AN: Thanks to all of you lovely people that write reviews, favorite, or follow this story! Y'all keep me positive, motivated, and happy :)
This chapter is for all of you that watch How I Met Your Mother, I think you'll find a scene familiar :D

Chapter 9

"This suit is strangling me." Ron complained adjusting his tie. "I can't believe we have to have a muggle wedding."

"I guess it's not really up to us." I was so nervous, my hands were literally shaking. "Where is Hermione?" I was getting irritated.

"I dunno." Ron huffed, still struggling with his tie. "Probably still getting ready."

Just then there was a knock. "Is it safe to come in?" Hermione asked thorough the door.

"Yes, please hurry." I replied.

She came in wearing a nice muggle dress that was a dark purple, or perhaps red colored, and her hair was up in an elegant twist. She took a look at Ron and chuckled.

"Having trouble, Ronald?"

He gave her a withering look, and continued to conflict with his outfit. Hermione went over to help.

"Is she here yet?" I asked.

"Yes." Hermione sighed. "But she's a bride's maid, she has to get ready."

"Of course."

Hermione turned to me, eyes gentle. "Harry," Her voice was soft and gentle as silk. "Please, just don't get your hopes up. None of us have heard anything from her at all. I just don't know what state she's in right now."

I nodded in acknowledgment, but didn't really take in Hermione's word's. I was so irritably tired of waiting. I was firm in my resolve, but I needed assurance. At the very least, I just wanted to see Ginny happy again. A wedding seemed the perfect place.

It was a muggle traditional wedding, because of Audrey's family. Besides her parents, none of them knew she was a witch, so there couldn't be a magical ceremony. They held it at an old muggle church with a rather large procession.

Audrey's best friend, I can't remember her name, came in to tell us the ceremony would be starting soon.

Ron - looking much better -, Hermione, and I went to take our seats in the bustling crowd.

I waited anxiously to see Ginny, and finally the music began.

Two other bridesmaids and groomsmen came out, and then there was finally Ginny. When I saw her radiantly walking down the isle beaming with joy, I let out a satisfied breath.

The trip had been for good. There she was, happy again. It had all been worth it.

All those long months. All those miserable nights. Every ache and pain. They all seemed to go away. Because when I saw her, I knew why it was worth it in just a split second.

Audrey and Percy gleefully exchanged vows, and then we all happily went to the reception. There I sat through what felt like endless toasts and speeches. It soon blended into one long drone in my mind.

At last it was time to dance.

Urgently gazing through the flow of many bodies, I searched for Ginny.

Finally my gaze found her standing alone beside one of the tables. She was smiling, and gazing through the crowd as well, in search of what I hoped was me. Beaming at my luck, I began pushing my way through the crowd.

Soon however I saw a curious sight. A tall, dark, and burly man had gone over to Ginny, and taken her hands. They smiled, and exchanged a few words before he bent down and kissed her right on the lips.

I froze, my nerves detached from the rest of my body. It's a wonder I didn't collapse there, in the middle of the dance floor.

All those pains, worries, insecurities, anxieties, irritations quickly came back, and swept through me again.

I had wasted over a year of my life. And for what? To have my heart smashed into little bits of rubble. Again.

Well I'd had it.

I just couldn't do this any more.

Before I knew it, I was storming out of the church. I found myself in a park bench by the church's play ground.

"Harry? What happened?" Hermione had followed me, thankfully alone.

"What happened?" I held back bitter tears. "What happened is I've wasted so much time being in love, and only made myself completely miserable."

Hermione sat down next to me. "Love can be like that sometimes." She whispered softly.

"I just, I can't take it any more."

Hermione was quiet for a long time while I practically rolled in agony.

Finally she spoke. "Harry, I'm going to give you the same advice I gave a friend years ago. Move on. Date other people. Live your life."

I buried my face in my hands.

"No. I'm completely done." I declared. "I'm done with dating, Im done with love." I scoffed at the word. "I never want this again."

"Harry-"

"No." I interrupted firmly. "I'm done."

And I meant it.

…

"So who was the man you kissed?" Lilly wondered.

"Oh." Ginny made a face. "That guy." She laughed. "His name was Milo. We dated for a little while, but he didn't really get me."

…

"I'm done with dating." I declared three weeks latter to Ron and Neville as we shared a drink at the Leaky Cauldron.

They exchanged a look, then burst into laughter.

"What? I'm serious." I insisted. They continued to laugh uncontrollably, perhaps partly because of their drunkenness. If I wasn't so irritated, their behavior would have been funny.

"Sure you are." Ron finally said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"You'll be engaged by the end of next year." Neville said, then snorted, which started more laughter.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

"Look Harry, it's just facts of life." Neville explained, now more serious, but still smiling. "People that say they aren't looking to date always end up in a serious relationship within a year."

I was about to retort when Ron spoke up.

"I remember Mum bugging Lupin about a girlfriend summer before our sixth year. He kept saying he was too busy with the Order. The next spring, married!"

I opened my mouth to protest but Neville joined in.

"Remember Mr. Peters, used to work here. Couple years ago he said that he was training to be a curse breaker, and he wouldn't have time for a relationship. Nine months later, married!"

"Mandy Brocklehurst, said she wanted to take a holiday off. Four months later, married!"

They were on a roll now, so I didn't bother trying to interrupt.

"Wayne Hopkins, said he wasn't interested in marriage for a few years, wanted to find a job. A year later, engaged!"

"Katie Bell, said she was done with dating, wanted to focus on her career. Two months later, engaged!"

"Callum Smith, announced he never planned to marry, would die alone. Nine months later, married!"

"You see, Harry." Neville concluded. "It happened to all of them, and it will happen to you."

"But things are different with me!" I insisted.

Neville and Ron exchanged smirks.

"Right, sure they are." Ron laughed. "You're definitely getting engaged next year."

And he was right.

AN: Thanks for reading :) All reviews are always answered, even if they're mean :)
And on the subject of reviews, I'd ask you anonymous (or otherwise) reviewers that rather than saying my story sucks, that you explain why it sucks. But I dunno, maybe I'm asking for too much!