Here is chapter seven ^_^ Thank you all for your reviews. I still don't own anything.
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Hermione woke up on the Friday with a headache. The past two days had been hectic, with invitations being sent out and flowers being ordered, and other wedding preparations. Ginny and Lavender had been wonderful, helping her with everything. Draco had been helped by Ron, Neville and Harry.
Harry.
He hadn't tried anything else, thank Merlin. He had simply reverted back to his usual cheerful self.
And tonight, I make him see that friends are better. We aren't meant to be together. Hermione had made up her mind what she was going to do, and hadn't given him a second thought. Draco, however, had filled her head, until an exasperated Severus Snape had given her the week up to the wedding off.
Euphrates was perched on the end of her bed with her letter from Draco. He sent her one every morning and every night, simply to say he loved her and was thinking of her. Hermione replied with the same, her heart turning somersaults when she read the letter, as if she was a giddy teenager in love.
Good morning Hermione! I hope you slept well and had pleasant dreams. I know I did. Only one week left, darling, and then the world will know where my heart lies. I am getting even more nervous now that another week has gone by. Ron insists that we have a wedding rehearsal. Apparently, Ginny almost had to ask the priest to repeat the vows. He says it had been arranged for next Thursday, as we are being dragged out on Friday. He asked me to tell you. I can't wait to see you again. I hope your doubts have vanished. I know I never had any.
All my love, for now and forever.
Draco.
Hermione smiled and held the letter close, closing her eyes. Draco is so romantic, she sighed, placing the letter under her pillow with the others from him. She picked up her wand and accioed a quill and a piece of parchment.
Good morning Draco. I slept amazingly well, and my dreams were filled with your face. Next Saturday is the most important day of my life. I am glad for the opportunity to rehearse. I would die if I had to ask the priest to repeat the vows. My nerves are taking control, but more of my doubts leave with every letter I get and every time I see your face. I hope you are well today and have a wonderful day.
All my love and kisses,
Hermione.
She leaned over and tied the letter to Euphrates' outstretched leg. Watching him fly off, she hugged herself. Part of Draco's charm was the formal, old-fashioned style in which he wrote his letters. He never wrote like that unless it was to her. It made her feel special and loved.
She threw herself out of bed and pointed her wand at a pile of muggle clothes, saying a spell to dress her quickly. Grabbing a lilac robe and slipping it on, she made her way downstairs.
"Good morning Ginny, Neville, Trinity!" she smiled happily, seating herself. Ginny and Neville looked at her curiously.
"You're happy today. Anything special happen?" asked Neville, passing a plate of bacon and eggs over. Hermione took it cheerfully.
"Yes. There's only one week until I get married!" she squealed, unable to contain her excitement. Ginny grinned and sat down to eat.
"I'm glad to see you so happy about it. You haven't been sounding too good," she smiled, before digging in to her food.
"She'll be back to nervous tomorrow, don't worry," said Neville with a smirk, wincing as Hermione's foot lashed out and kicked his leg.
"I probably will be, so let me have my moment of smiles," she said with a glare. They ate the rest of their breakfast in silence, apart from Trinity's occasional conversation with her doll.
"So, where are you going tonight?" Neville broke the silence.
"Some club," said Hermione with a shrug as she finished her breakfast. "That was lovely Gin. Thanks." She picked up her plate and stood, setting it to wash itself in the sink. "I'm off to pick out an outfit later. Ginny, want to bring Trinity and Lavender?"
"Sure!" smiled Ginny. "Neville, I hope you have a nice day at work." She kissed him on the cheek and stood, putting her plate in the sink with Hermione's and then taking Trinity to get ready. Hermione followed her, grabbing her cloak and waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Neville rushed past her, picking up a briefcase and then heading for the fire.
"See you later 'Mione. Bye Gin! Love you!" he called, before flooing out of the house. Minutes later Ginny came downstairs in an emerald robe, Trinity in her arms.
"Can you hold her other hand? She can walk along with us, then." Ginny set Trinity down and took her hand. Hermione took her other hand and they walked to the fire, flooing to Diagon Alley.
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"'Mione! You can't buy that outfit!" exclaimed Ginny. They had scoured the Wizard London shops, and now Hermione had found an outfit she was happy with. It consisted of a black, pleated mini skirt, a tight top with silver runes embroidered on it, and knee high black boots. She looked stunning.
"Why not?" asked Hermione, admiring the outfit in the mirror.
"The men won't notice the ring! They'll be too busy staring at the rest of you!" Hermione laughed as Ginny said this.
"Don't worry Ginny. I'll put them in their place," she said. "I am definitely getting this. Don't worry, I can handle them all." She disappeared to get changed.
"So what made you decide to go out?" called Ginny, picking up Trinity.
"Oh, I just need to get a change of air," she called back. "I won't be going clubbing anywhere on Friday, no matter what you say. You, me and Lavender will be staying home."
"Spoilsport," muttered Ginny. She smiled as Hermione emerged with her outfit in her hands. "Oh but have fun 'Mione. We want you to relax. You won't be able to until after the wedding."
"Thanks Ginny." Hermione paid for her outfit and they left the shop. "Now where shall we go?"
"We shall go and see Lavender," grinned Ginny. "She'll be disappointed that we can't go out. We've got new arrangements to make!" Hermione groaned as Ginny grabbed her hand and dragged her off.
~ * ~
Harry paced outside the club. It was a Wizard club, so he had his wand in plain sight, his forest green cloak covering his muggle jeans and t-shirt.
Where is she? he asked himself. Is she being late on purpose? His eyes scanned the crowd again, and he sighed, relieved, as a familiar head made its way through the crowds to him.
"Hi 'Mione. You look great!" he said with a smile as he took in her outfit. A spark of defiance and bitterness flew through him as he noticed her engagement ring proudly on her finger.
"Hi Harry! It's so great to be able to go out again! If only Ron was here, it would mean I was with my two best friends!" she smiled happily. "It's a shame you haven't been around much."
Harry smiled and led the way into the club, his mind raging. Friend? Friend?! We'll see what she says by the end of the night.
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Hermione finished her drink and smiled at Harry, dragging him back for another dance. An hour into their 'date', and she had already finished five drinks. Harry had had one, non-alcoholic cocktail.
"Come on!" she yelled. The club had come up with a new way of playing music. All wizards and witches on the dancefloor would hold up their wands, and a red light would shoot from the DJ's. Whoever owned the wand that the light landed on, got to choose the song.
"Put your wands in the air!" yelled the DJ. Wands were held up excitedly, Hermione looking up in anticipation as a red light sparked over the dancefloor. It came down, and to her surprise, landed on hers.
"Yeah!" she squealed, concentrating on her chosen song. A cheer went up as the first beats of a Muggle song, Carry On Dancing, filtered from the speakers.
The moonlight...
Shines down interstellar beams
And the groove tonight
Is something more than you've ever seen
The stars and planets taking shape
A stolen kiss has come too late
Harry danced a little closer to Hermione, worrying about the lyrics of the song. Too late? Is she trying to tell me something? He stared at her, admiring how, even when extremely tipsy, she managed to dance with grace. He reached out and put his arms around her waist.
In the moonlight
Carry on keep romancing
Carry on carry on dancing
In the moonlight
Carry on keep romancing
Carry on carry on dancing
He smiled as she stared at him with wild eyes. "Harry!" she shouted over the music. "My head feels funny!" She put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. He smiled, thinking she was finally giving in.
You're never safe
'till you see the dawn
And if the clock strikes past midnight
The hope is gone
To move under...
Hope is gone? Did she purposely choose this song to tell me to back off? Or, is it her way of trying to convince herself that she can't resist? wondered Harry as Hermione stumbled in his arms. He picked her up with a smile and pulled her closer.
"Thank you Harry! I love you! You're my best friend! You're like my brother!" she shouted. Harry's heart had quickened as she had said those three words, but it fell like a stone as she explained how she loved him.
The moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
Harry slowly led her to a more private area, so she could relax. He didn't feel like dancing after she had said that. Hermione managed to grab a drink from another wizard and had emptied the bottle, now crossing the line between tipsy and drunk.
"Harry? Why're we stoppin'?" she asked, stumbling again and collapsing into a seat. The private areas were curtained and lined with sofas. She fell across one, staring up at him with a smile on her face. The words from the song prompted Harry on.
Move. Closer. Passion. Stronger.
He sat down next to her and picked her head up, gently holding it. She closed her eyes and started giggling. "Harry, are you my friend?"
"Yes, 'Mione. I'm always here for you. I love you." He placed a finger on her nose, and laughed as she opened her eyes and tried to focus on it.
There's a magic only two can tell
In the dark night
Ultraviolet is a wicked spell
The stars and planets taking shape
A stolen kiss has come too late
Harry bent in and kissed her, feeling her respond in her drunken stupor, and hoping he still stood a chance. He drew back only slightly, seeing Hermione's eyes still closed.
"Hermione? Did you enjoy that?" he asked hopefully.
In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
Hermione nodded. "It felt nice. Thank you Draco."
Harry growled softly. "It's not Draco, darling. It's Harry."
"Oh." Hermione giggled again, her brain awash with alcohol. "Do it again!" she begged, trying to find Harry, but her arms waving drunkenly in the air.
"Anything for you, Hermione," grinned Harry. His plan had worked. She was so drunk, she didn't care, and now she was his.
Moving on... Moving all night