Companion piece to THE SLYTHERIN HALF.
Disclaimer: Not mine, except the concept of The Slytherin Half (which this is an addition to)…
Weddings
The month and half since Harry's victory over Voldemort had passed relatively quickly, and Hermione had been surprised when Blaise proposed (at his mother's not so innocent suggestion) in front of practically the entire of Wizarding Britain – not to mention press from every magical community in Europe - during the Order of Merlin, First Class ceremony, garnering them almost an insufferable amount of attention every time they chose to go on an outing.
The stoic resolve of Hermione Nott a.k.a Granger was slowly worn down, and she soon took Blaise up on his offer for her to move into his mother's main house, where the two women could bond and plan the wedding, giving Hermione a chaperone to dissuade any scandalous suggestions (Hermione thought this point was a little invalid – after all, she was already pregnant with his children, she had scoffed one morning, how much more scandalous could it get?).
The house, while not as ostentatious as Malfoy Manor or Parkinson Hall, was delightful in its traditional design and large enough to ensure one's privacy. Hermione was quite fond of the place, really, although she had gotten into a rather high-spirited argument with Anatalia Zabini regarding the use of House Elves. A compromise – of sorts – was eventually reached, with both women choosing to ignore the issue for the moment and focussing on the wedding plans as the date drew closer.
Currently, Hermione was perusing a magazine in a manner so unlike herself she had almost laughed aloud. It was a dress magazine from one of Anatalia's favourite magical designers, and the clothing was undeniably classy and stunning. The young witch glossed over several pages, but her casual perusal was brought to a stop when she found It.
The Dress.
The Dress that called to her from the glossy magazine pages, willing her to try It on for size, to see how beautiful It would undoubtedly make her on that special day.
Anatalia seemed to notice the lack of turning pages, because the notorious man-eater suddenly flew to Hermione's side and gushed over the flowing gown.
Hermione had argued vehemently that she would not be wearing a white dress, nor dress robes, regardless of what the hobnobs of high society would say about her later on, whether it be behind her back or to her face.
Green, she had stated. She would wear green, as her nymph heritage desired. It had been one of the rare times when Anatalia's will had crumbled.
The dress that the two women were currently ogling was a pale green gown that appeared to shimmer attractively no matter the lighting. It had a delicate, white lace back, and a slit down the left side that began dangerously close to the hip. Hermione was instantly enamoured of it, and the elder Zabini woman was also sufficiently impressed with Hermione's chosen wedding dress.
"Excellent choice, my dear. Although, I do wish you'd agreed to wear white…"She trailed off forlornly, and Hermione sighed, pointing to the white lace.
"There's white on this, it's not a completely blasphemous."
She shared a rather odd relationship with her mother-in-law to be; they were both very beautiful and adored Blaise more than anything in the world, but their strong wills often resulted in highly intelligent verbal conflicts that seemed to develop at freakish speeds until a neutral party reluctantly intervened. Afterwards, the conflict would be put behind them and it wasn't unusual to see them both together taking tea not fifteen minutes after one of their 'sessions', as Blaise liked referring to the spats.
"I think we might call Genevieve for a fitting. This afternoon, I think." Anatalia said, summoning a house elf. She raised a questioning eyebrow, checking with Hermione, who nodded her consent, before sending the house elf to the dress shop with their request. The older woman strategically ignored the displeased expression that flashed upon the girl's face at the crack of the elf's arrival.
"Oh, Theo and Blaise are visiting sometime this afternoon, but that shouldn't be a problem. We can shoo them out while the dress is being shown." Hermione added, remembering the information she had been told the day before.
"Yes, of course. I haven't seen your charming brother in weeks." She smiled, pleasantly and turned to Moxy, the elf that had just returned from its mission.
"Madam says she be arriving at half four, Mistress." The little thing squeaked before bowing as it exited, a loud pop reverberating through the sitting room.
Hermione continued after the creature left.
"Unfortunately, he won't be staying for long; he's having dinner with Lavender's family."
She smirked at the thought. The Brown's were quite the rambunctious Gryffindors, with a Hufflepuff or two thrown in for good measure. His Slytherin instincts would feel suffocated, she was sure.
Checking the clock about the fireplace – three fifty seven – Hermione allowed Anatalia to vanish the other items, leaving just the dress magazine, and called for tea to be sent while they waited.
**
Hermione stood upon a small stool while Genevieve directed magical measuring tools over her body. The pregnancy was barely showing, and wouldn't be noticed much even on the wedding day, so they were all hoping there wouldn't need to be changes made to the gown at a later date.
"Here, Miss Nott, step into the dress." The older woman said. Hermione complied, aware that when working with clothes makers, there was no questioning them when asked to take off or put on clothing.
The smooth texture of the dress allowed it to slide delicately over her skin, and Hermione could have sighed along with the silken fabric. It was glorious.
With magic, the adjustments were fairly simple however they were only just beginning when a house elf arrived to tell them that the boys were waiting in the hall.
Hermione released an improper squeal, and forbade Blaise from coming in (although she gave her brother permission, much to the former's chagrin). He resigned himself to wait until they were finished and conjured a chair.
"Well, sister-dear, you look simply stunning." Theo complimented her. "One's hardly able to tell that this is a shotgun wedding."
He smirked as her pleased smile turned into a glare.
"It's not a shotgun wedding." She hissed at the tall Slytherin, sniffing at him and turning away importantly.
"I kid, Hermione." His smirk became a smile and he greeted Anatalia and Genevieve politely.
Taking a seat, he smoothed his collar and removed some imaginary lint from his person.
"So, Blaise is waiting outside, feeling rather left out."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yes, well. It won't kill him to wait, and there is no way that he is coming in here and seeing the wedding dress before the actual wedding!" Hermione exclaimed with a huff. "It just isn't done."
Theo snickered.
"Some people say other things 'aren't done' before marriage, too…" He mentioned airily, enjoying riling his twin up. Hermione just scowled and put a defensive hand on her stomach, choosing to change the subject.
"How's Lavender?"
"She's doing splendidly."
"And the family?" Hermione asked, unable to contain her spiteful glee.
It was Theo's turn to scowl.
"Dinner is an affair that we have agreed to have once a fortnight for the sake of everybody's sanity." He told the ladies. "Personally, I'd prefer once a year. The family can be unbearable when in large groups."
The soft sound of ladylike sniggers filled the air, as all the women were clearly enjoying Theo's imminent suffering.
"That's all for now, ladies." Genevieve interrupted the snicker-fest, and magically packed away all of her materials. "Bridesmaids dresses and the like will be done in the shop at a later date - owl me with the details. It's been lovely, as usual."
The smartly dressed and undeniably talented lady was seen out by a house elf, and the others distinctly heard her tell Blaise to keep his eyes averted from her bags if he wished to actually attend the wedding conscious.
When he entered, the ladies and Theo were all seated comfortably and taking tea and cakes. He kissed his mother's cheek and then Hermione on the brow as he sat beside her.
"Dress-fitting went well, I take it?"
"Yes, it did." Anatalia affirmed. "So: no more snooping from you."
Blaise laughed, but promised that he'd be good. Neither of the witches believed him.
**
Butterflies fluttered around Hermione tummy as she sat demurely, allowing Anatalia and her adopted mother to fuss over her and direct the dark blue garbed bridesmaids (Ginny, Lavender, Daphne and Pansy) in their duties.
"The tiara." Anatalia snapped, holding her hand out to Daphne, who held the delicate hairpiece in its wooden box.
Settling the twisted silver tiara on Hermione's head, the older woman smiled.
"Stunning, Hermione, darling."
"Just beautiful." The woman whom she had called mother for near seventeen years agreed, standing behind her at looking at her through the mirror. She held a small, draw-string bag which she dropped in Hermione's freshly manicured hand.
"Just a small muggle tradition."
Opening the bag, Hermione found a few small items which she set out on the vanity.
A lacy garter.
"That was mine. I wore it at my wedding-" Mrs Granger explained, clearly remembering the occasion with fondness, "- something old."
A pair of pale green crystal earrings was withdrawn.
"Something new." The older woman noted, smiling when Hermione released a small gasp at the information that followed. "They're Swarovski crystal."
The remaining object was a decorative silver hair comb with sapphire blue jewels that Mrs Granger attached to an opaque, short veil placed above the French bun managing the majority of Hermione's hair.
"I knew you'd be wearing the Zabini tiara, so you have something borrowed and something blue now, too."
Kissing her adopted daughter on both cheeks, Mrs Granger smiled one last time before leaving to find her husband and take her seat.
Hermione felt stunned, and a little bit humbled at her adoptive mother's actions, and had to will herself quite forcibly not to burst into tears at the gesture.
"Don't you dare cry, Hermione Gra-Nott!" Pansy roused. "I'm not doing your make up again."
Hermione laughed, and was soon joined by the others.
"Oh, just put on your shoes." Pansy scolded laughingly.
The shoes had been an experiment – albeit a very successful one – of Theo's. He had carved the base of each shoe from oak, and spent hours and a great deal of energy using both his wizard and nymph magic to fiddle with grasses, vines, and other woods in order to create a pair of heels that were natural and magical, and absolutely perfect for the wedding outfit.
"It's almost time, ladies." Anatalia warned them, as Hermione did as Pansy bid her. "I must go visit my son now, Hermione."
**
Hermione waited nervously outside the enormous wooden doors, wetting her lips as her father – her real father – walked up to her, smiling cautiously.
"Thank you for asking me to do this, Hermione." He said quietly. "I'm so proud of you."
"You're my father. Of course I would ask you." Hermione answered as a pretty blush coated her cheeks, placing her arm in his as the music started and doors opened, allowing her bridesmaids to walk slowly down the aisle.
Through lowered lids, Hermione saw Blaise, dressed in a smart tuxedo-esque dress robe, gazing back at her, love emanating from his every pore. She smiled.
Hermione and her father promenaded down the aisle, hearing whispers of how lovely she looked and how happy people were for them all…
Reaching the bonding wizard and her groom, Hermione kissed her father's cheek and let him find his seat.
Blaise's eyes were twinkling as the bonder began his recitation.
**
"Do you, Blaise Angelo Zabini, take Hermione Jane Nott to be your bonded wife through sickness and health, good times and bad, until death parts you?"
"I do." Blaise responded, not removing his gaze from Hermione's.
"And do you, Hermione Jane Nott, take Blaise Angelo Zabini to be your bonded husband through sickness and health, good times and bad, until death shall you part?"
Hermione stared lovingly at her mate, feeling complete and more alive than ever before as she answered.
"I do."
As instructed, the pair clasped hands, and from the bonder's wand shot a strand of gold that wrapped around their entwined hands and seeped into the very pores of their skin.
They didn't wait for permission; Blaise leaned forward and ghosted his lips over hers once before kissing her properly, much to the pleasure of the guests who cheered happily for the newlyweds.
Both were beaming when they finally pulled away, and as they made their way back down the aisle, the guests brought their attention to the trail of perfect, white lilies that grew wherever Hermione stepped.
Glancing at them, Hermione giggled, and returned to her task of dragging her new husband down the marble steps and towards the awaiting carriage pulled by a pair of magnificent winged Abraxan horses.
The pair were seen off by their friends and family, and Hermione gave bear hugs to her two Gryffindor boys, followed by all of her more recent comrades who promised they look after each other (and to whom promises were made that Hermione would tell all when she arrived home from the honeymoon).
When the carriage pulled away, Hermione smirked as Lavender and Pansy both sent winks her way, to the evident confusion of Blaise, who chose not to delve into the stranger parts of the female mind.
Hermione thought happily at the way her year had turned out as she snuggled into Blaise's side as they trundled towards the open fields from where the Abraxans would take flight in order to carry them to their French destination.
Awwww. That's the wedding up and done… There will only be a handful of these, just to let people know. =D