Ron and Hermione celebrate their union with the Chess Club
Song: Never in My Wildest Dreams by Dan Auerbach
He will be waiting for her beneath a weeping tree
She will be walking to him with a promise
Join us at Gran's Bower to witness the union of
Hermione Jean Granger
and
Ronald Billus Weasley …
Ron looked into the mirror above the sink. His hair was sticking out in five different directions and he needed a shave. He had not slept well. Between wedding nerves and the empty bed beside him, he had wrestled more with the covers than slept last night. Hermione had spent the night at her parent's house and he wasn't going to see her until she met him in the Bower. A shower and a shave would help him feel almost human. Coffee would help with the rest. It was time to get ready for the rest of his life.
Ron: Good morning beautiful
Hermione: Good morning handsome
Ron: I missed you last night
Hermione: I missed you, too
Ron: You okay?
Hermione: I'm fine, just tired
Ron: Need me to bring you so coffee?
Hermione: No, mum has tea and I am not supposed to see you until the wedding
Ron: Who's idea was that?
Hermione: An old tradition
Ron: One I could have lived without
Hermione: Be at the Bower by 5 for the photographer. I'll see you at 6
Ron: Marry me, Mione?
Hermione: Meet me at 6 in the Bower and find out
Hermione looked at the garment bag hanging on the closet door of her childhood bedroom. That bag held the dress she would wear later today. She never thought she would be so nervous to put on a piece of clothing. But, this was more than just a collection of satin and lace. It was her wedding dress, the dress she would wear tonight to promise her life and love to Ron, forever. She had missed sleeping next to him last night. Their mums had insisted that some traditions be followed, so she had crawled into her teenage bed instead. She had done more tossing and turning than sleeping. She could use a nap, but she had to get ready for the rest of her life.
Hermione: What am I going to do with my hair?
Ginny: Seriously, you are asking me this?
Hermione: Mum says up, Molly says down
Ginny: I have no idea.
Hermione: It is an untamable jungle of curls
Ginny:Have you washed it?
Hermione: Yes, it's still damp
Ginny. Do you have mousse?
Hermione: Why?
Ginny: Use a comb to get your hair a little wetter. It will get the tangles out. Then put mousse in it.
Hermione: Won't that make it worse?
Ginny: Not for what I found
Hermione: Will it work with the veil?
Ginny: Do you still have your Grandmother's silver combs?
Hermione: They are my something old
Ginny: It will work. I'll send you the link
Ginny clicked send on the message to Hermione and set down her mobile. She really should start getting ready. The baby was asleep and Harry was supposed to be home from work shortly. She should be able to get in a shower before anyone needed her. She decided to leave her mobile on the kitchen table where she had laid it down. Hermione and Ron, and their neurotic, wedding driven messages could wait. She was going to relax in the hot water until she felt clean and relaxed. It was a good thing her mum had offered to keep an eye on the baby when it was time to go to the wedding. He was going to look cute in the outfit and she was going to have her hands full with the bride. She had never seen Hermione this nervous. But, she could understand it. Hermione and Ron had been waiting for this day for a long time.
Soon the water in the shower had started to get cold. She should probably get out and start getting ready. It was not everyday you added a new member to your family.
Ginny: Are coming home soon?
Harry: Last minute errand for Ron
Ginny: You need a shower and shave before we head out
Harry: I will be there soon
Ginny: I have packed the baby's bag and your suit is hanging on the closet door
Harry: Do we have hot water?
Ginny: Yes. I took my shower while the baby was napping
Harry: Are you dressed?
Ginny: Not yet, I am not putting that dress on until we are ready to leave
Harry: Is the baby ready?
Ginny: He hasn't eaten yet
Harry: When are you getting him dressed?
Ginny: Right before I get dressed. Hurry up
Harry: What now?
Ginny: I have to be there earlier than expected
Harry; Why?
Ginny: Hair emergency
Harry: Whose hair?
Ginny: The bride's
Harry: Oh boy
Ginny: Hurry home
Harry: Love you, it will all be fine
Harry looked over to the bag of poppers and party favors and sighed. He had no idea what he was getting into when he agreed to be the Best Man for this wedding. Between Hermione and Ron, he had visited every party store in a twelve mile radius to find the things they wanted for the reception.
That was just this week. Work had not helped.
He had been called in early and only managed to escape by flashing the wedding invitation, with handwritten instructions from the bride, at his captain. He still had to run by Theo's place before he could go home. He had no idea why, but he would do just about anything to stop the frantic messages he was receiving from both the bride and groom. The sooner he got to Theo's, the sooner he could get home. Turning the key in the ignition, Harry continued on his errands.
Harry: Why do I need to come by your place?
Theo: Come by my place?
Harry: Got a frantic message from Mione
Theo: Why?
Harry: I have no idea. Check your messages
THeo: Oh man, I had forgotten about that
Harry: About what?
Theo: Neville needs something from the garden for the bouquets
Harry: Damn
Theo: What?
Harry: Traffic is a beast. There is no way I can get to your place and home before we are supposed to leave
Theo: That's not good
Harry: Can you get the stuff to Neville?
Theo: Sure, I'll just have to leave a little earlier than planned
Harry: Thanks, mate. I might get home in time to shower and shave before we have to leave
Theo: Please - shower and shave
Harry: Are you saying I stink?
Theo: I would never
Harry: Sure you wouldn't
Theo: See you at the Bower
Theo looked over the garden. He knew what Neville needed for the bouquets. He just hoped he had enough. Myrtle and forget-me-nots were not common for a bouquet, but the bride had insisted. He gathered some newspapers from the recycle bin and grabbed his garden shears. Might as well get this done while Daphne was in the shower. He was going to get dirty getting the flowers Neville needed.
Collecting the flowers also gave him a chance to plan how to tell Daphne that they were going to have to leave earlier than he had planned She should understand. Ron and Hermione had not been the only people on pins and needles about this wedding. It was going to be the first wedding held in Gran's Bower and Neville wanted everything to be perfect. He was sure it would be, but Theo was happy to help out. Now that the flowers were cut and bundled, he needed to get ready. Hopefully, Daphne had left him some hot water.
Theo: Shower free?
Daphne: Yes, why are you texting me?
Theo: Because you are beautiful
Daphne; That makes no sense
Theo: You are beautiful, I will want to kiss you if I see you
Daphne: and that is a problem, how?
Theo: I have been in the garden and I am filthy
Daphne: Why?
Theo: Neville needed some of the blooms
Daphne: I thought he had enough
Theo: Apparently not
Daphne: I see
Theo: I'm headed for the shower
Daphne: Do we need to leave early?
Theo: We should try to. Neville may blow up my mobile if I don't get the blooms to him soon
Daphne: Make sure to shave
Theo: Why?
Daphne: I just got a message from the bride. Want to see it?
Theo: No
Daphne: I'm sharing
Daphne laughed as she forwarded the latest message she had received from Hermione to Theo. She was almost ready to go. She had planned on leaving early anyway, so Theo's change of plans had not bothered her. Luna had drafted her to be the assistant event coordinator about a month ago. Her mobile had yet to forgive her.
Days like today meant she had to leave it plugged into the charger so it would not die from the volume of messages she was receiving. She had muted all the chats while she was in the shower. Her mobile has almost vibrated off her vanity as she was getting her hair and makeup done, but it was mostly Hermione worrying about everything she had no control over. Ginny was supposed to confiscate Hermione's mobile as soon as she arrived at the greenhouse. Checking her dress in the mirror on last time, Daphne grabbed her mobile and her bag and headed for the sitting room to wait for Theo.
Daphne: Can you tell Nev we are bringing the flowers he needs?
Luna: Sure
Daphne: are you okay?
Luna: Yeah, just super busy
Daphne: Breathe
Luna: Trying
Daphne: Tell that to Nev when you see him
Luna: I will...If I can catch him
Daphne: Running around?
Luna: Like a mad man in a padded room
Daphne: I am sure everything is going to be perfect
Luna: I hope so
Daphne: I'm sure of it
Luna: I hope they like the surprise
Daphne: They will
Luna: Are you sure it is not too much
Daphne: It is perfect
Luna: I may elope if I ever get married
Daphne: Really? Why?
Luna: I could turn into Hermione and no one wants to see that
Daphne: You could never
Luna: Are you sure about that?
Luna looked around the workshop she shared with Neville. It looked like a box of ribbons and tulle had exploded all over every table. She and Neville would have to clean it up tomorrow. Right now, they were both busy getting last minute touches done on the Gran's Bower and Tempest in a Teapot. The Bower had been turned into a fairy garden for the ceremony and Tempest in a Teapot had become a dressing room and staging area for the bridal party. Except for the groom, of course.
Ron had been given Neville's office at the greenhouse as his place to pace before the ceremony, with Harry on guard duty. She was going to have to get ready. The photographer was going to be there soon and her job started as soon as he arrived. She had her list of pictures that Hermione and Ron wanted taken. She wanted to get as many of them done as she could before the first guest arrived. She just had to keep the bride and groom from seeing each other before the ceremony started. Not a problem, probably.
Luna really needed to freshen up and get dressed for the wedding. It's a good thing that they had remodeled one of the staff bathrooms to include a tub and dressing area. Wedding timelines waited on no one.
Luna: Got a message from Daphne
Neville: Okay
Luna: They will be here shortly with the flowers you need
Neville: Thank goodness
Luna: What are they bringing?
Neville: Myrtle and forget-me-nots
Luna: What are they for?
Neville: Mione's bouquet and the flower ball in the center of the Bower
Luna: Okay
Neville: I'm almost done with the fairy lights
Luna: I'm going to get ready
Neville: Will I have time for a shower and shave?
Luna: If you get the Bower finished in the next 30 minute, you should
Neville: It shouldn't take that long. I have to wait on Theo to hang the flower ball anyway
Luna: Don't take too much longer
Neville: Don't worry. I'll be ready
Luna: I know you will
Neville: Mione set an alarm on my mobile…
Neville looked around the Bower and smiled. Fairy lights twinkled in the branches and the extra flowers looked like they had bloomed from the limbs they were hanging from. Somehow, he had managed to combine all the ideas that Ron and Hermione had come up with into one design. All that needed to be finished was the flower ball for the center of the Bower and Hermione's bouquet. He could get those done after he finished getting ready. He felt his mobile buzz in his pocket. Just as he thought, Hermione had set an alarm for him. He had about an hour before the photographer got here and everything, in the Bower, was ready. Guess, he had better get himself ready too.
Neville: I'm getting ready
Hermione: Shower and shave?
Neville: Yes
Hermione: Thank you
Neville: For what?
Hermione: Everything
Neville: I am honored you asked
Hermione: I could think of no place I would rather get married
Neville: Breathe
Hermione: I'm trying
Neville: It is going to be fine
Hermione: Are you sure?
Neville: I'm sure. We'll see you here soon
Hermione: Thanks, Nev. For everything
Hermione drapped the garment bag over her arm. Everything that could be done here was done. Ginny was meeting her at Tempest in a Teapot to finish doing her hair and makeup after she put on her dress. Neville had sent her pictures of the Bower after their last conversation. It looked like a fairy tale, even better than she had imagined. Luna had the list of pictures and timeline memorized. Things were coming together. She really should not be nervous. But, it was not everyday that a girl gets married and today was her day. One last message and then she would head for Tempest in a Teapot. She had an appointment to keep.
Hermine: Can't breathe
Ron: Love, listen to me
Hermione: Okay
Ron: Do you know where I am?
Hermione: No...Where are you?
Ron: I'm in Nev's office
Hermione: Wearing out the carpet?
Ron: You know it.
Hermione; Love you
Ron: Love you
Hermione: See you soon
Ron: I'll be waiting
Hermione: Marry me?
Ron: Meet me in the Bower at 6 and find out
Ron set his ringer to silent and slid his mobile into his pocket. It was time to go. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to Neville's office and walked out. Harry put his hand on Ron's shoulder and turned him towards the end of the hall. Hermione was waiting. He'd better hurry up and get to Gran's Bower.
Join us for the reception to follow the ceremony at The Bishop's Brew...
Taking a deep breath, Ron put his car into park and reached for Hermione's hand. Bringing her knuckles to his lips, he sighed. "So, Mrs. Weasley, are you ready to go see all the people?"
Hermione continued to look out the window. "Do we have to? Can we just go home?
Ron rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. "Yes, love. They are here for us. We need to join the party for a little while. Then, we can go home."
Hermione turned to look at Ron, his face barely illuminated by the dashboard lights. "I really don't want to go in there. Too many people. Are you sure we have to?"
Ron chuckled as he reached to open his door. "Yes, love. It is our wedding reception. We are the guests of honor. We can't exactly not go."
Hermione rolled her eyes and reached for her door. "If you put it that way, Mr. Weasley, I guess we should go in."
Ginny: Hurry up
Ron: She doesn't want to come in
Ginny: Do I need to talk to her?
Ron: No
Ginny: Well?
Ron: We'll be in shortly
Ginny: Hurry up
Ron: Really?!
Ginny: I want cake
Ron: I'll let her know she is holding up your cake
Ginny: Love you brother
Ron: Love you too
Ginny grinned as she watched out the windows of The Bishop's Brew. She could see her brother and his wife talking in his car. They needed to come in soon. Their guests were getting restless.
"I remember another bride who was reluctant to come in to her reception." Ginny felt Harry slide his arms around her as he whispered in her ear.
"I was so tired by the time we got to the reception. All I wanted to do was go home and sleep." Ginny rubbed her finger along Harry's arm
"I'm sure they are having the same conversation we had. Just give him a few minutes more." Harry kissed her cheek and tried to escape. "I need to be at the door when they come in, so you are going to have to let me go."
Laughing, Ginny reluctantly let go of Harry's arm and watched him walk to the door. "Not on you life, Potter. I'll never let you go."
Luna: Do we have the stuff for their exit?
Daphne: Yes, I'll hand it out after they get in here
Luna: Thank you
Daphne: For what?
Luna: All your help
Daphne: Any time
Luna: Seriously, I could not have done this without you
Daphne: You did amazing work
Luna: I hope so
Daphne: Trust me
Luna: Do I need to go drag them out of the car?
Daphne: No…Harry is doing that
Luna: If he messes up anything…
Daphne: Breathe…he is just holding the door open
Daphne dropped her mobile into her pocket as she heard Harry announce Ron and Hermione's arrival. She reached for her camera to record a few more memories for their friends. She was not the official wedding photographer, but she had decided to make an album as part of her present to Ron and Hermione. She thought back to the pictures she had taken today: Theo and Neville hanging the flower ball in the heart of the Bower, Hermione smiling as Neville had handed her the bouquet, Ginny putting forget-me-nots in Hermione's hair as a last minute touch, Luna peaking around the door to signal that everything was ready, Harry's hand on Ron's shoulder as he waited in the heart of the Bower, Ron's face as he saw Hermione walk towards him. She raised her camera to focus on the door as the newlyweds walked through was something about looking at a special event through the lense of her camera that made it even more special. She felt Theo step behind her as she snapped the picture she had been looking for. "Are you going to put down the camera and join the celebration?"
"In a minute," Daphne answered as she lowered her camera. "I just have a few more shots to get later tonight and then I will have what I need for their album."
""I thought they had a photographer for the wedding?" Theo looked confused as he watched her put her camera into the bag by her feet.
"They do. This is just a personal project. I'm making an album of pictures I took today as a present for them." Daphne shrugged her shoulders and watched the newlyweds make their way to the table Luna had fixed just for the bride and groom.
"I never thought Luna could pull off a chess themed reception." Theo chuckled as he looked around The Bishop's Brew. "I have never seen black and white look so good. I wonder what she could do with a Chemistry and Maths theme?"
"You'll never know until you ask," Daphne laughed as she watched him closely. "Why would she need to do that?"
"So suspicious, brown eyes." Theo kissed her on the cheek and walked towards the table they had been assigned. "All good things come to those who wait."
Theo: Is everything ready?
Neville: For what?
Theo: The car
Neville: Oh, yeah
Theo: After they cut the cake
Neville; Where did they park?
Theo: I'll find out
Neville: Get the keys too
Theo: How am I supposed to do that?
Neville: Be clever
Theo: Really?!
Neville: Did you think we were only decorating the outside?
Theo: Who are you and what have you done with Neville?
Neville: Just get the keys. I found the car
Neville sighed as he looked over the cars in the parking lot. He was happy for Ron and Hermione, but he was tired. Today had been the end of a long week. Too many things to do and too many people to have to deal with had made him irritable. Taking a deep breath, he turned to return to The Bishop's Brew.
"The stars are beautiful tonight." Luna's voice floated across the parking lot. "I was wondering where you disappeared to."
"Had to collect my thoughts and find Ron's car." Neville reached for her hand as she joined him. "We have one more piece of decorating to do before the evening is done."
"The Bower looked more than beautiful." Luna rubbed her thumb along Neville's. "Your Gran would have loved it. I know Hermione and Ron did."
"Thanks. I just wanted everything to be perfect." Neville swallowed hard before he looked down at her face. "You did a beautiful job today, keeping everything together."
"Thanks. There are just a few more things to manage." Luna sighed, looking up at the stars. "I think I could use a vacation after today, just to sleep."
"So, let's go manage them." Neville tugged her back towards The Bishop's Brew. "The sooner the party is over, the sooner we can get some rest."
Luna: Time for the toasts
Harry: Are you sure?
Luna: Yes
Harry: You just want to go home
Luna: Yes
Harry: Is the car ready?
Luna: Yes
Harry: Can you type anything else?
Luna: Yes…Hurry up
Harry tapped the glass in front of him with his spoon. "Can I have your attention?"
He looked around the room at all the faces. Friends, family and coworkers filled the tables. "It is time to toast the bride and groom. Usually, the best man and the matron of honor would make speeches and embarrass their best friends, but Ginny and I have decided to throw that tradition out the window. We have decided instead, to say as few words as possible."
He looked around the room as he stood. "Would the members of the Chess Club please stand?"
Harry watched as chairs scratched against the floor and five others stood with him. They had positioned themselves so that there was a couple at each corner of the room.
"To memories." Daphne raised her glass.
"To beginnings." Luna tipped her head
"To old friends." Ginny looked over at Ron and Hermione.
"To new relationships." Theo reached for Daphne's hand.
"To promises." Neville lifted his glass high.
"To forever." Harry touched his glass to Ginny's
"To Hermione and Ron." Six voices rang out across the room. There was nothing left to be said.