I Now Pronounce You, Man, Wife and Bitter ex-lover

Chapter Two
The Wedding Continues

Ginny kept glancing over their shoulders, trying to spot Harry, but the only person she could see was Draco Malfoy sulking around the edges of her little group. Gin watched Draco as he pulled a silver dagger from his red dress robes. He stared down at the dagger, running his finger over the green head of a snake carved into the handle. He raised the dagger slowly, closing his eyes and plunging it into his gut. Blood spilled out, dark and rich, staining his green robes a dark black. He dropped to his knees, gaping for hair, his eyes wide before he fell back, staring sightlessly at the golden orange sky.

Gin turned to Helen, smiling. "More punch?"

~~~~~

Draco awoke with a scream, his breath coming in harsh pants. The bed sheets were twisted around his torso, holding him to the bed. He closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing and with a shaky hand, reached for the water at his bedside. Drinking deeply he pulled and twisted at his sheets, feeling a change of robes was in order as the hot black material stuck to his body. Setting the empty glass aside he stood, pulling the wool over his head and tossing it vaguely in the direction of the bin before turning back to his wardrobe that still stood open, selecting an airy, silk set of dress robes that matched his Grey eyes perfectly.

~~~~~

Ron sighed as he paced in front of The Burrow's front garden entrance, glancing at his watch for the 10th time that minute before looking up towards the apparition point, waiting for Draco to appear. He should have known the other boy wouldn't show up. It was just…too much to hope for really. He turned on his heel and stalked towards the rose covered gazebo, checking the wards again and making sure everything was working correctly before checking his watch again. "Where the bloody hell are you Malfoy?" He growled.

"Standing right here." Draco muttered. "And if you don't mind Weasley, you're trodding on the hem of my robe."

Ron glanced around and frowned, not seeing anyone around him that even remotely resembled a Malfoy. Percy and his wife were just arriving along with various other guests but Malfoy obviously wasn't them. Simon Branford had arrived with much fanfare that meant little to anyone standing around him besides annoyance. And ah yes, the current man of the hour, Minister of Magic Alexander Novella. Ron ignored the Malfoy mess for a moment to exchange greetings with the young Minister, directing him towards his father and mother. "Okay Malfoy, WHERE exactly are you?"

"Right here you buffoon." Draco said, tugging on his robes.

Ron looked around and saw nothing there. "Absolutely nothin…" The lightning bolt of though hit Ron and he reached out blindly, finally making contact with something two feet from him. Grasping the silky invisibility cloak he jerked it off Draco, glaring at him. "Not funny Malfoy."

"Hey, you just told me to come, you didn't tell me I had to be visible!"

Ron rolled his eyes and stomped off in the general direction of the ceremonial place.

~~~~~

Upstairs Ginny waited nervously as Gen and Helen helped her attach her veil. She wrung her hands in front of her, twisting her lace handkerchief into knots so unique they didn't even have a name yet. Helen watched amused as she used her want to attach another pin into Ginny's curls, softly humming the wedding march under her breath.

"Do you think he'll show?"

"Harry? Of course he'll show, not like he could actually escape with your brother's patrolling the ground." Gen said, cursing as another flame coloured curl fell out of place.

"Mingling with the guests my foot. As if the boys really thought we'd buy that." Helen added, moving around Ginny to help Gen with the stubborn curl. "Even pig knows that they're really keeping an eye on all the exits so the bride-groom doesn't make a hasty exit."

"Not him, HIM."

"Oh, HIM. Well that I don't know. Did you invite him?" Helen asked softly.

"Of course she didn't! Ginny's not a fool Helen!"

"Mum made me." Ginny said softly. "Said it wouldn't be fair not to."

"Oh Ginny." Helen whispered and gave her a hug. "I'm sure he won't show up…or if he does, he won't make a scene, not on today of all days."

"I just wish I could be so sure," Ginny said softly before flinging her knotted hanky away, flopping onto a chair. 'I just couldn't stand it if he showed up and…and…"

"Shh, calm now, you're going to ruin your make up and then we'll be up here another hour, and besides, you shouldn't worry about things until you have to. We don't even know if he showed up yet!"

"You're right, I'm just being foolish. I mean, here I am, about to get married to the most wonderful, handsome wizard of our generation and look at me! Whimpering about like a child!" Ginny took a deep, calming breath and stood, straitening out the folds of her white dress robes. "There, see, calm, collected, about to be married…everything's perfect."

"Except for that curl," Gen growled, advancing on the younger woman.

~~~~~

Harry bit the inside of his cheek as he straitened his cloak, adjusting the clasp so it sat just so on his chest. He looked up into the mirror and inspected himself, watching Sirius in the mirror as his godfather watched him. He turned around slowly and spread his arms. "Well, how do I look?"

"Like your father." Sirius said softly. "In fact…you even have that same worried wrinkle."

Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to the mirror. "I'm not worried."

"Scared then." Lupin said from the bed where he lay, a bag of Every Flavor Beans on his stomach.

"I'm not scared either." Harry said, though his tone was less then convincing.

Remus raised an eyebrow, sharing a look with Sirius. Sirius shrugged and turned back to his godson, watching him carefully. "Is bout the wedding night? Because you know, I thought we went all over that when you were 16…"

"It's not about the wedding night…well it is…not really."

"So it is but it isn't…oh-kay. Is it about Ginny?"

"Not exactly."

"Is it about you…because I thought you had done this before,"

"What? Of course I haven…oh, yes I've done THAT before."

"Good, because I was fearing you were the oldest virgin alive."

Harry sighed. "Sirius, I'm 23 not 64 and I'm NOT a virgin."

"Well good then. So what's to be nervous about? You've done this before, she's done this before…"

"It's just…well, we've never done this…together…before."

"Oh! I get it now. Well, Harry, it's not much different then the others you've…uh…done it with before. She's just your wife this time."

"Somehow, I highly doubt that." Harry murmured, thinking about Draco and Denis Creevy, his last two lovers.

~~~~~

The bells in the back garden struck the start of the ceremony and the guests slowly made they're way down the rose strew path, diverging into the rows of seats easily, causing Bill and Charlie little trouble as the two of them ushered certain guests to their seats.

Arthur lead his wife down the path, smiling at the guest happily, so very proud on this day. Molly kissed her son's cheeks as they lead their parents to their reserved seats and she wiped her heavily flowing eyes, being careful of her make-up as she did so. She glanced around at the guests as a whole, making one final check that everything was perfect for her daughter's big day.

Sirius and Remus both escorted their date; a young witch named Amy Zubblebubbletoilntrubble, whom had gladly agreed to accompany both men to the joyous occasion.

Bill and Charlie took one last glance around before taking their posts at the outer end of the front aisle, standing along with the rest of the guests as the heavily strands of music flowed around them.

Helen and Gen took their places next to Fred and George at the front, one in front of either side of the path. They light their wands and light the floating candles, one for each year that Harry and Ginny had been together so far, and one for the many years to come.

Ginny bit her lip gently as she walked slowly up the bath towards the white arch that began the official path, closing her eyes tightly as it grew nearer and nearer. She paused when she felt the polished pebbles that lay under the arch, beneath her feet and she took a deep, calming breath. The breath caught in her throat though as she felt a cool hand take hers and give it a gentle squeeze. Opening her eyes slowly she smiled as Harry's face looked down at hers. He placed a gentle kiss on her nose and squeezed her hand again before walking with her down the pebbled path towards the front of the ceremonial space.

Molly wiped her eyes more as she watched Ginny and Harry walk towards them, hand in hand, so much love and happiness inside them. She remembered, so vividly when she first saw Harry, alone and scared, trying to find his way in a new world…their world. She could never imagine in that moment, how much a part of her family the young boy would become. That from that moment he would become a friend to Ron, a son to her and Arthur, and a true love to their little girl. She sniffled more, wiping her eyes hurriedly as they drew closer.

Sirius watched Harry and Ginny approach with tears streaming un-checked down his cheeks. So much like his parents…yet so much his own man. It tore Sirius's emotions apart to stand there, watching him, so very proud of him yet so very saddened for who could not be there in his place. It shouldn't have been this way really. Lily and James should have had the pleasure of enjoying this moment, of enjoying watching they're little boy get married, to watch him tremble with each step he took with his lovely bride, to watch his eyes search every face till he found theirs. His face lighting up upon recognition, gathering strength from them when he needed it with just their presence. Damn you Padfoot, you should have been standing here, giving him to his bride. Why did you have to leave this to me, I think I'm going to be sick.

Draco watched Harry and Ginny's retreating forms from his place in the back row, hidden from their sight by Ron and Hermione. He bit his lip as he watched, wanting to chase after them and ruin this moment for them. Wanting to make them see how wrong this was, how wrong they were for each other. He loved me before you, promised me forever before he even took a second glance at you…why should you be the one standing next to him now?

Jamieson, the young minister, stood, smiling at the young couple as they stood in front of him, trembling visibly beneath they're cool facades. He had watched, so many couples stand before him, all scared, all trembling, all filled with bright hopes and dreams of what lay before them. He could never fully count how many beginnings he had seen, or how many dreams he had helped bring to fruition. All he knew for sure, was that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, better then this moment right now, watching the couple shed the routines and ceremony of dating and join together in the eternal dance of marriage.

He raised his hands slightly and the gentle murmurs and drifting thoughts died away as the assembled guests let their attention fall entirely on him and the couple standing before him. He lowered his hands and gripped the edges of the stand before him, staring out over the sea of heads for a silent moment before speaking.

"Friends, we have been invited here today to share with Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, a most important moment in their lives. In the time they have been together their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured. Now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife. Please, sit with us as we unite these two and join with us in their happiness."

The guest sat down at this request, with none of the noise and fanfare you would usually associate with 250 bodies. Jamieson smiled at the ease of it and went on,

"We have been invited to hear Harry and Ginny as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead. For the world that God has created for them, with its beauty and grace that is all around, with the strength that it offers and the peace that it brings, makes them truly grateful."

Jamieson looked down at the young couple now, watching as they clasped hands tightly, both staring at him, little children waiting for their father to re-assure them that everything was all right. "Harry and Ginny, nothing is easier than saying words and nothing harder than living them day after day. What you promise today must be renewed and re-decided tomorrow. At the end of this ceremony legally you will be man and wife, but you still must decide each day that stretches out before you, that you want to be married."

Molly listened to the words and smiled at her husband, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. She knew the hardships and trials of marriage knew the joys and pains and raising a family through hard times, through lean years where they could barely scrape by. But nothing, not Fred and George, not Lord Voldemort's reign, not even daily dinners of carrots and beets, the only things in the garden and no money to buy proper food and clothes for the children could have torn her from her husband. Love was something beyond all that.

"Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. But real love is not total absorption in each other; it is looking outward in the same direction --together. Love makes burdens lighter, because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone."

Molly wiped her eyes again and Arthur squeezed her hand as they stood along with Sirius and Remus, each waiting for their upcoming parts in the ceremony, each filled with their own thoughts and feelings.

"Who is bringing Ginny to be united to Harry?" Jamieson asked, looking between the four people standing.

" We do." Said Molly and Arthur together, taking Ginny's free hand in theirs and giving it a gentle kiss each.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are you willing, now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding both Ginny and Harry with your love and concern?

"We are." They said, again in unison, placing their hands over Ginny and Harry's joined ones.

"Mr. Black And…uh…Mr. Lupin," Jamieson paused for a moment, making sure he said that right before nodding and continuing on. "Are you willing, now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding both Harry and Ginny with your love and concern?

Sirius and Remus looked at each other before smiling and nodding to the young pastor. "We are." They said, placing they're hands over Molly and Arthur's.

Ginny and Harry both turned and kissed they're respective 'parent's' cheeks before the couples took their seats, Molly absolutely sobbing now.

"Harry James Potter, will you take Ginny Elizabeth Weasley to be your wife? Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with her?" Jamieson asked, looking deeply into Harry's eyes, studying the flurry of emotion in the heavy Jade orbs.

"I will." Harry said softly, though clear enough for all there to hear.

"Ginny Elizabeth Weasley will you take Harry James Potter to be your husband? Will you be honest with him always? Will you stand by him through whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life with him?"

"I will." Ginny's voice was softer then even Harry's, trembling, with tears thick inside it.

"Harry, What token do you give to show that you will faithfully perform these vows?" Jamieson asked, turning back to Harry, watching as Charlie handed the token over to the boy.

"A ring." Harry said, holding it up to show him and the guests.

"The circle which forms this ring is the emblem of eternity, and the beautiful metal out of which it is wrought is the type of that which is least tarnished and most enduring. It is to show how lasting and imperishable, the faith now mutually pledged. You will place this ring on Ginny 's finger and repeat after me . . . With his ring . . . I pledge myself to thee...with all the affections of my heart…so long as we both shall live."

Harry repeated the sentiments with Jamieson, smiling down at Ginny as he said them to her, sliding the ring onto her finger and giving it a gentle kiss.

"And, Ginny, what token do you give to show that you will faithfully perform these vows?"

"A ring." She said, taking it from Helen and holding it up for all to see.

"Please place your ring on Harry's finger and repeat after me. With this ring I pledge myself to thee…with all the affections of my heart…so long as we both shall…"

"I object!" Yelled Simon as he stood.