Here it is. Last chapter. I really hope I don't disappoint you.
A Fated Marriage
"Why did you come to visit me?" He asked in a dead voice looking at her beyond the wards and doors of his cell. Blasie Zabini looked nothing like the strapping young man who had Obliviated her just a year past. The eyes that looked at her were dull, and he'd lost a lot of weight. He looked like he had given up on all hope and happiness. Hermione almost felt sorry for him…almost.
"To be honest I just wanted to make sure you were still here." She told causally while trying to judge his reaction.
"Why?"
The witch wanted to say 'Because you still haunt my dreams. Because I want to see you a punished for what you did to my family. Because no matter how hard I try I will never forget what you did to me. Because I want you to see what you will never have.' None of those words came from her mouth. Instead she simply stared at him silently, and he stared back not pushing for an answer.
"You look nice." Zabini remarked to change the subject. It was the truth. Her hair was pulled back in a very loose ponytail, she wore a pretty white long sleeved shirt, and flowing dark blue skirt. The only jewelry she had on was a locket around her neck, and her engagement ring. Simply, classy, and pretty. He had always loved that about her.
"Thank you. I'm getting married in a few minutes." There was a very long silence. He closed his eyes, sat down on the floor, and looked at her once more.
"Why are you here, Hermione?" He asked once more.
She shook her head, "I wanted to scream at you. I've been angry at you for a long time. But now…" it took a deep breath for her to be able to continue. "Now, it doesn't really matter anymore. You won't get out of here any time soon. You can't hurt me or my family ever again. Good-bye Zabini."
Hermione started to walk away when she stopped and heard, "Do you think we could have been happy together?"
The young woman gave no answer for a long time, but after some time she did look over her shoulder enough to shake her head, "No. You aren't my soul mate. He is." And she left.
The lioness Apperataed just outside a little restaurant and leaned against the building wall. The night before she had told Viktor that she was going to be visiting her attacker, and he hadn't been happy with that choice to say the least. It was as close to an argument as they had ever gotten since she had gotten her memory back, but after some time apart so she could feed the twins, they sat and talked about it. He came around when she explain her need to confront her attacker in order to move on, and fully recover from the whole ordeal.
Hermione knew she would still have a nightmare about Zabini every once in a while. It was not an experience one could not forget, in a manner of speaking, and forgive easily. Confronting him had just been the first step, but with the help of her friends and family she knew that she would always have help when she needed it.
"Hermione, vhat are you doing out here? Ve need to go get you married!" Kamen walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. After the whole incident the two bonded very quickly after the Krum brother realized just how important she was to Viktor. He was always the first to volunteer to watch the twins when the couple need some time to themselves to sleep, go on a date, sleep, clean, go to practice, or sleep. He was so devoted to his neice and newfew that the couple had chosen him to be godsfather to Athena.
"Is everyone already here?" She asked as they walked inside and headed down the hall to an outside courtyard.
"Yes, and before you ask Christy and Ginny have the twins." The two made their way over to where both the Krum and Weasley matriarchs were waiting. Molly was the first to come up to her and offer a hug.
"We were wondering when you were getting here. Everyone else arrived a little while ago." She told her adopted daughter as Ginny walked and hand her a very fussy Stoyan. The boy calmed down instantly in his mother's arms.
"I just had to take care of a few things. Is Viktor ready as well?" She looked down at her son and smiled at the wide eyed look he was giving her. He had his father's dark hair, but her eyes. Athena also had dark hair and lighter eyes, but she was carefree had an easy smile. Her brother was more somber, but curious. Always looking around trying to take in his surroundings.
"He is ready. Now you trade that little cutie for these flowers." Mari said taking her grandson in her arms and handing Hermione a bouquet of white roses. "Ve are ready vhen you are."
Dorian was by her side fixing her hair and freshening up her clothing faster than she could blink. "I am glad you two decided to have a small gathering this time around. It has been an utter nightmare trying to keep this whole thing secret, but don't you worry for a second. I doubled the security around the area. No paparazzi and no crazy attackers." He told her while added a matching blue ribbon in her hair. Ever since her attack and recovery Dorian had been extra protective of his clients and friends. There was always double security, and he went out of his way to make sure the twins weren't over exposed to the media.
"Thanks Dorian. And thank you for making sure we could get a reservation here." They were at the Whimsical Witch, one of the trendiest restaurants in the area. Hermione and Viktor had wanted a short and sweet wedding ceremony just as soon as the remnants of the Marriage Law was cleared up.
After the Marriage Law had been repelled and all the Chosen's marriages were annulled the officials did all they could to help the public forget the failure of a law. Hermione and Viktor had been the only ones to have children within the time given to them, and all the others separated, some more amicably than others. To try and save face the Ministry did it's best to take credit for the Krum's fairy tale romance, and downplay the consequences of the law for the other couples.
When Hermione was straightened up to Dorian's satisfaction she walked over to Viktor who was wearing a deep blue muggle button up shirt and black slacks. He was occupied tickling his daughter in her godsmother's, Christy's, arms. The child was giggling loudly and it was making everyone within earshot smile along with her. Hermione snuck up behind her husband and gave him kiss on the cheek. "I hate to tear you away from our little princess, but the quicker we get this done the sooner we can eat."
Viktor smiled at the love of his life and raised an eyebrow. "I thought you vould vant to go slow and enjoy the ceremony this time."
"No, I just want to eat. I skipped breakfast this morning." His smile fell just a little. "Don't worry, my love, I'm fine." He didn't look convinced, but it didn't stop him from going in for a kiss only to get cut off by Lev pulling him back by his collar.
"Vait for just a few more minutes than you can do all the kissing you vant." Lev was smiling at the obvious annoyance on his best friend's face. He pulled the two a little farther apart and stood just a little in between them. Cupping his hand to his mouth to help project his voice he shouted out to the small crowd. "Alright, they are ready to start. Gather around!"
Everyone did as they were told and stood in a circle around the couple. As they did the twins started crying a little and had to be handed back to their parents; Viktor took Athena and Hermione gave the flowers to Ginny so she could take Stoyan. When everyone was gathered to Lev's satisfaction he started a little ceremony. "Ve are gathered here on this beautiful day to join this man and this voman in marriage. Again." There was a smattering of laughter and clapping and he continued. "After meeting in school the Second Var kept them apart, only to be the thrown together the Marriage Law. It vas not the vay most love stories start, but after one serious test, I believe that ve call agree that they passed and came out of the ordeal a more loving and stronger couple. Their reunion certainly covered up our bad playing that night." More laughter.
As he was talking Viktor gently rocked his daughter, but his eyes were on Hermione the whole time. His mind drifted a little to how close he had been to losing her. When she had been given the all clear by the healers at St. Mongo's they moved into a small house near the flat he had originally planned on living in without her. They had talked about possibly moving to Crystal Ari, but in the end they wanted the security of knowing the other was close by when they were at home.
Lev was still going on, but the young groom could only focus on how beautiful his bride looked holding their son in her arms. Since it was off season he had a lot of chances to stay at home and watch as she cared for their children. It was the little moments he wanted to commit to memory. Like when she would sing the children lullabies, or give them baths, and feed them. He would watch for a few seconds before joining her. He knew it was hard on her when he had late practices and away games, but she never complained. She asked for help when she needed it, and he was more than glad to do it when he could. Any time with his new family was precious to him. Even if it meant changing dirty nappies.
"Viktor…" A voice brought his out of his thoughts and he looked to Lev who was even more amused than he had been breaking up their kiss. "Should I repeat the vows?" he asked his friend.
The groom nodded without a word and Lev continued the ceremony.
"Do you Viktor Krum promise love, honor, and respect Hermione for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Hermione Granger, do you promise to love, honor, and respect Viktor for as long as you both shall live?"
Hermione smiled and looked directly in her groom's eyes before giving her answer.
"I do."
"Than by the power invested in me I now pronounce you man and vife. You may kiss the bride." The kiss was no easy to maneuver since each had a child in their arms, but the clapping and cheering made it clear nobody really cared. "Now, they has asked me to direct you all inside while they take a few photos." He gestured to his left were a small staff was waiting with drinks and appetizers.
The rest of the afternoon was much more laid back compared to their first wedding. Almost everyone fought for the attention of the twins. Hermione had no problem smashing her cake in Viktor's face, nor did he take any issues with splashing a little champagne on her when the time came. All was fun and lighthearted, but nobody could mistake the atmosphere for anything other than filled with love and joy.
Time passed, and finally Hermione and Viktor said goodbye, albeit reluctantly, to their children for a week. The two went to the spot they had their first honeymoon and enjoyed their first as a newly remarried couple. It wasn't until much later that Viktor woke up after a little rest from their love making to notice that his wife was missing from the bed. A brief moment of panic raced through him before he spotted her standing on the balcony draped in a sheet staring up at the stars.
He walked up behind her and wrapped his around her to pull her close. "Did you make your vish vithout me?" He rested his chin on top of her head, and looked up at the familiar North Star.
"No, I don't really need to." His wife said quietly as she leaned back into his chest.
"Vhat? But you alvays make your vish. Every night vithout fail." He had stood by her side almost every time she did. Sometimes he would even make a wish of his own.
"I don't need to after today." She turned around in his arms and wrapped her own around his neck so she could pull up and give him a kiss. It lasted for a while before she broke it and smiled up at him. "After today I realized I don't need to make any more wishes because they've all come true. I have a wonderful family, a loving husband, two adorable children, and I'm even back to my studies. I couldn't ask for more. And besides…" She trailed off as a small blush worked its way up her cheeks.
"Vhat?"
"I realized today that it doesn't really matter what happens in the future. If we hit rough times, or someone tries to break us apart we are always going to find a way to stay together. No matter what."
Viktor ran a hand through her hair and kissed her deeply before agreeing with her. "You are right. No matter vhat happens ve vill alvays be together. After all…ours is a fated marriage."
A/N:…..wow…..It's over. I want to say a very big thank you to all of you for sticking with the story despite what a bad updater I am. Thanks to Auntie L for being an awesome beta. Also thanks to mylove24, my first reviewer, and someone who has stuck with me since day one. I probably won't be doing a sequel, but I may do some drabble. Would love to hear feedback, or final thoughts from you all. Again all of you are amazing and thank you so much for reading A Fated Marriage. *kiss* I love you all! :)
