Disclaimer: I wish I was J.K. and I had thought of these characters.
A/N: SURPRISE! I decided to post a chapter early. I think this is the second to last chapter before all the serious stuff comes. I'm excited for this story to end just so that I can start on the sequel and maybe another story in the same universe. I also have a few other stories racking my brain right now but I wanted to at least finish this. Enjoy! And I am still writing this strictly from my iPhone so please bear with me when it comes to grammar!
I am a handsome man and I knew it. I was quiet in Hogwarts. No one ever spoke to me and I never spoke to anyone. I am much more of an observer and let's just say I do have some trust issues due to dear mother.
I smoothed and straightened down my dress robes and looked at myself in the mirror. There would be no way that I would be going home alone tonight and now that I had this whole muggles/muggle borns are inferior rubbish out of my head there would be plenty more witches for me. I had done a complete 360 and honestly I was glad I had. In the sheets there was no difference about how the woman felt witch or muggle.
But today was not about me. Today was about my best mate Draco Malfoy. Today he was finally chaining himself down to the utter nonsense and rubbish of marriage. Did I mention I have issues because of my mother?
I looked over to see Draco straightening himself for the millionth time. "Draco, mate, word of advice. As I admire your need to make sure you are well maintained as I do, I'm pretty sure the sweat from your hands has unraveled your perfectly slicked back hair and you know how Astoria is."
Draco nodded himself to me and put some slicking potion in his hair again. It was nearly set but I could see his cards strewed all over the armoire in front of me.
"Draco. You'll be fine. You're marrying Astoria Greengrass. Merlin knows she's spent the last year everyday planning this wedding down to how much oxygen she would allow herself to breathe in that dress."
Draco finally laughed but a serious look came over his face. "I know I should be happy. My wife to be is gorgeous, patient, the perfect pureblood wife. But she's..."
"Not Hermione." I finished for him and he simply nodded.
"Draco. I'm probably the worst person to talk to about marriage and love since I run away from it. But as your best mate and best man I will keep you in line. What can you do today? Hermione married that Weasley git. Would you really cancel all of this? Would you go run to her and tell her that you still love her and she should leave her husband for you?"
"I don't know Blaise. But at least I tried with her." Draco shrugged.
"But it seems you pretty much bludgeoned that up. The inevitable is this. Unless you really know you could win her back." I clapped my hand on my best mate's shoulder but I couldn't help but notice the sad look in his eye. He took a picture out of his coat pocket and looked at it. It was the night him and Granger finally got together.
It was the 3rd Annual Remembrance Ball tonight. I didn't have many charges. The only charge I had was helping Draco, but since Granger and Potter had helped acquit him of most of his charges mine ended up looking like I stuck a live chocolate frog down the minister's pants. I had a year of house arrest and no magic other than just necessity needs. The ministry put a tracking spell on my wand but honestly the only spell they came to find that I used constantly was a contraceptive spell. I could only imagine the faces of the wizard or witch in charge of keeping track of what I used my wand for.
The ballroom was immaculately decorated and there was already quite a crowd. I had been able to redeem myself in the wizarding society fairly quickly. I was seen with multiple muggle, muggle-born, and half blood witches since my sentencing. I also became friends with that Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood. She was a pretty thing and certainly kept me on my toes, but she was already involved with that Scamander fellow.
I chatted it up with a delicious looking server that had graciously served me my wine. While in conversation about what she would be doing after the evening was over I scanned the room. But my eyes couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a certain blonde haired fellow Slytherin.
I excused myself from the pretty witch and walked over to the tall figure I never expected to see there. "Draco Malfoy." I exclaimed while clapping a hand on my old friend's back.
"Well well well, look who the cat dragged in. Zabini my good man. How are you?" Draco nodded his head at me.
"I'm good. Can't believe it's been three years. But how have you been Draco?"
"I've been alright. Can't complain I got off easier than I think I deserved to. But I have to thank Harry and Hermione." He said tipping his head towards the enormous blown up moving image of the famous Golden Trio.
"Harry is it? I expected Hermione. But Harry?" I was genuinely shocked. I knew about Draco's feelings for the brightest witch of our age since she knocked him in the face, but for the life of me couldn't understand how he was suddenly on first name basis with Potter.
"Blaise when people save not only you but your mother and father from a lifetime in Azkaban you show respect." Draco said while admiring the blown up image of Hermione.
"Still pining after her then mate?" I inquired while pulling two drinks from the air and giving one to him.
"Shut it Blaise. No one is supposed to know." Draco snapped at me.
"Come on mate, lighten up - whoa is that Weaslette?" My eyes had suddenly caught on a certain red haired female in a black dress with quite the slit on it. "She grew up!"
"She's with Potter." Draco drawled. "I don't think going after the savior of our world's intended is the smartest idea."
"I didn't say I was going to go after her mate. I still have eyes." I retorted while taking in Ginny Weasley.
"You always did have a thing for her. I remember Pansy teasing you about it." Draco said smugly.
"Yes well I'm admitting it now, even if I didn't want to admit it then." I said fondly remember the days of sitting around with Draco, Pansy, Theo, and the rest of our fellow Slytherins. "How is Pansy doing?"
"She's in exile. How well can you be doing?" Draco answered. "She was the only one to offer up Potter to the Dark Lord and during her trial she refused to answer if it was because she really believed in the cause of if it was because she was scared for her life."
"Slytherin through and through I see." I said continuing to scan the crowd to see who else I could find. Just then I noticed the most beautiful woman walk into the room wondering how Draco hadn't seen her first.
"Draco, mate, if you don't take her home tonight. I will." I exclaimed while fixing my attire. It didn't hurt to tease my friend. Draco continued to scan the room until I could tell his eyes were on her and I heard his breath hitch in his throat. Hermione Granger had arrived.
"Draco, mate, seriously in your wedding robes?" I asked him taking in the picture. It was taken when he finally plucked up the courage to go up to her that night. The photographers had a frenzy. But they looked natural together. The way Draco wrapped his arm around her and how she naturally put her hand on his chest. They even smiled and Draco never smiles.
"I couldn't help it Blaise. This is it forever. I want to know I'm not making a mistake by not going after her." Draco said brushing his thumb against the picture of Hermione.
The realization hit me as to why the picture meant more to him than just how they looked. "And this picture reminds me how you went after her that night."
I had started walking forward to get my best mate riled up but I was instantly pulled back by my neck.
"Blaise, don't start." He said while giving me a drink.
"Look at her Malfoy. If you don't go after her I will!" I said knowingly riling him up. Maybe he'll get some big boy trousers tonight and go after her.
We both looked over at Hermione who was getting her picture taken and getting bombarded with questions. She looked beautiful. Her now bushy hair was now beautiful waves cascading down her back. Her gown hugged her body showing off curves I suspect that have been there since our Hogwarts days. Her gown was demure enough for the event, but breathtaking to leave every bloke in the building breathless.
We could hear the photographers bombarding her with questions.
"Hermione! How does it feel three years later?"
"Hermione who are you wearing?"
"Hermione what are your thoughts on former Death Eaters being reformed once being released from Azkaban?"
"Hermione where is Ronald? Why did you arrive alone tonight?"
While she gracefully walked away from the nonsense that was reporters. I could hear Draco critiquing the questions.
"Do they realize what event this is? Who asks those type of questions. They are hardly appropriate. You'd think the downfall of the Dark Lord and the innocent lives that were lost was just dirt under the rug with those questions."
"Right you are mate. Curious though, where is the Weasley since Hermione did arrive here alone." I asked him.
He shrugged his shoulders and we continued to take in the scene. The ball this year was as grand as last years, but not gaudy as to be disrespectful for what this was actually for.
The night went on and we ate dinner, our table was with Luna and her husband Rolf. We caught up and watched the ceremony. Kingsley was Minister now and honestly he's been the best one in a long while. Potter, Granger, and Weasley went up to the stage to say their words and in all honesty it was a beautiful ceremony. If there was anything in that room tonight it was the united feeling that we all had once they were done speaking. I was glad that my society had taken me back and did not shun me. I was able to be apart of this.
Soon the music started and couples were now on the dance floor dancing to The Weird Sisters. Hermione looked bored and annoyed on the dance floor with Weasley. Draco appeared out of nowhere and went up to her and she gracefully accepted his hand but not before a photographer captured their picture. They looked every bit the couple and Weasley looked redder than his hair if that was even possible. They enjoyed their dance, talking and laughing. But then Minister Kingsley cut in and Draco walked back to his seat beside me.
"Oh Draco those lamouralilies on you and Hermione's heads are still there after all these years! Isn't that amazing Rolf?" Luna exclaimed when Draco sat down.
"Lamouralilies what is that?" Draco asked with a ghastly look.
"Ask Hermione! I told her they you had them years ago for eachother. She should be able to explain to you. Come on Rolf let's dance!" Luna said dragging her husband to the floor.
We laughed and continued watching the scene in front of us. Just then Hermione walked into our view and I nudged Draco. "Draco, your intended just walked outside to the balcony."
Draco's eyes quickly caught her closing the balcony doors and he stood up.
"You look good mate. I'll be fine here." I said tipping my glass to him knocking back another drink.
I watched Draco walk outside and just my luck he was prolly bably so nervous he didn't realize he didn't shut the door correctly. I could see them, the moon was glowing brightly and they looked like a picturesque pair of silhouettes. I took a pair of extendable ears out and listened in while I watched.
"Hermione?" Draco asked and stood behind her.
"Draco? Hi, how are you? Oh my goodness this is embarrassing." She said in between sniffles.
"You can always cry around me. You don't have to hide anything." He said handing her his handkerchief.
"Always the gentleman. Thank you." She said dabbing her eyes.
"You look beautiful tonight and thank you for the dance." He complimented.
"I hate these things, but thank you Draco. You look as handsome as ever."
"May I ask why you were unescorted tonight?" He said moving next to her.
"Ronald and I are broken up, on a break, something like that. I broke things off a few months ago." She said quietly.
"Oh." Draco said putting his head down. "I'm sorry."
"Draco it's ok you don't have to be sorry. I should be sorry. I told you to stop contacting me, but in reality I've missed you." Hermione confessed and she put her hand on Draco's arm. "I was stupid and I still have this notion that Ronald and I..."
"Hermione I've missed you so much. Stop." Draco said stopping her and he pulled her into what was a very passionate kiss.
Good man Draco. I thought to myself, he was finally going after what he wanted.
I looked around to make sure no one was looking at me in case they thought I looked suspicious but lucky for me I had a thick column in front of me that blocked me from any angle and continued listening in.
"We should talk." Hermione said sounding absolutely breathless.
"We are talking." Draco announced in between kissing her.
"I mean really talk Draco. Some time has passed. I've missed my friend and someone who I know I love. I was hoping you'd come tonight since you didn't come the first two years." She said while fixing some hair out of his face.
"Let's go then." Draco said wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her on the forehead.
I pulled back my extendable ears and they disappeared with a pop. I couldn't help but smirk to myself and walked to a nearby table and found a pretty witch to dance with.
"I told you mate if you didn't take her home that night I would." I said smugly.
"Yes well, I suppose that your manipulation worked in my favor."
"It was always supposed to work in your favor." I chuckled.
"What if this is a mistake? Astoria is great and everything but she's not Hermione." Draco said putting his hands up in frustration. "You know she's supposed to be here? Astoria invited her and the Weasel! How can I stand up there and marry Astoria while the one that I really want is in the audience." He said pacing the room.
Just then there was a knock on the door and Draco shoved the picture in his robes. "Son I do believe you have a wedding to get to." Lucius Malfoy said while stepping in. Old age had finally gotten to the old man and his cane was no longer just for aesthetic uses but to help him around.
"Mr. Malfoy" I said walking over to him to lend him a hand.
"Father I don't understand why you don't just use a spell to help you out." Draco asked.
"Yes well, I think it helps with the forgiveness. I was better earlier but your fiancé has been having the rest of us running around." Lucius waved his hand while sitting down. "Are you having some last minute thoughts son?"
"No." Draco replied but we both knew he was lying.
"Son while I haven't always been a good Father. I strive to be one now. Marriage is a fickle thing. A title but what is between those two are what matters. I've been lucky enough to have your mother after all these years, even after what I did and put the both of you through. She compliments me in ways that I cannot do for myself. She is also patient and forgiving. Even in all that perfection I was nervous the day we wed. But for the reasons of wondering if I'd be a good husband, if I could give her the life she deserved. If you're nervous about those things then you have found the one." Lucius announced proudly. He's come a long way as Draco's father.
"Thank you father. I will be out there shortly." Draco said shaking his father's hand. Lucius showed himself out and that left me and Draco alone again.
"This is a mistake." Draco announced. "But Astoria has been patient and understanding. Hermione is married and moved on. I need to do the same." Draco took the picture out and handed it to me.
"Do you love her?" I asked him while tucking the picture away in my robes. I might run from marriage but one day I would like to marry for love. For the right reasons my mother never did.
"I love Astoria yes. But I don't love her like I did Hermione. And I can learn to fall in love with her." Draco said while nodding for me to go ahead with the procession.
I walked down the aisle with Astoria's sister Daphne. She was a looker but she had quite the attitude. I nodded my head as people waved. I walked to my side of the altar and looked after me. I could see Draco scanning the crowd, but keeping on a straight face as he did. He made it up to the aisle and it seemed as if we were standing up there forever. Everyone in the audience was in deep conversation since the procession music for the bride didn't start and didn't pay us much mind.
I realized that Hermione wasn't in the audience which was weird because while Draco knew Astoria had invited her I knew she was supposed to be coming.
"Hello Blaise. It's good to see you." Hermione said while sitting down our coffee on the table.
"Always good to see you Hermione." I said. It was a week before Draco's wedding and you could tell it was weighing heavily on her mind. We had become friends while Draco and her had their secret relationship. I knew along with her friend Ginny about them but no one else.
"I already know what you're thinking Blaise. I'm still going to the wedding and no I'm not going to turn into my wedding." She said half laughing.
"Who am I to judge? You'd make my best mate happy." I said shrugging. It's true she would but I don't think either of them would like to catapult their relationship like that.
"He moved on. He's happy." She snorted. "He made it perfectly clear he didn't want me."
"Says the one who's married Hermione." I said. I knew both sides of what they thought. I didn't know exactly what went down but they both felt like the other didn't want them which wasn't true because they were still in love with eachother like they were together.
"Yes, well. He could of easily stopped it." Hermione said sipping some coffee.
"Just like you could of." I announced. They were probably the two most stubborn people I'd ever met.
"Whatever the matter is Zabini. He is getting married to Astoria but I will be going. Astoria was gracious enough to invite us so we will be attending."
"Oh you wound me Hermione. Zabini really? I thought we were friends!" I played hurt and she laughed.
"Well as your friend Blaise. When are you going to finally settle down!" Hermione asked.
"The day you and Draco settle down together I will." I smiled.
"Touché Zabini, touché." Hermione replied closing her eyes.
But then Draco's head snapped to the back when I noticed two figures walking in late. It was Hermione and Ron. You could tell they had been arguing the way Ron had a pleading sorry look on his face but Hermione's was red and splotchy.
Even with this Draco looked at Hermione the way he did that night and his breath hitched in his throat once again. They locked eyes but then the procession music started and it was cut. Hermione and Weasley quickly took their seats as we awaited for the bride to walk down.
"BLAISE! BLAISE WHERE ARE YOU MATE!" I could hear someone yelling for me. I woke up from my slumber and untangled myself from the sheets that we're covering my body and the witch from last night.
"Who is that?" The girl mumbled from her sleep.
"Just a ferret I'll get rid of him. Go back to sleep." And I was happy that the witch complied.
"How was it mate?" I asked as I opened the door for Draco. I put up a silencing spell on my living so she couldn't hear us.
"She's perfect Blaise. Our first time..." He started but I had to interrupt.
"THAT WAS YOUR FIRST TIME? PINING AFTER HER FOR YEARS AND YOU FINALLY DID IT?" I screamed. I really couldn't understand how that was possible.
"Yes Blaise. She's the one." He said smirking and apparated out of my flat.
"You finally got what you wanted Draco good man." I said to myself and walked back to my bedroom where a witch was waiting for me.
Suddenly the music changed and Astoria walked out. Ever the perfect pureblood Malfoy wife in an intricate gown that probably blew a few ten thousand galleons. I looked at Draco and while he smiled, he didn't look at her the way he looked at Hermione. I looked out in the audience and looked at Hermione realizing she had the same sad smile.
I clapped my hand on his back and squeezed his shoulder to let him know I was had his back. Astoria reached Draco and I stood back and watched my best mate do one of the most honorable things he had ever done his whole life and wondered if I could ever do the same.
A/N: A chapter early I hoped you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be posted on Friday. I have the pictures of the dresses just trying to figure how to link them. Everyway I tried has failed. Till next time!
