Chapter 24: unbreakable vows

They decided on a small wedding just her parents, Narcissa, Harry and Ginny, Blaise and Luna. Hermione had worried that Harry would not understand but she had underestimated him. Harry knew that Draco was a changed man. Although they had met rarely there had been that incident with the time turner when Albus and Scorpius had got themselves into some serious trouble and Harry and Draco had buried the hatchet to save their sons. They had come away from that incident with a mutual respect and Harry was now quite willing to accept Draco as his best friend's husband.

Hermione wore a simple white wedding dress she still hadn't developed a significant baby bump and some discrete drapes in the silk chiffon gown disguised the slight swell of her stomach. Jasmine flowers in her hair and a simple silk tulle veil floating behind her as she walked towards Draco. Her look was simple and elegant and Draco couldn't take his eye from her.

He stood tall and still a blue silk cravat brought out the colours in his eyes making them look a beautiful pastel shade of blue. She drew herself up as he looked at her in adoration.

As Hermione reached the altar her father passed her hand to Draco's grey gloved fingers. They stood to face each other then the ceremony began. Hermione saw nothing but her soon to be husband's face a mixture of excitement and apprehension shortening her breath. Soon it was time to exchange their rings it was with extreme care that they placed the simple gold bands on each other's fingers. They could not risk an accidental touch before the ceremony was complete. Finally the presiding wizard was ready to cast the spell to create the unbreakable vow. They knew they would have to touch each other for this. Hermione prayed it would only take a moment, she grasped Draco's wrist as he took hers, she heard him take a sharp intake of breath as she tried to slow her heart which was now racing as the charge of his touch threaded through her veins. She watched breathless as a golden rope of light tied itself around their joined hands. As the light of the bond faded Hermione felt a feeling of warmth and calm overcome her.

Still holding his hand she found she could breathe normally, had it worked?

"You may now kiss the bride" the presiding wizard announced. This was it the moment of truth. Draco leaned in towards her his kiss was so different to how it had been before. It was gentle and tender and Hermione adored it. She lifted her hands to cup his face revelling in the softness of his freshly shaved skin.

She laughed then with joy, it had worked.

The new Mr and Mrs Malfoy had a number of plans following their wedding. It was a bucket list and began with Draco insisting that he propose again so he could place her engagement ring on her hand this time. She laughed and ask him what if she said "no" this time. Draco just chuckled and said he didn't care because she had taken the unbreakable vow anyway. It was a magnificent ring the pear shaped emerald was held in the jaws of a white gold snake and supported by a pave diamond studded tail. It screamed wealth but it was tasteful and Hermione loved it because Draco had designed it for her.

Then there was the honeymoon, he could have taken her anywhere in the world but he took her to Hogwarts on a holiday weekend when the school was empty and the students away. Hermione was puzzled at first but then he told her there were enchanted broom cupboards and library stacks they needed to explore and she understood then that he planned to allow them to act out their youthful fantasies and she loved him more for it.

The most difficult challenge was yet to come and Hermione turned to her mother in law for help with this. She and Draco had yet to go public. First they would allow their wider friendship group to know and then the general public.

Hermione felt her hands shake slightly with trepidation as Draco left her to mete their party guests and announce his new family member.

Hermione stood listening for her cue resplendent in her green satin gown chosen to compliment her engagement ring and hide the slight baby bump. She heard Draco ring his champagne glass to draw everyone's attention.

"Friends, honoured guests we have invited you here this evening, yes to eat drink and be merry but also to join us in celebration." Had it skipped their notice that he had spoken in the third person? Hermione wondered as she awaited her big entrance. "Ladies and gentlemen I would like to introduce you to my new wife, Hermione." That was her cue Hermione entered the room and took his hand, which he immediately drew to his lips and kissed. A buzz went around the room before there was spontaneous applause. Hermione had not expected that, but then these were their friends. Would it be so easy to win over the public.

There friends were asked to maintain their confidence. Draco asked that they respected the couples privacy that it was their intention to go public so to speak at the ministry annual remembrance event. He reminded them that their marriage would be controversial but as former enemies they hoped their marriage would be accepted as a symbol of reconciliation. But this required perfect timing and stage management and for that they need their help.

In reality this was only partly true it was also intended to give them time to for Hermione to give birth she could not hide her pregnancy much longer. So they waited.

Draco had always loved the way Hermione screamed his name but not that night. He was afraid, he had lost Astoria from the birth of Scorpius he could barely breathe for the thought that something might happen to either Hermione or the child. When suddenly all went silent it was the longest 10 seconds of his life. Then he heard the cry of a new born child.

The healers had sent him away his anxiety, they claimed, was upsetting the mother but he would not be kept out now. He nearly fainted with relief when he saw her babe in arms.

"Draco" she said, "come and meet your son".

Draco was in awe she had given him a son, an heir to carry on the Malfoy name.

"I thought we might call him Leo Scorpius" Draco reflected on this but Hermione chose to explain:

"Leo for the constellation, in the Black family tradition and for his Gryffindor mother, Scorpius for his late brother and then of course Malfoy because he is your son."

Draco knew it was perfect "Hello Leo" he said as his son wrapped his small hand around his father's finger.

Later as she laid him in his crib Hermione reflected on their son's looks he had his father's blond hair, pale skin and eyes. But the genes had not quite bred true, perhaps it was her muggle heritage but the boy had curls. He would grow thorough looking like a cherub, to looking like an angel before emulating the appearance of a Greek god. Hermione knew one thing she thought " will have to teach him humility. That he will not learn from his father."

Author's note

As usually please, please review. Thank you all those lovely people who have.

p.s.

There is a companion piece planned to go with this work. A Hogwarts Honeymoon. Watch this space:)