Chapter Thirty Two
Author's Note: Sorry, guys, I still haven't kicked this writer's block. I was hoping to have this chapter written a long time ago, but couldn't seem to get what I wanted down on paper. Thanks to all who are still reading. I can't believe that I've surpassed the 100,000 word mark [if you count my two one-offs connected to this story]. It is quite shocking to me that people are still reading this – Thanks so much to those who are! Not Mine – as always
"Ginny…I can't believe it's your wedding already," Hermione sighed, holding up her hair in order for Angelina to zip up the back of her vibrant blue bridesmaid dress. "It seems too soon, doesn't it?" She smiled as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, having to admit that she liked the way she looked in the dress. The gown that had been ordered in her correct sized and tailored to fit her body was far more flattering than the shop's sample that she had secured to her body with the makeshift solution of large plastic clasps.
"I know," Ginny giggled, carefully wrestling her substantial wedding gown over her already styled hair. "I still don't think I have every detail under control…oh well, though," She added good-naturedly. "Er….can one of you girls give me a hand?" All of Ginny's bridesmaids – Hermione, Angelina, Lavender, and Luna – immediately sprang to action to assist the bride. Together they managed to get Ginny's dress on her without too much disarray to her neatly styled, vibrant red locks.
"Ginny…you look incredible," Hermione marveled, smoothing a portion of Ginny's hair over her friend's shoulder after she finished hinging the last of the many, many tiny buttons that extended up the back of Ginny's dress. She stepped back to get a better look at the sight of her friend in the impressive gown. The other bridesmaids all echoed the sentiment. They were right: Ginny looked divine. She hadn't tried on many dresses and evidently needn't have, as the one she had easily settled on fit her perfectly and matched her easygoing demeanor remarkably well. The strapless bodice was tight; made up of overlapping strips of fabric that served to highlight the tiny waist of Ginny's slim, but curvy figure. The gown's true interest was found in the skirt, which was so intricate it almost surpassed description. The full skirt boasted mismatched waves that swooped around Ginny's lower body in a haphazard yet startling appealing manner. One might have thought that the mass expanse skirt would have overpowered the petite girl, but the ivory, lightweight fabric instead created a dreamlike image that gave her an ethereal like quality. The dress was different enough from most wedding dresses to fit Ginny's own uniqueness, but was still traditional enough to appease the more old-fashioned side of her and to please her mother.
Ginny's long red hair was worn in large, bouncy, silky smooth ringlets over her shoulders. A small portion of the top of her hair was pulled back in a slight bouffant, creating a platform where Molly's antique veil sat. The veil was held in place by an ornate barrette that was shaped in a gothic pattern. The aged lace fell over Ginny's shoulders, reaching down just past her fingers. While the fabric of the veil didn't match the fabric of the dress, it didn't matter as the overall effect was marvelous.
"You girls look amazing too," Ginny gushed. Lavender had clearly made a wise decision in the dress boutique in selecting the simple blue number, as it looked suited to each of the bridesmaids. Somehow the colour managed to flatter all of them, from Luna's pale, almost translucent, skin to Angelina's much deeper, chocolate brown skin tone. Hermione was impressed that the basic, strapless style was uncomplicated enough to compliment each of the different figures of the girls: the angularly tiny Luna, tall, athletic Angelina, and the curvier Lavender.
"You ready for this?" Hermione asked with an easygoing yet supportive chuckle.
"You're asking me that now?" Ginny laughed heartily. "Right before the ceremony?" She asked, glancing at the large clock above the fireplace in the Weasley's living room, which indicated that the girls would be expected outside in any moment.
"Well…Harry would understand," Hermione lamely concluded.
"I don't know if everyone else would though," Lavender pointed out. "Witches' Weekly has already set up several photographers to get pictures of us…well…you…from every angle coming down the aisle."
"Well…I'm quite convinced that this is what I want," Ginny answered, flippantly yet with determination.
"That's very reassuring, Lav," Angelina nervously giggled at the same time, leaning over Luna in order to readjust her hair in front of the circular mirror that had been set up in the centre of the room. Angelina had teased her curls into an even larger mass than normal so that they surrounded her head in an impressive halo. Hermione – who had always been particularly self-conscious about her own relatively bushy hair – felt a ting of envy at the older girl's confidence to adopt such a statement hairstyle. Somehow the showy style managed to perfectly suit Angelina's outgoing personality.
"Not that that should intimidate anyone," Lavender added, applying yet another layer of pale pink lip gloss. "The pictures will look best if you're natural and relaxed," She mentioned authoritatively.
"You look really pretty Angelina," Luna stated in her airy voice as she absent-mindedly continued to brush her spun gold hair smooth.
"Thanks Luna," Angelina laughed, backing away from the mirror. "So when are they expecting us out there, Gin?"
"Er, I guess my dad will come get us when it's time," Ginny shrugged. She had claimed a spot on the smaller of the Weasley's couches. Her large skirt was almost entirely swallowing her up, taking up most of the couch. As if on cue, Mr. Weasley yelled through the door:
"Ginny! Girls! Everyone decent? May I come in?"
"Yup, we're good, Dad," Ginny shouted back, the excitement in her voice undeniable. Hermione glanced at the circular mirror and gave one last pat down of her straightened hair, ensuring that it fell uniformly over her shoulders and down her back. Angelina had done her makeup, giving her subtly painted eyes and lips that were appropriate for the afternoon ceremony. She slid on her beige pumps and picked up her small bouquet of purple, pink, and blue flowers that Ginny had chosen for all of her bridesmaids.
After getting into the proper order, the bridesmaids filed out of the Burrow and into the bright afternoon day. The warm humidity was a far cry from the cold spell that London had experienced over the winter months and the welcoming weather was ideal for an outdoor wedding. Hermione walked carefully across the thick grass of the Burrow's back yard, following behind Luna. She didn't have to look back to know that Ginny and Mr. Weasley were close behind. Fortunately for the couple of the hour, the day was clear and the sun was shining and there was no reason to set up the tents from Harry and Ginny's engagement party. Hermione drew in her breath at the sight of the Weasley's back yard; it had been decorated in a spectacular fashion. She knew that Mrs. Weasley and Ginny's brothers had been working hard on the preparations for some time, but was still taken aback when she saw the beauty of the yard.
The normally bare yard was covered by rows and rows upon rows of benches for Harry and Ginny's guests. Lavender had evidently been correct: it was clearly a very popular and well attended event. As Hermione sashayed down the aisle, she saw countless faces of former classmates, past professors, casual acquaintances, well-known wizards and witches in the magical community, and people who she was completely unable to place. All were clad in their finest wear. Many of the wizards were wearing fancy, traditional robes and a fair number of the witches, particularly the older ones, had on oversized, heavily adorned hats and complicated fascinators. The benches, themselves, were covered in overlapping ribbons and lace strips in Harry and Ginny's wedding colours: blue, purple, and pink. While the tents weren't utilized, a canopy had been created over the ceremony. A mass of blue, purple, pink, and white flowers of innumerable varieties were suspended above head, with occasional white lights punctuating the floral roof. Sprinklings of the same sorts of flowers peppered the grassy aisle created by a large gap in the centre of the benches. The use of the flowers gave the yard a dreamscape sense and as Hermione continued down the aisle, she felt as if she was walking through another type of world altogether.
A raised platform stood in the middle of the yard. Upon it sat a white, latticed archway that was also covered in the mixture of blue, purple, and pink flowers. Harry and his groomsmen were already waiting on the platform as Ginny's wedding party made their way down the aisle. Hermione instinctively broke into a large grin at the sight of Harry, standing proudly and smiling widely as he awaited his bride. Having opted against the traditional robes many wizard grooms wore, Harry cut a striking figure in his charcoal grey suit. His three piece suit fit him snugly and the vibrant blue tie – from the same colour of fabric as the bridesmaids' dresses – nicely accentuated his emerald green eyes, which shone brilliantly, even through his ever-present round glasses. Beside him, Ron stood with a large, delighted grin lighting up his face. Hermione quickly glanced passed the other groomsmen, Neville and Fred, to find George with her eyes. Even though he was wearing the same outfit as the other groomsmen, Hermione couldn't help but think that he looked much more handsome. He had evidently tried to tame is shaggy red hair, but it still managed to hang over his ears and across his forehead in a casually laidback way. His crooked smile was particularly marked with pride, and Hermione could tell quite plainly that he was overjoyed for his beloved little sister.
Hermione took her position aside Luna as Mr. Weasley planted a quick kiss on Ginny's forehead and assisted her onto the platform. Hermione's already significant smile grew a little wider as Harry and Ginny took a hold of each other's hands and faced each other in front of all of their friends, family, and acquaintances. Percy – the Ministry representative who the couple had asked to conduct their ceremony – cleared his throat and addressed the mass of guests.
"Good day. Thanks to all who are here today" – Percy announced with a particular formality annunciated in his tone – "We're here to celebrate the wedding of Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley," As he spoke his little sister's name, Hermione thought that perhaps she heard Percy's voice break in an uncharacteristic demonstration of emotion. However, he easily retained his professional tone when he switched to Latin: the language used in most marital ceremonies in the magical community.
"Amor hodie nos congregavit," Percy said loudly and authoritatively. As Percy lead Harry and Ginny through their vows, Hermione quickly reached for the tissue she had cleverly remembered to stow in her boutique, knowing that she'd need it.
"I, Harry James Potter sume tibi semper et semper in amore," Harry repeated after Percy, a large smile alighting his face as he carefully slid the wedding band on Ginny's finger.
"I, Ginevra Molly Weasley sume tibi semper et semper in amore," Ginny echoed as she did the same. Hermione brushed away tears from the corners of both eyes she knew no one in the crowd would notice her action; all eyes were on the couple. As per Percy's instruction, Harry and Ginny clasped right hands. Percy gently tapped their joined hands with the end of his wand. Slowly, a tiny gold thread grew out of the tip of his wand. It deliberately snaked around Harry and Ginny's hands. As it grew in length, the thread started to surround all of Harry and Ginny, creating a golden sheen around the couple.
"Ego nunc te, sponsus et sponsa, sponsus et sponsa," Percy shouted loudly and slowly to the edges of the Burrow's yard. "Sit vita vestra dilectio pervadant," He raised both his hands above his hand and then quickly lowered his wand. The golden thread surrounding Harry and Ginny instantaneously exploded, creating a large golden cloud that emanated out from the centre of the platform. The cloud turned into a dust and sprinkled to the ground and the large crowd of people burst into wild cheers and deafening applause. Hermione surprised herself by whooping loudly for her friends as she did her best to clap while continuing to hold onto her bouquet. Her face, she knew, were stained with tears and her smile was so wide it felt as if her cheeks might crack. She glanced at Harry and Ginny and immediately reached, yet again, for her well-used tissue. The sheer level of joy and pride on the faces of two of her best friends was almost more than she could handle. Her eyes left the couple and she surveyed the crowd. All were on their feet, cheering and clapping for the couple. Hermione saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Both looked incredibly proud and Mrs. Weasley had tears streaming down her face. Minerva McGonagall was next to the Weasleys. The normally sever Hogwarts Headmistress was smiling brightly and clapping enthusiastically along with everyone else. Hermione's line of vision continued through the crowd of celebratory attendees until she eventually landed on George, who was standing on the other side of the platform from her. George was cheering and whistling louder than anyone. His face was aglow with pride and delight for his little sister. Hermione sighed contently at the sight of George. Everything about him – from his undeniable happiness for his sibling, to his rumbled red hair, to his crooked smile – brought her joy.
Author's note: Thanks again for reading and so, so sorry for the really slow update times. I think there will be two more chapters and then a couple of epilogues left. Please leave a comment if you'd like to make me feel very, very happy! – SJ