Disclaimer: I had a dream that they were mine… but then I woke up and they weren't.
Chapter Twenty Two
There's the strange encounter, the wedding and the on growing attraction
The next two days were dead, if that was the right thing to say. Fred was upset with me still and spends most of the time at the Joke shop or at George's place. There wasn't anytime in the day to communicate because I would be at St. Mungo's hospital studying and putting my craft to work, it took all my spare time concentrating. Our flat was near the Joke shop and after George had given me the keys to it from Fred; I knew that he was more than angry.
At least this way I would be able to come and go as I please, without having to bother him. I never thought anything could get him to the stage he was at now. I must have hurt him deeply for that kind of reaction. I should apologize. But he shouldn't have said what he said about having something better to do then spend time with his bride. I lectured myself. He hates Malfoy; it's like asking him to burn down his Joke shop. He would never do it. That's why he said what he said. My reasonable side defends.
I was always asleep when he came home, and he was always gone when I woke. So much for us attempting to make this relationship work, this was like a never ending battle. I woke early on this glorious Friday morning and went down to Diagon Alley to pick up my dress since I wasn't unable to the last couple of days and walked by their shop as well. I think you should go in and apologizes. I told myself. I mean today is Angelina's wedding and you'll be seeing each other, so the less tension the better. I pulled open the door to the Witches Wedding Dress store to run into a familiar face.
"Luna fancy meeting you here, again." I smiled walking into the shop.
"Hello Hermione." She returned the smile backing away from the doorway. "I left this here, and if Draco finds out, he'll have another fit and we'll end up arguing and usually with arguing it always leads…" I raised my hand to stop her. That was more than I care to know. I looked at the hand she raised now. The thing she had left here was a jade bracelet with two black dragons entwining together in engraved in it. It was so enchanting to stare at, like the two dragons were moving to draw closer together.
"How can he not know it was missing if it's so important?" I asked looking at the blonde girl now.
"Let's just say I had to wear long sleeves, and when we're alone I usually distract him so… here I am now." She laughed.
"Hard to believe you two haven't killed each other spending all that time together." I teased.
"Oh believe me, the first couple times that's all we wanted to do. Now it's just a lot of kiss and make up. No one expected this union, not even me." Then she paused. "You're marrying Fred Weasley; you two are probably enjoying this, more than any other couple." I bit down on my lower lip.
"Oh, if you only knew." I answered.
"I think you two make a lovely pair…oh you are still coming this Saturday aren't you?" She asked taking my hand. Today I noticed that she wore a bright green overcoat and a long navy skirt with brown shoes, her wand still in her left ear.
"I won't miss it." I responded squeezing her shoulder. "Mine is on Sunday I'm sure Ginny send an invitation to you…" The door was sudden pushed open.
"I can't leave you alone without you wondering all over the place." The cold voice came at us. We turned to see Draco Malfoy once again all in black, with a hard look on his handsome face. His platinum hair was pushed back.
"Why does it matter where I go?" She asked pushing pass me walking towards him.
"It matters because I wasn't informed." He threw angrily at her.
"Once again Draco, I'll do as I please. You can't stop me." She stopped just a few steps away from him, looking just as upset.
"If I have to lock you up in a dungeon and chain you to the wall, I will do it, woman." He howled at her.
"You wouldn't dare?" She challenged. Oh no Luna bad move. I thought looking at the burning reaction in Draco Malfoy's eyes as the challenge was drawn. Run Luna, Run. I cried out to her. Draco moved so quickly and grabbed her. She let out a surprise scream before he threw her over his shoulder and walked towards the door. Barbaric, I laughed amused.
"DRACO MALFOY, YOU PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT." I heard as they disappeared from my view. I walked towards the counter and just realized that there were other people in here and they had witness that whole scene. After trying on my dress again to see if it fit correctly, I was mortified to hear what the sales clerk was saying.
"Your fiancé was in here earlier and he already bought the dress for you." What? Why? He knew that I wanted to pay for the dress myself, but why would he do that he was upset with me? I didn't know whether to be relieved that he was being thoughtful or upset that he jumped at the chance to show me up with his wealth, just because he could. I was fighting whether or not to go marching in there demanding that we talk or just hit him.
"He's gorgeous, your fiancé." The clerk said blushing.
"I doubt that after I'm done with him." I answered. After thanking her for the dress, I stormed out of there and headed towards the Joke shop. I pushed the door open to find that only Verity was sitting at the counter talking to her fiancé Seamus. I realized that they both left after Bill informed us of the incident involving Tonks and Lupin. I guess Mr. Weasley said that it be best if it they didn't involve any more people than necessary. There were hardly any customers in the store; this was a first for the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley were called to get ready for the wedding at ten today." What? Why?
"Hermione, its Angelina's and Oliver's wedding. Fred and George are the best mates. Did you not know?" Seamus asked looking at me oddly.
"I guess not." I shook my head. "Aren't you two going?"
"Yes, but Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley thought it best to see if anyone will be shopping today so here we are. It'll only be open for another hour or two so after that we'll be headed to the wedding." Verity explained. Her bosses were insane.
"I guess I better head home then." I waved good bye and was out the door. He was Oliver's best man? George was as well but, neither mentioned that fact. Fred wasn't speaking to me so I understood but, why didn't George say anything? I guess because you haven't seen him since the last day you talked. I told myself.
There was a knock on the door just before I was going to floo powder to the church, they were at. It was Harry and Ginny.
"You look stunning Hermione." Harry smiled. I had on a long backless midnight blue dress with a small slit just near my right knee and I had my hair up in curls. The shoes I had on, the heels were a bit high for my liking but they went well with the dress so I really couldn't complain. This made me almost at eye level with Harry. Who was wearing a black dressed robe with a white bow tie, and his once wild hair seemed a bit tamed but some strands stuck out to give him his famous look. I turned to Ginny who was in a light creamy pink dress which went just above her knees, strapless matching her skin color, which was nicely lush. There were hints of freckles that trailed on her smooth skin.
"You two look amazing." I gestured for them to come in.
"Wow, I can't believe that Angelina and Oliver are actually going to be married in just an hour or so." Ginny laughed.
"I never would have thought it." Harry added in.
"I thought she would have been my sis…"Harry suddenly kissed Ginny stopping her in mid sentence.
"Oh get a room you two." I laughed without giving what Ginny was going to say a second thought. Then I heard Ginny whisper softly to an expressionless Harry.
"Sorry." I looked over to see him caress his left hand to her face lightly then kissing her forehead. We arrived at the church just moments later to find that it was packed with so many witches and wizards. Ron and Lavender were seated at the front, where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were. Bill and Fleur next to them, Charlie was sitting with Verity and Seamus one row behind. There was no sign of professor Lupin or Tonks yet, but I was sure they'll show up.
I looked around to see that the ceiling had been bewitched to look like thousands of candles burning. The rows of benches were decorated with beautiful flowers. The drapes were white and covered with rose petals trailing down. It was so magical, and then Ginny pulled me into the sixth row because everywhere that was close was full. As I took a seat I looked up to see my fiancé looking beyond any words I could describe. He was so tall, so handsome, and extremely gorgeous as he stood up there smiling to Oliver and laughing with George, who looked amazing as well.
I heard my heart pounding loudly in my chest as I watched his every movement. How could I not want that guy standing there so dreamy? His red hair begging to be messed, his eyes sparkling with delight, his lips looked so tempting. What were these thoughts? I screamed. I couldn't take my eyes of off him. He was unaware of my eyes on him the whole time and continued his on going conversation. Then the wedding begun, I couldn't pull myself to look at anyone else.
"Don't drool Hermione." Ginny's nudge threw me back into reality as I saw Katie and Alicia walk down the isle. They both looked stunning in the golden dresses, with their hair in curls bouncing around their shoulders, both of them carrying a bouquet of irises. Then the wedding march was played and a beautiful Angelina started down the isle with her father. I wonder what was going through Fred's mind at the moment. This was the girl he loved, or thought he loved. His first physical relationship, and the fact he was one of the best man to the man she was marrying. There was no expression on his face; George how ever was smiling so warmly that it made Katie wink at him as she saw his face. Alicia had also looked over to Charlie who gave her a small wave. The pastor was there now as Angelina reached her groom's side.
The whole ceremony was so moving I found tears running down my face. They looked so devoted to each other. Yet during the whole thing Fred didn't once turn to look my way. What was wrong with him? Did my words hit a soft spot? This was Fred Weasley; nothing ever bothered or affected him before. Surely a thoughtless comment wasn't going to make him pout all day long. Why did I want him to look at me anyways?
Much later during the dinner everyone was on the dance floor having a wonderful time, I was about to call it a night and go see Angelina and Oliver to sent them my best wishes, but they were talking in the middle of the dance floor with their friends so I decided to wait.
"Harry told as about your situation." I heard, looking up to see the grinning redhead looking down on me.
"Hello Ronald." I blew him a kiss, knowing that I won't be able to physically touch him. He took a seat beside me.
"I wish I could ask you to dance, I mean that moron is too busy flirting over there to ask you himself." Ron motioned his head towards were Fred was talking with a couple of girls, probably telling them jokes. That idiot.
"I'm sure that Lavender would love for you to ask her to dance." I smiled pulling out of my seat to go and give that redhead a piece of my mind. Who did he think he was? I ran into Harry and Ginny who were in a lip lock match and pushed them playful away. But when I got half way there one of the girls he had been chatting with pulled him to her and kissed him. My heart missed a beat, I gasp covering my mouth and for the first time all day our eyes met as he pushed the girl violently towards the ground. I saw him come towards me but I turned and made a run for it. I felt his arms around me before I even made it pass the crowd.
"Hermione listen." I fought to get out of his grasp.
"She kissed you, yet nothing happened. I wanted to hold my best friend's hand and I suffer. It's not fair." I threw at him as he held me.
"That's because I already claimed you as mine, you haven't yet with me." He said turning me to face him. I just didn't understand any of these crazy rules, the blood link and the pheromones.
"Let me go Fred." I whispered bitterly staring into his blue eyes.
"No." His tone was just as bitter. I wanted to get away but there was no way I could loosen his grip without drastic measures and I couldn't injure the best man before he made the final toast to the happy couple. So I pulled him towards me and kissed him. I didn't expect the sweetest of the kiss to make my heart beat rapidly, it was much needed from our time apart, so it was very difficult to pull away but, I had to because I was upset with him. He was so drawn to the kiss that his grip loosened a bit which was enough for me to knee him between his legs and run.
I however didn't count on him stepping on the small train attached to my long blue dress and hearing the ripping sound as Fred fell to the floor and my dress started unraveling, exposing my bare legs. It stopped just before it got near the middle of my thighs. That was way too short for my liking. I looked down at Fred who was just pushing himself up and around to the crowd of people who now saw this.
"That was definitely not a smart move Hermione." Fred growled stalking towards me. He was holding the ripped part of my dress that was still somehow attached and smirking as he did so now. "One more hard tug and all eyes are on you."
"What are you playing at?" I asked trying to pull the remainder of the dress as far as it would go lower trying to cover up as much skin as I could. "You won't sink that low all just to…" He was so close now.
"You'll be surprise." He smirked. The burning look was in his eyes now.
"Fred Weasley don't you dare." I cried out as he moved closer.
"I heard the word dare." And he slowly tugged at the torn dress.
(A/N: Heehee evil...Fanficfan...yes I realized that...I was thinking that as well but you were the one who inspired me to do it and I want to thank you. Amwong88 you always ask the best questions...I guess I don't think twice about stuff like that so it always leaves most people confused...and I'm still trying to pull all the pieces together, so thanks to everyone for bearing with me and your patiences. To Escaped-the- arrange...It was done before I was born so our families have to come together through our marriage, I've always known that I would end up marrying him so I'm not surprised or thrilled but I still have a year..so thank you)