Of Lavenders and Peonies
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger's marriage was the event of the year. Everyone was there: Ministry officials, Hogwarts' professors, war heroes. And she was there too.
Most people didn't expect her to come. The truth was that not to go was her first thought when she received the invitation. Not because she still loved him or anything; but she felt unwelcomed among these people. Nothing connected them with her, not now not ever.
However, Lavender Brown was there. She went because it would be rude to deny the invitation. She went because she had no excuse for not seeing some old classmates. She went because there was something that she had to do.
.
Ron Weasley was preparing himself for his wedding. He couldn't believe it was finally going to happen. He couldn't believe he was finally going to marry her.
He'd loved her for years. But they were both too stubborn to let it happen. It took them hundreds of fights, tears and moments of pain to work things out. It took them a war but they had made it. All they needed was trust.
"Ron?" Harry's, the best-man's, voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you ready?"
He smiled. "Of course, I am."
Harry smiled back to him, pleased with the outcome his best-friends had. "Let's go then."
.
Hermione Granger (soon to be Weasley) was nervous; more nervous than she'd ever been, even before exams. She was checking her hair and make-up for what felt like the hundredth time that hour, when Ginny came in.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Nervous but excited at the same time. Was it that way for you too?" Hermione answered sincerely.
Ginny smiled and carefully hugged her soon to be sister in law, so she wouldn't ruin her dress. "It's that way for everyone, dear. But each of us has her own unique reason to feel that way."
Hermione smiled back, returning the hug.
"What are you holding?" she asked after a while.
"Oh, that." Ginny pulled back wiping away some tears. "It's for you." she said giving Hermione a bunch of white flowers. "She said it was important."
The bride looked confused. "But I have flowers for today…" she murmured taking the flowers. "They're beautiful, however. Who is it from, you said?"
Ginny grinned knowingly. "I didn't. Check the card."
.
It was indeed a beautiful wedding. Everyone had to agree - even Rita Skeeter wrote the best. As for Lavender, she never regretted coming. And Hermione never regretted inviting her.
Walking down the aisle she caught Lavender's eye and nodded to her; almost grinning - receiving a smile. Her wish meant so much to Hermione. It was the best wedding gift she could ask for. Smiling, she continued walking until she reached Ron. And he grinned to her, making Hermione forget all her anxiety for the day.
They would have a happy life. She knew that, he knew that, and they both would try their best to make it real.
.
Peonies….
For A Happy Marriage
My best wishes…
Lavender
For the Flower Challenge in HPFC.
And once again Draco's Angelic Godess was an excellent beta-reader:)
If you've read "Devastating Love" you know I have a soft spot for Lavender. That explains much...:p