A/N..This chapter is mainly going to consist of bits and pieces to tie things up before the wedding. They are going to be short and simple, mainly just setting the stage for the wedding.
Chapter 7- Final Details
Hermione stood in front of the full length mirror studying herself as her wedding gown was being altered to fit her. It was going to be beautiful, and she was very excited to wear it at the wedding. The date was creeping up on them all, less than a week away, and they still had so much to do.
It was funny to how seriously this wedding was taken. Nobody would guess that it was not a real wedding. Well, it was going to be a real wedding, but not in the same sense that most people are used to. She and Harry were not romantically involved, yet they were going to get married. What an odd concept.
She was going to marry Harry, of all people. Hermione kept thinking about that over and over, unable to comprehend this simple idea. It did not matter that the marriage was one large lie. Legally she was still marrying Harry James Potter. Anybody could have told her this during her school days, and she would have told them that they were absolutely mad. They could have told her that she was someday going to marry that small scrawny boy that was always getting into trouble in one way or another, and she would have laughed it off. Yet here she was, having her wedding dress tailored to fit her. Things don't always turn out like you expect them.
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Harry sat in front of Sirius in his kitchen. Both took sips of their tea, before speaking.
"So, the big day is five days away?"
"Yup, five short days away from my first wedding."
"What makes you think this isn't going to be your only wedding?" Sirius asked Harry, baiting him.
"Because, I hope to marry somebody I really love in the future," Harry stated simply, not really thinking about his response.
"What about if you and Hermione really do fall in love and decide to stay married."
That thought set alarms off in Harry's head. Sirius was getting close to subjects that Harry was not comfortable talking about. His emotions and feelings have been so muddled and mixed up that he didn't even know what to do. Harry quickly brought himself back and laughed off what Sirius had said, "Me and Hermione married, for real? You have to be kidding me. How come I don't see that happening? Oh because, that is an absolutely ludicrous idea."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, staring at Harry as if contemplating something. "Did you know that your mom would say the same thing about your dad and look what happened? They eventually got married."
"Yes, but they were not best friends for many years before they dated," Harry replied.
"I am just saying that it would explain a lot of things if you were in love with her," Sirius said innocently.
Harry was almost afraid to ask, "Like what kind of things?"
"It would explain the Boggart. It would explain why you gave her your mom's engagement ring. Also, when you kissed and lay together during a romantic picnic by the lake. Oh, and don't forget the things that you told your class."
"How did you know about that?" Harry asked, exasperated how far and fast things were spread.
"That would be because of dear old Professor Dumbledore, who heard it from Snape, who had caught some students gossiping about it." Sirius smiled at Harry.
"Snape knows?" Harry questioned.
"Along with the rest of the faculty at Hogwarts," Sirius laughed.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Can nothing be kept a secret? I can not bare to look any of them in the eye knowing that they have had a look at his personal thoughts about Hermione."
"Oh they are quite pleased to finally find out you guys are getting married. They all had a bet going on about when you two would get married. I do believe that good old Professor Snape is going to win the pool. He was off by only 2 months." Sirius loved his godson, but he truly loved giving him a hard time about such things.
Harry buried his head in his hands. "Snape is making money off my fake relationship. That sickens me. I can't believe they would make such a bet."
"Ah, we all knew you two would hook up eventually. You guys reminded everybody of Lily and James. I mean it seemed like fate. You can't really blame them. Think about it. The popular, talented boy hooks up with the pretty, intelligent, Muggle-born girl."
Harry sat silently contemplating what Sirius had told him. `Could it be fate? Am I and Hermione really meant for each other?' Harry shook his head. "I don't know. I don't like thinking that my life is decided for me, and I have no say in what is going to happen to me."
Sirius nodded. "I understand. I am just telling you this so you can see where they are coming from. You can not deny the signs are there. But, just because of who your parents were, does not mean that you and Hermione are destined to be together. It's really just a nice thought. Something fairy tales are made of."
Both sat silently, back to sipping their tea, thinking about both the past and future.
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"Harry, stop tugging at you collar. You are going to wrinkle it," Hermione reprimanded Harry and took his hand away from the collar of his button up shirt.
"I can't help it. I am just so nervous." Harry started twisting his fingers around, unable to stop the fidgeting.
"Harry there is nothing to worry about," Hermione sighed, and straightened out her black cocktail dress.
"Nothing to worry about? I haven't seen Ron in years," Harry exclaimed.
"You hadn't seen me in years and look at us now. We are fine."
"Not after bickering on our first meeting."
"That was different. You were taken by surprise. Not to mention Ron is going to be a lot nicer about everything. He is so happy that you are willing to help me after the terms we left on."
"Oh, like I am going to send you away and not help out at all. That's what you thought of me, isn't it?"
Hermione look up at Harry and sighed heavily. "We left on such horrible terms that I was afraid you wouldn't help. We were mean to you, and in return you were mean right back at us. We couldn't help but to have doubts. Anyways, let's not get into another argument right before they arrive."
Hermione and Harry were standing outside the entrance doors to Hogwarts, waiting to see a carriage driving Ron and Zoë up to the door. It was now three days before the wedding. Ron and Zoë were coming early to meet Harry and Hermione before the wedding took place.
"There they are," Hermione exclaimed as a carriage pulled in front of Hogwarts. First out was Ron, who then held his hand out to help Zoë out of the carriage.
Zoë looked amazing. She was almost as tall as Ron who was now at least six feet. Her straight blond hair was cut right above her shoulders. She wore black pants and a flora peasant shirt.
Ron was the same as Harry had remembered him. Over 6 feet tall with his trade mark red hair falling in waves just above his ears. He never did outgrow his freckles on his face, which made him look all around good-natured.
Hermione instantly ran up to Ron and gave him a large hug. "Oh I have missed you Ron."
Ron returned the hug. "I have missed you as well." He pulled back and studied her. "If I may say so, you look more beautiful than I have ever seen you."
Hermione blushed. "What a charmer. You are really putting some manners in him, Zoë." Hermione turned and gave Zoë a quick hug.
"I try," Zoë replied. "Nice to see you again Hermione."
"Nice to see you as well."
Harry had just stood to the side, ignored, watching as the scene unfolded. He was ignored no longer. Ron and Harry's eyes locked. Neither knew what to do. Harry took the first steps and held out his hand. "You look well Ron."
Ron didn't put out his had to shake. Instead he grabbed Harry in a brotherly hug. "I have missed you Harry. More than you can imagine," Ron spoke softly.
Harry returned the hug. "I have missed you as well. It has been way too long. I'm sorry for leaving you."
"I'm sorry for not understanding that you needed to leave. I should have supported you and stayed in contact."
Hermione broke in, "As Harry and I found out, this can go on for a while. Lets put this whole thing aside, at least for tonight."
The men pulled apart and nodded. "Oh, excuse my rudeness. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend."
Harry raised his eyes at Ron, surprised by his manners. `He must really like this girl.'
"Harry, this is Zoë Parsons. Zoë, this is Harry Potter."
Harry put out his hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
Zoe shook his hand. "Oh no, the pleasure is all mine. I have heard nothing but great things about you. Ron has the greatest stories to tell about your school days."
Harry laughed. He was glad she didn't comment about all the other things he was famous for. Not to mention, she didn't glance at his scar like most people. He could tell he was going to like this girl.
The four of them went out to dinner and enjoyed themselves greatly. There was much story telling as Harry created a new friendship with Zoë, and he reestablished his friendship with Ron. They all joked about the fake wedding. All in all the evening was quite enjoyable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry could barely keep his eyes open as he escorted Hermione to her room. Hermione did not look like she was in any better shape. Right now it was one a.m. Both were quite tired from fixing final details for the wedding.
"So, we are going to get married tomorrow?" Hermione asked sleepily, as they arrived at her room.
"Yup, unless you are having second thoughts," Harry responded without really thinking.
"Second thoughts about saving my life? Nope, can't say that I do."
Harry laughed. "As of tomorrow you are going to Hermione Potter."
"Oh no, I am going to be keeping my name, thank you very much," Hermione spoke indignantly.
"I don't know. Hermione Potter has a nice ring to it," Harry told her thoughtfully.
"Goodnight Harry," Hermione told him, ignoring the conversation about her changing her name.
"Goodnight Hermione." Harry leaned over and kissed Hermione softly. He then turned around and walked down the hallway.
Neither noticed nor complained about the kiss. It was so natural to do. They had no reason to kiss in such a place,
where there was nobody watching. Yet, they kissed anyways. To say the least, they were growing on each other.
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