Harry Potter books, and all characters therein are belong to J. K. Rowling, © 2001/2002 Warner bros. In short, they aren't mine, so please don't sue.
kkisblpeen@aol.com
I'd like to thank my Super Beta-Reader, Seldes Katne for all the work she's put in on this Fanfiction. I couldn't have gotten through it without her help.
Once upon a time
By Kirkis
Chapter Eight: The Happy Ending
"There's no way out," said Ginny. Harry didn't know what to do. He had to protect Ginny, but all he had was a sword that was too big for him. Why hadn't he kept his dagger? There was no place to go, no escape route. The pigpen was built against the outer wall of the castle and there were huts on either side. Harry bent down and picked up his sword, and brandished it in front of him. He turned his head halfway toward Ginny and spoke in a whisper.
"First chance you get, make a run for it," he said. She shook her head.
"No, I'll get the mace. I'll help-" she started, but Harry interrupted her.
"No, I promised Ron I'd get you out. You've got to get-" Harry was distracted by a low rumbling sound coming from the gate near the back of the Keep. A moment later, a wagon bowled out of the gate with an old man in brown robes and long silver hair and an equally long beard driving.
"Dumbledore!" Harry and Ginny said in unison. The wagon drove toward them, forcing the surrounding guards to scatter.
"Whoa!" shouted Dumbledore. The horses cantered to a stop and the wagon slid sideways a few feet, stopping a few steps from Harry and Ginny. "You looked like you could use some help," said Dumbledore. "I don't think Prince John will mind our borrowing one of his wagons." Harry dropped his sword and he and Dumbledore helped Ginny up into the wagon. As Harry stepped up to get in, he noticed all the guards had regrouped and were heading toward the wagon's other side. He started to drop back down, but Dumbledore pulled him quite forcefully up into the wagon.
"I will take care of these gentlemen, Little John," he said, and before Harry could say anything, Dumbledore had hopped down off the wagon armed with nothing but a long staff. Harry hopped off the other side of the wagon to retrieve his sword from the ground. As he was climbing back up, Dumbledore spoke to the guards. "Anyone who does not wish to visit the doctor is free to leave now," he said.
Just as Harry was getting ready to jump down with Dumbledore, the first guard charged forward. Dumbledore had thrust his staff out, slamming it into the guard's face. A second later, every surrounding guard closed in on them. Harry's mouth fell open as he watched the unimaginable. Dumbledore knew martial arts. He moved fluidly about flipping, and jabbing his staff at the attacking guards. Harry took a sidelong glace at Ginny; her mouth was hanging open too. She glanced up and met Harry's eyes.
"Where did he-"Ginny started to asked, but Harry just slowly shook his head.
"It looks like Kung Fu or something. Martial arts," he said, watching Dumbledore kick the staff at one guard while he punched another, and then catch the staff after it bounced back off the first guard's chest.
"What's Kung Fu, or whatever you called it? Martial art?" asked Ginny as Dumbledore used the staff like a vaulting pole, kicking one of the guards in the chin.
"This is weird," Harry commented, smiling at Ginny. "This is like stuff out of Chinese films," he said. "Martial arts, it's er… it's a Muggle fighting skill that's supposed to be really efficient if you know what you're doing. He watched as Dumbledore spun the staff in front of him once then let the end rest on the ground as he glared at the each of the last three guards in turn. "Which Dumbledore obviously does," Harry finished, wondering where his Headmaster had learned Kung Fu.
The three guards charged all at once. Dumbledore flipped the staff back up, holding it horizontally in front of him. One guard threw his sword toward Dumbledore, which he easily dodged. Another dropped back as the last came in close, swinging his sword downward as the guard who'd thrown his sword charged in with his dagger drawn. Dumbledore jabbed the guard with the sword in the chest with the end of the staff, then immediately swung it around and cracked the one with the dagger in the mouth. Both guards fell to the ground within a second of each other. Dumbledore straightened up, once again, resting the staff on the ground, and peering at the last guard. For a few seconds he stood motionless, then he tossed his sword quite casually to the ground and walked off toward the Keep.
"Well," said Dumbledore turning back toward the wagon. "Quite invigorating." He looked as though he'd barely broken a sweat. As Dumbledore climbed back into the wagon, Harry realized that he now had a new level of respect for him.
"Sir," said Ginny. "That was brilliant! Where did you learn that?" She still had her mouth partially open, and Harry only just realized he did too.
"In my youth, I spent a few years in a monastery in Tibet. The monks who lived there were kind enough to teach me their self-defense arts," he said brightly. "Little John, I expect you'll want to go and help Robin," he said, taking up the reigns. Harry remembered that he'd promised to get Ginny out of danger, but after seeing Dumbledore fight, he once again figured wherever Dumbledore happened to be was probably the safest place around. He nodded and the wagon jerked forward with a whistle from Dumbledore.
Ron had been forced to leave Will behind on the ninth floor. They'd caught up with Sir Guy, who was dragging Hermione behind him. There were too many guards protecting him, so Ron slipped through the door that led to the north tower, the same door Sir Guy had taken. He ran up the twisting staircase, dodging all sorts of debris that Sir Guy kept dropping, or rather hurling down the stairs at him. Small statues, still-burning torches, chairs, and even a small table.
Hermione was helping as much as possible. She was fighting to get free the whole time Sir Guy was pulling her along. She also would try to wrestle the things he was throwing down the stairs away from him. They were just around the bend and Ron only caught sight of them when Sir Guy stopped to throw something.
After what seemed like seven floors worth of stairs, Sir Guy ducked into a room. Ron tried to follow but the door slammed in his face. Luckily, or unluckily, it slammed on his foot also. Ron stuck his sword in the slim crack in the door to keep Sir Guy from closing it behind him. After a few moments of trying to force the door shut, Sir Guy gave up. The door fell open and Ron tumbled forward only to feel the door slam back against him, knocking him back out onto the stairs. He crawled quickly to his feet, fearing Sir Guy would bar the door.
The door slammed most of the way shut, but Ron had dropped his sword when he had been knocked back, and it had fallen in the doorway. This time, when Ron hit the door it burst open on the first try and bounced off the wall behind it. He picked up his sword, careful to stay out of the path of the door in case it got slammed back.
A shriek from somewhere in the back of the room told Ron where Sir Guy had gone. He ran toward Hermione's cries and found a stairway near the back of the room, partially hidden behind a tapestry. It was much more narrow and steep than the other stairway. It wound tighter too and the ceiling was so low that Ron had to crouch the entire way up. It emptied out into what looked like the Owlery at Hogwarts, a wide room with straw on the floor and lots of rafters above.
Sir Guy suddenly shouted in pain from behind Ron and Hermione cried out, "Over here!" Ron spun around just in time to see Sir Guy slap Hermione, hard. The force of his blow knocked her into one of the thick stone pillars that held up the roof. Her head hit the stone with a sickening thud. She dropped to the ground, a small trickle of blood running down between her eyes.
Suddenly Ron forgot that he was in a story, he forgot that the man before him was probably written to be a swordfighter, and that he, Ron, was only a fifteen-year-old wizard who knew very little about swordplay. He heard himself say, "You'll pay for that, you fat bastard!" and he lunged forward, slashing aggressively at Sir Guy, who parried each attack. Ron was driving Sir Guy backward, but he hadn't connected at all. Sir Guy seemed to think it was funny, which only made Ron angrier. Ron was nearing exhaustion. Maybe some of the initial rage of seeing one of his best friends being backhanded into a stone wall had worn off, because it suddenly occurred to Ron what Sir Guy was doing. He was forcing Ron to come at him. The entire trip had been like this. Unfortunately, Ron realized too late. He hung back on the next attack hoping to start wearing Sir Guy out a little. Sir Guy extended his sword toward Ron and when he moved to block, Sir Guy flicked his wrist stiffly and to Ron's great surprise, his sword was pulled right out of his hand.
"Touché, Robin," Sir Guy started. Ron quickly wondered if Muggle villains did the same thing as typical wizard story villains and talk for who knew how long before making the killing blow. He decided to chance it. As Sir Guy opened his mouth to speak again, Ron lurched forward, throwing a punch at him. Ron's fist landed square on Sir Guy's nose, which cracked loudly. He stumbled backward, groping at his nose with his free hand, giving Ron enough time to find his sword. Ron retrieved his sword from the floor and turned as Sir Guy charged forward, his face a bloody mess. Ron parried just in time, but the force of the full grown man's sword swing nearly knocked him off his feet. Sir Guy threw slash after slash toward Ron, who was being driven backward, barely blocking each swing.
Finally, with a powerful downward swing, Ron's sword broke. Sir Guy smirked, and leveled his sword. Ron backed up until he nearly toppled over a ledge. He looked back over his shoulder to find a large gaping window. He saw far enough down to know he didn't want to fall out. They were every bit as high up as the Owlery.
"So, Hood," said Sir Guy, haughtily. Ron wondered if he could get by with punching him again. "You didn't really think a fair maiden like Marion would end up with such a poor outlaw like yourself?" The taunt stung Ron, more personally than usual. Sir Guy's tone reminded him of Draco Malfoy. Sir Guy held the sword level with Ron's heart and thrust it forward. Ron jumped aside in the nick of time as the sword grazed his chest. Sir Guy twisted his body to swing the sword toward Ron again, but his momentum carried him toward the window. He tripped on the same ledge Ron had nearly fallen over and tumbled forward. In an instant, Ron reacted and stepped forward, catching the collar of his coat. Ron braced himself by propping a leg up against the edge of the window. As Sir Guy started to tumble out the window, he turned as his coat was pulled taut, so that he was facing Ron.
For a moment, they both remained motionless, Ron holding up Sir Guy and Sir Guy teetering on the edge of the window, kept from falling only by Ron, who had hold of his coat collar. Then Sir Guy gritted his teeth in anger and pulled a knife out of his belt, making a move to stab Ron with it. On instinct, Ron let go of Sir Guy's collar and hopped backward. The knife passed inches from his chest, but Sir Guy now had nothing to hold on to. He shrieked as he started to fall out the window. Ron made a fruitless attempt to grab him again, but his fingers just missed the coat and a second later Sir Guy was falling away. Ron realized he did not want to see what happened when Sir Guy hit the ground. He ducked his head back inside, and despite being so high up, he still heard the dull thud of the body landing.
It took him a moment to shake off the nausea that had washed over him. He reminded himself several times that Sir Guy was a fictitious character, that he was part of the book, and not real. He stood by the window for a few minutes just trying to get his head straight. It wasn't until Hermione began to stir that he moved. He hurried across the room, dropping to his knees beside her. She sat up shakily, bringing a hand to her forehead, which had stopped bleeding.
"Are you all right?" Ron asked her. She looked oddly at him, then nodded, wincing in pain. "Let me see that cut," Ron said, not bothering to wait for her approval. She didn't protest or resist him at all. He lifted her bangs to find a small bruised and bloodied spot about the size of a sickle. She glanced around the room a little, then spoke.
"Where is Sir Guy?" she asked softly. Ron glanced back over his shoulder to the gaping hole of the window, then turned back to answer.
"Fell," he said shakily. "Fell out the window." She looked over at the window and then back to Ron. He swallowed. Would she think he'd pushed him or stabbed him and threw him out? "I tried to catch him," Ron started but hesitated as he looked at Hermione. Even through his anxiety, he noticed she really looked good, even with the ugly little injury just under her bangs. He wished he could know for sure if she liked him. "We should probably go," said Ron trying not to think too hard about her feelings for him.
Harry was halfway up the Keep when Ron and Hermione met him coming down. There was an awkward moment between them as this was the first time in nearly ten days that they could act somewhat normal together. Ron was trying to help Hermione walk, though she swore she didn't need any help. Ron's first question to Harry was predictable.
"Where's Ginny?" he asked. Hermione also seemed interested in the answer.
"With Dumbledore," Harry answered. Ron looked a little wary.
"Are you sure they're safe?" he asked uncertainly.
"Yes, definitely," answered Harry, and he set off telling them how he'd rescued Ginny. Ron nearly choked with laughter when Harry got to the part where Ginny whomped the guard with a pork shoulder. They had walked slowly descended the spiraling staircase as they talked and had just reached the second floor when Will's voice echoed up the stairs.
"Robin!!" he shouted, charging up the stairs toward them. "Robin!"
"I'm all right, Will," Ron said as Will appeared from around the bend of the staircase.
"Of course you are," said Will dismissively. "That's not it, come on! You won't believe it!" Ron, Harry and Hermione shared a look and answered in unison.
"What?"
"King Richard returned, with his army. You know Prince John sent troops to capture him, right? But the King got wind of it and his army was prepared, Prince John's troops were overpowered. The King came straight to Nottingham when he got word that his favorite cousin was going to be married to Sir Guy Gisbourne. By the way, where is Sir Guy?" he asked. Ron shot a glance toward Harry before he answered.
"He fell out of the tower," said Ron quickly. Will grinned.
"Fell, eh?" he said, as if he knew something the rest of them didn't.
"Yeah, he just fell, okay?" Ron said defensively.
"Okay, okay," Will said, continuing on down the stairs.
"Once he arrived in Nottingham," he went on. "King Richard ordered his army to take the castle and ordered all castle guards to surrender. Any guard who didn't surrender to the seal of the King was to be arrested. Any guard who fought was to be killed. Oh yeah," said Will, turning to Hermione. "Sister Ophelia wanted me to tell you she's all right. She's waiting with Friar Tuck."
"Thank you," said Hermione.
As they headed through the gate leading to the courtyard, they ran into a very harassed looking man with a Royal Soldier.
"Halt!" said the soldier as they approached. "State your name and business," he added irritably.
"Chancellor," said Will. "Here is Lady Marion." He gently pulled Hermione to the front. "She was saved by Sir Robin Locksley." The Chancellor's whole demeanor changed at this. His face brightened, and he puffed his chest up like Percy.
"Lady Marion, if you'll come with me?" he asked, putting his hand behind Hermione's elbow as if to guide her. "And you, Lord Locksley. The King is very fond of his cousin. I'm sure he'll want to meet the hero who saved her." Ron shot Harry an odd look and headed off with them. Harry and Will followed behind them. The Chancellor led them a few yards away in the direction of the gallows, which were now half collapsed and burning. There, Harry could see Ginny, highly visible in her dingy white robes and hair as bright red as the flames eating the gallows. Beside her was Dumbledore, who was talking to a man that Harry hadn't seen before. The man was wearing a long blue cape that went almost all the way down to his feet. Harry couldn't see much more of him, except that he wore a golden helmet on his head.
"My Liege," said the Chancellor as they approached, "we've found Lady Marion! And the man who rescued her!" The man in the golden helmet turned toward them, and Harry realized that this must be King Richard. He wore gold armor that covered most of his body and there was a blue crest across the breastplate. When he saw them, King Richard rushed forward. Will, Harry and Ron all lowered themselves to one knee.
"Cousin!" he cried happily. "Marion! You're all right?" he said, scooping her into a tight hug. Hermione looked somewhat winded when he let her go. "I was so worried when I heard John had arranged a marriage for you. You know I've always wanted to give you away, dear."
"It wasn't so bad. Robin saved me," she said, looking down at Ron.
"Oh yes, of course," he said whimsically. "Rise." Harry, Ron and Will stood back up straight. "So, you're the one, eh?" he said to Ron, taking a step toward him and looking him over. "Bit young," he said casually. "But then my cousin is young too, isn't she," he said shooting a happy grin toward Hermione. "Yes, you two look like a perfect pair." Hermione blushed a little at this, and Ron's ears went red. Richard marveled at them for a moment, then took a quick breath. "Well, Lord Locksley," he started, turning toward Ron, "if there is anything you wish, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask."
Harry leaned forward toward Ron, not wanting to take the chance that Ron might not ask. "Ask for Marion's hand in marriage," he whispered into Ron's ear, which went even redder than before. Ron cleared his throat and spoke, somewhat higher than usual.
"I only ask for your cousin's hand in marriage," he said as if he had rehearsed it. Hermione, like Ron's ears, grew redder. At this point it occurred to Harry that this might be exactly what Ron and Hermione needed to get the ball rolling. They'd done a lousy job of it so far, with everything that happened last year. Richard turned to Hermione and spoke.
"Does your heart belong to him, and only him?" he asked solemnly. Hermione went redder than the awning that fell over the gallows and nodded, speaking in a quiet tone.
"Yes."
"Then by all means, Lord Locksley! You both shall have my blessings," he said, then smiled wide. "As long as I get to give away the bride." He shot a wink at Hermione then clapped his hands together. "Well, that just about wraps things up here," he said happily.
"Ahem. Your brother, sire?" said the Chancellor.
"Oh, yes. Of course," said Richard turning toward Ron, Harry and Will. "None of you have seen-"
"Excuse me, your Majesty, but if you are searching for a man in a light blue coat and large plumed hat, I believe he is trying to escape by using one of the Nottingham Guard's horses," said Dumbledore. "I saw him heading into the stables earlier."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, er… Friar-" Richard started.
"Tuck, your Majesty," Dumbledore finished for him. Dumbledore's blue eyes were twinkling as he spoke.
"Tuck, that's right. Friar Tuck," Richard said conclusively. He then turned to Ron. "Lord Locksley. I wonder if you would be willing to join me?" he said, waiting as Ron turned toward Harry.
"You're coming too, right?" asked Ron.
"Sure," said Harry unsurely.
They headed around the Keep toward the gate behind it that led into the stables. There was a partial wooden roof over the stable area and straw all over the ground. The stables were huge. The Dursleys' house on Privet Drive would've fit inside it five or six times. On one side there was a two-story tall shed that housed wagons and large carriages. Along the other side were thirty or forty smaller stalls for horses. Near the far end of the stables they found what they were looking for. A white horse was stepping about in a circle, perpetually moving away from a man in a light blue coat and an exuberant plumed hat, who had his foot stuck in one stirrup. He was bouncing around in a circle beside the horse, trying to climb on.
"Going somewhere, brother?" asked Richard coldly as they approached. Prince John looked up and fear poured onto his face before he could replace it with a false smile.
"Richard, brother! You've returned safely at long last," said Prince John, still hopping in circles with the horse.
"Yes, I'm back. Tell me, was the welcoming party your idea?" asked Richard, walking casually toward him. Harry and Ron walked a few steps behind him. Ron didn't feel the least bit casual toward Prince John. Harry had told them how he'd ordered the prisoners hanged before it was time. Not to mention he had probably put Ginny out there in the first place.
"Well, i-it was Guy Gisbourne, actually," Prince John stuttered, sounding a little like Pettigrew. "See, I found out he'd kidnapped cousin Marion and was trying to force her to marry him. I knew you'd be worried, so I-
"Save it, John!" barked Richard. "You've been after my throne for years, and you thought while I was away you'd marry off Marion and that would make you the only person with Royal blood in England." Richard turned toward Ron and Harry. "What should I do with him, Lord Locksley? Jail him? Execute him?" Ron took one look at the pathetic fool before him, still hopping on one foot in circles with the stubborn horse. He was strongly reminded of what happened in his third year with Pettigrew, and what Pettigrew went on to do. But then again, Prince John hadn't done anything as horrible as betray his friends to the darkest wizard of all time.
"He's not really worth the effort, is he?" he said to Richard, who smiled.
"No, not really, is he?" said Richard. He slapped the white horse on the hindquarters and it took off with Prince John's foot still hung in the stirrup. The horse dragged him along for a few yards before his boot slipped off his foot. He tumbled to a stop and slowly sat up, wincing at a pain in his elbow.
"Bring him along, if you please," said Richard brightly. "He has a few apologies to make, and a dungeon cell to occupy."
The rest of the day was a blur. Prince John was made to apologize in person to almost everyone in the castle, and Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Dumbledore finally got a chance to talk at length about the book, and what was to happen next. As it turns out, the only thing left in the story was the one part Ron had been dreading most of all: The Wedding. They had managed to convince Richard to let them have the wedding the next day, even though there would be no grand decorations, sending of invitations or rehearsals.
Dumbledore had noted something interesting when he was drawn in. Harry and Ron had told him they'd been in the book for about a day and a half, when in reality, they'd only been missing from the Burrow for roughly six hours. That meant that if all went well tomorrow, and they managed to get out of the book with no trouble, then they would have only spent about two days or so inside the book.
They were all given very posh rooms inside Nottingham Castle, and, to Ron's immense joy, they were given more suitable clothes. He promptly got himself a pair of trousers. Ron and Harry shared a room, with two large four-poster beds. To Harry, it almost felt like being back at Hogwarts. Dumbledore said that only about ten days had passed within the book. It had felt more like ten weeks. It was confusing to think that only a day and a half had passed out in the Burrow. It would be odd to have such a long experience when to the rest of the Weasleys, they had just been gone a day.
Harry hoped that Ron wouldn't lose his nerve tomorrow. He reminded Ron that it was only a story and that they had to get out. He hoped above all other hopes that Ron and Hermione wouldn't get up there at the altar and split into a row right in the cathedral. He drifted off to sleep, happy that he, for once, wasn't the one under all the pressure.
Hermione had forced sleep that night and yawned her way through breakfast. From there, she was whisked away to a dressing chamber where five women clamored around her taking her measurements and sewing like there was no tomorrow.
If we're lucky Hermione thought, there won't be a tomorrow here.
Ginny stuck by Hermione, offering her opinion and generally trying to keep Hermione's head screwed on straight. She was a lot happier today than she had been for the rest of the time they'd been in the book. King Richard had suggested that she wear a dress instead of the constrictive habit she had been wearing. He also felt she shouldn't cover her hair. ("Your hair is vibrant like this for a reason, Sister Ophelia. You should let all the world see the beautiful hair God has given you.") So today she was dressed in a simple white dress with nothing covering her head.
Hermione's wedding gown was turning out to be anything but simple. Every time they brought it back to fit it to her, it had more lace, or more jewels, or more everything. She would be wearing a silk petticoat under the wedding gown, one of the women had made a beautiful veil, and the train was seven or eight feet long.
The wedding was scheduled for mid-afternoon, and unlike the wedding to Sir Guy, this one would be held in the cathedral on the far end of Nottingham Castle. It had been filling for most of the morning and was practically packed by midday. Once everyone was seated, it was time for Hermione to get into place so she could enter and walk down the aisle. She was led down a flight of stairs, to a corridor that must've ran the length of the cathedral, then back up another flight of stairs and out a door. She ended up in front of the two large inner doors that lead into the cathedral.
Hermione peeked through the large oak doors to get a look at the crowd inside. Most everyone in Nottingham was there, including all the Merry Men. Far down at the altar, she could see Ron standing with Harry. They looked older from far away, Ron especially. The aisle looked like it was longer than the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch; how would she ever get all the way down there?
"Marion, dear?" said Richard, joining her from the lower level corridor she'd taken earlier. "Are you ready?" he said. She nodded, feeling a jolt in her stomach. Everything will be okay, she thought, as she took King Richard's arm. Ron and I both know that we have to get out of this book and this is the only way. Her stiffened nerves faltered when the great oak doors were swung open and the sound of a choir singing echoed through the cathedral.
"Here we go," said Richard, taking a step forward. No, wait! I'm not ready! Hermione thought as her feet reluctantly carried her forward. She picked a spot in the ornate stained glass window above the altar and concentrated on it and not on the tall, redhead standing at the altar. She kept reminding herself to take each forward step and not to trip over her gown. She walked down the long aisle with the choir echoing in the vaulted ceiling and her own footsteps pounding in her ears until finally, she reached the first row of pews. Richard held her hand as she stepped up to the altar. The Archbishop, who was waiting on the pulpit for them, cleared his throat and started.
"Men and Ladies fair, we are gathered here today to witness the union of these two people in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. They have come here, to kneel before God and ask for his blessing upon their union," said the Archbishop. Hermione could feel her cheeks getting warmer as the Archbishop spoke. She decided to chance a sidelong glance at Ron. He looked about the same way she felt, like he was ready to bolt for the door any minute. She turned her eyes back to the Archbishop, her mind repeating over and over. This isn't a real wedding. You can do this, Hermione!
"Have you the ring?" said the Archbishop. When did he get that far into the ceremony? Hermione frantically thought. Harry handed Ron the ring and then stepped back away from the altar. Ron took Hermione's hand, which suddenly felt as though her skin had been electrified. Ron's hand was warm and damp from perspiration. She was supposed to look at him for this part. Her eyes slowly panned up his neck, past his mouth but she couldn't force them any higher than his nose.
The Archbishop slowly, passage by passage, had Ron to repeat the vows. The Archbishop was reciting all the vows Hermione had ever heard of from every wedding she'd read about in books. And Ron was repeating them, in a high, quiet sort of voice she'd only heard him use once or twice, when he was really scared. Her head was spinning at the sound of him repeating all those promises to love, to be faithful, no matter what. Her hand was a jumble of extra sensitive nerves as Ron, no, Robin, slid the ring onto her finger.
But then the Archbishop turned to her, and it was her turn to make those promises. Hermione suddenly felt a lump of fear in her stomach. She'd always thought she'd only marry once, and that when she spoke her vows, she'd mean them. She was only fourteen, and fiction or not, it felt all too real. She wasn't sure she could go through with it.
"Have you the ring?" he asked. Ginny emerged from somewhere behind her and gave her a heavy and rather warm gold ring. She took Ron's hand in her own, which now felt numb, and poised the ring at his finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed," said the Archbishop. Acting, Hermione! she thought, focusing on Ron's longish freckled covered nose. You're Marion Fitzwalter, and this is her true love, Robin Hood! This is one of your favorite Muggle stories and now is your chance to live it a little, so speak! she thought.
"With this ring, I thee wed," she repeated each word the Archbishop said. A wave of chills ran through her body at the sound of her own voice speaking those words.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Hermione repeated, still unable to look into Ron's eyes for fear that she would freeze up. Why did this have to be so difficult?
"For better or for worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health,
and forsaking all other keep myself only to thee for as long as we both shall live."
Only one thing remained. She looked down at their hands and slowly pushed the ring onto his long finger. Hermione realized when she pushed the ring all the way onto his finger, that she had been expecting a thrill of music to play once the ring was in place. Instead, there was only a moment of silence before the Archbishop spoke again.
"Then, as God is my witness, I pronounce you Man and Wife." Ron suddenly seemed to relax. He took her hand and started to turn from the Altar. The Archbishop spoke again, freezing him solid. "You may kiss the bride."
Ginny waited with bated breath for Ron to turn back to Hermione and kiss her. This is exactly what he needs, the big oaf, she thought. Hermione too, she can be so stubborn sometimes. Ginny was debating on whether to clear her throat as a signal to Ron that he was hesitating too long, but Ron finally moved. He turned back toward Hermione and slowly lifted her veil. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in close for the kiss.
Ginny's jaw dropped. Had she really seen what she'd thought she'd seen? She shot a glance to the Archbishop as Ron turned from the alter, holding Hermione's hand. The Archbishop didn't seem to think anything was out of the ordinary. Ginny's eyes shifted quickly to where Harry was. He was obscured by Ron and Hermione, who were passing quickly by. Hermione had a look of shock on her face, but Ginny still wasn't sure what she thought had happened had actually happened. She was starting to feel the slow burn of indignation on Hermione's behalf when she finally met Harry's eyes. His face remained unreadable for a second or two. Then he raised an eyebrow and one corner of his mouth twisted upward in a smirk.
It was Official. Ron had kissed Hermione near the lips. He had given her a peck on the cheek. She looked up the aisle as Ron practically dragged Hermione out of the cathedral as the choir sang in the background. If we have to do this stupid story over again because he doesn't want to play his part, I'll knock a knot in his head! Ginny thought as she met up with Harry in the aisle in front of the altar. They took each other's arms and headed quickly down the isle toward the large oak doors.
"You think we'll have to do everything over?" Harry said as they passed through the great double doors that lead outside the cathedral.
"I hope not," she said. Ginny just couldn't get over it. How insulting! "I can't believe he did that," she said as they watched Ron helping Hermione into a carriage that was waiting in front of the cathedral. "I mean, I didn't expect him to, you know, really kiss her," Ginny said aloud, still flabbergasted that Ron could be so thick. "But he could've at least pecked her on the lips." Harry shrugged and watched Ron climb in behind her.
"Ron's been dreading the wedding since I first told him about it," said Harry. "In a way, I'm glad all this happened," Harry added, turning toward her. "I was getting tired of those two acting like there's nothing going on between them." Ginny felt a surge of excitement; Harry knew. He knew about Ron and Hermione and the fact that they were really only fooling each other.
"Weddings always make me cry," said Dumbledore walking up behind them wiping the corner of his eye with a handkerchief. They all waved as the driver of the carriage jerked the reigns and whistled at the horses.
"I just hope that little peck-" Harry started but then froze. "Sir, do you the book would make the hero and heroine kiss, like for real?" he asked.
"That is a possibility," he said. Harry and Ginny groaned in unison.
"We'll never get out of this book," they both said.
The carriage jolted and started off. Ron watched as Harry, Ginny and Dumbledore waved them off.
"Oh, I'd forgotten," Hermione gasped and stood up. She put herself halfway out the window and threw her bouquet of flowers back at the mass of people outside the cathedral. Ron watched as a few women made grabs for it, sending it flying off to one side where Ginny raised her hands and caught it perfectly. He couldn't tell from that distance, but he was sure she must be blushing violently as she looked up at Harry. Hermione sat back down with a sigh and Ron sat silently, watching the scenery go by. It was over.
For the first time since they'd been sucked into the book, Ron wondered why the book picked him, specifically for the part of Robin. Harry was more of the hero type. His mind wandered to the question of why Hermione had played the heroine. She wasn't a gushy romantic person. She was practical. She was business-like. She was a bookworm. She wasn't silly like Lavender or Parvati. She wasn't a hopeless and sometimes helpless romantic like Ginny. He wondered why it hadn't been Ginny and Harry.
He had to admit, there was something strange about that thought. Harry and Ginny. She'd liked him since she'd first seen him. Everyone thought it was just a crush, but she was still showing signs of it. It had been funny at first. However, when she looked absolutely miserable about agreeing to go to the Yule Ball with Neville, he had realized that she still liked Harry, and it hadn't been funny anymore. She had left and Ron had later overheard a few girls from Ginny's year saying that she was crying in the loo after that.
He felt a little pity for his younger sister. She had a crush on Harry, and to Harry, she was just his best friend's little sister. Or was she? This thought was a new one, and it wasn't welcome. Ginny liking Harry was one thing, but if he started liking her back then that would be far too weird. Ron shook off these thoughts by forcing himself to wonder why they hadn't left the book yet. In actuality, he knew why, but he forced his mind to dismiss that thought. Hermione must've been thinking along the same lines, because she cleared her throat and spoke for the first time since they'd gotten into the carriage.
"I can't remember anything more to the story," she said. Ron had the distinct feeling she was trying to get him to suggest that he needed to kiss her on the lips. He could feel his ears getting warm as he thought up a reply. Damn these bloody ears!
"How was it that the story ended again?" he asked, still trying to come up with a non-embarrassing way to suggest that they needed to kiss on the lips.
"As I remember, Robin and Marion are married and ride off into the sunset," she said. That's it! The sunset! thought Ron. He leaned out the window and looked ahead toward the setting sun, which was halfway down over the horizon. He felt his heart thud in his chest. Maybe we don't have to kiss after all, he thought. They sank back into silence for the next minute or two, all the while Ron kept checking out the window, seeing the sun sinking lower and lower, until it finally disappeared under the horizon. Ron's stomach filled with lead and thoughts like "what if we can't get out," or "what if we did something wrong" fluttered through his head.
"I think," said Hermione, startling Ron so badly he actually yelped. She pursed her lips a little then relaxed them and continued. "I think we need to," she paused and looked sideways out the window, her brow furrowed. Ron knew what she was going to suggest. Before he knew it, he had spoken.
"I think you're right," he said. She looked back at him a little surprised at first, but she nodded quietly. They both sat there for a few seconds and then as if they'd been cued, they both leaned forward quickly. Their lips met somewhere in between. Hermione's were warm and slightly moist. As they moved apart, Ron was careful not to catch her eye. She just wants to be friends. This whole thing is proof of that, he thought. He hoped they would be leaving the book soon, he could feel a slight stinging in the corners of his eyes. She doesn't like me like that, she'd not interested.
Hermione leaned back against the soft seat as the carriage rumbled on down the bumpy road. That kiss had been better than the one he'd given her in the cathedral. But she couldn't help but think that he was going to a lot of trouble to avoid looking at her. Now more than ever, she doubted all the things she thought were so absolute last year: that Ron was jealous of Krum, that all the arguments he gave her were just to keep her attention on him. Her doubts were taking control. He doesn't like me, he only tolerates me for Harry's sake, she thought, staring out the window and feeling her eyes twinge with the first signs of tears. She stared up at the ceiling, batting her eyes to fight them off. They remained silent for the next five minutes or so; all the while, the carriage was growing darker.
Finally Ron spoke, his voice was somewhat fierce. "This isn't working," he said. Hermione looked down at him a little surprised to see a serious look on his face. He met her eyes and locked her with a stare for a few long seconds, then he abruptly got up and moved across the carriage to her side. He sat down right beside her, closer than he needed to. She turned halfway toward him, not sure what to expect. He half turned toward her, and again, she met his eyes, and this time, from this close she could see he was resolved. She barely had time to think about it before he took a deep breath and leaned in quickly, as if he might lose his nerve.
His lips were warm. A more comfortable warm than her lips had ever felt. She could feel nothing but him, smell only his familiar scent, and see only his freckled cheeks, his closed eyes and red hair less than inches from her eyes. I should close my eyes, she thought, feeling her eyelids slowly descend. His lips moved slightly against hers sending exhilarating chills all over her body. She felt his hand come to rest on her arm and suddenly felt she needed to be in contact with him in more ways than just lips. She brought one of her hands up to the side of his head, lacing her fingers into the short red hair just above his very warm ear.
He let his lips move a little more, and Hermione suddenly became aware that she was now following his lips. She could feel his breath coming in heavier pulls with each second, and hear her own heart pounding in her ears. Her mind was spinning in circles and the only thing that it could comprehend was that Ron was kissing her, really kissing her. Hermione could feel herself being overpowered by the sensations she was feeling. The entire world had suddenly disappeared, leaving only Ron and Hermione.
Ron's lips moved more freely now that she had started moving hers. A second later she felt his lips part the tiniest bit. Inhibitions out the window and reserve locked away in some dark corner of her mind, Hermione found herself parting her own lips and letting her tongue pass between them. Ron had apparently thrown his own inhibitions away as well, because the next moment, she felt his tongue venture hesitantly past her lips. She was floating on a cloud with Ron, their lips locked and their tongues engaged, and Hermione was just thinking that she could do this for hours when the world was cracked open by the sound of someone clearing his throat. It wasn't Ron.
The bottom fell out of her stomach and she unceremoniously parted with Ron, feeling a wave of burning embarrassment when she realized she'd quite visibly pulled her tongue out of his mouth. She was in the brightly lit attic, sun pouring in the windows. They'd been ejected from the book. She looked up to see Harry, who was smirking widely, Ginny, who looked like she was desperately trying not to smile (and failing), Dumbledore, who had suddenly found something of great interest in one of the beams above his head, and… King Richard? Even mortified, Hermione wondered what he was doing there. He was wearing tattered light brown robes and had a wide smile on his face.
"Having fun?" Harry asked. Hermione could feel herself blushing horribly.
"What's he doing here?" Ron croaked, pointing to Richard. Harry and Ginny turned toward him, both wearing the same look of confusion.
"I believe you may be the best person to explain this, Franklin," said Dumbledore, patting him on the back. "By the way, it is very good to see you again," he added.
"It's good to see you again, too, Sir. You're still looking good. Still teaching at Hogwarts?
"In a manner of speaking. I am the Headmaster these days," replied Dumbledore.
"Headmaster? So old Dippet finally retired then," he said, turning and passing a glance over everyone's confused faces. "I suppose I should explain a little. Shall we start with some introductions?" said the man they had known as King Richard. "My name is Frank Weasley,"
"You're Frank Weasley?!" Ginny interrupted. "You're our Uncle Frank?" she said looking up at him in disbelief.
"Ah, so you two are Weasleys. I'd hoped you were. Oh, yes. Before I forget, I want to thank all of you. You see, I've-" he started but was interrupted by a shout from the top landing of the house. Mr. Weasley, that is, Arthur Weasley, came running up the stairs taking them two at a time.
"Children! Ron! Ginny! Are you all okay? Harry, Hermi-" He froze at the top of the stairs, staring confusedly at Frank Weasley. "F-Frank?" he said, stepping toward him.
"My Lord! Arthur!" Frank strode over to Mr. Weasley and threw his arms around him. "What happened to your hair, little brother?"
"Frank, you're…" Mr. Weasley said, apparently at a loss for words. Then he looked down to the floor at the Robin Hood book. His eyes widened in surprised. "So that's what happened to you all those years ago. We thought it was You-" he started, but glanced momentarily at Harry. "We thought it was Voldemort," he said without an ounce of fear in his voice, though his face tensed as he said the name.
"That old coot, is he still around?" Frank said with a smile.
"Er, that's a long story, actually. I'll tell you later," said Mr. Weasley. "How did you end up in that book? Just find it like the kids did?" asked Mr. Weasley. They heard footsteps coming up the stairs and a moment later Snuffles, Lupin, Mrs. Weasley, Bill and the rest of the Burrow joined them in the attic.
"Oh my Lord, Frank?" Mrs. Weasley said stepping toward him.
"He's been in this book all along, Molly. Right under our noses," Mr. Weasley said. Mrs. Weasley and Frank wrapped their arms around each other and embraced.
"Arthur looked for any sign of you for years, we all thought You-, I mean, Voldemort had killed you." Mrs. Weasley looked a little fearful at having said the name.
"No, just got trapped in my own creation. Er, Arthur, Molly, are these two your children?" asked Frank, pointing at Ron and Ginny.
"Yes, I completely forgot. You've never seen any of our children," said Mr. Weasley. "These two are our youngest, Ron and Ginny, I assumed you've met them."
"Yes, but I didn't know their names," said Frank.
"There's Bill, our oldest. Percy, our third oldest. Fred and George, fourth and fifth, and that's all of them except Charlie, our second oldest. He's still in Romania at the moment."
"Good Lord! Seven kids? I see you two have kept busy," said Frank, nudging Arthur in the ribs.
"Why don't we go downstairs to the kitchen where we can sit down and explain things. I'm sure Frank has missed the real world and wouldn't mind a spot of tea," said Dumbledore.
They headed down to the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley poured them some tea, telling Frank in almost thirty years he hadn't changed a bit, at least not his behavior.
Frank explained how he had wanted to make the wizarding world's first completely interactive story book. He had gotten it almost all done and decided to test it out himself. Unfortunately, he hadn't quite got the exiting charm right and was trapped inside. He had been unable to finish because it required at least two people from the outside world. Since he had also put a time distortion charm on the book, the thirty years he'd been inside the book, equaled about one hundred and twenty years in the book's time. He said that despite his appearance, he had been feeling that old until Hermione had gotten sucked in the book.
"So why weren't you playing Robin Hood, if you were the first one in the book?" asked Ron.
"Well Ron, I set up the book to be a sort of romantic adventure for a couple who were very strongly in love. The book casts the parts based on that. When you two fell into the book," Frank said, pointing to Ron and Hermione, "the book sensed your love for one another and cast you two in the hero and heroine parts." Hermione felt her cheeks burn and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ron turning magenta. Harry stifled a snigger and Ginny elbowed him in the side, giving him a disdainful look.
"The book was built to help guide the hero and heroine through the story with as few hiccups as possible. I hope you two enjoyed it," Frank said smiling.
"Enjoyed it? It nearly got us killed!" Ron shouted.
"Yes, but what an adventure you had! And you got the chance to rescue your girlfriend, didn't you?" said Frank with a wide smile. Fred and George exploded with laughter the moment Uncle Frank had said "girlfriend". Any amount of embarrassment Hermione had felt before was suddenly a thousand times worse. Frank Weasley had called her Ron's girlfriend! In front of everyone! What would Mrs. Weasley think?
"Shut up laughing, you two!" Ginny snapped at Fred and George. They both winked at each other, and quietly forced themselves to stop laughing. Hermione knew this wasn't a good thing, not in the least.
With the time distortion charm on the book, the eleven days they'd spent in the book had translated into about three days in reality. Which meant that tomorrow was the last day of August and they would make the trip to Kings Cross in the morning. For some reason, it always made Harry a little sad packing up his trunk to head off to Hogwarts. He always enjoyed his time at the Burrow and even though he loved Hogwarts, he'd miss the Burrow.
Hogwarts would be bittersweet this year, though. Cedric had died a little over two months ago, Voldemort had risen the same night. Harry tossed his clean school robes into his trunk, checked to make sure his Invisibility cloak was tucked in the bottom, and added the schoolbooks that Mrs. Weasley had gotten from Diagon Alley.
"Reckon we won't be able to get by with anything this year, Hermione being prefect and all," said Ron. Harry shrugged.
"Wonder which bloke they got to be the other prefect for our year?" said Ron. Harry shrugged again Even though he knew which bloke they'd gotten, he hadn't told Ron or Hermione yet. Dumbledore had personally written him a letter. He seemed to think Harry should be involved in Hogwarts business since he usually ended up involved in it anyway. Harry sighed as he tossed a stack of parchment, which included his Hogwarts letter, and the well-hidden silver prefect badge into his trunk.
"Hope it isn't Seamus, it'll go to his head," said Ron. Harry dropped his quills and inkbottles into his trunk and shut the lid. "Wouldn't it be a shock if it was Neville? What's wrong, Harry?" asked Ron. Harry half turned toward him, unsure if he wanted to bring it up. Everyone's moods were so high due to Frank Weasley's return, he wasn't sure he wanted to say anything to spoil it.
"It's nothing, really," he finally said.
"You can tell us, you know that, don't you? Me and Hermione. You can tell us anything, Harry," said Ron. He sounded so sincere that Harry actually decided to say what was eating away at him.
"In that book," he started. "We were concentrating so hard on finishing the story and getting out, I'd almost forgotten about Voldemort." Harry slumped down on the bed. "I get the feeling a lot of people are going to lose their lives this time, just like last time. There'll be a lot more Bertha Jorkins and Cedric Diggorys. There's going to be more Wormtails, selling their friends for their own skins. There's going to be new Death Eaters, maybe people we know." He looked up at Ron. "I just can't see any light at the end of the tunnel." Ron looked like he was contemplating everything Harry had just said.
"It's there, mate," he said knowingly. "We might not be able to see it, but if we stick together, I'm sure we'll find it. We got out of that book, after all," he said, shutting the lid to his own trunk.
Harry didn't sleep much that night, his mind went over the events from last years Triwizard Tournament, and the events from inside the book. Ron was right, as long as Harry had friends like Ron and Hermione, he could get through the narrow winding road ahead. He drifted off to sleep unsure of the future, but not quite as fearful of it.
The door to room number seventeen swung open and a couple walked in: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley, otherwise known as Ron and Hermione. It had been a year since their wedding night, and for their first anniversary, Ron had suggested they relive their honeymoon in Hawaii. He stood outside the room carrying Hermione in his arms.
"Ron, don't bump my head on the doorframe this time, okay?" Hermione said quickly.
"Oh, come on, Hermione. I wanted to relive that first night. You had that knot on your head," Ron started, but was interrupted.
"Which I suppose got you all hot and bothered?" Hermione asked matter-of-factly.
"Actually, yes. You looked extra sexy with a bag of ice on your head," he said grinning. He turned her sideways and stepped into the room, careful not to bash her head against the doorframe. "Get the lights, please, Sugar," said Ron.
"You got them last time," Hermione said with a devious grin.
"That's because I had to set you down 'cause you started hitting me after I bumped your head into the door frame. So, if you don't want your head bumped, then get the lights." Hermione reached back and flipped the light switch up.
"Okay, put me down already, your hurting my ribs," said Hermione. Ron eased her legs down to the floor so she could stand on her own. Before he'd let her go all the way, she turned sharply toward him and gave him a deep, full kiss. They stood just inside the open doorway, wrapped in each other's arms, kissing. After about a minute they broke apart.
"Getting off to a good start this year, aren't we?" said Hermione gazing into Ron's eyes. "Shut the door, unless you wanted to entertain everyone," she added as an elderly couple walk past the open door. Ron turned to close the door, and Hermione walked into the room. It was the same room they'd had the year before, though it seemed to have been refurnished. Hermione could still see the evidence of the row they'd had the third night they were there last year. There were singe marks here and there on the ceiling.
She walked past the squishy bed toward the double doors that led out onto the balcony. She pulled the doors open and walked out.
"Oh, look, Ron," she said, turning and leaning against the railing of the balcony. "They cut that stupid palm tree down. We've got a much better view of the ocean now." Ron had walked to the double doors and leaned out them holding on to the top of the frame.
"Not interested in the beautiful view outside," he said with a grin. "I'm waiting for the beautiful view to come inside." Hermione pushed herself off from the rail, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Ron. The two of them stumbled backward until Ron fell backward on the bed pulling Hermione down with him.
"Ouch! What the bloody-" Ron dug under the blankets and pulled out a package wrapped in silvery paper. "What the hell is this?" he said. Hermione took the package. She knew what it was immediately.
"It's a book," she said, turning the package over. "It's for us," she added reading the name on the card taped to the underside. She pulled the card carefully off and started to open it.
"Leave it," said Ron, leaning toward her to nibble on her earlobe. "We've got better things to do," he said reaching up and tugging on one of the ties to her sundress.
"It's from Harry," she said recognizing his handwriting. Ron didn't seem to care, he gently tried to brush the gift away while distracting Hermione with a kiss. She kept hold of the book and brought it up away from his hands and broke the kiss. "It'll only take a minute to open it, Ron," she said standing up.
"Come on, Hermione! It's just a book, Ginny probably picked it. She only gets people cookbooks or relationship books. The bed isn't getting any bouncier, you know," he said thumping the mattress once. Hermione wasn't paying attention. She pulled the silvery wrapping paper off to find a tattered old book with a green cloth back cover. She flipped it over and read the title aloud.
"The tale of Robin Hood: Thief, Knave, Hero." She looked up at Ron with her mouth hanging open. What was Harry playing at? That book had nearly gotten them all killed. She set the book down carefully, and picked up the card, which actually turned out to be a letter, and read it aloud.
"Dear Hermione (or Ron on the off chance that you're reading this),
I trust you'll recognize the gift Ginny and I picked out for you. I say picked out, but in actuality, we'd wanted to have it ready to give to you last year. Since we still hadn't worked out the exiting charms, we couldn't give it to you then. Ginny suggested we give it to you as a one-year anniversary present as it was ultimately the catalyst for your getting together.
First of all, the book doesn't work the same way it did when we first found it. Ginny, Fred, George, Uncle Frank, Sirius and I have all been working on it since our last year at Hogwarts. Blame Ginny, it was all her idea, we just thought it was a good one.
We've written in all the rules of the book on the first ten pages. It's special ink, you have to have some magic in you to read it. Muggles will just see ten pages of pictures pertaining to Robin Hood.(Dudley unknowingly tested that.) I'll write the important ones here.
First off, you can't get sucked in anymore. The entry charm has to be activated by a wand and by speaking the incantation, "Olim". You start the book where we did six years ago. Dennis Creevey had the idea of putting a few "Save points" in the book, in case you get expelled (I'll explain in a minute) or want to leave for something, you won't have to start back at the beginning. The save point is like a little post that has a logbook that you just put your name and the time of day, (which is indicated by the clock at the post) to save. We've also placed a copy of the book there, so you can see what's coming up, or get tips on what to do next.
The exiting charms are really complex, Ginny and George did most of that stuff. First off, the most simple exiting charm is just to exit on command. Which means, at any place, at any time, in any part of the story, all you have to do to get out, is shout "Exodus," and you'll be sent out of the book. There is a safety exiting charm within the book now, too. If you are about to get mortally wounded, the book will automatically kick you out. Sirius was brave enough to test that charm at least two or three dozen times. The end exiting charm is different too. You have to say "Finite" for the story to end, and it only works in three places. One is in the carriage, the second one is after Robin saves Marion. (My idea, so this could be marketed to kids too. You know kids, "Kissing, erugh!")
The last place you can finish the story is at Robin's castle. You don't remember this from the story when we went through it because it wasn't there. This is the adult end of the book, I suppose. There isn't much to Robin's Castle, except a really luxurious bedroom. There's also a way to skip to the end. Simply open the book from the back and say "Olim". There's other stuff in the rules about the time distortion charm and character replacement and so on, but it isn't really important. I trust the two of you will enjoy it.
Yours truly,
Harry & Ginny
P.S. I hope you don't mind that Ginny and I tested out Robin's Castle. The bed is really comfy. Have fun on your second honeymoon.
Hermione put the letter down on the nightstand and picked the book back up. "Sounds like fun to me," she said flipping the book over and opening the back cover. "Want to try it out?" she asked. Ron looked from her to the book and back to her again. Then a smile crept onto his face.
"Olim!" Hermione said, feeling the book tilt toward her.
The End
A/N - This story was inspired partly by Robin Hood; Men in tights (the original title of the fic was "Ron Hood; Weasley in tights" but that sounded too silly.) and by the song "Storybook love" from The Princess Bride. I was going to have the end be a song fic, but since I really don't like songfics and I was running short on time, I decided not to. I hope you've enjoyed this, it nearly drove myself mad writing it.