A/N: Ok, we've had some fun at the Dursleys' expense and we've had some fluff. Back to the chaos that only Emily and Molly (and the others too) can bring. Please enjoy and please review! Even a few words really make my day!
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Well, here we go again. Back to the wedding-planning extravaganza. We're back at the bridal shop. Today it's a huge affair because besides myself, Emily and Molly, we've also got Luna, Ginny and little Julienne. And Molly is in high gear already.
"Where's Maggie?" Molly asks the second we walk through the door.
Maggie is the consultant helped us last time we were here. And since she's a witch as well, Molly was insistent that we use her again.
I try to assure her that since we made the appointment with her, she would be here, but once again, Molly has hit the panic button.
"Hermione, dear, we need her here to help. She'll understand everything perfectly."
"Yes, Molly, I know, just calm down and I will find her." I hand my gown to Emily and walk to the front counter. "Excuse me, we have an appointment with Maggie today."
The woman behind the counter checks her huge book and smiles at me. "Yes, of course, Hermione Granger and her bridal party?"
"That's us."
"Ok, follow me."
We follow her to the bridesmaids' dresses and Emily lays my gown on one of the couches nearby.
"I'll let Maggie know that you're here. In the meantime, feel free to try to find some ideas for your bridesmaids," she tells us before leaving.
"Thanks. Ok, ladies. This is up to you. We already know that the color is red, so find some red ones you like and let me know," I tell Ginny and Luna and send them off.
"Hermione! You're letting them decide?" Molly asked, obviously shocked.
"Well, not the final decision, but since they'll be wearing these dresses, I think they should be comfortable."
"But this is your wedding!"
"And it still will be no matter what Ginny and Luna are wearing. Calm down. We've got all day to do this."
"Aunt Ermy?" Julienne asks sweetly. "Ermy" is the only way she and her brother can pronounce my name.
I pick her up and rest her on my hip. "Yes, Jules?"
"Where my dress?"
"Oh, sweetie, we'll look for yours as soon as we find Aunt Ginny's and Aunt Luna's. Then we'll find the perfect princess dress for you! Ok?"
Her face brightens. "Ok!"
"She's been looking forward to this all week long!" Molly says. Bill and Fleur have been hearing all about it. Isn't that right, Julie? You've told Mummy and Daddy all about wanting your dress."
"Yeah! I can't wait!"
"You're going to make such a pretty flower girl!" I tell her.
She smiles and I smile back at her. Then I turn back to my wandering bridesmaids.
"Any luck yet?" I call to them.
"We've found a couple," Luna answers from a few racks away.
"How many is a couple?" I ask cautiously.
But before I can get an answer, Molly and Emily have taken off to see them, leaving me with Julienne.
"I thought this was 'my wedding,'" I sigh.
"You wedding!" Julienne repeats.
"At least you get it, Jules."
I bring her over to where the Mums have stopped and see that Maggie is standing with them. Luna and Ginny are each holding two red gowns.
"Well, we've each picked two. And we're both perfectly fine with any of them," Luna says.
I look at each of them carefully. I think I see the one I like, but I want to take my time.
"Hermione, don't you love that one that Ginny's holding. On the left," Emily says.
"Oh, but the one on the right that Luna's holding, that one's beautiful!" Molly counters.
Now, here's where I will say that those two dresses are nothing that I would pick. Ginny's has feathers, and Luna's has ruffles all down the skirt. I don't think so.
The other one that Ginny is holding is nice, but it's strapless, and I've never been a strapless fan.
Now, Luna's other one is simple and nice. It's sleeveless, but the straps aren't too thin. It's long and elegant and I think it's our winner. Maggie winks at me as if she knew exactly which one I would have picked.
"Ok, let's see what the one Luna's holding looks like. The one without ruffles!" I add quickly.
"That's really a great choice, Hermione," Maggie says. "It'll look beautiful on both of them. Let me find your sizes."
They each take one in their size and head off to the dressing rooms. Maggie goes with them to help. Right before they disappear, I see Luna whispering something to Maggie. I'll have to ask about that later. She's probably just making sure that Canadian Pixies weren't in sweatshops making these gowns.
"Really? You liked that one?" Molly asks.
"Whose wedding?" I reply.
"You're right, you're right," she says, putting her hands up. She probably wants to avoid another run in with Harry like a few weeks ago at the planning meeting. "I'm going to see if the girls need any help." And with that, she runs off and retreats.
"So, Mum, which dress did you like the best?" I ask Emily as I sit Julienne on the couch with my gown.
"Well, I liked - wait, what did you just call me?"
"I, um, I guess I called you Mum. I didn't even realize I was doing it. Is that a bad thing?"
"Hermione, no! I would love it if you called me Mum. As long as you're comfortable with it. I never wanted you to feel as though I was taking your mother's place."
"You've never met her, but trust me, she hasn't been "my Mum" for a long time. She's only my mother biologically now."
Mum sweeps me into a hug and it takes me a while to realize that everyone has returned and is staring at us.
"Oh I'm so happy for you two!" Molly screeches.
Suddenly I'm in the middle of a huge group hug.
"Ok, ok! Back off the bride-to-be and her Mum!" I shout.
I didn't even know I was crying until I had to wipe my eyes to see everyone properly. But when they come into focus, I'm almost speechless. Almost.
"Ginny! Luna! You guys look beautiful!"
"This is a great dress, Hermione. I think it'll be a perfect addition to your wedding!" Luna says with that dreamy look in her eyes. She must be thinking about knocking Ron's socks off.
"Well, we have a winner. Jules, are you ready to look for your dress?"
"Oh yes! Aunt Ermy, we go now?"
"Whenever you're ready."
She grabs my hand and begins dragging me away. It's like she instinctively knows where the flower girl dresses are.
"We'll meet you over there!" I hear Ginny call. "We'll change first!"
Maggie, Mum and Molly (now there's a tongue twister) follow us to the little gowns.
"Now, we should choose something similar to your gown, Hermione," Maggie tells us. "I want to do a fitting on you anyway, so do you have your gown with you?"
"Right here," Mum says. I'm glad she remembered to grab it.
"Ok, great." Maggie unzips the bag and takes a look at the gown. She hangs it up on one of the many hooks hanging around the place and tells us, "I've got three that would look beautiful with this dress."
She runs off to collect them and I see the sparkle in Julienne's eyes. I hope one day that Harry and I have a little girl with eyes that bright.
When Maggie returns, she's got three adorable little white gowns and Julienne is in Heaven.
"Ok, sweetie, which do you like best?" I ask her.
"All of them!"
"Well, Julie, you'll have to pick one," Molly tells her.
She taps her finger on her chin and really thinks. It's all we can do to keep from laughing at how adorable she looks.
Luna and Ginny return to see Julienne pondering.
"She looks very deep in thought," Luna laughs.
"Well, it's a tough decision," Emily defends.
"I think you'd look beautiful in this one," Maggie tells my flower girl, pointing to the one in the middle.
"That's the one I thought!" Julie exclaims.
"Then that's the one we're gonna try on!" Molly declares, accepting the dress from Maggie and walking her granddaughter over to the dressing room.
"She's adorable," Maggie says to us.
"She really is." I lean in a bit to whisper to my consultant. "Her mother is part Veela, so she's going to break some hearts."
Maggie nods. She understands completely, but doesn't really want to talk about it here.
"So, Mrs. Potter-to-be, we've yet to see you in your dress," Luna says.
"You will. I'm getting a fitting today. It really is beautiful," I say wistfully, dreaming about wearing that day.
"I'm sure Harry will be more concerned on how easily it comes off," Ginny jokes.
"Ginny!" I shriek in embarrassment.
Mum turns around as if to hide her laughter.
"Oh come on! You know it's true!" Ginny says as she bumps her hip against mine.
"You're incorrigible!" I mutter, tapping my foot, as I wait impatiently for Molly and Julie to get back.
And as if my wish were granted, the door opened and a little princess appeared.
"Jules! You look beautiful!" I tell her.
"I know! Gamma said I looked bootiful too!"
"Do you want to try the others on?" I ask.
"Nope! I love this one!" she replies.
"Ok, well, how about this, I'm going to put my dress on now. Do you want to stay in that for a few more minutes? We can be princesses together."
"YAY!!"
"But you must be a good princess and sit still to not mess your gown up, ok?" Molly tells her.
"Yes, Gamma."
"Ok, I'll be right back," I tell everyone. Maggie grabs my dress and we're off to the fitting rooms.
After I get into all the accessories and such, the dress finally goes on. Maggie adds my tiara and veil and I instantly tear up.
"You'll have to put some sort of charm on your make up, won't you?" she asks.
I nod. "I'll probably start crying the night before and barely stop until after the reception!"
"Let's go show the family," she says, opening the door.
I'm greeted by a chorus of "Oohs."
Finally, Julienne speaks. "Pretty."
"Hermione, you look amazing!" Ginny sighs.
"Come here, Julienne. You and Aunt Hermione should stand by each other and look in the mirror," Mum says as we all walk to the wall of mirrors.
Maggie was right, the flower girl dress is close to my own, but different as well.
"Ok, Hermione, let's go over here so I can get some measurements done and then we'll work on getting this fitted right for you," my consultant says.
"Why can't we just use a little … you know," Molly whispers.
"Molly, I appreciate the concern, really. But I'd like to do some things in this wedding the Muggle way," I quietly tell her.
She blushes a bit, as if forgetting that I'm a Muggle-born. "Of course, dear. Of course." She then takes Julienne (reluctantly) to change, while the others wait on the couches.
Maggie and I head over to the platform surrounded by mirrors for my fitting.
"It's rough, isn't it?" she asks.
"What's that?" I reply.
"Dealing with everything. I mean, I know brides have it hard; I've seen thousands come through here. But none of them have had such other obstacles."
"You mean Molly?" I say with a laugh.
"Well, her too," she giggles. "But everything else as well. I mean, you've got the family with all the ideas, but you've got the added weight of marrying Harry Potter. And it's not a bad thing at all, but there's a lot that comes with Harry. Am I making any sense?"
"Actually, you've nailed it. It's very, very difficult. I mean, it's easy to love him. He's a great guy! But we can never go out into public without crowds. Everyone knows who we are. God forbid we go with any of our other friends. Even Ron and Luna can't go out anymore without … Oh, I'm babbling aren't I?"
"Hermione, don't worry about it. You've got a lot on your plate right now. You're certainly allowed to babble."
"Thanks. So, how are we looking?"
"We're almost finished. The dress looks fabulous. Almost like this gown was meant for you. I barely had to do anything to it."
I can only smile at my reflection. When did I become such a girly girl?
"Ok, let's get you changed and then you and the family can head home," Maggie says, snapping me from my thoughts.
"Um, yeah, great," is all I reply.
Once I'm changed back into normal clothes, I return to the Mums and the Bridal Party and tell them it's time to go home.
Everyone seems relieved, as it's been a long day. We drive Mum back home, chatting the whole way.
Once we get there, Mum reminds me that we're having dinner there tonight.
Finally, the rest of us Apparate back to our homes.
When I get to the flat, I find Ron there playing chess with Harry.
"Ron! What a pleasant surprise," I shout, hugging him and kissing him on the cheek.
"Hey! What about me?" Harry says, pretending to pout.
"Oh, someone's jealous and wants kisses too!" I tease and plant a kiss on his lips that's as far as we can go without making Ron uncomfortable.
"Ok, ok, lovebirds! Get a room!" Ron yells.
"Fine, fine," I whine, ending the kiss. "So, what did you two do all day?"
"Chess, lunch and chess," Harry replies. "But Ron has some news."
"Oh really? Do share."
"Well, seeing as how you two are getting married - and will need the flat to yourselves for your … adventures - I have decided that it's time to move out."
"Oh, Ron. You know you don't have to," I say.
"And tell her the rest," Harry pushes.
"Well, you see, here's the thing. We're going to wait to tell everyone, so act surprised when you hear this, but Luna's pregnant. And we're getting our own place. Now, before you can say anything, I am doing the right thing and marrying her. It was always my plan to anyway, but this just moves things up a bit. And we certainly couldn't steal your thunder, so we're going to have a quick little ceremony to make things legal and then after your affair to remember, we'll have our own wedding, after Luna's had the baby and will fit into a dress again."
"Ron, I would never think of you trying to steal our thunder."
At least now I wouldn't. There were times (4th year) when I thought Ron would do anything for attention like that.
"Wait! That's why she was whispering with Maggie!" I absent-mindedly announce.
The boys give me confused looks.
"Luna was whispering to my bridal consultant and now I know why! She probably wanted to see if that dress came in maternity sizes!"
"That was probably it. So, how are you with all of this?" Ron asks.
"Ron, don't worry, I'm not going to give you a speech or anything. You're a big boy now. And a Weasley, so I'm not totally surprised."
Ron laughs and gives me a hug. "Ok, as long as you're sure."
"Well, you've not given me much of a choice, have you?"
"When have I ever?" he says with a laugh. "Ok, I had better get back to Luna. We're going to need some help with our mini-wedding if you guys are up to some more planning."
"Anything, Ron, you know that," Harry says, pulling Ron into a hug.
"Ok, well, we'll work on the great move too. Shouldn't be too hard. I'll see you guys later!" And with that, Ron Apparates out.
Harry turns to me. "So, ok, be honest, how are you with all of this?"
"I'm surprisingly ok. I mean, it's typical Ron to jump into something with both feet. And I'm happy for them. They'll make amazing parents."
"Wow, not the response I was expecting!"
"Come on, Potter! I'm a changed woman and that's all thanks to you." I give him a light kiss on his lips.
"Changed huh? Ok. I think I can accept that, though I would never think that anyone could change Miss Hermione Granger."
I shoot him a look, so he continues quickly. "So, how was the shopping?" he says, leading me to the couch.
We sit and I tell him all about the gowns we saw and the ones I chose. And I even mention that Emily was now Mum.
"Well, that's great! I know how much you love her," he says.
"Yeah, it was pretty great. And I wish it could have been more of a moment, but this wedding is just making me nuts! Between Mum and Molly and their ideas, Luna and Ginny and their awful dresses, my biological mother, the planning, the jobs, the working it all out, I'm just getting exhausted and it's making me do strange things! I was babbling to the bridal consultant today."
"Mione, you're kinda babbling now."
"I know!" I reply. "See, I never babble."
"Are you kidding? You're a brook!"
I slap his shoulder playfully, knowing he's probably right. I guess I do tend to talk a lot when I'm hyper.
"Fine, fine. Are you ready to go to dinner at my parents' house tonight?" I ask.
"Yep, I'm getting pretty hungry and you know I love your father's baked chicken."
"Oh, but he's making salmon tonight," I say, hoping to have a good poker face on. Of course my father is making chicken - it's Harry's favorite.
Harry buys it and is visibly disappointed. "Oh. Well, his salmon is great too."
"Gotcha! It's chicken! See you there!" I laugh right before Apparating to the designated spot at my parents' house.
I arrive the same way as I always do, ready to reach out and hug someone, but find someone unexpected on the couch. Harry bumps into me as he arrives, not expecting me to still be on the spot. Then he sees what I see.
At the same time we both shout, "Miranda?!"
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A/N: Wow, I haven't had a cliffie for a long time. Feels pretty good.
The quote about babbling and a brook is from an older TV show. A huge gold star to anyone who can figure it out and give the name of the show. Hint: It was about another guy with powers.
As usual, here are some pictures for you. Click here to see the bridesmaids' gowns and here to see Julienne's flower girl dress.
And this is the time where you get to make a decision. I'm honestly up in the air on whether or not to make Miranda come around. So, what would you guys like to see? Should Miranda stay as the wicked mother who hates all things magical? Or should she see the light and try to make amends with her daughter? Bear in mind, Hermione's got a Mum now thanks to Emily. So, voice your opinions!!