Not That Different
Chapter 9
The Dress
The school year seemed to be going so fast for Hermione, Draco, Harry and Liz. Soon it was spring and the second to last Hogsmeade weekend was upon them. Hermione was getting very anxious for her wedding was, in her words, "ONLY 3 MONTHS AWAY! AND NOTHING IS DONE!" However this wasn't the case they had, arranged for the ceremony and reception to be held at Hogwarts, arranged for overnight stay in the dormitories there for their family and friends. They had also set the menu for both the reception and the rehearsal dinner, picked out the colors which were going to be a dark red and silver to tie in both of their houses, picked out the bridesmaid dresses and tuxes (the dresses were a dark red and the tuxes were black with a red vest and a silver tie, and they had picked out the rings. Yes, most everything had been done. But the thing that Hermione was freaking out the most about was HER dress, you see the place that she had ordered her dress from owled her a week ago to tell her they had discontinued the style and would no longer be able to make her dress. She cried for a very long while after she found this out and thought that her wedding would be ruined, it wasn't until Draco kindly and soothingly pointed out that he would marry her even if she was dressed in a garbage bag that she finally calmed down. (I know everybody together Awwww, isn't that so sweet?)
And so, this is the reason that they were heading out for Hogsmeade so early that Harry hesitated no time to ask, "do clocks actually work at this hour?" However, this was the only comment made because the glare Hermione shot at Harry was so scary that they didn't want to risk being on the receiving end of one of Hermione's curses. "This is totally not fair!" whined Liz; "Draco gets to sleep in!" "Well that's because he's the groom and he's not allowed to see the dress until the wedding day! I've told you two this a million times! Now quit whining, the less whining we have the quicker this will get done!" Hermione scolded the two before charging on ahead into the first store of the day. "Yes mother," Harry whispered to Liz who giggled before allowing Harry to lead her into the store, "I think I'll write a new children's book, The Bride From the Black Lagoon and it will be about HER" Harry whispered before jamming his thumb over his shoulder in Hermione's direction. "I heard that!" Hermione said sternly, and Harry smirked, "All in good fun, right Mione?" Hermione narrowed her eyes and caused Harry to replace his smirk with a look of fear before she smiled, "Of course Harry darling!" Harry shook his head and let out a big breath, "whew, I thought I was toast!" he whispered to Liz who was trying to hold back laughter, "yeah, but your face was priceless!" "Oh shut it!" Harry smirked and gave her a playful swat on the arm before his attention was completely averted to Hermione's shrieks.
"OH MY GOSH! THIS IS IT! GUYS COME HERE!" the two heard Hermione exclaim as they rushed over to her to look at the dress that she had found. "Oh Hermione!" Liz exclaimed, "It's beautiful!" It was a halter dress decorated with beautiful beads around the trim of the dress and had beautiful embroidered little flowers all over the bodice, it was beautiful. "Go try it on!" Harry insisted and pushed her into the room where she emerged from moments later looking like a goddess. "Draco is going to freak!" Liz exclaimed, "I'd be surprised if he doesn't drop dead at the altar!" "Between Hermione looking like that and the thought of what they'll be doing after the reception I'll be surprised if the whole congregation won't know that he's happy," Harry said smirking, "HARRY JAMES POTTER!" Hermione shrieked blushing a little "I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU JUST SAID THAT!" Liz smirked at Harry before laughing and slapping him across the arm, "Ouch" Harry exclaimed rubbing his arm, "you disserved that," she said matter-of-factly.
Suddenly Hermione's face fell, "What's wrong 'Mione?" Harry asked noticing this quick change of attitude. "I just looked at its price tag, there is no way I'll be able to afford this!" Hermione sighed as she sadly hung the dress back up. Harry marched quickly over to her and lifted the dress back up again and looked at the tag, "We'll split it 'Mione, half- and-half, think of it as my engagement present to you" "Oh, Harry, I couldn't ask you to do that," Hermione said, "we'll just keep looking, I'm bound to find something else." "OH no you don't 'Mione, I know you couldn't ask me to do this but that is why I'm TELLING you that its what I'm going to do," it was Harry's turn to scold Hermione this time. "Oh Harry! Thank you so much!" Hermione exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck, "You are the absolute best!" "Anything for my little 'Mione!" Harry exclaimed, "I feel like it's my sister that is getting married, and I'd love to help make that day as special as it can be for her." Hermione smiled, "you've got yourself a good one Liz!" "I know I'm awesome, I'll sign autographs later," Hermione rolled her eyes as they paid for the dress, "just what you need, an even bigger head," Harry chuckled as he looked to see Liz nodding in agreement. "Well, since I helped with the dress, that means lunch is on Hermione!" Hermione laughed, "You got it."
They arrived back at the tower shortly after lunch to store the dress away somewhere where Draco wouldn't find it. Harry and Liz then retreated to their rooms to work on their Best Man/Maid of Honor speeches and to get ready for their date that night at dinner. Hermione on the other hand creeped into Draco's room to find him fast asleep on his bed. She crawled onto his bed and into his embrace and they enjoyed a nice nap.
Later on that night as Hermione and Draco headed down to dinner at the great hall Harry and Liz were walking down toward the lake when Liz saw the most beautiful sight. She and Harry's favorite spot beside the lake had been set up with a picnic with candles and soft music. She gasped as Harry dropped to one knee, "Liz," he began, "you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, these past 6 months with you have been unbelievable, and I would love nothing more than for you to be my wife. Elizabeth, will you marry me?" She blinked as the tears started to fall down her cheeks and a smile appeared on her face, "I want nothing more in the world than to be your wife Harry James Potter." He smiled, stood up and sweeped her off her feet and carried her to the picnic blanket where they shared a romantic dinner in the moonlight to celebrate. Liz couldn't wait to tell Hermione the events the night had entailed but right now they only thing that mattered to either of them in that instant were each other and their love.
A/N: Here's the next chapter! Please review!