A Dance Through Thyme (Harry Potter)

Akzeptanz

A tid-bit of information will be revealed in this chapter. You'll know it when you read it. All I ask for is your patience, and all shall be revealed in the future.

Chapter 31: Acceptance

"Lily, you look stunning," whispered Hermione. She looked at Lily with an amalgamation of awe and jealousy. She was truly happy for her new friend, after all, she was marrying the love of her life today; however, there was a part of her that craved it for herself.

Hermione had been given a second chance at life, and perhaps even in this timeline she would never get to experience the joy of a long-lasting relationship with someone whom she loved. It seemed remarkably selfish to love, given the fact that she was the only person who understood the true danger that every person was in.

"Twirl for me," she smiled at her friend.

Lily followed Hermione's instructions, and swivelled on the tips of her toes.

The skirt of her dress skimmed over the tops of her knees, and fanned out from where it was cinched just below her bust. A pale green ribbon held the silk in place whilst the remainder of the dress skimmed over her slim figure.

One of her hands held the hem of her skirt, whilst the other kept a simple headpiece in place. It was a single wire that had many beads, moonstones and crystals threaded on to it before it had been wound around on itself to mould to Lily's head. She wore no veil, and only flat shoes.

"I'm glad that James agreed with a simple wedding," said Lily when she had finished twirling.

"You and I both," giggled Hermione, as she stopped to adjust her own outfit. The pale green of her dress matched the sash on Lily's. Both dresses were of a similar style, but Hermione's one was constructed of chiffon, not silk as Lily's had been.

Lily stooped down to pick up a small spray of flowers from a table.

"Come here," she said to Hermione. "Let me put this on you."

Lily's hands reached up to pin the flowers onto Hermione's dress. As she did a little of the fabric rose up, resting on her stomach. Hermione's eyes immediately snapped to the mid-region of her friend, eyes widening in suspicion. Quicker than she had looked, she moved her eyes back up, staring straight ahead, but it seemed that Lily had caught her looking.

Her cheeks turned pink in embarrassment, hoping she wasn't assuming something that she shouldn't be.

"Your assumption is probably not wrong, Hermione," said Lily, her hands dropping to her waist.

"Have you told anyone?" were the only words that Hermione could think to say at the moment, feeling completely numb on the inside.

"James is the only person that knows. We weren't going to tell anyone until after the wedding, but I'm three months pregnant, and for those that know me well enough, I guess it's noticeable."

Hermione felt her heart dropping through her chest; it was so bittersweet for a loving couple to be bringing a baby into a dangerous world. But the only thought that was travelling through her mind was that the timing was all wrong. If this baby were Harry, then he was arriving far too early. Would that mean that everything in this timeline would be brought forward? Did Hermione have much less time than what she anticipated?

"Hermione, are you okay? You've gone really pale," Lily questioned.

Hermione swallowed, hastily re-arranging her facial features into a smile.

"I'm really happy for you, Lils," she finally said, giving Lily a tight hug. "But don't worry, I won't tell anyone for you."

Relief flooded Lily's face as she hugged Hermione back, just as tightly.