A/N: I own only the plot and the characters I have created for this story. The rest of it is JKR's-and I'm not her, obviously…

Chapter 13: The Wedding Bouquet

"You've got to sing like you don't need the money,
Love like you'll never get hurt.
You've got to dance like no one is watching,
It's gotta come from the heart, if you want it to work."

            "I'm pleased to present, for the first time in public, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter!"

            The crowd burst into cheers as Harry and Ginny made their way into the ballroom, smiling widely and holding hands. I cheered loudly along with everyone else.

            The last five months had been so crazy, so full of changes…yet so fabulous. After explaining myself to Ron's family (which was a fair task; Mrs. Weasley almost exploded when she caught sight of me) and returning Ginny's dress, I went home to my parents' to tell them that I was back for good.

            "But honey," my mom began with wide eyes, "what about Julliard? You've worked so hard for it….are you really sure this is what you want?"

            "Yes, Mum….four years of lessons there are plenty….I'm thinking of staying closer to home this time."

            "Good thing, too," my dad added, "I need another person around here to hold me back from the bacon…."

            We all laughed together.

            A couple of weeks later, Mum and I flew out to Julliard to gather my things and bring everything home.

            "Your daughter has such potential….I'm sorry to see her leave," Madame sighed to my mother. "I do think New York is the best place for her….but if she wishes to pursue other interests…." She put her hand on her forehead dramatically.

            What a tragedy, I thought to myself.

            "Let's see…I think that's the last of them!" I said later that day, packing one last book into a box and brushing my hands off. I sat on my now sheetless bed next to Malia, who looked close to tears.

            "Well, this is it," I said, trying to sound casual.

            "Yep…you know, they've already found me a new roomie?"

            "Really?"

            "Yep-Jacqueline something-or-other. She's taking the school tour as we speak."
            " Oh." They'd found a replacement for me already….

            Malia read my mind. "It's going to be a nightmare, rooming with her-she's so obsessed with dance, you know? Katelyn and Lindsey are probably having a good gossip about her right now."

            I smiled. "Well, I was that obsessed when I came, wasn't I?"

            "Well…." She rolled her eyes.

            "Geez, Hermione, what am I gonna do withoutcha?" She threw her arms around me.

            A sudden idea popped into my head. "Malia, come to the wedding with me. Harry's and Ginny's, I mean."

            She looked at me, surprised. "What? Can you really invite me, just like that?"

            Um…I hadn't thought about that. "Well, it'll probably be okay…but I'll send you a proper invitation when I know for sure. Just think about it….you'll finally get to see my world…" I winked.

            "Wait, I thought your world was all about dance. Or are you referring to 'The Old World', like England, you know?"

            Malia and I turned to see Ellie standing in the doorway.

            "There's more to me than you know yet, Ellie,' I said secretively.

            "Isn't that true about all of us?" she responded, sitting next to me on the bed.

            "You're so much smarter than me for doing this," she added. "You'll never regret it."

            I turned to her, my eyes swimming with tears. "I wish it had turned out better for you, Ellie."

            She sighed heavily. "Well, it's in the past…no use dwelling on it anymore. Hey-listen, I'm thinking about ditching Julliard-I need a change of scenery."

            I gaped at her. "W-what?"

            "Yeah." She stood and stretched casually. "Britain could be interesting…don't think that you'll get all the dancing gigs, 'cause you'll have to compete with me!" Her smile widened.

            I laughed, but I had this warm, happy feeling in my stomach. Three weeks ago, if someone had told me I was going back to England, followed by Ellie, I would have had a stroke. Now, it made me happier than…oh, I don't know….I was happy, that's what mattered. It was a reminder of how much our friendship had grown.

            Plus, she figured out not to call me "Mya" anymore.

            At the wedding, I glanced to my right and my left to see two of my best friends, Malia and Ellie, standing by my side. I had been nervous about introducing Ellie to the wizarding world, but it had worked out just fine ("I always wished there was real magic!" she'd said gleefully). She and I now shared a flat in London, where she joined a huge theatre company. Now she was playing Tracy Turnblad in (what other musical?) Hairspray, where she wasn't constantly being chided for being a bit chubby (rather, they constantly told her to eat more). She'd even (mostly) stopped drinking, with a lot of pressure from me. In short, she was practically a different person, but much happier.

            Malia remained at Julliard, though we continued to correspond through email. She was so happy to be able to come out and meet everyone ("You're the famous Ron Weasley?" she'd said to Ron upon their introduction).

            And me? I still took ballet classes over the weekends, but I, like Ellie, focused more on Broadway theatre now. I decided to join the Star Crossed Magic Players and was immediately cast as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked. It was a fun role…I hadn't actually begun performing yet, but there were loads of rehearsals to attend. In between all that, I stopped by Ron's place to see him, though we'd carefully avoided any episodes like the last.

            I watched as Ginny and Harry took the floor for their first dance together as husband and wife. Merlin, they made a gorgeous couple….Ginny's dress exactly matched the shade of Harry's eyes, and Harry….he just looked amazing. My heart soared for my two friends. They'd found happiness in each other.

            "Wait a second," a voice behind me said, "the famous Julliard dancer isn't on the floor?"

            I smiled at the familiar voice and turned around. "Maybe it's because the famous Julliard dancer is missing her partner."

            Ron threw his hands up in mock disgust. "Blame it on the man, why don't you, that's what everyone else does!"

            I laughed and led him out to the floor, where couples had gravitated slowly to join Harry and Ginny.

            We spent the rest of the reception dancing, stopping only for a slice of cake and a celebratory glass of champagne. As we revolved slowly, I caught sight of Ellie dancing with, of all people, Charlie Weasley. She caught my eye, grinned mischievously, and mouthed, "He's HOT!"

            I laughed. Ron, who was completely confused, asked, "What's so funny?"

            "Oh, it's nothing…..just that some things'll never change."
            "Haha…" He chuckled nervously. He seemed to hesitate for a second, and then began, "Hermione, there's something I wanted to ask you…."

            I leaned back so I could look at his face. "What's up, Ron?"

            "Um…I'm not really sure how to start…."

            "Come on, Hermione, Ginny's tossing the bouquet!" Malia screamed. Sure enough, Ginny stood on a chair with a gaggle of girls behind her.

            "One moment," I dismissed her. "Ron?"

            "Well…."

            He was interrupted by a mass of red roses and baby's breath that hurtled toward my face. Instinctively, I stretched my hands out and caught the bouquet. An explosion of cheers, whoops, and hollers erupted around me.

            "Hermione! You're getting married next!" teased Ellie in a singsong voice.

            I rolled my eyes and turned back to Ron. "What is it?" I asked gently.

            "Actually," he began with more confidence, "I couldn't have planned it better myself."

            What in the world…. "Planned what?"

            He got on one knee. I gasped.

            "I've already seen you go twice already, and I'm not about to let you go again. Hermione, will you please spend the rest of your life with me as my wife?"

            The crowd erupted around us again as I put my hands on my face.

            "Ron," I gasped, "oh, Ron…." He couldn't be serious….

            But there he was, kneeling in front of me, holding the little velvet box, smiling uncertainly up at me.

            "Ron….use your brains, what do you think?" I choked as my eyes filled up with happy tears. "Of course I will."

            I grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feel. He slid the sparkling ring onto my finger, then leaned me back in one of those dramatic movie kisses. Everyone cheered around us, but I didn't notice as much this time.

            I can honestly say I've never been more happy in my life. Nothing could've made me feel more special-not even pulling off twenty fouettes in a row or receiving a thousand curtain calls.

            I'd had a real chance at stardom-fame in New York City. It didn't matter though-giving it up was the most intelligent thing I'd ever done in my life. I mean, what does fame matter if you don't have someone you love standing by your side to enjoy it with you?

A/N: Ahhh…it's over!!! Oh well, I hope you guys enjoyed it.

I'm sorry I can't mention everyone who reviewed, but I'll say that I love you guys and your reviews always make me happy.

I'm sorry this took so long to post-I've been working at a drama camp all week and the kids are exhausting!

For those of you who inquired about a sequel….I wasn't planning on it, but it's a definite possibility.

I'm sad to announce that this will be my last story for a long time. I'm going on vacation for two weeks away from a computer, and so I won't be writing. My school starts less than a week after that, and…well, let's just say I haven't been doing my summer reading. (I've read 1 out of 4 book and a play.) But I want you to know I WILL BE BACK-I just don't know when or how often. I have a life, believe it or not!!! Haha…well, all I can say is I hope you enjoyed this fic as much as I did.

If you're wanting to check out more of my stories (I know, shameless plug) and haven't done so already, go read The Relative and From Summer to Spring.

Well….adios for now-you guys have a great remainder of the summer and ROCK ON!!!
Much love, Pepstepper16