Chapter 10 – Padma and George

Padma took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the mirror. She still absolutely loved her dress. It was simple, yet spectacular. It was an off the shoulder style, had three quarter sleeves and was lace from top to bottom. She chose it because it was pleated, and she had an important addition she wanted to make.

She glanced down at the skirt, her masterpiece. She had asked Hermione to help her make it happen, and Hermione jumped at the chance to learn and try new magic. The two spent a month trying to get the spells right, practicing on any scrap of fabric they could get their hands on. Padma had begun to think it was impossible, but Hermione, in her brilliance, managed to figure it out. As she looked at it now she felt tears rise up in her eyes. She wished – more than anything in the world – that her twin was there by her side.

A knock at the door broke her out of her reverie. She knew that Parvati would be there, even if Padma couldn't see her. After all, her sister loved weddings more than any other thing in the world (well beside her twin, and fashion, and boys, and quidditch players, et cetera, et cetera). Padma turned to the door as her father came in, tears in his eyes.

"Ready, angel?" He asked sadly. He hated this day, this day he would lose his other daughter. But he knew she had to do it, and at least her husband would be able to understand her.

Padma smiled, "Ready as I'll ever be! Do you like the dress?"

Mr. Patil looked the dress over, stopping at the skirt. Tears sprung to his eyes, "It's the most perfect thing I have ever seen." He hugged his daughter tight before taking her arm and leading her out of the room. Padma and George had chosen a venue that was a hotel with a grand ballroom at the bottom of a set of double spiraling staircases. Padma and the bridesmaids would enter down the stairs into the ballroom.

Padma met her bridesmaids at the top of the stairs, consisting of Hermione, Ginny, Astoria, Pansy, Fleur and Lavender. She had to include Lavender for Parvati's sake. Padma smiled at her soon to be family as they each took their place.

"The dress looks gorgeous! I'm so glad we got those charms to work!" Hermione whispered as she took her place ahead of Padma.

"Thank you so much for making it happen. Are you ready for the other step?" Padma whispered back.

"Charms are all set, I will set them off after I reach the bottom of the steps." Hermione answered. Padma nodded and waited for her wedding to begin.

The women didn't have to wait long. Everyone had already arrived and had found their seats by the time Padma's father came to get her. As the music played and each bridesmaid started down the stairs, Padma felt the sadness and happiness of this day mixing and blending into only excitement.

As Hermione stepped off the last step she pulled her wand out and gave it a flick. Every guest in attendance gasped in shock as a figure appeared beside the groom, and another appeared coming down the stairs. There was no mistaking who the figures were.

Padma felt her Dad stiffen in shock. "It's not really her," she whispered. Her Dad looked at her. "George and I both knew there was no other person who could be Best Man and Maid of Honour. Hermione suggested a hologram, which is a bit of muggle technology. She and George spent hours finding a way to make them actually move. The flowers and rings are moving by a levitation spell, as well as countless other charms Hermione either found or created."

Padma turned back to the front, watching her not-real twin walk down the aisle towards her future husband and his not-real twin. She felt the tears well up in her eyes.

Suddenly, the wedding march sounded and Padma knew it was her turn. She took a deep breath and took her first step. Since she was going down the stairs the guests saw her skirt before they saw her. She heard gasps from the Weasley's and couldn't help but smile. As she stepped through the door she sought out the pair of eyes who she knew would be mirroring her emotions. When she saw him she saw that he was shaking, and tears were in his eyes. He looked at her like no one had ever done before, like she was his reason for living. She felt warmth spread through her entire body and all she wanted to do was sprint down the aisle and jump into the arms of the man waiting for her at the end. It was only the pressure of her dad's arm that kept her from doing just that.

She quickly looked down at her skirt one more time before she reached the end of the aisle. The pleats of her skirt were shifting with every step, from fuchsia (for Fred), to purple (for Parvati), to orange (for George) and to white (for Padma the bride). She smiled at the comfort she felt at having those they loved the most represented in her very being of the day.

Finally, they reached the end of the aisle and her dad had to give her away. When she finally stood with her minutes-away-from-being-her-husband he took her hand.

"Thank you," George whispered to her. She knew by the tears in his eyes that he felt there were no words to express what he was feeling. "You truly understand my heart and soul, and I am honoured to share it with you."

"I understand because our hearts beat the same, in pain, in loss, in remembrance. I am honoured to spend my life sharing the whole world with you." Padma whispered back. She knew these were the vows that they would live by, even though no one else heard them. As the wedding ceremony continued the couple never once took their eyes off each other. When they were allowed to seal their marriage with a kiss George picked her up and spun her around, dipping her down and kissing her. Cheers erupted around the room and the couple emerged with huge smiles on their faces.

Although it was not a perfect day, Padma thought it was pretty close. She truly was honoured to be married to a man who not only understood her, but genuinely loved her. There was no doubt of that as she looked into her husband's eyes while they had their first dance. This man loved her, and she was pretty sure she loved him right back.

A/N: AWWWWWWW... so ADORABLE ;) As I said in the last chapter, I really do love this pairing :) I think it is important for George to have someone who really understands him, and Padma does. I am not sure if I will do a story based on them. What do you think? Maybe a little spinoff from this one? let me know if you would want to read something like that :)

For those of you wanting to get back to Charlie and Hermione, don't worry, we will. I will warn you though that their story will not be completely sunshine and rainbows (although I do love Charmione sunshine and rainbows). Life is an adventure, and there are some ups-and-downs in the near future.

Next chapter will be Ginny and Hermione wedding dress shopping ;) Will it be an easy shopping trip? Will there be some trouble rising? We will have to wait and see ;)

I will try my best to post the next chapter by the end of the week.

Until next time,

missmysterygirl out