The Other Side Of You
Chapter 24: Wedding Bells
&&&&&
Previously:
"From me." A deep voice said. Hermione knew that voice, and turned around. Draco was smiling. Hermione kissed him, and said, "Thank you, Draco."
&&&&&
Draco flashed a charming smile and said, "My pleasure." Hermione breathed in the sweet scent of the roses. Draco wrapped his arm around her waist and gently brought her to his side, apparating to the Malfoy Manor. Once again, they were greeted by the large double oak doors that graced the entrance. Two elves pulled the doors open for them, and they walked in, like royals entering their palace once more.
&&&&&
"Ready love?" Draco asked. He was pinning a silver cuffink to his left sleeve. Hermione stepped out from the bathroom, after applying her make-up. Draco smirked at her appearance. She could steal the crowd with the brown halter dress she was in. He walked towards Hermione, who had a pink tinge to her cheeks.
"You look so delicious, I could kiss you right now." Draco whispered into her ear. He inhaled the scent of her perfume, letting himself get lost in it. Hermione playfully pushed his head away and put on her earrings. She had left the necklace on, as always. She turned to Draco, and said, "Later love," and pecked him on the lips. She strapped on her heels, and linked arms with Draco. They walked out of the house, and apparated.
At Hogwarts, the whole castle was transformed. Chandeliers were all over the corridors and the Great Hall had many round tables. There was a red carpet leading to the stage, where many candles were lit. Many ex-students were already there, catching up with each other. As Draco and Hermione entered the double-doors, they felt like they had come home. Mermories of the Christmas Ball and the celebration of the end-of-year came flooding back. Hermione smiled as she remembered Draco proposing to her, right in the middle of the dance-floor. Draco smirked, as he remembered Hermione dancing with him. The whole hall had gone quiet now, and many gasped. As they walked down the aisle, many heads turned, many had not expected the couple, but they took it in stride. Hermione turned to Draco and said, "Love, I want to go to meet Ginny, would you care to join Blaise?"
"Of course, I would like to see how handsome he looks. Second to me of course." He said as he smirked devilishly.
"Always the charmer." Hermione kissed him on the lips, and headed to the Gryffindor common room. As she entered, she saw Ginny dressed in the most beautiful gown ever. It was a pure white chiffon-sleeved gown, which reached her ankles. There was a portion of it trailing down on the floor. Hermione screamed and ran over to Ginny. Ginny recognised her voice immediately and stood up. She ran over to her and engulfed her in a big hug. When they finally let go, Hermione said, "Ginny, you're gorgeous!" Ginny giggled happily and replied, "So is the maid-of-honour!"
Hermione gasped, and engulfed her in another big hug, "Thank you Ginny! I'll be happy to!" Ginny smiled and she went back to her posse of friends, who were helping her with her make-up. Hermione picked up an eyeshadow brush, and helped too. Moments later, there was a knock on the potrait hole. Hermione stood up and went to open it, only to meet Draco there. She brought him in, and Draco addressed Ginny. "Mrs Zabini," he drawled. Many of the girls started to giggle and blush. Hermione rolled her eyes. Ginny playfully smacked him on the arm and said, "Soon."
Draco went back to Hermione, and kissed her deeply. Some of her lipstick was smudged on his lips and she giggled. She wiped it off and pushed him out of the room. "See you later." Draco still had the grace to bow lightly and said, "Ladies," before he was pushed out by Hermione. The girls sighed, and Hermione rolled her eyes once more.
&&&&&
Blaise was straightening his tie. Beads of cold sweat was trickling down his forehead. Draco stepped into the room, and patted him on the shoulder. "Nice one mate," he said. Blaise let out a strangled murmur, he couldn't speak properly.
"Relax Blaise, Ginny won't bite." Ron said. Draco smirked. Blaise turned red and muttered something incoherently.
&&&&&
Soon, it was time. Ginny was led by Hermione to the double-doors. She took a deep breath, and sniffed a little. Hermione placed a comforting hand on her gloved hand. Ginny smiled and faced the double doors. The music started playing and the doors opened. A lucky first year entered the Hall, and threw flowers onto the aisle. Ginny then entered, carrying a bouquet of white lilies. The crowd gasped, and Blaise became stiff. Her beauty was amazing. Her red hair was combed into bun, and she had a tiara on her forehead. Her skin glowed in the light from the chandeliers. She began walking greacefully down the aisle, with Hermione holding to the trailing dress.
Ginny's breath stilled. Blaise looked extremely handsome in the black suit. She could feel all eyes on her, as she travelled down the aisle. Draco was smiling beside Blaise, as his best man. Ginny neared the stage, and stepped onto the steps, beside Blaise. Hermione let go of her dress and linked arms with Draco, who gave her a peck on the cheek. Dumbledore started addressing the crowd.
"I don't deserve him/her." Both Blaise and Ginny thought at the same time. Both were mesmerized by each other.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this afternoon, we are gathered in this hallowed hall to witness a special event, the marriage of Ginny Molly Weasley to Blaise Alex Zabini. Does anyone have any objections to the marriage?" Dumbledore paused for a while. When nobody spoke, he continued, "Excellent, Mr Zabini would you please repeat after me."
"I, Blaise Alex Zabini, take you, Ginny Molly Weasley to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live." Blaise breathed a sigh of relief.
"Miss Weasley would you please repeat after me." Dumbledore said.
"I, Ginny Molly Weasley, take you, Blaise Alex Zabini to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live." Ginny felt herself flush after gazing into his dark brown eyes.
"Mr Zabini, you may kiss the bride."
Blaise smirked as he leaned in, snaking his arms around her waist. Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him deeply. Wolf whistles and cheers rang throughout the hall. Hermione and Draco both smiled. Draco wrapped his arm around his waist as she snuggled into him. Molly's face was shining with tears of joy. A photographer from The Daily Prophet asked them to have a family photo, as well as one with friends.
Hermione stood beside Ginny, and looped her arm around her shoulder. Draco stood beside Blaise, and placed his hand on his shoulder. They smiled, and a flash went off. They adjourned to the reception, where everybody was. The twins were talking to Blaise, while Hermione was with Draco, talking to the boys.They did a bit of catching up, and found that Harry was recruited as an Auror. Ron was playing for the Chudley Cannons, his favourite Club. Hermione was also an Auror, though she did not go through the tough trainings as everybody pampered her for being the next Malfoy wife. She objected to it, of course, but no action had been taken yet.
"So Hermione, Draco, when am I expecting an invitation?" Harry said mischievously.
"Soon, soon." Draco said as Hermione playfully smacked his arm. He took the chance to pull her nearer and kissed her. Somewhere nearby, a flash went off, presumably from the Daily Prophet.
Harry and Ron choked on their punch. Harry managed to let a "Get a room," out from his constricted throat.
The night went on, until the reception was closed. Draco and Hermione bade goodbye and apparated back to the Malfoy Manor. Once in, Draco pressed her against the cold stone wall of the corridor and began nuzzling her neck. "Let's finish this shall we?" Hermione just giggled, and Draco scooped her up in his arms, heading towards their room.
&&&&&
The next morning, Narcissa came bursting into the dining room with the Daily Prophet in her hands. "Look!" She placed the papers in front of the couple.
"Wedding of the Year?" was splashed across the front page, with a picture of Draco and Hermione sharing the kiss last night. Following the headline, was an article on their relationship.
"Skeeter, that cow." Hermione said.
"Fret not love, she'll soon see the prowess of the Malfoy name." Draco said as the two Malfoys smirked. Hermione just raised an eyebrow, but said did not doubt their words.
----------------------------------------
The next day, the papers recitified the claim. "Mistake made." The article that followed said that the picture was a faux. Hermione let out a loud laugh while Draco just smirked, the threatening did work after all.
"Bring it on."
&&&&&
Whee! I'm back! I've updated my other fic, The Portrait's Secret too, and I certainly hope that I will continue updating on a regular basis. I'm sorry if I've been dragging it for long! Thank you for all your reviews, but I feel greedy today and I think I deserve more? Don't you think:D
whenitallfallsapart