Hermione and Ginny stood on either side of Mr. Weasley waiting patiently for the grand double doors that led into the Great Hall to open. They both shook with extreme nervousness but not nearly as much as Mr. Weasley. This was it. The last of his children were getting married. Although only two were his by blood, he felt as though he were loosing four. Harry and Hermione had been such a large part of their family since their first days at Hogwarts how could he not feel that way about them. They were technically orphans and his family was all they had left. He was proud to call them his children as well; however the hair did set them apart.
Hermione held her head high and thought back to the moment she stepped onto that bright scarlet train destined for Hogwarts. She had always thought that was the moment her life had begun. She then remembered having the same feeling after giving birth to Rose. Now, she was about to embark on yet another experience that would be embedded into her memories of milestones. Each of those precious memories had one thing in common. Ronald Weasley. Once this day was over she would be able to continue to make memories with the one she had always loved.
Ginny, that youngest of the Weasley children, wanted nothing more than to sprint down the aisle to Harry’s side. Being the first Weasley girl in several generations, she had always been expected to do well. And Harry was the one that had managed to help her do that. She couldn’t have done better if she had conjured the perfect man from an ancient love potion. The first time she saw him on platform 9 ¾ she had no idea that he was the famous Harry Potter. However she knew he was special. Loving Harry had been hard, but from this forward it was going to be a cauldron cake walk. Or at least she hoped it would.
The doors were opened by Dobby and Winky each in matching tea cozies and pillow cases sporting lovely socks matching the décor of the room. Winky had finally came around and agreed that she too could be happy as a free house elf. The Great Hall was nothing short of amazing. Fairy lights twinkled, cascading dim light upon the majestic scarlet banners that were hung throughout the room. Half were monogrammed with large H’s and G’s, while the other half were monogrammed with R’s and H’s. Shimmering gold silk was draped over anything standing still. The guest all stood and turned to face the ladies of the day. The hall could not have possibly held another soul unless there had been balcony seats added to the room. Smiles flashed around the room and gasps flowed from each person there.
Professor McGonagall cued the music and the time had come. Professor Dumbledore stood majestically at the head of the room with Ron and Harry on his left. As the ghost floated above the crowd the music softly permeated the room and the ladies began their last walk as maidens. The faces of Ron and Harry glistened with perspiration obviously caused from the emotional breakdown that the both of them felt they were about to have.
Mr. Weasley straightened himself. “Here we go ladies.” He whispered as they made their way to the front of the hall. Hermione caught sight of Rose who smiled a toothy grin at her. She stood alongside the bridesmaid who were none other than the Weasley wives; Fleur, Cho, Penelope, Angelina and Susan. On the opposite side stood P.J. alongside Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George. She then locked glances with HIM, the love of her life, Ron Weasley. He smiled his infamous crooked smile and winked.
Professor Dumbledore beamed with pride as if they were his own children as they approached and waited for the onlookers to be seated. “Who gives these women to be married to these young men?”
Mr. Weasley swallowed the lump in his throat and managed. “Molly and I do.”
He then first leaned and kissed Ginny’s cheek and placed her hand in Harry’s and shook Harry’s free hand. He then turned to Hermione kissing her as well and placed her hand in Ron’s, and shaking his freehand. He wheeled himself around slowly and found his place next to Mrs.Weasley who was minding the other children.
“Before we begin…” Professor Dumbledore erupted. “I would like to pay a few words.” He bowed his head, cleared his throat and again looked around the room. “I have watched these two couples before us today grow into fine young adults. From the first time I saw them I knew they were destined for a miraculous life. They have always known just what the other needed in order to go on.” He again paused with a grin. “It was fate that brought them together. They have laughed, cried, and celebrated in these halls together and as they did so I was right there with them the whole way. And I am here to say that it was an honor and privilege.
Ginny looked at Harry who had a small glimmer of a tear in his eye. She squeezed his hand in a silent comfort.
“I always feel my students are my extended family. And the Weasley family has always made me feel welcome and allowed me to enjoy their good and bad times. I am titillated that they have asked me to celebrate with them today as well.”
The traditional vows went by without a loss of a tear, but be that as it may, now was their chance to say what they felt in their hearts.
“Mr. Weasley, would you begin?” Dumbledore glanced at Ron gently, feeling his anxiety.
Ron nervously took Hermione’s hands in his, clearing his throat, dug in deep for the courage to make it through. “Hermione, from the day I met you I thought you were an insufferable know it all.”
Chuckles permeated from around the room. “You said it.” George shouted before thinking and quickly closed his mouth as Mrs. Weasley peered through him as though she could strike him dead right there.
“And” Ron stressed. “After getting to know you I was proven correct.” Hermione was just about to lose all control when he smiled and continued. “However, that one quality saved our necks more times than I care to count and during those times I learned that you were more than brains. You were the one to keep my in line, test my weaknesses and love me.” He lost himself in her glassy eyes with the thought that he was nearly home free. “So, I will spend the rest of our lives returning the favor.”
Ron let out a silent breath and kissed Hermione’s cheek. He wiped a single tear from the other cheek and nodded, sending her the cue to begin.
“Ron, I spent out time at Hogwarts evaluating and analyzing your faults and quirks and during that time I complained and corrected.” She smiled nervously and continued. “However, the long amount of time we spent apart made me miss those quirks and yearn for them again. Now that we are together again I promise to never correct your quirkiness again.”
A smirk fell upon Ron’s face. “I’ll remember that.” Quiet snickers popped throughout the Great Hall.
“I’m sure you will.” Hermione quietly retorted.
“I’d get it in writing.” Said a voice from the groomsmen’s direction but who said it was unclear.
“Very good.” Professor Dumbledore chimed as he turned his attention to the other couple. “Miss Weasley, if you will.”
Ginny looked into the depths of Harry’s green eyes and filled herself with inspiration.
“Harry, from the first time I laid eyes on you at Platform 9 ¾ I became infatuated with you and later I was mesmerized by your strength, physical and emotional. I saw in you the yearning to be loved, and I couldn’t help but want to give you the love that you deserved. You treated me like I was an important part of your life. And for that reason I will love you for eternity.” Ginny tried to remain strong and not lose control at this point.
Harry lifted his hand to Ginny and pushed a stray hair from her face, making her eyes more visible. “Ginny, I watched you grow into a strong young lady that I couldn’t ignore. You, along with your entire family, has accepted me and taught me a few things along the way. As you all well know I didn’t grow up under the best of circumstances.” Harry turned slightly and caught the eyes of Mrs. Weasley. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks and the handkerchief she had couldn’t wipe them fast enough. “You have taught me love is knowing that in your darkest hour there are those who care. Love is doing something wrong and being forgiven. And Ginny love is waking every morning to you.” He kissed Ginny gently and nodded to Professor Dumbledore signaling his completion.
“Very well put everyone. Gentlemen, would you please kiss your brides?”
The couples tactfully exchanged loving kisses and sweet smiles and turned their attention back to their former professor.
“May I be the first to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter.” The couples turned and the room erupted into a roar of hoops and whistling. ‘Way to go Ron and way to go Harry’ was yelled sporadically around the room. The newlyweds weren’t given the chance to walk back down the aisle. They were bombarded with a roomful of well wishers.
***
Once the room was cleared of the chairs the guest were able to move about freely. One large table was left and the largest wedding cake imaginable was placed at its center waiting to be devoured. Fountains of Gillywater and Elderflower wine were on either end of the long table with bits of appetizing snacks in between. Bottles of Firewhiskey and Red Currant Rum also sat amongst the refreshments. A punchbowl full of pumpkin juice sat alongside a platter full of sweets that had been covered in children almost immediately.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley joined the rest of the now complete Weasley family and presented something to both of the new couples. “We knew that you had planned on waiting on opening gifts until later, however we would like you to have these now.” Mrs. Weasley smiled placing the gifts upon the tables in front of them all.
Hermione and Ginny took the honor of opening the boxes. Smiles feel upon their faces. “Mum, I have always hoped that this would be something you would give us.” Ginny hugged both of her parents and then showed the contents of the box to Harry.
“Oh how lovely.” Hermione gasped. “I now feel like a true Weasley.”
The ladies held up the boxes to show what they had been presented with. Clocks identical to the very one that hung in the Weasley’s house for so many years. One clock had hands reading Ron, Hermione and Rose and the other with hands reading Harry and Ginny.
“And as need be we can add the hands along the way.” Mrs. Weasley informed them.
Ron rolled his eyes. “I hope you aren’t expecting them to have as many hands as the original.”
***
Once every guest had their fill of cake and refreshments Remus stood at the head of the hall and tried getting the attention of the room. “Excuse me if you will…” He said more than once. “I would like to end this lovely celebration with a toast so that the newlyweds may get on with their honeymoons.” He held his glass high and he was soon followed by the entire room. “I had always known that this day would come. And it lay heavy on my heart as to what I would say. I have grown so attached to these young people that I feel like they are my own.” He looked into Harry’s eyes wanting to say just the right thing. “I made a promise to my friends that I would, to the best of my ability, see that their son was a happy man. I often wished that I could have taken their place so they would see this day.”
“Remus” Harry choked.
“Wait Harry, let me get through here. This is hard enough.” He stopped as he searched for the right words. “Ron and Hermione, you have made Harry and great friend. Without you two he may well have not made it this far. He is one lucky man.” Smiling at Ginny he continued on. “Ginny, watching you and Harry together has made me think of James and Lily. You will never know how much you are like them, James the fearless and Lily his protector.”
The hall erupted in cheers.
Remus lifted his voice once more and made one last statement before the departure of the couples. “And in the words of my dear friends I will end by saying, Life Goes On.”
A/N And there it is...thanks to all that have read and encouraged me. I really appreciate it.