A/N: No beta, just Grammarly.

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Chapter 3

Hermione had thought it was going to take her ages to fall asleep, but her week had been tiring enough that after trying to figure out which side was the polite side to lay on, she fell asleep. Her alarm chirped in the morning to wake her in time to get ready for the pre-ceremony gathering with the wedding party. Hermione may not have been officially part of the wedding party, but Pansy had invited her to all of the wedding party events.

She sighed, and rolled over onto her back, forgetting entirely that Thorfinn was there in bed with her until she rolled and bumped into his shoulder. He shifted in his sleep and slid a massive hand across her stomach, cuddling close. She froze. For a moment, with her eyes closed, she enjoyed the heat of his hand on her. Her shirt had half ridden up and the hand was on all skin and God, it felt incredible. When was the last time she had woken up next to someone in bed?

She sighed. She should get out of bed. She should definitely not be enjoying how his body felt next to hers. He shifted once more, closer to her, and threw a leg over her legs. Now she was almost fully enveloped in his warmth. Did all men run this hot? She could feel a sweat break out along her brow, but she didn't want to move, it felt incredible, being this close to him.

Her phone chirped again, and this time, it wasn't her alarm, but rather an incoming text message. Probably from Ginny wondering where the hell she was and why she wasn't there to save her from Pansy and her friends. She sighed and shoved at Thorfinn's arm, trying to roll out from underneath him.

He didn't budge.

Shit.

She tried to move her legs out from his, but his leg was so big, she had a bit of trouble shifting it. Finally, he grunted and rolled onto his back, freeing her. She scrambled out of the bed and frowned to see he was still fast asleep.

Checking her phone, she was surprised to see it was a message from Harry, not Ginny, but still, if she didn't hurry, she was going to be late. She gathered her shower bag and hurried to the bathroom. Pansy had hired hair and makeup artists for the event, inviting Hermione to partake. Hermione planned to bring her own makeup, just in case Pansy was oblivious enough not to warn the makeup artist that she was black. That was definitely a Pansy move. Nor was she about to leave her hair up to a white stylist who likely had little to no experience with black hair. In short, she had a lot to do to get ready before she could meet the rest of the wedding party.

After her shower, she pulled up the text from Harry and snorted.

Harry

Hope one bed was ok

I may have bribed the hotel staff

Whoops

*wink face emoji*

For some reason, she wasn't even a little surprised at Harry's duplicitousness

Hermione

Don't tell me you and Theo have a bet going on

What have I told you about betting on me?

She set her phone on the counter and wiped the mirror with her towel. One thing she always hated about hotels was how, despite each bathroom having a fan, they never worked well enough to actually clear the steam from the room. It was too humid to bother doing her makeup, she'd have to just dress and do it out in the room. Hopefully, Thorfinn would still be asleep and she could just leave him a text.

Harry

*see-no-evil emoji*

We might have done

Not telling you who bet on what

Rolling her eyes, Hermione debated what to say back while she hurried to get her 'getting ready outfit' on. Let Harry and Theo have their fun. It wasn't like she and Thorfinn were anything more than convenient dates for this wedding and the gala next month, right?

She assured herself that was the case and sent a final text to Harry.

Hermione

When neither of you wins, the proceeds are to be donated to Women Power

*kiss face emoji*

Thorfinn was still asleep when she went back into the room, so she gathered her dress, and what she would need for hair and makeup and slipped out of the room. On the way to the lounge Pansy had booked for them to get ready in, Hermione sent a text to Thorfinn.

Hermione

Had to go get ready with the wedding party

Perks of being friends but not in the wedding, I guess

I'll meet you back at the room at 1:30

Order what you like from room service, it's covered

She just got to the lodge when she received a text back.

Thorfinn

Can't believe I missed waking up with you

*wink face emoji*

Maybe tomorrow

See you this afternoon

She bit her lip, staring at his text. That was… really flirty. It made her equal parts excited and nervous to see Thorfinn again. While she didn't necessarily want to give in on whatever bet Harry and Theo were having, part of her did wonder what it would be like to kiss Thorfinn. To see him naked, in person and not through a tiny phone screen. To run her hands over those incredible muscles she had felt this morning, but hadn't seen.

"Hermione?" Ginny interrupted her train of thought. "You coming in?"

"Yeah," she tucked her phone away without responding. Sending him the eggplant emoji followed by the peach emoji and then the water emoji was probably not appropriate, though the thought did cross her mind more than once that morning as she got ready with the rest of the wedding party. As predicted, Pansy 'forgot' to mention to the makeup artist and the hairstylist both that Hermione was black. The makeup artist at least was fine with it, having plenty of shades that would work for her, but the hairstylist looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Don't worry about it," Hermione said. "I can do my own hair." She laughed goodnaturedly about it, but inside she sighed. It wasn't the first nor would it be the last time one of her white friends didn't think about her needs. It was the curse of hanging out with a bunch of white people.

The morning went fast, though, thankfully Pansy had lunch catered to the lodge. Just as she finished eating, she and the rest of the wedding party headed back to the main hotel to gather dates and line up for the ceremony which would be taking place on the south terrace.

Hermione had planned to hurry up to the room and collect Thorfinn, but the moment they were inside the lobby, he was already there, talking to Charlie. For a moment, she had forgotten that he knew Charlie and the rest of the Weasleys. Something like relief flooded her at the realization that she wouldn't have to be his sole entertainment. He hadn't noticed her yet, which gave her the unique opportunity to take him in. He was dressed in the same tux from the picture he had sent. And he looked good. The tux was cut perfectly to emphasize his broad shoulders and tapered to his hips. He had his hair down, around his shoulders and it looked like he had trimmed his beard. In short, he looked like the hottest man in the room.

Charlie caught her eye then and she gave him a smile as she made her way over. The crowd was milling about, waiting for the doors out to the terrace to open as Hermione slipped around people she'd known for ages and others who were Pansy's family and friends. She offered smiles and nods to those she knew as she made her way to where Charlie and Thorfinn were standing.

"Hermione," Charlie said with a grin. "My, you have grown up."

"I should hope so, you're brother is the same age as me and is getting married," Hermione said with a grin. Charlie leaned in for a hug and she happily gave him one. He'd just moved back to Britain last year and she was enjoying getting to know him better.

"Hi, there," Thorfinn said from beside her. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Hi, yourself," she said. She looked him up and down. "Looks like you delivered as promised."

"I always deliver on my promises," he replied, slowly licking his bottom lip and taking in her own ensemble. She was in a long, navy blue number. It was sleeveless, slinky and high collared with a totally open back, all the way down to the base of her spine. She'd had to forgo a bra, but Ginny assured her she looked fine. Almost as good as the bridesmaids, she had replied with a laugh.

"Well, that's good to hear," Hermione replied with a grin.

"You look amazing," Thorfinn said, offering her his arm just as the bells chimed and the doors to the terrace opened.

"That's my cue," Charlie said. He gave them both a nod and a smile and headed toward the terrace with the rest of the wedding party.

Once the wedding party was through, Hermione and Thorfinn drifted with the rest of the crowd. The terrace was gorgeous, with blooming flowers dripping from every possible surface, including the archway at the head of the aisle. A true, fairytale style wedding.

Thorfinn let out a low whistle.

"The Parkinsons don't do anything by halves," Hermione murmured to him as they took their seats. "They've rented out the entire castle for the weekend."

"I guess so," Thorfinn replied. "How in the world did she decide on a Weasley? And the twatty one, I've heard?"

Hermione burst out laughing and quickly covered her mouth to hide her giggles. "Who told you he was the twatty one?" she asked, trying to keep a straight face as the rest of the guests took their seats.

"Charlie," Thorfinn said with a shrug.

"I suspect Pansy likes control. And Ron does not like to be in charge of anything," she said with a small shrug. "One of the many reasons we broke up, actually. I just wanted him to make a decision about something, anything, and..." she trailed off and shook her head.

"Ah, I wonder if that translates to the bedroom," he replied with a glint in his eyes."

"Thorfinn," Hermione hissed, slapping his arm and having no idea if he was talking about her or Pansy and Ron. Did she want him to be talking about her and their potential sex life? She wasn't sure, but before she could think more about it. The music began and the bridesmaids started their slow walk down the aisle.

The ceremony itself was short, Pansy and Ron opted to write their own vows and they were properly sweet, endearing, and just a touch funny. After they newlyweds walked back down the aisle, the guests were ushered to the lawn below the terrace for a cocktail hour.

With the wedding party busy taking pictures, Hermione and Thorfinn were mostly on their own. Pretty much all of Hermione's friends in attendance were in the wedding party.

"So," Thorfinn said after a long moment of neither of them talking.

"So," Hermione replied, feeling incredibly awkward. Perhaps her thoughts of them having any sort of chemistry were not to be if they couldn't even handle a little slow talk.

Thorfinn laughed. "I hope the food is good, I'm rather hungry."

"Oh, did you not order room service? I thought I gave you enough time-"

"I didn't, but mostly because I spent the time catching up on sleep," he shrugged. "Sometimes it's hard to find the time to sleep during the season, so I get caught up when I can."

Hermione nodded. "I always have trouble sleeping when I'm working on particularly challenging cases or clients. It seems my brain just wants to run nonstop."

"What's the most challenging case you've ever won?" Thorfinn asked.

And from there, they had no problems keeping each other company throughout the cocktail hour.

By the time dinner was ready to be served, she and Thorfinn were laughing together like old friends. She was actually having fun, which she hadn't expected. She had fully assumed that she was going to be mostly miserable during the wedding, and she was extraordinarily happy that Ginny had dared her to ask Thorfinn to accompany her.

Dinner they at least were seated mixed in with the wedding party. Pansy and Ron had opted for a sweethearts table, instead of a large heads table. And from the glances Hermione had made toward them, thank goodness for that. They were being sickeningly cute with each other, by feeding one another and kissing between bites. She was glad she didn't have to witness that any closer than from where she was currently at.

"So, Thorfinn," Ginny said from Hermione's other side. "What's your workout routine like?"

"My workout routine?" Thorfinn asked, his brow furrowed.

"Yeah, Hermione showed me that picture you sent-" Hermione coughed and pinched Ginny's leg, but that wasn't about to stop her friend, "I'd like to get Blaise on a similar routine, see if he can produce abs like yours."

"Showed you, did she?" Thorfinn asked with a sparkle in his eye.

"We were at Pansy's hen do," Hermione explained, "when you sent the picture and Ginny looked over my shoulder," she said while glaring daggers at Ginny. Daring her to contradict her.

"What? I can't appreciate a man who has amazing abs?" Ginny asked, all faux innocence.

"Ginny!" Hermione, Blaise, and Charlie all shouted at once in various degrees of scandalous shock and surprised laughter.

"I'm just saying," Ginny replied, picking up her drink and taking a healthy swig of it. "If I had a man who looked like that anywhere near me, I'd climb him like a tree."

"Okay, I think you've had enough to drink," Blaise said, plucking the glass from her hand. "You've not had complaints before," he whispered somewhat petulantly.

"That was before I saw him," Ginny said, pointing at Thorfinn, giving a sassy wink.

"Jesus, Ginny, how much have you had to drink?" Hermione hissed, glaring at her friend. Ginny just shrugged and went back to eating her salad.

"God, I'm so sorry," Hermione whispered to Thorfinn. "That was... I'm sorry," she shook her head. God, she felt like an idiot. She definitely would not have shown that photo to Ginny if she had known that Ginny was going to be bringing it up to Thorfinn's face.

"It's okay," Thorfinn replied. "Flattering really, if not a little awkward," he said with a half-laugh.

"Still, I feel terrible," Hermione said as her stomach clenched tightly.

"Hey," he replied, putting his hand on her back. She shivered at the warm touch of him on her skin. "It's okay, really. Besides, she seems... kind of drunk?"

"Yeah, I think she had too many Bellini's when we were getting ready. You know how prosecco is," Hermione explained.

"Yeah, that would do it," Thorfinn nodded. "I try to stay away from the stuff myself."

Hermione offered him a small smile.

Despite the hiccup with Ginny at dinner, she thought the wedding was going rather well. That was, until after dinner and Ron caught sight of her and Thorfinn laughing together.

"Hermione," Ron said tightly after storming halfway across the venue toward her. "Can I talk to you?"

"Ron, congratulations!" Hermione said, ignoring his tone and commandeering attitude. Perhaps she could good cheer him into a better mood. She had an inkling of what he might be upset about, but honestly, it was his wedding day, he oughtn't be upset about anything that had to do with her. "You and Pansy looked wonderful up there! So in love."

"Thanks," he said mulishly. "Can we talk?" He grabbed her arm, practically forcing her out of her chair. Thorfinn made to stand, but Hermione cut him a look and shook her head.

"Sure, Ron," Hermione said, giving him a tight smile. "Let's go have a chat."

She shook her arm free of him as he led her out of the ballroom they were eating dinner in and into a side corridor that looked little used.

"Can I help you with something?" Hermione asked with false cheer, still hoping he wasn't going to do what she thought he was going to do. But Ron, being Ron, couldn't help himself.

"Why did you bring him as your date?" he asked bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I didn't realize that I was supposed to have run my date choice by you first," Hermione replied, sickly sweet.

"I-well, you don't, of course not. But, come on, Hermione. A man like that? He wants one thing," Ron lectured.

Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she wasn't sure which part of that comment she should address first.

"A man like that?" she said, "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"You know! A professional rugby player. He probably has a different girl every night of the week," Ron scoffed.

"You don't know Thorfinn," Hermione replied. "Besides, even if he was like that, what business would it be of yours?"

"Come on, Hermione. You deserve a nice guy. Someone who isn't going to yank you around."

"Maybe what I want and what you think I need are two totally different things, Ron," Hermione replied. She was trying really hard to keep her temper in check, but Ron certainly wasn't making this easy.

"Hermione," he groaned, dragging out every single syllable in her name in that whining tone she hated so much.

"Ron," she snapped. "Who I date hasn't been your business for bloody years. So go back out there and enjoy your fucking wedding day, okay?"

She turned on her heel and stomped to the women's lav. The last thing she wanted was to continue with this evening, her mood was completely ruined now, but Ron was one of her oldest friends and she would keep on in support of him. Not that he seemed to care all that much about her.

Sighing she studied her face in the mirror over the sink, taking a few moments to unsmudge her makeup in the spots it needed it and reapply her lipstick. Feeling marginally better she gave herself a little mental peptalk and then left the lav with a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

She almost ran smack into Thorfinn's chest.

"Woah," he said, grabbing her by the elbow to steady her. "You alright?" he asked, peering at her with concern.

She wasn't sure how he could see through her mask, but she felt like he could and she dropped it just a fraction.

"Fine, just tired. Ron is…" she trailed off.

"Charlie might have tipped me off," Thorfinn replied. He put an arm around her shoulder and guided her through the corridor to the door at the end that emptied out into the garden.

"Just, why the bloody hell does he think he gets a say in who I date?" she asked once they were safely outside and away from the rest of the guests.

Thorfinn shrugged. "I don't know the bloke well enough, but in my experience some people have trouble getting over their exes and that's on them."

"He's bloody married!" Hermione exploded, throwing her hands up in the air. "It's ridiculous and sexist, and so fucking patriarchal it makes me want to scream."

Thorfinn just nodded. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry he treats you that way."

Hermione took a deep breath, and let it out slowly, gazing unseeingly at the garden while she contemplated Thorfinn's words. He was right, it was entirely Ron's problem, not hers. Taking another deep breath and letting all thoughts of Ron and his misplaced jealousy, she was surprised when she felt Thorfinn slide his hand along her waist.

"You ready to go back in?" he asked, he was so close that she could feel his breath hot against her ear and a thrill went down her spine. They were friends, this wasn't a real date, but Hermione couldn't deny her attraction to him anymore. She didn't want to either.

Biting her lip she turned to face him. "Yes, let's go back inside," she gave him a brilliant smile. He returned it, his blue eyes sparkling and held an arm out for her.

The rest of the reception went as most do. Lots of people drank too much, Ginny, Harry, and George, included in that group. Many people returned to their rooms early, Ron's parents among that group, and more danced long into the night. While Hermione did adore dancing, she didn't want to put Thorfinn off too much and only danced a few songs with Ginny, who while still completely soused, at least was behaving better than she had at dinner.

While Hermione wasn't among the group who overindulged, she'd certainly had plenty of alcohol by the time the wedding was truly winding down and Thorfinn found her laughing with Harry and Theo.

"I approve," Theo said, voce sotto, just as Thorfinn slid his large hand around her waist.

"Theo!" Hermione hissed at him.

"I'm ready to turn in," Thorfinn announced. She could hear the grin in his voice before she turned to look up at him.

"Me too," Hermione agreed.

Harry whooped and Hermione flipped him a two fingered salute as Thorfinn led her off toward the stairs.

"Thanks again for coming with me," Hermione told him, leaning rather heavily into his side as they walked down the corridor toward their room.

"I'm glad I did," Thorfinn told her. He keyed open their room and guided her inside.

"Shit," she muttered, spying the single bed again. "I'm sorry about the bed thing."

"You've apologized already," he reminded her, again, close enough that his breath was hot against her neck.

She slowly turned around, even with her heels, she felt positively tiny next to him. There was an intensity in his gaze as he leaned toward her and Hermione decided to go for it. She grasped the lapels of his jacket and pulled him to her as she pressed her lips to his. It was strange, with his beard, she hadn't ever kissed anyone with a beard like his before, but a moment later, he was nibbling on her bottom lip and she forgot all about the beard. His hands landed heavy on her hips as he began backing her toward the bed.

Her heels were lost somewhere along the way, along with his tux jacket, bowtie, and cumberbund. She had her hands buried in his hair as he picked her up and settled her onto the bed. Eagerly, she pulled on his shirt, yanking it out of his trousers and running her hands up the hot skin of his back.

He broke away then, kissing down her neck and to her collarbone, before dropping his forehead to her shoulder and taking a few deep breaths.

"We should stop," Thorfinn told her. Words she absolutely didn't want to hear, right then.

"I-alright, if you'd like," she replied, confused about what had happened. Why did he want to stop?

"Fuck," he muttered, placing a kiss on her shoulder. "I really don't want to, but I've probably had more to drink than I ought to have. And I think you might have too."

Hermione sighed and opened her eyes. The ceiling was spinning above her. "You might be right."

Thorfinn stood up then, giving her a small smile. She bit her lip and watched as he went into the bathroom feeling more unsure than ever.