Ron tried to get her alone a few times during the train ride to King's Cross Station, but Hermione refused each time. He had a slightly jealous air about him that had her reasonably certain Ron only came so he might have a chance at wining her over. Emmeryn was not pleased with him either- in fact, she managed to eventually chase Ron out, and again later when he came back. Emmeryn only confirmed Ron was not working under completely innocent intent. Hermione never voiced her distrust, of course.
The three of them went their separate ways once they got off the Hogwarts Express. Hermione was overjoyed to get home, to see the dress Pansy had helped her pick out during the first month of school... She even hugged her parents when she arrived in the now-clean manor. Everything was going well.
The three days of break went by so fast Hermione couldn't remember what had happened. All she knew was what happened the morning of March 30th.
Hermione's mother woke her up at seven. Hermione had two apple pancakes for breakfast, which she graciously thanked her house elf for. She left with her mother at 8:30, taking the floo network to Malfoy Manor. She saw Draco briefly, who looked as excited as she felt. Her mother took her to a room to help her get ready.
Hermione nearly had a panic attack when she saw some of her Slytherin friends there waiting for her to act as her bridesmaids. She had assumed she wouldn't have any, not having many girlfriends. Hermione thanked them- Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, ("But you're getting married in two days!" Hermione cried in disbelief) Daphne's younger sister by two years, and Millicent Bulstrode all greeted her with smiles and, with the guidance of Hermione and her mother, got her into her dress, did her makeup, and even managed to tame her naturally curly hair. They managed to pull a majority of her into a tight bun. Tiny ringlet strands that weren't caught in the bun hung loose and framed her face beautifully.
The mirror showed Hermione Selwyn, a young woman very different from the little girl of one year ago. With her big brown eyes, her gorgeous Selwyn hair and her mature, feminine figure, Hermione could only stare. The floor-length ballgown was not the most comfortable, especially with its inlaid corset, but it gave her such elegance. God, she was stunning
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, almost squeaking.
"It's your day," Millicent said, admiring their work as well. "You deserve it."
But they couldn't stay long. They left her to change into her own dresses, so it was now just Hermione and her mother.
"What time is it?"
"Nearly ten."
She had already felt exhausted, but now... thirty minutes until she had to go out there and the ceremony would begin. She would be married. To Draco Malfoy.
No.
She would be Hermione Malfoy.
Hermione Malfoy, Hermione Malfoy, Hermione Malfoy, Hermione Malfoy.
She had alrready said the name to herself in a myriad of different ways, but after this that name wouldn't just be in her head.
Hermione Malfoy, Hermione Malfoy, Hermione Malfoy.
Hermione's mother put on her veil.
"Your father will come get you in a few minutes. Just wait here, try not to do much."
Hermione nodded. Time was moving too fast.
She was going to be Hermione Malfoy.
Her father came in, he took her arm, led her outside. It was as beautiful as she had hoped. The garden had been completely redone, now filled with white roses and pink carnations like that of her bouquet. A raised altar had been made at the center of the garden, and her aisle was a stone path. A cage hung at the altar with two paired doves as well; she knew exactly whose idea that had been.
Hermione took a few seconds to scan the decently-sized crowd. Draco had clearly brought more family than she had, and they didn't have 'sides' so she had difficulty finding her people. She saw that her birth mother sat in the front row, along with her muggle parents. That was good enough.
Draco was waiting at the altar, smiling, watching her. Hermione's ears buzzed and her thoughts flashed by very quickly as she walked down the aisle.
I am going to be Hermione Malfoy. Draco Malfoy is going to be my husband. I am going to be Draco's wife. I am going to be a wife. We are going to have children and raise a family together.
She found herself at the edge of the altar. Her father pulled back her veil and she was allowed to stand at Draco's side. She handed her bouquet to Pansy for the moment. Draco took her hands and lovingly stared into her eyes. Hadn't she considered this to be a terrible fate before?
The officiant, a man who looked older than Dumbledore himself, was saying something, but she could hardly hear it. Hermione thought about Draco's silvery eyes for quite a while, until her ears stopped ringing and suddenly he was saying "I do" with confidently. It was really happening.
"Hermione Jean Selwyn, do you take Draco Malfoy to be your wedded husband under wizard law?'
"I do," she said proudly. Draco presented her ring and put it on her as he spoke with admirable conviction.
"As the heir to the Malfoy name, I swear to you, Hermione Selwyn, my complete and undivided love. I swear all my self to you, from this day forward, for all our mortal days and beyond. With this vow I take you to be my wife and my closest companion, no matter what challenges we may ever face."
She was tearing up. She was sure her voice would be shaking when she spoke next. Her right hand surely was- it was going to be a struggle not to drop his wedding band.
"And I, Hermione Selwyn, take you, Draco Malfoy, to be my wedded husband. I promise to cherish each moment with you, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for all eternity hereafter."
She had wanted to keep a mostly traditional Catholic vow, though her mother corrected her last sentence only a few days ago. Traditional wizarding marriages did not end at death. Eternity was fine by her; she didn't actually believe in an afterlife, so it was all the same.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride."
They kissed gently- yet Draco held her a few seconds longer than necessary, signifying, in a way, the passion they felt roaring inside them. Everyone was smiling and clapping, the bridesmaids and groomsmen cheered. When they separated, Pansy handed Hermione back her bouquet. Draco took her arm and led her inside, where the reception would be held.
The crowd would soon follow to begin eating, But Narcissa took the newlyweds back out and to her greenhouse for pictures. Dozens of songbirds and parrots were in large cages there, along with a few flowering plants. It was nearly an hour later when they entered the manor, and now there was food and lots of people she felt uncomfortable being around.
Social gatherings were not Hermione's cup of tea, but Draco stayed with her all day and he was amazing at manipulating a conversation. Hermione talked to Ron a bit; he showed her the pictures he got of her. Her muggle parents were a little confused, but glad to still be a part of her life, however small. Draco's family members ranged from annoying to legitimately insane, with the exception of Narcissa, who was only a little grating but mostly sweet.
There was food available all afternoon, but the newlyweds didn't each much. She tossed her bouquet, (Millicent was grinning for a good fifteen minutes when she caught it) there was some dancing, but all in all it flew by like the rest of the day.
The reception ended around six. Narcissa had Hermione and Draco help her clean up the party, along with her birth parents. Hermione's mother not-so-subtly suggested that Narcissa see how nice their manor looked, and maybe stay the night. Hermione was sort of excited for the best part of being married, but she also wanted to gag a little at the hint that she and Draco would be consummating their marriage in a few hours. It was, perhaps, the planned nature of it, or maybe the fear of the unknown.