AN: You already know the characters aren't mine. That's why it's a fanfiction site.
Hermione glanced furtively around, before slipping through the door into the dimly lit room. Locking the door firmly behind her, she heard him speak.
"I won't be your dirty little secret any more, Hermione. It's him or me."
"No, please, don't do this. Don't make me choose between the two of you. He loves me…"
Her voice trailed off, knowing that she couldn't make him change his mind. He'd given her this ultimatum because she was getting married tomorrow, married to Ron Weasley. He wouldn't sleep with another man's wife. She couldn't expect him to. It wasn't fair to any of them.
"I know he loves you, Mya dear. But he can't give you what you need. What you want. I can, and I have."
The soft, low voice intruded into her thoughts, and she opened her eyes to look at him. Instead, however, she looked around at the room, which he'd decorated especially for tonight. Candles, roses, he'd even prepared a meal for her. What should she do? She couldn't just forget about him.
"I received the wedding invitation, by the way. Was it a good idea, do you think, to invite your illicit lover to your wedding?"
"I couldn't… leave you off the guest list, could I? Besides, I wanted you there, even if we do have to say goodbye because of it."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow in church."
He swept out of the room, leaving Hermione standing there, shocked. She walked over to the bed and sat down, trying not to burst into tears. Realising the effort was futile, she conjured a box of tissues and just let her emotions take over.
…………….
The next morning was bright and sunny, and Hermione scowled when she saw the sunlight streaming through her window. A blizzard would have been more appropriate to the way she felt. The cheerful greetings of her bridesmaids and soon to be mother-in-law only served to darken her mood further.
"Will he turn up?" she wondered, pulling on the dress she'd chosen so carefully. "And will he say anything when they ask if there are any reasons we shouldn't get married?"
…………….
Walking down the aisle on her father's arm, she glanced around, desperate to see if he was there. As she reached Ron, she heard the church door creak open, and sneaked a quick look behind her. Sure enough, he'd arrived.
"Dearly beloved…"
Hermione allowed her mind to wander. She'd heard it all before, several times. She began to wonder how she could get out of marrying Ron – it wasn't that she didn't love him, she did. But she loved him like a brother, not a husband.
"Hermione. Hermione." Ron whispered. "You're supposed to say 'I do'."
Hermione realised that it was now or never.
"I'm so sorry, Ron. I… I can't."
And she fled back down the aisle and out to the waiting car.
The blonde man at the back of the church smirked, and then followed the love of his life outside. He knew she'd be waiting for him.
AN: So, what did you think? Did you guess who "he" was? Leave a review, please.