The Seventh Year Soap Opera

RECAP OF CHAPTER TWENTY THREE-Hogwarts Express: Hermione learns that Lavender and Seamus are engaged, Hermione looks at the Great Hall for a last time, Eloise is depressed, Harry and Ginny reminice, Hermione is horribly confused about all of her feelings, and she gets into a confrontation with Ron, Malfoy decides to pay everyone a visit, Ron tells Hermione to take Charlie out of his life, Harry has a chat with Luna and an argument with Ron, Ron says good-bye to his son and the woman he loves.

Chapter Twenty-Four- Rehearsal

That summer--July 31

Hermione Granger sat up straight in bed, her heart pounding. Sweat trickled down her chin and she stifled a sob. She dreamt she had left Viktor at the altar and he had killed himself. That is not going to happen, she told herself firmly, as she wiped the tears from her eyes and glanced at her alarm clock on her dresser. It was five a.m.

She wasn't supposed to be up for another three hours, but she knew she wouldn't fall back asleep. Hermione peered over at Charlie, fast asleep in his crib and looked around the room she had known her whole life.

The walls were painted a plain shade of blue, but nothing was on the walls. Three small bookshelves were in her room, stuffed with several books, all of which Hermione had read a dozen times. Her desk was in a corner; a mess of parchment holding job offers littered it. Her owl, Hercules, also sat on the desk, and he was asleep. Her bed was in the opposite corner, soft and comfortable and beside it was her dresser.

There were seven items on her dresser. Her alarm clock. Then, there was a copy of Hogwarts, A History, but it wasn't the real thing. It was a book that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley had made for her in their seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The third item was a worn book that Hermione kept with her every day, though she didn't need it. The Fool's Guide to Sign Language. Of course, seeing as her son was deaf, that wasn't the only book she had on sign language; she had a whole bookshelf full. There were three pictures on her dresser as well. The first was a Muggle photograph of her and Charlie, sitting in the kitchen after Charlie had signed his first word. The second was more recent; it was a wizard photo that had been taken a couple of days ago. In it, Hermione was sitting by the lake with Charlie in her arms, laughing at her friends Ginny and Harry as they ran from a gnome that looked murderous. Her fiancé Viktor Krum, had taken the picture. The last picture was a picture of someone she hadn't seen or heard from in over a year.

His name was Ron Weasley, and he was thirteen in the picture. During their stay at the Leaky Cauldron in third year, Mrs. Weasley had taken his photograph without his knowing. He had taken one look at it, frowned, and thrown it in the trash. She, Hermione, had retrieved it and told him that pictures were always good to have and he had told her that she could have it then. Hermione remembered looking at this picture whenever she had been angry with him and it made her feel a little better.

The seventh item was a present from Ron. A small golden book pendant, which was also a locket. When you opened it, on one side was engraved From Ron Weasley to Hermione Granger. On the other side was a small photo of their son, Charlie.

Hermione stood up and held the pendant in her hand, remembering her best friend and why he had left. Because of me, she reminded herself and she set the pendant back on the dresser, as if afraid to touch it any longer.

Her heart suddenly leapt with excitement as she remembered what day it was. July thirty-first. I'm getting married today. Oh my goodness, I am getting married today. Married. Her hands began to sweat and her heart continued to pound furiously in her chest.

Swallowing hard, she sauntered into the bathroom connected to her bedroom and turned on the water of the tub, hoping it wouldn't wake her son. When it was full, she undressed and stepped in, gasping slightly as the water burned her skin. She slipped in and closed her eyes, trying top relax her nerves, but it didn't work.

Wedding. Groom--Viktor, of course. Bride--me. Best man--Viktor's friend. What is his name? Oh, it's too long. Maid of Honor--Ginny Weasley. Ushers--Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnagan, Neville Longbottom, and Uncle Ryan. Bridesmaids--Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown. Eloise isn't going to be there. Too busy shagging various bartenders, I assume. Groomsmen--Another friend of Viktor's...oh Lord, what is his name? Anton, Antonin, Antonio...oh, I give up. And Harry, naturally. Ron would've been, but...don't think about him. Don't let him ruin your happy day. He left you, it wasn't the other way around.

Anyway, the ushers will escort various people to their seats. Guests of the groom on the left, guests of the bride on the right...

Knock. Knock. "Yes?" said Hermione. She figured it was her mother; the bathroom was also connected to her parents' room.

"It's only me, Hermione. I figured you would be up by now."

Hermione hugged herself and mumbled a reply. "I'm taking a bath."

"I'll make you some breakfast." There was the sound of footsteps fading away, before Hermione could open her mouth to protest. She didn't want food, her stomach was queasy enough already. I'm marrying Viktor Krum today. A famous Quidditch player who's going to sacrifice his career to live with me in Bulgaria...

Quidditch brought her thoughts to her best friend Harry. He had recently taken a job with the Chudley Cannons as Seeker. Today's his birthday, Hermione recalled. She told herself to buy him something nice.

But thinking about Harry only turned her thoughts back to Ron. Ron, who was the father of her beautiful son, Ron who had been her best friend, Ron who had loved her and left because she did not return it... She splashed the water in the bathtub angrily. Don't think about him. Today is your wedding. You aren't supposed to be depressed at your wedding.

Ten minutes later, she climbed out of the bath, wrapped a towel around her body, and stepped back into her bedroom. Charlie was still sleeping, and the room was still dark, but the smell of eggs and ham filled her nostrils. She grabbed hold of her dresser for support as she swayed. Her pre-wedding nerves reminded her wryly of morning sickness. She dressed into simple blue jeans and a shirt.

After pinning the book pendant to her clothes and glancing over at Charlie's crib again, she headed downstairs. Her mother was sitting at the small kitchen table, and a plate of food was already sitting in front of the chair that Hermione always sat. She sat in it now and looked at her mother. "When did you and Daddy get married?" she asked her.

Her mother looked surprised by the question, but stopped sipping her coffee and looked Hermione in the eye, her face in a soft expression. "Well, you know we met at a convention and then we were assigned as partners on a project, observing teeth, and we fell in love. A year later, we married in that church right down the street. Then, two years after that, you were born. Why do you ask?" A suspicious glint was in her eye.

"It's just...well...I wonder if I'm doing the right thing."

"The right thing? Of course you are, Hermione. You love this man, he'll stand by you and Charlie...I don't know how you could ask something like that, dear." She sipped her coffee.

"But, I feel guilty about Ron, still."

"You can't help how you feel about him, Hermione. Or how he feels about you. He loves you, you don't love him. Don't feel guilty about anything. If anyone should be feeling guilty, it should be him...when I think about how he just left you and Charlie like that..." An indignant expression crossed her features.

"He thought it was best, Mum, and so do I, now that I've reflected on it. But, I miss him and I wish he could be here with me. I lo--loved the way he could calm my nerves." Hermione frowned down at her plate of eggs.

"Oh honey, your nerves can't be cured on a day like this. Why, when I wed your father, I nearly fainted at the altar." She laughed and stood up. "I'm going to go iron my suit. Call me if you need anything."

Hermione nodded and her mother left the room, leaving her with her thoughts. No matter what anyone said, she still felt guilty about Ron. Every day it built higher and higher, and at the end of the day as Hermione climbed into bed, it exploded and she'd cry herself to sleep, weeping softly so as not to disturb. Nothing could rid her of the guilt; not Viktor's gentle kisses, Charlie's adorable face, books, or anything else.

Hermione stabbed her eggs viciously. "I wish I had never met you, Ronald Weasley, for all this pain you cause me."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Ginny Weasley smiled as she woke up. Hermione's getting married today, she thought happily, as she kicked off the covers and dashed downstairs. Her mother and father were sitting at the kitchen table, conversing in low tones. "Good morning," Ginny said brightly as she sat down at the table. They stopped speaking. "What is it?" Ginny asked. "Still upset about the wedding?"

"No," said Mrs. Weasley defensively, but a guilty look was on her face. His father opened his mouth to speak, but Ginny cut him off.

"Look," she said. "Hermione can't help the fact that she doesn't love Ron, and he knows that. He's accepted that...wherever he is...I suppose he's still living in London, but anyway, you shouldn't be this harsh on Hermione. She's like your daughter, why else would she invite you to the wedding?"

"I was just explaining that to your mother," said Arthur.

"Is Bill up yet?" asked Ginny. Hermione had invited the entire family to the wedding, and all had accepted, if reluctantly, and Bill and the twins had spent the last couple of nights at the Burrow. "I reckon Fred and George are at that shop of theirs, blowing up something before they have to act like regular humans at the wedding."

"Yes, they're at the shop, and no, Bill isn't awake," said Mr. Weasley, standing up and going outside for a moment.

"Yes he is," said Bill, walking into the kitchen, fully dressed.

"You aren't serious about wearing dragonhide to the wedding?" said Ginny.

"You aren't serious about wearing pajamas to the wedding?" he retorted, looking at her the same way she had been eyeing him.

"Of course not," Ginny huffed. "I'm the maid of honor."

"As you've reminded us all a thousand times already," said Bill, stretching and giving a yawn.

Ginny frowned at him and walked outside to the garden. A few gnomes were wandering around in it, and Ginny, out of habit, began to throw them over the fence.

"Watch it! That thing nearly took of my head, and you wouldn't want that would you?" said a voice from behind her. Ginny whirled around to see Harry with a disgruntled look on his face. Ginny laughed.

"I might," she said. "Then I wouldn't have to hear you talk about Quidditch all the time, would I?"

"That hurts Ginny, really." Ginny shook her head, and threw another gnome in his direction on purpose.

"What are you doing here anyway? We're supposed to be at Hermione's at nine."

"It's eight thirty," said Harry in a defensive voice.

"Well then I guess it's okay," said Ginny, standing up, turning around, and giving him a kiss on tiptoe.

"Come on guys, it's too early for that," complained Bill from inside the house.

"We didn't complain when it was you and Fleur doing all the snogging," Ginny said. "Where is she anyway? Did she get another English teacher?"

"Yes, she did," said Bill shortly, turning away.

"Touchy," said Ginny, giving Harry another kiss. "Well, mister, my chest of drawers calls. I'm going to get dressed." She walked back inside and Harry followed her.

"Need any help?" he called after her.

Ginny shook her head as she dashed up the stairs. "I can dress myself, thanks. Ever since the age of three, as a matter of fact." She walked into her room, laughing.

Harry could be such a nut sometimes. Not that she minded. It made her happy to see Harry in such a good mood. After he had left Hogwarts a year ago, he had been depressed and grumpy. Ginny had been too, they had hardly been able to see each other all that year. But, Harry had been upset because Ron refused to talk about Hermione and refused to receive information about her. It had torn Harry to pieces to see his friend's lives fall apart. At times he was moody, and no one could comfort him and at other times he was perfectly happy.

It was the same with Hermione. Ginny knew she felt guilty for Ron's leaving. Every time she set foot in the Burrow, a look of sorrow and regret crossed her face. Whenever she spoke to a Weasley, her eyes held an apology. Ron hadn't spoken to any of his family in a year. A month after he had left, he had packed to live with Eloise Midgen, and they had never seen him again. He only owled Harry.

Ginny was saddened at her brother's behavior; he had been her closest brother, and Ginny had been hurt when he had first left. But Ginny wasn't the type of person who sulked and sat around. Well, she had been that way when Hermione had cheated on Harry, but that was different...and a long story. Ginny had gotten used to the fact that Ron would probably never come back, even though she didn't like it. Parts of her still hoped he would; after all, he had been gone for only a year and a half, and Percy had been gone for a lot longer than that after his 'betrayal.'

Ginny dressed as quickly as she could, but became very angry when she couldn't find her shoes. Why do I always lose things? She thought angrily as a knock sounded on her door. "I'm not ready yet Harry," she said. She knew it was him because none of her brothers ever knocked. They just barged in.

"It's George."

Ginny, puzzled, pulled on a shirt and opened the door. "Why did you bother to knock?" she asked him suspiciously as he walked in. He stroked the goatee he had been growing over the past few months, and put on a face that would make one think he was being thoughtful.

"Well, little sister, Harry told me that you were getting dressed, and that's not something I fancy seeing," he said.

"What do you want?"

"Mum says she needs your help in the kitchen."

"Why? Why?" Ginny rubbed her temples with her fingertips and sighed. "Why did she tell Hermione she would cook all the food? Why?"

"I don't know Gin, but she was sounding frantic."

Just then an explosion sounded from downstairs. The tiny house shook. "FRED WEASLEY! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THOSE APPLE POPPERS BEING IN MY HOUSE?!"

"Apple Poppers?" said Ginny. She raised her eyebrows and gave her older brother a suspicious glance.

"They look like and taste like apples, and can be cooked into things, but at different times, they--well, they pop," said George, looking happy.

"Let me guess, Fred left them out yesterday when Mum bought all those apples from the store to make the apple pies," said Ginny in a dry tone, as she and George walked out of the room.

"I reckon," said George, sounding amused, but once they reached the bottom of the steps, Mrs. Weasley rounded on him too.

"NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BRING TO HERMIONE'S RECEPTION? I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! ALL OF MY APPLE PIES JUST EXPLODED! MY KITCHEN IS COVERED IN APPLE PIE AND I DEMAND THAT YOU TWO CLEAN IT UP WITHOUT MAGIC!"

"You can't make us do that Mum, we're overage," Fred said. But Mrs. Weasley gave him a glare so harsh, he scuttled into the kitchen without another word. Ginny tried to stifle her laughter as she grabbed George by the ear and led him into the kitchen as well.

"What time is it, Harry?" she said.

"Two minutes to nine," he replied.

"Mum, Harry and I are going to Hermione's!" Ginny yelled, and now laughing, she and Harry Apparated.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry grinned at Ginny as they arrived in front of the Grangers' house. He and Ginny walked up the broken cement steps and he knocked on the door twice. Mr. Granger answered the door, looking at them suspiciously, but ushered them inside. "Mione's upstairs at the moment," he told them, leading them into the living room.

He turned and walked up the creaky stairs and they heard him say, "Hermione, your friends are here."

"Are they?" came Hermione's voice, and she sounded like she'd been crying. Harry exchanged a horrified glance with Ginny. "I-I'll be down in a minute. Charlie needs to be--changed."

Mr. Granger walked into the living room and opened his mouth. "We heard her," said Ginny.

Harry turned to her once he had walked out of the room. "That was a little rude," he laughed. "Just cutting him off like that. He doesn't seem exactly laid back." He closed the door that Mr. Granger had just exited and gave a warning look.

"Oh, he's just upset that his only daughter is getting married," said Ginny.

Hermione came into the room just then, with Charlie in her arms. "I know," she said at the concerned looks on their faces. Her eyes were puffy and her face was red. "I'm just a little emotional."

"What's wrong?" said Harry, taking Charlie from her and leading her onto the couch. He sat down and balanced the one-year-old on his lap, and looked at her, waiting for her to speak.

She was fiddling with something in her hand. "I'm just nervous I guess," she said. "I'm young, after all, only eighteen--almost nineteen though."

Harry knew that wasn't the problem. "What's in your hand Hermione?" he said quietly, but he had a feeling. Hermione never let that book pendant out of her sight. Sure enough, she opened her hand to reveal it.

"I miss him," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "I've always missed him, but not like this. I miss him so much it hurts!" Harry and Ginny exchanged another worried look. She was talking about Ron.

"I miss him too," said Harry.

"But not like me! You write to him, don't you? You have at least some form of communication with him, but I have nothing. Nothing! And I feel so guilty all the time, and I wonder if I...if I did the right thing telling Viktor I'd marry him. Oh I don't know, I'm just so confused! And--and I try to forget about him, and I look at Charlie--" she gestured to Charlie, who was sucking happily on his thumb, "and all I see is him! I see Ron! He's the spitting image--look at him. Red hair, blue eyes, freckles in all the same places...he's like Ron's clone!" She buried her hands in her hands and sobbed heavily.

Ginny then voiced the question that Harry had been wondering for a long, long time. "Hermione, do you--I mean to say, would you consider--do you--do you love Ron?"

Hermione's head shot up and she stood up. "Love Ron? Do I love Ron? H-How can you ask me that? He left because I didn't love him, didn't he? That's a silly question. Love Ron...I don't love Ron...he's my friend--well, I don't know if he is or not since he's gone...but l-love Ron? No, I don't love him! I don't love anybody!"

Harry had a sharp intake of breath and Ginny blinked twice.

Hermione gasped and there was silence as it sunk in what she had just said. Red in the face, she pushed back her bushy hair and stuttered, "What I meant, is I love Viktor. I don't love Ron because I'm marrying Viktor...I don't love him, okay!" She stormed out of the room.

"She loves him," said Ginny. "I'm sure of it."

"She's about to make the biggest mistake of her life," added Harry. "What should we do?"

"Nothing Harry."

"Nothing?"

"She'll realize it eventually. Love is something someone has to figure out on their own," said Ginny wisely.

"Like me, I suppose?" said Harry, now smiling.

Ginny looked at him. "Yes, like you...of course, I sort of helped you figure it out...you'd make a good father Harry," she added as an afterthought.

Harry stared down at Charlie, who was still on his lap, and bouncing happily on his leg. Harry raised his eyebrows at Ginny, whose face was glazed over. "Now wait a minute, Ms. Weasley, what exactly are you saying?"

"Nothing," said Ginny quickly, snapping out her reverie.

"Just checking, because we aren't even married yet," said Harry, kissing the top of Charlie's head and turning him around to send funny faces in his direction.

"Yet?" said Ginny. "Now you wait a minute, Mr. Potter, what exactly are you saying?"

Harry felt himself go red. "Well, we're going to get married eventually, aren't we?"

"You want to marry me?"

"Who else?"

Ginny gave him a glowing look and looked extremely happy with herself. "You never cease to amaze me," she said lightly, shaking her head.

"What?" Harry said, dumbfounded. "Isn't it obvious? I love you, Ginny Weasley."

"He says as the infant pulls his hair," said Ginny with a laugh.

"What?" said Harry, confused, and slightly irritated that Ginny interrupted his romantic moment, but just then, Charlie pulled his hair so hard, it brought tears to Harry's eyes. "Ow!" he said, handing him to Ginny.

"I don't think so," she said laughing. "Maybe we'll hold off on the kids..." She slapped the sofa in her fit of laughter.

"Ow!" said Harry as Charlie yanked on his hair again. "Hermione!" he called over Ginny's loud giggles, "Could you--ow!--come in here please!"

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The sounds of the dressing room were giving Hermione a slight headache, on top of all the other emotions she was feeling. "Parvati, help me with this zipper!" said Lavender.

"Lav, where's your lipstick?"

"Ginny, why are you eating? You do not eat in the maid-of-honor's dress!"

Hermione saw Ginny roll her eyes. "Fine," she said, throwing the paper plate in the bin. "Hermione! Where are you?"

"I'm here," said Hermione, stepping out of her own private room to dress in. Parvati, Ginny, and Lavender all gasped at the sight of her. "Oh please," she said. "I know it's beautiful, but--"

"Oh Hermione, your dress is much prettier than mine!" squealed Lavender.

"Yes, but you only had about ten people at your small little wedding," commented Parvati.

"Well, that's true, but Hermione!" She didn't seem able to speak.

"Just look in the mirror, Hermione. See for yourself how gorgeous you look," said Ginny, grabbing her arm and leading her to a full-sized mirror.

Hermione gasped too. She had tried on the dress once before, but it hadn't looked as beautiful as this. The dress wasn't the most vivacious, but it was still a little more flashy than what Hermione was used to. It was a pretty white silk around her torso, and it was sleeveless, but from her waist down, it flowed out in front of her and was covered in tiny, shiny sequins. It was simple, but it was the dress every girl wanted. "Wow," she said in shock.

"Oooh, let's curl your hair," sighed Parvati.

"No!" said Lavender, Ginny, and Hermione all at once. "Have you not seen how curly her hair is already?" said Ginny.

"And bushy!" exclaimed Hermione. "Give me more curl and it'll stick about a foot in the air!" She was horrified. She was already having doubts about marrying Viktor, and she didn't need to look like a freakish bookworm on her wedding day.

"Yes, we'll need to do something about that bushiness," said Lavender thoughtfully and she sat Hermione down in a chair. About an hour later, Lavender and Parvati had finished with her hair and she stared incredulously at her reflection in the mirror. Her chestnut locks were still curly, but they fell graciously to her shoulders now, and Hermione thought she had just witnessed a miracle.

"W-What--my hair looks...what did you do to it?"

Lavender shook her head. "No idea. God blessed your hair today, I suppose."

"Did he ever!" said Ginny, playing with Hermione's locks. Hermione did the same, and found that they were much softer than normal. Then, she heard Parvati squeal with excitement and pull out a bottle from her make-up bag.

"What's that?" said Hermione, eyeing the bottle as though it was a Death Eater.

"Relax! It's just glitter."

"Glitter? What do I need that for?" shrieked Hermione feeling overwhelmed. Her head throbbed a little.

"Your hair, of course," she said. "Hermione trust me."

She sprinkled the silver glitter generously into Hermione's hair, and then said, "Now, do you have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?"

"I think so," said Hermione, her nerves increasing and her excitement bubbling. "Er, these earrings are blue..." The earrings were the kind that dangled from her ears, and they were light light blue. "Um, the dress is new, my mum gave me this necklace to borrow, and...something old...well, this book pendant is old!" She fingered the pendant on her dress as though it was food to a starving child.

"You're not going to wear that, are you?" said Parvati, sounding scandalized. "It throws off the whole outfit."

"Well, since Ron isn't here, I'm wearing this as though it's his soul!" said Hermione defensively.

"She never takes it off," Ginny whispered to Lavender in an undertone.

"I do too!" Hermione protested, but just then, her mother entered the room, dressed in a red suit.

"Oh Hermione, you look wonderful," she said, kissing her on both cheeks. "Imagine what that Rick would say if he could see you now! I bet you anything he would have hung around!"

"Ron," Hermione corrected, "and I doubt that very seriously. Is the limo here yet?"

"I just don't see why we can't Apparate," said Ginny.

"It's a Muggle wedding, remember? Muggles will be there," Lavender reminded her.

Mrs. Granger gave them funny looks. "Yes, it's just arrived, that's what I came in here to tell you. Oh, Viktor is going to faint when he sees you!"

"I doubt that very seriously," said Parvati. "Krum doesn't seem like the type to faint."

"Well," Mrs. Granger huffed, "we are all allowed to have different opinions. Come, dears."

The four girls followed her excitedly out of the rooms and into the limousine. Hermione's stomach was toppling and jumping, and her palms were sweating with nervousness. Right now, she wanted Ron here with her more than anything. She could just hear him saying something like, "Hermione, you really look like a girl right now. Krum's a lucky man." Something that would comfort her. Something that would calm her and make her feel happy. Something that would rid of her of that horrible guilt...

Hermione climbed into the limo first, feeling numb. Once the other girls had climbed in, Mrs. Granger said, "I'll be riding in my car. The boys--er, men are just in the other limo...coming out right now. You three make sure Hermione doesn't peek at Viktor!" She closed the door and walked off.

"Oooh, there he is!" shrieked Parvati. "Quick, Lav, cover her eyes!" Hermione felt Lavender's hands clasp over her eyes. "Alright, he's in the limo. Oh would you look at this! Neville is so adorable!"

"I prefer the Irishman myself," said Lavender, sticking her head out of the window and blowing Seamus a kiss.

"Hi Dean!" Parvati squealed. "You clean up nice!"

"More than he could say for you, I'm sure," Seamus called, smiling, and climbing into the car behind the best man.

"I can't restrain myself," Ginny muttered, shoving the others aside and climbing out of the car to get to Harry. His eyes widened at the sight of her, and Parvati, Lavender, and Hermione all giggled as they just stood there, drooling over each other for a couple of seconds. Indeed, Harry looked handsome. The suits were all the same; black with scarlet ties. Then Harry smiled and bent down to whisper something in Ginny's ear. She turned red.

"Oh Harry, you naughty boy!" Lavender yelled from the car, and all of Hermione's nerves were gone as she dissolved into laughter as Harry turned even redder than Ginny.

"Why is my private life always on display to the public?" he called, giving Ginny a kiss.

"Because you're so damn handsome!" Parvati called.

"Hey, Patil, I'm right here!" said Dean grinning, and he climbed into the car. "Come on Harry, we wouldn't want Hermione to be late for her own wedding, now would we?"

Harry shoved him in the arm, grinned, and also climbed into the car. Ginny ran over to where the girls were and got in that car. "Can you blame me?" she said, looking flushed.

"Not really," said Hermione.

"I wonder what Ron would look like?" said Lavender, her face glazing over.

"I thought you preferred the Irishman!" said Hermione, as the driver of the limo started driving.

"Oh I do, but Ron was a handsome little bloke."

Hermione laughed. "He was, wasn't he?" Guilt once again swam through her veins.

"Come now, he isn't dead! Why use 'was' so much? He's still the sexiest wizard alive!" said Parvati.

"What? How do you know?" said Ginny. "Have you seen him? Where is he? What is he doing? Why didn't you tell us before?" Her words came out in a rush.

"Calm down! I saw him in Diagon Alley a couple of days ago. He still looks good--too good."

"What do you mean, too good?" said Hermione curiously, as her heart pounded.

"Well, Eloise told me--"

"She was there?"

"Yes, they live together, don't they? She said he drinks way too much to look that good. But she's looking gorgeous as well. I never would have expected El to look that pretty."

"He drinks?" said Hermione, her heart dropping to her stomach.

"El said she's trying to convince him to join the AAA--it's a Muggle program for--"

"Yes, we know!" Hermione cried anxiously. "Go on."

"But he refuses. Said he'd prefer to be home again, with his friends and family."

"Why doesn't he just come?" said Ginny, looking as heartbroken as Hermione felt.

Parvati fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat as the limo went over a bump. "What? Why won't he come home?" said Ginny.

Parvati looked nervously at Hermione and bit her lip. "I really don't want to say on Herm's wedding day..."

"It's fine," said Hermione dryly, feeling ready to cry. "Why?"

"I asked him, and he said he won't ever come within two cities of Hermione and Charlie. He said he's not going to put himself through more pain. And then he walked off, and El had to run to keep up with him. It was just so heartbreaking--that's why I didn't want to tell you Hermione, I'm so sorry...now I've ruined your wedding. I'm sorry." Parvati looked ready to burst into tears.

"It's fine," Hermione repeated shortly, feeling ready to burst into tears herself. She had caused Ron all that pain. It killed her inside. She was happy on her wedding day, and he was probably downing bottles of alcohol by the second, slipping slowly away from life.

It wasn't fair. She didn't have the right to be happy.

But you aren't happy, are you Hermione? said a nasty voice in her head, and she turned to the window, telling herself not to cry.

The ride was silent and Hermione took a deep breath and clenched her pretty wedding dress in her hands as the limo pulled up in front of the church. The church where she would be pledging her life to one man for the rest of her life.