Disclaimer: I own only the character Christine Smith and the plot as it applies to this fanfiction.
Chapter 37 ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` November 5, 1998
Hermione rolled her shoulders as she took her seat at the breakfast table. She knew that it was going to be a long day. They were finally going dress shopping in muggle London for she and Fred's wedding. The colors had been decided the week before (silver and a bright blue), the guest list had been made the day before (it was more than Hermione would have liked but she decided not deny Molly her fun), and the Ministry official had accepted the date of the wedding the week before. Today, Hermione, Ginny, Fleur, Luna, and Molly would be choosing their dresses and the robes for all the groomsmen and Harry. Fred had specifically told Hermione that he didn't care what she chose for him as long as she thought he looked "dashing" in it.
Hermione nibbled on her toast while the table was engaged in loud conversation. Charlie and Ron were debating on some issue to do with the Ministry and Fred and George were discussing a new idea for the shop. Percy and Penelope had bought a flat in muggle London and had just finished moving their things in the night before. Bill would be going over today to add all the wards to their new home. While she was lost in thought, Fred reached over and squeezed her hand, pressing a kiss to her forehead, as he stood up to take his plate to the sink. She smiled up at him and took a drink of her cold tea. Fred came back to her seat and leaned in for a deeper kiss as he was getting ready to leave for the shop. She clutched at his shirt and held him in place until Charlie cleared his throat, causing a blush to rise to her cheeks. Fred simply chuckled and trailed his hand along her face as he left. Arthur, Ron, and Charlie all stood shortly after and walked into the floo to go to work, leaving Hermione and Molly alone in quiet house.
Ginny arrived minutes later, followed closely by Fleur. They were having an in-depth conversation about what kind of dress they wanted, being the fashion consultants of the family, when Luna arrived looking flustered and upset. She threw her things on the table and flopped herself in the closest chair. Hermione approached her and put her hand on the Ravenclaw's shoulder tentatively.
"Luna, are you alright? You seem upset." Luna shook her head and a tear slipped down her cheek. "If you don't want to tell us about it, you don't have to. I just wanted to make sure that you were going to be alright." Luna wiped the tear off her cheek.
"No, it's ok. I was going to tell you all anyways. Neville and I got into an argument and now he's refusing to speak to me. He left for work and told me not to contact him until he contacted me first. I don't even know what I did! He didn't tell me. He was just upset and I asked him what was wrong and he blew up! It escalated from there and now we're not speaking. What if he doesn't ever want to speak to me again?" Ginny got up and put her arms around the blond.
"Luna, you know that's never going to happen. I don't know what's going on with Neville, but he loves you. He's loved you since sixth year. He'll pull whatever is up his arse out and come around. Let's just forget about it for today and have fun." Luna nodded in Ginny's embrace. Molly interrupted the silence that had settled over the group.
"Alright girls, are you ready to shop?" Everyone smiled and nodded and began gathering their things. Heading towards the apparition point, they discussed where to begin. They had all decided on dresses, so muggle London was the destination. Joining hands, Hermione took the lead and landed them outside a popular dress shop in London.
Once inside, they all went their seperate way and began browsing. Hermione had an idea of what kind of dress she wanted. Even though the wedding was going to be held outside, she wanted a strapless dress, which would mean that atmospheric charms would need to be cast. It would add to the work load but in all honestly, they would need to be cast anyways. In the distance, she could hear Ginny and Fleur giggling about something. She saw Molly head to the dressing room with a couple dresses in hand but return them shortly after. After spending an hour browsing, everyone decided that their dresses were not in this store. Finding a secluded corner, they disapparated to another store across town.
After being at this store just a short time, there was a whoop from Ginny as she pulled a dress off a rack. She gave a gleeful smile and headed towards the dressing room. Just a few minutes had passed when she came out wearing the dress, looking stunning. The dress was almost navy and went just past her calves, flaring outwards. It was fitted tightly to her curves until her hips and was a gauzy material, the thin straps holding it up on her shoulders accentuating how dainty she was.
"This is it, guys. I don't need to try on any others. This is the one." Hermione laughed.
"You do look amazing, Gin. You're going to give me a run for my money on my own wedding day." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Nope, I'm sure not, because between me finding you the perfect dress and Fleur doing the perfect hair and makeup, you're going to look like an angel." Hermione rolled her eyes this time.
"Whatever you say, Ginny. Let's find me a dress then." Ginny went and paid for her dress and then joined Hermione in her search for the perfect dress.
"'Mione, I think you should go with strapless. You're frame is so tiny, strapless just looks so good on you. You looked amazing in that dress at my wedding." Hermione dropped her mouth.
"That's what I was looking for! I loved that dress so I wanted a dress like that, well kind of like that. We're going to have to cast a lot of atmospheric charms though since it will be January, but we can handle that. Everyone can go out and take their turn and cast some. I know charms aren't everyone's specialties but -" Ginny cut her off.
"Hermione, you're rambling. We know we'll have to cast charms. We know we'll all have to pitch in. You and Bill will probably have to cast numerous sets but we'll all pitch in. Quit worrying and look at dresses." Hermione looked at her for a second and then burst out laughing. She began rifling through dresses hanging on racks, Ginny helping her. Before they had made it through the first rack, they saw Luna head to the dressing room. Moving on to the next rack, they continued to search.
Luna came out to model the dress that she had chosen, a three quarter sleeve blue dress that looked like a princess dress out of the fairy tales Hermione had grown up with. With her long blond hair, Luna did look like a princess. Hermione gave her money to go purchase it and continued with her search. She was beginning to get frustrated and sure that she wouldn't find a dress that suited her, especially when she saw Molly head to the dressing rooms. When she stepped out, everyone agreed she looked fabulous in a creamy, long-sleeved dress that reached the floor. Hermione shot a look at Fleur, who nodded. They all gathered their purchases, and headed a few blocks down to another popular dress shop.
The group went inside and dived into the racks of dresses, Hermione for her dress and Fleur for hers. Fleur was instantly rewarded, finding a slim cut bright blue dress with wide sleeves, ribbon just under her breasts. The dress gave the illusion that she was shimmery and sparkled. Hermione was instantly jealous of her veela heritage. Hermione again handed her money to go pay and then continued on her search. Suddenly, Ginny let out a yell and held up a dress. Hermione knew then that it was the one. Snatching it out of Ginny's hand, she headed to the dressing room. Once she had shedded her clothes, she cast a disillusionment charm on her scar and shimmied into the dress. Using magic to draw the zipper up, she turned and looked at herself. It looked amazing. She drew in a breath and stepped out to face everyone's judgement. Ginny was the first to comment.
"Hermione, that is the one. You look fantastic. Fred won't be able to keep his hands off you."
"I agree with Ginny. You look amazing. With my 'air and makeup you will be stunning." Fleur purred. Molly and Luna simply smiled and nodded. The dress was indeed strapless, silk, and stunning. It wasn't white, but somewhat of a bone color. It had an over-lay that was draped in diagonal strips across the length of the dress. It reached the floor after fitting her form perfectly.
"I agree with you guys. This is the one. I feel perfect in this. It's the one." Hermione turned back to the changing room and changed out of the dress, putting the plastic back over it carefully. Once it was paid for, she had Ginny vanish it to Grimmauld Place so there would be no temptation for Fred to peek. They all grasped hands and disapparated to Diagon Alley where they would be visiting Madam Malkin for robes for the men. After browsing for a short time, Hermione found some that she liked. She chose traditional for them with accents in blue, the same for Harry since he would be giving her away. Her party quite agreed with her choice so she paid for her order and they decided to stroll Diagon Alley and pick up decorations as she saw along the way.
This however, didn't last long because her back was starting to ache from being on her feet all day and they were going to be due back at the Burrow to make supper. Weasley's Wizards Wheezes wasn't too busy since it was fairly close to closing time so the girls decided to go visit and use their floo to get greeted them upon walking in the door.
"Well, hello, lovely ladies! How did shopping go? Find dresses and robes? I hope mine are flattering." Hermione couldn't help but giggle.
"I got you the ugliest ones I could find. I couldn't have you looking better than Fred." He raised his eyebrow.
"So you admit I'm the better looking twin, do you? Fred, your fiance thinks I'm hot!" Hermione launched herself at him and started hitting him in the arm with her fist. George was laughing as Fred rounded the corner from the back room.
"Fred, that is not what I said! He put words in my mouth, I swear!" Fred laughed and swept her up in his arms, spinning her in a circle.
"It's ok, love, we'll get him back later. He may be better looking, but I'm better at pranks. He'll be sorry." George scowled at him and Fred laughed. "So did you find a dress, love?" Hermione smiled at him.
"I did, but no you can't see it. Don't even ask. I got your robes ordered too. I hope you like them." Fred kissed her.
"You're no fun, not letting me see. And I'm sure that I'll love them, even though I told you I don't care. If you like them, that's all I care about." She gave him a quick kiss.
"We came to use your floo. We're all too tired to apparate anymore. We went to three different shops and then Madam Malkins, then walked Diagon Alley. We're all ready to drop." He set her down and gestured towards the fireplace.
"You all know where it is. We're about done here so we'll meet you at home." She bent down and grabbed her bags, heading towards the fireplace with Luna, Molly, and Ginny. Hermione gave a small wave as she disappeared in the flames.
After arriving back at the Burrow, Luna and Fleur left for home so Molly, Ginny, and Hermione started supper. Fred and George arrived home just twenty minutes after they did, Arthur, Charlie, Ron, and Harry shortly after them. They were all somewhat quiet but asked how the dress shopping had went and even tried to tease details out of Hermione about her dress. George continued to tease her about calling him the better looking twin, which caused her to have a constant blush all through dinner. Once dinner was finished, Hermione stood to clear the table but Harry cleared his throat.
"Hermione, can I talk to you? In the living room?" She gave him a puzzled look but nodded. Rising, she noticed that Charlie and Ron also made to go with her. She glanced at Fred, who got up as well, smacking George in the arm.
When Hermione was settled in the living room, the only ones who weren't in the living room were Molly and Arthur. She had taken a seat in the middle of the couch, Fred on one side, Charlie on the other. Harry approached her from the front and crouched down, taking her hand. His eyes were sad and he took a deep breath.
"'Mione, you're my sister and I love you. That's why I said I'd come tell you rather than King." Hermione felt dread clench her stomach. "He heard back from his foreign correspondents today about your parents. It took them a week or so to search all the old records for your parents names because it happened so long ago. Your parents were killed right after they moved to Australia. Of course the muggles had no idea who did it, but after King had his people look into it, they determined that Travers is the one did it. No, we haven't caught him but King wanted me to tell you that we're doing everything possible to find him." Hermione felt her world shatter.
"How did they die, Harry?" Harry shook his head.
"That's not important, Hermione." Her eyes met his and they were full of rage.
"It is. Tell me right now, Harry Potter, or so help me a stunning spell will be the least of your worries!" Harry sighed.
"Exactly like you saw. They thought they might have information on you and I. They gave them nothing. Your charms worked. Travers just found them. He was too good. I promise you, Hermione, we will find him." Harry reached up and pulled her into a hug. Hermione couldn't hold the tears back any longer. They began slipping down her cheeks, wetting the shoulder of Harry's shirt.
Hermione felt herself be shifted from Harry to Fred, but she didn't care. The guilt was crushing her. The black hole within herself was swallowing her and she couldn't seem to stop it. She was vaguely aware of Fred stroking her hair. Inwardly, she started to berate herself for being such a child. Her parents would never have wanted her to wallow in self pity. Making herself sit up, she wiped her cheeks. Everyone was still sitting there, watching her like she was going to break.
"Thank you, Harry. When you catch that son of a bitch, don't show him any mercy. He can rot in Azkaban for life for what he's done to my parents. I really hope that you don't blame yourself for any of this." He shook his head.
"I don't Hermione, but I hope you don't either. Trust me, there won't be any mercy." She gave him a faint smile.
"Fred, I want to go to bed. Will you come with me?" He nodded, pulling her to her feet. "Thank you all for your support." The pair went upstairs, not bothering to tell Molly or Arthur goodnight, and crawled into their bed. Neither spoke, but she drew comfort from his presence. As she drifted off the sleep many hours later, it was Fred she was thinking of.
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