Wedding Jitters
Chapter 1 – On Bended Knee…Ignition
Now early January, at only nineteen years old, Hermione reflected on the year that had past. She had become a best-selling author, touring various academies, lecture halls and bookstores worldwide. With her fame, more wizards and witches recognized her than Draco, which she found thoroughly amusing. With her relationship, she and Draco connected mentally, spiritually and definitely physically. They learned compromise and retained their sense of independence. Then, the biggest hurdle to their happiness, Lucius, seemed to accept her and her Muggle family, though she still wondered about his motives. All in all, she couldn't imagine life getting any better.
Surrounded by Cossacks carrying wands, rather tall witches wearing lots of furs while the scent of berries and honey and clanking of cups and dishes from the upstairs café which formed a hollow balcony, Hermione signed a multitude of books in the small bookshop in Moscow for the line of witches and wizards holding copies of her book. In the front of the line, several of their eyes widened. Suddenly, she yelped as her chair suddenly tilted back. Warm lips caught hers in an impassioned kiss that sent thrills down her spine. "I love you," Draco whispered against her neck as he gave her a butterfly kiss in just the right spot. As expected, he had just joined her from London.
After an hour of signing more books while Draco busied himself buying books, they went to dinner in a small family restaurant in the underground shopping area. Across the cozy dinner table, she gazed fondly at her now best friend. While they ate and told each other of the past week's happenings, the latern's warm glow danced on his pale cheekbones and delicious grey eyes, more delicous than the honey tea she sipped or the chicken kiev she bit into.
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Once they finished dinner, they strolled through the domed shopping area, catching glimpses of the bitter cold outside through its colorful stained glass windows which featured animated flying horses and their Cossack masters. Scents from the candle shop permeated the air filling it with vanilla and several other scents. Multi-colored stout round stacking dolls filled one of the windows that they perused. Few witches and wizards attended now, due to the late hour. Maybe its because I haven't seen him in a week or is it this place but tonight feels so surreal. That's why I wore a silver sweater dress with silver tinsel in my hair. He loves me in silver.
At the Ravkyn Fountain, which featured a ten foot tall representation of a golden apple tree with an orange and yellow firebird perched on top, whose golden plumage cascaded the length of the tree, Draco held a wooden coin. "Legend has it that if you toss a wooden coin into the fountain, your fondest wish will be revealed." Moments after the wooden coin he tossed plunked into the water, fiery orange and yellow lettering appeared above forming letters which spelled, Hermione Malfoy. She then turned towards him. On bent knee, he proposed. "Hermione, I love you with all my soul. Would you grant my fondest desire and become my wife?"
"Yes," she exclaimed with tears of joy.
"I promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure that you and our future family will always be happy." He then slipped a stunning engagement ring on her finger, which had a rectangular green emerald embedded in a large diamond setting, on a white gold band.
As he slipped the ring on her finger, she knew her wonderful life had just gotten better. "I love you so much!"
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From inside her brothers' joke shop, filled with hot pink bobber weazels, neon green snickering snakes, blueberry blue blinking buzz bots and every sort joke one could imagine, Ginny watched the smattering of snow and sleet that fell outside. Now that George frequented Rome for some unknown reason, she helped Fred out as often as she could with shop watch. At a small distance, she saw her best friend who just returned from her Moscow book signing, proudly walking down the street towards the shop, boldly wearing an iridescent deep blue with green under toned coat, resembling a peacock's coloring. With a beaming smile, she breezed in and stood in front of the counter, excitedly shivering. "Hello Ginny, wonderful day!"
"Sort of," she abashedly replied, unsure if she heard correctly above the whirring and plinking noises of the shop. "Out with it Hermione, you look like you're ready to burst."
"Friday night Draco joined me in Moscow. After dinner, he took me for a romantic stroll to the Ravkyn Fountain." Hermione held up a postcard with a picture of the fountain. "With this fountain, if you toss a wooden coin into it, it reveals your fondest wish. Draco tossed the coin in and then fiery orange lettering appeared which said Hermione Malfoy." As she wiped a couple of tears of excited joy away, she breathed deeply to keep from hyperventilating. "Then on bent knee, he proposed." She removed her glove to reveal a stunning ring with a rectangular green emerald embedded in a large diamond setting on a white gold band. "That was the most romantic evening ever."
"Congratulations!" Jumping up and down, they hugged. "So when's the big day?"
"We were thinking mid April since we don't want to wait too long. Will you be my maid of honor?"
"Of course, this is so amazing."
"Draco's amazing." A dreamy look crossed her face. "I love him so much."
They chatted more about some details with Hermione swearing her to secrecy until the official announcement before she left. Watching her friend leave, Ginny muttered, "Where's my proposal?"
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After confiding in family and a few close friends, they planned to announce their engagement to rest of the world via a huge soiree thrown by the Malfoy family. Two weeks after Draco's proposal, the grand ballroom of Malfoy Manor echoed with a blend of a classical and jazz fusion music while guests dressed in gowns and tuxes entered. Champaign and chocolate fountains surrounded with fruits and cheeses adorned one end next to large round candle lit tables while the entire ballroom glowed with colors of purple and red through its arched doorways. Two silver-haired wizards dressed in their finest tuxedo robes greeted their guests. "Where is she?"
"Draco, it's a witches perogative and pleasure to be late. Now, I have some advice…" When Narcissa entered wearing a midnight blue ballgown with a scooped short sleeved form fitting top and full skirt, Lucius forgot his words and quickly joined her, kissing her satin gloved hand.
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In a nearby room, hidden from view, per Narcissa's urging, Hermione waited to join the party ten minutes after Narcissa left to make an entrance. While she waited, she nervously twirled a long tendral of hair that cascaded from her updo. Glancing in the mirror, she felt the satin folds of her deep peach ballgown that hugged her figure slightly passed her hips. The diamond décor at the top of the dress accentuated her cleavage while the diamond earrings Draco had given her on their first real date accentuated everything. Am I Hermione Granger anymore? Am I losing myself to a ritzy liftstyle? She smiled at the swanky girl in the mirror. Stop worrying! Just go and join the wizard you love.
Through one of the lesser used archways, Hermione anxiously glanced at all the guests before she closed her eyes. Just breath. Lovingly, someone traced the contours of her face. Gently, she nuzzled into them before looking into her soul-mates dreamy grey eyes.
"You're stunning," he whispered. His lips caressed hers in a butterfly kiss which made her pulse race.
"And you're handsome," she whispered.
Tucking her hand in his arm, they mingled amongst the guests followed by some dancing. When the band paused, Lucius ushered them to the stage. Holding the tip of his wand to his throat, his rich voice boomed through the crowd. "Welcome everyone, we are pleased you can join us to celebrate my son's engagement to, Hermione Granger, a most extraordinary witch." Polite applause from the crowd followed. "Many of you may be wondering how I feel about their upcoming nuptuals. I am more than happy for Hermione to join our family and become the daughter I never had." Gasps and polite applause followed. "If my son can part with his fiancee for five minutes, I would be honored if my future daughter to be would grant me this dance."
As the music started, Hermione glanced at Draco whose eyebrows raised in shock before she took his Lucius' hand and levitated to the floor. "Mr. Malfoy, that was a lovely speech. I see where Draco gets that talent."
Lucius whisked her away in a lively waltz. "I meant it."
Between the dips and twirls, Hermione stepped lively to keep. "Mr. Malfoy, you certainly can dance."
"Of course," he replied. "I guess my five minutes are up."
Draco took her hand and dance with her for the next waltz and for some of the night.
Subsequently, a formal announcement followed in "The Daily Prophet." Several articles followed with musings as to if their wedding would outshine the previous societal wedding, whether or not the couple really loved each other or if it was a hoax.
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Late January, within Draco's lavish antique filled study, amid the crackling, cozy fire, cuddling together on his leather couch, they planned their wedding. "I would like a church wedding," Hermione announced. With a sneer, Draco rolled his eyes. "Do you object to a church wedding? I assure you; you won't burst into flames."
"I won't but the church might around me," he teased. "With Father in the mix, it might be the entire block."
She giggled a moment. "I promise it won't be overly religious." While running a finger down his chest, she batted her eyes at him sweetly. "Please…..for me."
"Very well." What just happened, you stupid plonker? You don't do the church thing. How did she make you say yes?
"Now for the wedding colors, do you have a preference?"
"No. I'll be wearing the traditional groom's robes and the groomsmen will be wearing their robes. Let me show you." As he took her hand, he led her from his study down the winding halls. Within one the rooms that held several family heirlooms, he showed her an antique wooden wardrobe carved with the Malfoy crest and "Malfoy Groom" in old English.
Several black velvet robes with the style being a cross between a trench coat and a cape but timelessly stylish hung within. "The lining of these robes will change into the color of the family crests of the groomsmen I choose. Without a family crest, the lining will remain silver." Towards the back, hung a black velvet, green satin lined robe with several symbols of family crests etched in silver while the Malfoy family crest, stitched in green, adorned its lapels. "These are the family crests all the Malfoy brides since the establishment of the line."
"The Malfoy family will be breaking centuries of tradition," Hermione stated bitterly. "I don't have a family crest."
"No you have your own uniquely yours." Next to the Black family crest, etched in silver, he showed her the outline of a winged fairy perched atop a caduceus symbol: his beloved Crisalide and her namesake.
"You're wonderful," she said kissing him.
"I know," he remarked.
Once they returned to his study, she noted the colors of the robes and such. "For flowers, I was thinking either azaleas, roses, gardenias, lilacs or orchids. Once we choose the flowers, we have to choose the color of them."
Blah, roses, blah, blah or blah. Huh? How many colors did which flower come in? Roses are red. What were the choices?
"Any preference?" She made a couple of notes in her notebook. "Before you answer, keep in mind the candles. We need to decide on those colors as well and whether or not we want scented or unscented. Oh and the type beeswax, soy or regular, pillar, votive, taper, gel or floating depending on the centerpieces? The candles should enhance the flowers."
Ones that burn? Candles and flowers – together they'd catch fire. Floating candles – what? They can all float in the air with the proper enchantment. I missed something. Centerpieces? Are they floating as well? My head's going to explode.
The zombie of Draco stared at her. "Well?" She looked in his eyes. "Is anyone in there?"
What was the question? Answer with the safe phrase: the one that gets you out of trouble. "I love you."
"I love you too." She leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips.
And I'm safe.
"Well, what's your preference?" She readied her quill for the answer.
And I'm not safe. Oh well, be honest and just get it over with. "You choose," he insisted. She glared at him. "Hermione, I'm a bloke. I don't know anything about this stuff. Now that we've established the where and when, I'll be there." She slammed her book closed. "Every bloke out there feels exactly the same way. They just don't have the balls to say so. You know that's not the kind of husband I'll be."
"Cold, distant and uncaring," she accused. "I can't believe you don't want to help in the planning." With an about-face, she stormed off.
Crazy witch! This morning you said I was fantastic after you practically raped me. Thank goodness, your parents weren't home. Speaking of shagging. Halfway down the hall, he grabbed her from behind and kissed the sweet spot on her neck. "Cold?" Then he gently pushed her against wall and leaned against her. "Distant?" Lightly he brushed his lips against hers, feeling her heart beating as fast as his. "Uncaring?"
"I'm still furious." She turned her head to avoid his kiss.
"Good. That always makes it more interesting." Grabbing the belt loops of her jeans, he thrust her against him, refusing to let her go. With each kiss on her neck and shoulders, he felt her melt into him.
Already, Hermione's heart raced and her body flushed. A soft moan eminated from her lips followed by sensuous heated kisses on his chest with each shirt button she undid. "Why can't I ever say no to you?"
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Later, they cuddled together in his bed. "I love you and I do care about the wedding. While you're choosing details that I can't possibly comprehend, I've been abusing my power within the Archival office in order to arrange some illusion spells at the wedding. You can invite all your extended family and Muggle friends. All the magical items and occurrences will appear mundane."
"Thank you." She hugged him tightly. "Since, you're giving me carte blanche I guess that will help with the stress. Plus, how can I stay mad at you when I can't even say no to you?"
"My strategy is working. Don't worry; I'll be at the church. March 30th?" She gasped. "Just kidding, April 20th at 4 PM, I know." They hugged each other in forgiveness. "In all seriousness, would you involve my mother in the planning, not for following Malfoy traditions but because she doesn't have a daughter? No matter how many times she put me in a dress, I never became the daughter she wanted."
She laughed. "Of course, I will. She's supported me all along."
She cuddled in his arms. "Draco, promise we won't ever become an old married couple. Let's always keep our passion alive. Also, let's always work together and not against each other."
"I think we do a good job of that now."
"But we haven't been married ten years. You're not taking me seriously." Silently, she turned away from him and rested her head on the pillow.
She's right. Over the years, it will take effort to keep from drifting apart as my parents did. After awhile, he looked her in the eyes as he pulled her closer. "I promise to be your lover in the bedroom, your best friend at the dinner table and your teammate when it comes to life's challenges for as long as we both shall live."
She smiled and kissed him tenderly. "I promise to be your mistress in the bedroom, your best friend at the dinner table and your teammate when it comes to challenges for as long as we both shall live."
They sealed their vows with a kiss to start.