A/N – This is a snippet one-shot. It doesn't really have much plot, it's just various people's thoughts on Draco and Hermione's wedding day. The first few paragraphs sets the scene, then the story is split to get different people's thoughts and feelings on the wedding.
The grounds of Malfoy Manor had never looked better as they played host to the wedding of Draco Malfoy and his fiancée, Hermione Granger. Instead of a spring or summer wedding, the couple had opted for a winter wedding. The grounds of the Manor were coated in an even covering of snow, with enchantments placed all around the property to stop the snow from melting. All the trees and plants were covered by a thin layer of ice and frost, which again had been enchanted not to melt. Despite the seemingly harsh winter weather, the temperature in the grounds had been kept at a comfortable heat, so it wasn't a hardship to the guests to sit outside to witness the happy couple getting married.
Right in the centre of the vast lawns of the manor, stood the platform where Draco and Hermione would exchange their vows. A path had been created, running from the back doors of the manor to the area where the seats had been arranged on a special floor that had been placed over the snow. The pathway was lined with red and green roses, and there were several tall vases containing matching flowers dotted around the wedding area.
As the time for the wedding grew closer the guests began to arrive and take their seats. By the time Draco made his entrance, alongside his best man, Blaise Zabini, the garden was overflowing with friends and family. Shortly after Draco arrived and took his place at the top of the aisle, the bride made her entrance. Hermione was accompanied by her father as she glided down the aisle in a stunning pure white dress. Once Hermione's father handed her over to Draco, he took his seat and the couple shared a smile before turning to the Minister so their wedding could begin.
Harry.
When his best friend made her entrance, Harry Potter was struck by how beautiful his friend truly was. Of course he'd always known Hermione was pretty, but he was so used to seeing her either dressed professionally for work or most of the rest of the time in a more casual fashion, that he'd forgotten how truly breath-taking she could be when she dressed up.
Of course a major part of her beauty was down to the fact she was so radiant and happy. The second she laid eyes on her future husband, Hermione broke out into a wide smile, and Harry couldn't help but smile along with his friend. In all honesty he'd never seen her look as happy as she did today.
Her love for Draco was obvious for everyone to see, and his feelings for her were just as clear when he looked at his bride. Harry would readily admit he'd been wary when Hermione and Draco announced they were dating, but his doubts had all been banished over the four years the pair had been together. It was clear that they were madly in love with one another and that love was evident for all to see as they said their vows.
As the couple were pronounced husband and wife, Harry joined in the clapping and cheering. He was thrilled for Hermione, who he loved like a sister, and he knew that she and Draco would have a very happy life together.
Lucius.
Lucius Malfoy inwardly scowled throughout the entire ceremony. To the casual observer, he would look like the proud father of the groom, but inside he was cursing. The Malfoy line would now no longer be pure, and the worst thing was he could have stopped it. He could have prevented Draco from ever marrying a muggleborn.
Lucius initially wanted to intervene when Draco announced he was dating Hermione in the Easter holidays of his last year at school. However his wife, Narcissa, had prevented him from interfering. Narcissa had pointed out that the relationship might be nothing more than a teenage fling, and he should let it run its course.
Lucius also knew that if he forbade Draco from carrying on with his romance, it would only rile his son and he would deliberately ensure the romance continued just to spite Lucius. The pair had a prickly relationship at best, and Lucius didn't want to lose his son completely. He knew he hadn't always been the best father to Draco, and he was determined not to do anything to drive his son away.
Of course that didn't stop Lucius from trying his best to turn Draco's attention away from Hermione. Over the course of the relationship, Lucius had ensured his son had come into plenty of contact with beautiful pure blood witches, all of whom would have been more than happy to become Mrs Malfoy. Draco however had been oblivious to the charms of the other witches, he'd only had eyes for Hermione.
When Draco had announced his engagement, Lucius had seriously considered cutting him off until he saw sense. Again Narcissa had intervened and stopped him from acting rashly, but Lucius couldn't help but think he should have tried a bit harder to dislodge Hermione from his son's life. Maybe he could have done things differently, and he wouldn't be sitting here watching his son marry a muggleborn.
"Don't they look, lovely together?" Narcissa whispered to her husband as Draco and Hermione exchanged their first kiss as husband and wife. "You can't deny that Draco is happy."
Lucius looked at his beaming son and conceded Narcissa had a point. Hermione may not have been his ideal choice of a bride for his son, but she did look to make Draco happy. He'd never seen his son so happy, and maybe at the end of the day Draco's happiness was more important than keeping the bloodline pure.
Ron.
Thoughts of what could have been, and lost chances, ran through Ron Weasley's head as he watched Hermione marry their former childhood enemy. Ron loved Hermione enough not to think about ruining her happiness, but he couldn't help but dwell on that fact that if he'd played his cards right, it could have been him she was marrying today.
Ron had first developed romantic feelings for Hermione long before Draco ever looked at her as anything other than a muggleborn who was beneath him. Ron had worshipped Hermione since he first started to notice girls, and he'd agonised for weeks about asking her to the Yule Ball in fourth year. Maybe if he hadn't been such a coward, and had plucked up the courage to ask her, things would have been different.
After not asking her to the Yule Ball in fourth year, it just became even harder for Ron to take the leap and ask his best friend for a date. Looking back he could see that Hermione had just been waiting for him to make a move, but every time the opportunity was there, he failed to take it.
Eventually Hermione got bored of waiting for Ron to make his move, and she moved on. In seventh year she started dating Draco, and Ron knew then that he had lost her for good. Right from the beginning Draco had made it clear that now he had Hermione, he wasn't letting her go again. As much as Ron didn't like the blond Slytherin, he had to admit that Draco had the right idea. Hermione was an amazing catch, and only an idiot would let her go.
Of course Draco had kept his promise, he hadn't let Hermione go, and now Ron was sitting watching the couple get married. As much as Ron liked to think that it could have been him marrying Hermione, he had to wonder as he watched the way she smiled at Draco as they said their vows. Even back when it was clear she liked him, she'd never once looked at him with such adoration. Maybe things had worked out just right for Hermione, maybe she'd found her perfect match and it wasn't Ron.
Narcissa.
Narcissa dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief as she watched her only son get married. She'd known the second he mentioned Hermione that he'd found the one. Of course she knew of the pair's tricky past, but that fact they'd moved past it and began dating was enough of an indication for Narcissa to believe the relationship was a serious one.
That was one of the reasons that she'd stopped Lucius from interfering in Draco's love life. Narcissa knew that Draco loved Hermione, and he wouldn't think twice of putting her before anyone else. Narcissa also knew that her husband would come round to the idea of Hermione being part of the family, whereas he would never forgive himself if he'd driven Draco away.
As she carried on watching the ceremony, Narcissa couldn't help but think that she couldn't have found a more perfect wife for Draco than Hermione. Narcissa knew her son was spoilt, which she admitted was mainly her fault, and could be hard work. Like Lucius he was also ridiculously stubborn, and what he needed was a strong woman to stand up to him. If given the opportunity, Draco would dictate any relationship and conduct it on his terms, but with Hermione he had a witch who was more than capable of being his equal. Narcissa knew from watching the pair of them together, that Hermione didn't stand for any nonsense and she wasn't afraid to bring Draco down a peg or two when he deserved it.
All in all Narcissa decided that if her son's marriage was anything like hers than it would be a successful, loving one. And something told Narcissa that Draco and Hermione's marriage was going to be every bit as happy as hers and Lucius's. With that thought, Narcissa turned to whisper to her husband, just to remind him that Draco's happiness was the most important thing.
Mrs Granger.
For Jean Granger watching her daughter getting married was a bittersweet affair. Of course Jean was pleased her only daughter was happy and was marrying a man she loved, but she couldn't help but wish she wasn't marrying a wizard. Or at the very least, marrying a wizard that had more contact and understanding of the muggle world. Jean actually liked Draco, and it was obvious he adored Hermione, but he was clearly uncomfortable with the muggle world and struggled when he couldn't use magic without having to think of the consequences.
Jean and her husband, Richard, had always struggled with Hermione's magical nature. It had been a tough decision allowing her to go off to Hogwarts, and several times they had debated whether they'd made the right decision. As Hermione spent more time in the wizarding world she grew more distant from them, and both her parents felt as though they just couldn't connect with their daughter in the same way. They didn't understand her magical world, and she didn't spend enough time in their world to really know what was going on.
Secretly Jean had hoped that once Hermione had finished school, she would leave the wizarding world behind, or at least settle in the muggle world and just enter the wizarding world to see her friends. Unfortunately that wasn't to be as Hermione got a job with the wizarding Ministry and settled in the wizarding world with Draco. Of course she still visited her parents, but it just wasn't the same as having her around all the time.
Letting out a sad sigh, Jean refocused on her daughter saying her wedding vows. She may have been losing her daughter to a wizard, but at least it was to a wizard that thought the world of her. Even if Draco was uncomfortable in the muggle world, he never complained about spending time with the Grangers, and Jean knew she never had to worry that he would take Hermione away from them completely. She may be a witch, marrying a wizard, but she would never forget her roots were non-magical.
Blaise.
As he watched his best friend getting married, Blaise Zabini, contemplated what a lucky wizard Draco was. Hermione was a stunning witch, and she looked exceptionally good in her wedding dress. The style of her dress highlighted what an impressive cleavage she had, and considering the material flowed against her curves so smoothly, Blaise had to wonder if she was wearing any underwear. The idea that Hermione might be getting married in no knickers, brought a grin to Blaise's face.
As Blaise continued to check Hermione out, he thought about his missed opportunities with the fiery brunette witch. Blaise had noticed Hermione long before Draco, but he'd been wary of approaching the Gryffindor witch in school. Blaise knew he had a reputation with the witches and Hermione seemed to never date, so he figured she wouldn't want anything to do with him. Instead he settled for watching her from afar.
When Draco and Hermione became head students together, Blaise got the chance to get to know Hermione and he discovered that she was a lot more fun that she first appeared to be. She wasn't the uptight bookworm her reputation portrayed her as. Finally deciding he might actually stand a chance with Hermione, Blaise had built himself up to ask her out. Normally he didn't bother taking girls on dates, he just seduced them in an empty classroom or something, but for Hermione he would happily have made an exception.
The day Blaise had decided to ask Hermione out, he'd gone to the head dorms and entered using the password he'd heard Draco use. The memory of what he saw still lived with him today, and Blaise could rarely look at Hermione without picturing the scene. Draco had been sitting on the sofa, with Hermione straddling his lap. Hermione's school shirt had been wide open and her bra was pulled down revealing her firm breasts to his eager eyes. Draco's hand was under Hermione's skirt and just as Blaise walked in, Hermione's head was thrown back in the throes of orgasm.
Back at the wedding, Blaise shook his head to dislodge the thoughts of Hermione's bare breasts. He was pretty sure that when you were best man at your friend's wedding you shouldn't be imagining the bride topless.
"Lucky git," Blaise muttered to himself, as Draco swept Hermione up into a passionate kiss.
Draco had definitely fallen on his feet with Hermione, and if he wasn't his best friend Blaise might have been seriously jealous. Instead he could be pleased that his friend had a beautiful wife, who was nowhere near as uptight as people imagined.
Ginny.
Envy shone in Ginny Weasley's eyes as she witnessed Hermione marrying one of the most eligible wizards in Britain. Shaking her head slightly she wondered how on earth Hermione had managed to tie down Draco. Back in school he'd been notorious for never dating a witch for more than a few weeks, then along comes Hermione and he turns into a devoted partner, not even looking at other witches.
Ginny herself had tried numerous times to tempt the blond Slytherin into her bed, although not since he'd gotten with Hermione. She might fancy Draco like crazy, but she wouldn't steal a man from one of her closest friends. However before Hermione arrived on the scene, Ginny had been very upfront with Draco about her willingness to have a bit of fun. For some reason he'd never taken her up on the offer, and Ginny was yet to figure out why. What was so wrong with her, and right with Hermione? What did her friend have that she didn't?
Try as she might, Ginny just couldn't work out why Draco hadn't been interested in her and yet he'd entered into a relationship with Hermione. Looking at Hermione as she said her vows, Ginny conceded she was very beautiful, but she wasn't exactly lacking in the looks department herself. She'd seen Theo Nott eyeing her up from his seat across the aisle, and she'd already shot the former Slytherin a few flirtatious glances. Ginny also suspected that Hermione wouldn't be much fun in the bedroom department, she was far too uptight for anything more than fairly ordinary sex, whereas Ginny was up for trying anything.
Deciding that Draco was the one missing out, Ginny shrugged off her envy and watched the rest of the ceremony. As she joined in the clapping and cheering as the couple were pronounced husband and wife, Ginny caught Theo's eye again and shot him a seductive smile. It looked like later on she would be having some fun with Theo, whereas Draco would just have to make do with his reserved wife.
Pansy.
Pansy Parkinson sat through the entire wedding ceremony with her hands clenched into tight fists, her nails digging into the palm of her hands. She couldn't believe that Draco was actually going through with it and marrying Hermione. He should have been marrying her. That was the way it was always meant to be.
Pansy had been Draco's first girlfriend, she'd also been his first kiss and the witch he'd lost his virginity to. Even when Draco dated other girls, he'd always come back to her, until Hermione. The second he got with Hermione, he told Pansy he wouldn't be coming back to her again and that they could only be friends. Pansy hadn't taken him too seriously, thinking he would come running back to her bed when things ended with Hermione. Of course things had never ended with Hermione, and he'd never come back to her.
Pansy had lost Draco, and she had no idea how it had happened. The worst thing was that he was truly happy with Hermione. Watching them say their vows, Pansy could see the joy emanating from her friend. Draco was the happiest she'd ever seen him, it just broke her heart that she hadn't been able to make him that happy. It had taken Hermione to really bring him to life and inject real love and happiness into his life.
Snape.
Near the back of the guests sat Severus Snape, Draco's godfather and former Professor to the happy couple. As he watched the happy pair bind themselves together for life, he couldn't help but marvel at their journey. He would love to say that their union had always been obvious to him, but it had taken him completely by surprise, just like it had everyone else.
When the pair first started school they were natural enemies, and acted like it. Snape would be the first to admit that in his first couple of years at school his godson hadn't been the most likable of people. Draco looked down on almost everyone, especially the muggleborns like Hermione. Luckily as he grew up, his hatred faded away, but his argumentative nature didn't. If anything things only got worse between him and Hermione.
For the first few years, Hermione would just ignore Draco and be the bigger person when he would hurl the M word at her. However as the word 'mudblood' faded from Draco's vocabulary, Hermione would fire back her own insults to the blond boy. The only time Hermione didn't get involved in the bickering, was when Draco lost his temper and resorted to using 'mudblood' as an insult. If that happened she merely glared at him, and walked away. However if he steered clear of throwing that insulting word at her, she would bicker with him all day long.
Looking back Snape could now see that the bickering was the first signs of their attraction, but at the time he'd just been working overtime to ensure they didn't kill one another in his classroom. Of course when seventh year hit and they got together, Snape had thought the bickering would stop. Unfortunately it didn't stop, there was just a strong undercurrent of sexual tension. Suddenly instead of trying to ensure they didn't kill one another, Snape had to ensure they didn't end up in a heated embrace in the middle of the classroom.
Watching as Draco gave Hermione a searing kiss to seal their union, Snape shook his head. Those two were incorrigible, and he had no doubt that sometime during the reception that was following the wedding that they would sneak off to consummate their marriage. He just hoped that wherever they chose to have their fun it was private, and their guests wouldn't be treated to an impromptu show.
Draco.
Standing in front of all their friends and family, Draco was ready to bolt. He desperately wanted to be marrying Hermione, but he didn't think he could do it in front of so many people. He would have to pour his heart out, and let everyone know how much he loved Hermione, and he didn't think he could manage that. Expressing emotions was not his strong point, especially in front of so many people. It had taken Draco months to pluck up the courage to tell Hermione he loved her, and the thought of saying that in front of all these people was truly terrifying.
Draco was on the verge of pulling his wand from his pocket and apparating away when the music announcing Hermione's arrival began. Turning towards the back of the manor, he spotted Hermione emerging from the house and all his worries faded away. How on earth could he have thought about leaving when the most beautiful witch he'd ever known was making her way towards him so they could be married?
Draco's gaze remained fixed on Hermione as she walked down the aisle with her father. The second Richard gave Hermione a peck on the cheek and let go of her, Draco was reaching for his future wife.
"You look amazing," He whispered to her.
Hermione blushed at the compliment, but didn't say anything as they turned to the minister so the ceremony could begin. When the minister began to speak, Draco's nerves flooded back and he wondered if he could manage to speak. Luckily the second he looked back at Hermione, his nerves went. By keeping his focus on his bride, he never thought about the watching crowds and when he said he vows it was so easy to pretend Hermione was the only person that could hear them. The first time Draco really became aware of the congregation again was when the clapping and cheering began when they were kissing.
"Wow," Hermione breathed as they parted for air. "That was some kiss."
"That was only the beginning," Draco promised his wife. "Just you wait until later, and I'll really show you something then."
Hermione laughed in response, before the couple turned to face their guests. Taking Hermione's hand in his, Draco led his new wife into the waiting crowds of their friends and family.
Hermione.
Hermione's nerves were fraught as she waited to head out into the garden of the Manor. Getting married was nerve wracking enough, but she was also slightly worried about Draco. She knew Draco loved her and wanted to marry her, but she also knew how worried he was about standing up in front of everyone and admitting it. She knew it had taken him months to be able to tell her he loved her, and when he finally did say the words for the first time he waited until he thought she was asleep. Considering it had taken him so long just to pluck up the courage to tell her how he felt, she wasn't sure how he would cope with declaring his feelings in public.
Luckily when she stepped outside, Draco was still standing at the end of the aisle, even if he did look a bit twitchy. Catching his eye, Hermione made sure she looked at Draco the entire time she was walking down the aisle and she witnessed his nerves settle down. By the time she reached his side, and he was telling her how amazing she looked, he seemed completely in control of himself.
Hermione briefly felt Draco tense up when the ceremony got underway, but with a quick squeeze of his hand she got his attention back on her. With his focus firmly on her, Draco managed the ceremony with ease. Hermione also alleviated her nerves by concentrating on Draco, it was so much easier to just focus on each other and pretend they were the only people present.
At the end of the ceremony, Draco told hold of her hand and led her into their friends and family. Instantly the couple were swamped with well-wishers and Hermione felt Draco's hand slip from her grasp. Despite not being in physical contact with her new husband, Hermione kept him in her eye line the entire time, until they were able to re-join hands.
"Come on, we have to go and sign the official papers," Draco said to Hermione as Narcissa announced it was time for people to head indoors so the reception could get underway. "We're not officially married until the papers are signed."
"I thought we weren't officially married until the marriage is consummated," Hermione teased as they made their way inside the manor.
"Don't worry, I intend to do that as well," Draco grinned at his wife. "The second the minister has the papers in order, we're kicking him out and making use of father's desk."
"You're terrible," Hermione laughed as she followed her husband into Lucius's study, where the Minister was waiting.
Once the papers were signed and the minister was gone, Draco kept his promise and the newlyweds made good use of his father's desk. After double checking her appearance and making sure her dress was still perfect, Hermione took hold of Draco's hand and dragged him towards the ballroom where the reception was taking place.
With a big announcement accompanying their arrival, Hermione and Draco made their grand entrance as Mr and Mrs Malfoy. Sharing a smile, the couple headed off to enjoy their wedding reception with their friends and family.
The End.