Beautiful Day

Disclaimer: The characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling and her assigns.

Hermione became aware of the fact that several people had crowded into her bedroom and that others were taking pictures. Severus and Harry had moved into the room to stand next to their wives as Viktor's parents had also come in to watch Viktor put her shoe on her foot. Viktor helped Hermione stand up, and then he lifted her veil from her face and kissed her.

There was a tumult of cheers, laughter, chatter, and hugging until Andromeda's voice was heard. "If you would all come downstairs, I have some things laid out in the dining room for you all. You might want a snack before the Portkey."

After some light refreshments, there was folk dancing in the front garden. Everyone danced in a circle around a sort of maypole. The children ran back and forth amongst the dancers, laughing and singing, and then around the maypole.

Someone shouted, and everyone moved toward the maypole, taking hold of the ribbons or the pole itself. It shimmered blue, and an instant later everyone was standing just outside the gates of Hogwarts, which were open and covered in festive greenery and flowers. The dancing continued up the drive of the school.

Hermione became aware that her father was hurrying toward her just as they reached the school, where a small crowd of people was waiting. She realized that he hadn't been among those who used the Portkey.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"I wanted to make sure Andromeda was resting in bed before I left. She was going to try to clear everything up herself. I reassured her the elves have it well in hand. Don't you worry; she laid out a celebration for them too. Trust me. They're being very well compensated for all their work this week. The goblins are snickering at your stepmother over it."

"I just don't want to take advantage of them."

"The goblins think the House elves are taking shameless advantage of us." Severus looked up at the castle and back at her. "Look. There's a very special wedding gift for you, just on the step."

Hermione's parents were standing there, smiling and waving. Viktor suddenly appeared by her side and led her up to them. They both hugged her tightly and spoke at the same time. "Hermione! We're so glad to come to your wedding!"

These people were not the Monica and Wendell Wilkins she remembered from her last visit to Australia. They were the Rose and Hugo Granger she grew up with.

"I don't understand," she said, looking from Viktor to Severus, who was standing right behind her.

"There was just a vestige of memory charm that you hadn't removed. I had to look pretty hard to find it."

Rose put her arm around Hermione. "We had a nice visit with Severus and Viktor, here, and somehow they made us remember what our family here in England was like. Of course we wanted to come."

Hermione looked around for the brother and sister she had barely met while in Australia before. "Where are Becky and MIcky?"

Hugo spoke this time. "They're visiting with Aunt Gert today. They know about you of course because they met you, but we haven't explained any of this to them." He gestured to indicate all of Hogwarts.

Severus stepped back. "We've explained everything they need to do as parents of the bride."

"But you and Andromeda..."

"We've had the joy of helping you to prepare for today, but they helped you to prepare all through your childhood."

"But..."

"It's time for your mother to help you get ready, and then your father will walk you into the Great Hall." Severus leaned down and spoke into her ear. "You're beautiful, and I'm proud of you." He kissed her cheek and then leaned back up. She tried to see some emotion in his face, but other than a bit of a twitch around his mouth, he looked as impassive as he usually did.

Rose guided her into the little room where Hermione, Ron, Harry, and the others had waited before being sorted. Ginny came to freshen up her makeup and checked her hair and veil. There was the sound of milling crowds as everyone went into the Great Hall to take their seats. Hermione couldn't help being reminded of her first day at Hogwarts yet again.

Everything was quickly ready, and Hugo looked through the door. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." The moment had finally come.

Harry offered an arm to Rose and led her away. Ginny followed them and peeked through the door of the Great Hall. Now it was just Hermione and Hugo. They waited just by the door until Ginny turned and said, "Wait until I get all the way up there."

Hugo took her hand and walked her just up to the doorway. Then he stopped. "I was told to remind you to step in with your right foot first," he said. "It's good luck."

Hermione smiled and laughed. "Thank you, dad."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the House ghosts, hovering near the door of the room she had just left, just as they had done so many years ago. Nearly Headless Nick was saluting and the Fat Friar was waving. The Gray Lady and the Baron looked cool but not unkind.

There was a rustling in the Great Hall as everyone stood to see her. Because this had been so much like her very first day at Hogwarts, she half expected to see the stool and the Sorting Hat. Instead she saw Viktor. He was so handsome in his dress robes. He wore the starched shirt and bow tie as though they were what he always wore, and he stood tall and proud. As their eyes met, a huge smile crossed his face. She wouldn't be surprised if the same smile was on her own lips.

She lifted her right foot and took the first step.

* * * * *

Hours later, they snuck into a back room of the school and clasped hands around a small bouquet, a replica of the flowers she had carried and tossed just a few minutes ago. The ribbon glowed and they were soon in an empty alleyway that Hermione didn't know.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked.

Viktor smiled and put his hand at her back. "Come, our hotel is yust around vay."

The concierge handed Viktor a room key as they walked into the lobby. "All is as you requested, Mr. Krum."

Viktor smiled. "T'ank yu." He handed something to the other man and an instant later, they were in the elevator.

"Viktor, where are we?"

"Yust vait." He tapped her nose. "I show yu."

The doors of the elevator opened, and Viktor led her to a door nearby. He opened it but stopped her as she tried to walk through. She was about to ask why when he scooped her into his arms and carried her through the doorway.

"Is tradition, no?"

Their faces were very close together. "So is this," she answered, sliding her hand along his cheek and giving him a long kiss. He set her down gently and continued the kiss, pulling her close and then closer yet.

"Ah, loff, now we are alone, and we belong together."

Hermione shivered. "I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for this."

"I know I vait yust as long. Do you vish to eat?" There was a table with covered trays near a large window.

Hermione shook her head. "I just ate something a little while ago. Unless you'd rather."

Viktor shook his head, too. "I yust vant this." He leaned down and kissed her again.

"Just that?" Hermione asked when the kiss ended. She fingered the ends of his tie and gently tugged at them.

"Is beginning," he said with a smile that contained a bit of a leer. "Is beginning of vhat I vant."

This time as they kissed, Hermione tugged at the tie and unbuttoned his shirt. She slid her hands under his shirt and over his chest. It was just as she remembered on the day she had looked with such interest in the Hospital Wing. Now she gasped in pleasure as she realized he was doing exactly the same thing to her.

The ties of her dress were undone, and it had been pushed from her shoulders as his hands had explored. When they came up for air, her dress pooled around her feet. She pushed his shirt and robes over his shoulders and behind him onto the floor.

They looked at each other, a little in surprise at being undressed so quickly, a little in curiosity, and very much with desire. Viktor nodded to himself and lifted her up again, setting her on the bed. "Is time for loff," he whispered.

She could do little more than breathe out, "Oh, yes..." as his mouth met hers again.

* * * * *

There was no clock to tell them what time it was when they decided that it might be nice to eat after all. Viktor Summoned the champagne and glasses to the bed, but Hermione was a little hungrier and went over to investigate what was under the covers. She filled a plate with crackers, cheese and fruit and then turned back toward the bed.

Before she took a single step, she stopped short. "I do believe that's the Eiffel Tower. Viktor, are we in Paris?"

He came behind her and handed her a glass. "Yes, loff, ve honeymoon in City of Light."

"I--I don't believe it."

"Yu doubt me?"

"Oh, no! What I mean is that Paris is considered the most romantic of cities. You are the most amazing husband to bring me here."

"For most amazing vife."

They sipped from their glasses and looked out the window. "Ve stay here for veek. Then we go to Sofia and from there to visit family."

"Sofia sounds like a lovely city."

"Is lovely city, and means visdom. Perhaps they name city for Hermyown."

She laughed at that. "Of course they didn't. That city is centuries old."

"Is right. Yu are far too young and peautiful."

Hermione's tummy growled, and she blushed and looked toward the plate she'd put together. "Do you suppose it's time to eat?"

Viktor nodded and gently tugged her toward the bed. "Bring plate with yu. We eat, and then is time for loff again."

A/N: I'm so very sorry that this chapter took such a long time in coming. I don't like to write long author notes, but this is an exception. I hope you will forgive me for stepping out of character for a moment.

As always, Blue Artemis has been as much a companion in this project as a beta reader. It literally would not have happened without her. I'm very grateful to her for everything.