A/N: Well I am back. I have started writing this at school like I did when I started chapter one. I hope you are all enjoying this story and sorry I can't reply to reviews… apparently you can't do that anymore… which I think sucks. But I thankyou all anyway… oh and sorry about the Matron mistake… I did mean Maid… SORRY!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own a thing. Only the plot.
Chapter Two: Attempting To Crawl Back
Harry stumbled as his feet firmly hit the ground of Hermione's apartment. Hermione on the other hand fell to the ground giggling like she belonged at St Mungo's with Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry sighed and held his hand out for Hermione to take. Only she looked at him smiling, with a red tinge on her cheeks.
"Do you wanna dance?" giggled Hermione taking Harry's hand.
"No Hermione," sighed Harry, "It's time for you to go to bed."
"Are you gonna join me?"
Harry chuckled but shook his head, "No I'm not. I'm engaged to Ginny remember? You are the wedding planner."
"I'm a wedding planner? Wow! I must be so happy!" exclaimed Hermione as Harry sat her on her bed.
Harry smiled, "That's a definite change in attitude considering moments ago you were about to murder Ron and was kissing Malfoy of all people."
Hermione didn't reply. Harry looked down at her to see she had fallen fast asleep. He glanced at her diary beside her bed and read the big red block letters: JACOBS AND MORTIMER WEDDING!
Harry sighed and grabbed her alarm clock murmuring, "I hope you have aspirin." He quietly set it to 8am and left with a crack, although not after a piecering glare from Crookshanks.
O
A loud ringing loud echoed through her thumping brain sending her flying up into a sitting position with one hand holding her throbbing head. She turned her head slowly and grabbed the alarm clock before throwing it on the floor. Her head fell back of the comfortable pillows as she gave a low groan of annoyance. Then her mind did the spiralling work for her… the club… running into Malfoy… greeting Seamus… Ron… arguing with Ron…. Get drunk before of Ron… kissing Malfoy because of Ron… screaming at Ron.
"It's all Ron's fault," mumbled Hermione attempting to sit up slowly.
Once successfully in a seated position Hermione grabbed her diary and read the big red letters, "Oh… the wedding… aspirin… need aspirin."
Hermione stumbled out of her bedroom and into the bathroom. She grabbed the vanity and pulled open the medicine cabinet. She sifted through the bottles to find no aspirin. Groaning she closed her eyes and disappeared in a crack.
"Hermione, dear!"
Hermione waved her hands and opened her eyes to see the worried caring face of Molly Weasley. Molly led Hermione to a chair by the fire place. Molly peered into Hermione's eyes and shook her head with a sigh.
"I'll get you some hang over cure potion," sighed Molly bustling out of the lounge room.
Hermione slumped back in her chair with a sigh. She knew Molly would have a cure the moment she saw her.
Footsteps entered the room and Hermione looked up to see Bill walking into the room. His scarred face creased with worry as he sat in the chair in front of her.
"I'm guessing a hang over?" smiled Bill as he relaxed into the chair, "Ron came home drunk, so I also guessing they are linked."
"Ron is here?" cried Hermione regretting it immediately as she clutched her throbbing head.
"My guess is correct then. Yes, Ron has been living here since you two broke up. He loves you still."
"Here you go Hermione," came Molly's voice as she re entered with a vial full of sweet smelling green potion, "This will fix you right up until midnight. So I suggest you don't stay up too long. Morning Bill."
"Thankyou Mrs Weasley," smiled Hermione gulping the potion down in one go. She handed the vial back to Molly and stood up sighing, "I should get going. I have a wedding to do today. Umm… thanks again Molly. Bill I hope Fleur and Jonathon are doing well… bye."
"Can't you stay for breakfast? Maybe you and Ron cou-" Hermione cut Molly off mid-sentence shaking her head.
"Mrs Weasley I know you would like to see me and Ron together again, but I can't. He pushed me away and made it worse last night. I'm sorry but I need to let go of the past and move on."
Without another word Hermione was gone with a crack, not knowing the one she spoke of was listening with tears of sadness in his eyes.
O
"Anna I need you to calm down for me. Brendan is not going to leave you. He loves you more than anything," spoke Hermione in a calm caring voice as she brushed a bit of lint off Anna's dress.
Anna took a deep breath, trying to look calm. But her hands showed exactly how nervous she really was. Hermione peered around the room, rubbing a comforting hand on Anna's back. She spotted who she was looking for and signalled the young girl of 19 over. The 19-year-old girl ran over to Hermione her black hair bouncing.
"Merle, I need a dose of calming juice and get Judy over here to reply the makeup and perhaps apply a six hour permanent charm because we need our bride to look gorgeous all day long."
At that last comment Hermione gave Anne a gentle squeeze on the arm. Merle smiled and nodded before rushing off. Hermione than signalled for Anne's mother to come over who did so instantly.
"My Anne! Oh dear you look so lovely!" cried Mrs Mortimer before turning to Hermione, "You are the best wedding planner ever! I am going to recommend your business to all my friends for their daughters!"
"Thankyou Mrs Mortimer. I am really flattered," smiled Hermione, "Now Anne will be taking a dose of calming juice and Judy will be reapplying her make up with a six hour permanent charm."
"Okay. Where will you be going in the mean time?" asked Mrs Mortimer curiously.
"Meeting up with Michael for a brief moment to discuss how the grooms are going. Then I will be checking on how the guests are going and to check the people who dislike each other aren't near each other. At 10:50am the groom and the groomsmen will enter the church to take their place. During this time the lovely Merle will organise the blushing bride, matron of honour and bridesmaids in order. I will then call for the priest to begin the service and we go from there."
"You won't be leaving will you?" cried Anne grabbing Hermione's arm nervously, her blue eyes wide.
"Not until the reception speeches are done, okay?" replied Hermione reassuringly as Merle bustled over with the calming juice. Hermione left as Merle handed Anne the calming juice. She pushed open the heavy wooden door and walked quickly down the corridor brushing a hand over her crème coloured jacket and pleated skirt. She glanced at her matching coloured slip on shoes to see if they were scuffed or not, which they weren't.
"Michael!" greeted Hermione as they met up in the middle of the corridor, "How are you?"
"Fine. I heard from Luna you got smashed last night… is everything okay?" replied Michael worriedly.
Hermione smiled lightly, "Fine. So how is everything going? Running smoothly I hope? Are they all dressed and ready because they are due to take their positions in two minutes to be exact."
"Everything is in order. You'd better go check the priest, I'll check the guests – before you ask I have a copy of the seating arrangements."
Hermione patted Michael on the arm, smiling and quickly walked past him to get to the priests chambers, "Bride is ready, so are her maids, the grooms fine as is his groomsmen's… now the priest."
Hermione pushed open the door to be greeted by a smiling, large priest, "Good morning Bob."
"My dear child, Hermione. Such a wonderful day it is for the joining of two families."
"It is. Are you ready? You are due to go out now with the groom and his men."
Bob the priest smiled, "As ready as I always am."
"Good," smiled Hermione leading Bob to the door which entered into the church, "Make their day a joyous one Bob."
Bob smiled and swept into the church smiling at all the people and Brendan. Hermione bustled out of the room and back down the corridor till she came to where the organised bride and bridesmaids stood patiently.
"Okay Martin,'' said Hermione to the tall brown haired man by the entrance, "Has everyone signalled to start the wedding?"
Martin nodded in reply, "Start the music Miss Granger?"
"Yes begin the music. Okay bridesmaids, Tammy you will go first."
Tammy, the bridesmaid stepped forward as the soft music swelled throughout the ancient church. Tammy began her paced out walked down the isle smiling broadly as people looked at her dress in awe.
Hermione smiled and signalled for the next bridesmaid to begin her walk a few seconds after Tammy.
"Everyone loves their dresses Hermione," whispered a much calmer Anne, thanks to the calming juice.
Hermione smiled, "Your turn Amelia," she whispered to the matron of honour.
Amelia smiled and started her walk leaving only Anne, her father, Hermione and the silent Martin.
"Okay, Anne. You are beautiful and you are going to blow Brendan away."
Anne smiled happily before taking her step down the isle, leaving a half smiling Hermione with only one thought on her mind, I wish that were me.
O
"Argh, what a wedding Crookshanks… I wonder how long they will last?" murmured Hermione sitting on the lounge as she kicked her shoes off and patted her cat.
Crookshanks meowed in reply before closing his eyes again, purring contently. Hermione glanced at her watch to read it was ten past eleven.
"Time for a shower and then for bed."
Hermione stood and walked down the hallway humming the last tune she had heard before saying her goodbyes and best wishes. She grabbed her towel hanging on her open door and walked back to the bathroom to have a nice long relaxing, steaming hot shower.
O
Hermione yawned as she opened her eyes a crack and glanced around her bedroom. It was once again another day full of wedding planning, new clients and who knew what else? Hermione pushed the covers back, reached over and scratched Crookshanks affectionately on his belly as he lay on the bed peering at her with half open eyes.
"A cats life is so simple. Feed them and they will love you," smiled Hermione before standing up. She grabbed her wand and flicked it at the bed to make it instantly made, wrinkle free.
After dressing in dress pants and a pale yellow fitted three-quarter sleeve shirt, with matching coloured high heeled shoes, Hermione brushed her long locks and went to the kitchen to make her morning coffee with toast.
While the toast and coffee cooked Hermione went to the lounge room to finally call her mother while she had the spare time.
"Hello, Elizabeth Granger speaking," answered her polite mother.
"Mum, its Hermione," smiled Hermione into the phone, "I got your message last night but I only just got the time to call you. Sorry."
"I understand sweetheart. How have you been?"
"Oh okay I guess. I had the Jacobs and Mortimer wedding yesterday. It went wonderful."
"That's great darling. The dentist business is doing well."
"Great. So when do you want to meet up for a coffee and lunch? You pick and I will tell Luna to cancel or move appointments."
"Hmm… tomorrow at 1pm at Restaurant Luurve?" suggested her mother.
"Perfect. I'll see you then."
"Okay sweetie. Love you."
"Love you too Mum. Bye."
"Bye."
Hermione placed the receiver on the hook and entered the kitchen smiling. She buttered her toast and smeared raspberry jam over it and poured her steaming mug of golden roasted coffee. After a filling breakfast Hermione grabbed her purse, wand and a few files she had with her and apperated to work.
"Morning Luna," smiled Hermione handing her the files, "How did things go yesterday?"
"Busy as normal, Hermione. I heard you got drunk and kissed Draco Malfoy. Never thought you would do that."
"Yeah Michael told me you told him… who told you?" frowned Hermione leaning on the reception desk.
"Lavender Brown saw you yelling at Ron. She is a very bossy and nosey person you know? But then again she does work for Rita Skeeter."
Hermione nodded, "Right, well I'd rather not talk about that. Did you have a good night?"
"Yes I did. I think I saw a spiritual being that night too… you have three appointments this morning too."
"Speaking of appointments I need the ones I have between 1pm and 3pm moved to someone else who is free during those times or cancelled to another day. I am having lunch with my mother tomorrow."
Luna grabbed Hermione's appointment book and scanned it, "You have four appointments then… Michael and take one… Sally-Anne can… so can Padma… and do you think Merle is ready to start?"
"She performed well yesterday so yes I think she can. Give her the spare office on floor three and start giving her clients… start easy on her Luna."
Luna nodded and Hermione took her top file before entering her office. She placed it on the table and looked out the window, glancing down at Digion Alley. She spotted red haired Molly Weasley bustling about the place with Fleur and hers and Bill's child Jonathon. She stepped back from the window as her office door opened and in walked…
"Pansy Parkinson," said Hermione taking in the obnoxious brunette with cold blue eyes and her well-known pug nose, "Never thought I'd see you in a muggle wedding place.
"My mother heard you were the best of the best," replied Pansy haughtily as she sat down.
Hermione took her seat and took her file, "You first time I am presuming?"
Pansy nodded looking around the well-designed office.
"If this is the case, where, may I ask is your future husband?"
"He will be here. Draco is simply running late."
Hermione looked up from the form her eyes wide… the kiss… she gathered her composure and nodded, just as the door open and in strode the one they spoke of.
He swiftly took a seat beside Pansy looking Hermione fair in he eyes. Hermione broke the eye contact and sighed.
"Right," she started calming herself, "Right… have you both decided upon a wedding date?"
"My mother has," replied Draco before Pansy had a chance to speak, "21st of September."
Hermione looked up alarmed, "I can't do that date… I have another wedding already booked and I'm the Matron of Honour… I can however arrange for another planner to take on the wedding for you both. Perhaps our newest planner, Merle? She is an excellent plan-"
"My mother said you were the best! I demand you do my wedding!" snarled Pansy standing up.
"Excuse me Miss Parkinson. I already have commitments on that day. You can however arrange another date if you would like me to do your wedding. I will not drop my other commitments to please other people. If you do not like my decision than your best interests would be to find another wedding planning company."
"We are leaving Draco," snapped Pansy standing up, "I knew a mudblood couldn't be trusted."
"You go ahead. I would I few words with our wedding planner," spoke Draco calmly.
"Draco she's not our wedding planner."
"She is, Pansy! I will arrange something so just go find a bloody dress or something!"
Pansy left grumbling, leaving Hermione glaring at Draco. Draco's face broke into a cocky grin, aggravating Hermione to bits. She stood up and walked to the window, ignoring him, in hope he would go away.
"So little Miss Granger kissed the big bad Draco Malfoy… drunk," chuckled Draco, "Black mail is sweet."
Hermione laughed coldly and turned to Draco, "What, you think nobody knows other than Hagrid? Let me enlighten you with some shocking news Malfoy, Harry knows, Ron knows, Luna knows, everyone who works here knows… blackmail isn't going to work because I was DRUNK when I kissed you. And I honestly don't care who knows because if people hate me after one measly kiss then that is their problem not mine. I'm not a stupid little schoolgirl who is scared her reputation will go down the drain over a little kiss. I'm not shallow like yourself."
Draco glared at Hermione and tapped his foot, "I'll admit I underestimated you."
"My, isn't that a first. Admitting you are wrong. Look I have other people to see today. Do you want me to do your wedding or not?"
"Arrange it for the 22nd or the 20th. I'm not fussed."
Hermione frowned opening her book, "How can you not be fussed? It is after all your wedding day."
"I'm only marrying her so I'm not lonely for the rest of my life."
Hermione looked up at Draco surprised. Since when did he tell people anything and everything about himself? Hermione didn't reply and checked the 22nd.
"I'm not booked on the 22nd so it is fine. Take this form, fill it out with the receptionist and she will book you and your… future wife in for another day."
Draco took the form and left without another word. Hermione closed their folder then filled in the new wedding date in her diary. After fixing things in her office for a few minutes she walked to the window to see Draco arguing with his wife to be.
"That's not love," murmured Hermione as Luna walked in with another folder and to collect the new one.
"What isn't love? My you look stressed," said Luna looking at Hermione.
"Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy are stressful together," laughed Hermione, although the laugh was clearly forced that even Luna noticed.
"Oh yes the kiss," murmured Luna, "What did he say?"
"He tried to black mail me… but I told him everyone knew, so what was the point?"
Luna nodded, "Ronald is here to see you."
"Tell him to go away. I'm in no mood to see him."
"Hermione?" came a soft voice from the door.
Hermione glared up at the unwanted intruder and gave an angry huff, "Didn't you just hear me? I said go away because I am in no mood to speak to you at all for the next hundred years, which by then we may all be dead."
Luna stepped out of the office, shutting the door behind Ron softly. Hermione turned back to the window with her next file. She opened it up and began turning through the papers.
Everybody knows that I was such a fool to ever let go of you
And baby I was wrong
And yeah I know I said we'd be better off alone
It was time that we moved on
I know I broke your heart, I didn't mean to break your heart
"Hermione I came to apologise. I was such a jerk to you then other night and the night it all ended… I don't know what was going on im my mind. I was delusional… will you say something? Please?" he begged, gripping onto the table
But baby here I am, banging on your front door
My pride spilled on the floor
My hands and knees are bruised and I'm crawling back to you
I'm begging for a second chance
Are you gonna let me in?
I was running from the truth and now I'm crawling back to you.
Hermione spun around glaring at him, "What can you possibly expect me to say? Do you want me to break down in tears giving you forgiveness? NO! I am not going to forgive you so easily! You broke my heart Ronald Weasley! You… degraded me to a SLUT! Nothing you say or do will make me forgive you!"
I know your in there and you can make me wait, but I'm not gonna wait
It's the that least I could do, just to tell you face to face
I was lying to myself, now I'm dying in this hell
Girl I know you're mad
I can't blame you for being mad
"I was wrong to do that Hermione! But I love you… with all of my heart and if I could go back in time… I would. More than anything I wish I had a time turner to do so," said Ron softly, "Everyone thinks we shouldn't be so stupid…"
But baby here I am, banging on your front door
My pride spilled on the floor
My hands and knees are bruised and now I'm crawling back to you
I'm begging for a second chance
Are you gonna let me in?
I was running from the truth and now I'm crawling back to you
"I'm not everyone Ronald. I'm one person and I disagree. Why should I get back with you? Give me one good reason why I should be with you? One reason."
"You still love me."
If you could see these tears I'm crying
Touch these hands that can't stop shaking
Hear the heart that's barely beating, you would see a different man…
Hermione starred at Ron stunned and slowly shook her head with tears in her eyes, "No I don't."
"You do Hermione! I can tell by your face. You still love me, just like I love you! Nothing else should matter Hermione. Only love… love is all that matters."
But baby here I am, banging on your front door
My pride spilled on the floor
My hands and knees are bruised and I'm crawling back to you (come on)
I'm begging for a second chance
Are you gonna let me in? (Let me in)
I was running from the truth and now I'm crawling back to you
"NO!" screamed Hermione in anger, "There is more than love that matters Ronald! It called trust! And personally, you lost my trust and commitment the moment you accused me of something I would never in a million years do to you!"
"I told it was a mistake! How many times must you bring this up?"
"I will bring it up as many times as I feel like it…. Do you even know how much you hurt me Ron? Do you know how much of me your destroyed, how long it has taken to be strong again? You didn't even come to my dad's funeral to support me… Harry did but you didn't… even your mum and dad were there! But the one person I wanted there more than anyone else in the world wasn't there! I'm not going to let you destroy me again Ron… so just get out… now before I call security."
Banging on your front door (darling)
My pride spilled on the floor
I was running from the truth, now I'm crawling back to you, yeah
Now I'm crawling back to you
Crawling back to you
Crawling back to you
Crawling back to you
As the door snapped shut, Hermione broke down in tears feeling broken hearted but relieved all in one small moment.
A/N: The song just featured in this chapter is the Backstreet Boys: Crawling Back To You. Its on there new album Never Gone. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed that chapter! And once again thanks for the awesome reviews!
My view on the sixth book: when I was reading it I didn't think it was that good but after I'd finished and thought about it I realized it was great! So much happened… especially in the relationship area… poor Won-Won lol. Anyway yeah… that's what I think about it.
Love yas!
Love Coz!