4
Three weeks later and it was time for the wizarding wedding of the year. It was an exclusive event, only their closets family and friends were invited. Extra security measures were put into place around Malfoy Manor to make sure no uninvited guests got inside the Manor Gates; but their main concern was Ronald Weasley. Security was stationed at the gates as well, with a specific list of those who were invited and those who weren't invited.
As the Manor was so large Hermione and Draco both had separate wings of the it to themselves, so that there was no way that they would see each other before the wedding. The ceremony wouldn't take place until about one in the afternoon. Narcissa had come to collect Hermione before the sun had come up that day, ushering her out before Draco had a chance to wake up. But even the chances they would see each other before the ceremony was slim, Narcissa was stubbornly refusing to let them anywhere near each other "It's bad luck!" She insisted as her mother in law ushered Hermione back into the bridal suite. Once back at the Manor Hermione was pampered within an inch of her life. Massages, manicures, pedicures, makeup and finally hair. As her hair was being finished Narcissa came into the room with a small wooden box "Hermione I was wondering if you would want to wear this in your hair today?" Opening up the box Narcissa revealed a small diamond and pearl encrusted comb; the gems sparkled and the comb was sterling silver that looked to have been well kept. Narcissa continued "This has been passed down through my family for five generations. It was meant to be passed to my daughter on her wedding day, but somehow I doubt Draco would want to wear it." The two witches laughed aloud at that comment before she continued "It would mean a great deal to me if you would wear it." Hermione stared at the comb before looking at her soon to be mother in law "I would be honored Narcissa. It's beautiful." Narcissa plucked it from the box and carefully inserted it into Hermione's finished hair. "My only condition is that you keep it and one day pass it along to your daughter as I have done today." Hermione hugged her with tears in her eyes "Of course, I will take very good care of it and continue the tradition to pass it along the generations.
The whole process took over four hours, but just after noon, Hermione was dressed. Her silk and chiffon wedding dress fit like a glove, it was made of the purest white fabric that they could find. The train was about 3 feet long and fanned out behind her, but had a strap to where she could attach the extra fabric to her wrist during the reception. The dress itself was a halter neck, that showed off her black Gemini choker perfectly. There was a bejeweled belt just under her bust, that showed of her slender waist and the dress was imbued with magic that made it look like 1,000 diamonds were sewn into the fabric. Custom made white lace heels matched the dress perfectly. The veil was the same white as her dress, but had lace constellations sewn into it with diamonds as well. Hermione's chocolate brown hair was piled and pinned on top of her head in intricate curls, made complete by Narcissa's comb she had gifted Hermione. Her nails were painted candlelight yellow, her makeup was light and natural, with a striking red lip. Hermione stood staring at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman who stared back at her. Her bridesmaids were behind her dressed in their midnight blue one shoulder dresses, their hair was styled in loose beach waves, all of them holding a small bouquet of beautiful yellow roses. Narcissa also stood behind her as she finished fluffing out her veil "Well my dear, what do you think? I believe I am about to gain a beautiful new daughter. You look amazing. My son is a very lucky man." Hermione turned to stare at her friends and future mother in law "I love it, everything is perfect. Thank you so much Narcissa. But I must admit I am nervous, I am about to be married." Pansy, Astoria and Ginny went to her side instantly and started fanning her face as they could tell she was about to cry "No no none of that! You're makeup is done and it's almost time. Come lets get you downstairs to the garden doors." Pansy said as she reached her side. Hermione blanched and started to panic "But Draco can't see me until I'm walking down the aisle!" Ginny grabbed her friend's hands "Hermione breathe. Draco is already outside waiting at the alter. Now come on, where is that Gryffindor courage?" Hermione took some deep steadying breathes and nodded her head "Ok lets go." Pansy and Astoria gently grabbed her veil and train so it wouldn't get dirty on the walk down, Ginny grabbed her bouquet as Narcissa walked beside her talking to her quietly and calmly. All the girls kept up a steady stream of conversation, as to district Hermione from what she was about to do. The small party made their way towards the back garden doors.
Once there the bridesmaids fanned out her train and veil to their full length as Narcissa handed her her bouquet. "Where is he?" Hermione muttered as she looked around at the hall they were standing in. "I'm right here Miss. Granger, perfectly on time as requested by you." Hermione turned to see Severus Snape walking up behind her in new black robes "I expected nothing less Severus." Narcissa said as she maneuvered him into position right beside Hermione who looped her arm through his. "Thank you for agreeing to walk me down the aisle, you are like a father figure to me. I couldn't imagine anyone else doing this." Snape looked down his nose at her with a small smirk "Think nothing of it Hermione, I am honored to walk you down the aisle to marry my god son. In a way, this makes my family." Hermione smiled and took a deep breath before turning to Narcissa "Ok, send the bridesmaids down the aisle. I'm ready." Not more than a few minutes later Hermione and Severus stepped out of the double doors and began their long walk down the aisle.
The gardens were beautiful and fragrant as ever; roses of so many different colors it was truly like a rainbow here in the gardens. Garden fairies flitted here and there, the rustling of their wings a comforting sound in the silence. But their natural glow also giving a mystical feel to the outdoor wedding. All of their closets family and friends were here to watch them get married. As soon as the doors had opened to reveal them, all of the muttering stopped and everyone was silent. Almost everyone gasped as Hermione started her walk down the aisle; whether it was shock at who she was or her custom dress she would never know. Hermione knew that some people in the audience did not know she was the bride whom Draco had been speaking about for the last several weeks. Who the bride was was kept quiet for her safety. Focusing on the end of the aisle she found her soon to be husband. Draco was standing there with his smile that she was now used to, although he appeared somewhat nervous. He was wearing new dark blue dress robes to match their color scheme. There was a single white flower in his jacket pocket. His eyes seemed somewhat misty, as they got closer it almost looked like tears. Finally after what seemed like an eternity all three of them stood next to each other, Hermione still on Severus's arm. The ministry appointed officiant stepped into view "Who gives this woman to be married?" he asked. "I, Severus Snape, Do." Snape said as he carefully took her arm from his and placed her hand in Draco's before bowing and stepping out of the way. Hermione took her bouquet and gave it to Ginny. And stood holding hands with Draco. The officiant began "It is always a wonderful thing to see two people decide to come together in marriage. To join together two separate lives, to come together as one. Marriage is not something to be entered into lightly. It takes serious commitment, strength, unity and determination. Wizarding marriage is for life, only to be separated in death. It is here that these two young people take those first steps, with their unbreakable marriage vow." He paused here to allow his words to take effect before turning to Hermione and pulling out his wand and touching the tip to their joined hands "Hermione Jean Granger, Do you take this man to be your husband? Do you promise to honor and protect him? To care for him in sickness, to prosper together in wealth? To have and to hold from this day foreward?" Hermione nodded "I do." As she slipped his platnium ring on Draco's hand. A thin gold line burst forth from the tip of the officiants wand and wound itself around Hermione and Draco's joined hands, glowing with magic. The officiant turned towards Draco "Draco Lucius Malfoy, Do you take this woman to be your wife? Do you promise to honor and protect her? To care for her in sickness, to prosper together in wealth? To have and to hold from this day foreward?" Draco nodded "I do." As he slid her matching platnium ring on Hermione's hand. Another gold line burst from the officiants wand and wound itself around the couples joined hands. "What has been joined together here today, let no man or woman unwind. With these vows and rings I pronounce this couple to be wed. I know introduce to you for the firs time Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy." The magical gold line dispersed from their hands as the couple turned to face their guests. As the guests started to applaud Draco turned towards Hermione and gently cupped her face before leaning in and gently pressing their lips together. Hermione leaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around her new husbands neck, all too soon for either of their liking the couple pulled apart and smiled at their guests, but continued to hold hands. Gathering her bouquet from Ginny, Draco and Hermione walked down the aisle to the cheering of their guests. Once back inside the bridal party posed for pictures with the photographer an hour later once the photos were finished, Hermione and Draco sat in the foyer for a moment, just the two of them. Hermione smiled at the man sitting beside her "Well we are married. You are my husband." Draco looked at her with an expression that was close to love "And you are my wife." Hermione leaned in and kissed her new husband again. "Today has been so magical, the ceremony was perfect and everything I ever dreamed it would be." "Well its not over yet, we still have the reception to attend. As long as you are happy I am happy, but you are right today has been perfect so far." He stood and straightened his robes before holding out his hand to help her up "Shall we?" Hermione nodded and stood; she waved her wand around her head shrinking the size of her veil from cathedral length, to the mid point of her back. Putting her wand back in the pocket of her dress, she bent down gathered her train by the strap and put it on her wrist. Finally taking Draco's hand she smiled "Yes I am ready." Draco leaned in and kissed her cheek "I am more amazed by your wand work everyday." Hermione blushed at his compliment but took his hand and the young couple walked towards the Ball Room where their reception was being held. Standing beside the door was Narcissa and Lucius, spotting them Narcissa ran to their side as Lucius took a more leisurely stroll. Narcissa embraced her son first, before wrapping Hermione in a warm embrace as well. Standing back and wiping a tear from her eyes she turned back towards her husband "Oh Lucius our son is all grown up and married. I am so proud of him. Welcome to the family Hermione." Lucius nodded and put his arm around his wife "Yes I am proud of you son. Hermione you make a lovely bride." Lucius nodded at them both before leading his wife in the ball room "Ladies and Gentleman it is our pleasure to announce for the first time the new Lord and Lady Malfoy!" Hermione and Draco walked into the ball room and were once again applauded. But Hermione's attention was more focused on the decorations; since she had planned the ceremony Draco and his mother had planned the decorations for the receptions.
All of the tables were draped in silk table clothes of either midnight blue or candlelight yellow. Each table also had a silver candelabra with enchanted candles that would burn all night and wax would not drip on the table clothes. The ceiling of the room had been enchanted to look like the night sky, with sparkling stars all across the ceiling; complete with several shooting stars going by every hour. Candles had also been enchanted to float around the ballroom; hundreds of candles were floating across the room, casting beautiful shadows to bounce off the walls. Flowers adorned the walls in every shade of yellow you could imagine, as well as enchanted flowers that flashed between every color of blue as well. On the dessert table were cupcakes in their wedding colors that spelled our intials "D.M and H.M". Their wedding cake was four tiers. Each tier was floating above the next, icing flowers adorned each level and was absolutely breathtaking. The whole room rippled with a beautiful and ancient magic that always surrounded marriage ceremonies.
Draco noticed Hermione was not moving and turned to look at her with a worried look in his eye. "Hermione? Do you not like the decorations? We can transfigure them right now if you don't, just say the…" he was cut off abruptly as Hermione threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. Draco was taken by surprise but wrapped his new wife in his arms. The crowd chuckled quietly but went about their own business as the catering staff started handing out the meals. A moment later the newlyweds separated but remained in each others arms, resting their foreheads against each other "I love the decorations. You have blown me away. It is above and beyond anything I ever expected." Draco chuckled quietly "You had me scared. I was afraid you didn't like them. But you are a Malfoy now, and Malfoy's deserve the best." They smiled at each other before heading to the main table and sitting with their bridal party. Dinner went well with everyone laughing and talking before it was time for the speeches. Ginny, as Hermione's Maid of Honor, went first. "I've known Hermione since my second year at Hogwarts. She was instantly one of my best friends. She's always been there for me, I've always been there for her. It has been an honor to watch her grow into the wonderful woman she is today. I am glad to see her as happy she is and can't wait to see how her and Draco grow in marriage together. To Draco and Hermione! May you have a long and happy life together." Hermione stood and wrapped Ginny in a hug and the two women shared a moment together. The crowd applauded for the Maid of Honors speech before Blaise stood up as Draco's Best Man. "Well mate, here we are and it's your wedding day. I never thought I would see the day you were as happy as you are right now. And I've known you since our very first year at Hogwarts. We were both little demons, but I'd like to think you we have both matured greatly. This is the happiest I've ever seen you. So I'd like to join in with Ginny in wishing the happy couple a long and happy marriage!" The entire hall raised their champagne glasses in a toast, while Blaise and Draco shook hands. After the dinner was eaten, Draco led Hermione onto the dance floor and they enjoyed their first dance as a married couple. Draco twirled her around and around the dance floor and held her as close as he could, while looking into her eyes. As the song came to an end Draco kissed her forehead. For the rest of the evening the couple laughed, danced and talked with all of their friends who were in attendance. It was truly a wonderful evening, in one dance with Harry the two friends laughed and remincied together. "Hermione I have never seen you look so happy, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were in love." Hermione offered her long time friend a small smile "I am falling in love with my husband Harry and it is rather scary." Harry hugged his friend closer "Don't worry 'mione, you and Draco will do great things together. And I know the two of you will be very happy. If you ever need anything, you know you can always floo me." Hermione nodded before she saw Draco's hand on Harry's shoulder. "Excuse me Harry, but it is time for me and Hermione to leave for our honeymoon." Harry nodded and hugged Hermione one more time "Have a great time Hermione, and congratulation's again." They both thanked Harry as they walked hand in hand to the apparition point. Locking arms Hermione looked at her husband "Where are we going on our Honeymoon?" Draco smirked and winked at her "It's a surprise, but I promise you'll love it." With that the spun on the spot and reappeared in… "Greece! You brought me to Greece!" Draco raised her hand and kissed it "I take it you are surprised? I thought you would appreciate the history and scenery." Hermione grabbed her husband's hand "I love it, let's go!"