Chapter 24 by Kinsfire
After his bout of post-adrenalin shakes was finished, Harry walked the grounds to more fully check out the damage.
He came across the area being used momentarily as the morgue for those who had fought on Harry's side - the Death
Eaters were currently being left where they were. He was surprised to find that the death toll for his side was very low,
consisting almost entirely of Aurors. He was saddened, though, to recognise a student among the dead - Marietta
Edgecombe, with Cho Chang kneeling beside her, crying. He dropped to his knees and put an arm on Cho's shoulder.
She leaned into him and continued to cry.
A short time later, he felt Hermione's hand on his shoulder. He looked up. "I may have had my problems with what
happened last year, but ... she wanted to make up for it. Why couldn't she have stayed in the battlements?"
"I understand." She put a hand on Cho's other shoulder, and the seventh year student looked up into Hermione's sad
face, and smiled weakly at her.
"Why did she have to die?" Cho asked plaintively.
"I know that it's never a good answer, but sometimes that's simply the way it is," Doug said quietly. "Look at her face,
though. She died knowing that she was doing the right thing. That isn't a look of fright or shame. That's a look of
determination. Your Miss Edgecombe died knowing she was helping to save people she cared for. She died saving her
friends."
Cho looked carefully at her friend's body and smiled, this time a little stronger. She nodded at both Hermione and
Harry, who helped her to her feet. "Mister Granger, thank you. The loss of my friend will hurt, but you're right. At
least she died a hero. Thank you for reminding me of that."
Harry looked out over the grounds, again noting the damage. "I'm going to be famous from this stupid battle - even
more so than before," he growled. "Well, I'm going to use it, damn it. Whoever ends up with the Minister's job is going
to give these people here the Order of Merlin, First Class, or I'll know the reason why. They died to defeat Voldemort.
All I did was to fight a massively weakened opponent and finally kill him. I was fulfilling a destiny, while they could
have avoided the battle without shame."
"Harry," Hermione said, "I want you to promise me something. I know you well enough that you'll fight it if they offer
you the Order of Merlin. If not for yourself, please accept it for us. For me. You faced a madman to save my life."
"And mine," Helen said.
"Do it for Marietta," Cho said simply. "She died supporting you, Harry. Let us thank you for being there to end this
menace." Harry nodded after a moment, understanding the sentiment.
"Oh, I'm curious about something," Helen asked, making it obvious that she was trying to lighten the mood. "Why did
you blush when you saved Hermione and me?"
Harry's blush returned full force, and he mumbled a response while Hermione started to giggle. "Stop it, Hermione," he
pleaded.
"You don't want her to know that she was saved because you think she's sexy?" Hermione finally asked. She turned to
her mother and said, "When he called for me, he must have been distracted, because he said 'Accio sexy woman'.
That's when we both shot at Harry at high speed."
Doug laughed. "I told people he was smart! He fell in love with my daughter, and he thinks his mother-in-law is
attractive! Brilliant young man!" He pulled the three of them into an awkward hug, one filled with humour, though.
Finally, they disengaged from the embrace and began to walk toward Hogsmeade. Harry veered toward the Forbidden
Forest as he saw centaurs exiting, dragging something behind them. When he was much closer, he discovered that it
was a large number of dead Death Eaters. Bane stepped forward. "Hail, Harry Potter. We thought you might desire
these back. We had intended to deliver them to you alive, but they simply stopped a short time ago. We believe that
they died when the Dark One did. We also made no effort to stop those who chose to invade the area inhabited by
Aragog and his mate and children. I would imagine that they are simply food by this point."
"Pity," Harry murmured. "I would have liked to have identified them."
Hermione thought about it for a moment. "That might not be a problem. They are spiders, after all. They'll have no use
for the husks when they're done, so they'll probably leave them out for Hagrid if he asks, with the clothing still on
them. We can collect them and identify them then."
Ron turned green. "I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Not even Death Eaters."
Harry shook his head and looked up at Bane. "Now I get to try to talk whomever takes charge of the Ministry into
treating fairly with you and the other magical species."
"You will do what you planned, although the stars still hold a surprise for you in that regard," Bane said with the first
smile that Harry could ever remember seeing the centaur bestow upon a human.
"Great," Harry laughed. "Even the stars have it in for me." He held out his hand to Bane in friendship and found Bane
gripping his forearm in a sign of brotherhood.
"You and those you hold dear are welcome in these woods, Harry Potter. We ... I look forward to your next visit."
There was a quiet gasp from those who hand joined Harry's entourage - Bane's attitude toward humans was legendary
amongst those who had gone to the school.
"I look forward to visiting, Bane. May the stars be clear and the hunt easy." This time the gasp came from the centaurs
at a human knowing enough to offer them a centaur blessing. "Not to be rude, but I really need to see how the others
are doing, Bane."
"See to your herd, Harry Potter, and we shall see to ours. Until next time." They turned and disappeared into the forest,
leaving behind the dead.
---
He finally made it into Hogsmeade, where he could still see fireworks being set off by the twins. "Harry!" they
bellowed when they caught sight of him. "Jolly good show!" Fred shouted. There was smoke still rising from various
areas of town, the thickest being around the remains of the Three Broomsticks. Harry's progress was slow as he passed
through the throng of people wanting to thank him. He finally arrived to see people working their way through the
wreckage, cooling things as they went - water sprayed from various wands into the smouldering ruins. Bill, Molly and
Arthur Weasley were helping with the building while Charlie comforted a crying Madam Rosmerta.
"I'd ask what happened," he said, "but that would be rather stupid. How many did we lose?"
"Surprisingly few," Remus said, walking up behind Harry. "They sent in a team of incompetents. In fact, other than
Moody and Gina, the waitress at the Three Broomsticks, I can't say that I've heard of anyone from our side dying
down here. They had five toasted in the Broomsticks, Bill broke one, the Aurors got three, and we still don't know
how many the alligators got. Then the rest of them sort of fell over unconscious, and we figure those should be put on
your tally. The only reasonably dangerous person they had here was Bellatrix LeStrange."
Harry whirled to face him. "She was here? What happened? Where is she?"
Charlie leaned over and said, "We were reminded why it's a bad idea to get Remus mad. Broke her neck with his bare
hands."
Harry looked at his old teacher, and recognised the look. "Remus, I'm sorry you had to do that. She needed to die, but
I'm sorry that anyone but me was forced to render the final blow." He pulled the man into a heartfelt hug.
"I let the wolf out, Harry," Remus replied. "I never want to do that again."
"I understand. Maybe not completely, but I do understand. I just wish ... I wish I could ... I was able to kill Tom, but
..."
"I know, Harry, I know. Let's get to helping the others." They set to moving wreckage of the Three Broomsticks to see
if anything could be salvaged. The first floor had come down into the ground floor, and virtually the only thing that
wasn't ruined was Charlie's trunk, which, of course, was dragonhide and hence fireproof. Once the remains of the
upper level were removed, the charred bodies of the Death Eaters were located where the storage room had been.
There was no sign that they had ever moved or come back to consciousness, something for which the Weasleys were
grateful.
There was no trace of Moody or the waitress. There was, however, muffled singing coming up from under the
floorboards. A single flick of Harry's wand peeled the rest of the remains of the Three Broomsticks away and revealed
the entrance to the cellar beneath; a second flick ripped away the thick oak trapdoor and the layer of dampened sacks
that had been tacked up across it on the inside. A wobbly soprano voice sang, "Somebody shouted MacIntyre!" and a
strong bass joined her in repeating "MACINTYRE!"
"And we all got blue ballsed parasomething something," warbled the soprano.
"I don't think that's how it goes," came Moody's voice, interrupting the chorus. "Blue ballsed? Surely not."
Harry started for the stairs, but Bill held him back. "I don't think you should go down there, Harry. You're underage,
and this sounds like it's not going to be pretty."
It fell to Remus and Charlie to go down into the cellar and convince Moody and Gina that it was safe to come out. As
Charlie helped the extremely unsteady-on-her-feet young woman up the stairs, Moody bellowed, "Here here! Keep
your hands off m'fiancee!" and pushed Charlie out of the way to help Gina up the rest of the way himself. Remus was
laughing so hard he practically had to crawl up the ladder.
With the exaggerated dignity of one who is truly and mightily pissed, Moody put one arm around Gina's waist and
held his wand at the ready, just in case there were any remaining death eaters hiding behind the burned-out bar.
"Gentlemen ... oh, and gentle ladies," he said, bowing carefully to Rosmerta and Molly Weasley, "may I introduce the
future Mrs. Moody. Got engaged somewhere between the second and third bottles of Old Ogden's," he said proudly.
"Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but how in Merlin's name did you two survive?" Remus asked incredulously.
"Next time I see Dumbledore, I'm gonna suggest he finally tell Binns that he's dead," the old Auror said solemnly.
"Cast your mind back to first year - to Wendelin the Weird." This was met with a round of palms meeting foreheads.
"The Flame Freezing charm," Remus muttered. "Of course."
"So what happened?" Harry asked.
"Well, I got thrown backwards into the Broomsticks, and cast the charm as I did. I was about to come back out to join
the fight, but I heard Gina here screaming, so I went to help her. Have to turn in my Heroic Auror card if I left a lady
to get toasted, y'know. So before the roof came down, I got us into the basement and reinforced it. Course then we had
to find some way to pass the time until you finished playing with the Death Munchers. Didn't happen to save any for
me, did you?" He turned to Rosmerta without waiting for an answer. "It did get kind of warm down there, so we drank
some of the firewhiskey to keep it from igniting. And we used butterbeer to wet down the sacks on the door. You'll be
happy to know that we managed to save the rest of your stock, Rose. You can be up and running again in no time!"
"Thank you, Alastor," she said. "It will be a while before I can manage that, though. I just don't have the cash to hand
immediately to build a new inn."
"How fast could it be rebuilt if you had the materials?" Harry asked.
"Three days. You already did most of the debris removal."
"Remus, I'll need you to find me a good construction company. I'm donating the materials to get the Three
Broomsticks rebuilt."
"Mister Potter, I can't afford that!" Madam Rosmerta squeaked.
"Did I say that you were paying for it?" Harry asked her with a smile. "I'll buy the lumber and such, and pay for the
workmen to rebuild the inn. Then we'll have the Three Broomsticks back in business in no time." He met eyes with
Hermione, and she nodded. "In time for the wedding, in fact."
"That's supposed to be today!" Molly exclaimed. "Oh dear, all our dress clothes ... oh dear ..."
"Don't worry about it," he said. "We just decided to hold off for a few days. People died today, and even the Death
Eaters deserve to be mourned by someone. We lost many brave Aurors today, not to mention Marietta Edgecombe,
fighting against Tom Riddle. It just wouldn't feel right to celebrate on the same day that we have to tell a family that
their daughter died." He shrugged. "Besides, a few people need to buy new things." He looked at the Weasleys. "As a
thank you for being there for me, please let me replace your things. You've been there when I needed you most, so let
me do the same. It's not as if I can't afford it."
Molly sniffed and nodded, and Amelia Bones came forward, Susan right behind her. They both had been talking to
Arthur Weasley moments before in hushed tones. "Mister Potter," Amelia said, "you might be interested to know that a
few Aurors back at the Ministry fell over, unconscious, when you defeated Vol - Riddle. Fudge almost escaped, but
there weren't enough collapsed men to make it feasible for him to do so. Fudge is in custody, and we need a new
Minister."
"I'm glad to know about Fudge, and I assume that the moneys he stole will be returned soon?"
"Done already, from what I've been told. I'm surprised they didn't tell you."
"They might have, but I had getting married to distract me. By the way, we're postponing a few days to allow people
to mourn. It just feels wrong to throw a party the same day that people died."
"They will anyway, Mister Potter, but I understand your reasoning."
"As for the Minister, I'll probably throw my support behind just about anyone that you choose. My thoughts are on
Mister Weasley or you, simply because I've gotten a good feel for how honest the both of you are."
"What if we came up with a candidate that both Arthur and I approve of? Would you throw your support behind him?"
She had a suspicious twinkle in her eyes.
"Most likely. Who were you thinking of?"
"We were thinking of asking Harry James Potter to run for Minister for Magic," she replied, grinning.
He blinked at her for a long moment, before bursting into raucous laughter. "Now that was a good one!" he finally
gasped out. "For a moment, you had me believing that you wanted a student not yet out of Hogwarts to be Minister for
Magic!"
He looked in their eyes after a moment, and then backed up. "Are you out of your fucking minds?!?" he shouted. "I'm
sorry for the language, but ... I'm barely sixteen! Who in their right mind is going to vote for me?"
He was nearly deafened by the crowd shouting variations on "Me!"
Turning to face the crowd, he asked, "How many of you would end up voting for me only because I just killed
Voldemort up the hill a ways?" Quite a few nodded. "Are you aware of just how corrupt a government you could get
if you voted that way? You have no idea what I'm like! I may be waiting for a chance to fleece everyone and their
kneazle. Vote for someone you think will do a good job, not someone who just rid you of a problem."
Hermione spoke up. "How about voting for someone who works hard to keep his promises? Someone who wants to
improve relations with the non-human races in hopes of avoiding another Goblin war, or starting a Centaur war?
Would you recommend voting for someone with principles such as those? A man who would work hard to make sure
another Voldemort won't happen?"
"Do you want me to run, Hermione?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, I do, Harry. You could make a great difference in office."
He looked at her for a long moment. "I still think the idea of a sixteen year old Minister not even out of Hogwarts is
ridiculous, but if you and the Weasleys think that I would do a good job as Minister, then I'll run." He chuckled for a
moment. "I can see me now, explaining to the Bulgarian ambassador, 'Excuse me, sir, but I can't have that international
policy meeting with you right now. I have finals that I have to take.'" He turned back to the crowd. "Because my wife
and the Weasleys think it's a good idea, you have your candidate."
He was assaulted by the sound of cheering.
---
He finally made it to the Hospital Wing to visit the wounded. As with the death toll, the number of seriously wounded
was surprisingly low, and those had been moved to St. Mungo's. Everyone else seemed to be walking around the
school sporting various bandages. He found Professor Dumbledore lying comfortably in one of the beds - the one that
Madam Pomfrey had continually joked that she would install a plaque on to mark as his bed.
"Sir? How are you feeling?"
The headmaster looked up at him. "Well, other than a case of extreme exhaustion, I feel quite fine, especially knowing
that the menace of Riddle is gone. Thank you, my boy." He smiled. "So how does it feel to be the most powerful
wizard alive?"
"Isn't that your title, sir?" he asked.
"Not since last Thursday, Harry. You see, a person's magical core is like a muscle. The more it's exercised, the stronger
it gets. With most people, it increases strength rapidly through childhood and then much more slowly after adulthood is
reached. In your case, however, you had a link with Voldemort r11; your magic as a child was just enough to keep
him alive. The older you grew, stronger your magic became r11; but there was always a large portion of it drained off
to Voldemort. That there was still enough left for you that we didn't notice a deficiency spoke volumes for the strength
you were developing. What we saw was a young man of somewhat above average power. But it is apparent now that
that was perhaps only a third of what you were capable of. When Severus broke the bond between you and your wife,
he also unknowingly severed the link with Voldemort, and all the power that he had been bleeding from you for years
became yours again. Then with the reinstatement of the soul bond, your power increased again. Given your age, it is
entirely possible your full potential has not yet been reached." He paused for just a moment. "I have heard a
preliminary report from the Aurors that those three you Transfigured on the lawn will be making their home in a zoo.
They say that there is no sign that they were ever human - it is as if they were always a hippopotamus, a giraffe, and
an aardvark. That is heretofore unheard of."
Harry sat down heavily. "If they weren't Death Eaters, I'd feel horrible right now. I need to get this under control,
though. I don't want to get angry at someone and accidentally turn them into a penguin or something."
Dumbledore laughed. "I think that there is little real worry about that, Harry. The most important thing you need worry
about is control, and you can be forgiven for losing your temper and control in the midst of a battle with a man who
desired your death. I shall work with you, however, to cement your control, if you desire."
Harry nodded, and sat with Dumbledore for a little while longer, simply visiting and enjoying the man's presence,
knowing that, for once, there was nothing potentially fatal hanging over his head waiting to happen.
---
Harry had rather handily avoided the worst of the mail problem simply by giving an interview to the Daily Prophet
informing them that all his mail was being checked, since it was possible that some Death Eaters had survived. This
meant that every owl post sent would be subjected to scrutiny, and the likelihood of certain types of letters reaching
him was effectively nil. "The only knickers and bras I want in my hands are yours, preferably while you're still in
them," he'd murmured to Hermione and wiggled his eyebrows at her, causing her to giggle - something her classmates
were still not quite used to hearing her do.
The wedding had been not only been rescheduled as far as date was concerned, changing it to the twenty-eighth of
September, but when it was realised that this was going to be the wedding of the century, it was decided that it would
be moved out to the lawn. A large number of weather divination spells had been done, and all had agreed that the day
would be beautiful - warmer than the end of September had a right to be.
Albus met Harry in the front hall. Hermione and her parents were secreted in the anteroom the First Years used before
sorting, Harry's groomsmen stood with him looking nervous, and the bridesmaids were dashing back and forth
between the two. Albus had a serene smile on his face. "I can't tell you how glad I am that this day has come, Harry.
Not only do I get to see a young man I care for deeply achieve the happiness he deserves, but for once I know the
public has done the correct thing as well. It is good to see that the world will be in such capable hands," he said
simply.
"I still can't believe the vote went the way it did, sir. It was approved by the Wizengamot unanimously?"
Dumbledore chuckled quietly. "You were a popular candidate, Harry. I can't help but think that people will be
surprised when they discover that you are not as easily controlled as they might have hoped for."
"I aim to please," Harry laughed quietly back at him. "I think the girls are about ready. Shall we start the show?"
Out on the lawn, the guests, including every student at Hogwarts, every Auror who wasn't absolutely needed
elsewhere, and numerous foreign dignitaries who wanted to start off on the right foot with the young Minister, waited
impatiently. An aisle extended from the doors of Hogwarts between rows of beribboned seats to a gazebo twined with
climbing roses in full bloom. Soft music had been playing for the past hour. Suddenly the music changed to a stronger,
more masculine theme, and as the guests turned in their seats, the great doors of the castle opened to reveal Albus
Dumbledore, clad in deep purple robes that were even more resplendent than usual. He had gone all out with
ceremonial regalia, wearing a plum-coloured sash that marked him as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, his Order
of Merlin First Class on a red and gold ribbon, and a large gold phoenix pendant signifying the leadership of the Order
of the Phoenix. He also carried the staff of the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and
Fawkes perched on his shoulder. In solitary majesty, he walked down the aisle to the gazebo, where he turned to face
the castle.
The music changed again, to a theme of victory and triumph. In the open doorway, Harry appeared, flanked by Molly
and Arthur Weasley, who had been overjoyed to be asked to stand in for Harry's parents. The Weasley's matching
deep green dress robes were embroidered with gold in a design of flowering vines. After the battle, Harry had
rethought his own wedding clothing choices, and combined both Muggle and Wizarding traditions, wearing a black
tuxedo with a royal blue cummerbund, topped with a loose white open front robe embroidered with blue and gold
phoenixes. The medallion of the Minister of Magic on its heavy gold chain completed the ensemble. Thoroughly
embarrassed by all the attention, Harry was grateful for the presence of the Weasleys, which, he thought, was all that
kept him from turning tail and fleeing in panic instead of walking calmly and sedately toward the gazebo.
Unlike a Muggle wedding, the parents of the bride and groom remained part of the wedding party, so Molly and
Arthur waited with Harry as the music changed again.
Next up the long aisle were Ron and Ginny, her royal blue gown shimmering gently in the September sun. He saw
quite a few of his fellow students look at her with new appreciation, and was more than a little amused to note how
many of them were female. Ron was quite possibly the most serious that Harry had ever seen him - he obviously took
his position as groomsman quite seriously.
Then came Remus and Helen, also magnificent in their outfits. Harry smiled at the glow on his mother-in-law's face,
and chuckled as he realised that it wasn't simply due to her pregnancy or the wedding that was about to happen.
Tonks and Neville followed, Neville looking fully the part of the groom himself - tall, proud, and self-assured,
especially with the beautiful woman on his arm. Tonks' current form was astonishingly beautiful, with platinum blonde
hair that fell to her mid-back. The manner in which the two carried themselves had Harry smiling - if he didn't know
better, he'd think that this was their wedding.
As they took their respective places at the front, the world went away, as far as Harry was concerned. The music
changed again, this time to something lush with strings and terribly romantic r11; Harry had heard it before but
couldn't identify it. Framed in the castle doorway was Hermione in her gown, holding a bouquet of mixed magical and
Muggle flowers, her father beside her in tux and robe, but she was all that he could see. The gown was ecru in colour,
with gold and silver sparkles scattered across the tight bodice and full skirt. A roll of white silk bounced down the
castle steps and unwound along the aisle to end right in front of the gazebo, and Harry stepped onto his end to await
his bride as she approached on her father's arm. When she got closer, he finally saw what the silver and gold highlights
were r11; small stylised phoenixes that flew gently and joyously about the gown. Her veil was silvery, and Harry
smiled as he felt her excitement. Concentrating, he could feel her heart pounding as hard as his was. My God, I love
you, he sent gently through the link. He could feel her blush.
Me too, Harry. I can't wait for the ceremony to be over, and for us to be husband and wife in the eyes of the law as
well as the eyes of the gods. My heart is beating so hard - I'm scared, and happy, and ... and horny, and ...
I know. I'm the same, to all of it. I'm terrified I won't be a good husband, I'm ecstatic that the most beautiful woman
I've ever known loves me, I want to shag that same woman until neither of us can walk ... He grinned widely, knowing
people would misunderstand why he was grinning.
She came to a stop next to him. Careful about telling me things like that, or else we'll consummate it before we're
actually married, she laughed in his head.
I'm trying to find a reason why that's a bad thing, he responded, feeling her blush as he did. He also felt the heat rush
through her, and knew full well that they'd be sneaking off during the cocktail hour. Might be a bad idea to dance with
Professor McGonagall while sporting the raging hard-on you caused.
She'd certainly appreciate the sentiment, came the laughing mental response. Hold that thought for a minute, I have to
pretend I'm still Daddy's little girl for a minute...
With trembling hands, Doug carefully lifted the veil that covered her face and pulled it back, then kissed his daughter
gently and carefully, then turned to shake Harry's hand solemnly. "Take care of my baby for me," he said.
"I will, sir," Harry replied. Hermione handed off her bouquet to Ginny, and Doug carefully placed Hermione's hand in
Harry's, then stepping to his place with the rest of the wedding party.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, and the crowd immediately became silent. "Welcome, all, to the ceremony that will
unite Harry Potter and Hermione Granger in marriage. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honour
their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction. Today Harry
and Hermione proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with and for them."
"In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us
receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are
in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship.
All of you are Harry and Hermione's community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this
moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because Harry and
Hermione are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a
new way."
"There are many things that I could say about them, but the simplest is that I always knew that someday this would
happen. I had always hoped that I would be permitted to officiate at their wedding, and they have granted an old man
his fondest wish."
"Harry and Hermione, we are here to remember and rejoice with you and to recount with one another that it is love that
guides us on our path, and to celebrate as you begin this journey together. It is in this spirit that you have come here to
today to exchange these vows."
He turned to Harry and spoke. "Harry, repeat after me: I, Harry, take you, Hermione, to be my wife. I promise above
all else to live in truth with you and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart as a
sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honour as I join my life to yours."
Harry turned to her and look at her through her veil, pouring all his feelings of love and devotion as he spoke. "I,
Harry, take you, Hermione, to be my wife. I promise above all else to live in truth with you and to communicate fully
and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love, devotion,
faith and honour as I join my life to yours, until my life shall end."
She gasped at the addition, and a small sob of happiness escaped her as once again a pulse of magic burst from him.
Albus Dumbledore's eyes were suspiciously bright as he turned to her and said, "Hermione, repeat after me: I,
Hermione, take you, Harry, to be my husband. I promise above all else to live in truth with you, and to communicate
fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love,
devotion, faith and honour as I join my life to yours."
Harry could see her close her eyes for a moment, and then she spoke as she opened them. "I, Hermione, take you,
Harry, to be my husband. I promise above all else to live in truth with you, and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I
give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honour as
I join my life to yours, until my own life is done." A burst of magic exploded outward, joining Harry's magic to
Hermione's, and then pulsing powerfully into the crowd.
Even though the emotion was true and powerful, they were forced to hold back laughter when they heard Hagrid's
trumpet blast as he blew his nose. "I always knew they'd marry," they heard his booming whisper.
Knowing that he'd be embarrassed if they acknowledged that they'd heard him, they softly motioned to Dumbledore to
continue.
"For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. These simple gold bands are not of great
value in themselves, but are made precious by our wearing of them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you
have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as
well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight."
"Harry, take Hermione's ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after me: Just as this circle is without end, my love
for you is eternal. Just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I
take you to be my trusted confidante and partner for life."
Harry turned to Ron, who handed him the gold band with a solemnity that surprised Harry. He noted the suspicious
wetness in the corners of his best friend's eyes, and found that his own were suspiciously damp. "Just as this circle is
without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will
never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante and partner for life." He brought the ring to his lips
and kissed it before taking her hand and sliding it onto her finger, where it resized gently to fit perfectly.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, sounding suspiciously as if he were fighting back tears of his own. "Hermione, take
Harry's ring and put it on his finger, and repeat after me: Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal.
Just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my
trusted confidante and partner for life."
Hermione received Harry's ring with equal solemnity and spoke. "Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is
eternal. Just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you
to be my trusted confidante and partner for life." She also kissed the ring gently before placing it on her husband's
hand.
As Harry's ring slid into place, Albus motioned, and two roses appeared hovering before the couple. "Please take one,"
he said with a smile. As they did, he continued. "Harry, Hermione - your gift to each other for your wedding today has
been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a
public showing of your commitment to each other."
"You now have what remains the most honourable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of
'husband' and 'wife.' In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one
thing - it meant the words 'I love you.' So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would
be a single rose."
"Please exchange your gifts." They each kissed their rose lightly and handed it to their life partner. "In some ways it
seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are
holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no
different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and
precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of
marriage."
His face became quite serious, but his eyes continued to twinkle. "Harry and Hermione, I would ask that where ever
you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you
both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both
may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that this will be a
marriage based upon love."
"Unfortunately, in every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who
we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult at some time to words to say 'I
am sorry' or 'I forgive you'; 'I need you' or 'I am hurting'." Hermione's eyes met and held Harry's for a moment, and he
nodded sincerely. "If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both
of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all
other words."
"That rose says the words: 'I still love you.' The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found,
and remember the love and hope that you both share today."
Albus beamed brightly again. "Harry, Hermione, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that
it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is love by which your
marriage shall endure. From what I have seen of in the past, I have no doubt that yours is a love that will become
legend." With a twinkle, he conjured a crystal bud vase into which Harry and Hermione placed their roses, and then
wafted the vase over to Ginny, who plucked it gently out of the air.
He reached out his hands and laid a hand on their shoulders. "Although I am officiating here today, it is not truly in my
power to sanctify, legitimise or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of you have already done that in
your hearts." His hands came down to theirs, bringing them together in a tender clasp and then releasing them to hold
each other. "So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other's eyes, let it be known that you are joined,
body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. And now that you have stood before me and
exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be married according to the laws of both the Muggle realm
of Scotland and the laws of the wizarding world, it gives me gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are
Husband and Wife."
"Before I present you to the world as such, I would like to give one final blessing to you. It comes from the American
Indian tribe known as the Apache, and it is their wedding chant."
"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other."
"Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other."
"Now you are two persons, but there is only one life inside you."
"Go now to your dwelling to enter the days of your life together."
"And may your days be good, and long upon the earth."
After a momentary pause, he said, "You may kiss your bride, Harry."
Harry looked deeply into the eyes of the woman he would spend the rest of his days with. He knew how beautiful she
was to him, but suddenly, it was as if he had never seen her before. She simply glowed with happiness, her eyes
shining with tears of joy. He raised his hands to gently cup her face and leaned in gently to brush her lips with a
feather kiss. "I love you, Hermione," he breathed before pressing his lips far more firmly against hers, kissing her
thoroughly. His right hand released her face and slid down behind her back to pull her close while his left arm went
lightly around her shoulder. The kiss deepened as both poured their feelings into it.
It was only when they heard a trilling sound that they finally broke the kiss. Fawkes spread his wings and launched
himself to sit on the top of the gazebo, singing joyously. Finishing his song, he leapt into the air again and circled
above them before flashing away in a burst of golden flames.
"You are truly blessed, to have had a phoenix bless your union," Albus said. "I have but one thing to say now. Ladies
and gentlemen, I have the very great honour to introduce to you Mister and Mrs. Harry Potter!"
The applause was thunderous and lasted for a good five minutes, even after they had walked back down the aisle to the
strains of the Wedding March. They spent roughly forty minutes getting some photographs taken for posterity,
including some Muggle ones so the Grangers would have something to show their friends and family, and then all
headed toward the Quidditch pitch, the only place large enough to host the entire crowd staying for the reception. As
they headed that way, Harry met Albus's eyes, and the headmaster's twinkle could almost have lit the school by itself.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" he said after casting a Sonorus upon himself. "I would like to draw your attention to the work
that has been done today ..." Harry tuned him out as he carefully made sure he was holding Hermione's hand, and then
they were suddenly elsewhere on the grounds - on the cliffs, in a delightfully secluded spot.
"Why, Mister Potter!" she said, pretending to be scandalised. "Whatever are you thinking? Were you thinking of
getting me alone to ravish my body?"
"I believe that the proper answer to that question is a very fervent 'Hell yes!'," he laughed.
"Well, then, carry on," she giggled, relaxing into his arms.
He kissed her deeply again, and breathed, "How is it that, even after making love to you before, even to the point of
fathering a child, I am terrified of this moment - of not pleasing you as a man should his wife?"
She smiled and nestled against his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Harry. Just knowing that you worry about it pleases
me. You care. And considering how incredibly you treated me on the day you gave me your virginity, I doubt that
you'll be any less wonderful." Her eyes sparkled. "Especially after everything we've learned since your birthday," she
finished in a purr that caused a rather insistent throbbing to develop below his waist. "Oh, for me?" she asked
innocently as she pressed against his groin.
"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" he asked as her hand slid down and began caressing him through the fabric of
his trousers. "Make sure that no ... oh God yes ... no blood gets to my brain?"
"Harry, for once, I want you to think with this head," she growled, squeezing his length for just a moment. An instant
later, she found her hand wrapped around skin.
Harry blinked as he realised that their clothes were nicely folded off to the side, and then groaned as he felt
Hermione's grip tighten slightly, her hand beginning to gently stroke up and down. "Do you have any idea how
difficult it is to keep from grabbing you and just plunging into you when you're doing that to me?"
"What are you waiting for?" she moaned back. "I've wanted to be with you since I woke up this morning."
A moment later, she had her back against a Cushioned tree, her legs wrapped around Harry's waist, and Harry was
delighting in the feel of his wife surrounding him. Almost immediately, the feedback from their link overloaded them
both, and they were crying each other's names in joy as they stopped being separate souls for a few moments.
As they came to their senses, Hermione smiled. "Now we are well and truly married, lover boy. Gods, I've needed that
since I awoke this morning to hear Mum and Dad in their own room. I had to clamp down on the link to allow you to
function this morning - otherwise you'd have grabbed me and screwed me senseless the moment you saw me in the
aisle."
"Well, I wanted to anyway ..." he began before breaking into laughter.
"I know, I could feel that. I was at that level when I woke up, though. I was in serious need of that shagging you just
gave me, Mister Potter." She relaxed against him.
He kissed her forehead gently. "Well, Mrs. Potter, I am to please."
With a growl that made him start to stiffen again, she replied, "Well, I can tell you that it was definitely pleasing." She
pulled herself from his embrace and laid down on the grass. "Care to take the edge off a bit more before we return to
the crowd? Perhaps something less frantic for both of us?" He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. "Don't apologize
- we were both horny as hell. If not for your magic, we'd be casting repair spells on our clothes, because I was going
to tear my dress off to let you have your way with me."
"That dress is too beautiful to do that to," he murmured as he nibbled on her neck. "Now be quiet while I kiss
everything that I love to kiss so much."
---
They returned to the party after that, feeling quite happy, and no one who noticed that they had disappeared asked
where they had been. They were led to the head table that had been set up, and almost immediately someone in the
crowd began striking a utensil against their goblet, the sound chiming clearly through the gathering. Hermione's eyes
sparkled and she leaned over to Harry. "They'll keep ringing until we kiss, Harry," she murmured.
His own eyes lit up and he captured her lips in a gentle kiss. As it broke, he grinned and his salad fork rose to begin
softly striking the side of his own goblet. She smiled and kissed him back.
After several more kisses and some laughter through the crowd at their antics, the toast came. Ron stood and said,
"Just ask any of the teachers here at Hogwarts and they'll agree that I'm not well known as a public speaker." This
received some laughter, and he continued. "I went through so much trying to figure out exactly what to say about
these two, and nothing was right. All I can say is that I am proud that they think enough of me to call me their friend
..."
"... funny, we were thinking something similar," Harry murmured, somehow loud enough for all to hear. "How were
we lucky enough to have someone like you end up as our friend?"
"Thank you," Ron said. "What I really came down to with my remarks here, though, was realising that I could start to
make plans for their one hundredth anniversary celebration. If there were ever two people literally made for each other,
it's these two. To my friends - Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Long may they live and love!" This was met with a loud cheer, and
an emptying of glasses.
The party truly got started then, and the next several hours were a blur. Harry could only remember a handful of things
- seeing Albus and Minerva out on the dance floor as if they were meant to be together; seeing Luna, Ron, and Parvati
in the midst of an interesting three person waltz; seeing Susan Bones and Ginny dancing together and realising that
they only had eyes for each other; and most of all, the speculative looks on the faces of the two who caught the
bouquet and garter - Tonks and Remus.
Finally, Harry and Hermione dragged into their quarters sometime near midnight, Harry carefully carrying her across
the threshold before setting her down. "I love you, Mrs. Potter," he said tiredly.
"And I love you, Mr. Potter," she murmured back at him. They carefully undressed and hung their wedding clothes.
Neither could remember actually climbing into bed the next morning.