Title: How do you know?
Author: Lonely No More
Disclaimer: Everything that you recognize is owned by the eloquent Mrs. J.K. Rowling, and those affiliated with her. I also mention the name of the famous Barnes and Noble, I don't know who owns it, but if I did, I would certainly give them all the credit in the world!
Rating: R for possible adult situations.
A/N: This story is now considered alternate reality since the release of HBP. There are only a few discrepancies since I had this taking place during the very end of 7th year. Again, what I have written, minus a few details, isn't really affected by this. I don't want to explain myself too much, because there may be a few people recently coming out of a coma or, maternity leave(private joke, honestly you can breastfeed and read a book at the same time! I did with the last one!) But alas, if you want to ask me, just ask, and I'll email you back with my reasoning. This is also the longest chapter I have ever written, but I couldn't possibly have shortened it any more. I also wanted to address the severe lateness of this chapter, but after having another miscarriage, I couldn't possibly try to write the "Happily Ever After" wedding of the world that is: A HOGWARTS WEDDING!
We got married,
I was so scared that you would change your mind…
But you didn't
"Everything will be fine."
How do you know?
After Draco's jog that day, he felt both exhilarated and disgusted. How could he have left himself wallow for so long before the wedding? He had missed Harry, and now knew the truth, that he did in fact Love Harry Potter. Not just affection for a friend, but a love that would kill him if it were not reciprocated. He needed Harry as much as he needed air to breath, food to eat, shelter over his head, and a well stocked wardrobe. He was after all Draco Malfoy. First thing was first, he needed to shower and get dressed. The shower was the easy part. Getting dressed required some thought. 'What to wear?' Black pants were a staple, 'but which pair? The flares? No too "out" for today's intentions. The pleated ones? No, they are more for business. The cuffed ones? They are nice, but no. So many pairs of pants to choose from,' he honestly didn't know how people like Harry and Weasley handled just having one pair of each color, 'really, there are a lot of differences.' Then it hit him, the hip huggers Harry had bought him for graduation! And the dress shirt too! He only wondered why he hadn't thought of it earlier. The pants fit Draco's arse perfectly, and only went up slightly farther. He left the top of the maroon dress shirt open, so that Harry would be able to see his pendant their engagement rings had made. He stood there with his hand on his pendant and smiled. He knew that Harry had forgiven him; the coffee was proof enough of that. For Harry to get out of bed early for anything was nothing short of a miracle!
As Draco entered Harry's flat he notices how cluttered and disorganized it was. Draco's heart wrenched as he thought that the state of the flat, was due to his carelessness. Then he brightened a bit at the thought of Hermione cleaning his flat, and how she had left Harry's a mess. She was on his side. He was going to have to thank 'Mione for that big time. With a few flicks of his wand the flat was looking cleaner and more tasteful when the floo blazed. Hermione's head was bobbing in the fire, and she looked around smiling then her eyes landed on Draco.
"So I see you two have made up, if you are over here this early?" she said with a blush on her face.
"Not quite yet, he brought me over coffee and left it on the doorstep, but was gone before I got there. I came over to talk to him and he wasn't here, so I decided to clean up a bit whilst waiting for him."
"Oh." Hermione looked disheartened. " I had thought that maybe, by not cleaning his place that he would have done it, and when I saw you I had only assumed…I'm sorry Draco. But where did Harry go?"
"I don't know actually. He is usually done with school by now, is Ron home?"
Hermione knew instantly what the matter was, and she was going to kill Mad Eye for this, couldn't he see that Draco is the only one who makes Harry happy? Can't he let go of Draco's past like everyone else? The Weasley's have taken to him, why can't that old fool just let them alone. She was so busy thinking, that she hadn't realized that she hadn't yet answered Draco. He knew what that silence meant. Ron was home, in fact…
"I'm sorry Draco, but auror training is done for the week, it was yesterday."
"I knew it! That stupid old man! I can't stand this! Why can't everyone leave Harry and I alone! All I want to do is snog the hell out of Harry and apologize for being too bull-headed to tell him my problems and to ask for Severus's help instead of his. That's it! Why can't people leave us the Fuck Alone?"
"Draco, I know you are upset, and…Hello Harry!" Draco whipped around to see Harry standing by the front door, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and dropped his jaw in fear…shit! Didn't this guy ever announce his arrival? Well I guess it is his own flat.
"Draco. Hermione, would excuse us please?" Hermione looked surprised.
"Harry, he was only cleaning your flat, and he actually only came over to"
"Hermione, I've heard enough, now will you please excuse us?" Harry looked deathly serious.
"Fine, but I warn you Harry James Potter, you had best keep your tongue in your cheek until you are sure that you want to say what's about to come out of your mouth. Draco, darling, I'll floo you later. Good Luck!" and with a quick glance over the couple she disappeared.
"Harry let me explain, see I got your coffee this morning, and it was so good, and I was so happy, that I wanted to come over here and thank you and then apologize and then when I saw that your flat was a wreck…I just had to clean it Harry, it's all my fault, I'm so sorry I ju"
"Draco, will you stop for a minute?" Harry walked towards Draco, as Draco braced himself, he deserved anything that Harry threw at him, but when he opened his eyes, all he could see was the sadness in those Green eyes that he so loved.
"Draco? Do you think that I'm going to hurt you?"
Draco averted his eyes, "Well, I wouldn't blame you if you did. I deserve it for being so stupid."
"Draco. Look at me." Harry pulled Draco's chin back up and waited until he had his undivided attention.
"Draco I love you. But I want you to know that I will never hurt you. Not intentionally. I am sorry that I over reacted to what little I did hear of your conversation. I am sorry that I yelled at you and told you to go away. But I am also very sorry that I didn't try to hear you out. I am sorry that I caused you so much pain and I'm sorry that I didn't try to call you back. I was here when you flooed, and I just assumed that everything that everyone had ever told me about you was right. I was being played for a fool. But when Hermione came over here last night, and she yelled, nothing was as important as what she finally pointed out. That I loved you and that if we weren't meant to be, then we wouldn't have been able to wear these right?" Harry motioned for their matching pendants. Draco nodded his head, and was about to speak when Harry cut him off.
"I waited for something else to happen to prove that I was right. Every morning I found the coffee that you had left me on the stoop when I answered the door bell every morning, and found no one there. No letters, or notes, just plain ole' black coffee. Just the way I like it. I knew that it was you, but I couldn't bring myself to answer the door, and had I known what had happened to you I would have. But I thought that you were going on with life as usual without the 'wizarding world's savior', and kissing up because you had done something wrong. I was so sure of it, that you were using me, and you were finally caught and you thought the best way to get back into my graces was coffee." Harry had moved his hands down and was holding Draco's hands with his own, staring intently at Draco as he continued.
Then Hermione came over, and went off on me, calling me a prat and a selfish git and a lot of words I didn't think that I would ever have heard from 'Mione. She wanted to know what I was thinking letting you go like this, and she thought that I was being petty being mad at you for borrowing money from Snape to help pay for the wedding that you said I deserved. That's why you didn't want my help, you wanted to do it all yourself. But Draco why didn't you just come to me? I would have helped or we could easily have changed the wedding a bit. I know that you want a big wedding and all being a Malfoy, and you should have one, but why couldn't we just get married at a little gathering of just a couple of friends? That's all I ever wanted. I just went along with the big wedding since I thought that's what you had wanted."
"Harry I "
"Draco! Harry!" Hermione's pained face flared in the green flames.
"I need help, I think I'm in labor and Ron is at Hogwarts with his mom and Ginny getting the rest of the decorations up! OWW! I'm going to kill Ronald when he gets back! Leaving me here like this!"
Draco looked horrorstruck as he glanced back at Harry who had passed out.
"Some hero he is, eh? Sorry Hermione, umm…what can I do to help, want me to go to Hogwarts and send the Weasley's back? Do you need help to floo there?"
"No! I can't floo this late in pregnancy it's too dangerous for the baby! I don't want to be alone either…OH! God! I don't know what to do!" She started sobbing loudly and would stop every few moments with a sharp intake of breath. The contractions were actually fairly close judging by the timing of it.
"Ok, Hermione, get out of the way, Harry and I will floo to the burrow and then we'll figure it out from there. Okay?"
Hermione only nodded then the green flames disappeared. Draco ran over to Harry,
"Ennervate"
"Draco, Hermione is "
"Yes dear, Mione is in labor and not too far away from birth either I believe. We have to go to the borrow now. I need you to keep your feet under you ok?"
"Ok, lets go, and Draco I wanted to say."
"Just wait Harry, Hermione needs us."
With that they flooed into the Weasley's family room and saw Hermione sweating to death sitting weakly on the edge of the couch. Draco looked at Harry who looked like he was going to pass out again.
"Potter! I forbid you from passing out! Now since your familiar here, go get a cool wash cloth, some clean towels, and a pan of hot water. NOW!"
Hermione looked startled at Draco, "Where did you learn that stuff?"
Draco just chuckled, "You guys had me in the hospital wing enough, and I was there when Madame Pompfrey was called by Mrs. Weasley when Fleur went into labor with the last little Weasley!"
Hermione blushed then asked the inevitable…" Draco, do you know how to uh…help me?"
It was Draco's turn to blush. Everyone sat through those kinds of talks with their parents, how hard could it be, but he thought he would be putting his hands there on Hermione Granger, er Weasley. "Doesn't everyone?" He hoped that he sounded confidant, and prayed to the gods that everything was going to be alright, and go nice and easy; it was part of nature after all right? How hard could it be? Just sit back and let it take it course. He instructed Hermione to maybe put something more comfortable on, and as she agreed, he added, that accessibility would be helpful as well. It was again her turn to blush, and she helped break the tension as she turned to him and smirked,
"Why Draco Malfoy, I had no idea that you like girls as well! I'll have to tell Harry to watch out! He must not be putting out enough!"
She started to laugh as she went up the stairs but was stopped when she was wracked with pain that shot up her spine, down her legs, and through out her abdomen and private parts. Draco met her on the stairs, and helped her to her room. Thankfully The Weasley's had moved Ron's room from the very top down to what used to be Bill and Charlie's room, 1st on the right. He opened the door and motioned for Hermione to put on her dressing gown as he turned around. He could feel his face getting red, and heard Hermione gasp again. She was standing there naked with her dressing gown in her hands, clutching her swollen belly. Draco went over helped her to get dressed and then helped her back onto the bed. 'Mione's face was bright red,
"I'm so sorry Draco, you must think I'm very weak, and I never wanted you guys to see me this way. I shouldn't have waited so long!" Just then Harry came in and put everything down on the dresser by the bed, and looked at Draco, eyes asking to do now. Draco told Harry that Hermione's contractions are very close and that he should go and try to floo Hogwarts and find out where the Weasley's are. After he left Draco looked at Hermione as he laid the cooling cloth over her forehead. She moaned, and grabbed at her stomach again, and this time let out a scream. Draco jumped, and couldn't help but look down, at the splash of fluid that just washed over the side of the bed. Hermione looked relieved, but Draco knew that it could only be temporary.
"Hermione, I don't think you baby wants to wait."
"Nothing like stating the obvious huh? God! All the books I read on it said that it goes faster after my water breaks, and I definitely think that was it. God I can't check myself, Draco, I need you to, you know…check…to see how far dilated I am, I shouldn't push until I am 10 cm dilated and the baby's head is right there, otherwise I'll tear myself, and I do not want to do that."
Draco paled at first…." You mean you want me to….measure your uh…"
"NO! Draco, you don't measure it per se, you put a finger in there and depending on how many fingers and how wide and easily it stretches…that's how it's measured. I know I'm at least 3 cm, since that's what I was at my last visit earlier this week. Oh Draco I am so sorry, I was supposed to help you get ready for the wedding, and now I've gone and ruined everything! Draco I'm so sorry!" She broke down and was crying on Draco's shoulder, and he patted her on the back, not knowing what else to do for the moment. "It'll be okay, this is more exciting anyways! I get to be one of the first one's to see if I win my bet on your baby!"
Hermione pulled back and smacked him "You are betting on my child! How dare you! Why I"
"Relax, remember the baby! My bet is simply who's hair your baby has. Harry thinks it will have Weasley hair, my bet was wavy brown hair of it's a boy, and bushy red hair if it's a girl! Ouch!"
"I'll smack you again if you make fun of my baby, not all of us can have perfect flat, blonde hair! And I will beat that soon to be husband of yours within an inch of his life when he gets up heeeeeerrrreee! OW!" Hermione doubled over in pain and Draco knew that he couldn't prolong it anymore, she needed to be checked to see when she could push, or else the baby could be in danger. He rubbed small circles on Hermione's back with one hand and grabbed some of the towels that Harry had brought up earlier, and spread them out over the bed. Then he helped Hermione up on the bed, and settled her up against some pillows. Both of their faces turned red knowing what had to be done. Draco looked at Hermione with soft eyes…
"I'm sorry for everything I've ever said and done to you 'MIone, and I just want you to know that you can trust me. I won't ever hurt you or your family. I owe you for saving my marriage before it's even begun, so Thank you." Hermione had tears in her eyes, but he didn't know if it was from what he said or the pain at the moment. Then he looked at her again and motioned for her legs. She smiled at Draco,
"You know, you are a lot sweeter than people give you credit for. Thank you for helping me, Harry would still be on the floor, and I'd still be sitting on the couch." A devilish smirk crossed her face and then she said, "You know there are easier ways to get between a girl's legs than waiting for them to go into labor." Draco paled then laughed. He washed his hands in the water real quick and sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at 'Mione who nodded, he reached under her dressing gown and was amazed that all he felt was hair, he was about to chastise Hermione for bad grooming habits, but had to look first, and he gasped. The baby's head was right there!
Hermione who was embarrassed enough just having Draco touch then look down there, but when he gasped she was ready to yell at him, but the pressure building in her abdomen was more than she could handle and settled for squeezing Draco's other hand since she was still holding it. Harry came running in the room, to perhaps the most awkward scene he's ever beheld. Draco's hand in Hermione's crotch, he's eyes glued to it, gasping, and Hermione with her legs apart, squeezing her eyes shut as tight as they would go while she did the same to Draco's other hand. Harry cracked, he just started laughing. The noise broke Draco's concentration, and he stammered about the baby being right there, and Hermione finally eased off of Draco enough to hear that her baby was ready. Harry filled them in on the Weasley's who had apparently left the school 30 minutes prior, and were on their way home, with a few stops. So they could be there in 2 minutes, or not for another hour.
Draco delivered the beautiful bushy haired red head about 10 minutes later, at the exact moment Ron had run into the door and fainted from the sight. His wife with her legs spread open, Harry sitting beside her, sponging off her forehead, and Draco's hands pulling his daughter out of his wife. Harry thought that it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. As Draco cleaned the little one up a bit and swaddled her, he couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart, and he hoped that Harry wanted children as well. He handed the baby to Hermione and Harry grabbed Draco and gave him a big hug. The rest of the Weasley's came running up the stairs and could only stare at the sight. Ron on the floor, Hermione sweaty, but ok, holding the new born baby, and Harry hugging a blood covered Draco Malfoy. Mrs. Weasley took over and cleaned Hermione up, and handled the umbilical cord. Draco was glad she was there, because he didn't want to clean her up as well, he figured they were both embarrassed enough for the day. The went down stairs and the twins brought down some clothes for Draco to change into, and they all set around and told the Weasley's about the night. Mr. Weasley looked at his clock, which had magically added the newest Weaslette, Genevieve Madeline Weasley, Genny.
"Umm…Boys I do hate to break up the fun, but you Draco, need to get home and get some rest, it's nearly midnight and Molly will have kittens if she finds out you two saw each other before the wedding ceremony. Boys, why don't go help Draco get ready, and I'll escort Harry home, and make sure all is ready on his end." They all got up to leave and went up and said goodnight to the happy little family. Molly had moved Ron up onto the same bed as Mione and the baby, and was smiling fondly at them. Arthur explained to Molly what they were going to do, and Molly nodded in agreement. Ron muttered something about not be able to do the bachelor party thing, and his best man duties, but Harry and Draco both shushed him, and told him, that after tonight, they didn't think anyone could handle one, and that his job was first to be there for his wife and daughter. They said their goodbyes, and kissed each other before they left. Draco had the bigger flat and the twins were going to spend the night and help Draco get ready in the morning since he wouldn't have Hermione. He tried to tell them that he would be ok, but they wouldn't here of it. After all he was marrying their "lil brother'. Mr. Weasley was also going to spend the night at Harry's flat. He loved muggle London, and couldn't wait to go for a walk the next morning. Harry laughed, but saw his point. He wanted to be there for Harry when Harry's father should have been. Harry thanked him and went to bed. He didn't want Mr. Weasley to see him cry tonight. It had been a long enough night, but he was glad that Mr. Weasley was there, he was glad that his family was going to be with him.
The morning dawned brought and sunny for an early December morning. Draco laced up his shoes and quickly snuck out of the door before the twins saw or heard him. He ran his usual loop and ended up at Barnes & Noble. God this place was the greatest. He remembered that Mr. Weasley was staying with Harry, he assumed to make sure that they wouldn't see each other before the wedding,
"I'll take a plain black Columbian roast, for Harry, a double mocha latte with extra cream and chocolate shavings, for Mr. Weasley, 2 double chocolate espressos with extra cream, sugar and cinnamon for the twins, and for today I just want a plain black Columbian roast as well, umm…well add cream to that as well. Thank you." The lady repeated the order and Draco paid for everything and couldn't believe just how much 5 coffee's would be, he was used to just his and Harry's, well, 3 of those were doubles he figured. Oh well! All for the common good! He couldn't run now with his hands laden down with coffee, so he walked nice and slow, and put Harry and Mr. Weasley's coffee on the stoop then checking that no one was near by, Draco rang the door bell then apparated back to his flat. He was greeted by 2 half naked Weasley's arguing over who had lost Draco. He shook his head as they turned towards him. "You better not have gone to see Harry, mom will kill us," Fred began
"Yeah! Then we'll come back and haunt you, and watch you and Harry do the nasty!" added George a bit too excited about the last part. "Oy! George! I know they're a damn good looking couple, but come on, if we were ghosts, we'd be able to watch everyone do the nasty, why them?" Draco decided to cut them off before the conversation got too much worse.
"Okay, I have to be at Hogwarts in 2 hours, so I am going to shower. You blokes can take turns in the guest bathroom down the hall. I don't want to be late for Harry." The twins looked at Draco like he'd grown a second head. "Whatcha need that much time to get ready for? It takes 5 minutes to shower, and maybe another 5 to brush your hair and get dressed. What's the big hurry?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "It may only take you 5 minutes in the shower, but I wash everything thoroughly, and then I have to carefully do my hair; it is my wedding after all! And my wedding robes! They are nothing to hurry into; I had them commissioned from Madame Malkin myself for this very occasion. I have to prepare very carefully." The twins just laughed. Draco told them about their coffee's and They thanked him, and decided to take him seriously for today, he was right, it was his wedding day, and they still had a lot to do. Draco had other things in mind. Draco went to his room and sealed it with a silencing spell and an imperturbable spell. He went to his hearth and threw in some floo powder. "Severus I need your help."
Harry had awoken that morning as usual now, to the sound of the doorbell, he rushed to the door only to meet Arthur there, shaking his head, and he opened the door and stared blankly, then looked at Harry,
"There's no one there, I thought those muggle wall bells or were if someone was at your door?"
Harry stifled a chuckle. "Doorbells do tell you when someone rings them, but then people can leave, and yes," Harry peered around the door and grinned at the floor, he picked up the coffee cups "Someone was here, it was Draco and he brought us coffee!" Harry looked at each of them and gave the one with chocolate shavings on it to Arthur. He read the note that accompanied it:
My dearest Harry:
In about two hours you are going to make me the world's happiest man. I regret that I did not get to finish apologizing for my words that had upset you so much. Yes taken out of context they were bad, but I still should have come to you first. I just wanted you to know that I love you Harry James Potter and I always will. I also didn't get a chance to remind you that I had given you my heart at Graduation, you have always had it, but I gave you apiece of it that day, and I hope that you realize that what I said that day was true. If you look, I'm sure that you will see my green heart still beats with the love that I have for you, and it always will. Remember that it will continue to beat as long as I love you. The enchantment will only stop if I ever stop loving you, and I assure you that it won't. I wanted today to be perfect; I can only hope that the wedding is everything that you've ever dreamed of. I'll see you in the great hall!
Love always,
Draco Malfoy-Potter (Well, soon to be anyways!)
Draco emerged from his bed room breathtaking. He had ordered a very light silvery white dress robe for that day, and had a suit of the same color underneath it. He had his long hair lightly pulled back at the sides, however he didn't use gel and he had a few wisps that had escaped and had lightly framed his face beautifully. The twins clapped and whooped elaborately. Draco blushed as George held out his hand, and twirled Draco around for a once over.
"Not bad mate, I see Harry's definitely going to be a lucky man. You haven't got a twin somewhere have you?" Fred smacked him.
"Of course not you git, do you think that Malfoy Senior would have hidden someone this damn good looking, I think not, he would have paraded him around just like Draco." Draco caught his breath, but slowly released it, it hit him, his parents would not be there, and while there was no lost love between him and his father, his mother, his mother he would miss, especially today. He crossed his fingers and looked at the anxious twins.
"It's alright. I'm glad my father can't be here to ruin me and Harry's day, it's going to be perfect!" 'I just hope that Harry doesn't stand me up.' He thought. He looked at the twins and smiled. As they left for Hogwarts, Draco's nerves grew, after everything that happened, 'I wouldn't doubt if Harry didn't show up, especially if Mad-Eye caught up with him and kept telling him about all the dirt he dug up on me.' The look of despair was not lost on the twins; they exchanged glances and decided that they would talk to Harry later. They had changed since school and so had Draco, they had all grown up, and they were willing to put old rivalries behind them, and knew Harry was as well, but someone was tormenting Draco, and they were going to make sure to find out who it was before it destroyed him and Harry's day.
Mr. Weasley was helping Harry put on his outer robes while he was talking. "I didn't know James and Lily very well, but I am sure that they would be proud of you. You know Harry that I have always considered you to be another one of my children. Molly and I love you like one of our own. We tried for years to get Dumbledore to let you stay with us instead of your aunt, but he never would. The blood magic you know, I didn't know if he ever told you that, but we did." Harry smiled,
"Yes, I knew, and I got angry every time I heard it because I hated the Dursley's, and how they treated me, but I understand why I had to. It means a lot to me that you guys would do that for me though. I am very grateful for all you have done for me, and I am also grateful that you have opened your hearts to Draco as well. It really means a lot; I don't know what I would do without you all. You know it's kind of funny that I used to think that I was all alone, and that I had no family, but you guys were there with me the entire time. I don't know how to thank you enough, and I am sorry that I wasn't always the most gracious I could have been."
Mr. Weasley was crying, "I never once thought of you as ungrateful Harry, we always knew that was just Harry." He leaned over and gave his honorary son a back crushing hug, which Harry returned whole heartedly, tears streaking both of their faces. When they broke apart, Mr. Weasley brushed away some imaginary lint off of Harry's hunter green wedding robes. "I better get you to the church before Molly has kittens." Harry was nervous about all the people that were sure to be there, and what all Draco had put into this day, he knew that Draco meant well, but he really just wanted a nice small wedding. He still couldn't believe that Draco had gone to Snape for help, if anything that should have been a red flag that things were getting out of control, but Harry was able to put aside his dislike for Snivellus, even if only for today. Mr. Weasley and Harry both chuckled as they locked the door and left for Hogwarts.
Draco was pacing back and forth in the room at the back of the entrance hall. He had to stay in this room so Harry didn't accidentally see him before the service. "What if he doesn't come? What if I've been fooling myself all these months? What if he wakes up this morning and decides that he wants better than what I can give him? Not that he doesn't deserve it, of course. I need to talk to Harry! That's it, talk to him, and make him see why he loves me."
"No Draco! You know the rule; you are the bride and therefore can not be seen before the ceremony."
"Stupid muggles and their idiotic beliefs, do they honestly believe Harry would love me any less if he saw me before hand? I think not! If anything we might disappear together for a couple of minutes, and then his love for me would be evident all over his"
"Draco Lucius Malfoy! How dare you even say such a thing! You can't do anything of that sort until after the wedding! Poor Mrs. Weasley will keel over if she were to hear you talking like that; even she believes that you should wait until the wedding night."
"Now Molly junior, you know very well that Harry and I did wait until the wedding night before having sex, your wedding night that is!" Thump…
"Draco! Why can't you watch what you say, here hold Genny for me, and I don't care about your silly robes, OUR mother-in-law is lying on the floor!" Hermione handed her crying daughter over to a wary Draco and then threw a burp rag over his shoulder. Draco held the little girl at arms length until Hermione turned around and then brought her down into a cuddle, and he held her little hand and unconsciously began humming a lullaby swaying back and forth. Little Genevieve stopped crying. Hermione smiled as she glanced over her shoulder and went back to getting Molly awake. She checked her vitals first and then used mobilicorpus to put Molly on a bench on the other side of the room. She laid her down gently and added a pillow underneath her head. Hermione wanted to talk to Draco before she woke Molly up, but as she turned around she decided she did not want to interrupt. Draco was sitting in the rocking chair with Genevieve cuddled close to his heart, and he was tracing patterns over her head and chest while singing a beautiful song to her. Her heart melted, it was such a wonderful sight. Then she pointed her wand at them and said "Momento remembarre" She would put that in Genny's baby book later, and give a copy to Harry as well, she knew that he would love it. Hermione turned around and moved Mrs. Weasley back out into the main hall and woke her up there. She explained that Draco had only been joking because he was nervous about Harry leaving him at the alter and so he was helping Hermione with the baby, and was putting Genny to sleep now, so he mustn't be disturbed. Hermione snagged Fred and asked him to help his mom go sit down, and then Hermione returned to her watch on the door.
Hermione saw Harry arrive with her Father-in-law, but shooed him away in case Draco had a problem and came out of the door. He looked really good in the robes that Draco had picked out for him, and he even tried to flatten his hair, but it was no use. Harry entered through the side door by the teachers table, the last time he had been in there was the day he was the 4th name drawn for the triwizard tournament. He didn't want to think about those things right now. Today was his day with Draco; all that other stuff was now going to stay in the past. As he walked out there was no teachers table, or other school tables, just about 50 seats sat near the front, and where the teachers normally sat there was this oasis with a trellis in the middle with the headmaster's stand behind it. Ron ran up the aisle to Harry and embraced him in a yet another back breaking hug.
"I didn't think you were going to be here mate! Where's Mione, where's Genny?"
"You don't honestly think something like giving birth would slow Hermione down do you? Her and Genny are back with Draco, and I've been waiting here for you for at least half an hour. Draco has been pacing holes in the carpets; he was so scared that you wouldn't show up."
"Is he alright? Go tell him that I'm here then. And Ron…tell him that I love him, and thanks for the coffee."
"Ok, ok, I'll tell him, but you get up there and wait for me, we should be starting in like 15 minutes."
Mr. Weasley patted Harry on the back and went to go find his wife. Harry ascended the stairs and was amazed at all the wonderful flowers that were there. But he was confused…there weren't many chairs, and most of the one's there were taken up by his old professors, the Weasley clan easily inhabited most of the one's on the right side, Harry assumed that was his side. But it was not what Harry considered to be big…This was just right! There weren't many people at all on Draco's side that weren't teachers; Harry assumed they sat over there to balance out the Weasley's. Then it hit him, the flowers. Harry turned back around and smiled. They didn't have any family left, but Draco did it…they were there. He looked at the flowers carefully. There must have been every kind of Lily imaginable. There were lots of Narcissus' as well. There were Pansies and Petunias, Hydrangeas, Lavender and even Poppies. Harry was glad for all of those years slaving away summers in his aunts flower beds, or else all this work would have been lost on him. He got to the trellis and stood, surrounded by family for the first time.
Harry had a large smile and a far away look on his face when Ron got up to the trellis with him. "Turn around here and let me pin your boutonniere on." Ron held out this perfect white Star Gazer Lily with touches of blue on it. Ron carefully pinned it on his out robe. Ron already had a similar one, but smaller pinned on his.
"You should have seen Draco's face mate, when I told him you were here. He looked 10 years younger!"
"You didn't rag on him did you? Because it's his day as well! He was nice to you on your"
"Easy there Harry, I didn't. Calm down. I couldn't have riled him up even if I had wanted to. When I went in the room with Mione she had this mischievous grin on her face, and I made her promise that I wasn't going to walk in on him naked or anything, but when I got in there, Draco was sitting in a rocking chair with Genevieve asleep in his arms, and get this…he was singing her a lullaby!"
Harry's heart grew exponentially. "He was rocking Genny? How did he look? Did Hermione make him?"
"Well yeah, Draco said something when mom was walking into the room and she passed out. Mione won't tell me what he said, anyways she told him to hold Genny while she tended to mom, and when she turned around he was swaying and humming with her and playing with her hands and touching her face, chest, legs and feet. Hermione didn't want to interrupt, so she took mom out, and hasn't let anyone else in since. When we went in, he was sitting down and rocking her, and playing with her hair. I don't think you'll have to wait long for kids with that one mate."
Harry had been smiling in a dreamy sort of state, imagining his husband rocking little Genny and playing with her and tickling her, and then playing with her bushy red hair…then…what was that? "What do you mean I won't have to wait long for kids with that one?" Before he could answer though the music started, and Harry was shoved around and told to smile. Mrs. Weasley practically ran up the aisle with Genevieve in her hands and smiled at Harry and Ron as she took her seat. Hermione started down the aisle as Draco's Best Woman or whatever she was, and stood opposite Ron and Harry at the trellis in a stunning light bluish silver gown that was made so well, you wouldn't have known she had given birth less than 24 hours ago. She carried a mixed bouquet of Narcissus, Lilies, Poppies, and Hydrangeas. Harry figured out the meaning of all of the flowers except the hydrangeas, he couldn't figure that out. As he started contemplating that the music changed and the doors at the back of the Great Hall opened. Sunlight was streaming in, and Harry barely saw a figure moving forward. As the doors shut and the normal lighting returned, his breath hitched. Draco looked absolutely amazing. Draco knew that Harry liked his hair soft without all the hair gunk he used to wear in it all the time. But Draco had the sides pulled back slightly, and only from the sides. Harry made out the blue narcissus on his robe and smiled. Draco got up to the trellis and smiled nervously at Harry, who returned it with a big Harry grin that seemed to warm everyone's heart.
Arthur cleared his throat and gestured for Harry and Draco to join both of their hands. As they faced each other Arthur began the ceremony:
"As we gather together on this most beautiful day, to join in the bonds of marriage Misters Harry James Potter and Draco Lucius Malfoy, I ask you all to remember a very wise muggles words. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matter compared to what lies within us." I think these words are very appropriate for today. Harry and Draco I have known you both for a very long time, however I didn't really get a chance to know Draco until recently. But these words apply to both of you. Let your past behind you and look forward to tomorrow, but don't dwell on either of them. Live for what is within each of you right now, and you will truly have a Happily Ever After. The love that brings you two here is what will…"
Draco didn't really remember too much else, and Harry didn't either. They moved robotically through the rest of the ceremony. They would barely even recall Ron and Hermione handing them the rings and Arthur blessing them and placing the bonding charm on them before handing them back to be placed on the other's fingers. Actually the next thing they remember was that everyone was looking at them expectantly, and Ron pushing Harry forward saying "Kiss 'im mate!" Then they kissed. The bond was started and they couldn't wait to complete it that night. They grabbed hands and Harry led Draco down the aisle and out into the entrance hall. Once out there Harry grabbed Draco and pulled him in for a longer kiss. Draco was crying when they broke apart. Harry was immediately alarmed.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Yes something happened. Honestly Potter, you are as thick as they come. We just got married!"
"So why are you crying? Did I miss something?"
"No, well yes, well…never mind, it's silly."
"Draco, what's wrong?"
"Well, I am just happy, that's all! Honestly!"
Just then the doors swung open and they were mobbed by those who wanted to congratulate them. When Snape finally came through there was a moment's pause. Draco looked at him and jumped up and gave him a big hug. Saying thanks for everything, and kept repeating it. Harry gave Draco a questioning look. Draco stepped back and Snape nodded at Harry then turned and left. Draco turned to Harry.
"Harry, we owe the wedding of our dreams to him. I called him this morning and he helped me call a ton of people off of the list so that we could both have just a small service with those who mean the most to us, unfortunately, I couldn't be completely rude, so everyone else that I invited will be here for the reception any minute."
"Is this why you thought that I wouldn't come?"
Draco looked struck…"Who told you that? I was fine all morning." But the look on his face betrayed him.
"Draco…I would have married you no matter how many people you had invited. I love what you did with the flowers, they were amazing! I love you Draco."
As Draco teared up again he hugged Harry. "It was something special just from me to you. I know that neither of us have family that could be here, so I thought that maybe the flowers would help feel like they were there. I know you love me, but I thought that with everything I've done to you, to us…I mean come on, I'm not exactly the poster child for innocence." Harry snorted, but Draco continued. "I thought that you would wake up this morning and realize who you were going to marry and not show up. I was so scared…Harry…I love you so much, I don't know what I would do without you."
Harry didn't know what to say, he leaned down and captured Draco's lip yet again, then led his husband back to the reception. Harry smiled as he greeted old friends, ministry officials, and some journalists that were bound to turn up. Mad Eye Moody kept his eye on the newly weds all night, and Draco noticed, and made sure to stay with Harry the entire time. The night was beautiful. After Draco and Harry had told all of their guests' good bye, Harry turned to Draco.
"My day was perfect, thank you Draco…for everything." Draco gave him a hug and said that it was no problem and his pleasure. Then Harry got a maniacal glint in his eyes…
"Now it's my turn to show you perfection." He grabbed Draco's wrist and led him out into the courtyard where Harry's broom was sitting.
"We're riding away on your broom? How romantic" Draco swatted him playfully. Harry just grinned and said hop on. As they rode out of sight over the Forbidden Forest Minerva turned to Arthur and Molly…
"I'm glad those two finally quit their bickering, but now it seems we have another Remus and Sirius to pester Snape." Molly and Arthur laughed and patted Minerva on the shoulder before they too left.
Arthur looked at Molly, "There's one in every generation, two in mine. What are the odds?"