Sorry I haven't been able to update for a while, I went to London and was forbidden to bring my laptop. I've never been to a wedding, let alone written about one, so I hope it's okay. I'm not too good at fight scenes either so I hope this chapter isn't a complete failure.
Hermione had no chance to see her future husband; it was her wedding day after all. She had been forcefully awoken by a ecstatic Ginny Weasley and almost dragged into her friends bedroom at the Burrow. Her mother was weeping happily, and Hermione had even found a small portrait of Narcissa Malfoy in order to ask her for her opinion - she knew Draco would have appreciated it.
Being surrounded by three crying woman (who knew that portraits could sob hysterically) brought tears to Hermione's eyes. Ginny glared at her through watery eyes, "No, Hermione Jean Granger, you will not start crying and ruin all that effort I put into making you look flawless for your husband".
The mention of Draco wiped any trace of a smile off Hermione's face. "Oh Ginny, I've made a huge mistake" she whispered, "He sent me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers and resorted to sending a Howler to get me to listen to him. I feel like an idiot" Hermione's mum wrapped her arms around her, "Now you listen to me, young lady, Draco Malfoy is the luckiest man in the world to be marrying you, and I bet you he feels the same. He's probably pacing his room right this second saying how unworthy he is of your affections. You know how I know? Because every man I know did that on their wedding day".
Mrs. Granger didn't know just how right she was.
Draco groaned, "Hermione deserves so much better, maybe I should just-" Harry grabbed his new friend's shoulders and shook him roughly, his green eyes locked onto Draco's grey. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are going to go out there and marry my best friend. You can walk down the aisle with dignity or I can drag you down it, which is it going to be?"
Draco wrinkled his nose at the thought of being dragged down the aisle by none other than his ex-enemy. "Well, as entertaining as that would be for you, Harry, I believe I will be walking down the aisle. Malfoy's do not get dragged anywhere".
"It's time," those words put both Hermione and Draco into a cold sweat. "What am I doing?" Draco muttered as he made his was towards the door. Blaise punched him lightly on the shoulder, "Never thought you'd be getting married first, mate" he grinned. Draco grimaced and gulped, "Let's go before I freak out". Growing pale, Draco opened the door to walk down the aisle.
The Burrow's garden was breathtaking, it was set out much like Bill's wedding; a huge white tent in the garden, revealing rows of fragile golden chairs set on either sides of a long white carpet (parts are taken from Bill's wedding description). There were bouquets ofwhite roses every four rows and they were attached by a long white piece of draping white silk.
Draco was wearing a black tuxedo, something that Hermione's mother had insisted - the wedding vows were wizarding and she wanted something from the muggle tradition incorporated into her daughter's wedding. He looked happy yet nervous as he made his way down the aisle, he looked a bit paler than usual as well.
Little Teddy Lupin and Victoire Weasley (Bill and Fleur's daughter) made their way down the aisle next, both were only about a year old but the Mrs Weasley and the Grangers (mother and daughter, both) had fallen so in love with the idea of Teddy as ring bearer and Victoire as flower girl. They were helped along by Fleur, who was holding both their hands.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen appeared after. Draco's heart sped up, Hermione was so close. Pansy and Neville walked together, Lavender and Theo, Luna and Harry, and lastly Blaise and Ginny. Taking his place next to Draco as his best man, Blaise lent and whispered into his ear "You're the luckiest man alive, Draco Malfoy" then turned away as well.
When the bridal music began, Draco took a deep breath. This was it. Blaise whispered, "Wait until you see her mate, wow".
Hermione was glowing. Draco knew it was sappy, but all he could see was an angelic figure gliding towards him. His jaw was on the ground and he could see the amused expressions from the Weasley clan. Hermione was escorted down the aisle by her mother, she was holding a bouquet of white lilies, it soon became apparent that it was the bouquet Draco had sent her the night before. The white silk seemed to have been moulded onto her - it showed off her hourglass figure splendidly - who knew that there was such a beauty under those baggy robes the Gryffindor always seemed to wear.
Taking her hand in his, he whispered "I will always protect you, beautiful". Hermione smiled, "I know and I love you for it" she whispered back.
"Ladies and gentlemen. we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls…" the minister began. Blaise was smirking slightly, he and Harry shared a knowing look before turning their gazes towards the couple once again.
"If anyone feels this couple should not be united in Holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace". There was a short silence, until a dark figure threw open the tent flaps and sashayed in, "Me" she snarled. Draco pushed Hermione behind him, "Bellatrix".
"Now, now, Drakey, there's no need to treat your dear loving aunty like that" Bellatrix said disapprovingly, "especially when she came all this way to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life". The entire tent was silent, the guests were shaking, trying to be as small as possible. Only the Weasley family and other Order members like Kingsley were standing tall against the deatheater.
Harry snarled, "Get out or I swear I will kill you", Blaise glared at the woman with his want raised threateningly. Bellatrix paid them no attention, "Oh Draco, you should be happy I'm stopping you. what would your dear parents say? Marrying a mudblood, tsk, tsk, I am so disappointed". Draco retorted sarcastically "Oh no, my aunt Bella isn't happy, whatever shall I do? You know, aunt, my existence doesn't revolve around making you happy. I'll marry whoever I want and I want to marry Hermione so either accept that and go back to your cell in Azkaban where you belong or stay here and see exactly what I can do".
Bellatrix snarled "Crucio" at her nephew but the curse was disrupted by by Blaise's "Petrificus Totalus", Bellatrix dodged and glared at the dark skinned wizard.
Draco yelled "Stupefy" the red light almost hitting the witch, who dodged it. "Now, Draco, you really need some help with your duelling skills".
Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley turned to see more death eaters, Dolohov and Yaxley, emerging from behind their daughter. "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BASTARDS" Mrs. Weasley screamed, sending an silent stunning curse at the advancing death eaters.
More and more death eaters were emerging - the chance of capturing Harry Potter, the boy who killed the Dark Lord, and his friends was a good opportunity. The delusional witches and wizards were almost crazy with need to avenge their Lord. Bellatrix was duelling Draco, Harry and Blaise, whilst Ginny and Hermione had their hands full with two unknown death eaters. Luna soon fought her way to their side, "witches must always stick together" she tutted before sending a stunning spell over Hermione's shoulder.
Bellatrix shouted "Sectumsempra" and Blaise kneeled over in pain, blood staining his crisp white shirt. Taking advantage of Harry's concern for his friend, she screeched "Levicorpus" then "Avada Kedavra" at the suspended boy. The curse was deflected by Draco's shield charm.
Knowing Draco's weakness, Bellatrix turned at sceamed "SECTUMSEMPRA" at Hermione's back. Time seemed to slow down. "NO" Draco roared, lunging at the Gryffindor. He wrapped his arms in a tight embrace as they crashed to the floor.
Hermione felt the breath get knocked out of her, "Draco" she mumbled, "Draco?" When the Slytherin didn't reply she scrambled from underneath him. Looking at the limp form of her fiancee (they hadn't said their vows yet) she saw blood spreading over his back. He had taken the curse for her. "Hermione" he whispered, "told…you".
Hermione screamed in rage, her brown eyes flashing. "YOU-YOU BITCH" and began throwing curse after curse at the foul death eater. Bellatrix's smile of triumph was replaced by a grimace, the other death eaters saw their leader's expression and apparated away - cowards, they were. The guests watched in awe as the Gryffindor beat Bellatrix further and further back, until the witch had her back against the wall. "Expelliarmus" Hermione screamed and the witch's wand flew out of the witches hand. Bellatrix fell to the floor.
Picking up the witch by the collar of her shirt, Hermione growled, "How dare you come here and disrupt MY wedding, how dare you try and kill MY fiancee, how DARE YOU. A woman's wedding day is the happiest day of her life and you've just ruined it. MY FIANCEE IS LYING THERE IN A POOL OF HIS OWN BLOOD BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOUR PREJUDICES".
In disgust, Hermione dropped the witch, leaving her to the stunned Order members to take back to Azkaban. She knelt by Draco's head, who was being desperately healed by Mrs Weasley. "I'm fine…" he mumbled, "S'nothing". Hermione swatted him gently on the head, "Why did you do it, you incredible, stupid, man" she whispered, letting tears fall down her cheeks. Harry and Blaise were at her side in a second, both healed and bandaged as best as possible. Ginny and Luna there a second later.
Blaise wrapped an arm around his red-haired Gryffindor, kissing her lightly on the head, "Thank Merlin you're alright" he whispered. Luna was getting much the same treatment from Harry.
Draco sat up, stubborn against Mrs Weasleys and Hermione's protests. "I do" he whispered, kissing Hermione tenderly. Hermione blushed and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I do" she echoed. The minister scrambled from his position behind a bouquet of flowers, straightening his clothes and acting as dignified as possible, he raised his wand "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife", and a cascade of sparks rained down on the embracing couple.
