Hello, darlings! I have nearly caught up on the rough draft, so there is a possibility that the updates will be later on Saturdays. I appreciate your patience. I also adore your support and reviews. I own nothing except two 20-year-old cars. But they still run and that is all that matters.

Chapter 23 Wedding Bells

Knock. Knock. Firm, polite knocks woke Hermione the next morning. Sunlight flooded the room from the cracks in the curtains. She sat up, stretching. "Coming," she yelled. The knocking ceased.

Harry leapt from the bed, "That should be breakfast." He threw open the door admitting two bellhops pushing trolleys of trays. "Right over there, thank you." They quickly set up the food and departed. The three sat and ate in companionable silence. Hermione examined the rooms. The front area had a sofa and a table. Next to it the bathroom and a large dressing room filled with floor length mirrored. Her wedding gown hung in there. Beyond the fitting room were the beds. The soft greens and grays of the room spoke of old-world elegance. The stone walls reminded her of its age. She hoped everyone else enjoyed their rooms.

Malin spoke, bringing her back to the table, "When do we need to be at the spa?"

"Around nine. We're scheduled for a mineral soak, facials, and massages. Then hair and makeup. Then we'll meet Torie and Ellie back here to get dressed at one. Simeon will be taking photos all over all day." She turned to her best friend, "Harry, you're welcome to get dressed with Marcus and Adrian if you want."

"Trying to get rid of me?" he pressed a hand over his heart pretending to be insulted.

"Never. Just wanted to offer an escape."

"I appreciate that but I am your Man of Honor, my place is at your side."

She squeezed his hand, "Thank you."

"I get a facial right?" he joked.

"If you want," she replied. To the bride's amusement, Harry threw himself into the pampering, even getting a manicure and having them style his hair. He imitated his Aunt Petunia's nasal voice as he pretended to gossip. Hermione laughed herself breathless numerous times.

Returning to the suite before one, Hermione took a moment to rest and eat a light lunch. Delphine and Ellie arrived promptly at one. Malin went to pull Hermione's dress out of the bag, while Harry admitted them. The flower girl rushed straight to the bride, "Aunt Hermione, Tobias said Teddy said my dress isn't like Torie's. But they're the same!"

"Remember I told you I would change the colors?"

"Yes."

"I left yours ice blue, but I made hers midnight blue. So that you both match me." She tugged on the small girl's black curls. "Yours is light because your hair is dark. Hers is dark because her hair is light."

"Oh, okay," content she joined her mother on the couch.

Fleur and Victorie arrived with a surprise. Ginny stood in the doorway looking awkward. "I'll be brief," she promised. "I just wanted to give you this." She held out a bottle, "Love potion perfume. You should smell like love as you get married."

"That was thoughtful of you." She took the bottle from her and dabbed a small amount on her neck and wrists.

Fleur giggled and stole the bottle. "Don't forget here," she applied perfume to the swell of Hermione's breasts.

"Thanks," she snarked. She returned the bottle to Ginny. "And sincerely, thank you."

"You're welcome. We should talk soon."

"Sure. But for now, I need to get dressed."

"I understand. See you soon."

Hermione shut the door, "I have no idea, so don't ask. I only took the olive branch because I saw the label and the tamper-proof valve in the neck. And it smelled like mine should."

"No one is looking the gift horse in the mouth," promised Harry. "Now, about the shorter girls and I stay in here while the taller girls help you get dressed?"

He admitted Simeon, who took a few shots of the bridal party while they waited. They listened to the exclaims from the three helping the bride. He positioned himself to get a shot of their first look. Ready?" asked Delphine from the other room.

"We are," answered Simeon. He clicked pictures of Hermione emerging then whirled to catch Harry and the girls' reactions.

Harry initially froze, then grinned madly, "Hermione, you look glorious."

"Thank you," she returned his smile.

The flower girls jumped up and down. "We all match!" cried Ellie.

"You are breathtaking," Fleur told her. "Let's get you to the church."

Simeon glanced at his watch and perked up, "We are twenty minutes ahead of schedule. I have some shots I would love to get one of just you and your party on the way."

"Certainly, just watch our time." She picked up her dress, Harry lifting the train. "Lead on."

Simeon stopped them on the grand staircase. He posed Hermione, then added the flower girls, then the flower girls and Harry, then just Hermione and Harry. They paused again on the tree-lined stone pathway to the church. "I took some of Marcus here, I want to get some of just you, then after some of the two of you here." He took photos with both the castle and the church in the background.

Henry ushered them into one of the small rooms off the entryway. Wendell, Teddy, Bill, and the triplets waited for them. "You look so pretty, Aunt Hermione," Teddy told her.

"You all look so handsome. Hello, my boys." She made sure Teddy knew she included him in that greeting. "Are we ready?"

Simeon entered the nave with Delphine and Fleur. Henry nodded, "I'll signal the officiant."

Strains of music from the pipe organ filled the small building. Bill helped Teddy position the wagon in front of the doors. Henry and Bill opened them and the brown-haired boy pulled the decorated triplet wagon down the aisle. Hermione smiled at the oh and ahs the four smartly dressed boys induced. Harry peeked through a gap in the door. "My turn," he smirked. He slipped through the doors and made his way to the altar. Laughter told her he had gone through with his plans for a silly walk. She rolled her eyes fondly.

Henry faced the flower girls, "Alright, are we ready, ladies?" In response, they held up their baskets of glittery tissue paper petals. Hermione chose them over dried flower petals to help facilitate a quicker sweep-up. At Henry's signal, he and Bill opened the doors and together the girls began scattering their petals. Bill winked at his daughter as she passed him. Again, Hermione listened to the delighted sounds of the guests.

The music changed to 'The Butterfly Waltz.' Wendell offered his daughter his arm. "Ready to take a walk, pumpkin?"

She slipped her arm through his, "I am."

Bill and Henry opened the doors and secured them open. The assembly stood. Hermione glanced around noting the people she knew. She beamed. Simeon snapped several shots of her and her father before stepping into a pew and capturing Marcus's view of Hermione. The beading of her dress twinkled in the faux candlelight. Sunshine dazzled through the stained glass windows, bathing the church in colored lights. The floral arrangements softened the dark wood of the floor and pews. She caught sight of Marcus ahead of her in his black suit and everything else faded into the background. For his part, he looked at her gobsmacked and deliriously happy. When he stood staring instead of stepping forward, Adrian jabbed him in the stomach with his elbow. He stumbled forward comically to meet them.

Kingsley smiled indulgently, "Who brings this woman to be wed?"

"I do," answered Wendell. He placed Hermione's hand in Marcus's. "Treasure her."

"Hi," whispered Hermione. He nodded unable to speak at the moment. Meeting his eyes, Hermione barely paid attention to anything else. She answered appropriately when prompted, promising to love, honor, and cherish all the days of her life. Kingsley snuck in a joke about letting him win occasionally. She came back into focus when he instructed Marcus to kiss the bride. He gave her a modest brush on the lips as the gathered assembly applauded.

After a brief receiving line, most guests wandered back to the cocktail hour or to their rooms to rest while the bridal party took photographs. Which they would do as soon as Kingsley performed the wedding bond ritual. Henry grinned at the group, "I set up the lord's private chapel but discovered this when I arrived this morning." He lead them around to the back of the church where a path lead out into the garden. Blooming crimson winter roses wove themselves through the lattice of the archway. "What do you think?"

Niobe clapped her hands, "How delightful."

Marcus looked at Hermione, who shrugged, "It was a very powerful ceremony." They both laughed. She took his hand and led him under the roses.

Kingsley joined them, pointing his wand at their joined hands. "Attendants," he said simply in his deep voice. Harry and Adrian stepped forward and wrapped the couple's joined hands in blue and silver silk ropes. "Marcus, Hermione, please make your vows to one another."

In unison, they spoke, "Let what is bound today never be broken. Let eternity be reflected in our bond." A shower of gold and silver sparks shot up from their clasped hands and sprinkled down over them.

Kingsley continued, "Before those gathered here in the name of magic, I declare you bound. Let no man or woman separate you." Simeon snapped pictures from every angle.

Over the next two hours, the photographer dragged them and others about the castle grounds in search of the perfect backgrounds and compositions. Marcus's favorite was Hermione sitting on the ground, her dress spread around her with all three boys gazing at their mummy admiring her in her shiny dress. Simeon released everyone but the bride and groom as twilight deepened. "Henry left the church lights on. I want a few images of the two of you and the church lit up behind you.

"Us, too," responded Marcus.

The ballroom gleamed, The faux candlelight filled the large room with soft light. The blue and silver decorations complemented the lighting. Lise talked Hermione into letting her layer the fairy lights over the whole room, not just the dance floor. They glittered overhead like icicles. The wedding guests and staff applauded when they entered, the DJ introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Flint for the first time. As Lise had promised when they agreed to the huge wedding, everywhere Hermione looked she knew someone. She squeezed her husband's hand in excitement. And wasn't that a giddy thought? Husband. He returned her gesture. They made their way across the room to their table. Adrian and Harry greeted them by throwing the leftover flower petals over them. Due to the small size of the wedding party, both men were allowed to invite their dates to sit with them. Malin beamed from Harry's side, shaking her head at their antics. Adrian invited Padma to join him. He hadn't wanted to invite a random woman to his best mate's wedding. Padma accepted because she enjoyed his company and it would tweak her sister's nose. "Are we friends? Are we more? She has no idea, and Mum has forbidden her from asking." Padma stole a few petals to save as a remembrance.

The waitstaff began circulating, delivering beverages and salads. Guest chose between a simple winter garden salad and the more adventurous Salad Shirazi with violet and rose petals. Both Harry and Marcus shook their heads at the extra violets on Hermione's plate. "Benefits of being the bride and mind your business, I like them."

The main course followed with three choices: roasted pheasant with new potatoes and streamed asparagus; seared beef with winter vegetables; or salmon steaks with garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed green beans. Hermione noticed most people urging their table mates to sample the different dishes. She smirked, word would spread swiftly of the kitchen's prowess.

Hannah Abbott thought something similar. She made a mental note to ask Hermione about her chances of trading professional ideas with the chef. Neville smiled when she said something along those lines out loud. "If not, I bet you and Darcy can come up with something just as delicious."

Ron grinned at his wife, "Or collaborate with Veronica or Mum, they're both amazing cooks."

Veronica felt herself blush as internally she panicked. Abbott knew how often she got take away. She noticed the blonde's frown and hurried to do damage control. "I'm not anywhere are proficient as Molly. Ron's bias is showing. You should pick her brain, she's marvelous."

"Don't sell yourself short, love. You've improved a lot," Ron patted her hand. She busied herself feeding Hugo.

Hannah exchanged a look with Neville, he raised a questioning eyebrow. She mouthed, 'Later.' The Gryffindor changed the subject to the next day's breakfast plans and who would be attending.

"After this morning, even if we hadn't planned on it we would be," Ron said.

Dean Thomas asked, "That good?"

Ron nodded, "As good or better than my Mum's."

Dean turned to Hannah, "Speaking of collaboration, Hannah, what would it cost me to get the recipe for those fluffy potato cakes?"

She laughed, "Nothing. Makes mashed potatoes, form little patties, fry or bake until lightly golden and slightly hard."

Dean stared, "So simple."

"Right?" she laughed. "I want a list of edible flowers after that salad."

"I bet Hermione or Justin would know where to get one," said
Dean.

Annoyed by the mention of the bride, Veronica tried not to scowl. Several muggles had been rude about her blush-colored dress until Hermione appeared as an ice goddess. The woman looked like she had never been pregnant, let alone gave birth to triplets three months before. And everyone fawned over said triplets and the pregnant Fleur. No one threatened her for drawing attention. She pouted silently, it was so unfair.

Wedding cake served as the dessert course. The bride and groom cut the first piece together. When someone yelled for Marcus to smash a piece in Hermione's face, he yelled back, "No thanks, mate, she fights dirty."

"And I know where he sleeps," she quipped back to everyone's amusement.

After cake the lights dimmed and the DJ announced the couple's first dance. Years of dance classes came in handy as Marcus led her around the dance floor. She stared into her husband's eyes and quietly sang along," In my life, there's been heartache and pain./ I don't know if I can face it again./ Can't stop now, I've traveled too far./ To change this lonely life."

"To Norway and back," he teased.

"Yes, and was in too deep by the time we realized anything was happening."

The last notes faded away. The DJ picked back up the microphone, "Let's keep the bride on the dance floor and get Dad out there. And at the halfway point, Hermione and Wendell want to invite all the other fathers and daughters to join them. Don't worry, I'll let you know when."

Wendell joined his daughter and twirled her around as Stevie Nicks crooned about life choices about life changes. "Stevie still a queen in your eyes?"

"The woman wrote sounds about what an arse her ex was then made him stand there and play backup while she sang them. And when he wrote songs about her she owned them. Total hits because she's a queen."

"Good to see some things haven't changed," he smiled sadly.

"Some things had to."

"But not everything, I hope." They danced in comfortable silence until the DJ invited the others onto the dance floor. Hermione looked about. Arthur and Ginny danced near Bill and Victorie. Her new best friend, Ellie, danced with Johann.

Once the song ended the dance floor cleared for Marcus and his mother. Elton John's "Your Song" began to play. Hermione collected each of her sons and delivered them to their godmothers. Then she found Teddy. "My other little men are dancing with their godmothers because I'm claiming my first little man for my first mother/son dance."

"Yeah!" cheered Teddy. "Next time you should dance with Benedict, because he's next oldest." Fleur wept openly, while Molly and Andromeda dabbed their eyes.

When George asked later, Hermione explained, "I didn't want to be seen playing favorites with my boys, and wanted to remind Teddy he is special to me."

"That was good thinking."

"I know," she replied smugly, patting his cheek. They both laughed.

"So, Freddie, Angelina, and I wanted to make sure Ronnie's nearly white ensemble doesn't bother you?"

"Since I never planned on a white dress, no. And even if I had, she only embarrassed herself and Ron."

"So long as you're content."

"I am indifferent to most of her antics," reported Hermione.

Fred, Lorelei, and Angelina joined Neville and Hannah as the two sat a few dances out. Talk of integrating muggle wedding innovations into wizarding ceremonies reminded Neville of earlier," Why did you have that odd look on your face when Ron mentioned Molly and Veronica cooking?"

Hannah dropped her head, blushing slightly, "I don't want to speak ill of someone to their family."

Fred blinked, "Why? I love my mum, but I can admit the woman is flawed."

"Not you mum."

Fred grinned, "Then fire away Ronnie is a nuisance we tolerate."

"In that case, I have no idea why Ron brags about her cooking. She gets take away from somewhere in the Alley nearly every night."

"And when you say every night, you mean..." Angelina trailed off.

"Monday through Saturday every week. From Gather Round, the Leaky, the Hoard, and all the rest, rotates the selection and place, but always enough for two adults and a toddler." Hannah felt concerned at the glee on Fred and Angelina's faces. "Please don't say anything. I don't want to be the cause of trouble."

"How do they afford it?" wondered Neville.

"No clue," responded Fred. "And not my problem. Maybe he still has some Order of Merlin money squirreled away." The conversation turned away from Ron and his wife and to catching up with old friends.