THC Round 4

House: Slytherin

Class: Ancient Runes

Category: Standard

Prompts: Prompts: [Character] Viktor Krum

[Object] Mermaid-style wedding dress

Rating: K

Word Count: 1414

Betas: CoppersMama, GreenGecko

Warnings: N/A

Hermione placed her hands on her hips, admiring how the dress accented her waist and hips. After buying her wedding outfit for their Wizarding Ceremony, she wanted to ensure that her Muggle dress stood out for their exchanging of vows. The form-fitting gown that she chose was a little out of her comfort zone, but she could picture Viktor's face lighting up as she walked down the aisle in it. Besides, seeing herself in this light, in a sexy Muggle dress made her feel confident and helped her forget about all the time she had taken off work for her wedding. The day was creeping closer and closer, and she could feel the butterflies in her stomach. She wondered if Ron had received her invitation.

Viktor looked out from the castle window of the residence they were borrowing for their upcoming wedding. The ornate wardrobe on the other side of the room held his robes. They had been pressed by hand (Hermione would not let him employ a House Elf to assist with the preparations). As he watched workers set up flowers, he thought about Hermione. He knew she was at a Muggle dress store. She had bought her dress months ago but today was attending her final fitting. He didn't understand why she had not just altered the garment by magic, but he supposed there was an element of her Muggle upbringing that she wanted to stay true to. Besides, it was more time she got to spend reconnecting with her parents.

As the seamstress watched, Hermione turned around slowly, admiring every angle of the dress. It was made of brilliant white satin and clung to her chest and hips before poofing out at the bottom in the style of a mermaid tail. Little strands of diamond hung off her shoulders and the open back allowed her hair to fall comfortably. Crystal accents decorated the skirt and bodice in a simple, beautiful pattern.

"Should we try the dress with your veil?" asked the seamstress politely.

Hermione grinned at her parents. Despite not regaining all of their memories, St Mungo's had helped them to recognize their daughter. The more time they spent together the more things got better. Her father, just the other day, told that he remembered that her favorite smell was freshly cut grass. Hermione cried that night when she told Viktor what had happened. He hugged her warmly and kissed the top of her head.

Expertly, the seamstress pinned the veil to Hermione's hair. The soft tulle fell to the ground, nearly as long as the train on the dress. Both Mum and Dad stood up and embraced their daughter. Despite their confusion and recovery, they knew how important this moment was for all of them.

Viktor heard a door slam and raced down the grand staircase, eager to see his bride-to-be. She was carrying a large white bag and her cheeks turned pink when she saw him.

"Viktor!" she exclaimed. "You have to let me put my dress away first."

In the back of his mind, he could recall her explaining that silly Muggle tradition to him.

"Ah, my love, I cannot see through the bag."

Rolling her eyes, Hermione smiled at him. He planted a kiss on her cheek, and she rushed upstairs to hang up the dress. The wedding was only a day away, but they had spent a month at the castle to prepare and relax before the big day.

Feeling exhausted, Hermione sat down on the bed with a sigh. Out the window, she could see an owl nearing the castle. She waited patiently for it to land. It was a pretty brown owl with glossy feathers and yellow eyes. Well trained, it extended its ankle to allow her to untie the letter. It was an RSVP for the wedding. A little late she thought as she opened it.

It was Ron's invitation. She had invited him and allowed him a plus one. Last she had heard he was back with Lavender, but she didn't know how long that would last. Inside there was one mark on the ornate parchment. An 'x', crudely slashed through the box that indicated he would not be attending. His response did not surprise her, but still, she felt tears rush to her eyes.

After rejecting his advances, she did not expect their friendship to crumble as it did. When she told him she didn't like him that way he became bitter and distant, but when she reconnected with Viktor, he became downright unpleasant. In a way, Ron showing his true colors allowed Hermione peace of mind that she made the right decisions, but she was still not over the loss of her friend.

The soft sound of crying caught Viktor's attention as he approached Hermione's room. He opened the door slowly.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, come in," she said sadly.

He saw the RSVP clutched in her hand and understood the situation. There was only one guest they had been waiting on.

"He's not coming then?"

Hermione shook her head, allowing herself to bury herself in the arms of her husband to be.

"At least Harry and Ginny are attending," Viktor reminded her. "Perhaps they will eventually be able to convince him that he's being immature."

Letting out a small chuckle, Hermoine dried her tears.

"Maybe", she said sarcastically.

Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Hermione admired her look. The wizard ceremony had taken place early that morning in front of only their parents. Hermione's parents had been hesitant but beamed as ropes of magic bound the lover's hands as they exchanged their vows. Her simple white robes hung safe in a wardrobe. Outside, the afternoon sun was beaming, the sky was a perfect blue, and the Muggle style wedding aisle was ready to go. In a few moments, Viktor would be taking his place under the flowered arch. Most of the guests had taken their places.

Spying Ginny's fire red hair in the crowed, Hermione felt a pang of sadness. Shaking her head, she tried to rid herself of the feeling. She had done her best, the rest was none of her concern. She adjusted her hair, styled in loose curls around her shoulders, and opened the door. Her mother and father stood waiting for her. They exchanged hugs and Hermione breathed deeply. The scent of her mother's perfume sent her back to her childhood and for a moment she could pretend that nothing terrible had ever happened.

Her mother pulled the blusher down over her face and then she linked arms with both of her parents. They exited the castle and the music sprang to life.

With the violins in action and the guests on their feet, Viktor stood attentive, waiting to see his bride. When she rounded the corner, arms linked with both her parents, he felt tears begin to form.

Her Muggle dress clung to her hips and sparkled in the sunlight. The ropes of diamonds that hung loose around her shoulders glittered and the hem of her dress swished along the grass. She walked slowly, head held high and, under her veil, he could make out a smile.

Despite already completing the wizard ceremony this morning, he was nervous and time felt slow as he waited for her to reach him. He reflected on their relationship, moments flashing before his eyes: their reconnection after the Battle of Hogwarts, their first kiss in the hallway of a pub in London, their humble Christmas tree in their first flat together. He had watched her achieve career goals, further education goals, and he could not wait to see where they would go together.

When he decided to propose, he was worried for a moment that she would say no, worried she would be concerned about her career. But his fears had been for nothing and she'd beamed as she'd accepted the gold ring he presented her with.

And then she was at the altar, facing him. Her parents had taken their seat and he stared into her eyes, blurry from the veil or his tears. He wasn't entirely sure.

"Hi," she whispered to him, breathless, as they grasped hands.

"You look beautiful," he said back, feeling foolish. Beautiful didn't come close to describe how she looked.

With strong hands, he lifted her veil and admired his bride. The officiant took his place and time stood still until the words rang out.

"You may kiss the bride."