Disclaimer: Not if I have anything to say about.

AN: Chapter 4…after a long, long wait…my only excuse is: Life is so busy I can't breathe without throwing off my schedule. (But I do it anyway, don't worry…)

4.)

"Are you sure this is okay?"

"They'll love to meet you," Hermione assured her fiancée, though she wasn't so sure.

Was it so wrong that she'd fantasized using him as a shield against being pelted with wedding cake? (You never knew with those twins…) Yes, she decided, everything she was doing was wrong. The poor bloke had no idea what he was getting himself into.

"Well, no chap in their right mind would turn down an invitation to Harry Potter's wedding," he said. "I do say, love, meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Just because I know famous people?" Hermione said, feigning hurt.

"Because you've made my life amazing," he said, taking her by the waist and leaning in to kiss her.

But Crookshanks conveniently walked in just then and started hissing, causing him to jump back. He'd had some bad experiences with the cat.

"Honestly, Crookshanks," Hermione said. "I don't know why you don't like Rick."

"He probably just doesn't like sharing you," Rick said, with a nervous smile. "Can't say I blame him."

Hermione smiled slightly at the compliment, "We should go."

Now, Hermione hadn't gotten Floo-sick in years, but for some reason before she even got into the fireplace she felt an odd squirm in her stomach.

Pushing the feeling to the side she stepped into the swirling flames. A quick whoosh—much quicker than normal, she was sure, it gave no time for psychological preparation—and they were there. The Burrow. She'd missed this place…

"Homey," came the voice of Rick.

Now why did that sound so out of place here?

"Hermione," came a familiar dreamy voice.

Amazing how it sounded exactly the same after all these years.

"Luna," Hermione said.

"You look nice, even a Lymonette would notice, I'd wager," she said.

"Er…thank you," Hermione said. "You too."

"Oh, that's very nice of you to say," Luna said, smiling. She turned to Rick, "Are you lost?"

"Oh, no, Luna, this is my fiancé, Rick," Hermione said.

Luna looked back and forth between the two of them. She didn't say anything for a moment.

"So you're both lost, I see," Luna said, then wandered off.

It was silent for a moment.

"Was that…a friend of yours?" Rick asked.

"Sort-of, she went to Hogwarts with us," Hermione said, wondering why it felt so strange to explain Luna to Rick.

Well, it was difficult explain Luna to anyone, but…

"Hermione!"

It was a voice she hadn't heard in years.

"Mrs. Weasley!" she said smiling.

"It's been so long," the older woman said, wrapping her in a quick hug.

Very quick. Hermione felt her heart fall a bit. Mrs. Weasley's hugs were known to be long and bone crushing.

"The wedding party is upstairs, getting ready," Mrs. Weasley said. "Ginny demands you be sent straight up to her room to talk. I'll take care of your gentleman friend."

She smiled warmly but Hermione saw something a bit strange in her expression.

"The wedding will be out back," she said, directing the comment at Rick who she began to usher out.

Hermione stood there for a moment after they'd gone then swallowed the lump in her throat and ascended the stairs. What ever was she going to do without her shield?

AN: Review if you want a speedy update! Because otherwise you probably won't be getting one…sorry, but I'm busy and things tend to slip my mind. I'm the reason mother's nag.