Disclaimer: I do not own HP, though maybe one day if I practice really, really hard, I will write something just as brilliant. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
Thank you to all of you who had read and reviewed and special thanks to my new BETA Messer-Moony-sezs-awhoo
Warning: There is a bit of a steamy scene toward the end of the chapter, so no kiddies please!
Now on with the wedding….
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mr. and Mrs. Remus Lupin
HPOV
I can hardly believe it. I'm getting married today, in just a matter of minutes in fact! I should be nervous. At least everyone keeps asking me if I am. But why would I be? I am going to be bonded to the love of my life, why on earth would I be nervous about that. Excited, overjoyed, elated, yes, but nervous-never. Well, maybe there are a few butterflies fluttering around my stomach, but only because this is such a big step towards my future.
As I look at my reflection in the full length mirror in my mother's room I can't help but feel like a princess in my strapless A-line silk dress, with chapel train. My hair his done in a half bun, lose curls descending to my shoulders. I have in my mother's diamond earrings, and my and grandmother's necklace with a single diamond pendent. I have never in my entire life felt so beautiful.
"You look absolutely lovely dear." I turned toward the door to see the deputy headmistress smiling sweetly at me.
"Thank you…Minerva."
I was surprised when she came to me giving me a delicate hug though not to mess up my dress or hair. She had made Remus and I both very aware that she did not approve of our relationship, and to see her standing their looking at me as if I was her own daughter, I was rather shocked.
"Hermione, I want you to know that I know you and Remus will have a long and happy life together and that…that I am sorry for my behaviour concerning your relationship up to this point. I was looking at the difference and Remus' condition and I…I should have seen from the beginning how perfect you two truly are for each other."
I was caught a little off guard by her apology, but of course I was happy to accept it. "Thank you Minerva. You have always been one of my favourite teachers and I am happy to have your approval." Which I was, not that it would have changed anything if I didn't, but still it was nice to know she had come to her senses.
She gave me a quick good bye before leaving me to finish my preparations.
RPOV
I have to admit, I look rather dashing in this muggle tux, though it's not nearly as comfortable as wizarding robes. Despite my debonair look I'm sure my appearance will be put to shame when Hermione emerges in her wedding dress. She refused to show it to me beforehand but I have been informed by her mother that it will knock-my-socks-off. She is sure to be the center of attention and I will be but a shadow in the corner, which will be completely fine with me. It's our big day, but it's her wedding-if you know what I mean. It's always the brides wedding more than the groom's, or so I've heard.
I almost can't believe it, in a matter of mere minutes Hermione will be my wife. That beautiful, amazingly brilliant woman will be my wife. I must have done something right to have been granted such a wonderful gift. I have a great trip to the sea planned for our honeymoon, and she has no clue as to our destination. I'm sure her reaction will be quite priceless when we port-key to our own private cottage on a secluded wizarding beach in the south of Ireland.
"Remus." I turned toward my father as he walked in the room, a proud smile on his face.
"Hello, dad." I grinned. "Is it time?"
"Just about. Are you nervous?" He asked patting me on the back.
"A little." I answered honestly. "I-I just want to be…I want to make Hermione happy." I knew that I loved Hermione and that she loved me, and although I have tried to put my…concerns about myself into the recesses of my mind, I still worry I won't be good enough for her. That perhaps she deserves better.
"You already do, son. There is no doubt that you make that woman happy. She loves you Remus, I can see it every time she looks at you. You two are perfect for each other."
I smiled at his reassurance.
"You know we talked just last night about children." I decide to tell my father. Hermione and I had a long discussion about extending our family, how many we would like to add to it and when exactly we would want to begin that process.
"Oh?" He gave me a sly grin.
"Hermione's training at St. Mungo's will last fifteen months, after that we will begin trying for a baby."
My father quickly embraced me in a hug. "That's great son. That's absolutely terrific."
HPOV
My mother entered her room and informed me it was time. Taking a long deep breath I followed her out down stairs and into the kitchen. The back garden was set up beautifully. White wooden chairs were lined along the sides, a lavender runway separating the two sides. I could see my love at the altar. He looked positively urbane in his tux. Harry stood next to him; his tux was identical, except he had a white bow tie whereas Remus had a black one. My maid of honours, Ginny and Luna stood opposite Harry. (I didn't have the heart to choose between the two so I gave them both the privilege). Both girls wore their lavender and cream dresses and held a bouquet of mix flowers in their hands.
"Ready." My father asked as he took my arm.
I nodded. "I am." I took a step forward and suddenly I was walking down the aisle, fifty pairs of eyes focused on me, though my eyes were only focused on one, my Remus. I had never seen his smile wider or his eyes sparkle brighter. He looked positive euphoric.
Once we reached the alter my fiancé happily took my arm from my father. "You look breathtaking." Remus whispered as we turned to face the pastor.
"You don't look so bad yourself." I whispered back.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" The pastor asked.
"Her mother and I do." My father replied than taking his seat in the front row besides my mother.
Remus and I were now looking deeply into each other eyes, our hands interlocked. I could feel the love flowing through his magic and I was pretty sure he could feel the same. It was almost overwhelming.
"Dearly beloved". The pastor suddenly began. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Remus John Lupin and Hermione Jean Granger in holy matrimony. This is a sacred right. An ancient right. As Remus and Hermione prepare to join their lives, it is important to understand that…
In truth I wasn't really paying much attention to the pastor's words, I just wanted him to pronounce us husband and wife. I wanted Remus to kiss me for the first time as my husband and I, as his wife. I could feel my magic growing and somehow…something was changing.
"Remus do you take Hermione to be your lawfully wedded wife; to have and to hold in sickness and in health 'till death do you part?"
RPOV
Something amazing was happening. I'm not exactly sure what but I feel…different…more complete. My magic almost feels stronger. How? Why? Because of Hermione? It has to be. I was quickly brought out of my pondering as the pastors words came to my ears.
"I do." I smiled at my beautiful wife as I promised to be hers, only hers, forever.
"And do you Hermione take Remus to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold in sickness and in health 'till death do you part?"
My beautiful bride smiled brilliantly up at me, her brown eyes twinkling so brightly they put Albus' to shame.
"I do."
"Then by the power vested in my by the Lord Almighty and by witness of those here today I know pronounce you man and wife". The pastor looked at me, gave a cheerful grin and said: "You may kiss your bride."
And so for the first time I leaned in and kiss Hermione as my wife.
Cheers rang out as my wife and I headed down the ides followed by Harry, Ginny and Luna.
My wife.
Hermione is my wife!
I am the luckiest man on the plant.
I quickly pulled my bride away from the slew of people that began to enter the Grangers front room, and into the down stairs den. Now that we had a bit of privacy I pulled her rather fiercely to me giving her an incredibly passionate kiss.
"I love you, my wife." I then whispered softly in her ear.
"I love you too, my husband." She whispered back. "Remus, did you feel...
"Yea, what was that?"
"I believe I can answer that."
We both whipped are heads around to see Albus standing in the door way. "Sorry to interrupt." He said taking a few steps into the room, then closing the door behind him. "But I thought you two might be curious as to the magical aura that suddenly radiated you both during the ceremony."
We both nodded in curiosity.
"You see." He began as he sat down on the edge of Mr. Granger's desk. "When couples are married in a wizarding ceremony a magical marriage bond is created, the effects are rather similar to what you experienced."
"But we weren't bonded magically." Hermione pointed out.
"Actually, you were, but in a different way."
"What do you mean?" I asked. I loved Albus like a grandfather, but he did tend to beat around the bush.
"It wasn't exactly a marriage bond that took place out there but a soul bond."
I watched as Hermione eyes widened, her moth dropped a full inch, though I wasn't sure why. I had never heard of a soul bond.
"Are-are you saying we are each other's soul mates?" Hermione questioned.
HPOV
Soul mates, true magically based soul mates were incredibly rare, last recorded one was over a hundred years ago. Was it truly possible that Remus and I now share our souls?
"That is exactly what I am saying."
I looked over at my husband who looked absolutely confused.
"Remus, sweetie, a magical soul mate is when two souls, in this case yours and mine, are intertwined as it were. It is extremely rare and…and, well basically, you see…
How was I going to explain this? It's so complicated I barely understand it myself. Thankfully Dumbledore interjected for me.
"I believe what your bride is trying to say is that your and Hermione's souls are drawn together by a sort of force, a force that not only combines your heart and souls, but your very magic."
Remus looked at me, then back at Dumbledore and then me again. "Are you saying?" He finally spoke looking back up at the Headmaster. "That I know have Hermione magical abilities and she had mine."
Albus smiled, and nodded as his eyes twinkling brightly. "I am. It's more along the lines of you have her magical power and not abilities, but in essence, yes you are correct."
"Bloody hell."
I couldn't help but laugh at Remus' reaction, as did Dumbledore.
"I believe the bonding process began when you joined hands at the beginning of the ceremony." Albus explained.
"You said began. Does that mean it's not completed yet?" I asked.
Albus chuckled. "You are correct Mrs. Lupin." I grinned at the title. I am now officially Mr. Remus Lupin. Yea! "The bond will be completed and you two will officially become magical soul mates the first time you are intimate as man and wife."
Both Remus and I turned a bit pink at the thought of a 115 year old man even briefly mentioned our sex life.
"Well, I will you two to soak up this information, but don't hold up in here too long. Your guests will begin to wonder.
Dumbledore then took his leave. We composed ourselves long enough to have our complexions back to normal before joining our guests in our reception.
RPOV
Our reception turned out to be a terrific bash. Hermione and I did our first dance to some muggle song I had never heard of call Everything I do I do it For You. It was a beautiful piece of music, and very fitting. I also danced with mine and Hermione's mother, however my lovely wife was out on the make shift dance floor much more than I was. Apparently my dance moves were a little out of date, or so Harry informed me, my wife being too kind to do so. I told Harry about the soul bonding, his response was quite unexpected.
"Oh man Remus, I'm…I'm jealous as hell."
I laughed thinking her was joking, however his expression quickly told me otherwise. "To know love like that…
His eyes suddenly filled with water, it was obvious he was trying very hard not to let the tears fall.
…I never had a good example of love." He began to tell me. "My relatives pretty much hate my guts, one of my best friends…well; I don't think I could ever forgive him at this point. I never knew my parents, Sirius is gone and you…well, you are the closest thing I have to a father and we really never did get to spend much time together." Harry took a long deep sigh, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes in the process. "I love Ginny, I truly do, and I hope that with her I can one day experience the love a family of my own can bring."
"I'm sure you will, Harry." I put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure you will be a wonderful husband and father. In fact I know you will. You have survived so much, and through all the bitterness and hatred you have experienced at the hands of others, you still show an immense capacity for love. Ginny, and one day your children will be very, very lucky to have you in their life."
The emerald eyed boy smiled before wrapping his arms around me. "Thank you, Remus." He said patting me on the back. "Thank you for saying that."
Over the next couple of hours one by one the guests began to leave. Finally it was just Hermione, I and her parents in the house.
"Well, I'm going to change. I don't want to port-key in my wedding dress." My wife gave me quick kiss then quickly heading up the stairs. I was about to follow her, when I was approached by her father-no, my father-in-law.
Hermione's father beckoned me to sit down on the sofa for a quick chat. "I know you will be a wonderful husband to my daughter." He told me. "I can see how much you love her, and that she loves you, and I know that you two will have an amazing life together, just as my wife and I have."
"Thank you Mr. Granger. I'm glad to know you think that."
"You're welcome, son. Just remember, you hurt her I'll kill you."
Of course the protective father would say that to the man who is taking away his only daughter-his only child. I didn't have any children of my own at that point, but I know that I would kill and die for Harry in an instant, so I had no doubt the man was being completely honest when he said that.
"Don't worry, sir. I would never hurt your daughter, or let anyone else hurt her."
He simply nodded, and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before rising from the couch. "Go on." He said. "Go be with your wife."
HPOV
Just as I had pulled on my jeans my bedroom door opened. "Oh, hi." I smiled at my husband as I pulled up my zipper. "You should probably get changed, our port-key leaves in an hour."
Remus suddenly gave me this look. His 'hungry for Mione' look as he calls it.
"I believe you are right." He said as he undid his tie and began to unbutton his shirt. "I should change, but first."
He quickly reached for me, pulling me tightly to him. "I would like to become one with my soul mate." He then kissed me. Hard and long, and when he finally pulled from me my lips were swollen and burning.
I had only one response to that. "Oh God Remus, take me."
He wasted no time in doing just that. Clothes were hastily pulled off and littered around the room. As we pleasured each other for the first time as man and wife an intense surge of magic began to run through my body and the closer I came to my climax the stronger the magic felt. I knew it was the soul bond, and I could see in Remus' eyes that he could feel it as well.
"H-Hermione, oh Merlin, wh-what…oh God…
"I know, I-I feel it to. Oh God it's-it's wonderful."
The most extreme rush of pleasure filled my being. Every inch of my being in fact. No orgasm I had ever experienced compared to this. And as we finally came down from the amazing high I felt almost…lighter.
"Hermione." Remus his hand through his sweat soaked hair. "I feel…
"I know." I said sitting beside him. "Me too."
"So, this must mean the bond is complete." A grin crept to the corner of his mouth as he said the words.
"Yes." I wrapped my arms around his waist, placing my head on his chest. "We truly are one now."
"I love you." He said placing a kiss atop my head.
"I love you too, Remy." I lifted my head from his chest and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Come on. We have a port key to catch in twenty minutes."
After dressing we grabbed our luggage and headed down stairs. Remus had the shoe string port-key in his hand.
"Well, this is where we say good bye." My mother said then hugging me tightly.
"We'll be back in two weeks and I promise I will tell you all about it." I assured her.
"Well I hope not everything." She said elbowing my in shoulder.
"Obviously not everything." I then turned to my dad.
"Well, my little girl is married."
"I am." I smiled up at my father. My daddy.
"Well, I'm proud of you sweetheart, for everything you have accomplished, and everything you will do in the future. You are an amazing young woman Hermione Lupin." He felt weird to hear my father call me by my married name. Weird, but wonderful.
"Now you send us a post card, you hear." He said giving me a warm hug.
"I will be sure to do that."
"Hermione, love. It's time to go."
I took the other side of the shoelace in my hand and with a final good bye to my parents I vanished from my family home, and happily found myself watching waves crash against a sandy beach. The very beach I was now standing on.
"R-Remus." I looked from the waves and over to my husband.
"Surprise."
"Oh Remus, it's beautiful." I quickly pulled him in for a searing kiss.
"It's it wonderful?"
"It's more than wonderful, it's fantastic."
"I thought you would like it. The cottage just over there," He said pointing to a small grassy hill just a few kilometers from us, "is where we will be staying for the next two weeks. Just you me, the sand and the sea."
And I knew this was just the beginning of a very wonderful life with my husband.
My lover.
My soul mate.
My everything.
A/N: Well, I do hope you liked. I know the chapter was a bit long, but I didn't want to cut it in half. The final instalment will be the epilogue, which should be up within the wee,
Please feel free to go to my profile and look thought my other stories.