"You look beautiful Fleur," Hermione told the nervous French girl who was currently scrutinizing herself in front of her full length mirror.

"Thank you 'Ermione," she replied with a little catch in her voice. She continued to analyze herself as Hermione placed the tiara the Weasley's great aunt Muriel had lent for the day's special occasion. It was August 1, 1997 and Bill and Fleur's wedding day. Everyone was in a hustle to get everything perfect and ready for all the guests that would be arriving in less than an hour. Hermione, Ginny, and Fleur's younger sister Gabrielle were currently cooped up in Ginny's room, which had been turned into the bridal room for the day, helping the bride get ready for her journey down the aisle.

"Am I zupposed to be zees nervous?" Fleur asked the two girls, her eyes wide. "I veel like zer are butterflies all over my stomache!"

"We wouldn't know," Ginny laughed at her future sister in-law. "We've never been married,"

"Can zomeone tie my bow for moi?" Gabrielle asked politely. Ginny answered her request and went over to help the young girl.

"Don't worry Fleur," Hermione reassured, rubbing Fleur's shoulders. "My cousin Leah was just like this when she was about to get married. It's just pre-wedding jitters. It's a big day, you're about to start the rest of your life with the man you love. I'd be nervous, too,"

"Now don't get any ideas of leaving my brother at the altar, okay?" Ginny joked, but with a serious tone.

"I won't," Fleur took one of Hermione's hands in hers and did the same with Ginny, giving them both a squeeze. "Thank you," she smiled. "'Ow much time do we have left?"

"Half an hour," Hermione answered, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I'm going to go down and check on how things are coming along. Ginny, you stay here and make sure her make-up stays perfect,"

"Ay ay Captain," Ginny mock saluted as Hermione left the room.

Hermione made her way down the levels of stairs the Burrow had and in a matter of minutes found herself on the ground landing. It was quiet inside the house due to everyone working outside, where the wedding would be taking place.

"You look nice,"

Hermione jumped at the sound of Ron's voice coming from the door at the other side of the room. "Ronald, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry. You know, you should wear red more often," he complimented her dress. Fleur had decided to honor the Gryffindor spirit of the Weasley's and make one of her wedding colors red. Since Hermione had been chosen as one of her bridesmaids, along with Ginny, the dress she wore was solid in the color. Hermione had to admit that she was really fond of the garment. It was made of satin, scoop necked, had an empire-waist, thick straps, and ended just above her knees. She'd definitely wear it again.

"Thank you," Hermione blushed. She wasn't used to getting this sort of attention from him, although she'd been waiting for it for the past three years now. Thankfully his philandering with Lavender Brown phase was over, which meant maybe, just maybe, something could happen for Hermione. The way his eyes wouldn't leave her certainly hinted at something on the horizon. "Is everything almost ready?" she asked coyly, remembering why she was down there in the first place.

"Yeah, people are already getting seated. The Minister of Magic is here actually, Rufus Scrimgeour. Don't know why though-"

"Ahem,"

Hermione and Ron turned toward the sound of the cough that had just been emitted and found Minister Scrimgeour standing only a few feet away from them with Harry next to him.

"I was hoping I could talk to the three of you before the festivities began," he said, motioning them toward the couch. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all took a seat and listened to the Minister, unprepared for what he was about to tell them.

"Aren't you glad you stayed now Harry?" Ron said as he opened and closed the "lighter" Dumbledore had left for him. The Minister had just left, leaving the three of them to contemplate what he had just given them on behalf of their former Headmaster.

"Yes, because these things have so much meaning to them. They will definitely be helpful in our search- a lighter, a snitch, and a fairytale book," Harry said with sarcasm.

"I'm sure there's a very logical reason why Dumbledore decided to give these to us," Hermione put in, not wanting to offend Dumbledore, even if he wasn't with them anymore. "Besides, has he ever given us a direct answer? We have to figure this out, just like everything else,"

Harry gave a huff and put the snitch in his pocket. "Like we don't have anything else to figure out at the moment."

Mr. Weasley then appeared at the door, frantic with anticipation, and ushered the boys to get to their seats. Hermione told them she'd see them soon and went upstairs to fetch the bride.

"It's time," she announced to Fleur, who was sitting on the bed next to Ginny with a glowing smile on her face. Fleur shot off the bed and grabbed her bouquet from Ginny, and then she took one final look into the mirror. She took a deep breath and then followed Ginny out the door.

Hermione took a moment to put her new book inside her bag of limitless space. She, Harry, and Ron, would be leaving soon so she had it prepared. She shrunk it down and hid it in the hem of her dress. If anything happened and they had to leave at any point during the celebration at least she'd have it with her.

She hurried down the stairs and met Ginny and Fleur at the bottom. The music had already begun playing, signaling for them to come out when they were ready.

"You first, Hermione," Ginny instructed, handing her friend a small bouquet of white roses. Hermione nodded and then stepped outside. Everyone watched as she made her way down the aisle, and Hermione smiled as she caught sight of all the friends and family that had come to witness Bill and Fleur's marriage. She made it to the front of the aisle and stood to the side as Ginny came up. The music then changed and everyone else stood up as Fleur stepped gracefully into their midst, her arm wrapped around her father's and Gabrielle holding up the train of the wedding gown. The music stopped once Fleur reached the altar, and her father handed her to Bill after placing a kiss on her forehead. In a matter of minutes Bill and Fleur were married, and then the party began.

Hermione laughed and cheered as everyone around her danced, talked, and had a good time. Not being one much for dancing, she was sitting at a table by herself, contentedly sipping her drink. She spotted Luna Lovegood dancing with her father, and Bill dancing with Mrs. Weasley, while Mr. Weasley was dancing with Ginny. Seeing them brought a sudden wave of sadness to her as she remembered what she had had to do to her parents just a few weeks ago. She hoped they were happy in Australia living their new life. Maybe one day she'd see them again. She couldn't deny that she missed them.

Lost in her thoughts, she was surprised when she felt someone's hand wrap around hers and lift her out of her seat. "Dance with me," Harry said, pulling her into the throng of people already dancing. Hermione let out a laugh and allowed him to lead her around. She decided dancing wasn't so bad when you had someone to do it with.

"My turn," Ron intervened, taking Hermione from Harry's grasp. Harry let out a chuckle and then finding Ginny began to dance with her.

"How did you like the wizard wedding?" Ron asked Hermione as he began to sway her to the music. Hermione was sure she was blushing from being in such close contact with him. Her body suddenly felt like Jello in his arms and she wished they could just dance together forever.

"Definitely shorter than some muggle ones," she answered him. "I do enjoy the added spectacle wizards bring, too,"

"The joys of having magic Hermione," Ron grinned pulling her closer to him. They were so close to each other all Hermione had to do was get up on her tippy toes and their lips would touch. The moment was lost however, for the song ended and Mrs. Weasley announced that it was time for the cake. Ron reluctantly let Hermione go and they went to watch Bill and Fleur cut their cake together.

Everyone cheered as the newlyweds each fed each other a piece. Then somewhere at the back of the crowd they heard a scream.

"What the-?" Harry said as he looked around with the rest of the group. Hermione was the first to see it and she pointed up in the sky with a gasp. Death Eaters were flying in from all directions and some had already invaded the party area.

"Congratulations!" One of them yelled menacingly as he shots spells at whoever he could. Guests screamed as jets of blue, black, red, green, and other colors shot passed them. Some were levitated into the air and twirled for the delight of the masked men, whose monstrous laughter was mingling with the shouts of the crowd. It was the Quidditch World Cup all over again.

Chaos ensued as people tried to run to safety, while the aurors present fought back. Somehow Hermione had become separated from her friends, and she struggled through the panicking people to find them.

"Harry?" she called, hoping he would answer.

"Hermione!" she heard his voice somewhere to her left. Turning in its direction she found him and ran over as he reached his hand out to grab her.

"Come on!" he said as he pushed his way through the people in front of him, trying to remain hidden. He knew the Death Eaters were there for him.

"Where's Ron?"

"I'm here!" Ron yelled, and the three of them ran towards each other. They all knew it was time for them to leave.

"AARGH!" Hermione shrieked as she felt a pair of arms clasp around her from behind, ripping her out of Harry's grasp.

"Got you now Mudblood," a husky voice hissed in her ear, causing a chill to run up and down her spine. She didn't even manage to scream as the familiar pull of apparition began to take over her. She just looked at Harry and Ron with wide, fearful eyes as she popped away from them. The last things she heard were them screaming her name as Ron thrust out his arm to grab her.

A second later she hit cold ground with a thud. And then the laughter started.