The sun slowly crept over the distant mountains, its ray shining through the clear glass of the windows of the Heads Quarters. Amongst the sheets of the large bed, Hermione stirred due to the light stinging her eyes. She paused as she felt arms around her, an unusual sensation to her.
She sighed as she remembered the events of the previous nights, the details of the news and the shock of the outcome of a small prophecy. Beside her, the Slytherin Prince squinted as the light shone into his eyes. "Good morning." The brunette muttered softly.
The blonde boy smiled down at her and muttered his greetings to her. "Why don't you take a shower first and then I?" He suggested softly before attempting to fall asleep once more. Yet his attempts were cut short by a sharp slap on his arm and merry laughter filling the room.
"I don't think so, Mr Malfoy! Who says that you get more sleep? I am the woman!" Draco grinned up at the young woman who was soon to be his wife.
"I'm the better looking one out of us both. I am the one that deserves more sleep." Hermione grinned slyly before smartly replying, "You know what? I think you're right. You really do need quite a bit of beauty sleep!" She laughed her way to the extravagant as Draco scowled, his face buried in the soft pillows.
After fifteen minutes at the most had passed the bathroom door opened revealing a content woman, refreshed after a warm bath. Draco grumbled incoherently before stumbling into the bathroom for his turn. Hermione laughed merrily at his facial expression before changing and making her way to their common room.
When Draco had come down almost half an hour later, she was deeply engrossed in a book. Draco crept up behind her before leaping onto the couch. Hermione let out a small yelp before smacking him firmly on the head. They both laughed incessantly until their stomachs were sore.
It was good for them to let out their stress and anxiety. "You know what?" Draco asked, his voice taking a serious tone. "I'm not going to mind it one bit that you are going to be my wife." He stated softly with embarrassment.
Much to his surprise, Hermione grinned up at him before agreeing. "You're right. You're not as bad as you let off." They both smiled together and with fingers entwined, they made their way down to breakfast.
Needless to say, the professors had been taken aback with shock at the entrance of their Heads. Albus had merely sat in his seat with a strange twinkle in his eyes while the others had gaped in shock. Minerva had run down to the staff room the previous night and announced that the two students involved in the prophecy were to be informed that very moment.
They were all anxiously waiting for this morning to approach so that they could see how the children would take it. What they had not expected was to see the pair walk into the hall, hand in hand, chatting and laughing happily.
Soon after breakfast, Hermione and Draco had acquired permission to travel down to Hogsmeade. They were free to roam about for the next two weeks under the name of improving their relationship. As they strolled down the crowded streets, Draco became more and more quiet as he delved deeper into his thoughts. "Draco? What's the matter?" Hermione questioned carefully.
Draco looked down at her. "Erm…I have an errand I need to do quickly. How about I meet you in Books and Rags?" Hermione quirked an eyebrow but agreed quickly making her way to the popular bookstore.
Draco sprinted down the pathways until he came to 'Madame Amazia's Jewellers'. The old woman looked up pleased as he entered the small, expensive shop. "How may I help you dear? Something for a girlfriend, I presume?" She welcomed, taking in his appearance of age.
"Erm…sort of. I need an engagement ring; simple yet breathtaking." The woman seemed taken back with shock at his request yet smiled brilliantly. "I have just the thing." She stated cheerfully before retreating to the back of the shop.
Minutes later she returned with two small boxes. She opened the first one to reveal a spectacular diamond ring. It was a gold band with small diamonds encrusted into it with a large square-cut pink diamond in the centre.
Draco grinned before accepting the ring. Before allowing him to purchase it, she opened the other box to reveal a plain gold band. "This, my dear, is the ring for you, the male. It serves as a connection between the pair. One will know when the other is in pain, grief or danger. It truly is a special ring."
Draco gladly accepted both, paying the expense of the two rings. He ran back to the bookshop before regaining his breath. He took on a calm expression before entering. Hermione smiled as she saw him come. "Where'd you go?" She questioned but Draco shook his head, refusing to answer her. Hermione sighed before suggesting they look around at a few shops.
A few hours later, they entered the Three Broomsticks laden with books, a broom on Draco's part and a beautiful honey and black owl named by Hermione as Artemis.
As they seated themselves in a small booth they began to discuss the great day they had just experienced and was still continuing. Minutes later they were sipping on their Butterbeers whilst sharing a large plate of Devil's Wings.
They had come to the end of their meal when Draco coughed nervously in an attempt to gain Hermione's attention. Hermione looked up at the blonde questioningly. He stood up slowly and faced her, kneeling slightly to be more level with her.
"Erm…I'm not really an expert on this and I know that this is not a situation that we both wanted yet it is real and something we must live with. I don't know you all that well but I know that you are a smart, considerate, kind, funny and beautiful person. It is an honour that you are to by my wife because at this moment, I cannot think of anyone more perfect. So I, Draco Christopher Malfoy, must ask this of you properly; will you, Hermione Allison Granger, do me the honour of being my wife?"
Unknown to the couple, the rest of the customers were intently watching the proposal with interest. Hermione stared with shock, opening and closing her mouth, unsure of what to say. A few moments later she was able to mutter, 'It would be my pleasure'. Draco slid the ring on her finger joyously before sweeping her into a tight embrace. He leaned down and placed a quick peck on her lips.
"Let's get back to the castle," He whispered softly. Hermione smiled brightly, a slight blush to her delicate cheeks, before agreeing and together they made their way back up to the castle.
The professors had been surprised yet delighted when the beautiful ring had glinted in the moonlight, revealing the ring for them all to see during dinner. Hermione had once again blushed deeply while Draco smiled his proud smile as usual.
Apart from this though, their relationship was going quite smoothly. In many attempts to know each other further, Draco had organised days out for them both, including a large picnic beside the lake.
A week after their arrival at Hogwarts and the fateful news had been delivered, the Deputy Heads had arrived.
The Deputy Head Boy was a well-built, handsome boy. He had a quite nicely rounded chin, his features fitting together perfectly. His thick brown hair fell into his marine blue eyes. His name was Jayden Acart.
The girl was of South Asian background, with chocolate brown skin. Her eyes were sparkling brown orbs and her wavy black hair fell to the small of her back with red-brown streaks running through them. Her name was Aaliyah Ryes.
Both were energetic, friendly and intelligent people much to the delight of Draco and Hermione. But the arrival of the Deputies was shadowed by the excitement, nerves and preparations of the soon to come wedding. Hermione had informed her parents who were upset by the young age of their daughter yet understood the gravity of the event.
Before they had even realised it the time had come for their wedding. Draco stood nervously smoothening out his tailored suit. A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in!" He called out, his voice quivering. The door opened and Mr Granger walked in, a determined expression written on his face. "Erm…hello Mr Granger."
"I've already told you Draco, as of now you call me Tom. After all, you are family." He smiled softly as Draco accepted his request.
"Now listen carefully son. My daughter is very important to me, having been the only child of mine for a good ten years. I know of the way you treated her all these years and trust me when I say that I wasn't happy at all when I found out about this…prophecy. I have seen that you have changed and respect my Hermione but I promise you this, wizard or not, if you harm my daughter in any way I will make sure that you are murdered. Do you understand me?"
Draco gulped evidently before answering quietly. "Tom, I would not for my life harm Hermione. I have come to know her and she is a beautiful person, inside and out. She is almost the only thing I have left for me and I would not give her up for anything. I assure you that you have nothing to worry about. I may not love your daughter as of yet but I do care greatly about her. I only hope that we may grow to love each other from the deepest pits of our hearts."
Tom nodded with contentment. "You'd better get out there son. The ceremony is about to start. Hermione is just about ready." He stated before leaving to collect his daughter. Draco sighed and checked his reflection once more before leaving the small room and making his way into the small Wizarding chapel.
His best man, Jayden, was waiting at the front alongside Dumbledore, giving him a small wink and thumbs up as he entered the room. Draco took in a deep breath before standing at the front with Jayden and Dumbledore. Hermione's mother, Annette, was seated at the front of the chapel beside Minerva, a space on her other side for her husband.
Minister Fudge was seated in the second row beside the professors of the school and Firenze was standing on the other side of the chapel, a pure white saddle on his back.
Dumbledore was standing underneath a white arch with golden flowers weaved into it. Two doves were perched on the top. A wedding march began to play as the doors to the chapel began.
Draco took in a nervous breath before staring out at the doors. Hermione's six year old sister, Helena, began down the aisle throwing golden petals on her way down, looking adorable in a pale pink dress.
Aaliyah entered through the doors and began her journey down the aisle as bridesmaid. She was wearing a simple yet elegant pale pink halter dress with a dangerously low back. Draco felt his cheeks redden as his fiancée walked through the door, arms linked with her father.
He felt his breath being taken out of him as he saw her. Her hair was set in a messy bun on the top of her head, a few tendrils hanging down at the front. Her eyes were darkened with kohl and her lips tinged with pale pink. Her dress was pure white and strapless. It hugged her curvaceous body until it came to her hips from which it hung freely, swaying with her every movement. The back of it was held together by criss-crossing straps. Her lace veil covered her face yet she was stunning.
Hermione stared at her husband-to-be. He was wearing a simple, tailored black suit yet the pale blue tie and corset brought out his eyes wonderfully. They seemed to sparkle, making her heart skip a beat.
Tom brought her up to the altar before kissing her cheek lightly and moving to his seat beside Annette. Dumbledore smiled subtly as Draco took Hermione's hand in his and whispered that she looked stunning.
"Dearly beloved, we are here for the matrimony of Draco Christopher Malfoy and Hermione Allison Granger." He began. It had become a well known fact in the Wizarding world that their marriage ceremonies were quite similar to those of the muggles, much to the disappointment of many Purebloods yet Draco couldn't care less at the moment.
"As we come together at this joyful time we must ask of those who don't feel comfortable with this reunion to speak now or forever hold their peace."
Silence echoed around the room. Hermione looked up at Draco with a slight smile, squeezing his hand gently. This hadn't been the wedding she had always pictured yet she couldn't help be happy. She had always seen herself as a well-accomplished, older bride marrying the man of her choice. Though it was all completely opposite, she was overjoyed. Draco was a brilliant man with a great personality and consideration.
"Before they make their vows, Draco has requested to speak." All eyes and attention turned to Draco as he nervously turned to Hermione, taking both her hands in his.
"Hermione…from the moment I met you, you were someone that caught my eye. I remember that the first time that you went through that barrier at the platform, you tripped. Your things went flying everywhere. I had moved to help you yet Lucius stopped me, telling me I had to learn to differentiate muggleborns from purebloods. I had seen you so happy with your own family who loved you so much that I couldn't help but be jealous, my reason for being so cruel to you."
Draco drew in a deep breath. "When I saw my father bringing you into my house that day, I knew there was something familiar about you. The next morning he had proudly announced it to my mother and I. I couldn't believe it. I only wish that I hadn't taken so long to free you and that Voldemort hadn't come for that visit. Ever since that day, I had felt a special bond with you, even if you didn't reciprocate it. Yet I know that I don't regret that fact that we must be married. I know that I care about you more than any person that I've known and I know that one day, we will be able to share our emotions in public."
Droplets of tears sprung up in Hermione's eyes and rolled down her cheeks slowly. Draco raised a hand and wiped them away softly. Dumbledore smiled proudly before continuing.
"Now for the vows. Draco Christopher Malfoy, do you take Hermione Allison Granger as your beloved wife, to cherish, love and protect dearly, till death do you part?"
"I do." Draco slipped a simple golden band onto her finger, diamonds encrusted on them.
"Hermione Allison Granger, do you take Draco Christopher Malfoy as your beloved husband, to cherish, love and protect dearly, till death do you part?"
"I do." Hermione slipped onto his finger a second gold band.
"You may now kiss the bride." Dumbledore announced. Draco pulled Hermione to him, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. Hermione sighed as he deepened it, one of his hands caressing her cheek and the other holding her to him. They pulled apart, gasping for air yet grinning widely.
Applause resounded around the room as they left the chapel, seated on the back of Firenze. It was like that they arrived at The Three Broomsticks for their reception.
Hermione and Draco stayed seated as toasts were made until music began to play softly in the background.
Insert Song Lyrics
Draco held out his hand before asking a simple question. "Would you do me the honour of a dance?" Hermione smiled, grasping his hand in answer.
Insert Song Lyrics
Hermione smiled softly up at Draco before resting her head on his chest as his arms circled around her tightly. She ran her hands up his chest, joining them behind his neck. It was like this that they swayed slowly for what seemed like hours to them yet was only a few minutes in reality.
Insert Song Lyrics
The night past by wonderfully for the pair who enjoyed their evening tremendously. Hands entwined after changing their apparel, they Apparated to the midst of Wizarding France to begin their lives at husband and wife.