Chapter Five
Wedding Helper
I'm sitting at home, reading some books I had stuffed in a cardboard box in the back of my crawl space. Books from Hogwarts, textbooks from Flourish and Blotts, and fun books from Hogsmeade. I decided that if I wanted to win Harry back I'd have to rejoin the magical world, so I went into my mini-attic and pulled out this box and sifted through it. There were enchanted photos from a million years ago, trinkets I collected from Hogsmeade trips and birthdays. An extreme wave of nostalgia washed over me. I want more than anything than to go back to Hogwarts and walk down the halls and up the many staircases that make up the beautiful castle.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing, I jump a little at the loud, shrill sound. I get up and pad over the kitchen tiles in my thick socks, picking up the phone and answer, "Hello?"
"Hermione!" I pull the phone away from ear as the high-pitched, tinny voice squeals my name. "How are you?"
"Fine?" I reply, who the hell is - OOOOOOH. Oh God. It's Natalie. Why is she calling me?! "How are you, Natalie?"
"I'm good, I'm great," she laughs. "Actually Harry and I were just talking, could you still help plan the wedding?"
I swallow, oh shit.
"Are you sure you guys want my help? I mean, I think a professional wedding planner would be much better-"
"Of course we're sure! Harry is always going on about how organized you are and how you do everything so well, so we figured you'd be the best choice. Unless you have too much social working to do or something-"
"No! Don't be ridiculous, of course I'll help! No problem."
"Great!" she chimes. "Could you come to Harry's flat tomorrow so we can start planning?" she asks.
"I-"
"Say around seven-ish?" she cuts me off.
I resist a sigh, "Sure."
"Great!" she says again. "See you then!" and the phone clicks off.
What a cow.
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I cautiously ring the door bell and it's not long before Harry answers. He smiles and says, "Hey, Natalie just got here." Then he leads me into the flat, taking my coat and hanging it in a hall closet. We make our way to the kitchen where Natalie's standing at the counter, her back to us, taking items out of a paper bag. She's clad in a black trousers, a dark and light green argyle jumper and a white-collared shirt under it. She turns around as we come in and smiles with those bloody perfect teeth. I now notice she's wearing small pearl earrings and her hair's swept into a PERFECT ponytail, not one hair is astray.
"I brought some brain food," she giggles, I resist the urge to gag.
Harry gestures for me to sit at the kitchen table and I do, he does the same. I notice there's paper, pencils, books, and magazines on the table. All for the wedding plans.
My heart drops, I should have expected all of this but it still surprises me.
"I have frozen burritos, onion dip, chocolate syrup, sardines, and these really cute mini-peppers," she announces, taking it all out of a shopping bag and onto the counter.
Good God the woman's deranged.
"Nat, luv, why would you buy onion dip, chocolate syrup or sardines?"
She looks at him and then her eyes move upward as if she's thinking, "I don't know."
"Right," he replies.
"I did get champagne though!" she grabs the bottle and presents it to everyone.
Thank God.
She turns and opens the cabinet and takes out three champagne glasses and fills them, taking them over to the table. She sits down next to Harry, across from me, and takes Harry's hand, smiling at him. My throat tightens.
"So let's do some planning," she laughs and Harry smiles, they look at me expectantly.
I force a smile onto my face and take a gulp of champagne.
"Hermione what do you suggest we plan first?" she asks.
"Well," I begin. "I had no clue how to plan a wedding so I did a little research and I think we should first find out where you want to get married," I look at them.
"Well that's easy," Natalie replies, looking at Harry. "At The Manor-" she stops, because at the exact same time Harry said 'At Hogwarts.'
Haha, trouble in paradise?
She turns and looks at him, "What? I thought we planned on having it at The Manor?"
Harry laughs nervously, glancing at me, "When did we plan that?"
"I thought it was automatically so, sweetie," she answers.
I hide my happiness at the prospect of them fighting. I am terribly immature.... Oh well.
"Maybe I should leave you-"
"No!" Harry barks. "You stay here," he turns back to Natalie and I take a sip of champagne.
"Harry-Bear we were all so excited about having it at The Manor - Mummy, Daddy, Lindsay, Alex, Nana, me - everyone!" she pouts.
Is she seriously pulling the 'Pity Me So I Can Get My Way' face? Oh dear lord, I think she is.
Harry looks at her, his frustrated frown turning into a loving smile, "All right, we'll have it at The Manor."
She smiles and kisses him, I stare at them avidly. They look back at me. Did he- Was she- Oh my God! I can't believe he just gave in and agreed to that! What the hell, that's ridiculous!
"Hermione?" Harry snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Oh right, so you'll have the reception there too?" I ask.
Natalie says 'yes' before Harry can even open his mouth. I wait to see if he'll step up and argue at all. He doesn't. So we move on.
"Next-" I begin, but I'm cut off by the bitch.
"Can we pick the dresses and everything first?" she asks, smiling eagerly.
I return the smile bitterly and say, "If you want to, but I was thinking we should-"
"I want to," she tilts her head and her eyes flicker violently.
I raise both eyebrows before I can stop it. Lay off the attitude, perhaps?
"All right," I nod. "It's your wedding."
"Can we go tomorrow?!" she straightens up even more.
NO BITCH, WE CAN'T!
"Well actually I have work tomorrow-"
She rolls her eyes, thinking I don't see it and says, "You don't have to-" she's cut off and jumps slightly letting out a little squeak. "When do you get off work?" she asks.
"Four-thirty," I reply, raising one eyebrow this time.
"Great," she smiles and her eyes are large with excitement. "We'll go then and my driver will pick you up at your - flat - is it?" she asks, her smile doesn't waver.
"Yes bit-" I stop myself because I can say bitch. "Yes, b-by George it's a flat," I smile brightly.
"Right," she says unsurely.
"I'll give you directions tomorrow," Harry cuts in and she looks at him.
"Great! Well I'm gonna go and call Lindsay so we can come up with some dress ideas!" she stands up and so does Harry. Screw that, I'm not standing for her, the hell with manners! "So I'll see you tomorrow?" she asks.
"See you tomorrow," I call and Harry guides her out of the room.
They don't know it, but I can hear every word they're saying from here.
"Harry," she hisses. "Why did you pinch my leg?"
"Listen Nat - Natalie, I agreed to have the wedding at The Manor, Hermione's really important to me and I want her involved in this wedding-"
She cuts him off, something I notice she doesn't far too much. Impatient twit.
"But Harry you won't even be there! Can't she help you pick out a suit or something?"
"Natalie."
"Harry."
"We talked about this," he says. "You said you would be okay with her helping out."
"Yeah well," she pauses. "That was before. . . ."
There's silence, then, "Before what?"
"Nothing, forget it. I'll see you tomorrow," she kisses him. "Love you."
"Good night," he replies and the door closes.
Between the time Harry walks back in the room and the time she left the flat altogether a million thoughts are whizzing through my head. He didn't say 'I love you' back, he pinched her? that's why she squeaked? Before what? She was okay with it BEFORE WHAT?! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH, FILTHY LITTLE-
"Hermione?" I hear him say and plaster a smile to my face.
"Yes?"
At first he doesn't say anything, but then, "I have a surprise for you."
My ears perk up at his words and I smile stupidly, "Really?"
"Yeah, I'll be right back," he leaves the room and comes back with his jacket on, carrying my coat. "You ready?" he asks.
I have no choice but to smile, shrug, and say, "Sure." I get up and he helps me into my coat, then takes my arm.
Before long I'm experiencing that odd, pressure of Apparation and I keep my eyes shut tight. When the feel ceases I open my eyes and at first I knot my eyebrows.
We're in a grimy, brick alleyway.
Is this some kind of joke? Did Natalie command him to kill me in some back alley in a small, crappy, town outside of Dublin?
Don't ask me why I chose Ireland, my imagination has a mind of its own sometimes.
I look around, and for the first time realize it's snowing, "Harry, where are we?"
He smiles and guides me out of the space and into a bustling village. And that's when my mouth drops open, we're in Diagon Alley.
"Harry," I breathe. I feel the tears burn in the back of my eyes, it really has been too long since I've been here.
"I just thought that with your nine year absence you'd want to come back and see it all," he smiles sheepishly.
Before I know it I'm throwing myself at him, my arms are around his neck and I'm taking in the amazing smell of Harry. He hugs me back, a little unsure, as if I shocked him by this gesture.
"Thank you so much," I whisper.
"Any time," he replies and I let go of him, realizing for the first time that there's a tear running down the corner of my eye. I quickly brush it away, "It is good to be back."
He smiles at me, "Should we have a look around then?" he asks.
I nod and we walk down the slushy road, side by side, talking and joking like old times. The first shop we go into is a new, bright-colored candy shop.
We step inside and the atmosphere is busy and warm, although it's a nice escape from the cold night air I can't ignore the claustrophobia that I've adapted over the past few years. But the big crowd isn't what's bothering me, it's the fact that they're all staring at the famous Harry Potter. So we grab a bag each of an assortment of Bernie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, a Hot Chocolate Sweet Drop and then we leave.
There we sit on a cold iron bench outside of the shop, and for the first time I notice the music emitting from the store. It sounds like an old Muggle swing song but I can't tell. The soft melody drifts over the chatter of the store, it's upbeat and the singer's deep voice sounds happy, it makes me feel content; I totally forget about Natalie, I just sit here, sifting through the sweets, enjoying Harry's presence.
It's not long before we're joking and teasing each other like we used to, throwing the jelly beans at each other, guessing each flavor, choking on most of them, cracking jokes about things that will never cease to be funny, and most of all recalling all the good memories we shared together. Every once in awhile I'll remember he's engaged but it's not long before it slips from my mind and we're flirting again.
After a few minutes we fall silent and I'm thinking of something else to say. My eyes fall on an elderly woman in front of us who's looking at an assortment of dried flowers; She's hunched over, her white hair is slightly covered with a old scarf and she's bundled up in woolen coats. She's mumbling to herself, her wrinkled chin quivering as she talks. She picks up a crinkled, old rose that's head is hanging limp, she looks at it and throws it onto the snowy ground. The man who owns the stand starts yelling at her.
"She's wonderful, isn't she?" Harry's voice breaks through and I look at him as if he has twenty heads. Was he talking about the old woman?
"Who?" I have to ask and I look at him.
He's sitting up, his hands behind his head, and he's looking straight across the road with a hazy, distant look in his eyes, "Natalie," he breathes with a smile.
And I feel a stab at my heart. I knew all this was too good to be true. I don't say anything. I mean what am I supposed to say? No, she's a rich bitch with an attitude to boot, I hate her, and the fact that she's your fiancée tends to fan the flames of hatred?!
No, that's okay.
He sighs happily, "She's amazing, beautiful, smart-"
I hold back my laughter but it emits from my lips as a chuckle of sarcasm. He looks at me, resting his elbows on his knees like I am, the smile is still on his face.
"What?" he asks humorously.
"Smart?" I can't help but say. "Harry, she bought onion dip, chocolate syrup and sardines for no apparent reason."
He laughs and I can tell he's recalling the events of tonight, his smile doesn't falter and I can tell he thinks it was adorable or some bullocks like that.
"Oh that," he says. "You can't blame her for the effort right?" he asks.
"No, of course not," I reply, pushing the cold sarcasm from my voice.
He sighs yet again and shakes his head, "I can't believe I'm going to be marrying her, I feel so lucky."
Every single word that issues from his mouth is chipping at my heart. How can he sit here and talk like this? Doesn't he have a clue? Can't he be a little sensitive? Doesn't he care, doesn't he know? No. He doesn't, and he can't, because he's happy with her.
"It's such an equal relationship you know? I can't remember the last time I've felt like this."
On second thought, it can't hurt to TRY to get him to hate her.
"Harry," I begin, my heart beating faster. "Don't you think you maybe rushed into this a little?"
"What do you mean?" he asks, his voice edgy.
"I mean, you said you haven't known her that long-"
"I know Hermione, but does it matter with love like this?" he questions, staring into my eyes.
I blink away the tears, "No, I guess it doesn't."
I guess I can't hide my sadness because Harry asks, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I answer quickly.
He looks at me and for the first time I realize how close we actually are, "Are you sure?" he asks and I can feel his breath against my lips.
I nod.
He smiles. Our noses are inches apart, this can't be good - I need a distraction. Something to break this trance, somebody trip, anybody break a window, throw something at his face, anything! And there it is, just as I had asked for it, a blinding white flash in my eyes and a scamper of feet. I blink several times and look around, there's little sparks dancing in front of my eyes. I continue blinking.
"Must have been a reporter," Harry says and I notice he's moved away. "Sorry about that."
I feel slightly disappointed yet kind of relieved. My heart feels heavy and I just want to get away. As if reading my mind he asks, "Ready to go home?"
I nod again and we leave.
On my way home from his flat I can't help but feel depressed and weary, the tears are inevitable as I drive home and I let them fall. No one's here to see me or ask questions so I let them fall in big fat droplets.
I realize my vision's getting blurry and I need to stop driving. I don't want to pull over on the side of the road this late and for some reason I don't want to go home. At a red light I wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt and sort through my options. Mum and Dad's? No, they'll think I'm in money trouble or being chased by a crazed boyfriend or something. Robbie! Shit, no Robbie, he's on a date with that flirty, blonde guy from Soho.
Ron.
I hurry to his house and pull up in front, calling him before I ring the doorbell because I can't forget he's married to Luna and I don't want to intrude. He answers quickly and monotonously.
"Hello?"
"Ron," I sob.
"Hermione?" he sounds startled and shaken. "What's wrong?"
I shake my head and breathe through my teeth, "I can't-"
"Where are you?" he asks.
I sniff, "In front of your house."
"Come inside, Luna's on an assignment and won't be back until tomorrow so you can cry all you want," he jokes.
"Thanks," I say.
"See you in a few," he says and I hang up.
He's waiting at the door by the time I reach the walkway. His arms are folded over his chest and he's standing behind the screen door, a happy-looking black-lab is waiting next to him. The whole scene makes me feel even more depressed and I sob.
The second I enter the house I throw me arms around him and cry uncontrollably. I feel like I'm falling apart, what else can I do? I swear I'm about to collapse, or faint, or pass out, or something! I need my best friend right now.
"Ron, I don't know what to do anymore," I choke. "He talks about her like - And- I don't know, I love him so much."
He listens to me whine and cry for about an hour or so before I go back to my flat.
I think I'm growing more and more pathetic as they days drag on.