A week passed before Ron and Hermione received answers to their letters, Hedwig and Pigwidgeon and the other owls swooped in to the great hall on a Monday morning, Ron and Hermione opened the letters at the table. Ron's said.
Dear Ron and Hermione,
CONGRATULATIONS! We'd love to have your wedding here and we see no reason why we shouldn't have it on Christmas day if it's only going to be small. We'd like to pay for it too, so that you can keep some money for the baby. It's still hard to think that our youngest son will soon be a husband and father, but we're used to the idea now and are starting to get excited! We'll see you at the start of the holidays, we can't wait to see you both please let us know all the details of the wedding as soon as possible.
Love from
Mum and dad.
Hermione's was nowhere near what Ron's said.
Dear Hermione,
Your father and I are glad that you have decided to marry before you have your little family, stupid as it is that you got pregnant in the first place. We simply cannot attend the wedding as you father and I are going skiing for Christmas and the plans cannot be changed, even if they could we're not sure we'd come. We still wish you all the best however but please do not attempt to contact us again.
Mum and dad.
Hermione ran out of the great hall crying, Ron followed her and took her upstairs to calm down. Harry and Ginny looked at each other from opposite sides of the table. It must be hard for Hermione with her parents acting like she was some sort of creature they wouldn't touch with a ten foot long pole. People had also noticed the ring on her finger and she was starting to show (not enough to be obvious though) so rumours were flying around, they were thankful that most of the Slytherin's, especially Draco Malfoy, had not returned that year or taunting and teasing would surely have followed them wherever they went, for now people just talked behind their hands. They supposed that some people might soon start asking questions outright when Hermione and Ron returned from the Christmas holidays waring wedding bands.
Ron asked Harry to be his best man and Hermione asked Ginny to be her maid of honour at the wedding, they both gratefully accepted right away. Ron and Hermione decided on a buffet style meal for the reception instead of a set menu, Hermione found the perfect wedding dress and maid of honour dress at Gladrags in Hogsmeade and Ron chose his and Harry's tux's there too. It took them almost the whole two months to find their wedding rings but thankfully everything was planned before the big day.
A week before Christmas school broke up for the holidays, Hermione and Ron were already bundles of nerves and Hermione's morning sickness, which had recently subsided now that she was four months along, came back in full force. When they got off the train at Kings Cross Mrs Weasley was waiting for them, she hugged everyone tightly. Mrs Weasley exclaimed at how big Hermione had gotten already, as with the muggle clothing she was waring it was pretty obvious. Harry really didn't think she was all that big but you could most definitely tell now.
'Weasley children tend to be a bit bigger than normal dear don't worry' Mrs Weasley told her daughter-in-law to be, this hadn't helped Hermione's nerves at all and she had to run to the bathroom to throw up a little bit.
They spent Christmas Eve going over very last minute wedding details; Hermione and Ron would be husband and wife the next day! It made Harry think about his own relationship; he was so in love with Ginny, he could marry her right along side Ron and Hermione the next day. They'd been back together for five months already. Was it really that long? Harry did the calculations in his mind, they'd gotten back together at the end of July, yes it had been that long and Ron and Hermione had been together almost a year. Harry's mind wandered to the items he'd found in Godric's hollow. His mother's engagement ring! No, Harry thought, it would be too dangerous, but then… No, Harry would not put Ginny in danger; he'd promised Mr and Mrs Weasley that he'd look after her. Maybe if he asked their permission? No, if nothing else they'd think they were far too young, especially Ginny… But Hermione and Ron were getting… but they had a baby on the way. Harry was still arguing with himself when Ginny came in to the bedroom he was sharing with Fred and George as Hermione was sharing with Ron obviously. His heart stopped, even in her pyjama's Ginny looked gorgeous.
''Lo Gin' He said.
She crossed the room and kissed him.
'Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?' Harry asked when they stepped apart.
'I love you Harry, do I really need a reason to kiss you?' She answered.
'Not at all, I love you to' Harry replied kissing her again.
They went and sat down on the camp bed Harry was sleeping in 'are you sure everything is ok Ginny?' Harry asked.
'Yeah, I just can't really believe that my brother is getting married tomorrow, or having a baby for that matter' she said.
'I know what you mean, I can't fully believe it myself, but it's happening' Harry replied.
'It's so… Grown up, but I am happy for them. I can't wait to get married… I mean' she'd gone bright red.
'It's ok Ginny, seriously' He kissed her on the forehead 'I have to go talk to your parents ok' He said. His heart had skipped a beat when she had said she couldn't wait to get married he knew that she meant she couldn't wait to marry him for some reason. He'd made up his mind to go and ask Mr and Mrs Weasley what they thought about it. He reckoned it would be a long engagement. Harry kissed Ginny on the lips and went down stairs.
'Mr and Mrs Weasley could I please talk to you?' Harry asked entering the living room and sitting down.
'Of course Harry, please go on,' Mr Weasley replied.
'Well, you both know how much I love Ginny and I know how young we are and I know it's dangerous and it wouldn't be right away… I guess what I'm trying to say is… I'd like your permission to… I'd like to give my mother's engagement ring to Ginny if you don't mind, I want to ask her to marry me,' Harry said.
Mrs Weasley had tears in her eyes 'it's up to Arthur, he is her father after all,' she said.
Harry looked at Mr Weasley expectantly, Mr Weasley smiled 'I would be honoured to have you as a son-in-law Harry,' he stood up and shook Harry's hand and Mrs Weasley hugged him.
'You really wouldn't mind even with everything that you know I have to do?' Harry said.
'Of course not Harry we trust that you are keeping your promise to us to look after her, why would it be any different if you were engaged?' Mr Weasley said.
'Well it won't be any different I suppose and you know it'll be a while before we actually get married and it isn't just because of Ron and Hermione either, I really do love her' Harry said.
'Harry, you don't have to convince us but only ask her if you're sure you really do want it' Mrs Weasley said.
'I'm sure I want it, thank you both' He said leaving the room.
He went back to Fred and George's room, hoping that Ginny wasn't still in there. She wasn't so he crossed to his trunk to find the ring; it was in a small bag with the other jewellery he had found at Godric's Hollow. He held the ring in his hand for a moment, wondering when he could ask her, he wanted to do it now or make it special and do it tomorrow on Christmas day but he didn't want to steel Ron and Hermione's thunder. He stood up again, this time he went to Ron's room; Harry knew he'd be alone because Hermione was sharing with Ginny that night because of the tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding. He knocked on the door.
'Come in' Ron called, Harry went in 'hi Harry' Ron said when he saw who it was.
'How're you feeling mate?' Harry asked.
'More nervous than I've ever been in my whole life. What I do something wrong in the ceremony or trip when we're walking down the isle?' Ron replied.
'Ron, everything will be fine, don't stress' Harry said.
'Harry I have no idea what to do. Tomorrow I'll be married; in five months a father by the time I'm nineteen I'll have a family. I don't know how to raise kids or be a husband what the hell am I doing?' Ron said.
'Settle down will you!' Harry said, 'you just have cold feet, by this time tomorrow it'll all be over and you'll be fine'
'What are you saying crap like that for?' Ron said.
'I'm the best man, isn't it my job to say stuff like that?' Harry replied.
'Yeah I suppose it is, thanks mate' Ron replied, 'Can you believe this? You know me and Hermione?'
'Not really but I'm starting to. Let me just say I think the two of you were made for each other and that I'm really happy for both of you' Harry said.
'Like you and Ginny are made for each other?' Ron said 'mate, give her the ring already' he added.
'Yeah but I don't… wait how did you know I wanted to give her a ring?' Harry retorted.
'You're holding it Harry' Ron pointed to Harry's hand, sure enough he was fiddling with his mothers engagement ring 'go and ask her Harry it can't hurt any, send Hermione up here I want to cuddle her' he added.
'You can't see Hermione until the wedding' Harry replied.
'Yeah, I know. It's a real pain. Just go talk to Ginny and hurry up please' Ron said.
'You really don't mind… she is your sister and it is the night before your wedding' Harry said.
'I don't mind, just go already,' Ron said.
Harry left the room, when he got to Ginny's bedroom door he knocked 'Go away Ron!' Hermione's voice said 'I'm fine and I've already told you that I can't see you until the wedding, stop fussing!' She added.
'It's not Ron Hermione, its Harry. Where's Ginny?' Harry said through the closed door.
Hermione came to the door 'I think she was going to get something to eat in the kitchen. But can I talk to you?' She said.
'You know, I really need to talk to Ginny, can it wait just a few minuets?' Harry said.
Hermione shook her head 'please?' she said.
'Ok then' Harry said entering the room and sitting on Ginny's bed.
Hermione's wedding dress was hanging on the back of the door with Ginny's dress; Hermione was waring pyjama's that showed her progressing pregnancy. She sat down on the bed she was going to be sleeping in that night 'What's up?' Harry asked.
'I don't know what I'm doing Harry, marrying Ron, I don't know how to be a wife' she looked down at her bump and placed her hands on it 'or a mother' she added sighing.
'You'll figure it out I'm sure. You and Ron are ready for this, you won't feel so freaked out tomorrow after the wedding' Harry replied.
'Ok, so Ron and I might be ready for this, but are you sure you and Ginny are?' She said.
'What… Gee, I really should have put this away' he said 'I'm not saying we're ready right now but we're very close to it, we won't get married for a while yet. I just want a bit of assurance you know, with everything so dangerous at the moment I want to make a promise to her that I'll love her for ever, I couldn't imagine not being with Ginny… but listen to me, you're the one getting married tomorrow what am I talking about myself for?' Harry said.
'It's ok Harry, I don't mind. Look, I'm fine now. Go and talk to Ginny I'm going to bed, big day tomorrow, goodnight,' Hermione said.
''Night Hermione' He said leaving.