Disclaimer all characters, settings, etc, are the copyright of JK Rowling and Bloomsbury Publishing

A/N Sorry for the delay, but I was having some trouble with uploading to the site.

The return

Chapter 12

The Big Day

Harry walked out of the kitchen door and took a walk around the garden, the late summer flowers were just opening to the morning sunlight, the scent of their blooms spreading slowly through the garden, and Harry thought how calm and peaceful it all was. He conjured a small bench then sat down watching the early morning sun as it rose in the sky bathing the flowers in its warmth, he sighed and said quietly to himself

"Today is going to be perfect, I am going to marry the love of my life and I am going to have a very beautiful wife, I also now have family of my very own, what more could a guy ask for."

"Not a lot Harry, not a lot," it was Arthur speaking as he joined Harry in the garden "I felt the same way when I was about to marry Molly."

Harry moved over on the bench to give his surrogate father room to sit, they sat watching the sun for quite a while before Arthur spoke again, he was blushing slightly as he gave a small cough, "Molly and I have felt that you were one of our family for a long time now Harry, we both love you as a son, you deserve some happiness in your life for a change," he patted Harry on the shoulder then got up leaving Harry to enjoy the sun rise, and went into the house.

A few minutes later Harry heard a familiar voice, "What you thinking Harry?" Hermione sat down next to him; Harry took hold of her hand.

"I was just thinking wouldn't it be nice if everyone could be as happy as I am. I'm about to marry the most beautiful woman on the planet, add a new member to the family I just discovered, and be surrounded by the best friends a man could ask for, I have a grandmother and an ancestor now, all that, and even the sun has decided to come and be a guest."

"Oh Harry, I do love you so much," Hermione said resting her head against his shoulder.

Harry gently slipped his arm around her shoulders, they sat there like that for a long time, just enjoying being together, until Molly called them in for breakfast.

The Grangers arrived with Winky, both Helen and Hermione's dad Richard were excited about the wedding of their only child, Helen was having a hard time sitting still for more than a few minutes at a time.

Minerva arrived with Dobby just after the last of the Weasley's and Grangers had finished breakfast. As Molly was welcoming them, Hermione came into the kitchen a look of exasperation on her face; she waved the morning paper and said

"Molly I think we may have a problem", she passed the paper to Molly.

Molly gasped as she read the headline "Oh dear this could be a problem." She said in a whisper.

Minerva gave her a look that asked what the problem was; the rest of the family joined them to find out what was going on.

"Read it out dear," Arthur told her as she read the rest of the article.

"Alright then," she said, then cleared her throat before going on. "The Ministry has declared today a wizarding world holiday, due to Mr Harry Potter getting married to a Miss Hermione Granger. The minister says that such an auspicious day should be celebrated by all. Harry Potter, saviour of the wizarding world, does not after all get married every day. It goes on to tell everything the time the place, they even know Hermione has a Muggle dress how on earth did they find all this out."

"I'll bet it was that skeeter woman, I should have had her locked up," Hermione said.

"What ever will we do, Arthur?" Molly asked she looked around as if hoping to find the answer in front of her.

"We will carry on as normal," Merlin who had just arrived said, in what could have been a good imitation of Dumbledore, he stepped forward "Harry and I will use our magic to prevent any intrusions."

Guests started to arrive at around eleven, and at about the same time strangers started to arrive as well all hoping to be able to join in the wedding of the century.

Merlin was sitting on the small wall that surrounded the Weasley garden watching as guests and gate crashers began to arrive in large numbers; he called Harry, Ron and Arthur over to him.

"Arthur do you have a list of those who have been invited?" he asked as he looked around at the large crowd that now stood around the Burrow.

"I think Molly and Hermione will have one. Of course there may be one or two people who are not on the list but would be welcome should they turn up," Arthur answered also looking at the crowd.

"Right, Ron get everyone who should be here, within the garden walls. Harry if you will join me in the house for a moment," Merlin stood and strode toward the house, Harry following behind.

Ron started to round up the guests and made sure they were within the garden wall, helped by Arthur Fred and George.

Molly and Hermione followed Merlin and Harry into the house. Molly handed Hermione's list of those expected to attend, then asked what it was wanted for.

"Its all very simple, Harry and I will look at the list then we will use our combined magic to prevent anyone not entitled to be here from entering within a hundred yards of the Weasley property boundary. As that covers the field and paddock it means that intruders will be somewhere around five hundred yards away from the house, they will not be able to disturb us in any way."

Merlin whispered the small incantation and the series of thoughts they were to use to create a ring around the entire place to Harry.

Harry and Merlin studied the list. Harry having been told to add anyone he thought may have been missed off the list could think of no one, then Merlin sent Harry to the front door and he went to the back door.

On Merlin's signal Harry held out his arms, palms facing the horizon he began to recite some strange words, in an ancient language that had been thought long forgotten. Gradually a faint green glow began to arc from his hands, getting stronger and stronger moving further and further away from him in a perfect semi circle. Those who were uninvited began to be slowly forced back toward the boundary; the faint green glow had formed a perfect half bubble that was joined by a similar half bubble created by Merlin.

When the two halves fully intertwined, Harry lowered his hands. The green glow gradually faded to leave no trace, the only sign that it had ever happened was the rebounding of the uninvited when ever they tried to pass the line where it had been set.

The entire Weasley clan stood and marvelled at Harry's new power, someone said that Hagrid was approaching and every one turned to see what would happen. Harry watched as his huge friend walked up the path that led from the village, he reached the new formed boundary closely followed by some witches intent on getting to the ceremony.

Hagrid walked through as though there was nothing there while the witches stopped dead as though they had walked into a wall.

Harry stood looking at his hands, he was having just a little trouble believing what he had just done, with a few strange words he and Merlin had made the Burrow into a virtual fortress.

'I could have done with this when we were fighting the death eaters' he thought. The wedding was to be at two pm, the usual time for a wedding in the world in which they lived.

At twelve thirty Harry noticed that Hermione and all the other women involved in the ceremony were not to be seen anywhere, when he asked his great grandmother where they were, he was told that they had gone to get dressed.

Just then Arthur and Ron appeared and told him it was time for him to get ready, "You don't want to be late now do you?" Arthur said.

Harry began to protest "How long can it take to have a shower, shave and get dressed?"

"Listen mate you will thank us for this later, so come on and no more fuss," Ron told him.

Harry was trying to fasten his tie when he looked through the window and saw someone jumping up and down and waving frantically toward the Burrow.

"Ron, are you there?" he called out, the sound of footsteps let Harry know that Ron had been standing close at hand.

Ron had felt sure that Harry would have the same trouble that he had with his collar, so he had sat down on the top of the stairs to wait for just this moment.

Harry pointed through the window as Ron entered the room.

"What do you make of that Ron?" he said as he tightened his tie for the fifth time.

Ron looked to where Harry had pointed.

"Oh bloody hell," he said as he rushed from the room and down the stairs taking them two at a time, rushing into the kitchen Ron grabbed his father and dragged him outside.

"Ron, what the heck are you up to?" Arthur shouted as they entered the garden.

Ron pointed down the path "we forgot about the Druid, without the priest there can be no wedding."

Arthur looked to see where Ron was pointing and there going frantic waving his arms about trying to attract some attention was the old Druid wizard that had married Ron and Luna.

He was unable to pass the barrier because no one had thought to include him on the list of guests; along side him stood another surprise.

Petunia and Vernon Dursley and what looked like a Muggle policeman, all were trying to get in as well.

Arthur called Merlin over and pointed out the problem. With a wave of his hand the three of them were allowed to pass through the barrier along with the priest. Ron told Merlin who the two were and pointed out that the man with them was a law enforcement officer of the Muggle world, he then rushed back into the house to let those inside know who had arrived.

"Goodness Arthur, are all the weddings in your family so blooming crazy? Last time it was ghosts this time its blooming barriers," the old wizard was a little irate to say the least as he ranted at Arthur for keeping him locked out beyond the boundary.

Arthur apologised and offered the old wizard a glass of best mead, which went a long way to placating him.

The policeman who was accompanying Petunia and Vernon, asked to see Harry, just as Harry walked from the house, Ron beckoned him over.

"This polish man wants a word Harry," Ron said, then he turned to the policeman and told him "you have just five minutes because we have a wedding here shortly, and Harry is the groom."

Ron nodded to his father, who stood within earshot of Harry his wand at the ready they just did not have time for the muggle law breakers.

"We have had a complaint against these two sir, in regard to child cruelty. They claim that the allegations are untrue and that as their nephew and the supposed victim you will speak up for them. Allowing them to approach the alleged victim is rather unusual but we have been unable to find you, Mrs Dursleys informed us she could lead us to you and so…"

Ron nodded in the direction of Arthur and an unnoticed small flash of light hit the policeman in his chest, Ron and Bill picked up the paralyzed man and took him into the kitchen where they sat him in Arthur's chair.

"Sorry about that Harry, but I don't think now is the time for him to be asking questions," Arthur said as he returned to talking about the details of the ceremony with the old wizard.

Harry looked at his aunt and uncle who both stood there looking terrified by being surrounded by magical freaks, "Well as you will have gathered from Ron's statement, I am just about to be married, as family you can to stay, keep your mouths shut and we will discuss this after." Harry left them standing there and joined Merlin, who had decided that now would be a good time to say hello to his descendant.

"Would you introduce me to your aunt please Harry?" he asked as he approached the Dursley's.

"Aunt Petunia uncle Vernon this is my Great, great, oh however many greats grandfather Merlin, he would like a word with you," Harry said, then he walked away to watch from across the garden, he was joined by most of the Weasley men all eager to see the reaction of Vernon as the great Merlin gave them the news.

Petunia's face went whiter than it normally was and Vernon turned a nice shade of purple, "That's preposterous," spluttered Vernon spitting as he did so and slowly turning a shade of green as he saw the truth dawn on his wife's face.

"No I can assure you it is quite true, Minerva McGonagall is your grandmother Petunia, if you look closely you will see the similarities between her and your own mother," Merlin said

Petunia looked over at Minerva, she realised that Merlin was telling the truth the old woman who had been to visit them and claimed to be her grandmother stood and watched with a scowl on her face and Petunia almost fainted as she realised that the woman who claimed to be her grandmother actually was her grandmother and it was her who had carried out her threat.

Not wanting the whale of a man to cause any problems Arthur silenced then led the Dursley's to chairs at the back of the paddock where every thing was set up just like the inside of a church; they sat without being able to say another word. At two pm all the guests had arrived and were all sat in the rows of seats waiting for the music to begin.

Harry and Ron, stood at the front, behind and on their right sat Minerva along with Merlin, Hagrid, Remus, Tonks, Neville and Ginny, just behind them sat Dobby, Hugh and Mya, along with several of Harry's old friends from school. Behind them were the remaining members of the order of the phoenix, Harry looked over his shoulder at the gathered crowd and was surprised at just how many people were there.

Two minutes later music began to play and the women led by Luna, walked slowly up the aisle. Richard with Hermione on his arm was followed closely by Fleur and Gabriel, then two of Hermione's oldest school friends Parvati and Lavender.

Harry watched as they made their way toward him, he could think of no words that would describe the beauty of his bride; he just stood and stared in wonder. The Muggle dress was a perfect fit, the silver beads glistened brightly in the August sunlight giving Hermione the appearance of an angel fresh from heaven, her chestnut hair glistened too, making the whole effect stunning.

Harry suddenly realised his mouth was hanging open but seemed unable to shut it.

"Ron, I knew Hermione was the most beautiful woman alive, but now she has a beauty that beats the angels," he said as she neared him.

The old wizard suddenly appeared in front of them, just as he did at all the weddings, this time he too said how beautiful the bride was looking.

All the guests watched a spectacle they had only ever read about, in the story of when Paris had married Helen of Troy, it was seen by them all. Harry took Hermione's hand, and as he did so his aura started to glow, it was bright enough for all to see the amber glow surrounded him, then Hermione's aura also began to glow, it was a bright but pale pink.

As they said their vows the two separate auras began to mingle, and as Harry said I do the auras became as one, turning into a magnificent golden colour that grew brighter and brighter till it was so bright the old wizard had to cover his eyes and step back.

Helen was sitting with Richard, who looked full of pride at his daughter, and Helen cried tears of joy, her little girl had become a woman in love. Everyone stared in awe as they kissed and the aura spread out and surrounded everyone for several minutes. Nothing like this had ever been seen before in living memory, everyone there suddenly felt happy, elated even.

Merlin smiled this is what he had been waiting for; this is what he had wanted to see. Even the people who stood at the barrier could see the auras and a chorus of ooh's and ah's echoed around the Burrow boundary.

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