Chapter 21: Your Lady Loves You
As a young girl, Hermione was fond of playing out her wedding in her imagination. She had imagined wearing a beautiful, white gown and walking down the aisle of a packed church festooned with orange blossom. There would be a pipe-organ playing and a choir to sing hymns. After that, she would have a small reception, in the park – or perhaps, in a fashionable hotel.
On many occasions, the imaginary groom had been Viktor Krum. After she had broken up with him, she had sometimes pictured Ron, or Seamus Finnegan in the role.
She felt someone take her hand from her lap and hold it tightly. She looked up into the eyes of her groom-to-be.
He wasn't Viktor Krum, Ronald Weasley, or Seamus Finnegan.
He was Draco Malfoy.
There was no white gown or orange blossom. There was no organ or choir. She wore her plainest clothes – a dark, gray gown – and she and Draco were all alone in the darkened church.
Draco looked very calm. She got that strange feeling that he was in total control again and just at that moment, it felt good to be looked after. She rested her head against his shoulder and felt him stroke her hair.
They hadn't spoken much since they had met for the first time in a week five minutes earlier. Both didn't know what to say – what had started out as a summer romance, had suddenly turned into something far more serious than they had imagined possible. Her mother was convinced that she was in love with Draco- and that was what had turned her fay blood human. But Hermione knew that her mother did not have the whole story. She wasn't the changeling her mother knew. Wherever that changeling had gone, Hermione's Thyme Eliminus had stuck her in its place.
With Draco.
And they had always hated each other.
Sure, they got along much better now, but did Draco even know what he was doing by proposing to her?
Did she agree out of desperation to escape from this place?
But no…surely Draco must know. And surely she was not just blindly agreeing…after all, hadn't there been kisses, and roses, and a very special Midsummer's Dream? Are we destined to play this part? Was destiny writ before the start?
All too soon, time was up.
Father Lorenzo finished donning his robes and emerged from the sacristy carrying his bible. Behind him, Hermione saw her mother and nursemaid emerge as well.
The church was lit only by the light of the altar candles, and Hermione let Draco lead her up the dark aisle to the front. He released her hands and they stood, face to face. She felt by turns warm and cool – one minute, there was a mad excitement in her, the next a chilling feeling of uncertainty. Why this madness, this strange desire? Wherefore this unearthly fire? She closed her eyes to calm her feelings for a second – she felt dizzy and lightheaded, like she had during the Potions NEWT. What was happening to her again?
"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." said the priest.
Everyone gathered there, except Draco, automatically made the sign of the cross.
As soon as the blessing passed the priest's lips, Hermione felt the dizziness leave her. Once again, she felt like herself, and gave her full attention to the ceremony.
"Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum."
"Amen" said the gathering, including Draco.
"Who gives this woman in holy matrimony?"
"I do," said Hermione's mother.
"Are there two witnesses present?"
"There are" said her mother and her nurse.
"Then let us begin…Draco Malfoy, do you take Hermione Granger, here present, for your lawful wife, according to the rite of our holy Mother, the Church?"
Hermione heard the priest's words float in from faraway, like a radio playing from the opposite side of the room. She could hardly believe this was happening. It seemed the whole world had receeded into distant memory – Hogwarts, the future, even the past, floated away from her leaving standing alone on the cold stone floor of a deserted church.
Draco's voice cut through the mists of isolation around her. She heard his voice say, strongly, "I do."
"Hermione Granger, do you take Draco Malfoy, here present, for your lawful husband, according to the rite of our holy Mother, the Church?"
Draco's felt his heart skip a beat in the moment before Hermione answered, "I do."
"Then join hands and repeat after me, you first lad…I, Draco Malfoy,"
"I, Draco Malfoy…"
"take you, Hermione Granger,"
"take you, Hermione Granger,"
"to be my wife and I espouse you;"
"to be my wife and I espouse you;"
"and I commit to you the fidelity and loyalty of my body and my possessions;"
"and I commit to you the fidelity and loyalty of my body and my possessions;"
"and I will keep you in health and sickness"
"and I will keep you in health and sickness"
"and in any condition it please our Lord that you should have,"
"and in any condition it please our Lord that you should have,"
"nor for worse or for better will I change towards you"
"nor for worse or for better will I change towards you
"till death do us part."
"till death do us part."
Draco's voice did not falter. He looked steadily into Hermione's eyes and willed that she could hear his thoughts. I know this is sudden, and you're scared, Hermione. I mean to keep my vows.
Father Lorenzo nodded and turned to Hermione.
"Mistress Hermione, repeat after me. I, Hermione Granger…"
Father Lorenzo paused and waited for Hermione to repeat the words. But all that followed was silence.
Kisses, roses, a midsummer dream…things are not always as they seem. Suddenly, the bride leaned forward and buried her head in the groom's shoulder. The couple held each other tightly.
Oh come on Hermione, Draco thought, Don't back out now!
"I love you" he murmured to her, as he felt her start to shake. "Everything will be all right."
Suddenly, Draco felt the hairs begin to stand on the back of his neck. He felt as if someone was watching him. And, by the gods, what was that smell? And doesn't anyone else smell it?Roses! I can smell roses!
As Draco held Hermione tightly to his chest, he shivered as he thought he heard a whisper in the air…
We wove everything, round and round,
But your lady loves you on her own.
"Draco…" whispered Hermione, looking up at him with tears in her eyes, "I, Hermione Granger…"
****************************************
After the ceremony, Draco and Hermione Malfoy signed their names in the parish record book, and Lady Katherine Granger and Mary Ludlow witnessed it. Father Lorenzo shut the book and placed it aside.
On the fourth finger of Draco's left hand was a gold ring, set with rubies. It was given to Hermione by her mother to use as a wedding ring. Lady Granger had offered to give Draco a wedding ring as well, but Draco had refused the offer. Draco was insistent that he provide his bride with a wedding band through his own means. That was how it came to be that on Hermione's left ring finger rested a gold band set with emeralds. It had the letter "M" inscribed on it entwined with snakes.
"Goodbye, mother" said Hermione, her eyes shining with tears. "I don't know how to thank you."
Hermione's mother was crying as well. "You don't have to thank me. I am your mother." The two ladies kissed and embraced.
"Good bye Mary."
Mary heaved an enormous sob and flung her arms around Hermione. "You be careful, Hermione! I wish you luck and lots of lots of beautiful children. And think of your old Mary sometimes, won't you?"
Hermione promised with fervour.
"Thank you, Lady Granger. I will look after your daughter well." said Draco, kissing her ladyship's hand.
"I know you will." Lady Granger said. She handed Draco a soft leather pouch. "Take this money, my son. Go far away from here, get out of Mildenstowe by tonight. Hermione's old nurse Mary Culdon lives in Aldeburgh, I know she will shelter you there."
Draco nodded and pocketed the money. He was wearing better clothes for the wedding- He had managed to borrow a clean suit for himself from Thomas who was around his size. From the way Thomas had given him the suit, Draco knew that he didn't expect it back. "For ye weddin'" Thomas had said, thumping him on the back. "'I'll not be needin' it. Tis the least I could do – for a friend."
Father Lorenzo also gave his blessing to the newlyweds. He handed Hermione a slip of parchment.
"There was no time to read it at your wedding. It gives the advice I would have given to you had it been a full mass. It is a passage you and I have studied together, but I believe it will hold more meaning for you now."
Hermione nodded and handed the parchment to Draco, her husband, who put it away with the money pouch.
My husband she thought.
"You take good care of her, hear?" Mary said, glaring at Draco. "I looked after her for eighteen years, though she's a handful, she's worth every bit of it, I tell you."
"Yes, I know." Draco grinned.
Lady Granger laughed through her tears, Father Lorenzo gave Hermione a final kiss on the cheek, and Mary waved goodbye.
Draco and Hermione Malfoy slipped out of the chapel and ran to the side-gates.
The last thing Hermione remembered about the manor, was the clang of metal behind her.
***********************************
Thankfully, there was a full moon that night which made traveling easier.
"Well, Hermione…which route shall we take?" asked Draco, gently, after they had walked some miles toward the town of Mildenstowe.
"Aldeburgh is fifty miles north." Hermione said. "One day by a swift horse, three days by foot. We need a horse."
Draco jangled the gold guineas in his pouch. "I think we can arrange that." He wasn't used to having money again. It had been far too long since his purse was full. "There is an inn in Mildenstowe. They have horses there- we could buy or rent one for the journey, I'm sure."
Hermione nodded, drawing her traveling cloak closer around herself. Summer was nearly at an end and it was chilly. She also hadn't eaten much for five days, and felt dizzy, but she was determined not to let on that she felt weak. She earnestly wanted to get out of Mildenstowe before her father found out in the morning.
Draco squeezed Hermione's hand, warming it in his own. Her fingers were icy. Draco realized that although they were together again, this was so unlike the warm summer evenings spent by Flinders Wood. They hadn't a care in the world then, there had been laughter and much talk. But now his new wife was silent and frightened, and they were both on the run.
Hermione wanted to stop and put her arms around Draco. There had been no time for such affections either before or after the rushed wedding. Although at the moment he had taken his vow, she was sure he loved her, it was almost too much for her to believe that she was now Mrs Draco Malfoy. Love, she could handle. The responsibility of being a wife, was frightening.
A few weeks earlier, they had crossed this field laughing and singing a song about a white cow. The sun was high above them, and they looked forward to a day at the fair. Now, they hurried across the field, not wasting time for talk, not feeling in the mood for laughter, without knowing what lay ahead of them.
Hermione focused on Draco's hand pulling her along. She was glad he seemed so in control, because the stress of the last few days had worn her out. The town was not far, they covered the mile in half an hour and found themselves at the inn.
"We need a horse" said Draco, to the sleepy innkeeper who answered his knock on the door.
"A horse? At this time of night?"
"We have just received news that my wife's mother is very sick in Aldeburgh. We must make it in time."
The innkeeper looked sympathetic. "Aye, well then, do you have a gold piece?"
Draco nodded and placed the coin in the man's hand.
"Follow me," said the innkeeper, letting them through the inn to the stableyard behind. Hermione followed Draco and the innkeeper to choose a horse. The innkeeper opened the stall of a dappled grey.
"This is Ben. 'Es a good horse, and will carry ye to Aldeburgh in a day."
Draco looked appraisingly at the horse. He had had many horses back in Malfoy Manor and loved to ride. He ran his hand along the side of the horse- the flank and shoulders were muscular, showing that this was a well-exercised horse. He watched carefully as the innkeeper led the horse out of the stall. Ben showed no sign of lameness or hoof-rot.
"I-I don't know how to ride" whispered Hermione to Draco.
"I'll hold on to you" he whispered back. "It's not that hard."
The innkeeper finished saddling the horse and Draco took the reins from him.
"You leave 'ol Ben with Crunther at the Bull's Head, eh?" said the innkeeper. "You tell'im Salter sends his greetings."
Draco nimbly swung himself onto the horse. He then turned to Hermione. "Step up to the mounting block. Put one leg in the stirrup and slide yourself onto the back of the horse. Mr Salter is holding the horse for you and I'm right behind you."
Gritting her teeth, Hermione did as she was told. This wasn't as hard as riding a Thestral. At least she could see the horse, and there was a saddle. She found herself a long, long, way from the ground.
Hermione felt immediately safer when she felt Draco's arms around her. She was finally seated comfortably, side-saddle, in front of him.
"Hang on." He said to her, and kicked in his heels.
And they were off.
It was much more uncomfortable than she imagined. Thestrals had been much smoother. This horse jiggled up and down, and already, she was beginning to feel sore.
"Relax" said Draco, who looked completely at home in the rider's seat. "You are tensing too much. If you relax and go with the motion of the horse, it will be more comfortable."
Hermione relaxed a fraction of an inch. It did feel better. She hung onto Draco's neck and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Comfortable, Hermione?"
"All right, Draco." She said, quietly.
Draco breathed in the spicy scent of her hair. For the first time that night, he allowed himself to relax. I have a wife, he told himself, and smiled. Hermione is my wife. He urged Ben to a slightly faster trot and felt Hermione's arms tighten around him. He didn't know how he was going to explain everything to everyone back in the future. He would be considered as having broken a wizard's engagement and have to sign away half his fortune to the Zabinis. Not to mention that he would probably also be cast out of Pureblood society for marrying a muggleborn. And yet, all that didn't seem to matter very much anymore! Were blood differences really such a big deal back in his time? Had he really been so prejudiced against muggleborns and half-bloods? It all seemed like a dream… which if he tried too hard to remember, would maddeningly slip away from him.
Hermione stirred against him and he felt her breathing even out. He knew she was dozing in his arms. My muggleborn wife, he thought, as he kissed the top of her head. What does blood matter when you can make me feel this way?
After many hours, Draco finally felt himself begin to tire. Dawn was breaking which meant they had to have been riding nearly six hours. He felt Ben begin to strain. It was time to take a rest. He started looking out for possible places and saw that they were nearing a small copse which looked secluded enough to conceal them.
Draco turned the horse toward the trees and whispered to Hermione, "Hey, wake up. We're taking a break."
"Are we there?" asked Hermione, sleepily.
"No, but we've covered a lot of distance. The horse is tired, as am I."
Hermione opened her eyes and found her head pressed against the soft material of Draco's shirt. She breathed in his familiar scent and lifted her face to his.
"Good morning, Mrs Malfoy" he said, letting go of the reins with one hand and running his fingers through her hair. Hermione smiled, and he saw some of her old spirit enter her eyes. "You need to shave" she said, kissing his chin.
Draco took this as encouragement. Ben was forced to stand still as the two riders on his back engaged in some serious kissing. Finally, he stamped his foot impatiently and snorted.
"I think Ben's thirsty" said Draco, as he helped Hermione off the horse.
"Me too" she said, and stretched. "I had a good sleep."
Draco felt his eyes beginning to close as he handed Hermione his flask of water. "Unlike me," he said, and yawned.
"Here, Ben" Hermione led the horse to a puddle, where Ben began to drink thirstily. She patted him. "Good horse. Thanks for the ride."
"So, d'you like riding?" asked Draco, settling himself under a tree.
"It's all right," Hermione said, sitting down next her husband. "And you're a good rider."
"There're lots of horses back in Malfoy Manor. I learned to ride when I was six. I'll teach you when we get back…" his voice trailed off.
She watched as the pale light of dawn crept softly over his fine features. His silver-blonde hair flopped gently into his eyes and she reached out to touch it. She looked appreciatively at his muscular chest, extremely toned from years of Quidditch and the last few months of hard labour.
Tentatively, she stared at her wedding ring. She knew how much that ring meant to him. Even if it was only a temporary wedding ring till they got back, she knew it had meant a great deal to him to give it to her. And despite everything that he had found hard to accept about her, he had found strength in himself to change his beliefs and marry her. Well, who would have expected the Slytherin had it in him?
You said you loved me. Then why am I still unsure?
As the morning sun broke through the hazy October sky and lit Draco with its warm glow, Hermione felt an urgent need to be close to her husband.
"Draco, don't go to sleep yet." she murmured, stroking his cheek.
Draco opened his eyes and saw Hermione smiling at him. His new wife bent to kiss him and he watched in wonder as she began to loosen the ties at the back of her dress. The air was full of the sweet smell of roses again, just like it had been in the church…this time it didn't frighten him. As her dress fell away from her, leaving her shoulders bare, Draco felt heat rush through him. Hermione didn't stop there. Quickly, her fingers undid the stays at the back of her corset and she shrugged it off.
She was every bit as gorgeous as he remembered. No, more so. His eyes clung hungrily to every inch of her bare skin, feeding his body with the most delicious urges. Hermione didn't flinch under his gaze, she looked a bit shy, but there was a hint of eagerness about her.
"I love you too" Hermione said, as she felt Draco wrap his arms around her, and pull her to the ground.