Hermione Granger and her mother sat at the vanity, putting the finishing touches on Hermione's eyeshadow.

"Oh, how I dreamed of seeing this day," Mrs. Granger said happily. "When you were born, I remember holding you up and saying, 'Welcome to the world, Hermione Jean. It's a scary place, but you'll fit in just fine.' And you did. Hermione, you've made me the most grateful mother alive. I'm so thankful to have a beautiful, bright, and kind daughter like you."

Hermione smiled through her happy tears. "Mum, you're making me cry!"

Mrs. Granger was crying, too. "I love you, darling."

"I love you too, Mum."

Mr. Granger knocked on the door. "Pardon the intrusion," he said with a grin, "but Mrs. Ginevra Molly Weasley Potter wishes to have an audience with the lovely bride."

Hermione giggled. Her father was in a great mood - one she thought she'd never witness again after wiping their memories to hunt for the Horcruxes. "Oh, Dad, that's just Ginny. You can send her in."

"Of course, my lady." Mr. Granger opened the door for Ginny and went back into his bedroom to finish getting dressed for the wedding.

Ginny rushed into the bedroom. "Hermione, you look beautiful!"

As she stood up to hug her best friend, Hermione began to cry again. "I'm so excited and scared and nervous and happy, all at the same time!"

Ginny laughed. "That's natural!" Before Ginny had left the cottage that morning, she had decided not to mention anything about the baby to Hermione. It wasn't necessary to get her any more excited than she already was, especially if there was a chance that all Ginny was going through was a simple stomach flu - not pregnancy.

Mrs. Granger gazed at them wistfully. "I suppose I can leave Ginny with the makeup while I go down to grab the dress. Is that all right, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded. "That's fine, Mum."

As Mrs. Granger left, Ginny took her place on the bed. She picked up an eyeliner and began to apply it to Hermione's eyes.

"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked.

Ginny nearly dropped the eyeliner. "What do you mean?"

"I... I just wanted to know how you are."

Ginny relaxed and continued with the makeup. "Oh. Well, I suppose I'm all right."

"That's good."

Ginny placed the cap on the eyeliner and picked up a rose colored blush. As she opened it, she began to think about how life would be if she really were pregnant. Would we have a little boy, or a little girl? she wondered. What would we name the baby? If it were a baby boy, I know Harry would like to name him James. And for a girl... maybe I could name her after Luna. Luna's such a beautiful name, and Luna would be a great role model. What would the baby look like? I hope he or she has Lily's eyes. Maybe he or she will look like me. Maybe-

"Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Yes?"

"You're being awfully quiet. Is everything okay?"

Ginny took a deep breath as she brushed the blush onto Hermione's cheeks. "Everything's fine, Hermione."

"Okay." Hermione was quiet for a few minutes. She let Ginny finish applying the blush before speaking. "You know you can always come to me with anything, don't you?"

"I know, Hermione."

"How's Harry?"

Ginny sighed. "Harry? Oh, he's fine. Hermione, open your mouth a little so I can test this lipstick on you, all right?"

Hermione opened her mouth. Ginny painted the rosy red lipstick onto Hermione's lips.

"Ginny, things are okay between you and Harry, aren't they?"

In spite of herself, Ginny flushed bright red. "Of course! We're absolutely fine!"

"That's good."

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Ginny?"

"Do you think you and Ron will have any kids?"

It was Hermione's turn to blush. "Oh, I'd like to! That is, I'd like to if he'd like to, you know?"

Ginny nodded. "I know. It's the same with Harry and I." Darn it.

"Oh?"

"Just technically speaking," Ginny covered up quickly. "If that makes any sense."

"Oh," came Hermione's confused answer.

Ginny smiled. "Okay, are you ready to see?" Hermione nodded. Ginny pulled out her wand and tapped the wall. Hermione's reflection appeared there. She looked slightly surprised, as though she had never seen herself with makeup before.

"Ginny, I love it! I look... I look beautiful!"

Ginny giggled. "You are beautiful!" She gave her friend a hug.

Mrs. Granger came back upstairs, carrying the wedding gown. "Are you two all finished with the makeup? We should get the dress on quickly."

Hermione nodded and stood up. "The photographer's going to be at The Burrow around four, so we should probably get the gown on and do my hair fast. And, Mum," she added, "Don't worry; The photographer will take some Muggle photos for your house, too. They won't move."

Mrs. Granger laughed. "Actually, dear," she said, "I kind of like how your pictures move around. It makes it seem more... magical."

Ginny and Mrs. Granger helped Hermione remove her robe without ruining her glossy curly hair. Then they slipped the dress over her head, being as equally careful. The dress was a perfect fit.

"Hermione, it's gorgeous!" Ginny cried. "You'll look amazing."

"Do you really think so?" Hermione turned around slowly in her dress, so as to capture the full effect. It was very modest, with longer sleeves and a neckline that was cut at an appropriate length for Hermione's liking. It had an open upper back, and the train gave off the slightest amount of sparkles when she walked.

Ginny nodded. "I know so." She glanced up at the clock. It was 12:15. "Hermione, I have to go. I have a doctor's appointment at St. Mungo's."

Hermione looked alarmed. "Is everything all right?"

Nice going, Ginny, she thought to herself, Way to keep a secret. "Everything's fine," she said quickly, "Just a check-up. I'll be back in time for the wedding, I promise. I'll be out of there quicker than Dumbledore going to get a haircut." She hugged Hermione goodbye. "Harry and I will meet you at the Burrow for lunch." Turning on her heel, Ginny closed her eyes and thought of St. Mungo's, and what news - good or bad - it would bring her.