Forever grateful BrinnaDeeofSea, my wonderful Beta!
Chapter 13: Part one.
*Saturday 8 am*
Both still fast asleep, cocooning around each other, Draco's hand is protective over the bump stroking the place where the baby often kicked. A shrill noise yelled from his front door, the perpetrator pounced hard on it; Ginny by the sound of her voice, "Malfoy, open this door! It's 8 a.m. We need your bride!"
Sleepy, he kissed her on the shoulder, got off the bed, putting on a robe to cover his private parts, and dawdled to the door, "Weaslette, g'd m'ng to you, too."
Ginny kissed him on his cheek, and invaded his home straight towards his bedroom where a sleep-drunk Hermione sat upright, "Gin, you look happy for this time of the day."
"Girl, it's your wedding day, it's 8 am, and we have loads to do. Loads more now I see the state of your wild hair."
Hermione grunts, "Five more minutes?"
"Not today, Miss Granger. Get that arse up…"
"I need coffee…"
"Later at mums." Grabbing Hermione by her arm, she dragged her to the living room. "Draco, I'm stealing your bride to the Burrow, we'll see you at the altar." Checking his naked torso out she clacked her tongue, "Now, I get why my girl here doesn't ogle other men. Ouch, girl, that hurts."
Hermione swatted on her head, "Don't ogle my man, Gin. You have your own eye candy at home."
Both women disappeared; Draco was left alone still trying to grasp all the events from the last few minutes.
-oOo-
*At the Burrow*
The two women apparated into the middle of the living room, and Hermione found herself wrapped in a motherly hug against the bosom of mum Weasley. "My dear Hermione, I'm so happy for you today," a kiss on the top of her head, "We have loads to do, especially taming this hair of yours. Thank god Luna is heading here, too; she has great spells for this." Taking hold of Hermione's hand, Molly pulled her to the kitchen and forced her to take a seat at the table, which was overloaded with breakfast: eggs, bacon, pancakes, scones… "Grab a bite, honey. It's going to be a long day."
George ran down the stairs with heavy steps and welcomed Hermione with a big smacker on her cheek, "Good morning, sis, today is the big day, and you'll be the most beautiful bride after my sister. If Malfoy doesn't treat you right, I'll show him what a big brother can do!"
Taking the seat next to hers, he filled his plate with a sample of everything till nothing more could be added. Diving into his food Weasley-wise, he smirked at her, rubbing a hand over her shoulder.
Hermione was about to take a bite of a delicious scone with jelly as a pair of arms circled her and hugged her tight; while receiving a new smacker, this time from her dark-haired wizard. "My dear sister, big day today, eh?" Harry grinned and moved to the opposite side of the table snacking on a bacon strip in the meantime. The bride tried again to take a bite, but goti nterrupted by father Arthur who kissed her on the top of her head, "Good morning, honey. Are you ready for the big day?" his big hand stroked her over her shoulder, just like George's did.
"Will you please allow the pregnant woman to eat?" Molly looked sternly at all her men. "The poor woman is starving. Here, honey, a nice hot cup of cocoa, marshmallow coated."
George pouted, "And mine?" A finger points at the jug, eyebrow raised, and George grunted, "Discrimination…"
The last guest at the table arrived and shuffled to her, "Hermione, my congratulations with your big day. Allow me, too, to say that motherhood suits you." Ron placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and was about to move away when Hermione stood up and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Ron, it makes me happy to see you here, too. You will always be one of my best friends."
The tension around the table dispersed –they've all wondered how the two ex-lovers would act - and everyone returned to their kibbling. No matter how long ago it was, the elderly couple still regretted the way things had gone south between their son and the girl they considered their daughter.
The floo announced the arrival of Luna a while later, and Ginny seized Hermione and Luna to her room, while the bride still was licking some spilt jelly from her fingers . "Let us transform this wildcat into Cinderella." Inside, the witches helped Hermione with her hair, makeup, and dress, Ginny talking the ears off of the bride who chuckled or laughed at the remarks. Molly joined them with a stunning jewelled tiara in her hand. "My dear, this is your borrowed item. I used this when I married my Arthur, and my beloved Ginny used it on her own wedding four years ago. It's your turn, you are a daughter to me, my dear."
Astonished, Hermione accepted the tiara, overwhelmed by the loving words. "Thank you, Molly. You have been a mother to me, too, all these years." Embracing the older woman fiercely, Hermione returned the love, blinking away a rebel tear. Ginny slammed her arms around the two women. "You two make me cry. Damn it, my mascara! I love you." It became a big group hug as Luna joined them, all four women laughing.
Ginny was the first to break the mood, "Let's get to work or the bride will be unfashionably late today. Girl, sit down! Please?" Pouting her lip, she laughed in the face of the girl she considered her sister. "Are you giving me the puppy eyes, Ginny?"
"Is it working, Hermione?"
"Bwa…"
Ginny focused on turning the wild curls into a romantic hairstyle, a perfectly undone half-up 'do and an intricate twisted braid above the tamed soft waves spilling over Hermione's shoulders. Luna fixed the tiara at the braid holding up the veil on its place after which she took charge of the make-up, keeping it light and natural using a nude eyeshade to accentuate the smoky eyes look. "Your beauty doesn't need extra smuck, just a touch here and there is enough, Hermione. You have been blessed with natural beauty while others need tons of makeup to make it happen."
Looking herself in the mirror, Hermione admired the woman staring back, blushing pink from the approving looks she saw from the friends she considered family. A knock on the door broke the magic, and Ginny let Harry enter the room. Checking out Hermione from head to toe, he was slack-jawed, "Hermione you look amazing." Shaking his head out of his trance, he suddenly remembered the reason why he came up, "Narcissa asked if she could see you before heading to the wedding. She's downstairs."
"Wow, she's here?"
"Yes, I can only imagine how much courage it took for her to ask Arthur for permission."
Molly gestured impatiently, "Let the poor woman come in. In my house everyone is welcome. Definitely her. You are still alive because she lied to the snake face."
Moments later, a coy looking Narcissa entered Ginny's room and once more the new guest grew amazed at Hermione's beauty, "My son has no idea how beautiful you are. You possess a gift, Hermione. The gift of natural fairness." Luna nodded, mouthing I told you so.
"Thank you, Narcissa." Returning the Malfoy matriarch a timid smile, the bride felt a bit uncomfortable with the overload on compliments, something she was not used to.
"Hermione, I hope you still miss the old adornment."
Molly replied with a warm smile, "She has the borrowed one, my tiara."
"Will you accept my contribution to the tradition?" Narcissa held a breathtaking bracelet made of silver with the intricate weave of diamonds embedded, and offered the jewellery to Hermione, whom, in return, extended her wrist, "This is an heirloom from the Black family, given to me by my mother, who received it from hers, and so on. Since I don't have a daughter, I would appreciate if you would accept this gift and hopefully give it further to your own daughter if you and Draco decide on more children." Draco's mother fastened the bracelet and caressed the skin right above with her thumb, her voice frail, "Welcome to the family, Hermione. You are a blessing to our broken family."
Stepping closer, Hermione placed a kiss on the pale cheek, "Thank you, Narcissa."
Overwhelmed by the genuine expression on Hermione's face, Narcissa retreated a few steps back. "I'll be going now. I'll see you in -" behind the bride's back Ginny was gesturing wild to keep the location a secret. Taking the clue, the older woman smirked, "I'll see you later."
"So…" Molly turned to Hermione, waving away a few rebel tears she hadn't been able to contain, "Are we ready here?"
Circling around the bride for the last check, Ginny nodded, "Yes, mom. We are good to go."
Molly walked to the stairs and yelled, "Arthur, has the chariot arrived?" A muffled "Yes, dear," sounded from beneath. "Arthur, we are coming. Let's get moving."
Holding up the skirt so she wouldn't trip, Hermione followed behind last; those who were still in the room downstairs gasped. She heard someone say, "That Malfoy git is a lucky bastard," recognising the voice of George behind her. Chuckling, she headed to the front door and received the help from Father Weasley to enter the white carriage waiting for her, preceded by two thestrals. She took a seat and waited until Arthur sat next to her, "Hermione."
"Yes, Arthur?"
"I've been instructed to blindfold you until we arrive."
"Where are we heading?"
"Somewhere special, my dear. You'll love it." He gently fastened the white blindfold, and she felt the chariot being pulled into the air.
-oOo-
The journey didn't take long, and soon they landed in the front yard of a castle. Still, with her eyes covered, she exited with the help of Harry and Ron, soon followed by Arthur. "Are you ready, Hermione?"
"What a question. Of course, Harry." He removed the blindfold, and, after she blinked a few times adjusting to the sun, she recognised straight away the impressive double doors from the central tower leading to the entrance hall; her eyes grew big, perplexed, "Hogwarts?"
Harry beamed at her. "Professor McGonagall insisted; she knew you were the happiest inside these walls. Theo was looking for the perfect place, and when she heard it, she made a point of hosting your wedding here. Also offering Malfoy, I'm sorry, Draco, a gesture of gratitude for his contributions to the restorations and for what he did for us." Hermione nodded, speechless, her fingers pressing against her lips in awe.
Arthur cleared his throat. "Let's get inside, shall we? We don't need to keep the groom waiting needlessly." Offering his arm, Hermione placed a hand in the crook and allowed him to guide her to the closed front doors leading to the Great Hall. She could hear a quartet of violins playing Enya's "Only Time" softly inside, the queue that the bride was ready to enter the room and walk down the path to her new life.
The double doors opened inwards.
Inside, the benches formed rows straight out of a classical church arrangement, adorned with white drapes and white roses bouquets. The walls were furbished with the same fabric from ceiling to the floor, moving gently by an invisible breeze, the ceiling mirroring the sunny day outside.
A wooden altar stood instead of the pulpit and standing in the front, Minister Shacklebolt, in his formal robes. But Hermione had no interest in admiring the official wardrobe of the highest officer, her eyes were fixed on the man standing on his right, wearing a grey robe over his suit in a lighter shade of grey standing tall and proud with a soft smile on his face.
He was, in return, in complete awe of her beauty, her hair elegantly tucked away behind the veil, the skirts of her silk dress dancing softly at the slow pace they walked on. His eyes stared at her, checking out the ¾ sleeved long dress in soft nacre colour; the sweetheart bodice was covered in intricate lace, and the empire waist gave her swollen belly an elegant look. The veil fell freely over the dress and formed a short train behind her. In one word, she looked astonishing, and he couldn't stop admiring her.
Behind Draco, Blaise stood tall, dressed in a classic white suit underneath a black robe. The groom's best man smiled widely and warmly at the bride; his contentment displayed on his face for all to see.
The pair approached the altar and so did Draco to accept the hand of his bride. Arthur pulled him into a fatherly hug, whispering in his ear, "Make this woman happy, son," words which got acknowledged with a nod in return. Holding her hand in his as if it was a piece of delicate porcelain, he guided her to the centre where they faced each other and signalled the Minister to start the ceremony.
Neither of them had eyes for the rest of the room, packed to the rim and with no empty seat to be found: the full body of teachers was present and also many students that had graduated with them crossed inter-house. On the right wing, Molly and Ginny wiped a tear or two. Harry kept his 3-year toddler James in control as they occupied the front row. On the left, Narcissa surreptitiously dipped her eye toa hankie much to the contrary of Pansy who didn't care that people saw her cry. Her longtime friend was finally experiencing the miracle of love. He had suffered long enough.
Clearing his throat, Shaklebolt started,
"Dearly beloved, family and friends.
We are gathered here today to unite these two amazing young ones in the sacred bond of matrimony, two souls that each by their own way have brought hope into our wizard world. She who showed tremendous courage in battle without regards for personal safety, he by showing us that we can redeem ourselves if the will is there to do it."
His voice faded away for a second before continuing. "If there is anyone who wishes to speak against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Silence in the room, though some chuckled softly from the nasty glare on Blaise's face promising nothing good if a soul would dare to endanger this marriage.
"Please join your hands." Draco held both of Hermione's hands in his together, his gaze holding hers. The Minister continued, "As your hands are joined, so are your lives. Holding each other, caressing each other, supporting each other. Loving each other."
Shacklebolt tied a ribbon around their joined hands. "Please, Draco repeat after me." Draco spoke with a clear voice, "I, Draco, promise you, Hermione, that I will be your husband. From this day forward, to love and respect you. To support and hold you, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry. To kiss you softly when you are hurting, be your companion, your friend in this journey of ours."
The entire hall was silent except for a lost sob here or there, most of it from the front row seats on both wing sides.
Hermione repeated the very same vows for her part; her voice gentle while her red-rimmed eyes never let go of his.
Shacklebolt continued, "Announce to those gathered that we are now bound to each other."
He untied the ribbon and took the rings in his hand, "Hermione and Draco, as these circles are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increased lustre through the years." A brief pause, " Merlin bless these rings which these two beloved ones give to each other as the sign of their love, trust, and faithfulness. Draco, please repeat after me."
"Hermione, take this ring as a sign of my love and as a symbol of all that we share, in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love." Draco pushed the golden ring gently over her finger.
"Draco, take this ring as a sign of my love and as a symbol of all that we share, in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.," For her part, she shoved the ring softly to its place.
At the back of the hall, standing against the wall, Filch dried his tears, mumbling, "They are so beautiful together, aren't they, Mrs. Norris?" sobbing.
The Minister retook the word, "Now that you have joined yourselves in matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed, and you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, husband and wife. Let all our ancient wizards and gods bless this union. Draco, you may kiss the bride."
Cupping his wife's face in his hands, he kissed her deeply, her hands holding his robes tightly in her grasp. Behind them, a standing ovation erupted, many faces wet from tears, men and women alike.
Draco pressed his forehead against Hermione's whispering in a broken voice, "Mrs. Malfoy at last."
Notes: *sigh*