Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, The Wedding Date, or any related characters.

A/N: Happy Smiley Sunday! I do hope this chapter can make you smile at least a little bit.

Special thanks to accio-broom for her beta-brilliance, as always!

Lines marked with * are direct quotes from the movie that I couldn't resist adding :)

The Wedding Date

Chapter Seven

Ron

Ron trudged his way back up the grassy hill, not bothering to care that the puddles he was splashing through were ruining his expensive shoes. He felt as gloomy as the weather.

He couldn't believe the amount of shit that had happened in a single day. He woke up this morning feeling elated, which then quickly turned to anger. He had settled his differences with Hermione by early afternoon, or so he had thought, and proceeded into the evening in a state of bliss, not knowing what would be coming next.

Honestly, his mind was still trying to process the events of the last hour. He knew Hermione had to be hurting—it's not every day you find out that your best friend and ex-boyfriend had been hiding a secret behind your back. But, he was left entirely dumbfounded when Hermione revealed another piece of information. It was clear that she didn't trust him, and that was a massive roadblock for them.

Ron started to think that this whole weekend had been a colossal mistake. Echoing Hermione's words, he should've known this was a terrible idea. He really wasn't sure what to do now. Did she even want him to stick around? He figured there wasn't the slightest chance in hell that she'd allow him to stay in their shared room tonight, so where was he supposed to go?

Dread filled his stomach as he arrived back in the garden with all of the other guests. He was just in time to see Seamus' fist collide with Cormac's face. So, Lavender must have told him, then.

Cormac stumbled backwards, losing his footing. Ron watched triumphantly as Cormac then sprinted down the hill, his body quickly becoming a small blur off in the distance. At least that part was satisfying.

"I think he's halfway to France by now," Harry mused, walking up to Ron. "Hey. Where's Hermione?"

Ron sighed deeply. "She just needs some space, I reckon."

Harry's eyebrows knitted together, and Ron could tell he was about to enquire more when Jean hurried over. She gasped as she took in Ron's appearance. "Oh, dear. Ron, you are absolutely drenched! Come on, let's get you inside." Ron gave Harry one last sad smile before he followed Mrs. Granger.

The party wrapped up fairly soon after Seamus' all mighty battle. Ron remained scarce, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself during a weekend with people he barely knew. He became increasingly concerned for Hermione, who had yet to return to the house. At least, as far as he could tell from the bedroom window he constantly kept peeking out from.

The rain had all but stopped; only traces of water droplets remained. He had just finished packing up his belongings. A heavy weight fell onto his chest, and he had half a mind to run back outside to search for the one person who consumed his thoughts. Instead, deciding to give Hermione the space she deserved, he hiked his rucksack over his shoulder. He planned to check into a hotel for the evening and wanted to slip out as quietly as possible to not cause a disruption in the house.

Unfortunately, he was intercepted quickly by Harry, who was seemingly waiting up for him at the bottom of the stairs.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I thought I'd book a room at a nearby hotel…" Ron mumbled. His eyes fixated on an interesting spot on his trainers.

Harry jerked his head towards the front door. "Come on, let's sit outside for a bit and have ourselves a chat."

It wasn't a request. Ron figured he owed Harry at least this much and followed him wordlessly. They sat on the porch quietly for several minutes. The air was muggy, as it usually was after a heavy rain, and there weren't too many stars out that night for Ron to get lost in.

"You know, I've never seen Hermione as happy as she's been with you."

Harry's statement caught Ron off guard. He swallowed thickly, not sure at first how to respond. Harry took his silence as intended and offered a bit more,

"She's my best friend — has been for years. But I'll be damned if she isn't a stubborn one. This Cormac situation has been a low blow for her, and if Seamus hadn't punched him, I certainly would have."

Ron snorted at Harry's bluntness. He was right, of course. Ron had only just met Hermione, but he knew her well enough to realize how many layers there were to her. She truly was like an onion, an onion that needed to be peeled very slowly. It was quite fitting, comparing Hermione to an onion, when Ron felt like crying over her anyway.

"I only found out about Lavender and Cormac minutes before everything kicked off," Ron admitted to Harry, although he was sure he already was aware of that part. "I was going to tell Hermione—but I was an idiot and initially said everything was okay when she asked me. I didn't…" He blew out a frustrated breath and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"You didn't want to tell her in public in front of a fairly large crowd of people," Harry finished for him. He was astute, that one.

"Yes! I know I might have fucked up a little. And...our situation is pretty unique." Ron referred to the casual invitation he received from Hermione just minutes after she mistook him for an escort. Any chance two other people had ever found themselves in a similar situation? Not bloody likely.

Harry opened his mouth to say more when Seamus burst through the front door holding a beer in his hand, wobbling a bit on his feet. He leaned his shoulder up against a nearby pillar nonchalantly as if he hadn't just interrupted a serious conversation.

"I know I'm a lucky sod to be the one who gets to marry Lav, but it's fucked up that my best mate thought he could swoop in and steal her away." He spat out bitterly, taking a sharp swig from his bottle.

Ron and Harry exchanged glances, both clearly thinking about how interesting this wedding would be tomorrow.

"You did the right thing, cutting him out like that," Ron spoke up, referring to Cormac. Right bastard.

"What a tosser he was, yeah?" Seamus's voice dripped with resentment. His glossy eyes sobered up slightly as he looked at Ron.

"Now, I don't know what is going on between you two, but I'm sure you'll work it out. You're perfect for each other."

Harry gave Ron a supportive pat on the shoulder, silently agreeing with Seamus' words. Ron hoped Hermione agreed as well.

"At least stay in the boathouse tonight, would you? No need to go shack up at a hotel," Harry offered.

Ron hesitated at first but finally nodded appreciatively. Even if things with Hermione didn't work out, he was hopeful that he still had a friend in Harry. That bloke was a saint.

Hermione

It was late when Hermione returned to the house. The darkness had crept up on her, and she moved slowly through the grass as if she were in a trance. She had avoided everyone else for long enough, and for selfish reasons, that she knew she needed to brave the waters and head back inside before the party started looking for her.

She was ambushed immediately by her mother as she attempted to sneak in through the back door.

"Hermione...thank heavens you're alright. Where have you been?" Jean gave her daughter a once-over. She took in Hermione's messy appearance that consisted of mascara-stained cheeks and thick, wet curls that stuck to the sides of her face.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione ignored her mum's inquiries, choosing to ask one of her own.

"He said he needed some space. Harry offered to let him stay in the boathouse for the night. Come on, you can speak with him in the morning." Jean grabbed her shoulders and guided her towards the bedroom before she could protest any further.

Fortunately, Hermione's mum left her alone to freshen up without much fight. She used a towel to ring out her dripping curls, deciding that a hot bath would be a welcomed next step to destress.

She heard a soft rapping at the door then someone entered Hermione's room without waiting for an acknowledgement. She prayed it wasn't her mum again.

"Hi…"

It was Lavender.

Hermione kept her back turned away from her, not yet willing to let her see the remnants of the distress displayed outwardly on her face. She continued to silently rub the splotches of makeup around her eyes.

"I just—I wanted you to know that...I would never…" Lavender struggled to find the right words. However, Hermione knew her friend well enough to know what she was trying to say. She at least took comfort in the fact that, although her friend may have lied to her, she wasn't a cheater.

"I know. Ron told me what he heard," Hermione responded curtly. She still couldn't bring herself to look at her.

"I didn't mean to cause trouble for you and Ron either—please know that if there is anything I can do to make it right…"

Hermione whirled around, her eyes darkening. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Lavender took a step back at the force of Hermione's words. Her lower lip quivered, and she bowed her head, ashamed.

"You don't think I deserved to know why? Why my fiancé suddenly left me without an explanation."

Lavender was, once again, speechless. Her usually bright and bubbly spirit had faltered, instead replaced by anguish.

"I feel so stupid…" Hermione threw herself down on the edge of her bed, cradling her head in her hands.

"Don't say that—you're the most brilliant woman I've ever known. Truly." Lavender's voice sounded closer, and soon Hermione felt the edge of the bed sink in as she sat down beside her. "I don't want you to—I've never wanted you to be bogged down by this. By a man. You deserved better than him. You've always had such a bright future, and you see the world so clearly."

"I didn't see this coming." The impact of the statement made Hermione realize what was truly bothering her. It wasn't that Cormac lied to her. It wasn't that Lavender lied to her. It wasn't even that Ron lied to her. It's simply the fact that she didn't see any of it coming. She wasn't prepared. She didn't have the ability to plan out how to respond or how to react ahead of time.

Feeling a sudden, desperate need to change the subject, Hermione asked, "Everything all sorted with Seamus?"

Lavender's shoulders slumped over. "Yeah...I think. I mean, he's right mad that I didn't tell him about Cormac's advances. And things are a bit tense. But the wedding is still on...I just hope my best friend still wants to stand next to me." Her eyes lifted hopefully, pleadingly.

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek and gave her a half-smile. "I'll be there. I'll stand beside you like I promised you I would. But right now, tonight, I think I just...need some time. To process everything. To be a little bit angry."

Lavender's eyes swam with tears as she reached over to give Hermione's hand a gentle squeeze. "I understand. I love you, Hermione. I'll...I'll see you in the morning."

When Hermione settled under the covers that evening, she realized how much she missed the feeling of Ron's arms around her as she slept.

The next morning came and went much faster than Hermione had anticipated. She was dressed in her floor-length bridesmaid's dress, a distinctly periwinkle-blue color. Her famously bushy hair was tamed into a whimsical updo; many perfectly arranged crystal barrettes dug into her scalp to keep it all in place. A few loose curls framed her face, and she wore light makeup to cover the creases under her eyes, also highlighting her rosy cheeks. It was a beautiful gown, one that she envisioned wearing while walking towards Ron, and she found herself still eager to see his reaction.

However, Ron still had yet to show his face back at the house. For all she knew, he was already on a train back to Devon. Hermione could have gone over to the boathouse to speak with him, but the morning went by quickly, and she didn't feel like she had an appropriate chance to get away. She would put Lavender first today, and she would simply have to sort it all out with Ron later.

She caught Harry's eyes, who coyly winked and meandered his way over. He looked quite dapper in his morning suit. "I've been promoted to best man...cheers." The edge of his voice dripped with sarcasm, and Hermione couldn't help but smile, even if it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Harry noticed. The pitiful look he was giving her was enough to drive her barmy.

"I'm okay," she insisted.

"I don't believe you."

"I'm fine. Really. Besides, this is Lavender's day. Okay?" Her tone clearly signaled for him to drop the conversation, just in time for Hermione's mum to make her way briskly towards them.

"Hermione, dear, try to brighten up." Jean plastered a fake smile on her face before rushing straight off. "Car leaves in three minutes!" She shouted over her shoulder.

Hermione's eyes rolled upwards. She took a deep breath and followed her mum out the front door. There was a lot of commotion by the black town car that would be taking the bridal party to the church. Lavender's mum was fussing over her daughter's hair as Parvati and Hannah attempted to hold up Lavender's long, sweeping train. A gust of wind was blowing it around, not helping the girl's plight.

Hermione was prepared to offer her assistance when her father pulled on her hand from his position on the front steps.

"Sit with me for a moment?"

Hermione hesitated and looked over to the bridal party once more, where she found her mum watching them closely.

"We'll be at the church shortly. You all go on ahead," Mr. Granger called over.

Hermione nibbled on her bottom lip, ]likely leaving a lipstick stain on her teeth. She sat down on the stairs next to her father, and they both watched as the car drove off.

"So...why did you let him go?"

She had a feeling where this conversation would go, and it turns out she was right. "It's...complicated, Dad."

Her father hummed thoughtfully. "I read somewhere once that every woman has the exact love life she wants. I think there is a lot of truth in that statement. But...I don't think that this is what you want, Hermione."*

She closed her eyes, trying to picture her life. What did she want?

"I think you've spent a lot of time over the years worrying about what other people think. About what your mum thinks, what I think, or what your friends think...but what do you think? What life do you want?"

I want Ron. Her answer was simple, immediate. Her heart swelled with the sudden urge to just tell him. Hermione beamed at her father, who was already grinning knowingly back at her. She gave him a swift kiss on the cheek before rushing off.

There was someone she needed to find.

Hermione burst into the boathouse, only to find it empty, hardly any trace that Ron was even there at all. Except, there was one note left on the kitchen table, directly beside a thick envelope. Her name was written on the front of the parchment in messy scrawl.

Her heart sank as she registered what was inside the envelope. Her suspicions were confirmed as she saw the stacks of notes shoved inside.

Shakily, she picked up the letter and started to read.

Hermione,

It's all here.

I'm sorry for everything.

I hope you find what you're looking for. Take care of yourself.

Ron

Hermione crumpled up the note in her hand and willed herself not to cry, a pathetic effort not to ruin her makeup. She had messed everything up, waited too long to fix it, and she had no one to blame for that but herself.

You. I was looking for you.

Standing tall, Hermione picked up her dress so that it didn't get caught on the floor and left the money discarded on the table. She still had a wedding to get to, and she'd be damned if she did anything to mess that one up too.

She found her father again quickly. He was waiting beside his car to drive them to the church. Without saying a word, she climbed into the passenger side seat and slammed the door shut. Luckily, her father wasn't as nosy as her mum and embraced the silence on the drive over. He didn't push her to talk, and she took the last few solitary moments she had to wallow in her self-pity. Once they arrived at the church, she would be all smiles, and she refused to let anyone see how much pain she was in.

The church bells were ringing as they pulled up, signaling that the ceremony would be starting in under an hour. Hermione inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled out her mouth one last time before opening the car door and striding towards the entrance. She made it almost to the double doors when a flash of ginger hair off by the corner of the building made her seize all movement.

A comforting voice whispered close to her ear before she had time to process her next move. "Go," her father urged, reciprocating her earlier kiss on the cheek before walking ahead inside to give them privacy.

Hermione noticed that other guests were starting to arrive, so she made her way to Ron. As she approached, he was fondly gazing at her in the way she had earlier hoped.

"You...you look beautiful," he murmured softly once she was within speaking distance. She came to a halt still a few metres away and crossed her arms.

"I thought you left." The obvious tension and hurt in her voice was evident.

Ron's face twisted into a grimace. "I tried...but I couldn't."

Her heart was beating fast. "Oh...and why not?"

Ron squinted his eyes into the sunlight. There was something in the way he was standing coolly against the brick; his hands shoved into the pockets of his trousers. The way the light made his auburn hair glisten in the sun. His cobalt eyes seemed brighter than she had ever seen before. "I was in a taxi on the way to the train station, thinking that was it. This was all over."

Me too.

"But then I thought...we've been through more shit in the past three days than most people go through in an entire relationship. And that's...something. I figured I owed it to you to just tell you."

Hermione lifted her chin, still determined not to let her guard down. "I found your note. And then your other notes."

Ron winced, looking down at his shoes. It was only a brief moment of guilt, for when he lifted his head, his gaze met Hermione's more determined than ever.

"Now that we have all our shit out in the open - I can't just give this up. Nothing in life will ever be worth it if we don't even...try to make it worth it."

He was laying his heart out on the table. He was offering her everything she had ever wanted. A part of her still wanted to run, to take the safe route, to give up, and look for something that could possibly be much simpler.

But she didn't want simple. And she didn't want easy. All she wanted was Ron.

Her eyes flooded with such an abundance of tears that she had to blink them several times before she spoke rasply. "I think I was...so afraid of getting hurt again. I didn't want to trust you. The hardest part is caring for someone and finding the courage to let them care for you back."

The corners of his mouth lifted, and he took a few cautious steps forward until his feet were planted directly in front of her. She could smell his fresh cologne and see every freckle on his face. Ron reached over and tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear. His hand remained on her cheek as he grazed the pad of his thumb across her smooth skin. "I think I've realized something, Hermione. I'd rather fight with you than make love with anyone else."*

Any remaining weight lifted off of Hermione's soul. She could say with complete confidence now that she was ready to surrender.

She took the final step to close the gap between them. Their lips moved together in perfect sync, softly, delicately. Ron's hand that wasn't cupping her cheek had now found its way around the nape of her neck, his fingers brushing along her bare skin, enough to send shivers down her spine.

His lips continued to caress hers lightly as he pulled back just enough to breathe out, "Besides...I think we could spend the rest of our lives having really great make-up sex."

Hermione smirked and batted her eyelashes. "Ohhhh—is that so?"

Her question was answered by another intense snog; a sound yes.

Hermione had waited all her life to feel like this. To accept the love she knew she deserved. And it was glorious.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed this romionecom ride as much as I have! I will be posting an epilogue soon to wrap everything up. Cheers!