Author's Note: I am so sorry this took so long. I've been so busy over the past few months. I thought things would cool down a bit but they just got busier, as they always do! This is the last chappie in the fic. sniff It's my first completed multi-chapter fic so I am extremely happy to have achieved what I have so far. I've thoroughly enjoyed writing this and I hope you've liked reading it. Thank you so much to every one who read and reviewed your support has been amazing. I seriously couldn't have done it without the fantastic feedback. A major thanks to my two brilliant betas, TwilightsDawn and deenas, you helped nurse my painstakingly awful chapters, and so, I think you've earned a huge round of applause. Finally, I want to dedicate this story to my Grandad Noel who passed away two years ago. He always supported me and I'm very thankful for that. Thanks everyone out there who read and stuck with this. I hope you enjoy! Ron/Hermione forever!

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The Wedding Part 2

As Hermione sat, she fidgeted with her napkin anxiously. What if he never forgave her, what if she had ruined her chance? Lost Ron forever? She couldn't deal with that. She couldn't bear to be with out him. No matter what though, she would tell him, she convinced herself of that. She fingered the stem of her wine glass as she attempted to collect her thoughts. He was only three seats away from her and yet it felt like miles between them. Raising her glass slowly, she took in her surroundings for almost the first time. She had been too busy thinking and worrying of Ron prior to this latest train of thought.

The room was a rich ruby red. The gold cornices flickered shades of fire as the candles floated gaily above them. Thick tapestry curtains hung elaborately from the French doors, revealing a starlit evening. Even though she knew it would be bitterly cold on the grounds, she had an urge to escape and let the bright stars consume her. Instead, however, she watched as the guests celebrated. The room was filled with frenzied conversation. Laughs and screams of delight filled the air. The happy, some a tad too merry, people had enjoyed the four course meal. Not much had resulted, Hermione mused, bar the twins almost setting one of their great aunts' hair alight. They had claimed it had been an almost accident except Ginny had informed her that dear old Aunty Gail was indeed the very Grandaunt who used to punish them when they were younger. It was quite worrying really; Fred and George were heading into their thirties. They'd never grow up though, just like Ron would never become less stubborn, it just was. She sighed, everything just wandered back to Ron. She tilted her head slightly, getting a glimpse of him. He was drumming his fingers apprehensively against the white linen table cloth. A cranberry sauce stain was directly below his index finger and every so often he circled the mark slowly, almost as if he was willing it away. Actually, she was sure he was concentrating on the speech he was about to give. He never had liked public speaking, she supposed.

A tinkle of silver against glass sounded throughout the room and gradually silence overcame the crowd. Ron took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his mop of red hair with shaky fingers. There was a polite clap and then Ron cleared his throat. He looked around the room quickly, his eyes fleetingly scanned the room; however, she was nearly certain he had met her gaze, even if it had just been for millisecond It had happened at least. She smiled warmly at him and Ron began.

"Hi everyone…," he began uncertainty, "being asked to be best man, is a bit like being asked to make love to the queen." Fred and George clapped each other on the back and whistled low. Mrs. Weasley turned towards Aunty Gail with an apologetic look. "You're privileged, it's a great honour but," Ron smiled impishly gaining confidence, "you're not quite sure it's such a good idea, even if you'd be bloody good at it." The crowd laughed heartedly. Hermione was a little upset; it was sort of rude but never the less she beamed with pride.

"Seriously though, I've known Harry since we were eleven and I've known his bride since she was about," Ron paused as if he was trying to remember, "eight hours old." The room chuckled and Ginny gave him a playful slap on the arm. "I always knew they'd end up together even if I wasn't in full support of the relationship at the start, sorry about those Bertie Biting Bats mate," Ron admitted to Harry. "Of course I got over it, like I usually do, thanks to..." There was a pause of silence and Ron tuned towards Hermione, directly toward her, "...Hermione." He turned back towards his audience, "Well after much thought and a couple of smacks over the head, I realised who better to have fall in love with my beautiful sister. I couldn't ask for a better mate and I definitely couldn't ask for a much better sister. Together, we couldn't ask for a couple more in love, more perfect and most of all more lucky to have yours truly. I ask all wizards and witches to raise your glasses to Harry and Ginny, our favourite couple. May they stay happy, healthy and most importantly our bloody favourite for years upon years to come." Ron lifted his glass of champagne with gusto, his mouth spreading into a wide, warm smile. Harry and Ginny kissed and Fred and George hooted while the kids made sick noises and the horde of guests clinked their drinks and clapped and whistled in applause to Ron's speech.

It was awfully hot in here Hermione contemplated, eyeing the French doors once again. Everyone was still preoccupied, with congratulating Harry and Ginny and complimenting Ron and the like. Surely no one would notice if she slipped away, briefly. Just until she could try to sort out what she was going to do. Perhaps, if she could or would do something. Suddenly she was becoming cowardly. The kids were running around the tables, closely followed by Fred and George. Looked like they were playing hide and go seek she mused, typical of the twins, they'd never grow up. Merlin, how she wished she could run and hide, too. The band was starting to set up. Now was her chance. Placing the napkin slowly on the table in front of her she pushed back her seat and adjusted the skirt of her dress. Standing up and taking a deep breath she made her way towards the doors. As she crossed the room, she smiled warmly at the familiar faces she met, not once, however, did she stop to talk. Reaching for the handle in front of her felt like grasping onto a much deserved award. As the cool air filled her lungs and the sights of the stars consumed her, she finally felt like she could breath.

The cold night caused her to shiver but she hardly noticed. All she could do was relive the memories of her and Ron. It had all started when she was just a hormonal teenager. It was a crush, she had thought. He annoyed her so much, well, he still did, she mused. He had the ability to grate on her every nerve but strange as it seems, she couldn't live without him. She'd never tell anyone but somehow she enjoyed their fights, usually it was more like friendly bickering. She had enjoyed them. Now, she couldn't bare it. She was hurt. Really and truly hurt and she knew Ron wasn't feeling any better. Why must things be so, so impossible? She knew she loved him all her life. Why couldn't she just have admitted it to herself, why did she have to bury it? If she had only told Ron before, if she hadn't lied. It would be okay. It would be better than that. It would be fantastic. Chances of anything like that seemed unattainable now. Ron would never forgive her and she was sure it was a shot in the dark. A chance in vain, but she knew no matter what, she had to tell him.

The chatter and background noise of the party appeared to grow louder as she finally resolved what to do. Her thoughts were almost clearer now. Now, she was sure in what she had to do. Her eyes fixed on the stars, she began to gather her courage. Suddenly she felt a presence near her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she could tell it was him. She turned, and then she saw him standing there. Her Ron. Merlin, she wanted to hug him, to kiss him to tell him how sorry she was, how much she loved him, how she wanted him. She restrained herself though. She had a task and when Hermione had a task it had to be fulfilled.

"Hermione, I …" Ron trailed off. He was looking in her eyes the way only he could. He was looking at her soul.

Silence hung in the air and all she could do was look back. Look at him with the same intensity. Trying with all her might to tell him what he meant to her. There was distance between them but they never broke eye contact, not once. As they continued to stare, the distance became almost tangible. Minutes passed, how many she was not sure, but amazingly within those minutes a strange yet obvious truce was spoken, it was not heard aloud, but she was confident both of them felt it. It was her move, her move to bridge the gap.

"I'm sorry." She spoke softly, quietly.

Ron said nothing. Maybe she had mistaken everything. Maybe he was looking at her with anguish. She knew sorry might not be enough.

Ron turned around. His back to her and at that very moment, her heart broke all over again. He couldn't accept her apology, he couldn't accept her.

"I know," he uttered gently almost inaudible.

Her heart raced, her thoughts were clogged, yet spinning. She stared at the ground. Her foot traced the patterns of the stone work. A distraction, yes but she couldn't avoid it somehow. She couldn't look at him, her hope was too great.

"I know, we're coming."

Confused, Hermione looked up. It wasn't just Ron and her anymore. There in front of her stood Arthur Weasley. He had an apologetic look on his face but then again she could have been imagining it.

"Right, good. It's just that both of you are needed, time for the first dance. You two are required to participate," Arthur began, "as I'm sure you know," he added with a wink.

As quickly as he appeared he was gone. Ron was facing her again, he gave her a look. She wasn't sure what he meant by it; it appeared to be a cross between saying sorry and comic dread, all she knew was that it was an extremely Ron look.

He exited the balcony, re-entering the reception room. He was making a bee-line for the dance floor and somehow she felt like following. Harry and Ginny were slow dancing in the centre of the floor. Everyone was watching as they danced together, however, she suspected neither of them noticed. They were captured by each other, enthralled. As she followed Ron she became tenser, thoughts of dancing like that with Ron had been confined to her deepest dreams, now it was about to become a reality. Everything was so fresh, so raw she just hoped it would be okay. As they began to reach the dance floor she caught the eye of Mr. Geoffries.

"Been busy, muffin, have you?" he chuckled eyeing both Ron and herself, amusedly.

This was what she really needed she thought sarcastically. There was a time and place for that sort of talk. Right now she had to focus. Giving a slight shake of her head toward Mr. Geoffries, she stepped onto the dance floor with her Ron by her side.

Suddenly the music became apparent. An old Frank Sinatra number, "The Way You Look Tonight." She liked this song; she wondered why Ginny had chosen this. She resigned to ask next time she saw her. Thoughts of asking questions and songs and the like swiftly became less and less important as Ron began to reach for her hand and become closer and closer.

Looking into her eyes he interlocked their fingers and placed his other hand on the small of her back. The feel of his touch on her bare skin ignited a feeling of ecstasy that she just had to smile. Ron shrugged and began to lead them round the dance floor.

"I am sorry, you know," Hermione spoke.

"I know you are."

"And…"

"And, I'm sorry too."

"What for?" Hermione asked confused.

"For not realising, for not telling you earlier," Ron spoke, pulling her a little closer.

"Realising…?"

"That, I'm in love with you."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, she could hardly believe what she had just heard. A warm feeling was consuming her.

"Of course I bloody am!" Ron protested seemingly unbelieving. "Are you?" he asked with trepidation.

"Yes, Ron, madly."

"Well then..."

"Well what?" she asked puzzled.

"Let's give 'em what they want," Ron stated simply.

"And that is…" Hermione asked unknowingly.

"This." Ron spoke quietly leaning forwards. They had stopped dancing now. She was sure all eyes were on them and yet she didn't care one bit. Ron's hand slipped a little lower; she could positively feel his gaze. Electricity was playing between them and would not relent until he closed the gap. He lowered his head slowly, never breaking eye contact and then all of a sudden his lips were on hers, her heart stilled. Ron was kissing her and she could not believe it. It was soft yet purposeful. Merlin, how she loved this. The feel of his lips on hers was like some kind of heaven. Passion overwhelmed her. She knew she was in front of everyone but she just couldn't quell the craze. She pulled him closer and met his soft kiss with intensity. He seemed to get the message and deepened the kiss, exploring each other's mouths as if there was no tomorrow. White hot fire exploded in her stomach, Ron had always driven her mad, but not like this.

All too soon it stopped. Each partner was reluctant but the need for breath had become vital. Pulling back both were still panting. The song had changed, an old one from the Weird Sisters, it brought back memories of her school days. Of how she had pretended for so long and now, she knew what she was missing out on…

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"Bloody hell!" Ron breathed, gasping and smiling tying to reclaim his breath. He tightened his arms around Hermione and began to steer them round the dance floor once again. He fleetingly looked in the direction of George who was grinning and giving him a rather saucy look. His dad next to him winked and his mum, well she just had a watery smile and a slight blush. He thought she mouthed "I'm so proud of you." But he wasn't sure due to Fred and Seamus's loud whooping.

"Well that was extremely satisfying," Hermione whispered in his ear.

"Definitely, absolutely, it was… just. Wow," Ron spoke quickly. Hermione laughed he really hadn't changed since she had first come to know him. He was still that school boy who made her laugh and drove her wild. One thing she knew for sure, she loved him, completely.

Resting her hands at the back of his neck she kissed him slowly, softly. "I love you Ron, I always have and I always will."

"Me too, Hermione, me too." Ron replied pecking her on the cheek and holding her closer.

"Just wish we had admitted it earlier. I mean that's a lot of time lost."

"Well then Mr. Weasley, we'll just have to make up for it won't we? I couldn't have you falling behind could I…?" Hermione spoke matter of factly.

"No, we wouldn't want that," Ron smiled, twirling her round and dipping her low enough to make her giggle.

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Mrs. Weasley knew it would happen eventually, she just didn't know how special it would be. There he was, her Ron, all grown up and eventually happy. Well and truly ecstatic. He had finally found his one and only. Of course she had been right in front of him all along but what were mothers for? She had helped push them in the right direction and now she knew she was thoroughly right. An immense emotion of pride and happiness overwhelmed her, she took Arthur's hand in hers and leaning close she whispered, "Our work here is finally done."

Thank you for reading, please review.

Slán,

Sinéad (pinkmarshmello)

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