All right you guys, this is it. What will happen? *cue dramatic organ music*
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All Saturday, she stayed in her improvised room in the study, crying. Ron sensed her need to be alone and only came in to bring her a bowl of soup and some soda. But she didn't touch it. Her soul and body cried for Harry and there was no soup in the world that could cure it.
When Sunday morning arrived, Hermione felt like someone had dragged her through a herd of angry hippogriffs. "I shouldn't go to his wedding like this. I'm already an emotional wreck, watching him actually leave me will drive me insane."
You allowed this to happen. You have to see it through to the end. It's the only way for closure.
"You're right. I should. I'll go. It is Harry's big day after all," she said in a hollow tone.
She shuffled out of the study to what was now Ron's room where he was trying to put on his bowtie. He looked up with a mixture of sadness for Hermione and frustration at his tie. She had to give a weak smile at his disheveled appearance, with his robes half-undone and hair a mess.
"Come here. The least I can do is help you look presentable."
Ron chuckled. "A regular Mum you are." He walked over to her and she began to help him with his tie. "Hermione, are you going to be alright? Do you need to stay home?" He looked at her worriedly.
"No. I'm going. I have to be there to," she took a deep, shuddering breath to keep from sobbing, "support Harry. It is his wedding."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. He'd be disappointed if I didn't come."
Three hours later, Hermione took a seat in the backyard of the Burrow. It had taken all her strength to get ready and now that she had arrived, found it harder to sit there than anything she had done in her life. As soon as Ginny says `I do,' then I can move on, she thought.
You're fooling yourself. You'll never move on. Not from Harry.
She ignored this truth and looked around to see who was there. There were several people from the Ministry, supposedly from Mr. Weasley's department. Tonks and Lupin were there in the front row. Bill, Fluer, and their five-month-old daughter, Sophie, sat next to them. Both couples cooed over the baby and Tonks asked questions about raising children, much to Lupin's embarrassment. Charlie played peek-a-boo with Bill and Fluer's other child, a four-year-old boy named Zachary. She smiled as she saw Hagrid try and sneak onto a bench in the back that had been especially made for his large frame. Headmistress McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout sat next to Hagrid to keep him company. Several of Ginny's friends from Hogwarts crowded the front row, giggling and gossiping. And to her greatest surprise, Draco Malfoy sat only two seats in front of her.
What is he doing at a Weasley's wedding? Probably as Ginny's guest. It doesn't matter anyway. This will all be over soon.
"Granger? How come you aren't with the blushing bride as we speak?" The drawl of Malfoy's voice was an unwanted thing to Hermione's ears.
She looked up expecting to see contempt, but instead saw a genuine curiosity. "I wasn't chosen as a bridesmaid so…"
"I'm guessing that comes from the fact that she thinks you want her man-toy?"
Hermione looked at him with interest. "And how would you know this?"
"I just know. I have a question for you. What would you give to be with Harry?"
"The world." She covered her mouth, she hadn't meant to answer.
Malfoy smirked. "A secret revealed and to your worse enemy too. Don't feel too bad, Granger. I understand your plight."
"How would you know about love?"
He rolled his eyes. "I might be a Slytherin but I can still feel. Why does everyone think we are immune to emotions other than hate and malice?"
"And you aren't?"
"A certain witch taught me during the war to stop looking at blood and look at the person. It's the most kindness that I have ever been shown," he said quietly.
Hermione looked in awe at Malfoy. He's not the same evil wizard that I remember, she mused.
"Who was this witch?"
"You'll find out soon enough." He turned around, leaving Hermione more confused than ever before.
Two minutes later, the ceremony began. The Wesaley twins walked in Angelina and Katie, Seamus brought in Lavender, and Ron brought in Luna, who was the Maid of Honor. Finally, Harry walked down the aisle by himself. Hermione's breath caught in her throat, he looked more handsome than he had before in black dress robes.
It brings out his eyes. But then again, everything brings out his eyes. Hermione could see the misery and hurt in them. She desperately wanted to hug him, tell him she was never going to leave him, but that was impossible. She had made her choice.
The whole wedding party looked down the aisle and slowly, Ginny emerged from The Burrow with her father on her arm. The entire crowd marveled over how beautiful Ginny was in her dress. Hermione only watched in silence as she passed. For the rest of the ceremony, she stayed perfectly still waiting for the inevitable `I do's.
"And now, if any man believe that this man should not wed this woman, speak now or forever hold your peace," the officiate said, who in this case was an old family friend for the Wesaley's, Mr. Tumnus.
You should say something. You know that it won't be a healthy relationship.
No, she deserves him…
"I most certainly do."
Hermione came back to the present to find Malfoy standing up. "There's no way that this can go on."
Every Weasley bristled.
"What for Malfoy? What're you doing here anyway?" asked Bill.
"There's been a mistake in your plans." He walked to the altar and took Ginny's hand in his. "She should be my wife and she is going to be."
The crowd rose up in an uproar. That is, everyone but Hermione.
`I understand your plight.' Wow, he really does.
"I know that this will ruin you rosy future you have planned for her. Well guess what? I could give a rat's arse. I love her; she loves me, the end. If any of you have a problem, be sure to look me up." He turned to Ginny. "Will you be Mrs. Malfoy?"
Ginny looked at Harry. "I'm sorry," she mouthed.
"No hard feelings. It was good while it lasted," Harry answered with a grin.
Ginny smiled back and refocused her attention to Malfoy. "Of course I will, since you put it so nicely. But we're going to have to work to your manners."
"No guarantees, my beauty. No guarantees." They both Apparated, leaving chaos in their wake. Every Wesaley except for Ron ran to The Burrow for damage control and the guests left quickly afterward. The only people left were Harry, Hermione, Luna, and Ron.
"That was the most fun wedding I've ever been to in my life. Don't you agree, Ronald?" asked Luna dreamily.
"It was something, Luna. Not sure what, but it was something."
No one saw the look of pleasure in Luna's eyes that followed this statement. Ronald Weasley would be hers yet.
Hermione stayed glued to her chair, unable to fully comprehend what had just happened. Ginny is in love Malfoy. Never saw that coming. Wait. Now that she is with Malfoy and Ron is on his way to being with Luna, then that means…
You get a no-strings-attached Harry.
Hermione almost sang in her joy. She looked up to see Harry's eyes dancing with happiness. He ran to her chair and knelt down.
"I don't know about you, but I still feel like getting married. I've got the robes, the ring, and the ability to go buy a dress. All I need is the woman. Would you happen to know one?"
"I could if you say the magic words," she said teasingly.
Harry laughed. "Hermione, would you please hurry up and marry me before things go wrong and make me the second-happiest man on Earth?"
"Who's the happiest?" asked Hermione in confusion.
"Malfoy because the Weasley clan still doesn't know where he is."
Both of them doubled over in laughter.
"Harry, I think that the answer would be definite yes. Shall we leave?" She held out her hand.
Harry pulled her up and gave her the largest hug she had been in her life. "Yes. Love you, my `Mione."
"I can't wait to hear that for the rest of my life."
"Trust me, you'll have eternity."
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Ah, flufferic endings. That's all, fellow readers. I'm rather proud of this one, it was the very first story I actually finished and it got me on Portkey. Leave reviews, tell your friends, you know the drill. Thank you for all of your reviews and support!
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