34: The Burrow

Hermione quickly changed into her bridesmaids dress. The teal-like material fluttered around her legs. Using the spell that Ginny had taught her during Hermione's real sixth year, her hair fell down her shoulders in delicate curls. Pink flowers that matched the ones on her dress adorned her hair. She then threw on the sparkly high-heels that matched the dress perfectly.

When she had arrived back to the common room the night before, a box with her name on it was sitting on the table. There was no note card but she figured it had to be from one of two people, the fun loving Dippet or the moody Riddle. Hermione put her finger on the mysterious gift giver being Dippet; the man she has come to accept as her great-great-grandfather and temporary grandfather.

Hermione twirled in front of the full-length mirror that she had purchased for her dorm room. With the mix of teal, sparkles, and flowers, she looked like a muggle picture-book fairy.

With a final touch of home-made lipgloss, she walked out of the room. Tom was sitting in the common room bent over some textbooks. "Are you skipping breakfast?" Tom should have been in the Great Hall eating breakfast and prepping for his classes, not sitting in the common room.

"I'll go down in a few minutes and grab something. I just wanted to check something first." Tom looked up from his books then and Hermione was pleased to see his mouth open a fraction. Yes, she will willingly admit that it pleased her to see Tom pleased with her appearance. His adams apple bobbed slightly when he gulped and Hermione noted that his cheeks began to tint pink. When did she start caring whether Tom took notice of her or not?

"You look. . ." his voice trailed off and he visibly gulped again. Hermione decided to take a page out of Ginny's book and twirled in front of him. "Beautiful." She heard Tom's whispered comment as if he had spoken right next to her ear.

"Thank you." Not knowing what else to do, she bobbed a curtsey. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. To save herself suffering from further embarrassment, she started toward the portrait. Before exiting out of the common room she paused and said, "I'll see you tonight," then she bolted out into the hallway.

Hermione touched the teal sash of her dress and found her wand still nestled within. The cold air of the hallway caused her to shiver. Though she loved Hogwarts, the seventh floor seemed unusually cold and empty. She shook off the feeling and made her way to the headmaster's office.

Once there, she found Dippet and Fleamont waiting for her. Dippet turned toward her with a warm smile that instantly brightened when he saw her. "You look beautiful as a bridesmaid, my dear. I can't wait to see how you outshine this moment on your own wedding day." Hermione felt a wave of embarrassment and something akin to hope washed through her.

It was sad to think that one day, she would decide to get married and Dippet wouldn't be there. The kind, old headmaster had wormed his way into her heart. She found herself grateful to have had the chance to get to know her great-great-grandfather. 

Her gaze flicked over to the other person in the room. Fleamont stood there, openly ogling her with appreciative eyes. Hermione took this time to take him in. He wore black, traditional wizarding robes with a white collar. His normally wild black hair was slicked back. She had to admit that he cleaned up nicely. She just hoped that he was better at dancing than Harry because she was pretty sure that there would be dancing at this wedding. And seeing as how she and Fleamont were both dateless, it was safe to assume that they would be dancing together.

"You look handsome," said Hermione as a way to break the silence.

"So do you-I mean, you look beautiful," stuttered Fleamont. Hermione didn't miss the way the corners of Dippet's mouth dipped downward. It wasn't a secret that he favored Tom over, well, everyone. He had even tried boosting Tom's appeal to Hermione during their Saturday talks. She had the sneaking suspicion that he wanted her and Tom to be together. Hermione hid the chuckle that wanted to bubble out of her mouth when she realized that the 'husband' that Dippet had visualized in his earlier comment was more-and-likely Tom. Hermione didn't find that thought as horrendous as she once would have thought she didn't get butterflies over it. She still hadn't forgotten that Tom Riddle was Lord Voldemort.

"You ready?" Hermione looked up to find Fleamont staring down at her with his arm held out for her to take. Hermione quickly grabbed his arm as she became flushed with embarrassment. There she was, caught red-handed in her own thoughts. Thankfully, they didn't know she was thinking about Tom.

Fleamont led her over to the floo before he dropped her hand. "Ladies first." He gestured for her to go before him.

Hermione smiled up at Dippet before taking a handful of floo-powder off the mantle. "I'll see you tonight, grandpa. See you on the other side, Potter." She winked playfully, drawing out a blush from Fleamont. She really hoped that he wasn't developing a crush on her because she was not going to become Harry's grandmother. The thought made her shutter.  "Ottery St. Catchpole." Hermione threw down the floo-powder.

A tugging sensation filled her and in the next second, she found herself standing inside the owlery located in Ottery St. Catchpole. The floo lit up green before spitting out Fleamont. 

"I don't actually know where we are going so we will have to walk," said Fleamont as he brushed invisible dust off his dress robes.

"I do. I can apparate us there." The wedding was being held on the site where the burrow will be built in the future. She held out her arm for Fleamont to take.

"Didn't know you've been here before."

"Gran-headmaster Dippet brought me out here so that I could get to know the place and be able to apparate if needed," lied Hermione.

Fleamont nodded his head, accepting her lie. He then wrapped his hand around her arm. She took a side-step and a tugging sensation pulled in her belly button. The world around her swirled into blurring colors before righting themselves. The two landed on a hill overlooking a grassy field. A large white tent was spread out below them.

. . .

"Hermione!" Lucretia and Cedrella pulled Hermione into a tight hug. She wrapped her arms around the two girls and laughed. She couldn't believe how much she had missed them.

"You look beautiful," said Hermione when she pulled away. And they did. Both girls wore matching flowery white gowns that hugged their bodies. Even with the small baby bumps they still managed to pull off the dresses. Their matching dark hair hung in loose curls similar to Hermione's own hairstyle. Cedrella wore light make-up paired with red lipstick while Lucretia went with the more humble look and wore no make-up.

"So do you," said Lucretia with a smile.

"Bet Riddle loved it," smirked Cedrella.

Hermione's face warmed and she tried to look away from them. She loved these girls and considered them close friends but they could be quite tiresome and annoying when they chose to be. Which was usually when they tried to set her up with Tom. Their attitude also amused her. Both girls claimed to dislike Tom for his strict, uppity mannerism and the fact that he was a Slyterthin. Hermione had to always point out that both girls come from a line of long standing Slytherins.

"Well," Cedrella nudged Hermione in the side.

"Did he?" finished Lucretia.

Hermione found herself laughing like she always did when these two started to remind her of the twins. At least now she knew where the twins got their irksome attitude and finishing each other's sentences from.

"You two could be twins, you know that?"

"Don't try and change the subject on us," chuckled Lucretia.

Hermione sighed and hung her head low. She couldn't escape their question, could she? "Fine," sighed Hermione in pretend defeat. "Since it's your wedding." She paused for dramatic effect. The girls leaned in closer wearing matching expectant looks. "He did," giggled Hermione.

The girls clasped their hands together and jumped up and down. "That cold heart of his is finally warming," exclaimed Lucretia, Cedrella nodding along in agreement.

They stopped jumping and turned on Hermione with serious expressions. The sudden change sent shivers of unease down her spine. "Now, the question that begs an answer," began Cedrella.

"Is whether you changed your mind about the previous cold-hearted Slytherin?" finished Lucretia.

Hermione paused in her answer which seemed to be enough of an answer for the two girls before her because another round of giggles spilled into the room followed by another round of them jumping.

The flap to their separated room opened to reveal Fleamont. "Looks like someone is excited to get married." He walked over and grabbed Hermione's arm, wrapping it in his. "A good thing because it's time." Hermione said a quick, wandless spell and a basket of rose petals appeared in her free hand.

They led the two brides to the main part of the tent where the reception was being held. The room was covered with occupied rows of seats. Red and white roses hung from the ceiling and floating candles littered the air, giving the room a soft glow. At the end of the aisle, standing by the altar was Septimus and Ignatius. Both boys were wearing black suits. Septimus had a white rose pinned to his suit while Ignatius' rose was red.

When they reached the altar, Hermione took her place while Fleamont went and stood behind, slightly to the side of the boys. Cedrella and Lucretia took their place across from their boys.

The wedding moved on pretty quickly from there. Soon, the chairs had disappeared and a band appeared. Hermione didn't know that band but from the way everyone started screaming she assumed they were famous. The band picked up their instruments and the guests moved to the sides of the tent. The newly wed couples moved to the dance floor and the music began.

Hermione watched the happy couples with a smile. She was reminded of Bill and Fleur's wedding and how it hadn't ended on a good note.

"Care to dance."

Hermione looked up to see Fleamont smiling down at her, his hand out for her to take. She offered him a smile and took his hand. He led them out to the dance floor in quick, confident strides.

The song ended and the band played another one. Fleamont put a hand on her waist and guided her into a slow dance. Other guests joined in and began dancing around them.

Fleamont guided them into a turn before dipping her down low. She was pleased to find that he was a much better dancer than Harry.

"What is on your mind?" asked Fleamont once she came out of the dip.

Hermione hadn't realized that a smile had come to her when she thought about Harry. "Just remembering my friend who was a horrid dancer."

"I hope I'm much better."

"You are," laughed Hermione. Fleamont lowered her into another dip and when she came out of it she noticed that he had moved them farther away from the crowd.

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked into Fleamont's eyes and noticed that he looked nervous. "Yes?"

"May I court you?"

His question came as a shock causing Hermione to stumble. A pair of smiling blue eyes and red hair flickered to her mind. Ron. All too quickly, the image morphed into smirking green eyes and immaculate dark hair. The sudden image of Tom appearing in her mind caused her to stumble again.

"I like having you fall at my feet but I have the feeling you're falling for all the wrong reasons," joked Fleamont.

Hermione offered him a weak smile. "Sorry. I would prefer it if we just continue being friends."

Fleamont let out a chuckle. All nervousness was wiped away from his features. "Sure thing." He led her back out onto the dance floor. "Riddle's a lucky guy."

Hermione managed to keep herself from tripping over her feet. She grimaced. Could everyone tell that she liked Tom, even when she tried so hard not to?

They danced for a few more rounds in silence before Ignatius brought everyone to a halt with the clink of metal against glass. He cleared his throat and Lucretia came to his side. "I would like to thank everyone for joining us here and making this wedding one to never forget. I would also like to inform all of you that where you are currently standing will one day be our living room. Lucretia and I have decided to build our home here on the spot where we were officially wed. We have also decided to call our new home The Burrow for hope that it will become home to a large and growing family."

Hermione along with the rest of the guests burst into applause. She knew that The Burrow would eventually occupy this land but she had no clue that it had been built on Ron's grandparents' wedding site. She wondered if that was something Molly and Arthur knew.