The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.
Chapter 55 - A Christmas Day Wedding
"I'm sorry, Bill. I didn't know that she was there." Ginny said as she sat on the couch Bill pacing in front of her. Hermione had just arrived for the wedding with the Severus, Anna and Lily. Remy and Brian would be coming later with Remus and Tonks to keep their identity a secret. Hermione had come into the house to find Ron while the others were being seated.
"That is no excuse." An irate Bill said. "You should have never said it."
"What's going on?" Hermione whispered to Ron and Harry.
"Ginny was getting ready and complaining to Mum about 'Phlegm' and Fleur overheard her. Now Fleur had locked herself into Percy's bedroom saying how she can't marry into a family that doesn't want her. Bill has tried begging her to come out as have her parents and sister. Mum, Dad and Charlie are up there trying now." Ron said then looking down at Hermione, "You look beautiful."
"Thanks." She said and she raised up on tip toes to kiss him. "I love the bracelet."
"Bill, please calm down." Ginny begged.
"Calm down. The woman I love and want to spend the rest of my life with, is now crying and refusing to marry me because of my sister. Tell me, do you insult Angelina, Katie and Hermione behind their backs, or is that just reserved for the woman I love. Just look at Ron, Hermione and Harry. Even though your Harry's girlfriend, you are never going to make that threesome a foursome." Bill said.
"Bill, please." Arthur said as he walked down the stairs.
"Any progress?" Bill asked.
"Your brother and mother are still trying." Arthur said.
"Ron, Harry and Hermione, can you please try?" Bill asked. "She respects the three of you."
"Sure." Hermione said as she took her best friends by the hand and pulled them up the stairs.
"What are we going to say?" Harry mumbled.
"Bloody hell if I know." Ron said.
"We have to at least try." Hermione whispered.
"Mrs. Weasley, why don't you go down and try to calm Bill down." Hermione said as Harry and Ron helped her to her feet.
"We are here to give it a go." Harry said.
"Thank you." Molly said as she and Charlie made their way down the stairs.
"Fleur, it is Hermione, Ron and Harry." Hermione said. "Bill is going crazy down stairs worried about you."
They didn't hear a response only a sniff.
"I'm sorry for what Ginny said." Harry said.
"She is just jealous. She is not used to sharing her brothers, so she is not very gracious about it." Hermione added.
"She doesn't treat you zat way." Fleur said.
"I'm just dating Ron. I'm not becoming a member of this family anytime soon." Hermione said.
"You're not the only one Ginny insults. She teases me and talks down to me all the time, but I know that she would also bend over backwards to protect me." Ron said. "It's part of being in this family."
"You just need to stand up to her and show her you are not going anywhere." Hermione said.
"And the best way to do that is to walk down there and marry Bill." Ron said. "If you don't, I don't know what Bill will do."
"Bill really wants to marry me, no matter what his sister zinks?" Fleur asked.
"Yes." All three of them said in unison.
"Ermione, can you help me finish getting ready?"
"Absolutely." Hermione said.
"Okay." Fleur said as she cracked the door and let Hermione in the room. Ron and Harry headed back down beaming at themselves for saving the day.
"You all better get moving. There is going to be a wedding today." Ron said.
"She is going to go through with it?" Bill asked.
"Of course, the great Harry Potter and his two best mates were on the case." Ron said.
When Hermione slipped into the seat next to Ron twenty minutes later, Bill and Charlie were already making their way to the altar to await for Fleur to be escorted down the aisle by her father.
Lily was sitting on Ron's lap, while Harry and Ginny sat to the other side of him. The family having decided it would be best to not have Ginny in the wedding party.
Hermione then looked over across the aisle to see Remy and Brian seated with pink haired Tonks and Remus. The kids looking as excited as Lily was as she squirmed in Ron's lap.
"How did you get so lucky to have the mutchkin sitting with us?" Hermione asked.
"I had a better seat then her parents. This is her first wedding." Ron replied tickling Lily as she giggled. "Did you see Tonk's hair?"
"It's pink." Lily offered.
"She must be very happy." Hermione said and Lily giggled. "The whole house was all a buzz with wedding this morning." Hermione said. "Lily, did you tell them all about this morning?"
"Yeah, she told us about Father Christmas coming and the reindeer eating the carrot she left." Ron said and Lily nodded in response.
"Did she tell you about all the presents that were exchanged?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah it sounded like she made out like a bandit." Harry said.
"Did you forget about the special present Tonks got?" Hermione asked Lily.
"No, Tonksie got a ring from Uncle Remus." Lily said. "We get to go to another wedding."
"Merlin's beard!" Ron said.
Lily giggled as people looked their way. Ron and Harry both mouthed congratulation to Remus and Tonks who smiled their thanks in response.
The wedding was very traditional and could have passed for a Muggle wedding as Mr. Delacor escorted his daughter down the aisle and Professor Dumbledore performed the ceremony. Lily giggled when Bill and Fleur kissed at the end of the ceremony.
At the reception. Hermione and Ron retrieved Remy and Brian from Remus and Tonks and brought them over to sit with Harry, Ginny, Luna and Neville.
"Ron, is that the seeker Victor Krum over there?" Brian asked in awe.
"Yeah, it is." Ron grumbled. "Did you know he would be here?" He asked Hermione.
"Honestly, I didn't." Hermione admitted.
"You know Victor Krum?" Brian asked awed.
"Yeah, met him at the triwizard tournament a couple years ago. We still exchange letters." Hermione replied.
"Do you think he would give us an autograph?" Remy asked.
"How about I take you over there and we ask him." Hermione said.
"Me, too." Lily said.
"I'll come with you." Ron offered not liking the idea of Hermione spending too much time around Krum.
"Be nice." Hermione warned as they made their way over to Victor's table. Lily holding hands with Ron and Hermione.
"'Erminony, 'ow vunderful to zee you." Victor said.
"Hello, Victor. I didn't know you would be here." Hermione said.
"Fleur invited me." He responded.
"You remember my friend Ron." She said gesturing toward Ron, "And these are our friends Remy, Brian and Lily."
"'ow nize to meet you" Victor said.
"They were hoping for an autograph, if you don't mind. They are huge Quidditch fans." Hermione explained.
"Of courze." Victor said taking the pen and napkins Hermione held out.
"Thank you so much." Remy said and Brian nodded silently in agreement Lily just giggled.
"'Erminony, I vill be at 'Ogwarts for a big ball for dignitariez in February. I believe 'Ogwart's students vill be included like last time. 'Arry most definitely being a trivizard's champion. Vould you care to be my date for the event?" Victor asked as he signed the napkins.
"Oh, Victor, I'm truly honored, but I'm dating Ron now. But thank you for the invitation." She could feel Ron tension beside her.
"My loss. But if you are free for the event let me know." Victor said handing the napkins to the kids.
"She won't be." Ron said through clenched teeth.
"Thank you for the autographs and it was good to see you again." Hermione said as she grabbed Ron's hand and pulled him away from the table.
"I was nice. I didn't punch him when he asked my girlfriend out. Twice." Ron mumbled.
Hermione just shook her head. "I want to talk to Severus. Kids, go rejoin Harry's table. You can show your parents the autograph when we get home. We will figure some way to display it in your rooms."
"Thanks, Hermione." Brian said as they took off back to the table to show Harry and Ginny his autograph, Remy followed holding Lily's hand.
"Thank you for taking the kids over to meet Mr. Krum." Anna said as they arrived at the table where she, Severus, Remus and Tonks were seated.
Hermione smiled in response, but Ron just grumbled.
"Victor mentioned a ball in February where various Dignitaries would be invited, including the Triwizard champions." Hermione said as she and Ron sat down at the table.
"Yes, February 14th. They are allowing the 4th years and up to attend as well." Severus said.
"That is why I needed new dress robe?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore will announce it at the returning feast." Severus said.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Ron said.
"You're not the only one." Remus said.
TBC
