Under the Cursed Moon

The day of the Harry and Hermoine's muggle wedding finally arrived, and it was everything Hermione's parents had hoped it would be. The ceremony was set in a quaint countryside estate just outside of London, an idyllic location surrounded by lush green fields, rolling hills, and wildflowers blooming in vibrant colors. The setting was perfect – a blend of charm and elegance that fit Hermione's vision of a classic, timeless wedding.

Harry stood outside the main entrance, adjusting his tie in the reflection of a small mirror he had conjured earlier. He had chosen a classic black tuxedo, perfectly tailored, and Hermione's parents couldn't help but beam with pride as they looked at him. "You look dashing, Harry," Mr. Granger said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You've made our daughter very happy, and for that, we're grateful."

Harry smiled, a bit bashful. "Thank you, Mr. Granger. I just hope I can keep making her happy."

"You will," Mrs. Granger said with a knowing smile. "We see how you look at her, Harry. That's more than enough."

As guests began to arrive, Harry's heart warmed at the sight of so many people who had come to support them. From Hermione’s side, her family, old friends from school, and her parents’ colleagues mingled and chatted, admiring the beautiful countryside venue. The Grangers had taken great care in organizing the event, and it showed in every detail: the white linen-draped tables, the delicate floral arrangements, and the elegant canopy that provided shade from the warm summer sun.

From Harry’s side, there were fewer faces, but they were all ones he held dear. Neville Longbottom arrived first, looking dapper in his suit, a big smile spreading across his face when he saw Harry. "Couldn't have missed this for the world, mate," Neville said, pulling Harry into a hug. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, Neville," Harry replied, genuinely moved by his friend's presence. "It means a lot that you're here."

The Weasley twins, Fred and George, came bounding in next, dressed in matching suits that somehow managed to be both classy and slightly outrageous, in true Weasley fashion. "Oi, Harry!" Fred called out with a mischievous grin. "This isn’t the place to wear those awful dress robes, you know?"

"Yeah, we thought about coming in dragon-hide leather, but apparently, that’s not the Muggle way," George added with a wink.

Harry laughed. "You two haven’t changed a bit," he said, shaking his head. "I’m just glad you could make it."

"Wouldn’t miss it, mate," Fred replied. "Besides, someone needs to make sure you don’t trip over your own feet during the first dance."

Teddy’s grandmother, Andromeda Tonks, arrived early that morning, looking elegant in her plum-colored gown. Her eyes sparkled with pride and warmth as she held Teddy's hand, guiding him toward the festivities. “You’re going to be a very important young man today, you know?” Andromeda told him with a soft smile. “Are you ready?”

Teddy nodded enthusiastically, clutching the little satin pillow that held the wedding rings. “I get to carry this!” he exclaimed proudly, holding the pillow up for his grandmother to see. “Uncle Harry said it’s a really important job.”

“And it is,” Andromeda assured him, smoothing down his suit jacket. “You’re going to do a wonderful job. Just remember to walk slowly, alright?”

Harry noticed the pair as they arrived and made his way over, crouching down to Teddy’s level. “How’s my little man?” he asked, ruffling Teddy’s hair. “Ready to be the star of the show?”

Teddy grinned, his eyes twinkling. “You’re the star, Uncle Harry!” he said seriously. “But I’m going to be the best ring bearer ever!”

“I have no doubt you will be,” Harry chuckled, feeling his heart swell with love for the boy. “Just remember to keep that pillow safe. We can’t get married without those rings, you know?”

Hermione soon joined them, beaming at the sight of Teddy. “Teddy, you look so handsome!” she praised, planting a kiss on his forehead. “You’re going to make sure Uncle Harry doesn’t run away, right?”

Teddy nodded vigorously. “I’ll keep him here, Aunt Hermione! Don’t worry.”

As the ceremony drew closer, many of Harry's non-magical friends arrived. These were people he had met over the years since rumors of his lycanthropy had driven him to spend more time in the Muggle world. From his neighbors to former colleagues from part-time jobs he'd taken over the years, they all came together to celebrate this special day. They knew him not as the Boy Who Lived, but simply as Harry, and they had come to respect and care for him in a way that was refreshingly different from how he was seen in the wizarding world.

“Harry, mate!” one of his Muggle friends, Marcus, called out, clapping him on the back. “You actually did it, huh? Getting married to such an amazing woman. Congratulations!”

Harry grinned. “Yeah, I guess I got lucky,” he replied, feeling genuinely fortunate to have these people in his life.

The ceremony itself was simple yet beautiful, with a soft melody playing in the background as Hermione walked down the aisle, her arm linked with her father’s. Harry’s breath caught in his throat as he saw her. She wore an elegant, flowing white gown that shimmered in the sunlight, and her hair was pinned up with delicate pearls woven through it. She was radiant, and for a moment, Harry forgot how to breathe.

As Hermione reached him, she smiled, her eyes filled with tears. “You look beautiful,” Harry whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” she replied with a teasing smile, squeezing his hand.

Teddy walked down the aisle with all the confidence of a young man who knew he had a very important job. Everyone watched with warm smiles as he took careful steps, clutching the pillow tightly. His little suit was slightly too big for him, but that only made him look more adorable as he made his way to the altar. Andromeda, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but wipe a tear from her eye. It was a bittersweet moment for her – seeing Teddy so happy, surrounded by love, yet knowing that her daughter and son-in-law weren't there to witness this day.

When Teddy reached Harry, he looked up with wide eyes. “I did it!” he whispered loudly, handing over the rings with a sense of accomplishment.

“You did great,” Harry whispered back, giving him a quick hug. “Thank you, Teddy.”

The ceremony proceeded with heartfelt vows, exchange rings , with both Harry and Hermione exchanging words that spoke of their journey together. “You were there for me,” Hermione said, her voice trembling slightly, “when I needed someone the most. You’ve been my best friend, my partner, and my greatest love. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.”

Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice. “Hermione, you’ve been my guiding light through the darkest times. You’ve shown me what it means to love unconditionally, and I promise to spend every day trying to be the man you deserve.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience, and when the minister finally said, “You may kiss the bride,” Harry leaned in, capturing Hermione’s lips in a tender kiss that sealed their love in the most beautiful way.

The reception afterward was a grand celebration, with world-class food served at every table. There were roast lamb, grilled salmon, pasta dishes, and an assortment of sides that catered to every palate. The desserts were equally impressive, with a towering wedding cake that looked almost too beautiful to cut.

The Grangers had arranged several activities for the guests – lawn games, a live jazz band, and even a photo booth with props for people to take pictures. The Weasley twins, true to form, had snuck in a few magical items, which led to a few surprises but nothing too outlandish.

“Leave it to the Weasleys to add some magic to a Muggle wedding,” Neville remarked with a chuckle, watching Fred and George demonstrate how to use a fake wand that shot out bubbles instead of sparks.

Throughout the evening, Harry mingled with the guests, grateful for each and every one of them. “Thank you all for coming,” he said, raising his glass in a toast later in the evening. “It means the world to both Hermione and me to have you here today. You’ve all been a part of our journey, and we’re honored to share this moment with you.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Harry and Hermione shared their first dance as husband and wife. They swayed to the soft, melodic tune of "Your Song" by Elton John, wrapped up in each other's arms, lost in the moment. Harry leaned down to whisper in Hermione’s ear, “This is just the beginning.”

Hermione looked up at him, her eyes shining with love. “The beginning of forever.”

As the night drew on, the guests continued to laugh, dance, and celebrate. The Muggle wedding was everything Hermione had dreamed of – an unforgettable day surrounded by friends, family, and love. But it was only the start, and both she and Harry knew that the next chapter of their lives together was about to begin. The magical wedding was still to come, and with it, a future filled with endless possibilities and adventures.

For their honeymoon, Hermione had only one destination in mind: France. It had always been a special place for her, ever since she was a young girl. She had fond memories of visiting Paris with her parents, wandering through the cobbled streets, eating fresh croissants at small cafés, and marveling at the beauty of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. The quaint countryside, the rolling lavender fields of Provence, and the charming little villages had all left an indelible mark on her heart. It was a place that felt like magic to her even before she discovered the world of wizards and witches.

"France?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow when Hermione first mentioned it. They were lying in bed the night after the wedding, still buzzing from the excitement and joy of the day. "Why France?"

Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement as she sat up, already eager to share her memories with him. "Oh, Harry, it's the most beautiful place in the world. There's something so romantic about it. When I was a little girl, my parents used to take me there every summer. We'd spend days in Paris, exploring the museums, eating pastries, and shopping along the Champs-Élysées. And then we'd travel to the countryside, where everything feels slower, more peaceful. I want to show you all my favorite spots."

Harry smiled at her enthusiasm, finding it impossible to resist. "Alright," he said, pulling her back into his arms. "France it is. Lead the way, Mrs. Potter."

Their journey began in Paris. As soon as they arrived, Hermione took Harry straight to the heart of the city, the Jardin des Tuileries. They strolled through the manicured gardens, hand in hand, while Hermione pointed out the statues and fountains she had admired as a child.

"Over there," she said, tugging him toward a small café with wicker chairs lined up along the sidewalk. "This was my favorite spot to have hot chocolate. It’s the best you’ll ever taste."

Harry laughed as they sat down, watching as Hermione ordered in fluent French. The waiter brought them steaming cups of rich, velvety chocolate, and Harry had to admit—it was the best he’d ever tasted. "You’re right," he said, licking a bit off his lip. "This is incredible."

"I told you," Hermione grinned triumphantly. "And there’s so much more I want to show you."

They spent their days exploring the city, visiting the Louvre where Hermione dragged Harry from painting to painting, explaining the history and significance of each one with a passion that made him fall in love with her all over again. They climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stood arm in arm as they looked out over the city’s sparkling lights, and shared a kiss under the Parisian moonlight.

"This is exactly what I imagined it would be like," Hermione whispered, resting her head on Harry’s shoulder. "Thank you for coming here with me."

Harry kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for bringing me. I can see why you love it here."

After a week in Paris, they traveled to the French countryside. They rented a little cottage in Provence, surrounded by fields of lavender that stretched as far as the eye could see. Hermione showed Harry how to ride a bicycle along the winding country roads, and they spent lazy afternoons lying in the fields, breathing in the fragrant scent of lavender while the sun warmed their skin.

One evening, as they sat outside their cottage, enjoying a glass of wine, Harry looked over at Hermione. “You know, this might be the happiest I’ve ever been,” he said softly, taking her hand in his.

Hermione’s eyes filled with tears, but she smiled. “Me too, Harry. It’s everything I dreamed it would be. I’ve always wanted to come here with someone I love, to share this part of my life.”

"Well, I’m honored to be that someone," Harry said, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

They spent their last few days visiting the little towns and markets nearby, buying fresh cheese, bread, and fruit for picnics. Hermione took Harry to a small vineyard that her parents had taken her to once, and they spent the afternoon tasting different wines, laughing as Harry tried to distinguish between the flavors.

“It’s all grapes to me,” he joked, making Hermione roll her eyes playfully.

“That’s because you’ve never been trained in the art of wine tasting,” she teased, handing him another glass. “But I’ll teach you.”

Their final stop was the Château de Chenonceau, a beautiful castle that spanned across the River Cher. As they walked hand in hand through the gardens, Hermione couldn’t help but sigh. "This place always felt like it was out of a fairytale," she murmured, leaning her head against Harry’s shoulder.

Harry wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. “Well, if it’s a fairytale, that makes you my princess,” he said, kissing her forehead.

“And you my prince,” Hermione replied, looking up at him with a smile.

They stood there for a long moment, watching the sun set over the castle, its reflection shimmering in the river below. It was the perfect end to their honeymoon, a moment that captured everything they loved about each other—peace, joy, adventure, and a sense of wonder that made every day feel like magic.

As they made their way back to the cottage that night, Hermione looked up at Harry, her eyes shining. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“For what?” Harry asked, genuinely curious.

“For giving me this,” she replied, gesturing to the world around them. “For sharing this with me, for loving me, for making all my dreams come true.”

Harry stopped walking and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. “You don’t have to thank me, Hermione. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

They stood there, in the heart of France, wrapped in each other’s arms, knowing that this was only the beginning of a lifetime of adventures together. And as they walked back to their little cottage, the stars twinkling above them, they knew that no matter where life took them, they would always have each other.