"No, not that I know of," Ginny said and met them in he foyer. "The last I saw of her, she was going out with some friends last night after the reception."

"Let's head to her place first," Harry said, grabbing his and Ginny's cloak from a hook. They apparated to the cottage door.

"The wards aren't set sir," David said.

"The door's unlocked too," Harry said, slowly twisting the knob while taking out his wand. David and Ginny did the same. Harry took a deep breath and slowly opened the door, cast a silencing charm to mask his noise and hopped in the door, immediately crouching behind a chair near the door. He rose and saw Lily fast asleep on the sofa. He relaxed and told the other two to come in.

Apparently, after a night on the town with her friends, she didn't make it to the bedroom. She decided the effort was too much and collapsed on the sofa. She was sleeping face down, one arm hanging off the sofa, still in last night's clothes. Her purse strap was in her grasp and an empty ale bottle was on the floor next to the outstretched hand.

Ginny crouched down beside her and spoke. "Lily," she said, not too loudly. She hiccuped in sleep, shifted and fell still again. "You two go, I'll wake her and get her to breakfast," Ginny said.

She patted Lily on the back and said her name in a clear voice. Her feet moved and she murmured David's name. She gave her shoulders a single, firm nudge and said "Lily" in a louder voice.

"Hmm...David?" the hung-over girl murmured. She lifted her head and faced the voice, eyes tightly closed.

"No sweetie, it's mum."

Lily rose on her elbows, scratched her head and wiped the drool that had accumulated at the corners of her mouth. "I'm on the sofa," she croaked and rubbed her neck.

"We wondered where you were when you didn't show for breakfast," Ginny said. "Did you have a good time last night?"

Lily rose and wavered. "Yeah, it was good to see the girls from school."

"Are you hungry?"

"Starved," she said and sniffed herself. "Ugh, I need a shower. Give me twenty minutes."

"I'll get some tea going," Ginny said when her daughter disappeared to the bedroom.

She admired the tidy, clever kitchen that Lily loved and heard the shower start. She set water to boil and looked around the cottage. The sewing nook contained a sewing machine, a basket of notions, and a rolled length of pale blue fleece next to a dress form. The plush dark brown suede sofa, matching chair and mahogany table conveyed a feeling of comfort, especially when the fireplace was lit. Lily's favorite feature of the cottage was the large bay window that took up most of the wall in the dining area, where a small mahogany table held a tray with a silver tea service. Lily had truly transformed the cottage into a home. David says he lives in a cupboard-sized flat with three other bachelors, it's no wonder he spends so much time here.

"Mum, can you bring my purse? It has my hairbrush," Lily called from the bedroom. Ginny brought a cup of tea and the purse, glanced around the room and sat on the bed. Lily emerged from the bathroom and sat at a mirror.

"No mum, not much of Dave's stuff is here, in case you're curious. What you do see is what he forgets when he comes here from training. He rarely gets hot water at that flat of his, so he bathes here." She tugged at a tangle and took a sip of tea. "In case you're curious, I sleep alone. Utterly, absolutely, alone."

"Drama queen," Ginny said.

Lily turned in the chair. "Want to know what I learned last night? I'm the only 19 year old virgin in England, that's what."

"I'm sure that's not true, it's not a crime, and if your father knew that, he'd throw you a party."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Do you and Aunt Hermione get together and just think these thing up?"

"No, you give me plenty of material, believe me."

Lily stood, looked in the mirror and huffed. "This will do, I don't feel like doing much more."

She looked a bit disheveled, but Ginny didn't say a word. Lily was in one of her moods and being hungover didn't help. "We'll talk about what's bothering you after breakfast, you'll feel better."

"Okay mum."

After breakfast, Lily and David offered to clean the dishes as a thank you for breakfast. In the parlor, Ginny looked over her latest article for the paper while Harry read the paper and turned on the telly.

"Why on Earth did Lily ask when I'm throwing her a virgin party? What exactly is that? Poor David choked on his eggs."

"Pay no mind to her comments this morning, she's in one of her moods and hung-over," Ginny said.

"Did she and David fight?"

"No. I'm not sure you want to hear her tale of woe. It's not a thing her dad can help with, nor her mum. It's more like a Lily got together with her friends, got drunk and contemplated her life, kind of thing."

From the kitchen they heard David's laughter and "the devil, huh." Lily and David came into the parlor, she twirling a dishtowel.

"What's the devil?" Harry asked.

"Tequila," Lily answered. "I'm never touching it again."

"Feel better? Want to talk?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, can we go back to the cottage?"

"Sure."

Lily hugged her dad and gave David a quick see-you-later kiss. "Thanks for breakfast Dad."

"Anytime sweetie, you know that right? I know you have your own home, but you can call this home too, all right?"

"I know dad, love you, bye."

David cleared his throat and sat up in his chair. "You need to talk too?" Harry asked and put down the paper.

"Yes sir, since it involves Lily. I've talked to my mum and stepfather about it, and I'd like you to hear it and talk about it with Mrs. Potter."

"First off, you can go easy on the sir stuff."

"Sir, you're the Head of the Auror division, anything else is improper."

"David, you're in my home, ate breakfast at my table, and you're seeing my daughter. Mr. Potter will do under those conditions. Just don't do it when you're around your training chief."

"Yes s-Mr. Potter. I just felt it was time that I made my intentions clear regarding Lily." He took a deep breath. "I love her, she loves me and I know she's the one for me. I plan on proposing to her as soon as I'm done with Auror training, that very day. What I need is your approval."

"Well David, you have it. You make her happy, that make me happy. I appreciate that you came to me, but I do have a question."

"Yes?"

I can't believe I'm asking this! Because it will make Lily insanely happy, that's why. "Why are you waiting to propose?"

"Pardon?" David asked incredulously.

"Why don't you propose now and marry when training is over? You said she loves you, right? And you love her?" Harry asked. "She'll be over the moon at the proposal, thrilled to wear your ring, plus give her and her mum time to plan a perfect wedding," Harry asked. "I have an idea. You know how much women like romantic surprises?" Just how many hits to the head have I taken?

"Yeah, she's got a bookshelf full of books like that."

"Give her a story of her own, surprise her," Harry encouraged.

"When did you propose to Mrs. Potter?"

"On Christmas morning."

"That's perfect. It'll give me time to find a perfect ring. She'll love it." He held out a hand to Harry. "Christmas morning it is then."