Wedding Bells

Author's Notes:

Well this is my first story, so please read and review, it is about Ron/Hermione getting married but it is chaptered leading up to the moment. It includes moments from Molly/Arthur and Ginny/Harry too so enjoy. Thanks to Stargazer for the help with this fic. Nothing belongs to me, only the plot and the OC Sophie Packard, who is going to be introduced in chapter 4.

Chapter 3: Girls night out.

Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Susan walked up to the front door of the restaurant. They each went inside and Hermione was blown away with the look of the place. It had high ceilings and golden chandeliers which glittered in the light from the candles which were placed on the tables for a nice environment. The tables in themselves were laid as if the most care and attention has been lavished on them. The room was very spacious and the walls were decorated with pictures and ornaments from other countries. Hermione couldn't help but look around at the place. The waitress walked up to them, Hermione noticed that she was very smartly dressed in a white blouse with the name of the restaurant on the front and a pair of black trousers. She had a small apron, a note book and pen in her hand.

She came over and said, "Hello, can I help you at all?" Ginny came to the front and stood opposite the waitress.

"Yes, I booked a table for 4, the name is Weasley." The waitress asked them to come to the bar and order some drinks and wait because the table is being used and that she will come over and seat them. She asked them all what they would like to drink.

"Can I have 2 white wines, Gillywater and a firewhisky please? Thank you." The waitress walked over to the bar and gave the paper to the bar staff so that they could do the drinks and take them over. The others sat down around the small table and Ginny went to the bar to get some menus. They opened them up and began to look at all the delicious options they could have. The man at the bar came over and lay down the drinks on a tray, and walked off back to the bar ready to serve more customers. After five minutes' wait, they were finally seated at the table and decided to order the food. They called the waitress that had seated them earlier and they each placed their order. Hermione picked up her drink, took a sip and laid it back carefully on the table. She looked around and began making conversation.

"Luna, how is everything going at work?" Hermione said, looking at the woman opposite and swilling her drink around in the glass

"Great thanks, Hermione, at the moment we are trying to get more information on lots more creatures we can feature in the Quibbler. Dad said this issue could be bigger than all the other ones." Luna looked happy about it from the look on her face she couldn't wait to get started on it straight away.

"Hermione, how are things on the work front?" Hermione looked at Luna and said

"Well as usual the minister of magic seems to think that the house-elves are fine the way they are, and don't need representing in the Ministry. Ugh! It's people like him that make me mad. Sorry, sorry I'll shut up. This night is meant to be a celebration and I'm ranting about work." Hermione said, looking at the face of everyone sitting at their table. Everyone had the look of oh-no-Hermione's-ranting-about-house-elves-again on their face. They hastily changed the subject and moved over to a safer topic of conversation.

"So, er, how is everyone's love life going then?" began Susan. "Mine is a total disaster. I mentioned that we could, you know, move in together and he sort of kept quiet and didn't say anything. I'm beginning to regret saying anything. Why do men feel that as soon as we mention 'move in together', it's the end of the world and they should stay in with their slippers and smoking pipes?" Susan said, while examining her nails and taking a sip of her drink. Ginny stared around looking for the waitress who they placed their order with; I wish she would hurry up with the food. I am so hungry and suddenly jumped up with her glass.

"I'm off to the bar for another drink, does anyone want another one?" said Ginny, who was going around the table making sure the order for the drinks was right.

Meanwhile the girls were huddled up together, while Luna said, "What's up with Ginny? She seems to be really down lately. She seems really preoccupied, as though she has things on her mind." Hermione looked around the table, wondering whether to say anything to her friends.

"Well look, it's about Harry. Basically she still wants him. After Lord Voldemort was finished, and everyone was safe; she thought that they would get back together again. But they didn't, and she thinks that he doesn't love her anymore. So I'm going to hatch a little plan, called Operation getting Ginny and Harry together: I know stupid title. So I was wondering, could you two help me?" said Hermione looking at her two friends with hope, I suppose it will appeal to Susan, as she was known at Hogwarts as Official Matchmaker and she has been known for her excellent matchmaking skills and she thrives on a challenge. Luna would be interested, as she is quite a helpful person and brutally honest when need arises.

"Yeah I'll do it definitely. Luna agrees too, don't you? So what's the plan?" says Susan, with a sparkle in her eyes that Hermione knew was not there before. This is the look she wears when she is exited about a new project and very enthusiastic about it. Hermione looked over at the bar and puts her hands up.

"I'll let you know tonight when Ginny goes to bed. Are you still staying around mine tonight? There is plenty of room and would make perfect sense, anyway let's halt the conversation now and continue it tonight as Ginny is coming back with the drinks." Hermione, seeing Ginny approaching with the drinks and stood up so that she can help her with them

"Thanks! Sorry I was so long, I was wondering where our food had got to. It should have been here by now, surely." As Hermione and Ginny, began to sit down again and resumed their earlier conversation. But as they were just about to start the first sentence, two waitresses came over with the food.

"Chicken, with tagliatelle, potatoes and salad…" She handed the meal over to Hermione. "Rainbow Trout, with Potatoes, and a salad…" She handed the plate over to Susan. "Pizza, topped with Tomato, mushrooms, ham, and with a side order of garlic bread, and a side order of potatoes?" She handed the plate over to Ginny, and she also lay down the other two dishes by the side. "Finally, here are your sirloin steak, with potatoes, tagliatelle and a salad." She handed the last plate over to Luna, and she said "Enjoy your meal." They all began eating. The only sound you could hear in the whole room, were gentle chattering and cutlery clinking as the other customers were finishing their food.

After a while, the clinking of the knives and forks were gone, they all sat back while the waitresses cleaned the table off, ready for the next course (if they order it). They sat there for a while none of them spoke or stirred, as they were letting their meal digest. The waitress came over and asked them if they would like any coffee or desserts. They all ordered coffee's, which they were going to drink in the bar area, so that they could free the table up for someone else. They gathered up their bags and coats, walked to the bar and sat down at the table they were at before. Ginny came and sat by Hermione gazing at her intently.

"So, what were you lot all huddled together, talking about when I was at the bar getting more drinks?" Hermione, started looking from Susan to Luna, desperate not to be found out, and slowly started thinking about what she could say to Ginny, Well, we were planning cunning ideas to get you and Harry together. No that would just give away what we were planning. We were discussing ideas for possible honey-moon destinations. Yes, Yes, Yes excellent idea Hermione, but hang on Ginny's just staring at me waiting for an answer. Why did it take me so long to come up with an answer? Well top student at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, you might have been; but you can't come up with a simple reply to a simple question.

Hermione cleared her throat and replied, "We were just discussing possible honeymoon destinations. That's all. Oh and I would like to hear your opinions on it too." Hermione looked at Luna and Susan, try to look like this is not news to you, she thought to herself. Two waitresses came over with their cups of coffee and placed them down on the table. Ginny, grabbed the milk jug and the sugar cup and started putting them in her coffee.

Hermione looks over at Ginny and said, "Ok Ginny. This was a great place to eat, but where are we going next?"

Ginny placed her coffee down and studied her before she replied, "We are going to the club just out of Hogsmeade. It's called The Diamond club. Very nice, I've been there once before, so once everyone has drunk their coffee, and split the bill, we shall go."They finished their coffee and had settled the bill, walked outside the restaurant, and apparated. They were finally outside the Diamond club and they could hear the music from the outside. Ginny thought Hermione looked a bit apprehensive about going inside. She grabbed her by the arm and led her inside, the other two girls followed. As soon as they were inside, Hermione was suitably shocked. Once again, Hermione thought that clubs were a bit sleazy and run down places but this one looked very classy. Hermione looked around, she saw that they were many people dancing on the dance floor, and the DJ was playing the music with apparent ease. Ginny's voice came by interrupting her thoughts.

"So, what do you think then?"

"It's great. Everyone, I'll get the drinks in. Ok?" replied Hermione, while the others went to find a spot on the dance floor, where they could dance without bumping into anyone. Ginny, Luna and Susan were already dancing. Luna and Susan were asked to dance by many guys there. Ginny wasn't interested in dancing with guys. She wanted to dance by herself. There was only one guy she wanted to dance with EVER. And that was Harry James Potter, but unfortunately, that would never happen. She could feel the tears stinging at the back of her eyes. She would not cry in the middle of the dance floor, where people could see her, she wouldn't. Stop it! You are being pathetic. This is Hermione's night and you are too busy wallowing in self pity. Just stop it. We can deal with this later. We have to, thought Ginny to herself. Hermione came to find them five minutes later with the drinks that she had bought at the bar. She also was dancing to the music; Ginny noticed that she looked a little self-conscious dancing. Well, that will change as soon as we get some drinks down her.

"Hermione, come over here and watch me. Look, try and feel the music and be a little less stiff when you're moving ok? Look like me, got it?" said Ginny, who was dancing in front of Hermione, motioning for her to copy the same moves. "That's it Hermione. You have got it. Keep doing it." Hermione asked her if she wanted to sit down. So they found some seating areas and sat down. They were watching Luna and Susan dancing. They were surrounded by some men, obviously attracting lots of attention. Hermione noticed some one who looked very familiar. She elbowed Ginny and she followed her gaze over to the corner of the room. It looked like Luna was talking to someone. Hermione looked around at Ginny.

"I've just recognised someone who was at Hogwarts with us, I think it's---------"

"Who... Hermione... who was it that you recognised—," Hermione pointed over to where Luna was talking to the guy. Ginny's eyes followed, and she nearly spat out her drink with surprise. The guy Luna was talking to was Ernie Macmillan, the Hufflepuff prefect and fellow member of the D.A. Hermione and Ginny were too shocked to say anything. They continued to sip their drinks thoughtfully. Eventually, Luna and Susan came back to join them at their table. Luna, blushing, sat down and began sipping her drink. Ginny and Hermione looked around to her.

"Luna, why were you talking to Ernie Macmillan?" said Hermione, while Ginny was nodding enthusiastically.

Luna still sipping her drink glanced at Hermione. Hermione noticed, she was still blushing furiously, and replied, "We were writing to each other over the summer and we have agreed to meet up when we both have free time." Luna looked at Hermione, and Hermione thought that it was sweet that she was blushing. Hermione didn't think that Luna liked him but going from Luna's reaction to her question, it seems she does.

"Luna, get over there and talk to him. If you like him, flirt a little and you can bring him to the wedding if you want," said Hermione, while looking over to where Ernie was. When Luna left him talking with his friends; he couldn't take his eyes away from the table. I think that he likes her also, thought Hermione. Ginny noticed the look in Hermione's eye. I bet if they don't get together soon, then I think Hermione will have to make them get together. Ginny got up for another dance. Hermione followed and left Susan to get in another order of drinks, if anyone wanted them. They eventually drank lots more alcohol, danced until their feet were aching, and had a good time. But now was the time to call it a day and go home. They walked out of the club in high spirits, singing as they walked to the spot where they are going to apparate. Luna kept telling stories of all the funny sounding creatures that were in The Quibbler. Hermione led them into a little side street, where it was free for them to apperate, carefully looking round so that no one could see them. They all apparated to Hermione's house ready for a nice sleep. They were ready for Hermione's big day.

Hermione led them to her house. What were with these girls thinking? Couldn't they control the amount of alcohol they drink? Hermione made sure that Luna didn't fall over and get hurt, while she took out her keys and unlocked the door. She led the other girls through the door and placed them carefully on the couch. She began putting the lights on so that she could see. She noticed on the kitchen tops that there were two owls. She didn't recognise them, but she noticed that they were carrying things, which were now sprawled over the surface. She gathered the things together and placed them upstairs, so that they wouldn't be lost or damaged. She noticed a note on the side of the two items. One said:

To Ginny,

Here, are your things for the wedding tomorrow, the dress, and your overnight bag, and your pyjamas. Tell Hermione to try not to be nervous because everything will be fine. Ron, bless him! He is quite nervous also. I've told him to relax, but you know how worked up he gets

Mum xxx

Hermione looked over the note again. Ron is nervous. Aww! But it will be fine. I wish there was some way for me to talk to him, so that I can comfort him and tell him that I am nervous too, thought Hermione to herself. She thought the other package must be from Susan's parents as Luna had already had her things with her when they came to collect her. Hermione put the packages into each of their rooms and went downstairs to fetch the girls. She finally got them upstairs without any hassle. She went downstairs to get a drink of water and to make sure that she had turned everything off. She walked into her room, got into bed and fell asleep straight away.

TBC