Chapter 1-

Hermione stood speechless as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes revealed wonder and astonishment. She hadn't thought it possible that she could look this wonderful. The bossy, bushy haired Hermione Granger, who tolerated no nonsense, had been transformed into an elegant princess. She wore a pure white dress with miles of skirt that swept the ground. The tight bodice was full of intricate pearls that gleamed. A satin sash was sewn at her waist. That, and the flowing skirt, showed off her shapely figure perfectly. Ron Weasley would not be able to keep his eyes off her.

It was her wedding day.

"Ginny, you are simply the most amazing friend a girl could have,' said Hermione quietly.

'Aww, honey, you're welcome. Besides, I expect the same kind of treatment on my wedding day,' winked Ginny.

'Well then, I am going to have to nag Harry to propose as soon as possible. I don't want to owe you for a long time,' said Hermione mischievously. The two girls laughed.

Hermione remembered the day Ron had proposed. They were holidaying in Switzerland. The hotel where they were staying was placed on the foot of a mountain. It looked like a huge cozy cottage. A path behind the hotel led to a lake, which looked beautiful in the moonlight. Ron suggested a walk at night, after a full day of sight-seeing. She, Hermione, remembered getting irritated with him. However, when they had walked down that path and Hermione saw the lake bathed with moonlight, she was unable to say anything. It was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. When she turned to look at Ron, he was down on one knee gazing at her with a look of pure love and adoration. When Ron whispered the words she had longed to hear ever since her fourth year at Hogwarts, her eyes filled with tears. And now, two months later, they were finally getting married.

'Ready, Hermione?' asked Ginny.

Hermione nodded confidently and held out her arm to her father. Dr. Granger smiled at his daughter giving her a silent blessing with his eyes. As she started walking, Harry ran up to her.

'Hermione, Ron's not here!' exclaimed Harry.

'What do you mean? It's his wedding day,' asked Hermione in confusion.

'Yeah, well, he's not here. I meant to tell you earlier, but I thought he would show up eventually,' said Harry with a worried look on his face.

'But then something must have happened to him,' said Hermione anxiously.

Harry looked at her with pity and said, 'Uh, well, when I couldn't find him anywhere I decided to go to his place. Maybe he was still asleep, you know. However, when I reached, I found a note lying on his bed. It was addressed to you. I am really sorry, Hermione,' He held a note which he gave her.

Hermione read the note and tears filled her eyes.

It said,

MydearestHermione,

When you see this, I'll be gone. I know I should've told you earlier that I wasn't ready for marriage but you seemed so happy and excited! I am a coward, I know it, but I can't go through with this. I am just not ready for marriage. I am so sorry. I love you, I really do, I probably always will. Try not to hate me too much.

Love,

Ron

The note shattered Hermione's world.

Two months later

Hermione glanced at the clock above the door and realized with a jolt that it was past one in the morning. She had been working so late for the past two months. She quickly finished the letter she was writing to order a few products for the store and grabbed her cloak. As she left the shop after locking it magically, she decided to apparate outside Diagon Alley. She decided that this was the last night she would leave the shop so late and from tomorrow, she would try to go out and mingle. She had been working in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Fred and George, as an attempt to cheer her up, had suggested it. So far it had not worked. Her life had become hopeless. The future looked so bleak and dark. Ever since Ron had left her, she hadn't been the same. She slept a total of 4 hours at night and the rest of the time she cried.

It was extremely cold and Hermione longed for the warmth and comfort of her bed. She closed her eyes tightly as tears threatened to fall. However, she couldn't control them, and as they ran past her cheeks, they immediately froze. She didn't want to be like this. She didn't want to miss Ron so much. She wanted Hermione Granger back, the one she had been two months before. She reached the end of Diagon Alley and swiped the tears with a shaking hand. She was suddenly furious at herself for being so weak. Ron was probably enjoying in some foreign country and here she was crying as if someone died. Hermione decided it was time to take revenge. With that happy thought, she went to bed. She slept the whole night without any tears for the first time in two months.

When she woke up in the morning, the first thought that came in her mind was to meet Harry. She dressed up quickly and had very little breakfast. Then she turned on the spot and apparated just outside Harry's door. She knocked twice and waited for someone to open the door. Ginny opened the door rubbing her eyes and stared at Hermione blearily.

'Hermione! What are you doing here, now?' exclaimed Ginny.

Hermione realized with a blush that it was only six in the morning.

'I am sorry, Ginny. I just wanted to talk to Harry.' apologized Hermione quickly.

'Why so early?' asked Ginny incredulously.

'I just had an incredible idea and I know Harry can help me.' said Hermione excitedly.

Ginny eyed her suspiciously and nodded. Hermione wasn't surprised at Ginny's less than friendly behavior. She was usually like that if woken up too early. She walked past her and headed straight to where she knew Harry would be sleeping.

'Harry, wake up!' screamed Hermione.

She started hitting him with a pillow and finally Harry woke up.

'Jesus, Hermione, what are you doing here?' asked Harry irritated.

'I need to talk to you, please!' begged Hermione.

'Well, okay,' said Harry. It had been a long time since he had seen Hermione excited, so he decided to give in.

'Alright, why don't you dress up while I wait outside.' smiled Hermione.

'Yes yes, off you go,' said Harry waving her away.

Hermione bounced out of the room and the muggle in her prepared coffee non-magically while Harry and Ginny got dressed. Just as she finished making it, they emerged out of the room.

'So, what is this great plan, Hermione?' asked Harry rolling his eyes.

'Oh Harry, you know I have been a little low the past two months,' began Hermione.

Harry snorted.

'Okay then I have been extremely miserable. The point is that I have decided to get over it,' said Hermione brightly.

'That's your plan?' asked Ginny murderously.

Hermione laughed and said, 'Of course not. Harry, you are in contact with Ron, yes?'

Harry nodded and said,' Yes, but if you want me to talk to him and ask him to come back to you then believe me I have tried that a billion times. He is enjoying travelling the world too much,'

'Right, so, if I start seeing a new man can I trust you to tell him about it? Every single detail about the man. Who he is, what he does, what sort of a person he is, his family background etc. Everything.' asked Hermione.

Harry nodded not sure of where it was going. But apparently Ginny got it because she started staring at Hermione with wide eyes and said,' Hermione, you wouldn't!' Then she started giggling.

Hermione winked at her. Harry looked at them in confusion. He started shaking his head and then suddenly he understood. He looked at Hermione in shock and asked only one question,

'Who is the other man?'

Alright, if you've got any suggestions, please take two seconds, click the review button and review? :- ) it is very encouraging. In addition, PLEASE, PLEASE, review nice stuff or even constructive criticism will do. It really makes my day. I will continue this story depending on the feedback.

-EpitomeOfImperfection