She slowly walked down the aisle, trying not to look at the staring faces looking up at her from either side. She blushed, and looked at Harry.

He was blinking sun out of his eyes, and when he met her eyes he smiled brightly, and she grinned back. There was nothing she was feeling now, nothing, other than supreme happiness. She had eyes only for Harry as she made her way up the aisle. Finally, after what seemed like ten years, she reached him. Her father kissed her on the cheek one last time, and presented her to Harry. She gladly reached for his hand, which he took in his own.

"Happy Birthday," he said softly, and her heart flipped. She had forgotten. It seemed everyone else had, too... she didn't mind, though. But of course Harry didn't forget.

"I love you," she mouthed, and he mouthed the words back. Grinning, they turned to the minister. But she couldn't concentrate on the ceremony. How could she, when she was standing next to Harry, pledging their lives to the other? No, she had other things on her mind. She and Harry kept squeezing each others hands, because they were unable to speak. A laugh was threatening to escape her lips, and she was trying desperately to suppress it. Finally they reached the part she knew.

As she and Harry recited their vows, she felt their meanings rush over her in waves. Her hands were trembling, but as she listened to Harry's deep, velvety voice pronounce his eternal devotion to her, she knew in every fiber of her being that this decision was unquestionably, undoubtedly right.

The chairs were cleared away and replaced with white tables that were decorated with small cuttings of flutterby bushes. A line was formed for people to congratulate Harry and Ginny, who seemed to be in a bit of a shock. Their dazed expressions added to their charm as they accepted the well-wishes from their many guests. Harry was sick of always being the center of attention, and Ginny had never liked it much in the first place, and so they were a bit overwhelmed by the huge crowd awaiting them. Still, nothing could spoil the day. They kept their hands clasped.

Hermione and Ron were pushing their way through the large crowd, trying to make it up to the front to see the bride and groom.

"Honestly," Hermione grunted. "We've been best friends with them for years. I'm the maid of honor, and you're the best man, and we're still shoved to the very back!"

"Oh, Hermione. Don't get your wand in a knot. You know they'd want us up to the front. I bet they can't even move. Imagine having that many people come up to tell you the very same thing. How many times can you hear the word 'congratulations'? I'll bet Ginny's miserable."

"No, she's not. Didn't you see her face?" she asked, her voice getting a bit dreamy. "She's so happy. And so's Harry."

Ron nodded, understanding what she meant. "I guess they're both with who they're supposed to be with."

"Oh, Ron," Hermione said emotionally, throwing her arms around his neck. "I'm just so happy!"

He patted her on the back. "Some of the people are clearing away. Look- we can reach them now."

They ran forward, and Hermione grabbed both Harry and Ginny and took them into one hug at the same time. "I'm so happy for you!" she half-sobbed, half-exclaimed. They gently worked their heads free.

"Thanks, Hermione," said Harry, grinning from ear to ear.

Ron hugged both Harry and Ginny (individually), and the four of them were talking excitedly, happy as could be. Harry didn't think he could remember a time when he had felt better... before now, he'd always had something hanging over his head. But after a few minutes, Ron and Hermione were swept out of the way, and Harry and Ginny went back to greeting people.

They talked to her parents, all her brothers, her cousins, and every other Weasley that happened to be there. Harry even met Ginny's aunt again, but this time in person. It seemed that Aunt Muriel had already given 'Ronald' his kiss, much to Ginny's displeasure. She had been wanting to watch.

"I think he's kissed Hermione plenty by now, Gin," Harry told her.

"Yes, but still.... it's all good fun." That, Harry couldn't deny.

He talked to Luna, Mr. Lovegood, Kingsley, Professor McGonagall (for, even out of Hogwarts, Harry couldn't call her anything but 'Professor.'), Professor Flitwick, a very weepy Hagrid, his old neighbor Mrs Figg, Teddy and his grandparents, Lavender Brown and the Patil twins, Dean Thomas, Seamas Finnagin, Neville and his grandmother, and countless others. By the end of it, Harry seemed to be caught in a whirlwind and could barely even recognize people.

Mr. Weasley came up to Harry before dinner was served.

"Harry, I just wanted to tell you that I think your parents would be proud of you. I didn't know them well, but i knew them well enough to know that you have turned out to be exactly the kind of man they would have wanted as a son. You are the kind of man I would want for a son... not that I don't already have enough of them." Harry smiled. "But really. You should be proud. Molly and I are, and I know your parents would be. And Sirius, too."

"Thank you," Harry said sincerely. After the war, people didn't talk to him about his parents as much. Maybe they thought he didn't need to hear it anymore, or maybe it was just that everyone who was friends with them was dead. But it was nice to hear that someone else was thinking about them on a day like this.

Dinner was served, and then suddenly dinner was over. People danced, and he and Ginny danced together, but soon they were swept apart. He danced with Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, and then so many people he couldn't count them all. Finally they sat back down for dessert, which was over with as quickly as dinner. It seemed that this whole ceremony was going by in the blink of an eye.

He and Ginny were finishing up a piece of chocolate cake when Harry spied someone across the backyard. It was dusk now, and slightly darker. The yard was lit up by faerie lights, glistening over all the flowers gracing the tables. Harry blinked, trying to see clearer through all the decorations.

"Harry?" He heard Ginny's voice. "What are you looking at?"

"I thought I saw... No, I must have seen Dudley." It sounded stupid, but he looked closer, and there he was. His cousin Dudley, looking thoroughly frightened and uncomfortable, sitting alone at a table, finishing up a slice of cake. He looked lonely, and Harry actually felt bad for him. He had come to a wizard house for Harry's wedding? The thought surprised and slightly touched him. He supposed Dudley really was turning over a new leaf. Harry turned to say something to Ginny, and saw she was twisting her hands in her lap.

"I hope you're not angry- I didn't tell you because I never thought he'd come-"

"You invited him?" Harry asked in shock.

"Yes. I sent him an invitation along with everyone else. I wasn't sure if you'd want him here, but you told me that you weren't angry with him, and that he'd seemed... better last time you talked to him, before you left your aunt and uncle's house. Anyway, like I said, I never thought he'd come- he didn't tell us he was coming- so I just let it go. I'd almost forgotten, actually." She looked up nervously. Harry broke into a wide grin and leaned down to kiss her.

"Thank you," he whispered into her ear. She felt another shock run down her spine. "I never would have done this by myself, but inviting him... that was very kind, Gin. I'm glad you did. At least I can start things off on a good note with him." Harry laughed. "And it's high time he met the Weasley's! This should be a shock.... well maybe not. He didmeet Fred and George that one time... and Dumbledore!" Ginny looked over in the direction where Harry had been gazing a moment before.

"So that's Dudley. Poor fellow. He looks terribly unhappy."

"I suppose I should go say hello."

"I'll come with you."

They got up and walked away from the table. Hermione gave them a quizzical look, but Ginny answered with a gesture to mean, We'll explain later.

Harry reached his cousin, and stopped in front of the table. He didn't know what to say.

"Hello, Dudley," Ginny said. Harry was relieved, and he had to remember to thank her later.

His cousin looked up, as though shocked someone was finally speaking to him. "Hello."

"It's very nice of you to come, Dudley," Ginny said again, letting lose one of her dazzling smiles. "Harry and I are very happy you could be here."

Harry realized he had to start speaking soon or he would seem rude.

"It's nice to see you. It's been..."

"Years," his cousin answered for him.

"Yes. And I suppose I should introduce you... This is Ginny Weas- Potter," he stumbled. "Ginny, this is my cousin Dudley. But I know you knew that. So, um... have you been enjoying yourself?" Stupid question, of course he hasn't been enjoying himself.

"Sure." Silence. "It's nice. Thank you for inviting me."

"Well, it was nice to see you. And it was really nice of you to come." It fell silent again. Harry was truly glad that Dudley came, but he didn't have much more to say to him. "So, er, thanks." He and Ginny both said goodbye, and they left. Harry was glad that his cousin turned out better than his aunt and uncle.

"That was nice of you," Harry told Ginny.

"He deserves someone to be nice to him," she answered simply.

There were so many people who wanted to talk to them, but at almost ten o'clock Harry looked at Ginny. "Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded.

Ginny found Hermione, and went into the Burrow to change. Harry and Ron sat with each other. Ron had been having a great time with Hermione and his family, and his father had been having a good time with the other Grangers.

"Man, I can't believe that ten years ago we hadn't even met. You didn't even know you were a wizard. And here we are now..."

Harry nodded, surprised. "Yes... you're right," he said in shock.

"That tends to happen sometimes." Harry punched him in the arm. "But really, I'm happy for you two. As long as you don't get too gross about it. And please, no cheesy Christmas cards, alright?"

Coming from Ron, this was the best Harry had ever gotten. "It's a deal."

Ginny came down then, in a bright green dress. Her hair looked dazzling, and Harry stood up and wrapped his arm around her. "You look beautiful."

"How's the color?"

"Umm..." Harry didn't know the appropriate reply to that. "It looks so pretty on you."

"I bought the dress because it's the color of your eyes," she said simply, and Harry kissed her softly. To their embarrassment, people started clapping. A large crowd had gathered to see them off, and Harry and Ginny just looked at each other in shock. Is our wedding really over? Ginny asked herself.

Hermione came up and kissed them both on the cheek, and then Ginny was being hugged and Harry was being clapped on the back. They heard over two hundred people giving them well-wishes, and they felt people throwing rice. The crowd ushered them toward the garden gate, where Ginny and Harry clasped hands.

"Are you ready?" Harry asked her, looking into her warm, brown eyes.

"Definitely."

They apparated, leaving behind the Burrow and the cheerful sounds of their family.