Here is chapter twelve ^_^ Thank you so much for reviewing! Complete thanks will be in an A/N after the last chapter. As usual, nothing here belongs to me. I haven't been to a wedding for ages and so I apologise for any mistakes. I also made up Hermione's middle name. If she really does have one, please let me know.
~ * ~
"Hermione! Owls for you!" called Ginny. Hermione appeared at the top of the stairs and ran down, slipping on a step half way down and falling down the rest of the way. At the bottom she held out her hand for the letter.
"Letters." She took them and looked at the writing on the front.
"Owls?" she asked, rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"Euphrates, Galileo and Pig," replied Ginny obediently. "Breakfast will be ready in five minutes." She headed into the kitchen.
Hermione stared at the letters in confusion. Euphrates was Draco's owl. Pig was Ron's, and Galileo was Cho's.
Why has Cho sent me an owl? Curiously, she opened that letter first.
Hermione.
I hope that you're currently getting ready for your wedding with a clear mind and a big smile. I just want to be sure that you have no more doubts, and that our conversation helped you make up your mind. I feel glad to have been able to help. If you have any more doubts, owl me before the service.
Good luck!
Cho.
Hermione smiled happily. Cho is a great friend. I'm glad we got over our scrap in the seventh year. I wonder if she still likes Harry?
This question in mind, she opened Ron's letter.
Hermione.
Just want to give you a little confidence boost. At the moment I feel like I did when Ginny got married. It's like you're another little sister. And I'll be the first in line to throw a punch if anything goes wrong.
Wait, that's not much of a confidence boost, is it? But I hope it made you laugh, or smile, or put down your book. I'm sure you'll look gorgeous. Go for it, 'Mione!
See you at the church!
Ron.
Hermione stared at the letter in disbelief, before smiling, and then laughing. Good old Ron. Always knows how to make me smile.
She now turned her attention to the letter from Draco.
Hermione.
Good morning love. I know we can't see each other until the wedding service, but I know that you are as beautiful as always. I hope that all your doubts have dispelled and that in a few hours you will make me the happiest and luckiest man alive.
That said, I remember my owl last night. I hope that you choose the person who will make you the happiest, and who will be able to give you what you need.
I live in the hope that it will be me, but Harry and I have settled our differences. We will all still be friends, even if he wins. It is now in your hands. My deepest apologies for throwing this on you, but I must know you are doing the right thing with the right person.
All my love, for all time.
Draco.
Hermione swooned as she read his beautiful words. He could make a simple 'good morning' into a wonderfully romantic gesture. His elegant writing made her heart skip a few beats, as always.
"Ginny, how is it possible for one man to turn a simple greeting into something so romantic it makes even me feel faint?" she asked Ginny smiled.
"Hermione, you've got a good one there. The best fish in the sea. Don't let go of the line." She levitated two plates over to the table.
Hermione smiled wearily, not bothering to correct Ginny's twist of the Muggle phrase. "I'm not hungry," she said instead.
"You are eating a proper meal today, my girl," insisted Ginny, setting the plate down. "And then you will go and bath and relax yourself. That is an order." She walked to the bottom of the stairs, and called Lavender, who was staying with them.
Hermione ate her breakfast, so deep in thought that she didn't notice the barn owl sitting on the table, watching her curiously. When it ruffled its feathers and made a small noise, she shrieked, jumping from the table in shock.
"Ginny! There's an owl on the table!" she yelled hysterically. Ginny smiled and re-entered, followed by Lavender.
"I know. She's yours." Ginny and Lavender sat down.
"She's a gift from all of the girls that were here last night. Call her an engagement present," said Lavender, starting to eat.
"What? She's mine?" Hermione stared at the owl wonderingly. "What's her name?"
"She doesn't have a name. But I'm pretty sure you can come up with a wonderful name for her," said Ginny. "Now name her and eat."
"Alright, don't fuss," said Hermione, deep in thought.
A name from Greek mythology would be good. After all, it needs to be an elegant name to match Euphrates. A name came into her head.
"Persephone," she said slowly. "That's her name."
"Nice name," commented Lavender. Ginny agreed, with her mouth full. She pointed at Hermione's food, and with a reluctant sigh, Hermione began to eat.
~ * ~
Draco let the water shower down on him, his eyes closed, his mind swirling with thoughts.
I hope Hermione chooses right. I love her so much. As long as she is happy, I don't think I mind who she marries. I'm so nervous. The rehearsal went awful. What happens if we mess up? What happens if I mess up? Hermione would never forgive me.
He eventually got out of the shower, and dried off. Throwing on a robe, he walked slowly to his room to get ready.
"Penny for them?" Neville was walking down the hall with a suit in his arms.
"For what?" asked Draco, confused.
"For your thoughts. Penny for your thoughts," explained Neville.
"Oh. I'm just nervous," he said with a half smile. "I'm hoping everything will go okay."
"What could go wrong?" asked Neville with a grin, walking past and heading downstairs. Draco walked to his room and leaned his head against the wall.
You have no idea.
~ * ~
Hermione sat patiently as her hair was pulled around by the stylist. Lavender and Ginny were in the room, as was Hermione's mother, looking wonderful in a pale green suit.
"Hermione, I can't believe you're getting married," she said for the fifth time. Hermione smiled.
"Neither can I, Mum. It's come so quickly. These past two weeks have flown by."
Ginny handed a small clip over to the stylist, who had almost finished. Once the clip was in place, she drew back.
"Oh Hermione," gasped Lavender. "You look amazing!"
Hermione smiled shyly. "I'd better get into my dress before my face is done," she said, ushering everyone out of her room. Once the door was shut, she turned to the dress.
"This is just so beautiful!" she sighed happily, taking it down. She slipped into it, feeling nervous. What if I look awful?
This thought vanished as she allowed everyone back into her room, and they all said nothing, simply staring, awestruck.
"Is it okay?" she asked quietly, breaking the silence. Ginny shook herself out of her daze first, and nodded emphatically.
"It's more than okay, 'Mione," she assured. Lavender nodded, and they sat down.
"You two had better get dressed too, so you can be ready at the same time," ordered Hermione's mother. The two left the room obediently.
"Hermione, please keep still," asked Lavender's make-up artist as the stylist left to do Lavender and Ginny's hair.
"Okay," said Hermione, tilting her face up. She closed her eyes when she was instructed to, and sat, lost in thought.
I still don't know who I'll choose. At least I don't have to worry about causing a feud. But, there's just one question in my mind. Who?
She opened her eyes for the make-up artist to finish off, and then stared in the mirror opposite.
"Oh Merlin," she whispered, awed. Her mother clasped her hands together in delight.
"Hermione, it's perfect! You look simply amazing!" she said happily. Ginny and Lavender re-entered the room, dressed and their hair styled, and stood, stunned, in the doorway.
"Enervate?" suggested Hermione weakly, wishing they would stop staring. Amazingly enough it worked.
"You are going to blow them all away," said Ginny as she sat down to have her make-up done. Lavender smiled happily.
"Hermione, today will be a day none of us will forget," she said cheerfully. Hermione nodded, fixing a smile on her face as a small tiara was placed on her head, the veil falling over her face.
You are so right.
~ * ~
Under an hour later, everyone was assembled at the church. Hermione was with Lavender and Ginny, waiting for the seating to finish. Her mother would be led to her seat by Ron, the best man. Her father would be giving her away, and was currently chatting to Ron outside.
"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Got them all?" asked Lavender, checking.
"The ring is old. The dress is new. The shoes are borrowed, the earrings blue,"
said Hermione obediently.
"Do you remember what to do?" asked Ginny, continuing the interrogation. Hermione turned to the window and sighed.
"Yes. I remember. Don't worry."
There was a knock on the door, and Harry entered, carrying three bouquets. "Ladies, your flowers have arrived," he said with a charming smile.
"I thought they weren't going to come in time!" said Lavender, taking her small bouquet of white roses. Ginny took hers, and Harry was left with the large bouquet.
"Hermione? Your flowers?"
Hermione turned to face Harry, and smiled at his shocked look. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly. He shook his head and held out the flowers.
"You look beautiful. So beautiful," he said. Lavender and Ginny giggled.
"Told you so, 'Mione. Everyone is impressed here,"
said Ginny with a nervous smile. Harry gave a charming smile.
"But Mrs Longbottom, Miss Brown, you look so wonderful yourselves," he said charmingly. "Could you remove your gorgeous selves from the room so I can have a word with Hermione?"
"I suppose so," said Lavender with a flattered smile. She escorted Ginny from the room, and Harry walked swiftly to Hermione.
"Harry," she said warningly. "Don't do anything at all. Just say your piece. I assume that is what you want to do."
"Yes. All I was going to do. I just want to tell you that it's your choice, and you have to choose who is right for you. I know what Draco can give you. I can give you so much more, 'Mione. That's why you have to give me a chance."
Hermione stared into his eyes, all the while thinking, Draco never said I had to choose him.
"Harry, I haven't made my choice yet." She turned away, biting her lip, before remembering she wasn't allowed to in case she smudged her lip gloss.
"I really do love you, Hermione. Please believe me." Harry hugged her gently. "Make up your mind today. You have no choice any more. You can't delay us much longer. We will know who you choose. I already know." He smiled confidently.
"Your time is running out. The clock is ticking, Hermione. Tick, tock," he whispered, and left the room.
"He has become so much like his father," sighed Hermione. She thought back over what he had said, and how the look in his eyes made her doubt him.
He said he loves me. So why is there guilt and sadness in his eyes? Does he feel guilty for putting me into this situation? Or, is it something else?
"Come on Hermione!" Hermione's father stood in the doorway. "Everyone is seated. It's time."
Hermione gave a brave smile and rearranged her bouquet, steadying herself. "I'm ready."
~ * ~
Draco stood nervously by the altar. Ron stood next to him, grinning proudly.
"Don't worry, mate. It'll be fine." Soft music was playing from the organ. When they turned around, everyone was standing and Ginny was walking calmly down the aisle. Her mass of red hair had been straightened and elegantly twisted up on top of her head. She was smiling happily.
When she was halfway up the aisle, Lavender entered, her blonde hair curled and twisted up in a similar manner. She walked as if she were in another show, and the thought of her posing and turning back flew through Draco's mind, causing him to smile.
"Here she comes!" whispered Ginny as she took her place, and the Wedding March played. Draco lifted his eyes to the door.
Hermione was led into the church by her father, drawing stunned gasps and happy sighs from the congregation. The veil added an air of mystery to her appearance. Her hair was curled and half was up, the rest curling over one shoulder.
She's so beautiful, thought Draco happily, his eyes looking over her dress, admiring everything about her. Sitting on her left hand, he noticed, was her engagement ring.
Please let this mean what I think it means, he prayed as Hermione walked past her mother, who gave a small sniff and lifted a tissue to her eyes.
"Take good care of her," whispered Hermione's father as they reached the altar. Draco took Hermione's hand.
"I will," he said truthfully, leading her to take her place.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered. Hermione smiled serenely.
"Thank you," she whispered back.
"Dearly beloved," said the priest loudly, opening his Bible and beginning the service. Hermione listened carefully; unlike she had in the rehearsal. But all the while, Harry's words echoed in her mind.
Time is running out. Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock.
"If anyone knows of a reason why these two may not legally wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." Hermione held her breath, noticing Draco's hand tighten on hers.
There was silence, and then the priest smiled and continued. Hermione let out an almost unnoticeable sigh of relief, and Draco comfortingly squeezed her hand. They reached what was, to Hermione, the most important part.
"Do you, Draco Malfoy, take Hermione Anne Granger to be your lawfully wed wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better and for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others until death do you part?"
Draco smiled at Hermione, staring into her eyes. "I do."
"And do you, Hermione Anne Granger, take Draco Malfoy to be your lawfully wed husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better and for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others until death do you part?"
Hermione's gaze took in everyone smiling proudly at them, some already sniffing and crying. Her eyes rested, for a brief moment, on Harry. She smiled at him, as if she was sorry, and then turned her gaze to Draco. Staring deep into his eyes, she smiled happily.
"I do."
~ * ~