Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, plot or any of the other content within the Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling does and I am not affiliated with her in any way.

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I apparated in the front yard of The Burrow. The house, complete with its grand crookedness, rose from the dusty ground. I took a deep breath before striding toward the door.

I silently let myself in, closing the door behind me. The kitchen was empty, the only sound coming from the clock. I could here the murmur of voices from the living area.

Walking slowly, wishing in my mind that I were anywhere but there at that moment, I entered the living room. Ginny and Harry looked up from where they had been playing a game of wizard chess.

Ginny grinned and popped up from the floor, coming over and hugging me tightly. "Oh Herms! I haven't seen you in forever."

I laughed as I loosened myself from her grip. "It's only been a few weeks."

Harry muttered something about checking on Hedwig before bounding up the stairs, leaving me alone with Ginny.

Ginny took my hands and led me to the sofa, sitting down and pulling me with her.

"So, what was so important that you had to tell me?"

"Um…well. Right now Ron isn't here."

I raised my eyebrows. "That's a good thing Ginny."

"Well, yeah, it is. But…he will he here."

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Ginny, why is Ron going to be here?"

"Because he has a wedding to plan."

My blood ran cold. A…wedding? "But that would mean…"

Ginny nodded affirmatively. "Yeah. That's what it means. Ron finally gave into Evelyn. They're getting married this weekend."

I jumped up and backed away against the wall.

"Then why in the bloody hell did you bring me here?" I stared at her as if she had just grown two heads.

She played with a strand of her hair, looking anywhere but at me. A silence stretched between us.

"Why? Why did you bring me here of all places on this god awful earth when he is going to get married?"

Ginny was still in silence, she didn't seem to know what to say. Suddenly, realization dawned upon me.

"Oh no. No way Ginny! No way in bloody hell am I going to be part of your plan!"

Ginny stood up, finally speaking. "Hermione! I don't have a plan. But remember what I told you all those years ago? About how you were the only one that could stop it? Well, this is your chance!"

"My chance?" I spat out bitterly. "My damn chance? If you think that I am going to try to split up Ron and Evelyn just because of the fact that he is the…"

"Uh…am I interrupting something?"

I spun around, only to face the man himself. Oh, yes. Ronald Weasley, in all his glory stood in the doorway, observing the scene of his sister and me.

Ginny piped up first. "No, Ron. You're not interrupting anything. Hermione's just a bit tired," she glared at me, "all she needs is a bit of sleep."

I clenched my jaw, anger rushing through my veins. "Yes…sleep. That's what I need." Along with a vanishing spell, I thought bitterly.

Ron, oblivious to the tension coursing through his sister and friend, spoke. "So, does this mean you'll be attending the wedding?"

Of all the inane, idiotic, pompous, bastardly…

"Of course she is! Came right when she heard the news" Ginny beamed.

I shot a look at her. When I got my hands on her I would…

"Is that true Hermione?" Ron looked at me, brows knitted together in a frown.

I forced a smile onto my face. "Sure thing Ron. Couldn't have missed it for the world." Was that my voice? God it sounded fake.

"Uh, well, I guess since you're here, I'll be seeing you around." Ron blushed a crimson color. "I have to go send a letter of my arrival to my fiancé if you'll excuse me…" He moved past us and jogged up the stairs, leaving Ginny and me alone again.

Once I was sure he was gone, I burst. "EXACTLY WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT? CAME RIGHT WHEN SHE HEARD THE NEWS? LIKE I REALLY CARE ABOUT HIS DAMN WEDDING TO THAT FAKE LITTLE WENCH!"

Ginny, equally furious, retorted, "WELL IF YOU HAD JUST GONE ALONG WITH THE PLAN IN THE FIRST PLACE…"

"WHAT PLAN? THE ONE THAT I WOULD SEPARATE THEM WITH MY SEDUCTIVE CHARM?" I got right into her face. "Let me tell you something Ginny Potter, I am not a person to be played with and I sure as hell am not starting now. You take your damn plan and shove it, because, frankly, I threw that bastard out of my life six years ago and I'm not about to break my resolution."

I walked off and stalked up the stairs.

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The next morning it felt as though I had drunken one too many butterbeers. Unfortunately for me, my sour mood was not the cause of alcohol but the fact that there was a wedding going on in two days time.

I pulled on my clothes, pulling my hair back quickly, not really caring. Weddings, such a load of crap, I thought to myself as I jogged down the steps.

I almost retraced my steps and went back to my room when I realized the only one in the kitchen was Ron. I decided against it and went in, ignoring the fact that the love of my life sat no more than five feet from me.

I poured myself tea from the pot that Mrs. Weasley had left under a warming charm. Taking a sip, I leaned against the counter, pretending I hadn't noticed when Ron got up and turned to face me, leaning on the table.

"Long time no see."

Drat. The prat was going to make my life difficult.

"I suppose so."

His eyes seemed to be so full of pain. I wanted to go to him and take all of that pain into me, letting him live a life without grief. But I held back. That wasn't my job. It was Evelyn's.

"What happened Hermione?" his voice was hoarse.

"A mistake" I replied coldly. The ice in my voice surprised myself.

"I missed you Hermione. I don't even know what you're doing these days."

Oh, not too much. Just juggling my workload and taking care of your daughter. By the way, did you know she turned five just last month?

"Nothing."

He sighed, pushing his hands through his tousled red hair. The same hair that I had played with that night…

No, keep your mind on track. This is Ron. He's getting married. He's not yours. He's Evelyn's.

I shook my head. Talking to myself wasn't a good thing.

"I'm glad you came. You know. For the wedding" He looked out the window, as if he were seeking out something hidden in the world. Something that would tell him the answers to all his problems.

"You are my friend." That sounded idiotic, I chided myself.

"Yeah, well, I need all the support I can get." He sounded defeated; as if the wedding was something he was dreading.

I could have cursed myself for what I said next. "If you don't want it, then why do it?"

He turned to look at me. "Because the things that I want will never be mine."

I watched as he turned and walked away, a silence filling the kitchen.

Hey, thanks to all you guys who reviewed! Keep on it...I'll be a bit quicker next time to post the next chapter! lol