Chapter 13 – The Wedding
The day of the wedding dawned to a brilliant and hot late June morning. Hermione was the first to wake and rolled over to kiss Harry, followed by Ginny and Luna. Each of the others then repeated the kisses as they all looked at each other and smiled. Their unique partnership was about to become official. They had been planning this day for months and now it was time to enjoy it. While they would have preferred to shower together, they were expected for breakfast at the Burrow and knew that they would never make it if they decided to play beforehand. Thinking forward to their wedding night, they each separated to different bathrooms so that they could complete the showers quickly, glad that Grimmauld offered five. The Grangers were already up and using their en-suite, so the foursome hurried themselves. They were soon ready and greeted the Grangers downstairs. Jean beamed at them with excitement.
"Well, are you all ready for the big day?"
"More than ready mum."
"Definitely Jean, I know all my ladies are going to look even more beautiful than they usually do. I asked Ron to make sure to keep tissues handy for me."
Neil laughed at Harry and clapped him on the back as Ginny led them out to the back garden where they apparated to the Burrow. The house was already in a state of minor chaos as Molly bustled around the kitchen, simultaneously fixing breakfast and issuing orders for chores for the day. Ron and George had arrived shortly before and Charlie and Percy had stayed the night. As they were about to sit down to eat, Bill, Fleur and baby Victoire rounded out the family.
After breakfast, Ron and George were put on kitchen duty while the others were given last minute chores. Soon the party rental company arrived and Arthur and Harry led them to the location of the ceremony on the edge of the property, about a five minute walk from the house. Once Molly exhausted her list of assignments, George took the opportunity to pull Hermione and her parents aside to discuss the solution he had worked out for Hermione's muggle family. He had been working for months to perfect a new kind of daydream sweet that projected a specific dream, namely a standard wedding ceremony that featured Harry and Hermione, minus additional wife and consort and minus any magical effects. The plan was to have all of Hermione's muggle family members eat the treat fifteen minutes before the ceremony. The Grangers were a bit nervous about the solution, but Hermione assured them that she trusted George and that his creations were truly brilliant. George was actually momentarily speechless when she praised him. Then Molly came running by and summoned George to fetch the large, special chair that they kept stored in the shed for Hagrid. It was just a couple hours until the ceremony and the three witches were getting ready to head upstairs when an unexpected arrival sent the morning into additional chaos.
Much to everyone's surprise, a Volvo station wagon came rolling down the dirt road leading from the village to the Burrow. Hermione recognized it immediately and groaned. Then she looked and saw that Ron was busy levitating several tables out of the garden while Percy chased down and tossed a couple gnomes. She shook her head as her Uncle Walt stopped his car and hung his head out the window, goggling at the display. Jean was right beside her daughter and groaned as well when she saw that her brother and his family had arrived early. The plan had been to have them park at the village an hour before the ceremony and then escort them to the ceremony site, where all magic was to be carefully controlled until they could be given George's daydream sweets. Soon Molly joined the Grangers and looked at Jean.
"Sorry Molly, my brother has a habit of showing up early and often where he isn't wanted. This will take some explaining."
"Maybe we should obliviate them?"
"No!" Hermione shouted, then looked at Molly sheepishly.
"Sorry Molly, you know how opposed I am to messing with people's minds. Plus, Aunt Martha has epilepsy. I don't know what obliviate would do."
"I suppose we better bring them in for full disclosure then. We'll explain to Kingsley later."
Hermione decided to take the lead and approached her Uncle Walt, Aunt Martha and cousin Laura. She wasn't really close to them, but Walt was her mother's only sibling and her father was an only child, so Laura was her only cousin. She was two years younger than Hermione and the families had tried to make them be best friends when they were younger, but the age difference combined with the fact that Hermione acted much older than she was made that impossible. Still, they were family and she supposed it was time they learned her secret.
"Hi Uncle Walt. Aunt Martha, you cut your hair! I like it. Hi Laura, wow it's been too long. I know, you're a bit shocked right now about that display, but I can explain. Let's go in the house."
Hermione took her aunt and cousin each by an arm, while her uncle followed behind. They passed through the garden and into the house, where Hermione introduced Molly and Arthur, glad that everyone else had been told to scatter for a bit. Then she led them to the living room and sat them down.
"So, you probably are wondering about what you saw outside…"
"Bloody hell Hermione! A table was flying through the air! A large table. And I saw a young man throwing something that looked like a rock but then it screamed and ran away. What was that?"
"That was a garden gnome uncle Walt. They're not cute and funny like the figurines make them out to be. They're nuisances and Molly told Percy to clear the garden before the guests arrived. Now, I need to tell you something you will find hard to believe, but please listen to me. I have not been honest with you for many years…"
"Oh good! Are you finally going to tell me where you disappear to every year and why your special high performers' school is so secretive? I knew you'd been hiding something."
"Yes Laura, you're right. There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it. Magic is real and I am a witch."
Hermione pulled out her wand and proceeded to light the fireplace. Then she turned the flames green before extinguishing them. Next, she summoned a broom that started to sweep and then sent two empty glasses that were sitting on the table flying out of the room to land in the kitchen sink. With the display done, she smiled at her stunned relatives.
"What the hell kind of joke is this?"
"Actually daddy, I don't think it is. It makes sense. I mean, remember when I was five and Hermione was seven and I ran after the cat straight into the street? I was almost hit by a lorry, but then it stopped a foot from me and all its tires punctured. And there was that time a year before when we got caught in the rain and Hermione was so upset that her new dress was ruined. She started to cry really hard and then all of a sudden her dress blew sideways like a gust of wind hit it and then it was suddenly dry. Good god, all the pieces are falling in place. So Hermione, your mysterious school, is it like a witch school?"
"Yes Laura. I attended Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is one the world's leading magical institutions and has been training young witches and wizards for over eight hundred years."
"Bloody hell, you're not joking are you? How did you get to be a witch? Are there a lot of witches around?"
"Muggleborn witches and wizards are unusual Uncle Walt. Muggles are what we call non magical people. No one understands how muggle families produce magical children. The rough number of magical people in Britain is around 320,000. Due to prejudice in past centuries, statutes of secrecy were established and we try to keep a tight control on our secret. The Prime Minister and the royal family are aware of our world and interact with the Ministry of Magic when events occur that effect both worlds. We're actually going to have to explain to the Ministry why you have now been included on the secret. I have to ask that everything you've learned remains within the family. Please."
Hermione's imploring 'please' and the look of distress as she tried to convey the importance of this to her aunt and uncle finally broke through her aunt's shock and Martha rose to give her niece a hug.
"Of course your secret is safe with us Hermione. I have a hundred questions, but I suppose you have a wedding to get ready for. This will take some time, but after you come back from your honeymoon maybe we'll be ready to learn some more. I do wonder about the rest of the family. Do they know about your secret?"
"No, we designed a special charm to hide a lot of what will be happening today. There won't be many muggles here. Other than yourselves, just grandmum Liz, great uncle George and aunt Victoria, and aunt Maude. You can imagine what grandmum would say."
Laura rolled her eyes.
"Well, your secret's safe with me. Honestly, it's a relief to have everything explained. Right dad?"
Uncle Walt nodded and assured Hermione that he would keep her secret. Hermione knew that she needed to get ready, but her family still needed to be told about her unusual multiple marriage. She turned to her mother and smiled pleadingly.
"Mum, I really do have to get upstairs and get ready. Can you fill them in on the details of my bondings?"
"Alright dear. You'll owe me for this."
Hermione nodded and turned back to hug each of her family members before leaving the room and heading upstairs to get ready with Ginny and Luna. Molly and Fleur were there as well to help and she filled them all in on what had transpired downstairs.
"Wow Hermione. Like today didn't have enough stress. At least they seem to be handling it well."
"Yes, well we'll see how they are after mum tells them that my future husband is taking two wives and a consort today."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, all the women couldn't help but laugh. They would just have to take the day as it came.
By eleven all of the preparations were in place for the wedding and the first guests started to arrive and make their way to the far side of the property where rows of white chairs were set up in a field overlooking the forest and stream that edged the Weasley property. At the end of a long aisle lined with bouquets of wildflowers stood a large, elaborate white archway that was festooned with twinkling flowers. A short distance away a magnificent large tent was set up for the reception and the caterers were already in an adjoining tent, busily preparing the luncheon that was to follow the ceremony. Everything was beautiful and the months of planning showed in the perfection of the day.
Hermione's other muggle relatives did as instructed and parked in the village, where they were then picked up in a golf cart by George, who drove them along the edge of the property to deposit them at the ceremony location. When Hermione had decided on the golf cart idea, George had been eager to volunteer to drive it. The short drive also gave him a chance to pass out the daydream candies he had designed. The rest of the guests were all magical and began arriving via apparition and broom. Kingsley arrived wearing his formal robes with his title and the seal of the Ministry. He was grinning and happy to be part of the glorious day. He greeted a number of people as he made his way through the crowds. The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 11:30, and ten minutes before, Harry, with Ron and Neville by his side, made their way down to stand at the archway with Kingsley. Harry was dressed in a traditional muggle three piece suit in light cream with a pale green tie. Over the suit he wore lightweight robes woven from acromantula silk and dyed a matching green. The robes displayed the crests of both his houses. He accessorized with the cuff links and clasp that he had received at Christmas. As the time drew near, all the guests finished arriving and settled in their seats. Harry was feeling a tiny bit nervous, mainly just wanting everything to happen perfectly for his ladies.
The appointed time arrived and the wedding chimes rang out, signaling the start of the ceremony. First down the aisle came two Weasley second cousins, twins Luke and Lina. They were three and utterly adorable as matching flower girl and ring bearer. Next down the aisle came Parvati and Padma, representing Gryffindor and Ravenclaw for the ladies. The twins were both exotic beauties in their pale green dresses and wreaths of flowers in their hair, and Ron paid more attention than he had when he and Harry had accompanied them to the Yule Ball. He briefly chastised himself for being so young and stupid then. Ron's focus on the twins was diverted when the music changed and Ginny appeared at the end of the aisle on Arthur's arm. Her dress was simple, strapless with just a few small crystal details along the top of the bodice. It was the palest of greens, appearing almost white. Her hair was swept halfway up, with curling tendrils down each side and crystals woven into her auburn locks. She carried a bouquet of wildflowers mixed with wild roses. Harry caught his breath, unable to believe how beautiful she was. Once Ginny and Arthur were a few steps down the aisle, Hermione came next on Neil's arm. Her dress was more intricately detailed, with lace cap sleeves and lace details with interwoven crystals extending down the train. The dress was a creamy ivory that was a perfect complement to her hair, which she pulled up in an elaborate twirled French braid with interwoven crystals. Her bouquet was also wildflowers and roses, but in a different color arrangement than Ginny's. Once Hermione and Neil were a few steps down the aisle, Luna came by herself. As a consort, she normally wouldn't have had a ceremony, but Harry insisted. Her dress was sleeveless with a strange floral detail down one side and was cut to flatter her baby belly. It was a very pale ice blue color that complemented her skin and accentuated her glow. Her hair was left long and loose with a simple circle of crystals glinting in the sun. Her bouquet was like the others, with a slightly different arrangement. Harry looked at all three of his ladies and reached to take the tissue that Ron handed him.
Once all three women were down the aisle, the fathers kissed their daughters and went to their seats. Harry stepped over and placed himself between Hermione and Ginny, although he looked over and winked at Luna, who stood to the side near the twins. Kingsley smiled at Harry and lifted his wand as he began the incantation to start the marriage binding.
"Good day family and friends. Today we are gathered here to bond Lord Harry James Black-Potter to Ginevra Molly Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger in the vows of magical matrimony. The spell that I weave now is permanent and lasting. Now is the time if any should find objection to this union, make your cause known."
Kingsley paused, but no one spoke up. George turned and looked at Hermione's muggle family. They were smiling happily and he breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the daydream seemed to be holding as Kingsley continued.
"Now, Harry James, is it your intent to take Ginevra Molly as your magically bonded wife, to love and honor her, provide and comfort her, and to keep the bonds set herein to her for the rest of your natural lives?"
"Yes!"
"And, Ginevra Molly, is it your intent to take Harry James as your magically bonded husband, to love and honor him, provide and comfort him, and to keep the bonds set herein to him for the rest of your natural lives?"
"Yes."
"Harry James, is it your intent to take Hermione Jean as your magically bonded wife, to love and honor her, provide and comfort her, and to keep the bonds set herein to her for the rest of your natural lives?"
"Yes!"
"And, Hermione Jean, is it your intent to take Harry James as your magically bonded husband, to love and honor him, provide and comfort him, and to keep the bonds set herein to him for the rest of your natural lives?"
"YES."
"Harry James, do you have rings to seal your vows to each of your wives?"
Harry nodded and Ron handed him the two rings, which he passed to Kingsley, who took his wand and passed it over them and uttered the charm 'consigno matrimonium'
"Harry James, these rings are imbued now with your vows. Take the ring for Ginevra Molly and place it on her finger."
Harry did as instructed and the ring glowed for a moment as he did. He then turned back to Kingsley.
"Now, Harry James, take the ring for Hermione Jean and place it on her finger."
Harry did as instructed again and a similar glow imbued the ring.
"Now, Ginevra Molly, do you have a ring for Harry James?"
"Yes sir."
Ginny turned and Parvati handed her a simple, engraved gold band. Kingsley passed his wand over it and issued the spell of binding. She then placed it on Harry's finger, where it glowed briefly.
"Now, Hermione Jean, do you have a ring for Harry James?"
"Yes sir."
Hermione turned and Padma handed her a simple, carved gold band. Kingsley passed his wand over it and issued the spell of binding once again. She then placed it on Harry's finger, where it also glowed. The two rings then merged and became a braided band.
"With the placing of these rings, you have marked your bond to each of these ladies and they to you. Now, is it your intent as the lord of two houses, to grant the titles of those houses to these ladies?"
"Yes, my intent is that Ginevra Molly be given the title of Lady Potter and that Hermione Jean be given the title of Lady Black."
"With your intent stated, please present the rings of your houses to your chosen."
Harry turned back to Ron, who produced the two ancient signet rings. Even though he had given them to Ginny and Hermione months before, it was important to make a display of it now in front of all the witnesses. He took the ring of House Potter first and turned to Ginny.
"Ginevra Molly, I hereby bestow upon you the ring of my house and request that you serve House Potter as my lady."
"Harry James, my lord, I accept your request and will do my utmost to bring honor to House Potter."
Harry placed the signet ring on her right pinky and then turned to take the second signet ring from Ron before turning to Hermione.
"Hermione Jean, I hereby bestow upon you the ring of my house and request that you serve House Black as my lady."
"Harry James, my lord, I accept your request and will do my utmost to bring honor to House Black."
The three of them turned back to Kingsley, who addressed those assembled again.
"Harry, Ginny and Hermione have now stated their vows and exchanged their rings. At this point I would normally complete the ceremony, but Harry has requested a very special addition. He has taken a consort in addition to his wives. While a consort has no ceremonial binding, it is Harry's wish to include his consort in the ceremony. While this will have no legal standing, it is Harry's wish to add an additional vow now."
Harry turned and took Luna's hand, pulling her in close to Hermione and Ginny.
"Luna Pandora Lovegood, I have taken you to be my consort by the means of magical contract prior to this ceremony. Above and beyond that contract, I vow to love and honor you, provide and comfort you, and to keep my vow to you for the rest of our natural lives."
"Harry James Black-Potter, I also vow above and beyond our contract to love and honor you, provide and comfort you, and to keep my vow to you for the rest of our natural lives."
Harry and Luna grinned at each other while she stepped back to the other side of Hermione. They all turned and looked to Kingsley.
"I hereby declare that Lord Harry James Black-Potter, Lady Ginevra Molly Potter and Lady Hermione Jean Black are magically bonded."
Kingsley finished the incantation he had started the ceremony with and a light golden ring settled over the three of them. Once the magic settled, he finally got to the part Harry had been waiting for.
"Now, for a more modern tradition. Harry, please kiss your brides and consort!"
Harry kissed Ginny, then Hermione and then Luna. The guests began applauding. Then Hermione kissed Ginny and then turned and kissed Luna and then Ginny kissed Luna as well. The applause stopped for a minute, as everyone looked on a bit stunned. Then the foursome gathered in a group hug and the applause started up again as they all linked arms and ran back down the aisle together.
The newlyweds made their way off for pictures with family and then went to the reception tent, where the celebration was already underway as the guests started with appetizers and wine. They mingled around for a couple minutes and Hermione and her partners found themselves in front of Uncle Walt and Aunt Martha.
"Well Hermione, congratulations. You do look truly happy. I still can't believe your multiple bonding, but Jean and Neil have accepted it and I suppose it goes with everything else today. Like I said before, I'd like to talk when you all return from your honeymoon. Maybe by then we will have had a chance to grasp all this."
"Thanks Aunt Martha. We'll have dinner together after the honeymoon."
They moved on to talk to other guests and then went to the head table as the caterers opened the buffet luncheon. The food was all spectacular and the elven wine was delicious. After they ate, the foursome danced together and then in alternating pairs to open the dance floor. Once they finished the first song, Harry ordered the band to pick up the tempo and soon the tent was rocking as the wine loosened everyone and they started to dance. Hermione happily noticed that George had slipped her family members more daydream sweets and they seemed to be happy to watch, staring off blissfully. After a few rounds of dancing, the foursome left the floor and went to cut the cake. Harry fed each of his ladies a piece and then they in turn fed him. After the cake, they returned to the dance floor for a while longer.
Around 2:30, Hermione cast a compulsion charm on her muggle relatives and they all decided it was time to head home. The plan seemed to have worked and she breathed easier once they left. At three in the afternoon, they began to say goodbye to all their guests and headed back to the house to change. Once they were dressed in more casual clothes, they took hold of their portkey and headed for Paris, the first stop on a two month tour of Europe for their honeymoon.