Hermione woke up early and snuck out the room she was sharing with Ginny,as she had the last few mornings but this morning was different. She'd barely slept, still pent up from the day before. She crept downstairs, and was glad no one else was up yet. She made a cup of tea and was sitting down in the peaceful garden enjoying the morning sun before the craziness that was likely to follow, completely absorbed in her own thoughts.
'Anything you want to tell me?' Ginny asked, coming up behind her suddenly and making her jump.
'What makes you say that?' She asked cautiously, setting her tea cup down as Ginny sat down on the bench beside her.
'You've snuck out every morning early, you disappeared yesterday and came back mad but lied about where you went- yes. I can tell when you're lying and you're not yourself. Anything bothering you?'
'My parents. I can't decide whether to go get them or not. I spent yesterday walking, trying to decide what to do'. She lied smoothly. She had been thinking about her parents, true, but how she'd betrayed them. She'd snuck out to see Malfoy, after the potions classroom they'd met maybe once a week in her room at uni despite her staying at the Burrow for summer helping Molly prepare for the wedding. They barely talked, they met, had sex then one or other left. It was a mutual understanding. They needed each other physically, detached, no emotion, but they'd ended yesterday.
'Oh, 'Mione' Ginny sighed, hugging her friend. Hermione stiffened, she wasn't used to affection.
'I'll go once the wedding's done. Big day tomorrow' she said, changing subject.
'Yeah, can't believe it's come round so quick' Ginny replied yawning.
'You looking forward to it?'
'Yeah, feels so right. Just want it over with now. It won't be awkward tomorrow will it? With Ron? I mean, we always thought you two..' Ginny trailed off.
'Me too to be honest, but I think we'll be happier this way. I don't think we'd have challenged each other enough or made each other truly happy. I miss him, we haven't quite recovered as friends but where you look content and happy and relaxed marrying Harry, the very idea of marrying Ron brings me out in panic attacks. Not that I don't love him, I do so much but just not'
'fireworks?' Ginny interrupted.
'Fireworks' Hermione confirmed. 'You getting fireworks elsewhere?' Ginny asked slyly. Hermione panicked for a second and tried to rearrange her features into an indifferent stance.
'No, no'.
'It's ok Hermione, you don't have to tell me' Ginny said politely.
'No' she said bluntly, dragging herself away from the memory of yesterday. They'd ended, fighting as usual. He'd been mad. She couldn't keep doing this if her friends were noticing, not that she really wanted to anyway.
'Well, good for you getting out there again, finding a nice guy' Ginny mused as Hermione gave a bark of laughter and disguised it with a cough. 'Sorry, fly or something' Hermione said going bright red. Ginny clapped her on the back a couple of times.
'Guess I'd better go see what chores mum has us on today. I mean honestly, you'd think as the bride I'd get to relax but no' Ginny sighed, getting up. Hermione followed her in.
They spent the day run ragged and were glad when they could slip off to Ginny's bedroom with a stolen bottle of wine.
'Truth or dare?' Ginny asked cheekily, handing Hermione her glass.
'Ginny!'she exclaimed.
'Spoilsport'Ginny muttered good naturedly, sitting down cross legged on her bed as George and Charlie popped into her room.
'Can we join in?' George asked, pouring himself and Charlie some wine from conjured glasses.
'Come on Sis, last night before you're an old boring married lady. When you popping out sproglets?' Charlie asked, earning a whack from Ginny and an ewww from George.
'Truth' Hermione said. If they were playing they might as well get started. Ginny asked the first question.
'Did you, or did you not, send Gilderoy Lockhart a valentines card?'
Hermione blushed bright red. 'I did' she replied as George laughed and clapped his hands. 'Well, pop in and see him, he'll give you a signed picture now. He can write his G's again at last'.
'Not funny George. Your turn' Ginny interrupted.
'Dare'
'Go get us some of those cakes mum's made for tomorrow. I'm bloody starved. It's not going to make a difference tonight is it?' Ginny dared.
'Your wish is my command oh little master' George grinned, apparating out the room. Less than 30 seconds later he popped back into the room.
'One cake each, one truffle each and a chocolate frog. I wonder how long it is before you three, oh no, wait, I got you Hermione.' George waved the card from his opened chocolate frog around.
'Give that here' Hermione shouted, scrabbling over him to get it back. He waved it up above her head, reading off the card, Ginny and Charlie laughing at her futile attempts to get it back.
'Accio card' Ginny said as the card whizzed into her hand. 'Did you forget you can use magic Hermione or just want to get close to George?'
'Muggle' Hermione panted by explanation, sitting down abruptly on the bed.
'Hermione Jean Granger. 1979-. Formed one third of the Golden Trio, who along with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley brought down He Who Must Not Be Named at the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998. Exceptionally bright witch' Ginny read.
'That's not too bad and it's a nice picture' Ginny was sympathetic as George burst out in laughter. 'It's not that funny George' Ginny said kindly.
'No, ickle Ronniekins will be on a chocolate frog card' George spluttered. 'Oh God, I need one'
'We all need one. Quick, open yours' Charlie instructed and the remaining three opened their frogs.
'Albus Dumbledore' Hermione said disappointedly, giving him a little wave.
'Newt Scamander' Charlie said in disgust, flicking his away.
'Harry Potter' Ginny whispered.
'Here, give it Here' Charlie said, holding out his hand but Ginny pulled it in tight to her chest. 'You asked for it missy' Charlie said, tickling her all over and grabbing the card.
'You little liar, this is Albus again' he scolded. 'Made you wonder though. Maybe someone will get him tomorrow for you' She consoled, laughing at her big brother. 'Right back to the game. Ickle sister. Truth or dare'
George brought them back on track as Charlie refilled their wine glasses.
'Dare. Just nothing that will maim me for tomorrow' she warned.
'Oh, you're no fun. Ok. Go into Percy's room, and turn all his robes pink' George challenged. 'Done done and done' Ginny said, getting up and heading out of her room. She was back moments later. Done. That was easy' she grinned.
'What do you think you are doing?'
A shriek from the door way interrupted George hi-fiving her and Charlie clapping her on the back.
'What do you think you are doing'.
Charlie scrabbles to hide the cakes they hadn't yet eaten, and George pushed the wine behind his back.
'Just heading out Mother dear' he said, giving Molly a quick peck on the cheek and aiming to walk out but she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back in.
'Stealing wine and cakes...I should be ashamed. But I'm not. Pour me a glass and pass me a cake' she grinned, sitting on Ginny's bed.
'Mu'
'Mum'
'Mum!' Her three children shouted in unison.
'Your father has gone to Grimmauld place with Harry and Ron. If the war taught me one thing it's to enjoy the good whilst it lasts. My youngest child gets married tomorrow. What? I wasn't always a stickler for the rules. Why, your father and I'
'Don't go any further Mum' George warned.
'Anything to see you smile dear' she said quietly, putting a hand on his knee as he sat next to her. 'Anything to see you smile.
As predicted, the next morning dawned bright and clear, without a cloud in the sky. The Burrow was a bustle of activity as expected, which Ginny struggled to avoid. 'Should've eloped' Hermione heard her grumble on many occasions, but eventually everyone was ready and it was her and Hermione outside the marquee, waiting.
'I'm seventeen, what am I doing? Ginny whispered.
'Marrying the love of your life' Hermione said firmly with a reassuring smile.
'That bits ok, it's the spectacle. There's reporters. And hundreds of people'. Ginny looked quite pale. Hermione pulled her gently into a hug.
'There's friends, Gin, friends'
'And Aunt Muriel' she smirked.
'And Aunt Muriel. It'll all be over soon. Now, time to go' Hermione said as Arthur appeared.
It was much later after the ceremony and meal, whilst everyone was dancing, that George found Hermione sat outside alone, conjuring some fireflies. It was dark out, evening had well and truly set in. Hermione was sat on the family bench under the tree, the sounds of music and laughter carrying over the garden.
'Here'
George held out a fire whisky for her and sat down beside her.
'Seems wrong doesn't it? To be celebrating. When the last wedding we all attended was rudely interrupted. And I can't imagine that 'he indicated Ron and his new girlfriend laughingly leaving the tent, hand in hand, 'is easy to see. Regardless of how you feel about it'
Hermione just nodded. It's not that she wanted Ron, just she felt incredibly happy for her friends but at the same time incredibly lonely.