For Longer Than Forever: Ch. 17: The Big Day

A/N: The penultimate chapter. It won't be long until you peruse the ending. The ending of my first published fic. The ending of a chapter in my life. When I finished this story, I was watching television. I looked at it, smiling, and saying, "It's done." Then, I realized what that meant. This story, the one I've been trying to finish since God knows when, was finished. I didn't have to worry about updating or people forgetting about it in the long span between chapters. There were no more chapters. And then I cried. Why this upset me so, I'm not sure, but the fact that this story was over was not the happy moment I expected it to be. It was bittersweet, like how I would imagine it would feel to see your child leave the house. Wow. I've rambled on long enough. I'm pretty happy to have it done now. I can write without having to feel guilty that I haven't finished this one. At some point, I'll have to go back and fix the previous chapters. But at the same time, maybe it's like an artist looking back on her work. It's a show of how far I've come. And how far it's been.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you the story about the wedding dress! Good Lord. I had a clear picture in my mind of a wedding dress: the wedding dress that not only I would love, but that would mean something to Hermione as well. And I hoped that I could describe it well enough so that you could see it as well. But then I thought, maybe it would be best to have a picture. But then I wondered how on Earth I was going to find a picture. What could I possibly search at Google? It wasn't likely for dress stores to have the exact caption on the picture that I used to describe the dress. So I sighed and typed in "wedding dresses" and pressed search, expecting to be looking for hours. And then, as if it were magic, the back of the bodice that I had in mind was on the second page. I clicked on it, thinking, "It couldn't possibly…" and there it was: the dress from my dreams; bodice, skirt and all. So I immediately saved the link: http://www,janedenningtoncouture,co,uk/lauren-wedding-dress,htm

Change the commas to periods and you'll be all set!

Hope you enjoy the story!

--

She sat on her bed in the Burrow, thinking about the day ahead of her. Seven o'clock. She knew that Ginny would come in and demand she get ready soon. Then Molly would bustle in, ordering everyone around. Not that this was a bad thing; she had organized many weddings before. Still, Hermione should have known better than to have her wedding at the Burrow after Bill and Fleur's harassment, and yet, she couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather be. The Burrow was home as much as her own was now. Ron's room would be hers when summer came. Whereas a week ago, this thought excited her, now it made her anxious. What if he changes his mind? She thought feverishly. If he decides that he doesn't love me as much as he thought? What if I drive him away? Mrs. Weasley had warned her of this. "You'll start thinking Ron doesn't want you. Forget it. Weasley men only commit to what they want. He's always loved you and nothing will change his mind. And you've already gone through the hardest part. Engagement." These words had comforted her at the time. Now, they threatened to make her sick. What if I– But that thought she banished quickly. She loved Ron with all her heart. Nothing could change that. Ron and Hermione Weasley. It had a nice ring to it.

"Hermione?" Ginny inquired quietly, opening the door. Ginny thought she was coming to wake her up. "Oh," she said as she spotted Hermione sitting up. "Why aren't you getting ready? Come on then. We have work to do!"

"Oh really? Am I that horrible looking?" Hermione said, arching an eyebrow.

"No," Ginny said, her head turned to the side. "but I am wondering what on Earth we're going to do with your hair."

Hermione sighed. Now it begins. The endless makeover. Let it pass, Hermione, she thought to herself. It's only one day. Soon, she found herself being pulled and patted from every direction. Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Fleur were all there, "helping" her get ready.

Every now and again she would sigh, inadvertently and Ginny would say, "Don't Worry Hermione. You look smashing. Ron will love it."

"Yes, 'Ermione. Molly can do aneezeeng."

Oh yeah. That makes me feel loads better. Mrs. Weasley can make Fleur beautiful.

Nevertheless, she was glad to have their help. She would have given up on herself a long time ago. But she was still glad when they were done fixing her and left her to get into her dress. She had taken special care in picking a dress. She had looked in every catalog and shop she could get to. So when she found one that she loved, she knew that it was the one. The bodice was embroidered with swirls that reminded her of night breezes and falling in love. It had the playfulness of summer and the mystique of winter. The skirt was wide and blossoming and soft and reminded her of magic. The whole dress was a dream in itself and when it fit perfectly, Hermione knew it was meant to be. Putting it on again only made her feel elated as she was when she tried it on. She wrapped her arms around her body and looked at her reflection in the mirror for the first time. Her hair was tamed, but still curled and pulled away from her face with a clip. It hung down to her shoulder blades, much longer than usual due to its taming. She was amazed to find that she still looked like herself, though she'd been modified all morning. At that moment, Ginny bustled in, saying, "Now we –" And stopped in her tracks. She grinned. "Ron is going to love you in that."

Hermione smiled at Ginny's reflection next to hers. "You think so?"

Ginny shook her head. "I know so."

Hermione grimaced. "You know, we're really a cliché today."

"I know."

Hermione turned around and laughed. "It's the wedding."

"No doubt." She paused. "Thanks."

Hermione was confused. "For what?"

"For making my brother so happy," she answered unexpectedly.

"He's not the only one who's happy about the wedding."

"Yes. I suppose Mum's pretty happy about it too." She grinned at Hermione. "No, really, though. I'm happy to see the two of you finally get what you want." She brought Hermione close and hugged her tightly. "You look ravishing."

Hermione nodded, squeezing Ginny before she released her and the younger left the room. She sat down on the bed. Her stomach was in knots. Her mind went to the strain of "what-ifs". Her fingers were twisted. Mrs. Weasley came in and sat on Ginny's bed across from her and studied her face. "You're worried."

Hermione looked up from her skirt and said, "Is it really that obvious?"

"I know your face well enough, dear. And wedding anxiety is quite within my expertise."

"I love him, Mrs. Weasley–"

"Please, Mum. You might as well be mine."

Hermione smiled weakly. "I really do love him. And everyone assures me that he loves me. But I have so many doubts about the future."

Mrs. Weasley nodded understandingly. "You're afraid he'll fall out of love with you."

"Yes! I'm so afraid not only of Ron, but more of my caprices. What if–"

"Stop. You'll drive yourself mad."

"Too late for that."

"Dear, if you haven't already done so, then you most likely won't now."

"But if–"

"Hermione, take it from someone with experience. You won't stop loving him."

"Yes, but you and Mr. Weasley dated forever before–"

"We didn't date that long. We had only dated for a year or so."

"But Ron and I–"

"Have been together since first year. You've loved him for a long time."

"But we bicker constantly already!"

"Yes, and you always make up."

"Only because I can't–" Hermione began, caught up in the moment. Then she realized what she was about to say. "I can't handle not talking to him."

"Exactly. Because you love him too much to not be with him." Hermione was still. "You have no need to fear your 'caprices'. I can assure you of that. It is the same way with him."

Hermione thought back and couldn't remember a fight that lasted over the summer. "How do you know that?"

"You didn't see him last Christmas. He was different. He was a mess. I could see it." Mrs. Weasley looked at her seriously, a half-smile on her face. Hermione's vision flooded with tears, she reached a hand to her soon-to-be mother-in-law, who took it tightly in hers. A tear ran down Hermione's face. "There, there, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, standing up and pulling Hermione with her. "You don't want us to have to redo your make-up do you?"

Hermione quickly wiped her tear away and hugged Mrs. Weasley with all her might. "Thank you for your son."

Mrs. Weasley nodded. "It's my pleasure to give him to you." She pulled back and placed her hands on each side of Hermione's face. "You two need each other. What is anything that would keep you apart?" Hermione smiled, ready for the rest of her life.

--

The rest of the morning was a blur of what can only be described as Weasley efficiency. Things were flying left and right as the women got ready around Hermione. She watched, feeling as if she was on the outside of it all. As the women went to check on the men at an hour until Showtime, she heard Ron's voice at the door.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?" she asked, through the weathered door.

"I know I can't see you or Mum'll lynch me, but I wanted to tell you something."

"Okay."

Ron swallowed audibly. "Are you worried?"

Hermione wished to cry. He had brought his worries straight to her. "I was. But I talked to your Mum. She knew what to say."

"Hermione, I'm worried about time going by and–"

"I was too. But she made me realize that I need you and I always will." Ron was silent for a few long moments. "Maybe you should ask her about it."

His voice was quiet. "You were afraid you would stop loving me?" Hermione froze. "I was afraid of the war killing one of us. You're worried about us?"

"I'm worried about us getting older and growing apart. We're so young and I'm so logical and I'm bossy and mean and horrible. And I was so afraid that you'd stop loving me."

Ron made an odd sound that Hermione couldn't discern. Then it got louder. He was laughing. "Herm–her–" Then he started laughing again. "Hermione, all those things are true. And sure, sometimes, they can make me want to choke you, but they're what make you you. And I love you." He was serious. "I'll always love you. You don't need to ever worry about me not loving you." She placed a hand on the door between them, and somehow, she knew Ron's hand was in the same place as surely as if the door had been made of glass. He cleared his throat. "I should go before someone sees me here and accuses me of something. I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to be Mrs. Ronald Weasley."

"I love you, Hermione."

"I love you too."

She heard his footsteps. Then she called out through the door, "Ron?"

"Yes?" he answered.

"You don't need to worry about the war. What is anything that would keep us apart?"

She heard him let out a breath that he must have been holding all morning.

--

Hermione stood at the front door of the Burrow, seeing the marquee a short distance away and going to it. But it felt like a mile. Especially in the stupid shoes Ginny had made her wear. Then, when she reached the opening, it was all worth it. She saw Ron's face, jaw slacked, eyes wide as if he'd never seen anything so beautiful in his life. His eyes met hers and he smiled and she saw nothing else. She knew it was cliché. But she also knew he saw only her.

The vows were traditional and she barely heard them. She said what she should in the appropriate pause and saw Ron grin as he said the same.

Then came the blessed words:

"You may kiss the bride."

He lifted her off her feet and kissed her without hesitation or regard for the people around them.

Hermione was Mrs. Weasley and she wanted nothing else.