Disclaimer: All the Characters and places come strictly from J.K.R.'s mind. If they were mine, I wouldn't be typing this on my computer at home. The plot strictly belongs to me, that's it.
Chapter 3:
And So the Preparations Begin
Hermione woke up the next morning at sunrise. She and Ron had fallen asleep under the oak tree. She looked down at him and smiled. She had never been as happy as she was in that moment looking at her fiancé, her future, her Ron. It all seemed a bit surreal. She had never imagined that something as wonderful as this could have happened to her. She bent down and kissed Ron's forehead. After a long time, she grabbed her purse and began to read the book that she carried with her everywhere. Currently, it was titled "Trying to Find a Cure." It was a highly interesting book about the steps required to become the head of a research facility in St. Mungo's. Hermione began to read but was only a few more pages along when Ron began to stir. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. She grinned back and put her book back in her purse, determined to finish it later.
"Why Miss Granger, I do believe that is the first time I've ever seen you put a book down without a good reason" Ron said in a mocking tone. He wiggled his eyebrows at her and opened his mouth in what was supposed to be a surprised look. Hermione giggled and retorted in a mocking tone herself.
"That's Almost-Mrs.-Weasley to you. I do believe that my future husband's grin is cause enough for me to put my book down thank you very much."
He laughed heartily and pulled her into a soft kiss. Together they cleaned up under the oak tree and the set off to Hermione's flat for some breakfast.
Once inside, Hermione went to her bedroom to change out of her dress. She had a feeling that she would never wear it again, for she could never feel as good in it as she had the previous night. She threw on a pair of jean capris and a yellow tank top and headed back into the kitchen.
She and Ron made Belgium waffles and tea. They had another series of easy conversation. Finally, they got around to a topic that Hermione was most eager to discuss.
"Listen Ron. We have a lot to do now before we get married. We certainly have a lot of planning and preparations to take care of. I want both of us to be happy with the decisions made, so if you aren't happy, please tell me. I want this to be our day, so let's make the most of it, alright?"
She sat staring at him with an expectant look on her face.
"Well?" She said after a few moments silence. Finally, he spoke.
"Hermione, darling, whatever makes you happy makes me happy. You can pick out just about everything. This is your day my dear. I want it to be everything that you've always wanted it to be."
He leaned back in his chair, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"Wait, what?" Hermione said in an exasperated tone. "No, no- this is our day Ron. I want you to have at least some say in what happens. After all, there is so much to do. We have to invite people and get a cake and a caterer and find a church and get the bridal party! I've got to owl my mum and dad to let them know. I mean 'wedding' is definitely something that they understand; it isn't even a magical term! We have to owl Harry and Ginny and your parents and McGonagall! I have to pick colors out and flowers and--"
"Hermione calm down. First off you need to take a deep breath before you can do any of the other things on your list. And second off, you are not going to have to do everything by yourself. I'm going to help you with all the major decisions. I just want you to have a day that you can look back on and smile. I love you Hermione. Let's make this day show the entire world that. Oh, and before we can do anything else, even owl your parents, we have to pick a date so that we can start ordering things."
He finished on a very business-like note, but Hermione thought that it was quite romantic the way that he ended his little speech. This was going to be the beginning of many preparations that they were going to have to make. She loved how he got her to calm down and use her head. He was the only one who had that effect over her. She nodded at him and smiled. Right now, none of the preparations mattered much to Hermione. The only thing that really mattered was that they were in this together.