The Blood of Ronald Weasley
Okay, last chapter. It's a doosey. (is that how you spell that?) I'm sorry it took so long to get up, but I think its well worth the wait. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, REVIEW! See the author's note at the bottom for info on my *sequel*. Oh, and for the last time, I'm not JKR and stuff like that…bummer.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: THE WEDDING
When Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny got off the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross the next afternoon, it was a tearful event.
Hermione was sad to say goodbye to her dorm mates. "Oh, Lavender, if you need any help planning the wedding, owl me! I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Hermione," she said, embracing her. Lavender wiped some tears from her eyes. "What are you guys doing for the summer?"
"I'm getting a temporary job. I'm going to apply at Madam Malkin's, because eventually I want to start my own line of dress robes," Belle said.
"That's great, Belle! My parents lined up a job for me at Flourish and Blotts." Eloise rolled her eyes. "How boring."
"I'm going home and looking for a Muggle job. I think it'll be interesting to do that for awhile, since I'm from an all wizarding family. Then, who knows? What are you doing, Lavender? You know, besides planning the wedding?" Parvati asked.
"Well, as it isn't for a year, I have a little time before I have to start that. Actually, I got a job at the toy store in Diagon Alley. So when Seamus and I raise enough money, we're going to rent a flat in London. My parents will flip when I tell them," she said.
"I'm sure they will," Belle said laughing. "What about you, Hermione? You moving in anywhere?" she asked suggestively.
Hermione smiled in spite of herself. "No, but I think I'll be spending a good deal of time in Ottery St. Catchpole at the Burrow. Angelina and Katie are getting married there this month, and there's a lot to do. I'm helping Mrs. Weasley—Molly—get things ready. And after that, I've a mind to do a bit of traveling. Every summer I've worked in my parent's dentist office, so I have a little money saved up. I like the thought of seeing the world." She hesitated. "I—I haven't told Ron yet."
Parvati raised an eyebrow. "Treading on dangerous territory there."
"I know. I just…don't know what he'll think."
"Look, Ron loves you. I'm sure it will turn out all right," Lavender said. "Now that we all can Apparate, we'll have to get together for dinner sometimes. How about at the last Saturday night of every other month? That sound good?"
"Absolutely."
"Perfect."
"I'm there."
"Count me in."
"Okay then, I have to go," Lavender said. "I'm trying not to cry. One last hug, and then I'll see you at the end of next month! I'll owl everyone."
They said their goodbyes and then split. Hermione wandered around the platform, saying her goodbyes. Then she spotted Ginny with a group of sixth years.
"Have you seen Harry or Ron?" she asked Ginny.
"Uh, I think I saw them talking with Dean and Seamus. They were laughing and slapping Seamus on the back. I'm not really sure what that was about."
Hermione smiled. "Tell you later. Are you taking Harry back to the Burrow with you?"
"Yes. He's already said he has no intention of ever stepping foot on Privet Drive again. When are you coming?"
"Well, I'm going home with my parents for a week or two, then I'm coming to help your mother and everyone get the house ready for the wedding. I'm so excited."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Everyone is. I have to go get the boys, I see mum standing over there waiting for us. It looks like dad is harassing your parents, maybe about how toasters work or something." She rolled her eyes again and gave Hermione a big hug. "See you in a few weeks then?"
"Yeah. Can you send Ron over here for a minute? I want to say goodbye to him," Hermione said.
"Sure. Have you told him you're planning to travel this summer?"
"How did you know about that?" Hermione was taken aback.
"I'm not deaf. You just told Lavender and everyone. I've keen hearing, remember?" Ginny grinned. "I'll go fetch my brother."
Hermione waited for Ron to walk across the platform. She could see her parents getting restless. They liked the Weasleys very much, but with Mr. Weasley pestering them to explain how simple Muggle appliances work it got a bit tiresome for them. So she'd better make her chat with Ron quick. After all, she was seeing him again in two weeks. She could tell him about her plans to travel then.
"What's up, Hermione?"
"Oh, Ron, you scared me. I was…daydreaming a little. I just wanted to tell you goodbye," she said lightly.
"Goodbye?" Ron looked a little panicky. "What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean? I'm going home with my parents."
"Aren't you coming to Fred and George's wedding?"
"Of course, silly. I'm just going home for a couple weeks, then I'll Apparate to your house. Don't be so mellow dramatic." Hermione had to smile. Ron always acted this way at the beginning of the summer. Acted like it was the end of the world to be apart for eight weeks. And darned if it almost wasn't.
"Oh," he said sheepishly. "Well, bye, Hermione."
"Bye, Ron." And with that, she stood on her tip toes to plant a kiss on his lips.
***
Harry was more than happy to be going straight to the Weasley's for once. He never intended to go back to Privet Drive. There was no reason to anymore. Once the summer ended, he'd move in with Sirius in Hogsmeade to be close to Ginny. And then he'd see about a job.
Some parts of him wanted to play professional Quiddich. Just practice and travel and play all the time. Another part said he wanted to be a teacher. That was an interesting thought, and he rather liked the idea. He had heard that Professor Peverell—that is, the new Professor Snape, was going to have a baby and was leaving her job to be a stay at home mother. He shuddered involuntarily. What would Snape's kid be like? And a third part of him had a yen to be an Auror. To do, basically, what he'd been doing all his life. Fighting dark wizards, only this time, getting paid for it. Ah, well. He'd send out some resumes soon and see what he got back.
They arrived at the Burrow at quarter to five. Mrs. Weasley announced that dinner would be ready in an hour, and they were to relax and enjoy their first evening of the holidays.
Harry put his things in Ron's room. He sat on the cot Mr. Weasley must have magicked in earlier and fingered his spell books. He would never need them again. He wouldn't be traveling to Platform 9 ¾ to board the Hogwarts Express come September. It was a sad thought. He'd have to get his own flat eventually, for Gryffindor Tower was no longer his home. He shook his head to clear his mind, and shoved all his school things to the bottom of his trunk and slammed it shut.
"Weird, isn't it? No more school. Never be able to pester Hermione about letting us have the answers to the homework again. No more Quiddich practices, no more games. Although I'll never forget how we won the Cup this year," Ron said, a dazed expression overtaking his face. "Flattened Slytherin, six hundred twenty to ten!"
"Yeah, McGonagall said it was Slytherin's worst loss in two hundred and twelve years!" Harry added.
They heard a knock on the door. "Aren't you boys finished unpacking yet?" Ginny asked, coming in and settling herself next to Harry.
"Haven't even started," Ron said gleefully.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You're lazy, you know that?"
"Who are you, Hermione? I know I'm lazy, and proud of it. I never rush into a job without a lifetime of consideration, and I never move quickly except to avoid work or find excuses," Ron replied.
"We were just saying how odd it is not to be students anymore," Harry said, stopping the argument before it started.
"I can almost imagine. Gryffindor won't be the same without you," Ginny said quietly, more to Harry than Ron.
"I won't be the same without you," Harry whispered in Ginny's ear.
"Okay, okay, enough of that. It must be time for dinner." Ron rose and walked out, and when neither followed him, he hustled down the stairs so he wouldn't see them kiss.
For everyone else, the first two weeks of summer passed in a blur. For Ron, they passed a snail's pace. He missed Hermione very much and didn't quite know what to do with himself each day. He wasn't used to being a third wheel, as that was what he clearly was with Harry and Ginny being all lovey-dovey all the time.
He nearly yelled with joy when he received an owl from Hermione. He kept it under his pillow, which Harry found very funny, and read it over and over every day.
Dear Ron—
I miss you very much, and it's strange to wake up every morning and not have a common room to go to or breakfast with you to look forward to. Since the wedding is in another two weeks, I'll be arriving on Monday, around nine-thirty. I can't wait, and I wish I could come sooner, but I promised my parents that I'd spend a full two weeks with them. They want me to live with them for a few more years, but I don't think I'm going to. I want very much to get out within a year and purchase my own flat. We'll talk more about it when I get to the Burrow. Tell your parents I said hello, as well as Ginny and Harry.
Hugs and kisses and lots of love,
Hermione
To everyone's great relief, Monday finally came and Hermione Apparated into the kitchen at nine-thirty sharp.
"Hermione! How are you dear?" Mrs. Weasley said, embracing her.
"Just fine, Mrs. Weasley, uh, Molly. I'm so glad to be here," Hermione said, putting her bags down.
"Well we're glad to have you. We need all the help we can get with this wedding to get ready for. We have to clean the house, clean up the yard, conjure up a gazebo, and cook and bake up a storm—but you'll need to spend plenty of time with your friends. Ginny's already said that she'll help, but she won't be my slave." Mrs. Weasley laughed.
"When are Angelina and Katie getting here?"
"They'll be here today to help us. Fred and George have the store to run, but they'll be here to visit in the evenings. Well, sit down, have some breakfast. The boys should be down soon."
Hermione smiled. She saw Ginny walk into the kitchen, sleepy eyed and yawning.
"Hermione! You're here!"
"Yes I am."
"Where's Ron? I'd have thought he'd be camped out by the front door," Ginny said, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"Why would he be camped by the door?" Hermione asked, following suit.
"He's been running around like a chicken with his head cut off for two weeks. You'd swear he hadn't seen you in years." Ginny grinned. "He's such a dope."
"Don't insult my boyfriend, or I'll have to dig up some dirt on yours."
"Hmmm, that's not a bad idea."
"What's not a bad idea?" Harry asked entering the kitchen, Ron at his heals.
"Nothing, sunshine," Ginny said. "Ron, look who's here!"
"Hermione!" Ron yelled, leaping across the kitchen to envelope her in a hug.
"I'll leave you all to visit," Mrs. Weasley said smiling. She left the kitchen.
Ron leaned down and kissed Hermione.
Ginny made a face and said, "Okay, come up for air, you two."
"Shut up, Gin," Ron mumbled.
*The day of the wedding…*
Much to Mrs. Weasley's chagrin, the weeks until the wedding passed like seconds. Even thought it was a stretch, they managed to get everything under control, and soon they found themselves welcoming guests into their home.
"Can you believe it's our wedding day, Kate?" Angelina asked. The two brides, the bridesmaids, Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Bell were gathered in the big guestroom helping the brides get ready.
They each wore long, shimmering white robes. Angelina's had a vee-neckline, bell sleeves, and a full train while Katie's had a sweetheart neckline and leg-o-mutton sleeves. They each looked beautiful.
Hermione, Ginny, Penelope, and Alicia Spinnet were the bridesmaids. They wore simple robes of sea green, and were holding bouquets of white roses. Everyone's hair was swept up in an elegant do and the mothers were crying.
"I was never sure if Fred and George would get married. They were always so unpredictable. But, oh, I just love you girls. You are the best things that ever happened to either of my sons. Welcome to the family." Mrs. Weasley took yet another tissue from the box and wiped away her tears.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Angelina and Katie said in unison.
"Oh, call me Molly, dears. All of my daughters-in-law do."
Hermione's head snapped up. Did Mrs. Weasley already consider her a part of their family? Well, this was hardly the time to think about something like that.
"I hate to spoil the moment, but it's time to head down," Penny said.
"Okay, okay. But wouldn't it be funny if we stayed up here a little longer and gave the boys a bit of a scare?" Angelina said mischievously.
"We can't do that! We already told the boys no pranks of any kind," Katie said. "But you're right, it would be a hoot."
"You girls are awful! Worse than Fred and George," Ginny said. "But I think you should do it."
"Of course they should. It would be the best prank ever," Alicia said.
"I'm sure it would be funny, but this is playing with emotions. It might really hurt them," Hermione said.
"Oh, I was just kidding. I couldn't do that to Fred," Angelina said. "But if he plays any kind of joke today, I'll find a better way to get him back."
"Wow, you have been around the twins far too long. We'd better get them married before one of them blows up the house," Ginny said.
Meanwhile, downstairs…
"C'mon guys, we'd better get outside. All the guests are seated," Bill said. He, Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Percy, Mr. Weasley, and Charlie were gathered in the living room talking.
"Okay boys, any…last minute questions?" Mr. Weasley tried to sound off hand, but he failed.
His sons and Harry all laughed at him.
"I think they've got it under control, Dad," Charlie said.
"Yes, well…there're some things I'd rather not know. So, anyway, let's get outside. Charlie, where are you going to be? I mean, since there are five groomsmen and four bridesmaids, you're the only one not escorting someone down the aisle.
"I'm taking mum. You have to walk down the aisle alone."
"Oh. Well, let's go."
Fred and George stood past the rows of white chairs at the entrance to a gazebo, trimmed with twinkling lights that were really fairies. The grooms and groomsmen wore smart robes of black, and they all were smiling.
"Hey, Charlie, long time no see," Oliver Wood said, entering the yard. "Am I late?"
"Not quite yet. Where have you been? I thought you brought Alicia," Charlie responded.
"I told Alicia to go ahead. I had some last minute business to deal with. One of my teammates had some broom trouble."
"Oh, well go and take a seat. I think the girls are on their way."
Ron stood and watched Charlie usher Oliver to a seat, and then return to walk his mother to hers. Next came Penny, and Percy eagerly took her arm and brought her down the aisle. He watched Bill take Alicia's arm, and then Hermione was at the front of the line.
"You look beautiful," he whispered to her.
"Thanks. You look handsome, too. But you've got a bit of dirt on your nose, just there." She brushed a finger on the side of his nose.
"Haha." He brought her to the front and then released her arm so she could stand on the left with the women and he could stand with his brothers.
Ginny took a step and found Harry's arm taking her own.
"Don't you look smashing?" she said.
"No one could look prettier than you," Harry replied.
Ginny's cheeks colored a little. "Wait until you see the brides."
Indeed, no one had to wait long to see the brides. The wedding march began, and Katie and Angelina walked forward on their father's arms.
It was all Ginny could do not to cry. She cried at Percy's wedding, and looked over to where her aunt held little Kaleb. He was so adorable, the spitting image of his parents.
She listened while the reverend had the couples take their traditional vows, and waited for him to begin the spell.
"We all here know that love is the purest form of magic. This spell does not ensure eternal love, for the couples must create that for themselves. This spell helps them to remember, in times of need, the reason for their love. I ask that, one at a time, they repeat after me. Let not my love be call'd idolatry, Nor my beloved as an idol show, Since all alike my songs and phrases be To one, of one, still such, and ever so. Kind is my love to-day, to-morrow kind, Still constant in wondrous excellence; Therefore my verse to constancy confined, One thing expressing, leaves out different. 'Fair, kind and true' is all my argument, 'Fair, kind and true' varying to other words; And in this change is my invention spent, Three themes in one, which wondrous scope affords. 'Fair, kind and true,' have often lived alone, Which three 'til now never kept seat in one."
Ginny listened to Fred say this to Angelina, then vice versa. Then George repeated it to Katie, and then Katie to George. This was her favorite spell, mostly because she knew it really wasn't a spell, just a feeling. A spell that created a feeling of remembrance and joy. She couldn't wait to say it at her wedding.
"I now pronounce you husbands and wives!"
Everyone clapped, and then they zapped away the chairs to make room for dancing.
"Are you having a good time, mates?" Fred asked. The party had been going on for hours, and even though the new day was about to dawn, it showed no sign of letting up.
"Great, Fred," Harry said. He was having another butterbeer, and seemed to be the only one getting a little tired, but he didn't want to spoil the party.
All of a sudden, a murmur rose up from the crowd. "It's time to toss the bouquet!" someone yelled.
"Get going, girls," Fred said to Ginny and Hermione, "Who knows which of you will be next!"
They flushed a little, but they headed over to where Angelina and Katie stood. A bunch of women were already there, mulling around and looking for the best spot.
"Ready?" Katie called.
"On three!" Angelina said. They turned around and raised the flowers over their heads. "One…two…three!"
The flowers flew over their heads and into the crowd.
Harry searched the mass of females to see if Hermione or Ginny had caught the flowers. There was a hush, and then the crowd parted to reveal Hermione and Ginny standing in the middle, each holding one of the bouquets.
The crowd cheered, and the girls walked over to where Harry was standing with Ron.
"Well, that was great fun," Hermione said.
"You both caught the bouquet." Ron looked a little pale.
"Yes, funny isn't it?" Hermione frowned at his look. "What's the matter? It's just an old wives tale, about the getting married next thing."
"Not in the wizarding world," George said gleefully.
"George is right. The flowers are charmed to fly at the woman who'll be wed next. So, who caught it first?" Fred asked eagerly.
Ginny was blushing furiously. "I really have no idea. Hermione?"
"I don't know."
"Well, only time will tell," Fred said. With that, he and George walked away to dance again with their new brides.
***
Hermione was battling with herself over the next few days. She planned to spend another week with the Weasleys, then set off on her trip. She was spending time in France, because she enjoyed it so when she was there years ago, then Spain and Andorra, and then she planned to go to Ireland, Wales, and then Scotland before she headed home again. But when, and how, to tell Ron?
He gave her the perfect opportunity three days after the wedding. At breakfast one morning, he asked, "So, what do you want to do today, Hermione? A picnic, a swim, or a walk? Or nothing…we've the whole summer, after all."
She couldn't lead him on like this. After all, it wasn't like she was never coming back. It wasn't the end of the world, just a little vacation.
"I…uh…actually have been meaning to talk to you about that, Ron."
"What?"
Might as well just blurt it out, she thought. "I'm leaving in a week."
"What?! Why?" He looked panicked.
"I'm going…on vacation. France, Spain, Andorra, Ireland, Wales, Scotland. I'll be back at the end of the summer."
"You never mentioned your parents were taking you on vacation."
"They aren't. I'm going alone," she said softly.
"What do you mean, alone?"
"I think that's our cue to get lost Harry," Ginny said, pulling Harry up and scooting him out of the kitchen.
"Alone, Ron. You know, by myself, without anyone else?"
"I know what it means, thank you. I mean, why would you want to go alone? Are you…mad at me?"
"Of course not. It's just…something I have to do. I want to travel because I enjoy it, and since I just graduated and all, I figured it would be a good time to take a trip. I need do something I've never done before, because I'm never like that. I need to be unpredictable for a change. Can you understand that?" She ran a hand through her bushy hair and looked at Ron imploringly.
"Of course I can. But…"
"But what?"
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you to, Ron. I love you."
"I love you too," Ron whispered back.
Ginny grinned at Harry. They had been listening through the door with a handy spell that Ginny had learned a long time ago. "I just love happy endings, don't you, Harry?"
Wow, I just love happy endings too. That's it, my story's over. Please post a review!! I am planning to write a sequel, a little shorter than this one to take place in 6 or 7 years. I'm all about post-Hogwarts fics. Lol. Hey, if you're bored, check out my other stories, "Another Hermione?" (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=948924) and "A Promising Christmas" (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=949036) Thanks a million, luv ya all…Peace out!!!!