The Cost of Friendship

Chapter Three

Wedding Plans

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"Ouch! That was my foot!" Ginny said angrily. "You know Hermione I really don't look good in red, why can't the dresses be gold?"

"Because this is my wedding and I want my Maid of Honor to be dressed in red, besides you look lovely." Hermione replied.

Hermione and Ginny were currently in a small bridal and dress shop in Diagon Alley. Hermione was watching as Ginny was being fitted into her bridesmaid dress. Ginny was standing on a round pedestal with her arms sticking out above her head as she was being fitted. The witch that was fitting her was carelessly waving her wand as needles flew around Ginny, pinning her dress. The witch wasn't paying attention as to where the pins were going as she made marks in a book.

After being stuck for the third time in the foot Ginny put her arms down and said, "If you're not going to pay attention to me I'm leaving!"

The witch looked flustered, "I'm sorry my dear, here." She raised her wand and the pins all stopped moving and fell to the floor with several small tinkles.

Ginny sighed, picked up her gown around her knees and walked over to the mirror to examine her reflection. "It really is a pretty gown Hermione."

Ginny's dress was a bright satin red that fitted her body just right. It had thick straps that formed a v-neck front. As Ginny was admiring the dress, the witch that was pinning her walked over with the robes that went over the gown. Ginny put on the robe and fasten the buttons that ended at her waist. The robe was also red but a darker shade than the gown. The sleeves flowed almost to the floor and accented the whole ensemble perfectly.

"Wow Hermione, you have more fashion sense then even I knew." Ginny smiled. "So, where are your other bridesmaids, shouldn't they be here trying on their gowns?"

Hermione smiled and leaned back on the short stool she was sitting on, "No Gin, you are my only bridesmaid and Harry is Ron's only groomsmen."

Ginny looked stunned and honored at the same time, "I didn't know that, thank you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, I need to head back home; I have a meeting with the cake decorator." Hermione said as she stood up and put her thick winter robe on. Hermione gave Ginny a small hug and left the shop.

It was a crisp, cool day as a light snow floated through the air. It was the weekend so Diagon Alley was packed full of shoppers, most of whom were shopping for Christmas. This was the first time that Hermione had a day to herself in sometime so she was dedicating it to her wedding plans. She and Ron choose a date in late February to get married. It was to be a small simple wedding, held in the muggle church that she attended when she was a child.

As she walked down the street she passed by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and noticed two very familiar heads inside the shop. The overly bright red hair and messy black hair was a dead give away. Hermione made a beeline for the shop and pushed open the door. A little bell tinkled from the back of the shop and everyone turned to see who had entered. The moment Ron and Harry noticed Hermione they both blushed violently and walked over to her. Hermione was trying hard not to smile as she stood with her hands on her hips.

"You two were supposed to be trying on dress robes." Hermione said.

"We were just getting ready too, we got side tracked." Ron said.

Hermione smiled, "Honestly, sometimes I still think you are both ten years old."

Hermione walked up to the counter where Neville and Fred were standing, George was in the back looking in boxes. Hermione put her hands on the counter and looked directly into Neville's eyes.

"Ron and Harry are not allowed to buy anything today." Hermione said as Neville nodded his head, looking terrified of Hermione.

"Sure Hermione, I won't let them." Neville said.

"Good, and make sure that when they leave here that they head strait for Madam Malkin's." Hermione said, once again Neville nodded his head.

Hermione headed for the door and gave Ron and Harry a wink as she passed them.

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Later that day Hermione was found in her apartment, sitting at her kitchen table. Several small pieces of cake were scattered around, each with a label about the flavor and icing. A fork was dangling from her lips as she tasted and made notes in a small note book. The baker that brought her the samples had left only moments before so she could make her choice in private.

Just as Hermione was about to taste another cake, Ron walked in the door holding a black garment bag and looking pleased with himself. He tossed his bag onto the couch and walked over to give Hermione a kiss on the cheek. Ron sat down and started to eye the many different cakes on the table.

"What's this all about then?" Ron asked, still with a rather large grin on his face.

"We have to pick one of these for our wedding cake, here try this one, its red velvet." Hermione said as she shoved a forkful of cake in Ron's mouth.

Ron smiled and licked his lips, "Oh, that's good, it would look good with our colors too."

"Just what I thought, now for the icing, I think whipped would be best. Hey, is that your dress robes, let me see them." Hermione said pointing to the bag on the couch.

"Are you going to let me see your dress?" Ron asked.

"No." Hermione replied.

"Then you can't see my dress robes." Ron said cheekily.

"So why were you smiling when you came in?" Hermione asked, going back to her cake tasting.

"Oh, well if I tell you, you can't tell Ginny." Ron said.

Hermione stopped testing and looked interested, "Of course I wont, what is it?"

"Harry's going to ask Ginny to move in with him." Ron said happily.

"No way!" Hermione replied.

"Yeah, well I'm practically living here now and I know it bugs Ginny that she is pretty much getting kicked out when we get married so Harry thought it work out for all of us if he just asked her to move in with him and I go ahead move in here!" Ron said excitedly.

Ron looked like he could float away from happiness; Hermione on the other hand didn't look quite as thrilled. "But I didn't think you would move in completely until after we were married?"

"Well, that's only in a few months what difference does it make?" Ron asked.

"It makes a difference; I don't think my parents would be thrilled for one thing." Hermione said. "As far as they know I'm still a virgin!"

Ron looked stunned at this bit of news but the more he thought about it the more it made sense. "So that's why they wanted you to get married in a church."

"Yes, they wanted it to be all pure or something." Hermione said, slightly embarrassed. "But I think you need to continue to live with Harry until we get married. If all of your stuff was here when Mum or Dad came over it wouldn't be good."

Ron didn't wish to argue, "Alright Hermione but I'll still be here, and I'm not living in the same apartment with my sister and Harry. That and I like being here, that means that I'm with you."

"That's sweet Ron." Hermione said as she leaned over and kissed him. "Now, which icing do you like?" Hermione asked as she shoved another bite of cake in Ron's mouth.

"Oh, by the way I have something else I wanted to tell you." Hermione said Ron just nodded because his mouth was still full. "I think we need to wait until our wedding night before we sleep together again."

Ron's face quickly turned deep red and his eyes grew in surprise as he spit out bits of cake all over the room.