Hermione

I couldn't stop thinking about my conversation with Ron last night. His words continued to stay with me, so much so that I barely got any sleep. I picked up my phone no less six times during the night, and at least three of those times I'd actually pulled up Ron's number.

I was still reeling as I was sitting in the chair getting my hair and makeup done early that afternoon. He'd been so adamant about telling me what he needed to say that by the time he'd given me a window of opportunity, I had no words.

He didn't know that it wasn't that hard at all. I didn't get a chance to tell him I'd finally found peace with my feelings, or lack thereof, for Harry. The most difficult part about last night was the confrontation, but I was too stunned to tell him.

'Let yourself love and be loved, Hermione. That's what you deserve.' His words were ringing in my ears. I wanted to, so desperately, but I didn't know how. I'd closed myself off from any promising relationship for so long, teaching myself to be self-sufficient on my own.

"Holding onto that anger's not going to do anyone any good, you know," Lavender said, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, and don't you dare start crying again because soon the makeup artist won't be here to fix it," Ginny added.

I'd literally gotten so lost in my own thoughts again that I forgot where I was. I looked around and noticed Ginny's mum and sisters-in-law all watching me closely. They were very pleasant, despite what I'd done to Ron last night. I was convinced that either Ginny threatened them into being nice to me, or explained the situation more in depth.

"What's got you so wound up anyways?" Lavender prodded. "You haven't said a word about your conversation with Ron last night..."

"Yeah, you just told me you had to leave suddenly. I was worried about you," Ginny added.

That was when the other women came forward.

"I personally think what you did was brilliant," Angelina, I think it was, said.

"W-what?"

"Calling Ron out on his shite like that. No offense, Molly," she added as an afterthought.

To my surprise, I actually came to Ron's defense. "Well, yes, but he really was miserable with commitments. Having followed his articles for years and then hearing his own opinions...well, it's so contradicting. Of course I can understand that given…" I shook my head, not wanting to bring that up on Ginny's wedding day. "I can see how he'd do whatever it took to get out. I'd probably do the same."

I actually had done the same earlier this week. Forcing my hand and giving an ultimatum. Thankfully, Harry promoted me so I didn't have to pack up and find a new job.

No one was responding to me, so I looked around the room and was met with shocked faces.

"What did I say?"

"He told you about Romilda?" Audrey asked in a hushed voice.

"Y-yes?"

"He never says anything about Romilda...to anyone," Alicia told me.

"Ron rarely comes to ze Burrow for Sunday dinner, eizzer," Fleur added in her French accent.

"Hermione, why didn't you tell me?" Ginny asked.

"I didn't know it was that important. We were at the store setting up your registry and I was harping on about his negativity. I accidentally guessed," I shrugged.

Lavender was looking at me carefully. "You still didn't have to defend him."

She was right, I didn't have to. I wanted to. It was okay when I argued with him, but if anyone else tried to, I became defensive. I felt a pang in my heart. I looked around at all of these women and for a split second, allowed myself to think about what it would be like if they became my family, too.

That's when it hit me. I couldn't deny it anymore, and I knew I had to talk to him, but I didn't know where he was and I couldn't very well call him with half his family standing here and listening in. If I waited at least until after the ceremony, I might be able to do it privately. I began making a plan in my head when Ginny caught my eye.

The stylist had finished pulling my hair back into an elegant chignon at the nape of my neck, and my makeup was done earlier, so I nudged my head, indicating I needed to speak to Ginny. She nodded and we both got up and left the main room to go out in the hallway to talk.

Lavender tagged along. "Don't even think about planning something without me!"

We all looked ridiculous in our silk robes as we spoke in hushed voices, but by the time we were done, my heart was swelling with excitement.

~o~

It was almost 17:00, and we were lining up to get ready for the procession. Ginny's sisters-in-law had all taken their seats, and Mrs. Weasley was currently being escorted down the aisle by Bill. I'd never been nervous for a wedding before, but I felt like I was about to combust from the energy that was pulsing in my veins.

"Are you ready for this?" Lavender whispered in my ear.

"I'm so nervous," I said as she smirked at me.

"It's about damn time!" She peeked around the corner to scout out the crowd. "I see him, you know. Do you want me to—"

"No!"

If my eyes sought him out on my own, then so be it. I did not need to trip and fall and make a fool of myself because I was too focused on a particular man. The music started, and Lavender began her walk down the aisle. I turned to look at Ginny and give her one more smile before it was my turn.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I wasn't one to care about my looks, especially when it was about the bride and not me, but Ginny made sure all of the stops were pulled out, and I felt beautiful for the first time in a long time. And I wanted to feel that way, not just for myself, but to impress someone else.

I kept my eyes staring straight ahead as I began my own walk. There was a sea of red hair, so it was hard to pick him out, especially because I was trying not to look like I was actively searching for him.

It wasn't until I took my place next to Lavender that I decided to look. I figured everyone would be standing and turning to look at Ginny for her entrance. Glancing at Harry to see his reaction first, it warmed my heart to see how completely blown away he was by Ginny's beauty. I smiled as I turned my head back to the sea of guests.

My gaze locked with Ron's blue eyes almost immediately and my breath hitched in my throat. How could I have forgotten that he always looked at the groom's reaction, too? But he wasn't looking at Harry this time. He was looking at me in a way that I'd never seen any man look at me before.

"Ironic how the bride's walking down the aisle, and someone only has eyes for you," Lavender whispered as she leaned into my ear.

A lump caught in my throat, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get through the next hour or so. Luckily, Ginny was now approaching us, and I remembered I had a job to do. Fluff the train and take her bouquet. The ceremony got underway soon after, and I forced myself to focus on Harry and Ginny, despite feeling Ron's eyes on me the entire time.

I did my best to hold back the tears in my eyes as they were pronounced man and wife, and smiled widely as I handed Ginny her bouquet and prepared to be escorted down the aisle by Dean, Harry's best friend growing up.

I knew the cocktail hour was beginning, but there were pictures to get through before I'd have any time to myself. At least I was able to grab a quick drink to settle my nerves while the Weasleys were being rounded up for family pictures. Things ended up getting delayed because of the cousins, so cocktail hour blended right into introductions and dances and dinner. I was beginning to wonder if I'd even have my opportunity.

I could barely eat anything because I was so nervous, but somehow managed to keep some food down. Before I knew it a microphone was being handed to me and it was time for the maid of honor speech that I'd completely forgotten about.

"Oh, um, hi again! In case you weren't at the rehearsal dinner last night, I'm Hermione, Ginny's maid of honor. I've known both Harry and Ginny for about the same amount of time. Ginny moved into the flat next door and Harry was my boss." I saw the confused look on Lavender and Ginny's faces and realized with all the craziness I hadn't told them!

"Yes, was. Harry recently promoted me from his assistant to co-Editor in Chief. Something about getting married and needing to share the workload," I paused as some wedding guests chuckled. "Anyways, these two people couldn't be more perfect for each other. I know it all seems a bit rushed, but as Ginny reminded me of my own words, 'when you know, you know.'" I bravely shot a glance at Ron as I said them.

"I'm so honored to be standing up here next to you today, and I wish you all the happiness in the world as you start your life together! To Harry and Ginny!"

I held up my champagne glass as everyone echoed 'to Harry and Ginny.' Dean's best man speech was just as heartwarming, and after he was done, the DJ began playing upbeat music and couples flooded the dance floor. I was chatting with Lavender when I noticed Ron head for the doors. I knew this was my moment.

Lavender nodded, knowing what I was planning as I got up and slipped away. It didn't take me long to find him. He was leaning against the fence that separated the walkway from the river. I was half expecting him to look back when the door opened and all of the noise from inside flooded out, but he didn't. I walked up to him quietly, still hoping he'd turn around.

"Ron?"

I noticed his body still before he turned to face me.

"You don't have to do this," he started, but I stopped him.

"Will you just let me talk for once? I couldn't get a word in edgewise last night, so I think it's my turn now."

He closed his mouth reluctantly and motioned for me to carry on.

"I've been waiting my whole life for the right person to come along and sweep me off of my feet, and I was even convinced for far too long that it was supposed to be a man who is clearly not meant for me." I watched him scrunch up his face in confusion as he tried to understand that statement.

I didn't let it deter me as I continued on. "And then you walked into my life, helping me when I'd gotten knocked out and half trampled all over a stupid bouquet, and it was the last thing I was expecting. You're pessimistic and cynical and irritable, and you drive me absolutely crazy." He opened his mouth to interject, but I stopped him.

"But arguing with you has given me more life throughout this past month than I can remember. And I know when all is said and done, that article wasn't the worst thing that's happened to me. I just thought holding onto the anger would ease the pain of being lied to. I've been absolutely miserable this week and I think I finally figured out why.

"Do you know how many times I picked up my phone to call you last night? I still can't get your voice out of my head about letting myself love and be loved. You're right. I want that more than anything, and I'm terrified." I paused to gather all of my will power to say what I was leading up to.

"Because I think I'm falling in love with you."

I stared at him, waiting for a response that didn't come. All of the hope I felt up until this moment vanished and I was left feeling sick to my stomach. Of course it was just my luck that I'd misread the signs completely. I deserved to be loved, but not by him. I guess I really was just a one night stand. I looked around awkwardly, looking for the quickest escape route. Unfortunately it looked like it was going to be the same doors I'd just exited from.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I'll just—"

I turned to walk back inside so he didn't have to see the hurt and disappointment I felt from putting myself out there and being rejected when I felt him grab my hand and pull me back toward him. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as he pulled me in by my waist.

"Ron, I—"

"Are you sure?" he asked me, his blue eyes piercing into me.

"More than anything," I said breathily.

His lips were on mine before I could even process what had just happened. Everything in my world felt right again. I felt like I was home.

I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that, but eventually I heard someone cheering and we broke apart long enough to see Ginny jumping up and down in excitement with the rest of the Weasley family behind them, beaming smiles on their faces. Ron's own complexion turned pink as he realized we were being watched, but it didn't bother me in the slightest as I leaned in for more.