Lost and Found

VII

The Wedding

Hermione stood nervously just inside the kitchen door of the Burrow. She was unconsciously wringing her hands and, at the moment, was oblivious to the fact she was also holding a bouquet. It was not until her father gently removed the flowers from her hands that Hermione realized what she had done. She gasped in horror when she saw a mangled rose and some lily-of-the valley stems that were now missing their bell-shaped flowers.

Eyes wide, she looked at her father who simply smiled quietly at her while he handed the bouquet over to Hermione's bridesmaid. "I can't believe I did that!" she finally managed to get out.

When Mr. Granger continued to do no more than smile indulgently, Hermione turned to Brenna who said, "Don't worry, Hermione. No one's going to notice."

Brenna was Hermione's only first cousin and, in the absence of Ginny Weasley, Hermione had asked Brenna to be her bridesmaid. Though the two were four years apart in age, they had spent a great deal of quality time together as children during family holidays. She was also the only family member, other than Hermione's parents, who knew she was a witch. It was something Hermione had finally divulged the summer between third and fourth year when she was trying to explain why she was leaving the coast earlier than everyone else to go to a sporting event. Brenna was not a girl who enjoyed sports but she did feel she was rather worldly and kept asking what the event was. "I haven't heard about anything big going on," she kept saying. "What sport is it?"

Tired of lying, Hermione had finally given in and said exasperatedly, "Quidditch."

There was a pause and then Brenna said, "I'm sorry? Is that something real and you're trying to make me feel small by showing me how smart you are, or are you just trying to make me think I'm an idiot by making something up?"

"It's a real sport but you've never heard of it because you're a Muggle."

Another pause. "I'm a what?"

Once Brenna had finally realized Hermione was not toying with her, she had started showing a real interest and asking lots of questions and the two girls had spent the rest of the afternoon on the warm beach discussing Hermione's 'talents,' her school, and, oddly for Hermione, Quidditch.

While their lives had become quite divergent as they grew and became fully enmeshed in their respective worlds, Hermione and Brenna had managed to stay in touch. About a year earlier Brenna had gotten married and Hermione had stood up in her wedding, bringing Ron as her guest and introducing him to her cousin for the first time. Brenna had been quite impressed with Ron and every time they would talk after that she would ask about him and their plans for the future. Brenna was another person who had simply smiled and said, "It's about time," when told of the impending nuptials and she had readily agreed to be Hermione's bridesmaid when asked.

"I have only one request, though," Brenna had said at the time.

"What's that?" asked Hermione.

"Let me do your hair."

"What?" Even though she knew Brenna was a hair stylist, this still caught Hermione by surprise. Up to that point, she had not given any thought as to what she would do with her hair.

"Please?" Brenna begged.

"Well, all right," Hermione had conceded.

Shortly after Ron and Hermione had exchanged their gifts that morning, Brenna had arrived at the Burrow with Hermione's parents. Mr. Weasley, who had met the three in Ottery St. Catchpole, had escorted them. He would be returning later for the rest of Hermione's mother's guests.

Brenna had immediately gone to work on Hermione's hair while Mrs. Granger, assured her daughter was in good hands, had wandered around the kitchen asking Fleur about the various hors d'oeuvres and where the cake was. In what seemed like no time, Brenna had worked Muggle styling magic on Hermione's bushy brown hair. She had amazingly smoothed it out and swept the hair from around Hermione's face back up onto the crown of her head where it was gathered into a clip adorned with the same roses Hermione had just been shredding. The rest of her hair fell into soft curls around her shoulders and half way down her back. Hermione had looked in the mirror and gasped. She did not think even Sleekeazy's could have tamed her hair so well.

"This can't be me," she had told Brenna.

"You look beautiful, Hermione," Brenna had reassured her.

"Which is why it can't be me!" Hermione insisted.

"Hermione," chided her cousin.

"Brenna," Hermione almost wailed, "Ron won't recognize me!"

Smiling, Brenna had met Hermione's eyes in the mirror that had, surprisingly, been quiet thus far. "Of course he will, Hermione. Ron loves you. This is how he always sees you."

Hermione's eyes had misted as the mirror finally spoke up. "She's right, dearie," it said as Brenna's eyes widened. It was one thing knowing her cousin was a witch but it was quite another to see her world in action.

Now, Brenna smiled reassuringly at Hermione while keeping what remained of the bouquet safe. Hermione looked from her father to her cousin. She simply could not understand why the two of them seemed so quiet and at ease when her world was turning upside down. Honestly, she was about to be married and they were acting like it was no big deal!

"Deep breath, Hermione," said her father.

Hermione obeyed and, closing her eyes, breathed in deeply. She held her breath for a few seconds and then slowly let it out. "Take another one," Mr. Granger encouraged and Hermione complied. After a few minutes, Hermione felt her equilibrium return to almost normal―it couldn't be completely normal on a day like this―and she opened her eyes.

"Feel better?" asked her father.

She nodded and turned to Brenna who handed the flowers back to her. Hermione idly picked at the damaged rose for a moment before saying, "But I don't think this flower is doing as well."

Brenna and Mr. Granger both laughed and Hermione's father seemed to feel this was the moment have a heart-to-heart with his daughter. "It's almost time," he said.

Giving a nervous laugh, Hermione said, "I know."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "I am now."

"That's my girl," said Mr. Granger, smiling. "You know," he continued almost shyly, "your mother and I love you very much, Hermione."

Tears sprang to Hermione's eyes and she tried to blink them back. Brenna had also done her makeup and it would not do to have Muggle mascara leaving black streaks down her face. "I love you, too, Daddy," she squeaked, "and Mum."

Mr. Granger gave his daughter a moment to compose herself and then continued. "You know we would do anything for you. If we didn't feel this marriage was right, we would do everything possible to stop it." Hermione blinked. She had never before heard her father say anything like this. "But," he went on, "we believe Ron is whom you were meant to be with and we couldn't be happier the two of you are getting married."

Hermione almost lost her composure at this, Muggle mascara be damned, but just then the sound of the string quartet her mother had insisted upon, came through the doorway. Forgetting she had been about to cry, Hermione's eyes widened as she looked at her father.

It was time.

Hermione was almost startled as Brenna abruptly turned her toward the door. Mr. Granger held out his arm to his daughter and, with a big smile, Hermione took it. Calm and composed on her father's arm, Hermione stepped out the back door of the Burrow as Brenna trailed behind.

The sun was shining brightly as Hermione made her way across the Weasley's back garden but a sudden burst of additional light in her eyes caught her totally by surprise. She briefly stopped walking as she blinked away the spots caused by the flash from Colin Creevey's camera. Now a professional photographer, Colin had been Ron and Hermione's first choice to take the pictures of their wedding. After all, they had seen plenty of his previous work.

When her vision cleared, Hermione and her father resumed their walk and Hermione took advantage of their slow pace to look around the garden. On her right was the family she was only officially gaining through her marriage to Ron--truthfully, they had already been her family for many years now. On Hermione's left was her mother who was doing her best to keep from weeping. Hermione also saw her mother's three maiden aunts as well as Brenna's husband, Gilbert, who had glanced once at Hermione and then shifted his gaze to his wife.

Looking forward, Hermione saw Hestia Jones, the ministry official who would be performing the ceremony. At their first meeting, Hestia, long known to them as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, had told Hermione and Ron that when she had seen their names on the list of marriages for this day she had quickly and eagerly put herself down as their officiate. She could think of no couple she would rather marry and their pre-marriage counseling had been merely a formality. Hermione liked the idea of being married by someone she knew. Mrs. Granger, on the other hand, had been quite upset with her daughter when informed that a witch, rather than the vicar who had christened Hermione as a baby, would perform the wedding. After many arguments, Mrs. Granger had finally relented when told the vicar would have no memory of it anyway, as he would have to have his memory modified in order to preserve the safety of the wizarding world.

Hermione's eyes finally lighted on Ron. He was standing quietly next to Hestia and gazing at his fiancée with that goofy grin of his that made Hermione's heart and knees melt. She felt her own smile growing in response. Beyond that, Hermione barely registered George as he stood in his place as Ron's best man.

The music stopped as they reached Hestia and Ron. Hermione turned and kissed her father's cheek and then took a last step forward on her own.

There was a pause as Hestia looked fondly at Ron and Hermione and then she spoke. "Welcome to all who are here to celebrate and witness as Ron and Hermione declare their intentions towards one another and are united in the bonds of love."

"Marriage," she continued, "is a sacred bond between two people and is to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles: its ups and downs, its trials and triumphs. With this understanding, Ron and Hermione have come here today to be joined together in marriage."

Hermione glanced at Ron. His eyes were sparkling as he looked at her and she felt as though she could drown in the love she saw there. She smiled back at him and shyly glanced down before returning her gaze to the witch in front of her.

"Do you, Ron," asked Hestia, "come here of your own free will to seek union with Hermione?"

Ron answered immediately in a strong and sure voice, "I come here of my own free will and desire."

"Do you pledge that this union will be one of perfect love and trust?"

"I do so pledge."

Hestia turned to Hermione. "Do you, Hermione, come here of your own free will to seek union with Ron?"

"I come here of my own free will and desire," said Hermione. She knew the words. They had gone over them often enough. But, it was different, now that they were saying them for real and not merely rehearsing them. She thought of the word desire and tried to remember whose suggestion it had been. Briefly, she felt her cheeks turn pink.

"Do you pledge that this union will be one of perfect love and trust?"

"I do so pledge," said Hermione.

Hestia looked up past Ron and Hermione and asked, "With whom does this woman come and whose blessings accompany her?"

Hermione and Ron both turned as Mr. Granger, still standing behind them, spoke, "She comes with her mother and me and our blessings accompany her."

"Let the blessings of the bride's parents be noted," said Hestia as Mr. Granger sat down beside his wife. Hermione saw him take her mother's hand and squeeze it. Her mother had tears sliding silently down her cheeks as she clutched at her husband.

The couple turned back to Hestia and she continued. This part made Ron and Hermione nervous. Ron, because it was where he expected his brothers to pull a prank of some sort, and Hermione, because it was the one point where she felt everything could be spoiled.

Speaking to the small assembly in general, Hestia asked, "Is there anyone here who objects to this couple being united in marriage? If so, speak now or forever hold it in your heart."

Hermione bit her lip in the silence that followed. Sneaking a peek at Ron, she saw that he was clenching his teeth.

When there was no response, Hermione sighed and released her lip from her teeth. Beside her, she could feel Ron also relax. Hestia continued, still addressing the guests. "Will all of you here, witnessing the vows spoken today by Ron and Hermione, assist and support them in their union?"

There was a rumble as a collective, "We will," came from their families.

"As these two are joined, so are your families united through them. It has been their decision to bind themselves by marriage and their lives will be blessed and enriched by your support. Will you bless and encourage Ron and Hermione in their union? Will you celebrate their marriage, standing beside them in difficult times, yet not standing between them?"

"We will."

Hestia then reached out to a small table placed beside her. She lifted a polished wand of rosewood that gleamed brightly in the sun. It was a ceremonial marriage wand and Ron and Hermione had gone together to Ollivander's, now that the shop was back in business, where it had chosen them. Ollivander himself had not returned after the war and no one ever heard from him again. When things had begun to settle down, Ollivander's great, great nephew had appeared and taken over the business. In his youth, Bertram Ollivander Boswell had apprenticed with his uncle. When he had finished his apprenticeship, he had moved on to his own shop in Edinburgh where he had done modestly well for himself but with his uncle gone, Bertram had felt he should take up the family mantle in Diagon Alley.

Bertram had the same steady and disconcerting gaze his uncle had had and when Ron and Hermione had gone into the shop, he had stared at them intently. After a brief moment he had said, "I know exactly which one will be perfect for you." He had disappeared to the back of the shop. Ron and Hermione heard him rummaging about and he had returned with a dusty white box in his hands.

Taking the top off the box, he had said, "This is the finest marriage wand my uncle ever created. Only a love as strong and true as phoenix song can wield this wand. Now, each with your right hand, pick it up together."

Ron and Hermione had both reached out and taken the wand in their right hands. As they had picked it up an intense shower of bright red, white, and gold sparks had burst forth from the end of it. They held it momentarily as the sparks continued to bathe them in multicolored light. Finally, Bertram had taken the wand and put it back in the box.

"Only a love as bright as the stars could have produced a shower of light like that," he had said in a satisfied voice. "My uncle waited a long time for the right couple for that wand to come along. I'm glad you finally have."

"Will those with the rings please step forward and place them on this wand." Hestia's voice jolted Hermione and Ron back to the present and they watched as Brenna and George both stepped forward. Brenna placed Ron's ring on the wand and George followed suit with Hermione's ring.

Holding up the wand to show the rings, Hestia said, "As you have stated your desire to be united, one with the other, take now these rings and place them upon each other's finger as pledge and testimony to your love and commitment to each other." As she spoke, a ribbon of white smoke issued from the end of the wand and entwined itself around the rings. She then held the wand out to Ron who took Hermione's ring, the smoke from the wand twisted around it following.

Hermione handed her flowers to Brenna and turned to Ron. They smiled at each other as Ron took her hand in his, the ring poised to slip onto her finger.

"This ring," said Ron, solemnly, "I give you as a symbol of our love and the promises I make to you on this day." They both looked down as Ron slid the ring onto Hermione's hand. She gazed at it for a brief moment before turning to Hestia and removing Ron's ring from the wand along with the last of the smoke.

"This ring," Hermione repeated, "I give you as a symbol of our love and the promises I make to you on this day." She put the ring on Ron's finger. She smiled at it, thinking about the tangible proof it was to the world that Ron was hers.

Hestia reclaimed her attention. "Please take each others' right hands." They clasped their right hands tightly and Hestia, holding the marriage wand, tapped their hands as she continued. "May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger." A thin white cord came out of the wand and drew itself towards Ron and Hermione's hands. As the smoke had entwined itself around the rings, the cord did the same around their hands.

"May the vows you speak never grow bitter in your mouths." The cord continued winding around their hands and grew longer, tighter, and more elaborate.

Turning to Ron, Hestia said, "Ron, please repeat after me. I, Ronald Bilius Weasley, take you Hermione Jane Granger to my hand and my heart to be my chosen one."

Hermione looked up at Ron as he gazed intently at her and repeated, "I, Ronald Bilius Weasley, take you Hermione Jane Granger to my hand and my heart to be my chosen one."

Hestia continued and Ron repeated the rest of the vow, his smile growing wider as he spoke. "To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you and be possessed by you. I promise to share laughter in times of joy and tears when sorrow touches our lives; to share my dreams and hopes that our love and minds may grow; to share compassion and understanding during times of frustration and anger; to share all that I have and all that I am for as long as love shall last."

Hermione tried not to blink. She could feel the tears starting and she did not want to be weeping as she said her own vows. She wanted to speak them as strongly and clearly as Ron had. She nodded as Hestia turned to her and her voice trembled just a bit as she spoke the same vows to Ron that he had just made to her. As she finished, she could feel the tears she had been holding back escape and roll down her face. If possible, Ron's smile grew.

"Two entwined by love," said Hestia as she removed the wand and the cord remained. "Bound by commitment and love, sadness and joy, hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Hermione and Ron, hold tight to one another through both good times and bad and watch as your strength grows."

Hestia again tapped Ron and Hermione's hands with the wand. The cord disappeared yet Hermione swore she could still feel it against her skin. Ron briefly flexed his hand as though he felt something new there also.

"By the power entrusted to me by the Ministry of Magic, I now pronounce you, husband and wife." She turned to Ron and smiled, "You may now kiss your bride."

"With pleasure," muttered Ron so that only Hermione and Hestia heard him. Hermione then felt Ron gather her up in his arms and kiss her. Ron was quite thorough and it was not until his brothers had let loose with a few catcalls that he released his wife.

Ron and Hermione turned toward their families only to be faced by a broomstick that was levitating about a foot off the ground. "You've got to get over the broom, mate," Fred called from his seat, his pointed wand the evidence that he was the one performing the charm.

With a grin, Ron swept Hermione up into his arms and boldly stepped them over the broom and into their new life.

~*~

The large table from the kitchen of the Burrow was now outside and covered with a pale pink tablecloth. At intervals along the edges of the table, the cloth was gathered and held up with clusters of the same roses that were in Hermione's bouquet. There were three large, round tables scattered in the garden and adorned in the same fashion. All the tables had various sized vases on them also filled with pink roses, including the small one by the house that held the cake.

Once Hermione had decided on the pink dress, she had felt she should just go with a pink-themed wedding. She had stressed to Ron, however, that it would not be an over-the-top, riotous pastel explosion. Instead, she insisted that the lighter the shade the better. Ron could not care less about the level of pink, but the girls, Fleur, Angelina, and Mrs. Granger, had kept trying to inject brighter pinks into the decorations including the frosting on the cake. Hermione had caught them all and had even threatened to hex her mother if she did not drop the idea of fuchsia chair covers.

And Ron thought he had a problem with maroon.

Ron stood next to the big table that was laden with two punch bowls, the hors d'oeuvres Fleur and Angelina had made, and some sweets. In one hand, he held a plate full of what he was silently referring to as snacks, a term he knew his sisters-in-law would not appreciate. There were some round things made of cheese, some chicken things on sticks that smelled of curry, some small pieces of bread that had a mushy substance in the middle Fleur had referred to as pâté and, the only thing he recognized, sausage rolls.

He was chewing one of the pâté things and held another in his hand when he heard one of Hermione's great aunts behind him. She was talking to another of the aunts, he could not remember which was which, and saying, "This tastes just like that tinned food I give my cat!" Ron slowly turned round and saw the aunt he thought was called Estelle, taking a bite out of the same pâté snack he held in his hand. He slowed his chewing and resisted the urge to spit out what was still in his mouth. Instead, he gulped it down and then looked queasily at the one he was holding. After a surreptitious glance around to make sure no one was watching, Ron tossed the offending pâté round over his right shoulder. Almost immediately, there came the sound of a fight between Crookshanks and a garden gnome as they fought over the discarded treat. Briefly, Ron wondered how Aunt Estelle knew the pâté tasted like tinned cat food but he quickly decided he was better off not knowing the answer to that question.

Setting the plate down on the table, Ron looked across the garden and gazed upon his wife. His wife. He loved the sound of it. Almost without thinking of it, Ron twisted the wedding band he now wore. He had been wondering about the inscription but had not wanted to take it off to look. Ron and Hermione had agreed to have the other's wedding band engraved with something meaningful. Not wanting anything sappy and unable to think of anything clever, Ron had simply had the jeweler put, My Hermione on the inside of the band in a pretty script. He was sure that Hermione had come up with something far more interesting but he was unwilling to remove the ring from his finger. It did not seem right, somehow.

Taking another look around the garden, Ron could not help but marvel at his family. In this setting, Hermione's parents almost did not seem like Muggles. Mr. Granger was talking animatedly to Hestia Jones while Mrs. Granger sat at one of the tables with Fleur and Angelina. It was clear by the way she kept gesturing at a piece of Fleur's cake on the table in front of her that the women were probably discussing cooking or something of the like. Bill and George were showing Girard more ways to torture garden gnomes while Hermione's cousin was deep in conversation with Anya, Charlie's girlfriend. The maiden aunts were keeping their own counsel at the other end of the food table where they had now moved on to the white chocolate covered strawberries and some little cake-like cookies Ron thought he had heard referred to as Madeleines. Brenna's husband, Gilbert, no longer appeared uncomfortable as he chatted with Charlie. Ron thought, based on Charlie's gestures, that they were conversing about either dragons or Quidditch. Grinning, Ron reckoned it really didn't matter. Gilbert would remember none of the details about the wedding, as he was one of the guests who were to have a Memory Charm performed on him by Mr. Weasley. The aunts would also be Obliviated.

But it was Fred who really caught Ron's attention. He was sitting by himself at another table and was holding Alaric. With a goofy smile on his face, Fred was clearly having some kind of chat with his son that was making the infant smile and laugh. Ron thought his brother had never looked happier.

Looking back at Hermione, Ron caught her eye. With a subtle gesture of his head he motioned toward the house. Hermione smiled gave a small nod back. As nonchalantly as possible, Ron began to make his way to the kitchen door. He was halfway there when his father clapped him on the shoulder.

"Well, son," said Mr. Weasley. "It's done, isn't it?"

Ron looked questioningly at his father.

"You've finally made Hermione an official member of this family."

"Uh, yeah," said Ron, noting that a well-meaning relative had also impeded Hermione's progress to the house.

"I'm glad," said Mr. Weasley. "Very glad. You know," he continued, "I don't tell you this often enough, but I'm proud of you, son."

This caught Ron's attention. Since his mother's death, Mr. Weasley had become somewhat reserved and he rarely spoke of his emotions.

"I am," said his father. "And I know why you're really moving in with Harry, too."

"You do?" Ron was startled. Neither he nor Hermione had been very forthcoming about their reasons for moving to Grimmauld Place.

"I do. And it makes me very proud. You and Hermione are so obviously in love with each other. Maybe seeing it every day will make Harry want to live again."

Ron's eyes widened. His father had hit the nail squarely on the head. Yet, he thought it was rather a good thing. He felt a bit relieved that someone knew why they were doing this crazy thing. And not only knew, but understood. "Yeah," said Ron. "Maybe it will."

"Now," said Mr. Weasley, "your wife is clearly trying to get into the house to meet up with you, so why don't you head on in there?" His father clapped him on the back again and said, "I'll try and distract old Aunt Ethel."

"Are you sure it's Ethel?" Ron asked.

"Well, if it's not Ethel, it's Mildred. Estelle is still fawning over the pâté." With that, Mr. Weasley left Ron to stride across the yard towards Hermione and her aunt.

His father's interference must have worked because shortly after Ron got into the house Hermione stepped over the threshold. Ron grabbed her and swept her into his arms where he kissed her. When they came up for air, Ron said, "I was afraid I'd never get you to myself again."

Hermione sighed. "I know. But that's what happens at weddings. Everyone wants to talk to the bride or the groom."

"I thought the purpose of a wedding was to get the bride and the groom together, not keep them apart all day," Ron complained, kissing Hermione again.

They pulled apart again and Hermione smiled. "I love what you put in my ring," she said.

"You read it? When did you read it?"

"When you were throwing that hors d'oeuvre to the cat. I just couldn't wait any longer. It's really sweet." She kissed him and then asked, "What did you think of what I had put in yours?"

"I haven't looked," Ron admitted ruefully.

Hermione surprised him by grinning. "I'm glad," she said. "Look now. I want to see your face when you read it."

Ron slipped the wedding band off his finger and tilted it so he could read the inscription. When he did, he laughed. Putting the ring back on, he asked, "Am I? Am I really your king?"

Hermione nodded and, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissed him again. Now that they were married, it was as though they could not get enough of each other.

This time Ron broke off the kiss as he ran his hands up her back. "Hang on," he said, moving his hand on her back again. "What's all this?" He turned a bit to look at Hermione's back and then exclaimed, "Blimey! How many buttons are there, anyway?"

Hermione giggled and Ron grinned. Giggling was such an un-Hermione-like thing for her to do that it made him smile. "Do you think," Ron asked, "that it's too early for us to leave?"

"Actually," said Hermione turning to look at the clock, "I think it's just about the right time. There's just one more thing I have to do." She took his hand and pulled him toward the door. "Come on."

Outside, Hermione, with Ron's help, stood on a chair and called everyone together. She took a deep breath and Ron felt a speech coming on. He stifled a sigh. He had wanted to get away relatively quickly. Now that Hermione seemed to be in lecture-mode it would be forever before they would go.

"I would just like to thank everyone for coming and sharing in this special day for me and Ron. It really means a lot to us to have had you all here." There were smiles and nods as Hermione turned to Brenna. She made a gesture at her cousin who grinned and disappeared for a brief moment. When she returned, it was to hand Hermione something behind her back.

"We'll be going soon," Hermione continued, "but first...." There was a pause as Hermione scanned the small group. She located who she was looking for and then called, "George!"

Ron saw his brother look up.

"Think fast!" With that, Hermione lobbed her bouquet at George and it hit him square in the chest. Reflexively, George lifted his arms and caught the flowers with an expression of horror on his face. Everyone laughed as the single twin turned bright red. Ron did not think he had ever before seen one of the twins blush and he laughed.

"You're next!" called Hermione as Ron helped her down from the chair.

~*~

They had said their good byes to their guests and, except for Mrs. Granger growing watery-eyed as she hugged Ron, who had managed not to take a step back as his eyes widened in terror, all had gone well. Hestia Jones had presented Ron and Hermione with the box containing the marriage wand as well as the parchment that proved they were legally married. Hestia reached into a pocket and pulled one more item from her robes. Holding it out to them she said, "Now, when you're ready to go just touch this."

Turning to wave to everyone one last time, they looked at each other and then reached out to touch the empty tube of hand lotion Hestia was holding. The Portkey came to life and transported them to the lobby of the hotel where Ron had arranged for them to spend their wedding night.

A brown haired girl wearing dark blue robes looked up from the desk and said, "Ah, the Weasleys. We've been expecting you."

Ron and Hermione walked up to the desk as the girl turned a book on a carousel around to face them. "Just sign in and I'll get your key." She pointed to a bright blue quill and a pot of ink and turned to the little cubicles that lined the wall behind her.

With Hermione looking over his shoulder, Ron carefully wrote, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley. They both looked at it for a moment until the girl returned and Ron swiveled the carousel back away from them.

"Now," said the girl. "My name's Morgan and if you need anything you just let me know. You're in cottage number seven. Just go through that door," she pointed to a door on Ron's left, "and follow the path. There are markers along the way to guide you. Everything is just as you've requested, Mr. Weasley, and we hope you enjoy your stay." She smiled and held out a large brass key with curlicues at the top. Ron took it and smiled back.

"Thank you," he said, gathering Hermione's hand in his and leading her to the door.

Once outside they found themselves on a terrace. One side looked out over a beach where small waves were gently brushing against the sand. On the other side was a path that led into a large copse of trees. There was a sign next to the path that read, "Cottages."

"This is beautiful," murmured Hermione as they walked through the trees.

"I thought you might like it," answered Ron.

After a few minutes, they came to a fork. There was another sign. This one said, "Cottages 1 - 9," and had an arrow pointing right. Underneath that was another line that read, "Cottages 10 - 21," followed by a left pointing arrow.

"I guess we go this way," said Ron, leading them to the right. Shortly after taking the fork, they began to see small cottages set back among the trees. Where the cottage paths met the main path there were signs with numbers. Ron thought it was a bit like a scavenger hunt. Finally, they came to a sign that had the number seven on it and they turned down the path.

"Ron. This is wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed as their cottage came into view. It was a small, whitewashed building with a thatched roof and rose-filled flower boxes beneath the windows on either side of the door. "It looks like something out of another time." Ron smiled, glad that, so far, Hermione seemed to like the place he had chosen.

At the door was a welcome mat that cheerily exclaimed, "Welcome, Weasleys! And congratulations!"

"They've thought of everything, haven't they?" asked Hermione as Ron unlocked the door and swung it open.

Turning to Hermione, Ron said. "I carried you over the broom at the wedding but isn't there a Muggle custom where I have to carry you over the threshold here?"

Ron really wanted the opportunity to swing Hermione up into his arms again and, with his expression, he dared her to say no.

She caught the look and playfully answered, "Why, yes, Ron. Yes, there is."

Grinning, Ron swept her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he walked into a little sitting room. In front of them was a fireplace that had a small fire of blue flames dancing merrily in the grate. In front of the fireplace was a round table set for two, chintz-covered chairs on either side. On the table, a bottle of champagne was chilling and there were assorted sweets around it, including Hermione's favorite, white chocolate covered strawberries. Even though there had been some at the wedding, Ron knew Hermione could never get enough of them and had made a special request that the hotel have some made up just for her.

Another look around the room showed a doorway off to the right that clearly led to a bedroom. Ron slowly set Hermione back on her feet.

"Now," said Ron in a low voice as he nudged the cottage door with his foot and it began to swing shut, "about those buttons..."

~*~