Charlie's wedding preparations were in full bloom as the Weasleys finished up last-minute details for the ceremony. Molly was over the moon at the thought of her second son getting married and was barking orders at everyone to make sure the wedding was perfect.

"I hope after a few more weddings mum calms down," Ginny whispered. "I don't want her to be like this at my wedding."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "You're her only daughter. I think she'll be even worse!"

Ginny cringed as she continued to set up the centerpieces on each table. Hermione followed sprinkling flower petals around the centerpieces. It was not the aesthetic anyone assumed Charlie or Alexis would choose but it was beautiful. Pink roses were everywhere; on the tables, the chairs, they were placed all the way up the aisle, and in a beautiful arch where the happy couple would stand. Everything else was white. The combination was soft and elegant. It was thought that Charlie would have the least formal wedding of all, but so far he was actually going more formal than Bill and Fleur.

"The wedding is tomorrow!" Molly shrieked. "You can't go off dragon hunting now!"

Everyone's eyes were on Molly and Charlie as he explained that there was a problem at the camp and he needed to go take care of it tonight.

"Mum, ill be back by morning in plenty of time."

"What did Alexis say?" She asked.

Charlie opened his mouth but no words came out. He gave his mum a half shrug, looking down at his feet.

"He didn't tell her!" Ginny said, laughing. "He's in big trouble now."

Hermione chuckled along but soon started thinking about her own wedding. It was right around the corner. She wanted something casual but elegant. Fred agreed and they had worked out some minor details. They both wanted different shades of blue flowers. Ginny would be her maid of honor and George would be Freds. Ginny had picked out a beautiful blue gown and matched a bowtie for George to wear. Even more exciting, the following day Narcissa and Molly were both going to help her alter her mother's wedding gown to find a style that suited Hermione.

Across the yard, Fred was watching her, and as she felt his presence her eyes raised to meet his. By the smile on his face, he was thinking the same thing that she was. He gave her a wink sending butterflies erupted from her belly and heat across her cheeks. How could such a small gesture make someone feel something so powerful?

"Earth to Hermioneee!" Ginny sang. "Please stop undressing my brother with your eye."

Hermione glanced at her friend and blushed even more. "Oh, Ginny I was not undressing him with my eyes!"

The redhead arched her brow but didn't push, besides she didn't really want to think about her brother defiling her best friend. Gross.

"Charles Weasley, if you leave to go to that camp..." Molly warned.

"Oh, bloody hell mum! It's only for a few hours!"

Immediate silence followed. Everyone knew that Molly did not allow cursing, especially in her presence. Especially when it's directed at her. Charlie's face was pale and he wiped his palms on the side of his pants, he knew he messed up. Behind him, Ron and Bill were laughing like it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen. Hermione caught herself laughing along with them as Charlie took off running from the shoe that Molly threw at him.

"You may be an adult, but you are still my child and I won't have that language being thrown around!" She yelled sternly.

"You think he's gonna go?" Ginny asked.

Hermione shrugged. "It depends on what's more powerful; his love for dragons or his fear of Molly."

Ginny sighed. "That's gonna be tight. It could go either way."

HGFW

Later that night, Fred came stomping to the flat and collapsed on the couch beside Hermione. She saw the crease in his forehead and the tightness in his mouth. She reached out, smoothing his hair and running her fingers along the back of his neck.

"Love, what's wrong?" She asked softly.

"George is trying to win Angelina over." He spat. "She's been fooling around with how many other people for how long? He's too soft. He won't do what needs to be done. He's going to try to make her happy his whole life but he won't be happy. He's going to be miserable and he deserves so much more than that."

He jumped up and kicked the coffee table over, spilling her tea and sending books flying across the floor. "We're supposed to look out for each other but he won't listen to me. And he's bringing her to the wedding tomorrow. I told him she couldn't come to our wedding and he got so mad at me like I was trying to ruin his future or something. This law is what's ruining our future. Forcing us all to marry and told to have our little happy ever afters but on their terms. Why can't he just see that the law and Angelina are the problems? Not me, I'm just trying to protect him!"

"Maybe he doesn't want your protection anymore. Maybe he just wants to try and make his own decisions. You two have made decisions together for your whole life. But now, here you are making your own decisions when you moved in here with me, when we make wedding plans, when we talk about our life." She said.

"Yes, but those are plans about my life so I would make those decisions without him."

Hermione raised her eyebrows waiting for him to catch on.

He shook his head. "This is different. I know it's his life but he's going to get hurt even more."

"Maybe you need to let him learn. And maybe he doesn't need you to tell him what to do, maybe he needs your support through whatever he decides. Because it's his life."

He groaned but she knew that he understood what she said. She knew that he knew she was right. He continued grumbling about the "awful slag" for a few minutes until she tugged him to their room for bed.

"We have an early morning tomorrow." She said. "The first wedding in the long line of weddings to come.