Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I don't make money from this fic, and I'm a fan.
March 10, 2003 London, England - Draco and Hermione's Flat
Draco sank into the couch, exhausted. They'd just finished the Invigoration Draught research and sent it into the Ministry. Tomorrow, they were due to begin work on the Wolfsbane potion, and Draco was already weary just thinking about.
Because of the limited population of free, Ministry registered werewolves, and their unwillingness to play lab rat, this test would be a little different. Draco had located, with a little help from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, five willing participants to take part in the testing of the wolfsbane. It hadn't been easy, but Hermione had suggested a solution. Draco and Hermione pooled their resources and set up a large fund for the werewolves, which was intended to be used solely for the procuration of Wolfsbane potion. Most werewolves were too poor to afford the potion, and so it was a luxury. Hermione dubbed the fund the Remus Lupin Fund, and Draco had promised any werewolf that helped in their testing full access to it.
There would only be one test for the finished product. The nature of the potion was such that one must consume a goblet full for a solid week before the full moon, and St. Mungo's didn't want to shell out the money required to fund enough potion for five werewolves for an extended period, in conjunction with the employees the employees they'd have to pay. The finance department claimed the there was only enough funding to facilitate one test. As it was, Draco and Hermione were already providing the more expensive ingredient, aconite, themselves. The timing of their experiment couldn't have been more perfect, as the full moon was eight days away, but Draco and Hermione had been exhausted with everything happening.
Draco had regained a bit of his enthusiasm about their work since his conversation with Hermione, as they'd received two letters from the Ministry informing them that their modified Pepperup and Skele-Gro potions had been approved, as well as Amplificare Colloportus. Hermione had also reminded them that they only had three more live tests to complete to finish this project. They'd decided they'd take a holiday at the conclusion of their work, but as Hermione didn't know where she wanted to go, Draco was taking care of the details. He'd wanted to book in advance, so he set the date for the end of April, and it served as a light at the end of the tunnel for him.
Draco was also due to begin the live trials for the Memory Charm on the 24th, which he was both anxious and excited for. The trials would likely be on both animals and Oblivated humans, and Draco had his final patient lined up already and knew if that was a success, his plans to use the counter-curse on Hermione's parents was a greenlight.
And then there was Harry and Ginny's wedding, which was only five days away. That's where Hermione was, actually. She, Ginny, and Luna had to buy the bridesmaid dresses, and Ginny had procrastinated buying her own dress as well. Draco knew she'd probably be gone until that night, as Molly had offered to do any of the necessary alterations on the dresses to save money. Because of the wedding, Hermione's stress levels were through the roof, and, by extension, Draco's were too. He wasn't sure how he was holding himself together, but he knew Hermione was barely scraping by herself.
Draco let out a sigh, scrubbing a hand over his face. He drew himself up, summoning the strength to eat something, but debating going back to work instead. He paused, though, when he heard a knock at the door. He frowned, moving. He was utterly flabbergasted at the sight he was met with.
Harry, Ron, and, of all people, Blaise Zabini, stood in the hall, each holding a bag or two.. Blaise took advantage of Draco's confusion and pushed past him into the flat, Harry and Ron following.
"Oi, what are you dunderheads doing here?" Draco, said, closing the door. Harry was already taking the bags in his hand into the kitchen and setting them up on the counter. He pulled out a full meal, seemingly home-cooked, as it was in tupperware.
"Molly was worried you and Hermione are working too hard and not eating right." Harry said with a smile.
"And what about you, Blaise?" Draco asked, watching Blaise set the table for four.
"I heard Harry and Ron discussing you and Hermione in the office. Molly'd sent Ron to get Harry for the fittings for the wedding. So, being me, I was intrigued when your name fell into the mix." Draco's head was reeling.
"Wait. The office? What office?" Draco said, not following.
"The Auror office, Draco. I don't know they let people this thick work on research involving healing potions." Blaise said.
"Blaise is an Auror, started the same time as Ron and I." Harry supplied. "Ron dropped out, of course, but Blaise ended up getting partnered with me about a year ago."
"Blaise, is that what you meant when you said I should have told you about my talking to Hermione, back in June?" Draco said, his mind finally catching up to him. Blaise grinned.
"There's the Draco we all know and love. Yes, that's exactly what I meant. You didn't think I lounged around all day like another entitled pureblood, did you?" He smirked. Draco grinned at that, but shook his head.
"So I suppose that's how you found that parchment." Draco said, connecting the dots to questions he hadn't really pondered over.
"Found it in a raid. Did you really think I'd shell out twenty galleons for your sorry arse, mate?" Blaise said, with a chuckle. "Potter turned a blind eye to it when I found your name on it." He nodded to Harry.
"I've learned not to question the little snake. He has his " Harry chuckled.
The men finished setting the table and sat down to eat, looking to Draco who was still standing sort of dumbly in the doorway to the kitchen.
"Well, you going to eat or not, mate?" Harry said, a bemused grin on his face. Draco moved to the table and sat down, taking in the vast amount of food Molly had sent before filling his plate.
"So what about you, Weasley? Why're you here? Thought you hated my arsie, and I don't particularly blame you." Draco said, no malice in his voice, just curiosity. Ron just shrugged.
"I figured I'd have to get to know the man my best friend is dating. Keep an eye on you." Ron said, between bites and not bothering about talking with his mouth full.
"Is this a 'keep your friends close and enemies closer' kind of thing?" Draco asked, a chuckle in his tone.
"S'pose, but you're not exactly an enemy anymore. More of just an annoyance." Ron actually grinned at that, and Draco's eyes went wide.
"Never thought I'd see the day," He murmured, then tucked into his plate.
"Blaise, you'll be at the wedding this weekend?" Harry asked, a nervous energy clearly permeating his voice. Draco had been worried about how they would fill in Harry's side; he knew that many Hogwarts teachers and Order members would be in attendance, and they'd likely sit on Harry's side, if for no other reason than the Weasley side was massive.
"'Course. I wouldn't miss my partner's wedding! What kind of animal do you take me for, Harry? I suspect nearly the whole department will be there." He said, smiling. Harry nodded, a relieved expression on his features.
"Draco, I've been meaning to ask you. Would you mind being an usher along with Bill and Charlie? They can fairly well handle their family and know whom to seat where, but I'd like someone who knows about social standings to mind my side. It would put my mind at ease." Harry asked.
"Not a problem, Harry," Draco said, smirking. He knew Harry wasn't the little boy he once was, but he was still pretty clueless about the rules for pureblood society, and indeed, Wizarding society in general. He'd happily aid in avoiding any faux pas and potential disasters and allow Harry to enjoy his big day.
They ate happily, talking about this and that. It hit Draco that, truly, he wasn't alone. He had three men that cared about both him and Hermione. He made a decision on instinct.
"So, while I have all of you here, I have to talk to you about something." Draco started, looking each man in the eye. Harry and Blaise nodded, but Ron looked a little taken aback by the sudden change in Draco's tone.
"I've been working on another project with St. Mungo's. One that Hermione doesn't know about, and I'd appreciate if she continued to not know about." He took a deep breath. "I've been working on a counter-curse to the Obliviate Charm. I've also been trying to apply the Amplificare charm to it, as well. I plan on, if all my tests go as planned, to use the counter-curse to restore Hermione's parents' memories." Harry's eyes were wide, and a broad grin spread across Ron's face. Blaise was impassive.
"You've been doing this on your own? No wonder you're exhausted! You should have told us sooner!" Harry exclaimed.
"I didn't think about it. I've been trying to get a handle on everything going on, and I've not been able to think properly about things." Draco sighed.
"Well, you've got us. We'll help anyway we can." Blaise said, sitting up a little straighter.
"Actually, it would help loads to have two Aurors on my side." Draco admitted. "Hermione and I are supposed to go on vacation in late April. I need to have her old house set up and ready to be lived in by the time we get back, as I plan on returning with her parents." Blaise nodded.
"I'm sure we can find the records for Hermione's address. She was a Muggleborn, so I'm sure the Ministry had her residence on a list somewhere, and if not them, Hogwarts would. I'm positive we can find it." Blaise gave Harry a look, and Harry nodded knowingly.
"And Ron, I'm gonna need you to try and run interference." Draco said. "My last test is the 30th. Until then, I can't have Hermione asking questions. She thinks I'm undergoing Healer training, and that will work a majority of the time, but if you and George can keep her occupied while I'm working, that would be amazing." Ron nodded.
"I'll ask her round to help with some of the inventory a couple nights. Let me know when you need her out of the house the most, and I'll pop in and get her out of your hair." Ron said, matter-of-factly. "I just want to let you know, Draco, that I think what you're doing for Hermione, hell, for the world, is pretty amazing. I'm sorry I doubted how much you care about her." Ron and Draco shared a meaningful look for a moment before Blaise drew his wand and sent the dishes to the sink.
"Alright, chaps, not sure about you lot, but I could go for a spot of firewhiskey. And I hear Draco here has a private stock." Draco groaned. He wouldn't be able to drink much, as he had to work early the next morning, but he relented and let the other men at his stock, laughing right along with them as they talked about everything from girls to quidditch.
Hermione came home two hours later to a flat of half-drunk men giggling on the floor like schoolboys and wore a small smile as she realized they had finally had a stab at male bonding without her direct intervention. She rolled her eyes at the sight, but it warmed her heart.
"You boys are welcome to stay the night, as I'm not sure you'll be able to get home safely, but you'll have to sleep in the floor." Hermione said.
"Nonsense." Draco said, pulling his wand and transfiguring the chair and coffee table into small cots. "There, no floors. You three have fun in here, I'm off to cuddle my woman." Draco said, eyebrows waggling ridiculously at Hermione, who giggle and blushed as she headed to their room. The drunken men beamed at the couple before falling into their own beds and passing out.
March 15, 2003 Tinworth, Cornwall, England - Shell Cottage
Draco was in awe at the beauty of the little cottage by the sea. Molly Weasley had worked wonders in the backyard, setting up the altar area furthest from the house, kind of up on the hill, allowing for a better view. Most of the backyard was sand, so Molly had cast a charm to stabilize the ground a bit so the chairs and such wouldn't sink into the sand. White lilies were weaved into a curtain-like drapery on the altar, where Harry and Ginny would soon be standing.
Draco looked about, peeking around the house as the first guests were beginning to arrive. He moved over to stand across the aisle from Bill and Charlie The other Weasley brothers, save Ron, were already seated. Fleur was in the house, helping Ginny, Hermione, Luna, and Victoire get read. Molly had been a nervous wreck when she'd spied the first guest Apparate in, flitting into the house to check on the final details, and help Ginny with the last of her dressing.
Soon, a veritable sea of red hair was coming through the the back yard. Bill and Charlie had Molly give them a list of those relatives that were to sit on Harry's far emptier side. They'd marked off the first row with names on both sides of the aisle to avoid confusion. The first person Draco seated was Hagrid, who had a special seat designated for him near the back to allow those behind him a view. He didn't seem to mind, and followed Draco quietly.
Draco seated many aurors, professors, and Order members, being quite careful with who he sat where, knowing some of the social dynamics among the guests could get quite fiery. He'd nearly sat an irate old woman with grey hair (whom he later learned was Ginny's great-great- aunt, Muriel) next to Xenophilius Lovegood, but to her displeasure, before Bill intercepted her gracefully.
Finally, the guests stopped pouring through the door and Molly peaked her head out to ensure everyone was seated. The boys retreated into the house to gather a few candles before taking them out and, taking their wands out, having them float in the air where a person would sit in the first five chairs of the front row. Draco then lit the candles the Muggle way, going from candle to candle in a right-to-left fashion, and saying a name loud enough for the people assembled to hear at each.
"James Potter. Lily Potter. Sirius Black. Remus Lupin. Nymphadora Tonks." Draco heard a stifled gasp from the second row, where Andromeda was sitting. Draco made eye contact with Bil and nodded, taking a seat on the first row, beside the seats reserved in memoriam. Bill walked Molly Weasley to her seat, then returned to stand by the door to the house with his brother. A hush fell over the assembly as Harry and Kingsley came around from the front of the house, stepping into his place. Harry nodded to Bill and he opened the door. Draco craned his neck to watch as the music for the wedding processional began.
Neville escorted Luna walked down the aisle together, before taking their spots on the correct sides. Then, Ron and Hermione appeared, walking down the aisle. Draco's eyes were plastered on Hermione. She and Luna wore matching, baby pink silk dresses that hit the floor. They each held a single lily. Hermione's hair was twisted up in an elegantly braided bun, a lily weaved into her hair. She caught his eye and beamed at him. His heart melted. They reached their spots and turned to watch Teddy waddle down the aisle with a big grin on his face. He carried the real rings, as he couldn't be placated otherwise. He handed them off to Ron before waddling over to sit in Draco's lap happily. Bill and Charlie then rolled out the white floor runner before the music changed. Victoire came down the aisle, tossing pink rose petals into the air before joining her mother in the second row. Pachelbel's Canon in D began playing and the audience stood as one as Arthur and Ginny Weasley stepped out of the house and began to walk down the aisle. Ginny also has her hair done up in an elegant braided bun, with a blue hair pin and a lily strategically placed in the fiery locks. Her veil was tucked into the top of her bun, and covered her face. She held her father's arm, eyes locked on Harry. She was wearing what seemed to be a very well-taken care of family heirloom dress, perhaps Molly's, that had undergone slight modifications to fit her, but looked just as beautiful as when it was new.
Arthur walked her to the end of the aisle, and shook Harry's hand. He then took Ginny's hand and placed it into Harry's, allowing him to help her up onto the slightly raised platform before moving to his own seat. Ginny handed off her bouquet to Hermione and beamed at Harry.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you may be seated." Kingsley boomed. He paused, waiting for the assembly to finish settling back down. "We are gathered here to celebrate the bonding of two souls…" Draco really didn't pay attention to the rest of the ceremony. He was lost in Hermione's beauty. He stared at her, imagining she was the one in white.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard Harry mutter the last line.
"With this ring, I thee wed."
"I now pronounce you bonded for life," Kingsley announced, pointing upward with his wand and sending golden sparks into the air, which then fell around Ginny and Harry as they kissed.
Draco thundered to his feet, hooting and clapping just as loud as the Weasleys. He watched their retreating forms disappear into the cottage before quickly following after them, Teddy on his hip, to help set up for the reception.
As he entered the cottage, Draco was blindsided by Harry tackling him with a hug. Draco quickly set Teddy down.
"I know that was your idea. Thank you so much Draco. Thank you for letting me have my parents, Sirius, Remus, and Tonks at my wedding." Harry had tears in his eyes as he squeezed Draco. Draco squeezed Harry back.
"I know what it's like to have no one." he whispered. "But you are loved." Draco looked over Harry's shoulder to see a watery-eyed Ginny nodding in approval.
"Now come on, mate. You've got guests to greet, cake to eat, and champagne to drink." Draco thumped Harry on the back and he grinned to him. "Not to mention a pretty new wife to…"
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, if you finish that sentence, I swear!" Hermione said, smiling at the men's exchange. He moved to her and hugged her.
"You? Swear? Not likely." He chuckled, before moving to help with the setup.
That night was filled with music, laughter, light, and happiness. Everything was right with the world.