Chapter nine is here! I just want to say that I have had so much fun writing this, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it. If you have questions, send them to me in a review (even if you don't, send one anyway) and I'll answer them for you. Other than that, keep on reviewing and I'll keep writing! :)
To Mufleta: George isn't sad about the wedding, he just didn't expect to get married with three kids on the way. I mean, Kylier's going to be a cow, and neither one had expected on getting hitched so soon. Thanks for reviewing!
Anyway, onto the story...
"I'm a cow, I'm a cow, I'm a cow."
Kylier was chanting that phrase as they looked around for bridesmaid's dresses. Hermione made sure she had some distance from the rest of the group because of the smile on her face that she couldn't hide. Her mind had been reeling since Ron kissed her, and her smile hadn't faded. She had gotten questioning looks from Ginny ever since, but Hermione wasn't one to kiss and tell.
Yeah, right.
"So, Hermy dahling," Ginny drawled as she flipped through the rack of dresses, "Your smile hasn't faded, in what? Three days? Why are you so happy?"
Hermione pretended to be offended. "Am I not allowed to be happy?"
Ginny gave her a look that said 'do I look stupid?' "You're allowed to be happy, but you must spill the beans. What happened between you and Ron?"
Hermione bit her lip in a poor attempt to hide her smile. She had been debating wether or not to tell Ginny what had happened. "Well," she began.
Ginny gaped. "You shagged him, didn't you?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Ginny, my sex life is none of your business, but yes, I did. Twice."
Ginny squealed. "O my god! This means you guys are back together, right?"
For the first time in three days, Hermione's smile faltered. "I don't know," she confessed. "We never really talked about it. Actually, we haven't been doing much talking..."
"Ew, to much information, didn't want to know, but you guys have to get back together. You guys are perfect together and if you don't, Mum'll probably lock you in a closet."
"Guys, we have a dress." Angelina came back and shuffled them to the dressing rooms. Hermione put it on, and came out of the dressing room. It was a floor length, strapless, lilac gown that had a fitted waist and flared slightly as it continued to the floor. Everyone was quiet as they looked at her. The fitting lady made the appropriate alterations, and Hermione turned around to face everyone.
"What do you think?"
"White lilies," Kylier muttered.
"What?" Molly asked.
"They'll have to have white lilies with this dress." Hermione smiled and turned back to the mirror. The dress accentuated her pale complexion and it hugged every curve. The back dipped, revealing a lot of skin, but it still looked classy and sexy. She imagined herself walking down the isle, Ron's eyes following her every move. She smiled, but then looked at the price tag.
"What?" Kylier asked when Hermione's demeanor changed.
"How are we paying for this?" Hermione asked as she showed Kylier the tag.
Kylier shrugged. "My brother set aside an account for my wedding after my dad died. This is no problem. Don't worry."
Hermione changed back into her jeans and they paid and left. They were in the middle of muggle London, and someone suggested they stop for lunch. They walked into a trendy little café, ordered and sat down. "So, have you and George thought about names?" Molly asked Kylier.
She nodded. "We both think that they'll be three boys, and my family is famous for naming boys, so yeah, we've got a couple. Parker, Connor and Michael are my favorites, but I think if George had his way they'd be George one, two and three." She paused to take a bite of her sandwich, "But we have some girls' names too, um, Kylie, Elizabeth, Molly" she continued rattling off names.
"I think Connor is a nice name, but Parker? Isn't that a last name?" Kaitlyn asked.
Kylier took a sip of her tea, "I had a friend named Parker Johnson, he was so awesome, but I have a friend whose last name is Parker too, but Parker is an unusual name so I love it."
They finished eating and began the agonizing search for the wedding dress. The first eight shops failed to produce a dress to anyone's liking. Then there was the issue of if she should wear a white dress, but it was decided that she should, no one would mind too much. Finally, they came to a small wedding boutique, and since everyone was getting tired, they decided it would be the last.
It was a classy little place, wedding dresses were everywhere. They immediately headed to the back, and began sorting through the racks. Kylier was muttering about how she'd be heavier, and Molly would comfort her by saying that alterations could be made. Hermione finally found the perfect dress, and after everyone saw it on Kylier, they agreed. It was a spaghetti strap, white dress that swished daintily around her ankles. The bodice was loose now, but would fit perfectly when the time came. It was plain white, and made her skin glow. She looked radiant, standing in the three way mirror, turning occasionally, making the fabric ruffle. Molly wiped away some stray tears, and Kylier finally turned around to face them. "Let's get it."
They paid, and shuffled out, talking excitedly. They were meeting the guys and kids for dinner at the Leaky Cauldron. They were staying overnight and then heading to the train station to send the kids back to school. When they got to the Leaky Cauldron, they were greeted by a mess of red hair. Hermione managed to find Haven and they sat at a table while everyone else wrestled their kids down.
"How was the shopping mum?" Haven asked. She was twirling her long red hair around her finger.
"It was fine, you are going to love the bridesmaid dresses, and Kylier's dress is amazing," Hermione continued to recount the day.
"How are my two favorite women doing?"
Both Hermione and Haven turned to see Ron standing behind them. Haven giggled when he kissed her cheek and sat down next to her. He winked at Hermione, and she flushed. He and Haven began having a conversation about Quidditch, and Hermione found herself staring at Ron. She loved the way his hair flopped into his face and how his eyes sparkled when he looked at Haven. She'd seen all these things before, in her daughter. It was uncanny how alike they were.
"Mum, mum, mum!" Haven began waving her hand in front of her mother. Hermione snapped out of her trance. Haven pointed at the food, "Food's getting cold." They ate in silence, with Haven sneaking glances at her parents. They'd been acting strangely for the last three days and she couldn't figure out why. She knew they still loved each other, it was written all over their faces, but she couldn't figure out why they acted the way they did.
Haven thought back to the journal she'd found in her trunk. It was her father's old one, from first year, and she had found it in the loose lining at the bottom. She had learned a lot about him from reading it, and she hadn't told anyone. When he described meeting her mother, she'd been amazed. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her the moment he'd seen her. Even when he and her mum fought, he still wanted her. If they were like that then, why was now so awkward for them?
Haven finished and kissed her dad and mum and left to play with her cousins. She threw a sly smile at their backs as she walked away with Ashton and Michele.
Hermione and Ron sat in an uncomfortable silence, sneaking glances at each other. Ron scratched the back of his neck, "Do you want to go find our room?" he asked uncertainly.
Hermione gave him a small smile. "Sure." Anything to get out of the silence. Anything. She started up first, Ron following and enjoying the view from behind. He smiled to himself.
Molly and Arthur booked rooms for each couple and two extra rooms for the kids. They made the excuse that it was too much to get them separate rooms, so Ron and Hermione had to share. Not that either minded. Hermione found the room, and they both went in. Ironically, it was the same room that Ron had led her to the day he came back. They stood in another uncomfortable silence, staring at each other. It was like a game, whoever looked away first lost. Ron crumbled.
"What are we doing?"
His words took Hermione by surprise, but it was a fair question. What were they doing? Was this just a fling, or was there something else? There had to be, right? "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously. She didn't want to start psycho babbling if they weren't on the same page.
Ron sighed and sat on the bed. "I was hoping you could answer that."
Hermione sat next to him. "Do you love me?" she asked.
Ron looked at her horrified. "How can you ask that? Of course I love you. I love you more than anything in the world!"
Hermione smiled. "Then what are we doing?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Why do you use reverse psycho babble on me? Haven't I suffered enough?"
Hermione hit him playfully and they sat in silence. Only this time, a comfortable one, a happy one, but most importantly, one with the promise of future.
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