.
Chapter 38 – To the Know It All and the Ferret
Draco stood at the altar, resolutely facing forward. The music had begun to play, heralding the arrival of the bridal party. Every time he twitched, Ginny would yank on his sleeve. He could hear murmurings which he attributed to Harry and Mary's arrival, then Luna and finally Emily as he knew the order in which they were due to come down the aisle. Plus he had been allowed to turn his head enough to smile and nod at each one as they took their place.
He took a deep breath when there was a swell in the music and an awed whisper rushed across the assembled crowd. Light laughter followed the proclamation of twenty-month old Teddy, "Pwetty My-nee!"
It took all of Draco's control not to turn when Ginny leant across and whispered, "I must agree, very pwetty My-nee."
"You're killing me," he whispered. He heard the quiet laughter of Ginny, Kingsley and Harry in response to his comment. When the admiring murmurs grew closer and closer, he could take it no longer. He abruptly turned his head and came face to face with a Goddess.
Ten feet away was his bride. His Bride. His Bride. Everyone else shrank away. Draco's vision encompassed only her. Their eyes locked, no veil obscured their gaze. Both sported soft, loving smiles. If they had been cognizant of the rest of the assembled guests, they would have heard their approval and flattery at the obvious love between the pair.
Severus escorted Hermione to stand next to Draco. The younger man leant across to shake Severus's hand. He could not help placing a small kiss on Hermione's cheek as well, causing a wave of soft laughter to echo through the guests at his small show of impropriety. Hermione blushed slightly, but no one would have been able to wipe the smile from her face.
Kingsley raised his voice to be heard over the crowd, "Dearly beloved family and friends, welcome on this joyous occasion as we witness and celebrate the bond that Draco and Hermione wish to enter into. Whoever would have thought?" More laughter greeted his words, including that coming from the Bride and Groom themselves. "Who brings this witch to be bonded to this wizard?" he asked.
Severus straightened his spine slightly. "I, Professor Severus Snape, her father along with her mother, Doctor Mary Snape and on behalf of Lily Potter and Doctor Michael Granger, bring Hermione to bond with Draco. I do so with the blessing of her brother and sister also." Severus took the hand that was still in the crook of his elbow and placed it in Draco's hand. He said for the ears of Draco and Hermione only, "I give you my daughter, that you may become my son." Hermione's face crumpled with emotion for one moment before she composed herself again. Draco nodded, never expecting to hear such sentiment from the man whom he had held in such high esteem for most of his life.
Severus stepped back and took his place beside his wife. Mary clutched his arm, squeezing it gently. He had asked her earlier if she thought his proposed words would be acceptable. She had agreed wholeheartedly, especially at including Michael and Lily in the presentation.
Kingsley continued with the ceremony. "Marriage is a lifetime bond, a commitment the two of you will share until you are parted by death. It is not a bond to be entered into lightly, or under duress. I must ask both of you now: do you come here today willingly, and with open hearts to commit your lives to one another?"
Hermione and Draco answered as one, "We do."
"Are you willing to cherish one another, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer?"
Amid some twittering at the 'poorer' comment, they both answered, "We are."
"And will you promise to love one another, be faithful and true to one another, for as long as you both shall live?"
"We will."
"Draco and Hermione have chosen to pledge their vows in their own words. Draco, will you please take Hermione's hands and make your promises?" Hermione handed her bouquet to Harry. While most men would have looked silly holding a bridal floral arrangement, Harry did it with enough nonchalance to pull it off. Draco took both of Hermione's hands in his, rubbing his thumbs over her knuckles as he spoke:
"Hermione, you looked past the boy I was and have accepted the man I have become, a man that I am, in no small part, due to your actions and example. I have come to know and love you with all that I am. I feel so lucky to be a part of your incredible life, and feel welcome in your wonderful family. I will spend my life striving to be worthy of you and living up to the example you set in our world every day. If we are blessed with children, I promise to raise them to be open-minded, upstanding and accepting of our entire world. I pledge this to you today, my Sweet, as I take you as my wife, and offer myself as your husband. I swear this on my magic, so I say it, so mote it be." He withdrew his wand and sent a spark to fly around their bodies.
Hermione had to let go of Draco's hand to fumble in her bag for her handkerchief. Draco produced one for her from within his robes. "Did you think I wouldn't come prepared?" he asked with a grin. He gently dabbed the tears from her cheeks for her. Every female heart (and even some of the males') melted at the sight. It took a few moments for Hermione to compose herself enough to speak her own vows.
"Draco, you have overcome everything you were taught as a child and accepted me, a woman who you were raised to believe was beneath you. What you have become is what I fought for. Forgiveness was easy when I saw you were willing to live up to it. I feel cherished in your arms. I am humbled by your belief that you need to strive to be worthy of me, as I endeavour every day to be worthy of you. I am relentless in the pursuit of knowledge," laughter greeted her words, "and I will spend my life using what I learn to make our own little world a better place for you and our children. I too, feel welcome and loved in your family. All that I am, I pledge to you in love as I take you as my husband, and offer myself as your wife. I swear this on my magic, so I say it, so mote it be." Hermione produced a spark of her own.
As Lucius and Narcissa had at Severus and Mary's wedding, Harry and Ginny acknowledged Hermione and Draco's vows and the four sparks flew around before bursting over their heads.
There was more than one handkerchief being dabbed delicately against eyes amongst the guests. Hermione giggled at the sound of Hagrid in the back, making just as much noise here as he had that long ago day of Bill and Fleur's wedding. For a moment she looked out over the crowd assembled. Pure-bloods, half-bloods, muggle-borns, muggle, elves, half-giant, part-Veelas, part-goblin... never had such a mixed crowd of people been assembled in the grounds of Malfoy Manor. Hermione's attention was brought back to Kingsley once more.
"I was fortunate to preside over the wedding of Hermione's parents back in May. During that ceremony we observed a Muggle custom in deference to the shared background of the Bride and Groom. We will observe the same custom today in the giving of the rings. May I have them please?" Kingsley asked Ginny. Ginny placed the rings on the cloth Kingsley held out to her. As he brought them back and presented them in front of the couple, Hermione could not help the sob that escaped her when she recognised the gold bands. She turned her head to her mother, tears running unchecked down her cheeks as she nodded her happiness at this wonderful surprise. She had assumed the rings had been gathered from the Malfoy vault weeks ago, she had not even considered these, thinking that Lucius and Draco would want to honour their own heritage in the wedding bands she and Draco wore.
Kingsley held the rings high as if in offering. He had spoken with Mary privately regarding their history. "These rings are consecrated by love. They are an infinite circle, without beginning or end, as is your love every day. These rings have been worn in marriage twice before, by couples who held their vows sacred until the spectre of death rendered them complete. For those willing and able please bless these rings now, that Draco and Hermione may continue with the tradition by which they are given and received."
The entire congregation, bar Mary, those under the age of seventeen and the elves drew their wands. Mary clasped her hand over Severus's as Emily did over Luna's. As one, all the witches and wizards sent sparks toward the couple, blessing them and their rings with their good wishes. The elves sent their own brand of magic to their Master and Mistress. Draco had to take a deep breath to prevent him lunging forward to kiss Hermione under the spectacle.
Kingsley lowered the rings and presented Michael's to Hermione. "Hermione, please take the ring of your father, and repeat after me, with this ring, I thee wed. With my body I thee worship and all my worldly goods, I thee endower. Hereto I pledge thee my troth. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen." Hermione repeated the words, her voice shaking slightly with emotion as she slid the ring onto Draco's finger. Draco followed suit immediately after, placing Mary's ring on Hermione's finger.
"Draco and Hermione, by the exchanging of vows and rings and in the company of all present to witness this glorious moment, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Draco, you may kiss your bride."
Draco and Hermione were both sporting the widest grins they ever had in their lives. Draco reached out to his wife (his wife!) and pulled her close. He bent his head and placed a sweet kiss on her lips, reminiscent of the first one they had ever shared. He pulled back slightly and smiled gently before leaning back in and lifting Hermione slightly so she was at the same height as him. They kissed more passionately the second time, still restrained, but the love they felt was easily seen. Applause and catcalls broke them apart. Harry handed Hermione her bouquet back and the newly married couple made their way back down the aisle toward a marquee that had been set up for the post ceremony congratulations.
.
Hermione and Draco were almost swarmed when they took up their pre-arranged positions. Mary and Narcissa were the first to congratulate their children, both mothers unashamedly allowing their tears of happiness to roll unchecked down their cheeks. Hermione gave her mother an extra long hug, hiding her face against Mary's shoulder as she thanked her for entrusting her and Draco with the Granger wedding rings.
"I thought Kingsley's words were beautiful," Mary said softly. "They conveyed the exact sentiment associated with those rings. Your great-grandparents were so happy together, and Michael and I were the same, up until the moment he died. Nelly gave me those rings just before Michael and I got married. She told me that Michael or I would know when to pass them on. You and Draco share a love that will last as well; there are no better guardians for them. Draco did not even hesitate when I offered them. Whichever one of you is left, you will know who to pass them onto, too."
Mary moved aside after giving her daughter a loving kiss on the cheek. Hermione seemed as though she were on autopilot as she accepted the congratulations of her father, her new parents-in-law, brother, sister, Ginny, Luna, Neville... people just kept coming and coming. Champagne—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—and hors d'oeurvres were being circulated among the guests by the many house-elves who had begged for the honour of serving at the wedding.
After much discussion in the lead-up to the wedding, it was decided that not much focus would be placed on the wedding once the bulk of the guests arrived in the evening for the Solstice celebration. While the men were not fazed either way, the women recognised that the three hundred people who had not been invited to the ceremony would likely see it as a deliberate snub. Hermione was not so worried that she was going to change out of her wedding gown for the evening's event or anything like that, and there would be a speech by Lucius formally acknowledging the earlier nuptials, but most of the formalities associated with a wedding would take place before the evening's festivities.
The first speech was by Lucius, welcoming everyone to his family's home and especially welcoming Hermione and by extension her family into theirs. Harry responded on behalf of Severus—at his father's request, Severus had no desire to speak of sentiment in front of so many people. His family did not care, they knew he felt the emotions Harry spoke of and did not feel the need for the man to end up being uncomfortable expressing them. Draco was the last to speak on behalf of himself and his wife (pause for clapping and cheering). He thanked everyone for their attendance, the gifts they had received and the happy wishes that had been offered. They were all words that had been spoken at weddings before, and would be again ad infinitum. Many toasts were drunk and general merriment abounded.
The guests were soon instructed to make their way inside the ballroom where the Solstice festivities would begin. Hermione and Draco once again accepted the congratulations of their family and friends as they left to attend the celebrations of the evening with the witches and wizards invited to the original party. Kingsley stopped briefly to have them sign the paperwork required for the Ministry as well. Finally Hermione was left with only her husband (husband!), and the four members of their bridal party. Harry called Kreacher and asked for some more champagne to be served. The ancient elf returned with five glasses of the finest elf-made champagne and a glass of sparkling grape juice for Emily.
"So, before we make our way back inside to the madness, I believe I should make a toast, just from me to you," Harry said. "I thought long and hard about what to say here, something that captures the uniqueness of this moment. Draco and Hermione Malfoy, names that eight years ago, two years ago, I would never have put together in such a way. Given your histories, I think there is only one toast I can make right now—to the Know-It-All and the Ferret!" Harry raised his glass and drank.
Draco burst out laughing and drank in response. Luna smiled serenely and Emily giggled. Hermione and Ginny rolled their eyes at each other and drank their champagne. Bixby apparated in front of them and let them know the photographer was ready. Harry offered an arm each to Ginny and Luna and escorted them inside to Hermione and Draco's new wing where the photographer had set up for some formal shots. Draco gently took Hermione's elbow while Emily trailed behind them, carrying Hermione's train. "Are you going to let him get away with that?" Hermione asked dubiously.
"He'll be waiting for a comeback all night," Draco said confidently. "Those were tough words for someone who still has an official Buck's Night and wedding of his own to get through." Draco winked. Hermione grinned at his response. Even Draco and Harry's good-natured rivalry would not get a rise from her of any kind today.
After posing for many, many photographs, the bridal party quickly refreshed themselves and had another drink before they joined the rest of the guests for the Solstice celebration. Luna and Emily slipped in unobtrusively, both heading directly for their fathers who, while on opposite sides of the room, were able to be easily picked out of the crowd due to their respective heights. Harry and Ginny entered to light applause, a typical reaction whenever Harry entered a room with this many dignitaries in it. Hermione and Draco entered to loud applause and cheers from those who were at their ceremony and those who would never have expected to have received an invitation to such an event, but were nonetheless genuinely happy for the couple. The few resentful people in the assembly applauded reluctantly.
Dinner was served immediately upon Hermione and Draco taking their seats at the head table. A lovely Atlantic salmon mousse was served first followed by a lemon sorbet. A choice of Filet Mignon, a small shellfish platter consisting of prawns, crab, oysters and a half lobster, or roasted quail was offered for the main course. A decadent array of pastries and cakes appeared on each table for dessert, enough for the occupants to be able to have a taste of everything—the elves would refill the platters as soon as the choices began to run out.
Immediately following dinner, Kingsley stood to make a speech as Minister for Magic. He thanked the Malfoys for hosting the event and encouraged all the guests to embrace the spirit of the Solstice as their ancient ancestors had done, and welcome the coming rebirth of the sun as a metaphor for welcoming rebirth and continuing renewal in their world. He sat down to enthusiastic applause. Lucius stood and reaffirmed his family's commitment to rebirth and renewal, once again spruiking Potterville (ignoring Harry's grimace when the name was spoken) as an example of the values they now wished to live by. He welcomed all the guests to his house and particularly, his new daughter-in-law and her family. He led all the assembled guests in another toast to the newlyweds before he invited them to open the dancing.
Draco stood and escorted his beautiful bride to the middle of the dance floor. He gave her a brief kiss and began a traditional wizarding dance amid the cheers of the other party-goers. Harry and Ginny soon joined them on the floor. Lucius escorted Mary while Narcissa accompanied Severus to join in. Luna dreamily floated onto the floor alone, twirling and moving to the music in a world of her own. Emily was standing at the side of the dance floor, between Neville and George. Her eyes widened at the sight of Luna. "Do I have to dance alone too?" she asked; an equal mix of terror and nervousness in her voice. She thought she would rather wait until one of her male relatives was free than go out there by herself.
Neville and George shared a look over her head. Neville was the one who offered his arm though. "Miss Warren-Snape, would you do me the honour of accepting a dance?" he asked formally, a twinkle in his eyes.
Emily almost sagged in relief. "Yes please," she said gratefully, taking his proffered arm. They made their way onto the floor, sounds of approval emanating from the matrons around the room at the gallant gesture. At the end of the first dance, the other guests joined the bridal party on the floor. There was much swapping of partners—Hermione and Draco were now dancing with their father and mother respectively, Emily had swapped with Mary and was now being guided around the floor by her Godfather. Neville was having fun teaching Mary some of the unfamiliar steps of the traditional wizarding dances. Dancing was not something Mary did often, believing herself to be uncoordinated. To her, dancing was simply swaying in the arms of her husband—both the first and the second. Neither man minded.
It was several pieces later that Hermione was finally able to take a break. She had been passed from her husband to her father, to her father-in-law, to her brother, back to her husband, to George who declared she still had three Weasley brothers to go after him, and on and on through countless others. She headed back to their table for a drink and to renew the cushioning charms on her feet. Ginny joined her a few moments later and they companionably watched the other guests on the floor, whispering about them to each other and giggling.
"Come on," Hermione suddenly said to Ginny. She stood and pulled her friend to her feet. "I've been ignoring the call of nature for about an hour and a half. Much longer and I'll have a real issue on my hands." Ginny laughed and the pair left the ballroom for the Ladies' restroom down the hall. They came across Parvati and Eliza once there, the pair more than willing to help their former dorm-mate negotiate the toilet in her voluminous gown. Once finished, Hermione released the other girls back to the ballroom. Ginny teasingly ordered Parvati to go and demand her follow-up Yule Ball dance that the Indian girl never got from Harry. With a sparkle in her eye she rushed off to do just that, Eliza following to watch. Hermione waited patiently while Ginny attended to herself.
"If Parvati is dancing with Harry, I am going to commandeer Neville," Ginny declared as they entered the ballroom again. "He is a fantastic dancer."
Hermione laughed with abandon. "I believe I may dance with my husband again," she said happily. A scoff had the two girls turning their heads in the direction it had come from. Cho Chang was standing just near the door with a sullen Marietta Edgecombe.
"Do you really think that the Malfoys have accepted you, Granger?" the Asian witch asked scathingly.
"It's Malfoy," Hermione corrected sweetly. "And do you really think I will listen to your speculation and take it to heart when their words and actions prove every day that the answer to your question is yes?" she asked pityingly.
"He doesn't love you," Marietta cried shrilly. "He once told me that he respects me and wished that we could be together. Just because you came along and sunk your claws into him before I could get back to him doesn't change that!"
Hermione raised her eyebrows in amusement. 'Well what do you know?' she thought. 'Marietta is one of the girls that propositioned him.' Hermione knew Draco only ever used that excuse on girls who wanted to have sex with him back at Hogwarts. She also knew that she herself was the only woman with whom Draco had shared carnal delights. It was one of the cornerstones of their relationship that neither had engaged in sexual experiences with another person. Between them, each was someone that was theirs alone. It was something they alluded to often.
Hermione nodded condescendingly toward the deluded young witch. "You keep thinking that, dear," she said mockingly. Ginny stifled a laugh next to her.
Cho narrowed her eyes. "You should watch it, Granger. I heard that you—you!—have a bonded house-elf now. That means you answer to us! We could make your life hell if we chose to. Just because you thought of that law, and our department-head made us use most of what you wrote, people still think we are the ones behind it all. We are the ones with power over you now."
"It's Mal-foy," Hermione enunciated her new surname carefully, as though the people she was speaking to were simpletons (privately she did not think she was too far off). "And I do not answer to you for anything, I answer to the law and I can assure you, I am living perfectly within it. I don't know why you would have heard that I now have a bonded house-elf as I filed a Report of Bond to your office the first business day following. It should have landed right on your desk. I have been waiting for notification of an inspection for over three weeks now.
"Furthermore, you both saved me a lot of work and dropped the opportunity of a lifetime right in my lap! It would have taken me quite some time to be taken seriously within the Ministry, more time before I would have been in a position to present draft legislation and still more before such legislation would have been accepted as law. Your little 'intellectual theft' brought the law into being a good two years before I would have been able to, thereby benefitting the elves that much sooner. It freed me up to take an apprenticeship in Charms with no thought to a guilty conscience that I was letting the elves down."
Cho and Marietta both spluttered at Hermione's words. Words that were delivered in a sweet, measured tone as though she was not even upset! "You just think you're so brilliant don't you?" Marietta spat. "Everything always goes Hermione's way. Want a rich, gorgeous boyfriend? Here! Want a famous brother? Oh there you go! Want a house-elf law? 'Why, Minister'," she simpered, "'here, I just happen to have one written out for you with everything you need!' Everything you want, you get!"
Hermione smiled sweetly again. "Not everything, if everything I wrote had ended up in the final draft then there would be a dedicated inspection office, a house-elf refuge, no reparation scheme for house-elf owners and much harsher penalties for those who refuse to follow the law as written. My house-elf is a victim of your law; she was set free with nowhere to go, no support system. She was pressed into service at only four seasons old and set free at only thirteen seasons. Luckily she had family here and my parents-in-law were more than willing to take her in. I shudder to think how many elves are out there now—suffering—because you took on a cause you have no real feeling for, adopted a set of rules you had no hand in creating and are now floundering because you have no idea how to implement and work to the benefits of the house-elves, rather than your petty little revenge scheme!
"Now, I have wasted several precious minutes, during which I could have been dancing with my 'rich, gorgeous' HUSBAND, talking to you so if you will excuse me, I shall take my leave." Hermione turned and took a step before halting abruptly. In front of her was Lucius, Severus, Kingsley and four members of the Wizengamot. Her eyes widened in mortification that these men had witnessed her moment of juvenile behaviour. The choked sounds behind her let her know that Cho and Marietta were also now aware of their unintended audience. Ginny merely stood impassively, crowing inside at the vindication Hermione had now managed to achieve.
Hermione collected herself quickly. "Gentlemen," she greeted. "I trust you are enjoying your evening," she said politely, her 'hostess' lessons coming to the fore. Narcissa had instructed her in the preceding weeks about her role during functions such as these. She whimpered in her mind that this little display was not one of those lessons. Lucius and Severus both regarded her with smiles of satisfaction. They were pleased, proud and impressed that she stood up to her two nemeses.
They had observed Hermione and Ginny as they returned to the ballroom. Within seconds of the confrontation with the other witches, the pair of men had gathered Kingsley and whichever members of the Wizengamot were in their path and invited them to Lucius's private study for a drink. They were standing near the witches in time to hear Cho Chang deliver her threat to Hermione. They had all stood and listened as the rest of the drama played out. Some of them would be making enquiries in the New Year as to what had been revealed. All of the men responded to Hermione's comment positively and offered their congratulations to her once more.
"My dear daughter," Lucius said. "May I escort you to my son?" Hermione smiled and took Lucius's offered arm. "Severus, will you lead these fine gentlemen to my study as planned? I will be along shortly." Severus nodded and gestured for his companions to precede him out the door. Lucius took Hermione back to the table where Draco was entertaining some of their friends.
Ginny looked back at the two girls who had been so sure of themselves ten minutes ago, but were now contemplating what their admissions might cost them. With a bright smile she said, "I must go and speak with Lisa Turpin and Padma Patil, I haven't seen them at all tonight." She flitted off in the direction of the two former Ravenclaws, laughing to herself when she heard the pair behind her start to fuss that now everyone was going to find out. Ginny had no intention of 'spilling the beans', it would be fun to see Cho and Marietta panic every time someone approached them tonight though.
Draco and Hermione were out on the floor once more. They had danced two dances when Charlie Weasley cut in. Draco smoothly took over dancing with Julia Marshall who had been dancing with Charlie; the two had been classmates at Hogwarts. "I felt like I didn't get a proper go earlier," Charlie explained. Indeed when it had been his turn, he had taken about three steps with Hermione before the band announced another dance which required multiple partner changes.
Hermione smiled at the redhead. "How are you, Charlie?" she asked.
"Really well, thanks. We had a record breeding season this year, and next year looks to be shaping up the same way. We need to recruit another two handlers," he said.
"You should talk to Hagrid," Hermione said.
"Already did, he's coming over for the summer to help out."
Hermione paled slightly. "Make sure you search him and his belongings thoroughly before you let him leave!" she instructed.
Charlie threw his head back and laughed. "I'm seriously considering making him take a vow. Ron thinks we should up it to an Unbreakable."
Hermione bit her lip at the mention of her former friend. "How is he?" she asked.
"He's okay, doesn't mention anything between the end of the war and his arrival in Romania. He's been pretty busy since he got Eleena up the duff. Her parents were okay with everything as long as they got married; Stefan and Florina were in the exact same position at their age so they understood. The culture is different there too. What would upset our Mums and Dads is perfectly acceptable to them."
"How has he adjusted to married life and a baby?"
"You know Ron. I don't think it's really sunk in. They live in a cottage next door to his parents-in-law. Florina is Mum but Romanian—big on family, cooking, mothering... Ron hasn't had to adjust much there. Eleena is the second oldest of seven girls, the first to get married. Florina has never had a son to dote on. For a long time, Ron thought you would be the good little wife. You would live near the Burrow and be waiting for him to get home every day with dinner on the table. You wouldn't complain that you were being held back or want more from life. I don't know if he's admitted to himself that that is clearly not the case," Hermione's face had screwed up in distaste, "but that's who Eleena is, with Florina's strong encouragement."
"Is he happy?"
"I think he thinks he is, because he still doesn't really know what he wants. I think he will always feel that he has been trapped, but he won't see that the trap is of his own making. But he's my brother, I've done all I can to help him. He does like the Reserve, and he is... content, I guess," Charlie speculated.
Hermione nodded. There was really no response she could give. The dance ended at that moment and Charlie gallantly bowed to Hermione before handing her off to Roman Miller who had come to ask for a dance.
Several dances (and dance partners) later a cake was wheeled out onto the dance floor. Hermione and Draco were pulled forward to cut it, sharing a loving kiss over it. Another dance and Lucius called all the guests out to the terrace. As it was a clear night, they had engaged George to put on a fireworks display. As the crowd was moving out the doors, Hermione held Emily back.
"Are you having fun, Button?" she asked.
Emily nodded her head enthusiastically. "This is the most fun wedding I've ever been to!" she declared with a grin. Her grin abruptly faded. "I mean except for Mum and Dad's... I mean, this one is fun and theirs was..." she trailed off in embarrassment.
Hermione laughed and decided to rescue her. "It's okay. I know what you mean and I won't tell anyone," she said conspiratorially. "I want to give you something." Hermione handed Emily her bouquet.
Emily's eyes widened as she took it. "You're giving me this?" she asked in wonder. "You're not going to throw it?"
"It's my bouquet; I should decide who gets it. There will be no game of survival of the fittest at my wedding! We know Ginny is going to get married next anyway; it takes all the fun out of it. So I get to choose who gets my bridal bouquet, and I choose you," Hermione said firmly. The two sisters smiled at each other happily. Emily placed the bouquet next to her own on the table before she came back and gave Hermione a hug. Hermione bent to give her sister a kiss on her head.
"Come on, you two," Harry called from the doorway. "Everyone's waiting." Hermione and Emily walked through the empty room to the terrace. Once there, Harry swung the tiny Emily up onto his shoulders so she could see over the crowd. Ginny came to stand in front of him to help him stabilise and Hermione went to stand in front of Draco. The first firework went up and the crowd reacted with a loud, 'Oooh'.
Hermione watched enthralled at the sparkling display. She loved fireworks. They were one product of Fred and George's that she would never object to. A pang of sadness swept through her at this thought. All day she had been hit with moments when she thought of someone who should have been there to share the joy of the day—her Papa, Fred, Remus, Tonks, Lavender... her mother... Ron. They were all missed. Even the photographer earlier had brought to mind Colin Creevey. She wiped a tear from her eye, the action not going unmissed by her husband.
Draco tightened his embrace around her waist. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Just thinking about people who should be here," she replied. "Papa, mainly. He would have loved today. He would have loved you."
"I'm sure he's around," Draco comforted her.
"Me too," she said.
The display finished with a firework dragon flying after an otter. The guests began to move back inside. Draco led Hermione to the dance floor again. Ginny could be seen dragging Harry back as well. Hermione giggled at her brother's reluctance. She was distracted when Draco started to nibble gently on her neck.
"Hmmm," she sighed blissfully. "It's a pity there are all these people here. I want you so much, how much longer do you think we have to wait?"
Draco eyed her heatedly. "We can leave right now if you want. It is our wedding after all, and our wedding night. There's no point staying here until we're exhausted, we need to keep some of our energy in reserve." He bent down to kiss her. They lost themselves in the kiss for several minutes until they were jostled, accidentally-on-purpose by Harry and Ginny.
"Get a room," Harry quipped.
"Thank you for your advice, Potter. We might just do that," Draco said. He started to pull Hermione back to their table but she pulled his arm back a bit, whispering into his ear. He nodded and let her hand go. She ran back to Harry and Ginny and threw her arms around her brother with a happy squeal.
"Thank you for everything, Harry. I love you and we'll see you in a couple of days." Harry hugged her back and congratulated her once more before he wished her a goodnight.
"Not too good," he warned.
"I'm married now, I'm allowed," she said with a grin. She gave Ginny a hug before running back to the table to meet up with Draco. They found their parents and thanked them for everything. Severus quietly confirmed with Draco where they would be spending the days leading up to Christmas, more for his own piece of mind. They were staying at the cottage for a few quiet days before they went to Fiji with Harry and Ginny.
The newlyweds made their way out of the ballroom, a line forming quickly when it became known that they were leaving. As Hermione hugged and kissed her way out of the door, she could not help but notice that Chang and Edgecombe were nowhere to be seen. She smirked inwardly before putting them out of her mind completely. There were plenty more people and things to worry about other than them.
Finally they made it to the stairs which led up to the family wing. Draco thought it would be best to leave from there. They said farewell to Harry and Ginny once more. Emily handed Hermione her bag which she had been minding. The ribbon from her bouquet was tied around one of the rings the handle clipped onto. "This is yours," she said, fingering the bow. She hugged her sister and new brother-in-law. The guests had all disappeared back into the ballroom leaving Hermione and Draco alone with their parents.
Lucius held his arms open for Hermione to step into. "You are a beautiful bride, Angel," he complimented her. "As beautiful as my own." He drew Narcissa into his embrace.
"Thank you for everything," Hermione said. "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives, Mother and Father." She used their titles tentatively, almost as a question. Their smiles and the tightening of their embrace answered her.
"You are welcome, daughter," Narcissa said. She gently ran her thumb across Hermione's cheek.
Draco had been held in Mary's embrace, Severus standing behind her stoically as always. "I want to reiterate what Severus said to you today. You are now our son, and we are very happy to have you officially in our family," Mary said.
"Thank you," Draco said simply. The amount of feeling he poured into those two words could not be measured. He and Hermione swapped positions and said farewells to their own parents one last time before they headed up the stairs to Draco's suite.
"To the cottage then," Draco said once they were in the room.
"The cottage?" Hermione repeated.
"Is that okay?" Draco asked, suddenly nervous. 'Maybe she wanted to go somewhere else. She told me she thought hotels were impersonal though.'
"It's fine," she said. Draco relaxed a little in relief. "It's just that every time I've suggested going there for over a week, you've shot the idea down." She came to a sudden realisation. "What did you do?"
"What makes you think I did anything?" he asked evasively.
"Because until the last week you've jumped at every opportunity to go there since it was built. Now all of a sudden you're willing to go again."
"Close your eyes," Draco instructed with a grin. Hermione did so.
"At least I won't be surprised with a proposal as well this time." Their laughter was the last thing heard in the room before Draco spun them away.
.
Draco and Hermione landed in the clearing in front of their cottage. Hermione kept her eyes closed, wondering what surprise Draco might have planned for her. They had not been to the cottage in about ten days; it was enough time for him to have done something. A breeze was blowing from the direction of the Manor, carrying with it the very faint sounds of the ongoing celebrations.
Draco led Hermione by the hand, gently guiding her to the best vantage point to reveal the latest development to her. He bent down and kissed her lips, pulling away slowly and letting her know to open her eyes. Moonlight spilled over the clearing, adding luminescence to the already softly-lit space. Hermione smiled at the new flagstone path which led from the cottage to a small gazebo built onto the slight slope leading down to the brook. Decked stairs stepped down from it to a tiered wooden path which led to a tiny platform over the edge of the pond at the base of the cascade. It was just big enough for them to sit on and dangle their feet in the water—in the warmer weather of course. A soft glow seemed to emit from the ground itself, and twinkling fairy lights appeared to hang in midair. It was a true winter wonderland.
Hermione turned to her husband and draped her arms around his neck. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
"You're beautiful," he said seriously, staring deeply into her eyes. Their lips joined once more in a passionate kiss – a kiss broken suddenly when they were startled by another firework going off overhead. When it appeared that another show was in order, Draco gestured to the gazebo and they walked hand in hand to it. Draco retrieved a blanket from the day bed and spread it out over the stairs. He seated Hermione on the second step down, himself on the top step so he could draw her back into his embrace. Hermione cast a warming charm over them and they settled back to watch George's ingenuity at play again.
Once more the display finished with the pyrotechnic dragon chasing its otter counterpart. Hermione and Draco were oblivious by this time, entangled as they were in a passionate embrace. Draco reluctantly pulled himself away from his new wife and helped her stand. He put the blanket back on the day bed before he turned to Hermione again. "Do you know where we are standing?" he asked softly.
"Yes, we are on the spot where we first made love," Hermione replied.
"Can we make love here again, our first time as husband and wife?" Draco asked.
Hermione's response was to draw her wand and cast a warming charm over the entire gazebo. She smiled impishly when Draco's eyes darkened at her action, clearly the answer he desired.
Draco reached up and gently removed the coronet from Hermione's hair. He sent it to the table on the porch for safety, before he threw his wand to the middle of the daybed. Hermione unfastened the clasp on his outer robe, pushing it off his shoulders to the ground. She toed off her shoes and kicked them to the side, Draco copying her a moment later. She turned her back to him. "Undo my buttons?" she asked. Draco growled slightly and began to slide the pearl buttons through their holes, slowly, torturously, gently caressing his fingers over the skin revealed. After he had undone about twenty of them, his lips joined the party on her back, kissing and nipping her exposed spine. Hermione shivered at the sensations she was experiencing.
Once Draco had undone all the buttons, she turned back to face him, carefully pulling the sleeves down her arms. As soon as she was free of the dress, she began to lower it, revealing the satin, silk and lace underwear she had chosen specifically for this moment. Draco drew an audible breath as the swell of Hermione's breasts were revealed, encased in a sinful bustier that hugged every one of the curves he adored so much. One of his fingertips followed the curve of her waist and over her hips as she lowered the dress further to expose the French Knickers she was wearing. Hermione dropped the dress completely, allowing it to pool around her knees and leave her standing in the ivory coloured underwear, her stockings and garters now on display for her husband as well.
Draco grasped Hermione's hand and helped her step out from the dress. He encased her protectively in his arms and began to kiss her face, neck, shoulders... anywhere his lips reached really. Between kisses he murmured how beautiful and attractive he found her right now. To punctuate his point, he pressed his already raging erection against her. "You are wearing far too many clothes, Mr Malfoy," Hermione said sultrily.
"Perhaps you should divest me of them then, Mrs Malfoy," he replied with a challenging tilt of his eyebrow. Hermione's fingers immediately went to his tie, deftly loosening it and slipping it from his neck. She quickly went to work on his waistcoat and shirt, unbuttoning them and casting them to the floor. She ran her hands sensuously over the muscles on his chest and abdomen, applying just enough pressure to further excite him. She caressed her way to his belt, using it to yank him forward roughly. He responded by wrapping his bare arms around her and pulling her into his chest, capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. There was no gentleness in this meeting of their mouths. Each fought for dominance over the other, tongues tangling and teeth knocking as they poured every heightened emotion they were currently feeling into their partner.
Once the heated moment passed, they relaxed into each other's hold, still kissing but much more gently. Hermione unbuckled the belt at Draco's waist then wasted no time before she unbuttoned the placket of Draco's trousers and pushed them to the ground. He continued to kiss her while he kicked them off to the side. He tried unsuccessfully to toe his socks off, growling when he had to break their kiss to bend and pull them off by hand. After he pulled the first sock off, he dropped to one knee to reach the other. He knelt on the ground before her, placing his hands on her hips and moving them in circles, allowing the silken material of Hermione's knickers to slide against her skin. Draco could smell her arousal; he licked his lips and placed a kiss directly over her sex through her knickers. Hermione threw her head back and groaned at the light touch right in the place her body was begging for it.
Draco reached behind Hermione's back to the fastenings of her bustier. He fumbled blindly with the hook and eye catches before tutting loudly in frustration. He pressed gently on her hip, indicating for her to turn around. Again he fumbled with the hooks, finally becoming so annoyed that he stood up and just grabbed two fistfuls of the delicate material and ripped the garment apart. Hermione's eyes widened at his primal action, and a thrill shuddered through her body. Draco had never been so rough before. She was sure the action should not have excited her so much, but he immediately tempered it by pulling her back to his chest and running his hands up her ribcage to her breasts. He held the undersides in his palms and gently thumbed her nipples while he nibbled on her ear. "That was rather expensive you know," she teased.
Draco bit into her earlobe a bit harder, drawing a gasp from Hermione. "We can afford it," he replied. He turned Hermione in his arms again to feast on her lips. Hermione tangled her fingers in his blond hair. She felt she needed to regain some ground here. She pulled lightly on his hair and trapped his bottom lip between her own. Draco was happy to concede to her for the moment. The desire to throw her down and pound into her had never been higher in him than in that moment and he just wanted to slow everything down a bit. He once again concentrated on the soft, loose material at her hips. He let the silk fabric run through his fingers, caressing her arse cheeks while revelling in the decadence of the racy garment.
Hermione was enjoying having the upper hand. She left one hand tangled in Draco's hair while the other hand started to roam. No part of his upper body was left untouched. She caressed, rubbed, tickled, pinched and massaged her way around his shoulders, back and chest. Draco moaned when she slipped her hand under the waistband of his black boxers. Her other hand soon joined in, going further and further beneath the silk fabric until she grew tired of manoeuvring underneath. She pulled his boxers down past his hips, taking care not to catch his erection as she pulled the shorts down and off.
Draco began to walk her backwards to the bed. As soon as her knees hit it, she sat down. Draco stood before her for a moment and she took the time to drink in the sight of his body in all its glory. Merlin! She did not ever think she would get tired of seeing him. Draco knelt at the side of the bed and rubbed his hand over one of her knees, slowly sliding it upward until he was toying with the garter and stocking on her leg. He wasted no time with clips and fastenings this time, just ripping the fine silk away and dragging it down her leg. She laughed when he did the same to the other leg.
He leant in and kissed her while he removed her knickers and finally her garter belt. He retrieved his wand from where he had thrown it earlier and performed the contraceptive charm on himself. For good measure, he cast another warming charm on the gazebo as well. He placed his wand on the low table next to the bed before returning his attention to his wife.
Hermione's gaze smouldered as she lay back on the bed. She brought her hands to her chest and began rubbing small circles on her breasts with her fingertips, knowing how Draco would be affected at the sight of her touching herself. She left one hand pinching and pulling on her nipple and slowly ran the other down the curve of her waist and across her abdomen to the trimmed thatch of curls hiding her sex. She pressed her index and middle fingers down through her folds until she reached her entrance, just dipping them inside and moaning sensuously.
Draco growled at the sight. He dropped to his knees once more and pushed Hermione's knees apart. He dove his face straight into her pussy, licking and sucking for all he was worth. The build-up had gotten Hermione very excited and it was scant minutes before she was coming over his talented tongue. He gently blew on the heated, sensitive skin while she came down from her orgasm. He took the opportunity as well to suck on the sensitive spot where he maintained a love bite on her thigh.
Hermione was getting aroused once more. She lifted Draco's head away from his personal feast and moved back on the bed, beckoning him to follow her. Draco's smoky eyes bored into hers as he settled himself between her legs. Hermione lifted her knees and wrapped her legs around his waist just as Draco lined himself up and gently inserted himself into her heat. They both groaned at the sublime feeling as they joined as one. Draco stilled for a moment, just enjoying this connection. He stared deeply into Hermione's eyes as he felt her inner walls clenching along every inch of him.
Hermione thrust her hips up slightly, trying to get even more of him into her. At this unspoken plea of hers, he pulled out slightly before pushing back in again, making sure he could go no further. He repeated this slow action a few times, pulling every groan he could from Hermione. She in turn was meeting his slow, gentle thrusts, praising how good he felt and how much she loved him in this moment. His answer was to crash his lips against hers kissing her and at the same time returning her words of praise and love.
He pulled back from the kiss and without withdrawing, rose to his knees and hooked hers over his elbows. Once she was situated where he wanted her, he pulled out until only the tip of his cock was still inside her. With a sharp snap of his hips, he then strongly thrust his entire length into her, ripping a sensual scream from his wife. He pulled back and thrust in again, over and over until the woman beneath him was reduced to a quivering, writhing, screaming being. Without warning, Hermione's orgasm slammed into her. Her walls clenched his cock like a vice. He stilled, trying desperately to stave off his own orgasm. He pulled out of her completely and went back to feasting on her. The stimulation on her clit caused another orgasm for her.
Hermione could almost feel her arousal dripping out of her. She knew that Draco would keep her in this state until he came. She was very quickly nearing a state of exhaustion, the events of the day, and the excitement of the night catching up with her. With a firm push she moved Draco's head away from her again. "Lie down," she commanded. Draco lay on his back, a wicked grin on his face at her forceful manner. Hermione knelt between his legs and wrapped one hand around his cock. She pumped it up and down several times before lowering her head and giving the tip a lick. Without further preamble she sunk her entire mouth down over his length, taking as much as possible before she would gag. Her hand continued its work where her mouth could not reach. She bobbed her head up and down, revelling in every gasp, moan, groan and dirty word she pulled from her husband's mouth.
One particular gasp drew Hermione's attention and she immediately lifted her head off him. That gasp was the first signal that he was rapidly approaching his climax. Hermione situated herself above him and slammed her hips down onto his, his seemingly-bigger-than-usual length stretching her once again. Draco grabbed her hips in a bruising grip and guided her up and down his shaft, his hips rising from the bed to meet her each time. It only took five thrusts before Draco exploded inside her. He quickly moved his thumb to circle her clit which tipped Hermione over the edge for the fourth time. She collapsed onto his chest, heaving her own breaths just as he was. Draco brought his arms up around her back, encircling her protectively.
"We're truly married now," Draco said.
Hermione lifted her head to gaze into his eyes. "Yes, we are," she agreed.
After the consummation of their vows, they fell asleep on the daybed in the gazebo, too exhausted and too comfortable to move. Several hours later, Hermione woke when a freezing cold wind blew over her. She shivered and moved quickly, startling Draco awake who immediately began shivering.
"The warming charm must have worn off," he said sleepily as he pulled a heavy blanket over them.
"You think so, Sherlock?" Hermione retorted. She grabbed her wand and recast the charm. Warmth immediately flooded through the gazebo again. Draco gathered Hermione into his arms.
"Who's Sherlock?" he asked.
Hermione chuckled. "A well-known fictional Muggle-detective," she explained. "Perhaps we should go inside."
Draco looked out to the clearing. It was still lit up from the moon and the lights. There was a clear wind blowing though. Walking back would be freezing. They could always apparate, but he wanted to carry his bride over the threshold of their house for real. Although carrying her naked might be a little bit crass.
"Bixby?" he called. His elf appeared immediately. Bixby waited patiently while his Mistress slapped his Master for being so inconsiderate as to call the elf in the middle of the night. "Ah, stop hitting me, Woman," Draco cried out.
"I can't believe you! He could have been sleeping! You know how busy all the elves have been and you likely interrupted the poor guy's sleep," Hermione continued to rain blows on him as she scolded him.
"It be alright Mistress," Bixby said. "Bixby is not being asleep when Master calls. Bixby is waiting with Trilly for Master and Mistress to come inside."
"Are you sure, Bixby?" Hermione asked in concern.
"Yes, Mistress," he assured her.
"See, there's no problem. I'm sorry, I'll try harder in future but I'm used to having him near when I need him," Draco said.
"That be Bixby's job, Master. Bixby lives to serve you, Master," the little elf said frantically. He began to wring his hands. He had to be close by when his master needed him!
"See what you did," Draco said to Hermione, gesturing to Bixby who was by now hopping up and down on the spot. "It's alright, Bixby, remember Hermione is still learning what having an elf means." Bixby immediately settled. Before another misunderstanding could take place, Draco asked Bixby for what he wanted in the first place, "Bixby, will you please take these clothes into the second bedroom and ask Trilly to attend to them? Please bring us back our dressing gowns so we can be warm when we're going back inside. Is our bedroom ready?" he asked.
"Yes, Master. Everything is prepared. Bixby will do as you ask." He gathered their wedding clothes and disappeared with them. He reappeared moments later with dressing gowns and slippers for them both. He bowed once more before taking his leave again.
"Shall we go inside?" Draco asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry for snapping at you," Hermione said contritely.
"You're forgiven," he said as he climbed over her to get out of the bed. He offered his hand to help her rise. "I'm sorry for calling him so late."
"You're forgiven too," Hermione said as she draped her arms over Draco's neck. She pressed her naked body against his, squirming as she felt the first signs of his arousal.
"Minx," Draco said. "Let's go inside and continue this." He draped Hermione's robe over her shoulders before putting his own on. He embraced his wife and apparated them to the verandah of the cottage. He bent down to pick her up but she stopped him.
Hermione quickly ran over to the table retrieving the coronet from where Draco had sent it for safe-keeping. "I don't want to leave this out here in the open," she explained. Draco nodded and this time was able to complete his action of sweeping his bride into his arms to carry her across the threshold of their home.
.
Everyone woke to a blanket of snow on Christmas morning. Hermione and Draco were standing on the doorstep of the cottage looking out into the clearing. The pond had completely frozen over and there were chunks of ice in the brook. The snow covering the clearing must have been three feet deep. "It's a good thing we don't have to deal with this," Hermione said gesturing to the expanse of white in front of her.
"Hmm," Draco agreed. "Floo or apparate?" he asked.
Hermione pretended to think for a moment. "Apparate," she said, draping her arms over his neck.
"Lazy woman," Draco teased. "You expect me to apparate you?"
"Yes, my strong, powerful, virile husband. You have exhausted me so much in the last two days I don't think I will be capable of apparating myself," she teased back.
Draco smirked smugly. In the last two days they had barely made it out of the bedroom, usually only as far as the bathroom to freshen up. Right now, she was certainly wearing the most amount of clothing he had seen on her since the wedding.
"Do you have everything?" he asked.
"Yes, Trilly has taken all of our things back already. She will have us packed ready to go tonight as well," Hermione said.
"Spoken like a true wife," he teased.
Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Next time it will be you organising it all, just remember that," she retorted.
Draco laughed before spinning them away. They landed back in the sitting room of Draco's suite. 'Draco's suite,' Hermione thought with a grimace. Draco pulled on Hermione's hand to lead her out of the room to the dining room where they were due to meet their family. Hermione tugged him back. "Wait," she said. Draco turned to her, a confused look on his face. "There's something I haven't told you about our living situation."
Draco's eyebrows shot up in surprise before his face turned to one of concern. He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. "Um, we got married two days ago," he said nervously. "It's a bit late for second thoughts, isn't it?"
"Second thoughts?" Hermione repeated. "No, no," she rushed to assure him, "no second thoughts about us, just about here," she said, gesturing to the room.
"I thought you were okay with the Manor now. You've been living here for two months, no panic attacks over it or anything." Draco was still confused.
Hermione grimaced. She was not expressing herself properly and it was annoying her. She took a deep, calming breath. "I didn't say anything to you because I knew it was temporary. It's these rooms. I like them, but they're yours—not ours. I know we said we would keep them until we're ready to take over the new wing, but perhaps we could do that sooner, rather than later."
Draco breathed a sigh of relief. "Whatever you want," he assured her. "I understand your point. We can have everything moved over there by the time we get back. You don't have to spend another night in these rooms."
"Thank you. I'm sorry, you have made me feel very welcome here and I have enjoyed it, but now we're married and it just feels a bit like we're living with your parents if we stay here. Over the other side it won't be so bad. I really did think I could deal with it for the few years we had planned, but coming back here today just showed me I can't," she explained.
Draco kissed her forehead gently. "Consider it done," he said. This time Hermione allowed him to lead her from the room. They entered the dining room just as everyone was sitting down. Breakfast was delayed while the newlyweds were greeted and took their seats. They caught up with everything that had happened in the last two days while they ate before everyone retired to the sitting room for presents.
Andromeda Tonks and Teddy plus the remaining Weasleys that were in the country joined them for lunch. All the boys (and Ginny for that matter) were eager to have their turn on the latest model Firebolt that Hermione had bought Draco for Christmas. There were times when being Hermione Granger had its merits. She had walked into Quality Quidditch Supplies with Harry the week before her wedding and between the two of them, managed to talk the proprietor into selling them the first broom off the line. There had been delays in the production of them which meant they were too late to be marketed for Christmas. The shop had five on hand only for demonstration purposes, and they would only be receiving twenty to sell. Harry convinced the manager to sell them one of the demo models.
Draco had been stubbornly holding onto his Nimbus 2001, but Harry had confided in Hermione that it was no longer able to keep up with the newer model broomsticks. When Draco unwrapped the broom, it was like, well, Christmas. Hermione had revelled in the way his face had lit up. He and Harry swiftly abandoned the other presents to take the broom outside and begin to put it through its paces. When they came back inside Harry declared he was putting his name down for two of them immediately—one for him and one for Ginny. After the war, Harry had purchased himself a Nimbus 2004 since his Firebolt had been destroyed. This broom outstripped the other brand.
Percy had gone to Romania with Molly and Arthur when Charlie returned. Nevertheless, everyone still received a Weasley jumper and some sort of homemade confection—even the three Malfoys were included in the tradition. Hermione quietly informed her parents-in-law that they only had to wear the jumper once, perhaps to dinner at the Burrow where they had all been invited in the New Year. They gratefully partook of her suggestion.
The day was spent in feasting and merriment. They all rehashed the details of the wedding they had most enjoyed. Emily enjoyed playing with the babies, entreating Hermione and Draco to hurry up and have one of their own. Hermione had been surprised that the first suggestion of babies had come from her sister, rather than either of their parents, but she emphatically assured Emily that it was a few years off yet.
Before they knew it, everyone was ready to go home. The elves had put on a fantastic feast and everyone was lethargic from it. The babies were long asleep and even Emily had fallen asleep, her head in her mother's lap. Mary was absently stroking her daughter's hair while she chatted quietly with Narcissa and Andromeda.
Hermione was leaning comfortably against Draco. He looked at his watch and regarded Harry who had Ginny in the same position against him. "If we leave now it will be early morning when we get there, we can have a sleep and be refreshed when it's time to wake up," Draco suggested. Harry looked around. All the Weasleys had left and Andromeda was standing by the fireplace with a slumbering Teddy in her arms. He waved as she departed.
"Sounds like a good idea. Kreacher already went on ahead this morning. Trilly and Bixby are coming as well, aren't they?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Draco confirmed. I'll get everything organised, then we can say goodbye and go." Draco stood up to go and instruct his elves. Hermione and Ginny roused themselves enough to move and began the goodbyes. By the time Draco returned, they were fully awake and raring to go. Lucius produced the portkey he had procured for them and the six leaving touched their fingers to it. With the familiar tug to their navels, they were gone.
.