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

The return

Chapter 14

End of the Big Day

Harry and Hermione's lips parted slightly to look into each others eyes, their lips tingling; neither had ever had such a wonderful kiss. Harry looked into Hermione's eyes and he knew that their souls and magic had connected as well as their hearts and that their lives had now changed for ever.

Together they looked at the old wizard, and then at the people sitting looking extremely happy, they all seemed to be in a sort of trance.

Harry and Hermione had seen nothing of the glowing auras; they had only seen each other, their love had enveloped them completely.

"Well Mrs Potter, are you happy?" Harry asked his new wife.

Hermione beamed at him, she was so happy she could barely think, "I have waited for this day since I first saw you on that first trip to Hogwarts Mr Potter, happy does not come close to describing how I feel."

Harry looked around at his best man, that's when they noticed that no one had moved while they spoke. "Ron, Ron mate are you ok?" he asked tapping the red head on the shoulder.

Ron shook himself as though he had been daydreaming, "Bloody hell Harry, what did you two do?" he asked a look of pleasure on his face.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other then back at Ron, the rest of the people were now beginning to stir in the same way that Ron had done.

Ron told them about the glow that had spread out from them to every one of the guests. "When it reached me I was suddenly so happy, I remembered every happy moment of my life," Ron told them.

"Me too, I even remembered things from when I was a toddler," Luna said smiling

Every one there at the Burrow had felt the same sort of thing affect them. Merlin joined Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna "Today we have seen the most powerful magic there is Harry, now that I have seen it, I know I can teach you nothing more, you are ready."

"Ready for what, what do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Ready to make the world a happier place Harry, just as I did with Camelot you will do with the wizard world, you and Hermione," Merlin said, then he looked at Hermione "This is where I failed, I never married the one meant for me."

Harry saw his aunt approaching, followed closely by his uncle. Minerva noticed them as well and crossed to where Harry now stood with his new wife and his new family. With a tilt of his head Harry indicated toward the door of the Burrow, Ron realizing what he wanted slipped inside and revived the policeman; completely unaware of what had happened the policeman followed Ron outside, together they left the kitchen and stood behind Petunia and Vernon.

"Harry, I- that is we, Vernon and me, we have been accused of child cruelty, we wondered if you could, you know, sort of help us, I mean we have our reputation to think of?" Petunia stammered looking guilty for all the wrong she did to her nephew.

Harry looked at them for a long five minutes, then just as he was about to say something, Hermione spoke, she had an icy tone of hate in her voice that no one had ever heard from her before. "You want my husband, to deny that you made him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs for ten years, to deny that you locked him in there for days at a time without food and with only an old bucket for a toilet, to deny that you beat him and starved him without reason, to deny that my best friends brothers had to rescue him more than once, and that my friends mother had to feed him the only proper food he ever got outside of our school. Well I don't think he will be doing that, I am lucky he was so much stronger in spirit than either of you ever knew. I hope they lock you up and throw away the keys." She spat the words at the Dursley's, anger boiling in every word she said and her magic beginning to show.

Petunia gasped "I know we did all those things but, but, but we…"

"But what aunt Petunia, are you asking me to forgive you and him? That evil fat oaf you are married to. You want me to forget the pain and hunger, the anguish and tears, the years of not knowing what love was. Not knowing my name until I started school. Never having any praise till I met Hermione when I was eleven. Until I came here to the Weasley's I had never been held like a mum would hold a child. I did not know what a hug was until Hermione hugged me when I was eleven. You want me to forget I never had a Christmas present or a birthday card, you want me to forgive and forget all that," Harry had no anger in his voice just a sort of pity for his evil relatives.

"Harry I know we treated you bad, but I thought now you are, well grown up, I thought you might speak up for us," Petunia had started to weep.

Harry had trouble believing what he was hearing "I know those are not tears of regret, mores the pity, I know you both so well, evil to your very core. Those tears are for your self now you have been found out, I don't know who told on you but I would thank them if I got the chance," Harry turned and walked away from them taking Hermione with him before she did some permanent damage to Petunia with her rapidly escaping magic.

Minerva looked at Petunia "To think that you are a grandchild of mine and Albus turns my stomach, you are a disgrace to woman kind, to motherhood and to the family."

The policeman having stopped writing stepped forward, putting his notebook in to his top pocket, "I have heard enough to get a conviction. I don't think you will be needed in court sir, but if you are, where can I get in touch with you?" he asked Harry.

"Just give a message to the Prime minister's office; they can get in touch with me?" Harry said as he walked hand in hand with Hermione in to the Burrow.

As the policeman escorted the Dursley's away, a cheer went up from the Weasley's they were joined by all those there who knew of Harry's mistreatment at the hands of the Dursleys.

A few minutes later Ron walked into the kitchen, "Harry, Hermione, come on we can't start the party with out you two, the bride and groom have to be picked on when we do the speeches, the paddock is all transformed and ready," he said to them.

They stood and kissed while a number of witches worked around them preparing the food for the guests, reluctantly they slowly parted and hand in hand followed Ron to the paddock, when they reached their table Richard tapped his glass with his fork to get everyone's attention. "Could I please have your attention, I am not too good at all this speech making so it will be short, the old saying about not losing a daughter but gaining a son, can never be any truer than it is today. Today Harry, who we have for quite some years thought of as a son, has become just that, and both Helen and I are proud to have him in the family," raising his glass Richard ended with a toast, "to the Potters, long life, good health, and some grandchildren would be nice." then he sat down.

Ron stood "Blimey that was short! looks like the speeches are going to be over very quick today. I want to raise a toast for this is the day when my best friend, officially becomes the bravest man alive, he married my other best friend who just happens to be the scariest but greatest witch alive. Seriously though today see's the bonding of the two most powerful people in the world, and I for one know that it will lead to many good changes in our worlds future.

There is not a man in the world I would have thought good enough for my best friend Hermione except Harry, he joins a muggle family that will welcome him warmly as the son they never had. My wife and I have had some great times with him as a friend, and I know that the Grangers will also have a great time with him as a son. So if you will raise your glasses once more to the man I think of as a brother and the witch who is like my big sister, happy times." Ron winked at Harry as he drank his glass dry.

Harry rose, looked around at the faces all looking at him "Well I don't know what to say, I expected to get a bit of ribbing especially from Ron. Thank you Mr Granger, Ron, and thank you all for coming, now can we get to the dancing part believe it or not I have never had a proper dance with my extremely beautiful wife," he held out his hand to Hermione.

Harry led a smiling Hermione to the dance floor, as they stood in the middle watched by all, he said to Hermione "This my love just has got to be the most nerve racking thing I ever had to do."

When the music started it was the same waltz that Harry had once started the Yule ball with while at school, He and Hermione were gliding around the floor, both in rhythmic step with each other; they looked as though they had been dance partners for years.

An hour into the party and Hermione called Merlin over and asked if he would care to dance with her, "Hermione my dear I have no idea how to do these most unusual dances, though I must say, they do look more enjoyable than the dancing we did when I was young."

Hermione frowned and pouted a little till Merlin gave in. "You will have to tell me what to do," he said as he watched others on the dance floor.

When the next dance started, Merlin led Hermione on to the floor and they began to dance a waltz, it was not long before it seemed Merlin had picked up most of the steps, and he enjoyed it so much they stayed for a second dance.

"You learn quick Merlin, sir," Harry said

"As your ancestor I would prefer it if you call me grandfather, as for the dancing I cheated a little Harry, made myself light as a feather, charmed my feet to follow Hermione's moves then just let Hermione do the work, but don't tell her or I might be in real trouble," Merlin answered a large smile on his face.

Hermione joined Harry and Merlin in a drink, "Harry look at all those people still out there at the boundary, do you think we could remove the shield now and let them join us?" she asked pointing at a huge crowd.

Harry looked over to see dozens of witches and wizards still standing or sitting around all waiting, wanting to see the bride and Groom. "Merlin sir, what do I do to remove the bubble to let those people in?" Harry asked

"Oh that is simple Harry, just clap your hands and think 'be gone,'" Merlin said "Now that you two are fully and completely bonded what ever magic either of you want to do in the future you need simply to think about it for a moment and then just make it happen."

"We should ask Arthur first Harry, make sure he and Molly won't mind," Hermione said looking around for her friends parents.

Hermione soon found the Weasley's and asked "Is it ok if we let the crowd in, after I have had a dance with my dad." after a nod of consent from Arthur she was back with Harry moments later to let him know, she then walked over to the dance floor with Richard.

"Are you happy princess?" Richard asked as he looked at the dreamy look Hermione was giving Harry.

"Oh dad, you have no idea just how happy having Harry back makes me, and to be his wife is the fulfilment of all my dreams, so yes I'm happy, blissfully so," she answered as she gave her father a hug.

After Hermione had danced with Richard and Harry had danced with Helen, Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand to the boundary, Harry clapped his hands and said be gone, and then he stepped forward.

"Any one who would now like to join us, is quite welcome, but please remember we are all guests here," Harry said.

A cheer went up, then some one in the crowd yelled "For Harry Potter, hip, hip hooray," the entire crowd joined in giving Harry then Hermione three rousing cheers. The party went on through the evening and into the night; Harry had never seen so many people in one place since leaving Hogwarts.

He and Hermione walked around arm in arm, talking to various people, waving at others. Harry was looking for his great grandmother he wanted to have a dance with her before the night was over, they eventually found her helping out in the kitchen, "Grandma I think you owe me a dance," Harry said to her a large grin on his face.

"Pray tell me grandson, how ever do you work out that I owe you a dance?" she smiled at him.

"Well I remember you danced with Ron when we were practicing for the Yule ball in our fourth year, so I reckon you still owe me a dance and you should now dance with me," Harry said.

Minerva laughed "Harry Potter, you are so like your father," as she held out her hand to him.

They danced around the floor and Harry was quite amazed just how well she danced. "Today my life is complete grandmother, I have a beautiful wife, a remarkable grandmother and an amazing Great grandfather, I finally have what I always wanted, 'a family', today I am happier than I have ever been, or could have imagined being." Harry had a small tear in his eye as he spoke.

Minerva having discovered the extent of the Dursley's cruelty towards Harry knew just what he meant and a tear came to her eyes as well "And I have a grandson." She whispered to him.

Having danced with his great grandmother Harry found Luna and Ron at the kitchen door, "Sorry about this mate, but I am going to steal your wife for a while," he said as he led Luna to the dance floor. As they danced Harry thanked Luna for being such a good friend for all this time, "I don't think I would have made it through without you, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville as my friends."

Luna turned a little red, "Harry I have loved you like a brother for years, I even mourned for you as I would a brother, without you Hermione and Ron I would have had no friends, you were the first person at Hogwarts who was nice to me I'll never forget that."

"Funny that, I called you my little sister once, when I was telling Ron to look after you and not to hurt you in any way," Harry said as the song finished.

Harry escorted Luna back to the kitchen where Ron was busy getting something to eat as usual. "Thanks for the loan of your wife Ron" Harry said as he left them to find his own wife.

Hermione was once again dancing with her father; Harry marvelled at how graceful they looked as they twirled around the floor. The party went on for hours, sometime in the early morning Merlin, Hugh and Mya came over to say good bye. They were going back to Wales; Merlin was going to stay with them for the time being. Hermione had a quick word with Harry, whispering something in his ear.

"Could you folks just stay a little longer? I want to make an announcement before we leave," Harry said.

He and Hermione walked to the centre of the dance floor, Harry clapped his hands trying to get every ones attention. When that did not work he took out his wand and pointed it at his throat and said, Sonorus. "May I have your attention please?" his voice boomed out.

Silence fell on the huge gathering, "I have an announcement, one of the guests is about to leave us, this guest is non other than the greatest wizard to have ever lived. He is the wizard we all praise and honour. He was recently freed from a thousand years captivity by the greatest witch of all time, my new wife the beautiful Mrs Hermione Jane Potter. He is of course the great Merlin; I want you all to meet him before he leaves the Burrow. Merlin sir if you would be so kind would you join me please?"

Merlin slowly made his way to Harry's side, as the crowd of amazed people parted to let him through.