She knew the day would come. Bedecked in white, Hermione played with the puff in her dress. She beat it down, only to have it rise again, like dough. Saying a quick spell, the voluminous gown shrunk enough that it didn't bother her when she walked.
She looked around the room. Something borrowed, she still needed that. Oh well, she thought, and she shrugged. She would have to find that later.
The hair tonic Hermione had once used at the Yule ball many years ago was sitting on her vanity. It had been used to calm her wild curls, although she did not sleek her hair like before. She had molded her hair into gentle ringlets, crowning her head and falling gracefully about her shoulders. She was a vision.
A light knock came on the dressing room door.
"Come in… unless you're Ron. And if you are Ron, then that is so like you to try to ruin everything. So please leave. And take Harry with you! I know he's out there…"
A glowing plump figure stepped into the room. It wasn't Ron, it was Mrs. Weasley. She looked radiant as well in her dress, and was laughing as she looked upon Hermione. Hermione smiled, but her nerves made her stomach lurch. This was supposed to be a wonderful occasion, the joining of her family with Ron's, but she had never been such an emotional wreck.
"I've come to bring you something," she said in way that made her sound jubilant and devastated at the same time. Behind Molly's back, there was a teak box, like something precious jewels would be kept in, like family heirlooms.
"It's your turn in line, dear, and I thought you may need this. I used it at my wedding, and Fleur's, so I thought you might like to 'borrow' it."
Molly opened the box, and inside was a shimmering goblin-made tiara. Hermione gasped. She could never accept something so cherished like this. Mrs. Weasley seemed to have read her mind.
"You need this, dear. You are becoming a Weasley today, and nothing would make me as happy as you wearing my tiara."
Hermione only nodded. She bent down and let Molly (who was quivering) put the heirloom on her head. When she stood up and saw her reflection in the vanity mirror, a tear came to her eye. She looked stunning. She couldn't believe this was happening. Molly hid her face by turning around, but Hermione knew her eyes were wet too. The ceremony hadn't even started yet, and they were going to ruin their makeup. At this realization, they both looked at each other and laughed, then paused for a long moment just gazing at each other, a smile playing across their faces. It had been a long five years. There were things from the war that none of them would ever forget. Some things ran too deep. This wedding was not only a union, it was a salvation.
Mrs. Weasley sniffed and wiped a tear off of her nose. "Well, dear. You look ravishing. I should go now, you need to get ready…" Molly turned away and closed the door softly behind her.
The bride-to-be rummaged her dressing room, vision blurred by joyous tears, until she located her bouquet.
It was perfect timing. The music cued and Hermione could hear whispers die down as silence took over the crowd of well wishers. It was too late for cold feet. A brief flash of the honeymoon that was soon approaching entered her mind, and with a sly grin, Hermione opened the door to a full church and took her last steps as an unmarried woman.