A/N: Alright, so I know its been nearly three months since my last chapter update. I am so sorry about this, it's just been so hard to write, what with my stupid school trying to kill me again this year by giving me the homework subjects in one semester (English, Math, Science and Hostory...ugh). Anyhow, so here's the fifth chapter, I hope everyone enjoys it, now that I reread it I don't think it's that great, but that's what I normally think when I reread my own work. Oh yeah, and I'm sorry I didn't go into great description about Hermione wearing her dress like I said I would, but I decided I'd rather put that in for the reception part. Anyways, please R&R!
Chapter 5 - The Wedding Ceremony
"Hey, anyone home?"
A dark-haired teen ambled in through the Weasley's front door, his green eyes glinting happily.
"Harry!" Both Hermione and Ginny exclaimed, running over to hug him.
"Er, I'm guessing you're happy to see me then?" Harry said, a bit suprised his visit had warranted this kind of welcome.
"Oh yes," Hermione began, "Come on, you can help us put the flowers together."
"Oh, well, it's uh, great to see you two, and I'd uh, really like to help, but I uh, just remembered," Harry stuttered, "That uh - I have stuff to do!"
"Oh no you don't!" Ginny exclaimed, "You're helping us!" And with that both girls dragged him outside to help with the flowers.
"So where is everyone?" A disgruntled Harry asked ten minutes later, his fingers already in bandages from holding the roses in the wrong places. "Were they all lucky enough to escape?"
"Ha. Ha." Ginny muttered sarcastically, "It's their fault you're stuck doing this, if they had helped us we would've been done awhile ago. So go beat them later or something."
Harry laughed, and after watching Ginny for a few moments, continued working, a bit of a sad look in his eyes.
"So where is everyone anyway?" He asked, tying a ribbon around a boquet of pink roses.
"Well, Bill, Mr. Weasley, and the twins are at their jobs right now, even though it's a Saturday. Seems they'd rather slave away under paperwork than flowers," Hermione answered resentfully. "And Molly and Fleur are off shopping for something they desperately need for tomorrow, and Ron -!" Hermione stopped in mid-sentence, blushing a little, "Um, he's working on his speech, I think, either that or he's playing Quidditch or something with Charlie." She began to quickly wrap ribbons around the roses she was putting together, hoping no one had seen her blush. Of course, both Harry and Ginny had. Ginny rolled her eyes, wondering why Hermione couldn't just talk to her brother, and why she even liked him anyway. Harry just got annoyed that his two friends kept putting him through this drama production. He decided that later he would speak with both of them about it. Maybe then this stupid business would stop, he though, although it could be amusing at times.
"And Percy...is he coming to the wedding?" Harry hadn't heard about him for awhile, so he wanted to know if anything had changed with him.
"No," Ginny said briskly, "And you better not mention him. Mom still gets upset when she hears his name."
"Alright," Harry said, deciding to change the subject, "So do you want to hear about what happened to Dudley over the summer?"
For the next few hours, the three teens continued working, talking and laughing as they did this. Finally they were done. The backyard looked beautiful, with a wide variety of flowers everywhere. Hermione sighed looking at it. She hoped that Fleur would have an amazing wedding tomorrow. With that thought in her head, she turned and headed into the house with Harry and Ginny.
The morning of the wedding was chaos. People were rushing around, making sure nothing was going to go wrong. The twins were fooling around on the organ, making scary vampire music, must to the consternation of Molly and Fleur. Fleur was also running through the house the whole morning, trying to keep Bill away from her at all costs, she was terrified he's see her wearing her dress before the wedding. So it was quite a suprise to Hermione that everyone made it to the ceremony in one piece.
The ceremony began at 5:30pm that afternoon. It was a good day for a wedding, not too hot or too cold, and the sun was out. As everyone was getting settled in their seats, Hermione hurried over to sit next to Harry, who was sitting near the front.
"Have you seen Ron?" Harry asked as she sat down, "I haven't seen him since I got here."
"You know, I haven't see him in awhile either," Hermione frowned, suddenly feeling worried, "Do you think something's wrong?"
"Well-" Harry began, just as Ron stumbled out of nowhere and sat down. "Hey guys," He said, "Anything going on?"
"Where have you been?" Hermione demanded as Harry said at the same time "Thanks for greeting me this whole day I've been here."
"Oh, um, sorry," Ron said, sounding a bit ashamed, "I was just working on my speech all day and last night, I actually got really into it, and I can't wait for you two to hear it, I think it sounds pretty good, tell me exactly what you think after you hear it."
"Well," Hermione began, suprised that Ron had got all into writing a speech, "I can't wait to hear it, you'll do a good job, you do most of the time." Hermione instantly regretted her words, and kicked herself over how stupid they sounded. Ron looked away, blushing but looking immensly pleased with himself. Harry also looked away, trying not to laugh. After the blushing had subsided, Ron looked at Hermione again. Noticing her dress, he began, "You look, uh, very, uh- "
"Oh it's starting!" Hermione burst out as the wedding march began. Ron sank back, feeling annoyed.
Down the aisle came the flower girl, one of Fleur's relatives who Hermione didn't know. But she couldn't help squealing, "Aw, she's so cute!" This caused both boys to throw her a weird look for her sudden outburst. Hermione was suprised by it too, but she supposed that maybe weddings just did that to you.
Next the bridesmaids came walking down the aisle. Ginny looked as if she had swallowed something unpleasant, her dress really wasn't the most flattering thing, but she smiled for Bill's sake. Hermione noticed Harry began to watch the wedding with more interest now and she smiled to herself, but she also felt sad for Harry. The Dark Lord had taken so much from him...but she wouldn't think of that now, today was a happy day.
A hush descended upon the crowd, and everyone stood up to watch the bride go down the aisle. Fleur walked down it gracefully, looking absolutely beautiful in a white, strapless dress with a poofy train and sparkles lining the seams of the dress. Even though both Fleur and Hermione didn't really get along, Hermione couldn't help staring admiringly at Fleur, she looked exactly as the perfect bride should. Fleur finally reached the altar, and the music ceased. The minister began his sermon.
Hermione had heard this sermon a million times from watching muggle TV, she she didn't really pay attention to what was being said. Instead she found herself wondering if she would ever get married, if she'd even want to. Well, she knew she would like to get married, but if it didn't happen, it wouldn't be a big deal for her. Hermione decided that all she at least wanted from life was one real, true, amazing love in her life, even if it did or did not end in marriage.
"You may now kiss the bride."
These words drove Hermione from her thoughts as she watched Bill kiss Fleur, both of them looking joyously happy. She couldn't stop herself from smiling. Of course, that smile turned into laughter when a few seconds later Fred and George yelled "GET A ROOM!" much to the embarrassment of the newlyweds and the twins mother. The rest of the guests found it quite amusing though. After this outburst, the newlyweds quickly headed into the house, where the appetizers were being served for the reception. The guests all followed them inside, leaving the grooms family, and Harry and Hermione to quickly set up the tables for the main course that was to be served outside. Hermione turned to Ron as all the guests left, a smile still on her face. "Well, that was certainly, special. I guess we better start setting up then, haven't we?"
Ron smiled back, "Yeah, I guess we should." As they set up, Ron couldn't help thinking about that smile, and what he could do to make it happen again.
Gosh, I never knew I could write such a corny chapter ending...