Mistaken Love

"Hermione, hurry up!" Ginny nagged as she stood by the fireplace, holding Hermione's dress and shoes. "Mum wants you there by noon. The wedding is to start precisely at two, as she continues to remind me..."

"Why must I get ready at the Burrow?" Hermione asked as she grabbed her purse and hair supplies.

"Because Mum is psycho and insists on helping somehow," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "Plus, do you really want to get your dress all sooty when you Floo over?"

"I see your point," Hermione agreed. "Do you have my dress?"

Ginny held up the dress, which was covered in plastic to keep it clean. "C'mon, Hermione. I don't want Mum to harp at me for getting you there late. God forbid she should care about me though." She grabbed a handful of Floo Powder from the jar on the mantel. "The Burrow!"

Hermione sighed as she scooped Floo Powder out of the jar. 'What I'd give to skip the wedding...' "The Burrow!" she shouted, throwing the powder into the fireplace.

She opened her eyes to find herself in the Weasley kitchen, which was cleaned and decorated for the wedding.

"C'mon, Hermione," Ginny hissed. Ron was standing on the other side of the kitchen, his eyes covered by Mrs. Weasley. "It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding," she reminded her, noticing the confused expression on Hermione's face.

Hermione followed Ginny up the stairs to her room. Ginny locked the door and placed the dress on the bed. "Hermione, this dress is gorgeous," she told her, admiring it.

Hermione smiled. The dress was simple and elegant, just as she had wanted it. It was a cream, silk, spaghetti strap dress with a two-foot train.

Hermione quickly changed into the dress, allowing Ginny to do her make-up and hair.

Hermione watched out the window as Ginny did her hair. The Weasley boys were setting up for the wedding. She immediately spotted George setting out chairs. She could feel tears stinging at her eyes. She longed to talk to him one last time before she walked down the aisle.

'I love Ron,' she thought to herself. 'Only Ron...'

* * * * *

Hermione took her place beside her father in the kitchen. It was time to face the music. She was going to marry Ron whether she truly wanted to or not.

"You look beautiful, Hermione," her father commented.

"Thank you, Daddy," Hermione said, trying to smile, but failing miserably.

The wedding march began and Hermione looked up at her father.

"Shall we?" he asked, smiling proudly.

Hermione merely nodded, not trusting her voice. They began walking slowly down the aisle, but not slow enough for Hermione's taste.

She caught George's eye. He looked close to tears, almost as bad as Mrs. Weasley, who was holding a handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes.

Hermione swallowed the lump forming in the back of her throat, afraid that she too would cry. She wished that she could run over and hold George, let him know it would be okay.

When Hermione finally tore her eyes away from George, she found herself at the altar next to Ron.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite these two people in holy matrimony," the minister announced. The minister continued the ceremony, and finally came to those fateful words...

"If there are present any persons who know why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Hermione couldn't help but turn her head to look at George. He had closed his eyes and seemed to be forcing out calm, soothing breaths.

She then looked at Ginny, who was looking back at her. The look on her face was a look of anxiety. She was nervous, as was Hermione.

The final person Hermione look toward was Harry. He looked very concerned, as though he was considering whether or not to object to the marriage.

Hermione wished, prayed, that one of the three would object. She wished they would yell, scream, argue, anything. But nothing came. No objection and no looking back.

The minister continued. "Do you, Ronald Bilius Weasley, take Hermione Jane Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in richer and in poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"

Surprisingly, Ron didn't answer right away as Hermione had expected. He seemed to be staring into space, searching for the right answer.

"Ron?" Hermione whispered, hoping to bring his attention back to the wedding.

He looked into Hermione's eyes and shook his head. "I can't do this."

"What?" Hermione whispered, blinking at him.

"I can't make you go through with this, Hermione," Ron said, holding her hand. "You don't love me."