A/N: Guys, I'm back! And I have to say, I'm thrilled about the reviews I got for the last chapter. I'm glad you liked it because it was one of my favorites… You and each you of are the most fantastic readers in the world! For those who wanted to know more about Hermione's feelings, there's a sneak peek in this chapter and the following describes them more.

About this chapter, it was really hard to write it and I'm not too happy about how it turned out. I hope you like though! Please tell meeeee!

The Wedding

The following weeks passed as in a blur for Fred and Hermione. They had been so busy between their work and getting everything ready for their marriage that before they knew it, the wedding's eve was upon them.

Fred and Hermione had agreed to have it at The Burrow. The house was perfect for the ceremony. It had a huge garden, well hidden from any muggle visitor. Mr. Weasley had place an enchantment around the grounds so that the chilly October wind wouldn't be felt. A tent had been set up, under which were the tables and the dance floor. Everything was decorated with flowers and live fairies. In fact, the back part of the house looked unrecognizable.

That night the house was as crowded as it had before the Quidditch World Cup. In fact, more crowded, because half of the Weasley children were married now, not to count that one of them had a daughter. The only person who was not staying there was Fred. Partly because tradition said that the groom couldn't see the bride twenty-four hours before the wedding and partly because he didn't think he could put up with his mother's fussiness.

If truth should be told, Fred had a point. Mrs. Weasley was so nervous that one might think it was her wedding instead of her son's. She had spent the entire day going through again and again the many lists she had made to make sure everything was ready, nothing was missing, everybody knew exactly way they had to do. The only members of Hermione's family that were going to attend it were her parents, because nobody else knew about her being a witch. But on the other hand, many important people had been invited: half the staff of teachers at Hogwarts, everyone in the Order, a couple of Ministry members and many many friends. Fred and Hermione had tried to object to the list of guests, but in the end they gave up and allowed Mrs. Weasley to send invitation to whom she considered necessary. Deep down they understood that formalities should be observed and there were some persons that just had to be invited whether they liked it or not.

Apart from that little aspect of the guests, Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Granger had fairly respected Fred's and Hermione's original list, and by the time the latter went to bed that night, she had to admit that she was feeling a mixture of nerves and something else. Something she couldn't quite describe but it was pleasant feeling. An emotion that made her happy and that for some reason put her mind at peace. A nagging feeling within her subconscious head told her that it had something to do with marrying Fred.

"Nerves are getting the best of me," she thought as she turned in her bed trying to fall asleep.

Next morning dawned sunny and cool. The grounds were bathed in sun light making the white tables, chair and altar glow brightly. It was the perfect day for a spring wedding, as if April had decided to attend it and October had allowed it to. Hermione woke up with the sunshine warm in her face at around half past eight in the morning. The ceremony was to be at noon, but Mrs. Weasley had insisted on everybody letting Hermione sleep. The only thing she had to worry about was getting ready. There were plenty people in the house to take care and handle everything else.

Ginny's bedroom, where Hermione was sleeping, was the only one in the house that has its own bathroom. The Weasleys had thought that, as the only girl in the house, their little daughter had to have some privacy. And today Hermione was exceptionally glad about this. She imagined the chaos that must be reigning downstairs and she was nervous enough without anybody flying off the handle at her face because they couldn't find a pair of shoes, or something equally trite.

Someone knocked at the door. "Come in," yawned Hermione. Ginny entered the room carrying a fully loaded breakfast tray.

"Mom told me to come and wake you," she said, laying the tray at Hermione's feet and sitting next to her. "How did you sleep?"

"Fine actually, but I don't think I can eat anything right now," answered the brunette looking warily at the food in front of her.

"Don't worry about it. I only brought it to stop her from yelling at me, but I'll have someone to take care of this. That's the good thing about having so many brothers, they are always happy to eat."

Hermione gave a sad smile and Ginny knew instantly what was going in her mind. Ron would have loved to eat everything on the tray and then he would have gone downstairs and asked his mother if there were more sausages or scrambled eggs.

"You want to talk about it?" asked Ginny.

"I know it's selfish, but I just wish he was here today. Even if it is a fake wedding, it's a big day and…" she left the sentences hanging, unfinished.

"Listen, don't think about that. Everything will be all right, and before you know it Voldie will be gone and you two can do… whatever it is you two wanna do."

Hermione wasn't in the mood to explain that she wasn't certain if she wanted to do anything with Ron, that the only thing she was sure about was that really hoped that once this was over, everything would go back to the way it used to.

Ginny seemed to think her advice had cheered her friend up because she didn't push the matter. Instead she looked at her watched and jumped.

"Oh my God! It's nearly nine! You'd better get in the shower right now. Your mother is coming in less than an hour and I have to do your hair before she starts with your make up."

This was one of the Granger's family traditions: the mother always did the make up of the daughter on the latter's wedding day. Hermione's grandmothers had done it to her mother, and one day she would do it to her daughter. They knew that it was easier and faster to do it with a simple spell, but it was something they had been planning to do since Hermione was five, and the fact that she was a witch was not going to change their plans.

Ginny got out of the room, taking with her the untouched food and shouting for Charlie to meet her at the kitchen. Meanwhile Hermione got into the bathroom. The hot water relaxed her tense back. Ginny was right, she didn't need to think about anything distressing. It was unnerving enough knowing that in a few hours she was going to be Mrs. Fred Weasley, without having to worry about anything else. She allowed the drops coming from the shower to wash away her worries and tried to think about nothing (a very hard task considering it's Hermione Granger we are talking about.) But she managed to enjoy her last shower as a single woman.

Half and hour later she was wearing a fluffy white bathrobe and sitting at Ginny's desk. A large mirror had been conjured in front of her and there were a couple of magazines showing different hair styles.

"For the last time, are you sure you don't want me to dye your hair blond?"

"Yes Gin, I'm sure. I like the color it's now thank you!" Ginny shrugged her shoulders and looked at the magazines opened over the desk. Hermione pointed out the one she liked best and the younger witch got to work.

By the time she had finished, Hermione barely recognized herself. Her friend had done an excellent work. The usually bushy mass of hair was turned up in an elegant bun, in front of which was resting the same tiara Fleur had worn for her wedding; a couple of locks had been left loose on the sides and were arranged in light curls that framed Hermione's face perfectly. As Ginny gave the final touches at the hairdo with her wand, Mrs. Granger entered the room.

"Baby, you look gorgeous!" she said, her eyes bright with tears of emotion. Hermione grinned shyly.

"I'll leave the two of you alone," said Ginny gathering the magazines and leaving the room so that mother and daughter could have some time alone.

Hermione waved her wand and a chair appeared next to hers. Her mother sat on it, still looking at her daughter through mystified eyes.

"Before we start, there is something I wanted to give you," she said, taking a wooden case from her purse. "I know this is usually a job for the bride's maid, but I asked Ginny if she would let me prepare this for you."

She handed the box to Hermione, who opened it and gasped. Inside there were a diamond necklace with matching earrings and a blue ribbon.

"I know you borrowed the tiara from the Weasleys, the necklace had been your grandmothers and your father bought the earrings yesterday. Now you have something new, something borrowed, something old and something blue."

Hermione couldn't speak, and her mother understood. Without saying a word, she opened her make up case and turned to face her daughter.

Meanwhile, at his apartment, Fred was just waking up. As the man he was, he didn't need three hours to get ready for anything, not even his wedding. The day before his mother had made sure his tux was ironed and his shoes polished. The only thing he had to do was to put them on.

He lied in bed for a couple of minutes before going to the bathroom, thinking about everything that had happened lately. Ever since Dumbledore had told them about his plan, he had been seeing Hermione almost daily. He now fully appreciated why Harry, Ron and Ginny held her in such great steam. Of course he had always liked her, he had even told George that he wanted to find someone like her. But now he was really fond of her. Spending time alone with her, outside Hogwarts and The Burrow had allowed him to see a side of Hermione he had never known before.

An automatic smile spread across his face when he thought of the moments he had been spending with Hermione. There was nothing special about them, just the fact that the two had been alone, talking and laughing. It was so interesting to listen to her speak about almost anything, she was very smart and her ideas were witty and appealing. And it was always nice to make her crack up with laughter.

He got out of bed feeling exceptionally happy; it was going to be great having her living at the same apartment.

After a quick shower he went back to his room to get changed. The time was quarter past ten and his mother had threatened him with making Hermione a widow if he didn't arrived at The Burrow before eleven.

Some time later, he apparated at The Burrow's kitchen, right behind Mrs. Weasley.

"Hi mom!" he greeted brightly making her jump a foot or so in the air.

"Fred!" she shrieked, but not in her usual 'I'm going to kill you' tone, a tone to which he was more than used to. No, it was completely different this time. She sounded excited and proud.

"Let me look at you," Mrs. Weasley said, turning around to face his son. The sight of him all dressed up brought tears to his eyes. "You look so handsome, oh Fred! I can't believe you are getting married…"

"Mom, no… get off." To this, he was not used to this, and he didn't think he could handle his mother being all emotional on him much longer.

"Molly, dear, let him breath," said Mrs. Weasley coming to his son rescue. "Listen, Ginny needs you, Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have arrived and she doesn't know where to sit them." Mrs. Weasley didn't need more persuasion than that, in the swish of a cloak, she was gone.

"Thanks dad!"

"Anytime son," he replied, with laughter in his kind voice.

Upstairs Mrs. Granger was adding the final touches to her daughter's make up when someone knocked on the door for the third time, but now it was Harry.

"Come in," invited Hermione, staring at her reflection in disbelief.

"Wow 'Mione!" Harry whistled making her blush. "Suddenly I have the urge to kidnap you and force you to marry me instead of Fred."

"I'm sure the magical community would love that." Ever since their fourth year, when Rita Skeeter had published her scoop, many wizards and witches had been gossiping and betting on when Harry and Hermione were going to get together. As if that would ever happen. Of course they loved each other very much, but as brother and sister nothing more.

Harry laughed at her comeback, it had been exactly what he had expected her to say.

"Anyway, I'm here 'cause most of the guests have arrived. And Mrs. Weasley strongly suggested starting soon."

"Oh my!" said Mrs. Granger jumping to her feet. "I should go down and see if Molly needs any help."

Harry and Hermione remained in the room, both looking at Hermione's reflection in the mirror.

"I feel like I ought to say something, but you've always been the one who told me what to say in these situations."

Hermione smiled warmly. "It's ok Harry. I know…"

"I know this is a fake marriage and everything, but if Fred hurts you in anyway he'll have me to answer to." Those were his brotherly feelings talking, straightforward and honest, just as Harry himself; and Hermione appreciated more than if he had delivered a lengthy speech about their friendship and those sorts of things.

The door opened, this time without a previous knock and Mrs. Weasley came in.

"Hermione dear, you look lovely," she said distractedly, barely looking at her. There was going to be time for compliments latter, but she had a wedding about to start in her backyard and that was her priority. "Everybody is ready to start."

Harry kissed her swiftly in the cheek and went downstairs.

Hermione looked at Mrs. Weasley, she tried to say "ok" but the word got lost at her throat so she merely nodded. Fake wedding or not, everyone was waiting for her, and was going to be looking at her. She was really nervous. In fact, she was so nervous, that she didn't realize that the butterflies battering in her stomach had little to do with the thousands of eyes that were about to be lied upon her.

She took a deep breath and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

She found her father at the back door of The Burrow. From its small window she could see the rows of white chairs. The front rows were occupied by many redheads shinning orange in the sun.

"I can't believe you are my baby girl," Mr. Granger said, his voice full of pride and love. "I wanted to tell you that your mother and I have always been very proud of you. You never disappointed us once and you are the best daughter in the world."

"Dad…"

"No, let me finish. You are bright, beautiful young lady and I know that any advice I could give you would be pointless because you could figure it out by yourself. So I'll just say this: I wish for you and Fred all the happiness your mother and I had. I cannot hope for anything better than that for you."

The wedding march started outside. Mr. Granger offered his armed to his daughter, who took it, and together walked down the aisle behind George and Ginny. Every single face was turned towards the bride, who was only concentrating on her feet to avoid tripping and her eyes fixed ahead to avoid eye contact with anyone. If she had been nervous upstairs, it was nothing to how he felt now.

Fred was waiting for her at the altar. Hermione couldn't help but think that he looked remarkable handsome. In fact, at the moment she couldn't think of anyone better looking than him.

When they reached him, Mr. Granger kissed Hermione and handed her to her future husband. Fred took her hand and for an instant the looked into each others eyes, both pairs were twinkling. And this did not go unnoticed by neither of the mothers standing in the front row.

The ceremony was short and beautiful. And when the minister finally declared them husband and wife, Fred passed his arm around Hermione's waist and kissed her Hollywood style to catcalls and cheers from the guests.

As the reception was going to be at the same place, the newlyweds remained at the altar as the guests were conducted to their tables. Once they were alone Fred broke the silence.

"'Mione, I had never seen a bride as beautiful as you. In fact, I had never seen a Witch as beautiful as you."

Hermione had been receiving compliments all morning, but these words make her blush as none others had in her life. She managed to mumble a shy "Thanks" making Fred laugh.

"This is the part when you say you are the luckiest witch on earth because you got the best looking groom," said Fred making encouraging gestures with his hands. However, before Hermione could retort George interrupted them.

"Second best looking man, I'm the cutest of the two."

"What are you doing here interrupting the intimacy of the newlyweds?" asked Fred in an annoyed voice. Surely he was just joking, but for a second or two one of George's eyebrows rose at his twin's tone.

"Everybody is sitting and waiting for the newlyweds to make their appearance," he replied, still eying his brother. He didn't sound mad or anything, yet he didn't remove his eyes from the man in front of him.

"Let's go then!" said Fred brightly taking Hermione by the hand. "This is my first chance to show off my beautiful wife in front of my friends and I'm not going to let it pass."

The three of them walked towards the other side of the garden, where the guests were waiting for them eagerly. They were received by tremendous applauses mainly from their noisy friends. It reminded Hermione the end of term feats when Gryffindor beat Slytherin to the house cup. Everybody wanted to congratulate them, a large crowd formed around them as Hermione and Fred hugged their relatives, friends and shook hands with unknown witches and wizards. Suddenly a clear opened among the crowd and Hermione had a clear view of the dance floor. Across it, behind the tables she saw a tall, hooded figure that looked somehow familiar, but when she blinked and looked again, it was gone.

She didn't have time to think about it, because a waltz started to sound and the DJ announced that the time had come for Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weasley first official dance as spouses.

The crowd parted once again, but this time leaving an alleyway through which the couple walked towards the dance floor. Fred led the dance and she followed. It felt so right for Hermione to be in his arms as it had never been before. She was very comfortable twirling around being held by her husband.

"My husband." These words had a powerful impact on her. She was married to Fred Weasley. She had known for over a month that she would be, but now she was. She focused her sight on Fred and saw he was looking down at her. She wanted to say something; she could feel the words mounting on her throat. Yet when she opened her mouth, nothing came out.

Hermione's father tapped Fred on the shoulder, and he left his father-in-law dance with the bride. He looked around and saw that many couples had joined them and were waltzing around. After most of the male guests had danced with Hermione and some brave women had ventured to dance with Fred, everyone returned to their tables for the feats.

There was plenty of delicious food and many bottles of butterbeer, regular beer, red and white wine, and Champaign. So it wasn't long before more than a couple of guests started to dance rather wildly all around the place. Hermione, who had her last bad experience with alcohol very fresh in her mind, didn't drink much. Fred, on the other hand, had many glasses of everything.

"Let's show these people how it'z done," he said, standing from the main table and dragging Hermione to where George and Katie were dancing to a fast song. But when they arrived there, the same slow song they had head at the Horntail Hut before Hermione has passed out started.

Fred took Hermione's arms and put them around his neck. After seizing her by the waist, he started to follow the rhythm of the song. In his drunkenness, Fred couldn't feel any happier. He wasn't that intoxicated as to ignore where he was or why he was there, but he was drunk enough to let his feelings flow. He removed one of his hands from his wife waist and started to caress her hair and back. And the same magnetism he had felt two weeks ago appeared again. This time she would not fall asleep and he would kiss her, not to convince anyone that they were in love, but because he wanted to; because he had a strong desire to do it.

But there was something he hadn't counted on. They were standing right next to his twin, the person who knew him better than anyone. The only man who could tell what he was thinking just by looking into his eyes. George was not nearly as buzzed as Fred and had already realized what was going on. So he made a gesture to the DJ and the music stopped.

"I think," he said looking at Fred directly "that it's time for my speech." He managed to flash a mischievous grin to the crowd and thus hiding the real reason why he had cut the music. Many people returned to their sits while George went to the bar and took a goblet of Champaign. Fred glared at his brother. He knew exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. Sometimes his brother was such a jerk. He had been so comfortable dancing with Hermione, and George had deprived him of that wonderful sensation. Yes, he definitely was a jerk.

However, as the former addressed the guests with a very amusing talk, the latter tried to rid his mind and body of the feelings he was having towards the witch next to him. He wasn't worried because he knew they weren't real, it was just the alcohol speaking. But something in the back of his mind told him it was better not to enter such muddy waters.

Meanwhile, Hermione was also experiencing opposite feelings all together. She had felt safe and content dancing in Fred's arms. Only being around him made her feel like that. And she rather liked the sensation. Actually she enjoyed it a lot; so yes, she was a bit annoyed with George's timing. But then she kept having the uncomfortable sensation of being watched, but whenever she turned there was no one looking at her, at least not staring fixedly enough to make her unease. She could swear that twice she had seen the tall, hooded figure from before disapparating, but nobody seemed to have realized that there was an uninvited stranger standing at the other side of the yard.

George finished his speech to tremendous applauses from both drunk and sober guests alike. Ginny appeared to have disappeared (and coincidently Harry had too), so the music started again. The DJ had decided there had been enough slow songs and chose a rapid one. Fred took Hermione's hand and they began to dance, but leaving more space between each other than a couple of minutes before.

Away from the dance floor Ron stared at his brother dancing the love of his life. Tears formed in his eyes as he saw Fred whisper something to Hermione making her laugh. That should have been him. This should have been HIS wedding, not Fred's.

He took one last look at Hermione. She was so beautiful, so perfect. He was not going to see her in a long time, and he wanted to remember her just like that, happy and gorgeous as she looked in that moment. He took a deep sight and said "I'll be back; I won't give up on you". Then he turned and disapparated.