Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. This story is.
A/N: First of all, I promise that the next chapter will be longer. This one is a little more of a transition, but I think it's a pretty important one nonetheless. I also went back in and edited the small section that seems to be slightly confusing. I hope it's clearer now. This is the gateway to more angst, of course. And Arthur's reaction (which you will soon see) comes directly from my own experience with my own father-in-law. I'm very lucky.
"Well, do we have any idea when they're going to get here?" Molly demanded. She was rushing around the kitchen at top speed, and her children were staying well out of her way. If they had learned one thing in their lives at the Burrow, it was not to mess with Molly Weasley when she had a pot in one hand and a pan in the other.
Bill and Charlie grinned at each other. "Relax, Mum. They'll be here soon, I'm sure."
Molly didn't answer. She was too busy with the cake she was making and the tea she was brewing. Her children resumed their conversation on the other side of the room as they anxiously awaited their brother's appearance.
The cake was ready; the teapot was whistling, and Molly was about to burst into flames herself when Ron and Hermione finally popped into the garden of the Burrow. As one, all of the Weasleys rushed to the window to try to get a look at Ron's face.
Ron and Hermione stood facing one another in the garden. Neither of them spoke for a moment, and then Hermione reached out to hug him. He responded somewhat stiffly, and she pursed her lips tightly. They were going to have to talk about this, but now was obviously not the time.
They let go of each other, and Ron mumbled, "I don't think I look as … happy … as they'll expect me to."
He looked at Hermione, and she looked back at him and understood exactly what he was talking about. His eyes were still tinged with red, and so was his long nose. Silently, Hermione pulled out her wand, shook it in his general direction, and mumbled something under her breath. Immediately, Ron felt his face cooling off and the red draining away. He stared at her for a moment before nodding abruptly, plastering a smile on his face, and turning to walk into the house.
He had barely gotten through the door, though, when Ginny attacked him.
Throwing her arms around him, she blurted over his shoulder, "Well, Hermione? Did he do it right?"
Hermione forced herself to smile as she held up her left hand. "What do you think?"
And then… before she realized what was happening … she was suddenly in the middle of a very large, very loud group hug, and the person who was hugging her hardest was, unsurprisingly, Molly Weasley. When Hermione finally gasped, "I … need… air," the rest of the family slowly let go, but Molly kept a firm arm around her future daughter-in-law's shoulders.
"Mum," Ron started, trying to pry her away, but she wouldn't let go.
"No," she said, fixing Hermione with a smile unlike any she had ever seen before. "I finally get her officially as a daughter. I'm not letting go of this one any time soon."
But then she turned her gaze on Ron, and after a moment of hesitation in which she realized that he was not as happy as he should be, she said, "you did well. We're proud of you."
He stared at her, and he knew she could see the misery he couldn't even understand. Refusing to dwell on this, he turned to Arthur who was standing beside Bill and Fleur.
"Dad, you haven't said anything," Ron pointed out. "What do you think?"
Arthur looked from Hermione to Ron, and a gentle smile spread across his face. "I get a third daughter out of this deal. What do you think I think?" He turned back to Hermione. "The writing's been on the wall for years, Hermione, but I think we can officially say it now. Welcome to the family."
Ron knew he wasn't imagining the tears shimmering in his fiancée's eyes, and he watched as she somehow detached herself from his mother's grip and crossed the room to hug his father. There was silence for a moment until Molly cleared her throat and said, her voice full of emotion, "Well. I think it's time to eat. Let's go outside."
As they made their way to the tables on the grass, Ron couldn't help but remember the celebration they'd once had here for Harry's birthday – a very different type of celebration indeed. And he wasn't the only one remembering. He was about to walk outside when he felt a hand on his shoulder, holding him back. He turned and was surprised to see Harry with a smile on his face but a serious look in his eyes.
"Congratulations," he said, and Ron knew that he knew. He didn't know how, and he didn't know why, but he knew that Harry could tell from looking at him just what had gone on at Hogwarts. He had to look away.
"Thanks," he mumbled. "Come on. Let's go eat."
Harry looked at him questioningly but didn't pursue it, much to Ron's relief.
The cake was beautiful. Molly had outdone herself once again, and they all gasped when the huge lion of Gryffindor came floating towards the table. She couldn't help but beam at the looks on their faces.
"It's another all-Gryffindor Weasley wedding," she said simply. "The first one since mine and your father's. I think it deserves to be mentioned."
No one argued, but everyone glanced quickly at Harry and Ginny and just as quickly looked away. There was an awkward silence for a moment until George decided to rescue his little sister from any uncomfortable questions about her future and said loudly, "So do you have any idea when this is going to be?"
Ginny and Harry both looked at him gratefully as everyone's attention turned back to the newly-engaged couple. And for the next few hours, the table buzzed with wedding talk. Even Ron managed to relax. And Hermione fooled herself into thinking the worst was over.
