The Implications of Forever

Now and For (N)ever

Hermione Granger attended the wedding of the man she loved.
Stood in the corner as they slow danced
Numbly clapped her hands as they
Were presented man and man.

Hermione Granger attended the wedding of the man she loved
Scrawled her name in their guest book
Tasted ash when they toasted champagne

Hermione Granger attended the wedding of the man she loved
She wore emerald green, marveling
At how beautiful he beamed in white

Hermione Granger attended the wedding of the man she loved
When his groom rounded the corner
His face broke apart like clouds
But all around her were flames

Hermione Granger attended the wedding of the man she loved.
"Congratulations. I'm so happy for you both."

---------------

The wedding was a grand event. White, gold, and silver floral arrangements were scattered along the lake-shore, built so high she thought one simple push might send one plummeting to the ground below. A white belvedere was erected at the edge of the lake. The water provided a beautiful backdrop– it was still and clear and Hermione could see schools of fish swimming around as she pondered the thought of jumping in. Perhaps if she was soaking wet and distraught, she might have a valid excuse to leave.

It was the wedding she always dreamed of. One she would likely never have.

She shouldn't have expected anything less from Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter: the Boy Who Lived and the richest ex-Death Eater in the wizarding world. Their wealth combined was enough to build a city. One measly yet magnificent wedding wouldn't put a pea-sized dent in either of their vaults.

She scribbled her name in the guest book, staring at the grand display of every moving photograph that could possibly exist of her best friend and his blond fiancé. There was hardly any room to rest her hand without knocking over another pretty little frame, with pretty little faces inside. It made her stomach churn, because how could they look so happy when she was too busy holding in tears every time she looked their way?

Hermione begrudgingly took a seat in the front row, next to Ron and Ginny, whose distaste was apparent on their faces. They never approved of Malfoy, but Hermione could still tell they were happy for their friend. She just wished she knew how to feel the same way.

The Minister of Magic began to speak to the crowd from inside the belvedere, but she couldn't hear him over the ringing in her ears. Draco Malfoy gracefully sauntered down the aisle, wearing a black tuxedo that suited him so well it made Hermione's breath hitch. Soon Harry was walking towards Malfoy in a white suit, but Hermione couldn't take her eyes off the man in front of her. He stood exactly where she always wished he would, nose high in the air, eyes never leaving Harry as he walked down the aisle. That should have been her that he was gazing at with pure admiration. That should have been her in the aisle. That should have been her wearing white.

That should have been her. But it wasn't. And it never would be.

She numbly clapped as they kissed, sealing a marriage she knew would never break. They were in love, and there was nothing she could do about it. All she felt were flames, licking at her skin. Rage, and sorrow and the urge to cry consumed her all at once, because Draco Malfoy did not love Hermione Granger, and that was the irrefutable truth.

Only Merlin could know how much she loved him.

She stood in the corner as they began to slow dance to a song she instantly recognized. It made her stomach drop. Now and Forever– she remembered the name. How could she forget? After all, her mother had just smiled and laughed when Hermione announced that this soft little muggle song might be featured at her future wedding, because Gods, she loved it so much.