Becoming
Chapter 12
LeavingAt noon, on Friday June 2, 2007, Hermione and Ernie sat on the raised platform with the professors and headmaster. Kathy Granger stood up and snapped a picture. Hermione smiled at Draco sitting in the front row with the other seventh year prefects. Dumbledore gave a speech similar to the sorting ceremony, familiar and bit trite, but comforting nonetheless. Hermione and Ernie, Head students, received their finishing certificates first, the rest of the student body in alphabetical order. Hermione hugged Draco when he walked across the stage to receive his, then Harry and Ron when it was their turn. Dumbledore announced a luncheon after the ceremony in the great hall for the graduates and their immediate families.
A reporter from The Daily Prophet was on hand to cover the day. Minister of Magic Arthur Weasley was quoted as saying "The most talented group of graduates in over twenty years are ready to make their mark on the wizarding world" so on and so forth. Hermione and Draco sat with Kathy, discussing their immediate plans.
"Not here mum, too many ears," Hermione said, looking around the Great Hall.
"My parents have invited you and Hermione to the manor for dinner," Draco said. It was the last owl he received from them. Lucius and Narcissa would have no further access to owls.
"I accept," Kathy said.
"And I certainly do, we have a wedding to sort out," Hermione said.
The following Monday morning, Harry, the Weasleys, and Minerva McGonagall received an invitation:
You are cordially invited to the ceremony celebrating the marriage of
Hermione Jane Granger
and
Draconis Alexander Malfoy
As the two bind their hearts, souls and magic for eternity
Noon on Friday the ninth of June in the year 2007
Location: Malfoy Manor Solarium with reception immediately following
Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore, Officiating Wizard
Blessed Be
"Is this some sort of joke?" Ron asked at the breakfast table at Grimmauld Place.
He was waving the card around. His parents had floo-ed in with the invitation. Harry and Ron were living at Grimmauld Place now.
"It's no joke, I assure you," Arthur said. "My protocol wizard just confirmed the event."
"Are you going?" Ron asked.
"Of course I am, Hermione is like a daughter to me," he said.
"I suppose we better find some nice robes for the day," Harry said. "Come on slob, let's go. We don't want to disappoint Hermione on her day by looking less than our best," Harry teased.
"Here, you'll need this," Arthur said, digging in his pockets for money, handing a handful of galleons to Ron.
"Dad, I-" Ron started.
"I know, you'll pay me back with your first paycheck," Arthur said.
"I promise Dad, I get it after my first match," Ron said.
He was hired as a second string keeper for the Puddlemere United Quidditch team. His pay wasn't going to be much, but he was going to be on a professional Quidditch team. You never can tell; something might happen to Oliver Wood, the current keeper.
On the big day, the guests showed up on the front steps of Malfoy Manor, all eight of them. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Arthur with 2 Auror bodyguards, Molly Weasley, Fred and George Weasley and Minerva McGonagall. Draco answered the door and greeted them.
"We're glad you could make it. Come in," he said. "Mother, Father, they're here!" he called out.
There was a moment of apprehension when the elder Malfoys appeared to the group. Lucius nodded to the group. When Harry walked by him, he felt the power radiating off the young wizard. Draco had been right.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor on this happy day," Narcissa gushed.
She shook the hand of every guest and urged them down the corridor to the solarium. In the large, sunlit room, a hired string quartet was playing pleasant music. The room was tastefully adorned with ribbons displaying "Hermione and Draco" on them, and her favorite flowers spaced beautifully about the room. Comfortable chairs were arranged in a half-circle around the altar.
"Did you do this yourself?" Molly asked politely.
"She certainly did," Lucius said.
"It looks lovely," Molly said.
The Malfoys glowed with pride.
Severus and Dumbledore appeared in the room. Narcissa took another picture from a mounted camera in the corner, a picture of the beautiful room with people in it. Every guest thought this curious. To the Malfoys, it was just another adjustment. Since they no longer could use pensives, or magical cameras that took the moving pictures, she had started using a still-camera months ago. A better camera was purchased for her to have memories of the day. To her surprise, Narcissa discovered that she enjoyed taking pictures.
"Welcome one and all," Albus said brightly.
"Noon approaches," Severus said.
"Very good, let's get started shall we?" Albus said.
Severus nodded and left the room. Draco took his place on the altar, Lucius standing next to him. The door opened and Severus stuck his head in.
"Miss Granger requests the presence of Miss Weasley," he said politely.
"Certainly," Ginny replied and left the room.
She was led upstairs to the room Hermione was in. She knocked and heard a "come in." She opened the door and gasped at the sight of Hermione. She had never seen anyone look so stunning. The satin ivory wedding robe sparkled in the light. The low cut neck showed off the smooth, soft skin of her neck and upper chest, adorned with a simple white pearl necklace. The long sleeves flared out at the wrists, hemmed with gold thread. It was form-fitted to her hips, where it to flared out and hung artfully to the floor, the bottom hemmed in gold thread. Hermione twirled. She didn't put her hair up, but smoothed it in waves to hang down over her shoulders, down her back.
"What do you think?" Hermione asked.
"I think it's the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen," Ginny whispered.
"I'm glad you agree, Maid of Honor," Hermione said.
"Huh? Oh Herms, I'm not dressed for that!" she said.
"Nonsense, you look fine. Besides, everyone is going to be looking at me," Hermione said with a smirk. That much was true.
"How does Draco look?" Hermione asked.
"In a word-yummy," Ginny replied.
"Isn't he though?" Hermione said dreamily.
There was another knock on the door, this time Kathy Granger. She clasped her hands to her chest.
"If only your father could see you now," she said, wiping a tear.
"Don't worry mum, he does," Hermione said, hugging her mother. She looked at the clock.
"It's almost noon, time for me to get married," Hermione said.
Another knock on the door revealed Severus.
"It's time," he said solemnly.
"What's he? Some kind of wedding coordinator?" Ginny asked.
"No," Hermione said as they walked down the stairs. "He's giving me away."
Ginny stumbled over her own feet.
Professor Severus Snape is giving Hermione away? Have I stumbled into some alternate reality?
"Oh Ginny, get over yourself," Hermione teased. "Dad is gone, Dumbledore is marrying us, and as much as I would have liked your father, the Minister of Magic, to give me away, it would have been inappropriate. In my mind, the next choice was Professor Snape."
"I understand….I think," Ginny said, looking at Severus, who for once was not dressed from head to toe in black. Instead he wore Slytherin green, hemmed in the same gold as Hermione's robe.
"It's her day, Miss Weasley, I imagine she can do as she pleases. I was honored to be asked."
Hermione, Kathy, Ginny and Severus left the room and made their way down the stairs. At the doors to the solarium, the Wedding March was heard. The doors opened, and Kathy Granger strolled to her seat.
"Ready Miss Granger?" he asked gently.
"Always," Hermione said. "Let's do this."
The tone of the music changed, everyone rose, and an angel that looked like Hermione stepped through the doors on the arm of Severus Snape. Ron clutched Harry's arm and Molly wiped her teary eyes. Draco wavered when he gazed at Hermione. He was suddenly void of thought and breath.
I don't deserve this! Draco thought as he wavered again.
Lucius put a steadying arm on Draco's shoulder. He knew how Draco felt; he felt the same way when he married Narcissa.
"Breathe Draco," Lucius whispered.
Hermione and Severus finally arrived at the altar. The snapping of cameras was heard.
"Who gives this woman in marriage?" Albus asked.
"Mrs. Granger and I do," Severus said.
"Very well."
Severus gently propelled Hermione to the altar by the elbow, standing her next to Draco.
"Blessed be," Severus said softly and took a seat next to Mrs. Granger.
Albus cleared his throat.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the bonding of this witch and wizard, Hermione and Draco. If anyone present has any reason why these two may not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."
There was a brief pause.
"Very well. Hermione and Draco, face each other and clasp hands and repeat the vows after me."
Draco and Hermione faced each other and took each other's hands. Draco's hands were shaking slightly, so Hermione gave them a soft squeeze and a wink. Draco felt peace as he regarded the look of love and trust in her bright mocha eyes.
"Do you, Draconis Alexander Malfoy, affirm a solemn oath to love, honor and cherish Hermione Jane Granger as long as you breathe life in this world?"
"I, Draconis Alexander Malfoy, do affirm a solemn oath to love, honor and cherish Hermione Jane Granger for as long as I breathe life in this world."
"Very well, place the ring on the fourth finger of your bride."
When he slid the ring on her finger, a camera was heard again then soft, happy sniffling was heard from Kathy, Molly, Narcissa and Minerva. Lucius cleared his throat.
"Do you, Hermione Jane Granger, affirm a solemn oath to love, honor and cherish Draconis Alexander Malfoy as long as you breathe life in this world?"
"I, Hermione Jane Granger, do affirm a solemn oath to love, honor and cherish Draconis Alexander Malfoy as long as I breathe life in this world."
"Very well, place the ring on the fourth finger of your intended."
When she slid the ring on his finger, "SNAP" then sniffling was louder and even Harry and Ron cleared their throats.
"Clasp hands again as I bless this union by a handfasting."
Severus and Ginny stepped forward and wrapped a cord made of intertwined material from Hermione and Draco's robes, and a strand of their hair. Albus tapped his wand on the cord. More cameras were heard, and then it tightened around their wrists, glowed brightly then disappeared. Hermione and Draco felt a warm sensation pass through their bodies from the top of their heads to the tip of their toes. Albus kissed both their foreheads, grasped them by their shoulders turned them towards the guests.
"On this joyous day, I pronounce this couple husband and wife and wish them a long, happy life and the blessings of many children. Draco, by all means, kiss your lovely bride."
Not hearing the flashing and clicking of cameras, Draco embraced Hermione and gave her one of her favorite smoldering kisses. Yes, Hermione catalogued kisses. There were no kisses she disliked, but rather varying levels of pleasure.
Draco had a lifetime to discover her many quirks. Those present burst out in applause. Narcissa announced the reception in the dining room. It felt wrong to call it merely a room it was so large. Twenty people could fit comfortably around the long table, which was pushed to the side by the wall. She had apparently learned a lot over the course of the term; she had a feast catered for the day. Lucius brought up a dozen bottles of the best wine from the wine cellar. The feast was arranged buffet style.Turkey and roast beef were the main course; seasoned vegetables accompanied it; topped off with various pies and puddings. Severus and Kathy rolled out a three tiered three-tiered wedding cake to the applause of the guests.
Hermione and Draco cut the symbolic first piece and fed each other. Hermione slowly licked the glittering gold icing off Draco's index finger when he fed her a slice.
"Cut that out, or we won't make it to the honeymoon," Draco whispered in her ear.
"Hey! Wait for the honeymoon!" Harry called out.
They then toasted each other, drinking apple juice out of the bride and groom labeled goblets then toasted the guests. Hermione and Draco wriggled their eyebrows at everyone, shrugging.
"Should I tell them?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Oh yeah, I can't wait to see the look on Weasley's face," Draco said.
"Here goes," Hermione said, drinking the rest of her juice.
"Before the party starts, I'd like to say a few words," Hermione said. "First off, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy for use of your lovely home. Second, thank you mum for all that you have done to make this day happy for me, for both of us. To all the guests, thank you for being here today. I know this came as a surprise to all of you, but to us the logical next step in our lives, which brings me to another matter."
She set her glass down and smirked at everyone.
"I have good news for all of you."
Which was everyone besides Albus, Minerva and Severus, and secretly, Ginny already knew.
"I'm pregnant, and the baby is due in January."
She smiled at Draco and waited for everyone to do the math. It was Harry who spoke up first after counting on his fingers.
"But that would mean-," Harry said standing up.
"Yes, I'm two months along," Hermione said.
Harry sunk back into his chair.
"But we were at Hogwarts two months ago," Ron said.
Seconds later he slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. Lavender was right! he mourned silently.
Ginny snorted. "Wow, he can do math."
Hermione put her hands on the table and leaned forward. "We knew all about that horrid wager going on at Hogwarts. Did you think that all of you could outsmart the two of us?" Hermione said, kissing Draco's cheek.
The look on everyone's faces was priceless.
"Let's dance!" Draco called out.
Back in the solarium, Lucius started music from the biggest home music system that money could buy. Buckets of cooled champagne and finger food were placed around the room.
"The bride and groom will now have their dance," Lucius said.
Hermione and Draco came together in the middle of the solarium and started dancing when the music started.
The whispers in the morning, of lovers sleeping tight Cause I am your lady Lost is how I'm feeling lying in your arms Even though there may be times, It seems I'm far away Cause I am your lady We're heading for something, somewhere I've never been The sound of your heart beating
Are rolling like thunder now as I look in your eyes
I hold on to your body, and feel each move you make
Your voice is warm and tender, a love that I could not forsake
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can
When the world outside's too much to take
That all ends when I'm with you
Never wonder where I am 'cause I am always by your side
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can
Sometimes I am frightened, but I'm ready to learn
Of the power of love
Made it clear suddenly- the feeling that I can't go on
Is light years away
Cause I am your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I'll do all that I can
We're heading for something, somewhere I've never been
Sometimes I am frightened, but I'm ready to learn
Of the power of love
Everyone was touched at the sight of the couple in the middle of the floor. They were wrapped around each other, Hermione's head on Draco's chest, his face buried in her hair, murmuring in her ear. They were gently swaying side to side, lost in each other.
What a perfect song! Ginny thought.
It's good to see her so happy! Harry thought. She's gonna be a mum!
So what that I lost 240 galleons, look at them! Hermione never looks at anyone they way she looks at Malfoy! Ron thought.
Narcissa and Kathy gave each other a hug and tapped their champagne glasses against each other. After years of unhappiness and uncertainty, their children were happy.
With a grandchild on the way! the two grandmothers gushed.