Ginny thought her head was going to explode. They had decided to use one of the sitting rooms on the upper floor of her and Blaise's manor to get ready, and the room had been taken over by the three mothers: Narcissa, Molly, and Aster. Hermione's mother was also there, but she was quietly sitting off to the side and out of the way as she talked to Hermione about different things.

The other three mothers were all filling the room with conversation as they got ready and tried to help Ginny get ready. Aster was discussing jewelry options with Ginny, Narcissa was working on Ginny's makeup, and Molly was trying to figure out what to do with Ginny's hair.

"Ginny, dear," She started, lifting up a few locks of her daughter's hair, "Are you sure you don't want it down?"

Ginny was trying to convince her of a loosely twisted-knot updo, while her mother was more set on having her hair down and straightened, pulled back with a comb that had been in the family for a few generations. And of course, Aster was wanting Ginny to use her family jewelry, which caused more arguments between the two of them.

"This is the style I want, mum," Ginny said in a slightly exasperated tone. "I don't want it to be too formal, and I don't want it down."

"But with the neckline, I think having it down would be beautiful," Molly said, frowning. "But I suppose this will look just as beautiful."

Ginny didn't look up, instead staying silent while her mother started to style her hair. Her eyes were still closed as Narcissa perfected her eye makeup, though she wasn't sure just how many more swipes of a makeup brush she could take before losing her mind.

"Ginny's frustrated," Blaise said nervously, looking at the wall and frowning.

Everyone in the room looked at Blaise before giving each other concerned glances. The men (which included Blaise, Draco, Lucius, and Arthur), had all decided to get ready in a different sitting room on the other side of the upper floor, so that Blaise and Draco could still be somewhat close to their mates. They never wanted to be separated from the girls for too long, especially now that Ginny was pregnant and Hermione was still recovering.

Arthur gave Blaise a surprised look and asked, "How do you know that?"

Draco answered, "We are able to feel their emotions. It's mostly why we were able to find them so quickly after they were...."

He trailed off but Arthur looked at the two in wonder. "That is amazing!"

Then he looked over at Lucius and asked, "Aren't you part Veela as well? Can you tell what Narcissa is experiencing?"

Lucius nodded, taking a sip of his firewhiskey, thinking for a few moments before answering. "My wife is currently amused, and rather calm, I should say."

"Hermione's amused too," Draco added, fixing one of his shirt buttons in the mirror. "Though she's got a bit of nerves on the edge of her emotions as well."

"Hasn't she always though?" Blaise asked.

Draco shrugged. "It went away for a while but since she's been back, it's been more prominent."

"Astounding," Arthur muttered.

Ginny sighed and tried to tune out all of the noise around her. She had managed to convince her mother that the hairstyle was truly in fact what she wanted, and now Aster was trying to have her pick between a few different pieces of jewelry.

"Aster, let the girl breathe," Narcissa laughed. "There's plenty of time for her to pick out jewelry. The wedding isn't for a few more hours!"

Aster frowned slightly but nodded, putting the different boxes down on the table off to the side. "I suppose you're right, Cissa."

"Ginny," Hermione's mother, Jean cleared her throat in an attempt at relieving some of the tension in the room. "I really can't wait to see the entire look. I've heard all about the dress but haven't seen it."

"Oh, it's beautiful, Jean," Narcissa smiled. "You'll get to see it soon!"

"Are you sure though about the bottom half of it, Ginny?" Aster asked with uncertainty, casting a glance over at the wardrobe where Ginny had hidden the dress out of sight. "I know you said you didn't want something heavy."

"Well that's why she got that dress," Molly answered pointedly, pinning one of the last of Ginny's locks up. "She wanted something that wasn't too heavy and that she could easily move in afterwards during the reception, which I think that dress does perfectly."

Aster pursed her lips slightly but then shook her head. "Well if anything, after she puts the dress on and wears it for a bit, she can really decide then."

Hermione looked up to see Ginny looking at her in the mirror, a pained expression on the red head's face. Moments later, there was pressure against her mind and she soon heard Ginny's voice.

Please get me out of here.

Laughing, Hermione shook her head. I can't get you out right now, not while your hair is still being worked on.

I thought you were my friend?

I am your friend, and I'm going to make sure that if I take you anywhere, you don't have a half-done look.

There was silence between them for a few moments and then Hermione heard Ginny sigh. Molly looked up from Ginny's hair and asked, "What's wrong, dear?"

"Nothing, mum," Ginny mumbled, closing her eyes again. "Just tired."

"Do we need to get you a Pepper-Up?" Narcissa asked.

"I can go grab one and be back quickly," Aster offered hopefully. "I have a few at my manor."

"It could just be the pregnancy," Molly mused. "I was exhausted with all of you children. I wouldn't be surprised if you go through similar symptoms, but a Pepper-Up wouldn't be a bad idea."

Ginny sighed again and shut her eyes, gripping the arm of the chair she was in tightly in frustration. Hermione stood up at that point and said, "Alright, I think I'm just going to take Ginny for some fresh air for a few minutes."

The mothers all gave her a confused look as she crossed the room and stood Ginny up, apparating the two of them away.

Molly blinked a couple of times before looking between the other three and saying, "Well, that was odd."

Blaise and Draco both perked up and stared at the wall, which didn't go unnoticed by Arthur and Lucius.

"What's wrong?" Arthur asked, looking at the two boys.

"They just disapparated slightly further away," Draco answered, still staring at the wall.

"Don't worry too much, boys," Lucius said calmly. "They can't have gone far."

Narcissa suddenly appeared in the middle of the room with a quiet pop, looking around at them. "Hermione took Ginny for some fresh air, but they didn't say where they were going."

Draco and Blaise relaxed slightly at this, but were still stiff in their movements. Narcissa went over to Arthur and gave him a quick hug before sitting in one of the chairs.

"Poor Ginny," Narcissa sighed. "I could tell she was getting frustrated. Molly and Aster were both bothering her with hair and jewelry questions, and then there was obvious tension about Ginny's dress...."

"No wonder you said she was feeling stressed," Draco said, casting a glance over at his friend.

"Blaise, why don't you go check on her and make sure she's alright?" Lucius asked with a nod towards him.

"I would, but her mum is refusing to let me see her today," Blaise said in an annoyed tone before looking sheepishly at Arthur. "Sorry, sir."

Arthur waved him off and smiled. "Not to worry, Molly's set in some of her traditions, and that one she seems to have adopted. She was the same way when Bill and Fleur got married; she wouldn't allow Bill anywhere near the Burrow until it grew close to wedding time. I'm surprised though that she is doing that now since you two are already married."

"I think in her mind, she still sees them as not married until she actually witnesses it," Narcissa said thoughtfully. "She did refer to them as still being engaged accidentally."

Arthur shook his head and sighed. "I swear, the stubbornness in our family comes straight from her."

Blaise and Draco shared a grin and a small laugh at that.

"Thanks for rescuing me," Ginny said as she lounged in one of the patio chairs on Hermione's terrace.

"Not a problem at all," Hermione smiled before downing one of the last potions she had to take that afternoon. "I was ready to escape all of that too."

They sat there in silence for a few moments and enjoyed the warmth, staring out at the forest. Hermione and Draco had cast a permanent warming charm over their outdoor balconies and terraces, which allowed them to be used in the winter time since Hermione enjoyed spending so much time outside reading.

"I just want to sit out here forever," Ginny sighed.

"I know, it's nice to get away from all of that," Hermione nodded.

"I didn't think there would be so much noise," Ginny said quietly. "I mean, when we got married in Bora Bora, it was just you and me in the room, and we were quiet."

"Well," Hermione laughed, "Except for your little nervous breakdown."

Ginny grinned slightly. "I wouldn't call it a breakdown."

Shrugging, Hermione sighed. "Either way, I know what you mean."

"At least your mother's being quiet," Ginny said, turning her head to look over at her friend. "I feel bad though; she doesn't feel left out, does she?

"I don't think so," Hermione answered. "She hasn't said anything to me at least. But at the same time, she's somewhat used to being around other witches and wizards now. She's been spending a bit more time with Narcissa, and you know that Narcissa is less conservative about using her magic than I am."

"True." Ginny sighed after a few moments and rested her hand across her stomach. "Merlin, a lot has happened in the past few weeks."

"Yeah," Hermione agreed quietly. "It's been a bit overwhelming."

"I feel like we never really have time for us anymore," Ginny said, looking back over at Hermione. "Anytime we hang out, it's always been with Blaise and Draco, or with Harry and Ron trailing along to make sure nothing happens to us."

Hermione smiled and reached over to squeeze Ginny's hand. "Don't worry, I'll make sure we have some us-time after all this."

Ginny smiled in return and sighed again. She really just wanted to rest there for the remainder of the afternoon, maybe even take a nap. She debated whether or not it would be worth it to just stay there for an hour or so, but with the wedding in a few hours, she knew that her mother would probably have a fit if she was gone for too long.

She  sighed  and  gave  herself  a  few  more  minutes  of  relaxing  before  sitting  up  and  groaning.  "Alright,  I  guess  we  should  be  heading  back  before  they  try  to  come  find  us."

A/N: We all know that Aster and Molly were going to butt heads over certain things, since each one does things a certain way and poor Ginny is caught in the middle of things! Next chapter you'll get to see her dress, promise! :) Love you all <3