The long-awaited day of the wedding finally arrived and as soon as she apparated to the Burrow, Hermione was greeted by a flurry of activity. She smiled as she waited for Molly to finish saying goodbye to Bill before following her into the house.

"Morning Molly! Merlin it's all go here…" Hermione fussed Victoire who was crying in Molly's arms, smiling as the toddler immediately reached out for her. "Here, let me take her…"

"Thanks love, Fleur is running late and Bill needed to drop the baby off before he went to Harry's…"

"It's not a problem…" Hermione headed through to the kitchen, smiling as Ginny budged up to make space for her at the crowded table. "Happy Wedding Day! Are you excited?" Hermione helped herself to a slice of toast after shifting Victoire into her lap.

"Of course!" Ginny grinned. "For the honeymoon…" She smirked at Hermione, a gleam in her eye. "Just don't let on to mum…"

The morning passed quickly in a whirlwind of excitement. The bridal party sipped champagne as they got their hair and make-up done and as the ceremony grew closer, so did the energy levels; especially when it was announced that Harry and his groomsmen had finally turned up and were busy making final touches to the marquee.

As maid of honour, and because she was already dressed with her hair and make-up done, Hermione volunteered to go down and check on them. The usual marquee had been decorated in pastel summer colours and it had been magically enlarged since Bill and Fleur's wedding. Turns out that winning a war made more people want to celebrate these occasions. She entered the marquee, laughing as she was greeted by a chorus of wolf-whistles from George and Charlie. She waved them off, promising both of them a dance later.

"Where's Harry?"

Charlie nodded towards the front, where the altar had been set up. Hermione smiled as she watched Ron adjust Harry's bow tie for him and she headed down the aisle towards them.

"Well you two scrub up well!" The traditional wizarding dress robes had been exchanged for a more casual looking shirt and waistcoat combination as both Harry and Ginny had wanted their event to be more casual and comfortable.

Harry and Ron both turned to watch her at the same time. She was wearing a pale green silk dress that seemed to have been charmed to cling to the right places and her hair had been magically tamed into relaxed waves. Harry held out an arm to her and gave her a brief hug.

"Now Hermione Granger, you've missed your chance to chat me up! I'm getting married today, don't you know?!"

Hermione laughed as she moved out of the hug and turned to Ron, but he was staring at his feet. She frowned slightly as he mumbled something then quickly made an exit.

"Don't frown; you'll ruin your make-up!"

Hermione turned back to Harry with a sigh. "He's still avoiding me then?"

Harry sighed too. "I don't even know what his problem is anymore 'Mione. He's been miserable for two weeks now…"

"I think I know. When he was drunk last weekend, he told me he had a choice to make…"

"Ah…" Harry sat down, taking one of her hands carefully as she sat next to him. "Lavender is making him choose. They can stay together, but Ron has to cut you out of his life…"

Hermione nodded, but looked crestfallen. "I thought that might be it…"

"Please don't ask me what choice he's made, because I really don't know…"

"I wouldn't do that…" She squeezed his hand before letting go of him and trying to tidy up his hair. "It's not important right now anyway; we have a more pressing event to see to!"

"How's Ginny doing?"

"Oh she's run away, that's what I came to tell you!" Hermione laughed at the panicked look on Harry's face. "She's fine, she looks stunning!"

"She always looks stunning, Hermione!" Harry gave his best friend a soppy grin.

"Oh don't… you'll make me cry and I'd rather wait until after the ceremony if that's okay?"

Harry let out a mock sigh. "Fine, if I must…"

"I better get back…" Hermione kissed his cheek. "Good luck…" She wiped off the lipstick mark from his cheek before letting go of him and heading back to the Burrow for her final touches.

Hermione hadn't been to very many weddings, but she could confidently say that Harry and Ginny's was one of the most beautiful she'd ever been to. It was Hermione's responsibility to lead the bridal party down the aisle and she pushed back brief feelings of nerves as everyone turned to watch her. Luckily, she was soon upstaged by Victoire toddling forward with Fleur. She got to the top of the aisle and watched as Ginny made her entrance.

The ceremony was short and sweet and was presided over the usual small, tufty haired wizard. Hermione tried her hardest to keep her eyes on Ginny and Harry, but they were often drawn to Ron. She had so many thoughts going around in her mind. Was he going to tell her about the ultimatum? Who was he going to choose? She really wanted it to be her; she definitely still loved him but she had done nothing but make his life difficult since she'd been back.

Hermione was brought out of her thoughts by the congregation cheering, and she turned her attention back to Harry and Ginny just in time to catch their first kiss as husband and wife. She joined in with the loud applause happily. As they turned to head back down the aisle, Hermione cursed as she remembered she'd have to walk back with Ron. She linked her arm with his loosely but avoided eye contact with him and neither of them said a word to each other as they headed up the aisle. As soon as they reached Harry and Ginny, they split apart again. Hermione let out a small sigh as she watched Ron wander over to his brothers.

The Weasley brothers took advantage of everyone being on their feet to rearrange the marquee, setting large round tables around the dance floor. Instead of a seated dinner, a buffet that could compete with a Hogwarts Feast appeared on long tables around the side of the tent. Hermione filled her plate before grabbing the last chair at a table full of their school friends, grateful for the animated discussion as a distraction. However, she could feel Ron's eyes bearing into the back of her head from where he was sat with his family. Hermione decided to limit herself to only one glass of champagne, in the hope that eventually she might get a chance to speak to Ron – she'd definitely need a clear head to handle that conversation.

Once dinner had been cleared away, the party started properly. Hermione watched with a small sigh as Harry led Ginny on to the dancefloor for their first dance as a married couple. They only had eyes for each other and Hermione wondered if she'd ever find someone she could be that way with; especially as Ron was probably going to be out of her life for good shortly. She'd noticed that Lavender had been throwing him concerned looks all afternoon, which was weird but Hermione just figured he was getting his space from both of them so he could make his decision.

It wasn't until she overheard Lavender joking with Parvati about all the available groomsmen and taking advantage to get some slutty wedding sex that Hermione decided she needed to act sooner rather than later. She needed to speak to Ron before Lavender got to him; she needed to have her say. She gathered all her courage, helping herself to Neville's glass of champagne and downing it before getting up, weaving her way through the crowds of people to get to Ron. The seat next to him was empty and she slid into it before anyone else could.

Ron looked surprised to see her but said nothing. Hermione sighed and placed her hand on his arm softly.

"Do you mind coming outside with me for a moment so we can talk?" Hermione tried to keep her voice steady, even though it felt her insides were squirming with nerves. She was surprised when Ron studied her briefly before nodding.

Hermione nodded back then quickly got up, not risking a look back to check that he was following her for fear she'd lose her nerve completely.