Sorry for taking so long to update – I've quit smoking and I'm finding it hard to concentrate on anything (except food and general misanthropy). If there's any mistakes (well more than usual) blame it on the nicotine deprivation and my hurry to finally get to the part where they get to have sex (yay!). Thanks for all the lovely comments, they mean so much – I'll update soon xx
Hermione stood nervously in Ginny's bedroom in The Burrow awaiting Arthur Weasley who would fetch her when the ceremony was due to start and walk her down the aisle. Ginny her bridesmaid, dressed in an emerald green shift dress, impatiently paced the room, occasionally peeking through the net curtains of the open window as the crowd gathered in the garden below.
'Merlin's Beard,' the red head muttered, 'What the hell is taking so long?'
Hermione shrugged; 'I don't know, I don't really care. One part of me wants this to be over as quickly as possible and the other part -' she trailed off.
' - doesn't want it to happen at all,' Ginny finished for her and walked over to embrace her friend in a comforting hug.
The previous night, in a feeble attempt at a batchelorette party, Ginny had produced a two bottles of elf wine and insisted that Hermione enjoy her last night of freedom. Emboldened by the alcohol which coursed through her veins, Hermione had shared with her for the first time that despite having had a three year, long distance relationship with Viktor Krumm she was still a virgin.
'Hymen-us intact-us,' Hermione had slurred with a bitter laugh, while her closest female friend had made soothing noises.
'It won't be that bad 'Mione,' Ginny had comforted her; 'At least you're loosing it with someone who knows what they're doing – Harry just humped my leg the first time we tried to do it...'
They descended into giggles then as Ginny gave Hermione a blow by blow account of some of her sexual misadventures with Harry, and feeling slightly less nervous Hermione had fallen into a drunken sleep.
Now however, she was shaking like a leaf. Arthur Weasley rapped on the door and poked his head around smiling.
'It's time Hermione,' he said as he reached for her hand.
Hermione stood rooted to the spot for a moment, desperately trying to think of a way to get out of her situation. I can run away she thought, panicked. I can just move to Australia and live as a Muggle until they finally track down Voldemort.
Strains of music drifted up through the window from the garden below, bringing Hermione back to reality; there would be no running away – the whole reason she was doing this was so she could help with the task of finding Voldemort.
Smiling bravely Hermione slipped her arm through Arthur's and accepted the bouquet of Molly that Ginny proffered to her.
'Right,' she took a deep breath and addressed the two Weasleys, 'Let's do this.'
~o0o~
Sirius Black stood at the top of the grand marquee that had been erected in the garden of The Burrow. Remus Lupin, his best man, stood by his side and they both shifted awkwardly under the scrutiny of the large crowd seated in rows of seats before them.
Kingsley's orders that the wedding be a grandiose affair had been carried out to the letter. Large chandeliers and garlands of gypsophilia and roses hung from the canopied roof, while Celestina Warbuck serenaded the crowd. Hiring the renowned singer for the ceremony had been Tonk's idea, a gift to Molly Weasley for the inconvenience of hosting yet another wedding.
The small, stooped officiator smade his way down the aisle to take his place, and the crowd shifted, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of Hermione as the musicians struck up the wedding march.
Sirius's jaw hit the floor when he first saw her, floating towards him on the arm of Arthur Weasley. She glowed, like a bare-footed pixie; long tanned legs scandalising Aunt Muriel in her sixties mini-dress. Sirius gulped as he imagined that soon the wedding dress would be on the floor of their bedroom in Shell Cottage. He shot Hermione a grin that he hoped wasn't too wolfish as Arthur Weasley deposited her beside him, then entwined her hand in his as the officiator began the ceremony.
The guests watched in interest – for most it was the first magical wedding ceremony they had attended since Proclamation 2.0.2 had been introduced. The officiator performed the usual kinship spells first, then proceeded to bind Hermione to Sirius in charms of obedience and subservience.
'Finally, dearly beloved, before I declare Hermione and Sirius wed, I must ask that Hermione hand over her wand to her Pure-blood partner, as a sign of the relinquishment of her magical powers to him and him alone.'
Hermione took a deep breath and with reluctance handed her wand over to Sirius who pocketed it in his Tuxedo jacket with a wink.
'With the power invested in me by The Ministry of Magic, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Black' the officiator boomed while Sirius bent his head to kiss his bride and the guests rose to applaud them. As they stood the chairs on which they had been seated vanished and the sides of the marquee disappeared to reveal the unseasonably warm spring afternoon. The marquee was to become a dance floor, with Celestina Warbuck and her band at the top, while tables and chairs appeared laden with food on the lawn surrounding it.
Sirius lead Hermione by the hand to the top table, where they sat and received the congratulations of the invited guests.
'Look in love,' Kingsley had whispered in Hermione's ear and she had dutifully complied, resting against Sirius as the long queue of witches and wizards snaked past their table to compliment the couple.
'They're right you know,' Sirius said leaning into her as the last of the guests had said their piece; 'You really are the most beautiful bride.'
Hermione rolled her eyes; 'Enough of your smooth talk Sirius Black, I was promised cake,' she replied tartly with a grin.
'Enough of your back chat Granger, I was promised obedience,' came Sirius's mischevious reply, his darks eyes dancing with merriment.
'Say that to me again when I have my wand back,' Hermione threatened laughing, and Sirius threw up his arms in a sign of defeat.
'Ok,ok, I know when I'm beat,' his handsome face still smiling, he pulled her towards him in a one armed embrace. 'But you really are the most beautiful bride,' he whispered, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
Before Hermione could reply, the wedding cake – decorated with fluttering fairies made of marzipan was brought out, and they stood together to cut it before the cheering crowd. Then the band struck up the first chords of 'Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love,' and Hermione found herself being twirled around the dancefloor in Sirius's strong arms, as Molly Weasley excitedly cried 'Oh Arthur do you remember this was the first song we ever danced to together'. Once the song had ended, the guests thronged onto the dancefloor and Hermione was separated from Sirius as Ron, Arthur then Fred and George insisted on having a dance with her.
The party was in full swing, with floating trays of champagne fuelling the guests when Tonk's made her way towards Hermione.
'Wotcher,' she grinned, drawing Hermione into a hug, 'It's time to throw the bouquet and scarper – it's nearly sunset, that's tradition.
Hermione, who had been enjoying herself jiving with Neville Longbottom gave a gulp. 'Alright,' she smiled bravely and followed Tonks to the top of the marquee where Sirius joined her.
A crowd of witches gathered, and Hermione turned her back and threw the bouquet high in the air behind her. When she turned again she saw that the bouquet had landed in Ginny's arms, and Fred was exclaiming 'But we knew that she was going to be the next one – she's been engaged to Harry for ages!'.
The guests then gathered to wave goodbye, and Sirius in a confident voice thanked them for attending.
'Now if you don't mind,' he finished with a roguish grin, 'My bride and I would like to leave for our honeymoon.'
Wolf whistles and applause rang out, and a red faced Hermione took Sirius's hand as he apparated to the garden of Shell Cottage.
A gentle sea breeze caressed Hermione's bare legs as she steadied herself as the arrived, Sirius's hand still clasping hers. Her mouth dry, Hermione looked up at him and was about to speak when he covered her mouth gently with his, in a kiss that started tenderly but became more demanding. He drew her towards him, hands roving her body whilst trailing hungry kisses down the soft, exposed flesh of her neck.
Hermione gave a moan of pleasure, and the noise brought Sirius back to reality; he broke away from her, breathing heavily and cast her a rueful grin. 'Sorry, couldn't help myslef,' his eyes were dark with hunger as he grinned down at her. Then to her surprise he lifted her into his strong arms and carried her across the threshold of Shell Cottage and up the stairs where their bedroom awaited.