Chapter Seventeen
Hermione had seen Harry only briefly for the rest of the day until the actual wedding ceremony as she ran around arranging flowers, seating plans, expanding the reception venue magically with Gabrielle's help to accommodate both the number of guests and Grawp's height, as Fleur helped Olympe to get ready. She stood at the entrance to the hall at 3.30 in the afternoon she let out a sigh of satisfaction, the place looked enchanting. She felt a hand at her elbow and smiled to see Harry standing next to her, looking adorable in dark green dress robes.
"Going in without me? Nice way to treat your date." He teased her. She grinned and took his hand, their fingers linking together as they found seats in the room quickly filling with guests.
She smiled as Hagrid took his place at the front of the hall looking extremely nervous, and as smart as she's ever seen him, his hair cut and tamed, smart dress robes covering his enormous frame. She felt her stomach flutter as music filled the hall courtesy of Albus Dumbledore. She looked to her side and saw Harry looked fascinated by everything, and remembered that he had attended only a few weddings, all within the last few years, she took his hand as everyone stood and looked to the back of the hall as Olympe Maxime entered the hall.
It was by no means a conventional wedding, with Fang walking with Olympe up the aisle, the two half giants incorporating aspects of a traditional Giant ceremony and bonding their lives through the exchange of blood, but to Hermione it was one of the most beautiful weddings she'd ever seen, Hagrid deserved so much happiness. As the couple exchanged rings, Hermione felt a few tears trickle down her face, and smiled gratefully as Harry placed his arms around her shoulder and pulled her close.
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Harry stood at the small bar as the barman poured glasses of Champagne, and looked back to the small table where his friends were waiting for him to return. Hermione, Ron, Laurie and Ginny sat laughing and talking, but Harry could only see Hermione. It was almost like a dream sequence of a movie, everything else in the room seemed still, the sound dulled, the colours muted. Everyone but her was somehow out of focus. He could hear her laugh, a sound he loved, and he watched as she tilted her head and smiled at Ginny, the two friends sharing a private conversation for a moment. It had started the moment he'd seen her standing at the entrance to the hall before the wedding. She looked perfect, her curls loosely fastened at the back of her head, stray tendrils escaping and touching her neck. He loved that dress she was wearing, he had grinned just picking it out and packing it for her knowing how beautiful she had looked in it last summer at an awards ceremony, yet she still managed to surprise him but looking even more perfect than she had that day.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted as someone spoke to him.
"So it's over between her and Jack?"
Harry looked to his right in surprise to find Angelina standing beside him. He nodded in reply to her question.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"Is it really that obvious?" He asked with a wry smile.
"I actually can't believe it took me this long to notice." Angelina said thoughtfully, looking between Harry and Hermione.
"Who knows?"
"Ron, Laurie and Ginny." Harry said quietly.
"You don't think she deserves to know?"
"It was never the right time Angel…and things between her and Jack have only just ended. She needs time to get over it." Harry said patiently.
"Don't you think she should be the one to decide that?" Angelina asked him softly.
Their conversation was interrupted as the band began to play and announced the first dance of the newly married couple. Harry and Angelina turned to watch with a smile, observing Hagrid's happiness.
"I'll think about it, will that do?" Harry asked Angelina with a half smile. She nodded and with a smile returned to her table. Harry collected the drinks and walked back to his seat, grinning as he saw Laurie drag Ron onto the dance floor.
"Well, how about it Miss. Granger?"
"How about what?" She asked with a smile as Harry sat down next to her.
"A dance." He replied, standing and holding out his hand with a grin. Hermione laughed.
"Well, you really are being a good date tonight Harry. I don't think we've danced together since we were seventeen!" She said with a grin as she took his hand and was led onto the dance floor.
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Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face, her head resting on Harry's shoulder, their arms around each other as they danced.
"You doing ok?" Harry asked her, and she moved her head to look up at him.
"I'm doing great." She said smiling at him, their eyes locking for a moment. He smiled and rested his chin on the top of her head.
"Aren't you impressed I haven't stepped on your toes yet?"
"Well this isn't exactly taxing dancing, but still I am rather impressed you haven't crippled either of us yet." She teased him.
"Hey I wasn't that bad!" He said indignantly, though there was a twinkle in his eye letting Hermione know he was amused.
"Alright, I'll admit that you were a better dancer than Ron…but then again I think Grawp is a better dancer than Ron was." She giggled.
"'Mione! I'll be nice and not tell him you said that." He said laughing.
"So tell me Mr. Potter, are you having a good time today? You seem happier than I've seen you in quite some time." Hermione said in a more serious tone.
"I am having a good time. Better than I have in months…" Harry paused for a moment before continuing.
"Better than I have in about six months…" He said very quietly. Hermione stopped dancing for a minute and looked at her best friend. Was he telling her what she thought he was? No, she was reading too much into his words.
"I'm glad."
They continued to dance in silence, content to be holding one another, each savouring the moment and wondering when they'd have the courage to confess the true depth of their feelings.