A/N: This chapter was unexpectedly difficult to write. Had to keep reminding myself this is not a Bean story. As y'all stay in, I hope you're having a decent time and that my fics can give you an escape for however brief a time.
Draco surveyed himself in the mirror one final time.
He did not look bad. Draco ran his palms down the front of his navy robe. It had an open front to reveal the silver waistcoat, which Pansy had to let out. He supposed the matching navy trousers looked alright. Draco knew he didn't look as awful as he believed, but it looked off . Even so, he would bet a hefty number of Galleons his friends would all say the same thing.
"You look good."
They might not be lying. Perhaps he looked good to them, but he did not live life through their eyes. Until he believed it with his heart, saw the truth through his own eyes, their words would continue to ring hollow.
He Apparated to the park, a part of the Marjoribanks Gardens usually closed to the public. It was the perfect place for this ceremony, very open and cheerful. From his vantage point at the back, Dean's three rows of three were on the left with Blaise's section a mirror on the right.
As he walked down the aisle, Draco realized he was one of the last guests to arrive. Over the years he learned it was best not to linger at these things. He made his way over to Theo and Bastien, chairs two and three respectively. The contrast between the pair of them could not have been more evident. Bastien wore pale yellow robes with silver trim, as dapper as ever and impossible to miss. Conversely, Theo wore a classic grey robe and hadn't even styled his hair. Trimmed his beard a bit, but he looked so ... relaxed. He clapped Draco on the shoulder and asked,
"How are you?"
"Excited, mostly."
"Good!" His smile seemed genuine. Perhaps it was time to forgive him and move on. "The twins are with Trace; they'll head over to Blaise's house soon. Scarlett's been thinking about the cake for days."
Draco laughed just as Bastien pulled him into a tight hug.
"Come here, you git. I know you've been avoiding me."
"You didn't make it difficult."
Bastien admitted, "I know, just ... I didn't really know what to do."
"I understand."
Draco felt the truth of those words. If he wasn't like this and Bastien was in his shoes, Draco wouldn't know what to do. How do you help someone who doesn't believe they need help? Who wouldn't even accept it if you tried.
"You look incredible."
"I heard Padma is coming to the reception," Bastien admitted. "Had to go for it."
"Speaking of women who will never have sex with you, I need to see Gabrielle."
As he walked away Bastien told him, "Try to keep it in your pants."
"Oh, you're one to talk," Draco shouted over his shoulder with a smile.
Gabrielle Delacour had her hair up in a braided crown and was, if possible, even more beautiful than the last time Draco had seen her. She looked like her older sister, only shorter and more delicate. Her dress was a pale shade of pink that made her look more like a fairy than a Veela. He saw Gabby every few months or so, always managing to get together when he traveled to France. Draco never walked into a room with Gabrielle in it and walked out feeling worse about himself. She was probably the only person in the world for whom that was true. They only had six dates before Draco realized his life was on a path she did not deserve to walk.
Gabrielle smiled as he approached.
"Draco!"
" Ma chérie !"
"Je suis vraiment contente de te voir ce soir."
"I can say the same." He bent to kiss her on the cheek and smiled. "How are you, Gabby?"
"Delighted! Blaise, 'ee never stops talking about Dean when we are together. Eet must be wonderful to 'ave someone to love like zat."
"One day you will, I know it."
"What of you?" she asked. "I know zee Greengrass girl was very 'ard for you. Made you believe you were something wrong. 'Ave you decided to try again?"
Draco felt himself blush.
"I haven't been with anyone who made me smile as much as you did."
"Because with me, you were never afraid to laugh," Gabrielle replied. "And you 'ave always been good at not answering zee question."
"Well, there is someone ..."
"A man thees time?" she guessed.
Draco shook his head.
"She told me she is interested in someone else, but I know if I got to choose someone to trust again it would be her."
"A very lucky woman, then. Though, I 'ave a good guess who eet may be."
Draco raised a skeptical eyebrow and asked, "Who?" just as Gabrielle leaned to the left to peek around him. He turned to see Hermione run at him, full-tilt. Draco smiled and staggered back a bit as he caught her against his chest.
She squeaked out, "I've been promoted!"
"To what position?"
"Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation!"
Draco put Hermione back on solid ground then said, "That is wonderful news!"
"It really is. To finally have decision-making authority? To have a solid negotiating position? I can do so much more work!"
"That is just like you," he teased, "Happy for more work."
Hermione turned to say, "Hi, Gabby," but kept one hand wrapped around Draco's arm.
Gabrielle smiled knowingly and Draco grumbled low in his throat. She'd always seen right through him, no Legilimency required.
"'Ello, 'ermione! Beel wishes for me to tell you 'ello."
"I promise to visit the cottage soon," she replied. "I miss them."
Draco felt every set of eyes in Blaise's section on the three of them. He caught the moment Hermione realized it, too. They nodded to each other and silently agreed to go their separate ways. Today was about Blaise and Dean; nothing should detract from them.
"I should go meet Blaise," he said. "It's nearly time."
"Yes," Gabrielle replied, "I weel walk 'ermione to err seat. You go."
As he walked toward the stairs, Draco was stopped by Dean's first chair. She was a kind-looking woman about fifty years old and nearly as tall as Draco. She had pronounced laugh lines and dark hair that fell in loose curls around her face. He sort of stumbled to a stop before saying,
"It is lovely to meet you, ma'am."
She introduced herself with a firm handshake.
"Journey Hale, I'm Dean's mother."
"I can see that. Dean has your smile."
"You are the ex-boyfriend?" she guessed. "I never expected you to be charming."
Draco grimaced but Dean's mum only grinned back at him.
"I knew Blaise had excellent taste." Mrs. Hale's smile wavered as she said, "Once Dean came out I never expected he would get married in a way that would matter. To be here for this? I couldn't allow any of the girls to miss it. He has been part of their lives for as long as any of them can remember; hell, Dean has practically raised Zara. This wedding is a gift, and his father would have been happy to know he ended up with a man like Blaise."
Draco looked over his shoulder at the eight others gathered on Blaise's side of the aisle. Theo and Bastien were in the front row. Pansy was pestering Gabriel Truman about his hair, while Gwendoline Hedgeflower tried to blend into her chair. Roger Davies, Gabrielle Delacour, and Felix Rosier rounded out the list. He smiled and told Dean's mum,
"I believe all of us would agree Blaise is the lucky one."
.oOo.
Draco watched, arms crossed, as Blaise continued to pace around the small tent. He looked gorgeous, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. Blaise wore a deep purple robe with matching trousers and a silver waistcoat identical to Draco's. He was perfect down to his shoes, but something bothered him.
"Are you sure you're not nervous?"
"I am anxious to get married," Blaise replied, "not nervous."
"You're about to tread a path in the ground."
"Because I haven't seen him in days! "
"Promise me you won't have sex on the dais."
"Please," Blaise scoffed, "Dean snuck over for a shag on Tuesday."
Draco chuckled, "So much for tradition."
"But what if ..." Blaise stopped pacing and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. He looked at Draco and asked, "What if he doesn't love me enough?"
The world stopped turning.
"Sorry ... What? "
Blaise was trembling. He tugged at the cuffs on his robe as his eyes darted around the tent.
"I do not deserve him, and I know that, but I love him more than anything and I don't understand what he sees in me to feel so strongly. What if he gives me the candle and it doesn't light?"
Draco put his hands on Blaise's shoulders and said, "He told me once that he will never love anyone the way he loves you. Is Dean Thomas a liar?"
Blaise shook his head.
"Then the only thing you need to worry about is whether everyone at the house can resist your cake long enough for us to get there."
Blaise smiled.
"Thank you for being here."
"There is nowhere else I would rather be."
"No, I mean to say that ... Theo and I spoke a month ago because he was worried. He said you were in a bad state when you started seeing Penelope; worse than any of us realized. So thank you for being fully here, able to be part of this the way I always wanted you to be."
Draco insisted, "We don't need to speak of those moments, not now."
Blaise put his hands overtop of Draco's and took a deep breath. "I watched you suffer for years and said nothing because I never understood what was happening to you. You are my best friend and I failed you. I love you so much and now that you are letting me help—"
"No." Draco shook his head. "No talking about me, this is your day."
"Yes, it is! I need you to understand how deeply I appreciate you allowing me to help you recover from ... from ... this." He still hadn't gotten comfortable with the word 'anorexia' and Draco couldn't blame him. "For trusting me, for being my first chair even after I turned away from you."
"You asked me to trust you again, and I have not regretted it," Draco replied. "I was never honest with you about it, kept you at a distance, so this is on me as well. But I get to be your first chair today at the best moment of your life, which is all that matters. Are you ready to do this?"
Blaise nodded, "Yes." He took a deep breath and looked toward the opening of the tent. "I can do this."
.oOo.
Dean and his mum were already waiting in front of the dais when Draco entered with Blaise close behind. The bright greens and pinks of spring had taken over the park, and the trees behind the dais were in full bloom. The sun would soon set, casting the venue in an orange glow as he led Blaise to the bottom of the dais steps. There were two chairs facing each other on the platform, equidistant from the officiant. At the base of each sat a basin and pitcher of water. Dean wore a traditional Muggle suit, but it complemented Blaise in the best way. It was a gorgeous setting and Draco was delighted to be there. For this brief moment in time every worry, every terrible thing he'd ever done, drifted away until it was too small to matter.
Draco hugged Dean. His father said a handshake was traditional, but fuck tradition. He was so goddamn happy. Nobody on the planet deserved love more than Dean Thomas.
"I don't really have anything to say."
"Well there is a first time for everything," Dean quipped.
Draco chuckled and said, "I know you will take care of him."
"Always."
Draco had been Blaise's best friend for as long as he could remember. He'd practice cooking in the manor kitchens, baking Draco five different types of biscuits to see which was best. During those freezing winter nights in the Slytherin dungeons, they squeezed into a bed and huddled for warmth. When they were dating, Draco would roll over in the morning to look at Blaise, still relaxed in sleep, and those moments were the most content he'd ever been. But never, in the twenty-plus years they knew each other, had Blaise looked at Draco the way he was looking at Dean.
He took his seat and his hands shook as he waited for the ceremony to begin.
Theo whispered, "You know it's alright to be jealous."
Draco nodded, "Yeah," though not convincingly.
"I fully expect to be first chair when you do this."
"I wouldn't bet money on me finding anyone."
Blaise held Dean's hand as they took the three steps up to the top of the dais. Lee Jordan stood between them, dressed in the traditional blood-red officiant robe. He motioned for everyone to sit as the grooms tried (and failed miserably) to hide their grins. Draco's knee bounced rapidly up and down until Theo covered it with his hand.
"Dunno, you and Granger look pretty close. Trace said the same thing when she saw the two of you weeks ago."
"Hermione and I are friends," Draco insisted. "That is all."
"Right, she is a friend who threw herself at you while you were speaking to your gorgeous ex-girlfriend."
The ceremony began before Draco could respond. LJ turned his toward the crowd and his voice boomed throughout the small space.
"Welcome! We are here this afternoon to witness Dean Thomas and Blaise Zabini join together in marriage, in the most ancient tradition our world has to offer. Each and every one of you has been a special part of their lives, and they are trusting you to be part of their new life together."
Draco sat up a bit straighter in his seat.
"For those of you unfamiliar with the ceremony, considering it hasn't been done in thirty years should be just about all of you, it takes place in three parts. Before they begin their life together, these two men will pledge humility, honesty, and eternity."
Draco leaned over to Theo and whispered, "I thought it was purity?"
"Dean didn't want that word used," Theo mumbled back. "Said blood purity is what took his father away and it has no place at his wedding."
Lee Jordan continued.
"We will begin with Blaise, so Dean, if you will take your place in the chair—"
"I know how much Blaise has been looking forward to this," he teased.
Dean sat in the chair and everything melted away. Knowing what was to come sent chills down Draco's spine. If there was one thing Blaise's mother beat into him as a child, it was pride. Never let anyone make you fall to your knees. Draco was certain Blaise's mother had told him the same thing Draco's parents told him, "If you kneel before someone, you may as well roll over and present yourself for the taking." Blaise shrugged off his robe and gently placed it on his own chair before LJ narrated the process.
"The first step in pledging your life to each other is a fresh start. This new life begins pure, as the mistakes of the past are washed away."
Blaise took a deep, slow breath and locked eyes with Dean as he took a knee. Blaise loosened the laces of Dean's derby shoes, then gently pulled off each one before placing them aside. He cuffed each leg of Dean's trousers three times before pulling the small basin toward the space between them. Blaise pointed at Dean and said,
"Only for you."
Dean nodded.
"I know."
LJ continued as Blaise removed Dean's socks.
"This ritual symbolizes humility."
Blaise conjured a towel and slung it over one shoulder. He placed one hand beneath Dean's right foot as he Summoned the pitcher.
"It is easy to say you will always put your partner first, but it is far more difficult to swallow your pride in front of your closest friends. To put your partner's dignity above your own."
Blaise poured the water over Dean's foot then placed the pitcher on the ground. He used his fingers to slowly work the water around and between each of Dean's toes, washing away invisible grime. Draco couldn't tear his eyes away, even as Blaise dried the moisture with his towel. He replaced Dean's sock and carefully placed Dean's foot back inside the shoe before he repeated the process.
"This ritual symbolizes a fresh start, clean feet and pure hearts as Blaise and Dean begin to walk the path of life together."
It should have been awkward, but Blaise performed his part of the ceremony with such earnest concentration that the words held true. By the time he finished tying Dean's second shoe, Draco was holding back tears. Of everything he wanted from life, he wanted that sort of love more than anything. Someone he would kneel for regardless of who was watching.
Blaise finished and put his robe on. Dean stood up from his chair and wrapped his arms around Blaise's shoulders.
"I know that was hard for you."
"It wasn't," Blaise replied, "because it was for you."
Dean gave him a quick peck on the lips and LJ laughed.
"You're supposed to save that for the end!"
"Can't help it," Dean teased, "he's irresistible." But he took a step back so Lee Jordan could continue.
"Traditionally, the participants in this ceremony recite a standard set of vows handed down to us from Maeve herself. However, Blaise and Dean decided to write their own. In the tradition of honesty, Blaise will recite them now."
"This part?" Blaise said with a smile. "This part I can do." He looked up into Dean's eyes and said, "I do not know much about love, never had a proper teacher, but I am an expert in food. After you walked into my life, I realized those two things are not so different. Love fills you, warms you up and makes you smile just the same as a good breakfast. I tried to put a name to what it is I feel for you, but the only thing I could think of was bread."
Draco laughed with the rest of the audience. Blaise could be out of his depth when it came to love; Draco knew that firsthand. Blaise chuckled and paused to wipe away tears that pooled in the corners of his eyes.
"Bread begins with a yeast mixture, and you have to knead it, work at the dough until it becomes smooth. You let it rise, punch it down, then allow it to rise again before putting it in the oven to bake. You must do everything right to get a decent loaf. You can bake from your mind and end up with something decent, but the best bread can only come from the heart. You have to care about the yeast and the flour before you create the dough. Falling in love with you felt like baking the most amazing loaf of bread. Now our life together is warm and flavourful and perfect."
Dean smiled and asked, "Does that make me the yeast or the flour?"
"The flour," Blaise replied, "because I need it for everything."
Dean used his thumb to wipe a tear from Blaise's cheek.
"Good answer."
"Dean Thomas, you taught me how love should feel. You have a kind heart, even though the world has wronged you a dozen times over. You are determined to treat everyone with the dignity they deserve, which is why it is so easy to love you."
"Not always," Dean replied.
"Yes, always!" Blaise insisted. "Even when we argue, it is never because we cannot come to an agreement. It is never because we are too different, too angry, too much of anything. I always love you enough to listen."
"And I will always love you enough to be honest."
"Which is why every night I fall asleep with you is a gift, and every morning I wake up to you makes the day worth living. Whatever happens in between, I only want you to be happy. Dean Thomas, I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I vow to encourage you, trust you, and respect you. I promise to work with you to build a life that is far better than whatever we could manage alone." Blaise plucked the platinum wedding band from his pocket and placed it on Dean's finger. "Today, I choose you to be my husband. I accept you as you are and offer myself in return. I will care for you, stand beside you, and share all of life's adversities from this day forward. Dean, it is an honour to give you my name."
Draco looked over at Dean's mother to see her wiping away tears. Dean was smiling through tears like he'd only just realized what the ceremony meant. It hadn't hit him until right then that Blaise wanted this as much as he did.
All at once, the emotion of the day hit Draco like a Bludger to the head. In the deepest, darkest part of his heart, he knew he would never have the sort of love being pledged in front of him. Lee Jordan did the whole ceremony again for Dean, but Draco came in and out. The pit in his stomach got heavier as Dean washed Blaise's feet. All he could think about was how badly he wanted to be the one up there, to have his friends watch him profess undying love. That was the sort of person he wanted to be, not this. Not the man who couldn't even be happy on his best friend's wedding day! That was the lark, wasn't it? He would continue to drag people down, too heavy to pick himself up.
Theo nudged him right before Dean began his vows.
"Look, mate, I don't know whatever spiral you're in right now, but you will hate yourself later if you aren't present for this."
Draco nodded and focused on the ceremony. Theo held his hand, and Draco was grateful he didn't have to explain himself. Theo would not miss the warning signs a second time. This was Blaise's day and Draco needed to remember it.
Dean smiled down at Blaise as the sun sank into the horizon behind them.
"I think everyone understands how much I love you, and that words will never express it properly. My mum probably doesn't remember this, but when I was ten or so I asked her if she loved my dad."
Draco glanced over to the other side and saw Dean's sisters squirm a bit in their seats. Perhaps it was something they agreed not to speak about. Hell, as far as Draco knew Dean never mentioned his father. But his mum was unperturbed and her grin never wavered.
"She said yes, she did, and that love changes with time just like the seasons. My mum said, 'If you ever marry someone, make sure they are Autumn.' When I asked why, she told me Autumn is comfortable. It is the season of beautiful change, enough heat to keep you warm at night without making you sweat. She said to find someone who won't look away when your leaves start to change. Find someone so that when winter comes you know a beautiful spring is right around the corner. I didn't understand it at the time. I understood it even less with my first girlfriend, but I think it's rather obvious why."
Everyone laughed and it seemed to relax Dean just a bit. He paused to scan the crowd and smile at his mum. Tears fell down Blaise's face as he made no effort to hold them back.
"My relationships either ran hot or they froze over; nothing felt right until I found you. Or, well, you found me. I walked into your restaurant with a date and walked out with you on my arm instead. The first time you kissed me I felt so warm, like I could do nothing but hold you in my arms for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. Blaise, I believe in you, the person you will grow to be, and the couple we will be together. I promise to be faithful and always make our family's happiness my priority. I will be yours in fortune or in need, in sickness and in health, in failure and success. I will dream with you, celebrate with you, and walk beside you through whatever our lives may bring. You are my person—my love and my life, today and always."
Dean took Blaise's hands in his own as he said, "Blaise Zabini, you are Autumn and you feel like home to me." He placed the ring on Blaise's finger. "Our leaves will turn and some may fall, but I will be happy to be your husband every day of the year. Today, I take you as my husband. It is the single greatest honour of my life to take your name as my own."
"There is a certain power contained in these spoken words," LJ said. "The promises Blaise and Dean have made today are eternal. If I had to pick two people whose love would withstand the test of time, it would be these two. As is tradition, each of them has been given a candle containing Gilbrathian Fire. It is an inextinguishable flame representing the promise of eternity together. These candles will remain lit as long as their love remains true."
The candles themselves were pure white decorated with delicate vines carved into the wax. For all his anxiety before the ceremony, Blaise appeared perfectly content when he accepted his candle from Lee Jordan. It was approximately the diameter of a teacup; Blaise offered it to Dean and the flame appeared the moment it touched Dean's fingers. Next, Blaise took Dean's proffered candle. To absolutely no one's surprise, the Gilbrathian flame appeared as the sun completed its descent behind them.
The park was plunged into near-darkness, lit only by the candles and small lamps lining the walkway. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, an array of fairies took to the sky. They bathed the venue in coloured lights as Dean's sisters stared up in wonder.
"It is my sincere pleasure to officially join these two together in matrimony." Lee Jordan couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Dean, you were a bit ahead of schedule with the last one, but you can snog him again if you like."
Blaise took the lead and pulled Dean down into a deep, meaningful kiss. The rest of the ceremony was a blur. Blaise and Dean were swarmed by well-wishers, careful to stay away from the open flames. Dean's smallest sister, all of about nine years old, continued to stare at the sky as the fairies appeared to mingle with the stars. Hermione took her hand and slowly walked to Draco at the edge of the crowd.
"The ceremony was lovelier than I expected," she admitted. "Their vows were wonderful."
Draco nodded. Hermione caught a better glimpse of him and frowned.
"Are you okay?"
"I am fine." At her doubtful expression, he said, "I am happy for Blaise; this is what he always hoped for."
"Don't lie to me." Her tone was gentle, but her gaze remained firm. "You look like your mind is elsewhere, and I don't like wherever that is."
"I am trying my best," he whispered, "today is more emotional than I expected. I thought I could handle it, but it has been difficult."
"If it was too much for you to handle, would you tell me?"
Draco looked down into her eyes and he couldn't lie to her. She already knew the answer.
"No, I wouldn't. Not today."
A/N: I hope y'all stay happy and healthy! ❤️
