Chapter Seven: A Happy Dream
It was summer time three years after graduation. Harry, Ron and Hermione were all at Grimmuald Place in the library. They were looking up information for Dumbledore. The three old friends had tall pile after tall pile of books that they had gone through. Spread on the table in front of them were more books and next to each of them sat a stack of parchment with information they had written down. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been working on this for five days in the row now. Finally all thr work finallymade Ron crack.
"I've had enough of these books!" Ron yelled as he threw the book in front of him across the room. The book hit one of the tall piles and all the books went flying around the room. Hermione jumped at his out burst and looked at him. Harry on the other hand didn't flinch since he was feeling the same way as Ron was.
"Ron." Hermione said as she looked at the books scattered all over the floor.
"I can't take reading this stuff any more. It's too much for me. Five bloody days of reading book after book and we still haven't found what Dumbledore wants!" Ron shouted again. This time he smacked his hand down on the pile of parchment next to him, which caused the inkbottle to tip over. The corners of his parchments were covered with ink.
"I think we could all use a break, anyone else up for a break and game of wizard chess?" Harry asked he closed the book in front of him. Hermione sighed but nodded in agreement. She too was also tired.
The three friends left the library and headed to the den. Ron and Harry played a game of wizard while Hermione sat watching them. Crookshanks was curled up on her lap and was purring quietly. They spent the rest of the afternoon just talking and doing whatever they felt like. Hermione told them that they had to get back to work tomorrow, but for now they would break.
Around 5 o'clock that afternoon Tonks, Remus Lupin, and Draco Malfoy all stopped by. Tonk and Remus had pulled Harry and Ron into the kitchen to talk. Draco sat down next to Hermione and kissed her cheek. They had been going out since their sixth year and they were still together. Draco pet Crookshanks, who was still sleeping on Hermione's lap.
"How are you?" Hermione asked as she looked at Draco. He was covered in dirt and looked extremely tired. Hermione ran her hand through his now dirty silver-blonde hair.
"Just tired." He said. Draco leaned his head in her shoulder. Remus, Tonks, and Draco had been working on something for Dumbledore and weren't allowed to say what it was. Then, with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, he pulled Hermione up and over to another room.
"What are you doing?" she asked as he pulled her from the den to a smaller room. Once they entered the door, he closed the door and turned to look at her. He smiled at her and then pulled Hermione into a deep kiss. Hermione returned the kiss as Draco picked her up and spun her around. When he set her down she smiling.
"I have something for you." He said as he pulled something out of his pocket. Hermione couldn't see what it was as he had it hidden in his hand.
"Like what?" Hermione asked as she looked at Draco. He was smiling and extremely happy, even though he was exhausted.
Draco looked into her brown eyes before he began to speak. "Hermione Granger, I have liked you since we first started to know each other. Even though you were hidden behind spells, I knew that I was falling in love with you. I realized that I truly loved you when we were apart for so long after our seventh year. I thought of you night and day and I couldn't dream about ever leaving you. You brought me from the dark side over to the side of good. You melted my cold heart with you love and caring. Hermione, you saw me as someone I never wanted to be. You saw the good in me, even though all I had ever done was hate you and call you names, you loved me anyway." His silver gray eyes sparkled as he spoke to her. She looked into his eyes and knew he was telling the truth. "I love you Hermione, and I have to ask you this." Draco opened his hand in front of her. "Will you marry me?"
Sitting in the palm of his hand was a small petite diamond ring. The band was gold with small decorative engravings around it. A small diamond was placed in the center of it and sparkled in the small light that was in the room. Hermione placed a hand over her mouth as tears began to form in her eyes. She looked back at him and saw the sparkle in his eyes that made her heart melt. Hermione removed her hand and smiled. She shook her head yes.
"Yes, yes Draco Malfoy, I will marry you." She said. He smiled even bigger then before. "But, only if we can have a muggle wedding." She said. Draco studied her face for a while then nodded in agreement. Draco then placed the ring on her finger and looked up at her. He pulled her into a hug and then kissed her deeply. They broke away from the kiss, but still hugged each other. Hermione quietly whispered into his ear. "You're right, I do love you."
After a while they left the room to find Remus, Tonks, Harry, and Ron sitting in the den. When they returned Remus and Tonks stood up. They headed toward the door and waited for Draco. He gave Hermione one last kiss and walked after them. Once they had left, Hermione fell backwards onto the couch. Harry and Ron gave her a questioning look. Hermione noticed their looks and just raised her hand to them. The two boys noticed the ring on her finger.
"He finally asked you?" Harry said looking over at her. Hermione just nodded.
"You realize if he hurts you, Harry and I will kick his ass." Ron said. Hermione just smiled. She was to happy for words.
With help from Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and her own mother, Hermione had the wedding planed. It was planed for the end of September. The four girls had planed a muggle wedding, just like Hermione had wanted.
A week before the wedding Hermione and Draco were sitting in the den at Grimmuald Place. They were talking about random things when an owl dropped a letter on Draco's lap. Draco picked up the letter and opened it. Hermione looked over his shoulder and together they read it.
Draco,
You are disgrace to the name of Malfoy. How could you pick a mudblood to be your wife? She should be destroyed along with her muggle parents. How dare you disgrace the Malfoy family name. You are no son of mine and I refuse to be related to such a mudblood lover. You might as well marry a Weasley for they too a muggle lovers. You discuss me and I refuse to believe this. You are not my son, and will never be. You wouldn't even invite your own mother, not that she would come, but you think more highly of muggles and mudbloods to disgrace your family. I swear on my life, if I ever get a hold of you, I will kill you myself. You have disgraced the pure blood name of Malfoy and there for should be put to death. I pity you the next time we met.
Luscis Malfoy
Hermione sat in shock as she read the note. She had never thought that by marrying her he was disgracing his name. And to only make this worse Draco's father was going to kill himthe next time they met. Tears formed in Hermione's eyes as she thought about it. She got up and walked to window as Draco watched her.
He threw the letter a side and walked up behind Hermione. He wrapped her arms around her waist as she stood looking out the window. "It's okay. Don't worry about him." Draco said he rested his head on her shoulder.
"It's not okay. He's treatening to kill you. That's something that you worry about. I'm going toworry about it because I'm going to be marrying you. What if we have a family and he come after you and kills you. What am I suppose to do? I can't live with myself if that happened." She said as she looked out the window.
Draco lifted his head and turned her toward him. He looked into her brown eyes, which were now wet from tears. "I'm not going to let that happen. He's on the run from the Ministry. There is no way he could show up in public and try to kill me without being killed first." Draco said. Hermione looked down at the ground. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "I won't let him hurt me or you."
Hermione work up early the morning of her wedding. So many things were running through her head and so many emotions were flooding her body. She dressed quickly and headed off toward the church were she would be getting married. Draco agreed to a muggle wedding, which was good because she always wanted to be married in a church.
She arrived at the church to see people running around trying to get everything set up. Flowers were being put everywhere and seats were being saved for family members and friends. Everyone was extremely busy and running around like mad. Ginny spotted Hermione and run up to her.
"Where have you been? Come on we have to get you ready." Ginny said pulling Hermione toward the back room where all the girls were getting ready. Hermione followed behind as they walked into the room. There was enough time for quick greetings before Mrs. Weasley and her mother shoved Hermione into a chair to work on her hair and make-up.
"How do you want your hair done?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she tapped her wand on her hand.
"I don't know. What do you think mum?" Hermione asked her mother.
"I would say up in an elegant bun with slight curls falling around your face." Mrs. Granger said.
"I think that would look great." Ginny chimed in as Tonks helped her into her maid of honor dress.
So Mrs. Weasley set to work on Hermione's hair while Mrs. Granger put make-up on her daughter. Within an hour Hermione, Ginny, Tonks, Lavender, and Parvati were all dressed, had their hair done, and make-up on. They now just had to wait until Remus came over to tell them it was time to start.
Over in the boys' dressing room, Mr. Granger was trying to help Draco into a tux. Being as Draco had grown up in the wizarding world he had no idea how to dress in a tux. After fighting with Draco to hold still Mr. Granger finally had him dressed in one. He next moved on to help Crabbe and Goyle, while Harry helped Ron into his. It was quite amusing to watch Crabbe trying to tie his tie around his arm. Mr. Granger took it from him and tied the tie around Crabbe's neck.
Harry walked over to Draco as Mr. Granger tired to fix Goyle into his tux. Ron stood in a fit of giggles watching the whole thing. Harry walked behind Draco and set a hand on his shoulder. They weren't close friends, but they had put their differences aside because of Hermione.
"Doing okay, Malfoy?" Harry said. Draco turned away from the mirror and looked at Harry.
"A muggle wedding. Why did I ever agree to such a thing?" Draco said. Harry gave a small laugh before replying back.
"Because this is what Hermione wanted, and you love her." Harry said. Draco nodded and turned back to mirror. He hated the bow tie he had to wear, but if that is what muggles wear then that is what he was going to wear.
Before long, Remus walked into the room. He was dressed in dress robes since he wasn't in the wedding. "Are you five all ready?" he asked as he looked at the three figiting Slytherins and the two clam Gryffindors.
"Yes Mr. Lupin, I think they are." Mr. Granger said.
"Please it's Remus. Well then, I will take the Best Man and the four Groom's men with me. Ryan if you will take Mr. Malfoy to his place, then we will begin shortly there after." Remus said. Mr. Granger nodded as he took Draco with him.
Draco walked after Hermione's father to the front of the alter. Mr. Granger placed Draco to the priest's left hand said. "All you have to do is stand here until I bring Hermione to you." He said. Draco nodded as he watched Mr. Granger head toward the back of the church.
Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle followed Remus to the back of church where the girls were waiting. Mrs. Weasley and Granger were doing last minute touch up to the girls. Ginny, who was the Maid of Honor, was wearing a light blue dress, and Tonks, Lavender, and Parvati were all wearing light purple dresses.
Everyone lined up ready for the wedding to start. Hermione's little cousin Rachel was the flower girl and was standing in front. Next to her was Hermione's other little cousin Michel who was the ring bearer. Be hind the two young children stood Harry and Ginny. Draco only picked Harry to be his Best Man because he had grown up with muggles and was hopping that Harry would be able to help him through this whole thing. Behind Ginny and Harry were Ron and Lavender, followed by Tonks and Crabbe, and then Goyle and Parvati. Parvati was fairly upset when she was paired was Goyle, but got over it.
Hermione stood in the very back of them. Her mother hugged her and kissed her forehead before heading out with Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Granger stood outside the doors waiting for Hermione to come out.
The doors opened and Rachel and Michel headed out first. Everyone who was there looked toward the back of the door. Once the two young children were halfway down the aisle, Harry and Ginny headed out followed by everyone else. The girls split from the boys as they reached the front. Draco swayed nervously back and forth slightly. Harry put a calming hand on his shoulder as the music for 'Here Comes the Bride' was played.
Hermione walked through the doors and everyone stood up. She was holding the bouquet and wearing a long white dress with spaghetti straps. The veil was long and dragged behind her just like the dress itself. Hermione met her father and together they walked slowly down the aisle. Once they reached the front to music stopped and the priest spoke.
"Who give this women to this man?" the priest asked.
"Her mother and I" Mr. Granger said. He let go of Hermione and Harry had to poke Draco in the back so he knew to go take hold on Hermione's arm. The two walked toward the front and stood in front of the priest.
"We are gather here today to bring these two people together in holy matrimony. If there is anyone who thinks that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." The room was quiet and then the priest continued. "Do you, Hermione Granger, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and told through richer through poor, though sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" The priest asked.
Hermione looked and Draco and smile she then turned back toward the priest. "I do." She said.
"Do you, Draco Malfoy, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and told, through richer through poor, through sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" the priest now asked Draco.
"I do." Draco replayed.
"The rings." The priest said. Draco took the rings from Hermione's cousin Michel.
"Place the ring on her finger and repeat after me. With this band, I here thee wed." the priest said.
Draco placed the ring on Hermione's finger and looked into her sparkling brown eyes. "With this band, I here thee wed." he said. Hermione took the other ring from her cousin.
"With this band, I here thee wed." the priest said to her.
Hermione placed the ring on Draco's finger and looked into his eyes. "With this band, I here thee wed." she said.
"By the power invested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest said. Draco and Hermione smiled at each other before he pulled her forward into a kiss. While they kissed the priest said. "I introduce to you, the new Mr. And Mrs. Draco Malfoy."
Everyone stood up and clapped. They were all so happythat two enemies who had hated each other were now married. No one could have been happier.
Everyone then retreated toward the reception room. Hermione and Draco had cut the cake and ended up shoving the pieces of cake into each other's mouths. Everyone was laughing and having agood time. It was amazing how Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger were now married.
Three years after the wedding Hermione gave birth to their first child Septimus Alexander Malfoy. Three years after his birth, Hermione gave birth, yet again, to their second child Gabrielle Ellen Malfoy.
Hermione continued to sleep until she heard tapping on a window. She opened her eyes to find that it was morning and a barn owl was tapping on her window. Hermione got up and opened the window. The owl gave her a letter and then flew out the window again with a short hoot. Hermione looked at the envelope.
Mrs. Hermione Malfoy
Malfoy Manor
Master Bedroom
The green writing told her instantly that it was from Professor McGonagall. Hermione opened the envelope and read the letter.
Dear Mrs. Hermione Malfoy,
You are invited to attend the 15th year reunion of your graduation year from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are invited to bring your family with you if you would like. This is a time to catch up with old friend. We hope to see you on July 9th back at Hogwarts.
Signed
Professor Minerva McGonagall -Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hermione stared at the letter. She had forgotten that that date was coming up. She sighed as she realized that she would be going back to Hogwarts in two months.