Chapter 24
It had been exactly a year since Ron had asked Hermione to marry him and there they were, back at the Burrow, just before the wedding. It was only a few minutes before the wedding was about to start and there was a buzz in the air. Ginny finished zipping up the back of her dress and combed through her hair, pinning it in place. The door behind her opened.
'You look beautiful,' Ginny gasped when Hermione entered wearing a wedding dress. It was long and crystal white with lace all down the back, Hermione looked like a princess.
'Thanks Ginny,' Hermione smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She had never been happier. She had imagined this day from almost the moment that she had met Ron and now it was finally here and about to happen. They were about to get married. She lifted the veil off her face and smoothed out the long white dress then turned towards her best friend, who was wearing a pale blue dress and holding a bouquet of flowers. She then passed the flowers to Hermione and took Hermione's hand in hers give it a gentle squeeze.
'Good luck,' Ginny said and the two walked down the stairs to the entrance of the Burrow. Ginny went off to join Ron, Harry and the rest of the Weasley family who were waiting. Hermione linked arms with her Father and he led her towards the beautiful white tent that had magically been placed in the Weasley's garden.
She could see the back of hundred's of heads and as the band started to play she watched as all of the heads turned to face her. There were so many people that she recognized that she hadn't seen in ages. That she hadn't seen since the battle of Hogwarts. She turned to smile back at all the faces. All the faces that were eagerly staring back at her. All except Ron. He and Harry stood facing the front. Ron decided to wait until Hermione reached him before he saw her. And to tell the truth he was nervous. This day had to be perfect, for Hermione and him. He knew that whatever happened it would be a perfect day as it meant he would be spending the rest of his life with the woman that he loved, and he knew that he would never feel happier.
As Ron waited nervously he heard gasps and murmurs of 'She looks beautiful.' Ron wouldn't have minded if Hermione had worn jeans and a t-shirt, she would still be the most beautiful person in the room, but he still couldn't help but stare as she reached him and took his hand.
Her smile so big it had taken over her whole face. Ron's face mirrored Hermione's as the stood facing each other on the happiest day of their lives.
Hermione and Ron were still smiling hours later as they sat together, surrounded by both of their families, smiling and laughing and watching as people got up to start dancing. Hermione was staring at the ring on her finger as Ron reached forward and took her hand in his leading her towards the dance floor.
'Come on let's dance.'
Hermione put her arms around his neck and felt his hands on her waist. She leaned her head against his chest and whispered 'I love you.'
'I love you too Hermione.'
There first dance together, married. Hermione knew that there would be many more occasions were they would dane together, but this one was special. So special and she knew that she would never forget it. Today was such a perfect day.
Ron spun Hermione round, her dress twirling as she laughed. It reminded her of the day that she had gone to the ball with Ron. That seemed like years ago as so much had happened to them both since that day, but it was a happy memory. Something that she could look back on, ignoring everything that Ron had said that night, knowing that that day had also felt perfect and how she hadn't thought she could be any happier. She had been wrong and maybe there would be a day in the future when she would be even happier than she was now.
The couple danced and danced and that's where the two of them stayed for most of the night. It was perfect and they couldn't feel happier. Hermione suddenly heard a cry of her name. It was Ginny running towards her.
'Hermione, I have to talk to you now.' Ginny grabbed her arm and pulled her away from everyone else, round the back of the Burrow and towards the lake where Ron and Hermione had spent many wonderful days together.
Ron watcehd them go looking confused. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Harry smiling back at him.
'Congratulations,' Harry said shaking Ron's hand.
Ron laughed, pulling Harry in for a hug.
'It will be you next mate.' Ron told Harry, but Harry just smiled back at Ron.
'What is it?' Ron asked.
Harry just shook his head. 'You'll know soon enough.'
Hermione ran after Ginny trying to keep her dress out of the mud as the pair of them ran off behind the tent. Eventually Ginny stopped running and Hermione smoothed out her dress, trying to catch her breath back.
'What is it Ginny?' Hermione asked, sounding concerned.
'Ok well the most amazing thing just happened and I promised I wouldn't tell anyone because this is your night and I don't want it to be all about me because that's not fair, but I just had to tell you about it because you are my best friend in the whole entire world...'
'What happened?' Hermione asked, cutting off Ginny who didn't seem to be going anywhere with what she had been saying. 'Come on Ginny, you can tell me anything.'
Ginny just looked up at Hermione and smiled.
Then slowly lifted up her hand to show Hermione. Hermione saw something glistening on one of Ginny's fingers. She took Ginny's hand and lifted it up to see a ring. Hermione gasped.
'Harry asked me to marry him.'
