Part III-Luna, Paul and Cindy
A week later, Hermione finally got a chance to stop at Luna's, Hermione went up the two flights of stairs and knocked on the door of flat number Two B.
"Hermione, what a surprise, come in."
"Thanks Luna, how are you?" Hermione asked as her eyes followed a bed head haired red head go from the loo to the bedroom.
"Is that Ron?" She asked in shock.
"Ah, yes, that is Ronald and do come in would you like some tea or crumple corned cake?"
"Ah, no thank you... so when did you and Ron start.. dating?"
"Three years ago."
"HUH?" Hermione's eyes widened as she fell onto Luna's couch.
"Yes, you and Harry enjoyed making fun of Ronald so much we decided to just keep it between ourselves, though I do believe Ronald is just afraid to tell his mother that her youngest son is engaged."
"REALLY!" Hermione exlclaimed, shocked again.
"Yes, for half a year now, Ronald really is a romantic, surprising me on a Hrumple Horned Snorkrack Expedition!"
"That's wonderful, when do you plan on getting married?"
Ron let out a girlish shriek from the next room.
"Or tell Mrs. Weasley?"
Which was followed by another shrill yell.
"Ronald is not enthused about telling his Mother especially.. after Mrs. Weasley's reactions to the marriage and weddings of Bill, Charlie and The Prat."
"Ah yes, it wasn't pretty. I was at all of those weddings but the Big-Headed Prat's."
"I don't think many were," Luna replied smoothly.
"Congratulations Luna and RON," She yelled the latter's name.
"Thank you, Hermione and Congratulations to you and Mister Smith."
"Thanks Luna, I have a favor to ask you.. well since you obviously know about Paul and I and Harry and Ron being bridesmaids.."
"You want me to be a groomsmen?"
"No," Hermione laughed, "Will you be my third bridesmaid?"
"Of course, but."
"But what?"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure about you being a bridesmaid!"
"No, not about that, but are you sure you really want to marry Paul?"
"I accepted his proposal didn't I?" Hermione replied brow furrowed.
"You did, but are you sure.. your only twenty-four, are you really ready to settle down and do you really know that American? Have you met any of his family? Has he met yours?"
"He's met my Mum and Dad, but no I haven't met any of his relatives."
"Are you absolutely sure you really love and want to marry Paul? Are you spot on sure that he is the only bloke you ever want to be with ever again?"
"Luna.. I.. I said yes to his proposal didn't I?"
"Yes, you did, but remember, you can back out, you can still back out if you by chance realize he's not the one for you."
"Luna, what are you implying?"
"That my friend, you must find yourself."
"Okay," Hermione glanced at her watch, "Oh, thank you for accepting Luna, but I best be off. I'm meeting Harry for lunch."
"Have fun, I know I will, toodles Hermione."
"Cheery-o Luna." And Luna locked the door behind Hermione.
Hermione apparated to the Leakey Cauldron, where she was meeting Harry for Lunch. "Hello Tom," she greeted, "Is.."
"He's in Parlour number four, Miss Granger."
"Thanks Tom." Hermione walked through the rather empty bar and entered Parlour number four.
"Harry," she smiled, "Already ordered I see."
"Of course!"
"You know me too well!" she exclaimed sitting down, seeing the turkey sandwich and vegetable soup awaiting her under a warming charm.
He shrugged, looking down at his Fish and Chips.
She grinned at him before taking a bite of her sandwich. After chewing and swallowing she said, "You won't believe this! What Luna just told me."
"What? She won't be in your wedding?" He replied off hand.
"No, she accepted, but she and Ron are engaged."
Harry spat out the butterbeer he just took a sip of, "NO WAY!"
"They are and have been dating for.. you really won't believe this.. three years."
"Really!"
"So I was told, Yes."
"Wow, so all of those jokes about Ron were.."
"Completely false, nullified, untrue.."
"I get it, Hermy." She scowled, he smiled.
Meanwhile at an apartment in Diagon Alley, a man sat talking to a woman's head in his fireplace.
"Cynthia, it's going to be fine, it won't last more then three years and I'll divorce her and come back home."
"Bobby and Tanya miss you, Paul."
"I know Cindy, I miss them and you as well, don't worry, this girl will make she and I famous, we'll come out with a huge magical breakthrough, then I'll dump her, darling, she'll make us rich!"
"I know Pauly, but are you sure you really want to hurt the girl like this? I mean, hell nudge her in the direction of some other guy, then claim she was cheating on you and break off this sham of a relationship of yours and come home to your family."
"But I'm a failure, how can I come home no better then I left?"
"Paul, now I know you know that's not true and only your mother's talk, that your always a failure and a chump, but Robert and Tanya and I love you and your wonderful and always will be to us."
"Thank you Cindy, but my family.."
"To hell with them, WE'RE YOUR Family, me and your children."
"I know but.."
"Your nothing but a money fame hounding scoundrel is what you are if you go through with this you know that don't you, Paul?"
"I thought you were the one who was urging me to do this.. your the one who ordered, demanded that I go out with the brilliant but cold, Hermione Granger."
"I know, I did, and I can't believe she hasn't put out in two and a half years of dating you and isn't she always off to her friends?"
"Yes, she's always off to see Harry or Ron or so forth."
"Are you sure she's not playing you herself and fucking one of them?"
"She could very well be for all I know, but she's not good enough at keeping secrets for that. So how are the children?"
"Fine and they miss their Daddy."
"Have they shown any signs?"
"Yes, both Bobby and Tanya are magical, no squibs in this generation of Smiths."
"Good, good and I will marry you one day, my love, I will."
"Oh, you better or I'll show the world just how much of a scoundrel you are."
"Heaven forbid that happening."
"Heaven forbid indeed. Have you picked your best men for your sham of a wedding, Paulie?"
"Yeah, my brother Jimmy and my drinking buddies over here, Vinny and Greg."
"Has she met them?"
"Nah."
"Have you met her, maids of honor?"
"Yes and two are male."
"WHAT!"
"She's not too feminine and they've been her best friends since she was eleven."
"Hmm."
"Indeed, though I think her quote unquote Maid of Honor is either hung up on her or gay and just won't admit it."
"Hmm, who is it?"
"You'll never believe this sweetheart but, Harry Potter."
"No!"
"Yes."
"Wow, so your stealing away the great Potter's girl?"
"I am."
"Excellent!"