Chapter 10

Hermione woke up in her bed and wondered how in the name of Merlin she had gotten here, because the last thing she remembered was falling asleep in Fred's arm in her little hide-away. Fred must have carried her back to her bed and that would explain why she was still in yesterday's clothes. Silently, she slipped out of the room with a change of clothes and headed straight for the shower. The hot water against her skin felt so good and it allowed her to think everything over. She had never really been close to Fred and now she had to get married to him. It was the fourth today, so her wedding was in 13 days, with Ginny's 4 days before that. The house was silent so Hermione guessed that everyone was outside since the bedroom had been empty when she had left it. Back to the thoughts of the wedding, Hermione felt anticipation running over her body. Hermione Weasley that sounded good. No it didn't sound good, it sounded perfect. As Hermione stepped out of the shower and got dressed, a single thought lingered at the back of her mind. What happens after the wedding? Hermione knew that she would be going back to Hogwarts as an eighth year student and she was so pleased to go back, but she didn't know what she wanted to do exactly. She thought about going into healing or Auror training. Healing was what she really wanted to do because she couldn't bear the thought of not being able to help.

After the war, Hermione's boggart had changed into people dying everywhere around her and she just stood there, unable to help anyone. What about the house they had planned to get? She would be in Hogwarts and he would be at the shop probably. How was that meant to work? But the question that kept nagging at her was what would happen the night of the wedding? She didn't know whether he wanted to wait for the honeymoon or whether he wanted it to be the night of the wedding. But the biggest thing was that Hermione always thought it'd be with someone she loved, and now she was being thrown into it and she didn't know what to do because she didn't love Fred. Not yet at least. Maybe, just maybe, she would fall in love with the charming twin by then and with that thought, she left the bathroom and went into the orchard where everyone was having breakfast. Everyone apart from the twins, where were they?

"Have you seen the twins, Hermione dear?" asked Molly kindly

"No I haven't Mrs Weasley, are you sure they're not sleeping still?" Said Hermione, frowning.

"No, their beds are empty, and it's 9.30. Ginny checked the shop, it's closed and they're not in the flat either." Said Mrs Weasley

This was weird, they never missed breakfast, and if they did, they left a note. Everyone seemed tense as Hermione sat down to have breakfast, but she didn't feel hungry. Instead, she felt her stomach in twists. What if something had happened to Fred? What if some Death Eaters had found him and had kidnapped him? Or worse, killed him? As the thought flew around Hermione's head, she let out a little whimper. Suddenly, a loud *CRACK* was heard and two grown men appeared with a grin on their faces. A second later, a second crack was heard and Kingsley appeared. They were all grinning at all the puzzled faces.

"Could you all please come with us to the Ministry please?" asked the minister kindly.

The family did as they were told and they all apparated into the Ministry.

"Fred and Hermione first please." Said Kingsley

The Weasleys plus the Harry and the fiancées stayed behind in the waiting room as Hermione and Fred went into the office. Hermione squealed as she stepped into the office. There, in front of her, was her entire family! She didn't hesitate as she leaped into her mother's arms and grabbed for her dad and sister at the same time. Her eyes welled up as they all hugged. They were here, in the Ministry and they seemed to remember her! This might have been a dream, and she would wake up at the Burrow, but right now, all she could think about was holding onto them for as long as possible. After some time, she let go of them and everyone sat on the couches. Kingsley started explaining the situation and how Fred and George went to find the Grangers. He finished off with how Hermione and Fred were getting married in thirteen days. This time, it was Hermione's mum's turn to cry as she held on to Hermione and everyone congratulated them. Hermione felt so secure here with all her family. This meant that her dad would give her away and her mum and sister would help her get ready.

Her family then left to meet the Weasleys and Hermione followed them as everyone was introduced- which took some time- and once all that was over, they all made their way back to the Burrow to finish the breakfast. However, Hermione didn't go to finish breakfast with everyone, Fred pulled her apart and they went on a walk together to the lake. There, Fred laid down all the food he had taken from the breakfast table. All this was done without a word. Hermione didn't know how to thank him for what he had done, and she didn't know why he had done it either.

"Fred…" she started, but she didn't know what to say so instead she looked him in the eye and kissed him deeply. She felt Fred's arms go around her waist as she put hers around his neck. It felt so normal, so perfect to be standing there, kissing him. She wasn't aware of the tears on her cheeks until Fred let go of her and wiped them away with his strong, but soft hands.

"Are you alright Hermione?" he asked quietly

"I'm fine, it's just that I don't know how I can thank you for what you did today. Why did you do it? It's not that important anyway and you went into all that trouble…" Hermione said helplessly.

"Hermione, Hermione, I did this because a) you saved my life and I had to pay you back somehow and b) because I wanted to and you deserved this. You have been through so much and this was the least I could do. It was very important to you, so it was very important to me. You're only having one wedding, and even if you don't love me, I want it to be magical and special for you and I want it to be the best day of your life. Why were you crying Hermione?"

"Thank you for everything Fred, I wouldn't want to marry anyone else right now. I'm glad you were matched, and I hope that I will learn to love you, and you will learn to love me and together we can have a life. I was crying because you are so affectionate and because you could have someone as good as you to marry, and you're stuck with me."

"I'll learn to love you Hermione, I'm sure of that. I wouldn't want to marry anyone else. You're perfect Hermione."

With that, he leaned in again and kissed Hermione gently before he went down onto one knee to an astonished Hermione.

"Hermione Jane Granger, will you do me the immense honour of marrying me? I know you don't have a choice, but if you did, would you marry me? You're smart, caring, loving and perfect and I would love to spend the rest of my life with you. Even if we don't fall in love just yet, we'll learn to love each other and we'll make this work, but if you never do love me, and I never do love you, we'll be friends at the very least. That's all I'm asking for right now, for us to be friends."

Hermione went down on her knees and kissed Fred.

"Fred, I'll marry you gladly. You are intelligent, funny, affectionate and perfect and I would love to spend the rest of my life by your side. I'll be your fiancée until we get married and then I'll be your wife. I promise to be your friend at the very least, but I'm sure that with time, we'll love each other. Thank you for everything Fred."

With that, Fred slipped on the delicate ring, which was silver with a small diamond on it and as Hermione looked closer, a phlox flower was designed in the diamond. This means "Our souls are united" and it was so true. Hermione thanked Fred over and over again until Fred kissed her in order for her to stop talking. Then Fred sat down and Hermione cuddled into him as they ate breakfast in silence, talking about everything and nothing. It felt magical to be in his arms.