Chapter Twenty
The sixth of May. At one point it had appeared as though it would never get there. It had also appeared that the wedding of Draco Malfoy and Padma Patil was never going to happen.
But it finally was, and at about ten o'clock in the morning, Draco was pacing his living room, his Best man looking on in amusement as the groom also attempted to tie his bowtie. After watching the blonde man struggle for a few minutes, Harry finally decided to give him a hand, and cast a quick spell.
The wedding was set for twelve o'clock and time seemed to be dragging on.
"I really wish I could see how Padma's getting on," said Draco thoughtfully after thanking Harry for helping him.
"No!" Harry was adamant about that. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."
"Oh, please," scorned Draco. "That's a silly Muggle tradition."
"All the same, I think you should avoid seeing her," said Dean coming into the room, accompanied by Ron, Seamus and the final usher, Lisa Turpin's current boyfriend whom she had been dating for the past seven months. His name was Bart Johnson and he played Beater for the Puddlemere United Reserve team.
Dean was carrying a large bottle of champagne and Ron had several glasses. They quickly poured out six glasses of bubbly and Ron proposed a toast.
"To Draco's last two hours as a free man," he said, lifting his glass high.
"Here, here," echoed the others, sans Harry, who felt rather left out as the only married man in the room. Granted, Ron was engaged, but neither he nor Lavender planned on tying the knot any time in at least the next sixth months.
A similar scene was going on at the Cottage, where the bride and the other women were getting ready.
"This is very depressing," commented Hermione, surveying the bridesmaids. At seven months pregnant, Hermione felt huge compared to the others.
"You look gorgeous, Hermione," Lavender assured her, finishing off her hair in a nearby mirror.
"I look fat," pointed out Hermione.
"No you don't - you look pregnant," pointed out Ginny. She was busy searching under the sofa for her shoes. Somehow she had lost them.
"I wonder why that is," said Hermione dryly.
Lavender was sat on the sofa next to Hermione. She was currently debating about which colour to have her nails. Hermione had thought she had decided days before, but apparently not. The blonde (Lavender's hair colour was now just a few shades darker than Lisa's white-blonde), had already tried varying shades of pink and was now working on the reds.
After much debate, the dresses were a very dark purple colour - at one point Padma had almost chosen pale yellow ones until Parvati pointed out that the colour was... well, horrible.
Eventually Lavender decided on a lilac colour, though Hermione was sure that by the time they got to the chapel they would be a completely different colour.
Parvati appeared to be the only person who wasn't complaining or worrying about her appearance. But there was, of course, a reason for this.
"Parvati," her sister asked cautiously. "Erm, exactly how much have to had to drink?"
Her twin turned her gaze (which was slightly unfocused by now) to the bottle of champagne she had opened. It was not more than half empty. "It was full when I started it," she admitted with a grin. "Don't worry," she said standing up and nearly falling over, "there's plenty left for you." Some of the champagne spilled onto the carpet and Parvati wobbled unsteadily on her high heels.
With a groan, Padma sank into a chair. "Great!" she moaned. "I'm getting married in just over an hour and my maid of honour is completely sozzled!"
With a loud hiccup, Paravti managed to say, "Hey - I'm not drunk! Tipsy yes, but drunk? No?" She gave another loud hiccup and proceeded to take a slug of the drink from the bottle. Padma gave another groan.
Hermione grabbed the bottle from Parvati, ignoring her protests. She handed it to Lavender who placed it a safe distance from Parvati.
"Parvati Patil, get a grip!" Hermione ordered, while Ginny appeared in the room, carrying her mislaid shoes in her hand. She cast a quick sobering spell and Parvati blinked. She clutched her head.
"Ow! You could have at least cast an anti-hangover spell!" she cried.
"I could have," Hermione nodded. "But I didn't want to." Placing her hands on her hips and trying to look as authorative as possible she said, "Now - finish getting ready."
Muttering something about feeling sorry for any children of Hermione's, Parvati did as she said and left the room to try and find out what had happened to Padma's bouquet.
"Thanks, Hermione," smiled Padma, trying to compose herself.
"No problem."
"Where on Earth could she be?" Draco hissed to Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes. Padma was exactly two minutes late, and Draco was already panicking.
"What is she changed her mind?" Draco asked nervously. "What if she doesn't really want to marry me and ran off to..."
"To where?"
"Oh, I dunno... Poland!"
"D'you really think she'd do that?" asked Harry, wondering why on Earth Draco had thought Padma would go to Poland. He decided it was probably just a random destination Malfoy had chosen in a moment of panic. As it happened, Harry was right.
Draco shrugged. "Stranger things have happened in my life."
Harry had to agree with him there. If there ever was an award for the strangest lifetimes so far, Harry had to admit that he and his friends would be right up there with a chance.
"Stop worrying," Harry said nudging him in the ribs and nodding in the direction of the door of the chapel which had just opened.
The bridesmaids were the first to appear, all with their respective partners: Ginny and Seamus, Lisa and Bart, Ron and Lavender and finally Parvati and Dean.
Padma was the last to walk down the isle, her father accompanying her. Draco felt his breath catch in his chest. He had seen scraps of material left around their home and countless bridal magazines, but nothing had prepared him for this. Her dress was a combination of Eastern and Western influences, fitting her perfectly. She looked stunning.
But it wasn't her dress that Draco noticed first. It was her face, and the way that her eyes lit up when she spotted him.
When they recited their vows, he saw nothing but her eyes looking into his own, glistening with tears of happiness. She didn't cry though, but Parvati did, and had to be comforted by a distressed-looking Dean. Obviously he hadn't been expecting this sort of reaction from his girlfriend.
The reception went on until well into the next morning. Again, Parvati got completely sozzled, much to her sister's despair and Dean's embarrassment (she tried pulling down his trousers in front of the other guests). One couple, however, left well before the end of the party.
Harry and Hermione arrived home at just before twelve. Hermione had almost fallen asleep twice before then, so eventually Harry had insisted that they leave. Hermione had wanted to stay, but Harry managed to persuade her after a couple of hours.
"Honestly, Harry!" Hermione had exclaimed. "I'm perfectly fine."
"But, Hermione, you've been yawning solidly for the last hour and a half. And you almost fell asleep during my speech."
Hermione had rolled her eyes and said, "You don't exactly give the most interesting speeches, Harry." Harry had chosen to ignore this jibe, and blame her tiredness instead.
A few weeks after the wedding, when Harry returned home for Quidditch practise, her discovered Hermione asleep in the living room on the sofa, a baby book laid across her chest. After closing the window (even though it was nearly the middle of June now, it still got a little chilly in the evening), Harry stopped to gaze at his wife.
It's absurd, Harry decided, how our friendship has changed over the years. Thinking back at a later date, Harry decided that it was actually an insult from Ron which sparked off the friendship between the three. Friendship probably wasn't the right word to describe Harry and Hermione's relationship, though. Love was a lot closer, but at times Harry felt that even that didn't cover exactly how he felt.
The house was quiet. Smiling, Harry realised that it wouldn't be like that for much longer; in around a month there would be a child there with them.
My child. Until then, Harry hadn't realised exactly how close that baby's arrival was. To tell the absolute truth, Harry was, for a brief moment, completely and utterly terrified. Was he really mature enough to have a child? Ron would joke that Harry wasn't, then reassure him, leaving Harry none the wiser. Hermione definitely was. She had a definite maternal instinct, that Harry just felt he didn't have.
Moving closer to her, Harry knelt on the floor. Gently, so as not to disturb Hermione, he pulled back her t-shirt to expose her stomach.
"You're really in there, aren't you?" Harry whispered in awe. "And soon you'll be out here." He cautiously placed a hand on her stomach. He could have sworn he felt a kick before Hermione said:
"Harry, why are you talking to my stomach?"
Harry looked at her. Her brown eyes were now open, and she was looking at him, curiosity and amusement etched across her face.
"Erm..." Harry blushed, and Hermione grinned at him. "I was talking to the baby," he admitted, running a hand through his messy hair as Hermione struggled into a sitting position. Harry was quiet for a moment. "Do you think it can hear me?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I think so." Leaning forward, she kissed Harry unexpectedly.
"What was that for?" asked Harry, a bemused expression crossing his face which was beginning to tan from long hours outside at Quidditch practise.
Hermione shrugged. "I dunno. Can't I kiss you for no reason?"
"Only if I'm allowed to kiss you," Harry told her, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
There was a slight 'pop', then an embarrassed voice which cut through the romantic moment. "Err... I really should call before I come round, shouldn't I?"
Harry nodded, turning to Sirius. "Yeah, that might be a good idea in the future," he told his godfather.
Sirius nodded. "Will do," he assured them.
"Have you come here for a reason?" Hermione inquired.
"Nah, just a social call." He grinned. "Seeing as you two are busy, I'll come back some other time."
Before either Harry of Hermione could stop him, Sirius had Disapparated with another 'pop'.
"I never understand him," said Hermione, shaking her head.
"Me neither," agreed Harry. He smiled. "Now," he started. "Where were we?"
Grinning, Hermione kissed him. "Ah," said Harry. "Now I remember."
A/N: Well, there's Chapter Twenty - the penultimate chapter. Yes, that's right: there's only one more chapter left. I can't believe it's nearly the end! If you want to contact me (or pester me to get the next chapter out, feel free to AIM me at Capricornearth.
Review, Flame, Whatever.
Here's a thanks section for Chapter Nineteen:
Chaosknight86 - There probably won't be a sequel to this. I haven't planned for one, and I honestly don't have a plot for what happens after this finishes. There is the possibility of short one-shot ficlets in the future, but I have other fanfics I would like to write.
Mushroom - Actually, it's not February in both chapters. It was February in Chapter Seventeen, but Chapter Nineteen is the end of March/beginning of April and May. I have a whole plan for this fic since about Chapter Eighteen.
Death-Demon Xero - I'm not entirely sure whether Dumbledore or any of the other professors from Hogwarts will make an appearance. To be honest, they have very little to do with Harry, Hermione and the others. I'll think about at least mentioning them in the next chapter.
SilverTears13 - Well, seeing as the next chapter is the last one, I guess the baby will be appearing then!
weirdgirl - I'm honoured to be the first person you've ever reviewed. I don't really want to delve deeper in Seamus's company (the Nimbus Corporation). A lot of very... well, I don't quite know how to describe what goes on there. It's the sort of place where no-one really wants to know what happens.
Adhara - Yes, it was a quote from Friends. I take a lot of quotes/inspiration from there and Buffy.
sal - I love H/Hr fics too.
Hermione2003Potter - I'm disappointed that this series is ending too. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and I feel that when I've completed this fic I've done as much with these characters as I possibly can without becoming boring and predictable.
Dark Moon - Thanx!
Lady Greene - Thanx!
blue-strawberry52 - I hope this was soon enough.
Sonata - Don't fret - I'll have some more fics coming out. There'll be another H/Hr fic (probably a crossover fic, though I haven't yet decided fully) and another George/Hermione (at least, there will be once I've finished 'Chocolate & Pumpkin Ice Cream'.
duckies - Yes, there are only two chapters left. Wait - sorry, now there's only one chapter left.
bookworm4ever - Well, they made it down the altar. Yay! I don't mind about the short review - it's the fact that you acrually reviewed that counts.
Gem Stone - Thanx!
The Charmed One - Don't worry - it'll be a good ending, I promise! Probably a bit fluffy and sappy, but a good ending nonetheless.
Oliverwoodschic - Yes, that part with Parvati and Dean is one of my favourite 'deep and meaningful' moments I've ever written. The idea for that just came out of the blue and I think it worked really well.
HrryPttrFreak87 - Thanx!
Viwiel - Yes, a lot of marriage, I have to agreed. Maybe a bit too much, but I can't really take responsibility - the characters just seem to do what they like most of the time.
mystical - Another person who liked the Dean scene! I'm here to please...
thefly - Thanx!
Chavi - Thanx!