Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 21
Two years later ... Saturday, 15th July 2006
Hermione stood in front of the mirror staring at her reflection, with her stomach churning uncomfortably. She didn't recognise the person in front of her. She was dressed in a strapless, ivory floor-length dress, with delicate beads around her waist. It fitted her body perfectly, accentuating her curves and a small train stretched out behind her. It was a simple dress, but that was what made it so stunning. Narcissa and her mother were both smoothing down the skirt, finishing the last touches to her hair and makeup. She gulped. She couldn't believe that today was the big day. She was getting married. Today. Hermione took a deep, shaky breath just as Pansy and Ginny burst through the door into the bedroom at the Manor, each wearing a strapless, knee length cream dress with a cerulean blue sash below the bust.
"Hermione, you look gorgeous." Ginny breathed, gawking at her best friend in awe.
"Thanks." She stammered with a small smile. "I'm so nervous."
"Don't be - it's a piece of cake!" Ginny exclaimed, clutching her small bouquet of white lilies and roses and waving it in her face.
"Ginny's right, sweetie. All you have to do is walk a little way, repeat a few lines and done." Her mother squeezed her bare shoulder comfortingly and checked her watch. "Well, it's about to begin so Narcissa and I will leave you three."
The two ladies left the room, but not before Hermione spotted a little tear escaping from her mum's eye. She always was rather tearful.
"Are you ready, Hermione?" Pansy asked gently.
She nodded, unable to speak. "I'll be there in just a minute. Would you guys mind waiting just outside the door?"
Pansy shook her head and smiled before she crept out with Ginny. Hermione watched them go before staring back at her reflection. A thin strand of hair had fallen out of the simple, but beautiful up-do. Her shaky hand placed it behind her ear and she took another deep breath. The past two years had gone by so fast! So many things had happened; Draco had moved in quickly and easily into her apartment, and they were still sleeping in separate rooms much to his disappointment. Pansy and Ron had their baby the February before last, naming Ginny and Harry as Godparents, and settled on a date to get married the following year in 2007; the Potter's had announced that they were going to have a child next March; Olivia and Blaise had a small private wedding in Italy just months after getting engaged, and now she was getting married. It only seemed like yesterday that they had been at school, worrying about school work and Voldemort. Everyone and everything had changed so quickly. Hermione gave a hearty sniff and was shocked to see a couple of tears running down her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away and glanced once more at her reflection before gently picking up the bouquet of lilies, roses and stephanotis' and joining her two bridesmaids outside in the hallway.
"Ready?" She breathed.
Her two best friends squealed joyfully and followed Hermione down the grand stairs and outside into the July sun. Hermione had been inside all day and she hadn't seen the set up in the grounds of the Manor. If she had thought her Engagement party was grand, this was something else. Five rows of white chairs sat either side of the pearl coloured aisle runner. White roses, lilies and stephanotis garlands were draped across the sides of the chairs, whilst some petals had been thrown over the aisle. They were to get married underneath the oak tree where the tree house had been built, and a pretty, flower covered arch stood directly beneath.
Just before they reached the beginning of the aisle, Hermione's father gently took her arm.
"You're getting married." His eyes crinkled as he smiled at his daughter. "And you look absolutely beautiful."
"Thanks, dad." Hermione whispered, tears threatening to spill over again.
"My little girl, all grown up. And you're not going to be a Granger anymore, either." He added with a wistful grin. "Are you ready?"
Hermione nodded and squeezed her father's hand. "Let's do it."
As soon as Hermione and her father stepped on the aisle, music began to play. The guests hushed and rose to their feet, turning to gaze at the bride as she walked down the aisle. Hermione was conscious of her cheeks flushing with all the attention focused on her and she glued her eyes on Draco, whose back was to her. Harry and Ron both stood next to him, facing Hermione and beaming at her as she came down the aisle. That was another thing that had changed in the past two years. Harry, Ron and Draco had probably become the best of friends, always chatting animatedly with each other, and meeting up for drinks, not to mention all the Quidditch banter. It was certainly different, but it was a good change and Hermione liked it. She spotted her mother and Narcissa weeping silently with watery smiles plastered on their faces. Lucius held Narcissa's hand and he smiled as Hermione made eye contact with him. That was nice too; Lucius had finally moved on and accepted Hermione. Over the past couple of months, they had even had a few, very pleasant, lengthy conversations. Mrs Weasley was holding onto a little boy with auburn hair and bright blue eyes - Bertie smiled at Hermione, a little bit of dribble slipping down his chin, and he shook his little wrist at Hermione as she passed him. The rest of the Weasley family all grinned at her, little Victoire, Dominique and Louis all waving heartily at her as she passed.
Before she knew it, she had reached the end of the aisle. Pansy and Ginny stepped off to the right, and she was in a daze as her father kissed her on the cheek and placed her hand gently in Draco's. His eyes had widened when he saw her and a huge smile now spread across his face. He leant forward and kissed Hermione on the cheek. "You look beautiful."
She blushed again and the same wizard, who married Harry and Ginny, cleared his throat to begin the ceremony.
"We are gathered here today, on this beautiful afternoon in July, to witness the matrimony of Hermione Jean Granger and Draco Malfoy ..."
At this, Hermione glanced nervously at Draco who smiled back happily. I love you, he mouthed.
She smiled to herself and stared back straight at the short wizard in front of them, only watching his mouth move, not really hearing the words. I'm getting married, I'm getting married, was all she chanted in her head. Suddenly, the nervousness that was plaguing her mind earlier disappeared and was replaced by excitement. Hermione stumbled on the vows as she rushed to say them and she waited impatiently as Draco said his own calmly and slowly. Soon enough, the wizard called forward Harry and Ron and they each handed a ring to Draco and Hermione to slip on their fingers. As Draco pushed the silver band gently up her finger, she had a sudden horrible thought that the rings wouldn't fit! Panic began to fill her chest and even when her ring had been pushed successfully into place, she still had to put on Draco's. How embarrassing it would be if it was too small! Taking a deep breath, Hermione shakily slipped Draco's slightly thicker silver ring up his finger. It was a perfect fit and suddenly Hermione felt ridiculous for getting so worked up.
"I now pronounce you man and wife." The wizard waved his wand and a gold shower dropped over their heads. The gold turned into silver lines and twisted around their entwined hands. "You may kiss the bride."
Draco leant forward and pecked Hermione on the cheek, before laughing and kissing her properly and fully on the mouth.
Hermione pulled away and smiled. "We're married!"
"No duh!" He rolled his eyes but kissed her again. "Oh, how I love you."
She giggled as they strolled back down the aisle, hand in hand. "This set up is beautiful." She murmured.
"I thought you'd like it." One arm snuck around her waist as they walked.
"Where do we go now?" She asked, looking behind her to see Pansy, Ginny, Harry and Ron plus all the guests trailing after them with big grins on their faces.
"Over here, Mrs Malfoy." Draco led her behind the Manor, towards two Cherry blossoms. "Photo time."
A photographer pushed their way through the cluster of guests and grinned at the bride and groom.
"Well, Mr and Mrs Malfoy, would you mind just standing under the branches for me?" He asked, raising the camera.
Hermione and Draco spent about an hour having photos done in all sorts of different poses; hugging, kissing, holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes, all rather soppy. Next came the family photos, then the best men and bridesmaids and then shots of everyone altogether. By the end of it Hermione's jaw was aching terribly from all the smiling. She was glad to get away from the photographer when Draco announced that three hundred and fifty shots was enough, and that everyone could head over to the marquee. They strolled, hand in hand, over near the entrance to the parlour, where a humongous ivory marquee sat lazily with more flowers adorning the entrances, poles and tables. About fifteen, eight seater tables had been placed at one end of the marquee, with one long, rectangular head table. The other half of the marquee had a polished wooden floor ready to be danced on and a wizarding classical quartet sat in the corner, getting ready to play.
"Oh, it's wonderful! I didn't realise it would be like this!" Hermione squealed and gazed up at Draco. "I'm so glad we're finally married."
"Me too, love. Do your parents know how to order the food?" Draco asked as the stepped into the cool marquee. It was a fairly warm afternoon, and earlier he decided to place a cooling charm on the place so no one would feel uncomfortable.
"Yes, I told them about speaking into the plates and all that jazz. They seemed a little confused, but they'll get it." Hermione squeezed Draco's hand as they headed over to their table and sat down. Draco sat on her right, and her mother sat next to him. Her father slipped in beside her and congratulated her heartily, whilst Narcissa sniffed a little and beamed as she joined the table, next to her father.
"Oh, Hermione, it's so wonderful for you to be part of our family. Of course, you already have been for the past two and a half years, but now its official!" At that, she dabbed a tissue delicately under eyes. "Excuse me."
Hermione heard Ron and Harry clap Draco on the back in congratulations, and both of them kissed her on the cheek. "It's about time too, really. You were both dawdling for much too long." Ron said cheerily. He went to sit by Narcissa and Harry joined him. Suddenly, champagne glasses appeared at everyone's table, already filled and ready to drink. A couple of people even jumped in surprise.
"Draco, where's Pansy and Ginny?" Hermione asked in a low voice to her husband, noticing that they were absent from the head table.
"Um, I think Bertie started crying or something and Pansy went to see what was wrong. I don't know where Ginny is ..." Draco searched the filling marquee and spotted Ginny amongst all the other Weasley's. "Ah, there she is."
Hermione nodded and then settled into her chair. "Are you worried about the speeches?" She asked, jokingly.
Draco looked startled. "Should I be?"
"Well, I don't know. It is Harry and Ron, after all." Hermione pulled a face and then laughed. "They'll probably have a whole packet of embarrassing photos for everyone to see."
Draco paled and glanced worriedly at his best men. "I sincerely hope not."
"Oh, Draco, I'm only messing around. It'll probably be really boring." Hermione snorted into her champagne glass as she took a sip. The speeches were going to take place separately, one after each course. The father of the bride was going first, then Draco was going to say a few words, and lastly Harry and Ron. She glanced around at the marquee to see that everyone had successfully found their places. Some people were already speaking into the plates waiting for the food, but they didn't know that Hermione and Draco had to order first for everyone else's to work.
Draco nodded towards her father for him to begin the speeches and she nudged him gently. Her father grinned nervously before slowly getting to his feet, clearing his throat and tapping his champagne glass.
"Er, hi everyone." Her father began, hesitantly. The marquee quietened sharply, and everyone turned their gaze to James. "Well, I'm not sure where to begin with this whole speech business, so ..." He began again and Hermione listened to her father list quite a few embarrassing incidences of her childhood, and go on to explain how proud they were for her to get into Hogwarts. Then he spoke about Draco, saying how he knew that he was going to be a great chap for her, and was so pleased that they had gotten married. He finished, looking down at Hermione with such a happy smile on his face, she was almost resolved to tears. The guests clapped and her father sat down, kissing Hermione on the cheek.
"Thanks, dad." She murmured in his ear.
"Hermione, can you please order your food already, we're starving!" Ron's disgruntled voice came from down the end of the table.
"Sorry!" She laughed and quickly asked for the tomato and mozzarella salad for starters. Once the guests had seen this, they hurriedly began speaking into their own plates, reading off a neat little menu on the centre of their table. Her mother and father soon caught on as Hermione predicted, and she and Draco both noticed – with amusement – that Lucius and her mother were chatting so happily together you would have thought they had been childhood friends.
"Your father has really changed these past couple of years." Hermione said quietly to Draco. "It's fantastic."
"I know, a couple of times when I've been in the Manor recently, I've seen him strolling around with a smile on his face. He never did that." Draco took Hermione's tomato of her plate and popped it in his mouth. "Yummy."
"Hey!" Hermione giggled and dug her fork into his roasted asparagus and honey salad. She hummed in appreciation at the taste. "My, that is scrumptious. Can we swap?"
"Certainly not." Draco smirked and covered his plate with his hands.
"But being married is all about sharing and being loving to one another." Hermione pouted playfully. Pansy came over at that moment and interrupted their conversation.
"Hey, sorry about that, Mr and Mrs Malfoy. A wasp stung Bertie." She winced. "I think he's allergic."
"Oh no, is he okay?" Hermione asked, concerned.
"Yeah, he's fine now; nothing a bit of magic can't sort out!" She replied quite cheerfully. "Anyway, lovely food might I add. Your speech is up next, Draco." She added with a wink before whirling away in a flurry of white and blue.
"Thanks for reminding me," Draco muttered darkly. He was nervous about doing this speech. Harry had to keep telling him earlier that everyone was behind him; if he mucked up, who would care? He tried to drag on eating his starter, but then he couldn't ignore the knowing look his new wife was giving him.
"Draco, stop biding your time." She looked serious but her eyes were glittering with amusement.
He breathed through his teeth but rolled his eyes and stood up, pointing his wand to his throat to amplify his voice.
"Hello," his voice echoed loudly throughout the marquee, making himself jump. "Well, this speech is just to thank you all so much for coming today. I guess, if you said I would be marrying Hermione Granger three or four years ago, I would have laughed." A couple of people tittered and Hermione nodded her head in agreement. She squeaked out a little 'me too!'
"I want to thank James and Isabelle Granger for bringing up such a wonderful, brilliant young woman. I love every single second I spend with her and I am so happy to be finally married to Hermione. Thank you for your blessing. I would also like to thank the bridesmaids for looking very beautiful today, the best men for seeing through and moving on from the past and my parents for helping set up everything today. So, I'd like to give a toast to Hermione, her parents, the bridesmaids, best men and my parents. Thanks, guys." He raised his glass and waited for everyone else to do so before taking a sip and sitting back down with a relieved sigh.
"That was wonderful," Hermione rested her head against Draco's shoulder and took his hand. "I love you."
He kissed the top of her head in response. "I love you too."
The rest of the mealtime went past in a whirl for Hermione and Draco. Harry and Ron successfully managed to embarrass Draco in several different ways including the now long-standing joke about being swiped at by Buckbeak – or Witherwings – the Hippogriff. It had come in conversation on a night out with the six of them, and Draco sheepishly admitted his exaggeration of the whole thing and admitted he was perfectly fine but just enjoyed making a big fuss out of it at the time. Amazingly, when Harry and Ron announced this in the speech, Lucius laughed. It was like a new man and when Draco heard the sound of his father's laughter, tears pricked uncomfortably at his eyes. He couldn't believe the changes in the man who was once as friendly as an agitated troll to anyone other than Narcissa and Draco. And that was on a good day.
Draco hastily scratched his eyes to cover up that tears were threatening to fall. He was rescued, however, by Harry and Ron completing their speech and he and Hermione needing to cut their wedding cake. They both stood up from the table, hand in hand, and they strolled around to the front where a little table with a large, square-based white cake with pink, red and purple roses placed carefully on the edges. It rose up three tiers which were circular and on top was placed a cartoon bride and groom.
Draco frowned slightly and leaned in to whisper in Hermione's ear: "What's that on top? It wasn't there earlier when I saw it in the kitchen."
"Maybe a house-elf's hand slipped?" She asked innocently, fighting to keep the mischievous smile of her face.
"Cut it!" Someone called from the gathering crowd.
Hermione laughed and picked up the knife. Draco placed his hand on hers and together, they made the first cut on the top tier. They cut a slice and Draco went to feed it to Hermione but then moved his hand at the last minute and took a bite himself.
"Oh, charming." She giggled and then took the slice from him. Hermione was about to eat it when she decided against it. Instead, she thrust it in Draco's face. "Ha!"
His face was covered in white icing, vanilla sponge and vanilla cream. Draco raised his arms and pulled Hermione into a hug where he rubbed his cake covered face over hers. She squealed and tried to run away but to no avail.
"Quits?" She asked breathlessly, wiping some cake off her eye.
"Yeah..." Draco replied suspiciously. It was then they remembered that everyone else was there watching and he then grinned embarrassedly at his parents, as if he'd been caught stealing a biscuit.
"Good," Hermione scourified hers and Draco's face before grabbing his hand and skipping towards the dance floor.
"People haven't got cake yet," He said as they reached the dance floor.
"Oh, if they want some they can cut some. I want to dance with you, already." Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco's neck and stared into his stormy-grey eyes. "You are so handsome, dear."
"And you are so beautiful." Draco pecked Hermione on the nose just as the quartet began to play. "Look at you with your wonderful hair, beautiful dress, stunning smile ... I am so glad I went into your shop that day, Hermione Jean Malfoy."
"Me too," she grinned coyly up at him.
"That reminds me. How is that new girl coming along at your shop? The one to replace Olivia?" He asked.
"Oh, she's okay." Hermione pulled a face. "Not as good as Olivia who knows what to do without being told."
"Well, you can always fire her if she's crap." Draco shrugged as they swayed around in a circle. His and Hermione's parents had both come on to dance, and he spotted Ron dragging Pansy onto the floor to join in.
"Draco!" Hermione laughed. "No, I'm not mean like that, unlike someone."
"Oh, who? Tell me, please?" Draco pleaded mockingly.
Hermione just poked her tongue out and then rested her head on his chest. She listened to his steady heartbeat and then hummed along to the song being played.
"Hermione," Draco began, slowly.
"Mm?" She asked sleepily.
"Shall we buy a house?" He suggested.
"Pardon?"
"Shall we buy a house?" He repeated looking down at Hermione's curious expression. "Y'know, we'll be married and if ... if you want to ... you know ..."
She raised an eyebrow and smirked. "If we want to do what?"
"Hermione!" Her father interrupted them as his wife untangled herself from his arms to get a drink. "Would you care to dance with your old man?"
"Of course, dad. We'll continue this later, Draco." She added with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Draco watched as his new wife was swept away by her father, feeling awkward and nervous. He wondered how Hermione would take to his suggestion. His thoughts were interrupted by Ginny who waved a face in front of him.
"Hey, Draco, it's really bad for the groom to be standing in the middle of the dance floor looking vacant, with no one dancing with him." She waggled a finger near his eyes.
"Fine, would you like to dance then, Ginevra?" He smirked down at the redhead.
"I will but never call me again or I'll get Harry to hex your balls off." She scowled and took his hand as the music turned to a waltz. They spun around the dance floor together, Draco catching glimpses of his beautiful Hermione dancing with her father, then Ron and then Harry. By the end of the five minute song, Ginny let go and moved off to find Harry. He was left standing alone again when Pansy strolled up to him through the couples, holding Bertie who was resting on her hip.
"Hello, Bert!" Draco cooed, tapping the little boy lightly on the nose. He giggled and covered his face with his hands.
"Apart from you and Hermione, he's been the centre of attention from all the old ladies and young girls. I had to drag him away before one twelve year old tried to feed him champagne." She shook her head, amused.
"There's a twelve year old here?" Draco asked surprised. "Who?"
"Don't you know who you invited?" Pansy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Eh, I kind of left that to Hermione and mother." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Who is she?"
"The daughter of your mother's best friend's sister."
"Ah." Draco nodded his head slowly but then shook it instead. "I'll just nod along and smile if anyone I don't recognise talks to me."
"Speaking of which ..." Pansy trailed off and then excused herself from Draco with a smirk as hordes of guests came to offer their congratulations. Only a couple of faces Draco recognised and he was pleased to see Blaise and Olivia had made it.
"Alright, mate?" Blaise asked happily. "Congratulations on tying the knot, eventually."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm absolutely fantastic. How are you two doing?" He was glad to have a conversation with someone he actually knew.
"We're celebrating our one year anniversary next month." Olivia beamed and rested her hand against Blaise's chest as he hugged her.
"Congratulations, guys! A year already!" Draco grinned. "It's gone by so quickly."
"Agreed." Blaise nodded. "But I wouldn't change a thing."
"Aw, you're so lovely, dear." Olivia beamed up at her husband. "Can we dance?"
"Would you excuse us, please, Draco?" Blaise nodded his head at his friend and then took his wife's hands and began to dance.
The guests began to swamp Draco again and he made the excuse of needing to go to the loo. Excusing himself, he had to appear to leave the marquee so he headed over towards the entrance where he slipped out into the darkening sky. Surprised at the sudden change of light, he checked his watch to see that it was twenty to eight. Well, time flies when you're having fun, they always say. The air was cooler outside of the marquee and he shivered slightly, despite it being the height of summer. The sounds of the music and laughter from within were somehow so much quieter out here and he wondered if someone had put a muffliato on the large tent.
There was a movement beside him and he turned to see Hermione, looking as stunning as ever, staring at him with curious eyes. "Why are you out here?" She asked gently.
"Because it was all too much. Everyone was smothering me in their congratulations." He grimaced and shook his head. "Sorry, I'll go back in now."
"It's okay, I felt the same. That's why I've been trying to dance so much." She laughed and took his hand. "Should we get them to play some better music now?"
"Don't you like it?" Draco asked, surprised. "I thought you picked them specially."
"Yeah, I do, it's just a bit boring. I want a bit of ... oomph now." She jigged up and down slightly. "Oh yes, before we go ..." She trailed off and smirked naughtily at Draco. "Let's continue our discussion."
He groaned. "It doesn't matter, honestly. We can stay in the flat."
"No, no, dear, what were you going to say? If we want to do what?" Hermione asked sweetly, gazing up at him adoringly.
He sighed and scrunched up his face. "Just if you wanted to, erm, start a family ..." He trailed off faintly and stared past Hermione's shoulder.
"Darling, please look at me - we're married for goodness sakes." She pressed a hand to his cheek to force him to look at her square in the eyes. "And I think it's a perfect idea. Now let's go and sort out this music."
Hermione led him back into the marquee quickly and quietly as to avoid anyone, and they made their way down the perimeter towards the band. When they reached them, Hermione beckoned to the piano player for him to come over.
"Hi, do you mind playing stuff like the Arctic Monkeys?" She smiled widely. When the man looked at her questionably and glanced at Draco's also confused expression, Hermione remembered they were a Muggle band. "Ah, sorry, I meant the Weird Sisters."
The band member nodded and smiled and gestured to the others to begin playing the requested music.
"Who are the Arctic Monkeys?" Draco asked incredulously as Hermione dragged him onto the dance floor.
"A Muggle band that I like. I'll play them some time for you; I think you'd enjoy their music!" She began to jig around, waving her arms in the air as the music of the Weird Sister's floated over their heads. Draco laughed at his wife's erratic behaviour and joined in, copying her movements. Old couples started to move off the dance floor, not really enjoying this type of music and the young people crowded on, creating a mass of jiving and pulsing bodies. It was absolutely brilliant.
Ron barged through a couple of jumping girls and announced sadly to Hermione and Draco that Bertie was just sick. "We need to take him home; I'm so sorry, you both." He shouted over the thumping music.
Hermione nodded sadly and hugged her best friend tightly. "Thank you for coming," She said in his ear and kissed him on the cheek. "Give Pansy and Bertie our love."
"See you mate, thanks for a good speech." Draco shook Ron's hand and hugged him. "Tell Bert to get better soon."
Ron left with a nod and a sad smile before disappearing back through the crowd. Draco hugged Hermione and asked what the time was.
"Just gone nine o'clock." Hermione shouted with surprise. "We've been dancing for an hour and a half? It felt like five minutes!"
Draco laughed and yawned in her ear. "I might go sit down; my feet hurt."
"I might join you." Hermione smiled and took Draco's hand and he led them through the crowd and to some chairs. He sat down and before Hermione could next to him, he dragged her onto his lap.
"You smell yummy," She breathed in with a smile on her face.
Draco placed a hand on her leg. "And you look and smell yummy twenty four seven."
She kissed his neck happily. "I can't get over that we're married now."
"It's brilliant." Draco said smugly. He looked down at his wife's face resting on his shoulder and he kissed her slowly on the lips.
Hermione placed a hand behind his neck and pulled herself up to get closer to him in any way possible. She closed her eyes and moaned quietly as he began to plant feathery kisses on her jaw line, the sensation enough to make her shiver. One hand began roaming down her leg to lift up her dress. It slithered underneath and went up over her knee cap and carried on to just halfway down her thigh. Hermione opened her eyes to gaze at Draco. His grey eyes were filled with a hot passion and she wanted to make love to him there and then. But, being in the middle of their own wedding reception with more than one hundred onlookers, Draco reluctantly pulled his hand away and left it resting back upon her kneecap, the silky fabric of the dress soft underneath his fingers.
"We'll carry on later," She whispered seductively in his ear.
"We better. I've been waiting for this for two and a half ruddy years." He growled and nibbled her ear lobe.
"Draco," Hermione laughed and struggled off his lap. "Do you want a drink? I'm quite thirsty."
They both turned to the table to grab a fresh champagne glass. Sipping quietly, Hermione watched the guests all dancing happily in the now candle-lit marquee. She hoped Bertie would get better soon and she was truly sorry to see Pansy and Ron leave so early on, when the party was just beginning. She spotted her mother dancing wildly with her father in the middle of a group of young people, cheering them on. She shook her head with a grin and spied Draco leaning tiredly on one hand out of the corner of her eye.
"You can't be tired, already." She said sceptically.
"Why?" He mumbled.
"Because it's your wedding, silly." She leaned her head against Draco's bent shoulder and yawned. "I can't talk, I'm tired too."
"Don't let this ruin later ..." Draco drawled, his eyes closing. Hermione hummed in response and shut her eyes for a minute, a headache beginning to form across the top of her eyes.
"Look at you two, sleeping! You're supposed to be awake and raring to go!" Ginny slapped Draco lightly on the cheek to wake him up and poked Hermione in the shoulder. "Anyway, when are you two leaving?"
"Leaving?" Hermione asked confused.
"Honeymoon, silly." Draco smiled drowsily. He shook his head to clear it of tiredness and blinked several times. "I've been keeping it a surprise for you. Ginny's packed your trunks so don't worry about that."
"But ... I didn't know ..."
"That's why it's called a surprise, dear." Ginny said slowly and clearly. "The portkey leaves at ten, if you remember."
"I think you should be our dairy." Draco said, sending a grateful glance towards Ginny. "At least I've remembered that it's the mangy shoe on the table in the kitchen."
"Wrong, it's a broken stiletto, actually." Ginny corrected with a smug smile.
"Whatever." Draco growled, scowling. "What's the time?"
"You're the guy with the watch." Hermione lifted up his arm to peer at the shiny, silver accessory. "Twenty-five to."
"Hmm." Draco tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"We should say thanks and I need to throw the bouquet." Hermione got up and stretched. "I feel as if we've been bad hosts, lazing around over here."
"Nah, you need a break." Ginny winked and laughed. "I'll go tell the band to slow it down a little and keep it quiet."
"Thanks, Gin'." Hermione kissed her friend on the cheek just before she darted away. Hermione quickly jogged over to the head table where she had left her bouquet and returned just as fast, pulling Draco to his feet. "Honestly, you're like a grouchy teenager."
"I'm not grouchy, just a tad tired." He flashed a smile and kissed her on the cheek. "Shotgun not speaking."
She pulled a face. "Fine."
At that moment, the music died down to a slow number and Hermione quickly amplified her voice with her wand.
"Hello!" She said brightly. And loudly. The guests all turned around to face the couple, wincing slightly at the loudness of her voice. "Well, it's nearing the time for us to leave on our honeymoon, but I just wanted to say how fantastic today has been, and it wouldn't have been nearly as good if all of you weren't here. So, with that we thank you again all for coming, and you are, of course, welcome to stay here as long as you wish." She paused and glanced at Draco who nodded slightly. "Right, one more thing. Would the ladies like to come forward, please?"
They all squealed with excitement as they knew this was the part the bouquet was going to be thrown. Hermione turned around and threw the white roses, lilies and stephanotis bouquet high into the air and she watched over her shoulder as it sailed down and was caught by a young, blushing woman who Hermione believed to be as one of Narcissa's cousins. The people cheered and some women looked disgruntled and slouched away, unhappy about not catching the bouquet.
Narcissa, Isabelle and James all rushed towards Hermione and Draco, smiling widely.
"Oh, you're both off on your first holiday together! And as a married couple!" Narcissa clapped her hands excitedly and kissed Hermione on the cheek, before hugging her son goodbye.
"Where's dad?" Draco murmured to his mother as the Granger's said their tearful goodbyes to their only daughter.
"He's coming, don't you worry." She sniffed and smiled. "Look after her, dear; she really is one in a million."
"I will." Draco hugged his mother once more before shaking James's hand and kissing Isabel lightly on the cheek. He spotted his father coming slowly towards them, a small smile on his pointed face.
"Hi, son." He greeted gruffly when he came over. "Have a wonderful time together. You make a ... wonderful couple."
"Thanks, dad." Automatically, Draco opened his arms and leant forward for a hug. He had been doing it so often that he didn't realise that the last time he had hugged his father was probably when he was five years old. He almost stepped back and dropped his arms to his sides when Lucius amazingly came forward and embraced his son. The close contact was strange to Draco, but he welcomed it and he squeezed his father's hand as they broke apart. "Thank you." He murmured again.
His father smiled and went to say his goodbyes to Hermione, just as Harry and Ginny panted over.
"Ah, see you both later - have a wicked time!" Harry grinned and shook Draco's hand before kissing Hermione on the cheek. "Congratulations, once again. It was a pleasure to be a part of this."
"Oh, Harry, quit with all the formalities, will you?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You sound really pompous and I don't want a pompous husband, thank you very much." Ginny narrowed her eyes at Harry and he looked down at his feet, embarrassed.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"Hey, guys, we're sorry but we need to go right now or we're going to miss the portkey." Draco apologised and took Hermione's hand. "Thank you and we'll tell you everything when we get back!"
They started for the marquee exit just as Harry called out: "I'm not sure if we'll want to know everything!"
Draco laughed and waved just as he and Hermione disappeared out of view.
"Where are we going?" She asked excitedly.
"Wait and see," he grinned as they stepped inside the parlour and headed down the steps and into the bustling kitchen full of house-elves. "Please don't say anything, Hermione."
She didn't but he could see by her face that she desperately wanted to preach about wages and wearing proper clothes. Draco spied the broken and battered, red stiletto heel on the scrubbed table and he picked it up.
"Where are the trunks?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"Crap!" He yelled. "Walby? Walby!"
"Yes sir?" The little house-elf squeaked.
"Quickly go to my room and get the trunks. Go, now." Draco gushed, eying his watch warily. The elf had thirty seconds.
Walby nodded and disappeared. Twenty seconds left ... fifteen ... The house elf reappeared with three, large, swish black trunks with a snake insignia on the top.
"Typical." Hermione muttered with a smile as she held onto the shoe. She sat on one trunk and placed her other hand on the handle of the other just as the portkey turned blue. The last thing she saw before whirling away with Draco, was his stormy grey eyes and his shapely lips mouthing, I love you.
Ah, sorry for the late update! Well, I am terribly sorry to inform you that that was the last chapter (excluding the epilogue which I should hopefully get up soon). I really hope you enjoyed it, and it wasn't too soppy and silly. I enjoyed writing it very much and I'd like to thank my beta, GiantInflatableWalrus, and you amazing reviewers! All your kind words of encouragement have helped me with this story! Thank you all so much!