In the next week, the sun made an appearance. Melissa and Vivian were
delighted when the woke on Saturday with the sun streaming through the
windows. They were showered and dressed on about fifteen minutes, Vivian
magicing her hair dry and Melissa throwing her wet curls back in a pony
tale.
When they ran into the Great Hall, cloaks in hand, Drew and Draco were already there. The girls ran to Slytherin table and began piling their plates with food. Not bothering to greet their fiancés good morning, Vivian and Melissa dug into their breakfast. Draco raised an eyebrow at the girl's newly discovered (or perhaps forgotten) table manners.
"Got a date?" Draco asked Vivian. She looked up at him and swallowed the eggs in her mouth.
"Yup," Vivian replied evenly.
"Better not," Draco growled teasingly.
"Or what?"
"Or I'll kill him for seducing my wife."
"She's not your wife yet, Draco," Melissa reminded him.
"Shut it, you," Draco said with a smirk.
"Don't talk to my wife that way," Drew said sarcastically.
"She's not your wife yet," Draco and Vivian chorused.
Blaise looked over at the two couples, raising an eyebrow. Vivian and Melissa shrugged and returned to their food. Draco and Drew snickered behind their hands at the frankly terrified look on Blaise's face.
"You four are odd," Blaise informed them. Pansy looked over and nodded.
"Yeah, Draco. You've been acting especially strange lately. You haven't even been talking to Greg and Vincent lately. What's going on?" The pug faced girl asked.
"I decided they needed personalities," Draco stated.
"Draco!" Vivian said with a glare. "That's mean!"
"For Merlin's sake, I just meant that they should make their own decisions. I mean, for six years they followed me around Hogwarts waiting for me to tell them what to do. At least now they have minds of their own," Draco clarified.
Pansy and Blaise both looked surprised. "What, you mean you didn't like having them do whatever you told them to?" Blaise asked.
"Of course I liked it. It just wasn't good for them," Draco stated.
"Since when does Draco Malfoy care what's good for other people?" Pansy asked Blaise as they both turned away.
Melissa smiled, and glanced at Vivian, feeling she knew the answer to that question. Soon Melissa stood, and Vivian shot up with her. Both girls grinned, snatching up their coats and ran outside for the first time in a while.
"She doesn't really have a date, does she?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow again.
"Sure she does. With my fiancé, it appears," Drew replied, turning back to his breakfast.
"I wonder if we should all just live in the same mansion," Draco said.
"Are you serious?" Drew said in mock horror. "Think of all the trouble they'd get in without Professor Snape to punish them."
"They'll be out of control."
"It'll be a constant battlefield."
"We won't be able to eat."
"Or sleep."
"Or breathe easily."
"It's settled then?"
"Professor Snape can live with us as well."
Meanwhile Melissa and Vivian were blissfully ignorant of the plots being concocted in the Great Hall. They had successfully broken into the Quidditch supply house and had found a Quaffel to kick back and forth. About an hour later, Draco and Drew decided to find the two and get them out of whatever trouble they had gotten themselves into.
When Drew and Draco did find them, they were lying exhausted on the damp grass. Both girls were covered in dirt from head to toe. The Quaffel was tucked securely under Melissa's arm. Once he was close enough, Drew noticed that they seemed to be asleep.
"Go figure," Drew said with a snort.
"What?"
"They've fallen asleep outside."
Rolling his eyes, Draco stooped down next to Vivian. Without checking to see if she really was asleep, he swept her up into his arms. With a grin, Drew followed suit. Melissa's eyes opened quickly and she screamed aloud. Vivian's reaction was much more subdued, as she simply looked up at Draco with an amused expression.
"What're you doing, Draco?" Vivian asked.
"I'm putting you in your bed. It's not proper to sleep outside like barbarians."
"So? I'm not proper, as I recall your mother saying."
"She never said you were improper. Simply unrefined."
"Same difference."
Melissa was glaring up at Drew.
"Put me down," she demanded.
"Don't think I will," Drew replied nonchalantly.
"And why not?"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Your arms being wrapped around my neck would be one reason, dear," Drew said with a smirk.
"Oh," Melissa replied sheepishly, letting go and waiting for Drew to put her down. Instead of releasing the small girl in his arms, he began trudging up to the castle. Draco followed the other two with a smirk.
Once inside the Entrance Hall, they met with Severus.
"Found them," Draco informed the professor, who was giving them a strange look.
"I don't think I'll ask," Severus replied. "Follow me."
Draco and Drew allowed the girls to walk alone, which was much appreciated. The four students followed their professor, and in Melissa's case uncle, down to the dungeons. When they finally arrived at his classroom, he led them through to his office and opened the door.
Drew and Draco took the two chairs before the desk. Melissa plopped into Severus' chair, winning a glare from the potions master. Vivian perched herself on the desk, which didn't go over to well with Severus as well. He chose not to comment, however.
"So what's up, Uncle Sev?" Melissa asked, looking up at the tall man.
"Voldemort wants dates," Severus replied shortly.
"Come again?" Melissa asked. She couldn't help but find the thought of the Dark Lord of Evil wanting to be set up on a date rather amusing. Melissa could tell that Vivian was the same train of thought by the small smirk on her face. Drew and Draco, however, looked grave.
"He wants the dates of the weddings, and he wants them soon."
"Ah.so we're going to be guinea pigs?" Melissa asked.
"Huh?" Drew asked.
"They're animals Muggles use to test experiments out on to make sure no one will die from the procedures and products and stuff," Melissa explained.
"I see. We'll be guinea pigs, then," Drew offered.
"Hey! Don't I get any say in this?" Melissa exclaimed.
"We're already engaged, Missy. That was your chance to have some say. Now I'm in control."
"Darn."
"Isn't that the truth," Vivian supplied. With a mock sigh she added, "poor Missy."
"Hey! At least my fiancé has the courage to pick a date," Melissa responded with a smirk at Draco.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco snapped, glaring at the redhead. "We'll go the week before them!"
"Nuh-uh, we called it first!" Melissa retaliated, trying to hold her mirth in.
"It's not a competition," Severus pointed out in amusement.
"Yes it is!" Melissa and Draco responded in unison. They both turned to stare at eachother before shaking their heads and looking away.
"Very well, I'll leave you four to sort this out. You may give me your answer tomorrow," Severus replied as he swept out of his office. Vivian and Drew took over from here, seeing as they weren't quite as argumentative this day. It was decided that Draco and Vivian would be married the week after school let out, and Drew and Melissa would wed the following week.
As the four trudged back to their common room, Melissa felt strangely numb. 'I can't believe this is actually happening.' Deep down, she realized that she had somehow been expecting Drew to 'save' her from all this, as he had the night her parents were married.
Looking at Drew beside her now, Melissa had a revelation of sorts. Drew was not the hero that she had imagined him to be, above human and subhuman events. He was, in essence, the same as she: a simple teenager trying to deal with what he had been dealt. Somehow seeing Drew as who he was, and not on the pedestal she had imagined him to be on, Melissa found herself wanting to cry.
'This isn't fair at all,' Melissa thought drearily. Drew looked over at her at that moment, and apparently saw the trouble in her eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile as he asked, "What's wrong, little Missy?"
"It all just seems so real, Drew," Melissa responded, tears welling up in her eyes against her will. "Don't be offended, but I wish we'd never even met. I wish I could wake up and be in bed at home, and all of this was a horrid dream. I've never felt so alone."
Drew smiled sadly and pulled Melissa into a hug without a word. Only when she had cried herself out, Drew spoke. His words were so soft that Melissa barely caught them, but they filled her with hope. "You're not alone, and someday everything will be better. I promise."
Melissa woke when the sun shone through her curtains. Looking around, she wondered how she ended up in her dorm room. The last thing she remembered was sitting with Drew, feeling very tired. 'Oh, no,' Melissa thought. 'I didn't fall asleep!' As her wonderings were confirmed, Melissa felt a blush creep up her neck into her cheeks. She didn't know why, but the thought of falling asleep with Drew embarrassed her.
She quickly showered and got dressed. Looking at the clock, she thought she was lucky to make breakfast. Although she didn't feel like going to classes she knew she had to keep up appearances. She almost missed the note folded on her nightstand as she hurried out. Picking it up, she opened it impatiently and recognized Vivian's writing.
Missy,
I have a free period 4th hour. Could you try to get out of your class?
Love,
Viv
Melissa quickly thought through her schedule. She had History of Magic fourth hour, and would gladly escape Professor Binn's endless monologues. She thought for a moment on how she could achieve this, and a smile broke across her face as she ran to the Great Hall.
Melissa ran in, and scanned the hall quickly before spotting Ginny at Gryffindor table. Melissa plopped down next to her 'twin', who looked up at her in surprise before smiling. Melissa caught Drew giving her a strange look but ignored it.
"Hey, Gin, I need a favor.."
Ginny Weasley looked around the History of Magic room nervously. 'I don't think this was a very good idea,' Ginny thought as she straightened Melissa's robes. Why she had agreed to go to Melissa's all Slytherin class for her, she didn't know. 'Hopefully they're all as dense as Ron, and will mistake me for Melissa.' That was their plan, after all.
"Ahem, Melissa?" Ginny jumped and turned around to see one of Melissa's close friends, Draco Malfoy. He was smirking evilly, and all Ginny could think was 'I'll never graduate with all the detentions I'm going to get!'. "Or shall I say Weasley?" He added in a low voice.
"Malfoy, please! Melissa asked me to, I usually don't break rules-" Ginny began in a soft, panicked voice. She stopped when she heard a laugh behind her. Behind her was a handsome boy she recognized as Drew Halothane, Melissa's fiancé.
"Go figure," Drew responded. "Leave it to Missy to get a poor, good little Gryff in trouble. Well, don't worry, kid. We won't tattle on you."
"No kidding, Missy'd kill you."
"It's probably Vivian's idea, anyways. We'd get them both in trouble."
"True enough. Why don't you go sit by Jake Mortson, Weasley. He and Missy get along, and don't worry, he's ok." When Draco saw her confused look, he added very quietly, "not a Death Eater, Weasley. He won't try to hex you."
Ginny looked over at Jake. He was a chaser on the Slytherin Quidditch team. She had never spoken to him, but some said he should have been in Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. With a short nod, she began to walk over to his table, accompanied by Drew.
Jake raised an eyebrow saying, "Where's Melissa."
"Skipping class," Drew responded. "She sent Weasley in her place, keep an eye on her, right?"
"Sure," Jake replied. "Take a seat, kid."
Drew wandered back to Draco, who had a smirk in place.
"Won't Missy and Viv be proud?" Draco asked.
"When did you turn matchmaker?" Drew teased.
"Ah, Jake's had a thing for Weasley for two years now. He's always staring at her when he should be getting the Quaffel. I figured it was time he made a move," Draco responded with a smirk. Lowering his voice, Draco added, "That's actually what Viv and I were planning. We knew Weasley had 4th period free, and we knew Missy would go to her."
"Are you serious? This is all some horridly elaborate matchmaking scheme?" Drew sniggered.
"What? Vivian was on the verge of being upset, and she likes matchmaking. You can handle crying girls, Drew, but I suck. I had to keep her from crying!"
In the Slytherin common room, Vivian went over the plan with Melissa. Melissa broke into a delighted smile exlclaiming, "That is so cute! A Slytherin and a Gryffindor!" Vivian laughed while opening a box of chocolates. They waited impatiently for Drew and Draco to return and tell them how things went.
"Well?" Vivian asked when they came into the room.
"I gave Jake off of practice next week so they can sneak out to dinner," Draco responded with a grin.
"Aww," Melissa and Vivian chorused.
"Yes, I am sweet," Draco replied.
The end of the term approached far to quickly for Melissa. It seemed as if the last month or so passed in only a matter of days. Before she seemed to know it, she was back at Severus' mansion. Vivian had come home with her as well, and they were frantically trying to prepare for the wedding.
"You're sure the Dark Lord won't come, Uncle Sev?" Vivian asked for the millionth time. Melissa laughed, Vivian had taken to calling her Professor 'Uncle' while living in his house. Severus looked up from the newspaper he was reading.
"Yes. May I ask why you are so jittery about the subject?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow. Although the Dark Lord had insisted on the marriages, he was by no mean a matrimonial man. He would rather rot alive than be caught at a ceremony.
"Because I want Hermione to be a bridesmaid, and it wouldn't do for him to show up."
"Won't that cause problems with your parents and the Malfoys?"
"They aren't coming," Vivian replied cheerfully. "Mrs. Malfoy hates me, and my parents are offended that Draco didn't ask their permission first. Plus, Missy's American friends are going to be in Missy's wedding."
"As long as they don't switch places again," Severus responded with a glare. He had heard about the 'elaborate matchmaking scheme', and hadn't approved of it at all. Melissa and Vivian didn't mind, though, because Ginny and Jake were still seeing one another.
"I don't think Jake would go for that," Melissa pointed out. Severus muttered something about his prized Slytherin students having bad taste in relationships, but the girls fortunately didn't hear. The clock struck 10, and the girls decided to go to sleep.
As they were washing up, Vivian said, "Know what, Missy?"
"What?"
"I'm getting married tomorrow!"
"That's so weird."
"I know. I should be terrified, but somehow I'm not. I know we're young, and didn't really choose this at all, but all the same I think it might work out. In fact, I intend to make it a beautiful marriage, just to spite Voldemort."
"Well, I'm terrified. You've known Draco for more than a year, at least. I feel as if Drew and I are complete strangers," Melissa responded as they climbed into their beds.
"Don't worry, Drew likes being a hero. He'll save you from whatever life throws," Vivian responded with a yawn.
"Yes, but he's also just a teenager. He can't save me from everything," Melissa voiced her own fears. "And what about kids? I don't want my kids to be raised to be servers of the Dark Lord."
"Who knows, maybe some miracle will happen," was all Vivian said as they fell asleep.
Draco and Vivian's wedding was small and quiet. Neither seemed to be nervous about making their vows, and didn't seem to worry about the future. After all, what was going to happen would happen. They simply would learn to cope with the trials as they came.
Again time decided that Melissa didn't deserve to be shown mercy. Before she could scream that it all was happening to fast, Vivian was helping her button her dress up. Looking back at Vivian, Melissa noticed that she seemed to be glowing in the joys of matrimonial life.
"All done," Vivian said with a grin. "You look so pretty, Missy."
"You too, Vivian. Are you sure you don't want to represent me in this?"
"I'm sure," Vivian said with a laugh. "You're not feeling sick anymore, are you?"
"No, just numb."
"I was a wreck just a week ago. Don't worry about it, you'll be fine," Vivian reassured her with a hug. "I'll go get Unlce Sev, and tell him we're all ready. Then I'll get your friends together and make sure they haven't pulled any horrid pranks. Then, well, you'll get married."
"Already?"
"Be nice to Drew. He wants to get this all over with."
"Fine, take his side."
Vivian rolled her eyes and went out in search of her best friend's uncle. Melissa put on a dab of the perfume her friends had given her for Christmas just as Severus swept into the room. He smiled when he saw Melissa looking quite terrified. He smiled at her, but she could not smile back.
"Nervous?"
"Would you be kind, Uncle Sev, and just kill me now?"
"Of course not. When have I been known for kindness?"
"True enough," Melissa said with a laugh.
"Time to go," Severus said after a minute, offering Melissa his arm.
"Ok, Uncle Sev."
Melissa had no idea how she managed to get to the front of the church, but suddenly she was standing before Drew. Drew's brother, Draco, Davey, and Drew's cousin were on one side of them, and Vivian, Angie, Libby, and Heather were on the other. As they came to the vows, Melissa was glad they had decided on traditional ones. She didn't think she would have remembered them if she wasn't repeating after the priest.
Much more quickly than Melissa had expected, the priest said, "You may now kiss the bride." Melissa realized with a start that this was her and Drew's first kiss. With her hands in Drew's, Melissa tilted her face towards his and accepted his gentle kiss. As they pulled apart, Drew smiled at her. Melissa knew that through the hard years before them, that smile and its owner would be what would hold her together, for better or for worse. She would hold to that moment, and not dwell on the ones that would tear them apart.
A/N: Well, can you believe it? Two updates in one week, and just the epilogue to go (which is currently in process). So: I'll take this moment to thank those of you who reviewed, I appreciate your input. Ahem, and you "update NOW"s..even if they didn't work, it's nice to know you're loved.
When they ran into the Great Hall, cloaks in hand, Drew and Draco were already there. The girls ran to Slytherin table and began piling their plates with food. Not bothering to greet their fiancés good morning, Vivian and Melissa dug into their breakfast. Draco raised an eyebrow at the girl's newly discovered (or perhaps forgotten) table manners.
"Got a date?" Draco asked Vivian. She looked up at him and swallowed the eggs in her mouth.
"Yup," Vivian replied evenly.
"Better not," Draco growled teasingly.
"Or what?"
"Or I'll kill him for seducing my wife."
"She's not your wife yet, Draco," Melissa reminded him.
"Shut it, you," Draco said with a smirk.
"Don't talk to my wife that way," Drew said sarcastically.
"She's not your wife yet," Draco and Vivian chorused.
Blaise looked over at the two couples, raising an eyebrow. Vivian and Melissa shrugged and returned to their food. Draco and Drew snickered behind their hands at the frankly terrified look on Blaise's face.
"You four are odd," Blaise informed them. Pansy looked over and nodded.
"Yeah, Draco. You've been acting especially strange lately. You haven't even been talking to Greg and Vincent lately. What's going on?" The pug faced girl asked.
"I decided they needed personalities," Draco stated.
"Draco!" Vivian said with a glare. "That's mean!"
"For Merlin's sake, I just meant that they should make their own decisions. I mean, for six years they followed me around Hogwarts waiting for me to tell them what to do. At least now they have minds of their own," Draco clarified.
Pansy and Blaise both looked surprised. "What, you mean you didn't like having them do whatever you told them to?" Blaise asked.
"Of course I liked it. It just wasn't good for them," Draco stated.
"Since when does Draco Malfoy care what's good for other people?" Pansy asked Blaise as they both turned away.
Melissa smiled, and glanced at Vivian, feeling she knew the answer to that question. Soon Melissa stood, and Vivian shot up with her. Both girls grinned, snatching up their coats and ran outside for the first time in a while.
"She doesn't really have a date, does she?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow again.
"Sure she does. With my fiancé, it appears," Drew replied, turning back to his breakfast.
"I wonder if we should all just live in the same mansion," Draco said.
"Are you serious?" Drew said in mock horror. "Think of all the trouble they'd get in without Professor Snape to punish them."
"They'll be out of control."
"It'll be a constant battlefield."
"We won't be able to eat."
"Or sleep."
"Or breathe easily."
"It's settled then?"
"Professor Snape can live with us as well."
Meanwhile Melissa and Vivian were blissfully ignorant of the plots being concocted in the Great Hall. They had successfully broken into the Quidditch supply house and had found a Quaffel to kick back and forth. About an hour later, Draco and Drew decided to find the two and get them out of whatever trouble they had gotten themselves into.
When Drew and Draco did find them, they were lying exhausted on the damp grass. Both girls were covered in dirt from head to toe. The Quaffel was tucked securely under Melissa's arm. Once he was close enough, Drew noticed that they seemed to be asleep.
"Go figure," Drew said with a snort.
"What?"
"They've fallen asleep outside."
Rolling his eyes, Draco stooped down next to Vivian. Without checking to see if she really was asleep, he swept her up into his arms. With a grin, Drew followed suit. Melissa's eyes opened quickly and she screamed aloud. Vivian's reaction was much more subdued, as she simply looked up at Draco with an amused expression.
"What're you doing, Draco?" Vivian asked.
"I'm putting you in your bed. It's not proper to sleep outside like barbarians."
"So? I'm not proper, as I recall your mother saying."
"She never said you were improper. Simply unrefined."
"Same difference."
Melissa was glaring up at Drew.
"Put me down," she demanded.
"Don't think I will," Drew replied nonchalantly.
"And why not?"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Your arms being wrapped around my neck would be one reason, dear," Drew said with a smirk.
"Oh," Melissa replied sheepishly, letting go and waiting for Drew to put her down. Instead of releasing the small girl in his arms, he began trudging up to the castle. Draco followed the other two with a smirk.
Once inside the Entrance Hall, they met with Severus.
"Found them," Draco informed the professor, who was giving them a strange look.
"I don't think I'll ask," Severus replied. "Follow me."
Draco and Drew allowed the girls to walk alone, which was much appreciated. The four students followed their professor, and in Melissa's case uncle, down to the dungeons. When they finally arrived at his classroom, he led them through to his office and opened the door.
Drew and Draco took the two chairs before the desk. Melissa plopped into Severus' chair, winning a glare from the potions master. Vivian perched herself on the desk, which didn't go over to well with Severus as well. He chose not to comment, however.
"So what's up, Uncle Sev?" Melissa asked, looking up at the tall man.
"Voldemort wants dates," Severus replied shortly.
"Come again?" Melissa asked. She couldn't help but find the thought of the Dark Lord of Evil wanting to be set up on a date rather amusing. Melissa could tell that Vivian was the same train of thought by the small smirk on her face. Drew and Draco, however, looked grave.
"He wants the dates of the weddings, and he wants them soon."
"Ah.so we're going to be guinea pigs?" Melissa asked.
"Huh?" Drew asked.
"They're animals Muggles use to test experiments out on to make sure no one will die from the procedures and products and stuff," Melissa explained.
"I see. We'll be guinea pigs, then," Drew offered.
"Hey! Don't I get any say in this?" Melissa exclaimed.
"We're already engaged, Missy. That was your chance to have some say. Now I'm in control."
"Darn."
"Isn't that the truth," Vivian supplied. With a mock sigh she added, "poor Missy."
"Hey! At least my fiancé has the courage to pick a date," Melissa responded with a smirk at Draco.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco snapped, glaring at the redhead. "We'll go the week before them!"
"Nuh-uh, we called it first!" Melissa retaliated, trying to hold her mirth in.
"It's not a competition," Severus pointed out in amusement.
"Yes it is!" Melissa and Draco responded in unison. They both turned to stare at eachother before shaking their heads and looking away.
"Very well, I'll leave you four to sort this out. You may give me your answer tomorrow," Severus replied as he swept out of his office. Vivian and Drew took over from here, seeing as they weren't quite as argumentative this day. It was decided that Draco and Vivian would be married the week after school let out, and Drew and Melissa would wed the following week.
As the four trudged back to their common room, Melissa felt strangely numb. 'I can't believe this is actually happening.' Deep down, she realized that she had somehow been expecting Drew to 'save' her from all this, as he had the night her parents were married.
Looking at Drew beside her now, Melissa had a revelation of sorts. Drew was not the hero that she had imagined him to be, above human and subhuman events. He was, in essence, the same as she: a simple teenager trying to deal with what he had been dealt. Somehow seeing Drew as who he was, and not on the pedestal she had imagined him to be on, Melissa found herself wanting to cry.
'This isn't fair at all,' Melissa thought drearily. Drew looked over at her at that moment, and apparently saw the trouble in her eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile as he asked, "What's wrong, little Missy?"
"It all just seems so real, Drew," Melissa responded, tears welling up in her eyes against her will. "Don't be offended, but I wish we'd never even met. I wish I could wake up and be in bed at home, and all of this was a horrid dream. I've never felt so alone."
Drew smiled sadly and pulled Melissa into a hug without a word. Only when she had cried herself out, Drew spoke. His words were so soft that Melissa barely caught them, but they filled her with hope. "You're not alone, and someday everything will be better. I promise."
Melissa woke when the sun shone through her curtains. Looking around, she wondered how she ended up in her dorm room. The last thing she remembered was sitting with Drew, feeling very tired. 'Oh, no,' Melissa thought. 'I didn't fall asleep!' As her wonderings were confirmed, Melissa felt a blush creep up her neck into her cheeks. She didn't know why, but the thought of falling asleep with Drew embarrassed her.
She quickly showered and got dressed. Looking at the clock, she thought she was lucky to make breakfast. Although she didn't feel like going to classes she knew she had to keep up appearances. She almost missed the note folded on her nightstand as she hurried out. Picking it up, she opened it impatiently and recognized Vivian's writing.
Missy,
I have a free period 4th hour. Could you try to get out of your class?
Love,
Viv
Melissa quickly thought through her schedule. She had History of Magic fourth hour, and would gladly escape Professor Binn's endless monologues. She thought for a moment on how she could achieve this, and a smile broke across her face as she ran to the Great Hall.
Melissa ran in, and scanned the hall quickly before spotting Ginny at Gryffindor table. Melissa plopped down next to her 'twin', who looked up at her in surprise before smiling. Melissa caught Drew giving her a strange look but ignored it.
"Hey, Gin, I need a favor.."
Ginny Weasley looked around the History of Magic room nervously. 'I don't think this was a very good idea,' Ginny thought as she straightened Melissa's robes. Why she had agreed to go to Melissa's all Slytherin class for her, she didn't know. 'Hopefully they're all as dense as Ron, and will mistake me for Melissa.' That was their plan, after all.
"Ahem, Melissa?" Ginny jumped and turned around to see one of Melissa's close friends, Draco Malfoy. He was smirking evilly, and all Ginny could think was 'I'll never graduate with all the detentions I'm going to get!'. "Or shall I say Weasley?" He added in a low voice.
"Malfoy, please! Melissa asked me to, I usually don't break rules-" Ginny began in a soft, panicked voice. She stopped when she heard a laugh behind her. Behind her was a handsome boy she recognized as Drew Halothane, Melissa's fiancé.
"Go figure," Drew responded. "Leave it to Missy to get a poor, good little Gryff in trouble. Well, don't worry, kid. We won't tattle on you."
"No kidding, Missy'd kill you."
"It's probably Vivian's idea, anyways. We'd get them both in trouble."
"True enough. Why don't you go sit by Jake Mortson, Weasley. He and Missy get along, and don't worry, he's ok." When Draco saw her confused look, he added very quietly, "not a Death Eater, Weasley. He won't try to hex you."
Ginny looked over at Jake. He was a chaser on the Slytherin Quidditch team. She had never spoken to him, but some said he should have been in Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. With a short nod, she began to walk over to his table, accompanied by Drew.
Jake raised an eyebrow saying, "Where's Melissa."
"Skipping class," Drew responded. "She sent Weasley in her place, keep an eye on her, right?"
"Sure," Jake replied. "Take a seat, kid."
Drew wandered back to Draco, who had a smirk in place.
"Won't Missy and Viv be proud?" Draco asked.
"When did you turn matchmaker?" Drew teased.
"Ah, Jake's had a thing for Weasley for two years now. He's always staring at her when he should be getting the Quaffel. I figured it was time he made a move," Draco responded with a smirk. Lowering his voice, Draco added, "That's actually what Viv and I were planning. We knew Weasley had 4th period free, and we knew Missy would go to her."
"Are you serious? This is all some horridly elaborate matchmaking scheme?" Drew sniggered.
"What? Vivian was on the verge of being upset, and she likes matchmaking. You can handle crying girls, Drew, but I suck. I had to keep her from crying!"
In the Slytherin common room, Vivian went over the plan with Melissa. Melissa broke into a delighted smile exlclaiming, "That is so cute! A Slytherin and a Gryffindor!" Vivian laughed while opening a box of chocolates. They waited impatiently for Drew and Draco to return and tell them how things went.
"Well?" Vivian asked when they came into the room.
"I gave Jake off of practice next week so they can sneak out to dinner," Draco responded with a grin.
"Aww," Melissa and Vivian chorused.
"Yes, I am sweet," Draco replied.
The end of the term approached far to quickly for Melissa. It seemed as if the last month or so passed in only a matter of days. Before she seemed to know it, she was back at Severus' mansion. Vivian had come home with her as well, and they were frantically trying to prepare for the wedding.
"You're sure the Dark Lord won't come, Uncle Sev?" Vivian asked for the millionth time. Melissa laughed, Vivian had taken to calling her Professor 'Uncle' while living in his house. Severus looked up from the newspaper he was reading.
"Yes. May I ask why you are so jittery about the subject?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow. Although the Dark Lord had insisted on the marriages, he was by no mean a matrimonial man. He would rather rot alive than be caught at a ceremony.
"Because I want Hermione to be a bridesmaid, and it wouldn't do for him to show up."
"Won't that cause problems with your parents and the Malfoys?"
"They aren't coming," Vivian replied cheerfully. "Mrs. Malfoy hates me, and my parents are offended that Draco didn't ask their permission first. Plus, Missy's American friends are going to be in Missy's wedding."
"As long as they don't switch places again," Severus responded with a glare. He had heard about the 'elaborate matchmaking scheme', and hadn't approved of it at all. Melissa and Vivian didn't mind, though, because Ginny and Jake were still seeing one another.
"I don't think Jake would go for that," Melissa pointed out. Severus muttered something about his prized Slytherin students having bad taste in relationships, but the girls fortunately didn't hear. The clock struck 10, and the girls decided to go to sleep.
As they were washing up, Vivian said, "Know what, Missy?"
"What?"
"I'm getting married tomorrow!"
"That's so weird."
"I know. I should be terrified, but somehow I'm not. I know we're young, and didn't really choose this at all, but all the same I think it might work out. In fact, I intend to make it a beautiful marriage, just to spite Voldemort."
"Well, I'm terrified. You've known Draco for more than a year, at least. I feel as if Drew and I are complete strangers," Melissa responded as they climbed into their beds.
"Don't worry, Drew likes being a hero. He'll save you from whatever life throws," Vivian responded with a yawn.
"Yes, but he's also just a teenager. He can't save me from everything," Melissa voiced her own fears. "And what about kids? I don't want my kids to be raised to be servers of the Dark Lord."
"Who knows, maybe some miracle will happen," was all Vivian said as they fell asleep.
Draco and Vivian's wedding was small and quiet. Neither seemed to be nervous about making their vows, and didn't seem to worry about the future. After all, what was going to happen would happen. They simply would learn to cope with the trials as they came.
Again time decided that Melissa didn't deserve to be shown mercy. Before she could scream that it all was happening to fast, Vivian was helping her button her dress up. Looking back at Vivian, Melissa noticed that she seemed to be glowing in the joys of matrimonial life.
"All done," Vivian said with a grin. "You look so pretty, Missy."
"You too, Vivian. Are you sure you don't want to represent me in this?"
"I'm sure," Vivian said with a laugh. "You're not feeling sick anymore, are you?"
"No, just numb."
"I was a wreck just a week ago. Don't worry about it, you'll be fine," Vivian reassured her with a hug. "I'll go get Unlce Sev, and tell him we're all ready. Then I'll get your friends together and make sure they haven't pulled any horrid pranks. Then, well, you'll get married."
"Already?"
"Be nice to Drew. He wants to get this all over with."
"Fine, take his side."
Vivian rolled her eyes and went out in search of her best friend's uncle. Melissa put on a dab of the perfume her friends had given her for Christmas just as Severus swept into the room. He smiled when he saw Melissa looking quite terrified. He smiled at her, but she could not smile back.
"Nervous?"
"Would you be kind, Uncle Sev, and just kill me now?"
"Of course not. When have I been known for kindness?"
"True enough," Melissa said with a laugh.
"Time to go," Severus said after a minute, offering Melissa his arm.
"Ok, Uncle Sev."
Melissa had no idea how she managed to get to the front of the church, but suddenly she was standing before Drew. Drew's brother, Draco, Davey, and Drew's cousin were on one side of them, and Vivian, Angie, Libby, and Heather were on the other. As they came to the vows, Melissa was glad they had decided on traditional ones. She didn't think she would have remembered them if she wasn't repeating after the priest.
Much more quickly than Melissa had expected, the priest said, "You may now kiss the bride." Melissa realized with a start that this was her and Drew's first kiss. With her hands in Drew's, Melissa tilted her face towards his and accepted his gentle kiss. As they pulled apart, Drew smiled at her. Melissa knew that through the hard years before them, that smile and its owner would be what would hold her together, for better or for worse. She would hold to that moment, and not dwell on the ones that would tear them apart.
A/N: Well, can you believe it? Two updates in one week, and just the epilogue to go (which is currently in process). So: I'll take this moment to thank those of you who reviewed, I appreciate your input. Ahem, and you "update NOW"s..even if they didn't work, it's nice to know you're loved.