Disclaimer: I do not own any character of Harry Potter. This is a purely fictional creation.
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Her hair was full of white flowers- small daisies and mums, all delicately inserted into her tumbling brown curls, with the occasional yellow flower for added effect. Small pins with diamond and pearl heads to catch the light. As she turned her head back and forth, they sparkled like stars. She smiled. She had waited so long for this day.
She put her hand down for her lip balm and accidentally brushed the small pink carnation on the counter. She picked it up and smiled. It had been from Ron. He had handed it to her this morning, before she'd gone into this room to dress. He had looked into her eyes and smiled, and wished her a simple good luck. She had hesitated, wanting to throw herself into his arms, tell her how grateful she was and how much she loved him. Kiss him, maybe, out of so much happiness. Seeing the familiar blush on his face, as red as his hair, had always made her laugh, and today was no exception. But she had just smiled and thanked him, tucking the flower into her ear and saying she'd see him in the garden.
The garden. Oh, it was so beautiful, just like the rented cottage that shielded it from passersby. She had caught a glimpse of it coming into the cottage –masses of white carnations and yellow roses, the gazebo strung with fairy lights. Everything much too expensive, no doubt, but her fiancée had spared no expense for this day. She knew what would happen afterward –ever since Bill and Fleur's wedding, she'd been dreaming of this day. Dancing, and cake, and laughter, and many other wonderful things. And her dress! She looked down again. Layers of white organza, lace and satin, with more pearls. A simple cut, a beautiful layered skirt. And a small white veil. She actually felt beautiful, no longer the frizzy-haired, buck-toothed Muggle-born nerd who was always a little too talkative and bossy. She picked up the pearls from their cotton encasement and set them into her ears. She smiled at her reflection. A little pale, but otherwise, all right. She looked like a happy bride.
There was a knock on her door. "Hermione?"
She stood up and, laughing, opened the door. Viktor Krum stood there, a little sheepish, but otherwise very handsome in his suit. It was only recently that he had learned how to properly pronounce her name and even now, he struggled a little. She looked at him with happy eyes. "Yes, Viktor?"
"I just -vanted to…vish you good luck," Krum faltered, looking at her face, her dress, her hair. "You look… very nice."
"Thank you, Viktor." She smiled, leaned forward, and kissed him on the cheek. "I should finish getting ready, but I'll see you at the altar, all right?" Krum nodded and left. Hermione shut the door and returned to her seat. Her shoes were the final touch. Heeled, of course –she'd be too small otherwise. Colored palest gray. She pulled on her soft white stockings, then (blushing slightly as she did) the white lace garter for after the wedding. Then her shoes. She picked up her bouquet of white and yellow carnations, tucking Ron's pink one inside. Then she stood up and checked her reflection one last time, twirling in front of the mirror.
She had been longing for this.
Another knock on her door. This time, Harry's voice drifted in. "Are you ready, 'Mione?"
One last look. Then she opened the door. Harry inhaled sharply. "Wow, Hermione. You look…" He trailed off, at a loss for words.
"Honestly Harry, is this going to be like the Yule Ball again?" She cocked an eyebrow at him.
Harry laughed. "No, no. But you do look amazing." He held out his arm. "Ready?"
Hermione took a deep breath. She hooked her arm around Harry's. "Yes."
