Sunday October 14th, 2012

"What do you mean there's 50 people in our gardens?"

These were the last words I got out before Narcissa Malfoy tightened the strings of my corset, sufficiently knocking all the air from my lungs. Narcissa was relentless at this task, and used an enchantment to assist her in tightening the corset until my waist was the circumference of a dessert plate.

Narcissa fixed my hair for what may be the tenth time that morning. "I know this comes as a shock, but do try to keep a level head," Narcissa implored me, "If your blood pressure rises while you're in this dress you may pass out."

"Oh, cheers," I grumbled.

"Let's see, where did that guest list run off to-" I heard the sound of Narcissa rummaging through tulle, gems, and other accessories. "Ah-ha! Your friends Greta Munch, Evelyn Vaughn, and Penny Parkinson are all in attendance- Penny's sister, Pansy Nott, is here as well-"

I caressed my aching ribs. "Pansy accepted the invitation?" I wheezed.

"Yes, and she brought her husband Theodore and their two children Eponine and Stefan. Cora Nygard and Poppy Pomfrey are also in attendance… and oh, the Weasleys and Potters all accepted, and naturally brought their countless offspring."

My head spun. "Including you, Lucius and the children, that's... 20 people? Are you counting the House Elves?"

Narcissa pursed her lips. "Well, there's the matter of the uninvited."

I wanted to ask Narcissa what on earth she meant, but she briskly clipped a bridal veil to my head and began ushering me into the hallway. "Come along, now, no use standing about chatting." Narcissa's energy was suffocating. My stomach was already fluttering with nerves and anxiety- and I was catching some of hers.

"Listen to me closely," She said to me hurriedly, her heels clacking along the wooden floors of the Chateau as she guided me along, "I know your dress is tight, and your shoes are pinching the dickens out of your feet, and I put enough mascara on you to make a House Elf look like a burlesque dancer. But look only at Draco, and no one else, and you'll be just fine."

"G-got it."

"If you need something to do, clutch this for dear life," Narcissa handed me a bouquet of ivy and white daffodils.

Artemis bolted into the hall in her little green dress. Even though we had it fitted just last month, the hem hovered a good three inches above her ankles. With her sixth birthday only a month away, she was growing like a weed, and now preferred to be called 'Artie'.

"Mum, how long do I have to wear this dress?"

"Not long at all. The ceremony will be quick," I replied, observing how astoundingly cute she was when she allowed a bow to be put on her head. "It's your turn first, Artie, don't forget." Artemis pulled the petals in her basket to shreds with her fingers, looking like she would rather be playing in the mud.

"The music!" Narcissa's head snapped to attention. "Oh, Merlin, the quartet has started. Take my hand, dearest, and we'll go together." Narcissa offered her hand to Artemis, and the two of them disappeared beyond the double french doors and into the open air of the Chateau's gardens.

I was left by myself in the corridor then, suffering through every panting breath in my strangling white wedding dress. I had passed off all wedding planning to Narcissa while I traveled around Europe removing Dark Marks. Thirteen months and zero fatalities later, I was finally ready to settle down and have a wedding. The one request I gave to Narcissa was that the group of guests was small. Now that I was aware 50 witches and wizards were in attendance and waiting for me, exiting those doors suddenly felt like jumping off a building.

Surely Draco isn't ok with this either. I can't picture the stoic, private Draco Malfoy waiting for me at an altar in front of all these people. Was he really out there, waiting for me? Draco probably looked outrageously handsome. I hadn't seen him all day for sake of stupid wedding tradition. I wanted to see him so badly it felt like I was going to burst.

The music outside crescendoed. It was my turn. I decided I would go. I would go anywhere, as long as it meant I would see him.

I bravely stepped into crisp morning air, seeing dozens of faces turn towards me like sunflowers facing the light. Even though I looked at them, the guests' faces did not register in my mind. I was too nervous to do anything but tread forward to the steady tempo of the music.

The garden was decorated extravagantly with floating tea lights suspended in midair along the aisle. There was no need for bouquets or flower embellishments, for the garden itself had tripled in blossoms since only yesterday. That was the beauty of magic.

My god, I swallowed dryly. I probably look scared shitless. Why, oh why, am I unable to smile when I'm nervous?

All my problems were solved when I saw him. The most handsome man on earth was looking at me, platinum hair slicked back, wearing a stern face with watchful eyes scanning me up and down. And when our eyes met, we smiled. But it was a smile only for each other.

I arrived at the altar under the shade of a tall twisting olive tree and thought I was going to pass out. Luckily, Draco took my hand and brought me back to reality. I restrained myself from groping for his left hand, which was nonexistent and had been for a while- but in anxious moments like these it was easy to forget.

"Welcome, everyone," Narcissa greeted the guests as her usual genial self. "I'm charmed so many could make it to observe Draco and Erica's ceremony."

I leaned in towards Draco and whispered, "Who the hell are all these people?"

"First of all, you look… astounding," Draco whispered in response, making me blush. "Who would have guessed our wedding would be front page news?" He glanced out at the audience. "Any available ex-Death Eater you worked with in the past year is here, as well as a slough of Aurors for security."

"Aurors?" I echoed. "But, every Death Eater here is reformed-"

"They claim they're here as a formality."

I shook my head. "Oh Merlin." I glanced around. Narcissa was still in the middle of a very, very long speech. "Let's fucking run."

Draco snickered. "You want to run?"

"Screw all these people," I said quietly, hoping no one in the audience was reading my lips. "I don't want all these random people gawking at us."

"You know, when I said I first wanted to marry you, I definitely wasn't picturing a bunch of Death Eaters in a backyard watching me get married with only one arm. But, shit, we're here. And you look fucking hot," he smiled. "So forget them. It's just you and me, against everyone else."

I glanced at Narcissa. It seemed like she was finally finishing up.

"I'm delighted that they chose me to be the officiant. I take the honor very seriously," she gave us a pointed look, which indicated she definitely heard Draco and I whispering throughout her entire speech. I guiltily grimaced. "So without further ado, I will invite the bride and groom to say their vows."

I gave Draco a helpless look. It was too late to run now. I was supposed to go first in the vows, but now that I was stuck in front of 50 people, words were jammed in my throat like dry saltines.

Draco saw that I was freaking out. As he always did, he came to my rescue.

Not caring that everyone could hear him, he looked me in the eyes and said, "You know, when you were about to cut off my arm, I realized that I never thanked you."

I gave him an incredulous look. Was he really going off script right now, in front of an audience?

"You've done countless years of healing for me," Draco said. "Not just for my wounds, which… were plenty. But you healed my mind, and my soul. You healed even when I didn't want it, which, admittedly, was when I needed it the most. So thank you, Erica. You are the reason I am standing here today."

Tears stung at my eyes. I wanted to respond, but all I could utter was a raspy, "You're welcome."

"I don't have much of a sense of humor, as I'm sure everyone knows-"

"I would disagree," I muttered.

"But I think it's funny how someone as cruel and stubborn as me could find someone like you, who sees all the secret beauty of the world. I don't know what I did to deserve you," Draco said.

"You didn't have to do anything," I replied. "Fourteen years ago I just thought I had a crush on someone who would never notice me. And now we have two kids and I've cut off your arm."

Draco and I laughed. The guests awkwardly chuckled. Only the Death Eaters understood the humor of the situation.

Draco, who was usually so good at hiding his emotions, became choked. "You may have taken my arm, but you've given me a life."

I could feel my own eyes well with tears. "I remember you proposed to me at Hogwarts as a joke."

"It certainly was not a joke, but do go on."

"Marrying you was my biggest, most unattainable dream. And I can't believe it's now our reality."

With triumphant eyes, Draco said, "Then let's hurry the hell up and get married already."

Narcissa had another speech prepared before we exchanged rings, but I didn't hear a single word. All I could think about was getting to the kissing part. That was the cruel part about a wedding ceremony that they don't talk about: all the waiting you have to do before you get to the kiss.

Narcissa's mauve lips parted in a smile. "Erica Beryl Thorncroft, do you take Draco Lucius Malfoy to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

It wasn't even a question. "I do."

"And do you, Draco-"

"Yes," He uttered, skipping the unnecessary script to swoop down and give me a smashing kiss. I was nearly swept off my feet, and clung to the back of his tux jacket for stability. But even with one arm he held me steady. And as we kissed admittedly much longer than was appropriate to the sound of the applauding crowd, it was like all of the heartache and strife we experienced was just a distant chapter of a book.

It was hard to tear myself from Draco's side as we transitioned to the reception. But after a quick grope in the privacy of the house, it was time for me to say hello to my old roommates.

"That was some kiss. Felt like I was watching an R rated movie."

"...So glad you could make it, Penny," I said with a forced smile.

"I still can't believe you did it," Evelyn said, draining the contents of her champagne flute with frightening swiftness. "You really did it. You married Draco Malfoy."

"Mrs. Erica Malfoy," Greta giggled. "I can't stop saying it. Mrs. Erica Malfoy."

"Actually, I think I'll be keeping my last name," I said.

"Really?" Penny's lip curled. "Why on earth would you do that?"

I refilled Penny's champagne glass, figuring that she might lighten up with some more booze. "Well, friends and family can call me whatever they want. But it's important to me that I still be known professionally by Thorncroft."

Penny raised her glass in my direction. "Good for you."

I looked across the garden and spotted my father chatting with Lucius Malfoy. It wasn't easy to bring Draco's father around to accept the fact that Draco and I were getting married. Even after I went to Austria and successfully removed his Dark Mark, he refused to even speak to me until he saw how much Narcissa liked me. And as soon as he met Artemis, he didn't say a single word about blood status.

I saw Lucius show my father his fully-functioning enchanted prosthesis. My father lifted his pant leg to show off his own prosthetic limb. I would have been embarrassed if it wasn't so sweet.

Artemis and Scorpius were having a ball with the other kids. I saw Hermione in a long blue dress observing Rose and Hugo as they ran across the grass to join Scorpius, Artemis, James and Albus as they hunted for toads by the pond. Hermione saw me looking, and gave me a small wave.

"Erica, I think Draco is looking for you," Greta said, her voice trembling with glee. I looked around and saw Draco standing beside two guests who I definitely did not invite.

"Daphne," I greeted Astoria's older sister warily. A man was beside her wearing a tie that matched the color of her skin-tight green dress. I hadn't seen him since he was fighting with Draco in the Slytherin common room. "And Blaise. Welcome."

I didn't have to ask why they were here. Daphne got straight to the point. "We're buying the house."

I looked to Draco with wide eyes. "What?"

"It was meant to be a surprise," Draco muttered. "But you've been saying for a while now that you wanted to move. And the Greengrass-Zabini family insisted on taking the Chateau off our hands."

"After it's thoroughly cleaned, of course," Blaise added. "I know what you two did in there." Draco cast a glare in Blaise's direction.

"Oh," I said. "Well, that… that's great. You'll feel closer to Astoria." That was an understatement. I wondered if they knew her ghost was still knocking my paintings off the walls every other week.

As Daphne and Blaise went off to sit with Pansy and Theo Nott, I turned to Draco for answers. "So, where are we going to live?"

"Wherever we want," Draco replied. "I was thinking… Scotland. Somewhere secluded enough for privacy, but close enough to civilization for us to both do our work."

I gave him a confused but intrigued look. "And what work would that be, Draco?"

Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Adjunct professor of the Dark Arts."

My mouth shot open. "Are you serious?"

"Harry's been pushing me to take the position for months," Draco explained. "I kept saying no. But you've got to admit, there's no one who could do a better job than me."

I playfully crossed my arms. "Maybe I could."

Draco scoffed. When he realized I was being serious, he stammered, "y-you would really want to-"

"I'm only teasing," I said. "But… Poppy did tell me she was thinking of retirement."

As Draco and I considered our possible future, a stout man that I didn't recognize came up and congratulated us.

"What a great day," he said, his rosy cheeks beaming. "I always knew you two would get married."

"Crabbe?" Draco asked with disbelief.

"Oh my god, Vincent!" I exclaimed. I almost didn't recognize him. He looked too happy.

Draco was still confused; he didn't send Crabbe an invitation. He thought it would be too awkward. "No offense, but… what are you doing here?"

Crabbe shrugged and smiled. "I just really like weddings."

After dancing and talking late into the night, my squished ribs and aching feet were relieved when I finally untied the corset and kicked off my shoes by the pond. It was a great wedding, I had to admit. In no other place would you find an ex-Death Eater attempt to dance with an Auror. It was silly to think that a wedding would erase the pain of the past, but everyone seemed to silently agree to put a fresh foot forward tonight. It was the beginning of a future we want our children to live in.

A glass of champagne appeared next to my head. I looked up and spotted Draco effortlessly levitating a champagne flute without so much as lifting a hand. He had adapted to his amputation well; and his ability to use wandless magic for everyday activities was astounding.

I smiled gratefully and took the glass. "Did you put the children to bed?"

Draco sat beside me. "Didn't get the chance to. They were already passed out on the parlor sofas."

A grimace bloomed across my face after I took a sip of champagne. "Nope. Still don't like alcohol."

Draco laughed, which was a sound I was hearing more and more often everyday. The warmth of summer said its final goodbye on the breeze as we accepted the chilling air of autumn. I huddled closer to Draco and followed his eyeline up to the twinkling sky.

"Scotland is good," I said thoughtfully. "New York kept me busy, but… I don't think I want to go back there. You can't see the stars."

Draco's gaze continued to stare upward, his quicksilver eyes waxing and waning. "You know, during those years we spent apart after Hogwarts, I looked at our star every night. It's like I was looking for my missing piece."

I tilted my head. "Draco. Have I ever told you the secret about healing?"

His brow furrowed. "No, you haven't."

"Well, it's quite simple. See, a lot of people lament for their entire lives that there's nothing at all that can fix them, and so they spend eternity looking for something to fill whatever hole is in their hearts. But, the secret is... there is no such thing as a missing piece. Every person has everything they ever need to be complete," I touched his chest with a playful finger, "Right here, deep inside. I just help it along."

Draco's white-tooth smile gleamed. "I really hope you don't tell that to all of your patients."

I was about to prepare a teasing retort when Draco's lips stifled any response I could have prepared. He lightly pulled and pushed, his mouth dancing with mine in passionate need. It was as effortless as the October wind nipping our cheeks.

We were two people who never quite fit into the roles the world assigned to us. We grew and chafed against the labels of Slytherin and Death Eater assigned to us as though we were animals fighting to get free of our cages.

But now, as we began the first night of the rest of our lives, the pain of years past was as distant and dull as a scar.

Author's note:

When I started working on this fic back in September 2020, I opened a google doc and titled it "maybe a draco fanfic?". Now it's June 2021 and I cannot believe how far Erica and Draco have come from those (kinda embarrassing) first chapters! I'm so grateful to everyone who has ever interacted with this story. As someone whose dream is to become a writer, it means a lot to me. Shoutout to my boyfriend who had to suffer through nearly a year of me constantly writing smutty fanfiction about a fictional character.

Anyway…. Credits song: watch?v=r5Or6-HOveg

P.S. in case you're curious, Scorpius gets sorted into Slytherin with his best friend, Albus Potter. A hopeless romantic like his father, Scorpius finds himself crushing on Rose Granger-Weasley, a Gryffindor. Artemis (Artie), a huge tomboy and natural leader, becomes captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team.

Draco becomes a guest lecturer at Hogwarts specializing in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Erica Thorncroft continues healing anywhere in the world she is needed.