I'm sooooo sorry! No updates in ages, I know! I couldn't think of anything! But now I have, obviously. Oh, and ps - if you want to find out who Sharada is, read the first Fanfic', 6 Simple Rules! ;) Ok, back to Fremione land….
Chapter 6 - Only You
Fred sat bravely in the front row of the aisle. Despite the warm spring air he was shivering, and he was clueless about what he was about to do. He knew he was crazy, crazy for believing the woman he had never met, crazy for not trusting Hermione. But he had to know the truth. He was hurt, confused, and didn't know who he should trust anymore. He didn't know that outside, the love of his life was stumbling towards the steps in her delicate silver heels, wishing for a way for this all to be a bad dream. He breathed in deeply, and turned to the front of the aisle.
"Why? "Whispered Hermione. Her mother shuddered; she couldn't quite meet her gaze.
"I- I don't know," she admitted. Jane lightly brushed Hermione's hair with her fingers, and wished that it was that simple to smooth the tangles from her hair, her life. She wiped Hermione's eyes gently with her sleeve, removing the pale, blurred, shimmering make-up; revealing a young, beautiful, new Hermione that she had never seen before. She had to grow up, realise that her daughter was not her. In some ways, that was better for her. Holding her mother's hand, Hermione stepped up into the church hall, and, letting go, she walked up the aisle.
Everybody gasped when Hermione opened the door. She was beautiful, an angel; her long hair shone honey blonde under the frothy net veil, and the long, white dress seemed to glow. Her bridesmaids, clad in lavender and white, held the long, twinkling train of the ground and slowly and elegantly, they made their way to the vicar and Fred. Fred looked uncomfortable, as if he didn't quite know what to say. The vicar, rescuing the situation, cleared his throat, and began. "We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Hermione Jean Granger and Fred Arthur Weasley…." the vicar drawled on until finally… "Do you, Hermione Jean Granger, take Fred Arthur Weasley, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Hermione beamed. "I do."
"And do you, Fred Arthur Weasley, take Hermione Jean Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Fred said nothing. Several seconds passed. "He's getting cold feet," murmured Tonks.
"Fred!" whispered Hermione sharply, bringing him back to reality.
He sighed and turned to look Hermione in the eyes. "Hermione," he said softly; his voice was barely above a whisper, but somehow everyone managed to hear him. Guilt churned in Jane's stomach. She regretted every word, from her childhood to today, every spiteful thing that had ever left her mouth. She closed her eyes, and prayed.
"Hermione, I understand that, well, that night George, Sharada and I all left, I truly didn't want to go. I loved you with all my heart, and, well, I still do." A chorus of sighs rose from the congregation.
"But," Fred continued, "I need to know… was there anyone else?"
"What do you…? No! Fred, if there was someone else I wouldn't be standing here now. Fred, you're the only man I can even imagine spending the rest of my life with." Fred slowly smiled, then turned to the vicar. "It's a yes." He looked deep into Hermione's eyes and laughed. "I do!" Then came the applause, at first scattered, then in a huge roar. "I now pronounce you man and wife," the vicar proclaimed. "You may kiss the bride!"