Seven Years Later...
Chapter 23
"Surprises and Ceremony"
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Author's Notes: Now for the wedding... Well, the Ceremony... There is an after party...
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Artimis sighed as Draco left the room, going out for his 'surprise' bachelor party that he already knew about. The two weeks leading up to this day, the day before their wedding, had been a whirlwind of planning and making sure everything was ready. Artimis looked at her mother's wedding dress which hung in her closet, knowing she would have to enlarge it in her stomach a bit, having gained fifteen pounds in these two weeks. Though she swore it all went to her chest, which aggravated the hell out of her. Artimis paced her room, upset that she would be doing absolutely nothing today and that Draco would be out getting drunk off of his ass.
"Damn pregnancy. Damn it all." Artimis hissed as she sat in one of the high back chairs in her room, staring into the abyss of the fire. She had been doing that a lot these few weeks, just staring off until she fell asleep. The baby kicked and Artimis smirked at her stomach.
"I didn't mean it, my precious baby girl." Artimis spoke, amazed that she and Draco were going to have a girl, which Madam Pomfrey had informed them of at Artimis's last exam. Suddenly her door opened and a bouncy, hyper Alexis entered the room.
"Come on pouty, I have a surprise for you." Alexis shouted and Artimis groaned, standing up and looking at her too active friend.
"What?" Artimis asked and Alexis gave her a smirk.
"I have a surprise. Come on, down in the lounge." Alexis told her as she grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of her room. Artimis let her small friend drag her, not really caring enough to fight her. Alexis lead Artimis to the surprisingly closed lounge doors and Alexis stood behind her, reaching up to cover Artimis's eyes.
"Don't peek." Alexis told her as Artimis felt Alexis kick open the door. Alexis walked her in the room, Artimis being careful not to trip. Alexis uncovered her eyes and she looked to total darkness. Suddenly the lights flashed on and about a dozen women yelled 'Surprise!"
Artimis looked around seeing Alexis's trademark excessive balloons and then she looked at who was in the room and she smiled. Vicky and Erica stood next to Artimis's Aunt Serena and her cousin Lorinda. Narcissa Malfoy sat on the couch, sharing it with Ginny and Hailey who were smirking in satisfaction. Hermione stood by the lamp switch, shaking her head. Parvati stood in the back of the room, glaring at her children, who looked like they had just got done with a wrestling match. Artimis's other Aunt, Aunt Catalina glared at Narcissa as Catalina sat with her daughter, Melissa and Molly Weasley on the other couch. Artimis covered her mouth in the utter shock of it all and smiled.
"Wow. I thought you had forgot about me Alexis." She told Alexis and Alexis threw her head back in laughter.
"Me, forget you and all the whining? Nope, not possible. Now come sit so we can get this baby shower underway." Alexis teased and Artimis sighed as she sat down in one of the chairs. Aunt Serena leaned over and handed Artimis a box wrapped beautifully. Artimis took it and began to slowly unwrap it.
"Oh, come on, rip the paper, I wanna see what it is!" Alexis, Vicky, and Erica all exclaimed in unison. Artimis looked at them and shook her head, opening the box quickly to see a handmade cross stitch blanket. Artimis held it up, seeing a unicorn on it in vivid color.
"Oh, Auntie, thank you so much." Artimis exclaimed and she was suddenly bombarded with gifts to open. She spent then next few moment opening Erica's present and Vicky's present which both of them bought stuffed Dragons. Erica's was neon green and Vicky's was sky blue. After thanking them she was handed a glass with a ruby liquid in it. She looked at it and tried to hand it back to Alexis.
"Alexis, you know I can't drink." She told her and Alexis snickered.
"It's cranberry juice, so you can feel like you are drinking with us." Alexis replied and Artimis nodded to her taking a sip.
"Thanks." Artimis spoke as she was handed a package from Molly. Artimis opened it to find, not to her surprise, knitted booties and a knitted coat. She thanked her and picked up her glass taking a sip.
"ARTIMIS! What are you doing?" A annoyed voice called from behind her and she turned to see Snape.
"Having a baby shower, shouldn't you be out with the boys." She asked as she heard whispers behind her about the fact that Snape still was there.
No, your fiancé's style of partying does not suit me and I was charged with making sure you did not drink." He spoke looking angrily at the glass in her hand. She looked at it and smirked, taking another sip.
"Don't sweat. It's juice, they are drinking wine and I have juice." Artimis told him and he rolled his eyes, walking out of the room, grumbling about women. Artimis turned back to the women and spent the next twenty minutes opening all the presents, except for Alexis's. Artimis now had a nice supply of baby clothes and blankets and toys. She looked at Alexis who smirked and walked out a side door for a moment.
"What did she get me?" Artimis asked and all the women shrugged, looking at the door.
"Aunt Artimis, can I sit on your lap?" Athena asked and Artimis nodded, still watching the door as the little girl crawled into her lap. The doors opened and Alexis struggled in with a giant stuffed Silver wolf doll. Artimis couldn't hold in her laughter as her sister toppled over, the large doll falling on her.
"You didn't." Artimis spoke and Alexis scrambled to her feet, nodding.
"Oh yes I did." Alexis spoke and Alexis left the doll where it was, coming back over to sit down.
"Now, we must play games." Lorinda informed, pulling out a basket. Artimis smiled and sank into her chair, enjoying her baby shower.
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Alexis walked with Ron to the front doors as he prepared to leave to attend Draco's bachelor party. She stopped him before he walked out of the doors, gazing up at him sternly. She pointed at him as she warned. "Now you behave."
Ron smirked at the small tone of jealousy in her voice as he shook his head. "Don't worry, I'll sit in my corner with a beer. I'll just stay long enough for them to know I made an appearance, okay?"
Alexis smirked at him and nodded, kissing him lightly before pushing him out the front doors. She sighed, then turned, rubbing her hands together. "Alrighty then, back to business..."
She ran to the lounge, seeing Hermione putting up the last of the balloons. That was what mostly filled the room, to Alexis's satisfaction. She looked around, hand on her chin in thought. "Um, might want to put a few more in the corner back there, 'Mione."
Hermione turned with a balloon in hand, glaring at Alexis. "Three bags aren't enough for you?"
Alexis shrugged. "Okay okay... just a suggestion..."
She turned, seeing Narcissa and Artimis's Aunt Catalina glaring at each other with hatred. She stepped up to them, speaking demandingly. "Now you to better be nice, at least for Artimis's sake."
They both glared at her, but then promptly ignored each other, Narcissa going to sit on the couch as Catalina turned to her daughter Melissa, who seemed to be snickering at the two women. Alexis sighed, shaking her head, making sure the last things were in place. She then grabbed Hermione and positioned her by the lights, then turned to the room of women, watching as Parvati pulled the children off each other in their mock wrestling match and glaring at Erica and Vicky as they sneaked towards the wine.
"Now, all of you be quiet till I get Artimis, okay? Turn off the lights when I leave." Alexis asked, doing a last check then dashing out of the lounge, shutting the doors behind her. She turned, grinning as she raced upstairs to retrieve Artimis. She bounced into the room, seeing Artimis gazing into the fire, a dismal look on her features. Alexis rolled her eyes, thinking to herself.
So overdramatic... well, she's not gonna be depressed this day, not on my watch...
"Come on pouty, I have a surprise for you." Alexis shouted chipperly, bouncing towards her as Artimis wearily stood up, whining. "What?"
"I have a surprise. Come on, down in the lounge." She replied, grabbing her wrist and smirking as Artimis let her drag her downstairs, covering her eyes and ordering with a smile. "Don't peek."
Artimis sighed, and Alexis smirked, kicking open the lounge doors and leading Artimis into the darkened room.
Ha... my turn for being sneaky...Alexis thought to herself, uncovering Artimis's eyes and feeling her tense as she gazed into the darkness. Suddenly the lights flooded the room and a roar sounded, much to Alexis's satisfaction.
"Surprise!"
Artimis practically jumped, looking around in surprise at all the woman as Alexis stood there proudly, smirking. Artimis looked down at her, speaking quietly. "Wow. I thought you had forgot about me Alexis."
Alexis looked a bit taken aback, speaking dramatically. ""Me, forget you and all the whining? Nope, not possible. Now come sit so we can get this baby shower underway."
Alexis teased her, pulling her over to a couch and seating her in it, looking at all the boxes for Artimis with an eager eye.
I want presents... or at least want to open one... Alexis pouted to herself as Serena handed Artimis a present, watching as Artimis unwrapped it slowly, knowing that Artimis knew Alexis hated it. She exclaimed with Erica and Vicky. "Oh, come on, rip the paper, I wanna see what it is!"
Artimis did so, and moved on to the next presents as Alexis decided to pass out drinks. As she poured wine for her and the others, cranberry juice for Artimis, she wondered if she would be allowed to get drunk at Artimis's wedding. It had been a while, and everybody was more tolerable with a few good drinks. She turned, handing the juice to Artimis, who refused, thinking it was alcohol. Alexis rolled her eyes, Artimis should've known that she wouldn't let her drink, she would slap her if she so much as picked up a glass of alcohol during her pregnancy.
After a few more presents, Alexis waiting till the end to give her own, she heard an all too familiar and annoying voice fill the room.
"ARTIMIS! What are you doing?"
Alexis sighed, rolling her eyes, wondering if he had ever left the house to just them.
"Having a baby shower, shouldn't you be out with the boys." Artimis replied matter of factly, and Alexis grumbled to Hailey. "You know what, I think he enjoys hanging out with the women, he never leaves us alone..."
"No, your fiancé's style of partying does not suit me and I was charged with making sure you did not drink." He spoke looking angrily at the glass in Artimis's hand. Alexis shook her head at him, surprised he even showed a bit of concern for anyone but himself. Which also brought up the thought... why was he still even here? He didn't live at the Manor, why didn't he just go home already?
"Don't sweat. It's juice, they are drinking wine and I have juice." Artimis told him, and Alexis spoke lowly, watching Severus.
"Yeah, hoping to be buzzed enough to be able to tolerate you."
Hermione snickered behind her and Severus gave Alexis a glare as if he had heard her. She shrugged, then jumped up, deciding it was time for her present. She ran out a side door, smirking at the giant stuffed silver wolf that was about a foot or so taller than her. She frowned at it's size, wondering if it was big enough or if she should've gone a size larger. "Oh well..." She said, wrapping her arms around the fuzzy toy and trying to maneuver it into the lounge, hearing laughs behind her. She turned to look at them, but ended up tripping on herself, the doll toppling onto her, coming away with a mouthful of fuzz.
"You didn't." Artimis spoke in awe and Alexis scrambled to her feet, nodding as she shoved the huge wolf upright.
"Oh yes I did." She grinned and replied, feeling proud of herself.
I think the kid will get a kick out of it... hey, if she don't want it, I'll take it...
She nodded to herself, going to sit by Artimis as Lorinda pulled out a basket, letting the games begin.
An hour or two passed, and the guests were leaving, Alexis noticing that Ron still wasn't home. She yawned widely, growing tired as she frowned at the thought. "Little dork, was supposed to be home by now... wonder what the hell he's doing..." She grumbled to herself, saying goodbye to Erica and Vicky and telling Artimis she was going to bed. Artimis thanked her once again, and Alexis waved it off. "No problem, least I can do. Night."
Alexis spoke, heading up the stairs to her Tower. She entered it, slamming the doors behind her as she continued to grumble.
"Where the hell is he? Probably getting into something I don't want to know about... and without me..." She growled to herself, changing into her pajamas huffily. She plopped down into her large, overly cushioned bed, staring at the ceiling as she frowned, putting her hands behind her head as she snuggled down into her covers, waving her wand to extinguish the lights, throwing her wand onto her dresser and mumbling to herself as she turned on her side, dozing off with a smirk.
"Hmmm... he'll be back in bed before the morning..." With that and a final sigh, she fell asleep.
It was pitch black in her room when Alexis was slightly awakened by a fumbling at her door. She opened one eye, looking towards the doors curiously as they opened, a tall form stumbling into the room. She smirked as she recognized Ron, looking around in a drunken daze. She feigned sleep as he looked over at her, hearing him mumble. "Probably gonna be angry in the mornin'..."
He berated himself, sounding a bit apologetic. Alexis smiled, glad that he actually cared about what she thought. She heard him stumbling around the room, opening one eye as she saw him dress into his customary boxers and tossing his other clothes in her bathroom. She discreetly scooted aside as Ron crawled into bed beside her, laying down and wrapping arms gently around her. She turned into his embrace, snuggling into his chest as she felt him doze off, snoring gently. She sighed contentedly, falling asleep to his deep rhythmic breathing.
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Artimis bid farewell to the last of her guests as Alexis announced that she was going to bed. Artimis thanked her, feeling really loved that Alexis would find a way for Artimis to have fun. Artimis walked Vicky and Erica to the door, telling them that she would see them tomorrow. She herself decided to go to bed and climbed the stairs wearily, feeling more tired then she should. She passed Severus's door, it being cracked and she herself wondered why he was still here. Wasn't he always complaining about having to be here. Remus had told her that he had informed Severus that he could go home. Could it be possible that Severus did not want to go home? Artimis shook the thoughts from her head as she walked into her room and changed tiredly into her pajama's. She crawled into bed, turning out the lights and dozing off to sleep.
It was pitch black when Artimis heard Draco stumble into the room, humming the tune to some song loudly. She groaned and sat up, turning on the lights. She could smell the alcohol all the way across the room and she didn't want to smell it all night. Draco looked at her drunkenly and she glared.
"You sleep on the couch." She told him, pointing to the door and he frowned, turning around and walking out of the room, mumbling about somebody else was nicer. Artimis shook her head and turned off the lights, trying to go back to sleep. She rolled over, tossing and turning for a good twenty minutes when she decided that she wasn't going to get any sleep in her room. She got up, stalking out of her room quietly, tiptoeing upstairs toward Alexis's Tower. She moved past the chairs that were set up in their for the wedding tomorrow. She pushed open the doors to Alexis's tower and squinted, trying to see if Ron was in there. In the darkness Artimis saw only Alexis lying in her bed so Artimis walked over quietly and crawled into Alexis's bed. She curled up to the warm body in the bed and smiled.
"Man Alexis, you are warm." She whispered and she heard Alexis grunt. Artimis closed her eyes and in an instant, she was asleep.
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Alexis shifted, feeling oddly warm and kind of squished. She awoke, opening her eyes to see the Tower flooded with morning light, the stained glass windows throwing a dazzling array of colors across her walls. Looking to her side, she viewed Ron beside her, one arm around her comfortably. She felt cool stone on her back, turning to see that her back was against the stone wall beside her bed. She struggled out of her trap of blankets, sitting up with difficulty in her cramped space. Still half asleep, she grumbled, pushing Ron gently in the shoulder. "Ron... scoot over, you're squishing me..."
She whined, finally looking over him to what should've been an empty space beside him on her bed. What met her eyes gave her quite a shock.
A head of silky black hair that hid a face lay against Ron's bare chest, one slender pale arm wrapped around his chest. She sat bolt upright, wide awake and full of righteous fury. She glared daggers as her face reddened with anger.
She yelled loudly and harshly. "RONALD WEASLEY! Who the hell did you bring into MY bed!" He jumped slightly as she screamed at him, and she added a nice cuff to the back of his head for effect. He opened his eyes dizzily, wincing slightly and looking at her like she was insane.
"I can't BELIEVE you! You're supposed to be oh so in love with me, then you go a bring another girl to MY bed on one of your drunken whims!" Alexis continued to rant, glaring at him, trying to keep her temper back enough that she didn't flame up.
Ron looked down beside him at the black haired woman with shock, shaking his head in confusion. He looked back up at Alexis, shaking his head frantically.
"Alexis, I swear I didn't..."
"Don't give me your bloody lame excuses!" Alexis cut him off harshly, shaking with controlled rage.
The woman who lay beside Ron shifted and groaned, looking up and growling tiredly. "What the hell are you yelling about Alexis?"
Alexis held back her comments in surprise as she stared down at the woman, suddenly recognizing her as Artimis. Ron looked between the two women in his arms, still confused as hell. Alexis paled slightly, suddenly feeling very stupid. She shrank back, avoiding Ron's still tender gaze. She waited for him to start yelling back at her, knowing she had it coming. But, he didn't say a word. Confused, she risked a glance up beside her, meeting Ron's gaze, a glint of humor in his eyes. Alexis looked away, feeling even more guilty. Why wasn't he yelling? The silent treatment just made her feel worse!
"Say something! Aren't you gonna yell at me for accusing you?" Alexis spoke timidly, hating the quiet.
Ron laughed softly, shaking his head. "No... I understand why you yelled... I'm not mad." He spoke quietly, gazing at her tenderly. Alexis smiled sheepishly, feeling ten times more relieved, knowing any one else would've reamed her out good for yelling at them. But, Ron wasn't just any other person.
Suddenly, the doors to her Tower were flung open, and a confused looking Draco stood there, gazing around in confusion. Then he looked at Ron, then to Alexis and Artimis beside him, all three in pajamas and under one blanket. He stepped into the room, glaring angrily at all of them, and Alexis slapped her forehead, groaning aloud. "And so the day continues..."
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Artimis awoke to shrill unintelligible screams, which didn't make her feel too great. Artimis felt warmly wrapped around a strong body and Artimis recognized the yelling voice as Alexis's.
What now?... Artimis thought as she lifted her head to assess the situation.
"What the hell are you yelling about Alexis?" Artimis groaned tiredly and immediately Alexis shut up. Artimis looked at who she was curled up to and felt like smacking herself.
Oh great, just what I need... Artimis thought as she heard the conversation ensue between Alexis and Ron. Artimis turned suddenly as she heard the doors fly opened and she saw Draco barge in with a confused gaze. She saw him look at all of them in their current bad positioning. She heard Alexis sigh and mumble as Draco approached, a deadly look upon his face.
"Ron, get up." Draco hissed, pulling his sleeves up a bit. Artimis stood quickly, putting her hands up.
"Honey, this is defiantly not what it looks like." Artimis told him and he looked at her, looking her up and down with interest.
"I woke up on the couch, figuring that I had fallen asleep there. I go to my room to kiss my future wife good morning and she is not in there. I ask Harry and he says you are in here. I walk up here, wondering why you would come sleep with Alexis and here I find you, wrapped in Ron's arms with Alexis right next to him. I think this is exactly what it looks like." Draco angrily monologued. Artimis shook her head and sighed.
"Alexis went to bed before me, after my baby shower. I couldn't fall asleep alone so I crawled into bed with her. Obviously Ron in his drunken state did not know I was in bed with Alexis and he crawled in too, falling asleep. That is all that we did." Artimis explained and Draco looked at Artimis, then to Ron and Alexis, who nodding in agreement with Artimis.
"Ok, So that is all that happened?" Draco asked, giving Ron a killer glare and Ron looked at him sternly.
"Man, Do you really think I would do that to you? Yeah, you're Draco Malfoy, the boy who made school miserable, but do you really think I would try to steal your pregnant fiancé, especially when I just got the guts to tell Alexis how much she means to me?" Ron asked and Draco rubbed his chin, thinking.
"True. Sorry. I guess I'm just nervous." Draco spoke and Artimis sighed a sigh of relief as she walked toward him. He smiled at her and pulled her to him, kissing her forehead gently.
"Hey, this is my room, all of your mushy gushy crap belongs in your room." Alexis whined and Artimis laughed as she looked at Alexis.
"Yeah yeah. You and I have got to go get dressed, and so do you two." Artimis told the boys and Alexis snarled as she crawled out of bed, looking at Artimis.
"As soon as you are married, the dress is coming off. That is it, plain and simple." Alexis declared and Artimis nodded, shaking her head.
"I know, same with me." Artimis declared and Draco nodded to them as Artimis dragged Alexis, pajama's and all, to her bedroom downstairs.
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Draco stood nervously, trying hard not to twist his hands as he heard the music begin. He finally resigned to putting his hand in his pockets as he watched the flower girl, Artimis's niece Athena, throw flower petals on the walkway between Artimis's family and his own family. He watched as Damien stumbled down the aisle, fighting to get the collar of his suit off as he carried the rings. Then Artimis's bridesmaids, Vicky and Erica, walked out one after the other in light green bridesmaid dresses. Draco had to blink as he looked down the aisle this time, trying to figure out who the hell the white haired woman walking down the was, 'cause that was defiantly not Alexis. Then he saw the mischievous smile and he knew it was indeed his future sister in law. Then the wedding march began and Draco had to catch his breath as he caught the first glimpse of Artimis. She was in a beautiful gown that looked very old. A veil covered her face and her long hair as everyone stood as she walked in slowly on her brother's arm. Draco's heart started going a million miles an hour as she approached him, locking eyes with him.
My god, she is so beautiful... I'm gonna mess up... I don't deserve her... Draco thought as she stood by her brother's seat. Draco approached her as the preacher asked loudly.
"Who gives this woman away?"
Draco watched as Apollo patted Artimis's hand and looked at the preacher.
"Her brother." Apollo spoke and preacher nodded. Draco held his arm out to Artimis and walked her up to the low stage. He lifted her veil and saw her smiling brightly at him. He heard everyone sit down, but Draco didn't care, he couldn't take his eyes away from Artimis.
"Dearly beloved..." The preacher went on, performing the biggest ceremony of Draco's life. Draco looked at Artimis as he repeated his vows to her, holding her hands gently as he slipped on her ring. Then when Artimis spoke her vows in her surprisingly soft unyelling voice, he felt a tug of love for her so strong that he himself was shocked as she placed the golden band on his finger.
"Draco Eugene Malfoy, do you take Artimis to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The preacher asked and he smiled at her.
"I do." He spoke as he heard the snickers about his middle name but not caring.
"And do you , Artimis Marietta Callabella, take Draco to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Draco heard the preacher ask and Artimis flashed him a super smile.
"I do." She replied and he smiled back.
"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The preacher spoke and Draco smirked as he pulled Artimis to him and kissed her softly, a space in him suddenly filled with this unexplainable giddiness. He let Artimis go and their was much clapping. Draco held Artimis's hand as they walked back down the aisle and Artimis smirked at him.
"You, go make sure that the reception is ready. I have to change out of this dress before it shrinks back down to normal size." Artimis told him and he nodded, kissing her as they parted ways, thought Draco now knew they would never part for long.
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Artimis paced with Alexis, both of them in dresses as they waited for Erica and Vicky to make it down the aisle.
"I'm gonna fall. I'm so nervous." Alexis whined and Artimis looked at her like she was insane.
"You, you're nervous? I am about to become Mrs. Draco Malfoy and you are nervous!" Artimis asked and Alexis shook her head.
"Alexis it's your turn go." Artimis told her and Alexis looked at her pleadingly in her dark green dress, her hair brushed and put and makeup on her face.
"I'm not ready." Alexis whimpered and Artimis shoved her toward the door.
"I don't care, go out there. The sooner you're out there the sooner you can get out of the dress." Artimis told her and Alexis pouted, composing herself and walking out of the door.
"Oh god, what am I doing?" Artimis thought as she paced the room, waiting for the beginning of the wedding march.
"Hey sis, calm down." Apollo spoke as he walked in. Artimis leaned into the embrace he offered her and he sighed.
"Everybody gets cold feet. Just remember, there is a man out there who would die for you." Apollo told her and Artimis nodded standing tall and walking toward the door as she took Apollo's arm. She stood into front of the door, moving her veil over her face.
"Ready?" He asked her and she nodded, smiling as the door opened. She began walking, seeing the awe on Draco's face as he stood next to his best man, Aaron and his two groomsmen, Vincent and Greggory. Artimis looked at Vicky and Erica, who stood beside an Alexis that was smiling way too much and Artimis knew it was killing her. As they approached Apollo's seat next to his wife she watched as Draco moved toward her.
"Who gives this woman away?" The preacher asked loudly. Artimis looked at Apollo as he patted her hand and looked up to the preacher.
"Her brother." Apollo declared and he let Artimis go as she took Draco's arm. She looked in Draco's eyes and she saw something she was sure she had never seen there before. It was almost adoration but it was tinged with the soft glow of love. The preacher began the ceremony, Artimis not catching the beginning because she was enraptured in Draco's eyes. When Draco began to softly coo to her his vows she felt like Jell-O and had to maintain herself from falling as he slipped the golden ring on her finger. Then it was her turn to declare her vows and she spoke smoothly, putting all the emotions she felt at the moment in to her words, gently slipping the golden band on Draco's strong hand. The preacher spoke once more, asking Draco.
"Draco Eugene Malfoy, do you take Artimis to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The preacher asked him and Artimis smirked as she realized that she was probably the only one in the room beside his family to know his middle name. He smiled sweetly at her as he spoke the two words that would change both their lives.
"I do." He stated as she heard the snickers about his middle name, but Draco didn't seem to care, his eyes never leaving her face. Then the preacher spoke to her and Artimis's heart began racing.
"And do you, Artimis Marietta Callabella, take Draco to be your lawfully wedded husband?" She heard the preacher ask her and Artimis flashed Draco a sweet smile as she replied.
"I do." She declared and Draco smiled back at her gently.
"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The preacher spoke and Artimis watched as Draco smirked as he pulled her to him and kissed her lips softly. She smiled against him as she heard clapping and then he released her and they walked back down the aisle, finally married. Artimis felt the dress constrict a bit and she remembered that the spell making it big enough for her pregnant belly would wear off soon. Artimis looked at Draco, with his big grin and smirked at him.
"You, go make sure that the reception is ready. I have to change out of this dress before it shrinks back down to normal size." Artimis informed him and he nodded approvingly, kissing her once again as they parted ways. She headed downstairs, so happy that she could barely contain it as she skipped down the stairs.
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Alexis paced with Artimis, nervously watching Vicky and Erica walk down the aisle. She continued pacing, feeling constricted in the dark green dress Artimis had put her in, knowing that she would never hear the end of it from some people after seeing her in this and all this bloody makeup. Artimis had better know she was only doing this because she loved her, otherwise she'd probably be in jeans and sneakers, regardless the comments.
Looking out the doorway for the eighth time, she saw Vicky and Erica taking their places, the huge audience of people turning to look back at the door expectantly for the next person, her. Alexis gulped and whined. "I'm gonna fall. I'm so nervous."
"You, you're nervous? I am about to become Mrs. Draco Malfoy and you are nervous!" Artimis turned to her a bit angrily, and Alexis smiled sheepishly, then frowned.
"Alexis it's your turn go." Artimis told her and Alexis looked to her pleadingly.
"I'm not ready." She complained, feeling the people's stares on her.
"I don't care go out there, the sooner you're out there the sooner you can get out of the dress." Artimis growled and Alexis pouted. She took a deep breath, straightened and walked out into the aisle, putting on a smile as she sauntered forward, trying not to trip on the hem of her dress. Alexis realized this was the first time she ever shied from getting in front of a crowd. Probably because she knew she better not screw up or Artimis would tear her apart.
She breathed deeply, looking straight ahead and trying to ignore the many stares at her. She focused on walking, trying to look formal instead of her casual stroll.
Damn, this is harder than I thought... Alexis thought to herself as she continued walking towards the front, smiling widely to make it look like she wasn't nervous.
I hate formal stuff... I'm not even the one getting married and I'm nervous as hell... She snickered to herself, glancing towards the end of the front row of seats. She locked gazes with a pair of wide blue eyes, and blushed slightly at Ron's expression. He had a huge grin on his face as he watched her walking up, and he seemed to almost glow as he looked her over, looking impressed and shocked all at once. Beside him, she saw Fred and George snickering to each other, looking between Ron and Alexis with smug looks.
She walked past him, trying not to giggle as he followed her every move. She took her place up next to Vicky and Erica, turning to look out upon the audience, maintaining her wide smile, her cheeks already starting to hurt from it.
Hope this is over quick, or my face might be stuck like this... Alexis thought to herself as the wedding march began, looking towards the back of the aisle as Artimis walked out, Apollo beside her. Alexis looked beside her, surprised the children could actually stand through this for so long without making a noise. Alexis knew she would've probably be kicked out by now if she were their age and at this thing.
Artimis was brought up beside Draco, and the preacher began the whole formal spiel thing, Alexis not really catching all the words as she studied the audience, trying to keep from fidgeting. She looked at Ron in slight confusion, who was watching the preacher, Draco, Artimis, and everyone else up here with an intent, calculating gaze. She could almost see the wheels turning in his head. She sighed, wondering exactly what he was thinking as she looked over at Artimis and Draco. They seemed in their own little world, and was surprised Draco even heard the preacher and remembered to give his vows. Alexis smiled wider, seeing the look of pure happiness on Artimis's features. She deserved this, after all the shit she's been through, it was about time she got something she wanted...
The formalities were finished along with the dramatic 'I dos', and there was a huge ringing of applause and whistles, Alexis whistling as loud as possible for her friend and new brother in law. She suddenly froze as that thought sank in.
I'm related to the Malfoys... he's my brother... NO... She shook her head, wondering how she got into all this shit.
As soon as she was aloud to leave, she dashed off the low platform, intent on making it to her Tower to change. She was stopped as Ron stepped out in front of her, looking down at her with a dazed expression. She smiled up at him, and he spoke. "Wow... you look... wow." Was all he was able to utter and Alexis blushed slightly.
"Um... thanks. But, I'm gonna go get dressed now..."
"But, you are dressed." Ron spoke with slight confusion.
"Nu uh. This is a dress, but I'm not dressed. Slacks and a nice shirt, that's as far as I should've gone... I'm about to die in this thing." She complained, rubbing her cheeks.
"And I think I'll need some ice. Never knew smiling could hurt so much..." She grumbled and Ron laughed, following as she left the room.
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Artimis paced her room as she waited for Alexis to come down. She looked at her hand, seeing the gorgeous ring that Draco had gotten her.
"I am Mrs. Malfoy... Wow that sounds weird... Mrs. jeesh I sound old now..." Artimis mused to herself as Alexis entered, flustered as hell as she began stripping of her clothing.
"Artimis, help me with this zipper, the damn thing's choking me." Alexis whined and Artimis moved over and helped her friend. Artimis threw a shirt at Alexis and straightened her own shirt. It was long enough that it didn't over expose her pregnancy, even though everyone knew she was pregnant.
"Artimis, you better know I bloody love you." Alexis bitched as she washed her face, trying her best to remove waterproof make-up.
"Bloody shit won't come off." Alexis hissed and Artimis laughed.
"It's ok. Come on, we have got to get back to the reception." Artimis told Alexis as Alexis took her hands up to her head and mess up her hair, nodding at the mirror.
"There, that looks more like me." Alexis stated and Artimis sighed as she grabbed Alexis by the arm and pulled her up the stairs to her wedding reception. Draco was waiting by the top stair and Alexis trudged forward as they waited on the stairs. Draco looked as Artimis and smiled brightly, kissing her softly.
"I love you." He told her and she smiled back.
"I love you too." Artimis told him as they prepared to go to their wedding reception.