Perfect Mistake
Disclaimer: I own nothing, not the characters (Joanne Rowling) nor the plot (MysticalFaery05), though I have managed to stray quite far from the original plot. The original character is my own creation, yay for the Evil!Ex-wife!Sue.
Part Two
The next few months flew by for Hermione; she couldn't remember a time when she was happier.
At her weekly dinner, with her parents, her mother kept questioning her. She pestered about Hermione having a new man in her life, or if she finally got wise and made things official with Viktor. Hermione blushed, as her immediate thoughts went to her best friend's handsome older brother. She had really enjoyed sitting with and talking to Charlie at the engagement party. He was interesting and funny, not prankish like Fred and George, but more of a sharp wit. She had hoped that Charlie would have asked to Floo call or something, but he hadn't, and she had been so overwhelmed with being back in the fold to make the suggestion herself. She supposed he probably only thought of her as Ron's ickle friend anyway.
As for her mother's Viktor love, she just rolled her eyes and groaned out that no she would not be making anything official with Viktor. He was a very dear friend and that there wasn't a new man either. She happily announced to both her parent's delight that she had rekindled her friendships with Harry and Ron.
Grabbing the lead-in for a change of subject, Hermione happily told her parents about the engagement party, and other goings-on. It was in fact wonderful to be hanging out with Ron and Harry again. Hermione welcomed the addition of Luna, who was just as quirky and eccentric as ever. However, Ginny was not so forgiving. Hermione put a great deal of effort in offering that long overdue olive branch. She was determined to rebuild her friendship with Ginny and would keep at if for as long as it would take.
True to Ron's warning, Luna did ask Hermione to be a bridesmaid and to her great surprise, she agreed. Attending robe fittings and wedding showers wasn't exactly her idea of a good time, but it felt so good to socialize again that she went with the flow.
In her self-realization she felt a new appreciation for Viktor also. He had worked tirelessly, over the years, to ensure that she still got out and had some semblance of a life. When he was in town he often joined her on the various get-togethers.
Harry and Ron quickly discovered the joys of Hermione's flatmate as Viktor frequently offered them tickets to his Quidditch matches. They, of course, eagerly accepted. As a result of spending so much time with Viktor, Ron got over being star struck. However, getting to know Viktor only encouraged him to attempt match making with the strictly flatmates. Recounting his antics made Hermione smile. She really enjoyed the time the six of them spent together.
--
One evening while Hermione and Viktor were out for an impromptu dinner to celebrate a project Hermione had recently completed, they ran into Harry and Ginny. At Viktor's insistence the couple joined them for a meal. Viktor was quite attentive to Hermione behaving differently than when they were in a larger group. At one point during the meal Ginny asked pointedly, "When did you two start dating?"
Viktor responded first, "Uhm, ve do not date. Ve are jus' friends."
Placing her hand over Viktor's, Hermione give it a squeeze and added, "Good friends."
Ginny flushed a little at the response and stammered, "Oh, you just look. I thought. Well you look very good together."
Hermione smiled at Ginny, "I am blessed Ginny, with very dear friends. I'm just so glad to have Harry and Ron and you and Luna too, back in my life. Viktor," she paused to smile at him, "he has always been there for me."
Viktor drew in a deep breath and gave Hermione a questioning look. Hermione just continue to smile at him.
"Well…" Ginny said ending the moment, "Hermione, we have a hen party to plan in two weeks."
"Right, we do." agreed Hermione.
While Hermione and Ginny talked hen party, Harry and Viktor talked Quidditch. Occasionally Ginny would jump in with a Quidditch comment. Harry would lovingly run his hand along her back as she spoke. Watching them warmed Hermione's heart; Ginny and Harry were truly made for each other.
"Ginny, I'm so glad for you and Harry, you both look so happy together," said Hermione.
"Thank you Hermione," responded Ginny, for the first time, with a genuine smile, "he makes me very happy."
With that, the olive branch was finally taken.
--
Hermione quickly discovered that Luna Lovegood was more than a little bit quirky. As such, she didn't want a typical hen party.
Originally she wanted all her guests to go on a stakeout to find Crumpled Snorkacks. Thankfully, Ginny managed to talk her into a slumber party at the Burrow instead. Luna was delighted with the plan. First they would have drinks at the Leaky Cauldron and then Floo to the Burrow to do some girly things and then camp out in the back yard under a magically enlarged open-air tent.
The night of the hen party found The Leaky Cauldron was full of giggling, silly, and intoxicated witches, all having a good time on behalf of Luna Lovegood. Conveniently or maybe not, Harry, Fred and George had planned Ron's bachelor party for the same night, at the same location. However, they were being housed in the same private dining room where the engagement party had been held.
Every once in a while, one of the witches would try to sneak away to see what the wizards were up to and vice a versa. All were having a good time, the Firewhiskey was flowing freely and most of the girls were letting their hair down and indulging in a bit of fun. Hermione, being one of the hostesses thought she best stay sober to ensure that things didn't get out of hand.
"Hermione, go on have a drink or four. Let your hair down. You need to have a little fun." Fred whispered in her ear.
Hermione batted him away, "Go back to your own party, Fred. Someone has to keep an eye on these crazy witches."
"Hmmm. My wife is one of those crazy witches. I should go check on her." stated Fred, as his real motive became clear.
"Oi Fred, you trying to sneak by Hermione?" shouted Ginny.
"Me noooo, just trying to convince our Hermione here to loosen up a bit," Fred whinged.
"Shoo, off you go, you let me worry about Hermione," ordered Ginny. Fred gave Hermione a wink and returned to the bachelor party.
"Hermione, Fred's right. Go on. Have a drink and unwind. I have to stay sober. I'll keep an eye out for this lot," said Ginny.
Hermione looked at Ginny puzzled. Then her eyes opened wide with realisation and asked, "Have to…oh my are you?" Ginny nodded her head smiling. "How far along?" asked Hermione.
"Shhhhhh, not quite twelve weeks. We aren't announcing anything until after Ron and Luna's wedding, okay. So like I said, you go ahead, I'll keep an eye on things," Ginny said still smiling.
"Well in that case. We, or rather I need to celebrate. Tom, I'll have a Firewhiskey, please," requested Hermione.
Hermione sat with Ginny sipping on her Firewhiskey. She wasn't sure, at this point, exactly how many drinks she'd had, but she was relaxed and feeling a good buzz. The pair kicked back and watched the antics of the drunken witches. At one point, Lavender staggered over and nudged Hermione in the ribs. She pointed at Parvati, who had just thrown back three shots of Firewhiskey having lost a round of a drinking game. Nearly overcome with hysterical laughter, Lavender then headed off to take Parvati's place in the game.
A while later Luna stumbled over and gave the pair a sloppy hug and kiss. She then stood back and held up her Butterbeer cork necklace and said, "You know, each one of these one of these corks represents how much I love Ron-Ron-Ronald. I wish I had my radish earrings. Have you seen my radish earrings?" She was looking between Hermione and Ginny as she asked.
"Luna, do you think its time to head over to the Burrow? You still want to play, hide the Nargle, don't you?" asked Ginny grinning.
"Yes, that would be lovely Ginevra. You know, you will make a wonderful mother?" responded Luna as she reached out to touch Ginny's stomach but missed. Ginny gave Hermione a curious look and mouthed, "How does she do that?" Hermione just shrugged and smiled dumbly. Hermione was arsed drunk.
"Where are the boys staying tonight?" asked Angelina, "And Ginny, why are there three of you?"
"Oh most of them will be staying here, I think. Harry booked a several rooms upstairs for them to crash," Ginny said.
"'arry eez a good man." responded Fleur who had joined the swaying Angelina, "eet eez time to go, oui?"
Ginny chuckled at the tipsy witches and said, "Right then, let's round up the girls and head to the Burrow. Shall we?" She turned to Hermione, "You go check the loo and I'll start sending the girls on through the Floo, okay."
Hermione nodded in agreement and headed off swaying a bit toward the direction of the loos. Some how she got turned around and ended up in the hall leading to the bachelor party. A door opened and Hermione squinted her eyes trying to pull focus at the blurry figure heading her way. She reached up to adjust her glasses only to remember that she'd not worn them tonight. However, she was certain the figure was a male.
Hermione, still thinking that she was making her way to the loo, moved forward and stumbled over a past out partier blocking the hallway. Helpless, she fell right into the arms of the strong male figure she had been trying to focus on. Hermione laughed and looked up, her vision still blurry, but she knew without a doubt that this body belonged to Charlie Weasley.
"Hermione? Are you okay?" Charlie asked. Hermione giggled as she pulled herself out of Charlie's arms, Charlie's strong arms.
"Oh, I'm fine thanks!" She snorted rather un lady like. She leaned against the wall, more to prevent herself from falling than any attempt to look seductive or suggested. "How about a drink?"
"I like that idea," replied Charlie, as he looped her arm through his and led her back to the bar. Hermione completely forgot about her task to check the loo. Neither did she notice that all the girls were gone, nor how quiet the pub now was. Charlie pulled out a chair for Hermione at a nice secluded table and then ordered a bottle of Ogden's Best from Tom.
"Having a good time, Hermione?" Charlie asked, as he filled her glass.
Hermione took the offered glass and smiled, "Yes, yes I am," she paused and then blushing added, "Especially now."
"You know, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since the engagement party," Charlie confessed matter-of-factly.
"Really?" she slurred leaning in closer. Charlie simply nodded and gathered her up in his arms.
"Yes, really," he said and bolstered by his own liquid courage his lips met hers in a needy kiss. Hermione's mind was swirling; a fleeting thought of Viktor sailed through her mind but was pushed away by the feel of Charlie holding her tightly. He had made an impression on her, but she had worked hard to convince herself that he wasn't interested. Accordingly, she was pleasantly shocked to be having a very nice snog with the frequent star of many a fantasy over the past few months.
Her intoxication was further fuelled by Charlie's touch as she kissed him back; their tongues battling, teeth clashing as he fed her hungry desire. He felt so good. She pulled him closer running her fingers through his thick ginger hair. She couldn't get him close enough, the very scent of him made her feel alive.
Without protest, Charlie scooped Hermione up in his arms and carried her upstairs to his room.
Once inside the room, Charlie kicked the door shut with his foot and flung Hermione to the bed. Scooting back against the pillows, Hermione reached out and grabbed hold of Charlie's collar urging him to join her. She kissed him seductively, opening up to him, inviting him to explore and more. When they broke the kiss, Charlie rested his forehead against Hermione's and said, "Oh God, I want you."
Hermione looked deep into Charlie's eyes and smiled. "I want you more," she whispered against his lips, as she pulled him into another deep kiss.