A/N: Once again, I am extremely sorry that i've neglected this fic! In total honesty; I've had major writers block with this fic and I started writing other fics to free my mind a little bit, this one pretty much took over my life for a while and maybe that's what caused the writers block, who knows? But unfortunately, this will be the LAST EVER CHAPTER of Ballad. I honestly don't have anymore ideas for storylines and I think its time for it to come to an end. So I just wanted to say thank you so so much to everyone who has read and supported this fic. It means so much to me seeing as this was my first ever fanfic and Harry Potter is my absolute life! So thank you so much, I hope you enjoy this last installment :)
4 Years Later.
Hermione Weasley stood in front of her floor length mirror, charming her hair to pin itself up into a bun before applying her make-up and patting down the few creases in her baby pink, ankle length summer dress and putting on her matching summer hat.
"Are you almost ready love?", Ron asked as he entered their bedroom.
"Just about", she took one last look at her reflection before smiling and turning to face her husband. "How do I look?", she asked.
"Hermione Jean Weasley. You're like a fine wine that only gets better with age", Ron smirked.
"Are you trying to get into my knickers Ronald Weasley?", she raised her eyebrow at him.
"Oh, I don't need to 'try'", he smirked once more, lacing his arms around her waist and kissing her. Hermione pulled away slowly and grinned at him.
"Ron, why on earth aren't you dressed yet?", she suddenly asked him, realizing he was wearing nothing but his Chudley Cannon dressing gown.
"I was waiting for you. I cant find my bow tie", he told her.
"And that apparently prevents from putting on your suit does it?", she raised her eyebrow at him. Ron lowered his bottom lip jokingly. Hermione rolled her eyes before taking out her wand. "Accio bow tie", she spoke. Ron's black bow tie soon flew out from underneath the bed and into Hermione's hand. "How did it end up down there?", she asked.
"Probably from Teddy and Victoire's wedding. That was one hell of a night", he smirked again, lacing his arms around his wife's waist once more.
"Ron. Go get dressed. We don't have time for this", she gave him a quick peck on the cheek before rushing downstairs.
"Mum!", Rose called as Hermione had just reached the living room. Rolling her eyes, she began to make her way back up stairs. She rushed into Rose's room where she was surrounded by Lily Luna Potter, Alice Longbottom and Hugo's friend (and crush, although; he refused to admit it), Millie Ridgebit – her bridesmaids. They were busy fussing around with their hair and makeup.
"Whats the matter sweetheart?", Hermione asked Rose as she sat on the edge of her bed in a white robe with her hair dripping wet and a sour look on her face.
"I don't know what to do with my hair", she sulked. Hermione chuckled.
"Come into your brother's old room and we'll sort it out", she said, holding out her hand for Rose. "Are you going to be okay in here girls?", she asked.
"We'll be fine thanks Aunt Hermione", Lily smiled. Hermione lead Rose into Hugo's old room and sat her on a chair whilst she took her wand out.
"Do you want it up or down?", she asked.
"I don't know", Rose gave a heavy sigh. "I like it down, but I always have it down, and its looks okay up but it pulls my eyes back and gives me a headache. What do you think I should do?" she asked.
"Hmm. How about the best of both worlds?", Hermione suggested.
"What do you mean?", Rose asked.
*Ron's POV*
Ron sat on his bed looking through one of Hermione's books. "How can there not be any spells in here that'll help tie this bloody bow tie?", he said angrily. There was a sudden knock at the door. "Come in", he said, still flicking through the pages of the book in his lap.
"Hey dad", Hugo smiled as he entered the room. His flaming red hair long and messy just like his father's, sporting a handsome black suit and tie with a blue rose in the front pocket.
"Hello son", Ron said through clenched teeth, his eyes still on the book.
"Whats up with you?", Hugo raised his eyebrow.
"Trying to find a way to tie this bloody bow tie", he said as he slammed the book shut and threw it on to the bed behind. Hugo chuckled.
"Here; let me do it", he said, standing in front of his father and beginning to tie the bow tie by hand.
"Aren't I meant to be doing this for you?", Ron asked. Hugo laughed.
"You know our family dad; we never do things the normal way", they laughed together. "I mean, look at whats happening today! A Weasley is marrying a Malfoy!".
"Don't remind me", Ron sighed.
"Don't tell me you still have issues with him?", Hugo said. Ron looked up at his son as he stood up and corrected the straightness of his bow tie.
"No, he's a nice kid. Its just the whole Malfoy thing. Its weird", he said.
"We're all weird", Hugo grinned. Ron chuckled as he patted his son on the back. Hugo suddenly gave a deep sigh. "You know; Millie's been really bugging me this week. Going all girly and goo-goo eyed over weddings and crap. She's my best friend, yeah, but Merlin, she drives me up the wall!", he rolled his eyes. Ron could help but chuckle.
"You know Hugo; when I was at Hogwarts, there was this really annoying girl that I hated. She was bossy, rude and too clever for her own good! She drove me mad!", he told him.
"Really?", Hugo replied utterly clueless. "What did you do about it? Yell at her? Hex her?", he asked.
"No actually,", Ron smiled at the framed photo of he and Hermione dancing at Fleur and Bill's wedding, "I married her", he winked. Hugo chuckled as he punched his dad in the arm playfully.
"Uncle Harry's downstairs with Aunt Ginny, Uncle George and everyone else. Uncle Harry says Nanna and Granddad are meeting us there".
"Okay, well I'll be down in a moment buddy. Your mother's gonna kill me if I'm not ready yet", he told him. Ron finished getting ready and made his way downstairs to greet his family and Hermione's parents.
"Here he is! Father of the bride", Ginny grinned. Ron smiled warmly at her before kissing her on the cheek.
"Hows Rose?", Jean Granger asked.
"I don't know. I haven't even seen her this morning yet! Only saw a flash of her as she beat me to the bathroom", Ron laughed.
"I cant believe she's getting married!", Ginny squealed with delight, "The first female Weasley of this generation to get married!".
"Um, were you not at mine and Teddy's wedding last year Aunt Ginny?", Victoire butted in.
"Oh sorry love, you and Teddy have been together for so long its like you've always been married", Ginny replied.
"Nice save", Victoire joked.
"Wheres Hermione Ron?", Jean asked.
"I thought she'd be down here. She might be helping Rose. Go up if you like", Ron told her. Jean smiled before making her way upstairs.
*Hermione's POV*
"Knock knock", Jean said, opening the door to Hugo's room. Hermione sat on Hugo's old bed alone.
"Hi mum", she smiled, getting up to greet her mother.
"How are you feeling?", she asked.
"Me? I'm fine. Its Rose that needs to calm down", Hermione joked.
"No, I meant- well you know; this is a big day for you and Ron too", she said.
"I'm fine. Really. We've still got Hugo to marry off next", Hermione chuckled. Jean laughed.
"Wheres Rose?", she asked.
"She's just in the bathroom doing her make-up", Hermione told her. At that moment, Rose rushed back into the room, still in her white robe with her long flaming red hair half pinned up in curls and half in loose curls wearing a small diadem on the top of her head.
"Grandma!", she said happily, hugging her grandmother.
"Hello sweetheart. I hope you're not getting married in that old fluffy dressing gown", she joked.
"No, mum's gonna help me into my dress now", she smiled excitedly. "You can help if you like?", she asked.
"I'd love to", Jean smiled. A few short moments later, Rose and Hermione stood in front of a floor length mirror, both of them admiring Rose's reflection. The dress was a simple white number, floor length and strapless with a cream sash that tied to the side. Hermione found herself welling up with tears. "I'm going to give you two a moment", Jean said as she quietly left the room.
"Are you happy Rose?", Hermione asked. Rose nodded, becoming a little teary eyed herself. Hermione sighed. "I'm so proud of you sweetheart. My little angel's all grown up", she told her, allowing a few stray tears to fall. Rose turned away from her reflection to face her mother.
"I love you mum", her voice croaked.
"I love you too", Hermione smiled brightly, hugging her daughter tightly. "Now, lets get you married". Hermione handed Rose her spectacular white bouquet of flowers and the pair of them left the room to head downstairs. The family awed as Rose made her way down the stairs. Her bridesmaids, all in their rose pink simple floor length gowns, gasped in awe.
"Rose, you look stunning!", Alice Longbottom said.
"You say that like its a shock", Rose laughed.
"You look beautiful sweetheart", Dan Granger smiled as he kissed his granddaughter on the cheek.
"Thanks Granddad", she smiled.
"Right! We've got a wedding to get to! Off we go", Hermione said, opening the door for everyone to make their way outside. Rose and Ron were left in the hallway, Ron staring silently and emotionless at his daughter.
"Dad? What do you think?", Rose spoke.
"You look-", Ron's voice croaked. He cleared his throat, "You look absolutely beautiful princess", he gave a watery smile. Rose smiled sweetly at him, linking her arm within her father's and allowing him to lead her out of the house.
…
*Scorpius's POV*
"Who put up these banners? They're all uneven and too high up! Someone fix these!", Draco Malfoy yelled angrily as he tore down a banner. "And these chairs aren't even set properly!", he continued to complain.
"Dad! Will you please just stop! Everything is fine, okay?", Scorpius intervened. It was the first time Draco had seen his son in his suit as he stopped and stared at him. He wore a grey jacket and matching trousers with an emerald green bow tie and matching handkerchief in his front pocket. His white-blonde hair messy, yet, handsome. "This is just for the wedding dinner anyway! The only thing that matters here is the cake and the food!", he laughed. Draco shook his head.
"Yes, yes I know but- Shell Cottage isn't exactly a palace is it? What will your grandfather say?", he asked nervously.
"Nothing if he wants to remain welcome at this wedding", Scorpius said seriously before making his way outside.
"Darling!", his mother greeted him on the beach as guests had begun to take there seats out on the sand, all chairs facing a large pink rosebush archway. "You look so handsome", his mother smiled brightly at him.
"Thanks mum", Scorpius smiled as he kissed her on the cheek. Draco made his way towards the archway.
"You better tell your father to bite his tongue today!", Astoria called after him.
"All taken care of mum", Scorpius smiled confidently. "Grandfather is well aware that if he cant be civil today then he's not welcome"
"That's my boy", his mother replied proudly.
"Um, Scorp?", Albus, his best man, interrupted. Scorpius nodded. "They're on their way", he grinned giving a thumbs up and making his way towards the archway. Scorpius took a deep breath before linking arms with his mother and following Albus.
*Rose's POV*
"I cant believe this is happening", Rose said to herself, she, her bridesmaids and Ron in a horse drawn carriage.
"Its about bloody time if you ask me!", Alice laughed.
"All those years you spent pining over him and now you're marrying him!", Lily added.
"I'm not sure I need to hear this", Ron pinched the skin on his nose. The girls laughed as Rose playfully nudged him. The carriage pulled up just around the corner from Shell Cottage and Rose's bridesmaids stepped off one by one, leaving Ron and Rose alone. Rose looked out into the distance fondly, and watery smile plastered on her face. "You really love him, don't you?", Ron said. Rose nodded as she let out a loving sigh.
"I really do", she said, looking Ron in the eyes.
"I'm so proud of you Rosie. You and your brother", he smiled as he brushed her hair out of her eyes. Rose smiled before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Lets get this show on the road", he smiled, stepping out of the carriage and offering her his arm.
*Hermione's POV*
A choir of Hogwarts first and second years began to sing as everyone stood to their feet. Hermione got up slowly, taking in every single moment, watching her, soon-to-be, son-in-law as he stood at the alter, eagerly waiting for Rose. Each of the bridesmaids made their way down the isle guided by a groomsman. Albus walked arm in arm with Alice, closely followed by Hugo and Millie and Lily Luna with Lorcan and Lysander. With a sudden key change in the choir, Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she watched her husband walking their beautiful daughter down the isle. Ron stopped with Rose before the alter, kissing her on the cheek and holding her hand tightly within his own.
"I love you dad", Rose's voice croaked. Ron mouthed 'I love you too' back before taking Rose's hand and giving it to Scorpius.
"You look after her", he told him.
"Yes sir", Scorpius smiled as he looked at Rose in awe. Ron took Hermione's hand within his as he joined her side, sitting down together and watching their daughter marry the love of her life. Hermione looked around at her family and friends. Her daughter, with a smile that beamed brighter than the sun, looking up with such love in her eyes at Scorpius, who's smile beamed just as bright as he looked lovingly back at her. Millie Ridgebit slyly waving at her son as he blushed a shade of red that was almost as bright as his hair. Her parents watching on proudly. Her mother and father-in-law sitting side by side and hand in hand as they watched their granddaughter at the alter lovingly. Her best friend and brother-in-law Harry, sitting arm in arm with her sister-in-law Ginny, both watching between Rose and their son Albus as he looked lovingly at his girlfriend Alice. Draco Malfoy, holding his wife's hand in his and, actually, looking quite pleased that his son was marrying her daughter. And then she looked up at Ron. The love of her life and everything she had ever wished for, sitting proudly with her hand in his, he softly ran his index finger across her wedding band, smiling contently as his eyes rimmed with tears. Everything Hermione had ever wished for, she had. An amazing career, wonderful family and friends, two happy children and a loving and adoring husband. It was more than she could ever have asked for. All wasn't just well. All was incredible.