This chapter didn't quite come out the way I had envisioned it, but I hope you enjoy anyway - these characters just go wherever they like, freely ignoring me! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my reviewers/favouriters/followers - you guys are amazing *^-^* you've all had such lovely comments, and I'm so, so glad you're enjoying this! The next chapter is going to include the wedding - I've been freely raiding my Pinterest board for ideas!

(You may have noticed that I took down this chapter and uploaded it again - I re-read it and noticed a bit of a mistake [saying Angelina was marrying Fred! Whoops!] so I've re-uploaded - sorry about that guys!)

Hopefully I'll be able to update again within the next couple of days, but for now, enjoy, my dear Reader,

L_M_D

The rest of the dinner passed without incident. Hermione's ears had burnt for a little while after Fred's comments, but she lifted her chin up and continued. Conversation flowed from Hermione's new job in the Ministry, in the Department of Magical Education, to Quidditch, to the Statute, to a million other topics. Ron's future wife was particularly keen to integrate herself with the group, to which she was a complete outsider, and Hermione found herself warming to the girl. She talked with her about Hogwarts over pudding, and found the girl to possess all the likeable traits of her house: she was warm, friendly, and apparently a very hard worker – she was currently training to be a Healer at St. Mungos. Ron seemed taken with her too, which Hermione was pleased to see in bittersweet way.

After pudding, the entire group seemed to collectively lean back, butterbeer in hand, and sigh contentedly. The conversation eventually lulled down to the natural conclusion, and Tris, Angelina and the twins took their leave together. Hermione smiled, hugged Angelina, shook hands with Tris, and was squeezed into a hug by both twins simultaneously. Slightly breathless after they let go, she smiled and waved before they apparated away.

Gradually, the rest of the Weasley clan said their goodnights, and Hermione and Ginny were among those who headed for bed. Once they were both settled for the night, the chat inevitably turned to the dinner.

'Tris seems nice. Feel sorry for her, putting up with my git of a brother.'

'Oh, Ginny, that's not very nice! Ron and her will get along just fine, I think. They seemed to really hit it off over dinner.'

Ginny yawned. 'Good. And Angelina and George are just perfect, of course. I don't suppose you spoke much to Charlie's fiancé, Katarina?'

'No, I barely saw her, actually.'

'She's nice. Pretty, and a red-head too, so she'll look right in the family pictures!' Ginny chuckled. 'Everyone seems quite well-suited, considering the circumstances.'

Hermione's heart skipped. 'Except me and Fred,' she reminded Ginny, recalling her conversation with her future husband at the dinner table.

'Oh yeah!' Ginny propped herself up on one elbow to look properly at Hermione. 'How did that go at dinner? I noticed Mum strategically placed you so you'd have to speak to him!'

'It was fine.'

'…'Mione…'

'Apart from the fact he basically told me I'm not someone he could ever fall in love with.'

'HE WHAT?' Ginny's screech was deafening.

'Well, I know it's true!' Hermione's feelings were released with a sob. Ginny clambered down and sat on her divan, wrapping her arms around her best friend. 'I just feel stupid. I don't even know why I'm upset. I don't love him. I don't even fancy him, and I certainly don't want to marry him. So why do I care what he thinks?'

'Um, because you're a human being? You're going to spend the rest of your life with this man, of course you want to think that you might have a chance at happiness. Look, I'll go over to his and talk to him in the morning…'

'No, no, please don't! He'll think I have some silly little crush on him or something. It's fine. We'll make it work. We have to.'

'I know you will, Hermione. You'll figure something out – you're easily the smartest person we know. And Fred's an idiot if he can't see he got lucky. Brains and beauty? And a Gryffindor to boot? He could have ended up with Millicent Bulstrode or something awful!'

Hermione laughed in spite of herself. 'Thank you. Though I don't see how the bookworm ex-girlfriend of his younger brother is that much of a catch! Anyway, get back into bed! We've got a lot to do in the morning – only a week to go and we still don't have bridesmaid's dresses yet!'

'I know, I know, I'm disorganised and a useless bride. You've been an angel the last few weeks, I promise to help you out when it comes to your wedding. You might be marrying my git of a brother, but you'll still have the best damn wedding ever, if I have anything to do with it.'

Hermione fell asleep content.

The next few days were a blur of wedding preparations. There was so much to organize when it came to a wedding, Hermione realised after the eighth consecutive bridesmaid dress had been rejected by Ginny for not being the right shade of purple. She ought to owl Fred, try and organize something. There was no escaping the fact they needed to get married, and even if they left it right until the last day they had to organize a wedding – Molly would not be happy if she just had a simple registry office service – and neither would her own mother, for that matter.

After Ginny's wedding, she reasoned. It's not that far away.

And indeed the week slipped by her much faster than any of them would have liked, and suddenly Friday evening was here, which meant only one thing: the hen do.

The excitement was already buzzing in the morning as Hermione slipped downstairs to make herself and the currently sleeping bride-to-be some coffee. She was surprised to see Fred, George, Ron, Charlie, Bill, and a very nervous looking Harry were already up and dressed, all looking dapper in shirts and ties. Even Fred looks quite handsome, a traitorous part of her brain told her as she looked sternly at them.

'I do hope you're not planning anything too awful, boys. I've got a very lovely young redhead that would like her groom returned in one piece if you don't mind!' She shook her head at the evil grins on the faces of Fred and George. 'I'm looking at you two in particular!' she emphasized, pointing at them.

'Yeah, better listen to the Missis!' Charlie joked, nudging Fred, who had turned redder than his hair. Hermione also turned scarlet, immediately turning around to grab the coffee mugs so she didn't have to look at the boys. It's even weirder knowing we're the odd ones out! rang in her ears. A loud crack indicated the exit of the lads, all of whom were laughing. Hermione let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in and turned to take the mugs of coffee back up to Ginny.

She let out a small scream when she realised Fred was still stood behind her.

'Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to make you jump!' Fred apologised… and then immediately burst out laughing.

'What?!' Hermione demanded. 'What on earth is funny?!'

'Sorry… hahaha… it's just..haha… your face was a picture! Sorry, I didn't mean it!'

Hermione relaxed a little. 'You nearly gave me a heart attack!' She smiled. 'Why haven't you gone with the others?'

'I told them I'd catch up. Just wanted to apologise for Charlie back there…'

'It's okay… I guess we are engaged, after all. People are allowed to talk about it.'

'I guess…. Hey, Granger?'

'Yes, Fred?'

'Just, I hope you don't feel too… disappointed. That's all. We'll be okay. I promise not to be too much of an idiot… and much less of an idiot than Ron was.'

Another crack interrupted the moment. George threw an arm around Fred.

'Well, Freddikins, sorry to interrupt your moment with the old ball and chain, but Harry's tied to a chair and there's a rather interesting brand of Firewiskey on its way over to our table, so if you'll excuse us…' He apparated back to wherever he came from, pulling Fred along with him.

Hermione smiled slightly and finally took Ginny her coffee. They had a day at the spa to get to.