Chapter 30
The kiss had sent an exultant feeling throughout Ginny's body. Her face was glowing and she felt safe and warm. She had an overwhelming feeling that she could do anything, concur the world even, if she wanted to. As her face stretched into a wide smile she heard her guardian angel's words repeat in her ear, "Follow your heart". Just for this once she would use someone else's advice. This was what was going on in Ginny's mind, that is until her brother questioned her.
"Would you mind telling me, Ginevra Weasley, what exactly is going on here?" Ron asked her, sounding strikingly like their mother. Her other brothers were standing behind him, ready to back him up, and she suddenly realized that there was no easy way out of this situation for her. She was trapped, cornered by five of her brothers. Percy seemed to be watching with interest from his seat, but wasn't going to intervene.
"Yes, please enlighten us," Fred said, placing an emphasis on the word please.
As she snapped out of her joyful pondering, she was faced with yet another problem- How was her family going to take the news? She imagined that her parents would be able to deal with it, but what about her brothers? They were already protective enough with any guy that she chose to date, even Harry, so what were they going to say about someone who came from a revolting family? It was Ron that she was especially worried about because he had hated Malfoy with a passion for years.
Well, if Malfoy could accept her for who she was and what family she came from, then Ron should be able to deal with the fact that Ginny wanted to be with Draco. Yes, it will be hard for him to handle at first, but he will get used to it.. he'll have to.
Out of her friends, the only ones who had opinions that truly mattered to her were Hermione and Harry. She had been close to them for several years, and she tended to lean to Hermione for advice with anything and everything. Judging from the way her best friend was reacting to the situation, Ginny figured that she was happy for her. She did tell her once that she would be her friend no matter who it was she was with, and this was comforting.
To the side of Ginny's hoard of brothers stood Harry. He looked confused, and she could very well understand why. The poor bloke had no idea what was going on behind the scenes, if you will, with this redhead. At the time she never thought the situation would escalade to this extreme, so it made sense not to tell him, but now she would have to give at least a miniscule explanation. That was the least she could do for her ex. She would have to talk to him later.
Her head turned to look at Ron once again as she began to wonder how to answer his question. She wanted to calm him down, but she knew that being honest would only incense him more. So would be sarcastic or coy, and so he really didn't leave her many options. No, not many at all.
"Uh..." she began, not sure what to say to her brother and trying not to anger him further. "Well... you see... this past month I have, erm, ran into Draco a couple times... and..." She looked from Ron to Draco, searching for an answer.
Draco walked up beside her and took the spotlight off of her with a calm and casual response to Ron's question. "Weasel-y," he corrected a little too late, remembering that Weasel was Ginny's brother and he had to at least pretend to be nice to him. That meant no name-calling. "As you saw I just admitted my feelings for your sister. What happens now is up to her."
Ginny, at hearing what Draco just said, looked up at him with a small smile. This seemed too good to be true, except for the whole angry brother part. Actually, correction, angry brothers. Draco was once again surprising her. This just goes to prove, you think you know someone, but you really have no idea. Plus the fact that it was 'up to her'. Draco had never left anything up to her before, what was this sudden change of attitude? She didn't care for the answer; she liked him better this way.
Unfortunately her brother did not have the same opinion on this blonde. "But why- how- when?" he stuttered. None of this was making any sense. Were they all mad? This couldn't be happening. No, it was all just a bad dream... a very bad dream. That's it; all he had to do was wake himself up. Damn it! It wasn't working, could this be actually happening?
"Ron, calm down," Hermione said soothingly to him. "Your sister likes Malfoy here, and I think that you should at least give him a chance."
His head that had been looking down shot up, he looked at his fiancé and replied, "But 'Mione, this is the same wanker that called you mudblood for years!" And he thought that Hermione was supposed to be the rational one.
Her brown eyes darted from Ron to Malfoy and back to Ron again. He certainly wasn't acting like the Malfoy she knew. "Are you sure?" she asked thoughtfully, and then added, "Either way, I trust Ginny's judgment and you should do the same."
"Fine," Ron groaned, giving up. There was not much he could do anyway, except use his given brotherly right of threatening Malfoy. Turning from Hermione he went up to Malfoy, slightly steaming, and at about ten inches from the blonde's face said under his breath, "If you hurt even one hair on my sister's head or break her heart then I promise you that I will personally see to it that you are castrated- with a spoon."
Bill laughed and then commented, "I think this would be a good time to mention that Ron never breaks his promises- and he isn't very forgiving."
"And we will be watching you," George warned.
Then Fred added, "So don't fuck up."
"You be good to our little sister," Charlie said to Draco demandingly. "She is the only one we have."
Draco stood there nodding his head, thinking about how much Ginny's brothers must really love her. He doubted Ron's castrating abilities, but that still certainly sounded painful. It was more the fact that there were five against one that got him, but that didn't matter because he wasn't planning on breaking Ginny's heart.
Ginny was glad that was finally over and out of the way. She hugged all of her brothers happily, and thanked Hermione for talking some sense into Ron. Her family was important to her and she wanted them to be happy for her. Now that situation was settled, the priest cleared his throat to remind everyone that this was still a wedding.
"Ahem," he said, looking particularly at Ginny.
"Sorry," she apologized, still a bit embarrassed that all of those people had to witness that. Actually, she was more than a bit embarrassed, but her happiness outweighed that. She felt like she had just conquered an army, and metaphorically speaking she had. Quickly everyone went back to their spots, and Ginny gave Draco a quick kiss, saying sweetly. "Go sit down, I'll see you after the wedding."
He nodded, wondering how long these weddings actually took, and walked to take a seat. He ended up sitting on the bride's side because the groom's side was full. Actually, it overflowed so that some of the Weasley relatives had to sit on the bride's side as well. In his rather uncomfortable seat, it was a wooden bench after all; he kept his eyes on Ginny.
"Now that there are no more objections," the priest stated. Ginny swore that when he said objections he turned a judging eye over to her. Then he continued, "Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life."
He began talking about love and marriage, and Ginny found herself drifting off. She saw an eager smile on her friend's face, and thought to herself that she would have never guessed this moment would have come about three years ago. Things sure change fast. On a more humorous note, she was surprised that Ron had made it this far without hyperventilating.
Finally the priest got to the vows. He turned to Ron and asked, "Ronald Weasley, do you take Hermione Granger to be your wife and promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"
Without thinking about it he replied, "I do."
Glancing over at the guests, Ginny saw a tear on her mother's face. Everyone looked so happy about this union, and why shouldn't they, Hermione and Ron were a great couple.
Then the priest turned to Hermione and asked, "Hermione Granger, do you take Ronald Weasley to be your husband and promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?"
Hermione smiled and predictably answered, "I do."
The priest seemed unmoved, and still irritated from the earlier disturbance. "Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage."
At this Harry, the best man, took the rings out of his pocket and handed them to Ron. Ron gave one to Hermione and held one in his right hand. As he slid it onto Hermione's ring finger he said, "I Ronald Weasley, take thee, Hermione Granger to be my wife- to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore."
Then Hermione took the ring she was holding and slid it on Ron's finger, with some difficulty, while saying, "I Hermione Granger, take thee Ronald Weasley, to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore."
Now that was done, the priest continued with, "Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other. "In so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Congratulations, you may kiss your bride."
Ron lifted Hermione's veil and put it over her head. They smiled at each other and then leaned in for a kiss. Afterwards everyone clapped and the priest pronounced, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."
After the ceremony, everyone left and met up at the reception hall where the reception was being held. It was decorated with white and pink balloons, along with white roses as the centerpiece at every table. Also at every table was an interesting Muggle item, what they call a disposable camera. Mr. Weasley immediately began to take one apart, finding that he couldn't put it back together once it was in pieces. Discouraged, he asked his new daughter-in-law why they used them, and she explained to him the reasoning behind it's being invented.
Dinner was first, but even before that was the toasting. Ron and Hermione, along with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, sat at the table in the front that faces all the other tables. Draco was sitting next to Ginny by her request, she was sure that he didn't want to sit at the children's table. On another side of the room was an open bar, there was a stage opposite the bar where they were going to have some live entertainment, and there was a dance floor in front of the stage. Everyone was seated and had two things in front of them, their dinner and a glass of champagne.
Traditionally it is the best man that gives the first toast, and therefore it was Harry who stood up and began tapping the side of his glass to get everyone's attention. The room quieted, and he began his toast. "You all know why we are here today, for the wedding of my two best friends," he gestured to the newlyweds. "And I am sure that this is only the beginning of many years of bickering," People started laughing at this comment. "And happiness for both of them. Congratulations."
With that he raised his glass and everyone followed, each taking a sip of their champagne. Then he sat down, people began chattering, and then it was Ginny's turn. She did the same thing, and stood up. Draco watched her as she began to speak. "Love is a funny thing," she started, thinking back to her and Draco as she spoke. "It sort of drops down on you when you least expect it to, and you end up finding yourself in love with someone that you would have never thought of.
"I have a poem that I found, which I think is appropriate for this occasion: Love knows no reasons, love knows no lies. Love defies all reasons, love has no eyes. But love is not blind, love sees but doesn't mind."
She turned and looked over at her brother and sister-in-law. "If anyone deserves to be happily married then it is you two. I wish you the best," Then she sat down again and Hermione commented on how touching her toast was.
"So," Draco said with a coy smile. "Is that how you feel about me?"
Ginny smiled back and replied, "You already know how I feel about you."
He raised his eyebrow and she kissed him, knowing full well that was what he wanted. Then she took another sip of her champagne and suddenly remembered something. Turning to him she said, "By the way, I have a question for you."
"Shoot," Draco replied, wondering what it could be about.
"Why did you have a picture of me and Harry?"
His face dropped and he responded, "Next question."
"Come on," Ginny insisted. "Why did you have that picture?"
He narrowed his eyes at her for a second and then finally answered. "My father had someone follow Potter around and take pictures, that happened to be one of them."
Ginny was not satisfied with her answer. "But why did you have it?"
"It was in the file with the rest of the information I took," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"So you wanted me to find it?" she asked.
"It wasn't the pictures that were important," he replied. They were running in circles with this topic. "It was the papers and you seemed to figure that out perfectly well on your own. Now can we put all of that behind us and move on?"
She pondered the question for a second, but then readily agreed. She was ready to move on, and now she wouldn't have to sit in her office and think about all of that for hours like she was doing before. Plus now she had the man, so basically everything was on her side. Ginny shook her head yes and then they began to eat.
After dinner was dancing, and Ron and Hermione danced their first dance as a married couple. Then the other couples joined in, and as they were sitting there watching Draco turned to Ginny, "Care for a dance?"
In her mind she was thinking 'not again', remembering back to the first time he had asked her that question. They had ended up kissing, and would have gone too far if Ginny hadn't stopped herself and left. Now she found it funny, and they went out onto the dance floor together. For two very different people they were well synchronized. Somewhere at about the fifth song the music stopped and an announcement came on. "It is time for the bouquet toss. Let's have all the single ladies out on the dance floor."
Ginny was going to go and sit down with Draco, but Fleur pulled her back onto the dance floor. Standing there she thought about how it should be Fleur who catches it, because she was surely the most likely person on this dance floor to get married soon. She was thinking this when the women around her began squealing and she looked up to see a bundle of white roses flying at her head.
Instinctively she caught it, in order to stop it from hitting her in the head, and then it was only after that she realized what had happened. Everyone began clapping for her, and she saw the smile on Hermione's face widen when she saw who caught the bouquet. She didn't think much of it, but all the other women were making a big deal out of it. Ginny was one who didn't believe in superstitions and doubted that she would be getting married any time soon.
Next it was all the single men who were called to the dance floor, and since Ginny had to go through the bouquet tossing she made Draco go out there for the garter tossing. He went out and stood there looking like he was bored out of his mind. Ginny began laughing at the irony of it all when she saw that it was Draco who caught the garter.
Finally, after all of the festivities were over the newlyweds took off in their limo. Ginny knew she wouldn't be seeing them for at least a week, and before they left she told them to enjoy their honeymoon. Now it was only Draco and her together, he was going to drop her off at the Grangers' later.
"I like this," she stated as they hugged.
"You like what?"
"Us."
He grinned and leaned in for another one of her sweet vanilla kisses. Yes, he could get used to this.
THE END... OR JUST THE BEGINNING?
WATCH OUT FOR THE SEQUEL ENTITLED THE TROUBLE WITH MARRYING YOUR ENEMY
A/N: Over 200 reviews! Anyway, the poem is a quote that I found on some quotes web page (I don't have the link), so no I didn't write it but I thought it fit so I added it in. I tried to tone down the fluffiness, but with stories like this there is bound to be at least some. I made this chapter longer then the others because for some reason I always forget that I have more to add, plus I needed to fill in the holes so all strings would be tied (too many metaphors in one sentence). Hope you liked the ending and will come back soon for the sequel!
REVIEW!
Taika- Yeah, lol, nothing like a little foreshadowing.
valentines-hater- Good. Me too, if we could all be so lucky as Ginny.
Dracosbaby7- Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Hannah- Thanks
numbluver- Will do
Draco & Ginny Forever- Glad you like it.
ArcticAngelzTx- I don't think I'd call it perfect, but thanks for the compliment. I know, I just love leaving cliffs. It's so much fun! -grins evilly-
GoldenFawkes- Yes, our beloved Draco is back in the picture.
Catmint- That he does. :-), glad you liked it. Thanks for pointing that out to me, I feel stupid now (spell check doesn't catch things like that).
MoonlightPrincess- Yes well Draco had a little, erm, 'soul searching' to do. Yes, it would suck if the wedding turned into a funeral, wouldn't it?
Everyone- Thanks for reviewing!
Oh, and one more thing, would anyone like to be my beta reader for the sequel? If so then leave your e-mail address so I can e-mail you the first chapter once I write it. I only need one, so the first person to offer will become my new beta reader. Thanks :-)
And I promised a summary of the sequel, so here it is:
The Trouble With Marrying Your Enemy
"Ay me! For aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth."
-A Midsummer Night's Dream
Sequel to The Search For an Undercover Scoop, taking place one year later. Draco proposes to Ginny and she accepts, but how will others react to the news? Pandemonium ensues as people strive to thwart the union between the two former enemies, including the reappearance of Ginny's arch nemesis Cho Chang.