-1Disclaimer: 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 8:

A Piece of Cake

Later that night, Hermione flooed to St. Mungo's. She walked towards the reception desk. Parvati was sitting at the desk, reading the newest copy of Witch Weekly. She looked up and saw Hermione approaching her. "Hey Hermione, why are you here now? It's your day off isn't it?" By now, Hermione had reached the desk.

"Hey Parvati. Listen, tomorrow Ron and I are going to pick out a few more things for our wedding and I really need the day off. I was wondering if you could take one of my days from November and use it tomorrow."

Parvati started flipping the pages on her desk calendar. "Well, I think that I can find a day sometime in November. Don't worry about it. Enjoy your day tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting that invitation."

Hermione smiled and thanked Parvati. Then, she apparated to the Burrow. She knocked on the door and headed inside. Mrs. Weasley informed her that Ron was in the shower, but that she could wait in his room. Hermione began up the stairs and traced the familiar path to Ron's room. Inside, she sat down on Ron's bed. Looking around, a wave of memories began to flow through her body.

She remembered the first time that she ever stayed here. It was in fourth year and they had been going to the Quidditch World Cup. The room that Ron slept in had changed very little. It still had the familiar posters on the wall. On Ron's bed was the orange bedspread that had always been there, except now it was patched and fraying. Some things were different about the room though too. On the wall was a collage of Ron's Hogwarts days. It consisted of Ron's old Gryffindor tie and prefect's badge. There were also many letters and pictures. There was one of her, Ron and Harry outside of Hagrid's Hut in first year. Another picture showed her and Ron before the Halloween feast in third year. In the center of the collage was a picture of Hermione. She had never seen this picture before Ron had put the collage on the wall. The photograph appeared to have been taken before the Yule Ball in fourth year. Hermione was standing at the top of the dormitory staircase in Gryffindor tower. She was wearing her blue dress, which she realized now was the exact shade of periwinkle as her bridesmaids' dresses. Hermione had no idea where Ron had gotten this picture from, or who had taken it, but it was quite possibly the best picture of Hermione that had ever been taken. Surrounding it were letters from her and Harry throughout school.

At that moment, Ron walked through his bedroom door. He was shaking his shaggy hair to try and dry it. He was carrying his towel and wearing his plaid robe.

"Hermione what are you doing here? I thought that I was supposed to come over in about an hour?"

"Yes, well I was just at St. Mungo's and I got the day off tomorrow. I didn't really want to wait another hour all by myself in that lonely little flat." She smiled at him and he rushed at her, jumping on the bed. Hermione laughed as the mane of wet shaggy hair attacked her. Hermione tackled Ron and he kissed her. They settled down after a while and sat in Ron's Room.

Suddenly, there was a sharp rap on Ron's bedroom window. Hermione got up and opened it. A handsome tawny owl soared in through the open window and dropped a large square envelope on Ron's head. It clicked its beak importantly and flew back out the open window.

"What is it?" Hermione asked as Ron opened the envelope.

"Oh Hermione look!"

Hermione walked over to Ron's bed and looked at what Ron was holding in his hands.

Your Presence is requested

At the Marriage Ceremony

Of

Ms. Hermione Jane Granger

To

Mr. Ronald Bilius Weasley

On

The twenty-fifth of October

At

2 o'clock in the afternoon

At

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

If you plan on attending, please take

The Hogwarts Express

From

Platform 9 ¾ in King's Cross Station

At

11 o clock in the morning

On

The twenty-fourth of October.

Please R.S.V.P. to the Groom's Mother

Mrs. Molly Weasley

By the Thirtieth of September.

"Oh Ron, they're here! They're really here! There's no turning back now. You're stuck with this bossy know-it-all from now until the end of time."

Ron laughed and went downstairs to show his mother the invitation, but she had already received her own. Hermione sighed happily to herself and went downstairs to ask Mrs. Weasley for some blankets. She was going to spend the night in Fred and George's old room. After receiving the invitation to her wedding, she really didn't want to be away from Ron.

The next morning Ron and Hermione set off to taste cakes at the local bakery. When they walked inside, Harry, Ginny, Neville, and Luna were already sitting at a table in the corner. Ron and Hermione started to walk towards them, but then Ron stopped short and Hermione turned to him.

"Hermione, before we walk over there, promise me something alright? Let's please not fight about the cake. I don't want you to cry again on my account."

"Okay Ron I promise." Hermione smiled and continued walking towards her friends.

Ron informed the owner of their intentions and the six of them were soon facing a tray of ten different cakes.

"Well then, Cheers." Ron said grabbing the nearest plate and cutting the cake into six pieces. Harry was the first to take a bite and quickly spat it back out.

"What, Harry are you okay?" Ginny asked with a concerned look on her face. Harry was sputtering and quickly conjured a glass of water with his wand. After he stopped choking, Harry spoke.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Listen, Ron, Hermione, it's my duty as best man to inform you that the first cake is to rival something made by Hagrid.

"Eww" Hermione said as five plates simultaneously were pushed away from their owners.

"Well then maybe the next cake will taste better" Luna said as she placed a piece of cake on each person's plate. This time, Ron was the first to take a bite and ended up having a coughing fit similar to that of Harry's. The six friends then started going through the other cakes. Each time, a new person took the first bite. It became something of a game until they choked through nine of the ten cakes. Hermione was starting to think that the entire day had been a waste. It was Ginny's turn to take the first. She took the fork to her mouth and stuffed the entire morsel in. Each of them was expecting the same reaction, but Ginny broke into a smile and encouraged the others to try a piece. Hermione put a taste of the cake in her mouth. It was a bit like almond but there was something sweet in the flavor that she could not name.

"Well Hermione darling, I do think that we've found the perfect wedding cake. Now we just need to pick the shape."

After looking into all of their options, Ron and Hermione chose a 3 tiered cake with light blue frosting. On top were a small brown haired bride and a fiery red-headed groom. Harry and Luna both had to go to work, so Ginny and Neville stayed to help Ron and Hermione pick out a caterer and linens. Ron and Hermione decided on having Charmed cater the wedding and were really surprised to find that they could book them when they always had a crowd. At the linen store, Hermione and Ron picked our periwinkle table cloths and napkins.

When they were finally done, the four of them ate at a small muggle diner before going their separate ways. Ron and Hermione started walking towards the Burrow, discussing the day's events. They had done what they had promised and had not fought at all. "If compromises make things work out like this," Hermione thought "they were worth making more often." The two of them stayed out in the garden and conversed about the plans left to make. Today had accomplished many things and the list was now dwindling down to a few key things. If more days went like today, the rest of the planning would be a piece of cake.