Chapter twenty three

On the day of Ron and Hermione's wedding, Harry and Cathy apparated to the Burrow.

'Now I have to go see Ron as I am his best man, but there is a non-magical person here that will keep you company until after the ceremony.'

'I'll be fine Harry and I know you need to do your duty as best man.'

'Alright, come on,' Harry kept his arm around Cathy and led her down to the crowd of people, 'Mrs. Granger, it's nice to see you,' Harry shook her hands.

'Harry, it's nice to see you as well, but shouldn't you be keeping my future son in law from passing out through nerves.' Mrs. Granger said making Harry laugh.

'I'm heading in there now, but this is my girlfriend, Cathy Cooper and she's like you, non-magical. So I was hoping she could sit with you until the ceremony is over.'

'Of course she can, come sit Cathy dear, we know how all this magic can be a little intimidating.'

'I'll see you soon love,' Harry kissed her then hurried into the house, 'So how's the groom?'

'About time you got here Harry, he's a nervous wreck, Hermione's as bad, but Ginny has been able to keep her calm,' Arthur said.

'I'll go see my friend now Mr. Weasley,' Harry ran up the stairs and saw Ron pacing his old bedroom, 'Oi.'

'Blimey, I was wondering when you were going to get here.'

'Sorry, I had to pick up Cathy. Now you need to keep it together for just a bit longer mate, then you get to shag you're wife whenever you want.'

'Harry,' Ron scowled, 'I love her so much and I never thought she'd ever marry someone like me.'

'Like you, a git that's got a temper and talks before he thinks, why wouldn't she?' Harry laughed making Ron scowl again, but they two friends ended up laughing together and they kept talking and laughing until it was time to head downstairs. 'That's Cathy, with Hermione's mother,' Harry gave her a wave.

'Nice, very good looking.'

'I think so, you'll meet her later,' Harry kept Ron moving till they were down the front.

'It's a wonder he hasn't passed out yet Harry, did you give him a calming draught?' George called.

'No, I was able to get him laughing, so he's fine George. I think being an auror has helped Ron's nerves.'

'I think it's more you mate, you would have used a charm to keep him upright and he didn't want everyone to see that,' Charlie called.

'Sometimes I hate my brothers.'

'Ignore them Ron, you know their just trying to get a rise out of you, which is Hermione's job,' Neville called out making everyone laugh.

'Oh even my mates are going to wind me up, just remember, Hermione's mother is sitting here Neville.'

'Sorry Mrs. Granger,' Neville nodded to her who had been laughing, 'She seemed to enjoy all this Ron, so you might have to put up with it.'

'Not now though, it's time, some come on Ron, Harry, in your places,' Kingsley said.

'Oh blimey, it's time.'

'I think Harry might need to hold Ron up Minister,' Seamus called out.

Harry waved his wand, 'No, just used the upright charm, now he can't fall down.'

'Take this off me Harry, I'm fine,' Ron growled.

Harry laughed then took the charm off Ron again, 'There, are you sure you're able to stand up by yourself?'

'Yes, now stop it, all of you. Hey Michael, as my boss, threaten to lock them up or something will you.'

'Why, it's amusing listening to all this. Oh music's starting Ron, end of your single life.'

Ron glared at his boss as everyone laughed again, but took their seats. Harry and Ron turned to face the door, then Ginny stepped out to a lot of whistles from all the young men there.

'Hey, that's my girl you blokes are ogling,' Lee called out making everyone laugh again.

Ginny blew Lee a kiss as she passed, then stood at the front and faced the door. Then Hermione and her father stepped out to a lot of ooh's and ahhh's. Harry quietly snickered as Ron's mouth fell open, then everyone laughed as Harry pushed it shut.

The ceremony for Hermione and Ron was beautiful, Kingsley did a wonderful job in marrying the two people that had been friends for so long. Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley cried as they watched their children marry. Then Kingsley moved his wand over the couple, binding a golden rope to their joined hands and as he pronounced them husband and wife, it finished when the rope melted inside them. Harry was the first to hug his friends, then moved away so everyone else could. He sat with Cathy, taking her hand in his.

'All the red heads are Weasley's, Ron, the groom, has been my best friend since we were both eleven, but Hermione, the bride is also my best friend, we met when we were eleven as well.'

'She's very beautiful, but so is the bridesmaid. Is that the one you were engaged to?'

'Yes, Ginny, Ron's younger sister. But she's with Lee now,' Harry pointed out another man.

'They seem happy, so that was a magical wedding, it was beautiful the way the golden rope twined around their joined hands.'

'It's part of the binding ceremony of magical weddings. The moment the rope joined with them, they were legally married and bonded to each other. See the dark man that performed the ceremony.'

'Yes, he looks very dignified.'

'That's Kingsley Shacklebolt, our minister for magic, like the prime minister in your world. But Kingsley is a good friend of ours, so he offered to perform the ceremony.'

'So you're friends with the minister.'

'Harry, Hermione, Ron and all their friends are friends with some of the most important witches and wizards in their world. It's a lot to take in at first, but you do get used to it dear. Hermione wants to meet you friend Harry.'

'Thanks Mrs. Granger, come on Cathy, I want you to meet my two best friends in the whole world,' Harry put his arm around Cathy and made their way up front, 'Mr. and Mrs. Weasley,' Harry grinned, 'This is Cathy Cooper, Cathy, Hermione and Ron Weasley.'

'Nice to meet you and congratulations,' Cathy shook their hands.

'Nice to meet you as well Cathy and Harry, why didn't you tell us you were dating a muggle?'

'What?!' Ron blurted out as he gazed at Cathy.

'Told you it would be Hermione that worked it out. But yes, Cathy is non-magical, that's why I had her sitting with your mother Hermione.'

'You're the most famous wizard in our world and you're dating a muggle. Well at least you know she likes you for you and not who you are.'

'Thanks Ron,' Harry shook his head, 'But yeah, she had no idea about me, well, she still doesn't know everything.'

'Mr. Potter, can we get a picture of you with the happy couple?' a photographer asked.

'As their friend, I do want a picture with them, but my girlfriend with us. Is that alright with you Ron, Hermione?'

'Yes, of course, we knew no matter which photographer we used, they couldn't resist wanting to take your picture since you don't let anyone take your picture.'

'Because they kept taking them all the time and I never get asked, it's annoying.'

'After one with your lady friend Mr. Potter, how about one of the golden trio?'

'Blimey,' Harry turned away, 'Fine, one picture and then do what you're hired to do, take pictures of Ron and Hermione, they are the bride and groom.'

'I'll make sure of it Harry, so let him get his picture, then go sit down.'

'Thanks Kingsley, but it pisses me off. This is supposed to be about Ron and Hermione, not me.'

'Calm down mate, it's fine and we knew it would happen. So let's get the picture then go introduce your lady to everyone.'

'Yeah, sorry Ron, Hermione,' Harry stood next to Hermione, holding her hand as she held Ron's hand.

'The classic look of the golden trio, it's wonderful,' the photographer snapped a couple of pictures, then Harry held his hand out to Cathy who stood next to him, but Harry put his arm around her.

'Alright,' Harry moved aside, 'I'll see you both inside.'

Harry and Cathy stepped into the large marque, 'What was that about Harry, the golden trio?'

'Harry, Hermione and Ron were named the golden trio after the battle of Hogwarts because when those three are together, they can do anything. It was basically them three that saved our world, more Harry. Now how come you're lady friend doesn't know this Harry?' Kingsley asked.

'Cathy Cooper, Kingsley Shacklebolt, minister for magic and she's a muggle Kingsley.'

'Nice to meet you Minister.'

'It's Kingsley to friends and a muggle, well that is something I never thought I'd hear, the most famous wizard in our world dating a muggle. So where did you two meet.'

'I was at my parent's graves, crying, this nice looking young man handed me some tissues.'

'We got talking after and have been dating ever since. But we are talking future Kingsley, marriage even if it's not yet.'

'Ah, so you got around the law of apparating a muggle, well you know the law.'

'He should as he enforces it,' Michael said.

'Cathy, my boss Michael Hinkly, Michael, Cathy Cooper.'

'It's nice to meet you Cathy and just be warned, the partner of an auror must get used to some lonely nights and sometimes them being away for days at a time.'

'Nice to meet you and yes, Harry has explained about his job. But as his boss, is it as dangerous as he said it is?'

'Extremely, a few months ago we lost one of our aurors. Harry was badly hurt, Susie, the blond over there, she was also badly hurt, almost died. Our job is to deal with the worst dark witches and wizards there are, so it is dangerous. But our training, which is hard, keeps us safe and we know what we're doing. Another thing you should know Cathy, Harry is one of the most powerful wizards there is, so he can usually stay safe, the odd injury but that's about it.'

Cathy stared at Harry, then tightened her arm around him. She knew she was going to have to get used to the dangerous work he did and get used to hearing that he could be injured, now she just hoped he never got seriously injured or worse, die.