Chapter 40

"Say"

Hermione tapped the quill she had just used to scribble a note on a card on the edge of the counter. She pondered it over and over and over and over…

"Hermione" Hermione didn't even hear her name being called as she stared blankly out the window, "Hermione," she kept going over the words she just wrote down on the back of the card. Were they wrong or completely…. "HERMIONE!"

Hermione shook her head from her daze and looked over to the door. Ginny was standing in the doorway, "Come on bride to be, let's get a move on!"

"I'm coming"

Hermione stood at the counter in the post office in front of the window, looking out into Diagon Alley. She quickly stuffed the note into the envelope. She put the quill back in the ink and went to the counter to pay the postage. "Thank you," she told the postman, before heading out onto the street. It was Thursday, October 29 and in two days time Hermione and Ron were supposed to be getting married.

The autumn air was cool and crisp jackets and scarves had become all the rage. Ginny and Demelza were waiting outside the post office for Hermione. They were helping with her last minute wedding details, filling in for Harry who couldn't get away from the Auror office. They were clueless to the state of her and Ron's relationship. He was supposed to be returning from Durban today but Harry had informed her that he owled and said he wouldn't be back until tomorrow.

"Where to now," asked Ginny over enthusiastically, after she finished signing autographs for a couple of children.

"I need to go to the florist, when I spoke to them last week the arrangements were all wrong," Hermione said pouring over a list she pulled from her handbag. "I have to confirm the menu for the rehearsal dinner at the hotel, plus take the bridal party gifts over, I have to go Seamus' office and sign some papers…. Where's Demelza," she looked up from her paper.

"Right here," she said, coming over with three stemming cups of hot coco, in her fabulous leather coat, plaid scarf, and of course heals. "Hot coco all around"

"Thank you," said Hermione taking a cup.

"So what are we doing," she smiled, "I being completely opposed to marriage am not really sure what we're supposed to be doing, since Ginny woke me up this morning and dragged me out of bed on my first day off in like two months."

"We're heading to Seamus', to sign some papers," Ginny informed as they began walking up Diagon alley, "we're also wondering why Hermione's not as excited as I am."

"I am extremely excited, it's just I've been with Ron forever. In some ways I feel as if I've been married to him for sometime already," that and this wedding may not even happen.

"Now you just won't have to feel as if you're naughty for shagging before marriage."

Hermione choked on her sip of coco, "Demelza!"

"What?"

"That's disgusting that's my brother."

"Imagine how I feel, I didn't think it was naughty," Hermione blushed.

"That's all wrong," began Demelza, "it's much sexier if you think you're doing something wrong."

"You would know," laughed Ginny.

"You flatter so…"

"You two are mental," Hermione giggled

"I should hang out with you more often," Demelza commented

"You totally should, we're ace!" cheered Ginny, Demelza nodding in agreement.

Hermione opened the glass door to Finnegan's P.R. Firm, they walked into the all white room, there were a couple people sitting on the black leather couches in the waiting area. They walked up to the tall black reception desk, with a Save Hogwarts Poster hanging behind the desk.

"Hey Cynthia," Ginny smiled at the witch sitting behind the desk.

"Mrs. Potter, what can I do for you," she asked with forced politeness.

"Actually, Seamus asked me to stop by, Hermione Granger."

"I'll see if he's available, you can take a seat over there." She pointed to the waiting area

"She's quite chipper isn't she," whispered Demelza, as they turned from the desk.

Ginny laughed, "We're not sitting… come on," she said leading them through the doors towards the offices.

"HEY!" Cynthia yelled from behind her desk. Ginny ignore her and kept walking.

"Ginny the rebel," Hermione chuckled.

"I'm here all the time, I have an account and there are several posters of me on these walls, not to mention Seamus is my friend. So we will go see if he is available ourselves."

Hermione and Demelza took in all the posters on the wall from the events that Seamus had done the P.R for. Demelza stopped in front of a poster that read "The Night of the Exploding Tuba… it was more than just the Wizarding Suite but a night to remember"

"Oh my bloody fucking god," Demelza mouth was hanging open in disgust, "please tell me they are not doing a play about the exploding tuba in the Wizarding Suite," Raleigh Grace was on the poster looking terrified running in and out of fire. "It's going to be a flop… is she coming to the wedding."

"Maybe"

Ginny knocked on Seamus' office door, "ENTER!" she heard him yell.

"Hey ladies," Seamus' stood from behind his desk and walked around to give each of them a hug.

"You're receptionist was quite rude," Hermione informed while hugging him.

"Yeah, she's been moody lately I think she broke up with her boyfriend again," he shook his head shamefully. "Anyway Saturdays the big day"

"Yeah," smiled Hermione, "everything still isn't perfect."

"I don't want to hinder your progress," he said digging through his papers for her contract. "It's odd seeing you not working… you're always at work."

"Well there's this whole wedding thing, although I do have a meeting today at four. So I'll have to go to the ministry for a bit," she sighed.

"You need a holiday," Demelza commented looking at the photos on Seamus' wall.

"When are you and Ron going to honeymoon," asked Ginny she was sitting in the chair next to Hermione in front of Seamus' desk.

"I don't have time. I have to be back at work on Monday. We'll have to wait until things slow down in the office… who knows when that will happen."

"That sucks," said Ginny

"You and Harry never went on a Honeymoon," pointed out Seamus

"No we just separated instead," they all laughed, "I guess we could count when he goes to away games with me."

"That doesn't count," Seamus chuckled. "Okay, here are your contracts, you have twenty guards, black tie attire, wands hidden and at the ready, with orders to squash any beetles that may be flying or crawling about."

Hermione began to read over the papers.

"What's with the beetle hating," wondered Demelza

"Rita Skeeter is an unregister Animagi, a beetle," sighed Ginny

"Just think Ginny, if she shows and someone steps on her, she won't be able to report which male Quidditch player you're having an affair with this week."

"That takes care of her but not the rest of the tabloid fiends," Hermione said distracted still looking over the contract.

"That Adam Smith and Maxwell Foster thing was a lie…."

"So you weren't drunk and leaning all over them in New York." Demelza arched her eyebrow knowingly

"Well yeah, but in a strictly platonic way…." They all laughed

"I love you Gin," Seamus shook his head

"These two are certainly a hand full," Hermione grabbed one of Seamus' quills and signed the bottom of the parchment and handed it back to him. He waved his wand over it and produced a copy that he handed back to Hermione.

"Their totally awesome, you should hang out with them more often," suggested Seamus.

"Why do you all keep saying that?"

"You're getting old darling"

"I'm not old!"

"A bit stuffy…"

"Thank you so much, but we have lots to do before I have to go to work," Hermione said standing.

"No problem, love," Seamus stood to walk them out.

In the hall Demelza told Seamus that his "Wizarding Suite" play would be a flop, he agreed but already got paid so it didn't matter. Cynthia glared at them when they came back out into the lobby as Seamus hugged them all once again.

"Rehearsal a 7 tomorrow night followed by dinner," Hermione reminded him, "and ab…."

"Absolutely no magic," he finished as if it was the millionth time he's heard it.

_BLOOM_

Flowers for all occasions always in Bloom

Hermione bent down to pick up one of the red rose petals from the floor of Bloom. The petals that covered to floor used to be attached to the sixty dozen roses that were to complete the décor of her wedding but it clearly didn't matter, she may not be getting married anyway and the 720 roses were dead.

"There are potions we mix in with the water to keep them alive but apparently they were given the wrong dosage." Explained the shop keeper

"Not enough," Hermione said assessing the red petal covered floor

"Too much, they over bloomed then sort of exploded"

Hermione dropped the rose petal, "I suppose flowers are an over done wedding tradition anyway."

"There's better news. We're growing new ones, we have these other potions that speed up growth of the seeds, today their rose buds but they will be in full bloom by Saturday morning. But…"

"But?"

"Roses are out of season so we only had a few seeds so there aren't quite as many flowers as you planned but we had the rest imported but they haven't arrived yet…"

Hermione rolled her eyes and huffed out of the florist shop.

"Sorry," Ginny apologized to the shopkeeper as she and Demelza followed Hermione out.

"It's not so bad," Ginny tried to comfort. "They're growing new ones"

"They might kill those too seeing as their obviously have potion problems," pointed out Demelza.

"Not helping," Ginny hissed "Hermione, everything will work out beautifully in the end," she assured her smiling warmly.

"I hope so. I need to go to the ministry," She sighed, "Thanks for being Harry today."

_MINISTRY OF MAGIC_

Level One, Minister and Support Staff

"Good afternoon Ms. Granger," The Receptionist said as Hermione exited the lift and walked towards the desk.

"Good afternoon, you wouldn't by any chance know what the meeting is about would you?"

"Sorry, I haven't a clue. But everyone's already in the conference room."

Hermione's eyes widened in terror, she knew she wasn't late but being the last one there in this completely mysterious meeting was not okay, oh no, in true Hermione Ministry fashion she ran down the hall. She was initially concerned with not going home to change from her jeans into something more businesslike but being late when you weren't actually late was even worst. She pulled open the door to the conference room and….

"SURPRISE!"

The conference room was filled with her Co-workers gathered to celebrate her. There was a banner floating over the table that said Congratulations Hermione and a cake and snacks on the table.

"Oh, you shouldn't have"

"Oh, nonsense," said Kingsley coming and wrapping an arm around Hermione. "You deserve this."

"This is too much, thank you everyone!"

"Let's have cake," Kingsley cheered

"Congratulations, Ms. Granger."

"Best of luck Hermione"

Hermione smiled and thanked people politely for doing this for her, which made her feel even worst for calling off her wedding and telling no one.

"So is this why you couldn't get away from the office," Hermione asked Harry as she approached him.

He laughed, "No, I had nothing to do with this. It was all Kingsley actually but I'm going to have to have my piece of cake to go."

"Congratulations Hermione," Williamson, Senior Auror smiled at her coming over to she and Harry. "Unfortunately Harry and I are going to have to head back downstairs to the Auror office, I wish the best to you and Mr. Weasley," he nodded his head towards the door for Harry to follow.

"Thanks for coming and Harry tomorrow evening…"

"Seven O'clock rehearsal dinner and absolutely no magic," he smiled finishing her sentence, "bye."

"Hermione," She turned around smiling to see who was talking to her and her smile faded

"Hello Padma," she said quietly

"I um, wanted to say just that…. It wasn't my place to ah…. I'm usually so eloquently spoken I don't know why I just can't apologize."

"Because you shouldn't have to, I dragged you through this mess with me it's only right you get to have an opinion."

"I shouldn't have come about it the way I did though."

"That's just how you are grand la bouche."

"Frizzy head"

"Evil twin"

"Potential Weasel"

"Witch!"

They laughed and hugged each other, "I missed you girl."

"I missed you too. Lunch Monday after this either completely terrible or overly happy weekend"

"Yes," agreed Padma, "But you can't say it won't be one to remember."

_DRACO'S HOUSE_

"Would you like some more wine," Draco asked Zoe Shea Evans who was currently curled up on his couch. It was about ten o'clock in the evening the pair were lounging about Draco's sitting room.

"Yes, thank you darling," she said holding her glass out.

"Do you want to go out or something?"

"You always want to stay in."

"I feel like getting out."

"I should be insulted"

" Why?"

"Because you haven't asked me to your masked ball," she took a sip of her wine

"It's my parent's ball and I thought you and your mother were on the guest list."

"I received an invitation but no one asked me to go with them," she placed her wine glass on the coffee table and uncurled herself. She stood and repositioned herself in Draco's lap. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to be photographed together at the ball, we make a stunning pair…"

Draco smirked, "I think we get photographed enough."

"True but never in masks"

"But then no one could see your beautiful face."

She chuckled, "you're not going to ask me to the ball are you?"

Draco shook his head no and Zoe removed herself from his lap.

"That's all right I always look more fabulous by myself anyway," she picked up her glass of wine.

"I can't argue with that," Draco took a sip of his own wine, as there was a knock on his door. "Excuse me a moment," he said getting up to answer the door.

Draco's eyes widened at the sight of Hermione, "I know it's late…"

"You said we should stay away from each other."

"I know but I just felt like I needed to talk to you."

"Come in," he stepped aside to let her in.

"Draco who was at the door," Zoe said coming from the sitting room.

"Zoe this is Hermione," Draco introduced, "Hermione my friend Zoe."

"Nice to meet you," Zoe smiled raising an eyebrow. "I'll take this as my cue to leave." She returned to the sitting room.

"I'm so sorry for the intrusions," Hermione said once she was gone, "I'll go."

"No stay, it's fine"

Zoe came back into the room, with her handbag and now wearing shoes. She grabbed her jacket and scarf from the hook next to the door. "I'll talk to you tomorrow Draco," she gave him a peck on the lips which he returned before she left.

"Can I take your jacket?"

"Thank you," she said removing her jacket, Draco took it and hung it up

"Come in sit down, can I get you something?"

"I see you were already having drinks," she indicated to the two wine glasses on the table.

"Would you like one?"

"No…"

Draco sat down in the armchair across from Hermione who was sitting on the couch. Watching her waiting for her to say something seeing as he had no idea what this visit was about.

"So Zoe seems nice."

"Yes"

"You look more serious then you claim"

"We're just good friends… What's going on Hermione, I know you didn't come over to talk about Zoe."

"No, I came to talk about us…"

"There is no us"

"Exactly"

"Glad we discussed it"

Hermione stood from the couch and began to pace in front of it, "I just feel that there is something I need to tell you and I'm not quite sure if I know how or even what that something is."

"Ok"

"Your house is quite empty," she commented looking around the room. There was only a couch, an armchair, coffee table, and a liquor cabinet in the corner.

"It's only the stuff that was in my flat. It will probably fill up sooner or later." He watched her continue to pace. "Are you sure you don't want anything? Not even tea?"

She shook her head

"Alright," Draco stood, "I'm going to have some tea and I'm simply going to ask you to join me."

Hermione followed him out of the sitting room down the hall, down a few steps into a rather long kitchen. She took a seat at the table and watched Draco put the kettle on. Then sit at the opposite end of the table.

"So how is everyone," he began

"Everyone who"

"Your parents and your little friends"

"My parents are great, they're very happy."

"Of course they are their only child is getting married."

"Everyone's great, nothing's really changed…." She thought for a moment, "Oh, I suppose the biggest news is Lavender came out!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot."

"How did you know?" Hermione asked curiously

"Oh well I of sort of misled to a party a Dean's house back in August," he said casually, "I guess I left before you got there."

"How does one get misled to a party?"

"When Justin Finch-Flechery is trying to increase is social standing."

"What?"

"I said he was lame and he claimed he wasn't. But as it turns out I was right and he was wrong," smirked Draco

"No one told me you were at that party?"

He shrugged, "I'm sure everyone wanted to forget my presence"

"I wouldn't have known unless someone told me because I didn't quite make it to that party," she looked down at her hands.

I don't want to know why, "why"

Hermione was unsure she should tell him or maybe she should just make up a lie, "I was on my way when Ron proposed and so we decided to go out and celebrate just the two of us," well that's mostly the truth he doesn't need to know what kind of celebrating we did.

Draco really didn't want to think about it, "So she's a lesbian… could have fooled me."

"I was surprised myself but she's dating this muggle Lola. She owns a tattoo parlor."

"She didn't seem that butch?"

Hermione laughed, "Of course not she's quite lovely, with her blue streaks in her hair, and she's keen on Lavender being a Witch."

"My god…"

"Is it weird?"

"What?"

"I know that they weren't really your friends and all but just not seeing them like you use too?"

"Yes it's a bit odd, I ended up spending more time around Potter and company then I'd like to admit but I've gone back to being a me that I know much better and it's comforting."

"Star studded friends?"

"It's not my fault the people who run in the same circles as me are hounded by the press and nosey sods who want to know what's going on in their lives because theirs are so boring," he defended, rising from his seat as the kettle began to whistle. "But that's not what I meant. I'm in character, I'm not living in a small flat with someone I hold primary school grudges with, I'm not slinging drinks at a greasy spoon, that literally was greasy, and I'm certainly not concerned with whether or not a can pay my rent plus eat this week."

"Back to that old Malfoy swing"

"Yes," he said placing a cup of tea down in front of her although she already said she didn't want one. He watched her reach for the sugar he had placed on the table, feeling a bit proud he still knew her.

"Even though, town house in London, one could say is was very Harry Potter of you."

"Potter's got nothing on my black marble floors."

"Yes I noticed in the hall, they're stunning," she chuckled and took a sip of her tea.

"Besides I prefer to think a town house in London is very Black of me. After all, my mother's a Black. I must admit, I was quite excited to attend Harry's wedding because I wanted to see the inside of the Noble house of Black…."

"Here I always thought you wanted to see me."

"You as well, but there have been some legendary parties hosted there… or so I've been told."

She sighed, and distractedly stirred her tea. She wanted to tell Draco everything but she knew she couldn't mostly because she refused to tell him and she called off her wedding but she could get around that.

"I want to tell you what the fight was about," she looked him directly in the eye

"So I was right. There was a fight."

"Unfortunately yes"

"So where is Weasel this evening?"

"He's in Durban for work but that's not the important part."

"Skipping out on the wedding perhaps."

She was not going to let him be right again, "no, he'll be back tomorrow. The fight was about you"

Draco leaned back in his chair, "I'm not sorry."

"For what?"

"Coming between you two, I need to know, we all need to know. What you want because I know I want you and I always will."

"I want to be with Ron"

"Does he make you happy?"

"He makes you absolutely miserable and I love it. So yes, he makes you happy"

"I always knew that you and I would never work out…"

"That's terrible thing to say."

"But it's true. Everyone we both know hates each other and looks at us as if we were completely nutters when we say we want to be together. Neither one of us is ready or willing to make the sacrifices that are necessary for a relationship between us to work."

"You just said that you wanted me."

"I do but I mostly want you to be happy."

"But…"

Draco interrupted, "I don't think it's you don't know what you need to tell me, it's that you need me to tell you that's it's okay that you know what you want, and that's not me."

"I want you in my life."

"You know that can't happen."

Hermione nodded in agreement, that would never go over with Ron. She spent the last two and a half years getting back in Character as Draco put it, hanging with Ron and Harry. Bickering constantly with Ron only thinking of Draco when she caught a glimpse of him in the distance at the Ministry or when he was in the Prophet, and somehow he knew. Knew the right way to direct the conversation, the right thing…

"Were you expecting me tonight?"

"Not at all, actually I was trying to convince Zoe we should go out when you arrived."

"Then how are you doing this… how do you just know! Oh my god! Are you reading my mind?" She stood abruptly.

"Sit down Granger. You know I can't read minds! I needed to talk you as much as you needed to talk to me. I too need to know that's it's okay."

"If what's okay?"

"To be off the hook"

"What?"

"Tell me to piss off Hermione! Because I can't and will not tell you that you being with Weasel is all right. I physically cannot do that. But if that's what you want then you have to let me go."

"Are trying to tell me I'm holding you back from something?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I made a promise to you, to be here whenever you need me but apparently someone else has taken that spot. I think we both know you made a decision that means my promise no longer stands. You can't come over here in the middle of the night just because you want to talk, no more lunches and I will never steal a kiss from you in the lift or anywhere again."

Hermione's eyes glazed over, "you know… I loved you."

Draco looked down, "no you didn't… and it's okay because I don't doubt that you cared about me and I think that I could have been someone you did love but I suppose we weren't meant to have the chance. Besides I should have known the way you and Ron fight, all of your arguments are to the death and you've never got that passionate with me." He chuckled, "you got that passionate over me with Ron."

She didn't want to just leave him like this but what could she really say, as perusal he was right. Her fiery red headed Weasel was waiting and she shall make him wait no longer. She stood, "Thank you for the tea but I have to go…"

She ran up the stairs from the kitchen, leaving Draco staring at the chair she just left vacant. "Draco," Hermione stuck her head back into the kitchen door, he look up at her "piss off," she smiled before disappearing again. He turned his attention back to the chair and when he heard his front door close he smirked.

_FUCKING TRUTH_

London, I have an excellent way to start your day with the lovely Raleigh Grace. Miss Grace is here discussing her latest part in the stage play "The Night of the Exploding Tuba" the actual story of what happened the night the tuba exploded in the grand finale of the Wizard Suite. She will also be talking about upcoming endeavors and about the new love in her life, but first up the smashing new single from Cornwall and Idiot…

"So of course in here, I'll play the new Cornwall and Idiot," Lee explained to Raleigh. "Then when we get back from the musical interlude, we'll begin with the first round of questions. I want to warn that my questions will probably not be favored by you…." Lee turned from Raleigh at the tapping on the window. He went over to the window and saw Hermione standing down in the street throwing rocks. "Excuse me a moment," he told Raleigh before leaving the room and heading down the stairs, instead going into the store and went the other way out of the back door into the Alley behind the store and walked around to the front.

After leaving Draco's house Hermione went to Diagon Alley, it was a little after midnight and she knew Weasley Wizarding Wheezes had been closed for over four hours, Diagon Alley was almost completely empty besides a few people here and there she could hear singing and laughing coming from some of the pubs.

When she reached number 93 the store was completely dark. Except on the second floor light shown down onto the street, Lee was sitting in the window above in his studio with Raleigh Grace stage and wireless actress.

She looked about the ground and found a couple of stones and threw them one by one up at the window, until Lee came over and looked out.

"Hermione," Lee called nodding his head for her to come in. "What's going on?" he asked as she followed him back into the building.

"I should ask you the same thing, all sneaky coming from the alley way."

"It's just a hassle to have to take all the alarms off the store," he shrugged

"Sorry to interrupt your show."

"You didn't I'm not live right now, I'm prerecording an interview for the morning," he looked at his watch, "later on this morning."

"A bit of an odd question, but is the floo network hooked up with the Durban store?"

"Going to sneak a peek at the groom, are you," he grinned devilishly

"Something like that," she laughed

"Yeah, go right head. George flooed over there a couple days to check on things and make sure his floo was working."

"Thank you," she said before heading to the office in the back of the store. She grabbed a hand full of floo powder from the urn looking vase next to the fireplace. She watched as the green flames emerged

_WEASLEY WIZARDING WHEEZES _

24 Canterbury Row, Durban, South Africa

"A house?"

"A house."

"Like with a roof and a backyard?"

"Yes, George a house, one people live in together and even start a family with miniature copies of themselves running about!"

"You and Hermione are going to start a family?"

"We were one day, she wants kids and being a Weasley it's kind of in my blood to want a swarm of red haired brats." Ron and George were sitting in the window working on the display.

"Were?"

He sighed, "Hermione has called off the wedding"

George stopped what he was doing, "Are you alright?" he asked genuinely concerned.

"No, I'm not, but I will be... I guess no one still knows besides Harry."

"When did it happen?"

"A couple weeks ago"

"You knew when we went to the fitting"

"Yes, it had just happened that weekend, I figured just in case she changes her mind… I wasn't going to be the one to say anything…. If you're just finding out now, Hermione hasn't told…"

"Are you going to make amends with her when you go home?"

Ron just shrugged

"I'm so sorry Ron."

"Me too, she called it off in the house I just bought for her!"

"At least now my suspicions are confirmed"

"You thought we were broken up?" Ron looked at his brother confused.

"No, I meant that I am paying you too much, I mean if you can afford a house!"

Ron laughed. George wrapped his arm around his neck and pulled him into a headlock. "It'll be okay little bro," he said messing up Ron's hair.

Ron freed himself from George's grasp, "yeah I'd be lying if I said I didn't see this coming."

"Breaking up again?"

"No I always expect Hermione and I to break up that's what we do but I never expected her to say yes, I suppose it's because I know she's too good for me," Ron looked down

"Ron"

"I mean look at her she's going to be running the country some day and look at me I'm holding onto your coat tails…"

George looked at Ron seriously, "You're not holding onto my coat tails"

"Whatever sponaging off of…"

"All joking aside, Ron you are one of the most deserving people I know. I and the rest of the Weasley tribe have subjected you to endless ridicule, you have too compete for attention that you could never possibly get because there will always be someone who did it before you and you always manage to come in second to your friends. But some how Ron you always manage to thrieve inspite of it. You derseve the chance to have whatever you want…"

"It sounds like you love me," Ron smiled

"Yeah, yeah, yeah and don't count on me saying it again… and you're not sponaging off me, I like having you round sometimes I just need someone around to help me stand up…"

George and Ron whipped their heads around to the sound of a comotion coming from the back office

"We haven't even opened yet and someone is already trying to break into my store! I gave the ministry explicit orders that the Floo's in my stores were for inter-chain travel only!" George huffed crawling from the display area with every intention on hexing the intruder…

"Hermione?" George was surprised to see the soot covered woman hurrying into the store.

"What are you doing here?" Ron asked crawling from the display area

"I wanted to apologize," Hermione began

"I'll be somewhere else," George said leaving the room.

"You could have just done it when I got back and not when it's One o'clock in the morning," he glanced at his watch

"It's only twelve in London."

"HERMIONE YOU GOT SOOT EVERYWHERE!" George shouted from the office.

"The point is, I'm busy we're behind and the store is far from finished," he lied knowing that by the time the sun was up Weasley Wizarding Wheezes, Durban would be ready to open for business, which wouldn't be happening until Saturday, Halloween.

"I just need you to know that I love you. There isn't anything or any person in the world who could change that."

"Oh gee thanks"

"Ronald!"

"AND YOU KNOCKED OVER THE VASE OF FLOO POWDER!" George shouted once again and Ron and Hermione ignored him.

"Hermione, I just don't want to have to go through this again," he whined

"I was only trying…."

"Hermione, I'm trying to say I don't care" Hermione turned to leave he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back. "I'm sick of putting up with your shit so now you can listen to mine. I don't care what you're sorry about or whom you were with in the past. I want you right now and forever, just me and you! Do you except my terms?"

Hermione threw herself in Ron's arms and kissed him. He picked her up and spun her around. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Yes… yes… yes," she said between kisses

"Hermione you also knocked my mirror from the mantle and broke it do you how hard it is to get a mirror that does more than just two way, honestly I don't understand how you caused so much damage…" George said coming back into the room, when he noticed no one saying anything he looked up from the pieces of mirror in his hands to see Ron and Hermione kissing. "I suppose this means the weddings back on!"

Hermione pulled away from Ron and looked over at George. She turned her attention back to Ron and grinned mysteriously, "sort of"

"What do you mean sort of, its 120 pounds a head," Ron exclaimed

"Relax," Hermione smiled, "George do you have a camera?"

_FUCKING TRUTH_

Good Morning London! Can you smell it, Halloween is in the air, tomorrow is the great day and if all goes as planned I won't remember any of it in the morning. I will be party hopping until the sun comes up! London, I have an excellent way to start your day with the lovely Raleigh Grace. Miss Grace is here discussing her latest part in the stage play "The Night of the Exploding Tuba" the actual story of what happened the night the tuba exploded in the grand finale of the Wizard Suite…

Draco yarned as he shuffled downstairs in his PJs he was headed for the kitchen but detoured into his home office when he heard tapping on the window. He walked to the window behind his desk and opened it for the brown barn owl to swoop in. It dropped a package with mail on top of it on his desk then flew out the window once more.

He knew that the package contained his special made mask for the Malfoy Mask Ball tomorrow, Halloween night. He picked up the mail and tucked it under his arm and began to open the package. As he pulled the twine from the parcel he felt the letters under his arm begin to slip. He stopped to readjust them as one small envelope slid from under his arm and across the floor. He didn't notice as he got all the wrappings off the package, he took the lid from the box and examined the silver mask inside that sat on a black velvet pillow, which was…

"Not the mask I ordered," he picked up the card that was inside the box and read it.

I met your mother when wearing this mask. I would be honored if you wore it perhaps it may bring you a bit of the happiness it brought me.

He shrugged and returned the top to the box and pulled his letters from under his arm, sorting through them as he continued on his journey to the kitchen that was interrupted by the arrival of his mail.

_The InterContinental Hotel, London_

Ron and Hermione's Rehearsal and Dinner

October, 30, 2002

7pm sharp and absolutely no magic!

"Where are they?" Mrs. Weasley said pacing about the small. Banquet room Hermione's entire wedding party and a few family members were waiting in to start the run through of the wedding the one she was thirty minutes late for.

"I don't know," Harry, said honestly, "I haven't seen either of them today but I assumed…"

"GET IT!"

"WHERE DID IT GO?"

"IT WENT INTO THE BANQUET ROOM OVER THERE!"

The shouting in the hall interrupted Harry. Which all made since as an owl flew into the room. Hermione's Aunt Helen let out a scream as she ducked under the table pulling her daughter Karen down with her. The owl flew straight at Harry, dropped a letter in his hands and headed for the door again.

"IT'S IN HERE!" A man wearing the hotel uniform shouted when he ran into the room holding a broom. The owl was flying towards the door and he tried to swat it out of the air but only ended up diving out of the way before it could claw him in the face.

"Did anyone else just notice an owl delivering mail," Mike, Ron's muggle friend and groomsman pointed out.

"No," laughed Dean, "you must have been imagining things."

"Are you sure? I could have sworn."

"One too many beers perhaps mate," he patted Mike on the shoulder

Harry opened the envelope, and pulled out a note and a photograph. It was a still picture of Ron and Hermione on the beach. They were both bare foot and dressed in white. Hermione was grinning at the camera showing off her left hand as Ron had his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her in tight and staring at her as if she was the only person in the world who mattered. Harry smiled as he unfolded the note then move to the front of the room to address everyone.

"May I have your attention please," Harry stood smiling in the front of the room

"What's going on," asked Mr. Granger

Harry simply handed him the photograph and watched as Mr. Granger smiled at it warmly.

"I have something you all need to hear…

Dear Harry,

As our Man of Honor and Best man we are asking you to read this to our family and friends. We have learned so much from all of you these past years. You all are the ones who got us through our ups and downs. Love is far from perfect you all taught us that but you also taught us that it's true and pure, no matter how undignified or unexplainable it may seem. It often leads you places you never though you would end up like South Africa. It's a time of celebration and we would like you to still enjoy our reception tomorrow evening, Ron wanted to remind everyone 120 pounds a head. See you when we get back!

So Much Love

Ron and Hermione Weasley

P.S. Harry will you please go to my flat and feed Crookshanks?"

_MALFOY MANOR_

You are cordially invited

To the Malfoy Mask

October 31, 2002

Eight O'clock in the evening

A black tie affair at the home of

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy

Wiltshire, England

Draco walked down the hall of his parents Wiltshire Manor. He was dressed in extremely formal black dress robes complete with white tie and gloves', covering the right side of his face was a silver mask, which covered everything and ended just above the mouth. He descended the stairs down into the foyer that was filled with prestigious witches and wizards dressed in the most ornate of gowns and robes.

He stopped at the foot of the stairs and allowed his photo to be taken by one of the photographers from the Daily Prophet, which his parents had promised an exclusive of the event.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy," the photographer said after he snapped a few pictures

Draco nodded curtly and continued down the hall, acknowledging people here and there as he went. Two men in dress robes wearing plain black mask, the outfit for the staff for the night, bowed as Draco approached the double doors that lead to the ballroom. Before each pulled open the door they were standing in front of.

Draco stepped into the room, there was another attendant standing at the bottom of the couple of steps down onto the ballroom floor who was to announce people.

"Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy," he said loud enough for people to take notice if they wished, as he descended the two steps.

There was a huge golden chandelier hanging in the center of the room, every corner had a six-foot tall arrangement, which included masks and feathers full of things to make them glitter beautifully in the light. Attendants were walking about in their simple black mask with drinks and Hors d'œuvre. There was a grand masked orchestra on the opposite wall of the entrance. There was a set of doors on each side that would lead to the dining room. On the left side of the room the wall was covered in French doors, which lead out onto the patio, and centered in front of the doors was the bar. The marble dance floor was packed with people dancing a Viennese waltz.

"Draco," Lucius called from a few feet away.

Draco plastered a mildly pleasant look on his face as he went to see what his father wanted.

"Draco, you remember Hector Olbansk, Minster for Magic of Bulgaria," Lucius reintroduced his son.

"Yes, of course Minister Olbansk, it's wonderful to see you again." He shook his hand

"You as well, last time I saw you was at my daughter's engagement party," he smiled.

"Maybe Draco here will be having one of his own sometime soon," offered Lucius

"Oh, let's not be too hasty father," Draco took a glass of champagne from one of the trays when an attendant walked by, "I think I have a ways to go before that happens."

"Draco here is now, working at the Ministry, in the department of Mysteries," Lucius began to brag on about his son. Draco stood there nodding politely as they talked thinking of any possible excuse to get away, but luckily he didn't have to when someone called his name.

"Draco Malfoy"

Draco turned around to see who was calling him. "If it isn't Daphne Greengrass," he smirked and walked over to her. "So what are you up to these days?"

"I run the Little Red Books New York office, I married an American muggle doctor and I just had a baby boy. If you say a word about my husband's lack of magical capabilities I will hex you right here in front of everyone," she smirked and took a sip of her champagne

He chuckled, "I'm not going to say a thing."

"You better not after the things I heard about you and a certain Ms. Granger."

"I plead not guilty to whatever you heard, but she actually became a Weasley today."

Daphne snorted, "I can't say we all didn't see that coming."

"So you came all the way from New York," he said getting away from any topic pertaining to Granger.

"I made the mistake of telling my mother of my invitation and she sent me a howler telling me how no one in their right mind misses a Malfoy Mask and it's such a privilege to be invited," she rolled her eyes.

"Did you come alone?"

"No, Marc, my husband stayed home with the baby and my sister was gracious enough to escort me," she said looking about and when she spotted who she was looking for, "Astoria!"

Draco watch as a woman in an emerald green gown, came walking over to them. The dress was strapless, had a contrasting black band at the waist. It was straight all the way down to the floor and had a train in the back, which she had the end of, tied around her wrist. Her strawberry blonde hair that was pulled back into a French roll, her green eyes dazzled through her gold leaf mask. The room was slowing as she walked towards him. He noticed the red of her nails matched the red of her lips, the lips that curled into a smile as her eyes caught his…

"Draco I'd like you to meet my sister Astoria."

"The pleasures entirely mine," Astoria blushed as Draco kissed the back of her hand.

"Thank you," she giggled

"Oh my goodness is this that Blaise," Daphne said looking at someone pass Draco, "This is like a reunion for me I feel so out of the loop. If you'll excuse me," She said before rushing off to catch up with Blaise Zabini.

"If she feels that way then perhaps she shouldn't have moved to the states."

"True," agreed Draco

"You don't remember me do you," smirked Astoria, in the cutest way Malfoy has ever seen.

She was quite endearing but he didn't know where he was supposed to remember her from, "Honestly no I can't say that I do but I really wish that I did."

"I was only two years behind you in school not to mention in your house."

"I'm a complete git for not noticing you."

Astoria laughed, "Does that line work on all the ladies."

"I don't know you're the first woman I used it on. How'd it go?"

"I'll give you an eight out of ten for effort," she giggled

"I'll have to do better."

"So tell me what you've been up other than throwing decadent masked balls."

"I'm an Unspeakable."

"Well I guess that's the end of that topic"

"What do you do?"

"Crave for the days of potions class. I'm studying to be a healer if you thought Snape or Slughorn was a piece of work you should meet Dr. Lark Henley the Antidotes Master at St. Mungos. She'll eat you alive…. Although I wouldn't change it for the world," she smiled. "Getting to do what I always wanted…." Draco listened and watched Astoria glow as she went on about her studies. "Best part is the wheelchair races in the corridor after hours when the healers aren't about…."

Without malice or scorn, hatred of any kind, just pure innocent sparkling joy, Draco Malfoy smiled.

"Say" OneRepublic

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