Winky had just finish pressing his tux, not that a snap of her fingers was hard work, but Harry was sure Ginny appreciated the helpful talent. He now had to put the blasted thing on. Originally, Ginny wanted him to wear dress robes, but he asked her if he could wear muggle wear instead. She questioned his choice at first but eventually gave in.
The one reason for his choice in dress wear was that Hermione knew Ron would wear a tux if Harry did, and that way she would be free to wear her wedding dress. Harry had been with Hermione the day she had picked it out. It was as they were walking down one of the more fashionable streets in SoHo London that Hermione stopped. Harry didn't notice her sudden fascination with the shop's window but he did notice when he collided into her.
She let out a tiny noise but never stopped staring at the dress in the window. Harry asked if she wanted to go in, and found himself being dragged into the store. Ten minutes later, after she found her size, Harry was sitting waiting for Hermione to appear.
"Harry," she shouted out. "What do you think?"
For a second Harry was reminded of the Yule Ball years ago. Hermione was striking. It was a very simple white dress, but on her it was mesmerizing. He belatedly realized he should close his mouth.
"So," she bit her bottom lip as he continued to stare.
"You look," he tried but his voice cracked. "Wow."
Now, as he put on his tux he sighed. Winky did his cufflinks for him, tiny snitches, and then Harry looked at himself in the mirror. It yelled at him to flatten his hair, but Harry just ignored it. This was it, he thought, and felt his stomach rumble.
"Would Master Harry like a sandwich?"
"I think I'm going to go and get something myself, Winky." He smiled down at her, "Why don't you head over to the Weasleys and I'll be there in a jiff."
"Don't be late," she said in an overly stern voice which caused Harry to chuckle.
Harry walked out to the apparition point and closed his eyes. He opened them to find himself in the alleyway beside the café. All he wanted was a cup of tea. As he made his way to Hermione and his' table he noticed the stares he was getting.
"You clean up good," Nancy said as she approached with water.
"Actually can I have a pot of tea?"
"Sure thing sweetie," she said. "When is Hermione coming?"
"Just me today," he said with a shake of his head.
He was halfway through his first cup of tea when the chair opposite of him scrapped against the wooden floor. Looking up Harry found his eyes staring at Hermione. She was sitting in front of him wearing what looked like one of his old ratty t-shirts and her hair was up in curlers.
"Well we make quite a pair," she said as Nancy brought over another cup of tea. "Thanks."
"Why aren't you getting ready? I thought it took girls hours to get ready for these things?"
Hermione heaved a sigh and pushed a piece of paper across their table. Harry looked at for a second before looking back at Hermione. "Please, read it."
He opened the piece of paper and read out loud.
"Today and for the rest of my life I promise to love you. You have been my best friend and now will become my partner in this life. Without you I never would have become who I am today. I love you with all my heart."
Hermione started to laugh as Harry read the last word. Harry placed the slip of paper down and came around the table and hugged his best friend. She continued to laugh as she flung her arms around his neck. Harry didn't care that his knees were probably getting dirty and that the floor hurt all he cared about was calming Hermione down.
"I needed that," Hermione whispered into his ear. She gently pulled away and Harry wiped the tears from her cheeks.
He went back to his chair and she beamed at him. "It was the best I could come up with and I hate it."
"Why?"
"Oh Harry," her eyes soften as she reached across the table and clutched his hand in hers. "In the wizarding world you don't just give your heart to someone you also give them your soul."
"Your soul?" Harry was suddenly very confused.
"Not in a Voldemort type of way," she hastily explained. "But as I went to go put on my wedding dress I realized something. I can't give Ron my whole soul."
"Okay, so don't," Hermione let out a chuckle at Harry's simple statement.
"Oh dear," Hermione's face suddenly went pale.
"What's wrong?"
"I left my mum alone in my apartment without explaining where I was going." Harry started to laugh at this, "It isn't funny Harry. I just went into the bathroom to put on my wedding dress and I thought about everything."
"That's a lot to think about," Hermione threw her napkin at him.
"You know what I mean. I thought about Ron and you and Ginny and I just realized I needed to get out of there. Just for a moment to collect my thoughts."
"And your thoughts brought you here," Harry looked at Hermione across the table.
She looked so different then Ginny. Of course she looked different, Harry silently berated himself, they were two very different people. Hermione was caring, loving, and she was the smartest person he knew. Ginny on the other hand was outgoing and fun and she was such a talented witch.
"Why can't you give Ron just part of your soul?" Harry asked as he grasped to keep his thoughts under control.
"It isn't that simple," she whispered as she grabbed his hand in hers.
He knew that she wasn't going to explain it anymore because it was her secret. As he sat there watching her try to figure out a solution to her vows Harry remembered his own. Or rather his lack of vows. He figured he would wing it when the time came.
"I quit yesterday," He met Hermione's eyes as he spoke. "Neville is taking over."
"Oh he'll be good at that," Hermione's eyes lit up and Harry knew she was no longer thinking about her vows just as he was no longer comparing Ginny and Hermione. They spent the next few hours talking about their new jobs and neither noticed the time slipping past.
"Hey you two," Nancy said as she approached their table. "Do you want some supper?"
"OH NO!" Hermione voice went all pitchy. She looked around the café for a second and Harry's eyes followed her gaze to the clock on the west wall.
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