Sorry for how long it has taken me to post, but between working 40 hours a week and school I don't have a lot of time.
The Commitment
The reception immediately followed the wedding without any fault. During the reception Draco and Hermione twirled about the dance floor. Even though everyone knew that they had issues with the relationship, the way that they moved about the dance floor made everyone think that their relationship was perfect and made from a fairy tale.
"Draco?" Hermione whispered into Draco's chest as they danced slowly.
Draco looked down at Hermione to see what was bothering her. "Hm."
"I want to thank you for keeping me on my feet today. If our wedding would have happened under better circumstances then it would have been better for everyone here altogether. I wouldn't be so afraid about tonight or about our future. Everything is so uncertain right now," Hermione admitted.
Draco froze where he stood for a moment before he lifted her chin. Tears were shining in Hermione's eyes. Draco slowly bent his head down and whispered in her ear, "Hermione I will be here with you throughout this because it is my life too. We are tied to each other and so are our futures are now bound. If you still wish to make this better later, we can have a renewal of our vows when we are ready." Draco lifted her chin slightly to give her a better angle.
Hermione smiled up at Draco before he leaned down and kissed her full on the lips. "I promise to you Hermione that I will help you through everything."
As the night continued, Hermione began to relax, but at the back of her mind she was still very nervous about connecting with Draco on a more intimate level. However, when the time came for all of the guests to leave and the party was concluded, Hermione and Draco sauntered back to their room in the Marriage Wing.
Hermione became more and more fearful with each step she took toward their flat. Her breathing had quickened, her body was trembling and every bit of her being knew that her life would be forever altered when the door closed behind her.
Hermione just stood in the living room at everything preparing herself to continue. Draco took notice of her hesitance. He turned to her and gently pulled her face up to look at him. "Hermione, you know that I would never have forced you into any of this, right?" She could only nod. "Tonight I will not force myself on you, but you know that it is a part of the marriage law that we have to consummate this marriage. I will go slow for you so that you don't get too overwhelmed by it all. Yet, I need you to tell me when I am getting too far ahead of myself."
Hermione closed her eyes and just nodded at Draco. "Thank you."
Draco slowly closed the distance between them, bringing his lips into a gentle caress with hers. As Draco prepared to pull away, he lightly bit Hermione's lower lip and sucked it as he separated from her. The fervor of their kissing quickly heightened with the passion that enveloped them.