Hermione darted across the room to the other side of the tent towards the exit. She needed to be on her own. She needed time to think.

What on earth was Ron thinking?! He had to be drunk. He had to be! He couldn't have meant all of that. He'd moved on. She was sure of it! She shook her head as she walked and ignored all of the happy smiling faces that were surrounding her. Given the nature of that conversation that they had just had, he apparently hadn't moved on. Or rather, he'd moved back. She didn't even think it was possible for the two of them to move backwards. Things weren't supposed to happen like this. They were supposed to be easy now.

He'd been back in her life for two weeks and already things were being turned upside down. Things were bad with Martin, and Ron swoops in to tell her he still has feelings for her? She couldn't make this up if she tried! It was as if someone was playing some sort of joke on her and screwing with her feelings like it was a hilarious game. This wasn't the plan…or was this always the plan and she'd just deviated from the course in the first place? She didn't know what to think. She didn't know what to say, or to do, or even how to look Ron in the eyes now. Why on earth did he have to say that to her?

"Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley as she passed her. "Are you all right?"

"Fine, yes, thanks," she said, avoiding her eyes and continuing to walk several steps away. She reached out and grabbed a cocktail napkin on a nearby table and dabbed her eyes before blinking to regain her composure. She looked up to see several people she didn't know and Molly Weasley all watching her. Everyone but Molly turned away when she looked at them.

"We were just looking for you," Molly said calmly as she took a few steps towards her. "They're about to cut the cake and—"

"Oh, right, of course." She stood up straighter and pretended to pull herself together. "The cake. And my toast, I have to make a toast."

Molly smiled sadly. "Is this about that boy you're seeing? Because of that row you got into and because he didn't come?"

Hermione turned towards her, slightly surprised by Molly of all people bringing up Martin.

"I understand," she said. "I'm probably the last person you'd want to talk about that with Ron and all." She smiled. "Just know that just because you and my son aren't together anymore, I haven't stopped thinking very fondly of, dear. You and Harry have always been like surrogate children to me."

Hermione stared at her. She felt her eyes get teary again.

"Come now," she said as she started ushering Hermione towards the side of the tent where everyone was gathering around the wedding cake. "Let's put all of that negativity behind us for now. This isn't a day for sadness. Know that you're surrounded by people who care about you and want the best for you, even if this particular boy…Martin is it? Even if he doesn't understand that."

"How did you know about…?"

"The walls at the Burrow are much thinner than people think," she said. "I've heard you mention it to Ginny. Honestly, it's none of my business, but any boy who thinks that you're just going to settle…" She trailed off as she noticed several people waving them over towards the cake. "Well, I know you'll do what's right for you in the end. You always have."

Hermione stopped where she stood as Molly took several steps ahead of her and began beaming as she approached the crowd of onlookers who were gathered around Harry and Ginny and their cake. Everyone was watching enthusiastically as Harry and Ginny both simultaneously cut the cake and then proceeded to share their first piece together. A small cheer and a round of applause rung through the tent as the band kicked back up again quickly. Hermione watched as Harry kissed Ginny, icing on his face and all, and they both laughed. They looked so happy.

"Hey," said Charlie as he stepped up next to Hermione. "You haven't seen Ron have you? I was sent to find him so that he could make his toast."

"He was outside last I saw him," she said as she felt her heartbeat begin to accelerate at just the mention of Ron's name.

"I'll go check," he said as he started heading towards where she had indicated. "If we can't find him, I guess you'll go first, then."

"My toast," she said absently, realizing that she really did have to make one in front of all these people, looking and feeling as she did right now. She'd forgotten everything she'd wanted to say and, for the life of her, could not gather her thoughts properly. All she could think about was what Ron had said and how he had looked standing there.

"Hey," Harry said suddenly, his voice sounding distant. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, forcing a large smile.

"Okay, then." He looked as if he didn't want to question her. "I'm going to go and have a seat and let Ron and you do your thing."

"Our thing?" she asked quickly.

"Your toasts?"

"Oh, of course," she said, sounding flustered. "Obviously."

"You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Harry," she said as she glanced over and saw Ron entering the tent with Charlie. She looked at Harry, who smiled at her before he turned and went to take a seat near Ginny. Everyone in the room was standing around as if waiting for something to happen. People's eyes all started to focus on the center of the dance floor where Hermione was now standing. She took a few steps back and cleared the way for Ron, who had caught her eye briefly before quickly looking away. He stepped out into the center of the dance floor and faced the room, his face stony.

"Okay," said the band leader as he put his wand to his throat in order to command the attention of the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention! We've got a very special toast for the bride and groom courtesy of their best man and their maid of honor."

The room gave a mild round of applause as Hermione watched Ron shift his weight anxiously as he stood facing away from her and towards the crowd. The band leader whispered something to Ron, who whispered something back before the band leader raised his wand to his throat once more.

"Ron Weasley, everyone!"

People clapped once more, some louder than others. George, Dean, Seamus, and Neville all began cheering loudly from the back of the room. George, in particular, let out a sharp and loud whistle, which made Ron smile.

"Hi everyone," he began as he glanced down at the sheet of parchment in his hands for a long moment. "I'm not really one for making speeches, which anyone who knows me can attest to."

"Woooo! I love you, Ron!" shouted George as several people laughed, including Harry and Ginny. Molly Weasley turned and gave George a very sharp look.

Ron looked up and crumbled the piece of paper in his hand before letting it fall to the floor. He let his wand rest causally against his neck. "Harry and I have been through a lot, as I'm sure more of you have heard." He took a deep breath. "A lot of the stuff made the history books, the newspapers, the chocolate frog cards…"

Several people laughed.

"But the most important stuff is the stuff you'd never know about unless you knew Harry like I do. Unless you'd been friends with him the way I have. Some of my best memories aren't of fighting Death Eaters or helping him save the world, but rather just of Harry being my friend. Of him sorting me out when I've done something," he chuckled, "or said something stupid. They're of him laughing at my bad jokes when other people didn't, or us having a laugh in the common room at Gryffindor tower, or on the Quidditch pitch, or even while we were fighting Death Eaters."

The room laughed.

"Harry and I…" He hesitated. He looked directly behind him at Hermione before turning back. "And Hermione have been the best of friends since we were kids. It's something that just continues to get better and stronger as time goes on, and something that I'm so fortunate to have found. We've had our ups and down, but we only grow from everything that happens. I can't tell you how happy I am to watch the best guy I know, and the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for, marry my little sister." He raised his glass. "So, to Ginny, my frequently annoying, equally as wonderful, wouldn't trade her for the world sister…"

Ginny laughed.

"And to Harry," he continued. "To my best mate and my new brother. Cheers."

"Cheers!" the crowd yelled as every took a sip from their drinks. Applause rang through the room as Harry stood up and hugged Ron. Ginny followed as several people stood and patted Ron affectionately on the back.

"What's your name, love?" asked the band leader once Hermione turned to see him next to her. She had been so caught up in watching Ron and listening to his toast, that she had almost forgotten what she next had to do.

"Sorry?"

"I need your name," he said. "You're the maid of honor, aren't you?"

"Oh, yes." She nodded as he gestured out towards the center of the dance floor for her to take her spot. "It's Hermione Granger."

He winked at her as he took a few steps out in front and placed his wand to his throat just as he had done before. "Lovely, just lovely! Now before we get back to the dancing and music, we've got one more toast here," he gestured to Hermione, "from Ginny's maid of honor, Hermione Granger."

People applauded once more as Hermione clearly heard the loud, sharp whistle courtesy of George Weasley once again. There were so many faces in the crowd watching her as she stood in front of them all. Harry and Ginny were sitting just off to the side, both smiling at her as she raised her wand towards her throat. She did a quick sweeping scan of the room and saw Ron standing towards the back on his own. His arms were crossed and he was watching her just as everyone else was.

"That's going to be a tough toast to follow," she said nervously as the room hummed appreciatively. "Well, I've had the pleasure of being close with both Harry and Ginny since we were younger. Harry was one of the first people to befriend me during my first year of school, and Ginny and I grew to be friends through the simple fact that we were always the odd girls out in the household full of Weasley boys."

The room laughed.

"Ron's already said all the wonderful things I could say about Harry and how important his friendship has been to me over the years. He's defended me and helped me, and without him, I really don't know where I'd be today." She smiled. "Although, I like to think I've helped him a little along the way as well."

Harry smiled and nodded.

"And Ginny," she said as she smiled at her. "You've always been there to listen to me when I needed to vent. You've always been the female escape for me that I sometimes so desperately needed when I made the decision that I should go around spending most of my time with two stubborn boys."

It was her playful inflection on the last line that made the entire room laugh loudly. She even caught Ron crack a small smile.

"We became friends almost on accident and because of circumstance, but we became as close as we are now because of how caring you are, and because of how passionate we both are for the things we care about."

Ginny smiled.

"I remember watching Ginny during her first year at school develop a crush on an unaware Harry. I remember during her third year, the hopelessness that she felt because she was convinced that things would never work out and that he'd never notice her. I remember her being determined to move on and let her crush on Harry be a thing of the past, Then I remember seeing the tables flip, and in turn watching Harry—although I don't think he realized that I knew—as he started to fall for Ginny. I remember realizing that you two were perfect for each other, even before the two of you fully knew." She smiled. "And I'm happy to stand here before you at your wedding and see that realization met."

Several people "awwed" and made noises of agreement. Someone somewhere shouted, "Hear, hear!"

"So, to both Harry and Ginny," she raised her glass, "I love you both and…" She hesitated finishing. Her mind suddenly clouded as she thought about what she had just said about two people being perfect for each other even though they may not have known it. Or in her case, they both did know, only one was choosing to fight it simply for the sake of fighting it.

"And…" she stammered as the room watched her, glasses in hand as if waiting for her to signal she had finished. She turned and looked for Ron among them. She found him watching her with the same confused expression that so many other people currently had on their faces. Her breathing became heavier as she continued to stare at him. Several people, Harry and Ginny included, turned to look in the direction she was staring.

"And..." she said as she barely found her voice. "Ron, I'm asking you to come back."

Half the room started questionably from Hermione to Ron, and some people began whispering and asking what was happening. Harry looked just as confused as most of the people whispering, but Ginny oddly looked as if he understood quite clearly. Harry stood and turned his gaze away from Hermione and onto Ron as if silently asking what was going on.

"Cheers," Hermione added as she dropped her wand from her neck and headed straight for the exit. She could hear several people mumble, "cheers" in return, but she didn't stop to see what came next. She just continued walking straight out into the evening.

Harry stared at Ron from the across the room, wondering what had just happened. He turned and noticed Hermione had gone and Ginny was now staring at him.

"What was that?" he asked as the leader of the band quickly turned and commanded his band's attention. They began playing a fast paced song that encouraged people to get up and dance. Many people did, having already disregarded what had just happened to continue on with their celebration.

"My, weren't those some wonderful toasts?" Luna said as she appeared next to Ginny. "Very eloquent. I should like to tell Hermione that I particularly enjoyed hers, even though it seems a wracksprut got a hold of her at the end. There are several floating around in here tonight."

Ginny stared at her. "You were right. About Hermione and Ron. How do you do that?"

"I'll be right back," Harry said as he rubbed Ginny's shoulder and began making his way across the room. A group of wizards and witches toasted him as he passed, clearly well on their way to being completely smashed, but he ignored them. It was Ron he was looking for, and he spotted him now sitting at a back table with George, Angelina, and Seamus.

"Hey, Harry!" Seamus slurred. "Good to see you. Fantastic party!"

"Thanks," he said as he stared at Ron. "Can we talk?"

Ron sighed and looked as if he already knew what Harry was going to say. "I have no idea where that came from."

"I think you know more than you're letting on."

"So, do you and Hermione have something going on again?" George asked as Ron started rubbing his eyes.

"I don't know," he muttered.

"When did the two of you even—"

"I don't know, George."

"If you are, does that mean you're still moving to Paris for good?"

"I don't know, George!" Ron snapped as he stood up and started pacing.

"Jeez," George mumbled as he and Angelina exchanged looks. "You'd think he'd be in a better mood, considering."

Harry watched Ron as he paced back and forth, clearly preoccupied in his own thoughts. Something had happened between him and Hermione. What it was or whether it was good or bad wasn't something Harry could immediately tell. He sighed and tapped Ron's shoulder, gesturing towards a corner of the tent where no one was standing. It had almost been too long since he had found himself in the middle of one of Hermione and Ron's issues. Why not pick his wedding night to start again?

"I don't—" Ron began.

"Just tell me what happened?"

He made a face. "I may have told her I still have feelings for her."

"You may have or you did?"

He hesitated. He didn't need to say anything. Harry could read it all over his face.

"Oh, you're joking…" Harry muttered. "Tonight of all nights?"

"It's a wedding," he said as he gestured around. "Your wedding! People are starting to think about their feelings and I'm no better than all of that." He looked Harry in the eyes and sighed. "I'm not over her. I thought I was, but I'm not."

Harry stared at him wearily. "Of course you're not…"

"The moment was there and I took it," he said defensively.

"And you told her all of this?"

"Something like it," he said. "I told her that if she wanted me to stay in England, that she just needed to say something, but she didn't." He suddenly looked a little embarrassed. "Well, she didn't until just now."

"You do remember you're stuck going to Paris for at least six months now?" Harry said. "Ministry transfer protocol ringing any bells?"

"No, I know," he said as his face fell. "She knows. She even brought it up."

"So, what are you going to do?"

Ron shrugged. He looked towards the exit that Hermione had disappeared through. Harry followed his gaze and noticed everyone around him enjoying his party. He saw Ginny now talking with George across the room; her face serious. A moment later, she had started walking towards them with a determined look in her eye that Harry knew all too well.

"You're moving to Paris?" she asked as she stopped directly in front of her brother. "For how long?"

"Apparently, at least six months," Ron said, though looking as if he didn't want to talk about this.

"You were planning on moving and you didn't tell anyone?"

"I told some people."

Ginny looked annoyed as she turned to Harry. "Did you know?"

"I told him not to tell you until after the wedding," Ron interjected. "I didn't want you getting worked up."

"Oh, fantastic," she said sarcastically. "Apparently, we're all keeping secrets now. You're moving, and apparently you and Hermione have something going on again—"

"I knew nothing about that," Harry added as he looked at Ron. "That's news to me, too."

"Well, given her sudden declaration up there, it's news to me, too," Ron snapped, his face growing redder and his temper beginning to rise. He clenched his fists and suddenly turned and walked through the crowd and out of sight. Harry and Ginny exchanged looks.

"I just found out about Paris yesterday," he mumbled.

She sighed heavily. "Is he going?"

"He has to for at least six months," he said. "It's procedure."

"I had a feeling something like this was going to happen," she said as she shook her head. "Luna mentioned something, but I didn't really think…I mean, I know she and Martin were all but done, but I didn't think she and Ron would run straight back at each other."

Harry gave her a look that seemed to speak a hundred confusing and exhausted thoughts at once. She nodded slowly in agreement.

"I give up trying to figure them out," she said.

"That makes two of us." He shook his head. "Every time I try, I end up more confused than I was before."

"Oh, Ginny!" said Fleur as she pushed her way through the crowd towards her. "'ere you are! It iz time!"

"Time for?"

"To throw your bouquet!"

"Oh," she said as she looked back at Harry. "Right, we got married today, didn't we?"

"Is that why I'm in my dress robes?" he joked.

Fleur watched them both strangely. "You two 'ave very strange senses of 'umors." She grabbed at Ginny's arm before leading them both back towards the dance floor. Ginny was dragged Ginny off towards the center, as Harry took a seat next to a giggly looking Teddy and Victoire. Both of them were helping themselves to another piece of wedding cake. It appeared that most of Teddy's first piece seemed to be collecting on the front of his dress robes.

"Having fun?" Harry asked him. He was thankful for the distraction from everything else that had just happened.

"Loads," he said with his mouthful. Victoire made a disgusted face as she caught a glimpse of the chewed cake in his mouth. "Look what I can do!"

He watched as Teddy's nose suddenly began to balloon in size to the point where it was almost half of his entire face. He was holding his breath as he did it though, and he began turning purple until he finally exhaled.

"Wow," said Harry, unsure of what else to really say. "That's impressive, Teddy."

"I did it on my own, too," he said proudly. He looked at Victoire, who was smiling at him excitedly. "I actually thought about changing it and I did it!"

"You're getting a better handle on your morphing, then," Harry said as he patted him proudly. "That's a step in the right direction, Teddy. Soon enough, you'll be able to do it without getting blue in the face."

Teddy looked at Victoire. "You didn't tell me my face changed color, too."

"I meant without having to hold your breath," Harry added as the leader of the band called out for all single ladies to make their way to the dance floor.

"What's going on?" Victoire asked as she stood on her chair to get a better look.

"Your aunt's throwing her bouquet," Harry explained. "The girl who catches it is supposed to be the next person to get married."

"Really?"

"Not necessarily. It's more for a laugh than anything," he added. "It's not as if the woman who catches will actually get married next."

"They may," said a nearby elderly woman who Harry didn't know. "If someone's put a particularly powerful Commitment Charm on the bouquet. They don't do that much these days, but, back when I was a young lady, it was fairly common practice. I caught my friend's once and was married two months later, in fact."

"That's nice?" Harry said, feeling a bit confused as to what he should say to that. "Right."

"I want to try and catch it," Victoire said as she hopped off her chair.

"Aren't you a bit young to be thinking about getting married?" Harry asked.

She considered this. "I'll be six this year."

Harry laughed. "You think you'll be ready at six?"

She shrugged and pointed at Teddy. "I'll marry Teddy."

"You won't," he said as he shook his head vehemently. "I'm not getting married. Ever."

She made a face. "Why not?"

"Because when you get married, you have to kiss and hug and be in love. I don't want to do that," he said as he took another bite of cake. "It's gross."

Harry laughed as Victoire looked over to where the other women were lining up behind Ginny. She turned back to Teddy. "If I catch it, you'll have to marry me."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do!"

"Harry, tell her I don't!"

Harry looked from one kid to the other. He knew Victoire just wanted to seem older and more grown up with all her talks of having dates and getting married circulating around her, but poor Teddy wasn't even humoring her. She obviously had a little crush on him. It was rather cute when Harry really thought about it.

"Marriage is a really long time, Vicki," he said. "Forever, in fact."

She stared at him, her eyes sad.

"Tell you what," Harry said as he glanced between the two of them, "let's compromise. If you catch the bouquet, Teddy doesn't have to marry you—"

Teddy grinned happily.

"But maybe he can dance with you."

"What!?" said Teddy as his grin instantly disappeared.

"Really?" she asked with a small smile.

"Will you do me that favor?" Harry asked Teddy.

"Do I have to?"

"It'd be very nice if you did. But only if she comes up with the bouquet," he added as he gestured towards the group of women on the dance floor. "And it looks like Ginny's about to throw it."

Victoire turned and quickly rushed out to the dance floor to join the others. Ted looked up at Harry as if he'd just been stabbed in the back.

"Marriage is forever," Harry said. "A dance is about three minutes. Choose your battles, Teddy."

"But I don't want to do either."

Harry smiled. "She's awfully tiny out there next to all those ladies. Do you really think she's going to be able to catch it before they do?"

"Probably not," he said slowly. Suddenly, as if it dawned on him as to what Harry was getting at, a small grin crossed his face. "Wait, we tricked her!"

"Not quite," he said. "If she does come up with it, you really should dance with her. It's only right. She is your friend, isn't she?"

"Yeah."

"And sometimes, it's nice to do little things like this for our friends if it means a lot to them and makes them happy," he added. "That's what friendship is all about."

"I guess so," he said solemnly as they both watched Ginny toss her bouquet behind her. The women all scrambled for it as it disappeared into the pile; becoming unseen to all the onlookers. Seconds later, a round faced woman emerged holding it triumphantly in her hand. Everyone applauded.

"There you go," Harry said as he gave Ted a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "nothing to worry about."

He smiled as Victoire emerged from the group, the bow in her hair now tilted to the side. It was she who was now solemn looking.

"I didn't get it," she said.

"Nice effort, Vicki," said Charlie as he stopped by the table. "Even though you've got plenty of time before you even need to think about catching any other bouquets. Your father will see to that."

"Sorry you didn't get it," Teddy said as he watched Victoire plop her elbows down on the table miserably.

"You're not," she said. "You're happy because now you don't have to dance with me and that's all you wanted."

Teddy frowned. "I don't want you to be sad, though." He glanced up at Harry and took a large and over dramatic breath before he turned back to Victoire. "I'll dance with you if it'll make you happy."

A smile suddenly played at the corner of her lips. "Honestly?"

"One time," he mumbled begrudgingly.

"A slow song?"

"A fast song."

She considered this and seemed to realize that this was the best she was going to get. She smiled widely and nodded as she jumped up and pulled him towards the dance floor. He turned and gave Harry a helpless look, but Harry simply smiled at him.

"That was very sweet of him," Charlie said.

"Yeah." Harry smirked. "He's a nicer kid than I ever was."