Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and its characters.
The Wrong Man
Hermione stared numbly in to the glided mirror before, oblivious to the flittering hands of the woman surrounding her, some dabbing last minute make-up to her cheeks, others fixing her dress, whilst her bridesmaid pinned the white netted shroud to her head. The veil of a bride.
She felt a sob rising in her throat and clamped her eyes shut so that she wouldn't have to see the moisture that made them glisten. Ginny stalled for barely a second before resuming her work.
She pushed away her misery, like she had done so many times before, and allowed her mind to fade back in to the blessed numbness that made this farce bearable. Because that was exactly what this wedding was for her. After all, how could she expect to love someone as her husband when she had already given away all the love she possessed to another?
The murmur around her turned in to excited chatter as a girl came rushing in, exclaiming that the groom was impatiently waiting. Ginny stood still, framed in the same reflection, as the woman that was to become her sister-in-law. Without a single word, Ginny turned and left, unaware of the tear that fell down Hermione's face.
Left alone for a seconds worth of time, her father entered the room to take his daughter. She stood up, unwillingly and slid her arm through the awaiting arms of her father, as he led her though the flowered halls, down the staircases and towards the altar that held the man who was her best friend. Ron.
As she descended to the slow tempo of Wagner's traditional march, she lifted up her eyes, searching for the man she loved. When she reached the end of the aisle to the groom, her father took her hand, and placed it in Ron's. The priest smiled upon the two, and began the traditional wedding ceremony that would make them one.
"We are gathered here today, in the presence of God, to join together Ronald Bilius Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger in matrimony, where these two persons come now to be joined."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, do you take Hermione Jean Granger as your lawful wedded wife, for whom you would forsake all others, whom you would love, comfort and cherish from this day forward to as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," he vowed, his words – clear and victorious.
"Hermione Jean Granger, do you take Ronald Bilius Weasley for your lawful wedded husband, for whom you would forsake all others, whom you would love, comfort and cherish from this day forward to as long as you…"
A loud crash, the sound of a tussle and yelps of pain pulled Hermione out of her reverie. Even the priest faltered as the guests glanced nervously towards the commotion.
And then the doors burst open and he stood before her; chest rising and falling in rapid succession, one eye closed and bruised the shade of purple, blood trickling through a broken nose and arms shaking as he dragged himself forward, limping but ignoring the pain as he watched her with all the longing he could muster.
And then he grinned.
Hermione was holding him in a heartbeat. Leaping to the altar where she stood, Draco ignored the enraged roar of his father, who had been following closely behind. Hermione let go of Ron's hand that had loosened at the sight of Draco, as she collided with the comfort of Draco's arms and felt as if she had finally found salvation. Embracing furiously, he sank in to the abyss of her neck and she breathed in his essence, going further than the stench of his blood and sweat.
"I thought you wouldn't come."
"But I promised. And I did."
And he reached up to cradle her face, carefully lifting her lips to meet his.
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