Chapter Four

Hermione awoke on the morning of her wedding dreading the entire day. She dragged herself out of bed and pulled on a simple dress and a pair of sandals. She combed out her long red-brown hair and curled the ends. Evelyn had told her that there was no point dressing up until they were at Malfoy Mansion. Narcissa had already told Evelyn that a large room would be set up for them to get Hermione ready.

When her parents greeted her at the bottom of the stairs, they both gave her hugs and went into the dining room for breakfast. Hermione felt that anything she ate was likely to come back up, so her plate went untouched. After her parents finished eating, they went upstairs and got dressed themselves, returning in their best clothes.

Hermione took three deep breaths before apparating to Malfoy Manor, and when she had stopped spinning through space, she looked at the large mansion towering over her. The formidable stone walls seemed to go on and on, stretching around the grounds in every direction possible. The lawns were landscaped with gardens and fountains, in between which curved pebbled paths. The large front doors loomed ahead of Hermione and her parents, and when they approached it, a butler opened the door.

The butler welcomed them into the high-ceilinged entrance hall and directed Alexander to the study where Lucius Malfoy was waiting. He then led Hermione and her mother up two wide stone staircases and along three gloomy hallways to a large pink room.

Narcissa Malfoy was standing just inside the door, wearing a pale green gown and a lot of jewelry. When she noticed all the gold and diamonds Mrs. Malfoy was wearing, Hermione touched her hand to the ring she wore on her finger, just to make sure that she hadn't forgotten it. Mrs. Malfoy greeted them politely, and then showed Hermione to the large bathroom.

Hermione took a bath in a bathtub that looked more like a pool, using the expensive lotions and soaps that she found next to the stack of towels. When she stepped out of the water and into a bathrobe, she felt as if a few of her worries had been washed away.

However, all them returned when she reentered the pink room to see her wedding gown and veil waiting for her. Her mother charmed her hair to perfection, and then Hermione was helped into her dress. After a few minutes of makeup application, she lifted her veil and looked in the mirror.

Seeing her reflection made Hermione's heart sink, but the two mothers were looking at her expectantly so she said quietly, "I suppose it's time."

They nodded and all three of them walked out of the room.

When they reached the bottom of the staircase, Hermione saw that the Malfoys' largest hall had been decorated and set for a large wedding. People were being seated in long rows of gold and white upholstered chairs, and flowers seemed to be everywhere. Before she could really look into the room where she was about to be married, her soon-to-be mother-in-law ushered her into a room just off of the entrance hall.

Once inside the fancy parlor, Narcissa gave Hermione some encouraging compliments on how gorgeous she looked, and then left Evelyn and Hermione alone. Hermione sank into a plush couch and tried to avoid her mother's eyes. However, Evelyn took Hermione's hand and smiled in a sad way at her.

"Hermione, I know you think that this is the worst thing in the world. I know, I remember feeling exactly like this before my wedding. Don't feel like this, dear. Soon you'll discover that Draco is a lovely man who'll be everything you ever wanted in life. I promise you, Hermione. We would not have given you to a man who you won't love. Trust me. You look beautiful and someday soon you will look back at your fear and laugh." Evelyn's eyes were bright with unshed tears, and when she stood up she smoothed her hair. "I'm so happy for you, Hermione. You'll have a life that others only dream of. Someday you'll come to your senses and love your husband as much as he loves you." She kissed her daughter on the cheek as they heard a soft knock on the door.

Alexander came through the large doors and smiled at his family. He kissed Evelyn on the cheek and she left the room to go to her seat. Alexander gave his daughter a reassuring smile and offered her his arm, which she slowly took in her hand.

He led her out of the room and to the doors of the Wedding Hall, where hundreds of heads were turned in their direction. He patted her hand softly and said quietly, "We love you, Hermione."

With that they started to walk down the carpeted aisle, stepping on perfumed rose petals and passing the silent guests. Hermione searched the crowd for a familiar face, but it seemed as if everyone at her wedding was a stranger. Her feet moved mechanically, as if she were a robot and had no control over what she was doing.

The nearer they moved to the end of the aisle, the more the urge to run was creeping into her. When it crept below her eyes and made them dart about desperately, her feet slowed to a stop. She felt Alexander's arm tense in her hand, and heard his soft voice telling her to keep moving. "Be brave," he whispered, giving her a small smile as if he knew what was happening inside her.

Hermione tried hard to fight the hazy feeling in her mind, but her brain was foggy and she barely knew what was happening. With a small tug on her arm from her father, Hermione's feet began to move again and she approached the end of the walk in a daze. When her father had stopped beside her, her feet halted once more and she turned to look at Alexander.

Her father lifted her veil and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. He stepped away and nodded his head at her, as if to say, You'll be fine. Then he left her, going to sit with Evelyn in the front row.

Hermione tried to keep her eyes on the smooth marble floor, but something pulled them up, making her gaze collide with the man standing in front of her. He was young, perhaps only a few years older than her, but he seemed to emanate power and elegance. The way his sleek dress robes fitted him, the way his white-blond hair swept onto his forehead almost casually, and his commanding presence, instantly made Hermione's mind dart to the name Malfoy. Without being told, she knew for certain that this was her fiancée.

'Why couldn't he be ugly?' thought Hermione as her eyes rose to his face. 'I could hate him much more if he weren't so handsome.' His pale skin looked creamy and smooth, and a small smirk curved his lips. His silvery eyes traveled over Hermione's body, his gaze lingering on the curves beneath her gown. The path his stare left made Hermione feel as if he could see through her wedding dress, and she shifted uncomfortably.

As if the world was moving in slow motion, Hermione saw Draco reach his hand out and lead her to the end of the aisle, where a man in glossy robes was waiting for them. Her knees started to shake, but she clamped them together and tried to listen to what the official was saying.

[Author's Note: So how was that? Good, I hope. This'll be a pretty short note, just asking you to review and come back for the next chapter. Chapter five is set at the reception, where Hermione and Draco dance and you find out which version of the vows they used. Oooh. Suspense! He he he. Until next time, CC.]