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SaruDM,
dirty-little,
NickelRamaMetalHydride,
echizenochi,
Hello and
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For reviewing the previous chapter!

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CHAPTER 32.

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Hermione saw Ginny busy placing people all over, leading them to their respective tables so they could enjoy a drink or a cocktail and some appetizers before the ceremony.

Ginny caught her eye and grinned. Wait a moment.. Was that just a greeting smile or did it have some extra meaning to it?

Following her gaze that led to the man whose hand was tucked in Hermione's, she realised, yeah. Definitely not your usual hello grin.

Hermione sighed, shaking her head mentally at her friends antics but couldn't help smiling because, in spite of her meddling, here she was standing with the other Fred, who she had grown to like and respect like a friend.

The fact that she not lost his friendship had put her in high spirits, enough to not give Ginny hateful looks.

Ginny held her hand up, implying that Hermione was supposed to wait there till she spoke to whoever she was seating at present.

Hermione casually looked around to find Fred enter the garden.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him, in his navy robes. The colour she loved most on him. The colour that had the ability to suck her into his impossibly deep eyes.

His shook his unruly hair and arranged them with his fingers. This simple act made her forget that she was supposed to breathe. All she could think was that it should have been her running her fingers through that red hair and it was so unfair that she could not be with him today.

She was shaken from her day dream by the arrival of a pretty blonde next to him who had her arm locked in his.

Wait a minute.. Was that? Was he with? Oh Merlin!

Estelle?

She looked at his face as he spoke to her, easily, a smile etched on it. It looked like he had a date for the wedding! And Estelle no less! Who looked, as always, stunningly gorgeous.

And all the twirling and happy girly feelings she had had a while ago disappeared and paled in comparison to the beautiful leggy, broad smiling, blonde who currently had her hand hooked with that of HER boyfriend.

Her usually rational mind turned murky for a moment and hazed green with an unusual bout of intense jealousy.

How dare he?

How dare he bring a date to the wedding?

And that too Estelle?

She had immediately taken a liking to Fleur's cousin, who was so friendly that one could not help but like her.

And although she really liked Fleur now, in the beginning, no one had liked her much.

But Estelle was different, kind and sweet. She never screamed Veela. But here she was talking and laughing with her boyfriend. Hermione immediately erased her initial opinion of the girl.

She saw Fred look towards her, his face changed into a myriad of emotions, ecstatic, alarmed, and fearful? Confused, and finally irritated.

Well at least his last two expressions mirrored Hermione's emotions.

For a moment when his eyes landed on hers, she thought that his eyes only saw her, the sheer pleasure in seeing her again after so long. She could, in that split second look, she the love he radiated for her and then his expression changed again.
He loves You, Hermione. An angelic halo covered Hermione with wings on her right shoulder whispered to her. You've seen it in his eyes, and he is after all, one of the hosts for the wedding.

He probably is just being friendly with Estelle.

Too friendly, the red horned Hermione on her left shoulder whispered in her ear.

Hermione sighed. Maybe he was forced into a date with Estelle. Just like she was.

Yes! That was it. Just like she was forced into one with the other Fred. Oh yes. It all made sense now!

But still, he didn't have to be so friendly and happy about it, she pouted.

You're not exactly moping around with the other Fred on your arm, are you? The halo covered Hermione whispered.

Hermione immediately looked at him again, this time guilt etched on her face.

His face had a questioning look and something that mirrored her own guilt. Maybe he was guilty too for having Estelle as his date.

Just then Estelle chose to say something funny in his ear, too close. He laughed with her genuinely and Hermione found herself pressing closer to the other Fred and her lips in a straight line.

"Oi there! Hermione ! Fred good to see you here." Ginny greeted them. "Oh goody! Fred's here too!" She said looking at her brother.

Taking Hermione by the elbow, she headed towards Fred and Estelle.

Hermione started protesting but Ginny cut her off,"Estelle! You look lovely! And is my brother taking good care of you?"

"Yes my dear. He's been a gentleman!" Estelle remarked happily.

Hermione scowled. Fred caught her scowl and he inwardly winced. He hated to see her upset. He wished he could smoothen that scowl to a smile.

But then he saw how close she was with that man and that warranted a scowl in return.

Ginny made the introductions.

"Estelle, you know Hermione. Hermione, Estelle and Estelle, this handsome man is Frederick McIntosh, Hermione's date. Frederick, Estelle and this is Fred, my brother! I know, it's confusing! But ladies, keep your own Fred's to yourself! We don't want the confusion to go beyond names, right?" She joked.

Estelle and the other Fred laughed at this while Fred and Hermione shifted uncomfortably in their place with forced smiles.

Both the Fred's shook hands rather stiffly.

The other Fred had realised that this is the Fred that Hermione kept talking about, the one who she was forced to stay with but had turned out to be good friends with. He also realised that he was the probable reason that had caused Hermione to end their relationship.

Ginny noticed the tension and change in air and smiled to herself. She mentally patted herself on the shoulder and led them to their table.

"Umm. Gin? Where's our table?" Hermione asked with trepidation.

"Why Mione? It's right here, with Fred and Estelle." Ginny said, motioning to a table with 6 chairs.

Hermione glared at Ginny. So convenient. Now not only do I have to see Fred with another woman but also sit with them. She thought. Thank god for the other 2 chairs. Hopefully it'll be someone who can act as a buffer.

Ginny placed them and received a scathing glare from both Hermione and Fred but she just shrugged and scurried off.

The four retreated into their seats rather awkwardly. Well Hermione and Fred were awkward; Estelle and the other Fred were simply unaware.

Hermione had disentangled herself from the hands of the other Fred but Estelle still kept her arm firmly in Fred's.

She was sitting dangerously close and kept whispering something in his ear to which he would laugh.

Once, he looked uncomfortably towards Hermione and forced a laugh at something Estelle had just said.

Hermione promptly took the other Fred's hand and started discussing Shakespeare with him, knowing full well that that would be a topic only the 2 of them would be able to talk about, and she brought her head closer than necessary to his and passionately started talking about Othello.

She saw Fred eyeing her with an annoyed expression. She softened for a bit and decided to keep some distance between herself and the other Fred, but at that same moment, Estelle pushed her glass of champagne towards Fred, coaxing him to try it. Fred politely declined, still glancing sideways toward Hermione.

But she was persistent. She put the rim of the glass to his lips and said something to him; he opened his lips and tilted his head backwards so that she could pour the contents in his mouth.

Hermione was seething at this. She had promised herself that she wasn't going to drink today. Champagne, definitely not.
Oh! It was going to be a long wedding!

Ginny was walking towards them with Charlie in tow. Charlie greeted everyone and introductions were made.

I can't believe this! And I thought additions to the table will be better! Why Charlie? Ginny I am going to kill you! After the wedding. Hermione thought.

Charlie sat next to Hermione, greeting her affectionately with a kiss on the cheek.

Great! Now Charlie's here too! I believe Fred has more reason to be mad at me now than I do! Hermione thought.

"Hermione! You look absolutely stunning today, as do you, Estelle! With such lovely ladies at our table! I must thank Ginny!" Charlie said.

"Thanks Charlie. You don't look so bad yourself! I'm sure your mum's relieved you're wearing dress robes and not some ridiculous dragon hide jacket you originally wanted to wear." Hermione said.

"Oh Hermione! And I thought I looked dashing in it. You wound me!" Charlie replied playfully.

And so Hermione oscillated like a pendulum between Charlie and the other Fred, talking to both of them.

Fred's scowl kept growing! Damn his stupid brother! And damn this Fred character!

Ginny, you are so going to pay for this.

But Hermione acted as if she was having a good time and didn't even miss him. If he didn't know her better, he would have thought that she was trying to make him jealous.

He wondered why. Agreed, he had entered with Estelle but then again she had come with McIntosh. That should have evened it out. But now even Charlie was in the equation and Hermione was still acting all close and pally with both!

Fine! Have it your way then!

I'll be the same with Estelle; he decided and started getting acquainted with her.

"Hello hello! I have finally arrived! And lovely ladies, you don't have to be bored anymore!" A newcomer arrived.

"Lee?" Fred asked

"Yeah mate! It's me!"Lee said happily as he took the seat next to Estelle, kissing her hand as he did so!

Bloody Veela! Hermione fumed!

"What are you doing here?" Fred asked incredously.

"You hurt me! My friend of 13 years and you ask me what I'm doing at your brother's wedding?" Lee feigned tears.

"Idiot! I mean why are you sitting here?" Fred repeated.

"This is my seat. At least according to Ginny! Why ? You don't want me to be sitting here? Afraid I'll charm the ladies more than you can, Freddie boy?" He wiggled his eyebrows and looked at Hermione and Estelle both.

Hermione rolled her eyes. I am definitely going to need that champagne now. Or something stronger! I love you Ron and Luna! But your wedding is getting on my nerves! And Ginny is going to lose a friend and some teeth.

Of course Ginny had to go ahead and make her life hell! And as if getting the other Fred to be her date was not enough, she had put Charlie and Lee on her table! And that too with Fred there!

Sometimes she wondered if Ginny knew about her and Fred and was making her miserable for not telling her or she was just trying to push guys to her so that she would finally choose one and get into a relationship! Why did her single status bother Ginny so much, she would never know!

She hoped that Fred was kidding about Lee fancying her! Because when Lee fancied a woman, he went all out. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut! She really could not handle Lee's crassness at this point.

Lee looked around the table and smirked.
Well. This sure is interesting!
He had argued with Ginny, wondering why she had placed him at a table with such an odd assortment of people!
And why were Fred and George at different tables?

But now, looking at the occupants of this table and the clear awkwardness emanating from it, he decided that this was going to be a more fun place to be at!

He could see that Fred was definitely not happy with this arrangement. That liar!
He was so into her! A blind man could guess that!

"Hmm. So Hermione! You haven't been to the shop in a while! All good? I've really missed having you there." Lee said, giving her what he considered a charming smile.

Hermione smiled politely at him and replied, "Well, I've been busy Lee, with the wedding and all. But I'll try and stop by sometime next week."

Lee faked an upset look and asked, "You mean you're not going to work with us anymore? It's nice to have a pretty face to look at you know, and that teacherish look of yours.. can be quite sexy! Fred and George may be handsome, but I don't swing that way!"
Fred wanted to punch his childhood friend by now! This was getting ridiculous!

Hermione was surrounded by 3 vultures and he had only Estelle. He felt short-changed.

What are you thinking Fred? Don't be silly! It's not a competition! Get your woman out of here and away from these idiots. It's obvious that Hermione wants to free herself from this table more than you want to!

"Really?" Hermione asked Lee. "I thought since you help them out so much, you surely must be having more than friendly feelings towards one of them at least! Maybe it's Fred! I've seen you'll physically fight once. Maybe it wasn't a fight!" She said grinning evilly.

Fred winced. She was referring to the incident when once lee was badgering Fred again about Hermione and she had chosen that very moment to enter the shop. That time, Fred had not told Hermione about his feelings and thus if he had not lunged at Lee and shut his mouth with his palm, Hermione would end up hearing more than she should have. And yes. The view that she would have received would seem a little less than innocent. He could not believe that she still remembered that!

"Oh that! That's nothing! Just some brotherly love! But I could show you some better loving, beautiful!" Lee said, wiggling his eyebrows again. "what do you say?"

Charlie looked amused and the other Fred was uncomfortable. Not quite sure how to react to someone openly flirt with a woman he had been dating for a month.

Fred was downright livid!

"Shut up Lee! She doesn't need to see your better loving." Fred's voice warned him, ominously.

"See? He always does that! Is he some guardian of yours, Hermione? Never let me ask you out even." Lee said, turning to Hermione.

Hermione looked a bit uncomfortable and tried throwing a sympathetic glance towards Fred.

"Umm. Thanks lee. I'm flattered." Was all that she could manage.

Fred sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration again and decided that he needed to take another route to shut Lee up.

That guy knew him as well as George, and no amount of getting mad at him would make him stop. In fact, that would only cause him to aggravate the situation.

He needed to use the ultimate aversion therapy!

Bromance!

"There's a reason for that Lee! I couldn't have you flirting with Hermione while I was pining for you, now could I?" Fred asked suggestively.

"No you couldn't, wait... Wha...! What's that you said Fred?" He asked, slightly alarmed, and tried taking his chair a bit further away.

Charlie guffawed and Estelle looked on amused by this.

Even Hermione couldn't help smiling at Fred.

Fred pulled his chair closer and leaned towards Lee, who was glad that Estelle was in between him and Fred.

"How did you think I felt? Day in and day out, you kept talking about Hermione! That Hermione, who had barely started coming to the shop, while me, your friend for years, did not even receive half the attention that she did." He said with all feelings he could muster, without laughing.

"Umm. Fred. Mate! Sorry. I love you and all. But you've got it all wrong! I love you as a brother! Like I do George! I'm sure you've had too much to drink! Look around, mate! We have lovely Estelle and Hermione here! Surely they are easier on the eyes than I am!" Lee stuttered.

Fred continued his poker face with great difficulty, "but the heart wants what it wants, Lee. And my heart desires you! Ever since we"ve been in the same dorm, for 7 years, with adjoining beds." He said, pretending to get up from his chair.

Lee staggered from his own chair with a look of terror that Voldemort himself would not be able to extract from him and Hermione had to bite her tongue from giggling out loud.

"Oh come on now! You know you want me! Why else would you help around the shop so much without payment! Come dear friend! Let's advance our friendship! A wedding is a perfect atmosphere to declare our holy love!" Fred said.

"Holy, my arse!" Lee yelled. "Get away from me Fred! I'm warning you! Barmy, this man! His brains are addled! I need some firewhiskey!" Lee yelled and ran away with Fred hot at his heels, arms open, crying out his name and begging him to stop.

Hermione could not help it and she burst out laughing, tears in her eyes.

Charlie joined her and they were laughing for a long time together.

The other Fred found nothing funny in the display although Estelle looked entertained. They struck up a conversation, while Hermione and Charlie tried to breathe through their laughter!

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Okay!

I know I know!

It took too long!

But I hope it was worth it!

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