NaNo FanFic Part 21
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Pairings this part: Luna/Harry
Rating: PG
Notes: Uninspired, but it's Nano so here it is.  Also, I have discovered that one of the things I truly can't stand reading in fanfic is tedious point-by-point weddings and recitals of vows.  Maybe it's because I spend time reading ten billion variations on weddings and vows all the time (Occupational hazard), maybe it's just that I can't stand the overwhelming schmaltz.  This is why you will never see me writing out a wedding ceremony in this fanfic.  Receptions, sure.  Blooper reels from the wedding, absolutely.  But no ceremonial scripts. 


July 2008, Ministry of Magic Headquarters, London, Office of the Registrar General

Luna ran for the open lift, one hand holding up the hem of her gold dress robes, the other outstretched toward the closing gate.  "Oh, hold the doors, please!" she called. From just beyond the gate a black hand in a slate gray sleeve appeared, and the gate's progress halted as it sense the obstruction.  Luna slid into the half-empty car through the gap, and the hand withdrew. 

"Thank you," she gasped, without looking up, letting her robes fall back into place and checking to be sure the ribbons in her hair had not come undone. 

"And here I thought Harry would be the one running late," said a familiar deep voice, full of amusement.

Luna looked up in surprise.  "Oh, Kingsley."  She sent a fleeting glance around at the few other occupants of the car, who all seemed to be in Kingsley's entourage. "I mean, Minister. Yes, well. I got held up in the publisher's office, and of course Hermione had an emergency in her department, and..." she shrugged, smiling up at the imposing figure of the Minister of Magic.  He was not what she would call a close friend, but Harry had the Shacklebolts to dinner often enough that she got used to considering Kingsley the family man before Kingsley the most powerful figure in Wizarding Britain. 

"Of course," Kingsley laughed.  One of his many assistants nearby also grinned, but although Luna recognized the man's face she couldn't have named him. "I'm quite glad I caught you, actually.  Harry said that when you came for the license you encountered a few... hm, delays, shall we say?" 

Luna felt her face flush and pursed her lips, thinking.  "Well, it's not that I blame them entirely, I do understand that they deal with quite a lot of admirers and impersonators. I should have thought, though, that our wands and passports and Harry's word would have been more than enough."  Sometimes Luna was amazed that people, on the one hand, thought Harry had an almost god-like ability to sense motive and wrong-doing, yet on the other hand believed him to be the most naive and credulous child.  "Harry had stepped outside when one of the clerks made a comment about love potions, or I'm certain you'd still be cleaning the scorch marks." 

Kingsley laughed, as he was supposed to, but his eyes were serious, and to Luna's surprise, sympathetic.  "Well, Harry's made this bed for you both, regrettable as it is.  You don't seem to be having second thoughts."

"No.  It can't go on forever, after all.  By the end of the day the world will have to find some other way to make a claim on him."

The lift rattled to a stop and the familiar Ministry voice announced, "Level One.  Minister for Magic, Department of Public Records, and Office of the Registrar General."

"After you," Kingsley said, with a tilt of his head to Luna as the gate slid open.

Luna stepped out onto the floor and was immediately pounced upon by Molly Weasley.  "Luna!  There you are!  We were about to worry!" 

Since Luna knew that Harry had gotten Hermione's message just a few minutes ago, she had no doubt who would have done all the worrying.  Kingsley followed her off the lift and gave a few terse orders to the entourage, who scattered to other parts of the department.  

"Your father is in with Harry, dear.  Oh, Kingsley, good to see you."  Molly could mother anyone, even the Minister for Magic. 

Luna squeezed Molly's hands, kissed her cheek, then extracted herself and headed for the Registrar's office.  When she opened the door to the waiting area, she found herself the object of a good two dozen hostile stares from other couples and families sitting on the long benches.  Remus was leaning against the wall next to the far door, though, and he winked at her.  "You made it." 

Luna leaned in close to whisper.  "I'm not that late, am I?"  They had an appointment with the Registrar and it was only a few minutes past. 

Remus chuckled and shook his head.  "The assistants just took a break, so the queue is held up.  Don't worry about it.  Where's Molly?  Can't go in without your other witness."

"Oh, she's back with -" Luna half-turned back toward the other door just as Kingsley opened it for Molly.  The stares of the couples sitting on the benches turned considerably less hostile as they recognized the Minister. 

Remus pushed himself off the wall.  "Kingsley, good to see you."

"Likewise, Remus," Kingsley said, and the two men shook hands.  "I thought perhaps I'd offer to witness, if you don't mind ceding your line?"

Remus caught on immediately, and grinned.  "No, no, it's a good thought. We'll sneak an extra line in there somehow; Harry did promise that Teddy could sign as well." 

Luna twisted her fingers together.  "Well, do we go in?" 

Remus opened the inner door and preceded her down the much shorter corridor.  There were doors opening on the sides into small reception rooms, where couples who brought family could be quietly wed and have a little time to celebrate before being moved out for the next set.  The double door at the very end led to a larger room, and it was here that they found Xenophilius Lovegood sitting in earnest conversation with Teddy Lupin, and a frazzled Harry Potter pacing the floor.  

"Oh, you're here," Harry said with a great exhale, taking hold of Luna's hands. 

She nodded.  "I'm here." 

Kingsley spoke from behind them.  "Where is Mr. Langford?"

Harry jumped and looked over at the Minister.  "Oh, when I said we would be a few minutes, he went for his other robe."  His smile curled into a smirk.  "I told him there would be no photographers, only Molly."  Molly, who would not be stopped from documenting the great steps in her children's lives, but who certainly did not constitute paparazzi. 

"Kingsley offered to witness," Luna breathed in Harry's ear, leaning against him for a moment. 

Harry combed his fingers through Luna's hair.  "That will solve a few problems before they start."

Xenophilius joined them, his hand heavy on young Teddy's shoulder.  Teddy beamed up at Luna, clutching one of her old toys, a caged dragon that really snapped at her fingers if she didn't solve the logic puzzle to open the cage. The puzzle was complex enough to baffle some adults, but for some reason Luna had received it when she was nine, and solved it within a few months. 

Luna shifted her embrace from Harry to her father, resting her head on his shoulder.  He held her tight, his hands trembling hardly at all.  "Your mother would be very proud of you," he whispered, under the cover of Teddy explaining the puzzle to Harry. 

With all of the conversations going on, Luna missed the entrance of the Registrar.  Mr. Langford was a lanky man with a long white beard but a bald head, and his taste in robes was positively Dumbledorean.  He cleared his throat as he took in the members of the group, nodding his head in acknowledgement of Kingsley.  "If we're ready, will the bride and groom approach?" 

The process was rather anticlimactic, really, although the proper words were said and the spells cast over their clasped hands.   There would be pomp and ceremony with all their friends later, when they had a real wedding, and Luna found that once the spell-light had faded she did not miss the ceremony so much.  She could feel the difference the bond wrought, and a weight lifted from her to know that there was no outside force that could now part her from Harry.

He kissed her without regard for their witnesses, his fingers tight at the nape of her neck, and Luna could very likely have done without oxygen for quite some time.  The clearing of several throats finally got through, or else someone sent a Stinging Hex at Harry, because he broke away with a startled grin and kissed her nose, then turned to their guests.   Luna caught her breath, then clutched Harry's arm even more tightly when Kingsley turned to her and very gravely said, "Felicitations, Mrs. Potter." 

Molly gave Luna a knowing look as she hugged them both, then stood with a hand on each of their shoulders.  "I'm so happy for you!  Oh, don't forget to sign!"  She nodded toward the patient Chief Registrar behind them, who held a quill at the ready. 

Somehow Luna managed to print her name - her old name and her new one - next to Harry's and sign the form.  Molly and Kingsley signed as principal witnesses, and Remus conjured a step-stool for Teddy so the boy could put his own careful signature under their names.  Then the certificate glowed with white light and vanished. 

Everything was done.  Luna and Harry were married.

Harry pressed close against her again, his lips at her temple.  "Bets that Hermione and Ginny have a 'surprise' party waiting for us?" 

Luna grinned.  Despite the supposed last-minute arrangements for this marriage, all of their friends knew how they had planned to spend this morning. That it was a work day and barely lunchtime would factor into their celebratory plotting not at all.  "I predict confetti the moment we step out of the Floo," she murmured in reply. 

Harry laughed and led her out of the room, calling over his shoulder, "We'll meet you all back at the Burrow later."  Possibly quite a bit later.  He didn't let go of her hand until they reached the Atrium and the Floo for home.   

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