Chapter Six.
Over the last six months Hermione had perfected her act as the excited bride-to-be and the morning of her wedding was no different. As Molly, Ginny and Fleur flitted about the hotel room, panicking about last minute dramas, Hermione sat totally unconcerned. She couldn't care less if the entire wedding was a disaster, but instead of showing her indifference to everyone she projected an air of calm.
"I can't believe you're so calm, Hermione." Ginny commented, as she stood behind Hermione to pin up her curls. "I don't think I'll be this calm when I marry Harry."
"Ah, but Hermione's been lucky enough to have a loving fiancé that's organised every single detail." Fleur pointed out. "It's easy to be calm when everything's already sorted."
"True." Ginny nodded. "Ron's been brilliant hasn't he, Hermione?"
Hermione made a sound that could be construed as agreement as she didn't trust herself to speak in case she accidentally revealed her true feelings regarding Ron. To his family Ron was a great guy, who had selflessly undertaken the task of organising the entire wedding. He'd booked the full wedding package at the hotel, which included the ceremony, reception and accommodation for the entire event, and he'd even organised which shop Hermione should get her dress from.
"I'm going to go and make sure the boys or all in order." Molly announced. "I won't be long."
Shortly after Molly left Ginny finished Hermione's hair and announced it was time for her to get dressed. Hermione thanked Ginny for helping her with her hard to control curls as she stood up and wandered over to the bed to pick some underwear from her case.
"Put them back, Hermione." Ginny told her friend as she sorted her underwear. "We have a little treat for you."
"I think it's Ron that will get the treat." Fleur chuckled as she summoned a little black and pink bag and handed it to Hermione.
When she opened the bag to find a set of lacy cream underwear Hermione had to work hard not to grimace. The last thing she wanted was to wear sexy underwear for Ron, but she knew it would look strange if she didn't accept.
"Thanks, they're lovely." Hermione smiled slightly at Ginny and Fleur before ducking into the bathroom to change.
Hermione was slightly more relived when the underwear was on and it wasn't quite as revealing as she'd initially feared, she had much sexier sets at home. Returning to the bedroom Hermione endured a few minutes of Ginny and Fleur telling her what a fun wedding night she was in for before they started to put on her dress.
Hermione's dress was a long, off white affair that was a bit too elaborate for her tastes. When it had come to picking the dress Hermione hadn't really been interested so she had chosen a dress that both Molly and Ginny had gushed over. If Hermione had been picking a dress to marry Draco she would have gone for a simple and elegant dress but considering she was marrying Ron she didn't want a dress she liked, she was much happier to be wearing a dress she wasn't keen on.
"You look lovely, Hermione." Ginny gushed, once the dress was on.
"Thanks." Hermione smiled at her friend. She actually looked nicer in the dress than she thought she would and looking at herself in the mirror she realised she looked every inch the happy bride-to-be.
With the dress on, final preparations were made and Molly returned to announce everything was in place. As Molly shooed Ginny and Fleur away to get ready to do their bridesmaid duties, Arthur entered the room. Arthur had agreed to give Hermione away as her parents were still in Australia with no memories of their daughter. Reversing the memory charm on them had been too dangerous so Hermione had ended up losing her parents.
"Five minutes." Molly said, as she gave Hermione a quick kiss and left the room.
Hermione and Arthur stood around in silence for the five minutes before Arthur took hold of Hermione's arm and escorted her out of the room. Hermione paid little attention to her surroundings as Arthur led her through the hotel to the ballroom, where the wedding ceremony was taking place. Pausing outside the ballroom Hermione took a deep breath before the doors opened and she found herself preparing to marry someone she loathed. Keeping in mind the reasons she was doing this, Hermione nodded to Arthur and the pair entered the ballroom.
Hermione grabbed a glass of champagne off the drinks table as she wandered out of the marquee in search of some air. She'd just endured having to marry Ron, followed by all of the pomp of the reception. Luckily the formal part of the reception was over and people were mingling around the grounds of the hotel.
Hermione wandered over to stone bench and sat down, obscuring herself from view with the rose bushes that surrounded the bench. As she sat sipping her champagne Hermione struggled to keep the tears from falling. She'd been on the verge of tears since the wedding ceremony began, but she knew if she started to cry then she wouldn't be able to stop herself. Today was without doubt the worst day of her life and all she wanted was to wake up and find the entire mess had been a bad dream. Unfortunately she knew that wasn't going to happen, this was her life and until Ron slipped up she was stuck with him.
Hermione had just finished the last of her champagne when she looked up and spotted Ron heading in her direction. She contemplated getting up and leaving but she knew he had seen her and would only chase after her. Instead she remained where she was, hoping he didn't stay long before he returned to the party.
"I've been looking for you." Ron announced, coming to a stop in front of the bench.
"Here I am." Hermione replied, making no move to get up or make room for Ron to sit beside her.
"I want to talk to you about Malfoy." Ron said, causing Hermione to frown in confusion.
"What about him?" She asked warily, hoping he hadn't done something to Draco.
"I know you're having an affair with him and I want you to stop. We're married now and I would prefer it if you didn't sleep with other men."
Hermione gaped at Ron in bewilderment, not sure where this was coming from. He was making out as thought their marriage was genuine and she was cheating on him.
"That won't be happening." Hermione managed to reply.
"Please, Hermione. As your husband I'm begging you, break it off with Malfoy. I love you and I forgive you, but it needs to stop."
Ron shot Hermione a sad look before turning on his heel and walking back in the direction of the marquee. Hermione looked at his retreating figure in complete shock, she had no idea what stunt he was pulling now and what the point of that stupid conversation was.
Shaking her head Hermione got up and went striding after her new husband, not noticing the shocked figures of Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan behind her. The pair had been sitting on a bench a few metres away from Hermione, hidden by the rose bushes, and unbeknown to her they had heard her entire conversation with Ron.
It took Hermione another hour before she managed to get Ron alone. Every time she approached him he found an excuse to wander off to bring someone into the conversation and even when he didn't they were still interrupted by people wanting to talk to the happy couple.
"What the hell was that?" Hermione hissed, finally manoeuvring Ron into a corner of the marquee.
"What?" Ron asked playing innocent.
"That stupid conversation in the garden, making it sound like I was having an affair." Hermione replied.
"Well technically you are, you're married to me not Malfoy." Ron retorted sharply. "I was just reminding you of the situation."
"I know the situation." Hermione snorted. "And I don't care if we're married or not, I'm not giving up Draco. He's the one I love, not you."
"I know that." Ron shrugged, determined not to let Hermione see how much that fact bothered him. "But you're still my wife."
"In name only." Hermione scowled.
Ron smirked and leant forward, running a finger down the side of Hermione's face. "It'll be more than name only tonight. I'm looking forward to consummating out marriage. It's a shame Malfoy got there first, but I suppose sloppy seconds will have to do."
Without thinking Hermione pulled out of Ron's grasp and in a fit of anger she raised her hand and slapped him. The sharp sound of the slap echoed around the marquee and Hermione was only vaguely aware that people were staring.
"I hate you Ron Weasley." She declared loudly. "Marrying you was the worst moment of my life and I wish you were dead."
Turning around Hermione felt the tears begin to fall as she pushed past the curious crowds and fled the marquee. Running into the hotel she acquired her room key and fled up to the honeymoon suite. Collapsing onto the large bed she finally gave into the tears that had been threatening to spill all day.
An hour later Hermione was still lying on the bed, although the tears had abated and she was blankly staring at the ceiling. Hermione heard the door to the room opening, but she failed to turn around when she heard Ron entering the suite.
"Don't worry, I've dealt with the mess you left." Ron said. "I claimed you were just tired and didn't mean what you said."
"I meant every word." Hermione muttered.
"I know you did." Ron chuckled, moving so he was standing beside the bed. "And so did I." He whispered, leaning down and brushing his lips over Hermione's cheek. "I'm looking forward to tonight, and we'll be having sex whether you want to or not. I'm your husband now and I can have you whenever I want."
Hermione shuddered at Ron's words and flinched away from his touch, causing him to laugh cruelly. At the sound Hermione finally looked at her former friend and wondered what had happened to him. Where was the caring boy she'd known for years gone and when had he been replaced by the monster in front of her?
"Don't worry, I'm not coming to bed just yet." Ron said, backing up from the bed. "I'm going to have a few more drinks. But I'll be back soon and we're going to have some fun. I'm sure I'm more than capable of outperforming Malfoy in the sack."
Hermione snorted at Ron's misplaced confidence as she watched the redhead leave. After Ron had left Hermione sat up, noticing a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket, and two glasses sitting on the table beside the sofa. Ron must have brought them up with him when he had come to torment her.
Knowing he meant everything he'd just said Hermione decided she needed to prepare for his return. Whether she liked it or not he was taking her to bed so she might as well get drunk first, at least that way she wouldn't have to think about what was happening. Hermione was already slightly tipsy from the champagne she'd drank earlier in the day so she didn't think it would take much to get her drunk enough to endure Ron's touch.
Pouring herself a large glass of the bubbly, Hermione began to drink. One drink turned into two then three and before she knew it the bottle was nearly gone. Deciding to finish the remaining few drops Hermione lifted the bottle to her lips and let the last bit of the drink drizzle down her neck. Placing the bottle back in the bucket she unsteadily walked back over to the bed, where she proceeded to collapse onto the silk sheets and fall into blackness.
A/N – Time wise, the prologue fits in between this chapter and the next one. The next chapter will be Hermione arriving in France where Draco is. From there the mystery of what happened on the wedding night slowly unravels, and I promise you will discover if Ron followed through on his promise to sleep with Hermione. A few people also seemed concerned that Harry might approve of what Ron's doing, but I can assure you that he doesn't. Harry is a good guy in this and a chapter from his point of view will be coming up very shortly.