Vendetta

18 - Wedding/Honeymoon/Conclusion

The next several months almost literally went by in a blur, there was so much activity going on in preparation for the upcoming wedding between Harry and Ginny. It had been decided that to maintain Harry's privacy as much as possible, guests would be kept to a minimum and limited only to those closest to the couple, be it by bonds of blood or friendship. The head of the Division of Marriage and Children at the Ministry would Apparate in to marry them when the time came, and the Burrow would be magically expanded to hold all the family members, both by blood and marriage.

Molly and Arthur had recently learned that Ginny's other five brothers intended to come and bring their wives/families--Bill with Fleur and their two children; Charlie with his wife, Rosabelle, who was now six months pregnant; Percy with his wife, Penelope, and their son; Fred with his new wife, the former Angelina Johnson; and George with his fiancée, whose name Harry could not immediately recall but whom he knew from school, although she had been in the same year as the twins. Ron, of course, would be there with Hermione, whom he planned to marry six months after Harry and Ginny had "tied the knot," as it were.

As it turned out, even with magic, they barely managed to pull it off, with all the hundreds of myriad details; at best, Molly was sure that they had to have missed something along the way. Of course, even if everything didn't turn out perfectly, what mattered was that the young couple would finally be married. For a long time, no one was sure that it would ever happen, what with Harry's stubborn insistence on breaking up with Ginny, even ostensibly to protect her from Voldemort and company. Not to mention her rape trauma at Draco and Dudley's hands and the ensuing trials for both.

Fortunately all that was behind them now, and everyone closest to the couple were certain that once they were married, they would remain so for the rest of their natural lives ... and considering how long wizards and witches usually lived, that would be at least a century, if not more. But when one loved as they did, even that would seem but a short space of time.

Molly was also convinced that Ginny would likely be every bit as prolific as she was, the proverbial brood-mare, but that seemed to be par for the course--at least in the Weasley family, the members of whom tended to procreate like rabbits. Thankfully Harry had plenty of money left to him by his parents and they wouldn't have to skimp and save as she and Arthur always had.

Of course, they didn't intend to simply live off his inheritance; he definitely planned on being an Auror part-time and a DADA teacher the rest of the time when not occupied with his Auror duties. He would simply have to obtain a teaching degree in order to do so, although that shouldn't take too long. Ginny would be a Healer at St. Mungo's, specialising in patients with spell damage; those three things would bring in a fair amount of money, so financially they were pretty well set. (Not to mention emotionally, but that was to be expected, given their deeply tender yet equally passionate love for each other.)

Almost before they knew it, the wedding day had arrived. Even at the last minute, there seemed to be a million and one details to take care of; Molly was glad to have her myriad daughters-in-law there to help out--or at least Rosabelle, Angelina and Hermione, daughter-in-law-to-be. With Hermione's brains and organizational ability, the reception had been planned in roughly half the time it would ordinarily take, and it would also be held in the living room of the Burrow once the wedding decorations had been squared away.

Harry, Ron and his five brothers were all helping each other dress for the wedding, all the married ones assuring their younger companions that it would turn out just fine and not to worry about a thing. Not that either fully believed them, of course, but pretended that they did because there was no time to argue the point--the wedding was in less than an hour.

The women and children were in Arthur and Molly's bedroom, the children being readied first, and Arthur delegated to keep an eye on them while the women got ready and prepared both themselves and the nervous, but at the same time ecstatically happy, bride-to-be. All too soon, a knock came on the door to Fred and George's old room; Bill answered the door to find Molly standing there in her mother-of-the-bride wedding finery.

"You look great, Mum," Bill opined when he saw her.

"Thank you, son," she smiled even as she turned attractively pink. "How are you lot coming along? Ready yet?"

"Pretty much. Harry's just putting on the finishing touches. Of course, he's been doing that for at least the last hour. I swear, I never saw anyone primp so much, not even Fleur!"

Unfortunately, that was just about the time that Harry came up to them. "I heard that, Bill," he returned in an ominously quiet tone. "You're lucky I haven't got time to get you for it right now, since I'm getting married in less than half an hour. Besides, I don't care to have to explain to my future wife just why I hexed her older brother into the middle of next week on our wedding day. Besides, I seem to recall just how long you primped when you were getting married to Fleur!"

"Primp? I never primp," Bill doggedly claimed.

"Oh yes, you did--and at least as long as I supposedly have, if not longer. Don't try to deny it. Everyone in this room was there and can corroborate my story."

Bill held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "All right, all right, I concede. Mainly because we don't have time to argue. Take a look at the clock."

All eyes turned to the nearby clock on the wall and decided to Apparate downstairs to save time; upon arrival they took their designated places. Molly noted that Hermione and Rosabelle were now looking after the children, surmising that Arthur had gone to join Ginny and prepare to walk her down the aisle. Not long after they arrived, the wizard who had been chosen to marry her and Harry Apparated in and took his place behind the flower-decorated altar.

Not long afterward one look from Molly in Fred's direction prompted him to start the Wedding March. It was then that the doors to the living room opened and Arthur walked in, Ginny on his arm, a vision in white lace, her long red-gold hair loosely curled and white roses entwined through it in lieu of a veil. She also carried a bouquet of white roses and pink baby's-breath held together with white ribbons.

Neither Harry nor anyone but Hermione knew this, either, and wouldn't until the reception, but Ginny had conjured up a lacy garter and even now it was on her right leg just above the knee. She frankly could hardly wait to see the look on Harry's face when she finally told him, especially when she told him that she had done it for his benefit so that he would be able to get in a brief caress in public, if only on her leg, while removing the garter in preparation for her throwing it to all the as-of-yet unmarried ladies in the room.

A short time later she reached the altar where Harry and Ron waited for her; Hermione had followed Ginny down the aisle and presently stood behind her, a vision in blue lace and her hair also entwined with roses--this time blue silk ones, her chestnut hair done in an upsweep with tendrils hanging down both the sides of her face and the back of her neck, although her bouquet was also white roses.

The bride and groom then linked arms and hands, turning to face the wizard from the Division of Marriage and Children. The wizarding ceremony was similar in many ways to the Muggle ceremony, but there were at least two significant differences, although Harry could not recall just what they were at the moment. Even at that, he was sure the wizard from the Division did--but he wasn't particular in that regard. What mattered to him was that he and Ginny were finally going to be married.

"Did you wish to have the two wizarding marriage procedures done or not?"

"With all due respect, sir, we would prefer to simply be married," Harry returned quietly. "That is, if you don't mind. It wouldn't make the marriage any less legal, after all. We can have it done later on should we decide to renew our vows at some point."

"Of course not, young man. Of course not. I quite understand. So let's get on with the ceremony, shall we?"

And they did.

* * * * *

If Harry thought he'd been nervous before the ceremony, it was nothing to how he felt either during or after it. The worst part, at least for him, was when he'd had to put the ring on Ginny's finger. He missed it at least twice, smiling at her apologetically before finally managing to slide the ring on--his mother's wedding ring. She, on the other hand, had no trouble whatsoever in placing his father's wedding ring on his finger.

For him, the best part was when they had been pronounced husband and wife and he was given leave to kiss his new bride. And one may be assured, Harry did so, long and tenderly--but at the same time, with barely suppressed passion. He could hardly wait to be alone with her, and was sure she felt the same when it came to him. But he had been unable to help blushing when she had whispered about the garter on her right leg, which would give him a chance for a brief caress while removing it.

It's not the same, he told her mentally even as she lifted her dress above her right knee and allowed him to slide the garter down her leg, lifting her foot briefly so he could slip it all the way off. It helps, but it's not the same.

I know, luv, but we'll be alone soon enough. Hang in there, she whispered back with a provocative smile, lightly stroking the back of his hand that removed the garter.

Please, Gin, don't do that. I can scarcely control myself as it is, he mentally shot back at her.

Sorry, luv. Couldn't resist, she returned apologetically. Let's get out of the way now; they've got to set up for the reception. They moved to a secluded corner of the room. I know a perfect way to pass the time, she suggested. How about a nice snog while we're waiting?

What in Merlin's name are you trying to do, luv, kill me? I already told you how hard it is for me to control myself, he scolded her affectionately. If I started snogging you now, I don't think I'd be able to stop.

All the same, they began to do just that--and it was fortunate that everyone else was too occupied with preparing for the reception to realize that things between the newlyweds were fast getting out of hand. What they finally ended up doing was ducking into the nearby hall, which fortunately was situated so no one could look into it without turning a corner and thus alerting the lovers to anyone that might be coming. That is, if they were in any condition to notice!

Sod it! I can't stand it any longer. Gin, lower your knickers while I lower my trousers and boxers. Your dress can cover us.

* * * * *

Once she managed to unlock her knees from around him, he had to hold her up until she got her strength back so she could stand up again. My God, that was great, he shot provocatively at her. With any luck, that should at least take the edge off until we can get through the reception.

Even now, Ginny felt the strength coming back in her legs and managed to stand up by herself, shielding Harry as he replaced his clothing. Of course, they were still flushed with exertion, so they would have to go to the loo to freshen up. Even at that, they probably wouldn't be able to hide their suspiciously bright eyes, but hopefully they could get away with it by saying they had been snogging.

Of course, it remained to be seen whether or not anyone would believe them, but that was a chance they had to take. What mattered was that no one could prove they had been doing otherwise. Once he was ready, they headed for the nearby loo and freshened up with a wet washcloth and drink of cool water. It wasn't until they'd stepped out into the living room again that they were spotted.

"Well! Where have you two been? It's time for the reception," Hermione informed them. She gave the couple a knowing smile and look. "Right. I don't want to know."

"We just decided to snog while we were waiting," Harry claimed with a straight face, although Ginny was extremely hard-pressed to keep hers straight.

"Umm-hmm," Hermione returned skeptically but didn't challenge them, at least not here. Time enough for that later. After all, even if they'd been doing what she suspected, they were married now, so it was perfectly legal. Of course, they'd been shagging long before that, but that was beside the point. What mattered was that they had acted responsibly by using the Contraceptive Charm. No need to use it now, of course, unless they chose to.

"Well, let's get going. The others are waiting." The couple exchanged Christmas-morning smiles behind their friend's back as they followed her back to where the others were waiting. They received knowing looks and smiles from still others in the group, but that was all--it was time to get to partying. Time enough for grilling later.

* * * * *

The young couple had discussed possible honeymoon spots with the elder Weasleys and married brothers, finally deciding on the one where Arthur and Molly had gone on their own honeymoon. Harry was especially pleased to learn that it was Unplottable, which meant undetectable by Muggles and therefore his and Ginny's privacy was unlikely to be invaded by unwelcome visitors, especially during the times they planned on "increasing their carnal knowledge" of each other. Fred had said this with a sly wink in Ginny's direction, which provoked a blush from her and a dirty look from Harry, even though he knew his brother-in-law meant well and was only teasing.

Since Ginny's attack, he was fiercely protective of her, not allowing even her own family to upset her in any way if he could stop them. Harry indeed planned to shag her until neither of them could walk, but the last thing he'd needed was for anyone to voice it. Especially in mixed company--so he fully intended to get revenge at the first opportunity.

After changing into going-away clothes and making their goodbyes, the young marrieds climbed onto Harry's broom, Ginny's arms around his waist and her head resting on his back, especially once they had become airborne. Arthur had given Harry directions and coordinates, so he found it fairly easily after about an hour's flight. They landed in front of a picturesque little cottage surrounded by green grass and flowers; if Harry hadn't known better, he'd have sworn it was a Muggle dwelling. However, when he approached, all he needed to do was think, "Door, open," while carrying Ginny, and the door obediently opened to admit them.

Once he had carried her over the threshold and they were inside the sunny, fragrant room, the queen-size bed, which featured their favourite colours of sheets and pillowcases, not to mention the bedspread. Not that any of it would particularly matter once they got going hot and heavy, but for the moment, it was very much appreciated and Harry intended to thank Arthur and Molly for the suggestion at the first opportunity. He would have been pleased to learn that the door had automatically locked behind them after they had walked through, even though he had not thought the nonverbal command for it to do so.

"It's beautiful," Ginny smiled. "Just the same, it's strange that Mum and Dad never mentioned this place before."

"I guess none of us were old enough to appreciate the information or put it to good use before now," Harry opined. But I assure you that now that we do know about it, we will definitely put it to good use, he finished in his mind with a provocative smile in his wife's direction. "What do you want to do first?" he asked. When she didn't answer right away, he reached for her hand and pulled her in the direction of the bathroom. "I have an idea. Let's check out the bathroom."

She simply followed him wordlessly, and upon arrival, Harry smiled lasciviously. There was a deep tub just big enough for two, with various types of soaps and other things for lovemaking purposes surrounding it on three sides. "I wonder if we can request our favourite music as well," Ginny remarked, deciding to test her theory by naming five of her favourite instrumental pieces: Bolero, by Ravel, Magic Works, from the fourth-year Yule Ball, Le Cygne (The Swan) by Camille Saint-Saens, and Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker Suite.

Harry looked surprised upon hearing the music begin, then smiled as he met his wife's eyes. "Seems like this place has many of the same properties of the Room of Requirement." He then decided to try out one of his own theories. "Two glasses of Dom Perignon, please." The glasses appeared on the side of the tub along with a tub of ice and a bottle of the aforementioned champagne in it.

The longer they stayed in the bathroom, the more ideas Harry got, until he finally said, "Tub, fill up with hot, soapy water at body temperature with a fresh outdoor smell." A short time later, the tub was ready. "Shall we, my lady?" he asked gallantly, accompanying his request with a sly wink and another provocative smile.

"I would be honoured, sir."

* * * * *

To her surprise, she soon began to hear some sexy soft rock songs begin, starting with "Love Won't Let Me Wait," by Major Harris; "With You I'm Born Again", by Billy Preston and Syreeta, followed by "Kiss You All Over", by the group Exile; "I'm in the Mood to Be Desired" by John Denver, and finally "Burning Love" by another famous Muggle singer named Elvis Presley, revered throughout that world as what they termed the "King of Rock and Roll."

If this song was any indication, both Harry and Ginny could well understand why he'd earned the name and intended to listen to more of his music at the first opportunity after their honeymoon was over. (Not to mention the other music!) For the time being, however, all that mattered was the nearness of the other, the love and passion they felt right now ... the love and passion they would always feel for each other.

He helped her out of the tub and took the iced bottle of champagne, placing it on the bedside table. She marveled that the ice had not melted; it must have been specially charmed or something. The glasses too, since she discovered that the liquid inside them was also still cold, although it had been nearly an hour since the couple had taken a drink. Again, they would had to have been specially charmed to remain cold that long.

For some strange reason, they had to dry each other off; there wasn't anything to do that for them ... but at the same time, it hardly mattered. The vigorous rubbing and such stimulated their desire once again.

Of course, this was only the beginning of a long, passionate night for the young couple, and by morning they had indeed shagged each other to such an extent that they could scarcely walk, but it had been worth every moment--and at no time had they remembered to use any sort of contraception. It was Harry who brought it up, strangely enough.

"I assume you realise that we never used any kind of contraception."

"Well, we did have other things on our minds at the time," she returned with a sly smile. "And if I remember correctly, you did say that you wanted to start having a family as soon as possible."

"In a few months. Not on our honeymoon. I wanted to have you to myself for at least a little while before having to worry about a child."

"Well, even if I am pregnant, I won't show for several months, and from what I understand, a woman's libido tends to increase during pregnancy, particularly the second trimester, so you'll probably get your share of shagging anyway," she pointed out.

"You have a point," he had to admit upon considering that fact for a moment.

"Damn bloody right I do. So I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Let's just enjoy each other while we have a chance to be alone with no one to bother us." And one may be assured that they did!

Of course, there were yet other things they intended to try in the way of sexual techniques, but there was plenty of time; they had the rest of their lives, after all. Just the same, over the week-long honeymoon, it got so Ginny could hardly wait for bedtime, because she was never sure just what new technique she or Harry would want to try. One night it might be something one of the married Weasley brothers had told him, another night it might be her trying something either her mother or one of her sisters-in-law had told her about, things like that.

There was even one technique her mother had told her about which was unlikely to be needed until she was heavily pregnant, which as she had told Harry, wouldn't be for several months ... provided she turned out to actually be pregnant, the possibility of which she intended to check on at the first opportunity.

* * * * *

And as it turned out, she was. What's more, it had taken until almost the last day of the honeymoon for either of them to be able to walk with anything resembling normalcy. It hardly seemed possible that either of them could possibly have been so randy, but in the case of honeymooners, particularly those who felt as they themselves did, it was entirely natural and normal, even though Ginny could just picture the look on Ron's face if she happened to mention to Hermione in his hearing just how much she and Harry had shagged each other during their honeymoon. (Not in Harry's hearing if she could help it, of course--and there was little danger either of them would mention it to him.)

Ron loved Harry like a brother, but at the same time was still most uncomfortable with the idea of picturing his best friend and sister snogging, much less shagging. He probably always would be. Even at that, it didn't mean he wasn't happy that they were together, finally married at last--and intended to do everything he could to see to it that they remained so.

What mattered was that two of the people he loved best were happy. Besides, he couldn't judge them when he and Hermione were doing the same things, so it was a good thing that their wedding was coming up next, because at the rate they were going, she was likely to be pregnant before too long ... particularly if they didn't have the presence of mind to use the Contraceptive Charm as responsible lovers were supposed to do.

Harry was especially pleased when Ginny told him of her pregnancy despite his initial concern, and she couldn't help but ask why. "As I once said, luv, I want something to throw in Draco and Dudley's faces, and once they hear that you're pregnant, the looks on their faces should be priceless. I only wish I could see them ... not to mention the looks on the Dursleys' faces."

"You no longer have a vendetta against them, do you?"

"Oh, I hate what they did to us, sure, but they're being punished for it, so that's what matters. For the time being, I intend to simply enjoy the idea of our being married and you being pregnant ... and that last bit is one story I won't mind people knowing. And once our child is born, you may be certain that I'll be the happiest, proudest father on the face of this earth!"

EPILOGUE:

Daily Prophet, November 23, 1999:

"The Slayer of the Dark Lord Has Become A Giver of Life ... Harry Potter Becomes a Father"

Draco Malfoy usually looked forward to the news, but not today; in fact, the above headline made him swear vilely and throw down the paper, then stomp on it until it was in pieces. He was certain that Harry had to be behind literally plastering the news media of both the wizarding and Muggle worlds with the news of his having become a father, knowing it would reach both the ears and eyes of the two he had put in prison for life and enjoying every moment of how it must be making them feel.

He would never forget the picture of a smiling Harry holding his beautiful, newborn, black-haired, green-eyed child, a daughter, his equally beautiful redheaded wife smiling beside him. Potter had best enjoy her while he could, for if there was any justice, she would grow up to eventually become a Death Eater and hate him as he deserved--maybe even kill him as his Aunt Bellatrix had killed her cousin Sirius Black, Harry's godfather.

Whatever happened, Draco hoped he would eventually read the headline, "Harry Potter Dies ... Famous Auror and Hogwarts Teacher Killed by His Eldest Daughter, A Death Eater. Wife, Friends and Family in Mourning" or something along those lines. Only then, after Harry's own flesh and blood had killed him, would Draco feel vindicated and able to sleep peacefully again after how the bloody bastard had set him up.

Little Whinging Courier, November 23, 1999:

"Harry Potter, Famous Relation of Local Family, Has Become A Father"

Dudley Dursley reacted in much the same way as Draco when he read the above headline and saw the picture in the local paper his mother had sent him in prison. Hopefully she hadn't known that the story on Harry's becoming a father was in it. He was sure she wouldn't knowingly send something like that to him, knowing how it would upset him, seeing his smiling cousin holding his beautiful newborn daughter, a daughter with a mop of black hair and bright green eyes like her father, his equally beautiful redheaded wife smiling beside him.

His only consolation was that he and Draco had been able to have her before his cousin did. Too bad Ginny couldn't have gotten pregnant as a result of her rape by him and given birth to his child instead of Harry's. Certainly he had not used any sort of contraception, either ... but it must not have been the right time, dammit all! He would have to live with the fact that he would never again be able to have a woman, not for the rest of his life, because of what Harry had done, a fact he was sure his worthless cousin knew well and was enjoying every moment of throwing the fact in his and Draco's faces. He could only hope that at least one of his cousin's children would one day turn bad and destroy Harry as Harry had destroyed him.

* * * * *

As for Harry, he was enjoying his new life with Ginny and their newborn daughter far too much to concern himself overmuch with how it might be affecting the ones he had put in prison. However they felt and reacted upon seeing the headline and/or picture was no more than they deserved, after what they had done to both Ginny and himself. He was truly thankful that Ginny had not become pregnant by either of her attackers; Harry doubted that either he or she would have been able to endure that, much less the Weasley family.

Fortunately that had not come to pass, and neither Draco nor Dudley would ever be able to either sexually attack or abuse another woman again ... and what's more, he himself had been the one to bring it about! Best of all, both were far away from both him and his family--and if Harry had his way, that's the way it would stay. His vendetta against them had ended the days their prison sentences had begun, although he was sure theirs against him would go on for as long as they lived ... but what mattered was that they would do that living behind bars and leave him and his family alone to finally live in well-earned peace, for now and all the years to come.

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