A/N: just a quick one. Once again thanks to everyone R&R, favouriting and following. Hopefully you enjoyed the first date, if anyone would like to see the dress that inspired Hermione's please feel free to pm me. I will be posting more frequently, as I seem to be evading writers block so why wait?

Disclaimer: I own nothing; all characters belong to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 8 Dresses & Jewellery & Brides Oh My

It felt like a dream, the most beautiful dream that I ever could have imagined. A candle lit dinner, a Shakespearean play, and a handsome man to take you home at night. The most perfect goodnight kiss, to end the most perfect night. It had to be a dream, I wasn't that lucky was i?

I woke up to find Ginny hovering over me.

"Morning Mione" the red head stared down at me

"Morning Gin" I mumbled closing my eyes again.

"No, no. no, get up. I need details tell me everything!"

I sat up and began regaling the night's events to her, she oo'ed, ahh'ed and awed in all the right places and when I was finished she swooped me in for a bone crushing hug.

"Oh Mione, I'm so happy for you! I knew you would love it!" she let go of me, taking my hands in hers. That's when I noticed it; the giant ruby surrounded my diamonds on her left ring finger.

"GINNY! WHAT IS THAT!?" I pulled her left hand up in shock.

"Well you aren't the only one who had date night last night" she winked at me.

She told me all about her evening with Harry, how he had snuck out early not only to not get caught but to go to Gringotts to his family vault to find a ring for her. She was absolutely radiant as she told me and I could not have been more thrilled for my best friend.

"Now, up, shower, and get dressed! We are dress shopping today!" and with that Ginny was off to get ready.

I had been so wrapped up in my own little Fred bubble that I had completely forgot today was the day that we were all going into muggle London to look for Ginny's wedding dress as well as our bridesmaid dresses. Today was going to be a long day; thankfully I had two nights worth of sound sleep thanks to the one and only Fredrick Gideon Weasley.

Soon Ginny and I were ready so we went down stairs to wait with Molly for the others to arrive. Upon reaching the landing we found Fleur talking with Molly, armed with a bag which looked deceptively small. Fleur informed us that it had an undetectable extension charm on it so that we could put all of our purchases in there as well as the shoes we were taking with us to try on our dresses with. I hand to hand it to her, Fleur was prepared, even more so then me. She and Molly had become closer since Fleur had volunteered to be Molly's right hand woman with so many weddings to plan.

Within a few minutes we were joined by Angelina, who was beaming with excitement, and shortly after her Luna arrived, look more normal than usual, it seemed she had left her radish earrings at home for the occasion. We walked to the apparition point and everyone held on to me, allowing me to pull them with me to muggle London.

Our first appointment of the day was for Ginny. We walked in and were greeted by a lovely lady named Melissa, who would be helping us search for Ginny's dream dress. We began looking through the racks and I heard Fleur squeal from across the room.

"Ginny, I 'ave found it! I 'ave found the dress!" we all rushed towards her.

In her arms she was holding a stunning sheath wedding dress with full-length illusion sleeves, neckline and illusion open back, edged with striking embroidered appliques. It had delicate crystal beading and covered buttons to accent the already striking back. It was class and would look amazing on Ginny. We sent her off to the dressing room to try it on. A few minutes later I could hear tears and Ginny called out for me. I ran to the change room she was in knocking before entering.

"Co…come in…." Ginny managed through sobs.

I was taken aback by the sight before me. Ginny looked stunning.

"Ginny, what's wrong? You look so beautiful!" I rushed to her side.

"Her-her-Hermione this is it. Phlegm was right, this is the dress."

"Then why are you crying Gin?"

"It's so perfect" she was slowly pulling herself together.

"I'll be right back Ginny, don't move an inch" she nodded and out I went.

First I found Melissa and asked her to quickly show me the veils they had before anyone could see me, then asked her to please gather the group in the waiting area just outside Ginny's dressing room.

"Ginny it's just me," I slipped back into the room. "I figured we may as well go in?" I showed her the veil I was holding and she nodded casting a quick charm on hair to allow me to get the veil to hold in place.

"You look beautiful sis" now I was starting to cry looking at her.

"Oh Hermione" and she took me in her arms crushing me in a bear hug.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

I walked out and addressed the others. "Are you all ready to see the future Mrs Potter?" they all nodded "Ginny come out."

I stood to the side and watched as everyone became lost for words. Ginny was a vision. She stood on the circular platform allowing everyone to take in her appearance. Tears began to swell in my eyes again; suddenly Melissa was at my side with tissues.

"Little sister?" she asked me innocently

"You could say so" I smiled at her, it was true, Ginny was more than just my best friend, she was like the sister I never had, just as Harry was the brother I never had and I was so happy they had each other.

Suddenly the rest of the women in the room were all sobbing and telling Ginny how stunning she looked. But no one looked more pleased then Fleur and Molly. They were beaming at the young woman.

"I love it" Ginny whispered

I was at her side again. "Then get it." She beamed at me nodding vigorously.

She slipped into the dressing room and emerged moments later holding the dress in her arms as if it were a newborn baby. Molly reached for her purse but I cut in from of her pulling out mine.

"How much for the dress and the veil?" I asked Melissa as she eyed me curiously and began tallying everything up.

"£1500." She hesitated slightly as she told me the price

I pulled out a shiny black card "On Cheque thank you."

Once I had finished paying and we were outside Fleur placed the dress in her bag with a protection charm around it.

"Hermione, that was really too much." Molly was looking at me with such confliction; she wanted to be upset at the amount I spent but at the same time knew she couldn't afford to do it alone.

"It was nothing Mrs Weasley, honestly" I grinned and flashed them the black card, where Molly read the name at the bottom.

"Harry James Potter?" her eyes widened

"Harry told me to buy Ginny whatever she wanted, that was to include her dress, veil, shoes, any accessories and our bridesmaids' dresses. His exact words were 'make sure she is happy, don't let her compromise for a second, and for the love of Godric don't let her see the final bill'" I laughed at the last part as did everyone aside from Molly and Ginny.

"Well I'll be having words with the sneaky child when we get home" Molly mused as we continued on to look for our bridesmaid dresses.

It was a long day but we soon found ourselves at our final stop for the day. Madam Malkin's, to organise the boys dress robes for them to try on. The day had been a success, Ginny had her dress, and we had found our dresses, a simple chiffon halter neck with a sweetheart neckline and a ribbon under the bust. As well as all our shoes, accessories and anything else we could think of. Once done we headed to the twins joke shop so that everyone could go their separate ways.

Fred greeted me with a wide smile and open arms, "hello beautiful."

"Hi Freddie, do you mind if I take a nap upstairs till you're done?"

"Go for it love" he kissed my cheek and handed me the key.

I lead everyone upstairs and we said our goodbyes, aside from Angelina, who seemed to have the same idea I did. And thank Merlin, because I had never been here before, therefore had no clue which room was Freds.

After Angie pointed me in the right direction, I stripped down to my underwear, unclasped my bra and threw on one of Freds old quidditch jerseys to sleep in. His room was surprisingly clean and I nestled in under the sheets allowing myself to drift off after an exhausting day.

I woke to the smell of pizza wafting in from the other side of the door. Without thinking I just pulled myself straight out of bed and through the door following the smell. I found Fred setting everything up on the coffee table in front of the couch and when he looked up and saw me, I could swear his eyes nearly popped out his head,

"Merlin Mia," he sighed heavily "you will be the death of me."

Confused I looked down and saw that I was only in my white lace underwear and his quidditch jersey, which, due to my recent curves sat a few inches below my bum cheeks. I flushed red and turned to run. He grabbed my hand before I could escape

"No, no, no. It's just us here. George took Angie out for dinner. Please, stay, you look ravishing." He shot me a wink and pulled me into his embrace.

"Food smells good" I smiled, trying to bury myself in his chest.

He inhaled my scent "yes it does" I looked up at him and he leaned down and nipped my bottom lip.

We moved over to the couch and I curled up next to him, cuddling as we ate. I had never felt so secure in my own body as I did in that moment. I got up to get us a drink and when I turned back, I dropped them. Glass shattering everywhere. Fred was looking at me. Down on one knee.

"I had planned to wait to do this, take you on a few more romantic dates, but seeing you in my old jersey. Cuddling like this with you, eating pizza and just laughing. This is what I want for the rest of my life. I don't want anything more than just you. Whether that be dressed to the nines in a ball gown or in nothing but an old shirt. Just you. Forever. So, Hermione Jean Granger, my Mia, will you marry me?"

I stood there for a moment just staring. Had he really just asked what I thought he had? I mean I know by law we had to anyway, but was he making this, real.

"I..Ahh.. What did you say?" I shook my head trying to get my wits about me.

"I said Mia, will you marry me?" his eyes were filled with such happiness as he looked up at me, ring box in hand.

"Yes" it was barely a whisper but he had heard me. He slipped the ring onto my finger and took me in his arms before I could even see it.

Son of a Slytherin. I'm getting married!