A/N: Thank you all, as always, for being awesome. :) This story is 75% complete after this chapter, which is a little terrifying but also exciting. A bit of a warning about this chapter – it's got a ridiculous amount of sentimental cuteness. Continue at your own risk.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter. I do run a Harry Potter blog on tumblr though, so that's something.
"The Last Wedding before Their Own—or, the Sappiest Chapter of All Sappy Chapters"
22 December 2001
Ron shook out his hair as he entered the tent, feeling more like a mangy dog than a dignified Auror. He grumbled to himself as he shook the snow off his shoes, running a hand through his hair at the same time to make sure there were no flakes remaining. It wouldn't do to look like he had dandruff, after all. Lastly, he brushed the remaining snow off his dress robes. Leave it to his bloody sister to get married in a fucking blizzard. He sighed heavily as he made his way toward the back of the tent. He knew Harry would be waiting behind the makeshift stage, in the same place he'd been hiding for the past hour.
Perhaps it wasn't quite a blizzard outside, Ron supposed. Really it was more of a light dusting, but still—snow was nice for Christmas, not for weddings. As Ron made his way through the crowd that had assembled for the event, he checked his pockets for the thousandth time in the past hour—it wouldn't do to lose the rings, after all. This best man business was more trouble than it was worth. Quite frankly, he couldn't wait to make Harry return the favor. After he finally asked Hermione, that was…
He cast his thoughts briefly to the desk drawer in his bedroom that hid a ring he considered far more important than the two he was safeguarding now, if he were being honest. He hadn't told anyone it was there yet. Everyone was already hounding on them to get married, and Ron did not particularly want to draw any more attention to the situation. He wanted to marry Hermione on his own terms, thank you very much. Mr. Granger probably had some inkling, though; Ron had called him on the telly-phone last week to arrange a time to meet with him. The Grangers were abroad for the holidays this year, but he was set to have lunch alone with Hermione's father the first week of January. The prospect of this rather terrified him, but if he was going to do the thing, he was going to do it properly—and that included asking for her father's blessing.
Ron's private thoughts dissipated immediately when he finally reached Harry's hiding spot behind the stage. Quite frankly, Ron hadn't seen Harry looking quite this tense since the war. He was pacing back and forth at a slightly alarming rate, and he was sweating so profusely Ron might have thought he was Lucius Malfoy at a meeting of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, which, thanks to Hermione, was an actual organization within the ministry. Though she was no longer hell-bent on freeing house elves, she'd be damned if she allowed any of them to endure mistreatment—and Ron absolutely loved her for it. And for a bunch of other reasons, too, but all the same.
"I know she's about as pleasant as an acromantula sometimes, but honestly mate, you're the one that asked her to marry you," Ron said as he approached his best friend, hoping to lighten the mood. He was rewarded only with a thin, strained smile from Harry.
"You've got the rings?" Harry asked shortly.
"Of course," Ron replied calmly, taking the box out of his pocket to prove it. "Relax, will you? You're going to send yourself to an early death at this rate."
"It'd be fitting, as I'm meant to have died at least ten times over by now," Harry joked, though he still seemed to be rather on edge.
"Well, pull yourself together while you can," Ron advised. "Mum sent me to tell you we're starting in five minutes."
Harry nodded absentmindedly. "Have you talked to Ginny today?"
"Briefly," Ron replied. "She's turned into a girl for the day, fussing over her hair and the like."
Harry snorted, finally seeming to relax a little. "She's always been a girl, sorry to tell you."
"That's the theory, but you can keep it to yourself, thanks," Ron quipped. "She's excited, though, I can tell."
Harry grinned again. "So am I, but it doesn't stop me from being nervous as hell."
Ron laughed. "I'd take this piss out of you some more if I didn't know I'd be the same."
"Soon, yeah?" Harry asked, a hint of a serious tone peeking out beneath his laughter.
"I've got the ring, just gotta give it to her," Ron replied, feeling a strange sense of relief after casually sharing his secret with his best friend. "You'll get to give this best man shite a try soon enough."
"Great," Harry said. "I owe you anyway, after that stag night." They both grimaced as they remembered how embarrassingly drunk they'd got. Though they couldn't remember a whole lot of the night itself, the morning after had come with hangovers of epic proportions. Everyone had to stay at Neville's, since nobody wanted to face their wives or girlfriends, almost all of whom had gathered at Grimmauld Place for the night.
"Looking forward to it," Ron said. "I've got to get back out there, walk Hermione in and all that."
"Go. I'll be fine," Harry said seriously, looking far more relaxed than he had been, though still not entirely worry-free. Ron appraised him for a moment before throwing an arm around him for a brief hug.
"You know there's nobody I'd rather have marry my sister, yeah?" he asked gruffly when they pulled away a few seconds later.
"Right," Harry said. "So long as we keep our personal business to ourselves, yeah?"
"You got it, Potter," Ron grinned, throwing him a mock salute before setting off for the tent entrance once again. Thankfully, Hermione, who was serving as the maid of honor, was waiting just inside, so he did not have to go back out into the snow.
"You look fantastic," Ron told Hermione as he took his place beside her. She smiled prettily up at him as he took in her well-fitted scarlet dress and elegant up-do. The last time he'd seen her, just under an hour ago, she'd been sporting pyjamas and a frazzled plait. Of course, he thought she looked utterly fuckable either way, but it was still an amazing feat.
"Thank you," she said, breaking through his thoughts. "Have you been to see Harry?"
"He was pacing like a mad man, but I think I calmed him down a bit," Ron replied. "And Ginny?"
"Nervous but excited. She'll be along in a moment; she's just with your parents right now," Hermione answered. "This is really it, isn't it?"
"I suppose it is," Ron said absently, his eyes taking in the impressive crowd that was gathered under the tent, waiting for the ceremony to start. There were Hogwarts classmates, fellow Aurors, and of course, a large section of Weasleys. "I dunno that it's hit me quite yet."
"After last night, it all seems much more real," Hermione said quietly. Ron nodded in agreement—they'd accompanied Harry to Godric's Hollow last night to visit his parents. They'd stood far enough back to give him some privacy, but there had been plenty of tears and hugs all around. Harry visited Godric's Hollow around Christmas every year, and it was never a lighthearted affair. But this year, the intensity had escalated, perhaps because the experience was a very real reminder that so many people would not be attending the wedding, including two people that should have been guests of honor.
"Absolutely," Ron said, slipping an arm around Hermione's shoulders and rubbing gently. "I guess it's just strange; my best friend and my little sister are both getting married, and to each other. I knew it'd happen, but I dunno…" he trailed off, not entirely sure where his train of thought was going anymore.
Hermione laughed lightly. "I suppose it's a bit different in your case." Just then, she turned to him on her tiptoes and kissed him quickly on the lips.
"What was that for?" Ron asked, grinning widely.
"I don't know. I just felt like it," Hermione replied happily, shrugging.
"What was that? You don't know?" Ron teased gently.
"Hush, you," Hermione said, though there was no real admonishment in her tone.
They were interrupted, then, as Ginny appeared at the entrance, no snow covering her figure due to Mum and Dad's shield charms, which had protected her on her walk from the house. Ron could have kicked himself for not thinking of that particular trick earlier.
"I think we're about ready to start," Mum said anxiously. "Now where's George, he's meant to walk me down the aisle…" She trailed off as she disappeared again into the crowd.
"You look lovely, Ginny," Hermione gushed, rushing forward to hug the bride.
"Alright, Gin?" Ron asked, taking in his sister's appearance. She was glowing, she really was. Her red hair was striking in comparison to her pale skin and white gown. She'd chosen a dress with a simple design, but the skirt seemed to sparkle radiantly.
"As I'll ever be," Ginny replied with a smile. "How's Harry?"
"The same," Ron said simply.
"I remember my wedding day," Dad reminisced fondly. "I was hardly eighteen at the time. Chugged some butterbeer before walking down the aisle to ease the nerves. Didn't do a thing, of course, but I wasn't about to have anything stronger for fear of the bride."
Ron roared with laughter, and Ginny tutted mockingly in a remarkable impression of Mum. Hermione seemed torn between amusement and reprimand.
"And how was it, Dad?" Ginny asked, semi-seriously.
"Brilliant, once I got through the vows without stammering," he replied with a chuckle. "It seems silly now, to be terrified of a ceremony. It's been more than thirty years since I married your mum, and really, the thousands of ordinary days since then have meant far more in the end."
They stood in thoughtful silence for only a moment before Mum came back, dragging George along in her wake. "I've cued the band to begin anytime they're ready, and then we're off down the aisle! Harry's been told to step out when the music starts. Oh, Ginny dear! My little girl, getting married!" Mum pulled her daughter into an embrace.
"Mum, for such a reasonable and intelligent woman, you really can lose your head sometimes. Nothing on you, Ginny, you look lovely," George said, punching his sister on the arm as though she weren't a twenty year old woman in a wedding dress. Ron snickered, but thankfully Mum either did not hear them, or, more likely, just pretended as much.
Just then, the music began and Mum and George began their walk down the aisle.
"This is it," Ginny remarked, taking a deep breath before giggling girlishly.
Ron couldn't help it; he turned and pulled his sister into a hug. Perhaps it was that he'd only just realized this would be the last time he'd hug her while she was still a Weasley by name. She seemed to have come to a similar conclusion, because she hugged him right back without any snarky comments.
Hermione made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a sob as they separated. "Oh, don't start, Hermione," Ginny said shakily, wiping daintily at her eyes. "Mum was bad enough, and I can't afford to start crying!"
"Ron, Hermione, it's your turn," Dad prompted as he wrapped an arm around his daughter's shoulders.
"Right," Ron croaked, offering his arm to Hermione as they began to make their way down the aisle.
"I can't believe I forgot a handkerchief! At this rate I'll need one before the actual ceremony begins," Hermione remarked in a low voice.
"Don't worry, I've got one for you," Ron replied, inwardly congratulating himself on his foresight.
She turned and smiled radiantly at him, in such a way that Ron had to consciously remember to breathe. He loved being the one to make her smile like that, and he was quite certain it was the best thing he'd ever done.
"Harry looks so nervous," Hermione remarked affectionately, turning her eyes back to the end of the aisle.
"Told you as much," Ron replied, allowing a chuckle to escape as he watched Harry crack his knuckles repeatedly, the expression on his face similar to the one he'd worn before his first Quidditch match. "Do you think he'll cry?"
"Ron," Hermione scolded, "a man's wedding day is a very significant—"
"I'm taking the piss, love," Ron cut in, though he could tell from her tone that she wasn't truly upset.
Before she could respond, they'd reached the end of the aisle and Hermione had flung herself dramatically at Harry, who looked quite taken aback at the sudden display of affection. Ron couldn't help but laugh at a gesture that, not too many years ago, would have sent him into a jealous tailspin. He'd long since got his head on straight, but the memories of his jealousy seemed particularly ridiculous in the light of who was to walk down the aisle next.
By the time Ron and Hermione had taken their places on Harry's left side, the rest of the crowd had stood up and turned to get a better look at the bride, who had just appeared at the opposite end of the aisle. The sparkles of Ginny's dress shone even more radiantly now in the candlelight that illuminated the tent; she looked happier than Ron had ever seen her, and Dad was clearly on the verge of tears. Harry, on the other hand, looked simply awestruck.
What seemed like mere seconds later, they'd reached the front and Dad was giving Ginny away. Hermione began crying in earnest, and Ron proudly produced the handkerchief for her while swallowing the lump in his own throat.
The ceremony passed by in a blur. Ron spent most of it watching, but not really seeing. He kept his arm around Hermione's waist for most of it, and he managed to deliver the rings without any trouble, thankfully. He found that he could not focus on what Harry and Ginny and the stout little officiant were saying, because really, all he could think about was when it would be his and Hermione's turn. Would her dress sparkle like Ginny's? Would he pace as much as Harry had? Would her dad tear up when he gave her away? Would he tear up when he saw her?
Ron only felt a little guilty about his preoccupation during the majority of the ceremony. From what he did pick up, the officiant was using a lot of sappy words that neither Harry nor Ginny would be caught dead saying, least of all in public. And then there were vows and then there was kissing, and all of the sudden they were Harry and Ginny Potter, and they were married.
The next time Ron had a second to breathe, the venue had changed and he found himself sitting at the head table with Hermione and his parents. The rest of his immediately family, sans Teddy and Victoire, were seated at an adjacent table. The toddlers were chasing each other in one of the corners under Andromeda Tonks' supervision. Harry and Ginny were missing as well; they were still somewhere in the throng of well-wishers that had surrounded them no sooner than Ron and Hermione had been able to congratulate them and get out of the way.
Hermione wiped her eyes one more time before smiling up at him. "Wasn't that just lovely?" she swooned.
"Reckon so," Ron replied shortly, since truly he had taken in very little of the proceedings.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," Mum piped in, dabbing at her own tears. "Harry's a Weasley, at last."
"Still not in name," Ron remarked unhelpfully.
"It's best that their name is Potter," Dad said evenly. "We've got quite enough Weasleys to be getting on with, I daresay."
"Oh, Arthur," Molly tutted, but she leaned into him a bit nonetheless. "They remind me so much of Lily and James."
"Did you know Harry's parents well?" Hermione asked brightly. This piqued Ron's interest as well; his parents had never really mentioned the Potters but in passing.
"Not well, no; they were quite a bit younger than us. We were married and had Bill before the two of them set foot in Hogwarts, I believe," Dad said.
"We met them a few times while they were working for the Order," Mum added. "They were such lovely people—brave, clever, loyal…and fierce, almost to a fault. It's amazing how much of them I can see in Harry, even though they were gone so soon."
"I can see some of their spirit in all of you, come to think of it," Dad remarked. "Funny how that works."
"But not so funny, when you think about it," Mum finished, tears coming to her eyes again.
"How do you mean?" Ron asked curiously.
"Well, you grew up in similar circumstances," Mum said. "In a world that was broken, really, for lack of a better description, and you came out stronger people for it, which is remarkable in itself."
"I don't think we often say how extraordinary the whole lot of you are," Dad continued, his eyes shining as well. "Particularly the two of you and Harry. Not many people could survive what you did—and I don't just mean physical survival, either."
Ron could feel himself flush at his parents praise as he mumbled his thanks. Hermione had to pull out her handkerchief again as she stammered her words of gratitude. Ron reached instinctively under the table for Hermione's hand and felt his heart lift as she laced her fingers with his. A thoughtful silence fell upon the table that was not broken until a haggard Harry and Ginny appeared several moments later.
"Is your fan club done with you now?" Ron smirked as his Mum and Dad greeted the two with warm embraces.
"Hardy har," Ginny spat back, rolling her eyes and adopting a decidedly unladylike expression, which looked a little ridiculous given her current attire. "Just wait til you get married and see how you like the attention."
Ron flushed at this and stole a glance at Hermione. She was looking at him as well, and his breath caught; she was biting her lip in a way that always made him go just a bit mental. Ron wished, just for a moment, that he'd brought the ring tonight—then he remembered how incredibly inappropriate it would be to propose at someone else's wedding and pulled himself together. She deserved nothing less than the perfect proposal, after all.
"Would you get a room?" Harry asked sarcastically as he took a seat next to Ron. "Quit trying to out-couple us on our damn wedding day."
Ginny took this opportunity to lean over and kiss Harry soundly on the lips. "I've no worries of that happening, husband."
Ron chuckled lightheartedly, deciding it was not the time to make a remark about the nauseating nature of their physical relationship. "Can't believe you're somebody's husband, mate."
"Yeah, apparently that's what happens when you marry somebody," Harry quipped. "Ah, here comes dinner."
They were distracted for several minutes as an exquisite feast appeared in front of them. Though very little about the ceremony and décor had been extravagant, Harry and Ginny had certainly not gone the cheap route when it came to the cuisine. Each of them ate until they were well past full, and even then there was still cake to contend with.
"So are we really meant to dance after this?" Ginny asked as she finished off her second slice of cake.
"I'm afraid so," Mum chimed in. "I'll tell the band to wait a few minutes, let your stomachs settle."
With that, she and Dad left the table, leaving Ron and Hermione alone with the newlyweds.
"Just as well. We've got to say a few words to everyone, haven't we?" Harry asked Ginny, the expression on his face suggesting that he could think of no task more unpleasant.
"You have," Ginny corrected with a sweet smile. "I don't much feel like it, I'm afraid."
"If I felt like arguing today…" Harry grumbled, but there was no malice in his voice—he leaned over and kissed Ginny for what must have been the seventh or eighth time since they'd sat down.
"We've got some things to say, too," Hermione said cheerfully. "We can go first, if you like."
"We do?" Ron asked, panicked—he hadn't prepared a thing.
"You're the best man. Surely you've got a toast prepared?" Hermione asked, her forehead creasing.
"Right," Ron muttered, only just now remembering Hermione pestering him about this very subject a couple of weeks prior. "Right, I can say some things."
Hermione rolled her eyes knowingly. "I knew you'd forget."
"I didn't forget—"
"Yes, you did," she said matter-of-factly. "But it's not matter, we can do it together. Just pipe up when you see fit."
"Will you let me get a word in edgewise?" Ron asked warily.
"Well, it's not as though I've got a full-length speech prepared, just a few words…"
"Just get on with it. This promises to be amusing," Ginny declared, clanging a knife against her wine glass in order to get everyone's attention.
"Sonorus," Hermione muttered after pulling out her wand, casting the spell first on Ron, then on herself. Naturally, she'd somehow managed to make it work without holding a wand the whole time. The girl was too brilliant for anyone's good.
"Erm, hello," Hermione said, standing up and motioning for Ron to do the same. All he could see were the hundreds of eyes now focused on the pair of them. "We're Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, and we'd just like to say a few words."
Hermione turned and looked at Ron, biting her lip again. He recognized that look—she was seeking reassurance. He nodded his head encouragingly, attempting to swallow his own nerves. He'd never been one for public speaking, so she needed to be the one to start.
"Right," she continued. "Well, we both know the bride and groom very well, obviously. I met Harry and Ron during my first year at Hogwarts, and we've been the best of friends ever since—after I toned down the bossiness and they stopped being prats, that is. The first time I was introduced to Ginny she was simply Ron's sister, but she's since become one of my dearest friends, and one of the most brilliant women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing."
Hermione paused here, and Ron wondered if he was supposed to add something. He could think of nothing, but luckily she continued. "It warms my heart to see the two of them so happy. I cannot think of two people more deserving of the best in life, or two people that have gone through more to get to it. Harry and Ginny, I love you both so much, and I am so honored to be your friend."
She stopped again, but this time she turned looked up at Ron expectantly. He coughed uncomfortably before stammering, "Y-yeah. Erm. I…" Ron looked wildly around the room, not sure what on Earth he was meant to say and quite certain he was more likely to throw up than say anything intelligible—but then, his eyes settled for a moment on the two people sitting next to him, his best friend and his sister, and he began to form a few sentences and hoped beyond belief that they strung together the right way.
"It's not a secret that this whole thing was weird for me at first," he began tentatively. "Ginny always had a thing for Harry back in the day, but eventually, it wasn't a childish crush and it wasn't one-sided. Originally the whole thing was just strange. But what I told Harry earlier today is that I can't think of anyone I'd rather have marrying my sister."
Ron gulped and looked at Hermione, who reciprocated his encouraging nod from earlier. He took a deep breath and continued, looking straight ahead and decidedly not at any of the guests, "Harry's got more good in him than anybody else on the planet. Doesn't mean he's not a git sometimes, but if anyone can handle him, it's my pain-in-the-arse sister. She grew up with six older brothers, and somehow I reckon she turned out far more clever and gutsy and…even compassionate, sometimes, than all the rest of us." He took it as a good sign that these comments were met with general laughter, and he summoned the courage to finish: "What I mean to say is that I couldn't be happier for you both. To Harry and Ginny."
The crowd repeated the toast, and everyone took a hearty drink as Ron and Hermione sat down. Harry clapped him on the back, seemingly lost for words.
"See, that was quite good!" Hermione told him enthusiastically, giving him a kiss on the cheek before dabbing at her eyes again. "Blew me right out of the water, you did."
"Really?" Ron said absently, willing his heart to stop racing. In retrospect, he wasn't entirely sure what he'd even said—but he was certain that he would not be embarking on any more public speaking endeavors for quite some time.
"Really," Hermione said, beaming. Her hand found his again under the table.
"Your turn, Harry," Ginny said softly. Ron was a bit surprised to see that her eyes were shining with unshed tears as well. She fixed him with a look of sincere gratitude when he caught her eye, and the message was received loud and clear.
"Right," Harry said, coughing uncomfortably as he, too, stood from his seat. "Ginny and I would just like to thank you all for coming," he began, using a ridiculously formal tone. "It means a lot to see everyone that has had an impact on our lives, and we couldn't be more thrilled to share this with all of you. Erm…to the Weasley family, especially…you took me in when I was twelve, long before it was official in any capacity. It's a relief to know already that my in-laws are good people—mental, sometimes, but aren't we all?"
Harry paused for a moment as the crowd laughed appreciatively, though George was booing heartily. Angelina Johnson, his girlfriend-by-everything-but-title, promptly bopped him on the head.
"Ron, Hermione," Harry began again a moment later, turning toward them with a look of gratitude on his face so intense Ron could hardly bear to look at him. Hermione squeezed his hand still more tightly as her sniffling increased. "I—I can't possibly…" he broke off, and Ron was scared he was going to start crying too—that they both were. But Harry cleared his throat and started again, this time speaking much more openly, "I didn't have a friend in the world before I went to Hogwarts, and somehow I ended up with the best there are, and I don't think there's any way the two of you could ever know just how much…"
"We do, mate," Ron said quietly, swallowing the lump that was forming in his throat. Hermione was leaning on his shoulder now, and he could feel her tears soaking through his dress robes.
Harry nodded gratefully, apparently not wanting to prolong the vulnerability any longer. Ron didn't blame him—emotions were overwhelming enough, and they were even less fun to deal with in front of a crowd.
"Right," Harry said, messing with his hair nervously before continuing. "Erm…lastly, I wanted to recognize those who can't be with us tonight, because there are far too many that fall under that category." He swallowed before turning to his wife and saying, "Ginny, I know my parents would have loved you. And I like to think everyone would have loved to have been here, would have been happy for us. So…to them," Harry finished bashfully, but the room raised their glasses in kind. Ginny kissed Harry again as he sat down, and Ron didn't think for a second to take the mickey.
"Well, that's about enough of that for one night, eh?" he remarked uncomfortably after a moment.
Harry laughed heartily. "I should hope so."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she lifted her head off Ron's shoulder. "Boys."
Ginny snickered. "I hope you don't expect anything heartfelt out of Ron for quite awhile, Hermione. I think that may have done him in for the next year or so."
"Just because it's your wedding day doesn't mean I'm going to take your abuse," Ron shot back.
"Coming from the one who referred to me as a pain in the arse during his toast…"
Just then, the band began to play, and the assembled guests started applauding enthusiastically. "Suppose that's our cue," Harry said, holding out his hand for Ginny to take. She did, and they made their way down to the dance floor.
Hermione cuddled into Ron again as they watched them in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After a few moments, Ron scooted his chair back and stood up. "Shall we?"
Hermione smiled her assent and followed him to the dance floor, where they joined the newlyweds, Molly and Arthur, Bill and Fleur, and Neville and Hannah Abbott. Wait...
"Neville and Hannah?" Ron asked incredulously as he placed his hands on Hermione's waist.
"It's nothing official yet," Hermione said calmly, looping her arms around his neck. She'd worn tall heels for the occasion, which thankfully made their height difference whilst in this position a little less pronounced. "Neville told me earlier that they've been seeing each other for a few weeks."
Ron nodded in acceptance before pulling her closer so that he could wrap his arms entirely around her and rest his head against hers. Their previous position had been too distracting; her dress was offering him the perfect view of her chest, but he didn't think she would find it amusing if he were staring. Luckily, she sighed happily at the change and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Love you," he muttered quietly, figuring now was as good a time as any to remind her.
"Love you too," he heard her whisper back, and he smiled widely.
He thought he would quite like to stay like this for the rest of the night, even though he knew his feet might get tired after awhile. However, all too soon the song changed to something more upbeat. That wasn't the worst thing, though, he thought as he spun a laughing Hermione around a few moments later. The reality was that he'd do anything the rest of the night, or the rest of his life, so long as he was with her. It occurred to him briefly that he might tell her as much, but instead he archived the idea in his mind—it sounded proposal-y, didn't it?
Eventually, they decided that their feet simply could not move any longer. Grabbing a couple of glasses of champagne along the way, they eventually found a spot to sit with George and Angelina.
"The two of you gave lovely speeches," Angelina told them as they sat down.
"And it was only a little bit nauseating!" George chimed in, grinning wickedly as he took a sip of his firewhiskey.
Ron laughed. "Tell me about it. I don't think I've ever been quite so—"
"Girly?" George offered.
"George!" Hermione and Angelina scolded together, the latter pinching him on the arm.
"What? Is touchy-feely a better way to put it?" George asked defensively.
"Being sentimental isn't a bad thing in the slightest," Hermione said diplomatically before taking a dainty sip of her champagne.
"Ronniekins is secretly a romantic then, is he?" George asked, his grin growing again. "Tell me, Hermione, does he write you poetry?"
"Oh, quit it," Angelina reproached. "I need the loo; I'll be right back."
"As do I. I'll walk with you," Hermione offered, and two women left the brothers alone.
"So when are you gonna marry her?" George asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
Ron scowled. "When are you going to start calling Ange your girlfriend?"
George shrugged. "No need, is there? Might as well just move straight to wife from here, in my opinion."
Ron's eyes widened. "When are you asking her?"
George shrugged again. "Dunno. One of these days, I suppose. I don't think either of us wants a spectacle—just our families in the back garden or something. Shouldn't be too much planning either, that way, and we can get straight to the good stuff."
Ron sighed heavily, causing George to raise an eyebrow. Reluctantly, Ron asked, "How can you be so calm about this?"
"I know what I want. It doesn't have to be a big thing, y'know?" George said thoughtfully, his tone more serious than it'd been all night.
"Well, it is a big thing," Ron said, a bit more fiercely than he'd intended to. It rubbed him the wrong way, that George could be so blasé about marrying Angelina when he'd been struggling with how to ask Hermione for months—years, really.
"Sure, but life's short. Don't take it too seriously. I mean—I take her seriously. Just not all the extra stuff," George said wisely, finishing off his bottle of firewhiskey with a smack of his lips.
Ron was silent for a moment, weighing his options. Finally, he said quietly, "I've got a ring." Again, he felt as though a weight had been lifted off his chest. It was good to say it out loud for a second time—it made the whole thing seem real. He was going to ask Hermione to marry him. He was going to ask Hermione to marry him.
"You have?" George said loudly, and Ron shot him a glare.
"You can't tell anyone," Ron continued in a low voice. "I've been waiting for the best time to ask her, and I want it to be a surprise."
"Just do it then," George advised. "Do it now."
"I can't propose at my best mate's wedding! And my sister's, on top of that," Ron protested. "Besides, I want to talk to her dad first."
"You really do wanna do this good and proper, don't you?" George said wryly. "Doesn't matter how you do it, she's gonna say yes."
"Say that all you want, doesn't make it any easier to do the thing," Ron shot back, covering his face in his hands. What was he thinking, telling George of all people?
"Ron," George said sincerely. "You and Hermione make up the most sickeningly happy couple I've ever seen. You even look happy when you're bickering, for Merlin's sake. This is one of those things that's just supposed to happen."
"Things don't always happen like they're supposed to," Ron insisted, though he knew George had a point. But his old insecurities would always find a way to crawl into his subconscious, and that was something he certainly had no desire to discuss with his brother.
"No, they don't," George said, and Ron felt a pang of guilt—but George shooed it away as soon as he saw it in his eyes. "Y'know, I owe Fred quite the load of money in the afterlife. He was certain it was the two of you from when you were thirteen."
Ron chuckled. "Just him?"
"I was always the cynical one," George said dismissively, "but I like to think I'm not so much, anymore. 'Specially now, with Ange."
Ron smiled a little. "She's been really good for you."
"You don't need to tell me that," George said emphatically, returning his smile briefly before casting his glance toward the house. "Ah, our ladies return."
Ron's smile grew as he gazed at Hermione while she approached. Her cheeks and nose were flushed prettily from the winter cold, and it seemed that she'd forgotten to shield herself from the snow—it wasn't falling too hard anymore, but a few flakes clung to her hair, some of which had slipped from its elegant style. He ignored George's pointed cough, which sounded suspiciously like "ask her," and stood as she approached.
"Care for another dance? I like this song," Hermione said when she reached him. He nodded and allowed himself to be pulled toward the dance floor once again. But before they reached it, he stopped and, grabbing her waist, gently turned her around to face him.
"What is it?" she asked. In response, he kissed her. He couldn't quite give her a proper snog, considering they were very much in public, but he tried to pour as much emotion as possible into that kiss. Her lips were a little cold from her journey to the main house, but he didn't mind in the slightest—she tasted like champagne and chocolate and Hermione, an ideal combination.
"What was that for?" she asked quietly when they broke apart.
"Since when do I need a reason?" he teased in response, though far more meaningful words were on the tip of his tongue—but he couldn't say them all, he simply couldn't. Not yet, not tonight.
"But really?" she prompted, knowing him too well to let it go just yet.
Ron hesitated for a moment, trying to figure out the best way to tell her without really telling her. He could tell her that she was the best thing that had ever happened to him, or that he was the luckiest bloke in the world, or that she was the most beautiful person he'd ever met, or that he would never stop trying to make her happy, or that she was everything that mattered to him, and all of it would have been true. But he couldn't bring himself to say any of those things; maybe it was because everything that came to mind sounded overly sentimental, or maybe it was because he didn't want to go down a road he couldn't make it to the end of just now, or maybe it was any number of things. Instead, he simply told her the one thing he'd been sure of since he was seventeen: "I love you."
Her smile brightened, and he was momentarily amazed at how three simple words she'd heard from his lips a million times could have such an impact. But then again, he shouldn't have been; because then she replied in kind, and he could feel his heart lighten and his grin broaden as she led him back out to the floor for another dance. He followed without a second thought, because he would follow her to the ends of the earth and back—but he still had to ask her for permission to do so forever.
A/N: So that happened. I don't even know what to say for myself. I listened to a lot of "To Have a Home" from AVPS and other such songs and then things happened. But hey… guess what happens next. ;)
On a separate note—check out "If Music be the Food of Love" by lauryne7878. I read it before finishing this chapter and it's completely brilliant. It can be found on this site and was posted quite recently. It's a great read.
Let me know what you thought of this sentimental madness, if you'd like. I am incredibly grateful for all feedback I receive! Also, I finished the last edit of this at nearly four in the morning so let me know if I missed any bad mistakes. :)