Parallel

CHAPTER 13: HARRY'S SORROW/DOUBLE WEDDING

Meanwhile, blissfully unaware of Voldemort's plans--at least for the moment--the four in question were busily preparing for their upcoming weddings. Because of the seriousness of their situation, however, honeymoons were presently out of the question. At least an ordinary honeymoon where they went away on holiday for several days. If they were going to have anything, it would have to be right here at Grimmauld Place.

It didn't look half bad now that it had been cleaned up and made livable. Harry only wished that Sirius could be here so he could go to him and discuss his feelings regarding the upcoming weddings and the reason why they were doing it so quickly, in order to make sure they would have a full reserve of love to draw on to battle the Dark Lord.

But most of all, he wished his parents could see the lovely girl who would be their son's bride in a matter of days as he gazed at the one picture he had of them, smiling with their arms around each other; Lily Potter was even blowing a kiss with her free hand. How I wish you could see her, Mum and Dad. I'm sure you would love her as much as I do. Harry's heart ached almost unbearably, pierced by a pain that had never completely gone away, not in 20 years ... not ever.

His parents had died protecting him. He had been far too young to know them before they died, but had always missed them during the milestones in his life ... and this one in particular. They had sacrificed their lives in order that he might live. He had to go on, had to defeat Voldemort once and for all, if only to prove himself worthy of their sacrifice and be the best father he knew how to be to his and Ginny's child.

And I intend to make sure that we're every bit as happy as the two of you without having to worry about being hurt or killed as the two of you were for my sake. What's more, Ginny, my fiancée, is carrying my child ... but she insists on fighting by my side in spite of the danger to both herself and the child. I love her even more for it, but am totally and thoroughly terrified for them both. Please watch over us. I want my child to be able to grow up with both of his or her parents.

A gentle touch brought him back to reality; he looked up into Ginny's soft brown eyes--eyes filled with love and compassion for his pain. "What's the matter, luv?"

Harry sighed and rested the picture on one thigh. "Just wishing my mum and dad could be here to see us get married." He lifted the picture up again and gave it a lingering, wistful glance. "I guess yours will have to do, though ..."

"Beloved, you know that Mum and Dad love you like their own," Ginny reminded him, drawing him into her arms; Harry again rested his head on her breast and held her tightly.

"I know, Gin, but I still wish my own mum and dad could be here. I know they would love you just as much as I do." For a time he was quiet, soothed by the loving strokes of Ginny's fingers on his silky but always-unruly hair.

"Thank you, beloved. I'm sure I would love them too ... no, I do love them. I always will love them, even if I never knew them."

"Why?" Harry had to ask even as he remained cradled in his fiancée's arms.

"Because they gave life to you, the man I have loved since we were children and whom I will love as long as I live."

There was an even longer silence this time before Harry spoke again, speechless at such a poignant expression of love. "Thank you, Gin. That means ... everything to me."

"Just as you mean everything to me." Ginny kissed the top of his head and rested her cheek on it. "Just as I am convinced that we will ultimately win the day. We will prevail over Voldemort. We must. It's our destiny, and we must fulfill it, if only for the sake of our child!"

"I wish I were as confident as you," came the soft reply from the vicinity of her breast.

"We'll make it, beloved. Whatever we have to go through, we'll make it. You just wait and see!"

* * * * *

All too soon, it was time for the weddings. All concerned were naturally nervous, the prospective bridegrooms particularly so, but at the same time, couldn't be happier that they were finally marrying the ladies they loved, whatever the circumstances surrounding the dual ceremonies. Once Arthur Weasley had learned that his two youngest children were to be married, he took a week's leave of absence from his work at the Ministry in order that he not miss it ... particularly not his chance to give away his only daughter to the man she had loved since she was a child.

Since there was no time to make wedding or bridesmaid dresses, Molly took it upon herself to buy them for both brides ... with financial help from Harry. They were about the same size but Hermione was taller, being 5'7" to Ginny's 5'3", not to mention their widely differing tastes in clothes. Hermione decided on a long sheath-like gown which hugged her slender body, with long lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. She decided to forego a veil, deciding to wear her hair as she had for the Yule Ball with a length of roses, her favourite flower, woven through her chestnut tresses and a pearl necklace around her long, slender throat.

Ginny, on the other hand, opted for a short, lacy, sleeveless Empire-waisted dress with a transparent lace short-sleeved jacket; the hem of said dress came to roughly two inches above her knees, showing off her beautiful legs to full advantage. She also opted for flowers in her hair in lieu of a veil, but wanted to wear it long and flowing with her favourite honeysuckle blossoms woven through it and the ends of her hair curled.

It had been decided that Harry and Ginny would be married first since they had waited the longest for this day, then they could attend their friends at the latter's wedding. A Muggle minister of the Episcopalian faith that Arthur Weasley knew had been obtained to marry them but would have to be Apparated in and out of the building because Number 12 Grimmauld had been bewitched to be undetectable by Muggles, just as his memory would have to be modified slightly in order that he not inadvertently give away its location.

Ron had always disliked dressing up, but at least this time he was able to choose the suit he would wear for his wedding--rented because he could not afford to buy one. Harry's suit was similar to the dress robes he had worn for the Yule Ball but more Muggle-like than Ron's. As the two young bridegrooms prepared themselves, Ron voiced his happiness yet at the same time, stark fear at his upcoming wedding--so much so that he was afraid he would be sick in front of everybody at the wrong time.

"Mate, I had no idea I would ever see this day. I couldn't be happier, because Hermione will finally be totally mine, but at the same time, I've never been more bloody scared!"

"From what I understand, that's normal for bridegrooms, Ron," Harry tried to soothe his friend. "For Merlin's sake, do you really think I'm calm?"

"You certainly seem to be," Ron observed, unable to tell otherwise.

"Pretence, mate, all pretence. I feel just as you do. Couldn't be happier, but at the same time, scared as all hell!"

Just then a knock came on the door; they opened it to admit Molly Weasley, dressed in a long pale blue dress with a floor-length lace jacket covering it as well as matching flowers in her fiery red-gold hair with its endearing touch of grey. She smiled as she recalled what her husband had said upon seeing her in her wedding finery: "Mollywobbles, you look just as you did on our wedding day!"

"Oh, go on! I do not!" she had dismissed with a laugh even as she blushed, and attractively so--at least to her doting husband.

"Then will you settle for being the most beautiful mother of the bride--and groom--I've ever seen?" Arthur had interjected with a sly smile.

In this case, she fussed over the young men before her, one her son and the other one whom she loved like her own ... the one who would soon be an official member of her family via his marriage to her daughter. She regretted that the weddings had to be rushed, but the circumstances demanded it, so she had to adapt as best she could.

She almost literally hugged the stuffing out of both of them. "Oh, boys, you look so handsome! Your brides aren't going to be able to take their eyes off you!"

"Thanks, Mum," Ron returned sheepishly, blushing as red as his hair.

Even Harry turned pink. "Thanks, Molly."

"I wish you both every happiness in your marriages, boys. You take good care of your ladies now. Especially you, Harry."

"Don't worry, Molly. I'll protect her with my life!" Harry assured her.

"Better go now and see what's keeping the girls. See you later!" With a quick kiss on each of their cheeks, she bustled out.

Once the door was closed behind her, the two young men looked at each other and laughed. "Your mum is really something else, Ron," Harry observed.

"Tell me about it," came the reply.

"Makes me miss mine all the more," Harry returned quietly, pain once again piercing his heart like a knife. "I wish so much that they could meet Ginny. I know they would love her as much as I do."

A long silence fell between the two friends before Ron put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'm sure they're with you in spirit, mate. Let's go." He turned for the door and Harry followed him out wordlessly.

The Grimmauld Place living room was decorated with flowers within an inch of its life and a makeshift altar was set up near the front of the house, the minister waiting behind it. Harry knew of the old tradition of not allowing the bridal couple to see each other before the wedding on the wedding day and frankly thought it outdated and ridiculous, but allowed it in order that matters proceed as rapidly as possible.

A moment later Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" began as the doors to the living room opened and Ginny entered on her father's arm. In spite of his attempt to control himself, Harry's pulse rate went into orbit at the sight of his bride coming toward him, radiant with love and happiness, not to mention honeysuckle flowers in her long, flowing red-gold hair (and hands) and her beautiful legs shown to full advantage. If he had his way, those sweet arms and lovely legs would soon be wrapped around him ... He fought to banish the erotic thoughts the picture prompted. That would happen soon enough; now it was his duty to control himself at least long enough to be decently married.

A few minutes later the couple reached the altar, their arms linked and holding hands.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of this man, Harry James Potter, and this woman, Ginevra Molly Weasley. Who gives the woman to be married to this man?" the minister asked.

"Her mother and I do," Arthur Weasley spoke out from a short distance away.

"Very well. We shall continue. Harry James Potter, take your bride's hand and repeat after me ... 'I, Harry James Potter, take you, Ginevra Molly Weasley, as my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, for richer, for poorer, to love and cherish for as long as we both shall live.' "

Harry did so, although it was the most difficult thing he had ever done ... then the minister turned toward Ginny.

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, take your groom's hand and repeat after me: 'I, Ginevra Molly Weasley, take you, Harry James Potter, as my lawfully wedded husband, to have and hold, in sickness and health, for richer, for poorer, to love and cherish for as long as we both shall live.' "

Once that was complete, the minister said, "Rings, please," then had Ginny hold out her left hand in preparation for Harry's slipping the wedding band onto it. "Harry James Potter, repeat after me: 'With this ring I thee wed, and hereby take thee, Ginevra Molly Weasley, as my wife, now and forever.' "

Harry was so nervous that he was sure he was visibly shaking, but he managed to get the ring on Ginny's finger; the minister turned toward her again.

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, take your groom's hand and repeat after me: 'With this ring I thee wed, and hereby take thee, Harry James Potter, as my husband, now and forever.' "

Ginny's heart was pounding with a mixture of nervousness and elation at not only standing here being married, but actually standing here being married to Harry--but she managed to state the above with a clear, true voice as she slid the matching band onto Harry's ring finger.

They then turned to face the minister again, hands linked. "By the power vested in me by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I now pronounce Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley husband and wife. Harry, you may kiss your bride."

The look in Harry's eyes when they met hers literally took Ginny's breath away, as did the long, passionate kiss they shared--their first as husband and wife. It was a long time before they came up for air, and when they did, they were enveloped in hugs and kisses of congratulations from what friends and family had been present ... but they couldn't go overboard with said congratulations; there was another wedding to be performed. Even now, the second bride was waiting with Arthur Weasley acting as surrogate father behind the closed doors at the end of the living room.

The newlyweds then parted to join their friends and stand with them as they were married, Harry as Ron's best man and Ginny as Hermione's matron of honour. The second wedding proceeded much as the first; only the names were different ... and soon the minister was again saying, "By the power vested in me by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I now pronounce Ronald BIlius Weasley and Hermione Jane Granger husband and wife. Ronald, you may kiss your bride."

Ron seemed frozen in place for a moment, then Hermione smiled softly at him and reached up to stroke his cheek. This motivated him to step forward and gather his new wife into his arms to kiss her soundly, albeit briefly, since Ron had never been one for public demonstrations of affection and only allowed it now because it was necessary to be married.

"My friends, I now introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Potter and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Bilius Weasley!" the minister announced with a flourish.

Again, there were hugs and kisses all around, not to mention happy tears from Molly as she hugged all four of the young newlyweds after taking pictures of virtually everyone involved. Harry and Ron were both pleased that this much had been accomplished, but how long would they be allowed to share married happiness with their new wives? How long until Voldemort and company invaded them? They finally agreed to simply take what private time was granted them to be husband and wife and be grateful for it. Meanwhile, it was time for them to get started on their mutual wedding nights.

* * * * *

Harry's wish was soon granted. Barely fifteen minutes after the door to their room had closed, he had divested both himself and his new bride of their finery and placed her on what would now be their marriage bed. Her arms and legs entwined around him as he positioned himself atop her. Moments later, he was provoking soft sighs of pleasure even as the newlyweds passionately kissed and caressed.

With the small part of his mind not fully occupied with his wedding night, Harry was certain that Ron and Hermione must be doing the same thing and likely enjoying it every bit as much as himself and Ginny. Meanwhile, it was best for him to get back to pleasuring her, the doing of which had always been far more pleasant than the talking.