A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Very sorry for the delay.

DISCLAIMER: Refer to previous chapter.

Chapter Fourteen: White Winter Wedding

Lavender watched in silence as the snow floated to the already white ground. Christmas Day had already arrived with the past few days having been spent focusing on the final fight against the Great Evil. Plans had been written and re-written until deemed perfect by all four women.

But whenever alone Lavender was consumed by her hidden fear of the Great Evil taking her from her family. She couldn't imagine not seeing Oliver everyday, seeing Savannah's goofy grin or hearing Tamika's contagious laugh.

Taking in a deep breath, she slowly released it causing the window to fog up.

"Well this is no way to spend Christmas Day."

Lavender looked over her shoulder and smiled at her husband, taking hold of his offered hand. Standing behind her, he let her hand go and moved his arms around her waist.

"I know. I'm just doing some thinking," replied Lavender.

"What about?"

"How we have two beautiful girls."

"They inherited your beauty."

Lavender smiled, "And your love for Quidditch."

"That too."

"And I was thinking about you."

"And how handsome I am?"

"Yes, of course," laughed Lavender placing her hands over his, "I'm a lucky woman to have you, Savannah and Tamika."

"I sense there is more to this trail of thought?"

Lavender gave a slight nod of agreement, falling silent.

"You can tell me when you're ready," said Oliver, who was not the type to force people to confess what's bothering them, "But for now, Hermione has slaved the morning away cooking lunch. Are you coming down to eat some?"

Lavender turned away from the window with a nod. She smiled at Oliver lovingly, gently kissing him, "If I don't Hermione will think I hate her food."

The pair headed down stairs to the dining room, which had been magically increased in size to fit in all the family members. All of the Weasley's, including Ginny, Harry and their kids took up one side with the rest of the guests on the other side. The middle of the table was straining under the weight of trays of potatoes, two turkeys, ham, salads, pasta's, pasta sauces, gravy, a range of hot vegetables and who knew what else Hermione had cooked up!

"Well," said Arthur, standing up to give the toast causing all the children to groan, "Two, four, six, eight bog in and don't wait!"

With a cheer from all he sat down and everyone began diving into the food. The chatter was happy and bright all around the table with laughter never missing. Lavender even managed to forget her private woes to join in laughing at the conversation between Fred, George, Harry and Oliver about their Hogwarts Quidditch days.

Once the meal ended the group moved to the sitting room. The children's beds had been moved to the basement for the day and the tree was standing in front of the window facing the street with piles of presents all around the base of the tree.

"Oh hand them out Arthur!" said Molly with a clap of her hands.

Arthur stood and picked up the nearest present, "To Harry, love from Molly and Arthur!"

Arthur continued handing the presents out with everyone gasping in awe at what they got.

"To Kevla, love from Ginny, Harry and kids!"

Kevla, who was now married to Charlie, gave a happy smile as she unwrapped the gift revealing a new briefcase. She worked as a lawyer at a private firm in Diagon Alley.

"Thanks guys!" she said brightly showing Charlie and their ten-year-old daughter, Juliet, and eight-year-old son Josh.

"To Hermione, love always Draco," said Arthur holding up a white envelope.

Hermione looked at it curiously as she took it. All eyes were on her as she opened it and pulled out a soft purple coloured bit of parchment. Unfolding it her surroundings started to change. Hermione looked around her in alarm when the parchment and envelope vanished from her hands. She looked down at her jeans, watching as they paled in colour and transformed from pants to a long, white dress. Her jumper had gone and was replaced with a strapless, fitted top. The surroundings stopped changing and Hermione gave a gasp as she looked at her reflection.

It was her wedding dress from all those years ago when Luna was a Spitster! The room she was in was the side room of the church her and Draco were to marry in before he was taken.

The door opened behind her and Ginny, Lavender, Luna and Torrance walked in dressed in the yellow gowns.

"Is this my Christmas present?" asked Hermione in shock.

Torrance nodded, bouncing on her feet as she looked at her mother in awe, "You look so beautiful, Mum!"

Hermione smiled, running her hand over the unique dress, "Did you guys help him?"

"No," said Ginny, "It was all his doing."

Hermione blinked back tears as she gave a laugh, "I'm getting married!"

Her friends and daughter hugged her happily until Lynette came in to say it was time. Just as it was planned last time, Lynette was going to walk her daughter down the aisle. The four walked out to the entry with Hermione hearing many voices coming from inside.

"Who came?" asked Hermione, looking at her mother nervously.

"Everyone. Lily and James, though they are sitting in the rafters to hide from view, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid… you name it they came to see you finally get married," said Lynette.

Music started and Luna walked in first followed by Lavender and then Ginny. Torrance looked at her mother with a grin.

"You'll finally be Hermione Malfoy," she said.

Hermione nodded and pecked Torrance on the cheek before the elegant young Malfoy stepped down the aisle grinning at her waiting father.

The music changed into the wedding march and those in attendance stood waiting for Hermione to appear. Hermione took a deep breath and linked arms with her mother. In the back of her mind she kept on expecting something to go wrong, such as an interruption. It was as if she were living a dream.

She looked at her mother and nodded. The pair stepped into view and Hermione's eyes met Draco's. A soft look of pure love was upon his face as he watched his wife to be walk towards him. The guests looked on with smiles of happiness with Molly dabbing the corner of her eyes, as was Lily.

As Hermione and Lynette reached the front, Lynette declared she was giving Hermione away before Draco took hold of Hermione's arm.

The service began with people watching on with smiles. Torrance couldn't stop grinning and kept biting her lower lip in excitement.

"And now Hermione, do you have any vows of your own?" asked the Priest.

"Not prepared, but I'm sure I can come up with something," replied Hermione with a smile to the Priest who nodded back. Hermione looked at Draco and took a deep breath, "Wow… well this is a surprise."

The guests and Draco chuckled as Hermione gave a smile before continuing.

"But you always did surprise me. It's so hard to believe we went to school as people less then friends. And then surprise, you were thrown into my life. And I don't regret that for happening. You taught me more then I needed to know. You taught me what real love is, how it itself taught me how to care for someone so deeply. We may have been apart for so long Draco but I think the way I feel for you never changed. If it did, then I believe it became stronger."

Draco smiled as Hermione paused, gripping his hands tighter.

"I want you to know that I promise to keep loving you until the day we die. I promise to be there for you always in sickness, in health and all the times in between. I love you."

"Draco?" said the Priest.

"I wanted to give you this wedding as your Christmas gift so you know just how much I love you. This wedding and day symbolize love to others and being with them in good times and bad. That I promise you always. You mean the world to me – you are the world to me along with our daughter. You have taught me many things as well – things I would never of learned if we hadn't been brought together. I want to keep learning things from you until death do us part. I love you."

"Then let me ask the ever important question," said the Priest with his wand tip over top of their hands, "Do you Hermione Jean Granger take Draco Abraxas Malfoy to be your lawfully wedded husband from this day forth, until in death do you part?"

"Even in death I will be his wife, I do."

"Do you Draco Abraxas Malfoy take Hermione Jean Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife from this day forth, until in death do you part?"

"I do from this day to eternity."

"Then let it be known to all that I now pronounce you husband and wife, wife and husband."

His wand tip glowed and a gold beam of light shot from it circling around their hands before separating into two strands and wrapping around their wedding ring fingers into two gold bands.

"You may kiss the bride."

Draco grinned and lifted the veil. Hermione threw her arms around him, kissing him full on the lips in happiness. Draco lifted Hermione up, spinning her around as the guests cheered for the finally married couple. Torrance clapped her hands excitedly, cheering for her parents. She was glad they were finally married after all the years of her mother being alone.

CO

"And now the bride and groom shall have their first dance as Mr and Mrs Malfoy."

Draco stood and led Hermione to the dance floor. Even the reception was at the original place Hermione had chosen.

I know there's something here,

There's more than meets the eye,

More strange more beautiful,

Than these words can describe,

The guests watched on, all with soft almost goofy smiles on their faces as Hermione danced close to Draco in a slow three step with her head resting on his chest. At one of the guest tables Ron and Harry gave each other a secret high five, before turning back to watch their dearest friend.

Don't know how I got here,

The past has come and gone,

I just know I have found,

The place my heart belongs,

And I want to stay,

I feel safe here in your light,

This must be what Heaven's is like,

Must be Angels in the room tonight,

"She's so pretty," said Torrance softly.

Luna gave a nod and smile, patting Torrance on the arm, "And very happy."

Torrance nodded, "They both are."

So much here in this world,

I'll never understand,

I'll have to learn to trust,

I'll do the best I can,

All the mistakes I've made,

The wrong turns on this road,

Have only led me to your arms,

And all I know,

Hermione lifted her head and looked into Draco's eyes. She smiled softly before he lowered his head down to meet her lips in a long lingering kiss as other's moved to join them on the dance floor for the remainder of the song.

I want to stay,

I feel safe here in your light,

This must be what Heaven's like,

Must be Angels in the room… oh, tonight,

I want to stay,

I feel safe here in your light,

This must be what Heaven's like,

Must be Angels in the room,

Oh can you feel it too?

Must be Angels in the room… tonight…

As the song ended so much happened in the next few moments. Cheering broke out followed by the lights shutting off. People began muttering loudly followed by petrified screams.

"No!"

"Mum!"

"Let me go!"

"Oliver!"

Suddenly wands were being whipped out and lit and Hermione felt two bodies collide with her.

"Ginny?"

"Hermione?"

"Luna?"

"Where is Lavender?"

"The girls!" screamed Ginny as the lights came back on.

Hermione gathered her dress and began searching the room with Ginny and Luna. Luna pressed the mark on her wrist but it was no use, Lavender was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she?" cried Oliver, "Where's Lavender? Where's Savannah?"

"I don't know!" cried Hermione yanking her hair out of the French twist in hysterics

"Arthur, send everyone home," said Molly appearing at the women's side with her husband.

"We'll inform the other's," said Lily with a nod from James, their hoods up to hide their faces.

"Oh Merlin he came!" sobbed Ginny feeling utterly helpless as she clung onto Harry, "He has the girls!"

"And my wife!"

Hermione turned to Draco, allowing him to wrap his arms around her protectively.

"What do we do?" cried Oliver wanting answers as he picked a confused and scared Tamika up.

"We wait. For now," said Luna honestly, taking Ron's hand, "It's all we can do."

"We need to protect Tamika and the boys," said Molly, "Charlie!"

Her son hurried over, "What's going on?"

"Charmed stuff. Take Jake, Steven and Tamika back home with you Kevla, Juliet and Josh. Keep them safe."

Charlie nodded and took Tamika, calling his nephews to follow.

"As hard as it is you three need to calm down," said Molly as Lynette reached them looking frazzled, "Arthur is sending the guests home."

Lynette nodded; squeezing Hermione's offered hand, "Everything will be okay."

"We don't know that," snapped Oliver.

Hermione pulled from Draco and looked at Oliver with a livid glare, "We have to believe everything will be okay! Not only does the Great Evil have Lavender and Savannah but he also happens to have my Torrance and Ginny's Bronwyn!"

Oliver remained silent as Hermione continued to glare at him, daring him to comment back at her.

"Should we be discussing this here?" asked Ron quietly, "Wouldn't this be better discussed in a more private location?"

"Yes," said Molly, "That would be best," she looked to Draco, Harry and Ron mainly as she continued, "Let's get to the house and begin planning."

CO

"I'll get the plans," said Hermione as soon as she opened her eyes.

She went to run up the staircase but Draco's grip on her hand stopped her. She whirled around and looked at him in surprise.

"Nothing can be done until we have word from the Head Unknowns," said Draco calmly with a look to Ginny and Luna, "We don't know where the Great Evil took them or what traps he has laid out for you three. I know you will be angry with me Hermione, and you two as well, but you have to wait."

"Which is good," said Molly coming to Draco's aid as Hermione, Ginny and Luna opened their mouths to argue, "Because you three need to wrap your minds around what has happened and think things through rationally. Get changed and Draco, Lyn and I will organise the plan layouts down stairs."

Hermione turned and stormed upstairs first followed by a grumbling Ginny and a stony faced Luna.

"So I'll make the tea then," said Ron, "Shall I add the calming potion?"

Molly nodded while Lynette looked at Draco curiously.

Draco shook his head and took a deep breath. He was as worried about his daughter as Hermione was only he had the responsibility on his shoulders to be calm and civil – no matter what the circumstances were. Unlike Harry, who was pacing and Oliver who looked ready to scream out in frustration, Draco couldn't react as emotionally as he would like too.

Molly and Lynette went upstairs to grab the plans seeing as Draco seemed to be staring at the far wall. Hanging on it was a photo of him with Hermione, Ginny and Luna in the beginning. Then beside it was a photo containing him with Hermione, Ginny and Lavender just before he was taken. Draco gave a sigh and looked over to the dining room as Ron placed a tray.

"Well, let's get started," said Hermione running down the stairs in jeans, long sleeved pink top and white cardigan. She came to a halt at the foot of the stairs as she caught the scared expression on her husband's face. Walking over she gently touched his arm making him look at her, "Like Mum said – everything will be okay."

Draco nodded and hugged Hermione tightly. He knew what was coming. He could sense it along with everyone else in the house.

"Can you sense her?" asked Hermione pulling away from Draco, "At all?"

"No," said Draco honestly, "I can't find her anywhere at all."

Ginny and Luna came running down the stairs in casual gear, the wedding makeup still intact as was Hermione's. The group moved to the table as Molly and Lynette brought the box of plans into the room.

"Okay. Well we have the scroll of information on the Great Evil and his Seer. Now this contains the information from Hermione's dreams," said Lynette pulling everything out, "Here is the plan of action when it comes time to face the Great Evil."

"I can't sense Lavender at all," said Draco stirring his drink absently, "I wish I could."

"Wherever they are it's a castle," said Hermione, "Not a friendly looking one like Hogwarts. It came across very old… intimidating and haunted with tortured souls."

Hermione gave a shiver at the memory of her dreams. Lynette gave a nod, her brow narrowed in thought.

"Molly… remember a book Willow owned? About haunted locations?"

"I do!"

Lynette stood and ran from the room and upstairs. All at the table watched her until she vanished around the corner of the staircase, then listening to her feet stamp up the next flight.

"Surely the Head Unknowns know something?" said Oliver desperately as he fiddled with his robe sleeve.

"They might, they're probably just discussing it or double checking what they know," answered Draco promptly.

Ginny kept shifting on her seat and glancing out the window at the dusk sky. Luna was staring at the table while Hermione looked at the floor biting at her thumbnail. Lynette came hurrying back down the staircase holding a thick, heavy looking, leather bound book. The teacups rattled as the book was placed on the table.

"Now Willow was obsessed with this one castle. She was always looking for information on it whenever she had the chance to," said Lynette opening to the contents page, "She has underlined one here. The Ancient Castle of Seymour."

"Seymour?" said Ron curiously, "Wasn't Jane Seymour one of King Henry's wives?"

Lynette and Molly gave a nod as Lynette flipped to the page.

"It says," said Lynette, "This Seymour family weren't related to the muggle Seymour's. However the name kept their real identities a secret. The castle has belonged to the Underworld since it was built. Sir Darkness's father had it built is the tale. Inside the place many dark forms of magic have been performed."

"So that would be the place I see in my dreams then?" asked Hermione trying to keep the wave of emotions from consuming her that she was feeling from around the room.

"Most likely," nodded Lynette, "Its location is said to be east or south of Hogwarts."

"Maps!" cried Harry jumping up and hurrying into the sitting room to pulls maps of the magical world from the draw under the display cabinet.

"We gather you know the location?"

The group looked up, startled to see Lily and James in the dining room.

"We do. Hermione's dreams gave us some direction and our dear friend's knowledge on a castle helped with the rest," said Molly.

"We have a group of witches and wizards prepared to help in this battle," said James.

"No," said Hermione, Luna and Ginny in unison.

"A major war is what the Great Evil wants," said Ginny, "We aren't giving him that. This is personal and that's how it will remain. We don't need another war like the one with Voldemort."

Ron and Oliver flinched at the name while everyone else gave nods of agreement with Harry returning with a stack of maps.

"You know," said Hermione, "That sick Seer is probably watching this."

"Put the crystals in place," said Lily, "Around the house. It will block out unwanted intruders in all ways."

Hermione left the room with Luna and Ginny to organise the crystals.

"Today of all days," said Draco with a sigh, "All I wanted was the perfect wedding for her."

"The Great Evil always did have a thing for good timing. I think your entire strand does," replied Ron.

"How do you think they are coping?" asked Harry with a look to Molly and Lynette.

"They are putting brave faces on," said Lynette.

"Like any mother would. It is hard. Luna – there is no denying she it, she is a strong witch. But she isn't as experienced at the Charmed life as Lavender. It probably does make Ginny and Hermione feel a little uneasy as well," said Molly with a nod from Lynette, "But we need to remain positive for them all. We need to be strong for ourselves as well. It is going to be a long and draining battle on all… and some may even die."

A/N: Not as long as the rest but hey – the battle has arrived! And Hermione and Draco FINALLY got married!! Well, review!

Until next time…

Love yas!

Love Coz!