A/N- Ok, guys, bear with me on this one. I promised to give you a good wedding chapter for Fred and Hermione. I am kind of just winging it to be honest...this whole chapter could be completely rewritten because I hated it. Haha that's the kinda crazy shit I do. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it...if not, feel free to let me know and I will rewrite it (to an extent) when I'm done with the fic. Alrighty, now we will go on with the show.

Disclaimer: I own only Christine Weasley. In my wildest and wettest dreams, I own the Harry Potter universe. However, I'm awake. Lucky me. (voice dripping in sarcasm).

Chapter 52 ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````January 13, 1999 Fred & Hermione's Wedding

Hermione knew from the moment she opened her eyes that she looked like hell. Fleur was going to have her work cut out for her. Sleep had evaded her all night long, like fireflies on a summer night. She had missed Fred's warmth most of all, but the way he always had his arm around her waist and his face buried in her hair came in a super close second. Surprisingly, she hadn't had any nightmares during the short amount of sleep did get. Maybe the gods did take pity on her.

Trudging down the stairs in her pajamas, she sought out coffee instead of tea, deciding that she needed some caffeine to boost her through the day. Charlie and Christine were already there and were looking at her strangely. As was Arthur. She all gave them a wary look.

"Do I have something on my face? Is that why everyone at the table is staring at me except Ron?" Ron gave a laugh and was the one to answer her question.

"None of them have ever seen you at the table in pajamas with your hair looking quite like that. I recall from our days on the run when we wore every layer of clothing we owned just to stay warm, we washed off in water heated from snow or from a stream, and half the time you didn't have time to brush your hair. I'm used to this look on you. They aren't." Christine's hand went to her mouth in surprise and Molly's eyes watered. Before they could speak, Hermione beat them to it.

"I just didn't see the point in getting dressed for the day or brushing my hair out when Fleur is going to be here in an hour to do it all for me. Call me lazy, but today is my day and I'm tired so therefore you all get to see me in my natural state." The tears were now falling down Molly's cheeks freely. Ron got up to comfort her while Christine regarded Hermione.

"What exactly was Ron going on about? I don't really know your whole story since my family were all Slytherins they kind of supported the other side." Hermione gave a small sigh.

"Well it's too long to tell you everything right now, that could take forever, but I'll hit the high points. Dumbledore gave Harry a mission and made him swear he couldn't tell anyone except me and Ron. Well the mission was to find and destroy pieces of Voldemorts soul. The plan was to leave last summer, after Bill and Fleur's wedding. However, Death Eaters crashed the wedding and we were forced to leave earlier than planned. We spent ten months on the run from snatchers and Merlin knows what else. We broke into the Ministry and Gringotts. We were eventually caught by snatchers and they took us to Malfoy Manor, the same place we went on New Years, and I was tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. That's where I got the 'mudblood' scar. Her husband just reopened it when he caught us in Diagon Alley in August. That's the short version. Get me drunk sometime and I'll tell you the whole version." Christine shook her head incredulously.

"I can't believe you did all that. It's no wonder you're so strong. You didn't have a choice." Hermione gave a small laugh. Ron joined her after comforting his mother.

"She's a tough cookie because she had no other choice. Constantly bailing me and Harry out of scrapes. I think the only time we ever had to bail her out of anything was our first year when we went after the Sorcerer's Stone. I got her past the wizards chess and Harry got her through the flying keys. Even during second year when she was petrififed she told us what the monster was and how it was moving through the castle." Hermione scowled at him.

"That's not true. Harry saved Sirius and I from a hundred dementors in third year. There was no way I could have made a patronus at thirteen like he did. I would have been dead." Christine and Charlie were just shaking their heads in awe. Hermione broke up their increduality with a statement.

"You're more than welcome to stay and get ready with us Christine. I don't mean to sound mean or hateful towards Luna, because I do love her dearly, but you're going to be my sister. If I had known you half as well when we chose who would stand with us, I would have chose you. Not that I don't love Luna, but you understand my meaning...plus, Fleur is amazing at hair and makeup if you're looking for tips." Christine's eyes lit up.

"I would love that! And that's ok that I'm not in your wedding. Do you mind if I stay and get ready with the girls, Charlie?" Charlie gave her a smile while he rubbed his finger down her cheek all the way to her collarbone.

"No, love, I don't care. Do your girl thing. Just remember that your owe me a dance later tonight." Christine looked confused.

"You hate dancing, Charlie." He gave a booming laugh after giving her a kiss.

"That's why it's a punishment. You have to be seen dancing with an ox like me." Everyone laughed at his sentiment.

The floo activated, sending Harry and Ginny through. Ginny seemed to have the same idea that Hermione did, because she looked entirely too comfortable in one of Harry's old quidditch jerseys and a pair of black sweats. They had just sat down for tea when Bill and Fleur came through the floo. They were now just waiting on Luna to get there, so they women bade their farewells until the ceremony. Arthur gave Hermione a kiss on the forehead as she passed.

"Hermione, this is my welcome to the family before we're in front of a crowd. Or the press. Before you blow up, we had to agree to press. You are one of the Golden Trio. There was press at Harry and Ginny's wedding, there will be press at yours, and there will be press and Ron's. It will be very discreet, I promise you." Hermione let out a big breath and sighed.

"I suppose you're right. That doesn't mean I have to like it." Arthur laughed at her sulky tone. Charlie cut in.

"You better suck that lower lip in before you trip on it. Now come give me a hug since the next time I see you, you'll be saying vows to my little brother. You just remember what I told you if he ever gives you any problems. George will say come to him, but he'll go easy on him. I'm definetly the best bet." Hermione was laughing as she pressed a kiss to Charlie's cheek and pulled her into a bear hug. Hermione was finally released from Charlie and kissed Harry on the head. He laughed out loud at her gesture.

"I'd get all mushy on you right now, Hermione, but you've been my sister since we were eleven years old. Always will be. Now it's just like you'll be double my sister, as weird as that sounds. So go get gorgeous so I can walk you down the aisle."

Hermione followed Christine, Ginny, Fleur, and Luna (who had arrived fashionably late) up the stairs. She turned when she heard someone call her name. Ron was hailing her from the bottom of the stairs. Warily, she went back down a few steps to speak with him. He took both her hands in both of his and looked her in the eye.

"Hermione, I know that I have messed up really bad in the past. I'm not here to try to persuade you to stay with me. Even I know that's past. I just want you to know that I'm glad you got some guy like Fred that's going to take care of you always, be good to you because you deserve only the best Hermione. If you're happy, I'm happy. It took me a little while to learn that. I just wanted to let you know that even though I'll always want more, I'll love you in the right way, Hermione. Maybe they'll get this bond thing right and my feelings for you will vanish. I just miss being friends with you more than anything and I want that back.. Can you ever forgive me, for ruining what we had, with what I wanted?"

Hermione felt tears start to roll down her cheeks. She leaned into Ron's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist and he wrapped his arms around her upper back. He started to stroke her hair when her sniffles turned to sobs. She buried them in his shoulder, so nobody else would hear. When shed cried it all out, she leaned off of him and wiped her eyes.

"I can forgive you, Ronald, if none of it ever happens again. I just never thought I'd hear you say those words in my life. I've missed being your friend so much." Ron gave a half smile.

"Well the friendship will survive. If it survived third year, it can survive anything. Now, you don't smell quite as bad as you did when we were on the run but it's close. Go shower, get gorgeous for the cameras, and get ready to say 'I do' to my brother, the luckiest man in the world." She gave him a faint smile as she trudged back up the stairs, sure that Fleur was ready to kill her.

Fleur had went ahead and started on Ginny's hairstyle, the braided updo that clung to the crown of her head. When they saw the teartracks on Hermione's face, they all seemed concerned. Hermione simply smiled at them.

"Ron actually apologized, heartffelt, to me for some things that he has done lately in the past and says that he's accepted that we can never be together. Said he was glad that I got with Fred instead of some loser that didn't deserve me. He even told me that he missed having me as a friend. Everything I've been wanting to hear him say since the final battle." Christine stood and gave her a hug.

Molly came in at that very moment, to see how pressed for time the wedding was going to be. Hermione took a quick shower while Fleur did Molly's hair and started on Christine's hair. Since Hermione's hair was already dry, it would be quick enough to do. Luna had already done her own hair and makeup, and Hermione had to admit that she looked quite stunning. Ginny began helping Fleur with makeup to help things along.

When Hermione took her turn in the seat for her hairstyle, she really couldn't remember what hairstyle she had chosen for her wedding. She and Ginny had been worried sick about Ron and Harry walking into a trap at Nott Mansion the day they had chose. Hermione simply moved her head around as Fleur told her to and decided to trust her. After fifteen minutes or so, Fleur moved to her makeup. For some reason, this took just as long her hair had. When she was done, however, she was perfect. Fleur applied a few freezing charms to her hair and an impervious charm to her makeup.

The dresses from the day before came out and they all helped each other into them. When they were done, Hermione had to admit that they all looked amazing. Luna really did look like a fairytale princess. Ginny looked extremely sophisticated, as did Christine in her skin tight black dress. Molly looked every bit the mother of the groom. Her take on style was a little bit older than what was hip and classy, but she pulled off her look with style.

Hermione, however, couldn't believe it was herself in the mirror. The bone colored dress with the overlay snugged to all her curves. She looked like she had just stepped off a magazine cover. All of a sudden there was a knock at the door. Hermione disappeared into the bathroom where nobody could see her. Molly opened the door to find George with a small package in his hand.

"My lesser half would like to send this to his lovely bride. Well see you down at the altar."

Molly took the package from him and handed to Hermione when she sneaked back out of the bathroom. Hermione ripped it open to find a long jewelry bow. Flipping it open, she found a silver chain with a silver lion's head hanging from it. It had rubies for eyes on each side of it. Realizing it was a locket, she opened it to find a picture of she and Fred sitting together in the orchard. The opposite side was inscribed ' Only You Have My Heart'. After it was passed around and everyone exclaimed over it, she had Ginny put it on her.

Hermione stood back, surveying the women in front of her.

"I really want to thank each one of you for impacting my life in the way that you have. Molly, you've become my mother. I've always known that I could come to you since I was twelve years old. Christine, you've proven that you can overcome hurdles in your life that should guide you to be a completely different person than who you are right now. Luna, you're the most unique person I know. You have an open mind and you aren't scared about what people will say about either. That makes you one of the bravest people I know. Fleur, you have taught me to not judge people on their appearance. I always got the impression you were a stuck up snob because you're so damn beautiful it hurts, but when I actually gave you a chance, you are one of the sweetest girls I know. Ginny, I don't even know where to start with you. I've felt for years now that we were sisters. I can list our arguments on three fingers, maybe. You've always been there for me, my female rock when I needed to get away from those dumbass boys. Now we really will be sisters. I just want to thank everyone in this room for standing with me today. It means a lot to me."

Everyone's eyes were sparkling. Fleur, surprisingly, was the first to speak.

"You should be an author or something, 'ermione, with the way you use words. BUT there will be no tears tonight."

There was another knock at the door. Molly cracked it open again and saw that it was Harry. He smiled at Molly.

"It's getting close. Molly, you and Christine should probably go find your seats." Molly nodded and opened the door gesturing for Christine to follow her. Each pressed a kiss to Hermione's cheek for good luck.

Harry stepped in the room and was blown away by the people left in it. He eyed Ginny up and down in her dress and it obviously took effort to stop.

"All you ladies look wonderful. Fleur you are truly an artist." Ginny laughed as she put on a last dash on perfume.

"Come out, Hermione. Let him see you compared to us." Hermione stepped out of the bathroom and into a mist of perfume that Ginny had sprayed for her. She was a little sheepish about being put on show like she was, but it was just Harry. It was about to be who knew how many people outside. Harry mouth dropped open.

"Hermione, you look fabulous. When the hell did you start looking like this? I mean, I remember when you had bushy hair, bucked teeth, and no figure. You wore baggy clothes and skirts past your knees. Didn't even know what make up was. Now you look like a damned angel. Fred better be able to take care of you. He better get up to date on his dueling skills because with you around, he's gonnna need em." His statement had the whole room laughing. "Come on, girls, it's time to go."

They alll went down the stairs very carefully in their heels and got lined up with the groomsmen. Hermione could feel her heart fluttering a hundred miles a minute. Then there was a moment. Hermione reached out and clutched Harry's arm.

"I don't think I can do this. Who in their right mind gets married at nineteen unless they have to?" Hermione could feel the panic rolling through her system. Harry reached out and grabbed both her shoulders with his hands as the groomsmen and bridemaids walked up the aisle in time.

"Hermione, stop. You're freaking out. Who's at the end of that aisle?" Hermione looked up and saw Fred in the distance.

"It's Fred." Harry nodded.

"Exactly. The same man who was wild with worry when he finally got into that mansion to save you. He loves you and you love him. You've been married this whole time. Your money's together, you sleep together. You're just making it official. You can trust in Fred. You'll both make mistakes along the way, but that's life and part of what makes it so sweet. Ginny wouldn't mean near as much to me now if I hadn't had to lose her for a year because of the war. You are able to do this because you are goddamned Hermione Granger and you can do anything you set you mind to." Hermione visibly cooled after his speech.

She took deep breaths while Ginny and George took their turn down the aisle. Hermione laced her arm through Harry's and gave him a shaky smile.

"You won't let me fall, will you?" He gave her a wide smile.

"If I did, I know I'd be on the receiving end of your wand. Not something I care to repeat."

The music for the bride started and the crowds all stood for her entrance. Harry looked down at her with a smile on his face.

"It's time 'Mione."

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