Harry stood at the head of the aisle, Ron standing behind him on Best Man duty. The Weasley clan took up the first two rows on one side, save Charlie, who stood at the front, waiting to marry the grooms.
School had been out for only a month, all of their teachers had attended, and the entire 7th and 8th years of Gryffindor and Slytherin House, except Jax, obviously. The grounds of Malfoy Manor had been pristinely decorated, planned and choreographed by Narcissa, naturally.
Narcissa, Harry, Draco, and the Weasley's had been getting together once a month for a 'to-be' family dinner. Harry and Draco insisted they learn to get along, which didn't take much time at all. Draco has very little family left, basically only consisting of distant cousins he'd never met before. Nonetheless they were invited and they showed up. Harry was happy to learn that his extended distant family were not puritans, as he has worried about.
Luna began her music on her harp, she nestled to the side of the seating. At the end of the aisle, Draco appeared with Narcissa on his arm. Draco was draped in creamy white robes of the finest material, Narcissa would have nothing less, with intricate cream white filigree embroidered all throughout. The embroidery had a shine to it that ginted in the afternoon sun. Harry smiled watching him walk towards him, Draco couldn't take his eyes from Harry.
When they finally stood at the head of the aisle, Blaise standing behind Draco, Charlie began his speech.
"From this place, we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of Harry and Draco. Today they will join their lives in the union of marriage.
To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you. They have known most of you for many years. You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you taught them. Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them. Having found eachother, they have built the kind of relationship that will serve them well as a foundation for marriage.
Marriage is a bold step into an unknown future, it's risking who we are for the sake of who we can be. In marriage, two lives are intimately shared: the blending of the two must no diminish either one, rather it needs to enhance the indiviuality of each partner.
We are aware that marriage is not created by law or by this ceremony; ratherit occurs in the hearts of two humans. It grows out of loving, caring, and sharing ourselves with another person. This ceremony is a symbol of the relationship that is already created, We're here to celebrate the commitment Harry and Draco have made to one another, both large and small, in the days since they first met and recognized their connection."
Harry stifled a laugh at this.
"There are only two official witnesses at a wedding but each and every person here today will witness the words that they will speak to one another and the vows that they will make. You should take good care to remember these words; for a marriage needs the help of a community, of friends and family who will be there when needed and will do all that they can during hard times to stand by _ and _ and offer their support to them and the new family that they create today. May you always do all within your power to support the union that will be made here today and to nurture the bond between these two people whom you love."
Draco silently wiped his eyes before his tears could fall.
I've taken the old muggle fair-tale ending "they lived happily ever after" to mean, "they lived the rest of their lives as the same day as their wedding day". Some may find that exhausting, but let me remind you, this day is not about the decoration, the food, or even the guests who attend. Today is about looking at the person you love, promising to love them, committing your life to them, swearing to care for them in sickness and in health, to stand by them in the good times and the bad. And if you live every day, remembering the promises you will make here today, then you will live Happily Ever After."
Harry felt the small drops run down his cheeks, not trying to stop them. Draco squeezed his hands in response.
"So let's continue to the actual vows, and you can stop listening to me talk."
The audience laughed lightly. Harry saw Narcissa wiping her eyes with a silver cloth, and he could hear Molly silently sobbing into her own handkerchief.
"Harry James Potter, do you take Draco Lucius Malfoy to be your husband, to have and hold, to care for him in sickness and health, and to stand by them in good times and bad?"
Harry looked at Draco, for the last time as his fiance. How they've grown over the course of 8 years.
"Yes." he breathed, a smile reaching his emerald eyes,
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, Do you take Harry James Potter to be your husband, to have and hold, to care for him in sickness and health, and to stand by them in good times and bad?"
"Absolutely." He said loudly.
"Gentleman, the rinfs?"
Ron and Blaise both moved to hand over their rings.
"With these rings, you show your love and commitment with everyday wear. May the remind you on a daily basis to honor your vows you've made to each other."
Draco slipped a thin gold band onto Harry's finger above the emerald gem. It fused to the first ring, making it only a fraction thicker.
Harry held Draco's hand as he places a black obsidian ring with a thin inlaid line of pearl around the center.
Charlie clapped his hands over his head and shouted, "Witches and Wizards, I now pronounce them, married!"
Draco grabbed Harry by the collar of his robes and pulled him in for a kiss, crushing their lips together.
The guests stood clapping. Harry heard Hermione cheering loudly from her seat. Luna began to play again as Draco and Harry walked back down the aisle, confetti falling from the sky.
The chairs vanished, Luna's harp was shrunk down and stuck in her pocket, and a full band set up to play. Chairs and tables popped up all around, scattered at the perfect distances. Everyone moved smoothly into party mode and Harry and Draco stood in one spot receiving hugs, kisses and words of congratulations.