Chapter 25: The Wedding Part 1
I couldn't tell you when Hermione and I went to bed. We had stayed up forever, talking, laughing, and even braiding each other's hair like first years. It had been fun, and actually kind of nice. We didn't get to spend much time together just doing nothing. It always seemed like our jobs, and the other responsibilities of being adults kept getting in our way. Seeing as all the work we had put in for this wedding was drawing to a close I knew that I needed to take this time and cherish it. Hermione was going to be a married woman and the likelihood that she was going to have time for all girl sleepovers was pretty slim. I couldn't let my silly sadness get the better of me. This was the happiest day of my best friends life. I reminded myself that I still needed to find my brother and put the fear of Ginevra Weasley into him. That and let him know that I appreciated him turning my best friend into my sister. But mostly the fear.
I did not appreciate being woken up by a clearly nervous Hermione Granger-soon-to-be-Weasley at six thirty in the morning. We were joined soon after by the other groggy looking bridesmaids and a few older ladies who were charged with making us look presentable. For the next two hours I was prodded, poked, swathed in makeup and hairspray and shoved into my bridesmaid dress. I thanked Merlin that I ended up being the first one done and decided to make sure the rest of the army we had enlisted were doing their jobs correctly. It didn't take me long to realize that I was going to have my work cut out for me.
Mum was trapped in the kitchen creating the wedding feast so I couldn't rely on her terror in order to whip everyone into shape. Hermione was ferretted away by the Hair dressers being tortured into perfection. It was time to take my reigns as Maid of Honor and get all of these people into line.
Within minutes I had Luna and that Scamander bloke rehanging the flowers over the archway and my father bewitching fake fairies into the tree-tops. A quick jog to the kitchen confirmed Mum was right on schedule (as always) and that the food would be charmed and ready to serve before the music started. Like a seasoned general I directed the movers to arrange the tables specifically in the L-shaped pattern framing the dance floor. I felt oddly regal, in a beautiful gown, my hair cascading in perfect waves around my shoulders, the train of my gown clutched in my hand to avoid it getting dirty and heels clacking provocatively. I felt powerful, serene even, as if this was the most natural thing in the world to me and I wasn't surrounded with utter chaos, which even I had to admit it kind of was.
As I moved once more through the kitchen I caught a glance of the time and I picked up my feet a little faster. As I double checked everything on my list, my body wound around one of the last tables satisfied at least that all of the centerpieces were in correct order. That was until I walked past the bridal party table and I had a miniature heart attack. My mind stopped as I paced back. There was no doubt in my mind that Kingsley Shacklebolt was NOT sitting at the head table. My gaze flew to the next card, then the next. There wasn't enough time to redo them myself, but my worst fears were confirmed. They were wrong, they were all wrong.
I nearly sprinted into the house and wove around to the family room. The boys had apparently barricaded it off in order to get ready and instructed everyone that they were not to be disturbed. I felt like I was seven years old again and they kicked me out of their fort in the backyard claiming there were "No girls allowed". I didn't listen then; I sure as heck wasn't going to listen now. Hermione could not find out about this, the last thing we needed was her in her wedding dress fixing place cards when the bridal march starts. The boys seemed to be having a right good time, laughing jovially and sipping on glasses of Firewhiskey. That was until I torpedoed open the glass doors with a look of sheer determination on my face. They all stopped to stare at me, silence settling over the room. Everyone looked; except for Harry whose eyes remained firmly on the fireplace's dancing flames.
"Who did the place cards?" One sheepish expression is all that I needed. "George you sodding prat!" He yelped as I closed the distance between us and shoved him hard on the shoulder.
"Oi! What's the big deal?" Honestly, my brother's stupidity was sometimes astounding.
"The big deal? The BIG DEAL? You are all supposed to be helping! Go fix the card now. And be sure to double check them. Hurry before somehow Hermione finds out and burns you to death with her eyes." None of them looked particularly happy at my request but despite the grumbling they all headed grudgingly towards the door. Ron was the last to head out and I took that time to pull him aside to have our little conversation. "Ron, I know you are my brother and all, and I'm glad that you finally found someone who is willing to voluntarily marry you. But if you break Hermione's heart I will literally, literally kill you in your sleep." I made sure to put Mum's patented 'you're in trouble and you're going to die' look on my face as I caged my hands on my hips menacingly. I think that should get the point across.
The groom rolled his eyes at me in turn. "Don't worry Gin, Harry already gave me 'the talk'." I blinked my eyes a few times at that. Harry Potter had stolen my threatening thunder? I had called that!
"I mean it!" I said convincingly doing my best to stretch myself up to be closer to my brother's abnormally tall height.
"Sure you do." He chuckled ruffling my hair and heading towards the door. I could not contain my squeal of protest as I tried in vain to pat my hair back into place. I hated it when they did that. Bastards they were all Bastards, every bleeding one of them. My eyes flew to the clock once more and I cursed as I realized we were swiftly running out of time. I quickly clicked up the stairs in order to give Hermione a full update.
As I entered the room my eyes swept over the bride to be. Hermione looked breathtaking with her hair pinned up in a classic up do with nothing adorning her except for two delicate pearl earrings. It was perfect, everything about her was perfect. I gave myself a moment to appreciate the day and what it meant before I finally registered the look her face. Hermione was on the verge of freaking out.
"Did you make sure they the arch properly?"
"Yes."
"Fairies in the trees?"
"Yes."
Alternating 3 to 2 books per table?"
"Yes."
Place Card checked?"
"Yes."
"Double Checked?"
"Yes."
"Food Status?"
"On Time."
"Allergens posted on dishes?"
"Check."
"Boys dressed?"
"Done."
"Ice Sculpture arrived?"
"Yes."
"Souvenirs and ceremony programs in place?"
"Yes."
"Dj?"
"Just arrived and setting up."
I could visibly see the worry leave her body as she collapsed back into the chair. It was almost comical how nervous she was, I had done my best to get everything finished, I just prayed that she would like it. My gaze shifted toward the corn out the second story window and I saw as one by one people started to arrive.
"It's almost time." I gave her an excited smile and she returned it, moving so she could look out the window without being seen. The hairdresser apparently seeing the state of my own style forced me back into a chair to fix what Ron had ruined. Fifteen minutes later I was once again deemed acceptable and released from her prison. The time ticked by, and before any of us knew it the sun was setting, the lanterns were lit and it was time to go down.
We all moved out of the room, gossiping excitedly as we descended the stairs towards where the ceremony was held. The night air caressed us like a silken sheet as we stepped over the threshold and one by one we were instructed to walk down the aisle in time to the airy tune. I was last to go, so giving Hermione a quick hug and a reassuring smile I turned the corner to the dozens and dozens of people. My eyes kept forward trying to ignore the awkwardness of getting started at by so many people at the same time. It was weird that this should bother me; I got looked at all the time while playing a quidditch match. Maybe it's because when I'm playing I don't have time to think about the people staring at me so it doesn't bother me. Or that I had done it so many times now that it seemed like second nature. Apart from Fleur's wedding, this was only my second time being a bridesmaid and my first time being a Maid of Honor.
The candle light flickered around, causing the air to glow with an almost unnatural light. Ron shuffled uncomfortably under the arch with Harry standing directly to his right. My eyes chanced over to the best man but he had his gaze firmly set on my brother. I did my best to suppress my frown at that. That could wait; this moment was not even close to being about me.
As I reached the front and took my place with the other bridesmaids the music transitioned into the beginning chords of the wedding march. Within moments Hermione appeared, a brilliant beaming smile on her lips and her father at her side. I watched them for a moment, Hermione's eyes set only on my brother standing at the end of the aisle. I turned to Ron and emotion welled up inside of me as I watched my brother grinning like a madman with tears in his eyes. He watched Hermione's every move as she walked towards him.
He looked at her like every woman wanted to be looked at on her wedding day, like she was the only woman in the world. One they reached the front and Kingsley asked who gives this woman for marriage, with a teary "I will." Hermione's father surrendered his daughters hand to Ron's. I moved forward and grabbed the crimson rose bouquet from Hermione and waited for the minister to start. The wedding didn't take long. Kingsley kept things concise and to the point but with enough flare to know exactly how perfect this moment was. When the vows were finally spoken and Ron took the wedding band from Harry he made a point to show his now wife the engraving. She gave him another brilliant smile as she quietly read the words aloud. "Swish and Flick". A laugh escaped me breaking the muted silence that was surrounding us; I was surprised that my laugh was not the only one I heard. My eyes moved over to the groomsmen and my heart stopped as I looked at Harry's smiling face. His emerald eyes were dancing merrily as he looked at his friends, his face broke out into a true smile. I knew, I knew right then and there.
I loved him.
Merlin I was still head over heels in love with him. I stopped myself from laughing again from the incredulity of it. After all of this time, after everything that had happened I was still in love with him. Even when I hated him, even when he had returned, I was too stubborn and proud to admit that I still had feelings for him. Now with everything I knew, the truth about everything, I knew I loved him so much. Warmth blossomed in my chest and I could feel heat begin to warm my cheeks as well. Why had I waited? Why hadn't I sought out Harry first instead of Charlie? It wouldn't have mattered. I didn't know then, I didn't know until this very moment when I saw him smile. His smile, that's all it took.
Kingsley proudly proclaimed it was time to "kiss the bride" and everyone cheered as Ron bent back his wife and snogged the blazes out of her. I cringed as I avoided looking at them. It was still my brother after all. I returned Hermione's bouquet and they waved merrily as they both headed back up the aisle. This was it. My body shook as Harry and I came together my arm threading through his. Electricity arched through me at our touch and I kept my eyes trained on his face. My heart was pounding as we made the walk back up the aisle. He had to feel me looking him, staring even. He never turned in my direction, his eyes never meeting mine. Once we all met at the end of the aisle we moved toward the waiting area where Rona and Hermione proceeded to sign their marriage license and Harry and I signed as witnesses. I couldn't look away from him as they announced that we were heading over to the reception area and Harry turned and walked in the other direction. I watched him go as my heart continued to beat a frantic tattoo against the inside of my chest. Angelina pulled me along towards the others, the only thought echoing in my head as he disappeared out of sight was, not yet Harry. Please don't give up. Not yet.
A/N: What just happened? Did I do what I think I just did?
Yes. This is my way of apologizing for the last late chapter. I promised you guys a chapter every week and the last two chapters have been kind of late. So I sat down last night and busted this baby out for you.
Thank you so much to everyone who has read and reviewed thus far, everyone seemed like they really liked the idea of some oneshots to follow up the story so I will be adding a few more once the story is over. Two chapters left guys. At most three, but I'm thinking two.
Can you believe it? I can't, it's craziness.
Any ideas on whats going to happen next huh? Huh? HUH?
I love you all.
Muah!
-Nurse Holliday