A web of deceit.
Chapter 2
Hermione didn't have a great sleep but what she did get, was solid. She awoke with the sun streaming in through her window and the smell of bacon and eggs filled her nostrils. For a brief second she thought how nice it was to have someone living here with her but she quickly dismissed that thought.
Hermione stretched and sat up out of bed, the dress she was to wear today was hanging on the wardrobe glittering in the sunlight reminding her of the days events. It was very pretty and something she never normally wore, but there's a first time for everything. Hermione had a quick shower to wake up and went out to sit with her sister.
The morning moved on quicker than Hermione would have hoped and the 5pm wedding was fast approaching. The girls had their showers and Emerald sat Hermione down to so she could do her hair. Emerald was quiet and Hermione knew she had a question on her mind.
"OK spill Emmy?" Emerald looked at her in the mirror and swallowed a couple of times.
"OK Mione, what are you going to do?" Hermione looked at her sister and even though she knew exactly what she was asking about, she decided to ask anyway.
"What do you mean Emm?"
"Oh you know what I mean, what are you going to do if Harry is there?" Hermione sighed and stood up, she leant in closer to the mirror and adjusted a couple of strands hanging down on her neck and then turned around to her sister and she took her shoulders in her hands.
"Firstly, you can pretty much be guaranteed he will be there and considering its Ron's wedding, he will more than likely be the best man. So I will be polite, I will say hello and I will be very interested to meet his wife." Emerald gasped.
"Wife, what wife?"
"Well Emerald I highly doubt that 'The Harry Potter' would still be single after all these years. I am pretty sure he found someone else to be his wife. His one wish was to have a family of his own and I took that from him."
Emerald looked at her sister and couldn't believe the utter sadness in her face and voice. If she had one wish it would be to see her sister happy. Emerald leant forward and hugged her sister tightly and then they got dressed and then after one quick look at each other, they apparated straight to the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Hermione and Emerald landed gracefully at the receiving area. It was full of people but they were moving through a flowered gate which turned out to be a specially made portal that took the guests straight to the stairway out the front of Hogwarts. Hermione looked around as she landed and the memories came flooding back. She looked over the great lake and remembered when her, Ron and Harry went skinny dipping in second year. Hermione glanced over and saw the Quidditch pitch and smiled as she remembered the numerous games that she cheered for Harry and Ron. She looked further around and saw the tree covered outdoor area where she spent many many days studying with the boys. Actually she studied while they goofed around. They walked inside the hall and Hermione took in a deep breath. That wonderful, familiar, old scent that filled her nostrils comforted her immediately. They followed the crowd into the great hall and took their seats. Emerald saw some friends from her Runes class and she jumped up to greet them.
Hermione allowed her eyes to scan to the front of the hall and not surprisingly, she saw him straight away. He had his back to her but she knew that physique and messy mop of black hair anywhere. He stood next to Ron, obviously his best man, and listened as Ron chatted. From where she was sitting she could see two more men but she didn't recognise them. Hermione looked around and she could see some Professors that she knew and also the Weasley's taking pride of place in the front row. She couldn't miss that red hair if she tried.
Professor Dumbledore appeared and just his presence made the Hall quiet. Hermione felt Emerald slide into the seat next to her and she grabbed her hand squeezing it.
"Are you ok?" she mouthed and Hermione smiled and nodded. The ceremony began and all eyes turned to the back of the Great Hall to see Luna walk down to meet her soon to be husband.
She looked stunning, a typical princess bride. Her dress had thick shoulder straps that were covered in beading which went all the way down to her waist over the bodice. It was tight fitted to the waist and then puffed out with what seemed like hundreds of layers of sparkly tulle. It floated around her body with such grace she looked like an elegant little fairy. Her veil was short, only down to her waist and it was being held in place with a diamond tiara which was perfectly placed. She started her long walk down the Hall with oohs and ahh's following her but the only thing her eyes were set on was the adoring look Ron Weasley was giving her. Hermione looked at him and deep down, very deep down, inside of her soul she wished that somebody would look at her like that. She knew who she wanted but she wouldn't even admit that to herself.
The ceremony continued on and it wasn't until almost toward the end that Harry turned to the side and she caught a glimpse of his profile. Her heart skipped a bit and she was annoyed that her body still reacted to him involuntarily. She couldn't take her eyes off him and she found she smiled when he did. The ceremony ended and the bridal party turned around to face the crowd and as he turned she watched every single movement he made. The amazing thing was he locked eyes with her immediately and she froze, completely locked in his trance. Even if her life depended on it she couldn't look away. Eventually he broke his stare and started greeting the guests who were walking past. Hermione shook her head to clear the fuzz and as she did she noticed someone was staring at her from the front. As soon as she focused she realised it was Mrs Weasley and the look was far from welcoming and warm.
That was odd, why would Mrs Weasley be staring at her like that.
