Chapter 4 – The Wedding & the Flashback

Hermione cast a final glance at herself in the room's full-length mirror. The young woman smiled back at her sadly. She was wearing a simple white gown made of the finest silk that fell into voluminous folds. In her head, she wore a thin wreath of tiny, delicate pink rosebuds. And in her hand, she held a lovely bouquet of pink roses.

"You look so beautiful, dear." Mrs. Granger sighed happily.

Hermione looked at her mother. "Thank you, Mother. Let's go meet Dad."

Mr. Granger was waiting outside. He pushed back the ornate chapel doors and together, they walked down the aisle.

Hermione smiled at the huge number of guests milling around the vast lawn.

"That vos a great ceremony, vosn't it?" Hermione turned. As she did it, Viktor leaned down and kissed her. As they broke away, Hermione thought she saw a familiar face making his way towards them.

"Is that--? Oh my God, it is him! I can't believe it!" Hermione gathered her skirts and ran towards the oncoming figure.

As she drew closer, she saw that it was indeed Ron. She reached him and flung her arms around him.

"Ron! You came!" Hermione said excitedly.

Ron nodded. "This is for you." He said croakily. He thrust a small hastily wrapped brown package into her hands.

"Why, thank you, Ron!" She smiled. A moment later, her brown furrowed. Ron's eyes were slightly red as if from crying. "Ron what--?"

Hermione was interrupted by a sharp tap in her shoulder. She turned and saw that it was Viktor.

"Why did you leave me, Hermy-own-ninny?" Viktor asked, clearly annoyed,

"Well, I haven't seen Ron for over six years. I'm sorry I ran off but I thought you'd understand." Hermione said coolly.

Viktor's face softened. He turned to Ron. "Welcome." They shook hands. He turned back to Hermione. "I am sorry. Forgive me?" He leaned down and kissed her again. Hermione smiled. "Of course."

Ron cleared his throat. "I'll just go now, shall I?"

Hermione turned to him, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Ron. I have to go."

Ron nodded, walking away.

Ron strode to the nearby refreshment table furiously. He filled a cup with fruit punch, grabbed a nearby chair and plunked himself down on it. Darn it! Stupid Ron, he thought. Why the heck did I even come? He drank from his cup and set it down angrily. If only I had done it when I had the chance, he thought, thinking about that fateful night in the Leaky Cauldron.

Ron rushed in the door, scanning the room for Hermione. He found her seated in one of the corner tables. He grinned, thinking of her reaction when he told her his news.

Ron crossed the room and took the seat opposite Hermione. "Hermione, guess what? I've got a job! It's not the greatest, but at least it's something!"

Hermione cleared her throat. "That's great, Ron." She took a sip from the glass she was holding.

Ron's smile faded. "Aren't you happy for me?"

"Of course I am. I was just wondering if you've given any thought at all to my proposal."

Ron folded his arms and looked at Hermione squarely. "I have. I've told you a million times. I can't marry you. Not yet anyway."

Hermione's face hardened. There was no more room for tears. "When, then? And what's holding you back? We've been together for a long time now. Obviously, you must now me very well by now."

Ron coughed. "I just need more time. You can wait, can't you?" He reached out and took Hermione's hand. She moved it away.

Hermione gave a little sigh. The tears were going to break out anytime soon. "Oh, Ron. I'll tell you why I asked you to come tonight."

She cleared her throat again, willing herself not to cry. "I've accepted a mission to Tanzania. I'm leaving soon. Tonight, in fact." She looked away.

Ron's mouth dropped open. "Tonight? Hermione, you can't just leave!"

Hermione's tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "Why can't I? I have every right to leave." Her voice rose and a few patrons turned and stared.

"You know what, Ron? I once believed you loved me."

At this statement, Ron sputtered angrily, "Of course I love you!"

Hermione glared at him. "If you did, you wouldn't have made me wait for three years! Well, guess what? I'm sick and tired of waiting!" Hermione stood up, put a Galleon on the table and walked towards the front door.

Ron sat for a moment, stunned. Then, he too stood up and ran after Hermione.

The cold winter wind hit him hard as he ran after Hermione. "Hermione, please, give me another chance!"

Hermione gave him an icy glare. "CHANCE! I gave you lots of chances in the past and you just threw them away! Good-bye, Ron!" She walked away, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Hermione! Wait!" But she was already gone.