Prologue for A Second Chance: A Ron and Hermione fic

Standing by the window, Ron fiddled with his tie, and smoothed his tuxedo. His crisp white shirt, smooth lapel, and the pink flower in his pocket, all reminded him of what he was about to do. He gulped, and turned around to face the mirror. He had to admit, he looked quite handsome, and he knew Lavender would be pleased. Lavender.

Today was his wedding day. He was happy, but for some reason he couldn't explain, he was nervous; He was shaking. He quickly sat himself down on the edge of the bed, put his head in his hands, and took deep breaths, one after the other. Someone knocked on the door. Without looking up, he answered "Come in."

"How's it going," he heard an unmistakable voice ask and he looked up to see Harry.

"Fine," he replied. He stood up, and tried to act normal.

But a pained expression passed quickly over his face, and Harry didn't miss it.

"Ron," he began, but he seemed to be struggling with what to say. Instead he said, "Mate, I know you think Lavender is the one, but-"

Ron cut him off: "I don't just think she's the one, Harry. I know she's the one. I love her."

"I know you do, mate, but… is that enough?"

Ron was taken aback. "What do you mean?" he said.

"I don't know Ron. I just think…. I think your relationship with Lavender has always been about… well, the physical things. Whereas, there is another girl, who used to be important to you, and… and she still… she still loves you. She always has. I think… I think you're making a huge mist-"

"I don't know what you're talking about Harry."

Ron gave Harry a look that said, 'Back off. I know what I'm doing.'

Harry looked at his feet, and shook his head. Ron pretended not to notice.

Harry was opening old wounds, and Ron wasn't happy with it. Of course, he knew exactly whom Harry was talking about, but he didn't want to hear. He didn't want to hurt. He had loved her once, but that was ancient history. That had been before the fight and since then he'd matured. They had never been possible.

"How do I look?" Ron asked.

Harry looked up at him. "You look like… like a groom."

Ron nodded, took one look in the mirror, and headed out of his room.

When he was gone, Harry looked at the mirror, and mumbled to where Ron was once, "You look like an idiot." Harry knew, without a doubt, that Ron wasn't meant to be with Lavender, but with Hermione. Since a fight they'd had after the war, Ron and Hermione had hardly spoken. Hermione couldn't hide the hurt: It showed clearly in her eyes, even 5 years later. Ron hid it well, but Harry knew he regretted what had happened. But in less than an hour, Ron would marry Lavender.

In less than an hour, there would be no going back.

Or so, Harry thought.

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