A/N: Well here we are the last chapter for this story. I must apologize for the umpteenth time for taking so long but I had a hard time with this closing chapter. I am still not content and will probably re-edit and add and change things to this chapter but in the mean time I figured you would all want official closure. I want to thank all of those who have read and reviewed and favorite this story and "stop the question." This would NOT have been possible without you guys. I do plan on making yet another sequel just so you see how parenthood plays out for them, but that is if YOU want to. All I ask is not to expect it too soon because I still have "The Greatest Thing" and an all new story coming up. Thanks again and merry Christmas!
On the way to the clearing where the wedding party would be held, Harry and Hermione made a detour to give everyone enough time to settle down and wait for their grand entrance. There was something important that had to be done before the day progressed any further. Harry and Hermione walked with linked arms through the kissing-gate that led to the small graveyard. Harry led the way to the two graves he had visited religiously since he was seventeen. The snow was falling softly and Hermione had cast a warming spell so that she would not freeze to death in her beautiful dress. Before long they were standing in front of the weathered tombstones of James and Lily Potter.
"Hello mum, I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while." Harry said softly. "But as I'm sure you know, things have been a little hectic."
Hermione chuckled in amusement.
"Anyway, I hope you're not upset but as you just witnessed…you're not the only Mrs. Potter anymore." He mused. "But I figured that you know how happy she's made me so I don't think you'll take it too bad."
Hermione smiled fondly at him, tears welling in her eyes at how grateful she was that he was sharing such an intimate version of himself with her.
"This was my present for you this year." He went on. "I'm moving on with the life you both sacrificed yourselves for."
"I don't think my life could be in better hands." He said looking at Hermione tenderly.
"Can I say something?" Hermione asked softly.
Harry nodded.
"Hello Mr. And Mrs. Potter, I can't tell you how much I would've loved to have experienced what it would be like to have such wonderful people as my in-laws." She said genuinely. "I imagine that Mr. Potter would be as much as jokester as his son. And Mrs. Potter, I would imagine you would be able to give me tips on handling his mood swings and a few tips on how to cook more than just French toast."
"All I do know is that I know you would want Harry to be happy, and I will try my hardest to fulfill that." She whispered as the tears were sliding down her face.
Harry grabbed her hand bracingly, like he had done so many times before.
"They know you will." Harry said reassuringly.
"Happy birthday mum." He muttered.
And then just like Hermione had done so many years before, she took out her wand with a rounded wave, a wreath of white roses appeared and floated down softly onto the snow covered ground.
"Thanks." Harry said breathlessly.
They stayed there for a few minutes more, standing close, with no words needed to be uttered. Finally, after a long pause, they grabbed each other by the hand and slowly strolled away to their anxiously awaiting guests.
Harry and Hermione were greeted with another round of cheers as they re-appeared. Everyone was sitting down and waiting for them to take their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Potter. They made their way to the center of the dance floor surrounded by small round tables. Harry grabbed Hermione by the waist and hand and on cue started swaying get to and fro to the music. For someone who hated dancing, Harry felt very confident as he moved them across the floor. For once in his life he didn't care what he looked like dancing, all he cared about was the woman in his arms and the huge smile on her face. The guests blurred out as they stayed in their own little world, eyes never straying from each other's.
After a long period of dancing with Harry, her father, Ron and other guests, Hermione walked over to the table were her mother and Mrs. Weasley were resting. She was pleased to see that they got along so well and were talking animatedly amongst themselves. Ginny was also sitting at the table jingling her foot to the beat of the song in the background.
"Mum." said Hermione smiling.
"I still can't believe my little girl is married now." said Mrs. Granger looking close to tears again. "You look so beautiful darling."
"Thanks mum." Hermione smiled.
"You're just glowing." Mrs. Weasley added. "It's so clear how happy you both are."
"I am Molly!" Hermione said brightly. "I'm the happiest woman in the world right now."
"So…how long until we get a baby Potter?" Mrs. Weasley asked candidly.
"Mum!" Ginny scolded.
"What? I'm not the only one dying for one." said Mrs. Weasley defensively. "I'm sure Jane is thinking the same."
"Oh yes." Mrs. Granger squealed. "I can't wait to have my first grandchild. I hope you won't be long with that sweetie."
"Mum, can I enjoy one milestone at a time?" Hermione whined.
"Oh fine!" said Mrs. Granger dejectedly. "Come Molly, I want to show you some relatives."
Hermione watched as her mother and Mrs. Weasley went off to some distant tables. Feeling slightly relieved to be away from them and their baby dreams.
"That's not the last you'll hear of babies." said Ginny honestly. "She's still badgering me about it….though after tomorrow, I'll finally be left alone."
"You mean?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"Uh-huh" Ginny nodded. "I found out three days ago, I'm just waiting for the whole excitement of your wedding to calm down to break the news."
"Oh Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed happily as she hugged her red haired friend. "I'm so happy for you! Does Neville know?"
"Oh yeah." Ginny answered. "He fainted."
"Yeah sounds like Neville." Hermione laughed.
"Really though, You aren't going to take nearly as long having a baby as you did getting married will you?" Ginny asked all of a sudden seriously.
"You guys are really obsessed with us aren't you?" Hermione mused. "No, I don't think you'll have to wait as long. Now that we're married we won't be using contraceptive spells anymore so who knows? Baby Potter could happen in the honeymoon."
"Baby Potter?" asked a dreamy voice that could only belong to Luna Weasley.
Luna had silently come to Hermione's table after dancing with her husband.
"Oh hey Luna, are your feet okay?" Ginny asked. "I saw my brother step on them quite a lot."
"Oh yes, I put a protection charm on my heels." Luna smiled nonplussed. "Anyway what's this I hear about a baby Potter?"
"Nothing." said Hermione. "Just my lovely family getting ahead of themselves."
"You are going to have a baby though right?" Luna asked straightforwardly.
"Will you all relax?" Hermione shrieked. "I just got married! After years of uncertainty with Harry this should be the important event right now!"
"Okay, you're right." Luna agreed. "Sorry."
"It's quite all right." Hermione answered calmly.
"You know….come to think of it, this IS a big deal." Ginny said in realization. "You deserve a medal for all the waiting he made you do."
"Oh it's not all his fault." said Hermione defensively. "I have my share of messed up moments."
"Yeah. Especially the little scare you gave us all with Barnaby." Ginny nudged.
"Where IS Barnaby by the way? Did Harry make you promise not to invite him?" Luna asked curiously.
"No, he actually was coming but his wife was bedridden due to some pregnancy complications." Hermione explained.
"I bet Harry was delighted to hear of that." said Ginny musingly.
"So that's why my ears were burning." said Harry strolling in casually to the group.
"There's my wife, I've been looking for you everywhere."
"I keep hearing that word and yet I still can't believe It." said Hermione.
"Well believe it Mrs. Potter." Harry said squeezing her hand.
"Hey, is that Ron circling the cake?" said Ginny squinting in the opposite direction.
They all turned around and sure enough, saw Ron acting suspicious edging close to the cake.
"Luna, if I see even the slightest bit of icing swiped off, do I have your permission to hex him?" said Hermione through gritted teeth.
"I'll go get him." said Luna rolling her eyes. "I swear to Merlin he's going to teach Skyelar nothing but bad habits!"
Harry, Hermione and Ginny watched as Luna stormed off and scolded Ron.
"Some things never change do they?" said Ginny laughing.
"No they really don't." said Hermione chuckling.
"Well, I'm going to go see if Neville has one more dance in him." said Ginny excusing herself.
"So…what were you three all chatty about?" Harry asked once Ginny left.
"Oh nothing really…" said Hermione wrapping her arms around his shoulders casually. "Just the usual obsession they have about our lives. Since we finally got married, now the next thing they want is a baby Potter."
"Baby Potter?" Harry gulped.
"Yeah but I told them one step a time." Hermione smiled. "You do want a baby though…don't you?"
"Of course I do." said Harry genuinely. "It would make my life complete. I know you'll be a perfect mother."
"And you're going to be a wonderful dad." Hermione said earnestly.
"You're not secretly hiding something are you?" Harry asked nervously.
"No! It's just hypothetical." Hermione reassured.
"So…" Hermione continued. "You still haven't told me where our honeymoon is going to be."
"After the final toast, you shall know." Harry said. "I promise."
Another hour passed and the party was almost over. The cake had finally been cut, much to Ron's relief. Everyone ate their cake and waited anxiously for the last toast. Ron would be making yet another speech which according to Luna, he had written in private and was very nervous to share. Once it all settled down, Ron tapped the champagne glass carefully to get everyone's attention.
"Ahem." He said clearing his throat as he looked nervously around. "As best man, I figured I would make yet another speech."
He pulled out a wrinkled parchment from the front pocket of his trousers and flattened it out.
"It has been an honor to have known Harry and Hermione for as long as I have." Ron said genuinely. "Now I know the stories that people like to make about us. The truth is… we're only as strong as we are because we had to go through a lot of hell together. It wasn't easy, but I would be lying if I said I wouldn't do it all again a heartbeat."
"Harry taught me what bravery was all about." Ron continued. "Bravery isn't just about facing your enemies. It's about doing the right thing. It's about being selfless. Harry is every bit the hero everyone thinks him to be. He thinks of others before he does himself. He is forgiving even when they really don't deserve being forgiven."
"I'm happy he has found happiness because if there's one person who deserves his happy ever after is Harry."
Harry was touched by the genuine raw emotion with which Ron was speaking.
"Hermione…what can I not say about her?" Ron went on, smiling. "We had a bit of a rocky start that went on into a rocky relationship which is still anything but smooth."
The whole congregation laughed.
"But despite what my younger self would've let on back in the days…out trio just wouldn't be complete without her. She was the base of our trio, the glue that held us together even during the one time we thought things would never be the same. She taught me much more than just how to stop being a lazy student."
Ron looked over and smiled at Hermione who was already crying once again.
"She taught me what it was to be a good friend. She taught me to see give everyone a chance, the benefit of the doubt. I care about her a lot and I see her as another sister. I just want you both to know that I wish you nothing but the best."
"Cheers." said the congregation in unison.
After one final dance, the wedding party was officially over. The group of people was beginning to shrink to eventually just the Weasley's and the Grangers.
"So…I can't help but notice that our party if finally over," said Hermione smiling mischievously.
"And you promised to tell me where our honeymoon would be…"
"Okay, I guess I can't hold off any longer." said Harry smiling. "Remember the forest of dean? Where you asked me if we could stay and grow old together?"
Hermione blushed. Back then she had earnestly meant it. Hiding out in the war, with so much uncertainty made her want nothing more than to stay lost forever in the Forest of Dean with Harry. To forget the world. She remembered thinking back the same day and regretting saying those words. How would he interpret them?
"You remember that?" Hermione whispered.
Harry nodded, smiling warmly.
"How could I not." He said. "I was tempted. But now we can be there, for at least a month. In the winter, our favorite season. Surrounded by wilderness."
"In a tent?" Hermione asked mischievously.
"IS there any other way?" Harry mused. "We can go somewhere else if you want to—"
"No" Hermione interrupted. "It's perfect. I love it."
"And I love you." He said, resting his forehead on hers. "Mrs. Hermione Potter."
They bid goodnight to the rest of the family, eagerly waiting to start their new life together. Neither of them would have expected their lives to be as complete as they were shaping to be. They had their friends, their family and most importantly: each other. They had reached their Happy ever after and the best was surely yet to come.