Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter.
Author's Note- This chapter is a little corny, I'll just come straight out and say it. I happen to like it though. I love reviews so thank you! This one chapter is rather long because school starts again tomorrow and I won't be able to just sit and star at the computer screen anymore. Enjoy Chapitre Sept!
Chapter 7
Ten minutes later the ringing of a little bell was heard throughout 'That Perfect Day' a fancy dress shop off of the main street in Hogsmeade. A short and squat lady rushed through the rows of dresses to greet the three students. She gave them a quick glare, figuring that they were skipping school, and began to walk away when Hermione cleared her throat. The little woman turned to look at them and sniffed. This caught Hermione's attention and she studied the little woman's nose which was five sizes to small for her face.
"Shouldn't you children be in school?" The woman said haughtily. Draco started to open his mouth and Hermione glared at him, hard.
"We have permission Madame. I was wonder—"
"Permission from who?" The lady raised her thumbtack of a nose up in the air.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Ma'am."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to. We do need robes though."
"Why are you still here?"
"Please, ma'am. We have permission to be here. We just want to find some robes. We aren't trying to cause any trouble."
"Dumbledore never allows his students to come down to Hogsmeade on a Friday, especially during the day. You would be missing classes. Take your student bodies out of my shop immediately, troublemakers." Draco was beginning to worry. Hermione was starting to glow. The woman had her face raised so high in the air he was sure that she didn't see the shine. He jumped in before the little woman could say something that would really infuriate Hermione.
"Ma'am, this is the fanciest robe shop in Hogsmeade. In fact, it's the only shop in Hogsmeade that sells quality wedding robes. We need you to help us find—"
"Who are you to think you can talk back to me!"
"Do you know who I am?"
"I don't know nor do I care. Now if you could please leave." The woman pointed to the door and Draco went to pull Millicent and Hermione out of the store. He reached towards Millicent only to find her staring at the shining Hermione. She looked afraid. He looked down and realized he was slightly glowing too. 'Not again' he thought.
"I will ask you once more to leave my shop" The little woman was not even looking at them. She had turned her back on the keeper and Draco knew that this would lead to an outburst. He turned to Hermione, not wanting to start a fight.
"Face me." Hermione barked. The woman began to walk away. Draco rubbed his temple when he felt a pull from Hermione. She was calling to him to calm her down. He walked over to her and stood beside her. 'I will give her one more chance' Hermione said to Draco.
'It's not worth it!' he replied.
'I don't understand why I am feeling this way. I need to make her realize she can't walk over people.' Draco nodded and then gasped when he realized Hermione's mouth had never moved.
'She can read my thoughts!' He thought to himself.
'It is only when I am in my element. How do you think Dumbledore knew what I meant in the Great Hall that day?' she replied. 'This lady, she must turn to us now. Say something to her. I don't want to get mad. I don't want to do something drastic.'
"Ma'am. It is imperative that you turn around." The woman kept walking. Then all of a sudden he watched her turn around. He sighed in relief and looked over at Hermione who, he realized, had her arm in the air. She was motioning for the woman to come back to them. The woman's eyes were as wide as watermelons as she approached them again.
"I don't know who you think you---"
"My name," Hermione replied steadily, her voice laced with resentment and power, "is Hermione Granger. I need a dress for my wedding."
"Leave." The woman responded. She sounded strong, Draco realized, but fear was sparkling clearly in her eyes. Draco put his hand on Hermione and felt her relax slightly. Hermione placed the scared woman down.
"I can barely control my emotions when I am in this state and right now you are pushing my limitations." She quipped. She began to look worried, and thought quickly to Draco, 'I'm losing it Draco. Help me!"
Draco began, "I have permission from Dumbledore to be here, as do these two." He nodded at Hermione and Millicent, "She needs a wedding dress because she is marrying me. Do not test her boundaries again and do not disrespect me or any one else. They do not deserve your attitude." Hermione took a calming breath.
"Please remember that we are all people and that we may be just as good as you. Hatred comes with a price that people do not realize is there. Often they do not know about it until to late. Don't make the mistake of becoming one of these people. Now, we wish to be helped." The woman still looked suspicious. (if not afraid)
Draco, sensing her doubt and fear, began to speak to her. He was muttering and mumbling and the woman was being lulled into a trance, a stupor, and Draco knew this. He was feeling confident and kept speaking. Hermione and Millicent were watching him curiously and he didn't miss Millicent's snickers. His voice was beginning to send her into a spellbound daze too. Hermione was simply smiling, her glow beginning to dim while she poked Millicent in the side to keep her awake. "Madame," Draco spoke, "Now's a good time to help us."
The woman nodded calmly, a smile starting to grace her features as she backed away, heading towards the dressing rooms. Hermione's glow had almost completely vanished and Draco's had just begun to faint. Hermione, when back to her normal state, leaned against the door. "It's very tiring to be like that." She said matter-of- factly to the room. Draco agreed with an indistinct smile. Millicent looked at her, curious.
"You guys can't control that?"
"Not really." Draco replied. Hermione agreed.
"When I am experiencing a lot of an emotion, it seems, I start to glow and then I focus on one thing. Usually it's the person causing the emotion. It's only happened twice, so I don't know what it really means. When Malfoy here touches me, though, I start to relax and take in my surroundings. It's all rather weird." Millicent grinned as two witches entered the room. They walked towards the trio at the front of the store and, one nodding to Draco and the other nodding to the two girls, walked off. Draco, Hermione and Millicent followed them to the back obediently.
For the next three hours Hermione and Millicent poured over books of dresses. Millicent seemed to fancy every dress that was low cut, strapless and slinky while Hermione gaped in horror at them. ("Mil! I'd fall right out of that thing!") Millicent began to get exasperated ("Hermione, if you ever ask me to go shopping with you again please avada me.) Hermione was becoming cranky ("Just because I don't want to look like some woman selling herself on the street…") and Millicent had had it up to her ears with Hermione's snarky comments. ("Good heaven's Minee! You'd think this was brain surgery. Just pick a dress out that you find suitable and let's go!") Both were just about to give up… ("I swear one more comment from your mouth about what I like…" "You can't possibly want to see me in a dress like that…") when they found the perfect dress.
"This is it!"
The three students emerged from the shop wearily three hours later all. They dragged themselves over to the carriage to head back to the school.
The carriage ride back to Hogwarts proved to be a breeding ground for arguments. Hermione had asked what Draco had done the whole time. He had sneered at her and explained that even though he was 'effeminate,' as she so nicely put it, he only needed an hour at most to get fitted for a tux. Hermione then asked him if he went out and gotten that lingerie he had been ogling. This produced snarls.
For the next five minutes the carriage had been quiet and than Draco wondered aloud about Hermione's temper in the store. Hermione had immediately gone defensive, "I'm not bloody perfect you know. When Merlin chose me he must have known I had a quick temper. Right now I'm about to smack that smirk off your face, to prove it's true." Draco leered at her.
"Yeah since you about sent that woman to her grave in fear." Hermione's face immediately lost its color.
"I didn't mean to! I was just stressed out and tired. I didn't want to hurt her! I would have just as quickly left the store! I'm not used to controlling my emotions. I wanted to apologize. I did. You calmed her down too. At least you are good for something."
"You almost had her in tears! I couldn't help it either, I needed to calm her. This must be some bloody assistant- of - keeper thing. I have to take on your guilt because it washed over me. You're ruining everything I've worked for like my reputation and friends, you scared that woman and now you want pity. Just leave me alone Granger." Hermione looked stricken and Millicent wisely edged out of the heart-to- heart.
After this, they all stared out the windows and, when finally arriving at the school, hopped out and headed to the great hall for dinner. Draco almost didn't hear the apology Hermione quietly gave him as she sashayed past.
The next week passed quickly with little pain involved. Hermione and Draco had simply completed their work and hung out with their friends. Harry and Ron had found it very disconcerting that Draco was always within a few feet of them. Hermione hadn't cared. It was the last week she was going to spend with Harry and Ron as Hermione Granger and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.
Now, it was 7:00 the next Sunday morning and a persistent Ginny was shaking her awake. "HERMIONE! Get up! Come on…." Hermione cracked an eye open.
"Go away."
"Ahh… the monster awakes! Let's go… Shower time for you!" Hermione grumbled as she climbed out of her bed and trekked to the bathroom. "You have 30 minutes Minee and then, so help me, I'll come in and carry you out, naked or not." Hermione coughed her approval of Ginny's methods and started to shut the door when she felt the familiar pain.
"Darn everything." She cursed as she slowly made her way back out of the bathroom. "Ginny, I can't go. This stupid I can't be away from the Malfoy ferret pain thing. I'm afraid I might pass out, yes, it hurts that bad. It wouldn't be this bad if we hadn't gotten in that argument over Harry and Ron last night. Go get them and tell them to go get Draco. He can use the guys' rooms to change. I'll kick them all out." Ginny nodded and ran to get Harry and Ron, who grumpily agreed.
Hermione padded across the floor to the bathroom and showered quickly. She toweled herself off and walked back into the room wearing her robe. Ginny threw Hermione a pair of white panties, a white strapless bra and some accessories that Hermione had no idea what to do with. She stared helplessly at the items of clothing and after slipping on the bra and panty set walked out to Ginny holding the… things… uncertainly.
Ginny sighed, Hermione was absolutely hopeless! But no matter, for now, Hermione had them, the real dream team, and they were going to deck her out.
Operation Finally-Get-Hermione-To-Put-On- Make-up was about to commence.
Parvati and Lavender threw the door open excitedly, smiling a mile a minute. As soon as the door clicked shut the three girls threw themselves into action.
Parvati sat Hermione in a chair by a mirror and began to knead her fingers through her thick hair. 'Let the taming begin!' Parvati thought excitedly as she began to whip out her many hair products.
Forty-five minutes later Hermione was whisked across the room to Ginny who, excitedly, added make-up here and there, keeping it natural looking for Hermione's sake. She was thrown across the room to Lavender thirty minutes later for her clothes and accessories.
Lavender whipped the robe off Hermione and grabbed the accessories Hermione had been holding uncertainly before.
Lavender smiled appreciatively and started to dress Hermione in thigh high stockings and sexy little garments that made her feel good. Lavender put accessories together and had Hermione dazzled up in twenty minutes time.
Ginny, Parvati and Lavender rushed over to the closet to retrieve Hermione's dress and shoes, and when Ginny pulled open the door a collective gasp could be heard by Hermione. This didn't help to ease the tension in her stomach, but she took deep breaths and began to calm herself.
After ten minutes of dressing Hermione the three girls admired their work. They were speechless as they looked at her. She, on the other hand, was glancing nervously back and forth between the girls. "Can I look?" She asked tentatively. A simultaneous nod and Hermione spun around and gasped. "I look beautiful. Thank you."
It was 9:40 and the girls were about to go up to their rooms to change when Hermione motioned to the closet door. Lavender walked over and opened it and smiled happily at Hermione. "Hey, guys, I know I didn't give you much warning and we have never been close friends, but do you think maybe you will be my bridesmaids?" They screeched and hugged her, "I'll take that as a yes!"
It was 9:50 and a knock filled the room. "Come in!" Ginny barked to the person at the door. Professor McGonagall stepped into the room and stared in awe at Hermione.
"You look beautiful dear, stunning!" McGonagall was beaming with pride at Hermione.
"Professor…?" Lavender asked furtively urging the woman on.
"Hermione," Professor McGonagall stated slowly. "I don't know if you thought about it, but your father and mother aren't here today. You have no one to walk you down the aisle. Would it be okay if I…?" She looked up at Hermione shyly and Hermione beamed at her usually outspoken and tight lipped professor.
"I'd love it Professor. You are my mentor and my head of house. I would love it if you walked me down the aisle." With a smile Professor McGonagall gave Hermione her bouquet and the group walked down to the lake, where the wedding was being held.
"Students," Professor Dumbledore said, his voice traveling to the girls ears, "We are about to begin. Please be respectful, I will have no qualms in sending you back to your dorms while the celebrations are being held." The students quieted and looked expectantly down the aisle.
"Ready Minee?" Millicent, Hermione's maid of honor, asked. The music began to drift towards them and Hermione gulped. This was it. This was her wedding day. A day most girls dreamed of and relished in planning.
This was the end of her life.
"Ahh, well" Hermione thought to herself, "Let's get this over with. The faster it ends the better." She reached the aisle and watched as her bridesmaids approached the alter. With a deep breath McGonagall took her arm and they began the wedding march.
Draco, who was at the top of the aisle, was staring at the beautiful woman coming his way. This couldn't be… it can't be… sweet Merlin, it WAS Hermione. He took a deep breath and stared. Her strapless ivory dress seemed to flow from her body and meld to it. The small amount of pouf at the bottom just enhanced her slightly uneven hips and made her figure look more like an hourglass then ever before. He was entranced by the natural beauty Hermione exuded, and her aura seemed so innocent. He felt that with one touch, she would break. 'Well!' he thought to himself as he watched her make her way down the aisle.
Hermione was experiencing some of the same emotions Draco was. She watched him while she walked. He did look handsome, and she supposed for an enemy, he was pretty snazzy. Plus, she noticed, rather than the usual tense up whenever she saw him, today she felt as if relaxing hand was placed on her shoulder. Maybe another keeper thing, she thought uncertainly. Draco had been having a relaxing effect on her the last few days, perhaps he wasn't going to be a complete prat. She chuckled at her thoughts, he may be relaxing her but Merlin help her, she didn't want to be bound to him for the rest of her life.
Nevertheless, she approached the alter and the ceremony began. Dumbledore, who was binding the two, watched them, his eyes twinkling. The headmaster chuckled softly throughout the ceremony, as Hermione and Draco sent glares and snuck peeks at one another. 'This could be a positive binding', he thought happily, 'maybe the passion they have for arguing could be transferred to more useful things!' He readied himself for the final part of the ceremony.
"Do you, Hermione Ewa Granger, take Draco Lucius Malfoy to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward. In sickness and in health. Through good times and through bad."
"Well," Hermione said thoughtfully I don't have much of a choice now do I, "I do."
"And do you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, take Hermione Lynn Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward. In sickness and in health. Through good times and through bad."
Draco sent a quick glare at Hermione. 'This is it.' He thought, 'The end of my life.'
"I do."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." He winked at Hermione. Draco threw a confused glance at Dumbledore.
Hermione saw Draco looking at her in confusion and she leaned up and smooched her lips against Draco's. He elicited a gasp and then responded pulling her in for a quick kiss. The two broke apart to the student body clapping proudly, not noticing the light that surrounded their pale bodies.
"Uh hem!" Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Before you walk down the aisle, Mr. Malfoy, the new Mrs. Malfoy has something she would like to say." Draco groaned in frustration. Hermione took a deep breath.
"Draco, since the first day I met you, I knew you would be trouble. You have teased me, poked fun at me and embarrassed me. I don't ever remember a time I wasn't angry or arguing with you when you were in the room (Draco looked pleased). You have learned the ways to push my buttons," Hermione glanced at Draco and saw him screw up his face, "muggle expression, anyway, you have learned to push my buttons and you know most of my quirks, since I know you love to point them out. Despite all this though, I respect you. I am not happy to be Mrs. Malfoy, but I am glad to know that I have a partner who won't blindly listen to everything I say. I am glad to know that I have a partner who forces me to think, and I am glad to know that I have a partner who sticks to what he believes in and can work hard. I have to say, that out of all the insufferable, arrogant, annoying, irritating, challenging…"
"You forgot gorgeous and godly, Granger."
"You mean Malfoy?" She winked, "Well…. Out of all my enemies, you are a bloody git, but I guess we have no choice and can work through it." The light surrounding them was still dim, but most of the students were able to see it. Hermione smiled at the people watching and nodded at Draco, grabbing his hand as a lively tune burst into the air. Harry and Ron blew kisses at Hermione as she walked down the aisle, her glow brighter than before. She smiled lovingly at the boys. They were like her brothers and she loved and cared for them more than anything in the world.
As they reached the end of the aisle Hermione looked up into her new Husband's eyes, "Well," she said, taking a deep breath, "Welcome to your new life."
"Not that you'll have a problem looking at this handsome face for the rest of your life." He smirked at Hermione's groan.
"The rest of forever."
"They shall face their first test tonight."
"They'll handle it well."
"They are enemies."
"Enemies, yes, but they are now bound together."
Seven hours, at least 30 dances, and one meal later, Hermione plopped down next to Draco. "Students," Dumbledore called as the music came to a halt, "Let us all find seats and join in this dinnertime meal with Draco and Hermione Malfoy. But first, a few people would like to say things." Harry stood first and Hermione watched him.
"Hermione, you look ravishing. In fact, I always knew you were beautiful. Your outward appearance may have been a bit plain but underneath everything you outshone everyone. Your feisty and fierce attitude has intimidated a vast majority of people at one time or another and I can even remember a few times where Malfoy here would grimace in fright. You are one of a kind, and Malfoy, whether he realizes it yet or not, is damn lucky to have you." The great hall was filled with the sound of clapping. "Oh and Malfoy, you have a lot on your hands now. I wish you, sincerely, the best of luck handling that one." Laughter filled the air as Harry sat down and Ron stood up.
"Bloody Hell Hermione! I can't believe you married the git and are still alive. My words won't be sugarcoated. A week and some odd days ago when I heard you were marrying ferret boy here I almost keeled over. You don't deserve anyone in this room; you are too good for us all. Malfoy got you, and, like Harry said, he's going to have his hands full. Congratulations and good luck, you'll really need it. Oh and Malfoy, she's pretty vicious and even though she doesn't usually hold a grudge, don't turn your back on her." Applause filled the air for the next half an hour as each teacher stood up to wish the newlyweds along. Dumbledore stood up as Snape finished his curt well-wish.
"And now you may—"
"Headmaster?" Seamus Finnigan cut in, "I'd like to say something too." Groans from the other houses filled the air. "I think a few of us at the Gryffindor table would."
"Alright then Mr. Finnigan, what would you and your housemates like to say?"
"Well, um, Hermione. I actually hadn't planned on saying anything, but I felt the need to speak up now or forever hold my peace." He let out a nervous chuckle, "Um, we were never really friends. Sure, we talked and laughed with one another time and time again, but we never truly became friends. Now, it's a bit late, and I just want to make sure that you won't forget that we love you. You have been a role model for us all in more ways than one. Congratulations to you and to Draco, the lucky bastard, for getting you."
Millicent stood up from her seat at the Slytherin table, surprising most of the Gryffindors, "You've both done good. You are both passionate fiery individuals and once you set aside your differences I know love won't be far off. Hooray!"
Neville stood up, took a deep breath and began, "I think I'm the last to want to speak. I just want to say that I owe you my grades Hermione. I owe you for helping me pull through all the hard times I endured concerning my parents and my classes."
"Here, Here!" a few voices called out from the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.
"Yeah, you've given more time and help than is your fair share. You've cared for so many people and so many of us are in debt to you for the love and trust and belief you've shown. And, not just Gryffindors, each of the other houses, even Slytherin. The younger Slytherins wanted to thank you for all your encouragement when they weren't feeling so welcome. You are absolutely beautiful Hermione. Good Luck." He smiled at her and sat down, being congratulated by his table for standing up and speaking.
Hannah Abbott stood up last. "I can see your doubts as clear about whether or not you being "The keeper" was the correct choice. You shouldn't doubt. You are strong and independent, wise and hard-working. Merlin, so help me, could never pick a keeper better than you." Cheers filled the room.
Hermione was smiling so wide that she thought her face would freeze. Never, never, never, would she have imagined all of this. Draco was staring at her. "I know you can't keep your eyes off me git boy." Hermione whispered as Dumbledore announced dinner to begin.
"Maybe you can't keep your eyes of me, Mrs. Malfoy." Draco replied, slightly put off that no one had spoken to him.
"Well I think that maybe you---"
WHAM! The doors to the great hall slammed shut.
Draco turned to face the entrance and caught sight of a man. The man looked aristocratic and wealthy and very familiar. Draco gasped. Hermione inhaled sharply.
"Lucius Malfoy."
A/N—I guess that's a cliffhanger, I've been working on them, trying to find the perfect place to end a story. It's harder than I originally thought. Ho hum. This chapter was to show that Hermione is strong etc…. It was also encouragement so she can handle herself later on when tough times strike ;-) wink! Oh and in case you are wondering Ewa is one of my closest friend's middle name. It's pronounced Evah if you care. I think it's interesting and I like it so… I used it.
Now, I'm off to stuff my face with chocolate covered turtles, Review for me please my lovelies!
Oh, is there a counter curse for an obliviate?
From the heart of her computer room,
Unspotted Giraffe