It felt like forever ago that the Battle of Hogwarts had occurred, that the Second Wizarding War had come to a conclusion with the death of the Dark Lord Voldemort, but no matter how many years had since passed it would never be long enough for Draco Malfoy. He was looking down at the Daily Prophet and the announcement that screamed across its headline about the union of decorated Auror Ronald Weasley with his longtime girlfriend, Ministry worker Hermione Granger. A churning, it was there in his gut as he read the paper and closed his gray eyes, he had just been thinking about her when his owl had brought him the newspaper, he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind since seeing her in the bank earlier that year. He himself was engaged, a good match it was too for both himself and Astoria Greengrass, but it was a loveless union, based merely on looks and blood status as were most marriages in his Pureblooded family.
He made up his mind, he would go to the wedding merely out of respect for Weasley and Potter, they hadn't had to save his life that day and he was grateful that they had though would never admit to such aloud, he would never damage his pride in such a manner. As the wedding arrived, he found himself nervous as he slicked back his platinum blond hair and looked upon his reflection critically, approving of the handsome face that looked back at him before he turned away. His plan was to sit there quietly in the back and observe his former schoolmates in their joyous union without a word, it was what he had made up his mind to do especially considering there would be so many muggles there no doubt. However that was the problem with plans, no matter how much you adhered to them they often still went astray.
The plan went off without a hitch, he managed to find a cozy seat in the plush chairs that lined the wedding area, the flowers immaculate and perfect in every way as he made sure not to make eye contact. Pleased with himself at making sure to stay quiet, Draco stood with everyone else when the bride was to make her way to the altar, and it was when he laid eyes on her that the plan went decidedly forgotten in his mind for she was a vision of complete beauty, radiant in every way. He watched her, mouth agape as she walked down the flowered aisle to Ron, and it was when it was asked if there were any objections to the union that he couldn't hold his tongue any longer, standing and shouting for the wedding to stop, which earned him surprised looks and collective gasps. "What is it Malfoy, have to get in one last jab about her being a 'mudblood' or how yout father will hear about this?" Ron asked with narrowed eyes, Hermione looking appalled beside him.
With a shake of his head, Draco moved from the crowd and stood nervously at the head of the aisle, flabbergasted with himself for not staying quiet but it was too late now, what was done was done and there was no going back now. "No, nothing of the sort, in fact I told myself when I came here that I would sit back quietly and watch the wedding in peace but now I find that I can't hold back any longer. I am truly sorry that it has to be said this way, I hate to be disrespectful at such beautiful occasions but you see, Granger, I had to tell you that I love you and haven't been able to think of anything but you for ages now," he said, uncaring of all that looked at him as he turned to the door to walk away. He didn't expect a thing to change, all he had wanted was for the truth to be known, both to himself and to Hermione, and as he walked away from the ceremony all he could do was smile because he had, for once in his life been true to himself and he never looked back to see the tears that lay glistening in her eyes with feelings that were all too mutual.