Title: Regret
A/N: In a morbid mood after the interview thing… Wrote this to try and cheer myself up. Didn't work…
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
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It was a beautiful day. Blue sky and white clouds, birds chipping and all that. A perfect day for a wedding.
He stood there, in his black cloak and hood, hidden under the shadows of a small clump of trees near the church, Waiting. Watching without comment as the people stroll into the church, all clearly excited about the upcoming wedding.
He saw Mrs. Weasley at the doorstep, welcoming people with a smile, shaking hands. Mr. Weasley stood just inside the door, waving people in, a huge grin on his face. Bill, his scared face broken with a smile, stood with his wife on the other side of the door, nodding his welcome.
It was not a large wedding, just a few dozen guests, family and friends. All of them he recognized from Hogwarts. All of them there to cerebrate the joining of two lives as man and wife. Not him. Though he was once the closest friend to both the bride and the groom, he was not here to cerebrate with them. He could not.
Not when he's in love with the bride.
He watched as the car rode up the rocky road to the church, and knew that she is near.
He watched her climb out of the car, holding the train of the wedding dress out of the mud's way, and stepped towards the church to the cheering of the small crowd. She was smiling, in her white gown. God, she's beautiful.
Halfway up the steps, she suddenly paused and looked around, finally in his direction.
He panicked, gripping the edge of his cloak and stepping back farther into the shadows. He was already regretting not bringing his invisible cloak on this mission.
He watched as the cheers died down as the crowd stood, puzzled by the bride's delay. Puzzlement turned to murmurings when she turned and started walking towards him. He knew then that he was discovered, and hiding was of no use. She knew him too well.
He stepped out of the shadows and waited, watching as she drew near to him. The murmurs grew louder then the crowd saw him.
"Aren't you going in?" She asked, heedless that she was walking on mud and grass.
"I don't think I would be welcome." He replied, pushing back his hood.
"You would by me." She answered. She drew near to him, close enough to see the tears unshed in her eyes. "I thought you weren't coming."
"You know I would not miss such a large event in your life, do you." He reached out to touch her eyes, wiping her tears away. "Please don't cry. This is suppose to be a happy day."
"I know… but…" She sniffed. "Seeing you here…"
"Come now. You'll smear your makeup."
"Sorry." She pulled out her handkerchief and dapped at her eyes. "It's just that… I'm so happy to see you again."
"So am I, Hermione." He replied slowly, his voice thick. "So am I."
She suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a surprisingly warm hug. "You'll come visit sometime, will you?"
"Of course," He answered, returning her embrace. "If that prat is not around."
"Come on now." She laughed softly. "Ron's not that bad."
"Oh yeah?" His raised eyebrow all the answer she needed. "Try telling that to my furniture."
"Well, who asked you to put your grubby hands on me?" She teased, releasing him and stepping back.
"Hey, I was saving you!" He retorted. "Is that how you repay your savior?"
"Oh yes. The great hero Harry Potter. The Chosen One!" Her smile a counterpoint to the sarcasm in her voice. "The One Who Saved Poor Hermione's Bottom From The Evil Floor!"
"Stop that." He laughed. "You know I don't like titles."
"I know. Sorry." Her voice was subdued.
"Hey, don't mind me. I don't mind, really." He smiled. "Not from you."
"I know. But I have to apologize for Ron too. He should not have cursed your sofa."
"Nah. It's ok. I can see where he's coming from too." He replied. "I mean, us on the floor does not really look good, especially since you're his wife-to-be."
"Even so. He's out of line. I'll tell him to apologize to you tomorrow."
"Forget it, Hermione." He replied with a smile. "If he wouldn't believe that you can trip and fall down the stairs just because you were too busy reading that book, what makes you think that he would listen to you about this now?"
"It's still not fair." She answered with a slight pout. "That doesn't give him the right to forbid you to come to the wedding."
"It's alright." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't mind, really. He'll come 'round, just give him time."
"Hermione, hurry up already." Mrs. Weasley's shout was heard. "The ceremony's starting already."
"I have to go." Hermione said softly.
"Yeah, alright."
"I'll still have a talk with Ron." She said. "In a few days time."
"Hey, no need to hurry."
"Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley seemed to be growing impatient.
"Listen. You had best go, before Mrs. Weasley comes over here and drag you over." He said jokingly.
"Well, alright." Hermione suddenly hugged him again, and placed a small kiss on his check. "Remember to come visit sometimes."
"Like I said, only when that prat is not around." He smiled, releasing her. "Go now."
She nodded and started walking back to the church, Mrs. Weasley beckoning at the church doors. She looked back once, and he thought he could see something like regret in her eyes. But the next moment, she had resumed her walk and he was left wondering about that. He shook his head. He must be imagining things. He waited until she entered the church, hoping that she would turn around and run back to him, and hating himself for thinking like that. When she had disappeared from his view, he turned slowly around, and as the church bells started ringing, walked away, unable to keep tears from falling.