A week later the wedding of Bill and Fleur took place in the garden of the Weasleys. Despite the fact that Ron and Hermione still weren't talking, there was an unspoken understanding that they were still going together, much to Fred's dismay. Harry had returned to 'The Burrows' annoyed to see that his two best friends were still giving each other the silent treatment two weeks after 'something' happened 'somewhere' between 'some people.' Unfortunately, that was all that he had got out of Ginny as she was still rather confused over what exactly happened "that night."

All of the boys had woken that morning, found their suits hanging on the outsides of their wardrobes, groaned and tried to turn over and get back to sleep. None of them seemed ready to face the wrath of a Veela bride who was obsessed with having the best wedding possible. It had taken Mrs Weasley threatening them all with Fleur residing at 'The Burrows' until the couple had bought a home of their own to actually get them to get up. Grudgingly they had headed downstairs and almost fallen asleep in their porridge before being sent back upstairs again to get ready.

They had all got dressed within an hour with two hours or so spare before the ceremony started and had all decided to hang out in the living room. Fred, George and Harry had taken the sofa, lounging around with their feet up on the coffee table whilst Ron had dropped into the armchair, swinging his legs over one of the arms and lying back on the other.

What a sight they all were when Ginny arrived half an hour later, all four of them had almost given up hope of ever getting out of the house. Harry was now lying upside down with him back on the floor and legs up on the sofa, the twins had almost mastered falling asleep sitting up and Ron was pacing the room anxiously. George had happened to point out that he would have to make an impression on Hermione today or else there may not be another chance.

Clearing her throat, within seconds all eyes were on Ginny. Ron stopped moving and Fred and George literally jumped into consciousness, not too bothered by their sister's presence and the fact that she was wearing a figure-hugging dress that skimmed the floor gracefully. Harry, however, seemed to be looking her up and down in admiration and awe before raising an eyebrow suggestively. By drawing her brothers' attention to herself, just their sister in a dress, she was hoping that Hermione's entrance would at least have an effect on two of the boys in her presence. Giving Harry and cheeky look, she took a swift step sideways and indicated towards the staircase.

As Hermione descended the stairs she could feel all eyes on her, looking up from the ground she was greeted by four hormonal teenage boys with their mouth hanging open. She was wearing a soft purple dress that floated gracefully to glide across the floor, it had a lower neckline than she was used to and the straps were almost as thin as dental floss. Suffice to say, she was showing enough skin to get the boys' attention; for once she had something to thank Fleur for, Ron seemed suitable entranced by it.

'Harry! Boys!' Ginny scolded, 'look upwards.'

'Huh?' was all she got from them as the lads just about caught what Ginny had just said.

'Try looking at her face.'

'Oh sorry,' was the mumbled reply as Hermione's audience looked up and smiled apologetically at her. After a moment of uncomfortable silence as Hermione walked into the living room, Ron mentally shook himself and wandered across to stand in front of her, he suddenly felt comfortable. When he had put on the suit earlier that morning he had felt overdressed, he was wearing a shirt, tuxedo, tie, trousers and the most uncomfortable shoes he had ever been given. Now, standing in front of Hermione he felt that he could dress like this, be her prince, any time.

'Well Ronald,' Hermione smiled, 'you look very presentable this morning.' He does, he looks so attractive and it kills me to know that I'll still have to keep my distance from him. I still can't trust myself around him, what if he figures out my feelings?

Don't screw this up, Ron's heart was saying, 'Wow Hermione, ummm…' think, Ron, think; compliment her, say she looks beautiful or something, 'never knew you could scrub up so well.'

At this Hermione's face fell, Idiot! Ron's mind yelled, "never knew you could scrub up so well!" since when was that classed as a compliment? Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!

'Oh right, thanks Ron!' Ron was dragged harshly out of his mental self abuse as Hermione hissed venomously at him, 'let me guess, that's what was wrong at the Yule Ball. You thought I wasn't good enough for your precious Quidditch idol Viktor Krum! Is that what it was? I didn't look good enough, he was too good for me! Is that it Ron?'

'What? No!' Ron protested.

'You know what Ron, forget it! Viktor likes me, you were wrong, he's happy to have me. Just the way I am!' Ron hated to hear her talk of Krum, he wanted to yell that she was too good for him, and that was what was killing him. That he knew that Hermione was too good for Krum and therefore much too good for him, boring, plain, obnoxious Ron Weasley.

Hermione took a bold step forward and looked him directly in the eye, he was a good deal taller than her usually but she was glad to have an extra three inches from the heels she was wearing. She leaned forward until her mouth reached his ear 'And he's here,' she whispered harshly to him, these words cut through Ron with a knife, 'and I'm going to find him, because he knows how to treat me, how to compliment me. He knows how to be the perfect gentleman, I don't need you Ron, not now, not ever.'

And with that she stepped back, shot him a vicious look then turned on her heels and left the room, her dress material swishing behind her. Ron just stood there, transfixed to the spot. Krum? Here? Had he just lost his date to a pompous, Quidditch-playing prat because he couldn't think of a compliment quickly enough?

Behind him Harry was hitting himself in the head with the palm of his hand in despair whilst Fred looked like he was fighting a losing battle with his limbs to run after Hermione and ask her to accompany him instead. Meanwhile Ginny had began to tap her foot and look at Ron with an air of irritation, she seemed to be waiting for him to go after Hermione. When it didn't happen, she stepped forward and hit him swiftly round the side of his head. This definitely bought Ron's attention back to the room.

'What was that for?' He asked, rubbing his head and staring in bewilderment at his sister.

'"Never knew you could scrub up so well"?' Ginny mimicked her brother, 'since when did you call that a compliment, Ron Weasley?'

'Leave it Ginny, I've already mentally beaten myself up for that mishap,' Ron said, waving his hand dismissively.

'Mishap? Is that what you're calling it? Ron, you shattered her! She was so happy when you had asked her to the wedding as your date, it gave you two the chance you didn't get at the Yule Ball. Then you go and say something like that to her? You've thrown her back into the arms of Viktor again! You're back where you started, I hope you're happy!' With another whack to the side of Ron's head Ginny had gone.

'Ecstatic! Thanks for the concern!' Ron shouted after her before receiving another hit round the back of the head from Harry, 'will people please stop hitting me!' Ron moaned.

'You're an idiot, Ron. You know you've wanted a chance to make up with her for weeks, that was your chance.'

'Harry!' Ginny's voice came from the kitchen.

'Coming!' Harry shouted back, 'come on, you can't avoid Hermione or Viktor today unless you miss the wedding today.'

'That sounds like a good plan,' Ron replied.

'Not an option, come on.' Harry exited the living room, a depressed and thoroughly agitated Ron tagging along behind.

'Why didn't you go after her?' George turned on his brother the moment they were alone.

'Because I still don't fancy her,' Fred lied, hoping his tone would do the trick. George wasn't fooled.

'You missed your chance to be her "just a brother helping out" date. Now you have to compete against Viktor Krum,' George tapped Fred on the back and winked, 'smooth move, you're about as bad as Ron!'

'We'd better get going,' Fred said, changing the subject quickly, 'they'll be waiting for us.'

'Not Hermione,' his brother jested, 'she's gone to find Krum.'

'Why should I care?'

'Because you lurve her!' George crooned

'Shut up, George.'

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The ceremony went ahead without any problems. The vows were perfect and Fleur looked the happiest she could be, feeling safe in the knowledge that nothing could possibly go wrong due to all of her plans and preparations. After the wedding had finished everybody moved across to the tent where there was music, a dance floor, food and drink.

Fred, George, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna and Neville, who had been invited by Mrs Weasley, had all made themselves comfortable at a table in the corner where they sat around eating, drinking and chatting about anything and everything that came into their heads. It felt right to all be together and were also soon joined by Hermione after she had taken the first dance with Viktor.

'Hi there,' she said as she floated into a chair beside Luna. She looked around the table smiling, only turning the smile to a glare at the sight of Ron, 'What did everybody think of the ceremony?' she asked, moving her gaze away from him.

'Beautiful,' Luna said happily, 'though I think they should have chosen different flowers for the bouquet, Fleur could have attracted all sorts of mini beasts whilst walking down the aisle.'

'I doubt she'd be too shocked if she attracted anything like that,' George said mischievously, 'she married the last scary thing that was drawn to her.'

'Thanks George,' came a voice from behind him. Turning round and looking up, George grinned sheepishly at Bill who had arrived with a tray full of butterbeers. Placing them down on the table, Bill looked across at Hermione, 'I was going to see if Hermione would care to dance with me, but seeing as I'm apparently a beast…'

'I would be honoured to dance with you Bill Weasley,' Hermione laughed, standing up she allowed Bill to take her hand and guide her to the dance floor.

Ron turned to watch as the two of them began to dance slowly across the floor. He looked on in awe as they glided gracefully around the dance floor, he wished that he was the one dancing with Hermione. To be that close to her, to breathe her scent and feel her skin against his own. He was aware that Bill was newly married but Ron couldn't help feeling a pang of jealousy and anger that he was dancing with Hermione, his Hermione. He wanted to turn away, start a new conversation but he found it too difficult. It was wonderful and enchanting to watch her dance, who wouldn't want to watch them?

The rest of the group, with the exception of Fred who was having the same thoughts as Ron, however were all staring at Ron. Neville decided to take to plunge and, leaning sideways to whisper to Harry and Ginny, asked the inevitable, 'so are they together yet?'

'No,' the couple grumbled in unison.

'And why not?'

'I'll give you three guesses Neville,' Harry said simply, turning to him and raising his eyebrow sceptically.

'Didn't really need to ask, did I?' Neville asked, taking the hint and turning back to look at Ron. This was short lived before he decided to look longingly at Luna instead.

Everybody's attention was turned back to the table when Viktor Krum seemed to invite himself into their group, sitting down in Hermione's vacant chair, 'vere iz my Hermioninny?' he asked sternly.

At this question, Harry pointed to the dance floor half-heartedly; he had never really liked Krum and wanted to keep it that way. As Viktor shifted his gaze to where Harry was pointing he huffed quietly and stated, 'vy does she associate viz zeez ozer men ven she iz viz me?' On that note he stood up in a disciplined fashion and headed across to congratulate Fleur.

'Anyone else absolutely hate that bloke?' Ron muttered.

'Oh yeah,' came the reply from the rest of the table almost in unison.

Without prior warning Fred decided to push his chair back and stand up, however, before he could get any further than turning towards the dance floor George piped up, 'where are you off to?'

'To piss off Krum, of course,' Fred replied bluntly as if it was obvious as to what he was doing.

'And how may I ask do you intend to do that?' George asked, lolling back on his chair with an amused look spread across his face.

'I'm going to ask Hermione to dance with me,' and with no further explanation he was gone.

'I knew it!' George shouted triumphantly punching his fist in the air and almost falling backwards off the chair.

'Knew what?' Ron shot at him, looking worried; at the same time Ginny threw George a warning look.

'Nothing,' George faltered, 'nothing, ummm… just that Fred couldn't pass up an opportunity to irritate someone, even at a wedding.'

It was a rubbish excuse but Ron seemed to take it, shrugging he picked up a butterbeer and began to drain it rapidly.

Poor Ron, Harry thought, this has got to be rough on him. Anyone else he could deal with, but Krum? You're an evil woman Hermione Granger!

A while later the party began to die down, guests began to leave and the band were just playing slow songs as the reception began to wind down. The gang were still sitting at their corner table, which was now littered with empty butterbeer bottles, laughing and joking. Luna had made herself comfortable in Neville's lap as he stroked her hair unconsciously, Harry and Ginny were leaning on each other comfortably whilst Ron and Hermione seemed to have warmed to each other slightly again and were arguing playfully over trivialities.

The mood only became sombre and quiet when a dark shadow loomed over the table. Looking up, there stood the figure of Viktor Krum whom Hermione seemed to have neglected without noticing it a good few hours before. They had shared a few more dances after she had danced with Bill, Fred, George and Harry then she had left him to get some more drinks and had become distracted by Ginny. Now he was standing there looking rather stern, 'Hermioninny, I think zat we need to talk.'

Hermione looked around the table before standing slowly and following Krum out of the tent. Now that Hermione had gone, Ron's mood had become gloomy again. Needing to stand, move, do anything; he offered to go and get more drinks. As he wandered towards the drinks table he undid his tie and the top few buttons of his shirt, he felt tense and restricted in these clothes. He ran his fingers through his hair and ruffled it lightly; it had been a long day.

On his way to get the drinks he passed the entrance to the tent, looking out through the parting he could see Hermione and Krum down by the old oak tree. He stopped for a moment then took a step towards the entrance, whatever they were talking about, it didn't look good. He could hear muffled yells and could see both of them with a good three meter gap between them, Hermione waving her arms in annoyance whilst Krum just stood there in neutral. As he reached the separation in the tent material he leant against one of the standing poles. The drinks errand forgotten, he wanted to watch over Hermione to make sure she didn't get hurt.

Meanwhile, down at the oak tree Hermione seemed to be holding her own just fine, 'what do you mean by that? Aren't I allowed to dance with other men if I want to?'

'Not if you agree to go viz me, I vaz your date Hermioninny, not zem!' Krum threw back.

'But they're my friends, the closest thing I have to family right now!' she retorted.

'But zere ver so many of zem, all zoze Veasley men and zat Potter boy. He likes you, you belong to me, Hermioninny.'

'Oh no!' Hermione stepped back swiftly, 'you don't own me, I don't belong to anyone! And Harry does not like me! He's my best friend, for Merlin's sake! '

'Vat about zat Ron Veasley, are ze rumours about him true, do you like him?' Krum asked, taking a step forward whilst Hermione took another backwards.

'Yes, yes I like him!' she yelled back with tears in her eyes, she didn't care who heard as long as she made herself clear to Viktor, 'and guess what? I don't care, because Ron Weasley is ten times the man you'll ever be.'

Krum gave her a disgusted stare at that comment as if she had lost her mind, 'zen ve are ozer?'

'Oh yes,' Hermione snarled, 'I think we are most definitely over.'

With nothing left to say, Krum turned and marched away, leaving a distraught and fuming Hermione behind him. As he reached the tent, Krum pushed roughly past Ron who was still standing in the entrance, 'she iz all yours,' he said gruffly as he passed.

Ron had caught the odd word of the conversation but not enough to know what she had said about him. Still, he had a growing admiration for Hermione, 'well done Hermione, I knew you were strong enough,' he whispered as he looked across the field towards her. Then, as if pulled by the same force he had felt that night in his bedroom, Ron suddenly found himself running towards the oak tree before he could even think of what he was doing.

As the tears fell down her cheeks Hermione felt herself weakening, she needed somebody, anybody. She needed to feel safe and protected, without a moment's notice she collapsed. She was sure that she should have crumpled to the ground, yet as she fell she felt a stable structure enfold around her. As she gazed up she could see Ron looking down at her. He had that caring look across his face and she felt secure, she broke down in his arms. The tears came thick and fast, yet the tears weren't for Viktor, they were for Ron. That moment before was the first time she had admitted that she liked Ron as more than a friend and had actually realised the impact of her words. For the first time ever she realised how much she relied on Ron and the fact that she didn't know what she would do without him. He was ten times the man Viktor could ever be, maybe even more, she had hated him that morning for so many reasons though at this moment she couldn't think of any of them. Through the good and the bad Hermione knew that he was always going to be the one who would stand by her. Here he was now after all, without being told he had been there when she felt at her most vulnerable.

I care about you so much Ron, if only I could tell you how much you mean to me, that all of this crying and all of these tears, the rejection of Viktor, the strained playful attitude is all for you.

I'll be there for you, Ron thought as he held her close, bringing them both to the ground and cradling her in his arms, you'll never be treated that way again, I promise.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Lots of fluff next chapter now that they've made up. Oh yes! Lots of pure, out of character fluff! But is all as it seems?