Just Old Friends

Chapter 37: First Doubts

The three months flew by and before anybody really realised they had reached the 31st August, the day before Hermione and Ron's big day. The days leading up had been hectic for everyone and it seemed to all that this day would never arrive.

Harry had found that the house was turning into a nightmare; he couldn't believe how difficult it was to organise a wedding. Things seemed to be getting so stressful. He found that most of his time was being spent with Ginny in her flat, just so he could get away from the 'happy' couple.

But now the day before was turning into a worse nightmare than all the months of organisation. It was six in the evening and he was watching Ron pack a small bag full of clothes. He himself had already packed his overnight bag but Ron as usual had left it to the last moment possible.

"Why do I have to leave again?"

"Its bad luck to see the bride on the wedding day."

"Why doesn't she leave and we stay here?"

"Ron, just accept it, okay? We're going to Neville's and Hermione is staying here."

"Fine."

He was pouting now but Harry didn't care. It took five more minutes before Ron was ready and the pair moved downstairs and into the kitchen were Hermione was sat with Ginny and April.

"You two ready?"

"Yep."

Harry moved over and kissed Hermione's cheek and then Ginny's forehead and waved at April.

"I'll see you three lovely women tomorrow."

Hermione stood up and walked over to Ron hugging him gently.

"Are you still mad?"

"With you, no. I can't stay mad not today. I'll see you tomorrow then Miss Granger."

She giggled as the she took her seat with the girls and the two men disappeared from the house.

The clock chimed eight o'clock and with it a loud bang sounded throughout the house. Laughter followed the sound from the living area as the group of men fell from the chairs. Ron and Harry had gone to Neville's to spend the night there and they had been joined by the three remaining Weasley men.

They were sat on the floor around a round table (even Neville) where they were playing a few rounds of poker. Bill was thrashing them having won ten of thirteen rounds. Ron was pouting slightly at the fact that he couldn't get a decent hand at all.

They had been playing poker since Ron's brothers had arrived at seven o'clock. On the floor around them were cans of Fosters, a muggle beer that Percy had discovered from the muggles that he worked with.

"Ron, pass another can."

He grunted at Charlie and Neville leaned over and picked up the can tossing it to the redhead. He looked at the can in his hand and put it down beside him. They had all placed they're wands on a separate table away from the game so that none could cheat at the game in hand.

Percy had his tongue stuck out concentrating on his cards and suddenly he laughed and placed his bet. All the other men folded as they had quickly learnt that the only time Percy bet was when he had high cards. But he didn't care as he took the coins to his pile.

"What time it?"

"Ron, it's only just passed eight."

"Merlin, I'm getting married in fifteen hours."

Percy looked up and grinned.

"It isn't that bad Ron, marriage is great; just remember whatever happens, Hermione is always right."

Harry leaned towards Neville and in a low voice muttered.

"What's new about that?"

The two men laughed hard and looked at the group of redheads around them shrugging their shoulders. Ron however was turning a funny shade of green.

"What the hell am I doing? I can't get married!"

Harry sat up straight suddenly sobering up.

"Ron you will marry Hermione you are not backing out now, do you hear me!"

"But Harry, I'm scared! What if I'm no good at being married?"

Bill moved closer to his brother and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Ron, you already live with Hermione; the only thing that's going to change is the sleeping arrangements."

"Yeah and the colour of your room!"

"There's nothing wrong with my room, Harry."

"It's bright orange Ron. I don't see Hermione sleeping in there."

The men fell silent as Charlie opened the can and the beer spilt all over his lap.

"Great! I'm getting my wand, I'm sick of this."

"Percy, were you scared before your wedding?"

All the heads turned to look at the man; he shifted uneasily but looked at Ron carefully.

"I felt like I was going to be sick. I couldn't sleep the night before and I kept thinking, 'what if Penelope changed her mind?' But you know what."

"What?"

Percy jumped slightly at the fact that all the men in the room answered him; he had only been expecting Ron.

"I wouldn't change it for the world. I love Penelope and I wanted to be with her, I wanted to be the one to protect her and to give her a family. And look at Robin; if we hadn't have married, she'd never be here."

Ron looked closely at his brother.

"What if Hermione changes her mind?"

Neville grunted and Ron turned to stare at him

"Ron, you're mad. Hermione is smitten with you, she's crazy about you. Since you first met you were meant to be together. I don't think anybody else could put up with you. The pair of you have been together now for five years and you're stuck with each other so stop worrying."

Ron nodded his head a bit and grinned at them all.

"I'm marrying my best friend. I'm going to be with my best friend for the rest of my life."

Harry grinned at him and standing up pulled the man into a headlock

"And Ronald Weasley, if you ever hurt her I swear I will kill you."

Ron laughed as he swatted at Harry.

"I wouldn't laugh I'm not joking. You're hitting the man that destroyed Voldemort. I promise I'll hunt you down and hurt you if you do anything to hurt our Hermione."

"Don't worry mate, I love her as much as you do, or more than you do. I will not do anything that will make you harm me."

Bill cleared his throat and drew their attention.

"I'm hungry. I think we should order some food in, what do you think?"

Percy jumped up

"I know! Let's go to the muggle world! They had this food called Donar Kebabs and they're great. Penelope doesn't let me eat them often but you'll love them, I promise you."

Neville moved a little pulling himself up into his wheelchair.

"I'll stay here; you lot go and bring me back whatever it is you're getting."

"I'll stay with Neville, go on Weasleys get us some food."

The four brothers laughing happily disappeared from the house to get food. Harry followed Neville into the kitchen and dropped into a seat.

"What you think of Ron then, Harry?"

"I think he's nervous but he'll be at the wedding tomorrow even if I have to carry him down the aisle."

Neville laughed lightly as a head appeared in the fire. Harry spun around when he saw Neville's eye's widen. Ginny's face was in the fire and she looked panicked her eyes darted around the room and landed on Harry.

"Harry is Ron there?"

"No Gin he's gone out –"

"Good, look you have to get over here Hermione's gone mad, she's talking about backing out of the wedding and April and I can't get through to her. You're her best friend, please!"

"I'll be straight over."

He looked at Neville and around the kitchen wondering what he should say to Ron about the fact he was gone when Neville spoke up.

"I'll say you forgot to pack your toothbrush or something and have popped round to get it and you'll be back in a bit"

He nodded at his friend and with a last glance disappeared from sight back to the house he was sharing with his best friends.

Okay so another chapter for you, there aren't many left now to this story but enough to keep us going for a while. Not sure when I'll post next am waiting for my lovely beta to send me the next two chapters, but you'll have them when I get them.

Brilliant author Yeah I think everyone wants to see what's going to happen between Harry and Ginny, but sorry the focus is shifting a little to the wedding, but it's all good I promise.

Ron Lover 2005 yeah I know it was a short chapter and so is this one, but there is at least one long one coming up. Robin is cute and I liked the lipstick thing I thought it would be a fun way for the Weasley's to torment Harry.

Chica91 Thanks I'm glad you're enjoying it, not long to go with this story.

Elmire I know that the chapters are short on average they are about two pages this one though is four pages on word so it's a bit longer. By having them short I can get to where I need to be quicker and it wasn't so bad at the start since I was posting two chapters a week. The squeal is in the works although I think I will be posting another story in between so that I can work a bit longer on the squeal.

Well now that you've read this please review

Kris