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 5:

The Bridal Party

After her shower, Hermione got dressed and went in to work for the day. Everyone she told was very happy about, but not at all surprised at, her news. She went throughout the day with a glow about her that wouldn't go away for a very long time. At 6:00, Hermione called it a day and headed home. When she walked into her kitchen, she found a surprise sitting at her kitchen table, already halfway through what appeared to be a romantic dinner for two.

"Ronald Weasley it is so very like you to come here and try to surprise me with a candle-lit dinner yet find that you are too hungry to wait and eat half of it before I make it home." Hermione said in a half-exasperated, half-amused tone. Ron laughed and stood up. The two kissed and then Hermione went to her bedroom to change.

When she came back, they had a nice dinner, playfully tossing jokes back and forth and just enjoying each other's company. After a lovely dessert of chocolate gateau, the couple made a pot of tea and headed into the living room. After a bit of conversation, talk again focused on the wedding.

"Hermione, do you think that maybe we should start deciding who should be in our wedding? I mean, they have the most right to know what is going down, and once we have that in order, we can decide on clothing and what not."

"Well, it's not like I haven't started thinking about it already. In fact, after you went home last night, I started a list of bridesmaid possibilities since I had no one to distract me." She winked at Ron and he gave a long, low whistle.

"Well Miss Granger, Ah, excuse me, Miss-Almost-Mrs.-Weasley, I am so sorry that you could not have the pleasure of my company last night, but again, you seem to have finished a bit of homework before I even started it. I daresay that should make you quite happy."

Hermione giggled and got up to find her list of possibilities. In truth, the list only had four names on it. It was only last night that Hermione realized in all her time at Hogwarts, she had managed to be friends with more boys than girls. This had never really posed a problem until now, because Hermione doubted greatly that someone like Neville Longbottom would agree to wear a dress and carry a bouquet for her. Although thinking about it now, Neville would be the most likely to wear a dress for her out of all the guys she knew. Smiling slightly at the thought, Hermione returned to the living room to show Ron her list.

"I went over all of the people I would even consider letting into my wedding and came up with a few girls that I would like to participate. The first of course is your sister. Ginny is my best friend, besides you and Harry of course. She's most likely going to be my Maid of Honor. The possibilities for bridesmaids are Parvati Patil, Luna Lovegood, and Hannah Abbot. Parvati and I became pretty close at the end of sixth year and we talked a lot in our seventh year, mostly about you I might add" she broke off and gave Ron a reproachful look that would have rivaled that of Molly Weasley's.

"Hey, I made up for it in the end didn't I?" Ron asked after receiving Hermione's glare.

"Well, I suppose so, but getting back on subject; I'd really like to have Parvati in the wedding. You know the story behind Luna. After she got her dad to print that interview in our fifth year, we were always friends."

"Yeah, but what about Hannah Abbot? You never really seemed to be that good of friends with her." Ron asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Well, the truth is, we really aren't that great of friends, but I still wouldn't mind having her in our wedding."

"You ran out of friends didn't you?"

"Oh Ron, I'm horrible aren't I? I really didn't have many friends at school besides you two blockheads and now I don't know what to do! I even considering putting Lavender in our wedding, but I just couldn't have that complete cow be there to spoil my day with those God-awful memories from sixth year! And you! You have Harry and Neville and Dean and Seamus and Colin and Justin and Ernie and I don't know HOW many brothers! Maybe I should stick Neville in a dress to even it out! It's not like I haven't thought of it before!"

"Hermione, you having a lack of female friends is no problem. Listen, Harry is going to be my best man, which I'm sure you already knew. Dean is not ever going to be in my wedding, especially not after sixth year when Harry and I found him in the corridor making out with Ginny. Seamus was a right foul git all through fifth year so he's out. Colin Creevy is a bit too clingy for me, I don't like Justin much, Ernie can be ok, and all of my brothers are either too busy with work or too busy being a prat to come. As for Neville though, if you'd like to put him in a dress, be my guest. God knows that he wouldn't mind."

Hermione laughed and felt a wave of relief wash over her. The lack of girlfriends wasn't going to be a problem. In fact, she shouldn't have worried at all.

"I'm sorry Ron; I was just too caught up in all the plans in my head to realize that it wouldn't be a big deal. Now, I really would like to have Ginny as my Maid of Honor and Luna in my wedding. The other two we can invite. Now you, Harry is Best Man and…"

"Neville is Usher. That kid helped us more than we'll probably ever realize. He was our friend in first year, had the book that helped Harry in fourth year, fought with us at the Ministry in fifth year and even tried to beat Malfoy up once. He should be in our wedding."

"I agree. Neville really is one of our best friends. So then it's Ginny and Harry and Luna and Neville. Those pairs will be interesting. Who knows what might happen!"

"We couldn't have picked a better group."

They smiled at each other from across the room, each reflecting on the memories of the four people they had chosen to be a part of their special day. Soon, it became late and Ron had to leave. They both had work in the morning and then more wedding plans to go over in the evening. Hermione fell asleep quickly after Ron left. Her dreams were filled with ideas for cakes and dresses and invitations. Then, her thoughts changed to a dream where she and Ron shared their very first dance as husband and wife. In it, they were surrounded by four very special people.