Chapter Nine - Double Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were happy to have Harry stay with them for the two weeks between the end of school and the wedding. They had all agreed that it would be nicer for him and Ginny if they could move in to the cottage together for the first time after the wedding. Harry and Ron were kept busy working around the Burrow, and Kreacher was recruited to help out too. They had managed to keep the guest list relatively small, considering how much interest there was in the media about Harry Potter getting married.

While Harry and Ron were working on the mundane tasks that go into a wedding, the girls were often away, busy with things like dress fittings, going the seemingly endless wedding appointments as they took care of all of the little wedding details, and generally being the centre of attention as they should be. There was a Witches – and one Muggle Mum - only party, and a guys only night out on the Saturday before the wedding. The day before the wedding, Harry and Ginny gathered up Ron and Hermione, and their Mums and Dads out in the garden at the Burrow.

"We want to take you all for a little trip this morning," Ginny told them. Ron, Hermione, and her parents all looked curious. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were in on the surprise, and were smiling excitedly. "We'll need to apparate to where we're going, so Harry can take Hermione, Ron can come with me, and the parents can pair up," she added.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked as she looked around after they'd arrived at their destination. They had appeared at the end of a short lane that led to a very nice looking, brand-new two level house. There were flowers and bushes on each side of the lane, and the large lawn was beautifully cared for.

"We're just outside of Chudley," Ginny told her, "standing in front of your new home." Hermione stared at her, for one of the rare times since they'd known her, unable to speak. Ron looked at Harry, who nodded, enjoying his friend's surprise and happiness. Mrs. Weasley took Hermione's arm, and tugged her toward the house.

"Shall we go take a look around, dear?" she suggested, and Hermione could only manage to nod, and get her feet moving to go along with her mother-in-law to be. They all went inside the house, and the girls proceeded to conduct a thorough tour. Harry led the men into the sitting room and, having prepared for Ron's reaction, poured them all drinks from the bottle he had brought over earlier.

"Congratulations, Ron. You're marrying a great girl, and getting a second terrific family. I know you'll be very happy together!" They all drank to the toast.

"Thanks, mate," Ron told him, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You guys are the best friends anyone could ever have." Ron gave his father a long hug then, and Harry smiled.

"We think you and Hermione are pretty special too. Your Mum and Dad did a lot of the work, and all of the furniture and decorating to get this place ready, so they deserve most of the credit for getting the place looking so great." When the girls rejoined the guys downstairs, Hermione hugged all four of her favourite Wizards.

"You are all so great to do this for us," she told them. "Thank-you so much!"

While Hermione would have liked to spend more time at their new house, they had to head back to the Burrow instead. The girls had things to do all day, and the boys were put to work again. It was already late in the evening when Harry and Ginny finally found a few minutes to share together, and they snuggled on a sofa in the sitting room.

"I thought the wedding would never get here," Ginny told him, sounding exhausted.

"I know what you mean," Harry agreed. "We've hardly had any time together since school ended, we've both been kept so busy all of the time." He pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. Ginny sighed.

"Well, we can catch up again starting tomorrow night," she said, looked up at him with a soft, happy smile, and he leaned down for a tender kiss. Even though they were both really tired, things might have gotten more interesting, but right then they were interrupted.

"That's enough of that you two," Hermione ordered, coming in to the room. "Come on Ginny, it's almost midnight and the groom isn't supposed to see you until you walk down the aisle now. She pulled Ginny to her feet, who looked a little disgruntled about being interrupted.

"What time is it?" she asked Hermione.

"Ten minutes to twelve," her friend answered, and Ginny pulled away from her.

"Then go say goodnight to your own fiancée, and I'll see you upstairs in nine minutes and forty-five seconds, give or take a few seconds," she told Hermione. Harry and Hermione had both laughed. He had been getting up from the sofa too, but she pushed him back down firmly, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes as Hermione gave in and went to go say goodnight to Ron. "You're not going anywhere until I'm finished with you, Mr. Potter," she told Harry, and proceeded to snog him senseless before heading upstairs with just a few seconds to spare.

Harry woke up the morning of the wedding, and headed off to have a shower. When he was ready, he went downstairs to the kitchen. Mr. Weasley was there with Mr. Granger, cooking up breakfast.

"The girls have already vacated the premises for Bill and Fleur's house," he said, answering Harry's unspoken question. "They'll be getting ready there while we're responsible for making sure everything is ready here before getting cleaned up and dressed for the wedding ourselves."

Ron wandered into the kitchen shortly after Harry, and they dug in to breakfast before getting to work taking care of all of the last minute wedding preparations. That included setting up tables in the garden for the dinner, rows of chairs for the ceremony itself, and an area next to the tables for dancing later on in the evening. Ron and Harry were sent off first to go start getting ready, while the rest of the guys who had come over to help out finished up the work.

The guests began arriving about half an hour before the wedding was to start. Bill, Neville, Seamus, and Dean took care of ushering duties, and had everyone seated except for a few late-comers with time to spare. The officiating Wizard led Harry and Ron to the front of the rows of seats in the garden, and when they had finished seating the last of the guests, the four ushers joined the nervous grooms at the front to wait for the girls to arrive.

When the music began shortly after they'd reached the front, all of the wedding guests turned in their seats to look down the aisle. Harry watched as Parvati and Padma led off, with Fleur and Luna behind them. They were all lovely in matching gowns, and there were soft gasps and whispers that rippled through the garden as they began walking up the wide aisle.

Hopefully, the girls would be able to forgive Harry for not being any more observant about the style, colour, or accessories that they were wearing. Even though he was a guy, he did normally do a bit better than most guys did when it came to noticing those fashion details that went into making the girls look so beautiful, but when he saw his bride walking down the aisle, she had him completely and utterly captivated.

Ginny was wearing a gown of flowing white. He noticed lace and pearls, shimmering satin, and a veil that fluttered slightly in the gentle breeze. She was wearing her diamond necklace and earrings. Her hair was a flaming contrast to the pristine white, and she had it done up the same way she had for the Yule Ball, with it cascading over one shoulder. Her father walked slowly next to her, Ginny's had resting lightly on his arm. He knew that Hermione and Mr Granger were following Ginny and her father up the aisle, but Harry didn't see them at all as he focused his attention entirely on Ginny.

When she reached his side, she turned to hug and kiss her father, and then he smiled as he placed her hand in Harry's before turning to go and stand next to Mrs. Weasley in the front row. Hermione joined Ron at the front next, and the two couples stood side-by-side in front of the old Wizard who would be performing the ceremony. The bridesmaids and ushers fanned out around the couples. Harry was still focused on Ginny, and it took the old wizard clearing his throat a second time, and his hand being gently squeezed by Ginny to remind him to turn toward the front and pay attention.

"We have gathered today to bear witness to the joining together in marriage of Hermione Granger with Ronald Weasley, and Ginevra Weasley with Harry Potter," the Wizard announced. Harry heard sobs already beginning behind him. The next part was a blur to him as a litany on marriage was recited in a dull monotone. Another squeeze of his hand, and he brought his attention back as the Wizard began the vows.

"Do you Harry take Ginny to be your wife, to honour and cherish her all of your life?" he was asked.

"I do," Harry said clearly and confidently as he looked into Ginny's eyes, a bright smile on his face. The question was repeated to Ginny, and she returned his smile and squeezed his hand again.

"I do," she answered. It wasn't like Harry had been worried that she'd say no or anything, but his heart still leapt with joy at those two simple words. The process was repeated for Ron and Hermione, and then the old Wizard asked for the rings. With trembling hands, Harry took the ring from Neville, and turned to face his bride again.

"Ginny, I promise to spend every day of my life showing you how much I love you," he told her, somehow managing to sound calm, even as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him when he saw her eyes filling with happy tears. "With this ring, I pledge my heart and soul to you for all time." He placed the ring on her finger. Ginny smiled up at him happily, taking his hand in return.

"Harry, because of everything you've done for the Wizarding World, I know how much love you've given and have to give. Your loving me is the greatest joy in my life, and I pledge to you to love and cherish you all of my life." She slipped the ring on his finger, and they both had tears in their eyes now.

The Wizard repeated the exchange of rings with Hermione and Ron. Harry was pretty sure they said vows too, but he was again lost in Ginny's eyes until he was nudged once more to come back to attention. The old Wizard had another little speech that Harry missed, and then concluded the ceremony.

"Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, I now pronounce you husbands and wives," he told them with a smile. "You may kiss your respective brides." Harry lifted Ginny's veil. He tried for a short, dignified kiss in front of so many people, but Ginny put he arms around his neck, and when she released him, he wasn't sure if they'd kissed for a few seconds or hours. The old wizard stepped between the two newlywed couples, and Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione turned around to face the wedding guests.

"I have the pleasure and honour to present to you Harry and Ginny Potter, and Ron and Hermione Weasley," he announced to the Witches and Wizards he was facing. Everyone stood, clapping and cheering, and the two couples followed the old Wizard back down the aisle, Hermione and Ron right behind him, Ginny and Harry behind them, and the bridesmaids and ushers following them.

The ceremony was followed by a long photo session, with combinations of couples, family, and friends being put together for pictures. They laughed and joked together, and Harry was able to hear about the rest of the ceremony that he'd missed while being so focused on Ginny. Dinner followed, filled with flowery speeches, toasts, and the incessant cajoling of the guests to have the couples stand and kiss. Harry didn't normally mind kissing Ginny whenever possible, but for Merlin's sake, couldn't they at least let them eat a little food?

Eventually, the music started, and the two couples went out onto the dance floor to lead the first dance of the night. It was a perfect evening, and Harry held Ginny gently as they swirled around the dance floor. The Weasley and Granger parents joined in next, followed by the wedding party.

Harry and Ginny were out dancing most of the night. When he wasn't dancing with Ginny, Harry danced with Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, Fleur, Luna, Parvati and Padma Patil, Aunt Muriel, Nathalie, Penelope, and Marietta. There were others too, but it became a blur. Ginny danced with her father, brothers, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and others too. Finally, sometime after midnight, he was dancing with Ginny again, and it was the last dance of the night for them. He held her close as they swayed to the slow ballad.

"We'll get to escape soon," Ginny whispered, and Harry hugged her.

"Thank Merlin!" he answered emphatically. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted." She looked up at him with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"I hope you're not too tired," she told him pointedly. "I have plans for you tonight." Looking into those beautiful brown eyes, he smiled.

"I am, and always will be your humble servant, my lady," he assured her, and Ginny laughed and hugged him.

The final notes of the last song faded away, and the two newlywed couples began the lengthy process of thanking their guests, and saying goodbye to everyone. Eventually, they were ready to leave. The parents, and everyone in their wedding party went around to the other side of the house to see them off, and there was a long round of goodbye hugs and kisses. When they were finally ready to go, the two couple apparated from the Burrow, heading to their respective homes for the rest of the night.

Harry picked Ginny up in his arms, carried her through the door when they arrived at the Cottage, and upstairs to their bedroom. Kreacher had a cozy fire going, champagne on ice, and a small assortment of desserts prepared for them.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Potter," Harry told her softly, his arms around her waist still as he set her down.

"Thank-you, Mr. Potter," she said with a smile. "Is Kreacher here?" Harry shook his head.

"He's got the rest of the weekend off, and you know he prefers to stay at Grimmauld Place at night anyway." Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"That's good," she whispered against his lips. "I'm going to get changed now. No falling asleep before I get back."

Harry laughed. "I promise not to. I'll pour some champagne for you." Ginny nodded, and left the room. Harry fumbled a bit with the crystal glasses as he filled them. When Ginny came back, she had changed into a shimmering, short and clinging satin nightdress. When she saw Harry nearly drop the glasses he was holding, she laughed, and walked over to him. He handed her one of the glasses of champagne, and smiled at her nervously.

"To the love of my life," he said, tapping his glass against hers.

"To a lifetime of love," she added as she lifted her glass to take a sip. She took his glass from him then, walked over to the table, and put both glasses back on the tray next to the bottle of champagne.

"Would you like something to eat?" Harry asked her. She shook her head, taking a step toward him. "Are you warm enough? I can put more wood on the fire," he offered, swallowing hard as Ginny nodded in answer to the first question, taking a step, and shook her head to answer the second question, one last step bringing her right in front of him. She slipped her arms around his waist and looked into the sparkling green eyes that made her heart flip every time she looked into them.

"Take me to bed, Harry," she told him. "The only thing I need for the rest of the night is you." He returned her smile and gently picked her up. The satin of her gown was softer than he could have imagined, and her skin was even softer. He leaned over, laid her on the bed, and then lay down next to her, putting his arm around her waist. They had been looking into each other's eyes the whole time, and they both smiled.

"I'm pretty nervous, and a bit more than a little scared," Harry whispered to her. Ginny touched his face, sending shivers through him.

"I'm nervous too," she told him, "but I'm not scared." She moved her hand to his clothes, starting to undo buttons. "We'll learn about each other together," she said a little huskily, even as she continued to undo buttons. With that little mischievous smile that made Harry's stomach fill with butterflies, she added - "and if we practice enough, we'll probably get really good." Harry couldn't help but laugh before she pulled him forward for a mind-shattering kiss. He forgot all about his nerves as they shared that first intimate night together, wrapped in each other's arms.

Ginny opened her eyes to find bright sunlight streaming in from the windows. She felt wonderful - warm and secure with her head on Harry's chest, wrapped in his arms. She smiled to herself, snuggling against him. The first thought running through her head was that if she had known what she had been missing before last night, the danger Harry had been in before the war ended would have been nothing compared to the danger he would have been in from her. She laughed, and Harry opened his eyes. He saw Ginny's face glowing, her eyes sparkling in the late morning light, and smiled.

"There'd be a lot of broken-hearted Wizards in the world, if they knew what they were missing waking up to see you in the morning," he told her. "What's so funny?" Ginny hugged him close, kissing him.

"Just thinking about you and me, and what I would've done to you, if only I knew before last night what I know now." Harry laughed.

"That's a thought, but I'm glad we didn't or maybe it wouldn't have been so special." They kissed again. "Should we get up and go have some breakfast?" he asked her, then laughed when he looked at his watch. "I guess lunch might be more accurate," he added.

"Maybe in a while," Ginny answered. "I think we can come up with something better to do for a while, and we don't have to meet Ron and Hermione until this afternoon."

Harry ran his hand along her arm. "Why Mrs. Potter, are you suggesting that there's something you'd rather do than have breakfast with your husband?" Ginny pushed him on his back. Her fiery hair brushed his face as she looked into his eyes.

"Apparently Mr. Potter, I didn't make as good an impression on you last night as I thought, if you can't think of something better to do. I plan to rectify that immediately."

That afternoon, they were to meet at Ron and Hermione's house. They had decided to honeymoon together, and would be leaving from there to head for France - the first stop on the two-week tour of Europe they had planned. They had needed to shortened the trip from the summer-long adventured they'd originally talked about doing after Ron had signed with the Cannons, because he would be starting training camp immediately after their return.

To be on the safe side, Harry had sent a patronis message to warn the couple they would be there soon. Apparating to the end of the lane, and walking hand-in-hand to the door, Hermione met them there even before they had a chance to knock.

"Thanks for the warning, Harry, but we actually were out of bed already, you git," Ron called out to them from the sitting room. Harry and the girls all laughed as they joined him there.

"Noticed you didn't say anything there about being dressed, Ron," he answered, and Ron grinned at him as the girls continued to laughed at the boy's banter. Ron handed out the drinks he'd been pouring.

"Here's to two weeks of sun and fun - with an emphasis on fun!" he said. They drank to his toast, and sat down on the sofas.

Harry had thought he might feel awkward at first with his two best friends, but now he felt they'd just truly become two couples, and it didn't feel weird at all. The last year, with Ginny becoming a part of their little group, had obviously helped the transition from schoolmates to married couples. They talked for a while about the wedding, and everything they were going to be doing over the next couple of weeks as they had their drinks. He and Ginny had been there for three-quarters of an hour when Harry suggested that they get going.

"Are we ready to head out?" he asked them. "If we get going soon, we'll have time to see a bit of Paris before getting to the restaurant where we have our dinner reservations." They all agreed, and were shortly on their way to Paris.

With all of the work they'd been loaded down with at school, and then two busy weeks getting ready for the wedding, the next two weeks were going to the first chance the two couples had to just get away from everything and have some fun. Ron would be starting his Quidditch career when they got back, and Harry, Ginny, and Hermione would have to decide what they were going to do with their post-Hogwarts lives, but for now, they were all content to go enjoy their honeymoon and those first happy weeks together.