Late Lunch, Chapter 38

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"Mum, calm down, I'll be fine."

Hermione's mother put her hands on her hips, reminding Hermione far too much of Mrs. Weasley. "Oh? Well, if you say so then I suppose I'll let you walk out of here, just like that."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Why do I sense this is a trick?"

"Hermione," her mother said impatiently. "You love pretending you don't care, but I know you do. Just let me help my daughter, won't you?"

"I just don't understand why everyone's so concerned about this all the time! I've survived this far! First Katie and Ginny, now you—"

"Hermione, love, you're not seriously going to show up at the wedding like that, are you?" Her green eyes wide, Lily Potter entered unannounced into Hermione's room. The plastic garment bag she carried was laid out on the bed while Lily herself settled on it, crossing her arms and legs, still staring at Hermione in incredulity. "Not to say you're not looking . . .well, you've always been a lovely girl, even before you had your teeth fixed, but—"

Hermione tugged at her dress. "Lily, please, I don't have anything else. Let me just wear this . . ."

"Oh, sweetheart, what did you think I brought this over for?" Lily presented the garment bag again and gave it an affectionate pat. "This dress has served me well in the past and I'd hoped to pass the magic on, but since Harry unfortunately never did show an appreciation for dresses . . ." In spite of herself, Hermione giggled, which made Lily grin.

"What do you say, darling?" Hermione mother asked. "At least give it a try?"

Hermione bit her lip for a second, but after contemplating the options before her and the expectant looks on the adult women's faces, there appeared to be no choice but to concede. She sighed. "Fine."

Lily and her mother squealed in excitement. "Perfect! And afterwards we'll go over hairstyle options!"

"Wait—what?" Hermione blinked in confusion but they took no notice and the last thing she saw before screaming was lilac . . .

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"Oh, c'mon, now you're exaggerating," Hermione's father chuckled from the driver's seat.

Hermione huffed. "Believe what you want, that's what happened. Mum and Lily are hiding a vicious side."

"I don't doubt that," her father said, still smiling. "But what I do find hard to believe is how you're acting like this is news."

His daughter's lips twitched. "Don't let Mum hear you say that."

He chuckled again. After turning into the unpaved road that led to the Burrow, he continued, "You do look very pretty, sweetheart. I'm sure there will be more eyes on you than the bride."

Hermione blushed. "Dad . . ."

"All right, all right, I'm embarrassing you. I know."

Hermione fiddled with her small purse while looking down at her dress. It really was beautiful. It was sleeveless, but had a modest laced neckline and when she'd looked in the mirror before she left she'd felt more girly and delicate than she ever had before. The tamed curls falling down her back didn't hurt either.

"Not a lot of cars here," observed her father suddenly, slowing the car down.

Hermione looked up and observed that they were already at the Burrow. Indeed, there weren't a lot of cars, but Hermione knew it was because most of them wouldn't turn up until later at the church. She also noted the tent was in the process of being raised, spotting many a redheaded men standing around it. She couldn't discern Fred from them yet, but she wondered how he'd react once he saw her. Would he like it, the way she looked?

Her father parked outside the Burrow, not driving down the driveway but opting to stand just outside the Weasleys' yard. He pointed to the overnight bag in the backseat. "Don't forget that and have a good time, okay? I know large gatherings aren't your cup of tea but that Ginny won't let me or Mum hear the end of it if we don't have you at least show some effort."

Hermione snorted at the memories of her parents' and Ginny's interactions and had no other choice but to agree. "Really don't want to come inside? I'm sure Mr. Weasley would love to see you."

Her father's eyes narrowed. "Don't tease me, young lady. You're not out of the car yet."

Hermione giggled. "Fine, I'll spare you today. But be ready to receive a questionnaire from him when I come home tomorrow."

"Looking forward to it."

And with that, Hermione waved her father off as he drove back home. Suspecting people were waiting for her, as her arrival was sure to have been noticed, Hermione immediately made for the Burrow. Or more precisely, the tent.

"Hermione!" A voice intercepted her walk, making her turn toward the house. "Come drop your things off!"

Hermione sighed, postponing meeting Fred and instead greeted Ginny with a smile.

"You look absolutely gorgeous," said the other girl as they went to her room. "Fred's going to go mental."

Hermione blushed, but forced herself not to have her expectations extend higher than they already were. "You're not dressed yet?"

Ginny groaned. "I'm attempting put it off for as long as I can. I'd hate for the dress to be ruined before the ceremony. But perhaps it is time . . .Did I show it to you, by the way?"

Hermione shook her head.

"Oh, well that's a sign then! Hold on a second!"

Hermione waited as her friend escaped to the bathroom to get dressed ('The effect is lost if you see it immediately!') and when Ginny finally did emerge, she was wearing a pale gold dress that made her red hair look stunning. Or more so than usual.

"That's the reaction I was looking for!" Ginny grinned. "Zip me up, will you?"

Once the girls were done checking their appearance they walked downstairs again, Hermione eager to meet up with Fred. But again, her path was blocked, as at the foot of the stairs a blonde girl almost crashed into them on her way up.

At first Hermione mistook her for Fleur, but a good second look proved to her that though the girl seemed to be at least a a few years older, she was too young to be Fleur. Not to mention that her appearance was slightly different. She was however much like Ginny wearing a golden dress.

"Excuse me, I'm so sorry," said Hermione.

The girl waved her off. "As long as the dress is fine, don't concern yourself."

"Gabrielle, this is Hermione," said Ginny, impatiently. "Hermione, Gabrielle."

Hermione shook Gabrielle's hand, feeling something gnawing in the back of her mind as she did. "Forgive me, but you look very familiar."

Gabrielle giggled. "Not surprising, I am Fleur's sister after all."

"No, that's not what I—"

"All right, we need to get going," said Ginny. "And you should probably check on Fleur."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow. "Well, you're a bridesmaid too, you know . . ."

But Ginny didn't listen and dragged Hermione off and out the door.

"It was nice to meet you!" Hermione forced out, before Gabrielle disappeared from view. "Ginny," she chastised.

"Sorry, 'Mione, I just can't with that family."

They were out on the yard again and now Hermione was impressed to see that the tent was somehow already fully raised and supplied with chairs and tables. Part of her suspected the twins' ingenuity to have played a part in that.

"Where's your mother?" Hermione asked, wanting to distract herself from suddenly feeling her stomach give birth to butterflies.

"She's running around in the kitchen, don't worry. She won't come out until the very last minute," said Ginny. "Ah, there he is."

But Hermione already knew who he was and that he was approaching. Walking toward the house, Fred was laughing at something George had said and both of them were wearing their suits already, but without the jackets. Hermione unconsciously wet her lips as she observed how Fred looked very good in a vest . . .

"Isn't it supposed to be the boy who gets awestruck?" she asked aloud, only half-joking. The way she'd pictured this going had been like in the movies; the girl gets dressed up and the boy is amazed by her transformation. That's what a more irrational part of her had expected. But seeing her boyfriend now, though it always did things to her before, it felt very much like a moment like that, only that the roles were reversed.

Ginny snorted and predictably rolled her eyes.

Coming closer, Fred finally noticed her. Hermione smiled shyly back and waved, not oblivious to the way Fred stopped as soon as he saw her in what she assumed was still a decent outfit.

"You look absolutely wonderful," he said, once George propelled him to move again.

Hermione blushed. "Thank you. So do you."

"These old things?" he joked, but there was a sparkle in his eyes and she knew he appreciated her compliment.

"Children!" Mr. Weasley approached, smiling and clasping his hands together jovially. "How about you get prepared to leave? We're expected at the church any minute now."

Next to him stood Ron and Percy, the latter looking at his wristwatch and wiping his brow. Whether from the sun shining or from having helped with the tent, Hermione didn't know.

"According to schedule, people are due to appear in half an hour at the church. It seems appropriate to be there to receive them and make sure everything's as it should on location."

"Didn't know you were a wedding planner, Percy," said Fred, offering his arm to Hermione who took it.

"There's a career option I never considered for you," chimed George. "But I can oddly see it."

"Now really—" started Percy, but didn't have a chance to say anything else as the twins were already walking away.

"Oh, Perce," said Ginny, patting his arm. "Just leave it."

"You all set to go?" Fred asked Hermione as he led her back to the house.

"My things are upstairs, and Ginny helped check my appearance twice."

Fred's lips pulled upward. "You do look stunning."

Hermione blushed again. "Thank you."

"I'll just go put my jacket and tie on—don't smirk at me, Granger, or I'll make you put it on for me."

Hermione's smile stayed in place as she watched him walk upstairs, with George shaking his head behind him. With nothing to do Hermione decided to pay Mrs. Weasley a quick visit in the kitchen before they left. They would of course meet at the church, but she felt it only polite to greet her beforehand.

Hermione stopped, however, when she heard voices travel just outside the kitchen.

"—and perhaps not quite as much salt in the chicken! We don't want it to be dry, do we?"

"M'am, forgive me, but we're only doing what we were hired to—"

"Oh, Molly, can you believe what they're saying?"

The voice of Mrs. Weasley sighed. "Auntie Muriel, let the caterers do their job—"

Hermione slowly backed away from the kitchen entrance, sensing that it might be better to leave the greeting for later at a less stressful time for Mrs. Weasley.

Ten minutes later, after the twins and Ron had dressed and come downstairs, Hermione, Fred, George and Ron were in the car, driven by Mr. Weasley. Ginny had as a bridesmaid been forced to join in Fleur's car later while Percy and Charlie were in Bill's.

The cars arrived together in front of the small church and they climbed out, Hermione needing a little bit of help from Fred not tripping over her dress on the way. Once outside she thanked him and retrieved her purse from inside the car.

"We're leading the groom here to the back!" Charlie called out, his suit taking Hermione by surprise as it was more conventional than she'd expected it to be. Same went for Bill standing next to his brothers, still sporting the bandages of course, but he was missing the earring he usually wore and his ponytail was neat and tidy.

While Bill, Percy and Charlie walked around the building to the back, Ron, Mr. Weasley and the twins walked inside, their chatter drowning in the crowd ahead. People had already started trickling in it seemed.

Hermione fell behind, busy taking in the beautiful décor. The church really did look beautiful. She could see why Fleur had no objections marrying outside her home country; the old building just oozed history.

Eventually she realised others would be accusing her of blocking the entrance, and just as she was about to head for the seats there was a tap on her shoulder. Hermione swirled around, an apology already on her lips, when the sight of the person in front of her made her jaw drop.

His brown hair was longer than she remembered and he'd grown a beard, but she'd recognize him anywhere.

Viktor smiled. "Hello, Hermione. Long time no see."

~o0o~

A/N: Whhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat holy ducks!?

Yeah, I did that. *chuckles evilly*

Until next time!
/Primrue