Chapter 5:Whatever Love Means
As much as nobody could believe it was capable of happening, everything became calmer as the hours leading to the ceremony turned into minutes.
"Thank God," muttered Ron, as he clumsily tried to do up his tie, much to Harry's amusement. "I was about to kill my mother. In fact, I was about to kill my entire family, which would've been a lovely way to start a wedding."
Everything had also managed to resolve itself quite suitably. Charlie's briefly broken leg was mended with a quick spell from Arthur, whose magic (unlike his Muggle-style mechanical tinkerings) had apparently been unaffected. Even Astaria had been found. The bride had apparently acquired some last minute nerves and embarked on a midnight trip to clear her head.
"Where'd she go?" Ron asked Harry, who had had the conversation with Mrs Weasley. "To Hogsmeade or something?"
"Apparently she Apparated to Australia. Something about nice open dry spaces to give her a sense of perspective. "
"Australia? Why the bloody hell is everyone going to Australia these days anyway?" Ron cried. "Don't like it!"
Harry had to laugh. "Anyone would think you were bitter about your ex-girlfriend or something."
"Yeah, well, I am," said Ron. "Can you fix this stupid tie for me?"
Harry nodded. "I did manage to learn something useful from the Dursleys, I suppose." He quickly put Ron's tie together. "There, you see? Ickle Ron is so handsome."
There was a wave of something like pain that crashed over Ron's face at that moment. Harry noticed it.
"What is it?" he asked.
Ron sighed. "Nothing. It's just that…well…"
"Hermione?"
"Yeah. I took her to…I took her to Neville's wedding in this outfit and she told me that I…that I looked amazing. That she was…" His voice became almost inaudible, "really lucky to be with me. Then she kissed me, and I…um…thought we'd be together for a long time."
Harry put his arm around his best friend's shoulders. "I'm sure she still loves you," he said. "I mean, you still love her, don't you?"
"Well, whatever love means these days," said Ron bitterly.