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Chapter 4
Hermione scowled over her shoulder at Ginny humming. She was facing the door in Ginny's room, waiting for her to appear in her wedding gown.
"Well, Ginny how does it look?"
Ginny didn't respond but you could hear ruffling as she moved around in the mirror.
"I'm coming in!" Hermione was restless, she didn't know what to think of her own dress and needed her nerves calmed by whatever disaster Molly Weasley had handed down to Gin—
"Oh my….Gin...It's beautiful."
Ginny walked past Hermione slowly towards the mirror. "You think so?"
Hermione nodded, blushing. She was immediately embarrassed, realizing she hadn't had the highest hopes for Ginny's well-being, she had never actually seen Molly's old dress...but this was beautiful.
"It looks…brand new."
Ginny giggled. "Hermione…that's because it is." She ignored Hermione's confused frown. Spinning in the mirror. "I was sure a duel was underway when mum pulled out her old gown, which I love… but once she and Mrs. Zabini laid eyes on this one, there was
no contest."
Ginny was beaming, obviously in love with her dress.
"I'm speechless it's beautiful…."
Ginny nodded, lifting the top layer of her dress. "See here? Mum sewed in the lace from her old dress, so I'd still have a part of her on me."
"Ginny I love it."
Hermione's eyes glazed over. She hadn't expected Molly or any of the other Weasley's to be involved much in Ginny's ceremony. The day before they were ready to burn the ministry down in anger. She thought like many of the other girls and herself, Ginny
would have a simple, plain, no family or friends, just vow, "get to the point", ceremony.
Ginny looked up at Hermione, tears were falling down her face as she stared.
"Hermione, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—
Hermione choked back her quiet sobs. Wiping back tears she shook her head. "It's not your fault Ginny, I'm glad that you are content with all of this."
Ginny shrugged. "Mum thought it's still my wedding…even under the circumstances…Mrs. Zabini was really rather comforting—Mione, it's going to be alright."
Hermione had cupped her hands around her face, now trying to contain her tears.
Ginny pushed past her, picking up her gown that was still in its bag. "Here, Mione, try on yours…it has to be beautiful, Narcissa has…wicked—she chucked. "But good taste."
Hermione giggled at that. Letting Narcissa choose her dress and accessories hadn't been something she was exactly open to, but she hadn't been able to stop Narcissa from budding into her plans. She didn't have a dress herself and couldn't find any alternative
to being dragged along with the Malfoy's for wedding shopping. Narcissa had insisted that she choose everything, implying more than once that Hermione's "type" knew little to nothing of how a witch should look at a wedding. It hadn't been a pleasant
day for Hermione, but it wasn't a complete disaster. She'd been able to find a gown she was pleased with and that Narcissa adored, without breaking out a hex on her fiancé.
"Okay, let's open it."
Ginny handed her the long bag and braced herself. "Go on."
Hermione opened it, wiping her face again. "Oh, now I look a mess." Ginny shook her head, pushing Hermione toward the bath.
"Put it on!"
Hermione rolled her now red, puffy eyes. It took her nearly ten minutes to get the gown on, with Ginny standing right outside of the shade, tapping her nails against the wall impatiently.
"Alright, Mione?"
"Yes…I'm...well alright."
Hermione stepped from behind the shade towards Ginny who squealed in excitement.
"Mione! It's lovely!" Ginny was blushing pink as she pulled her friend towards the mirror. "Oh! You look like a—like a…I'm not sure what you call it but you know the um—
"Disney…" Hermione sighed. "I look like a Disney princess." She laughed.
They both laughed at themselves. If it had been under any other circumstances they'd both be jumping up and down in excitement.
"Well…at least we'll look good tomorrow."
Ginny nodded in agreement.
…..
Blaise snorted loudly when Draco appeared from the bath. "I thought you were supposed to look good on your wedding day."
Draco rolled his eyes turning around to the mirror.
"What does that mean? Mother picked this out…it looks fine." He straightened himself and pulled at the sides of his suit.
"I'm sure she gave you options...next." Blaise flipped through the Daily Prophet in his lap, sitting with one leg over the other in a chair opposite the bath.
Draco gave him a side eye. "Do you have your suit yet?"
Blaise chuckled. "Please Draco, do you know me at all."
Draco sighed, if anyone he knew cared more about vanity or fashion it was Blaise and his mother. He'd never seen him wrinkled, or unpolished. Everything he owned was the highest quality, best fashion, limited quantity. While Draco had the money to have
anything he wanted, he wasn't as interested in the way he looked, for most of his life his mother had dictated what and where he bought all of his clothes.
"Go on mate, unless you want to go shopping again…with me."
Draco rolled his eyes at this. Marching back into the bath he slammed the door to change into his second suit option his mother had prepared. Every suit she'd chosen was black and looked exactly the same to him. Groaning he pulled on the suit and stepped
back out into the room.
Blaise surveyed him slowly. He nodded looking his friend up and down. "Hmmm…I quite like this one." He paused, making Draco impatiently tap his foot. "But I'll see the next one."
Draco groaned stomping back into the bath.
…..
Hermione sighed, throwing her body down on her bed. She could still hear the clock chiming, it was now almost noon. Less than 12 hours and she'd be ready to walk down the aisle with Draco Malfoy. She put her hands over her face and shook her head. Every
day that week she'd woken up hoping she'd wake up from a dream.
The week had pasted quickly. She'd barely seen Ginny or Draco since the St. Mungo's appointment. Students were given the opportunity to leave to and from the castle in the midst of wedding preparations.
Narcissa had thrown herself into planning their ceremony. Hermione explaining to her that it was a simple ceremony, that didn't even require them to have a reception or entertainment, had in no way deterred her away from scheduling celebrations at the
Malfoy Manor. She'd even invited the Weasley's to join in the celebrations, since, she'd explained to Hermione, "They are in your case, from what Draco has told me, your own viable family members at the moment…I wouldn't want you to be, alone." Hermione
had shrugged at this. It made no difference to her whether the Weasley's came to wish her off into a lifetime of hell.
She was taken aback by how invested everyone now seemed to be in their partners. She'd thought Ginny and Blaise would bicker and argue after the scene they caused at the hospital, to her astonishment they'd returned to Hogwarts giggling and mimicking
their mothers. Ron had even stopped by to offer his, well what he felt, were his congratulations to the two, they came out a lot more like threats, but Blaise shrugged them off nonetheless.
Ron had retold her the tale of his initial reaction to Parvati, which unfortunately wasn't the only bad reaction he had to his situation. Apparently he'd reacted just the same at his St. Mungo's appointment, this had sent both Parvati and he healer over
the edge.
"He's given me extra potions…they're supposed to calm my stomach." Ron shook his head, his ears bright red. "It's embarrassing really, bloody hell she acted as if I want to be repulsed by her or something."
Hermione roared in laughter. "Ronald! Parvati is beautiful, not at all the worst you could've been paired up with."
Ron shook his head. "It has nothing to do with the way she looks…it's the reason we're to be married that turns my stomach." He stuffed a chocolate frog in his mouth, chewing and shaking his head. "I mean, Pansy is 100 times worse and Harry seems alright,
he hasn't vomited once."
Hermione frowned as he spoke with his mouth full of chocolate. "I can imagine."
She sighed, thinking about Ron was only making her feel worse about the inevitable. She'd barely spoken to Draco and she didn't know when they would speak. What was the proper way to speak to someone you'd grown to hate every part of. She shook her head.
She was getting married the following morning and there was nothing she could do about it.
She turned on her side and sat up. She looked over to the bag laying over her mirror. She didn't want to admit it, but she absolutely loved her dress. It was the only solace she had going into all of this. There was nothing else to look forward to. She
glanced down to the bag of potions under her bed.
"Ugh!" She groaned and lie back down, she didn't want to do anything but sleep and get the next day over with.
…..
Blaise looked up from the Daily Prophet, he'd been reading through all of Hogwarts pairings listed. He chuckled to himself when he came to Harry Potter and Pansy Parkinson. He thought she got exactly what she deserved, all the years she'd taunted the
trio, now she was marrying into it. He felt far more remorse for Potter than he did for his old friend, he knew what type of hell she bought to her relationships.
His eyes stopped over his name and Ginny. He brushed his finger over their names and sighed. He'd barely managed to get in a word to her family over all over the bickering that took place the past three days. If that was any indication of how his in-laws
were going to welcome him, he didn't want to experience their wrath, there was just too many of them.
He had coached his mother, by owl, about the situation before she'd arrived. She'd embraced him and the Weasley's, calmly and tactfully, as was their nature. After all of the insults flew their way and a near duel took place between the mothers, she'd
still thought it fitting to offer to pay for all of the wedding expenses and Ginny's dress. Of course the Weasley's objected, he guessed until they'd seen what she looked like in the gown. His mother had the best taste, she'd looked elegant and serene
giving birth. He doubted there was another woman in the world who could out style his mother. She was timeless.
Blaise released the paper, shaking himself out of his thoughts. His interactions with Ginny had so far been pleasant. They hadn't spoken much, or interacted much at all since the hospital visit, but he was no longer wary of her. He wasn't excited about
the ceremony, he wished for once his mother would let him do something subtle, but again, it wasn't their nature. It was elegant and noteworthy, or nothing.
He was relieved that there was room for humor in their situation, they'd laughed together and joked about the wedding. Neither revealing any real feelings towards the subject, but laughing about it all the same.
Blaise knew Ginny had to be shaking on the inside about the ceremony and their wedding night. He'd been comfortable with the idea of an arranged marriage since birth. He always expected it would be to some foreign future queen or something, but this was
exceptional. He was indifferent to the entire process. Ginny on the other hand, he was sure, planned to marry for love. The father of her children would most likely had been Potter, but apparently they'd separated shortly before all of this. He sighed.
He hadn't spent any time thinking about their wedding night. It was law that they consummate their marriage before the night ended. He wondered whether or not she was virgin, then shuddered at the thought. Of course she was.
Blaise had made it a point in his short romantic history to never become tangled up in taking a girl's innocence. It wasn't his idea of a good time nor was he interested in anyone being attached or loving him.
This was one obstacle he wasn't going to be able to be neutral on. He hoped there was a potion in that sack to make them both forget everything about the day that lay before them.
…..
Draco slammed a large bottle of fire whiskey down on the coffee table. Blaise looked up at him in confusion, removing his feet from the table.
"You're not saving that for tomorrow night?"
Draco chuckled. "Mate..." Waving his hand towards his bedroom door. "I'm going to need something a lot stronger."
Blaise shook his head, waving his wand toward the kitchen, in seconds two glasses flew towards the table. "Well you're on time." He tapped both glasses and they filled.
Draco took his glass and smirked. "I thought we'd—
He groaned as the door to his bedroom opened and Hermione walked out. Her eyes fell on him briefly, advancing towards the kitchen, she turned her back to them grabbed a muffin from the counter.
Draco rolled his eyes and sipped his whiskey. He whispered, loud enough for Hermione to shoot him a glare. "No…this definitely isn't strong enough."
Blaise chugged his glass and threw his wand towards the kitchen for another glass. "Gran—Hermione, please join us."
Draco shook his head, giving his friend a silent protest with his hand.
"Hermione, please."
Hermione hesitated, still staring at Draco with a menacingly look on her face. "I'm really not in the—
"Of course you are!"
Hermione jumped as Ginny swept into the room. Their front door slammed behind her, she threw her bag on the ground making a loud "bang!" that gave Hermione chills.
Blaise flicked his wand towards the kitchen a third time, two more empty glasses now on the coffee table.
"Well ladies." He filled their glasses. "We should all talk."
Hermione gave Ginny a warning look as she began to sit down next to Blaise, Ginny laughed softly and took the seat closer to Draco. "Hermione."
Hermione sighed and sat in between Blaise and Ginny. She took the glass and frowned at the smell, taking a deep breath she threw it back. "Another."
…..
"You'd go to your grave denying that you've ever snogged Potter?" Draco cast a side eye to Hermione who looked down at her glass disgusted with the question.
"Honestly?" Blaise chimed in.
Ginny blushed and giggled. "Hermione isn't lying." She'd known Harry and Hermione a long time, the idea of them being intimate was hilarious.
"It's a ridiculous question." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Almost as ridiculous as your relationship with Parkinson."
Draco paused to glare at her. "What do you know about that?" Hermione shrugged. "Nothing, and there was no relationship."
Ginny gave him a confused look. "But you two were always—
"What's your point Weasley? It wasn't a relationship."
Blaise chuckled, thinking about the turbulence that was the Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson "arrangement" gave him anxiety.
"It definitely wasn't a relationship."
Draco rose, swaying slightly, he clutched his chair for support. "I need some air."
Hermione let out a sigh and drank the remains in her glass. "I should get some sleep."
Ginny and Blaise exchanged looks. Draco gave them an annoyed look, shaking his head at Blaise. Blaise furrowed his brows and nodded at Draco, who shook his head again. Catching on Hermione let out a loud sigh.
"Mal—Draco, we should talk."
Draco swayed again, almost letting out a whine. "I guess."
Ginny clapped her hand to her mouth, trying to keep in a giggle.
"Get your coat then, it's snowing." Surprised at his own words, Draco made his way towards the door. Picking up his own coat, "Hurry then."
Blaise smiled at the progression. At least if they decided to fight, they'd be doing it outside and it wouldn't be food or snow flying at him tonight.
Hermione stalled in her room a few moments before stomping out with her coat and hat. "See you then." She gave Ginny a worried look before walking out of the room with Draco.
…..
Hours must have passed since Draco and Hermione left the room. They had gone through the entire bottle of fire whiskey prompting Blaise to pry another from the stash he hid under his bed. A second bottle half empty, they'd started charades, unable to
stand or gesture accurately they'd called that quits and sat calling out various topics, till they settled on possible baby names, unable to agree on anything. They drank generously and laughed through every suggestion.
"Quinn?"
Blaise shook his head slowly. "Dean?"
Ginny giggled. "You'd really want a child named after one of my ex boyfriends?" She hiccupped and continued to giggle.
Blaise frowned and took a large gulp of his fire whiskey. "Well…I guess not." He tapped the side of his glass with his wand and was full again. He gestured to Ginny who bopped her head approving a refill.
Ginny was sitting in the middle of the living room now, she'd rolled off of the couch and hadn't gained the strength to pull herself up from the floor. Blaise was sitting across from her, his arm planted firmly on the edge of the couch, keeping his balance.
They had both had a sizeable amount of fire whiskey and neither seemed to be giving up any time soon. "Bella if it's a girl….and Mason if it's a boy."
Ginny paused, giving Blaise a side eye. "Bella?"
"Yes, Bella!" Blaise chuckled sipping his whiskey. "It's a perfectly good name."
Ginny went to reach for her whiskey, leaning forward to take it, shaking a little unbalanced she put her arm out. She gasped when Blaise' met her there and removed her glass.
"Admit it, Bella is a good name."
Ginny frowned, waving her arm for her glass. "It's a stroooong maybe."
Blaise nodded and released her glass, spilling some of its contents as he gave it to her. They both laughed at this.
"I do not however, nor will I evert—
"Evert?" Blaise chuckled. Ginny turned bright red and chugged the remains in her glass.
"Fill me up!" She tapped her glass. "And-and evert, ever! Don't make fun of your "almost" wife." She laughed.
Blaise tapped her glass with his wand but had fallen silent. Fire whiskey had been the perfect solution for nerves and an endless sea of awkward between them, but in the morning they would both have to face reality. They were getting married whether they
liked it or not and there would be no more pretend. This was happening.
"Ginny... we should probably get to bed soon."
Ginny was spinning her glass on her thigh, mumbling softly to herself. She looked up at Blaise, who suddenly looked ten times more handsome than he already was.
Blaise stumbled to his feet, gripping the side of the couch for support as he wobbled. He put a hand to his head, the room was spinning and he could hardly feel his feet.
"Hey! Don't forget this." Ginny held up his cup, spilling most of the contents on the carpet. She waited till she saw him drink down the last of the whiskey.
"Oh—that's-
Blaise stumbled, almost falling over next to the couch. Ginny was giggling wildly now, staring up at him.
"Help me up!"
Blaise sighed and nodded. They were both incredibly drunk and the ability to stand was about to be lost for the both of them. He held his arm out to her, she grabbed it letting him pull her to him.
Ginny almost fell steppingover his feet. "Sorry." Breathlessly she moved forward still in his arms, trying to balance herself. She looked down at her feet, trying to make the room stand still. When she looked up Blaise was staring at her, his arm
grippingher waist tightly supporting her.
"I guess it really is time for bed then." Ginny giggled softly. The air between their bodies was warm, their faces almost touching now. "I'm sure it's the whiskey..."
Ginny moved slowly into Blaise, their lips almost touching but not quite. She brushed against them, moaning softly. She pressed her lips to his, pausing before deepening the kiss.
Blaise stood silent, suddenly unable to do anything. His grip on her waist tightened as he embraced her kiss. She pulled back, cold air replaced the warmth of her body.
"No…it's not just the whiskey." Blaise stepped away from her and sighed, releasing his grip on her waist he stepped aside and they walked slowly into their bedroom.
….
"Shut up Malfoy!" Slapping his arm with force, Hermione slipped down and felt cold snow under her. Draco grabbed her arm before she fell completely. Laughing the entire time.
"Honestly Granger, when aren't you falling down?" Pushing her in front of him, he steadied her and released his hold on her arm. "Here, stand—still." He barely made out the words before falling into a fit of laughter. Hermione was glaring at him, her
hat sliding off of her head.
She shoved him away from her, refusing his help when she wobbled again. They continued to walk in silence for a few more minutes before Hermione revisited the topic.
"Maybe we can wait…we won't do anything and see what happens." She peered into his gray eyes hopefully, maybe he'd be in agreement and they could defy the ministry, no consummation needed.
Draco chuckled, giving her a look of, squinting she thought she made out slight pity.
"It brings me no pleasure telling you this…" He paused dusting snow from his coat. It was too early for snow, but he like everyone else welcomed it. The snow and cold was a real companion to the way they all felt. "It doesn't work that way." He shrugged,
watching her face drop, the twinkle of hope in her eyes fading.
"What does that mean?"
Draco frowned at her, rolling his eyes. "I thought you were supposed to be the brightest witch of our time?"
She stared at him, waiting for him to answer her question.
"It means, if we don't do…. there will be consequences." He pressed his hand on her shoulder, more for balance than comfort. "Trust me, I wouldn't lie...about this." He removed his hand when her eyes moved to her shoulder. "No witch or wizard has made
it out without having to survive their wedding night." He shrugged moving away from her. "Nor will we."
Her cheeks already red from the cold, Hermione blushed deeper. Draco had accepted the fact that they were going to have to become more intimate than she'd ever imagined, and she couldn't even wrap her mind around it.
He looked around, they had been walking around the perimeter of the castle for hours, barely speaking. The whiskey had hardly subsided but somehow they were both still capable of walking.
He had never known Hermione to be quiet about anything, her silence was making him uncomfortable.
"I suspect the potions will make you…comfortable." He smirked at her momentarily before frowning at her shock. "You're—you're not—
"Yes, yes, my first time is going to be tomorrow night." She gulped down the words, her voice shaking. "With my husband."
He groaned.
"I guess Weasley really couldn't do anything right."
Hermione blushed and slapped his arm a second time. Shaking her head she motioned towards the dormitories. "Now I'm exhausted."
He nodded and followed her. The day had come and gone, the next day they'd be married.
A/N: Suffering from a little…just kidding, A LOT of exhaustion. I hope this chapter wasn't disappointing, a little all over the place, but it's the day before Hermione's wedding, so I thought fire whiskey was necessary. Hermione's wedding is first, then Ginny the next day, so yes the Weasley's will be there…exciting (ha!).
Before I get flames, it was just a kiss. Nothing happened, they're not suddenly in love, they were drunk.
Thank you all so much for the holiday wishes and support, you're amazing and I'm almost at 100 follows…ummmm cool!
Who's excited for awkward wedding nights? Who's going to take those potions? I may have two chapters up later this week, going to try and write more and have chapters edited and posted in advance. Have a great week loves.
