Just down the hall from Hermione's office was the officiously titled 'Department for the Registry of Life Events'. It was, on the outside at least, a door like all the others in the Ministry with a small plaque declaring its purpose. However, once the door was opened, it lead through to a revolving spiral staircase.

"Dumbledore's office had one of these," Harry said with a smile in his voice as he stepped through. The staircase seemed to sense his presence, or maybe just his need as it stopped just for a moment to allow him to step on, then started moving again.

The top of the staircase opened out into a dizzyingly high room, stacked with shelves of parchment and books and ladders that reached up for what looked like miles to the very top of the bookcases. To one side, a little wizard was bent over a desk, thick horn-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, the feather of his long quill curling over his shoulder as he wrote.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" he asked without looking up.

"Can we get married here?" Charlie asked.

"When?"

"Today," Harry said. "Now, if you're not busy."

The old wizard looked up then, at Harry over the top of his spectacles, with an odd little grin. "I don't seem to be overly busy. And your enthusiasm is heart warming, Mr Potter. But you will need a witness."

"A witness?"

"Yes. Just the one. Someone to confirm that the event has taken place, other than myself. And of course, seeing as I am only one man - one rather old, rather easily influenced man, it bides us all well to have another present."

His voice held a touch of humour. Harry looked over at Charlie, disappointed and dismayed. Then he had a thought.

"Hey. Is your dad working today?"

Charlie smiled. "Yeah. He should be."

"Is it okay if the witness is family?" Harry asked.

The wizard nodded slowly. "That is permissible."

"We'll be right back," Harry said, grabbing for Charlie's hand. "Don't go anywhere."

Charlie was laughing as he was dragged back to the lifts and, once the doors closed, leaving them alone, caught Harry in a slow kiss.

"You want my dad to witness our marriage?"

"Yeah," Harry said with a frown and the tiniest moment of hesitation. "Why, don't you?"

"Of course. I'm just wondering when I stop getting more in love with you."

Harry snorted. "Sap." He didn't mean it.

Arthur was fortunately in his office.

"Dad," Charlie said, letting Harry lean against the door frame for support. He still wasn't used to being on his feet for long periods of time. "Do you have ten minutes? We need you to do something for us."

Dutifully, Arthur locked up his small office and followed them back to the fifth floor. They made small talk during the journey and it was only when they arrived at the Department for the Registry of Life Events that Arthur stopped and looked confused.

"What are we doing here?" he asked.

Harry looked at Charlie, then turned to Arthur. "We - that is, Charlie and I - we're going to get married. Would you be our witness?"

For a moment Arthur looked shocked. It lasted into another moment and Harry began to worry, until Charlie squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Your mother is going to kill you," Arthur said eventually, brushing his red hair (now liberally sprinkled with grey) back from his face.

"Please, Dad."

"Then she'll kill me."

Harry reached out and touched Arthur's shoulder. "Please, Dad," he echoed.

Arthur shook his head. "Come on, the pair of you," he muttered.

The little wizard didn't ask them what they wanted of the ceremony, just processed their names and took their fee, then asked both men to face each other.

"Do you, Harry, take Charlie to be your husband, forsaking all others, to love and protect for the rest of your life?"

Harry nodded. His throat was thick. "I do."

"And do you, Charlie, take Harry to be your husband, forsaking all others, to love and protect for the rest of your life?"

"I do."

They silently exchanged the rings. In a tiny, cramped office, full of books and papers and the hum and particular smell of old, old magic, they became husbands.

"Now, I just need you to sign here..."

It only took minutes, but they had been working towards the moment for years. Arthur dutifully added his signature to the scroll, which was tapped with each man's wand as a security measure. If their external appearance had been forged, this could not be.

They laced their fingers together to walk out of the room.

"Tell your mother," Arthur warned once they left. "I'm not going to lie or keep secrets from her."

"We will," Harry said. "Promise."

"I'm very proud to call you my sons," Arthur said simply, and left.