"I never thought I would live to see the day Harry Potter got married." Hermione stared at Harry, who met her gaze from the mirror he was standing in front of. He smiled his usual lopsided grin as he adjusted his bow tie, and turned to face his best friend. He was rather handsome, for a man.
Hermione who wore a maroon, silk dress stepped into the room that her best friend currently occupied, and shut the door behind her. She was truly happy for her friend; he found the girl of his dreams and intended to be with her for the rest of his life. Hermione knew that Harry didn't take marriage lightly; he had gone through several women and several dates before he finally found his one true love, who just happened to be under his nose this entire time.
"I still can't believe you're marrying Luna Lovegood." Hermione laughed, the rational side of her thought it was absurd, but the romantic inside of her thought they made a perfect match. Luna was always the quiet, quirky type to put it lightly, but after their days at Hogwarts was when Harry and Luna really started to get to know one another. It was like fitting the missing puzzle pieces together, to have one complete soul. Hermione sighed at the thought, and wondered momentarily if she'd ever find that piece, or if she already missed her chance and it had slipped away through her fingers. To have the potential for love taken away before it even had the chance to blossom, now that was tragic. She brushed her idle thoughts aside for now, today was Harry's day, and it was a joyous occasion.
Ron came barging in at that moment, his tie dangling off his neck, and his now long red hair pushed in front of his eyes. He had a black tuxedo, just as Harry did. No doubt he was the best man, no one questioned it. Ron, although some may consider him cute in a boyish way, could be such a mess sometimes, but Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"I can't get my tie on right, and my wand doesn't want to cooperate with me. How do you muggles function?" Ron, whose face was flushed, looked to Hermione to help him. Of course, whenever he needed help he looked to her. What else was new? His eyes roamed her body as he waited for a response, from her legs to her breasts and then back down again. His eyes widened at the beautiful brunette before him, but he brushed it off. If he only realized what he had when he had it, he wouldn't feel that familiar ache in his heart.
"Lavender doesn't know how to tie a tie, can you believe that Harry? Some help she is." Ron looked to Harry, who was so deliriously happy that he couldn't care less about his friend's worries. He sat there in a maroon and gold lounge chair, staring at his friend and just smiled.
"Oh Ronald, come here will you." Hermione said as she beckoned him with her finger.
He looked up at her with his puppy dog eyes, which used to mean something to Hermione, but no longer had that effect on her. She couldn't care less of what his face looked like, when he decided that Lavender Brown was a better match for him two years ago, she wrote him off and promised to never look back. If he didn't want to be with her anymore, that was perfectly fine, she wasn't going to waste her time crying over him like she used to do when she was a teenager. It was useless, crying was useless, and served no purpose, at least that's what Hermione thought on the matter. Ron, on the other hand, realized that just because someone seems better in the moment, doesn't always mean they are the best choice for you in the long run, but it was too late now. He made his bed, and now he had to lie in it.
She grabbed hold of his tie, and yanked at it as quickly as she could, not wanting to be bothered with having to be in contact with him for more than she required. Once the tie was decent enough, she dropped her hands to her sides, and motioned for him to look in the mirror. He stared at her for a second longer, hoping to have some sort of eye contact with her, but when she refused to meet his gaze, he turned to look at his reflection in the mirror. He smiled, and pushed his overgrown hair out of his face.
"Thanks Hermione. So Harry, are you ready to throw your life away?" Ron joked as he hit Harry playfully against the shoulder.
"I'm not throwing my life away, I couldn't possibly be. I'm so in love, I just can't believe she said yes to me. I'm going to make her so happy." Harry trailed off. Ron turned to look at Hermione, and smiled to which she returned the gesture. They both had to admit that they were happy for their friend; they could put their issues aside for now to celebrate Harry's big day.
"I know my mother is happy for you. You're like her son, and all I heard from her earlier was asking me when I was going to get married. I'm not going down that black hole anytime soon." Ron chuckled.
Hermione, who was still standing there, listening to the conversation, asked Ron, "Speaking of your family, do you know if Ginny is coming?"
Ron shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. Ginny has her own way of doing things, we never really know when or if she is going to show up. I haven't seen her in ages." Ron mentioned, not putting anymore thought into Hermione's inquiry.
"Neither have I. It's been too long…" Hermione trailed off, thinking of thoughts of the past that the two girls shared, the closeness, the bond, the feelings she once felt for the youngest Weasley. They still lingered deep inside her.
Harry cleared his throat at that, knowing the relationship they had in the past might be a deterrent for her to show up, but he still hoped she would come. "I understand if she doesn't come. It's her ex boyfriends wedding after all."
"Oh Harry, I'm sure she got over that years ago. That's too far in the past for her to not show up." Ron looked in the mirror at his reflection once again as he said this.
Hermione stood there quietly, thinking about the last time she saw Ron's younger sister, and felt butterflies in her stomach when she thought about the potential of seeing her tonight. She really missed Ginny; they had grown so close at one point, sharing their last year together at Hogwarts, just the two of them, no boys. It brought up a lot of complicated feelings that Hermione wasn't ready to admit to herself at the time, and unfortunately the two girls drifted apart after Ginny went away to play Quidditch professionally. That was seven years ago…Hermione was now twenty six, and Ginny twenty five. How could so much time have passed already?
"Speaking of Ginny, have you heard that she quit the team?" Ron asked both Harry and Hermione.
They were both shocked to hear the news, why on earth would she quit the team? Everyone knew just how much she loved the game.
Ron nodded his head at their expressions, "I know…I was just as shocked as you. Apparently it just wasn't working out for her, or at least that's what mum told me. She writes to her often."
"What has gotten into that girl?" Hermione asked, more to herself than to the men. She had no idea why Ginny would quit the Harpies, that was her dream job, and the way Hermione watched her play, she knew Ginny loved it.
"I think she is just tired of the competitiveness. It's always got her on edge, but it looks like you're going to be seeing a lot of her now Hermione. McGonagall gave her a job at Hogwarts." Ron said all of this with a monotone voice, like there was nothing exciting or shocking about it.
That peaked Hermione's interest greatly, and also made her stomach drop to the floor. "She's going to be teaching at Hogwarts now? Let me guess, flying and Quidditch?"
"No, actually Defense against the Dark Arts." Ron said, now showing some emotion in his voice. He couldn't believe it either.
"Really, well now that is quite a change. I wonder why she is going for this career change now…"
There was a knock on the door, and Lavender opened it without waiting for permission. She stared at Hermione for a moment, looking her over, and then turned to Ron and Harry. The wedding is about to start, we need you both out there now."
She ignored Hermione, who didn't really care anyway. She wasn't much for getting into a staring contest with Lavender; the drama of it all was tiring. Ron also warned her not to stare at her too long because she would start to become self-conscious about the scars that remained on her body from the war.
Harry stood up and looked at himself in the mirror, patting his hair down, but having it just stick right back up again.
"Well, I'll see you out there Harry." Hermione approached him and kissed him on the cheek.
He looked at her for a moment, and smiled. She could tell he was genuinely happy. "Thanks Hermione."
Hermione nodded and turned to see Ron standing there with a stupid grin on his face, waiting for his kiss on the cheek. Hermione knitted her eyebrows together and held back a laugh as she walked past him and Lavender, and made her way outside.
The wedding was taking place at the Lovegood household, which was full of its oddities and wonders. Hermione walked outside, and made her way to the wedding where most of the guests were already seated. She had her place on the front row, where the Weasley family was seated. Hermione looked up at the sky to see dazzling shades of orange and lavender dancing in the sky. The sun casting a warm glow over the lawn, which was green and sprouting with all kinds of flowers and plants, some that the guests had never seen or heard of before.
"Hello dear, how's Harry doing?" Mrs. Weasley asked as Hermione took her seat next to her. She wore an emerald green gown that brought out the shade of her eyes. She stared into Mrs. Weasley's eyes, being reminded of Ginny. They were kind eyes.
"He's doing really well actually. I don't think I've ever seen him this happy before." Hermione looked down the row of seats to see each of the Weasley family in attendance, except for Ginny, and of course, Fred.
Her smile faded slightly when she didn't see the only other female Weasley in attendance, but did her best to hide her disappointment.
"That's wonderful; oh and here he comes now. Look!" Mrs. Weasley squealed with excitement as she turned her head and watched as Harry made his way down the aisle with Ron by his side. Lavender trailed behind them, and eventually took her seat next to Hermione.
"He looks so handsome." Mrs. Weasley commented.
"I do wish he had a muggle wedding though. I would have loved to have experienced it." Mr. Weasley commented.
"Trust me Arthur; a magic wedding is so much more interesting than a muggle one." Hermione smiled.
It was at that moment, that music began to play, and everyone stood up. Luna was about to come down the aisle, and everyone turned to face her. This was the moment everyone was waiting for.
After a few seconds of waiting, Luna came out of the house with her father by her side. Hermione expected her to be wearing some kind of outrageous costume as her wedding gown, but was pleasantly surprised to see that Luna was dress in a gorgeous white gown. She was beautiful.
Her hair was tied up loosely, and her makeup was done perfectly, she looked so happy. Both of them, bride and groom, looked stunning.
Hermione could hear Mrs. Weasley sniffling from behind as Luna approached Harry. Once the bride was at the front of the altar, Professor McGonagall, who acted as the Justice of the Peace, told everyone they may be seated.
And so the ceremony began, Hermione as well as everyone else in the crowd watched as Harry and Luna pronounced their love for one another and promised to always be there, no matter what may come. Through thick and thin, through arguments, hardships, no matter the distance or time apart, they would always be together.
Hermione found it sweet, and she believed that the two of them would actually be together forever. She hadn't really seen many relationships in her life that really worked out, besides her parents, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, it seemed like no one stayed together. Was it really so hard to make a promise and keep it? Was it hard to believe that there really could be a forever when it came to love? Or was forever just meant until they found someone else who was better? She pushed aside the depressing thoughts in her mind and tried her best to focus on the wedding, and that's when she noticed a streak of red from the corner of her eye.
Of course there was a mass of red heads sitting next to her, but something was different about this one. The feeling was different, the air had become electric, and the hair on her arms rose as she turned to see the person who just sat down at the end of the row. It was Ginny Weasley, who was late, but still managed to make it to see the happy couple seal their marriage.
She was wearing a thin, blue dress and she looked absolutely magnificent. Hermione got caught up staring at Ginny that she momentarily forgot about the wedding that was going on right in front of her. She felt her mouth fall open ever so slightly, and ached for Ginny to look at her, if only she would just look at her.
The red head was staring at the couple getting married, but her eyes flashed for a moment, and landed on Hermione, and remained there. The two women stared at each other, neither daring to look away. Ginny's eyes were wide, taking in all of Hermione with a hungry stare. Hermione could feel the burn of her stare on her body, and it excited her to no end. She couldn't look away, she didn't want to. Her eyes thanked her for being able to look at someone as beautiful as her. They hadn't the pleasure of seeing Ginny for years, until this moment.
It was then that Hermione noticed people were standing up around her, and clapping, and getting in the way of her view of Ginny. Their eye contact was broken. What had just happened? Hermione looked around her as if she was just in a trance, and realized that her best friend had just gotten married and was now walking down the aisle with his new bride. She stood up, and began clapping, still wondering what just happened, and how much time had passed while the two women were looking at one another. She wanted to look back at Ginny, but suddenly she was frightened to. The butterflies in her stomach were swarming, and the ache she felt at her core was growing too strong. How could just looking at her do that?
It was time for the reception, people were moving to the other side of the lawn, where the couple had already gone. It was time to celebrate, and Hermione sure did feel like she could use a drink. She dared to turn around and see that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were now talking to their daughter, who was genuinely happy to see her parents. Her eyes flashed back to Hermione for a brief moment, something was different about them though. The look she gave her was so powerful, so domineering…Hermione had a hard time actually putting it to words. It was a cold look, but warm at the same time. It made the brunette shudder.
"Nice of her to actually show up." Lavender Brown said from behind Hermione.
Hermione turned to face Lavender, and just shrugged her shoulders. "I'm getting a drink, you want to come?"
Lavender, surprised that Hermione offered, looked taken aback. "Sure" she simply said and followed Hermione's lead. The two girls walked over toward the bar, which was starting to fill up with people. Harry and Luna were sitting at their table, whispering things to one another that no one would ever hear. Hermione longed for that kind of love, that kind of feeling.
She kept stealing glances at Ginny, who was surrounded by a sea of red hair. They must not have seen her in ages either. She wanted to talk to her, to see what she has been up to, to simply just hear her voice, but she was surrounded. Oh, if only Hermione had the chance to be alone with her…it seemed like she wouldn't get that chance though. It seemed as if the girls had the same thought in mind, because both of them kept looking at each other throughout the night, getting closer, but not close enough.
As the night went on and hours passed like nothing, Hermione found herself sitting at the bar, watching as everyone danced and enjoyed themselves. She watched as Harry and Luna shared their first dance, kissing and laughing with each other. Lavender sat at the bar with her, but she mainly spoke about the things people were wearing, or drama that was going on at her work. Hermione idly kept the conversation going by nodding her head, or adding a comment in here or there, but her mind could not focus on anything she was saying. It was as if she had been invaded by thoughts of Ginny, and now she couldn't stop. Her thoughts kept going back to the look she gave her, and the feelings that proceeded. How can one look do so much to a person?
Ron approached the women from behind, it was obvious that he had a few drinks in his system by the way he was walking and smiling. "Hey girls, what are the two of you talking about? Hopefully not me." He laughed to himself at that, and the girls just shared a look.
"Nothing Ron, just talking about work stuff." Lavender replied, tugging at the front of his tuxedo and pulling him closer. He smiled, and went in for a kiss. Hermione turned her gaze away from the two, only to be met face to face with another red head.
"Hermione" Ginny cocked her head to the side slightly, and stared intensely at the brunette sitting down in front of her. She was standing right next to Hermione, but the brunette had no idea how long she had been there. Her hand rested on a glass of fire whiskey, and her other rested on her hip.
Hermione's cheeks burned at the stare coming from Ginny. She smiled, but found it hard to come up with words. Was it always this hard to form words? "Ginny, I can't believe it's really you." She finally managed to stammer out.
Ginny smiled slightly, but her overall look was serious. "It's been too long. You look…stunning, I must say."
Hermione nodded her head, feeling the burning desire bubbling up from within. She wanted Ginny, she wanted her so bad, and she hardly even uttered a few words to the woman. They hadn't spoken in years, and that same intensity that they shared all that time ago resurfaced.
"Thank you. And you are beautiful, just as you always were." Hermione said.
Ginny chuckled at that, and downed her glass of fire whiskey. She chose not to say anything else, but to stand there, and watch Hermione squirm.
"So I hear you're coming to Hogwarts to teach?" Hermione asked, trying to change the subject, trying to focus on anything but how bad she wanted to be taken by the red head. She could take her right here on this table, all it would take it just a slip of her dress and…
Ginny nodded her head slowly, "That's correct. I'm coming on as the new Defense against the Dark Arts professor. So you'll be seeing a lot more of me Professor Granger."
It just so happened that Hermione was taking a sip of her margarita at that moment, and ended up choking on the drink. Something about the way she spoke to her got her all hot and bothered. "Just like old times then. You and me, alone at Hogwarts."
Ginny genuinely smiled at that, thinking back on fond memories of the two. She was about to say something else, when Ron came between the two and placed his arms around their shoulders.
"Did someone say just like old times? It's so nice to have everyone all together again." Ron slurred at the end of the sentence.
It was at that point that Harry and Luna joined their old friends at the bar, to which everyone congratulated. The pull between Hermione and Ginny was far too strong to ignore, even with all their friends around to distract them; they couldn't stop looking at each other. Ginny was so intense with her stare, something Hermione wasn't used to. Even when they were younger, Hermione never remembered Ginny looking at her in such a way. It deeply excited her, but she wasn't exactly sure why the look alone could do so much.
"Congratulations Harry. Luna, you found yourself a great man. You look so beautiful." Ginny took hold of Luna's hand and squeezed it lightly. She honestly had no hard feelings that Luna and Harry were a couple, she was genuinely happy for the two of them. Her relationship with Harry in the past no longer phased her. She was well over that, and on to other ventures.
"Thank you so much Ginny. Don't be a stranger, please. Harry and I would love to see more of you." Luna said as she took a seat next to Ginny, and they began a conversation of their own.
Harry looked down at Hermione, noticing the flush appearance and raised his eyebrows curiously. He chose not to say anything, figuring it was the alcohol, and instead just placed his hand on her shoulder and patted it lightly. "Thank you for coming Hermione. It means the world to me that you guys are here."
"Of course Harry, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm happy for the both of you, you deserve this." Hermione looked up at Harry and smiled brightly. She meant it.
Harry looked at Ginny, who was now deep in conversation with Luna about some new creature that Luna discovered. Ron was staring at the two women, trying the best he could to follow what Luna was saying, but failed miserably. The look on his face gave it all away.
He stumbled backwards for a moment, and found Lavender once again. She took him by the hand, and led him out to the dance floor. Harry and Luna were about to leave and go off on their honeymoon to America.
Harry stood next to Hermione, and leaned in to her ear whispering, "It's odd seeing her again after all this time, don't you think?"
Hermione took another drink from her margarita, and nodded her head quietly. Ginny Weasley was a mystery woman at this point. She had no idea what her life had been like for the past seven years, what could she really say about the matter though? They just kind of drifted apart after Hogwarts. It was sad, that they were once so close, and now they were practically nothing. How can you go from being best friends with someone to nothing, just like that? What happened? Were they just busy? Did they drift apart? Why would they let something so powerful dissolve just like that? Their bond was so strong and so intense; it's funny how life can take that all away in a blink of an eye. One minute you mean something, and the next you're nothing.
Maybe it was the alcohol taking over her emotions, but she was familiar with this train of thought. She knew if she kept thinking like this she would spiral down into a depression, and the best thing she could do was to stop thinking about it. She had to keep busy, she had to do something. She stood up, not knowing what else to do, and asked Harry, "Would you like to dance?"
"Of course." He said with a smile on his face. He held out her hand and she took it.
Ginny continued the conversation with Luna, but followed Hermione with her eyes. She watched her from the bar as she linked her arms around Harry, and they began to dance. It was a slow song, so that made it worse. She felt jealous, although Harry just married Luna, who didn't seem to mind that her husband was dancing with the most beautiful woman at the wedding…besides the bride of course.
"So Ginny, how have you been? You know, since…" Luna inquired but was quickly cut off by Ginny.
She turned her attention back to Luna, "I'm fine." She lied.
Luna stared at Ginny, knowing better than that. "I won't push anything. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I know it hasn't been easy."
"I said I'm fine. Really, this is your wedding and we're not going to ruin it with my problems. Now please, can we talk about something else?" Ginny asked, looking down at her hands, and covering up the bruises left on her knuckles.
Luna was silent for a second, and nodded her head, "Why not talk about the way you've been eyeing Hermione all night?"
Ginny's shoulders dropped and she couldn't help but laugh, "I can't help that Luna. She's too damn beautiful."
Both of the women turned to stare at Harry and Hermione, who were talking and laughing as they danced. The song was about to end, and Luna was about to leave on her honeymoon.
The blonde stared at Ginny as she watched Hermione dance, and couldn't help but smile. Hermione would be a good match for Ginny, if and when Ginny was ready for a relationship. She hoped that they would figure out what is right in front of their faces.
The song was over, and Luna stood up from her seat. Ginny stood up with her, and they headed toward Harry and Hermione.
"Are you ready, my love?" Harry asked Luna.
"Always" Luna replied quietly.
Their hands linked and Hermione stood next to Ginny as the couple was getting ready to depart. Ginny, who was slightly taller than Hermione, brushed up against her arm and smelled her hair when Hermione wasn't watching. It was like a magnetic pull between the two. Something primal inside both of them knew that they had to have more of each other, but both of them were scared. Scared of the potential of something so strong breaking again.
Hermione's breathing grew heavier, and she tilted her head up to meet Ginny's gaze. Their eyes connected once more, and Hermione moved closer without really knowing what she was doing. She had to have more of Ginny; there was no other way around it. She needed her.
The lights overhead shone beautifully over Hermione's natural curls. The pale moonlight surrounded them, and the stars were shining brightly. It couldn't have been a better moment if it was planned. Harry and Luna were already across the lawn, saying their goodbyes to everyone. No one was paying attention to the two women. Ginny knew what she wanted, and she started to move closer to Hermione. Their lips were about to meet in the middle, but at the last moment, Ginny forced herself to stop. The ache was so strong, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She was trembling.
Hermione, who had her eyes closed in anticipation for the kiss, now opened them to see what was wrong. It looked as if Ginny were on the verge of tears, and she grabbed hold of her own hands, covering her bruises once more. She began to shake her head, and back away, leaving Hermione standing there, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Ginny?" Hermione questioned quietly, only concerned for her friends well being. This wasn't like her at all, but then again, how much did she really know about Ginny now?
"I can't…I can't. I'm sorry…" Ginny turned from Hermione at that moment, just as the tears began to flow down her face. She angrily wiped them away, and took a deep breath.
Don't do this now Weasley. You're better than this. Be stronger than this. Ginny thought to herself. She straightened her face the best she could, but would not turn around for Hermione to see.
"I'll see you at Hogwarts Hermione. I can't stay here, I'm sorry. I have to go." Ginny, who was so fierce just a moment ago, couldn't bear to look at Hermione now. It wasn't her fault though. She walked away from Hermione without a second glance.
Hermione stood there, truly confused as to what was going on with her. Ginny was being very unusual, something had to be wrong, but what was it? Ginny wasn't the same person she knew all those years ago, something was different. She watched as the red head walked further out into the lawn and apparated. What else could she do but watch Ginny leave?
What happened to Ginny?