Goin' to the Chapel, II
***
So. What do you say to someone you are about to tie yourself to for the rest of your lives? When Ron suggested that I call Draco my darling little ferret in my vows, and Harry wholeheartedly agreed, I rolled my eyes. When Ginny said I should quote Jane Austen, I considered it, then decided that would be too sappy in a movie of the week sort of way. But then, a few days ago, I was in London to varify the flower order for the wedding, and Ginny and I had decided to stop off in Hogsmeade before returning to the burrow. And we were in a tiny little shop we had stumbled across called Little Shop of Mysteries. It was rather empty, not very remarkable, with shelves just crowded over with books and racks of amazing antique robes and famous wands and such. I was looking at an exact replica of Merlin's laboratories, when this tiny old witch appeared out of nowhere.
The first words she said to me were, "You are on your way to something important, aren't you, my child?"
I paused, then nodded, "I'm going to be married in a few days."
"Yes." The witch smiled secretively, "The fates encourage such beauty. And you have the kind that makes them dance."
Right, then. I figured this old woman had gone batty, but then she took my hand and these strange warmth just hit me. And she said, "Now, go take what's coming to you and grab it and hold on. Don't let go, now, because what you have is precious."
I was floored. And Ginny started going for her handkerchief and saying how absolutely beautiful that was.
So, five days later, I'm here on my wedding day. And it's time to say my vows. I look nervously at the Justice, then to my husband to be. My worries vanish and I take a deep breath, "I have no idea what I'm doing. For the first time ever, I don't know the answers, and I like it. I wasn't sure what I would say today, I only knew that it had to be meaningful. I love you. And that is what has kept me absolutely insane for the past several years."
The crowd titters a little and I smile, then continue, "Someone very wise, if not a little insane, told me something very important a few days ago. She said that what we have is precious. And I should hold on to it and never, ever let it go. I am so willing to follow that advice, because I can't bare the thought of not having you in my life forever." I'm crying now, which I know is ruining my makeup, but it's not as if I care, "So that is my vow to you, Draco. I promise to hold on. No matter what gets thrown our way, no matter what silly things either of us does. Forever."
That was rather dramatic, wasn't it. Well, it fits us. Drama and insanity, that's Draco and I. And the tears that are gathering in those storm-grey eyes send me shivering. As the Justice from the ministry turns to Draco (who said his vows already) and asks for the rings, I smile. I'm ready now, and I know it. Today is the start of the rest of my life.
