Disclaimer: If I had created this world, Sirius would be alive, Ron would have asked Hermione out long ago and Snape would have washed his hair. So obviously, this world isn't mine.

Chapter 8 – To have and to hold

Hermione looked into the mirror. She looked just wonderful. She wore a white, sleeveless, beautiful dress. Her hair was up in some kind of artistic bun, and she was holding a bouquet of red roses, just like the one he had stuck into that bouquet he had given her at the hospital.

There was a knock on the door. "It's open," she said, her voice slightly shaking.

The door was opened and Sarah Kingsley stuck her head in. "There's someone here to see you, claims she's an old friend of yours."

"Oh?"

Sarah stepped aside, and instead Ginny Weasley appeared in the doorway. She gazed round-eyed at Hermione.

"God, Hermione, you look just stunning!"

"Ginny!" Hermione said and hurried up to the red-haired woman to embrace her. "It must have been over two years!"

"Thought I'd step by," Ginny said and hugged Hermione back. "It's just so perfect!"

Hermione smiled. "Yeah, it is. I'd ask you to be my made of honour but I promised Sarah years ago..."

"That's okay with me," Ginny said. "I mean, still, we haven't been keeping in touch enough for such a thing."

"It's a shame."

"But that is all about to change, right?" Ginny said, sounding a little worried that she might lose her old friend again.

"Of course!" Hermione said, grinning widely. "After all, you're my new sister-in-law."

Sarah appeared again. "It's time, she said."

"I'd go," Ginny said, almost whispering. "Mum saved me a seat. Good luck!"

Hermione's throat felt suddenly all dry and she couldn't say a word, but she managed to raise her hand and wave at Ginny as she left the room.

"Nervous?" Sarah asked.

Hermione nodded.

"But no doubts, right? You don't want me to object to cover up for you?" she joked.

Hermione managed to smile, but inside she was deeply serious. She had no doubts at all, this was the right thing. It wasn't just a passion; it was love, deep love. They had known each other for so long, they knew each other so well and had changed so much during the years. They had both matured and were now ready for taking this step.

In a blur she followed Sarah out and to the entrance of the church. The music started to play, Sarah set of into the church and Hermione followed her, not really aware of the surroundings.

She didn't realize that she had reached the altar and now stood in front of the man she had agreed to share her life with, until the music was finished and the audience sat down. She looked straight into Ron's emerald eyes and was totally lost.

"We are gathered here today, in front of God and these witnesses, to join this man and this woman in the holy matrimony. If anyone knows any reason why these two shouldn't be wed, you may now speak or forever hold your peace."

A silence fell over the church when the priest waited for about a minute.

"Good. Do you, Hermione Granger," the priest started and Hermione reacted on the sound of her name.

"... take this man, Ronald Weasley, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, until death breaks you apart?"

Hermione cleared her throat quietly, scared it wouldn't be strong enough.

"I do," she said and a great feeling of relief permeated her.

"Do you, Ronald Weasley, take this woman, Hermione Granger, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, until death breaks you apart?"

Ron just smiled a smile that almost made Hermione's heart melt, and then said simply:

"I do."

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Hermione's lips were slightly shaking when they nervously met Ron's. The kiss was gentle and perfect but rather short and not very passionate. Hermione had never enjoyed kissing in public.

"I love you," he whispered.

Her eyes were filled with tears of joy, which she tried to blink away so her makeup wouldn't be ruined.

"I love you too," she whispered.

Hand in hand the bride and groom walked together down the church to the audience's echoing applauses.

Author's note: Yep, there it goes. Finally! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed during the writing of this fan fiction. Thanks also to anyone who might review this epilogue, which I gladly see that you do.

Megafreak