Perfection

matchmaker

Rating: G
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 05/09/2005
Last Updated: 05/09/2005
Status: completed

The next day, the Daily Prophet ran an article on the wedding. It talked about who was there, who wore what, what was on the menu. Hermione was describled as dazzling, Harry as dashing. The headline read 'The Wizarding World's Most Perfect Couple Finally Wed!' And then Ginny cried. Ginny thoughts during Harry and Hermione's wedding.

Chapters

1. untitled

1. untitled

Matchmaker: Huzzah! I have been finally accepted to Porkey!! Well, that makes going back to school a whole lot better!!!

So I decided to write up this little fic as my first fic of many…tee hee. I bet it's been done before, but ah well…I'm happy with how it turned out.

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Perfection

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Ginevra Weasley had always feared this day would come.

No. Scratch that. Ginevra Weasley had always known this day would come.

And despite all of her qualms, all of her constant battles with her mind, her incessant protests…she had that she would not be okay when it came.

Ginevra `Ginny' Weasley was what some people may call `perfection'. She had long, dazzling red hair and piercing brown eyes. She had a trim figure, long legs and toned arms. She was gorgeous, she was popular, but in all honestly, she was far from perfection.

She had once dated the great Harry Potter. Their relationship, if you will, consisted of about six weeks near of the end of fifth year, and the summer after her sixth.

Ginny had loved Harry. She had loved him in an unconditional way, longing desperately to be near him, to be with him, to smell him, to breathe him. But there had always been a wall that seemed to have been built between she and Harry. She knew he had felt it too, it had been the reason he could never truly open up to Ginny. Bare his soul to her, reveal his deepest thoughts.

During the war, for months at a time, Ginny had pondered what it was…but after it ended, when Harry returned to Ginny, running at her, grinning with open arms…she had briefly forgotten. And in that one, sweet, breath-taking moment where he had swept her into his arms and kissed her, it almost seemed as if it did not matter.

And when the Daily Prophet began running articles on the two and their weekly, sometimes daily where-a bouts, she had been overjoyed. They were constantly being referred to as `The wizarding world's cutest couple' or the `The wizarding world's best-looking match'. But never once, did the Daily Prophet state that Harry and Ginny had been the perfect couple.

Merely, because they were not.

Ginny had always envisioned them as a perfect couple, and thought as much herself for the first part of their two month rendezvous that summer. But one day, August 29th, 1998 to be exact, Ginny had realized that they were indeed far from perfection.

In fact…they were barely anything but infatuation. On Harry's part for certain.

She had noticed during the past week or so since Hermione had arrived at the Burrow to spend the summer, and had broken things off with Ron (a matter that Ron himself did not even seem to be too affected by, and was already chatting up Luna Lovegood.), Harry had become almost distant and quiet. He began looking at Hermione with a look in his eyes that Ginny could scarcely say she had even seen in his deep pools of emerald. And it certainly was not a look that she could he had ever looked at her with.

It had been a normal day, but since Harry had been acting so distant, she decided the two of them had needed to go out. A little walk through Hogsmeade.

The two had walked hand in hand throughout the little village. Although Harry's hand felt limp in hers. She gave it a little squeeze, hoping for reassurance…but he didn't squeeze back.

They browsed at the things in the shop windows, and when they came to Fred and George's shop, they stopped and went inside. Although Fred and George did not seem to be around, a young brunette girl stood at the counter, and her eyes grew a little wide when the two entered the store. However, she diverted them down when Ginny's gaze met hers.

A display of bright, colourful bottles caught Ginny's eyes. The sign above them read `Love Potions, Make any twit fall in love with you!' Ginny laughed and dragged Harry over to them. He groaned jokingly, or so she had thought then.

She picked one off the rack and uncorked the top. She rose the bottle to her petite nose and took a whiff. The tantalizing smell of soap, mint and sandalwood entered her sense and took her over. Harry's smell.

Giggling, she lifted the bottle up to Harry, urging him to tell her what he smelt. He leant down and sniffed, and then looked back up at Ginny, with a mixed look of worry, surprise, and realization.

“What? What do you smell Harry?” She had asked, almost positive he would tell her that he smelt her flowery perfume. She had found it so endearing, so exciting that Harry had been attracted to that scent all through his sixth year.

He took a deep breath and inhaled again. He glanced up.

Ginny began to worry at that. “What?” she asked, trembling.

“I smell…” he began “Parchment, ink…and vanilla…” he said quietly.

Ginny froze. After spending years sharing a bedroom with her…she had known immediately whose scent that ones. And it certainly wasn't hers.

It was Hermione's.

Ginny went and paid for the potion. She had something she needed to do with it. And then the two left the village with out any more words.

Later that night, Ginny asked Hermione to tell her what she had smelt when she sniffed the potion. Hermione breathed it and smiling said,

“Oh! I smell soap and mint and sandalwood!” she said, grinning.

Ginny dropped the bottle on the ground and it smashed into pieces.

It was then, that day, that she learned the truth.

Harry and Hermione were in love with each other.

Later that night…Ginny had broken things off with Harry.

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The next day, the Daily Prophet ran an article on the two, announcing their break up. They had spoken to `sources' that claimed to be friends with the couple. One said “It's tragic…they looked so good with one another. It was like history had repeated itself…they looked almost identical to Harry's parents.'

However, another had said `It's always been obvious that they two wouldn't last. In fact, I think more people will agree that Harry's heart certainly has always belonged to someone else…someone most people will not find as a shock.'

Ginny threw out the article and spent the rest of the day in her room.

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She wanted to cry. To feel the tears fall down her face. For some odd reason…her tears were always cold. She wanted to feel that now. She wanted to realize the awful pain that was running through her chest. But each time, just as her chin would begin to tremble and her eyes blur, they would go instantly back to being clear and steady. And she would sit, engulfed in her pain.

Ginny never cried when she and Harry broke up.

She didn't when; three months after they had called it quits, Harry and Hermione began dating.

She didn't cry when three years later, Harry and Hermione announced they were engaged.

And somehow, three months after their engagement announcement, as she sat and watched Hermione get ready for her nuptials to Harry, she couldn't bring herself to cry.

Even though her heart was being ripped into pieces.

Today is Harry and Hermione's wedding day. Predictably, Ron is the best man.

Ginny is the maid of honor.

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Ginny's sitting in the room that's been converted as the dressing room for the bride, along with Luna, Lavender and Pavarti, who are the bridesmaids. It's a bright, sunny day, light reflecting off the mirrors and glass frames of the paintings and photos. Hermione's glows in her ivory wedding dress.

To say Hermione looked dazzling would be an understatement. She was gorgeous, her beauty and grace amazing.

It's the most beautiful dress Ginny has ever laid her eyes on. Stunning, long, and flares out at the waist. It's a simple dress, with little pearls enlacing themselves on the bodice and trailing around in an elegant floral pattern. The dress is strapless, and clings to Hermione's curves, making her look and feel just like a princess.

Her hair is swept up on the top of her head, in curls and loops, with baby's breath entwined here and there. Little pearls hang from her ears and neck. Ginny stares at them longingly, wishing she too had beautiful pearls. Hermione catches her gaze.

“They're beautiful, aren't they?” Hermione asks wistfully. She takes a pearl earring between her manicured fingers and twirls it. “They were Harry's mother's…” Hermione says, trailing off.

Ginny's feels a lump rise in her throat, but she shoves it away quickly and says, “Were they really?” She says it excitedly, like she's so happy for Hermione. And she is, she really is. But that doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt.

Hermione nods and gives a small smile. “It scares me sometimes Gin,” Hermione says, looking down.

Ginny looks up at Hermione, shocked. “You're not getting cold feet are you?” she asks.

Hermione shakes her head quickly. “Oh Merlin no, this is what I've always wanted!” she says, glowing again. “It just sometimes…well, I guess it doesn't exactly scare me…it just amazes me.”

Ginny swallows. “What does?”

Hermione sits down at the stool by the vanity. “How he knows…” she trails off again, staring at her reflection.

Ginny's growing impatient…but her words are calm. “He knows what?”

Hermione sighs and smiles. “He knows everything. Knows exactly what I'm thinking. He knows exactly how to kiss me, exactly where to touch me. Knows exactly what to say.”

Ginny doesn't answer right away. Then she walks over to Hermione and hugs her. “Of course he knows,” she begins, “He loves you more than words could possibly say.”

Hermione hugs her back. “I know…and I love him…so much…”

Ginny lets go of Hermione. She heads to the door.

“Now you stay here,” she orders. “I'm going to check on the boys.”

She leaves the room, and lets Luna, Lavender and Parvati tend to the blushing bride.

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Ginny taps on the door that hides the men from the women. It opens a moment later, revealing Ron, who's decked out in a muggle tuxedo.

“Hey Gin,” he says, kissing her cheek. “You look great.”

Ginny does look great. She's wearing a long, blue dress, the same one that Luna and the other bridesmaids are wearing. She looks gorgeous, but there is no way she could outshine Hermione today, even if she had tried.

Ron moves aside and lets Ginny in the room. She sees the groomsmen hanging about. Dean Thomas is perched on a bed, sitting there with his elbows resting on his knees, his tie still undone. He'll be escorting Ginny down the aisle, while Ron will do the same for Luna, Neville for Lavender and Seamus for Pavarti.

Ginny glances around. None of the other boys seem to be around besides Ron and Dean. “Where's everyone else?” she asks Dean, sitting beside him.

Dean smiles. “Well, Ron's here, as you can tell, Seamus is off ducking some cigarettes outside and Neville and Harry are…”

“Right here,” said a calm, deep familiar voice.

Ginny looked over at the direction of the voice. Harry stood there, Neville just behind him, his dark hair flopping in his emerald eyes, which were sparkling with happiness. He looked dashing in his tux. Ginny suddenly felt as if she couldn't breathe.

He flung the large bags that had contained the tuxedos onto the bed and smiled at Ginny.

“You look nice Gin,” he observes. Ginny smiles.

“As do you,” she can't look him in the eye. She bolts from the room.

She closes the door behind her and leans against it. She takes deep breaths, trying to calm herself. The door suddenly opens, and Ginny falls in the room on her back. She finds herself staring up at Dean Thomas.

“I don't even have to ask?” he says, staring down at her, worry in his eyes. “Do I?”

Ginny scans the room. No one else appears to be there. She shakes her head.

Dean sighs and extends a hand out for Ginny. “Come on, the ceremony's starting.”

Ginny nods and takes his hand. Here goes nothing.

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The ceremony goes off without a hitch. `It's so beautiful' Ginny can here people constantly saying from her post at the front of the church.

Harry and Hermione both look stunning, and they look stunning together.

The ceremony is emotional Hermione begins to cry as Harry says his vows to her and slips the ring on her finger. She shakily says her vows to him.

McGonagall is a mess, crying and sobbing and saying how wonderful it is. Tonks has mascara running down her face as she clings to Lupin. Even Ron's eyes have gotten a little misty.

Ginny's mother is sitting in the front row, next to Hermione's parents, crying her eyes out. She has been doing so the whole time, but she's still smiling.

Ginny wished she could say that the reason she's crying is because it's not her Ginny up there next to Harry…but she can't. She knows her mother is crying because she's so pleased, so happy that finally, Harry and Hermione are getting married and in love.

And the she hears the words “And may I present to you for the first time, Mr. And Mrs. Harry James Potter!” And above the loud applause and cheering, Ginny's head is silent.

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At the reception, Harry and Hermione dance together for the first time as husband and wife. They look so happy. Like nothing could possibly ruin this day for them. They twirled around the dance floor, not missing a step. When Harry suddenly dipped her, she laughed and he grinned at her and Tonks and Ginny's mother began to tear up again.

The music plays and Ginny's heart flips over. She remembers the first time she saw Harry and Hermione dance to this song.

It had been one of those peaceful summers, and the golden trio, along with Ginny and Luna had decided to spend it at Grimmauld Place. The sun was just setting, and the atmosphere was very romantic.

Harry and Hermione had been 19 at the time, dating for about seven months. They had been washing the dishes in the kitchen, the radio slowly humming. Harry and Hermione always seemed to wish to wash the dishes the muggle way. Ron said it was because then they could spend just a few hours doing normal things together, partly to prepare for married life, and just because they enjoyed it for some odd reason.

Ginny had long grown tired of watching the romantic muggle movie `The Notebook'. Ron and Luna were curled up on the loveseat and she felt terribly like the third wheel, so she decided to fetch a class of milk from the kitchen.

She stopped at the doorway. Sunlight was streaming in, casting itself on Harry and Hermione. Harry set down the dish he had been drying and suddenly grabbed Hermione around the waist. She squealed.

“Harry!” She exclaimed. “What are you doing?” Her hands were soapy and wet, and she brushed them off of her jeans.

Harry pulled her closer to him. “Dance with me,” he had said, softly, his voice deep and husky.

Hermione laughed and stared at him. “What? Now?!”

Harry smiled. He shrugged. “I dunno, I like this song.” He placed his hands on her waist and she laughed and enlaced her hands around his neck. The two began swaying to the music.

You light me up and then I fall for you,

You lay me down and then I call for you,

Stumbling on reasons that are far and few,

I'd let it all come down and then some for you.

They had seemed so peaceful, so happy and in love, that Ginny couldn't help but smile. She felt very happy for them. At least, she certainly had in that moment. She then tiptoed away and rejoined Ron and Luna in the sitting room.

And now the same couple was twirling about the floor, though this time as man and wife.

Pretty baby, don't you leave me,

I have been saving smiles for you.

Pretty baby, why can't you see,

You're the one I belong to.

I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm,

For you're the sun that breaks the storm,

I'll be alright, and I'll sleep sound,

As long as you keep coming round.

And truly, it was just as heart warming as the first time they had danced to this song.

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The problem with being the maid of honor is that she was expected to say a speech. Speaking in front of people wasn't exactly something Ginny had a hard time with, but she didn't particularly enjoy either. She hadn't prepared a speech, somehow she just couldn't bring herself to lift a quill to the parchment and write something sweet and fluffy about the two. Thankfully, Ron would go first, with his speech as best man.

Ron stood and tapped his glass with his knife, trying to get everyone's attention. Although some quieted down, others still chattered away. He tapped harder, and when the glass smashed, the conversations halted.

“Stupid glass….” Ron mumbled, mutter a quick `reparo' under his breath. He smiled at everyone.

“Well, as the best man, it is my humble duty to prepare a speech and recite it at my best friend's wedding,” he began. “And in true Ron Weasley fashion, I've forgotten to write anything, so Harry and Hermione are in luck!” he beamed at them, “For whatever I say today, purely comes from the heart.”

“About ten years ago, Harry, Hermione and I met on the train. Harry not having a clue what was going on, Hermione being miss bossy boots, and me stuck in the middle of it all. I guess it was always apparent, from that first day on the train, that these two would end up together,” he recited, smiling fondly. “There were times when they would just look at each other, and everything they had wanted to say would be conveyed in that one look. At times, it was bloody annoying, cause you always had to ask what the hell was going on. But at others, it was mind-boggling, that these two could have such a connection…that they wouldn't even have to say a word, and know exactly what the other was thinking.”

“Now I suppose everyone here thinks that then and even as I say these words, I was the jealous prat. But I'll have you know, that I've never been jealous of Harry for getting Hermione, or of their relationship. I can't think of any two people in the world more in love than my best friends, and I can't think of any two people in the world I'm happier for. I'd also like to say, that winning a bet as to when they'd get together was something that contributed greatly to my happiness,” laughter filled the room. “Now, a toast to my best friends, Harry and Hermione Potter. May their lives be filled with happiness, joy and all that good stuff!”

Ginny had to admit; she was surprised that Ron could say all that. It was a lovely speech, one that had caused Tonks to cry again.

Ginny stood, smiling at the wedding receptions guests and then looked down. She cleared her throat and began.

“It's hard to follow that speech Ron, as I can agree with most everything you've said,” she said, her eyes fixed on the floor. “It has always been clear that Harry and Hermione have belonged together. They'd spend summers at the Burrow, and you could instantly see the chemistry and connection that the two shared. It was something that you just liked to be present for, just so you could see that true love really does exist,”

“Although they dated others…” she swallowed hard, “The people in their past relationships couldn't help but be jealous of the other…and it was always known that they was not anyone else for the other. And I think I am right in saying…that Harry and Hermione's love is pure perfection.”

She looked up and beamed and the crowd clapped politely, and went back to their meals.

When it was time for Hermione to throw the bouquet, Ginny joined in, although she made no effort to catch it. Instead, Luna caught it, and squealed and threw her arms around Ron, who laughed and spun her around. And then over his shoulder, he cast one of his oddly furtive looks at Harry, who grinned back.

And then the reception left the hall, and watched as Harry and Hermione departed for their honeymoon.

And Ginny still did not cry.

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The reception still went on although the couple had left. Ron and Luna were both considerably drunk at this point, and were starting a drinking game with some relatives of Hermione. Ginny however, remained seated at her seat at the table placed at the front of the room. Dean came and sat beside her.

“You okay?” he asked. Ginny nodded.

“It's great they're finally married,” he said, staring off. “Sometimes, Harry would say her name in his sleep…it was so freaking hilarious,” he began chuckling under his breath.

Ginny stiffed, a movement that didn't go un-noticed by Dean. “Oh Gin, I'm sorry…. it's just, I forget that you and Harry…honestly…I think everyone forgets.”

Ginny waved it off. “Don't worry about it…like you said, everyone forgets. I was stupid to fool myself anyways. I always knew they were meant to be together. When he and I were dating in my fifth year, I'd come in the common room at night, and I don't mean at like eight-thirty, I mean at like three o'clock, four o'clock in the morning, you know?” she said, looking at Dean. “And the two of them would be sitting by the fire, talking. It was ridiculous; they spent a large part of that year bickering. And then unbeknownst to most, they spent hours talking at night. He opened up to her in ways he never did with me.”

Dean nodded. He too had seen it all, seen the way Harry would look at Hermione, the way Hermione would tackle Harry with her hugs.

“Do you want to dance?” Dean asked Ginny. She shook her head.

“Maybe later.”

Although later never came.

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The next day, the Daily Prophet ran an article on the wedding. It talked about who was there, who wore what, what was on the menu. Hermione was described as dazzling, Harry as dashing. The headline read `The Wizarding World's Most Perfect Couple Finally Wed!”

And then, Ginny cried.

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-Fin-

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Matchmaker: And there we go!! It's done! Love it? Like it? Hate it? Let me know!! Read and Review!!

Till next time!

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