A/N: Well, sorry again for my inability to write faster. I´ll stop keep saying apologizes and making promises... just try to improve again.

10 The Wedding Ceremony

Two days later Draco sat in their little office a crumpled peace of parchment on the table in front of him. When he met his mother something happened to him. He felt that he had to face his old problems now, no longer trying to flee his thoughts, pushing them under the surface. Forgotten didn´t mean that they didn´t exist. He in deed tried to write down some of his thoughts to free his mind and to express his feelings. At first he sat there motionless for a couple of minutes staring at the parchment as if the words would appear magically without his help. He then took his ink and his quill and started to write hesitantly. The first words came very slowly and the silver-haired man was about to throw the parchment into the waste paper basket. Impatiently he took the parchment crumpling it with his hand during the process but then he sat down more calmly and tried to concentrate a bit. What exactly did he feel inside and how could it be described best?

He began to write down more and more words trying to express how he was feeling without to think about the explanations or form of his poem. He just wrote down what came into his mind and unexpectedly he suddenly felt his thoughts flow into the written text creating his first own poem. After awhile he smiled feebly because he really had something similar to a poem. He looked down on his own words thoughtfully and it was strange to find his deepest thoughts expressed in a very metaphoric and expressive manner like he never would have thought to be able to. He wasn´t sure if he should show his first poem to his lover but then again he thought that it would be a good beginning to open himself and talk about his problems. He read his words once more again and a single tear escaped his eyes running down his pale cheek slowly.

Just Grieving

Mourn buried deep inside my soul

Loss of words to describe it properly

Behind a black cloud all light has disappeared

Sadness is hugging me tight stealing my breath

I don´t see the end of the tunnel anymore

My self-build walls rose high and there ain´t no doors

Helpless I am like a little child searching for comfort

But I can´t explain myself and I can´t show my fears

My mask always was a protection but now it is a prison

To me it is impossible to show my weakness or simply cry

The pressure grows more and I don´t know what to do

If only I could cry out loud, throw myself into strong arms

Instead of being a man I am only a little child inside

Feelings ever so dark are haunting my brooding mind

Tears are burning behind my closed lids waiting to flow

An ocean of unshed tears, bitter and salty, still grows

Only awaiting a good reason, an understandable cause to tell

If anyone asks why there must be something to explain or say

I laugh to prevent the flood from flowing but that was a fault

The waterfall starts and I can´t do anything than cry out my soul

You ask me what I am doing now and the simple explanation is:

I am just grieving nothing else, let go what I can´t hold no more

Draco sat there staring on his own words and he wiped over his cheek to dry away the tear. He then smiled in his old manner to prevent himself from crying but now he didn´t feel like it would help any longer. He started to cry and buried his face on his arms. The tears won´t stop flowing and the young man heard himself sobbing from far away. He lost every feeling for time and space only crying out his soul, let go completely. All his bottled feelings came up to his consciousness and still he wasn´t able to stop the tear flood. Draco didn´t know how long he had been sitting there still crying, now without a noise. Every now and then he stopped, cleaned his nose and then again his tears continued to flow. Suddenly he heard footsteps and his boyfriend´s voice calling for him softly. Draco answered his voice muffled and hoarse, "Here I am, Harry...in the office upside."

Harry answered immediately a concerned undertone, "I´m coming, Draco."

The raven-haired wizard stepped into the room and found the other man in the same position like before, sitting in front of the desk, his head hung down and his face buried on his arms. Harry enveloped his crying lover in his arms gently holding him tight.

They stayed there quite a moment and Harry knelt in front of Draco´s chair rocking him back and forth soothingly. After awhile he spoke softly, "It was about time to mourn, Drake. You need to let go and simply cry because otherwise you´ll break down or just explode. I don´t ask for any explanation because I don´t need to know. Sometimes it´s hard to get a grip at your own feelings I understand that all too well, you know..."

It took quite a bit of time for Draco to stop crying but this time to him it felt all right being held by Harry and just knowing that he was there without any questions was the only comfort he needed. Once more the couple didn´t need much words to understand each other and exactly that was what made their relationship so special. Draco finally showed Harry his poem and he felt relieved. Harry was kind of touched as he read the poem and he said quietly, "That´s exact the way you feel, Draco. Look, you can explain what is going on inside you if you want. Doesn´t it feel good to let go?"

Draco nodded and their eyes met. His eyes still being red with tears now were filled with concern and he added his lover with a slightly hoarse voice, "Harry, I know for sure that this was a beginning and there´ll be much more to handle but there´s something other..."

He brushed away a single strain silver-blonde hair, took a deep breath and then he continued, "You keep having those nightmares but you never told me what exactly they are about. The point is...well, speaking of bottling up that´s something which both of us do although we try to convince one another that it is a fault."

He then watched his lover´s reaction and Harry flinched a bit, his pale features and the dark shadows under his eyes proved right what the other man said before.

Harry simply nodded and answered breathing shallowly, "You hit a nerve, Drake. I´ll try to explain. Those dreams you mentioned are part of something like a recalling process...What I mean is that certain memories are coming up, piece for piece since we met my uncle."

Draco took his fiancé´s hand and gently pulled him to the sofa where they cuddled up together. He asked softly, "Maybe you want to tell me some of your dreams?"

Harry brushed his fingertips over Draco´s neck tenderly, sighed but then he began to explain, "Mostly it´s more real than dreaming because all senses are involved...I mean I really feel every single detail and other than in a flashback my inner feelings are there too. That´s not only remembering but experience everything in person again..."

His voice trailed off and Draco tightened his embrace because he didn´t know what to do else. Harry leant into the embrace and murmured, "Maybe I´ll show you one of my poems and I don´t need to talk..."

Draco nodded slightly and he added still hoarse, " As long as we know each other´s feelings and problems it doesn´t matter if we read our poems or talk....I love you so much, kitten..."

Harry kissed his lover´s forehead gently before he stood up rummaging in the desk drawer one short moment and he returned with his poem journal in his hands. He opened the journal shortly leafing through the parchments and he then handed the journal to Draco. Draco looked at the open side and read the poem on it which caused goose bumps on his skin.

Dreaming Memories

Imprisoned in your own dreams you try to wake up with desperation

But there is no escape and you have to face your own cruel memory

You want to scream out loud but your throat feels like made of emery

Piece for piece memories come back tonight there´ll be the next ration 

You can hear the harsh whisper next to your ear just a low moan or a hiss

Those rubbing movements make clear what is going to happen next to you

But it is dark all around you and you can´t see a single light to show who

Your lips are trembling but before the first sob can be heard there´s a kiss

A hand grips for your hand making you stroke certain body parts with disgust

All you can think is: NO but strong arms are holding you down you´re helpless

The air smells like rough and cruel sex struggling you´ll cause a complete mess

Feelings are flooding your mind, fear, despair a strong hate, no they more bust  

At the end you can´t do anything but try to scream and fight away that dream

When you wake up you still feel fear crawling up your neck knowing it´s not over

Every time you close your lids you see it again like a never resting rover

That´s more than having nightmares which aren´t true: it´s your soul´s scream

Draco who was holding Harry´s hand while he was reading began to stroke the back of his lover´s hand and handed him back his journal. Harry kissed one of his boyfriend´s fingertips and whispered, "Did I tell you how much I love you today? I´m so glad to be with you because you are the one who understands..."

They wrapped their arms around each other tenderly and Draco laid his forehead against Harry´s. He breathed back, "Yes I do and you are the one who understands me. We just belong together and we need each other."

Harry brushed his fingertips over the other´s cheeks gently and their eyes locked. Draco felt like drowning in his lover´s emerald eyes and to him it was still amazing how much feelings could be mirrored and on the other hand in public no one would have seen one single emotion except people who knew him well enough. That was much like he himself and only one more similarity that made them understand each other like no one else would be able to. Blaise was the closest friend and he was good at reading their emotions as well but maybe that was a special thing to real Slytherins at heart. Didn´t the Sorting Hat tell that in Slytherin there will be found real friendship and that was true. With a closer look behind the public façade most of the Slytherins weren´t only might hungry, evil bastards proud to be pureblood and superior. Beneath the surface there was thoughtfulness and the so called cunningness was a protection shield against hurts. Even people like Vince and Greg who seemed to be so slow minded turned out to be more intelligent as they showed openly. Loyalty and common sense were important to all Slytherins no matter what side they chose and that was really a good base for friendship.

Both young men tried to help each other as well as possible and they had to do some last arrangements for the close wedding ceremony. Draco turned out to be the patient part of the couple because his impatience was only superficial and if he tried he could be very calm and organise everything easily. Harry instead was very nervous and moody but he tried to do his best as well and together they did manage everything. Blaise did a good job in cheering them up because his good mood was really infectious and he was able to turn nearly every job into something funny that it seemed to be enchanting but they were wizards, weren´t they. Finally the day of their marriage came and surprisingly both young man woke up right in time that day. They were really happy but honestly a bit nervous too because there were still some dangers due to a public happening like that but they would manage it and they had the help of their friends as well. Draco woke up second and found his lover face to face looking at him with a little smile kissing his nose tenderly as he opened his eyes. He smiled back and enveloped the other in his arms breathing, "Tonight we´ll go to bed as husbands isn´t it strange, kitten...after all we are the first who marry..." 

Harry whispered into his lover´s ear, "Well, things happen. That´s a really good change of fate and we both needed it...we earn happiness and our love."

They then kissed each other gently playing with each other´s tongue and caressing each other´s shoulders and back with tender strokes. Harry ended the kiss and send a shiver down Draco´s spine as he butterfly kissed his neck and breathed into his ear, "We´ll spare the rest for our wedding night, Teen Rebel. Save your energy and don´t drink too much as I´ll try to do too..."

They both showered  before they dressed and Harry tried to bewitch his unruly hair to stay as it should once in his life but surely it followed its own rules and he gave up sighing and ranting. Draco decided to renounce his usual ponytail and his silky hair was shimmering like silver falling over his shoulders. He grinned amused at his lover as he watched him fight his hair battle and at last he offered him some magic hair gel and explained, "That stuff made my hair look like a helmet for over 4 years and perhaps it´ll help yours to look like you want."

Harry chuckled and murmured, "Well, I´ll try but I don´t want a hair helmet…"

Draco´s grin broadened and he took a bit gel into his palms, rubbed them against each other and then he moved his hands through his boyfriend´s hair. After that Harry was content and his soon-to-be-husband kissed his cheek gently. They looked at one another and came to the conclusion that they were dressed perfectly for the coming task. Draco wore a white wedding suit and a black satin button up shirt with a white tie and Harry as counter part a black wedding suit, a white satin button up shirt and a black tie. They kissed each other tenderly and their tongues were battling quite a bit while hands were roaming and stroking over the silky material of their clothes.

Suddenly the warning bell did its job and this time the sound was magically intensified. Both young man looked puzzled and they let go off each other quickly. They checked the wizard clock and saw that it was nearly time to leave. Down in the living room they reached the fire place in time to find Blaise´s head grinning at them and the other Slytherin greeted them cheerfully, "Hey, guys….we wanted to make sure that you are ready and that everything is all right for the special day."

Draco grinned inwardly and bowed his head stating with an amused undertone, "Yes, it surely is, mate. As you can see we are awake and ready to join you. We meet down the street and I´ll order the taxi….just a moment."

Blaise grinned and explained, "That´s not necessary. We already ordered a proper taxi and everything you have to do is meet us down at the corner and hand me the rings because that´s best man´s thing to hand the rings during the ceremony."

Harry chuckled as he watched Draco´s face who forgot to take the rings and he winked his hand with the ring case happily. The other man took a deep breath swallowed and admitted, "I start to become a bit nervous, kitten."

They took each others hand and signed Blaise that they were on their way to the corner, their meeting point.

The four young men looked very festive in their wedding clothes and some crossing girls started staring with adoring gazes. Terry saw the curious looks first and took Blaise´s hand to squeeze it slightly. Blaise made a face as he was aware of the giggling girls and stated dryly, "No way that we can go out without some giggling teenage girls to shock…"

He then pulled his lover nearer and kissed his lips gently. Just at that moment a large white stretch-limousine drove around the corner and stopped right in front of them. The doors flung open and they saw Pansy and Hermione sitting in the back of the gigantic car winking and smiling. Draco and Harry both had very surprised expressions on their faces and Draco stared at the glittering car giant suspiciously. Hermione called from inside, "Get in, all of you and just lean back and enjoy the ride to Hogsmeade."

The boys climbed into the car and sat down while Draco murmured, "But that´s a Muggle car, isn´t it? How will we make the way to Hogsmeade then?"

Pansy grinned and explained calmly, "Draco, that´s an enchanted car but from outside it looks like a Muggle car and the chauffeur is no one else than an Auror working for the ministry to have a closer look at the surroundings and protect you. I had the idea with that car as Hermione´s parents showed some prospects to me with wedding pictures of muggles and we searched for something equal in the wizardry world."

Hermione shortly squeezed Harry´s hand and said, "I know both of you dislike the idea of being watched by Aurors but the ministry would send someone with or without permission. We thought that it would be better this way bringing together a pleasure with something like a rather unwanted duty."

Harry who found himself watched by Ministry wizards more than once only sighed and slightly rolled his eyes as he answered, "That´s okay, `Mione. Better this way and the car is great…just wow…"

The journey to Hogsmeade was very relaxed and they soon started to enjoy the advantages of a luxurious stretch-limousine. The girls opened a cold bottle of Cassis Champaign and all of them took a glass to toast. They reached Hogsmeade after awhile and some of the guests were already there. Severus Snape reached the car before they climbed out and he really smiled cheerfully as he saw Draco and Harry. Blaise handed the little green and silver case including the rings smiling to Professor Snape who still had a smile plastered on his face which made him look less sinister and sarcastic. Remus Lupin stepped closer to join the crowd next and shook their hands a very happy expression in his eyes. More and more guests arrived and even some who weren´t on the guest list but they had expected something like that before. Professor Dumbledore came over followed by Minerva Mc Gonagall and Mme Rosmerta and all of them looked very festive and remarkable dignified. Albus Dumbledore explained calmly the last steps for the ceremony and send Harry with Severus Snape and Draco together with Blaise to the different waiting rooms in front of the ceremony room. Slowly all the guest came in and they took their places on the chair rows.

The ceremony began and Albus Dumbledore appeared with a plop in front of the guests on a little silver stage. He wore midnight-blue ceremonial robes and a silver glittering wedding scarf. At first he waved his wand in front of his throat muttering, "Sonorus" and he then began to speak the old traditional wizard wedding verse pronouncing every syllable with proud.

Two hearts found one another

Two souls were bound together

Real love belongs to real love

No one is able to separate what fate joined

An alliance older than our society

Will bring together those two people

Now they come to magically verify their bond

When the headmaster of Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry began the ceremony everything went silent and now everyone watched the couple lead by their best men to the silver panel in front of the ceremonial master. The two young man knelt down bowing their heads and the best men stood behind them. Professor Dumbledore continued the traditional ceremony and asked both of them if it was really their own wish to magically proof their bond and both of them agreed. The old wizard then began to cast a difficult Celtic spell and a ring of green fire surrounded our famous couple and suddenly the single ring turned into two rings glittering and shimmering green and silver each surrounding one of the young wizards who still knelt there. A white fountain of light bathed everything in a surrealistic glance while the two rings began to join the couple kneeling in midst  the slowly intertwining fire rings. Albus Dumbledore waved his wand in a dignified manner and the spell was completed, their wedding alliance magically proofed.

The ceremonial master twinkled at the two best men as sign that they now all had to sign the parchment that was held by Blaise. Words magically appeared on the piece of parchment while Blaise stepped forward and the couple signed first, then the best men signed beneath the fresh married husbands and at last the headmaster signed the official wedding parchment and handed it back to Blaise who was the keeper for now. Then Professoer Dumbledore spoke the last words of the ceremony while Severus Snape handed the wedding rings to both of them smiling gracefully.

The alliance magically proofed is strong, showed pure love

And strong is a soulmate´s bond symbolized through the rings

Now you are bonded for eternity take your symbol rings each of you

Sealed with a single kiss the ceremony will be the end of a new beginning

Draco and Harry stood up and they happily smiled at one another as they enveloped each other in their arms and kissed their lips. The guests started to cheer and the official part of their wedding was over. The two husbands walked hand in hand through the room and directed the way to the rooms of the celebration. Draco and Harry happened to look to the exit at the same time as a hooded woman left the room hastily walking in a graceful manner except her obvious haste. Some long silver-blonde strains could be seen under her hood and the two young man followed her departure with their gazes trying to keep calm and not to show their surprise until she left the room.

Draco felt a pull at his inner feelings like a jolt at his heart because the woman was no one else than Narcissa Malfoy, his mother. She came to watch the wedding ceremony but tried to hide away so that nobody would see or recognize her. Harry squeezed his husband´s hand and whispered, "I´ve seen her too. That´s no dream…she came to see our marriage."

He watched the other man closely to see any reaction but Dracos features seemed to be frozen for a moment. Then a little smile played around Draco´s lips and he breathed back, "Yes, she came to see our wedding…that does mean a lot to me and for her too. Let´s talk about that later and begin the celebration because everyone is watching us, Harry."

The two young man walked to the other rooms where the wedding celebration would take place and the guests followed them eagerly awaiting to congratulate the famous couple and start the comfy part of the day.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter and more about the party and the wedding night in the next chapter…