The next day, Draco and Hermione decided that they would go to Hogwarts to get the rest of their stuff. They got ready and Hermione got Meeshca ready. They had to Apparate to Hogsmeade because, as we all know, you can't Apparate inside the Hogwarts grounds. Hermione had Meeshca tightly in her arms as she and Draco Apparated. They walked the rest of the way to Hogwarts and up to Dumbledore's office to let him know that they had come to retrieve the rest of their stuff. He had told them the password (which had been changed since they were there last). Before they had left, they told him that the wedding was moved up and asked him to tell any teachers that were asked. He nodded and bid them a good day
They walked up to the Gryffindor common room. It was lunch time, so everyone was in the Great Hall. They packed all their stuff and sat down in the common room to tell people about the wedding. They only had to wait a few minutes before people were coming in. They told everyone they needed to tell and then they left and went back home.
It was the day before the wedding. During the last two weeks, Hermione had decided that Kat and Bre would be her bridesmaids and she had told everyone about the wedding date being moved ahead.
Draco sat up in bed and stretched. He looked on the clock. It was only 6:30 and Hermione wouldn't be getting up for another hour when her alarm went off. He got out of bed and went in to check on Meeshca, who was still sleeping soundly. Then, without bothering to change, Draco went upstairs to the kitchen to make Hermione breakfast in bed.
He still had lots of time, so he got his own breakfast first. Then he made Hermione scrambled eggs, toast, a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice. He cleaned up any mess he had made and then placed Hermione's breakfast on a tray with a flower and brought it downstairs. When he walked in the room, Hermione was just sitting up.
"Morning," he said smiling. He walked over to the bed.
"Morning," she said. She then noticed the tray he was holding. "Is that for me?"
"My one and only," he answered, placing the tray in front of her. She smiled. Only Draco would do something like this for her.
"You are so sweet Draco. This is one of the reasons I am marrying you tomorrow." He kissed her cheek. She ate her breakfast. Meeshca started to cry. Draco went to get her. He picked her up out of her crib and she immediately began to coo and wiggling her arms (the cute way babies do).
Hermione smiled as he came back out. Meeshca looked so peaceful in his arms and he looked so content holding her.
"Do you have any plans for today?" Draco asked her.
"Well, I need to pick up the dresses and tuxes for tomorrow. Why? Did you have something you wanted to do?"
"No, I was just wondering."
"Oh, Draco, you do know that I won't be spending the night here right?" she asked.
"Huh? Why?" he asked in confusion.
"It's a Muggle tradition that the bride and groom do not see each other the morning of the wedding and if I spend the night here, you will end up seeing me. So I will be staying at Stevie's tonight."
"Oh," was his reply.
"Stevie will give me a ride here tomorrow."
"Ok, well, aren't Harry and Ron coming today? Dumbledore said that anyone going to the wedding tomorrow could have the day off to get ready and stuff," Draco said.
"Yeah, well, I won't be leaving until tonight anyway. So I'll see them."
They spent the rest of the day getting everything ready. The gang came over to help and Harry and Ron Apparated earlier (but not while the others were there).
About 5 that day, the gang went home and Hermione, Draco, Harry and Ron got out their wands and magiced all the decorations and made the backyard perfect. Around 10, Hermione got her stuff ready along with Meeshca, said goodnight to Draco and headed over to Stevie's. Draco was pacing the rec. room, praticing his wedding vows, since they decided to say their own. Neither Hermione nor Draco got very much sleep that night. They did get some sleep, just not very much. The morning of the wedding was very hectic for the both of them, but more so for Hermione.
When they finally gotten ready and Hermione looked perfect, Stevie drove Hermione to her house. Everything was set up in Hermione's backyard and everyone was in their positions. When Stevie dropped Hermione off, she walked outside and took her seat. Hermione walked to the kitchen where they would walk out from. As Hermione arrived, someone gave the pianist the cue and the music began. Everyone turned to face the kitchen door. Hermione's dress wasn't fancy. It was spaghetti strapped and floor length. Kat and Bre congratulated Hermione as she came in the kitchen.
They walked down the aisle as the wedding began. Hermione's dad linked her arm.
It was finally time. The moment had come at last; the moment she would never forget. The day she began Mrs. Hermione Malfoy.
As she walked up the aisle smiling, Draco was looked at her in awe. His princess was finally coming. He held back his strong urge to cry. This was the happiest moment of his life.
When Hermione got to the altar, she kissed her dad on the cheek. She stepped closer to Draco as a tear trickled down her cheek. He took both her hands in his as they faced each other and the ceremony began.
They went through the standard wedding procedure. It was then time for the vows. Draco was first. He squeezed Hermione's hands.
"Hermione, the first time I saw you, I was all butterflies, because not even the moonlight in the sky was a match for your eyes. And since then, I knew that you were the person for me. You personality, your beauty, your intelligence, everything about you is perfect in my eyes. I know it is said that no one is perfect, but you are. I wouldn't change a thing about you. I would do anything for you. You are my soul mate, my everything. You always will be. I love you Hermione," he said.
Another tear ran down Hermione's cheek before she began her wedding vows.
"Draco, I have to admit that the first time I saw you, I found you irresistible. But then, when you acted the way you did, I thought you were a slimy git, but I still had feelings for you. I was confused. I wasn't really sure exactly how I felt anymore. But when our lips locked in the dungeons that night, my feelings were sorted out. I love you Draco and I always will. I would do anything for you too. You are the most irresistible person I know. You could have any girl that you want, I'm just glad you chose me."
Then the minister spoke.
"Hermione, do you take Draco to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for better or for worst, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she smiled. He repeated the procedure for Draco.
"I do," he smiled. They place the rings on each other's fingers before the minister spoke again.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
And they did. After, they walked back down the aisle holding hands for the first time as husband and wife. Everyone then departed to Hermione's house. Since they only had a small wedding and there was only 30 or so people invited, they all fit nicely in Hermione's kitchen and living room. Hermione and Draco went around to shake everyone's hand. They sove the Weasley's for last. Mrs. Weasley pulled Hermione into a warm embrace.
"I am so happy for you both," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley. Did you enjoy the service?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, very much. It was beautiful! Where did you get the idea for a backyard wedding?" she asked.
"Umm...my cousin Stevie's had a backyard wedding."
"Hermione, I'm going to talk to Professor Snape," Draco said. Hermione nodded. Though neither of them would admit it at school, Serverus Snape was Draco's godfather. Draco walked off with no real intention to find Snape.
Before long, it was time for the meal. They had already set up for the meal the night before (with the help of magic of course). The platform that they used for the altar was now put in the center of the yard with small square tables around it. At the front of the table was a large rectangular table for the head table. It was just beginning to get dark as they all went out and took their seats. Hermione and Draco had went out 15 minutes earlier to magic the food on the tables: hot turkey dinner with white wine and an angel food cake for dessert. With some help from the light on Hermione's porch, the moon and stars lit up the yard perfectly.
At the head table, Hermione's dad stood up and raised his glass, "Draco, I'd like to welcome you into our family. I know you will treat Hermione right and I know you will be happy together. Congratulations!" he toasted them and everyone raised their glass and toasted them as well. Draco then stood up.
"Thank you Mr. Granger. Hermione, in our vows, I said you were my everything. I'd like to prove that to you," he said. Hermione smiled, though she was a little confused. Then, she heard music. Draco took her hand and sang "My Everything" by 98 degrees. When the song was over, she kissed him and everyone cheered. They then began their meal. Once everyone was finished, Hermione stood.
"Since Draco had sung for me, I think it's only far that I return the gesture." She cued the music and sang "Breath" by Jane French (Passions theme song). She sat down and Draco leaned in and kissed her, more passionately that she kissed him. Everyone cheered again.
Hermione's mum, who was the MC for the wedding, rose from her seat.
"I have a couple of congratulations to pass along before we begin the dance. From Aunt Maxine – Hermione, I hope you have a wonderful wedding. So sorry I couldn't be there. Lots of love. And from Uncle Tom – Hermione, sorry I couldn't be there on your special day. I send my love." Everyone cheered yet again.
"Now, let the dance begin with the traditional bride/groom dance," Hermione's mum said.
The music to "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain began as Draco took Hermione's hand and led her to the dance floor.
He slipped his arms around her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. As they danced, Draco thought about his mum and how much he wished she was here.
"I wish my mum was here," Draco said. "She'd be so proud."
"Wish granted," she said. Draco looked totally confused as Hermione nodded her head in the direction of the corner of her house. Draco looked where Hermione nodded her head and there was his mother, standing there. Solid. She wasn't a ghost, she was solid. He gasped, then looked at Hermione.
"How did you...?" was all he could say.
"Your mum will explain it to you in good time," was her only response. They continued the dance as Narcissa Malfoy smiled at Draco and Hermione. Everyone clapped when the song ended and Draco literally ran over to his mother and grabbed her and hugged her tight as tears began to flow uncontrollably down his cheeks. His mother wiped them away. Hermione's parents knew about Draco's "big surprise." Hermione's mother stood again.
"Now would the bride and her father, and the groom and his mother proceed to the dance floor please," her mother asked. Hermione's father took her hand and kissed is as Draco done the same to his mother fighting back the urge to cry again. Both men led the girls to the dance floor and danced to "Because You Love Me" by Celion Dion.
"Mum, not that I'm not happy that you're here but, how can you be here? I mean, you're dead."
"All in good time Draco. Enjoy your night, and just remember that I will always love you my little dragon," she smiled. Draco couldn't hold back his tears anymore.
"I've longed to hear you say that to me again. I missed you mum," he said as tears fell down his face. His mother took him in a warm embrace as the song ended. Hermione kissed her dad's cheek as Hermione's mum announced that anyone could now dance.
Draco led his mother to a table where they could talk. Hermione followed them.
"Mum, please tell me what's going on," Draco said.
"Well, Draco, the truth is, that I never really died. Didn't you wonder why you were never told where my grave was?"
"Of course I did. I fought with Dumbledore to tell me, but they wouldn't. But why did you pretend to be dead?"
"Because if I didn't, your father would have killed us both. Dumbledore had instructed me to fake my death until Voldemort was gone for sure. I had to disguise myself to ensure both of our safety. I did it to protect us," his mother said.
"But mum, Voldemort's been gone for a long time, and father's been in Azkaban for months. How come you didn't come out of hiding earlier?"
"Dumbledore felt it was best if I stayed in hiding for a while longer. There were still death eaters around and if they saw me, they would kill me to do your father proud," Narcissa said, matter-of-factly.
"But, couldn't you have at least told me you were still alive?" Draco asked.
"Too risky. Plus, Hermione thought it would be a nice surprise for you if I showed up tonight. You are lucky to have someone that would go to sure lengths to make you happy Draco," Narcissa said.
"Yeah I kn...wait, Hermione, you knew and didn't tell me?"
"Yes, I was sworn to secrecy by Dumbledore," Hermione said.
"Now Draco, don't be mad at Hermione, she couldn't tell you if she wanted to because Dumbledore placed a charm on her to prevent it," Narcissa said.
"Well, I'm just glad you are here mum," Draco said.
A/N: Another chapter done! Yay me again! Sorry this chapter was a little sappy and Draco is way OoC, but hey, if you thought your mother was dead and found out that she was really alive, you'd be happy too. If anyone is confused about the whole Narcissa thing, just send me a review and I will be happy to answer your questions.