For the Drabble Game Challenge (Ron&Rose, flower crowns, requested by Ash)


He isn't surprised to find his daughter out in the garden. It's always been her special place to hide away. "Shouldn't you be, er, not outside?" Ron asks, gesturing toward the white satin gown. "Dirt stains and all that. I don't think brides are supposed to wear brown."

Rose wrinkles her nose at him and pokes out her tongue. She holds up her little project, a chain of neatly woven daisies. "Were you nervous before you married Mum?"

"Terrified," he admits with a laugh. "Cold feet, Rosie?"

She nods, adding another flower to the chain before tying it all together and resting it upon her head. Ron smiles. She's already beautiful, but the crown makes her look more like herself. His precious wildflower, the girl who spent her youth playing in the mud and climbing trees.

"Perhaps some wool socks would help," he says lightly.

Rose rolls her eyes, plucking another couple of flowers and beginning another chain. "Funny. I love Scorpius. I'm happy to marry him. But…"

"But it's really hitting you that this is actually happening," Ron guesses.

She's quiet for several moments. Her fingers continue to work nimbly, braiding flower after flower into the chain. "Yeah. It's forever," she whispers.

Ron rests a hand on his daughter's shoulder, smiling to himself. He still remembers the way his stomach twisted into knots as he prepared to marry Hermione. "It doesn't ease up," he says. "You're going to feel like you're about to pass out through the entire ceremony."

"That's reassuring," she grumbles.

"I do my best."

Rose fastens the chain into another crown and places it on Ron's head with a smile. "Will you wear it today? It'll make me feel better," she says.

Ron touches a finger to the delicate flowers that now circle his head. Admittedly, they don't match his suit very well, but he'll do anything for Rose. "Whatever you want, Rosie."

Rose swallows and nods. "I'm going to be okay, right?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won't throw up or anything? Scorpius will be waiting for me, won't he?"

"If he isn't, I'll hunt him down myself," he assures her before grinning. "You're going to be fine. You love him. I can see it every time you're around him. The way he looks at you. The way you look at him. It's very...lovey."

"Lovey?" she echoes with a snort. "You aren't very good at this."

"Your mother once told me I have the emotional range of a teaspoon," he agrees. "Now, come on. Your mum might kill me if we're late."

Rose takes his hand, trembling. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" she asks as they walk along.

"What I want doesn't matter. Part of me still wants to kill any boy who even smiles at you," he admits, clearing his throat. "It's about what you want. You're happy with him, and that's enough for me."

Rose stops. For a moment, Ron is afraid he's said something wrong, and now Rose has decided to call off the wedding. He doesn't think he can handle that particular fallout.

Instead, his daughter pulls him into a hug, resting her head on his chest for a moment. "Thank you, Daddy. You'll still love me if I throw up?"

"I'll be there with a camera. It'll be our Christmas card photo this year."

"Dad!" Rose giggles, playfully swatting his arm before taking his hand again. "Don't tease me! I'll tell Mum you're being mean to me."

Ron snorts. "Let's get you to the chapel before you get me in trouble, kid," he says.

With a grin, Rose nods and continues to walk with him. Ron takes a deep breath, holding her hand tightly. He wishes he never had to let go, that he could hold onto his little girl forever. But he knows it isn't an option. Not today.