Hey, thanx for the reviews!
Okay, so I know its taking a long time for them together, but I know EXACTLY how to do it. I won't tell you, even tho it's killing me! Haha.
I know Ron and Luna wouldn't have the wedding without their niece, but I have to put it in.
This chapter is a little funnier than the others (at least I think so). So its a nice change.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters. JK Rowling does.
I also do not own the song Smile. Uncle Kracker does or the ppl who produced it does or whoever wrote it.
Here's chapter 8!
Chapter Eight
Wedding
"Over here, Harry, Hermione!" Mrs. Weasely called as they arrived to the backyard of the Burrow on the eve of Ron and Luna's wedding. The outside was heated with strong Heating Charms, they guessed. Mrs. Weasely was helping levitate the wooden archway upright, which would be where Ron and Luna would be married. It was white with white roses wheaving in and out of it. Muggles would have thought they were mad have an outside wedding in the middle of February, but they were wizards and witches who could put Heating Charms on the outside to keep everyone warm.
The Burrow was beautiful. There were twinkling lights everywhere, illuminating the backyard. There were about a hundred-fifty chairs lined up in rows in two sections in front of the archway. A bouquet of white roses was attached to each end chair. A giant, white tent was set away from the where the wedding was. It, too, was illuminated and they could see people in there putting in tables and chairs. Harry thought he spied Draco sitting in one of the chairs watching everyone else work.
The pair made their way to Mrs. Weasely, who turned to them once the archway was upright.
"This all looks amazing, Mrs. Weasely," Hermione complimented.
"Thank you, dear," she smiled and then looked at them seriously. "Any news?"
"Well, they are going to look into our case and try to talk with them," Hermione answered. "We're keeping onto hope."
"Well, I sure hope they can clear this up. We've already lost a flower girl."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasely," Harry spoke up. "Is there anything we can do?"
"Yes, Harry, could you help the boys in the tent set up the chairs and tables? Lord knows what they are doing in there. Hermione, Luna is inside with the girls. They are making bouquets. I'm sure they would love your help."
They nodded and split off in their own ways.
Harry walked into the warm tent to find Draco sitting in a chair leaning back with his feet on the table and his eyes closed. Harry smirked and walked over to him and shoved his feet off of the table, startling him. "Hey!"
"People have to eat on that," he said with a smile.
"Hey, Harry! How have you been?"
"We've been getting through, I guess," he said as Ron, George, Neville, Seamus, Dean, Charlie, and Bill walked over to him. "We miss her like mad, though."
"Well, we are here for you, mate," Ron said clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"You eight better be setting up tables and chairs!" the shrill, angry voice of Mrs. Weasely came.
All of the boys, except Harry and Ron, immediately got back to work. Harry could see Ron wanted to talk to him more, but the former did not want to get in trouble, so he said, "Come on, why we set up the food tables?" He walked over to the long tables that were leaning up against each other and they picked one up and dragged it over to the empty space.
"So, Harry, how are your plans in wooing Hermione?" he smirked.
"I, uh, I almost kissed her," he said with a smile and a blush.
"You did?" Luna, Ginny, Angelina, Fleur, and Lavender exclaimed as Hermione was having the same conversation. They were putting flowers together for the bouquets for the bridesmaids and the chairs.
"Well, we almost kissed," Hermione corrected them. "A car honk stopped us."
"Well, did he seem disappointed?" Ginny asked frantically.
Hermione thought about that. She didn't see his face after that. She voiced this to them. She really wished she would have seen his face to see what his reaction was. "We didn't talk about it at all. We just acted like it never happened. We just went home and continued on with our day."
"Are you going to act on it? Are you going to talk to him about it?" Luna asked.
"I don't know. The main thing we want is Georgiana back. That's our focus for right now," she answered taking a sip of her champagne.
"Speaking of which, how is that going?"
"It's going. We got a call from Mrs. Bartha, the social worker, yesterday. She said that she was working on maybe meeting with the Reeds and talking to them. She wants us to go with her. I'm actually really excited to see my little girl again." She grinned and they smiled at her.
"I was really looking forward for Georgiana being in my wedding," Luna said sadly.
"Yeah," Hermione replied gazing off.
After they rehearsed for the wedding, they ate a small dinner composing of a pot roast, mashed potatoes, and green peas. For dessert, they ate a treacle tart, which Harry was pleased about because he missed Mrs. Weasely's treacle tart.
During dinner, they discussed where Ron was to sleep that night since he could not see Luna before the wedding. Since she lived not very far from the Burrow, she suggested that Ron could stay in her house with her father because Luna needed to get ready at the Burrow the next day since she was being escorted out of the house. Ron was particularly unpleased about this arrangement as he was terrified staying with his bride's father on the eve of their wedding night. He wondered if he would give him a nine-hour lecture on how he would hunt him down and kill him like a Crumple-Horned Snorkack if he ever hurt Luna.
However, Ron nodded and agreed to the sleeping arrangements to not hurt Luna's feelings.
Mrs. Weasely then Flooed Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's father, and asked him if Ron could spend the night over and if all of the boys could get ready over there the next day. He politely agreed...to Ron's dismay.
So the boys would get ready at the Lovegoods' home, while the girls got ready at the Burrow.
After dinner, Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes and left to go to the Manor.
When they apparated in, they checked the caller id to see if they had any messages, mainly any from Mrs. Olivia Bartha. It was blinking a red number "2", signalling they had two messages. Hermione sat on the couch next to it, as it was on the side table, while Harry stood and pressed the button.
"You have two messages," the caller id told them. "First message..."
"Hermione, Harry," they recognized the voice of Mrs. Charlotte Granger, "it's Mum. Your Dad and I just wanted to know when you two were going to pick us up tomorrow for the wedding. Give us a call when you get the chance. Love you, 'bye."
"Second message..."
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter," Harry and Hermione leaned in closer as they recognized that it was Mrs. Bartha, "Well, we have some news. On Tuesday, we are to meet with the Reeds. I've managed to talk to my boss and got a date to visit. However, the Reeds do not know we are coming, so that we can surprise them and they would not hide anything. Please meet me at five o'clock at the Child Services center and you shall follow me to the Reeds'. Hope to see you soon, goodbye."
Hermione looked at Harry and stood up and squealed once, launching herself in her best friend's arms. He hugged her back and twirled her in a circle. It was finally happening.
After Harry set Hermione down, she called her mother and told her Harry would be picking them up at five as she needed to help Luna get ready.
The next morning, Harry and Hermione woke up at eight and took their showers and did the essential routine like eat breakfast and brush their teeth and get their stuff together. At eleven, Hermione left to go to the Burrow and Harry went to the Lovegoods.
When Hermione arrived at the Apparation Zone and gazed upon the seven story home, she shook her head as she could already hear Mrs. Weasely's shrill voice already ordering people around. She hurriedly got to the house and greeted everyone. She saw Mrs. Weasely out in the backyard telling Arthur where she wanted the ice sculptures to be. Hermione said "hello" to Fleur, who was making a sandwich, but she could see, too, that she was watching over the food that was cooking. "Where is Luna?"
"'Oona iz upstairs. She needs 'Er maid of 'Onor. 'Ere, could you take zis to her?" She gave her the sandwich she made. "'Zank you."
"No problem," Hermione said taking the sandwich and headed upstairs to find her best female friend. She found her, Ginny, Lavender, and Angelina in Ron and Luna's room, all sitting around talking. Luna was sitting at her vanity, trying to figure out what to do with her hair.
"Hey," she greeted happily. "Happy Wedding Day, Luna!" She hugged her friend around her shoulders and told the others "hello". "Oh, Luna, this is for you from Fleur." She handed her the sandwich which she greedily accepted and bit into it.
"Are you okay, Luna? Are you freaking out?" she asked curiously.
Luna swallowed heavily and said, "I don't know. I'm really nervous."
"It's okay. You're Luna Lovegood. You don't normally get nervous. You're marrying the man of your dreams today," she comforted her.
"She's afraid of tonight," Angelina said with a snicker. Lavender and Ginny laughed as well.
Hermione realized what they were talking about and blushed red. "Oh, well, I'm sure you'll...do...great."
"But it's Sunday. I mean, I know we wanted to get married on Valentine's Day, but we won't consummate our marriage until probably early tomorrow morning, depends on when we get to Paris. It's always been very unlucky to consummate a marriage on a Monday. Women aren't as fertile," Luna said sighing heavily.
Hermione tried to wrap her brain around what her friend just said. When she did, she said, "Well, you could always try again on Tuesday...?" she suggested.
"That's perfect, Hermione!" she shrieked and hugged her Maid of Honor. "Thank you!"
"Um, you're welcome, Luna," she said back confusedly but hugging her back.
Luna could be so strange sometimes. Strange, but loveable.
When they parted, Hermione said, "Okay, eat your sandwich and then we'll begin."
"Are you sure?" Ron asked his Best Man for the fiftieth time. It was four o'clock and Ron was getting a little nervous.
"Yes, Ron, I have the rings," Harry replied irritated and rolled his eyes.
"I'm so glad I'm not the Best Man," Draco said with a smile.
Harry glared at him, but he didn't notice. Instead, he was buttoning his shirt, getting ready. They all were.
"This wedding stuff is getting difficult!" Ron complained.
"Ron, have you ever thought about how hard this could be for her?" Harry asked his best friend. Ron just looked at him confused.
"What do you mean, mate?"
"Well, she's a woman. A female. She has more hair than you do, so she has to make sure it looks great for you. She has to get a dress and make sure it is the right length, the right color, right size. She has to make sure its beautiful enough. She has to get the right bouquet. She has to get the right bridesmaid dresses. She has to make sure they are the right color, size. She has to make sure people are coming. She has to make sure she has enough chairs. She has to get a ring for you. She has to make sure that you two have somewhere to go after the wedding for the honeymoon. And all you have to do is shower, comb your hair, put your tux on, get the ring and be there under the archway at six," he explained as he tucked in his oxford shirt into his trousers.
Ron paused after he said this. He thought about it and then said, "I'm going to rub her feet tonight then." That made all of the boys laugh.
At four-thirty, once Harry finished getting ready, he Apparated home, got in the SUV, and left to pick up the Grangers. Charlotte was wearing a nice beige dress with a matching jacket over it and beige high heels. Jacob was in a black suit with a red shirt and black tie. "Hello, Happy Valentine's Day!"
"Happy Valentine's Day!" they chanted back walking out to the car.
Jacob sat in the back and let his wife sit in the passenger seat.
"Well, you look dashing, Harry!" Charlotte gushed.
"Thank you, ma'am. You look beautiful, too, Mrs. Granger."
"Well, thank you. Have you seen Hermione in her dress yet?"
"No, not yet. I just came from the Lovegoods, which is where the men were getting ready. Hermione's over at the Burrow."
"Who is officiating the wedding again?"
"Oh, Ron's older brother Charlie. He went to the Ministry and got the license for it, so that it would be legal and all," he said with a smile.
"That's lovely," Charlotte said.
"Did you hear from the social worker, Harry?" Jacob asked from the backseat.
"Yes, actually she left us a message last night while we were at the rehearsal dinner," he replied. "Tuesday night, we are going unannounced to the Reeds' house and try to talk to them."
"Why are you going unannounced?"
"So that they would not have time hiding something. We could tell them that we were coming to visit and they could be out of here by Tuesday," Harry explained to them.
"Well, I think that's great, Harry. Is Hermione excited?"
"Yes, she's very excited."
When five thirty-five rolled around, the members of the wedding party, except for Ron and the two ushers, Seamus and Dean, were to be inside the house. Harry, Neville, Draco, George, and Bill were in the living room conversing quietly. That was when they heard many clicking of heels as five bridesmaids and a bride walked down the stairs. They all looked up and smiled. The first to come down was Ginny. Since it was Valentine's Day, the bridemaid dress was a simple red dress that went to the knees of each of the girls. It was strapless and made of silk and each had on a pair of red heels. Ginny walked over to Draco and kissed his lips.
Lavender walked down the stairs and met Neville as he was her escort. Angelina came down. Then Fleur. Then Luna came down, which caused Harry to be confused. Where was Hermione? Where was his escort? But, it turned out that she was behind Luna, carrying her train like a Maid of Honor was supposed to do.
It was true. Luna was very beautiful in her wedding dress. It was strapless and flared out in a sort of hoop skirt. She didn't want a veil, in case the Wrackspurts got into it and messed with her head. Her hair was up in a bun, but with some curls around her face. Yes, Luna was beautiful in her wedding dress.
But Harry had to say that Hermione was the jaw-dropper of them all. She was gorgeous in her red bridesmaid dress. Her hair was half-up, half-down. Like each of the bridesmaids, she had a gold leaf small tiara in her hair. Harry's jaw did drop when he saw her coming down the stairs.
She caught his eye and smiled at him, blushing at his reaction. When they got to the bottom, she guided Luna to a safe spot so that her train wouldn't be stepped on and then walked back to Harry. "You look so handsome, Harry."
"Thank you, you look..." He looked her over, not finding the perfect word for it. "...really..." How could he describe her? Beautiful was too weak of a word for what she looked like. "...breath-taking," was what breathed out of his mouth.
"Thanks," she blushed even more beet red. Then she thought of something. "Oh, did you get my parents?"
Harry widened his eyes playfully, pretending that he forgot. "Oh, my God." She gave him a look like she was about to scold him, but then realized he was just playing with her, so she lightly hit him. They both laughed. "Don't do that, Harry."
"Well, you should trust me that I would remember to pick up your parents. They are sitting in row five on the bride's side, so they'll be on your side," he told her.
"I'm a Maid of Honor, I'm supposed to check these things," was the last thing Hermione said before the wedding began.
"Places, everyone!" called Arthur who walked in with Xenophilius, who immediately walked to his daughter and talked to her. A few tears were shed, but it was quickly fixed with a flick of a wand.
Everyone got in place two-by-two, one behind the other. Harry and Hermione went first down the aisle. It would've been Georgiana, but...
Hermione was nervous as everyone was looking at her. She still felt that way when they were standing in front of everyone by the archway, Ron, and Charlie. She looked at Harry, who looked at her and gave her a smile, and the nervousness was gone.
They watched as Ginny and Draco walked after them. Then George and Angelina. Then Neville and Lavender. Then Bill and Fleur.
Suddenly, everyone stood up as Luna began to walk down the aisle with her father. Everyone gasped and gushed at how beautiful she looked. Harry looked at Ron and almost busted out laughing at him expression. His eyes were widened, his jaw dropped, but a smile soon replaced it.
They watched as Luna walked up to Ron, her father kissing her cheek and then took his place in the front row on the bride's side. There was an empty chair, Hermione noticed. Right next to Luna's father. A few seconds. It took her a few seconds to realize who it was for.
Luna's deceased mother.
Hermione almost teared up as she thought how thoughtful it was to put an empty chair for the late mother of the bride.
Mrs. Weasely started bawling as the wedding began.
"Dearly beloved..." Charlie began.
"Please welcome to the dancefloor for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasely!" There was an applause as Ron and Luna stepped into the tent and went to the dancefloor for their first dance as husband and wife. It was a sweet song that played. Hermione and Harry were seated with the Grangers.
The hair on the back of Hermione's neck sprang to attention as she felt Harry's breath by her ear. "They look happy married, don't they?"
She nodded agreeing with him. "Happiest I've seen them."
After Ron and Luna danced their first dance, next came the mother-son dance. So Ron grabbed Mrs. Weasely's hand and pulled her onto the dancefloor. Everyone kept giggling at how tall Ron was compared to Mrs. Weasely.
Soon, mothers and sons stood up and joined them on the dancefloor. Harry wished he had a mother to dance with. As if she heard him, Charlotte Granger stood up and walked around the table to him and took his hand. Hermione and Jacob chuckled and smiled as their wife/mother danced with Harry.
Next came the father-daughter dance. Everyone watched as Luna and Mr. Lovegood danced. Like the mother-son dance, fathers and daughters stood up to join them. That was where Harry's heart tugged. He could be out there dancing with Georgiana if the Reeds' hadn't taken her away.
Hermione didn't even need to look at Harry to know this was probably tearing him up. She looked at him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Then her father stood up and asked her to dance. Hermione looked at Harry to ask if he was okay and he just nodded, telling her to go dance with her father.
The wedding party was ushered to the dancefloor and was forced to dance. So, Harry took Hermione's hand and led her to the dancefloor with Ron, Luna, the bridemaids, and the groomsmen.
It was a fast song so they weren't that close, to their dismay.
Food was served so Ron ran to get in line first, but let his bride cut in front of him. Since they weren't that hungry, Harry filled a plate with food and he and Hermione shared it. Then, he went get each of them a butterbeer, alcoholic butterbeer, of course. Harry took his jacket off and untucked his shirt. Hermione took her heels off as they were hurting a bit. The ground was not snow, but was charmed to be a wooden floor.
Suddenly, a slow song began to play. It was a sweet tune, sung by an American, Hermione knew, but the name slipped her mind. She did know that she loved the song, so she dragged Harry to the dancefloor. "Come on, Harry, come dance with me! I love this song!" she cried as she pulled his arm trying to get him to come dance with her. He complied, but not after taking a long, finishing swig of his butterbeer. He followed her to the dancefloor and put his hands on her waist and she put hers around his neck. Many other couples were out there dancing, including Draco and Ginny, and Ron and Luna, of course.
You're better than the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your life
Cooler than the flip side of my pillow, that's right
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me,
Let's me know that it's ok, yeah it's ok
And the moments when my good times start to fade
You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile
Harry held her in his arms and it felt...right. This is where he wanted to be for the rest of his life. With Hermione. She laid her head on his shoulder and he pulled her more against him and swayed them around to the music.
Even when you're gone
Somehow you come along
Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that
You steal away the rain and just like that
You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile
Don't know how I lived without you
Cuz everytime that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile
The song ended and Hermione lifted her head to look at him and smiled. He smiled back. They had a small moment before a rap song began. Hermione could tell this party was very Muggle. They decided to join in with the other young adults like them who were grinding on the dancefloor, particularly Ginny and Draco. Harry was getting a reaction to her bottom rubbing up against his front and tried to hide it. He did not know if she noticed and if she did, she did not say anything.
They had a great time at the reception. For the bouquet toss, Hermione was the lucky one to catch it, while Harry caught the garter. Everyone laughed.
Tears were shed as Ron told his new bride that he had bought them a house. It was near the Burrow and the Lovegoods in Ottery St. Catchpole so they could stay close to their parents. Mrs. Weasely was pleased with that.
Everyone watched as Ron and Luna flew off on Ron's Firebolt, a gift from Luna, to the Lovegoods' house to pack.
Harry and Hermione helped pick up the place and then left in the SUV as they needed to drop off the Grangers at their house.
When the pair got home at around one, they told each other goodnight and went to bed, excited for maybe getting their daughter back on Tuesday.
The two fell asleep with thoughts of dancing in their heads. They both smiled.
You make me smile
TBC...
Well, there's chapter 8!
If you didn't read the A/N from before the chapter, I'll say it again. I know exactly where I want Harry and Hermione to get together. I know how I want to do it and where I want to put it. I just need to write it. Thank you for being semi-patient!
Smile by Uncle Kracker is actually one of my favorite songs. I first heard it at my prom. Fell in love with it. It is country tho, which is awesome. Haha. I thought it was the perfect song for them.
And I know that some ppl were saying that Ron and Luna would hold off the wedding for Georgiana, but I just had to get this in.
5,000 words! 5,000 words! 5,000 words! Sorry about this but if its close to a bigger number, I have to write as much as I can to get it to it. It's an OCD thing. Haha.
Next chapter: a meeting with the Reeds. THE BIG CHAPTER!
Anyway, pleez review!
DREWHHR