Chapter 10- Another wedding
The Great Hall was once again filled with rows and rows of chairs, and people wearing their best outfits. The hall was once again beautifully decorated, and the ceiling showed a clear blue sky, with wispy clouds floating across it occasionally. It was Midsummers day, and the weather had turned out well, not too hot, not too cool.
Ron sat near the front, next too Harry, but they didn't talk.
He and Hermione were still not talking, and he missed her, but he wasn't going too give in. He didn't even know why he had been invited too this stupid wedding. He was angry at first, wasn't in any circumstances going too come, he thought he just couldn't have faced it. But in the end he came, firstly, out of a morbid fascination, and secondly, because he knew that this was actually happening now, he was going too have to get over her, and maybe seeing her actually get married too him, would speed up that process.
Although why so many people had turned up for this wedding he did not know, just as many as for Harry's wedding it seemed, but his train of thought ended when a hush fell over the audience, and a beautiful happy music seemed to emanate from the walls.
He saw Snape stand up at the front, with a strangely simultaneously focused and glazed look on his face. He was smiling, and Ron couldn't help but stare at that never before seen sight. The man wasn't even wearing all black, his white tunic shaped shirt was clearly visible between the gaps in his smart black robe.
And, without even wanting too, as if possessed, Ron turned his head too watch Hermione walk in. And with a pang he saw how bloody beautiful she looked, but also how happy. She just didn't need him. Her long white dress flowed around her, and her hair was all done up with small white rose pins. She looked just like a fallen angel gliding down the aisle, on the arm of her proud Father.
She reached Snape and extended her hand elegantly towards him. He took it and they walked together the few steps too stand in front of a beaming Dumbledore. Ron was surprised, he didn't even feel sick now he saw them together, they suited each other more than he could ever have thought, but he scowled at himself and the proceedings anyway.
The ceremony was simple, short and sweet. Ron wanted too look away, but once again couldn't control himself as Dumbledore said; 'You may kiss the bride.'
And at that moment Snape and Hermione looked at each other, with faces so full of tenderness, so full of love, so full of happiness, that Ron realised what an utter fool he had been. And for the first time he wasn't jealous or angry, or disgusted at the match, no, he was pleased and proud of his friend Hermione. And he knew then that he didn't love her, not as Snape did, only as a dear friend. Then they kissed sweetly, and Ron found himself smiling and clapping along with everyone else.
Golden confetti sparkled down from the ceiling as everyone stood, Hagrid crying loudly, Hermione's Mother holding onto his branch-sized arm. Everyone stayed clapping, as the now two Professor Snapes walked back up the aisle arm in arm.
The wedding party moved outside on this glorious day. The crowd outside cheered.
They all posed in various groups for photos, and in this lull Ron apologised too Hermione, and wished her happiness with Snape, with all his heart. She hugged him trying not too cry, and pulled him next too her and Snape, in front of the large group of friends.
And as Colin Creevey clicked the shutter, Hermione looked up once again at Snape, who smiled down at her.
As they waited for the next shot Hermione leaned up and whispered into his ear. 'Severus, we are going too have too start thinking of baby names.'
'Why?... Oh...'
He looked up slowly as comprehension dawned on his face.
That next shot was a comedy classic.