Chapter 2: You May Kiss the Bride

Ron's ears turned pink as all his visible flesh blushed crimson. "So what if I am?" he countered immediately. "It's not as bad as the fact that you straighten your hair nearly everyday, or George's obsession with plucking his eyebrows." Fred blushed scarlet and George's laughter ceased. "Oh," Ron added, turning back to the twins "and don't think I haven't noticed that you've suddenly got smooth legs." Ron smirked triumphantly as both twins scurried up the stairs to their old room.

"That's why you've been wearing pants all the time?" they heard George ask Fred.

"Well it feels really great; cleansing actually. You should try it." Came Fred's serious response. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny all stared awestruck as Ron grinned broadly at the twins' retreating backs.

"What?" he asked innocently. Ginny threw him an odd look before all four burst out laughing. They talked for ten more minutes before Hermione suddenly glanced anxiously at her watch and then ushered the boys out of the room so they could get ready.

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"Everyone get down here!" Mrs. Weasley called up the stairs an hour later. Harry, Ron, Fred, and George all trudged down the stairs. They sat at the kitchen table for several minutes in uncomfortable silence (Ron, Fred, and George were all determinedly avoiding each other's eyes). Harry noticed that the kitchen and sitting room both seemed to have been magically extended to allow room for more guests. He grinned slightly at this; he always enjoyed any signs of magic.

"Oh, finally. Splendid." Mrs. Weasley crooned from the bottom of the stairs. The boys all looked up, grateful for a distraction. Four sets of eyes popped and four jaws dropped in unison as Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley descended the stairs gracefully, coming to rest in the archway leading into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley beamed and then bustled outside to the back garden where the guests would be Apparating. Fred and George, as ushers, followed suit.

The remaining foursome turned back to one another. Ginny and Hermione stood expectantly while the boys stared transfixed. Ron was eyeing Hermione's baby yellow dress. It fell just above her knees and had a very swingy skirt. Her babydoll sleeves were extremely feminine and innocent with the slightest lift as they rested on the tips of her shoulders. Gentle curls framed her face and her bangs were swept to the side and fastened with a hair clip adorned with precious pearls; her hair was slightly raised in the back. Ron goggled at her white high heels in amazement (how could someone walk in those?).

Harry, however, had eyes for no one but Ginny. As a bridesmaid, her attire was much more formal than Hermione's. She wore a full length gown that was pale gold and sleeveless. It had a heart shaped neckline and an empire waist; the skirt was gathered together to create a ripple effect when she walked. Much of her back was revealed because the cloth formed a bow tie shape that reached from her upper back to her hips. This left two large triangles of bare flesh on her upper and lower back. There was also a bow where the two triangles met. The velvet band that formed the empire waist was a deeper gold and was embellished with intricate golden embroidery. Ginny's hair was curled tightly and fastened in the back with a clump of pearls (how she had managed to get them, Harry had no idea).

"Wow—Hermione—Ginny—you look…wow." Ron managed to stammer.

"Yeah, what he said." Harry added dreamily as he gazed longingly into Ginny's eyes. Ginny unwillingly blushed under his intense gaze and hastily tore her eyes from his.

"Oh, come off it you two!" Hermione scolded appreciatively.

"Oi!" Ginny added as she snapped her fingers in front of their eyes, pulling each from their trances. Ron offered Hermione his arm and, blushing slightly, she took it. Harry did the same to Ginny. She, however, raised her eyebrow questioningly before entwining her arm with his.

"Whipped, really whipped, you two are." Charlie Weasley said as he marched into the room, looking very handsome in his new tuxedo. He was to be the best man. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all blushed furiously at this, but turned away a moment later and walked out the back door. At the small tent where members of the procession were to wait, Harry and Hermione left Ginny and Ron. Ron was to be Ginny's escort down the aisle. They waved goodbye as Harry and Hermione walked away to find seats. Sitting in the front row, they had a wonderful view of everything going on. While all the guests got settled, they took the opportunity to discuss what to do about Ron's supposed skin affliction.

"Well I think we should at least wait until after the reception so he can enjoy the festivities completely before we drop anything too heavily on him." Hermione suggested. Harry nodded.

"We should ask Mrs. Weasley to arrange an appointment for him at St. Mungo's." he added. They decided they would tell Mrs. Weasley the next morning before Ron was awake so she could find time to take him to the wizarding hospital. At breakfast, Ron would discover his plans for the day included the examination and would be grateful that he didn't have to ask to be taken there himself. Harry and Hermione's conversation was cut short by a growing unearthly sound Harry had only heard a few times before. He recognized it immediately as phoenix song. It was a beautiful addition to the wedding, he mused. Phoenix song soothed all nerves and was a beacon of hope that seemed to make the marriage seem right and lasting; meant to be. The procession began with the music; first down the aisle was Fred and George, looking dashing and grinning broadly at Bill who was already stationed next to the priest. Next Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle, glided down the aisle gracefully accompanied by someone Harry didn't know. She was stunning in the same dress Ginny wore. After them—Harry's stomach flipped uncontrollably—Ginny (carrying a bouquet of white roses) and Ron proceeded down the aisle past rows and rows of smiling guests. Harry and Hermione both smiled at them happily. Next—though Harry hardly noticed them—a beautiful brunette with curly hair, who Harry could only assume was Fleur's best friend, walked slowly past them accompanied by Charlie Weasley. A little girl followed, skipping happily along as she spun and tossed white rose petals to the ground. Finally, Fleur emerged with a tall, slender man who had dark brown hair and spectacles. There was a sharp intake of breath from Bill as he glimpsed Fleur. She looked heavenly draped completely in white; her silvery tresses cascading down her back and over her shoulders.

"Dearly beloved," the elderly priest began "we are gathered here today…" the wedding was picturesque in every possible way; completely perfect even though elsewhere in the world Lord Voldemort was plotting death and torture. "You may kiss the bride." He finished spectacularly. Bill grinned and turned to Fleur happily. He wrapped his arm around her waist and then dipped her low, pulling her into a sweet kiss. The congregation applauded and several people laughed heartily. Tears streamed down Mrs. Weasley's face, yet she smiled through them and pulled Harry and Hermione into a hug. Both were extremely surprised by the sudden motion of being yanked away from their previous positions, and unfortunately for Hermione, she ended up with Harry's left elbow stuck in the crook of her neck. Wincing in pain, she pulled out.

"Ouch, sorry about that Hermione," Harry apologized as he rubbed the side of his head that had collided with Mrs. Weasley's shoulder. Hermione waved it off as she continued to massage her sore neck.

Ron joined them a moment later. "You all right?" he asked. They both nodded. "Well that was interesting; a good finale, I must say. I knew Bill had it in him." He joked.

They all laughed before walking over to the trellis that had been conjured for wedding pictures.

"'Ermione, 'arry—you must both be in ze pictures with us!" Fleur exclaimed and for the second time in minutes, they were pulled away. For over an hour the photographer arranged and rearranged the Weasley and Delacour families as well as Hermione, Harry, Fleur's friend, the flower girl, and the boy who had accompanied Gabrielle down the aisle (Harry discovered later that they were cousins). Finally, everyone was allowed to leave except for Bill and Fleur who were to stay behind for a few more shots.

They chattered incessantly all the way up to the house and eventually arrived in the kitchen where the buffet was already set up with a wide assortment of appetizers. On every table throughout the main floor of the house, there sat a small tray of ordeurves available. For the first hour or so people just socialized and nibbled on the delicate treats. Ginny was forced to walk amongst the guests and offer champagne or butterbeer. When she had finished, Bill and Fleur arrived in the room. The guests parted, leaving a pathway for them to the dance floor; gracefully arriving on the floor, Bill spun Fleur around in a circle, her delicate dress swishing along the tile. He dipped her again before pulling her up and tucking her body close to his. They began a slow dance; lost in their own world until the music ended and everyone clapped appreciatively before rushing out on the dance floor with their partners. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny hung back. A moment later, Ron and Hermione had joined the happy couples, blushing furiously; leaving Harry and Ginny standing awkwardly side by side.

"Erm—Ginny, do you want to dance?" Harry asked. Ginny just nodded and pulled him out on the floor where a fast song was playing. They danced somewhat wildly for awhile just like old friends. Ginny flashed him a grin as the song ended and he spun her out and then back in. Several couples left the floor as the next song began, but were replaced by new pairs of dancers. It was a very energetic tune, and Mrs. Weasley laughed as Mr. Weasley spun her away from him.

"We danced to this at our wedding!" She exclaimed happily.

Through what seemed an endless amount of songs, everyone danced and laughed. The upbeat songs were soon replaced by slower rhythms that caused large amounts of people to leave the floor, including Ron and Hermione (both still blushing lightly). Ron made a beeline for the buffet as Hermione engaged herself in deep conversation with Mr. Weasley who was suddenly extremely curious about muggle radio stations and how they differed from the wizarding wireless networks. Ginny led Harry away from the floor and into the kitchen where there was less of a crowd.

Turning to face him, she said "Harry, I want to fight with you."

"Uh—what?" he asked, slightly taken aback.

"I want to fight Voldemort with you." She clarified quickly.

"Oh, Gin, come on. We talked about this. I just don't want to have to go to your funeral and know it's my fault."

"I don't care, god, why can't you understand that? I know both of us are completely miserable. Ron's told me you don't talk much anymore and you're sulking around. We've been avoiding each other and I hate it. Dumbledore" there was a sharp intake of breath from Harry "always said the world could use a little more love. Voldemort doesn't understand love and you know that Harry. It's the only way to fight him. He won't get to me; I'm stronger than I was last time. Lupin's been teaching me Occlumency so I can block him out. Please, Harry." She finished. He looked past her and out the window, deep in thought. Ginny was right; they were both miserable, Voldemort didn't understand love, and if she really could block him out then she was much better off than she was at age eleven. Looking into her hazel eyes, he saw a deep determination and fiery passion burning bright; he nodded. She grinned and they spent the next half hour simply enjoying each other's company and eating finger sandwiches.

At seven thirty Mrs. Weasley announced that dinner was served. Everyone rushed to the dining room which, upon entry, Harry realized had assumed the size of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. There was much room to spare when everyone seated them selves at small circular tables for four. Harry and Ginny joined Ron and Hermione who had already reserved a table for them.

"Why are there so many open seats?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Hermione replied. "That's odd."

"It looks as though we're expecting more people." Ginny added.

Ron nodded thoughtfully "I think Charlie did mention some sort of surprise. I wonder what it is though…." They left their conversation at that as they had no more to discuss on the matter based on such a limited supply of information.

"Are you—?" but Ginny was cut off by the arrival of the soup and salad.

"Oh, good. Finally." Ron moaned in delight as he tucked into his minestrone soup.

Ten minutes later, the first course was whisked away to be replaced by the main dishes. It was all just like a Hogwarts feast except the new dishes were carried over by a clearly frazzled and slightly irritable Mrs. Weasley, with the help of nearly three dozen relatives and friends. The main course happened to include bouillabaisse and several other French dishes that, when Ron tasted them, he fell in love with instantly for reasons unknown.

None too soon, the pudding arrived and guests all around the room dug voraciously into it as though they had been deprived of such generous amounts of food for decades. As Harry looked around the room he realized how happy everyone looked even though there was so much wrong in the world and in their lives. It was a perfect wedding in his opinion, and it was just the experience he needed to prepare himself for what was to come.

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A/N: if you want to see what I envisioned Fleur's wedding dress to be, copy this address. It should work, but I don't know. Please review. I haven't gotten any and I really need to know if people actually like the story if I'm doing a good job or something. Thanks.