BET ME!

Rehearsal Wedding

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AN: The reviews I've gotten have really motivated me to write. A lot of people have reviewed and I'm so thankful for that! Thank you guys for the support!

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"I can't believe my mother specifically asked for you to be there." Hermione loudly mused during the drive to the church. "Why would she do that?" She looked over to Harry, who was driving, for help.

He in turn shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. Probably wants me to get acquainted with some family customs?" He asked, smiling slightly. His smile diminished when Hermione frowned immediately and looked away.

"She couldn't be jumping to conclusions that fast." Hermione whispered. Harry raised an eyebrow at her reaction. He was just teasing her. Surely, she didn't think it was serious. But, if it was serious, why would she be frowning? Was he really a bad choice for marriage? He didn't think so. He was just afraid to explore it.

Does she really think him unsuitable for marriage?

Harry gripped the steering wheel and forced himself to concentrate on the road. It was ridiculous to think such things. She wouldn't know if he's unsuitable or not. She was just assuming…but on what terms?

"Harry." Hermione turned to look at him. He had a firm grip on the steering wheel and seemed to be focusing forward "Harry!" Hermione said and shook Harry's elbow.

Harry immediately snapped out of his phase and glanced Hermione. She had a worried look on her face. He gave her a crooked smile. How long had he been thinking? She smiled slowly back. "Are you alright?" She asked him. He slowly nodded. "Um….we're almost there. Just make a right turn at the intersection." He did as he was told and soon the church came into view.

He parked outside of the gate and he and Hermione got out. They entered the church and the first thing they heard was Mama Granger's piercing voice.

"No! Where are they?! They can't possibly have forgotten!" Hermione winced at the tone of worry and panic. She glanced worriedly at Harry. He didn't seemed phase by it. Odd. Her mother's voice was the scariest thing to experience. Grown men have cowered in fear of that voice.

"My gosh, I didn't think we were that late." Hermione muttered. Harry glanced at his watch and shook his head.

"We're not. In fact, we're still early." Harry replied. By this time, they had reached the altar and saw Hermione's mother pacing and moaning, Avery's bridesmaids standing idly to the side and the priest flipping the pages of his Bible.

Jane Granger glanced up and spotted them at the beginning of the aisle, surveying the place. She stopped her pacing and smiled. Her problem was temporarily forgotten. "Harry!" She squealed.

Hermione stifled her giggle when she saw Harry wince. She knew he couldn't help it. The voice was annoying. Jane Granger walked quickly toward him and enveloped him into a huge hug. "How have you been dear?" She asked warmly. Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"I've been…fine." Harry said and awkwardly hugged her bag. "What's going on? Where are Avery and Greg?" Hermione's mother finally released him and upon hearing the question, frowned. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I have no idea." She said worriedly. "I've called them twice. The only time I heard from then was before I left out. They said something about being caught up in traffic. But do you really think that's it? Look how long it has been!"

"So, your screams of worry were for Avery and Greg?" Hermione asked. Jane Granger looked over at her daughter as if she had just seen her. Hermione wasn't surprised. Once Harry Potter is in the room, no one else exists in Jane Granger's eyes.

"Of course. Who did you think it was for?" Hermione's mother asked.

"We thought it was us." Hermione replied, relieved that she didn't have to receive her mother's scolding that day.

"Darling, my entire life doesn't revolve around you. Don't be ridiculous." Jane Granger said. Before Hermione could answer she continued. "What am I going to do? The priest has somewhere else to go soon and my bridesmaids are restless…no! What are you doing?!" Harry and Hermione looked to who Jane Granger was addressing. It was the priest. He was beginning to pack up.

Hermione's mother walked toward him. "You can't leave now! We haven't rehearsed anything yet!" She shouted in frustration.

"I can't wait any longer. I have other things to do, Mrs. Granger." The priest replied. Jane Granger groaned, something very unlike her, and sat down on the front pew. Hermione gazed at her stressed mother sadly. She almost felt sorry for her.

Suddenly Jane Granger jumped up from the pew. She smiled brilliantly. "What we need for you, Father Jacob, is a couple to practice with." She turned to Harry and Hermione and her smile became wider and sweeter. Too sweet. "Harry, Hermione…you're a couple! We can use you two for practice."

Never had the rest of the company seen so much shock run through faces than those two. Eyes opened wide, jaws slightly detached from their position were the reaction of Harry and Hermione. And neither dared to look at each other. It was too embarrassing.

"Harry? Hermione? What do you think?" Mama Granger asked. Before either had the guts to respond she continued. "Oh, I think it will be a great idea. Father Jacob?" She turned to the priest.

"As long as we do some practice." He replied. Jane Granger turned back to them, eagerly smiling from ear to ear. She was truly ecstatic to get something accomplished for the day. Never mind the awkwardness of it all.

"Um…" Hermione attempted to speak. Her voice sounded raspy. She cleared it. "I don't think w-we should do that idea." Harry nodded in agreement.

"Oh, come on! It'll be fun! And it's not real, is it?" Jane Granger said with a twinkle in her eye. Hermione's brow rose. Was she trying to tell them something? Well, the plan was a little obvious….

Before each of them knew it, Jane Granger was positioning them for the practice. Harry was put at the altar and Hermione stayed at the beginning of the aisle. Jane Granger was a substitute for their father, who couldn't make it. She linked arms with her daughter. The bridesmaids were before her.

Hermione felt sick. Why was she doing this? How could she have let her mother force her into this? This wasn't right! She didn't even love Harry! She wasn't allowed to. He wasn't allowed to. This is all an act. A bet. A bet!

Hermione's mother noticed her change in behaviour and smiled slyly. "Having pre-wedding jitters darling?" Hermione glared at her mother. Before she could reply, the music had started up and the bridesmaids were walking down the aisle.

Soon, the theme song for the bride started. Hermione was now finding it hard to breathe. It seemed as if her mother was dragging her down the aisle. She refused to look at Harry. Her feet had never been more interesting than at that moment.

"Look at him." Jane Granger hissed. "It's better that way. Makes the scene more romantic. Look!" She hissed once more. Hermione reluctantly looked up. Harry was smiling at her. He seemed relaxed. Hermione silently cursed him. Why couldn't she be relaxed? This wasn't real anyway. What was her problem?

His smile became wider with every step she took. It was enigmatic and it was very hard to stay angry with him. She soon found herself smiling back. So, this wasn't real. So what? It felt good.

The music stopped and they were now face to face with Harry. Jane Granger took Hermione's hand and Harry's hand and joined them. She then smiled, winked at both of them and walked back to her position on the front pew.

Harry and Hermione turned to the priest who was also smiling. "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join these two in Holy Matrimony…."

"Oh boy." Hermione murmured. Only Harry heard this and he squeezed her hand for comfort. She smiled at him in response.

"If there are any objections as to why these two shouldn't be married…"

"Can you skip that please?" Jane Granger interrupted. Hermione didn't restrain herself that time to roll her eyes.

"Harry, is it?" The priest asked him. Harry nodded. "Harry, do you take Hermione to be your lawfully wedding wife? To love, honour and cherish….I really don't have time for this…and all that jazz as long as you both shall live?"

Harry turned to Hermione and smiled. "I do." Hermione couldn't help it. Her brows rose. How could he answer so quickly? Shouldn't there be thought behind it? You keep forgetting that this is a fake, Hermione! She scolded herself.

"And you, Hermione, take Harry to be your lawfully wedded Husband to love, honour, cherish…all that jazz….as long as you both shall live?" Hermione smiled. Fake, right? Duh. This is going to be easy.

"I…."

"Sorry we're late!" Avery's voice sailed to them. Everyone turned and saw the real bride and groom standing before them. "We had to stop somewhere. Are we too late?"

"Yes, you are." The priest replied. He closed the Bible. "I have to go to my next appointment." He took up his belongings and walked to the exit of the church.

"Oh, no! So sorry mother!" Avery apologized. "The entire rehearsal was ruined." Jane Granger got up and smiled.

"No, not all of it." She replied. By this time, Harry and Hermione were walking away from the altar. "Harry and Hermione were your substitutes." Hermione couldn't help noticing the small amount of mirth in her voice.

"Really?" Avery said. The mirth was written all over her face. There was no doubt. Hermione looked from her mother to her sister suspiciously. Was Avery in this too? "And how did they do?"

"Spectacular." Mama Granger replied.

Hermione had enough.

"Harry, please take me home." She immediately asked. Everyone, even Harry, was surprised by the sudden announcement.

"Are you sure?" He asked. Hermione nodded. She quickly walked out of the church without saying good-bye. Taken aback by Hermione's actions, Harry after saying quick good-byes followed Hermione.

She was already inside the car. Her arms were folded and she was in a very angry mood. Harry seemed almost hesitant to be in the same car as her. Once he was inside, she began to explode.

"How could they! What were they thinking?! Do they think I'm some doll they can play with whenever they feel like?! Really? What is their problem?!"

"Hermione." Harry said, interrupting her. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't you see Harry? My mother, for some strange reason, sees wedding bells in our future. So, this was all a trick. Probably wants us to experience it before actually doing the real thing. How dare she?!"

Harry then did something that surprised Hermione.

He laughed.

Hermione looked at him. "What are you laughing at?" She asked.

"That's it? That is what's got you going so crazy?" Before Hermione could argue, Harry continued. "C'mon, you know how crazy you're mother is. And she wants to make sure that you get married. But we might not get married and she's gonna have to accept that."

Hermione drew out a defeated sigh. It is still a mystery as to how he can get rid of her anger. She might never know. She smiled at him. "You're right…about everything. It's just that, no matter what, she gets me riled up."

Harry grinned and started the engine. "Yes, really riled up." He earned a swat on the arm for saying that.

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AN: Another chapter done. Send me more reviews! I love hearing them.