Chapter 39

"Almost Lover"

Hermione's heart was racing, she was quite sure that at any moment it was going to jump out of her chest and sprint away. But it made for all the more excitement as she pulled Draco in closer to her. She knew she wasn't breathing with her lips crushed against his. He ran his hands up and down her sides and she moaned into his mouth. She could feel his lips curl into a smirk against hers and hit him in the back without breaking the kiss. She pulled away when she felt his lips curl even further into a smile.

"Are you smiling," she asked raising an eyebrow.

"You must have been imaging things," he pulled her back in close to him. He stared down into her eyes. He trailed a finger along the outline of her lips.

"Malfoy, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were in love with me," she smiled up at him her brown eyes full of glee and sparking in the soft moonlight coming from the window.

"Good thing you know better Granger," he said walking her backwards towards his bed.

"Yes good thing I know better than to believe that lie," she smirked as she pushed his robe down his shoulders and began to unbutton his shirt.

"Believe what you wish," he said unzipping the back of her dress.

"I will and I choose to believe that you love me," she said completely getting his shirt open and taking it off.

He pushed the straps of her dress down. He stared into her eyes as he let the top of her dress fall completely down. He leaned in and kissed her. The kiss was slow and savored. He took his time so he could fully taste her. He lightly traced her lips with his tongue, she parted her lips and he gently let his tongue enter her mouth. He pushed her dress all the way down and she stepped out of it without breaking the kiss. He moved his hands under her bottom and he picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked them the rest of the way to his bed. He gently lowered them down so he was on top of her and continued the kiss. He broke away from her mouth and trailed kisses to her ear and whispered, "I love you Hermione."

Hermione sat straight up and looked around, the dimly lit room that was her office. She pushed the strands of hair behind her ears that had fallen from her bun. She yarned and wished she'd never run into Draco as she began to pack up her papers. I love Ron, she told herself as she yarned and looked at her watch.

"SHIT!" had definitely become her new favorite word. She gave up on the packing her papers and grabbed her purse and ran. She had slept in the office all night long, it was 9am and her bridal shower started at 11am it was in Little Whinging, Surrey. She was supposed to drive with her Mother who she knew was probably calling her flat nonstop at that moment to make sure she was awake and that she was wearing the dress she had picked out for her. She pushed the button for the lift thousands of times and when it finally arrived wished she could speed it up.

She sprinted through the atrium, which was completely silent besides the clack of her heals. She exited through the visitor's entrance and apparated to the alley behind her apartment building, and running around to the main entrance, then up four flights of stairs wandlessly unlocking the door to her flat. She kicked off her shoes and the sound of the phone ringing off the hook filled her apartment she hurried to her bedroom unbuttoning her shirt as she went. Five minute shower and…

She stopped in her tracks when she opened the door to her bedroom. "Ron"

"Morning Hermione," he was sitting at the foot of her bed. There was a newspaper sitting on the bed next to him currently being scratched at by Crookshanks.

"Morning," she forgot she gave him a key, "I'm going to be late for my bridal shower," she said nervously finishing getting her shirt off.

"Where have you been?"

"I fell asleep at work," she said hanging up her blouse and the skirt she now removed. "I thought it was about 1am and then I saw the time," she went into the bathroom in just her slip.

"Are you cheating on me," Ron shouted so Hermione could hear him still sitting calmly at the foot of her bed.

Hermione held her breathe, damn. She turned on the shower.

Ron appeared into the doorway, "are you seeing him again."

Hermione looked up at the reflection of Ron in the mirror behind her. "No I'm not."

"Then why were you at the Leaky Cauldron with him," he held up the paper.

Hermione was surprised that Ron was not yelling or glaring. He looked hurt. He was acting calm and rational and Hermione liked it. She felt bad for all the old feelings and thoughts she had of Draco. "No I'm not seeing him. He asked me to lunch…."

"And you went?"

"Before we dated we were friends and it was a chance to catch up and a mistake. We argued and I stormed out," she explained.

"I want to feel like I can trust you," he began. "But if your sneaking behind my back with people you know make me feel uncomfortable…" He stopped talking as the phone began ringing again. "You're very popular Hermione it's been ringing all morning."

"Excuse me," she said walking pass Ron. She picked up the phone on her nightstand. "Hello mother."

"Where the bloody hell have you been?"

"At work"

"Why were you at work? You're bridal shower is in ninety minutes!"

"I know mother, now please let me go finish getting ready."

"I'm coming now and wear the dress I bought you!"

"Good bye mother," she hung up the phone and turned around to face Ron. "I want you to be able to trust me too."

"Then no more secret lunches."

"There won't be, it was completely spur of the moment," She assured him.

He opened his arms wide and Hermione went over and wrapped her arms around Ron's waist. "I have something to tell you."

"What?" she said muffled into his chest.

"How important is it that I'm here the week of our wedding," he asked. Hermione pulled away from him and looked at him funny. "The deal has been signed and sealed. The sixth Weasley store is set to open."

"That's fantastic," smiled Hermione

"It's in Durban."

"South Africa!"

"Yup, I have to go set up shop next week and I won't be back until the 29th. Tell me if you need me here to help with all the plans and everything and I'll talk to George and work something out," he said.

"No its fine, go. Everything is settled I'm just waiting for my dress and the Bridesmaid dresses to be shipped in from New York." She went over her checklist in her mind.

"Are you sure?"

"It's okay but you're going to get fitted for your tux on Monday, correct?"

"Yes 10am me and my groom's men," he nodded.

She smiled. "Perfect" she gave Ron a quick peck on the lips. "Now I must go shower because I am going to be ridiculously late and Harry's going to kill me!"

"Want some company?" He smiled devilishly

"I loved some," she raised her eyebrows up and down. "But my mother's coming so you have to go but if you're not doing anything tonight stop by."

"Will do," he kissed her on the lips. "Have fun, bye love."

Hermione went to finally hop in the shower and Ron left the flat.

_UNKNOWN ROAD_

Speeding in the Granger's Car

"Fifty minutes, fifty minutes Hermione, fifty minutes late!"

"I'm the bride I have the right to be late."

"That only counts on your actual wedding day!"

"Well excuse me for being busy!" Hermione was in the car with her Mother who was driving at a ridiculously fast pace to Little Whinging for her Bridal Shower. She was wearing at khaki colored dress covered in red flowers. It had a high neck and scooped down in the back with capped sleeves. At mid waist it had a red belt. It flared out at the bottom, and ended above her knees.

"You could have saved forty minutes if you didn't insist on straightening your hair," her mother scolded, "or at least used magic or something!"

Hermione didn't respond, she was trying to prolong her arrival to unpleasant parlor games and the questions of when she would start having babies. She pushed those thoughts aside and tightened the belt on her trench coat and looked out the window trying to think of an excuse to tell Harry who went through great lengths to plan a full muggle bridal shower at his Aunt and unfortunately Uncle's home. Part of Petunia's and Harry's new relationship, she agreed to help Harry put together Hermione's shower and at her home no less. Vernon was upset about the whole thing so Petunia had Dudley come home and take his father out for the day.

"Which one is it?" Mrs. Granger asked frantically speeding up Privet Drive.

"Number four, slow down," Hermione said gripping the door handle for dear life.

She jammed on the breaks in front of number four. They climbed out of the car and ran walked to the front door Hermione rang the doorbell.

Petunia opened the door with a smile, "Hello! Welcome!"

"Hello, Mrs. Dursley it's nice to see you again," Hermione smiled politely, "this is my mother Eleanor Granger."

"Nice to meet you," Mrs. Granger shook her hand.

"I'll take your jackets. Everyone is in the living room waiting for you."

Hermione pushed open the door to immediately be swarmed by the women of her and Ron's families. "Hi, everyone sorry I'm late." She said awkwardly accepting the kisses that would leave hideous florescent colored lipstick marks on her cheeks.

"Don't worry about it dear," Mrs. Weasley hugged her. "Sit, sit, sit!" She led Hermione to a wicker throne that had been decorated with flowers. "Eleanor, it's good to see you again," Mrs. Weasley greeted Hermione's mother.

"You too Molly," She said taking a seat and Mrs. Weasley sitting next to her, "Took awhile for our children to get to the point we knew they would."

"You can say that again," Mrs. Weasley agreed.

The Dursley's living room was over stuffed with extra chairs.

"I told you, you were going to be late," Harry whispered in Hermione's ear coming up along side of her.

"Quiet you."

Harry smiled, "Ginny sends her best"

"Game day?"

"Yup," he moved to the center of the room, "Attention ladies, now that the Bride has decided to grace us with her presence." He winked at Hermione.

Padma was sitting in a dining room chair that had been pulled into the living room for extra seating. When Harry began to go on explaining rules to some ridiculous party game about what was in your purse Padma crept from her seat kneeled down next to Hermione's chair.

Hermione looked down by the side of her chair, "What are you doing," she whispered to the grinning Padma.

"I saw the paper this morning paper," Padma whispered.

"So did Ron," Hermione whispered back

"Is everything alright with you two?"

Padma was cut off by Harry, "Is there something you two would like to share with the class?"

Padma laughed as she stood, "We were just discussing how charming you are at your man of honor duties."

"Exactly," agreed Hermione, "Can we all please give my man of honor a round of a applause. I really couldn't get through all the wedding details without him." Hermione stood as everyone clapped and went over and hugged Harry.

"What's really going on?" Harry whispered into her ear.

"We'll talk later," she whispered back.

_MALFOY MANOR_

"I'm here, what do you want," Draco declared bursting into the ballroom at his parents' home and immediately stopped on the top step, "What the bloody fucking hell is all this!"

"Draco darling isn't wonderful," his mother said rushing towards him

"No."

The house elves were rushing about decorating the Ballroom with black and silver ornate, overly shiny decorations.

"Oh stop being a party pooper," his mother grabbed his hand and pulled him down the two steps, "It's for the masked ball!"

"The Malfoy's haven't had a Masked ball since… What year did Grandpa get sick?"

"Yes, it's been a very long time. But your father and I have agreed to restore the tradition," she beamed. "It's on Halloween and I expect you to be here… Now do you need me to send out for a mask for you or will you get your own."

Draco didn't like the sound of this at all, reinstating a tradition that was the praise of pure bloods more so the agony of procuring a date. Not that it would hard, just bothersome. "Mum, I will get my own mask. But I just want to say this display of wealth is absurd."

"Since when do you care about the absurdities of displays of wealth, as I recall you always liked to flaunt it" Draco turned around to see his father standing in the doorway.

"About the same time Lucius Malfoy was seen not wearing a suit," Draco arched an eyebrow. Lucius was wearing a white button down with a black sweating over it, black slacks and dress shoes that didn't clack when he walked. "That's a smart look father."

"Very funny," he joined them in the center of the room, looking extremely uncomfortable in his ensemble. "It's a family tradition and it's about time we re-establish the annual practice."

Draco was convinced that was rehearsed but his mother was excited so he decided not to ruin the moment, "Fine, as long as there isn't a sing along involved and a group hug required at the end." He turned on heal and began towards the door.

"One more thing," His father called after him. Draco turned around, "There's an interesting photo on the cover of the Prophet this morning."

"Oh really, more interesting than the one yesterday," he continued for the door.

"With that Mud…" Narcissa elbowed him, "With Miss. Granger."

Draco kept walking, "So it is less interesting then yesterdays," Draco dare not turn around. He didn't want his parents to see his face. He hadn't seen the paper this morning and now that he knew what was on the cover he didn't want to. He didn't want another reminder of what he can't have.

_THE CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS_

"Really," Padma said surprised

"I was taken aback myself, he was so calm and rational and listened when I spoke, instead of jumping down my throat," Hermione explained. She and Padma were hiding in the cupboard under the stairs. They sat side by side on Harry's old cot drinking champagne and eating cake.

"I wish I knew this side of him," Padma said taking a sip of her drink.

"I loved him that way, although I love him the other way as well. His overheated nature may seem childish but it only happens when he's passionate about something and I love how on fire he is for me. I just need to know when times get rough or serious he'll be mature about it," Hermione sighed

"That's something that you'll just have to wait and see but Ron must really love you if he still wants to marry you after seeing photos of you with your old flame."

"I know which is why I never want to hurt him. He'd walk through fire for me…." Hermione's eyes glazed over

"You are such a handsome young man," Hermione's Aunt Helen told Harry. "You'd be perfect for my daughter Karen."

Harry smiled, "That's sweet Ms. Granger but I'm already married." Harry held up his left hand to show her his wedding band.

"That's too bad." She shook her head shamefully, "You two would have gotten on so well."

"I'm sure she's lovely."

"So where's the little woman," she smirked swaying a bit and taking another sip from her tea cup which Harry had seen her pouring brandy into earlier.

"She wasn't feeling well, but if you excuse me I have to go check on the bride," he smiled and hurried away before she could stop him, as soon as I find her.

"You said you hoped it didn't end up in the paper tomorrow," Padma was looking at the copy of the daily prophet she had in her purse.

"But two days later isn't any better," she said looking over Padma's shoulder

"You really need a stylist," Hermione elbowed her. "You're the District Attorney if you're going to be photographed you might as well look good doing it."

"Hey! I think this dress is quite cute," she defended herself.

"Yes its lovely and you mother told me how she got it on sale a Harrods," They laughed as the door to the cupboard opened and Harry stuck his head in.

"Harry!" Padma beamed, "What a pleasant surprise."

"What are you doing in here," he asked.

"Hiding," shrugged Hermione

"I went to the florist and bought four dozen white roses, two dozen red, and decorated my Aunts home with them. I made water crest sandwiches, which was extremely hard seeing I had no idea what they were. There is a gourmet double chocolate cake that one bite contains enough sugar for a lifetime, just because I know you like it. And your Aunt Helen just tried to fix me up with your cousin Karen…."

"I hope you said no because Karen looks like a horse," Hermione said, Padma slapped her hand over her nose to keep the champagne she was drinking from squirting out she was laughing too hard. "And she has a problem with stealing."

"The point is Hermione. It was an awful lot of trouble for you to hide in the cupboard."

"Right, so I'll take the champagne," Padma said grabbing her glass and the bottle, "You too should talk." She stood hunched over and squeezed past Harry out of the cupboard.

Harry came fully inside and closed the door behind him, "What's going on."

"I love you," Hermione smiled as Harry took Padma's seat next to her

"I love you too, but why are you hiding. It's your bridal shower people expect the bride to be present."

"We were just chatting," she sighed, "I got myself into a sticky situation," she showed Harry the newspaper.

"Ron saw this," Harry said staring at the photo

"Yes, he confronted me this morning," she explained

"Is that why you we late."

"No, I was late because I fell asleep in my office last night. Although having the chat about this with Ron didn't help matters," she explained

Harry sighed, "So there's still going to be a wedding."

"Yes of course."

"Just promise me you'll be careful," Harry asked

"What do you mean?"

"He's got it bad Hermione and I can't stand the man but Draco looks at you the way Ginny looks at me or the way I look at her. And with emotions running that high things could get carried away in the heat of the moment."

"You have nothing to worry about because that is completely one sided."

"Are you sure because I've seen the way you look at him. Maybe you shouldn't marry Ron."

"Excuse me!"

"I just want you to be happy."

"Who said that I wasn't? Harry I love you you're my best friend and I know you think you have this great authority of knowing everything. But you're the one who used the imperious curse on your wife after she walked out on you after only a month. So I'm going to handle this myself," she stood. "I love Ron and on the 31st I plan to make him mine forever. Now if you'll excuse me I have a bridal shower to attend," she squeezed passed him leaving him under the stairs alone.

_HOLYHEAD_

Ginny's Flat

Harry unlocked the door to Ginny's flat in Holyhead, Wales and went inside.

"Harry is that you darling!" Ginny called from the bedroom

"Yes!" He called back closing the door behind him. "I brought you a piece of cake!" He called back to as he went into the kitchen to put it away.

"Chocolate?" She grinned joining him in the kitchen in her bathrobe.

"You know it," he chuckled. "How was the game?"

"Excellent, we won. I just got in, I had a meeting with Eric and Sidney afterwards, guess whose Co-hosting next year's British Magical Music Awards?" she smiled digging into her cake

"Seriously, that's brilliant," smiled Harry

"I'm co-hosting with Lee, apparently when I was on the F'ing truth back in August it was one of the highest rated wireless shows ever and someone from the awards committee heard it and thought we had good chemistry so they asked, Lee and he said he was in if I was in. So it's on the 2003 BMA's," Ginny was practically jumping up and down.

"There has got to be more for you to be this excited?" Harry smiled at her pure state of joy.

"Stubby Boardman, Lead singer of the Hobgoblins is receiving the lifetime achievement award! I can't believe I'm going to get to meet him!" She screamed

"I'd be happy too if I knew who that was!" Harry jumped up and down with her.

"This is the damage that muggle living has done to you. The Hobgoblins #1 Rock band of the 70's, Stubby retired in 1980 after he was hit the ear with a turnip at Little Norton Church Hall. Bands aspire to be as good the Hobgoblins, The Weird Sister's wish they were that good!" She said seriously.

"Ron may have mentioned something about a turnip," Harry mused

"I was getting ready to soak in the tub because I ache like hell. You look worn out so you should join me, I'll put on some Hobgoblins and you can tell me all about the shower," she said grabbing his hand and leading him towards the bathroom.

It sounded good to Harry he was tired and he knew the soak in the tub would only lead to sex who doesn't love sex and rock and roll!

_HERMIONE'S FLAT_

"That's the last one," Mrs. Granger said placing a box that held a tea set from Ron's Aunt Muriel on Hermione's dining room table. The dining room was filled with gifts for the new home Ron and Hermione were supposed to create together. Dishes, linens, unidentifiable home décor items that Hermione hoped the receipts were attached to. From the current state of her dining room, her living room housing floral samples, the wedding day programs, the guest responses to the wedding, wedding party gifts and the wedding favors she didn't think she would be able to fit in her flat much longer.

"Thank you Mum for helping me unload all of this." Hermione said removing her jacket, looking around at the state of the room.

"Not a problem darling, now did you finalize your menu, how's the seating chart looking, and are you sure everyone with magical powers knows that absolutely no magic is allowed?" questioned her mother hurriedly.

Hermione smiled weakly, "I have it all under control. Now I would like to go lie down if you would please excuse me."

"You'll call if you need help?"

"Yes, mum," she chuckled.

"Bye darling," she hugged Hermione.

"Bye, tell Dad I said hello."

"Will do," Mrs. Granger said exiting the apartment.

Hermione was tired, it was five o'clock in the afternoon but she didn't know what time Ron would be popping in and she didn't want her mother there when he did…

In the fashion of Ronald Weasley it was five hours later and Hermione was curled up in her bed asleep when someone came in and wrapped their arms around her.

"Ron," she said opening her eyes, "what time is it."

"About ten," he smiled down at her

"Where have you been?"

"Sorry for coming so late, I had some things to take care of," he said rolling off her so she could sit up.

"Like what," she yarned and ran hands through her hair.

"Like getting your wedding present," he smiled mysteriously.

"You didn't need to get me anything. Did you see all the loot we scored from the shower?" she smiled

"This is something we need and will be great for us and it totally tops those items that have taken over your dining room."

"You noticed that."

"I want to show it to you." He beamed "so put your shoes on and let's go."

"I'm in my PJ's."

"You look great."

"Liar," she removed herself from under the covers. She went to her closet grabbed a sweater that she threw on over her blue cami and stripped PJ pants and slipped her feet into her trainers.

Crookshanks sat up in his basket in the corner, "Crookshanks do you want to come?" Ron asked, the Crookshanks stretched out and wagged his tail before climbing out of the basket.

"Let's go," Hermione said leading the way out of her room pulling her hair back into a messy bun, before reaching down to pick up Crookshanks.

"You're a going to love it," he said walking behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'm sure I will since, I love you," she interlocked the fingers of her free hand with his.

Ron smiled, used the hand that wasn't holding hers, to open the front door. Hermione remove herself only partly from his grasp to press the button for the lift. But Ron turned her around and pulled her back into him. Crookshanks hissed as they squished him. Ron gazed into her warm brown eyes and let a small smile creep upon his face. He pulled her in closer leaned down and kissed her.

Hermione couldn't breathe and she didn't care as she tangled her fingers in Ron's hair. She only pulled away when she realized it was drastically cooler. With her arm still around Ron's neck she looked around at the dark suburb street corner they stood on.

"Where are we?"

"Kent… specifically Sheerness"

"Why"

He pointed behind her, Hermione was a bit nervous with the wicked grin Ron had on his face. She turned around slowly….

"It's a house…." On the corner of Wallace way and Finn Lane, there was a bright yellow house with red shutters. It had a white picket fence with an odd loopy pattern and a path that led to the front porch that wrapped around the house. There were sunflowers and tiger lilies growing in a wild fashion at the foot of the porch. It had a driveway that disappeared towards the back of the house. "Who lives here?" She turned back to Ron who was holding up a key, Hermione's eyes widened…

"We do," he beamed

"You bought us a house!" Ron shook his head yes, "Ron! You bought us a house. This house" Ron kept shaking his head yes.

"I thought you might like it… it's kind of corky, I thought it was us," he shrugged

"I love it! Let's go inside!" She grabbed his hand pushed open the gate and ran all the way to the porch, "The only thing is the flowers, they're out of season." Crookshanks hopped from Hermione's arms and took off around the house.

"They'll be gone before the sunrises. I put them there for dramatic effect."

"We'll have to plant some for spring." She mused while Ron unlocked the door, and let her in first.

The house opened up in two directions. There was a large room to the left with a fireplace and to the right a smaller but decent size room with a bay window. "Would you like the grand tour?"

"Yes"

"To the left," he began an over dramatized manner as she followed him, "we have our main room for sitting, living, and flooing," he leaned on the fireplace mantle. "Which you can also exit into the kitchen or this way," There was an entrance to the kitchen on the back wall and another entrance on the same wall as the main one farther down that also went out into the main hall.

"We have the kitchen, my favorite room. Complete with stove and other kitchen stuff," he entered through the hall and walked around the island. "Over here a place for a breakfast table. Access to the backyard," he pointed to the French doors that led outside, "and living room where we just were. If we continue up this hall behind the back of the kitchen, this door leads to the basement." The first door on the right that was directly under the stairs, "To the left, this narrow room is where we put…" He couldn't remember what the real estate agent called it. "It involves water…"

"Washer and dryer," smiled Hermione

"Yes, thank you. There's also room where we can get a cupboard or something to up on the opposite wall to put cleaning stuff in," mused Ron, Hermione nodded in agreement. "That door also leads to the backyard," there was a door at the end of the narrow room. "Closer to the garage, as you can see that entry leads into the second front room," On the same side of the hall as the basement there was an entry way, "this final room," there was a door at the end of the hall, he opened it and followed Hermione in.

Hermione began looking around, "I thought you could use it as a study or something… seeing as you do that," Ron suggested.

Hermione chuckled, "I was thinking the same thing."

"There are four bedrooms," Ron said following her from the room, through the entryway into the second front room. "This is the dining room where we can host lavish dinner parties."

"Can you cook Ron, because I can't," wondered Hermione

"Where we can have lavish dinner parties catered," Hermione laughed, as she followed Ron through the main entryway back to where they started, and up the stairs. "You'll love the master suite." There was a long hall up stairs, two bedrooms on the left, two on the right and one bathroom. There was a window that looked out over the backyard at the end of the hall. The Second door to the left was the master bedroom. It was quite spacious. There was a moderate size walk in closet, private bathroom. A niche on the sidewall that had floor to ceiling windows…

Hermione went and stood in front of the windows and took in the view, "is that…"

"The Thames Estuary, yes," finished Ron

"This is an amazing view," the moon was shining bright high in the sky you could see clearly over the backyard. Crookshanks was merrily chasing a moth in the moonlight. The driveway that disappeared to the back of the house ran into a garage. The kind with one huge door but you know could fit two cars, the loopy white fence eventually became a taller opaque fence. There was a door in the back. You could see steps leading down to the shore where the river Thames empties into the North Sea. "I can't believe you got this for us," she turned from the window.

"You don't think it's too far from the city?"

"Not at all its kind of prefect, although I may have complained if there was no fireplace"

"Well, I must admit I was a bit selfish in my plans, not that I didn't like living in London but I'm a country boy through and through. This was as close as I could get without completely losing site of the fact that getting to London has to be somewhat accessible."

"So when can we move in?" She asked peaking into the bathroom and the closet.

"Whenever you'd like, I finalized everything this afternoon."

"Does Harry know," she wondered. "Did you only do this because he got Ginny a house," she smirked.

Ron laughed, "He had a house he simply decorated. No he doesn't know although it probably would have been easier to get if I had him with me to translate the muggleness of it all."

"You're not going to hate living in a muggle suburb?"

"No, I knew you would probably want to…besides I lived in that flat but that turned out to be a nightmare having nothing to do with the muggles," he sighed

Hermione rolled her eyes, "you brought that on yourself."

"That whole ordeal I brought on myself."

"Ordeal?"

"Just that whole running away, getting arrested bit and bringing Malfoy into our lives"

"Malfoy was in our lives before you moved in with him."

"Not in a way that he was invited on holiday's or going out with us at night."

"Or the way I ended up dating him," she put her hands on her hips.

"That's not what I meant."

"Sounds like it."

"Hermione, I really don't want to do this right now," he defended. "We're standing in our new home and…"

"You know what Ron? I think it's about time we do this. Let's get it all out in the open! Because there's always going to be lingering questions where Draco is concerned, I dated Draco, I slept with him, I laughed with him, and sometimes I think I loved him!"

"I don't want to hear this," Ron tried to leave the room but Hermione wandlessly shut the door before he could go out of it, he turned to her. "Open the door Hermione!"

"No not until you listen to me because you seem to think that it's impossible for me to have any sort of feelings for anyone other than you! If you want to be with me you get the entire package and Draco is part of my past, a big part you'll have to deal with!"

"I am dealing with it! You were just gallivanting around London with him and I said nothing about it…"

"No you just waited for me all night at my flat to confront me!"

"Why are you doing this?"

"I can't take it anymore!"

"You can't take it! I'm the one who's been putting up with your shit!" He said getting her face.

"You pushed me out of your life the moment I wasn't what you wanted me to be." Hermione pushed him, "You were my best friend and you chastised me! Now you expect me to just follow suit!" Hermione shouted.

"Follow suit? I expect you to not go prancing about with other men while you're in a relationship with me! Be honest about everything, because since Malfoy came into the equation you've been sneaking about and lying!" Ron fired back.

"Yes because being up front with you would lead to another of your childish tantrums!"

"Ha! I may get mad Hermione but there is going to be a point when you can't blame everything on my so-called childish behavior. Because it's a two way street sneaking about Hermione, is childish!"

"I wasn't sneaking about!"

"Oh well you could have fooled me! Why not say hey hun, I had lunch with Draco this afternoon and we caused a scene so it may make the papers, so when I see my fiancé on the cover of a newspaper with a man I know she was once hot and heavy with I don't feel like my relationship is a joke!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "You can't take the fact that nothing is going on and just be secure in the fact that I want to be with you! Is it so hard for you to believe that I love you because if it is then maybe…"

"Maybe what, we shouldn't get married? Because it sounds a lot like you're trying to rationalize reasons to not be with me!"

Hermione crossed her arms, "If you feel that way then I guess the wedding is off!"

"Fine!" Ron violently yanked open the door, stormed down the hall, ran down the stairs and out the front door and apparated. If she didn't want to be with him then fine he was ready to stop playing this ridiculous game of cat and mouse.

_TUX RENTAL_

"Why are we renting Tuxedos if the wedding has been called off," Harry asked Ron as they were walking up the street towards the store.

"I don't know, I just… I…. I just don't know and remember don't say anything to anyone and no magic talk because Mike is a…" Ron stopped mid sentence as they ran into Mike

"Hey! Good morning," Michael Gavin use to work at the Sighler with Ron before he was sacked, they kept in contact and became pretty good friends Ron asked him to be one of his groomsmen. He was standing outside of the store waiting on Ron.

"Morning, you remember Harry." Ron introduced

"Yes of course, how are you," they shook hands

"Fine thanks."

"Can you believe Ron is getting married," laughed Mike

"No, I can't, I always pictured him alone different girl every night, frozen dinners for one," Harry laughed as they entered the store.

"That's very funny," Ron's ears were turning red.

The store had Tuxedo's hanging all around the room. There was a platform in the center of the room and a curtain on the back wall that lead to the changing area. The front door opened…

"This is perfect, you can stand in the center of the store and everyone walking by can watch a tailor stick pins in your crouch," said Dean entering the store behind them and immediately jumping onto the platform.

"Mike this is another one of my groomsmen Dean Thomas," Ron introduced them "Mike and I used to work at the Sighler together," Ron took a step back so Mike couldn't see his faced as he mouthed to Dean NO MAGIC, casually nodded in understanding.

"So sorry I'm late," Neville came bursting in the door, out of breathe from running up the street.

"You're not considering everyone's not here yet and you had to come all the way from Scotland," Commented Dean

"Scotland?"

"Hi, Neville Longbottom," he shook Mike's hand, "I teach at boarding school up there…" Neville looked up a Dean waving his hands mouthing the word muggle, "…..Hillcrest Prep." He made up off the top of his head.

"Never heard of it," Mike commented

"Very small, that's probably why they hired me," Neville adjusted his collar uncomfortably.

"Oh don't be modest," Dean said patting Neville on the back, "We all went to school there so they were fully aware of his intelligence when we graduated."

"Oh yeah Ho…."

Harry quickly turned around and said "Hillcrest," really loud over George, "was the wonderful school we attended," he mouthed muggle to Lee and George who were looking at him as if he had gone mental. He turned back around "Hermione and Ron met at school."

"Really, I do remember that massive fight between Ron and Draco in the middle of the diner," smirked Mike

"Look who won that one," George swung his arm around brother as his ears turned red.

"Yes now he's crossing over to the dark side getting the old ball and chain," Lee shook his head shamefully.

"Anyway, this is my brother George and my friend Lee. We're just waiting on Percy and…" George stopped Ron

"He said he was going to be late tied up in the office and to start without him."

"and Seamus…."

"He's coming up the street now," Said Harry looking out the window

"Great," Dean banged on the bell on the counter, "I need to get back to work myself."

A short bald man came through the curtains and smiled, "Hello."

"We're the Weasley party 10am," Dean smiled back at the man

"Great, you picked the black Ralph Lauren three pieces, I already have them pulled in the changing rooms, and you can follow me back."

Harry explained to Seamus about Mike on the way into the back of the store. George stopped and placed a top hat on his head before disappearing behind the curtains.

_THE FUCKING TRUTH_

Its 7pm and two weeks until Halloween and I know it's not the end of the year but is it just me or does everything seem so final. I suppose it's just that another one of my mates is getting married, losing another one to the dark side. But on a more exciting note after the wedding is over I can hit all the wicked Halloween parties that are currently in the works… The Malfoy's are hosting a Masked Ball which rumor has it hasn't happened in about 25 years. More shockingly I was invited I may have to pop in see what all the hoopla's about!

"It's beyond stunning."

"I love it." Hermione was standing in the center of her bedroom wearing her wedding dress that just arrived via FedEx from New York City. It was cream-colored soft shear silk chiffon. The bodice was strapless and was shaped to her body then flowed down to her knees softly pleated. Then another layer of pleats went down to the floor with a small train.

"Hermione, you look like an angel," Padma stepped up besides her in the mirror.

"You don't look half bad yourself," Hermione said to Padma who was wearing her bridesmaids dress. She was wearing a long black one-shoulder dress. The shoulder strap was tied in a bow and the dress was cinched at the waist.

"I must rethink some of the comments I made on your style," she said fixing her dress, "because this is probably the best bridesmaid dress I've ever seen."

"Hey! I have great taste," Padma made a face at Hermione, "or Harry picked them out."

Padma laughed, "Makes me wish my wedding was more spectacular."

"Your wedding was gorgeous." Padma had gotten married on a hill in Ireland with only Hermione, Parvati, her parents, Aidan's parents, and his brother. She wore a sundress and flat sandals, in was simple and stunning. They had a home cooked dinner by Aidan afterwards.

"Thank you."

"Too bad no one may ever see this dress," Hermione turned around to examine the back.

"You and Ron still haven't spoken?"

"Nope," answered Hermione smoothing out the invisible wrinkles in her dress.

"You're supposedly getting married in two weeks and no one knows that the wedding has been called off except for me and Harry. Plans are continuing and being changed every day and Ron's in South Africa, when are you going to say something?"

Hermione shrugged, "I suppose I was thinking if I show up and it looks as if Ron left me at the altar I'll get to keep the ring."

Padma chuckled, "hey, want to escort me to the Malfoy Mask since your wedding is not longer happening that doesn't mean we shouldn't party."

Hermione looked up at the reflection of Padma in the mirror. "You were invited to that?"

"Well sort of Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were invited but he's attending the Caerphilly Catapults Dangerous Dai Liewellyn fire Whiskey weekend, after he escorts me to your, he doesn't know not happening wedding." Hermione smirked at Padma as she continued on, "Apparently the idea is to see who can drink the most fire whiskey before blacking out. Dangerous himself used to host it before his death but now they continue in his honor," explained Padma

"Um, that's ah…. Wow," Hermione had no idea what to say as to the terms of that event.

"I know, a Masked ball is more my speed, you can wear your wedding dress we'll just change the color"

"I think I'll pass although it would give me somewhere to wear this thousands of pounds dress." She sighed, "Unfortunately Draco will most certainly be there, it wouldn't be right if I was at his party on the night I was supposed to marry Ron."

"Ron's out of the picture."

"Yes he is but not because of Draco… although they are so much alike, neither one of them believed that I just wanted to be with them! I wanted Ron when I was with Ron and Draco when I was with Draco and I have never cheated on one with the other." She said heatedly, "Can you unzip me?"

Padma stood behind Hermione and began to unzip the dress. "Draco isn't the reason you two aren't together?"

"Nope, I haven't seen nor heard from Draco in weeks and before that random day in the hall, the last time I spoke to him directly was on Christmas Eve 1999 on my parent's porch." She shimmied out of her gown and threw on her robe.

"Hermione, I think I've been a pretty good friend to you," Padma began

"You have," agreed Hermione.

"But after what I'm about to say we may not be friends anymore," Hermione stopped fiddling with her dress which she was trying to get to stay on the hanger. She directed her attention to Padma "But this has everything to do with Draco, despite my school day quarrels with Ron. I must feel for him in this situation. You have feelings that may or may not be current but they're there and unresolved. For the past three years Ron has been trying his hardest to compete with someone who isn't in your life. He can't compete with a ghost Hermione! If you don't want to be with him fine but blaming it on immaturity can't last forever because he's been fighting for dear life and he deserves to throw a fit! And Draco has been buying his time waiting by the window for an owl from you and he's still waiting! You need to admit to what you want and if that is Draco you need to find him and tell him how you feel. If it's Ron then you need to go get him. Because both of them would stop the world for you! You can't keep doing this to them because they're in this too!"

Hermione sniffled and wiped at her tears, "I'm sorry you feel that way but I can't turn my feelings on and off. But you're right about one thing, we're no longer friends."

Padma gathered her things, "I'll send you the dress back," she said before she exited the room and then the flat still in her bridesmaid dress.

She stood waiting for the lift when it finally arrived Harry was getting off. "Hi," he smiled, "the bridesmaid dress looks lovely on you…."

"Thank you, but be careful."

"Excuse me?" Harry looked at Padma strangely

"Hermione seems to be in a habit of chasing people away lately. She crossed Ron off the list and now me you're the only friend she has left but from the rate she's going not for long," Padma stepped on the lift, Harry just watched her sadly as the doors closed.

Harry knocked on Hermione's door and a few moments later she answered. "Hey, I brought the completed seating chart."

"Good," Hermione said walking away from the door. Harry let himself in and closed the door behind him.

"Are you alright?" He asked concerned

"No I'm not," she began walking down the hall towards the kitchen, Harry followed. "I am sick and tired of people telling me how to run my life!" She pulled a wine glass out of the cabinet and a bottle of wine from the fridge that she had half glass of over a year ago and filled her glass to the rim.

"Does this have something to do with Padma?"

She held up one finger indication for him to hold on a moment as she finished gulping down the entire glass. "This has something to do with everyone," she answered refilling the glass to the brim again and leaving the kitchen for the study. "You all seem to have an opinion on my life and apparently I'm not allowed to have one of my own," she sat down behind her desk and waved her hand for Harry to give her the seating chart. He did as he sat down in the chair in front of her desk.

"No one can dictate your life but you, merely give an outside perspective."

"Is don't marry Ron what you consider an outside perspective," she downed the rest of her wine.

"I was just…." He began

"Yeah, yeah, yeah" she snapped her fingers and the bottle of wine she had left in the kitchen appeared on the desk next to her and began pouring itself into the empty glass. Hermione picked up the seating chart, "This is wrong," she complained grabbing a pen.

"What's wrong with it?" Harry said defensively, "Everybody has a chair don't they?"

"Barnabas Cuffe, the Editor and Chief of the Daily Prophet cannot be seated at the same table as Walton Peony, the photographer because he had an affair with Mrs. Cuffe," Hermione said scratching out names and reworking the chart.

"How do you know these people," Harry arched an eyebrow

"I'm the Defense Attorney I know everybody, at least I was told that it was good to know by the former DA last year before I took over. It really does help getting things done when you have connections." She took another sip of her wine.

"And the gossip…"

"Not gossip fact, Barnabas has approached me to do his divorce he heard I was tough," she smirked at Harry.

"Well I suppose I know who to ask when I need help in the Auror office," Harry mused

"Sure I'll hook you up…. Pius Thicknesse cannot be seated all the way out there in no man's land he's our boss Harry!" Harry rolled his eyes "That reminds me I need to contact Seamus, I need to boost security. Skeeter and any other paps cannot pop up and ruin this, I cannot have the slightest chance of magic being used and now that Alrick Fulton and Raleigh Grace have split up and she's dating Windsor Prescott who is invited to the wedding and I'm assuming Raleigh is his plus one the press will be on the prowl."

Harry had just seated people based on family and friends and weather they were single or a plus one he didn't really think about the actress who broke up with the lead singer of the Screaming Banshees and is now dating the much older head of the British Wizarding Wireless Network.

"Fine I screwed up the seating chart but there isn't even going to be a wedding so why does it matter?" he asked

"Why are you so concerned you got your wish I'm not marrying Ron! If you feel so strongly about it perhaps you shouldn't come to the wedding!"

"I didn't wish I just want you to be happy!"

"What makes you think I'm not happy with Ron?" Her eyes glazed over, "he knows me inside out and all he's ever wanted was me. I've loved him since I was eleven years old dirt spot and all on his freckled nose. Sure we fight and stop speaking to each other but when it comes down to the very last moment he's always there."

"…. You think he's going to show up, don't you?"

Hermione sighed, "I suppose a part of me hopes that when the doors open at The InterContinental Hotel Ron will be standing at the other end of the isle turn around and smile at me…."

"I hope that happens for you Hermione simply because that's what you want. But there's about a ninety percent chance that will happen because there is no way he's going to miss this considering he keeps complaining about 120 pounds a head."

_MINISTRY OF MAGIC_

Three days later

Hermione stood in the corner of the lift at the ministry wishing the world would disappear around her. This morning she sent out reminders to all her wizarding world guest that absolutely no magic was to be used at her wedding and reception that had a huge question mark looming overhead. Then she stopped at the InterContinental Hotel to give them the finalized menu and approve the place settings. Now she was heading into work late and she had a meeting with the Wizengamot at 3pm.

The lift slowed and the doors opened, she closed her eyes and listened to someone step onto the lift the doors close and it began to move again. She hoped that it was no one important watching her as if she had completely gone mental. Standing in the corner with her eyes shut tight, she didn't dare open her eyes to see who was in the lift with her, until she was jerked from her corner as the lift came to an emergency stop.

"Alright there Granger"

Hermione looked up quickly to see Draco standing in from of her. He was standing next to the emergence lever, which he had pulled.

"What's going on, why did you stop the lift," she protested.

"To have a few minutes alone with you," he answered

"You could have just come to my office if you wanted to speak with me," she pointed out repositioning herself back in the corner she was thrown from.

"I love you."

"I know but…"

"I know you love me too…"

"Look…"

"Hermione…"

"Don't you have a girlfriend? I know I have a fiancé"

"She means nothing…"

"That's terrible so you've been leading her on?"

"The feelings neutral, we're just having fun."

"Look Draco, I do care about you and… well maybe if things had been different…"

"Something has change," he interrupted, "you don't seem as happy as you first were when you told me about yours and Weasels plans.

Hermione didn't like that he was right… still, he wasn't supposed to know and she sure as hell wasn't going to prove him right and tell him about the fight she and Ron had, "I'm just tired. I should have hired a wedding planner like my mother said," she lied.

He took a few moments to study her, making Hermione uncomfortable under his gaze, "what was the fight about?"

Hermione looked him straight in the eye. She wasn't going to tell him, she wasn't going to do a thing, but he began moving towards her from his spot on the other side of the elevator car. She tried to stay calm herself as she felt her heart rate speeding up and he stood so close to her she could feel his warm breath on her forehead. She refused to look up at him. She kept staring forward at his chest, noticing the pattern in his red tie.

"….Draco… please…"

She didn't have the heart to push him away, but she knew what was possibly about to happen was so wrong.

"Look at me Hermione," Hermione only shook her head no, "look at me," once again she shook her head. Draco tilted her head back so she would have no choice but to look at him and she closed her eyes. "Hermione open your eyes…"

Hermione opened her eyes and caught his gray ones, the ones that only ever seemed to be warm for her. "There was a time when you gave me your heart…"

"That was long ago…"

"I never gave it back," Draco leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips.

Hermione couldn't help but close her eyes as he kissed her. She leaned into him as he deepened the kiss. There was something familiar about his kiss, something comforting… Draco tangled his hands in Hermione's hair as he pulled her in closer. Hermione allowed her hands to find a position on Draco's waist. She knew any second she was going to lose it…

"Are you alright in there?" Hermione immediately pushed Draco off her as the voice of Reginald Cattlemole, from the Magical Maintenance department filled the lift.

Draco smirked at Hermione as he went over to the intercom, "We're fine Reg, Department of Mysteries stuff." He lied, watching Hermione fix her hair. "We'll be moving again in a moment."

"Great, have a good day Mr. Malfoy."

"You too… Hermione," he chuckled

"This was a mistake," she finished straightening her clothes

"We should talk…"

"No, we should go and never see each other again," she pushed the emergency lever back in, the lift continued down, stopped on her floor and she hurried off. She knew Draco was standing in the door watching her but she wasn't going to turn around she was wrong and she was in love…

"Almost Lover" A Fine Frenzy