Hermione lay with Crookshanks by her side on a sandy strip along the rocky coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Behind her, on a grassy cliff, loomed Malfoy Villa, a wedding gift to Hermione and her husband from Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. It was a one-story cottage that spanned the length of the long cliff, complete with a spacious balcony that gave its inhabitants a dazzling view of the water. Hermione's attention was not on the pretty house, though, for she was gazing fondly as her husband splashed around in the warm sea with two puppies.
It was the day after Draco and Hermione's wedding, and they were currently enjoying their week long honeymoon on the beach of Marseilles, France. The property Lucius and Narcissa had bought was from a Muggle agency, so this was the only one of the Malfoy lands that was not Unplottable and use of magic was secretive. Draco and Hermione, however, liked it immensely, as it was run by electricity, so Hermione could keep a computer and Draco became obsessed with the television set, much to Hermione's amusement.
Crookshanks meowed loudly, and then glared balefully at the frisking puppies that were paddling after Draco in the sparkling water. Hermione scratched him gently on the head in an attempt to sooth her old friend, but Crookshanks's tail never ceased to whap loudly against the fluffy beach towel. "You could make friends, you know, like you did with Bubble." Hermione murmured softly, trying not to giggle at the cat's stubbornness.
Just yesterday, Hermione and Draco had been pronounced man and wife in front of the whole of Wizarding society on the lavish grounds of Malfoy Manor. Among the wedding gifts from their many well-wishers were these two puppies, one from Professor McGonagall, and the other from Carenza Lockhart, a cousin of their former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor , as well as a friend of Hermione's in her own Gryffindor year, though they had never been particularly close. She and Fay Dunbar had been as close as Parvati Patil had been to Lavender Brown, as well as Hermione to Ron and Harry. However, both puppies were accepted into Draco and Hermione's new family, with the one furry exception. They were named after their givers, Carenza and Minerva, and called "Carrie" and "Minnie" for short.
Watching Draco play with the pups, Hermione started thinking about how beautiful yesterday had been, from beginning to end. It had started with her being woken up gently by an excited Narcissa after a long night's rest. Unlike most couples, Draco and Hermione had flat out refused to stage either a hen or stag party, so both hadn't seen each other since yesterday afternoon. Hermione had a light breakfast consisting of oatmeal and strawberries, and then was ushered straight into one of the various drawing rooms of the Manor that had been converted into a full-scale beauty parlor.
Hermione had spent that morning having her unruly hair carefully curled into perfect, glossy waves, and then tied into a half ponytail at the crown of her head. Fastened on top was the very old Elizabethan pearl wedding tiara all Malfoy brides had worn for their weddings since Lucius Malfoy I, who had been himself a lover of the queen at that time, and therefore had received this jewelry from her after years of devotion and affection. Along with the breathtaking tiara was a fragile veil made from ivory silk tulle trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers, which had been worn by the bride of Armand Malfoy, the first Malfoy in England.
Her makeup was very simple, and Narcissa had made sure of this, wanting Hermione to show off her beautiful natural self on this blessed day. There was only all-around eyeliner, smoky brown eye shadow over the entire lid, pink cheeks, and not-too-shiny nude lips. Hermione positively glowed, and Narcissa and the four bridesmaids, Ginny, Luna, Heather, and Daphne applauded the wonderful choice of make-up. As for jewelry, Hermione insisted on only Draco's locket and Zacharias's earrings, much to Narcissa's disappointment, for she wished to bestow on Hermione more of the Malfoy heirlooms besides the tiara. The rings were with the ring bearer, one Teddy Lupin.
Then Hermione had a small lunch with only a watercress salad and pumpkin juice. She tried to get Ginny to sneak her some biscuits, but Narcissa put an end to that plot, saying, "Oh no you don't, dearest. There'll be plenty to eat tonight at the wedding feast. The elves have planned the menus for months, so don't you dare insult their hard work by not eating all they cook!"
"But what if I faint as I walk down the aisle from lack of food?" Hermione mumbled, asking for more pumpkin juice, which were the only seconds Narcissa allowed. However, her soon-to-be mother-in-law didn't hear her, as she had already bustled off to fetch Hermione's wedding gown and plain white silk pumps, which were the only clothes that had actually that had been bought for Hermione for this occasion. Everything else was a hand-me-down, but she didn't mind, for they were all equally beautiful.
Hermione wondered where Draco was, and whether if he had already started getting prepared. But, knowing him, he wouldn't sit down until the last moment, and even then, it would probably take him only about half an hour to get ready. He was probably with Lucius right now, seeing to the decorations, program, and guests, while Hermione was playing the part of make-over Barbie.
After what seemed like hours, Narcissa came back into the drawing room with the silver garment bag, interrupting the conversation between Hermione and her bridesmaids. She was instructed to close her eyes while the five women carefully clothed her with the delicate garment. When she was declared perfect, she was finally allowed to open her eyes. And when she did, she let out an involuntary gasp so loud that everyone else giggled.
The dress was made from ivory and white satin, with a skirt meant to resemble an opening flower. The ivory satin bodice was narrow at the waist and padded at the hips, with silk and organza covered buttons on its back. The underskirt of Hermione's wedding dress was crafted from silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace, and the gown's train seemed about five feet long. In every sense, she looked like a fairytale princess on her wedding day.
While she stared at herself in the floor-length mirror, the females around her chattered endlessly about how fine the dress was, how long it had taken for it to made, how many stitches had been hand-sewn, and other smaller details Hermione couldn't remember. After a while, though, Heather handed her the bouquet, a small bundle of lily of the valley tied with a thick, white silk ribbon, which Hermione would be holding when she walked down the aisle after the bridesmaids and groomsmen, on the arm of Hagrid, who had started blubbering when Draco and Hermione had asked him a month ago to do the honors.
Hermione was then escorted to a small parlor where Hagrid was waiting. They were left alone, as the other women had yet to change for the ceremony, so Hagrid and Hermione had a pleasant conversation about when they had first met, about how much Draco had changed, and how this day would affect the rest of their lives. Hagrid almost started crying again at that last bit, but Hermione reassured him that nothing would change drastically, and she and Draco would still visit all the time.
And, she added, there could be possible children in the future coming to visit at Hogwarts for tea during school terms. That cheered Hagrid up considerably, and no sooner, the four bridesmaids, clad in full-length strapless lux chiffon dresses with sweetheart necklines and criss-cross draped bodices, complete with slight shirring at the front skirts, burst in to escort Hermione to the door where the groomsmen were waiting.
When the party of six reached Blaise, Harry, Rolf, and Zacharias, Hermione beamed at how lovely the boys looked. They wore black dress robes with gold trim and ties, and were fidgeting in the thick robes against the heat the hot July weather. In other words, everything was fine. They were standing at one of the side doors of the Manor, and Hermione, having peeked at the wedding program already, knew that right outside was the aisle on which she would tread to become Mrs. Draco Malfoy, with Hagrid handing her off to be bound in holy matrimony
"You look beautiful, Mione." Harry said warmly, attempting to give his old friend a proud hug, only to be stopped by his girlfriend. "Don't you dare endanger my masterpiece, Harry James Potter!" Ginny hissed.
"Your masterpiece?" Heather teased. "I think we all worked an equal amount on making Hermione a beautiful bride, Gin."
"Yeah. My wife contributed just as much." Zacharias said pompously. He and Heather had eloped in June, just to avoid the big wedding that Mr. Smith would demand. They had just come back from their honeymoon for Draco and Hermione's wedding, and Zacharias was still reminding everyone that they had married, since none of them had attended the ceremony.
"We should get lined up in order soon." Rolf said quietly, holding his arm out to Luna, who gave Hermione a reassuring smile. "It'll be Ginny and Harry first, then Zach and Heather, then Luna and me, and then Blaise and Daphne."
They solemnly got into order, and Hagrid gently placed Hermione's veil over her face before holding his arm out to her. His lower lip was trembling, and Hermione was suddenly very nervous. However, in just a moment, the sounds of Pachelbel's Canon being played by the golden harp, specially brought from Hogwarts, floated through the French doors. The cue to come out had been executed, and the gilded doors slowly swung forward, allowing the bright July sun to stream into the parlor.
Hermione knew that the harp had been charmed to play this song in its entirety and then fall silent, which gave the procession three and a half minutes to reach the altar, where the little tufty-haired man who had presided over Bill and Fleur's wedding, as well as Dumbledore's funeral, stood. Next to him would be Draco, as well as Teddy, bearing the rings, and finally, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
It was finally Hermione and Hagrid's turn to step off, exactly eight paces behind Blaise and Daphne. Although there had been no rehearsal, according to the Malfoy tradition of having a natural wedding on the big day, Hermione had been told when to start walking down with Hagrid, and to stay in time to the beat of the music. This would bring her to be joined hand-in-hand with Draco by the end of the song.
And so it happened. Hermione was thrown into the soft beams of sunlight, and she saw just how many people had been invited to her wedding. On either side of the red carpet were rows and rows of wooden benches, each one fixed with a bouquet of red and white roses on their side. Hermione counted about ten rows of benches on either side of her, each one seating about fifty people. With her quick brain, she mentally calculated about a thousand guests, making her almost faint on the spot. However, when she saw Neville, Hannah, George, Angelina, the Patil twins, Fleur, Bill, and baby Victoire, she managed to calm down.
Ginny and Harry had reached the altar now, and they veered off to the left side, where Hermione would also be standing. On the right side was… Oh Merlin, is that Draco?
Draco Malfoy was dressed in the traditional wedding robes of a Malfoy groom, the striking blood-red robes with gold trim, complete with a green sash across his chest. A very shiny golden pin was noticeable on top of the sash, and Hermione, squinting under her veil, saw that it was the Malfoy crest, most elegantly crafted.
For the rest of the journey, all Hermione could do was stare at the man she was about to wed, mesmerized by just how beautiful he was. Beside him were his parents and Teddy, looking delighted with the proceedings. Draco was just as transfixed as his future bride, positively glowing from staring at her radiance as she joined him in front of the altar.
Hagrid finally handed Hermione's hand to Draco's outstretched arm, and the bride barely noticed that Hagrid was now openly weeping as he lumbered off to stand next to the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The strumming harp finally closed on the song, and all of Hermione's attention was on Draco, who looked like a man who had conquered the world.
As the little wizard began performing the ceremony, Hermione couldn't hear a word he said, and neither could Draco. They had sunk into their own world again, a place where they could hear each other's deepest thoughts, and feel the love they both had for each other. They floated out of it only when they were asked to recite their vows, which had been written a month before, and finally, when both had uttered the holy, "I do" and slipped each other's rings on, Draco and Hermione wasted no time in pulling each other into their first kiss as a married couple.
Thunderous applause erupted, but Draco and Hermione couldn't hear any of it, at least, not until they broke apart, and even that was for the sake of propriety. If it were up to them, Draco and Hermione would already be on their honeymoon now, but Lucius and Narcissa had insisted on a wedding reception at the very least, since a great dinner that would no doubt go late would no doubt agitate the newly wedded Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy.
The wooden benches disappeared and turned into tables for twenty-five, with a large table where the altar had been seating all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, Lucius and Narcissa, and Draco and Hermione. Teddy went to join Andromeda at her table, and Hermione turned around behind her chair and threw her bouquet blindly over her.
When she looked, a beaming Hannah Abbott held the small bunch of lily of the valley, looking joyous, with Neville right beside her. But before Hermione had a chance to congratulate them, food appeared in front of her, and the never-ending stream of well-wishers and their wedding presents had started to make their way up to the main table.
It was mainly Draco that received all the gifts, letting the famished Hermione have a chance to finally eat a proper meal. As the enormous table with the four-tiered wedding cake continued to amass present after present, excluding the puppies, which had been put into kennels, along with Crookshanks and Bubble for the couple's departure to France later, Hermione really was beginning to get quite drowsy from all the scrumptious food, (the house elves had really outdone themselves this time), and toasts of Firewhiskey.
As the first dance, led by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, started after everyone had had the amazing cake, cut by Draco and Hermione, Narcissa and Lucius quietly escorted Draco and Hermione back into the Manor. Narcissa helped Hermione change into a sapphire blue summer dress and matching shoes while Draco changed into black khakis and a polo shirt. When Hermione and Draco were ready and stood in a living room with all their luggage, Narcissa and Lucius kissed each child goodbye, and with a wave of their wands, both vanished.
Draco and Hermione landed in the dimly lit living room of the Malfoy Villa, as had been planned, and Draco wasted no time in dropping all their luggage and sweeping Hermione up bridal-style into his arms. He practically ran with her into what was apparently the master bedroom, and what happened after that would always stay in Hermione's memory, forever and ever.
And then they had woken up in the morning, sunlight streaming into the love-filled room, with the couple curled up beside each other, holding each other tight. The room, like the rest of the interior of the cottage, was painted a light yellow, and after a few more tender moments, Hermione and Draco had finally gotten up to explore their residence.
After touring the villa, unpacking their luggage, cooking their first meal together, and taking their first shower together, they headed down to the beach with their pets. The puppies were both beagles, excitable yet clumsy, and Draco took to them immediately, jumping into the water and playing with them. Hermione preferred to watch and take pictures with her new camera, letting Bubble skim along the sea with his claws gently scraping the water, and comforting Crookshanks over the new disturbances.
Now done reliving the sacred events of the last twenty-four hours, Hermione was joined on the sand by a dripping-wet Draco, trailed by two furry messes. Crookshanks slunk off from the abominable wet-dog smell, and as Draco enclosed his strong arms around his wife and kissed her deeply, Hermione could feel two little bundles burrowing under her knees. Could there be anything more perfect than her life?
"Hermione, I'm home." Draco Malfoy called as he shut the front door of Malfoy Townhouse behind him. The lovely smell of dinner being made by their two house-elves drifted to the foyer, and Draco felt a little worried when he didn't hear his wife respond.
They had been married for two months now. In two days, it would be Hermione's twentieth birthday, and Draco had been secretly planning a huge party for her. It would be on Saturday, when they would be visiting his parents at Malfoy Manor, and Lucius and Narcissa were in on the plan.
Hermione really deserved it, for she worked so hard in the Ministry, almost always coming home later than Draco, even if he had to go to his store and oversee new developments for once. He, of course, had to negotiate with other business and companies interested in investing in his shop, make meetings with other Potioneers, and have extravagant meals with potential clients. So both of them didn't have much time to see each other except at night, (and then, they saw quite a bit of each other), and Draco was happy to see that Hermione had for once come home earlier than him. He had news to tell her.
As Draco jogged to their bedroom, he saw the door was closed, explaining why Hermione hadn't heard him call her. He opened it cautiously, and saw his beloved wife sitting criss-cross on the bed, brow furrowed in her "deep-thinking" mode. She looked up as he crossed the room, and a wide smile lit up her face.
"Hello, darling." she said as he kissed her lightly on the cheek. "I've been waiting for you."
"I see that." Draco said, setting down his briefcase and climbing up to sit next to her. "Guess what? Zacharias came by the shop today as I was closing up. You'll never believe what he said!"
"I think I will." Hermione teased. "I can believe anything now, being friends with Rolf and Luna and seeing their fantastic discoveries."
"Yes." Draco agreed. "But still! He and Heather are having a baby! Actually, they've already known for a while, but now that they've finally found out the gender of the child, they're finally telling people. It's going to be a boy, and he's already four months!"
"Wow!" Hermione said, her voice raised a little higher than usual. "Wow!"
"Hermione?" Draco asked. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Hermione shrilled, tears starting to form in her eyes. "Nothing's wrong!"
"Dearest, what's the matter?" Draco asked, now seriously alarmed as tears started to spill down her cheeks. "I know we haven't managed to conceive yet, but-"
"It's not that." Hermione said, a smile starting to break though the tears. "I left work after lunch today to go to St. Mungo's. As you know, I'm highly irregular, so I couldn't tell if it had happened or not. But apparently, I've been pregnant since the end of July."