The Wedding.
I stood beside the priest and George, heart pounding. Today was the day – I was marrying Hermione Granger.
"Ready?" asked George, noticing my fidgeting. I nodded tersely. George snickered, apparently not convinced. A few more minutes past and I looked out over the family and friends gathered to watch my happily ever after. Mum and Dad were in the front with Bill, Fleur, Charlie and his latest fling, Percy, Harry and, much to my surprise, Ron. I glanced to George with raised eye brows. He looked to where I had been a moment ago and shrugged. So he had no idea either.
"Mr Weasley, we are about to begin." Murmured the priest. I straightened my tie and looked down the aisle. Ginny stood there in an emerald dress. Slowly she made her way down to stand across from George. She grinned at me before turning to face the aisle.
And there she was. Hermione Granger, my wife-to-be. She had her hair pulled back into a bun with loose bits of fringe framing her face. Her make-up was light, almost impossible to notice. I only knew because the freckle below her left eye was hidden. She smiled at me, before allowing her father to walk her down the aisle. Her dress was white with hints of silver. It was tight around her torso, making her curves look even more perfect than they already were. It then became layered tulle and satin flowing down to the floor. She looked perfect.
Finally Hermione stood beside him, her father retreating to his seat beside her mother.
"Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Began the priest. I held my breath – would someone interrupt? There was a pause and I suspect everyone noticed the tension rolling off my shoulders. The priest continued: "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"We do." Mr and Mrs Granger replied. I smiled to them and they nodded in return. I sensed they still weren't pleased with how I had first told Hermione I loved her.
"Now, we have the vows to be spoken. Mr Weasley, if you will." I nodded and turned my body to facing Hermione totally. She looked up at me and I held her hands.
"I, Fredrick Weasley, take you, Hermione Granger, to my lawfully wedded wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, in joy as well as sorrow." Hermione smiled at me, her eyes filled with tears.
"Miss Granger, if you will." Hermione cleared her throat and blinked away her tears.
"I, Hermione Granger, take you, Fredrick Weasley, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you with your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I spend my life with." I couldn't help but gently kiss Hermione's cheek. The words she chose were so perfect that it made me love her even more.
"May I have the rings?" the priest continued. Ginny and George present the rings to him and again, he went on. "Mr Weasley, do you promise love Miss Granger unconditionally, to support her in her goals, to honour and respect her, to laugh with her and cry with her and to cherish her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," I gently slid the thin gold band next to the engagement ring I'd given Hermione not long after her interrupted wedding. The priest repeated the question to Hermione (exchanging the names of course.)
"I do," she responded. She slid a similar gold band onto the fourth finger on my left hand.
"With the previous promises made and withstanding in the exchange of rings, I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Fredrick Weasley. Mr Weasley, you may kiss the bride." The priest stepped back as I pulled Hermione closer to me. I looked into her eyes a moment longer before kissing her. My hands were on her hips, the satin tight beneath my hands. Her hands snaked into my hair and she pressed close. I regrettably pulled away before standing behind Hermione, my arms wrapped around her.
We looked out over our family and friends, both of us smiling widely. Our parents rushed up to us, followed by my siblings and Harry and in that moment I knew I had made the right choice by interrupting her wedding.
"I love you," I murmured in her ear. She leaned back against me as she whispered:
"I love you too."