Disclaimer: I wish they were mine, because then I'd be rich. But they're not, and so I'm not. Please don't sue the broke college student.
"Do you, Seth Goodman, take this woman as your lawful wife; to love, honor, and cherish for the rest of your life?" Asked the minister.
"I do." Said Seth softly, staring at Sabrina. Hermione smiled as he continued. "I, Seth Goodman, take you, Sabrina Marie Côté, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. No matter what life deals us, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep."
The minister then turned to the teary-eyed bride. "And you, Sabrina Marie Côté, do you take this man to be your lawful husband; to love, honor and cherish for the rest of your life?"
She smiled up at Seth. "I, Sabrina Marie Côté, take you, Seth Goodman, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. No matter the life we lead, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep."
The minister beamed at the two of them. "Repeat after me…"
Dutifully, they recited together the pledge that they had memorized. "Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you. For where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your life will be my life. And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the heavens do with me what they will if anything but death parts you from me."
The minister beamed at the couple. "Traditionally," he stated, "the marking of the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have shared. And now, by the powers invested in me by the Ministry, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." He proclaimed.
As the happy couple kissed, Hermione had to look away, unshed tears brimming in her eyes. I wish I could find someone who loves me as much as Sabrina and Seth love each other. As she turned away, her eyes darted around the crowd, recognizing many faces, but resting on none. Could my Prince Charming be in this very room? Shaking her head slightly, she scolded herself. Stop kidding yourself, Hermione. Not too long ago, you believed yourself to be in love, and where did that get you? Nowhere. It gave you heartache and tears – nothing else. It's time to stop believing in fairy tale endings, and wake up to the real world.
She was so busy scolding herself that she was blind to the two sets of eyes that had never left her for the entire ceremony. Instead, the pessimistic thoughts continued to swirl in her head as she walked slowly down the aisle after the newly married couple. She didn't remember the wedding photos, although she smiled dutifully for them, and could barely remember Ron coming to collect her for the reception.
It was only when Ron joked about the number of photographers that she remembered her promise to Seth. "I'll try to be as inconspicuous as possible, I promise. Today is about you." Nervously, she told Ron of her promise. How will he react? Will he be terribly upset?
Much to her astonishment, he laughed. "What a stupid thing to worry about on your wedding day. Of course we won't steal their spotlight. Or rather – the papers will comment, but nothing that we can stop." He shrugged. "That's life, Hermione. Or have you forgotten."
She was silent. She knew as well as Ron that the papers would comment. But I promised…Oh, why didn't I just think first? Then, something Ron said clicked in her head '…nothing that we can stop…' But we can stop some…"Ron? Would it be okay if…" she trailed off, not sure how to voice her question.
"Yes?" prodded Ron.
"I mean… We can do something." At his blank look, she continued. "Would it be too much to ask… would it strain our already fragile friendship too much if we didn't tell anyone we came together?" She looked up at him anxiously.
He sighed. "Damn. You really want this for them, don't you?" She didn't even bother responding, just continued to look him in the eyes. "Alright. Damn your eyes…"
She threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Ron! This means so much to me!"
He hugged her back. "I just got you back, I can't lose you again this fast. Ginny would kill me." He winked as he said this.
She shoved him playfully. "Prat."
"Nag." He retorted, eyes dancing.
They began to walk towards the reception area. "Thank you again." She said, smiling up at him. He sighed for the second time in less than five minutes. "What are you sighing about now, silly boy?" She teased.
"Only that I came with the prettiest girl here, and now I can't even brag about it." She blushed. I wasn't looked for a compliment… She hesitated a moment, unsure how to respond to his comment. Luckily, he continued talking, saving her from her problem. "You will save me a dance, though, won't you?"
"Of course, silly!" Ron smiled again; then began to ramble on about Quidditch. Hermione's mind wandered as he talked. Thank gods I told the band that we absolutely wanted no special recognition tonight. " 'Mione!" exclaimed Ron.
"Yes?" She responded absentmindedly.
"You aren't even listening to me!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course you have a chance at Quidditch finals. After all, the Chudley Cannons don't have near as good a keeper as you."
He shook his head at her. "Lucky guess."
She smiled, and answered, " Thirteen years of friendship."
He stopped and stared at her. "You count it." He said softly.
"Count what?" She asked, confused. Maybe I didn't hear him correctly. After all, we are almost at the wedding reception and it is getting noisy.
"You count the year you were gone." No, she hadn't misheard him.
Oh. That. Honestly, she hadn't even realized she did count that year until he pointed it out. But it made sense. "Of course I do. Even mad at you, I'm still your friend."
He smiled down at her. Gods, he's handsome when he smiles… There was nothing else to say, so she simply smiled back at him. Then, she turned and entered the reception hall. This is going to be one wonderful evening.
A/N in next chapter.