Lucius stood before his mirror, fixing his cufflinks. His hair was pulled back with a cord and ribbon which hung down his back. His attire was meticulous, each item of clothing and jewelry was an indication of his wealth and prestige. Not that he had much prestige left, but he was a proud man and refused to relinquish that which had been instilled in him from birth.
He knew his son was currently in his own room, also getting ready for the ceremony. Glancing up, Lucius looked in the mirror and analyzed himself, checking over his robes and jewelry.
Hearing his bedroom door open and close, his eyes glanced in the mirror at the door. He frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked.
He was mildly surprised she had shown up to the wedding. Though he knew she loved Draco with all her heart, he also knew she highly opposed the bride. While they had never married anything other than Purebloods, the Greengrasses sympathized with Muggles and were known to befriend Muggleborns. Narcissa took this as an insult and had often spoken ill of Eugene and his family. Though he had befriended Eugene during their Hogwarts days and continued to correspond with him later in life, even Lucius had never cared for the Greengrasses and their treacherous ideals.
The beautiful witch, with her long blonde hair, approached him. "Why do you think, Lucius?" she asked, raising her eyebrow. "Our son is getting married today."
He pressed his lips together and turned to face her. "No. I mean, why are you here? In my room. I do not recall giving you permission to enter."
"It was my room too for the better part of the last twenty years," she cooly reminded him as she gave the room a disgusted once over.
So, she didn't like the changes he had made to it, did she? His eyes narrowed. "Yes," he agreed. "Was. Once we signed the papers, it ceased being yours. So, my question remains."
Her cerealan blue eyes glanced up and down his person and she lifted her head a little. "I read the most scandalizing article in the Prophet. When I questioned Draco of it, he seemed as though he didn't want to speak of it. Tell me, Lucius. Are the rumours true?"
"You know better than anyone that you shouldn't believe everything you read in the Prophet, Narcissa. Given I haven't the slightest idea which article, or rumour, you are referring to, perhaps you care to enlighten me," he said as he walked around her to the vanity table. He dabbed a bit of cologne on his neck.
"The Mudblood," she hissed. "According to the Prophet, you have turned blood traitor and are courting a Mudblood who is the same age as Draco. Not only that, but she is none other than that pesky little girl who helped defeat the Dark Lord!"
Lucius glared at her. "You would be wise to not use that language in my presence."
Her eyes widened as she stared at him in surprise."So it's true!" she breathed. "You are turning your back on everything! Society, tradition, your family… For what? Is this some sort of measure you're taking to get back at me? To try to make me jealous or come crawling back to you? I will say, Lucius, I am not amused."
"Indeed," he said. "Though I do applaud you in your poor attempt in trying to make this about you. I happen to recall finding you in this very bedroom, on my bed, in the throes of heated love making with a man much, much younger than you."
"Not twenty five years!" she hissed. "And in case you have forgotten, dear husband, that only happened because you had all but vanished from this bedroom. Sleeping in your study and drinking your weight in firewhiskey."
He chuckled. "So, if I had decided to sleep in here, you would have simply gone elsewhere for your kicks? Also, remember, you lost the right to call me 'husband' the day we divorced."
"As if you hadn't!" she screeched. "I know you slept with other women during our marriage, and don't you dare try to deny it."
"I won't," he said as he walked to his wet bar and poured himself a finger of brandy.
"So, why a Mudblood? And why her?" she asked as she followed him to the fireplace. "You do remember that she is responsible for my sister's death."
"No, she isn't," Lucius argued, looking at his ex-wife in consternation. "That responsibility rests solely on Bellatrix's shoulders, not Hermione's. And I do recall asking you not to use that word."
Narcissa stared at him as he sat down in his armchair. "What are your intentions with this girl? You do remember that she went to school with our son? Was in his class and outscored him in every class they were in together? She also works in the Ministry and is passing laws that go against everything we hold dear. All your hard work for the past thirty years is going down the drain, and for what?"
"Actually, I'm funding much of the laws that she is having passed, though I doubt she knows just how much I am giving to them," he mused as he sipped his drink. "Do sit down, Narcissa."
She frowned. He could see she was trying to figure out his motives and the reasoning behind his about face. While he wasn't willing to give anything up to her, a part of him did worry what it might mean if she did learn of them. Of course, there wasn't really much she could do except try to sabotage his relationship with Hermione. If she did that, then he could easily take her to court and regain some of that which he had lost to her. He inwardly smirked. Her jealous nature could work to his advantage.
He mentally sighed to himself. Lucius knew she was incredibly jealous of any woman who gave him so much as a side glance. Though why, he mentally grumbled, she would give a damn when some other bloke was currently porking her, he couldn't fathom.
"She's the one, isn't she?" Narcissa asked suddenly, breaking his thoughts.
He did not react, just glanced up at her curiously. "The one?" he repeated, seemingly half interested.
"Yes, Lucius. 'The one,'" she said in annoyance. "The girl. The little bint that you were agonizing over before our divorce. Always in your study, mumbling to yourself over meals… I never could figure out what you meant. When you caught me in bed with Enrique, I couldn't figure out why you, of all people, would suggest a divorce. To damage your family name so. The divorce was nothing compared to this, though. You're going to ruin the Malfoy name. Blood traitors. It will take generations to claw your way out of that hole you've dug."
Lucius hated her. He hated how she had managed to uncover everything he had worked hard for. He had been so careful, so… "I don't know what you're talking about, Narcissa," he said, keeping a straight face and showing no emotion.
"Bullshit!" she snapped. "Don't think I didn't see you every morning and evening. You would come into the dining room with that blasted paper and pretend to read while eating. When, in reality, you were fawning over that little Mudblood's pictures in the paper. Then, as soon as you were finished eating, you would return to your study, no doubt to masturbate to that filth!"
Lucius's eyes flashed. "I have asked you to refrain from using that word. You will do so or you will leave," he said, keeping his voice calm and steady.
"You really would ruin our son's wedding by forcing me out?" she asked, her eyes blazing.
"No," he told her. "But you will. Our son's soon-to-be wife adores Hermione. Hearing you besmirch the woman would break her heart."
Narcissa's eyes widened as she took a step back. "What happened to you?" she asked. "Where did the Lucius I knew go? That Lucius would never have approved our son marrying a blood traitor, which you know her whole family is. That Lucius wouldn't even consider being with a Mudblood as he knows such a thing would be treasonous to his own family and values."
And Lucius hated her because he knew she was right. In fact, a part of himself hated what he was doing: wooing a Muggleborn to marry her and approving of his son's engagement to a Greengrass. He looked at her curiously. "That Lucius nearly had his whole family destroyed by the Dark Lord," he mused. "That Lucius tried to convince his son that being a Death Eater was a wondrous and noble thing to the point that his son wanted to be one as well. I have no desire to be that Lucius anymore."
She straightened up and gazed at him haughtily. "No matter how hard you try, Lucius, you will never change," she said.
He looked at her curiously. "I believe I already have. I've donated to several of Hermione's causes, opened up a public Magical park, freed my house elves, and I'm engaged to marry none other than Hermione Granger. While I will admit that I still have a long way to go, I do believe I am on the right track."
"You're marrying a girl half your age. A girl that you would have disinherited your own son for even thinking of courting," she said, dismissively. "But let's not forget her wonderful connections. Have you managed to make friends with the Boy Wonder yet?" She raised an eyebrow as he glowered at her. "I thought not. Don't think she will remain unaware as to your true intentions of marrying her."
"And what are my 'true' intentions, dear," he growled snidely. "Please, do enlighten me."
"Why don't you tell me?" she challenged, her eyes flashing.
He rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this," he said. "Our son is getting married today and I still have to retrieve Hermione from her flat." He walked to his bedroom door and stopped. Turning back to look at his ex-wife, he added, "And do try to be on your best behaviour. I would hate to see our son's wedding ruined. I doubt Draco would forgive you if you did anything."
(II)(II)
"Shouldn't you be at your parents' home getting ready?" Hermione asked dubiously as she watched the young witch pace her floor.
Astoria walked to a chair at the little dining room table and sat upon it. Putting her face in her hands, she sighed. "I'm so nervous!" she admitted. She looked up at the Muggleborn through her fingers. "It's actually happening. I'm getting married!"
Ginny joined the girl as she sat in the chair next to hers. "You'll be fine," she assured her. "I was scared crazy on my wedding day, too, but it turned out alright in the end. As soon as I saw Harry standing at that altar, I knew everything was going to be ok."
"How did you know, though?" the blonde asked, still unsure.
Hermione pulled another chair around the table to join the two girls. She took Astoria's hands in her own and made eye contact with her. "Do you love Draco?" she asked.
Astoria nodded. "More than anything."
"And I know he loves you," Hermione told her. "That's all that matters. You are a wonderful, kind, beautiful person, Astoria. Both on the inside and out. Not to mention, you have the patience of a saint."
"Yeah, I mean, look at who you are marrying," Ginny agreed, drawing a soft giggle from Astoria.
"I suppose one would need a lot of patience to be marrying a Malfoy, huh?" the young witch stated. She looked at Hermione and smiled. "And one day soon, we will be in-laws, won't we?"
Hermione shrugged. "That's the plan," she said.
Astoria leaned back and took a deep breath. "We're going to bind ourselves to one another," she told her friends.
Ginny's eyes widened. "What?"
Hermione frowned. "Bind yourselves? What do you mean?" she questioned curiously.
"You'll see," Astoria told her. "But, basically, Draco and I are going to dedicate our lives to one another for all eternity. It's something many Pureblood couples do, but it can only be done when one or both people are pure. Draco's never told me whether or not he's ever been with someone, but since I haven't, well…"
Hermione blinked. "So, he's going to be 'it' for you?" she asked. "Are you sure you want to do that? I mean, what if something happens later on in life? Or what happens if he passes on? Will that mean…?"
Astoria nodded. "But I don't mind," she assured her. "I don't want anyone else."
"But what if you meet someone?" Hermione asked.
"She can still remarry," Ginny told the Muggleborn. "She just can never procreate with anyone else. Once her and Draco are bound, they can only ever reproduce with one another."
"What if you and Draco never have children?" Hermione inquired.
"Oh, please don't say that," Astoria said, sitting up. "It's bad luck. Draco would be heartbroken if that were to ever come to pass."
Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just… that is a huge life decision. To become bound to one person forever?"
Astoria frowned a little. "I've been giving it a lot of thought," she assured her. "Draco's the 'One', the only one I want to be with. Besides, it's tradition."
Hermione sat back, her eyes wide. Tradition. "Lucius and Narcissa weren't bound, were they?"
Astoria shook her head. "Draco told me that they weren't able to. Theirs was an arranged marriage, which means they had been betrothed for years before they had even finished Hogwarts. So, neither put much stock in keeping things 'pure', I suppose," she explained. "I mean, had they done so, then they never would have been able to get divorced. Binding yourself to another makes such a thing impossible."
"While you can remarry if your spouse dies," Ginny elaborated to Hermione, "as long as your spouse remains alive, your life belongs to him, and vice versa. Even things such as cheating can't really occur."
Hermione's head tilted. "Why not?" she asked.
"Aside from things like erectile dysfunction?" the ginger mused, causing Hermione's eyes to widen. Ginny shrugged. "When you bind yourself to another, there's no… interest in anyone else. I've never done it myself, but from what I've heard, it's like during the first year of your marriage, you're in this euphoric sort of bubble where only you and your spouse exist. All either of you want to ever do is just be together, whether it's making love or cuddling, or… whatever. You can't stop thinking about each other, can't wait to touch one another."
"And after the year?" Hermione pressed.
Ginny shrugged. "Well, it does ease up, and the yearning for one another lessens, but it's always there. Always in the back of your mind. And your love for one another grows stronger with time. Many people who bind themselves find that, even after their spouse dies, they just have no desire for another partner."
Hermione frowned as she took in this new information. "Why only a year?" she asked.
"Babies," Ginny said with a smile.
Hermione looked at her and the ginger elaborated, "Usually after a year, they've already had a baby, so their focus falls on the child."
"Some aren't so lucky, though," Astoria said sadly. "It took my parents years before they successfully gave birth to Daphne. I was a complete surprise as the Healer had told my mother that she couldn't have any more children."
Hermione's mind whirled with this new information. Why hadn't Lucius brought this up to her? Was he expecting a binding between her and him? What if he did? Did she want it? He wasn't bound to Narcissa, thank the gods, but what if he wanted to be bound to Hermione? While she had, in her heart, believed that she and Lucius would be together until the end, she hadn't considered the idea of removing divorce altogether.
'Til Death do ye part…
That was the standard proclamation in most Muggle weddings, but in this day and age, many people did not live up to that promise. A Magical binding would, essentially, force a couple into that promise.
The doorbell rang and all three witches jumped and glanced at the door.
Hermione stood and hurried to open it. Her eyes widened in fright as she looked up to see Lucius standing there is all his glory. His robes were as immaculate as his hair and his face brightened as he gazed at her. "Hello, beautiful," he greeted.
His face fell slightly as he noticed her look of panic. "Are you all right, my dear?" he asked.
She nodded as she opened the door wider to let him inside. "We were just talking," she explained as he stepped into the flat.
He glanced at the other two witches and his brow furrowed. "Greetings, ladies," he said.
"Hi, Lucius," Ginny piped as Astoria said, "Hello, Mr. Malfoy."
"Shouldn't you be at the Manor by now, Astoria?" he asked. "I'm sure your parents must be worried, especially your mother."
"Yes, sir," Astoria said as she stood up. "I just wanted to speak with Hermione for a moment and I knew she was here."
He nodded in understanding. "I wouldn't keep them waiting," he told her. "I don't think your father would be too pleased."
She bowed her head sheepishly. "Yes, of course," she said as she walked up to the fireplace. She looked back at Hermione. "I'll see you at the wedding?"
Hermione grinned. "Of course."
Astoria turned her eyes to Ginny. "And you and Harry, too, hm?"
Ginny chuckled. "I don't know if getting Harry and Draco together in a room is such a good idea," she warned.
Astoria shrugged. "I'm sure it will be fine. I really hope you can make it," she said before she stepped into the Floo and called out, "Malfoy Manor."
Ginny watched the girl go and shook her head. "Harry's going to kill me," she said absently.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Hermione said as she approached her friend.
Ginny looked at the older witch. "Yes, I do," she told her. "You still need a chaperone and, I'm sorry, but I highly doubt either of my parents have proper attire for this wedding. The last thing I want is for either of them to embarrass themselves."
"Perhaps you should go to your home then and get ready?" Lucius suggested.
The ginger looked at him and her eyes narrowed. "And leave the two of you alone in this flat? My mother will have my head. No. I will escort you and Hermione to the Manor and make sure she is safely inside with Astoria and Luna. Then I will go and get ready."
He shrugged. "Suit yourself," he said as he glanced at Hermione. "Are you ready, darling?"
Hermione touched her soft blue formal robes and nodded. "I am."
He looked at Ginny. "Given your condition, I don't think it would be the wisest thing to Apparate," he stated, glancing at her pregnant stomach.
"Thank you for the consideration," she said as she walked to the fireplace. She looked at Hermione. "You first," she instructed. "Then me, then Lucius."
Hermione glanced at her fiance and nodded. "I'll see you at the Manor then," she said with a smile.
As she turned her attention to the fireplace, Lucius reached out to touch her. "Wait," he said.
The two witches looked at him. He took a deep breath. "Perhaps I should go first," he suggested.
"Ladies' first," Ginny argued.
He gave her a soft, almost embarrassed smile. "I know," he assured her. "However, Narcissa is over there right now, and…"
"Why is Narcissa in your home?" Hermione asked, interrupting him.
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. As much as he hated being interrupted, he did enjoy the idea that she could be jealous. "I don't know," he said. "Perhaps because her son is getting married today? Either way, I do think I should go ahead to make sure nothing untoward happens when the two of you arrive."
"You expect something to happen?" Ginny asked.
He shook his head. "But you can never be too careful," he told her. "I know Narcissa. I would hope she would show some respect for her son's wedding, but I wouldn't put it past her to try to start something."
"Should I bring Harry now?" Ginny asked him as she looked at him with worry in her eyes.
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say that Mr. Potter wasn't going to be pleased? While I do think having an Auror there would be beneficiary to all parties involved, something tells me he isn't going to rush over. Particularly given our last encounter," he said.
Ginny glanced at Hermione and the brunette shrugged. Snapping her fingers, Ginny said, "Hold on. I've an idea."
She bent down in front of the fireplace and threw some Floo Powder into it. "Grimmauld Place," she said loudly and stuck her head inside.
Lucius raised an eyebrow. His eyes wandered to Hermione with a look of impatience and she gave him an apologetic smile.
"Harry?" Ginny called.
Seeing him appear in the flames, Ginny sat back. Her husband looked at her. "What's going on?" he asked.
Ginny glanced behind her and then back at him. "I'm bringing Hermione to Draco and Astoria's wedding. I'm playing chaperone today," she told him. She quickly explained the situation to him.
"Ginny," he said with a patience Hermione had only seen him use towards James. "I told you: the less I have to deal with the Malfoys, the better. I have no desire - ."
"Hermione is going to marry Lucius!" Ginny shouted. "Maybe not today, but it is going to happen. So, you are going to have to learn to deal with it. I'm going to Malfoy Manor with Hermione to help Astoria get ready. We need you to get dressed in formal attire and meet us there."
"And what do I do with James?" he asked, clearly annoyed.
"Bring him to the Burrow. You know Mum loves spending time with him," she told him.
"Ginny…"
"I can't come over there right now. I'm with Hermione and Lucius and we're getting ready to head to the Manor. Just… meet us there," she insisted.
Harry's face scrunched up. "You are not going there by yourself!" he growled.
Hermione joined Ginny at the fireplace. "She won't be by herself. I'll be with her," she told him.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" he asked.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
Harry sighed. "Look. I'm not trying to make you upset or argue with you, Hermione. I just… don't trust your judgement entirely right now."
"Excuse me?"
"Think about it," he implored her. "You're dating Lucius fucking Malfoy. Hell, not just dating, you're engaged to him! You've never acted like this before. It's like he's got you under some sort of love spell or something."
The brunette witch sat back on her haunches. "You think this is the work of a love spell?" she asked. "And you don't think, for one second, that I could be in love with him by my own choice? You think this despite the fact that I have turned Cormac McLaggen down. Despite the fact that it was me who got us through the third floor during our first year. Despite the fact that I received the most O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s in over a century. Despite the fact that I figured out why Dumbledore had left you the sword of Gryffindor. I passed the bill that protects elves from abuse. I…"
"I get it, Hermione!" he shouted, cutting her off. "You're a fucking hero. I get it. And you're brilliant. Doesn't mean you can't make mistakes, does it? You say you're in love with him, but you give no explanation as to why."
"I wasn't aware I needed to explain myself to anyone," Hermione said.
Harry shook his head. "If he had been McLaggen, I would have understood. I would think you're bonkers, but it wouldn't have been a big deal. But this is Lucius Malfoy, Hermione. This is beyond crazy. This is bordering on insanity."
"Enough," Lucius growled. "Speak to my fiancée disrespectfully again, Mr. Potter, and I don't care if you're an Auror. I will see to it that you are suspended."
"No, Lucius, don't," Hermione intervened.
He shook his head. "I won't have him treating you like this, Hermione," the older wizard told her. "You've done too much for him and the Wizarding community to be treated so disrespectfully."
She smiled softly at him. Standing up, she touched his arm. "I know, but… Let me deal with him. I know how tempting it can be to throw your money at things and ruin a person's life, but not Harry. Please. He has a wife and child, plus another on the way." She glanced at Harry, who was glaring at her. "When you are finished acting like Ronald Weasley, I do think we should sit down and talk. Like adults. Who I choose to spend my life with is my choice, not yours. My parents have given their blessing, not that they needed to, of course, because they trust me to make the right decisions for my may not like it, but it is my decision. Not yours."
"Hermione, I don't think…"
"Good!" she spat. "You shouldn't 'think' anything. I never asked for your opinion or your permission!"
"Fine!" he shouted.
"Fine!" she repeated. "I'll see you at the wedding."
"Doubt it," Harry huffed.
Ginny glared at her husband. "Harry James Potter, if you don't come to that wedding and do your job, I swear I will name this child of ours Lucius and make Lucius Malfoy the godfather!"
Harry scoffed. "You wouldn't dare."
She stood up and looked down at him. "Try me," she challenged and ended the spell. She looked at Lucius. "All right, Lucius. You first. I will follow and then Hermione. Sound good?"
He waved a hand, still trying to calm down from what had just happened. "Fair enough," he said. He pulled Hermione to him and gave her a quick, chaste kiss. "I'll see you at the Manor," he whispered against her lips.
(III)(III)
"Oh, Hermione, Ginny! You made it!" Astoria preened as the two Gryffindors entered the room that had be reserved for her.
There were several others women in the room, including Luna and… "Padma?" Hermione asked, surprised to see the Ravenclaw there.
Padma smiled and nodded to her. "Hello, Hermione," she greeted. "How have you been?"
Hermione returned her smile with one of her own. "Well enough, I suppose. What of you?"
The Indian witch's smile broadened as she held her left hand to her chest, flashing a diamond ring. Both Hermione and Ginny squealed and Padma joined in their excitement. "Who is he?" Ginny gushed.
Padma leaned forward, as if to whisper, and said, "Blaise Zabini."
"No!" Hermione breathed in surprise.
Padma nodded. "Apparently, he had fancied me since Hogwarts. Oh, I had never been more surprised and happy when he got down on one knee at his mother's chalet!"
"Rumour has it, she isn't the only one engaged, Granger," Daphne said as she entered the room dressed in her finest robes.
"Nothing's been announced yet," Astoria told her older sister.
Daphne shrugged. "Probably because they're waiting until after your wedding to do so," she surmised. She looked back at the Muggleborn. "So, is the rumour true?"
Absentmindedly, Hermione touched her own ring. "Depends on what rumour you've heard," she said evasively.
"Cut the crap, Granger," Pansy Parkinson snapped as she entered the room as well. "We all know Lucius Malfoy has been courting you. It was all over the Prophet."
Hermione shrugged. "If you already know, then I shouldn't have to tell you one way or the other, should I?" she said. "Today is supposed to be about Astoria. Not me. So, perhaps we should focus on her instead?"
Astoria smiled at Hermione and then looked into a mirror. "Oh, I hope Draco likes this dress I'm wearing," she commented as she ran her hands along the fabric.
"He's going to love it," Hermione assured her with a smile.
The dress was a white sleeveless A-line silk gown with a sweetheart top and cascading skirt. "White is the colour of purity," Astoria told the Muggleborn matter-of-factly. "In Wizarding culture, only a virgin is allowed to wear white. And that includes the groom. If he isn't a virgin, he must wear the standard black formal robes." She glanced at the older witch and frowned a little. "Draco told me that he would be wearing the black formal robes. I don't know if it's because he likes the colour or because he isn't a virgin."
"Hate to break it to you, sister," Daphne told Astoria. "Draco isn't a virgin."
Hermione lightly squeezed Astoria's hand. "I wouldn't worry about it," she assured her. "At least you know that one of you will be experienced, right? I don't know what I would do if I were to marry a virgin."
"It's not so bad," Ginny said. "On the plus side, you have a chance to train him specifically to fit your needs."
Padma giggled. "Oh! So you mean Cho lied?" she asked, giving Ginny a surprised look.
The ginger rolled her eyes. "Cho only wishes she had bedded Harry," she said with a wave of her hand to dismiss the notion.
"When would he have had the time?" Hermione asked, looking at Padma curiously. "They only dated for, what? Two weeks? And even then, he was so busy dealing with Voldemort…"
Daphne hissed. "Don't say that name here!"
"Fear of the name…"
"It's not a matter of 'fearing the name', Granger," Pansy explained. "It's conjuring negativity. We're supposed to be conjuring good things right now. Positive energy. Like that ring you got on your finger. That's a Malfoy family heirloom, which means that he did propose to you."
Hermione frowned. "So what if he did?" she asked. "This day isn't about me."
"Of course it isn't," Pansy agreed. "But it is nice to have confirmation of our suspicions. Why do you care anyway?"
Astoria wrapped an arm around Hermione. "It's true," she said. "Hermione and I are going to be in-laws soon. Isn't that great?! Not only am I marrying the man of my dreams, but I will be related to one of the most brilliant witches to have ever graced the halls of Hogwarts."
"Hey! I thought I was one of the most brilliant witches to have ever graced the halls of Hogwarts," Daphne argued, looking a bit perturbed.
Astoria rolled her eyes. "Not like Hermione, though," she told the older witch. "You're pretty and you certainly had the attention of almost every boy in school, but Hermione had all the brains. Brightest witch of our age. And she still found time to defeat the Darkest wizard since Grindelwald. And she went to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum! How many witches do you know can say that?"
Hermione chuckled. "I'm not that special," she said.
Pansy rolled her eyes, but it was Luna who spoke, "Special enough to capture the attention of Lucius Malfoy. I've heard that you've even managed to change him."
"I don't think that was because of me," the brunette said. "A lot of things have happened since the Dark Lord returned. All of these can contribute to his reformation." She shrugged.
Pansy and Daphne shared a look with one another. "Brightest witch of our age, huh?" Pansy asked, still looking at Daphne.
Hermione glared at Pansy. "What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
Ginny placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. She turned to Astoria. "Your dress is beautiful. Draco isn't going to know what hit him when he sees you."
(IV)(IV)
Draco paced the length of the fireplace. His best friends, Blaise and Theodore, nursing snifters of firewhiskey and sat in the armchairs on either side of the fireplace, watched him.
"Why are you nervous?" Theo asked as he took a sip of his drink.
Draco did not stop his movement as he answered, "I'm not nervous. I just don't understand why we have to wait so long to get started."
"She needs time to get ready," Blaise pointed out. "And not just her. One thing you'll learn is that women need time to prepare for special events."
"You can talk," Theo said. "You aren't even married yet."
The dark skinned Slytherin shrugged and took a sip of his firewhiskey. "I'm engaged, so it's only a matter of time."
"You gonna bind with her, too?" Theo asked, curious.
Blaise snorted. "No. I'm not stupid enough to hang my wand up to one witch for the rest of my life."
"Stupidity would be to willingly live your life alone," Lucius said as he entered the room. "You may not see it now, young Zabini, but as the years pass, you'll find yourself yearning for a companion that will last."
Draco paused in his pacing and looked at his father. "Is it time?" he asked.
"Almost," Lucius assured him.
Blaise frowned. "If Padma wants forever, then the ideal thing would be for her to never leave me. But that will be her choice. At the same time, it will be my choice as well. Who knows? Ten or so years from now, our relationship might be different. One of us might decide we don't want to be with the other," he said. "I'm not going to hinder that decision by forcing her to stay with something as permanent as a binding."
Lucius grimaced as he fixed himself a brandy and leaned against the wet bar. "Marriage shouldn't be considered a hindrance. It's hard work, and takes dedication. A binding is merely a promise to your partner that you will work hard and be dedicated to her. That you will never hurt her or stray. A binding merely proves that you take your wedding vows seriously."
"Says the man who strayed," Narcissa said as she joined them.
"Not before you did, my dear," he countered with a raised eyebrow.
She approached her son. Fixing his tie, she kissed his cheek and brushed some non-existent wrinkles from his shoulder. "You look perfect, darling. So tall and handsome."
Draco looked at his parents in annoyance and stood straight. "Are we ready yet?" he asked harshly.
She smiled and gave him a single nod. "We are."
(V)(V)
At a quarter past 11 am, Astoria's father came into the room. "It's time," he announced.
The witches stood up. "Good luck," Pansy said as she patted the young bride on the shoulder and made to exit. She stopped at the door and looked back. "You should come, too, Potter. You're not part of the wedding party."
Hermione glanced at Astoria. "Should I go as well?"
The blonde looked at her curiously. "You're Mr. Malfoy's betrothed," she explained. "I would hope you would walk beside him down the aisle."
The Muggleborn blinked. "But we're not married yet. And I'm not Draco's mother. Shouldn't Narcissa walk beside him?"
Astoria shrugged. "If they were still married, sure."
"This is a Pureblood traditional wedding, Hermione," Luna said calmly. "It is customary that the father of the groom walk with his chosen. And the mother of the groom do the same. If they were married, they would walk beside one another, but since they are not, it wouldn't be proper."
"Didn't Lucius tell you this?" Daphne asked.
Hermione frowned. "No," she answered.
A gleam flashed in Daphne's eyes. "Wonder what else he hasn't told you?"
"That's enough, Daphne," Mr. Greengrass said as he offered his arm to his youngest daughter.
The girls quickly fell in line in front of Astoria. With a little help from Luna, Hermione found her place within the line, though she remained confused.
Hermione had expected to attend the wedding. She hadn't expected to be a part of it. Why didn't Lucius tell her?
Luna conjured a small bouquet of flowers and handed them to Hermione. "When you meet up with Mr. Malfoy, he will give you a corsage to wear. This corsage will Mark you as his equal. His partner," she explained. "Would you like me to give you a radish necklace to protect you from any Nargles?"
Hermione chuckled. "That won't be necessary, but thank you," she said kindly.
Mrs. Greengrass opened the door and the procession began. Blaise and Theodore were quick to meet up with their partners, bestowing upon the two witches with fanciful corsages of different colours. For Luna, Theodore had given her a corsage that had bright yellow and orange flowers, complete with a huge Easter lily in the middle. Blaise gave Padma something a bit more subtle with soft pink and white roses.
Hermione hesitated as she watched Narcissa and Lucius walk towards them. They looked so perfect together, as always. The Muggleborn gazed at them with troubled eyes as they approached. She knew what Lucius had told her of his relationship with Narcissa, but it just didn't seem as though that would have been enough. Why did they divorce, really?
As they met with Astoria's party, Lucius and Narcissa parted. A man that Hermione hadn't noticed before approached Narcissa and offered her a corsage with white and blue roses. The Pureblood witch glanced at Hermione. Her eyes narrowed and she raised a single, haughty eyebrow. Lifting her head up, she sneered at the younger witch and took the arm of the man.
Lucius approached Hermione and smiled gently at her. "You look beautiful, my love," he told her as he slipped a corsage on her wrist.
Hermione glanced down at the corsage and took a deep breath. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, gazing up at him.
The corsage she wore also had white roses, but in the middle of it was a silver emblem with the Malfoy crest. The man certainly did take pride in his heritage.
"About what?" he asked, genuinely curious.
She frowned. "That I was going to be a part of this wedding," she clarified.
He looked at her in surprise as they both heard Narcissa give a derisive laugh. Apparently, she had heard the girl as well. His smile faltered as Lucius gazed down at his betrothed. "It is customary for the parents of the bride and groom to walk down the aisle with their respective partners," he explained. "Is this not something they do in Muggle culture?"
Hermione pressed her lips together. "Usually, if the parents do walk down the aisle, the father and the mother of the groom will walk together while the mother of the bride will walk with another man so that the father can walk with the bride," she explained. She sighed. "If the parents are divorced and have new partners, then usually, said partners will wait with the other guests."
Lucius frowned. "Do you not wish to walk with me?" he asked, his hands still as his face hardened a little.
"I don't mind," she told him. "I just wish you would've told me so I could be more prepared."
He nodded. "Understood. Now, shall we?" he said as he offered her his arm.
She accepted his arm and he led her down a fairy lighted path into the gardens.
The gardens of Malfoy Manor had never been more beautiful. The pathway glittered and danced with fairy light as the flowers were in full bloom. The scent of jasmine and lavender permeated the air and mixed delicately with the roses and gardenias.
As Hermione and Lucius moved closer to the gazebo where Draco stood with a priest, the Muggleborn glanced around, taking note of the white chairs and the guests that stood to watch the parade of people. The gazebo was covered in white jasmine and had white Greek columns.
Hermione noticed that Draco was wearing black robes. Beside him stood Theo and Blaise. If the witch didn't know better, she'd think Draco seemed nervous, but that would have been wishful thinking. She watched as Narcissa and her beau moved off to the side and took note that neither of them sat down.
The young witch closed her eyes briefly. Were they going to stand the entire ceremony? If she had known that, she would have worn different shoes. Or at least spelled them to be more comfortable.
With Lucius standing, proudly, by her side, Hermione moved to stand close to Narcissa and her beau. The Pureblood witch did not bother to look in her direction. Sighing, Hermione watched the rest of the procession.
Daphne walked beside a wizard that, at first glance, Hermione did not recognize. As the couple moved off to the side, Astoria's side, Astoria's parents followed. Hermione gave a soft smile to them and turned to look down the aisle.
Astoria was gorgeous. Her light blonde hair hung down her back and was covered with a sheer veil that glittered like diamonds. Her white robes were lined with silver satin. The robes accented her figure with a sweetheart bosom and mermaid skirt. A slit in the skirt that started at her knees revealed a pair of silver heels. She held a white rose and white lily bouquet between her hands and kept her face bowed, letting the veil effectively cover her.
Lucius leaned down slightly to whisper into Hermione's ear. "She shows submission," he explained, "and purity. This will be a clean binding."
Hermione glanced up at him and frowned. Looking back at the girl, she noticed that Astoria walked alone. The Muggleborn glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass, who stood, watching, as their daughter ascended the walkway. As she took a step up to the altar, Draco took a step down towards her and offered her his hand. She paused and glanced at the hand.
The priest's voice spoke loud and clear, "Astoria Greengrass, daughter of Eugene Greengrass and Celeste Greengrass, nee Avery, will you accept the hand of Draco Malfoy?"
Lifting her hand, she placed it delicately into Draco's and looked up at him. "I will," she said.
Draco smiled as he closed his hand lightly around hers and guided her onto the altar. Once they were both on the altar, Astoria handed her bouquet to Draco. Draco turned slightly to give it to Theodore and then turned his attention back to his bride. Facing one another, they both knelt and clasped each other's hands. The priest draped an ornate white cloth over their joined hands.
"This ceremony will be more than the joining of two young people," the priest announced to those in attendance. "They will be bound with a promise to be together from now until such a time that they depart from this world. The binding will begin now and will be completed this evening, after the vows and reception."
The priest walked behind a white clothed table and picked up the golden goblet placed upon it. "Astoria Greengrass? You may rise," he commanded.
The witch did as she was asked, though how she managed to avoid stepping upon her skirt, Hermione hadn't the faintest idea. Astoria's smile was wide as she gazed down at Draco, who looked up at her in awe.
With a wave of his wand, the priest lifted the golden goblet and held it between the couple. "In this cup is a special potion. A single sip will prevent the drinker from giving the other any false statements throughout the duration of this ceremony. Draco Malfoy? You may rise."
Draco stood, his eyes never leaving Astoria. "Each of you will now take a sip from the cup," the priest ordered.
The priest handed the goblet to Astoria. Taking a deep breath, she accepted the cup and, closing her eyes, she took a sip from it. Golden thread wrapped around her body as she opened her eyes and presented the goblet to Draco. Not taking his eyes off of his bride, he, too, took a sip from the cup.
The golden threads that were wrapped around Astoria slithered from her hands to Draco's and wrapped around his body. They glowed dully and disappeared as Draco handed the goblet back to the priest. As the priest accepted the cup and placed it back on the altar, Draco took Astoria's hands into his own again.
The priest picked up a long green and silver cord which he wrapped around the couple's joined hands. "We are gathered here today to unite two souls as one," he said, his voice loud and commanding. "Do you, Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass, join us here of your own free will, to acknowledge the eternal bond shared between you?"
As they both nodded, Draco gave Astoria a soft smile. "I promise to give to you the best of myself and ask of you no more than you can give. I promise to respect you as your own person and to realise that your interests, desires, and needs are no less important than my own. I promise to share with you my time and attention and to bring joy, strength, and imagination to our relationship," he said, his voice melodic.
Hermione lifted her free hand to her chest, surprised and taken by the sincerity of Draco's words. Glancing at Astoria, she saw tears falling from the girl's eyes. Draco continued, "I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you see through the window of my world into my innermost fears and feelings, secrets and dreams. I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face changes in order to keep our relationship alive and exciting. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all I feel inside in the only way I know how. Completely and forever."
Silence reigned as his words sank into the hearts of the people bearing witness to this union. Astoria, unable to wipe her eyes, was freely crying. Taking a deep breath, she smiled brilliantly at the wizard before her.
Her smile faltered as her eyes fell to their joined hands. "You cannot possess me for I belong to myself," she said softly. "But while we both wish it, I will give you that which is mine to give. You cannot command me, for I am a free person. But I shall serve you in those ways you require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter from my hand. I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night and the eyes into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I shall honour you above all others, and when we quarrel, we shall do so in private and tell no strangers our grievances." She looked up into his eyes. As her watery smile broadened, she finished, "This is my wedding vow to you. This is a marriage of equals."
Hermione leaned into Lucius as she watched the couple. Her eyes widened as the cord wrapped around their hands changed. The green turned to a golden colour and the priest spoke, "Here before witnesses, Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass have sworn their vow to each other. With this cord, I bind them to these vows."
The priest lifted his wand and another golden cord slithered from his wand to wrap around the couple's hands. "However, this binding is not tied," he said, "so that neither partner is restricted by the other. Because the only true enforcement of love, is the will to love."
All the cords glowed brilliantly as they moved around the couple's hands and faded into their skin. Wedding rings appeared on their fingers. Draco and Astoria smiled at one another. Together, they said, "Heart to thee, body to thee, always and forever, so mote it be."
The entire congress of people, including Lucius and, belatedly, Hermione, said, "So mote it be."
Draco tugged on Astoria's hands, drawing her closer to him as he bent his head and kissed her gently on the lips. As the party clapped, and some cheered and shouted praise, the priest's voice boomed above them all, "I present to you all Draco and Astoria Malfoy!"
Laughing, Hermione looked up at Lucius. Her smile widened even more when she saw the look of pure pride on his face. Still giggling, she pressed a kiss to his shoulder. While she wasn't trying to draw his attention, he still glanced down at her and touched her chin. When she looked up at him, he kissed her. "I cannot wait for our day," he whispered against her lips.
Hermione felt a hive of butterflies flutter about her stomach at those words. Their day… This was going to be them one day.
She turned her attention back to Draco and Astoria. The couple looked so happy and in love. Their day. One day. Hermione's heart filled with so much love and joy at the thought.
Author's Note: The vows Draco gives are actually a poem by Dorothy R. Colgan called I Promise. The vows Astoria gives are the tradition Celtic vows.