A/N: Shout out to thegirlthatsonfire for entertaining me until five in the morning and for helping me with the wedding stuff!
Chapter 10: The Wedding
Saturday was a rush for Hermione. In the morning, Ginny dragged them all to the same salon Draco had given her a certificate to for the pedicures and manicures. Narcissa had met them there, and had her nails done as well. Afterwards, Narcissa and Hermione headed back to the Manor to oversee the decorations. When they arrived, Narcissa led her directly outside to see the progress that had already been made.
Directly in front of her was the aisle she would be walking down. It was layered in lavender rose petals with rows of white chairs on each side. The sheer amount of chairs was mindboggling to Hermione; there were at least three hundred chairs, if not more. At the start of each row of chairs was a floral arrangement draped in crystals. At the end of the aisle was a large arbor made of twisting wrought iron. It was covered in lavender and sage colored flowers, and easily large enough to fit both Draco and Hermione's wedding party under it.
Hermione realized that she was gaping unattractively at the mass of decorative touches going on and snapped her mouth shut quickly. Narcissa noticed and smiled at her.
"I understand there's quite a bit for you to take in, but is it to your liking?" Narcissa sounded a little concerned, surveying the area for anything out of place.
"Oh, Merlin. It's perfect, Narcissa. It's amazing." Hermione's voice was surprised and soft. Narcissa's face broke into a smile.
"Good. I was worried for a moment. Would you like to see the reception area?" Hermione nodded numbly and followed Narcissa back through the glass atrium and into what Draco had once referred to as the "ballroom". Draco hadn't been lying; the room had been constructed specifically for parties, and now it was decorated in lavender and sage fabric sweeping in crisscrosses from one side of the large room to the other. To either side of the dance floor were tables set with crystal plates and glasses with flowers twisting from the center of each table up glass poles to a bouquet at the top. Each table held five chairs draped in lavender fabric with sage ribbons tied around them. At the top of the dance floor was a long table draped in white with lavender and sage ribbons draping around it. There were ten seats at the head table. In the center of the dance floor was another small, circular table that was empty.
"The cake will go there," Narcissa informed Hermione, following her gaze. Hermione nodded and swept her gaze around the room again, trying to take it all in.
She was looking at the place her wedding would be held. Her wedding would be held tomorrow.
"I'm getting married tomorrow." Narcissa burst into laughter and put a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"I think I understand what you're feeling, darling. The day before my wedding I reacted almost exactly like you are now. It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" Hermione nodded and Narcissa led them out of the room and into the sitting room.
"Here, let's have some tea." As if she had been expecting it, Winky appeared next to Narcissa with a pop. Hermione nearly leapt into the air with shock.
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss 'Mione! Winky didn't mean to frighten you!" Winky blushed and Hermione knelt down besides her, smiling.
"You didn't frighten me, Winky. I'm a little on edge." The house elf laid a hand on Hermione's arm and smiled.
"Winky hopes the tea will help." Hermione smiled and sat down as Narcissa did, gratefully accepting the tea that Winky offered.
"Anyways," Narcissa continued as Winky left, "The day before my wedding I could hardly sit down. I was so nervous and excited I was nearly beside myself." She smiled fondly at the memories.
"How did you deal with it? I feel ill, honestly." Hermione took a long drink of her tea, trying to calm her shaking hands.
"Well, firstly, make sure that you get sleep tonight. Take a sleeping draught if you have to. The last thing you need is to be exhausted tomorrow." Narcissa chuckled and Hermione nodded.
"I'm just so nervous," Hermione said slowly. Narcissa nodded and stirred her tea.
"As was I. All I did was realize that I was marrying a man I loved and that I had nothing to be nervous for. Because Hermione," Narcissa leaned forward and looked at her very seriously, "Tomorrow isn't about the party or the guests. It's not about the cake or the flowers. Tomorrow is about yourself and Draco celebrating love, and that's nothing to be nervous about."
That night as Hermione settled into the guest room at Grimmauld Place, she didn't need a sleeping draught.
"Come on, bride. Wake up." The lights flipped on in Hermione's room and someone yanked the covers off her body. She cracked her eyes open to Ginny's red and Narcissa's black and grey hair.
"Why?" she groaned, rolling over and pulling a pillow over her head.
"Because you're getting married in seven hours and we have a lot to do." Hermione registered Ginny's words and shot out of bed like someone had set an electrical current through it.
"Merlin! What time is it?" Hermione lurched forward and yanked her robe off the footboard, pulling it over her nightgown and scrambling wildly for her wand on the bedpost. Narcissa laughed and smiled.
"It's only ten, dear," Narcissa assured, "But it is time for you to get something to eat."
Hermione found it nearly impossible to eat. She could hardly sit still as she forced her way through a piece of toast. She kept throwing jittery glances at the clock above the door, watching the minute hand slowly tick by until it was only six hours until her wedding.
At noon, an agonizingly long two hours after she was woken up, Narcissa and Ginny dragged her to the fireplace and to Malfoy Manor, where she met the rest of her bridal party.
"Hermione!" Molly Weasley's kind voice was the first thing that she registered as they exited the hearth.
"Molly!" Hermione rushed forward and threw her arms around Molly, bursting into tears. She hadn't seen Molly in months and the sudden reality of the day hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Why are you crying, dear? Chin up!" Molly clasped her face and pulled her into another hug, squeezing her firmly.
"I'm so glad you're here!" Molly nodded against Hermione's hug.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world. No more tears, though. We need to get you ready!" Hermione pulled back and nodded, wiping her eyes.
"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy," Molly stepped forward, looking slightly uncomfortable next to Narcissa.
"Please, call me Narcissa. It's wonderful to officially meet you, Molly." Narcissa, being considerably taller than Molly, leaned down and hugged her.
"Thank you for being there for Hermione," she muttered quietly. Molly blinked in surprise and then smiled.
"I wouldn't have had it any other way. Thank you as well."
Ginny ran forward and hugged Hermione tightly.
There was a camera flash and Hermione looked up quickly at where it came from.
"Wedding photographer," the little man with the camera explained, "Just pretend I'm not here!" Ginny laughed.
"Come on, 'Mione. We have to get our hair done." She squealed with glee and pulled Hermione forward, yelling hello to Narcissa over her shoulder and beckoning to Luna and Cho as she charged by. Ginny was practically radiating excitement as she dragged Hermione by her arm down the hallway and into a spare bedroom that been transformed into a hair salon. There were five stations set up around the room with an assortment of Muggle and Wizard hair styling tools. Next to each station there was a man dressed in a pink apron, and standing at the head of the room was Bastien.
"Hello dolls!" Hermione beamed at Bastien.
"Hello Bastien! I didn't know you did hair!" Hermione stepped forward and Bastien kissed her on the cheek and smiled.
"I'm a man of many trades, darling, and one of my many talents is doing a bride's hair. Let me tell you, I've been itching to get my hands on yours." Hermione smiled and let Bastien sit her down in a chair, spinning her around to face the mirror. In the reflection, Hermione watched as the Ginny, Luna and Cho sat down and the photographer snapped a few pictures.
"Alright, my lovely bride, here's my idea. Half up-do for all of you. Light curls. Very class." Hermione blinked and then looked at Bastien.
"Bastien, I trust you. Do whatever you think looks good." Bastien grinned wider than the Cheshire cat.
"Oh dearest, I was hoping you'd say that."
"Up and at 'em, Malfoy!" Draco sat up off the couch and looked around in confusion, not sure where he was. It took him a moment to remember that he had stayed at Blaise's house the night before, and that he was getting married.
"I'm getting married today." The sentence tumbled out of his mouth before he realized what he had said.
"Uh, yeah. You are. You feeling alright?" Blaise scratched his head and looked at Draco curiously. Malfoy jolted off the couch and grabbed Blaise's shirt.
"I'm getting married today! Merlin!" Draco exclaimed, grinning widely. Blaise frowned at him and peeled himself away.
"What's wrong with you?" Draco shrugged, flushing.
"I'm excited. I'm very, very happy. What's the plan for this morning?" Blaise brushed off his shirt, still frowning.
"Granger's Gang of Gryffindor's is showing up soon. We'll play Quidditch for a few hours. Come back here and shower up. Get dressed. Then we watch you end your life." Draco rolled his eyes and smacked Blaise.
"Shut up, Zabini. If that's how you feel about it, your life will be ending soon, too." Blaise sighed and rubbed his arm dramatically.
"Your point is valid. Want some breakfast?"
Ron, Harry and Neville, with one extra person in tow, arrived shortly after Blaise and Draco finished their breakfast.
"Hullo, Malfoy. We brought George with." Draco stood up and approached George slowly, unsure what to say. George Weasley looked nothing like how Draco remembered him. He was pale and lean with hollows under his eyes. There was no laughter in his face, no twinkle in his eye.
"Hello, George." Draco stuck out his hand and George shook it, smiling.
"Hello ferret. I've come to play Quidditch." Draco could hear a bit of happiness in his voice and saw Ron visibly brighten up at the change in George's demeanor.
"I'll give you a run for your money." Draco winked at him and George smiled again. Malfoy noticed Ron's shoulders drop in relief.
"Well, I went ahead earlier this morning and found a nice empty field to set up in so everyone grab on." Blaise held out his arms and everyone grabbed hold, waiting for the apparation.
"You didn't disappoint, Blaise." Draco nodded in approval at Harry's comment. Blaise had brought out a wrack of brooms and a full Quidditch set and had somehow managed to set up the three hoops on each end of the field.
"How did you manage this while I was asleep?" Blaise shrugged.
"Magic." George laughed and Ron looked at him with hope. Draco watched, trying to understand was Weasley was so bloody happy about.
As they walked towards the brooms, Harry pulled Draco back.
"I hope you don't mind George being here," he said quietly. Draco looked at Harry and shook his head.
"It's fine. I don't get what Weaselbee is so excited about." Harry sighed and looked to the ground, pushing up his glasses.
"George hasn't been doing well recently. This is the first time I've seen him smile since… Well since Fred died." Draco nearly tripped over his own feet. He hadn't even thought of that.
"He's welcome, Potter. You all are."
Quidditch was fun. They split the group in half: Ron, Harry and George against Neville, Blaise and Draco. Neville informed the team beforehand that he was going to be less of an asset and more of a hindrance, but to everyone's surprise he scored two goals against Harry's team.
In the end, it was Harry who caught the Snitch.
"Dammit, Potter," Draco growled as he dismounted his broom, "I'm marrying your best friend today and you still can't let me win." Harry grinned and clapped Draco on the shoulder.
"It doesn't matter who you marry, ferret. You still can't win." Draco scowled and turned to George.
"You were on fire, Weasley. Good game." George grinned and slung his broom over his shoulders.
"I'm always on fire, Malfoy." Blaise rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Saps. It's two now. We have to be at the Manor by four. Wedding at five. Back to my place to shower up!"
The excitement from that morning bubbled up in Draco's stomach again and he put a little jump in his step.
"Malfoy, are you skipping?" Ron asked in disbelief. Draco shot him is best sneer.
"Sorry for being excited, Weaselbee. Have an issue with me being happy to marry your Granger?" George burst into laughter at Ron's scowl, and the rest of the group smiled at George.
Blaise had two showers, so while two of them showered, the other four took turns eating and talking or poking fun at Draco and his impending "incarceration" as they jokingly called it.
While Neville and Harry were showering, Blaise brought Ron into the living to see the Muggle television, leaving Draco and George in the kitchen, snacking on a bag of chips.
"Malfoy, I wanted to, er, thank you for letting me come with today." Draco swallowed his mouthful and chips and nodded.
"Thank you for coming. As I said previously, you can play a mean game of Quidditch." George smiled and sadness crept back into his eyes.
"I haven't had this much fun since before Fred died." Draco nodded and put an arm around George, patting him on the back in the most comforting way he could manage.
"I'm glad we can help, George." George nodded and was silent for a moment.
"I saw you there, you know." Draco looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Where?"
"Fred's funeral. You didn't want to be seen. I respect that. But thank you for coming." George looked to Draco and Draco blinked back tears he hadn't realized where there.
"You're welcome. Thank you and your family for being there for Hermione." George smiled at him.
"Anytime, Malfoy." They both looked up as Harry walked into the kitchen, running a towel through his hair.
"Shower's open, Draco." Draco stood and nodded to George, sweeping past Harry and out of the room.
Hermione had been staring in the mirror for the last half hour, trying to comprehend that the delicate piece of art piled on top of her head was in fact her own hair, and that the face she was looking at was in fact her own face.
"Well?" Bastien asked, pacing nervous behind her.
"It's beautiful. It's perfect. Is that actually my hair?" Hermione raised a hand and suddenly Ginny appeared from nowhere, smacking it away.
"Don't you dare touch it!" Hermione blushed and looked back in the mirror. Her hair was pulled and clipped to the back loosely in finger-combed sections with pins adorned with crystals, cascading in loose curls down the back of her neck to below her shoulder blades. There was curls framing down the side of her face and playing across the crown of her head.
Bastien had also taken the liberty of doing her makeup for her. It was very light at Hermione's request, but still prominent enough to be seen from a distance. On her upper eyelid was a slightly winged liner with eye shadow accentuating the crease of her eye. Her naturally thick and long eyelashes were multiplied by mascara on her top and bottom lash line.
Ginny and her bridesmaids had all been given a similar hairstyle; loose curls with the top half of their hair pulled back into a small bun held together by clips with crystals on the end. Their makeup was also similar to Hermione's.
"Can we come in?" Narcissa and Molly peered around the corner and then entered the room.
"Oh my," Molly sniffled, walking up to Hermione and smiling. Narcissa hovered behind her, hugging Pansy and Ginny before approaching Hermione as well.
"It's time to get your dress on, dear," Molly said, voice wavering with emotion. Hermione sniffled and tried to blink back tears.
"Don't worry about crying, love. Nothing on your face will budge," Bastien offered helpfully. Hermione laughed and wiped her eyes quickly.
"What time is it?" Ginny asked.
"Half past four. Shall we?" Hermione nodded and turned around to hug Bastien.
"You go now, gorgeous. I'll be in the second row." His kissed Hermione's cheeks again and ushered her forward into Molly and Narcissa's grasp.
"I trust you girls can help each other with your bridesmaids dresses?" Narcissa asked. The bridesmaids nodded and Ginny wiped her eyes and waved to Hermione as the mothers led her from the room and into another bedroom down the hall.
Hermione's dress was on a mannequin in the center of her room with the veil hanging beside it. Her jewelry was in a display box on a table beside them as well.
"We figured we'd help you get your dress on," Molly bustled around Hermione and Narcissa nodded in agreement, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Please, no crying," Hermione snuffled. Narcissa laughed and blinked a few times.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so proud of you and Draco." Molly rounded around Hermione and nodded in agreement with Narcissa.
"Let's get you into this dress, shall we?" Molly smiled kindly and Hermione unbuttoned her shirt and Molly took it from her and Narcissa steadied her as she stepped out of her shorts. She shivered as the cold air hit her skin. Narcissa and Molly worked at undoing the buttons and zipper at the back of the dress before carefully lifting it over the mannequin and bringing it to Hermione. Molly's eyes were weepy and Narcissa was consistently sniffling as they helped Hermione step into the dress, pulling it up over her chest. Narcissa zipped it up and Molly worked the buttons closed. Hermione straightened the dress and then turned to look in a mirror. At some point, the photographer had wiggled his way in and had been taking pictures of the dress.
"Oh, 'Mione. You look gorgeous." Molly hugged her gently. She was shaking slightly.
"Molly, breathe. I'm just getting married," Hermione joked weakly. Molly shook her head and stepped back, holding Hermione at arm's length.
"Jewelry?" Narcissa asked, holding up a necklace. Hermione nodded and watched in the mirror as Narcissa fastened the rose gold pendant around her neck. Narcissa stepped back and handed Hermione the matching earrings, which she slid into her ears.
"Beautiful," Narcissa murmured. She reached for the veil and fastened it carefully in Hermione's hair. She and Molly took another step back and sighed in unison. Hermione was focused intently on her reflection in the mirror. It was surreal to see herself on this day. She hardly noticed the camera clicking or the sounds of Molly begin to cry. This was it; her wedding, her day with Draco. Nerves flooded through her.
"Come here, Hermione," Molly beckoned. Hermione turned around and faced Molly. She was holding Hermione's shoes.
"I heard somewhere," Molly said slowly, "That it was a Muggle tradition to have something borrowed, something blue." Narcissa nodded.
"The jewelry belonged to my mother," Narcissa said.
"And these belonged to me." Molly held out the shoes and Hermione noticed the small blue gems pinned onto the backs of them. Tears sprung up in Hermione's eyes and she rushed forward, pulling both of the women that had supported her and cared for her into a hug.
"Thank you both," she cried, "So much." There was a camera flash and then a knock at the door.
"Can we come in, 'Mione?" Harry called from outside.
"Is it that time?" Narcissa gasped, looking at the clock. It was ten minutes to five.
"Come in!" Harry and Ron walked in, dressed in black Muggle tuxedos over white dress shirts with sage green ties and lavender napkins folded into their pockets. Their polished black shoes clicked as they stepped onto the carpeted floor.
"Blimey, Hermione. You look amazing," Ron gaped. Hermione blushed and Molly shushed her son.
"We'll be heading down now. We will both see you soon." Narcissa leaned in and kissed Hermione on the cheek, and then repeated the action with Harry and Ron, much to the boys' chagrin. Molly hugged the three of them and bolted out after Narcissa. The wedding photographer took a quick picture of the three of them and then left, understanding that a moment alone was needed.
"You look gorgeous, Hermione," Harry said softly. He hugged her tightly and then spun her around, making Hermione giggle.
"You two look dapper," she responded, voice shaking with nerves. Ron rested a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't need to be nervous, 'Mione. Compared to what you've been through, marrying Malfoy is nothing." He winked at her and put an arm over her shoulders.
"Thank you for walking me, you two. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else." Harry smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
"We wouldn't have it any other way."
"Besides," Ron jutted in, "The headlines for this would be better than if anyone else had walked with you. 'The Golden Boys Give The Golden Girl Away: Marriage Of The Century'." Hermione rolled her eyes and elbowed Ron, who was laughing.
"Oh stuff it." Hermione looked at the clock and sucked in a deep breath.
"Let's go, 'Mione. Time for you to get married." Hermione nodded and slipped on her shoes, checking her reflection again.
"You're good, love. Let's go." Harry smiled at her and held out his arm. Ron stood on her other side and did the same. With her best friends at her side, Hermione wasn't as afraid to face the three hundred wedding guests. Anxiousness ran through her as they rounded the corner into the atrium. Ginny stopped them before they rounded the corner.
"Stay until I walk. Count to ten, and then go." She looked the three of them up and down and the kissed Harry briefly.
"You all look amazing." Hermione jolted as music started outside.
"Go, Cho!" Ginny called around the corner. Hermione shook and took three deep breaths as Ginny counted down from ten.
"Luna!" Another countdown to ten.
"Pansy!" Ginny lined up and counted again to ten.
"See you soon." Ginny smiled and as she mouthed ten, she rounded the corner and walked through the open French doors.
Ten…
Hermione tightened her grip on the boys and they both looked down at her and smiled reassuringly. Harry used his free hand to push his glasses up and Ron shifted from one hip to the other.
Five…
"Deep breaths, Hermione," Harry reminded her, squeezing her hand on his arm.
"We love you, you know." Ron's words calmed her down considerably.
One.
"Let's walk." Harry stepped forward first as the song changed to a bridal march. Hermione faltered a bit, but Ron made sure she didn't fall as Harry led them forward.
"Smile," Ron reminded. Hermione's smile was forced until she rounded the corner.
Hermione looked straight ahead and focused intently on the shock of blonde hair at the end of the aisle. He looked unbearably handsome in his black tuxedo and black tie. He was standing straight as a rod, his usual stance, but there was something relaxed about his posture. Draco's eyes were focused directly on hers, and the smile that split his face was bigger than any she had ever seen from him before. He rocked forward onto the balls of his feet and then turned to Blaise to answer something he had said, but his eyes never left Hermione's.
Hermione had the sudden urge to run headlong down the aisle, but Harry and Ron held her back. The tension rippled through her body. She didn't notice the rows of people around her or the flashes of the wedding photographer and the reporters. She didn't notice the music or the flower petals she was treading on. All she saw was Draco watching her walk towards him.
It seemed to take ages, but they reached the end of the aisle. Harry cleared his throat and Hermione looked to him, smiling widely. Harry's eyes were brimming with tears as he leaned down to kiss her cheek and hug her.
"We love you, 'Mione. We're always here for you." She turned to Ron and hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek.
"You're still part of our family. Always will be." He grinned goofily at her and then looked to Draco, who had stepped forward and offered his hand.
"May I?" he asked Harry and Ron. They looked to each other and then nodded, stepping aside to join the ranks of the groomsmen. Hermione put her hand in Draco's and smiled.
"You look phenomenal, Granger," he whispered as he hugged her. Hermione smiled at him as she stepped onto the small platform.
"You won't be able to call me that after this," she muttered back. Draco shrugged and dropped her hand, stepping back so the official from the Ministry was between them. His eyes were slightly misty and Hermione noticed that every time he took a breath, he shuddered a little.
"That's what you think." Hermione rolled her eyes and heard a chuckle from the crowd. She looked out to the front row. The entirety of the Weasley family had made it. Even Charlie was there. Molly and Arthur sat on one end of the aisle, with Percy next to them. Charlie was next to Percy, and Bill and Fleur were beside Charlie. Fleur waved at her and smiled, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. George was beaming up to her from beside Fleur. Across the aisle was Narcissa, sitting with people Hermione didn't recognize.
The official cleared his throat and her attentions snapped to him and then back to Draco. He had held out his hand again and she took it gratefully, twining their fingers together. Draco gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand, then looked out to his mother briefly. She smiled and nodded.
"Ladies and gentlemen, witches and wizards," the official began, "All of us are present today to witness the union of Draco Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Jean Granger under the direction of the Marriage Law." As the man droned on, Hermione found herself staring only at Draco, who was looking intently back at her. Neither of their smiles faltered the entire time.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, do you take Hermione Jean Granger as your chosen wife?" Draco cleared his throat.
"I do." The official nodded and turned a page in the book he was reading.
"And Hermione Jean Granger, do you take Draco Lucius Malfoy as your husband?"
"I do." Hermione's throat was clenched with emotion and she worked back tears again.
The official snapped his book shut and coughed quietly.
"As requested by, I now pronounce you husband and wife." As soon as the official stepped back, Draco stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist, dipping her down and kissing her. Hermione blushed as the straightened up and turned out with Draco to face the wedding guests. She laughed as she saw the difference in sides. Her side of guests was standing and clapping. George was whistling through his teeth and Luna's father was doing some sort of odd hand motions. Draco's guests were formally clapping and smiling half-heartedly, save for Narcissa who, to their surprise, was celebrating much like the Weasley's.
Ginny thrust a bouquet of white, lavender and sage flowers into Hermione's free hand and pushed them slightly down the aisle together. The orchestra had picked up another song as Draco and Hermione walked arm in arm down the aisle and into the ballroom.
It had been changed completely from the night before. There was no dance floor, only tables spread throughout the room an equal distance apart from each other. The head table remained where it had before. To the sides of the room were serving stations with waiters standing by, and greeting them as they walked in were four men in suits to bring them to their tables.
Soon enough everyone was seated at their tables and courses of food were being brought out. Hermione and Draco were seated at the center of the head table and talked with each other and their wedding parties as they ate. The food was delicious, as Hermione had expected. Narcissa had been nothing but thorough.
"Don't worry," Draco assured, holding her hand under the table, "I don't recognize half the people my mother invited." He turned to her and smiled.
"I love you, Hermione Malfoy." Hermione blushed and played with the ring on her finger.
"I love you." The ring of a glass being tapped attracted everyone's attention as Blaise stood up and smiled.
"Well now it's time for me to make a speech," he began as the room hushed, "That simultaneously highlights the finer points of my friendship with Draco and also embarrasses him to no end at the same time." The crowd chuckled and Draco rolled his eyes, watching his friend.
"Unfortunately, I'm bad at making speeches, so I'll say this instead." Blaise turned to Draco and grinned.
"Draco's been like a brother to me since we were kids, and I'm glad that he's happy. So here's to hoping the newlyweds don't revert back to their school days and try to kill each other." The room roared with laughter and Draco stood up and hugged Blaise tightly.
A few minutes after Blaise's speech, the dinner was done and suddenly all of the food service areas and plates disappeared. Tables were shifted off the dance floor and the cake table was put in their place.
"Do you even know what the cake looks like?" Hermione muttered. Draco shook his head.
The doors of the ballroom opened and four of the waiters from before walked in with their wands raised, levitating in between them a very large, six-tiered cake. It was coated in white frosting with twisting branches and sage and lavender twining to the top tier, on top of which were moving figurines of a ferret and an otter.
"Oh Merlin. Are those…" Hermione trailed off, motioning to the tiny animals. Draco was nearly doubled over with laughter.
"I would assume our Patronuses." Hermione looked at him in shocked amusement.
"Your Patronus is a ferret? That's brilliant." Draco scowled and rolled his eyes.
"I don't get to pick. At least mine isn't some sort of sea rat." Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but Draco stood up, pulling her with.
"Time for cake." Hermione looked at him very seriously as they walked around the table.
"If you get cake on my dress, I will hex you tonight." Draco winked at her.
"Sounds kinky." Hermione glowered at him as he picked up the knife. Cameras flashed as together they cut into the cake and, to Hermione's relief, very neatly fed each other a bite. Draco laughed nearly the entire way through.
Narcissa stepped onto the floor and stood by Draco's side.
"Now it's time for the first dance, and then the real party can begin." There were some cheers from Hermione's side of the room, but they were cut out as a slow, sweet song started playing. Instantly Draco pulled Hermione against him, dropping his left hand to her lower back, holding her hand with his right.
"How does it feel to be married?" He asked, spinning them around. Hermione smiled.
"Like it felt to be engaged. I just get to sign my name different now." Draco's mouth twisted into a sarcastic smile and he shook his head.
"It feels amazing to be married to you, Granger. I was hoping you'd feel the same." Draco dipped her down and pulled her back up. As he did, she kissed him lightly.
"It feels perfect. And it's Malfoy now, Malfoy." Draco chuckled and spun Hermione around again. Draco stopped spinning as Arthur Weasley tapped on his shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Draco nodded and offered Hermione forward and stepped to the side, pulling Narcissa out of her chair and bringing her out onto the dance floor.
"May I have the honor of this father-daughter dance?" Arthur asked, bowing slightly and extending his hand to Hermione. Hermione flushed and nodded.
"Of course." Arthur smiled and twirled Hermione around. His dancing was less refined than Draco's, but that didn't matter.
"Molly and I are very proud of you, Hermione," Arthur said softly. Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes again and she wiped them with the back of her hand.
"Thank you for being such wonderful parents to me. You have no idea how much I appreciate it." Arthur smiled through misty eyes and kissed Hermione on the cheek.
"We've always considered you our daughter."
As more people filtered onto the dance floor, Draco kissed his mother's hand and walked towards Hermione again.
"May I?" Arthur shook Draco's hand and hugged Hermione tightly, leaving her to go to Molly, who was waiting for him on the side of the floor.
"I won't get you for long," Draco said mournfully as they resumed their previous dance. The floor was getting crowded with couples. Hermione watched Harry and Ginny slow dance next to them. Ron and Cho were towards the corner of the dancing, holding hands and talking quietly. Ron reached up and brushed her cheek. She smiled and touched his wrist. Luna and Neville were swaying next to each other, as awkward and in love as possible.
Draco followed her gaze and looked at her with a smile.
"Are you happy?" He asked.
"Very. Are you?" Draco nodded and kissed her cheek.
"Of course. I'm happier now than I ever have been. I'm dancing with my beautiful wife at my wedding. My mother is happy. We are happy." Draco leaned down and kissed her gently. They were interrupted by Harry clearing his throat.
"Can I interrupt?" Draco sighed.
"Will I actually get to dance with my wife tonight?" Harry smiled and extended his hand to Hermione.
"Maybe later. Hermione, care to dance?" Hermione smiled and Draco stepped back. Harry put his hand on her waist and grabbed her hand, spinning them dramatically. Hermione laughed.
"Everything alright?" He asked seriously.
"Everything is perfect, Harry. For once, everything is perfect." Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder.
"No Voldemort, no Death Eaters. No one's trying to kill us." Harry burst into laughter and twirled her one more time. Then Draco was there, waiting, and Hermione stepped back from Harry.
"Thank you, Harry." He shrugged and brushed hair off his glasses.
"Anytime."
The Malfoy-Granger wedding lasted well into the night. Hermione took turns dancing with every Weasley and even some of the Blacks and Malfoys at the party. There was no shortage of food or drink all night and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. At midnight, the crowd started to thin out, saying their congratulations to the bride and groom and goodbye to Draco's mother. By one, everyone was gone and an exhausted Hermione and Draco Malfoy were ushered out of the room and upstairs by Pansy and Ginny.
"Your trunks are packed," Ginny said excitedly, albeit tiredly, "And you're leaving in five minutes!" Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Leaving where?" Pansy giggled.
"Your honeymoon." Hermione looked to Draco.
"Honeymoon? I didn't even take time off work for this, and-," Ginny shushed her and thrust a Portkey into her hand.
"We have everything covered. Two weeks and you'll be back. And two minutes until that whisks you away." Pansy flicked her wand and two trunks floated towards them. Draco reached down and picked up both of them.
"Everything you need is packed in those trunks, and if you come back before two weeks I'll strangle you both," Pansy said lightly, leaning forward to hug Hermione and Draco goodbye.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked as she hugged Ginny. Ginny chuckled.
"That is for us to know and you to find out. Have fun!" Hermione barely had time to reach out and grab Draco before the Portkey whisked them away, dropping them on a cobblestone path surrounded by sand.
"Do you know where we are?" Draco was smiling as he nodded.
"Yes. Our island in the Caribbean." Hermione looked at him incredulously.
"Your island?" Draco nodded. He was staring at the cottage nostalgically. It was small by the standards of the Malfoy's; one story with a wrap-around porch with white columns that supported the roof over the decking. The siding was pale blue with white edging.
"One of a few. Shall we?" Draco motioned forward and Hermione nodded, hitching her dress higher as they walked up the stairs.
"Wait a moment, love." Draco opened the door and set the bags inside before turning to Hermione and picking her up, carrying her over the threshold.
"I've been brushing up on my Muggle traditions," he said, smiling.
Hermione wasn't focusing much on Draco or the interior of the house. She was more focused on the fact that he had carried her into the bedroom.
Nervousness rushed through her with newfound adrenaline. She trembled on her feet as Draco set her down and looked her over.
"Are you alright?" Hermione nodded shakily, slipping her shoes off and raising her hand to Draco's suit, undoing the buttons slowly.
"I'm nervous," she muttered as she slipped Draco's jacket off. Her hands went to his tie, undoing it deftly and throwing it the ground with the jacket. As her fingers started on his shirt buttons, he raised his hands up and stopped her.
"We don't have to do this tonight, Hermione. We can wait if you're uncomfortable." Hermione shook her head and stood on her toes to kiss him. Tentatively, gently, Draco put one hand around her and the other on the back of her neck, pulling her to him. Hermione's fingers carried down his shirt and pulled it out of the waistband of his slacks. Draco moved his arms so Hermione could slip his shirt off.
"Mrs. Malfoy," he murmured into her neck as he undid the clasp of her necklace and set it on the chair beside the door.
"Yes?" Hermione shivered as his lips ran down her neck to the tip of her shoulder.
"I love you. Do you trust me?" She felt his teeth brush the juncture where her neck and shoulder met.
"Yes. Of course." Draco's lips curled into a smile against her jaw.
"Shall we go to bed?" Hermione grinned and grabbed Draco's belt loops.
"Definitely."
A/N: I stayed up until five in the morning writing this. So I better get some reviews. :P Until next time!