A/N: Here it is! The big day! I won't say too much, but it's a huge relief for me to finally get past this part in the story. We've, roughly, hit the halfway point in the story. Anyway, sit back, enjoy, and be sure to tell me what you think. :] Oh, and there's a link to a picture of Draco in his wedding tux on my profile. The picture is fanart, so I'll go ahead and say it's not mine.
For the twentieth time that afternoon, Draco straightened his green striped tie and ran his hands down the lapel of his charcoal tux. He took a deep breath and stared at himself in the mirror of the guest bedroom. In just a few hours, he and Ariella would be married. He felt nervous and excited all at the same time. As he stood there, he replayed the events that had lead up to this day and this very moment: That day on the train when he'd spotted the young redhead in the corridor. He hadn't noticed it at the time, but now it was obvious her heart was heavy with the recent death of her family and then the prospect of being alone on the train ride to her new school. She had hid her sadness brilliantly, until she was forced to face their deaths again by his questioning. But she had recovered quickly, her bright smile and signature sparkle in her emerald eyes returning. That smile and that sparkle were the first things he remembered falling in love with. No matter what he was feeling, seeing them could always brighten his day.
He then remembered that day on the Quidditch Pitch when they had competed for the position of Seeker. He'd always considered himself a fair flier, comparable to Potter. But witnessing her speed, agility, and skill had made him momentarily doubt himself, something he hadn't done since he was a young child. When they landed, he had half expected to be mocked, but instead she had helped him. He remembered that the sound of the Snitch's wings had made his heart flutter, but maybe it was, in fact, a deeper connection between them beginning to take shape.
He smiled as he remembered their first kiss that night in the library. He could still taste the sweetness of her lips. Though brief, that single kiss had changed so much for both of them. It had been the start of his rebellion against his father and the old ways he'd been raised to believe in. Back then he was afraid, but by rebelling he was actually happier than if he had chosen to ignore his feelings for her. And just as it had done that night, his heart still melted every time they kissed.
His grin grew wider as memories of their first time entered his mind. It had all happened so suddenly, but not a day went by that he regretted giving into his desires. That raw and intense moment between them had abolished any doubt in his mind that he loved her. That was when he'd decided to give her his mother's snake ring. Her acceptance had lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders, but he still couldn't relax completely. Deep down, he knew there was still one more bridge for them to cross as a couple.
His frowned down at his right forearm. He wasn't sure if he had thought he could hide it from her forever, but the thought of revealing this dark secret had terrified him even more than the countless threats he'd received from Voldemort himself the summer he'd given him the Mark. Most of him had expected her to reprimand him and want nothing more to do with him, but a small part somewhere inside him hoped and prayed that she could see that that was no longer who he was. At one point during the argument, he was almost certain she would leave him, but, to his great surprise, she smiled down at him. He remembered he held her tightly the rest of that night until she began to fall asleep in his arms. He'd come so close to losing her that he felt like if he'd let her go she might have just disappeared.
And now, here he was in his family's home about to marry the love of his life and the mother of his children. The two of them had grown and changed a lot over the last four months. He never would've imagined someone could change him and his world so much in so little time, but, somehow, Ariella Weasley had done just that.
"Ugh!" Crabbe grunted, frustrated.
Shaken from his daydreams, Draco looked back at his friend to see him with his tie in knots. He rolled his eyes at him and went over to help him. "Honestly, Crabbe, it's not that hard to tie a tie." Draco heard Crabbe grunt again as he slid the knot into place. "There. Perfect." He stepped back to look at his three groomsmen, who were all wearing tuxes that matched his own. "Not bad, gentlemen. Now, lets get down to the ballroom. Everyone's waiting." He waved Crabbe and Goyle out of the room before turning back and realizing Ron was still sitting on the edge of the guest bed. "Something on your mind, Weasley?"
Ron stood and came over to stand in front of Draco. It was silent between them until Ron held out his hand for Draco to shake. "Congratulations, Malfoy. I hope you and Ariella have a happy life together."
Draco was taken aback by Ron's gesture, but quickly recovered and happily shook his hand. "Thank you, Ron."
Downstairs, the Malfoy family's ballroom had been decorated perfectly for a Slytherin wedding. The room was separated into two parts: the back half of the room had been set up for the ceremony and the front half had been set up for the reception. For the reception, six round tables outlined a large dance floor. The tables and chairs had been covered with silvery cloths and large green ribbons had been tied around the backs of all of the chairs. The tables were topped with long green table runners and small centerpieces: antique looking silver platters piled high with Christmas bulbs in different shades of green. A long white aisle runner lead from the dance floor to a tall arch of white tulle and white lights. Twenty-four more chairs sat in four rows of three on either side of the aisle. Four tall Christmas trees decorated with white lights, silver garland, and green and silver bulbs sat in the corners of the room. From the ceiling, long banners of green and silver hung along each side of the room. To top it all off, a huge black chandelier hung from the middle of the ceiling. The chandelier held at least one-hundred lights; hundreds of long strands of transparent crystals and hundreds of large black crystals hung from the chandeliers' arms.
Draco stood in the middle of the room, staring wide-eyed at all of the decorations. It was truly magnificent. He'd never seen the ballroom decorated quite like this. He suddenly felt someone tug on his arm as they proceeded to drag him down the aisle towards the arch. Her long green velvet dress and blonde hair let him know it was, in fact, his mother.
She stopped and positioned him underneath the arch. "Stay here. It's almost time to begin. "She smiled up at him, placing a hand on his cheek. "I still cannot believe my baby is getting married. You look so handsome, Draco."
He smiled back and wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you, Mother. I can't wait to make Ariella my wife. Thank you for everything you've done to make this possible."
Narcissa kissed his cheek as they pulled apart. "Anything for you, dear." Her smile was instantly replaced with a look of panic. "Oh no! I've completely forgotten..." Draco didn't get to hear what she'd forgotten, as she had hurried off immediately.
Draco only had a moment to glance out at their guests before his attention was turned toward an elderly wizard standing just behind him and to the side. The wizard's long purple robes and white hair reminded him of Dumbledore. He suddenly felt uncomfortable.
The wizard smiled at him, taking Draco's hand to shake. "Good day, sir. You are the groom, yes?" When Draco nodded, the wizard smiled again, his silver eyes twinkling a bit. "Congratulations. It's so nice to see love still blossoming in today's world, with You-Know-Who's return and all. These are dark times, yes, dark times indeed. But today, this wedding shall be a guiding light for all those in attendance, myself included."
Draco waited for the old wizard to continue, but he never did. "I'm sorry, but who exactly are you?"
It seemed the wizard was startled by Draco's question. "Where are my manners? My name is Aldwyn. I'll be officiating the ceremony today."
Draco nodded, smiling halfheartedly. "Pleasure to meet you, sir."
"And you, too, Mr...?"
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Aldwyn nodded, smiling. "Ah, that's right. Mr. Malfoy."
Just then, Narcissa burst through the door and rushed to the back half of the room. "Places everyone! The ceremony is about to begin!"
As music began to magically play throughout the room, Draco took a deep breath and turned to face the entrance. The first pair to walk down the aisle was Crabbe and Ginny, followed by Goyle and Hermione, and finally Ron and Pansy. All three pairs looked unbearably uncomfortable with each other, but still attempted to look happy for their friends' wedding. Draco had to stifle a laugh at their awkward smiles. Once the party members had taken their places on either side of the arch, all of their guests stood from their seats and turned toward the entrance.
At that moment, Ariella, escorted by Arthur Weasley, began her trip down the aisle. Draco felt the wind being knocked out of him as he watched his bride make her way toward him. She had her red hair pulled back into a sleek bun, exposing her long neck. Her dress flattered her every curve perfectly. As Draco stared in awe at her, he couldn't believe how stunning she looked right now. He truly felt like the luckiest man in the world. Once they had reached the end of the aisle, Ariella and Draco smiled brightly at each other as Arthur handed her over to Draco. The couple moved to stand directly in front of Aldwyn, facing each other and holding hands.
Aldwyn cleared his throat before beginning his speech. "Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love, and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.
"A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is standing together and facing the world. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person—it is being the right partner."
From their seats, Molly and Narcissa were failing miserably at holding back sobs. Ariella and Draco grinned, laughing silently. Aldwyn cleared his throat again before continuing.
"As I understand, the bride and groom have prepared their own vows to share with one another. Draco, would you please share your vows first?"
Draco took at deep breath, recalling the vows he had written and memorized perfectly. "Ariella, day by day, I know and love you more, but I know your complexities are beyond my ken. I learn from your wisdom everyday. Your mind stirs my soul to new heights; your faith in me gives me strength; your touch delights me; and without your love I am incomplete. Between us, we find the echo of the Love that has filled the universe since the dawn of creation; through us, it spreads peace and harmony to our friends, family, and beyond.
"So on this day, I bind myself to you with these wedding vows, willingly and wholeheartedly, free from any doubt or mental reservation: In riches and in poverty; in jubilation and in despair; in sickness and in health; despite our flaws; I will share my life with you. All that is mine is yours. With love I will tell you the truth as I understand it. I will honour and respect you. I will rejoice in your joys and weep in your sorrows. I will love and cherish you, without cease and without pause; all the days of our lives, until death parts us."
A collection of awes could be heard from every female in attendance. Ariella had let go of Draco's hands and was currently trying to fan the tears out of her eyes. He smiled when she let out an embarrassed chuckle.
Once Ariella had regained her composure, Aldwyn spoke. "Very touching. Ariella, would you now share your vows to Draco?"
Ariella took hold of Draco's hands once more, rubbing her thumbs across his fingers. "Draco, I found you in the midst of a very rough time in my life. You were the strength that helped me through it. For this, I am grateful. At times I needed a shoulder to cry on or a kind ear to listen to my thoughts, you lent me your shoulder and you listened to me without passing judgment. For this, I am grateful. When I'm scared, you make me feel safe. When I'm elated, you share in my happiness. When I have questions, you answer them and ease my doubts. For this, I am grateful. Whenever I've needed you, whenever I've needed a friend, you've always been there...to show me unconditional love. And for that, I love you...with all of my heart and all of my soul.
"So, in the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful wife: In sickness and in health; in good times and in bad; and in happiness as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally; to support you in your goals; to honour and respect you; to laugh with you and cry with you; to never take one second for granted; and to cherish you, now and forever."
Draco could feel his heart swelling to twice it's normal size as Ariella finished her vows. The raw emotion of their words was almost overwhelming. He had to fight the urge to lean forward and kiss her right then. His attention was only brought back to the ceremony by the sound of Aldwyn clearing his throat once more.
"Draco and Ariella I would ask that you always treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage—as they do every relationship at one time or another—focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness."
At this point, Aldwyn took out his wand and created two silver bands that encircled the couples' joining hands. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, do you take Ariella Jae Weasley to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?"
Draco's smile widened. "I do."
"And do you, Ariella Jae Weasley, take Draco Lucius Malfoy to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?"
Ariella smiled through the tears she had failed to keep from falling. "I do."
Just then, the silver bands spun around their hands, shrinking. Eventually, the bands fit so tightly against their hands that they burst, leaving matching silver wedding bands on each of their left ring fingers.
Aldwyn spread open his arms, smiling out at the guests. "And so, by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. Draco, you may kiss your bride."
"With pleasure." Draco said, grinning, before pulling Ariella into his arms and kissing her with all of the passion he could muster.