Just a Kiss

Chapter 15

A.N- Just a quick forewarning, there is a very mild assault in this chapter. If anyone fears they will be triggered by that, please don't read this chapter. I'll put a quick summary at the start of the next chapter for anyone who doesn't read this one!

Hermione rubs her eyes to ward off the tears then stares at the floor. It's a long minute before she can bring up the words she had kept quiet for so long. When she finally manages, they pour out in an unstoppable stream.

-----

        "Ginny, have you seen my dashing groom?" Hermione inquires with an illuminating grin. Ginny turns away from adding the finishing touches to the wedding cake and gives her best friend a reproachful look.

        "'Mione, it may be your wedding day but you know you can't see him before the ceremony! It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride beforehand, especially when said bride is wearing her dress," Ginny chides gently

The brunette bride, too giddy with the excitement of her special day to get upset with her friend, playfully sticks out her tongue and puts her hands on her hips."I'll do as I please!" She laughs, "it is my special day, mind you."  Before Ginny has the chance to stop her, she flounces off with her white gown flowing gracefully behind her.

        "Just remember, I warned you!" The youngest Weasley calls before smiling at her elated friend's attitude and returning to the large cake that sat on the counter. " Oh bugger, she wasn't supposed to see the cake until later."

        Hermione laughs in a very unladylike manner when she hears Ginny's comment about the cake then returns to her search for the groom. After not being able to locate him in the living room, dining room, or the front porch, she stands in silent speculation with her painted fingernails tapping her chin.

"Perhaps he is still getting ready in his room," She wonders aloud and at that moment she hears a thump from the uppermost floor of the Burrow followed by a groan that sounds quite similar to that of her fiancé. Hermione laughs to herself. "He must be having difficulty with his suit." She says to herself with a playful disapproving click of her tongue. "He was never very graceful."

She starts up the creaking stairs and climbs above the hustle and bustle on the ground floor as everyone prepares for the wedding. There aren't too many people there, just their closest friends and family. There's also a few guards to keep out the intruding press that were bound to show up at the marriage between two of the Golden Trio. Other than that, though, it's going to be a relatively small wedding.

        "Oh Hermione! You look exquisite in that gown, I do hope that you have been watching out for the gnomes. They are particularly nasty here and I wouldn't want to see all of Ginny and Molly's hard work go to waste. You most be looking for your groom, right?" A familiar voice says from a few steps up. Hermione looks away from the floor where she's been carefully watching her footing so she wouldn't trip and is met with the whimsical gaze of Luna Lovegood.

        "Yes, I've been careful Luna," She smiles at the blonde woman and says, "and yes I am looking for him. Have you seen him anywhere?"

        "He's in his room, I believe, but..." Luna trails off as Hermione rushes past her, not bothering to listen to the rest of what the youngest Lovegood had to say.