A/N: Ahh the LAST chapter! I didn't have to revise it much since I was quite happy with it. Did I make you wait long? Not this time, right? *laughs* Be prepared for a sentimental moment between...*drumroll* Ron, and...Hermione! I thought it's important to mention since throughout my story, Ron was just this cold-hearted cheater who has treated Hermione badly.

In case you forgot what the previous chapter was about, Harry and Ginny have made a decision whether they want the wedding to go on or not. Who got the girl? Read and find out.

Disclaimer: JK. Rowling owns them all.


Chapter 11 – The Right Choice

Finally, the long awaited wedding came.

He was handsome. Apparently he scrubbed up nicely when he wasn't in his Quidditch uniform. Right now, he was in a black tux and a silver vest; the perfect gentleman. His usually untamed black hair was fixed with previously unheard of quantities of potion Hermione had made for him a week ago. Even though it was an extra-strength brew, some of the stubborn strands were still sticking in all directions at the back of his head.

The magical organ played the first song, like trumpets under water, smooth and filling the entire church, it was unlike the sound of a Muggle organ. Then the bridesmaids enter in their light-purple gowns. The song then became most dramatic when the bride entered and walked up the aisle. She was beautiful; the groom's emerald eyes lightened when he saw her.

The way her curly auburn hair flowed over her shoulders beneath the sheer veil and framed her creamy blushing face with the chocolate brown eyes resembled a real princess from the Renaissance, Hermione thought, and locked eyes with the bride.

She was wearing a white gown with a laced bodice that flared out from the waistline into a full skirt that still managed to emphasise her luscious curves. Her glossy lips, the very lips Hermione had once tasted before, were forming words meant just for her, but she simply couldn't make them out. She is happy, and she will be happy with Harry, she told herself over and over again.

Her tall, broad shouldered father in his silver-grey tux, escorted his only daughter to the altar, a handkerchief in his massive hand that dabbed at the beads of sweat on his forehead, and on the tears in the corner of his eyes. He was crying. It was obvious that he was struggling with his feelings between giving away his daughter and being proud of her to marry a wealthy and famous wizard.

Harry had decided to postpone the wedding another five months, giving everyone time to adapt to the situation and move on from the drama that had happened between him and Ginny. It had been a complete disaster at the beginning, and it had happened so very fast that Hermione hadn't even realised what was happening, until she found herself buying new dress-robes since she couldn't possibly wear the maid-of-honour dress Ginny had chosen for her.

The wedding took place in a church, which Harry had chosen, because of the many people that were invited. Harry had helped with the preparations and even took the time to organise, deciding that everything should be different this time round. He wanted to make a completely fresh start. Harry had shared his future plans with his new wife, and his friends on his stag night, and everyone had agreed that it would be better this time.

Snapping out of her reverie, Hermione scanned the congregation behind her. Luna waved at her, sitting next to Neville and her father. Then she met Ron's eyes among the other guests. He nodded at her and lifted a corner of his lips to give her a courteous smile, then looked away quickly. At least he came to his best friend's wedding, which was a hard decision to make after his fury towards Harry for cheating on Ginny. But it only took a short explanation and a fair few bottles of Firewhisky for the two to kiss and make-up again—figuratively speaking of course.

Lavender, who was sitting beside her boyfriend, had her arm through Ron's, her free hand placed on her bulging belly. She made a rude gesture towards Hermione and kept checking that Ron wasn't staring at the other girls, or the bridesmaids, or, for that matter, anyone else but her.

Hermione knew, through personal experience, that he wouldn't stop his appreciative glances towards other girls and with Lavender's possessive nature, Hermione didn't think they would last long, especially not if their relationship was only based on sex, and not on love or even friendship. But maybe Ron had changed—after all, he was going to be a father.

He didn't look quite happy, though, like he hadn't slept for days, and he even admitted, stubborn as he was, that having two jobs, a pregnant and fussing girlfriend at home, and working part time in the joke shop cost him lots of energy. But still, he couldn't blame Hermione for not showing any sympathy for him…

Hermione felt a soft hand touching hers, and interlacing with it. Returning the squeeze, Hermione looked beside her, into the charming face of her lover.

"What are you thinking about, Hermione?"

Since Hermione was always doomed to failure when she lied, she decided to tell half the truth, "I just saw him and his girlfriend." Truth. "I think they're a lovely couple." Lie, Hermione mused.

"He's not worth your attention."

"He's still a friend of mine," Hermione defended, despite the grudge she still held in her heart against Ron. She brushed a lock of hair out of her lover's face and sighed, "I know I should just move on from the past. But I'll never completely obliviate the memories that hurt the most from my mind. They make me who I am."

"I know, I was just saying…"

Hermione brushed her hand over familiar silky skin; she didn't want to argue, especially not about Ron. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Have I told you already how happy I am to have you here by my side, Ginny Weasley?"

Ginny smiled impishly. "Like a hundred times already."

They both looked at the bride now when Harry reached his hand to take Francine's, as they both turned to the vicar. After a few moments, he began…

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Harry and Francine in matrimony, which is commended to be honourable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly…"

The voice became distant in Hermione's ears, when she heard Ginny mumbling, "She doesn't look so bad. I only hope she'll take good care of him. That she treats him better than I ever have."

"It wasn't just your fault, Ginny," Hermione reassured.

If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

When every guest remained still, even Ginny, while Hermione held her breath in that fifteen seconds of silence, and after the reverend continued his speech, she told Ginny, "That could be you over there," Hermione nodded towards the bride next to Harry, "wearing that wedding gown and the veil, and answering 'I do' to Harry Potter while he slides a gold ring up your finger." Was she really giving Ginny a reason to regret her choice? Hermione didn't know why she even said it, and could slap herself after her own stupid realisation.

Do you, Harry, take this woman to be your wedded wife?

I do.

"Yet I didn't want all that and have chosen you," Ginny said sincerely, biting her lower lip, no longer paying attention between the vows that were being made between her ex-fiancé and the woman who had taken her place at his right-hand side . "And I've told you a thousand times that I don't regret my decision, right?"

And do you, Francine, take this man to be your wedded husband?

I do.

"Yes, you did," Hermione replied, tears welling in her eyes. She smiled warmly. "Like a hundred times already."

*.*.*.*

A MONTH LATER…

"Merlin, this stupid thing is heavy and I can't even find my wand," Ginny whined, dropping a box of her belongings on the ground, next to the rest of the stuff in Hermione's hallway. "Have you seen it, Hermione?"

Hermione was turned with her back to Ginny, arranging some of the picture frames on the mantle on the sideboard, her mind seemingly far away.

"Hermione?" Ginny called, as she kicked a few of the boxes smoothly aside and finally found her wand stuck in the box she had carried. "Never mind, found it!" she said in triumph, and then rolled her eyes at her own stupidity. "Hermione," she tried again, but still no answer.

Ginny could see Hermione examining one of the snapshots intently, and she realised, it was the one of them both and Harry that had been taken in December about….almost two years ago now, when Ron had brought Lavender to the Burrow for the first time, right after Ron and Hermione's break-up.

"Are you okay, Hermione?" Ginny stepped closer, trying to catch her lover's eyes. "We should put this picture away. It only haunts you with hurtful memories of the past," she said, sensing what was going on in Hermione's mind.

"No, don't please," Hermione said, snapping out of her trance. "Without this picture I would have never figured…" Hermione looked at Ginny, as a smile formed on her lips.

What you really meant to me, Ginny finished in her mind, while Hermione said it aloud, and took the frame and placed it back on the mantle. Ginny smiled at this and took Hermione's hand.

"But are you sure you want to see me with Harry in it?"

"I'm fine with it," Hermione replied, "are you fine with it?" she asked, her brown eyes piercing Ginny's.

"I don't actually care," Ginny said with a shrug, throwing the frame a furtive look. "I'm still friends with him. And remember, we didn't break up in anger or in war. Harry and I have resolved our problems. This is what we both wanted. And he's very happy, so am I."

Hermione cupped Ginny's face and prodded her forehead playfully. Smiling, she said, "When did you become so mature? Is that really you, Ginny?"

Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and kissed her fingertip. "Silly," she giggled, and pulled Hermione closer. "Let's celebrate this day tonight. I bought a red wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon…" she purred against Hermione's lips, "…we'll have a romantic candle-light dinner…" another kiss, "…then take a hot foam bath together…" a firmer kiss, rewarding her with a soft moan from Hermione, "…while I massage your back and after that… I…" Ginny trailed off, whispering the rest into Hermione's ear.

Hermione's eyes widened in delight, as she grabbed Ginny by the waist and deepened the kiss, pulling Ginny closer. They stumbled backwards on the couch, with Hermione trying to strip off Ginny's fitted shirt. Soon Hermione was on top of Ginny, her hands roaming her lover's body, before they crawled down and unbuttoned Ginny's trousers.

A knock on the door caused them to pull apart instantly, 'as usual', Ginny thought and hoped it wasn't Harry again.

A familiar voice called from the hallway, "Knock, knock, is anyone at home? Hey, sis, I know you're both inside, I heard you breathing. I know a new joke, by the way," Ron said all in one breath, "how do you know there are lesbians living in a house?" He paused for barely a second before saying, "If you examine their refrigerator…there are chicks in it," he cracked up in laughter, knocking again firmly. "Did you get it? C'mon, open up!"

"Idiot," Ginny groaned, rolling her eyes. She hated his lame jokes; it was his way to deal with Ginny and Hermione's relationship. She only hoped that he'd leave if they didn't open the door.

To their shock and surprise, the door did open, and Ginny searched frantically for the shirt Hermione had discarded, when a chuckling Ron walked in at the exact moment Ginny had pulled the hem of her shirt down. "Hey, you weren't answering," Ron said, throwing them both a suspicious look.

"So the best solution is entering without invitation?" Hermione snapped, the first to gain her voice. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"And stop your bloody jokes, they aren't funny at all!" Ginny turned on her brother but was unable to look him straight in the eyes; her face blushing even more than Hermione's.

"You were busy with arranging your stuff, right? And I thought I'd drop by to help," Ron offered, shrugging. Then he shifted his eyes from Hermione, who wiped her lips discreetly with the tip of her fingers, to Ginny, who threw a fiery look at her brother. "Were you doing something else then? What were you doing with my bloody sister, if I may ask?" he demanded to know from Hermione.

Hermione's mouth was agape as if she hadn't expected he'd actually ask so straightforwardly; she threw Ginny a helpless look, who only sniggered and blushed furiously.

"No, actually," Hermione started, "you may not ask, Ronald."

"What we were doing is none of your business, anyway" Ginny answered instead. She got up from the couch and stood in front of Hermione, taking charge.

"I know I said I've accepted your—your girl-thing here," Ron said, waving his arm wildly, "and I don't usually mind two girl's making out, if that's what you think my problem is," he added, shrugging, then scratched his nose, "but my bloody baby sister and my ex girlfriend making out? It's just not right!"

"For your information, dear brother—" Ginny said coolly, with a threatening finger pointed at him, "—your ex girlfriend and I have done by far more than just making out, and being the pig that you are, you most likely know what I'm talking about."

As Ron's face turned white in mortification, Ginny heard a gasp from Hermione behind her.

"Ginny, you can't—" Hermione muttered, indignant.

"What?" Ginny snapped, "I've had enough of his childishness. We're living now together, for Merlin's sake, Hermione, and I'm not a 'baby' sister any longer. He should at least realise that we're having s—" Before Ginny could finish her sentence, Hermione had clasped her hands over Ginny's mouth, laughing nervously.

Ron pressed his hands on his ears, like a child, as though it would stop the images of his little sister being anything less than virtuous and with another woman for that matter, entering his mind. "Gross! Get rid of that picture! Take it away!" he whimpered.

Ginny rolled her eyes. She scolded herself for forgetting to lock the door after carrying in the boxes, after all the excitement of finally moving in with Hermione, into their new home.

Both of them had waited for this day in eagerness; they had planned it through and had talked about it in length. They had waited until Ginny's parents – or rather, her mum – had accepted the news about them being together and had gotten used to it. And, they didn't want to give her a heart-attack, what with all the life-changing events happening all at once, not after Ginny had told her on her own wedding day six months ago, that the entire thing, including her relationship with Harry, was cancelled.

It had taken a while for everybody to accept the news: Harry marrying Francine; Ginny loving another woman, and that woman being Hermione. Ron was the worst affected, he saw Hermione, not as his ex, but as a best friend, and didn't agree with it at the beginning. Even he couldn't tell whether he was protecting his little sister, or his best friend.

Hermione's parents, on the other hand, had accepted their daughter's new relationship rather easily, even though they had never expected it. They were glad that their daughter finally found peace in her heart, after all the heartbreak Hermione had been through because of Ron.

Hermione dropped onto the couch now, as Ginny awoke from her memories. "Well I'm all moved in now, so is there anything else?" she said after a moment, studying her brother.

"Mum said she wants to invite you two to the Burrow this evening," Ron answered. "There's going to be...Harry and Francine, me and Lavender will be there too, and Colbert," He carried on, counting each couple on his fingers. Colbert was Ron and Lavender's new baby boy. They hadn't gotten married: the official story was that Ron didn't have the money for a proper wedding yet, whether that, but Ginny knew it was because Lavender wasn't the right woman for him.

Ginny walked to a pale Hermione who had clutched her arms around her stomach. In contrast to Ginny's quick recovery from Harry and Francine's marriage, Hermione hadn't quite fully moved on from the pain Ron had caused her, despite the pretences she put on. She didn't love Ron anymore, but the sight of Lavender and Colbert was lasting proof of his unfaithfulness.

Ginny stooped down, to be eye-level with Hermione on the couch. "Do you want to go to the dinner? We don't have to. Mum will understand."

"Why?" Ron asked, confused, as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "What will Mum understand? She'd love to see you. You have to come."

"Shut up, Ron," Ginny snapped without looking at her brother. "Hermione?"

"Of course, we'll come," Hermione said after a moment of hesitation.

"That's great, I'll tell Mum," Ron said happily. "You okay, Hermione?"

"Give her a break, Ron. She's fine," Ginny groaned, and sighed.

"I don't think she's fine," Ron responded, shoving Ginny aside. "Could you leave me alone with her, sis? Just a moment, will you?"

Ginny hesitated, when she looked at Hermione, who gave her a reassuring nod, Ginny went to the bedroom, with her wand in hand, levitating two cardboard boxes in front of her. She was hoping her brother wouldn't start reopening old wounds.

*.*.*.*

Ron took a seat on the sofa opposite to Hermione and dragged it closer to her, closing the gap. "Just because we're not together anymore," Ron said looking into her eyes, "doesn't mean I don't care about you. 'M sorry for hurting you long time ago, y'know."

"Oh give me a break, Ronald, you're overestimating your importance to me," Hermione snorted obnoxiously, but she was shaking and hoped he wouldn't notice.

Ron sighed. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"I have forgiven you," Hermione said with tears in her eyes. Just great. She was showing her weakness again. "But I will never forget."

"I'm an asshole."

"You are," Hermione agreed.

"A cheating asshole."

She nodded.

"An actuated by libido, immature, cheating asshole."

Hermione blinked at him, but chose to smile weakly instead of correcting a phrase he had obviously found in a textbook. "Yes, you are." She laughed heartedly, swatting his arm.

"But I care about you," Ron added simply, "I know, after all that happened you probably won't believe me, but I really do. I care. And seeing you hurt, reminds me everyday what a friggin' asshole I am."

"At least you have a conscience. And seemed to have extended your emotional range beyond a teaspoon," she said softly.

"I'm happy for you and Ginny," Ron said sincerely, dropping his gaze to the floor. "No matter what I said when I found it out, I'm happy that you are happy. If my sister ever hurt you, don't hesitate to tell me, and I'll thrash the hell out off of her, you understand?" he said in a serious voice, then smiled back at her too. She wondered when he had become so mature.

"Do you still see that blond guy—what's his name again?" Ron asked. "Your boyfriend…"

"Matthew? He wasn't my boyfriend," Hermione denied.

Matthew had gone alone to Canada and investigated the case he and Hermione had worked on. Hermione had followed him three days later, when he had sent her an owl that he wasn't making any progress. But for the week she was there, they didn't once talk about what had happened in Hermione's flat six months ago, about her secret affair with Ginny, and with that his whirlwind relationship with Hermione was automatically ended.

"Reckon he was after you," Ron remarked, pursing his lips.

So what, Hermione thought, there was another guy who liked me. Why keep it secret from Ron? "I've been together with him," Hermione said in a whisper.

"You were? But I thought…" Ron trailed off, his eyes flashing wide. "You and my damn sister…" There was something in his eyes that was disturbing Hermione. She blinked, but it was still there. "If you ever get to like men again…" he mumbled, but his expression was soft. "Would you…"

Ron didn't finish his question, when Ginny walked into the living room just in time, fists forcefully stuck to her sides. "It's time you leave, Ron," she said firmly.

"Okay, okay, fine," he said in surrender, "I'll leave you girls alone with whatever you do when you're alone together. I'll tell Mum you come, alright?"

Hermione nodded, and Ginny groaned an inaudible 'yes'.

When they heard Ron closing the door, Ginny locked it quickly with her wand. She walked to Hermione and kissed her forehead.

"Did he say anything to upset you?"

"No, he didn't," Hermione said. She grabbed Ginny by the waist again and pulled her down to her. "We have to celebrate another time, sweetheart."

"Aw…" Ginny pouted, leaning down to kiss her. "Or we'll pre-celebrate now." She whipped off her shirt again, and looked Hermione naughtily in the eyes. "We still have two hours, after all."

And with that, Hermione stripped off her clothes and with them went all her thoughts of that Lavender-hag and her spawn; of that hopeful shimmer she had discovered in Ron's eyes; of a heartbroken Matthew...

Ginny was everything she wanted. For now anyway.


A/N: Did you notice? I was hinting at a sequel! But who would want a femslash story going 'straight'? *laughs* How did you like this chapter, though? Thanks a lot for all the kind reviews. I owe you one!

By the way, have you checked out my new femslash already? It's a Ginny/Hermione, Hermione/Astoria story, revolving around their school life, every day drama, lots of rumours to deal with, and friendship betrayal, and lots of yuri erm I mean femslash. :) Title: What A Wicked Game You Play.