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Ron doesn't participate in all the festivities. Maybe he looks like he doesn't really care about what's going on as he stands against the wall, a glass of wine in his hand, but that's hardly the case. Of course he cares. It's Rose's wedding, after all. What father wouldn't care?

Still, there's an ache in his chest as he watches Rose and Scorpius take their first dance as husband and wife. His little girl is all grown up now. One day, she won't even need Ron anymore.

He clears his throat. It's best not to think of that. Merlin knows he'll let it sour his mood if he isn't careful. For now, he just focuses on the moment, on the here and now. Rose smiles as Scorpius spins her around. Auntie Muriel's tiara, which adorns his daughter's elegantly styled red hair, glitters in the light. It really is like something out of a fairytale, a beautiful, perfect wedding, and his daughter deserves nothing less.

"There you are," Hermione calls, smiling brightly as she closes the distance between them. "Off sulking, are you?"

Ron snorts, rolling his eyes. Damn. Even his own wife assumes. "I'm not sulking," he grumbles. "I'm just watching."

Hermione laughs and shakes her head. She stands at his side, resting her back against the wall and linking her arm with his. "I know you aren't, but to be fair…"

Ron sighs. He knows she's right. The first time Rose mentioned having feelings for Scorpius, Ron shut down. How could he not? Malfoys and Weasleys had a long history of not getting along. There had been no reason to think his daughter's love story could rewrite history.

And yet… here they are. Ron sees the way Scorpius looks at Rose, and there's no denying that Ron had been wrong about him. Of course, Ron managed to swallow his pride and admit he had been wrong long before Scorpius ever put a ring on Rose's finger.

"I really did think it would all be some big calamity," Ron chuckles, shaking his head. "Why didn't you tell me I was an idiot?"

His wife snorts. "I did," she reminds him, snuggling a little closer. "About seven different times. Not that I kept track or anything."

Ron looks at her, and his heart flutters. After all this time, Hermione can still make him feel like a nervous schoolboy. "Oh, of course you wouldn't keep track," he teases. "Not like you enjoy telling me 'I told you so', or anything."

"I don't enjoy it," she says, grinning. "I just happen to usually be right."

"Ah, there she is. There's the Hermione that puts me in my place."

Hermione makes a face and tightens ever so slightly. "Are you just going to stand here, drinking your wine and sulking, or are you going to be part of our daughter's special day?" she asks.

Ron sighs. He knows she's right (yet again). Even if he isn't actually sulking, he's still not being an active part of Rose's wedding. She deserves better than that, and he is going to be better for her. With a shrug, he sets his empty glass down on the nearest table and turns to his wife. "I'm sure you could convince me to dance," he tells her. "I mean, if you play your cards right."

Hermione just laughs and adjusts her arm, lacing her fingers with his. Without another word, she leads him onto the dance floor, and all Ron can do is follow her along with a pleased smile on his lips.

"Do you think he's right for her?" he asks as they sway in time with the music.

"Yes."

"But how do you know?"

Hermione looks him in the eye and lifts a hand, gently caressing his cheek with her fingertips. "Rose grew up in a house with a mum and dad who loved each other very much. We weren't always perfect, but we apologized when needed, and we righted the wrongs we could," she tells him.

"That doesn't answer my question…"

"Rose was exposed to a healthy love. She saw the way you treated me, and you know how stubborn she is," Hermione says with an amused laugh. "Takes after you a bit too much sometimes. But you know she won't settle for less than the sort of love we have."

Sometimes Ron is still nervous. Rose is a smart girl; as much as Hermione says she takes after him, Ron sees so much of Hermione in Rose. Still, there will always be that nagging fear, that deep concern that something is wrong.

But, in the end, he supposes it's time to let go. Hermione is right. Rose is happy and in love, and, despite Ron's old feelings about the Malfoys, Scorpius is a good kid.

"Dad?" Rose approaches them, holding out a hand. "Can I cut in?"

Hermione lets go of Ron. "Of course, honey! I need to find Hugo and make sure he isn't talking Narcissa's ear off again!"

And with that, Rose takes Hermione's place, and she and Ron begin to dance.

"Not embarrassed to be seen with your old man?" Ron laughs.

Rose grins. "Never."

"You look beautiful, Rosie," he says with a sigh. "I'm happy for you."

And he means it. Merlin knows it feels like it's taken a lifetime to reach some level of acceptance. Maybe he'll never fully understand life's plans or why it was a Malfoy who stole his daughter's heart. In the end, he knows it doesn't matter. All he wants is for Rose to be happy.