I hate dancing in really long dresses, and really high heels. Like most girls, I don't mind one or the other, but put them together and add in a nervous, already uncoordinated girl and you end up with a klutzy nut. I actually tripped on my way out to the dance floor to have my first dance with Fred. Thankfully he held me up with strong arms and kept me from falling, tripping himself a moment later to make me feel better. I smiled appreciatively up at him and accepted his hand. He grabbed my waist gently, and I let my hand rest on his shoulder.
The song was a slow, romantic waltz by some witch band that I had never heard of, but the tune was lovely. I lost myself in Fred's brilliant eyes as we twirled around the dance floor, and before I knew it, our first dance as a couple was over. The music changed to an even slower tune, and Fred pulled me into his chest as he slowly rocked me back and forth. I snuggled against his chest so that I couldn't possibly get any closer, and wrapped my arms around him; while he let his hands grasp my waist. I loved the safe feeling I got in his arms, knowing I truly loved him, and that he was mine and we were married.
The song ended far too soon and some one asked if they could cut in. I didn't actually even realize it until Harry was leading me away from Fred.
He held my hand up in the air while he rested his other hand just above my hip. I smiled as I took his hand and we began to dance to a more upbeat song.
"I'm actually sorta glad about the way things worked out." Harry said quietly as we twirled around. I lifted my eyebrow as we did another twirl.
"How so?" I asked. He smiled nervously and went on to explain.
"I've always loved both you and Ron, but honestly, I never liked the idea of you two getting together. It was for really selfish reasons, but I didn't want to be cut out of your lives. You two would have been whole, but I would have felt like just a third." He looked worried as he spoke and I smiled comfortingly at him.
"Harry, you are the very best friend I have ever had. I don't care what might have happened between Ron and me, you would always have been part of my life." I paused for a moment, swaying to the rhythm of the song before continuing.
"I'm actually glad about how things turned out too. I mean, I love Ron, and always will, but I think we would have ended up killing each other if we had tried a relationship out." He squeezed my hand and nodded.
"We're all better off as friends. I think Luna will do him good. She's just crazy enough to keep him guessing, and he's mellow enough to keep her sane." His eyes sparkled as he caught me glancing over at Fred, who was dancing with a teary eyed Mrs. Weasley.
"Fred will be good for you 'Mione." He said softly, his eyes drifting over to Ginny who was dancing with Ron. I smiled at the glimmer in his eye as he watched her.
I remembered not too long ago wishing I'd had their love story, but in a way, I really did. As a child I'd fallen head over heels for the older and attractive (and funny) Fred Weasley, but I had given it up for naught. Now, I found myself married to him, and madly in love.
Shakespeare sure did get it right, The course of true love never did run smooth.
Harry was staring at me, probably wondering where on earth I was at. I smiled embarrassedly at him and laughed lightly.
"Do you remember that question you asked me by the shrieking shack before we got attacked?" I asked softly. He thought for a moment before nodding his head.
"I know the answer now." He smiled broadly and looked at me expectantly.
The song had ended and Ron had come up, asking if he could have this dance. I agreed before turning back to Harry.
"Yes."
He smiled broadly calling out over the crowd. "I knew you would!" I just laughed and turned back to Ron, enjoying a dance with my second best friend. It was the first time I had been alone with him since everything had happened, and I was so desperately relived that it wasn't awkward. He told me he was happy for him, that Fred would be good to me (did every one think I had doubted that fact?) and he'd would personally jinx him if I ever told him otherwise.
After dancing with Mr. Weasley, Percy, Charlie, Bill, George, Neville, Dean, Lee, Seamus, and Hagrid, I finally found my way back into my husbands arms. We danced for at least another hour before the music died away.
Fred and I were escorted by everyone to a broomstick, that had been decorated with all sorts of ribbon and flowers, and we got ready to take off.
"Fred." I whispered nervously as he waved good bye to our guest
"What?" He whispered back. He could probably already since my fear and discomfort.
"I can't fly, I have a terrible fear of heights!" I whispered shrilly. He turned to me, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, but you'll be flying with me, and I never fall." He was smiling widely, trying to calm me as he helped me onto the broom. As soon as I settled onto the stick I felt my arms lock and my body grew tense. I couldn't move, and I wasn't breathing. Fred quickly climbed on behind me and wrapped one arm around my waist, and grabbed the handle with the other.
"Relax 'Mione! I've got you, you're safe with me." He whispered in my ear as we started to rise in the air. I closed my eyes tightly and leaned back into him so hard that I actually caused him to scoot back a little bit.
I had my head pressed up against his shoulder, leaving my neck exposed to the cold night air, something I didn't even think about. Not until I felt a pair of soft lips gently begin to kiss my neck. I immediately relaxed against him, pressing into him and arching my back as he continued his ministrations. I was no longer thinking about the fact that I was hundreds of feet above the ground, or about how I was wanted, or that I had cast some impossibly dangerous spell, I just wanted more of his touch.
He hummed against me happily as he moved his head to my ear. "That's better 'Mione." I shivered at the sound of his soft, deep voice and grabbed his arm against my waist, holding him in a loving embrace.
A warm flash lit up my pocket and I had to hold my breath not to scream. I let go of Fred's hand begrudgingly and flushed the Galleon out of my pocket. It had turned a deep emerald.
It was a message from Harry.
Emergency!
How bad of timing could he really have? I was so enjoying myself.
I looked at the message again and re-read it. Why send one word, and one word that tells you nothing? I sent him 'What' right back, waiting eagerly for the reply. The sooner I found out, the sooner I could return to snuggling against Fred. My hair was blowing pleasantly in the wind, and I was actually starting to enjoy the sensation of flying.
A second later Harry's response came.
Ministry needs to speak with you. Well, that was a little better, but still not explaining.
The ministry know about the spell, important information. He flashed another message before I could reply, an instant late another appeared.
Fred's life or death Mione.
What? My heart froze and my breath caught in my throat. Fred sensed me tensing up and leaned around my hair.
"I solemnly swear that I will not drop you 'Mione, please relax." His voice was sad as it sounded against my ear, like it hurt him to think I didn't trust him. Our bond was relaying the same information to me.
I shook my head desperately. "No Fred, we have to head to the Ministry of Magic." He looked at me like I had gone insane, and I was beginning to think I had. But all I knew was I was not putting Fred's life in jeopardy. I trusted Harry explicitly and if he said that Fred was in danger, then Fred was in danger.
I twisted my torso around on the broom stick and grabbed his lips in mine, letting go off the block I had put on our bond and allowing all the love I felt for him to flow through our bond. He gasped against my lips and broke the kiss staring at me in wide eye shock. I let go of the broom handle and grabbed his face with my hands, gently stroking his jaw line.
"Harry just sent me a message; the ministry knows something about the spell and needs to see me. It's a matter of life and death, your life." I said stroking his hear as I spoke. His eyes were still looking distant as our bond emanated with my love.
"Fred Weasley," I said, forcing him to look into my eyes. "I love you." Then I let go of his face gripped my wand, and in an act that truly showed just how much I loved him, I jumped off the broom, apparating a second later.
I landed with a jarring thud into the middle of the ministry of magic. I rose up on shaky legs, holding my arm gingerly. I had landed really hard on it and wouldn't have been surprised if I had dislocated it. I could feel Fred's shock and fear through our bond, but I forced myself to block it out. I had to focus now, I had to save Fred.
I walked up to the reception desk, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. I blushed as I looked down at my self and realized I was still wearing my wedding dress. I shook the thought away and forced myself to focus as I rang the bell to get the witch that was working at its attention. It was fairly late by this point, at least 8:30 by my reckoning.
The witch responded after the second ring.
"My name is Hermione Weasley, formally Hermione Granger. I revived a message that you have information about a spell I performed."
She looked at me for a second before she raised her eyebrows.
"Why you are aren't you!" She stood up excitedly and grasped my hand, shaking it eagerly
"I'm so honored to meet you! I've heard all about what you've done! Imagine, helping defeat Voldmort!" Her eyes glowed brightly and she looked at me in a way that reminded me of Colin Creevey and Harry. I gently pried my hand away from hers and smiled politely.
"Why thank you, could you direct me to where I need to go?" she looked surprised before answering.
"Why the Minister wants to see you."
A/N: Okay, I'm thinking of doing a select few weddings, and then an epilogue. The weddings would also give me a chance to show you some of what the completed spell does. Sound good to you guys? If not, let me know, I'll still do what y'all want. So please, please, please Review! I love reading your ideas and thoughts, I am seriously addicted to the things! And to everyone who's favorited this story but not reviewed, don't be shy :) I love hearing your thoughts, even if it's just a few words. Thanks for all the extra reviews, there really great!