I'll Always Be There for You...

I'll always be there for you...

Chapter 3

Hermione didn't sleep the entire night. She was afraid of what she would say to Mrs. Weasley about what Ron had done.

She didn't know whether she should confront him or just wait until after the wedding. She wasn't even sure anyone would believe her.

At seven in the morning, as Hermione watched the sun creep up, she heard a soft knock on the door.

She waited until she heard Ron's fading footsteps before picking up the note.

'Hey, Hermione, meet me in the gardens as usual.'

Hermione was perplexed. Did he actually think she was going to meet him after what had happened?

Pretending that she was asleep, Hermione ignored the note and went back to bed to think about what to do.

At seven thirty, everyone had to get up to get ready for the wedding, so they woke up.

Hermione was going to get dressed later, but for now she dressed in a simple skirt and flowery top. She went downstairs to find the kitchen in an array of panic.

Breakfast was long forgotten as everyone was running around trying to eat something as they went to do what they needed to.

Hermione spied Fleur sitting at the table feeding Alaina. She was the only one who looked calm.

When Hermione asked her, she said, "Pmph! Zees ees nothing. At my wedding, no one waz even allowed be nervous. My muzzer would 'ave been furious!"

Rolling her eyes, Hermione said, "I know, I know." As she got up to make a call to her mother, she ran into Ron.

He smiled at her like the good-natured Ron she had always known. It was as if last night hadn't even happened.

"Hey, Hermione, why didn't you come to the gardens? I waited twenty minutes for you."

Staring at him, aghast she muttered, "I was sleeping, because I was tired."

He shook his head, grinning. "Yeah, right."

She rushed past him, confused. She called her mother to inform her when she would be picking them up to take them to the magical church and hall. After that she rushed to the church to make sure everything was going smoothly.

She hurried back to the Weasley's and went to help get Ginny ready. It was ten o'clock by now and the wedding started at noon.

Ginny was in Mrs. Weasley's larger room getting ready with her other bridesmaids.

Parvati, being the queen of makeup and accessories, had volunteered to get Ginny ready. Right now, she was just finishing putting her makeup on and was moving to her hair.

Hermione grabbed her robes from the closet and ran to her room to get changed. Ginny had chosen the bridesmaids to wear sea-foam green robes. They had small sleeves with ruffles at the top and bottom. Being in a hurry, Hermione just let her natural wavy hair cascade down her back and tied it back with a green flower clip. She slipped on her green tinted pearl necklace and heels and she was ready.

She made her way to where everyone else was, but someone grabbed her arm and led her into a room and closed the door.

"Ron," said Hermione when she saw him. She was starting to get scared again, being in his presence even though it was broad daylight in his own house.

"Have you been avoiding me all day?" he asked.

She avoided his eyes. "No, I've been working, Ron, for your sister's wedding. It is a big day."

"Big day or not, I feel like you're purposely ignoring me," he said, not letting go of her wrist. "And I want to know why."

She tried to pull her hand away from him, but he just pulled her hand until they were close. This reminding her of the situation last night when she had been helpless and no one had heeded her cries. But Ron's intentions were something else.

He took off her clip and let her hair fall through his fingers. "That's much better."

Unable to breathe, Hermione said, "Ron, please."

He held her head in his hands. "What's come over you, Hermione? You're suddenly terrified of me. Is it something I said or did? Just tell me!"

Not believing what she was hearing, Hermione said, "Yes! What happened last night is what is bothering me. Just leave me alone." She moved away from him.

He blinked, not sure why she was acting like this. "What are you talking about, Hermione? What happened last night?"

Hermione couldn't believe that he was lying about this. "What you did to me last night, Ronald! Stop acting."

He came closer to her and took her bangs away from her eyes. "I didn't do anything, Hermione. I don't know what you're talking about. And if I did, just forgive me."

Even Ron couldn't do this good acting, Hermione realized. He had to be telling some form of the truth. Ron's hands were still on her face and so far, he hadn't done anything yet except show affection. She decided to trust him- for now. Maybe that had been someone else last night and not Ron.

She hugged him tight. "I forgive you."

He returned the hug, stroking her hair. "You better go back to Ginny, then."

She pulled away and nodded. He kissed her on the cheek and she made her way to Ginny's room.

She couldn't believe what was happening. She had told Ron she had forgiven him, for something he appeared to have no recollection of. But what had happened couldn't be erased from her memory forever either. She was still terrified of Ron, but could see that he was all right now.

Ginny stood fully transformed when Hermione returned. Ginny, being the kind of girl that didn't like to fuss and take forever getting ready, was ready in under an hour, a feat that was amazing.

Hermione smiled when she saw Ginny. She looked the most stunning she had ever looked. Her makeup was lightly done and her red hair was piled up in a twist atop her head. Her robes were simply beautiful, though simple and elegant.

Her robes had a delicate design of lace at the top, with a thick piece of ribbon going upward as a triangle from the waist. The whole robe was made of the delicate lace, but covered by a thin fabric of sheer silk. The sleeves were short and flared, and the bottoms of her robes were covered with ruffles that ended in her small, but elegant train.

Her veil was attached to a thin crown of daises that covered her hair and was made out of sheer silk. Altogether Ginny looked amazing. Harry was going to fall in love with her more when he saw her.

Her eyes were shining brightly when she saw Hermione. She squealed and clasped her gloved hands together. "This is it!"

Hermione smiled at her best friend. "I know. I'm so happy for you, Gin."

She hugged her quickly. "So am I, Hermione. I just hope everything works out."

Mrs. Weasley entered then, as it was eleven forty. She started screaming at the girls to get going, but when she saw her daughter, she stopped and started crying.

"Your father would've been so proud, Ginevra," she said, hugging her.

Ginny smiled and hugged her mother back, tears forming in her eyes. "I know, mum. I just want you to know that I love you and appreciate everything you've done for me. I couldn't have a better mother."

Mrs. Weasley cried harder, but pushed Ginny away. "I don't want to muss your gown, Ginny. Harry will be so pleased. He really is getting a treasure."

"I'm sorry about breaking this up," said Hermione tentatively, who had been watching this exchange with happiness. "But we have to be a church in about fifteen minutes."

Hermione hugged Ginny one last time. "I hope you're happy, Ginny. I just want you to know, that whatever happens, I'll always be there for you."

She smiled. "I know, Hermione. You always have been."

Then Hermione Disapparated since she had to pick up her parent's. She arrived in the entrance, where her father sat in the stairs of her Muggle home.

"Your mother was wondering when you'd remember us," said Mr. Granger, smiling at his only child. "Persephone! Hermione's here now!"

"I'll be right down!" said Hermione's mother.

"Sorry, Dad," said Hermione, hugging her father. "I got held up."

Her father nodded and smiled. "I understand." Suddenly he noticed something on Hermione's finger.

He gasped and took her hand into his to examine the ring. At that moment, Mrs. Granger slid down the stairs. "What are you looking at, Thomas?"

Her father held up Hermione's hand and showed it to his wife. Mrs. Granger gasped like her husband and rushed over to her daughter. "A ring! What's this?"

Gently, she pulled her hand away. "It's a ring, mum. Ron gave it to me. We're engaged."

"When did this happen?" she demanded.

"Just yesterday," said Hermione, not liking the tone of her mother's voice.

"Yesterday!" she said. "And you were planning on telling us when? After you were married?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Mother, it was just yesterday. And I planned on telling you today when I saw you, because I've been busy with the wedding."

Hermione's dad just looked at her. "Are you happy?"

When Hermione nodded, he kissed his daughter's forehead. "Then I'm happy for you."

"Thomas!" said his wife. "It's that boy you've been dating, isn't it?"

"Yes, he's a boy," said Hermione, exasperated. The third degree was not what she needed right now. "We've been dating for almost three years now."

"But you're both so young," she said. "You're only nineteen and that may be all right with those witches and wizards, but..."

"I am a witch," said Hermione firmly.

Mrs. Granger searched her daughter's face and then said, "All right then. Like your father said, if you're happy then we're happy."

Hermione finally smiled. "Thanks, Mum. Now, we really should be going."

Her parents nodded and she drove them to the hotel, then Apparated them when they were of closer distance.

They entered the church at exactly 12:01. The wedding was about to start.

Hermione led her parent's to the second pew and sat them down next to some family friends of the Weasley's. She rushed to the back room, where Ginny was anxiously awaiting the ceremony.

Ginny looked nervous as Hermione entered. The other bridesmaids were hovering near her as well.

Anca and Fleur had been asked to be bridesmaids as well, but they had both declined, saying that the job was really for Ginny's friends and they didn't want to intrude. So they now sat in the front pew with their husbands.

Alaina had been chosen to be flower girl and had already started her way down the aisle.

The bridesmaids were next, so Hermione went to the back because she was Maid of Honour.

They slowly walked down the aisle when their turn came and then stood off to one side of the alter; aside from the groom and his best man.

And then Hermione started her walk towards the aisle. She was terrified, but tried to smile and look elegant.

She saw many people she knew in the church, several whom she smiled confidently at. Near the end, she saw her mother and father smiling proudly at her, so she smiled at them.

She made it to the end and then joined the others at the side. She saw Ron, dressed in black dress robes, and her heart started thumping wildly. This time, it wasn't because she was excited about seeing him, but rather scared. She told her to calm herself and then returned the cute smile Ron was giving her.

The organ started and then Ginny walked out, with the veil covering her face. She held a bouquet in her hands and she walked confidently to where Harry stood.

Hermione smiled as they read each other their vows and when Harry slipped a ring onto Ginny's finger. Finally they kissed.

Everyone clapped and cheered and then Ginny turned to the small crowd that had formed behind her, and threw her small bouquet at them.

Not knowing what was coming her way, being lost in her thoughts, she found something hurling over to her, so she closed her eyes and just grabbed it, not knowing what it was.

Hermione heard cheering and whistling when she opened my eyes and she found that she had caught the flowers. She smiled uneasily at the people who were all congratulating me.

Ginny just smiled, and then laughed as Harry swept her into his arms and carried her out of the church. Everyone left the church in a haste to follow the newly wed couple, but Hermione just stood there looking at the bouquet in her hands.

In a few minutes, the church had emptied and no one had waited to see where she was. Hermione sighed and glanced at her watch.

She then remembered that everyone was on his or her way to the reception that she was in charge of. So she threw the flowers over her shoulder and Apparated there.

Thankfully, no one was there yet, so Hermione had time to check on the arrangements that had been made. The cake was ready and so was everything else.

So she put a fake smile on my face, dreading this whole ordeal, and then started welcoming people as they Apparated into the hall.

For the next four and a half hours, Hermione was busy with Mrs. Weasley making sure that everyone had food, were comfortable and didn't need anything.

At four thirty, when Hermione passed Harry, Ginny's and Ron's table, Ron looked up at her and said, "Where have you been all this time?"

"Glad you noticed," said Hermione. She ignored him and continued getting napkins for Rita Skeeter, who was there under Hermione's watchful eye.

After everyone had eaten, they started dancing on the dance floor. Hermione was responsible for moving the table to the wall with her wand and then magically helping the staff to wash the dishes and clean up the hidden kitchens.

By nine thirty, Hermione was exhausted and she hadn't even got a chance to enjoy the reception. She felt really sad about this, but even more upset that no one had even cared to save her a piece of cake or had even bothered to ask if she needed any help.

After she was done cleaning up, Hermione slumped on a stool in the kitchen because she didn't want to face everyone now. She closed her eyes for a bit, and just rested. She was starving from not haven eaten anything the whole day but was more tired.

Fifteen minutes later, someone was shaking her awake. 'Hermione, Hermione!"

Hermione rubbed her eyes and awoke. It was her parents.

"Where have you been all day? Sleeping back here?" asked her mother with disapproval.

Hermione was in no mood to correct her. Her anger was starting to boil over.

"Yes, mother. I have been sleeping here all day," snapped Hermione.

Her mother glanced at her father but said, "We were just wondering if you wanted to come home for a few days."

Hermione had moved out a year ago into a small flat in downtown London. But she still sometimes stayed over at her parent's place.

"All right," said Hermione. "But I have to go to work on Monday so I'll have to leave Sunday night."

"Of course, dear," said Mr. Granger.

So Hermione and her parent's said good-bye quickly to everyone, just as the party was ending, and made their way home.

Hermione was very upset because no one had seemed to appreciate her efforts for the whole evening. Not one person had thanked her for anything she had done and she had worked all day, not to mention the weeks she had put into planning.

So she gladly went to her parent's house.