Hermione 30 August 2017

Thank you Pansy! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Yesterday was just what I needed.

Ginny, Rose, Trini, Pansy and I were treated to the most amazing magical spa day in the world. Literally. She apparated us all to this amazing retreat in Sweden where we had facials, massages, everything a girl could want. It was the perfect day for all of us, and having my daughter there with me made it more special.

After being completely pampered, Pansy decided that we needed to go shopping in New York City.

Rose had never been out of the country before today, and now she is a world traveler. She will have some great stories when she gets on the train in a couple of days.

We all choose dresses for the vow announcement party that will be 4 November. The invitations have been made and sent and Pansy is already receiving RSVPs - no one is declining.
Rose picks out a lovely mini Alexis Mabille strapless dress; the red top of the dress has a tuxedo inspiration and the skirt is a ombre feather design. It is different, yet fun and she has already decided to wear her rose necklace with it.

Trini finds a stunning Elie Saab strapless blue dress. It had a gold belt that connected straight up the center of the body and around like a choker necklace. But the skirt was the stunning part. It was a mini skirt, showing a lot of Trini's stunning legs, but had a wrap around over skirt, so it wasn't overtly sexy. We also found out on this trip that Trini is involved with a member of the senior staff at Malfoy Industries, but she is keeping it quiet until the party. Pansy and I exchanged looks and agreeing that we both believed it to be Theo.

Pansy found a stunning Ralph and Russo forest green silk gown with an asymmetrical skirt and a choker top that once she put it on, you knew she was a Slytherin.

Ginny went in a different direction, choosing a pant outfit with an overlaid skirt by Tony Ward. It was an iridescent green with a very deep V neck top. Looking at it, I think I might be having another niece or nephew in my future.

Trini had to go into work before she could help with my dress. I guess the member of the Board of Directors that was at the hearing on the validity of our marriage had more questions for Draco and Trini needed to run interference while Draco was tied up with other matters.

I was the one having the hardest of times with the dress shopping anyways. I didn't want to be to 'bride-y' yet I didn't really have a wedding gown and this is my only chance by being a "Malfoy bride". Pansy and Ginny said to go all out and be the bride I should be.

We were still debating when all of us looked in the window of an Italian designer, Eddy K. He has the traditional wedding gowns, the big skirts and the lace and all, but none of that is what I would think of for me. I talk to the associate, a sweet lady from the Bronx - Stephanie Rogers, I tell her what we are doing and that my husband and I eloped. I tell her our story about school, how we couldn't stand each other and if it weren't for Pansy and Ginny there, she probably would never believe me.

"So something no - let's say 'traditional', but still a show stopper." She chimes in. "Because it sounds like this is it. No more, he's the one written in the stars just for you."

Pansy chuckles, "he's named after a constellation, so that description fits."

"Wow," she looks at us unconvinced, "I've never heard anybody named after stars before."

"It's a family thing with them," I attempt to explain. "His cousin was named Sirius, there's his aunt Andromeda. Yeah it's a family thing."

She just nods and brings me to a dressing room.

Calling back I state, "No promises you three! I still am unconvinced."

"You're a Malfoy, start acting like it," Pansy calls.

Ginny chuckles, "Hell you're Hermione Granger, start acting like it."

The first dress is simple, classic with waves of gold and ivory and a low cut back that I know my husband would love. I step out and there is not the reaction that I'm looking for.

"It's nice but…" Ginny begins. "It's something if you ever marry my brother again. It isn't"

"It isn't Malfoy, I think she's trying to say."

"Fine." I huff as I go back in the room.

"Mrs Zabini, you're going to have to explain what you mean by 'it isn't Malfoy'." I can hear my daughter with her aunt and Pansy.

"Oh sweet girl, where do I begin… This might take awhile and we don't have time for it. Over the holidays, when you go to the Malfoy Industries party, you'll understand. Or your mum's party here."

I take a deep breath. Yikes. This is really happening. Malfoy-ish and me. Sounds like a complete oxymoron.

This time I'm in a vintage-y feeling, like classic Hollywood, style dress. Rhinestone straps and a deep crossed V top, the only other design is the belt that matches the straps. It's a classic, smooth silk material that slides perfectly on the skin. I look at myself and think, 'this just might be it'.

Stepping out I get a completely different reaction than what I'm looking for.

Ginny tilts her head, "Buy that, but wear it to the Minister's holiday party."

Pansy chimes in, "that is the perfect time for that dress. It would only be better if it were in green."

"Green makes me look sick," I explain. "Maybe black since I hear his is scheduled for New Year's Eve."

"Well at least we know we all have plans that night. Rosie, are you going to that party?"

"Yes Mrs Zabini, it's expected. Why?"

"Because now that your mum and stepdad are well… all the executives are now expected to be at the dozen or so Ministry parties too. And I'm going to need a babysitter."

"Pansy," I call out from the dressing room, "she can help with any except that one. We usually ask Fleur to watch the kids over at Ginny's. Or Victoire. Or Dominique. Remember there are lots of Weasleys that can babysit and you can piggyback off of us."

I look at the last two dresses, not hopeful in the slightest. The one fits the 'non-bride-y bride" look, whereas the other you can't mistake for a wedding dress.

I put on the non-traditional one first. It is a mini type dress, where the overlay goes all the way to the floor and training behind with crystals dotting the skirt. The bodice is strapless covered in beading and simply stunning.

"Okay, this the the second to last." I open the door and the two people who know what to expect have their eyes bulge out.

"That's a contender." Pansy is nodding like a silly bobble head doll.

Ginny is beaming, "Merlin, you wear that and I will have to up the baby pool."

"I like it, but I'm not completely sold." I twirl around. This is the first of them that I actually twirled in. "I want to see the last one before going on."

They both are shoving me back into the room saying, "Go, now".

I saw the look on my daughter's face when I stepped out. No matter what the two who know Draco well think, my daughter's opinion matters too. And she was nothing but glowing and all smiles when she saw that dress.

I look at this last one. So bride-y. So not me. So out of my comfort zone. But it is the most Malfoy dress I've tried on.

So I slide on the - damn it must weigh 20 lbs because of the beading - strapless - how the heck is it going to stay up all night - dress with a drop waist and a flouncing skirt. I don't know how to describe it, it looks like petals swirling everywhere.

The moment I look at myself, I question if I should even step out. This is it. This is the dress. This is what I would be wearing if Draco and I didn't run off in the dead of night and get married.

"Nope you can't see it." I poke my head out of the dressing room only. "Not until the party."

"I call bull 'Mione," and Ginny charges towards me. "I didn't get to be the maid of honor, so at least I"

She opens the door enough so that she can get in and her jaw drops. "Pansy, this is the one. No question. This is her dress."

Pansy now is rushing to us. "Oh dear Merlin, yes! We are keeping it at my house so Drake doesn't see it. He will melt when he sees you."

"So I'm putting myself in for that night for the baby pool," Ginny jokes. "I'm doing it now before someone else takes it."

"Only if I can split it with you," Pansy agrees.

Ginny gets a sneaky smile on her face. "I like you Zabini. I think we can make something work for both of our favors."

"Remind me again why you weren't in Slytherin, Potter?" she asks.

"Because I am more subtle than you blubbering snakes," and like the imp she can be, she sticks her tongue out.

I still am smiling thinking of how the wife of my husband's best friend, and my best friend got along so well that day. This morning, I couldn't care what the damn Ministry says about our marriage. They really shouldn't have been involved in the first place.

The result of the meeting with the minister was that it needs to go to the whole Wizengamot, which really hasn't happened since the last Death Eaters were arrested and sentenced.

I feared how Draco would handle the situation, he was here on trial for being a Death Eater after the war. I know his trial was the last time that I stepped foot in the Wizengamot chambers myself, and I doubt that Draco would find any real reason to also.

I look over at the man lying next to me in the bed, our bed, in our house. One that we're going to have to fight for still. I know he isn't giving up on us and our future together, and neither am I. It's about time that I have something to fight for again.

When we left that morning, when no one could decide what the true validity of our marriage was, it was suggested that Draco and Scorpius move back into the flat for the time being. He told the nasty Wizengamot member to shove off that he would sleep next to his wife tonight and every night possible. Even if they somehow declare the marriage invalid, he's still going to do it until they 'get their heads out of the arses and realize that what won the bloody Wizarding War was love, and now they are as bad as Voldemort by suppressing it.'

I have a feeling that it was that Wizengamot member that showed up at Draco's office yesterday when we were shopping, causing Trini to leave so abruptly.

But here he lies, like he should have been here next to me since the beginning of time and will remain until the end. He is comfortable here and I am so at peace with him next to me. I want this to last for an eternity.

And then there are the perks to being married to Draco Malfoy: for one, the mind blowing sex. Which I probably should wake him up if we want to have a little 'us time' before getting up to go to work. And I know just how to wake him up…

Today is the day. I will find out if my wedding is 'valid'. I am really hating that word - valid. Someone not directly involved is choosing my fate for me.

The Wizengamot is meeting in a few hours and Draco and I are getting ready to go to work for a bit beforehand in silence. Painful silence. This is the type of pain that stabs deep in the heart. I can't help but cry in silence. This may be the end. The end of 'us'.

"Say something," I beg.

"What is there to say? I love you. I did yesterday. I do today. I will tomorrow and forever. It will never change."

"I just can't stand the silence between us. We're never quiet."

He smirks. There were years that we would yell at each other with venom lacing our words, but we were never quiet. We would yell, we would fight, we called each other names; we were never silent.

And like the fog coming in from the shore, the silence blankets us again. I am not even fully dressed and I just collapse on the floor.

"It shouldn't be this hard."

"What shouldn't darling?"

"Being in love. Is there something wrong with me that causes love to be so difficult?"

He looked befuddled and in pain himself, "Don't ever say that there is something wrong with you."

"Ron left me and has a new family. Yeah that marriage wasn't perfect, but it was good. But he left me. Now, our marriage"

"Is perfect." He joins me on the floor and I rest my head on his chest listening to his heart beat in the quiet between his words. "This is what I always wanted. Yeah I can do with not having to justify that our marriage should be legal, but this is the life I want for me and you and the kids. We're happy, we're in love. We'll have ups and downs, but the highs will outweigh the lows any time. What is there more to want in life?"

"Not having to fight for it."

"It will make us stronger. Together. Hermione, you've always been so brave willing to take on any challenge. Are you having doubts?"

"I don't like putting my faith in a bunch of idiots."

I could feel his body tense under me. "Well a couple dozen sit on the Board of Malfoy industries. I was thinking of reminding them of that before we met."

"Don't try and buy votes."

"I wouldn't. They all have earned a great deal from me already. I'm just wanting to remind them."

"Draco!" I scold him playfully swatting his arm. But then it hits me, this morning may be the last time that we made love as a presumed married couple and a fresh batch of tears fall.

"'Mione, you've read every law that could possibly apply to us and the basis for them. You have a counter for every argument that could be presented against us. You know that we can't be forced to remove our wedding bands, and that the ring on your finger is yours. You are in the Malfoy family history book." He kissed my head so gently, but it still was electric. "I'm scared too. Terrified really. I finally felt my life was complete, and now this. Last night I kept thinking how cursed I am and that I am only going to hurt everyone around me. I never want you hurt and this is killing me, love. I know we need a little faith. Just a little. Please baby, have a little faith that we will pull out of this together. For me?"

I cling to him like my life depended on it. Right now I don't think I can breathe without him. In such a short time - less than a month - we were antagonizing each other. Well I was doing most of it. Now I can't be without him. He's proven his love for me. Isn't that what really matters? He proved it to me. He shouldn't have to prove it to a bunch of stuffed shirts.

I decide that this morning at work, since I know I won't be able to really focus, I am going to write down everything I want to say to the Wizengamot and have my rebuttals ready.

But right this minute I can only think of him.

Isn't that what love is anyways?