Chapter 2

The early July morning shone brightly down on the garden of the Burrow. The light tried to peek through the pulled curtains of the top bedroom, but the charm Ron had used to pull them closed at daybreak still held. The brunette's glasses were leaving a mark on his cheek where he had fallen asleep with them on. Balls of parchment scattered the floor, the cast-offs of their attempts to get the wording just right.

They had only been out for a few hours, luckily Molly had come up the stairs to wake Harry on his special day and seen the note they had pinned to the door, pleading to not be woken until at least noon. She informed the rest of the house, and then got to work. Draco had tried to convince her a thousand times to let him hire someone to cater the food, but she refused. She had cooked for Bill's wedding, and she would cook for all her children's wedding as long as she was around to see them.

The food delivery Draco ordered came the day before, she stood in the middle of the kitchen, wand raised and ready. Molly closed her eyes, took a deep breath in and out, then started to move. Her wand cut through the air with expert skill. Flashes of light, Pops! And Bangs! Here and there as food flew out of the pantry and fridge, knives flew out of the drawer and started chopping different vegetables once they were done washing themselves in the sink. Years of feeding her large family had prepared her well.

Draco, Hermione, and Luna had spent a bit of time down in the kitchen after arriving at Grimmauld Place, the girls happily chattering as Draco described what he had in mind. They cheersed with a shot of fire whiskey, then got to work on the house. Soon they were finished, sprawled across a bed in one of the guest rooms, tiredly sipping some white wine.

"So, how are the feet?" Hermione asked, her cheeks red from the wine and her smile genuine.

"Hmm, they could probably show the sun a thing or two about warmth." Draco lazily swirled the wine in his glass, watching it spin. "So, when do you think Ronald will pop the question?"

Hermione's smile fell, and she sighed heavily. "I don't fucking know." Draco and Luna just blinked at her for a moment, neither of them could remember hearing her swear before. She looked at their shocked faces and let her blink of anger fade away. "Sorry Draco, I am so, so happy for you and Harry, but I would be lying if I told you I wasn't jealous. I am so jealous of what you have planned for him, and I love Ron, but I just don't know if he'd plan something like all this for me. It's just not who he is."

Luna reached out and took Hermione's hand. A single tear fell from her brown eyes at the gesture. Alcohol always made her weepy, which is why she usually didn't drink.

"Hey 'Mione. Remember second year? When I was a total arse and called you, um, something ungentlemanly?"

"You can say mudblood as long as you aren't calling me one."

"Right, exactly, that. Remember how pissed Ron was? Prat knew his wand wasn't working right, but he tried to curse me anyway. Cause he cares about you. He was protecting you. From what I know, he doesn't often know the right thing to say, but when it comes to you, he knows the right thing to do."

Hermione let go of Luna's hand to cup Draco's cheek, shedding another tear, but this time with a smile. He returned the smile, and she let her hand fall, setting her wine down on a side table and laying back, letting her hair fall over the side of the bed. "Our first kiss was in the middle of the battle," Her voice was light, dreamy, "Walls exploding everywhere, spells flying, I was more scared than I have ever been in my life. And we have this moment, and he just grabbed me, and kissed me. Like, like he had to do it."

"That's what Neville said after our first kiss," Luna rolled and let her head hang next to Hermione's, both their hair brushing the floor. "He found me, grabbed my hand as I was rushing by. I think I said his name, I don't really know. He just pulled me in and kissed me, and then it was like there were no more brains in my head, just a million Wraskspurts, buzzing happily."

They both let out happy sighs, then raised their heads in tandem to look at Draco. He rolled his eyes. "Ugh, fine!" He moved so that his head was hanging over too, his fringe flopping down, ungelled. "But I don't want you both taking the mickey out of me because my story isn't as sappy as yours."

"So, um, I had Harry pinned to the wall of a closet because I was telling him to shut his arrogant mouth, and I taunted him, then he kissed me. Then we were kinda in there for a bit." Hermione's face was shocked, but Luna had a cocky little smile.

"Mmm, that's hot Draco." Luna never ceased to surprise him, her comment making him blush. "What about your guys first time?"

"Luna!" Draco's blush deepend, being upside down and slightly tipsy was making him a little dizzy.

"What? Sex is a beautiful part of life. Neville and my first time was spectacular. I thought I knew how I felt about him before but after that I knew it was love."

"Aww, Luna that's so sweet," Hermione clutched both her hands to her heart, her alcohol-induced sappiness getting to her again.

"It was sweet. We were taking a walk during a camping trip, he pulled me in for a kiss and I wanted more than a kiss. So I cast a blindfold on him, magicked away his clothes, and rode him hard in the woods."

"Oh wow!" Hermione's eyes were as large as saucers, but Draco just laughed.

"He loved it!"Luna laughed too, "I've never heard 'Thank You' so much."

"I figured you were a little freak." Luna smiled proudly, taking it as the compliment it was.

"I have a feeling that you have no room to talk, Draco," Her knowing smirk bewildered him. It wasn't the first time he thought Luna was extraordinarily intuitive.

"You're right, I don't," Draco's odd competitive nature was kicking in, "Our first time I was under Veritaserum and forced to tell him what I wanted, then made to beg for it. And I did. And he obliged."

They both just looked at each other with stupid grins, then turned towards Hermione, who's face had somehow gotten even redder.

"Well?" Luna inquired.

Hermione sat up, moved to lean her back against the headboard, and sat cross legged, elbows on knees, face in her hands. The blondes sat up and looked at her, then at each other, confused and concerned. But soon Luna's face settled.

"You guys haven't yet, have you?" Luna asked gently. Draco looked at her shocked, but his mouth fell open as he looked at Hermione and saw her nod.

"Bloody Merlin! How is that possible?" Luna smacked Draco's arm, "Um, I mean. Shit. Sorry 'Mione."

"Between the war ending, and trying to find the new normal. Fred's funeral. Me leaving for a while to find my parents. Then school started, and N.E.W.T's… and… and. I don't know! We just haven't. We've come close, but, no. Never."

They didn't discuss it, but Draco and Luna both moved, Hermione stretched out her legs to let them in, then they were sitting hip to hip with her and both putting one of her elbows through theirs.

"Things have calmed down a lot, I'm sure it'll happen soon, when you're ready." Luna played with a strand of Hermione's curls while she spoke. Hermione nodded, and then three slipped down a bit, getting comfortable. They talked a little longer but were soon asleep, heads on each other's shoulders, arms still interlocked.

Draco woke up stiff and a bit hungover. Water. You never remember water! Hermione's head rested on his shoulder, her hair all over his face. He brushed it back and almost laughed at her appearance, hair somehow even wilder than normal, mouth slack, letting out cute little snores, Luna's blond head resting on her chest. They were a mess of limbs, sweaty from the alcohol and each other's body heat. The light coming in was pretty dim, early he would guess. He managed to get his wand from the side table without waking either witch.

7:42am the wand showed once he cast the familiar spell. The ceremony wasn't until four in the afternoon, and they were staying here until almost the last minute to avoid Harry and him running into each other. The mostly still unconscious part of him wanted to go back to sleep, but the thought of how many hours he had left as an unmarried man sent his heart fluttering with excitement with just a trace of nerves. No nerves about marrying Harry, that he was more than ready for, but for all the people, the fluidness of the event.

Draco had invited more people than Harry probably expected, it was their day, but Draco would be lying if he didn't have a bit of a plan in place. A large portion of whom he invited were important people in the ministry, some of them the people who had wanted to convict him of crimes he was forced to be a part of through fear and family obligation. These people were invited to see what a changed man he was, but not for himself, for Harry. He would be working with some of them and under others, his whole career goal had always revolved around working for the ministry, an Auror all he had ever wanted to be. And even though he didn't talk about it, he knew some people treated him differently because he was with Draco, the ex-death eater. Draco also knew, through a verbal slip of Kreacher's, that every batch of potions the elf delivered to the hospital was tested before it was given to any patients. He hoped today would thaw some ice for both of their careers.

Hermione's snore caught in her throat and turned into an irritated moan. Her eyes opened, then blinked at the bit of sun. She looked at Luna nuzzled into her, then turned her eye to Draco and gave him a sleepy smile. Then her eyes got big and her smile turned huge.

"Today's the day! You're getting married!" Her excitement woke Luna, she grumbled for a second, but then heard Hermione's words properly and soon got into the spirit too. Both girls were soon jumping on their knees on the mattress, humming the wedding march while Draco laughed and tried to stop getting thrown about.

The lady's were talking nonstop as they all made their way down to the kitchen. Draco whipped up a hangover cure while they started some breakfast and talked about how they were going to do their hair and if they should give Draco a manicure so that his nails shined like his ring would. They asked him about his outfit for the day, he had gone shopping for his and Harry's suits alone, choosing them over more classic dress robes. He just smiled and sipped from his coffee.

Soon Hermione's hair was soaking in detangling potion, Luna had hers in curlers, and Draco had gone up to get their dresses. He hadn't shown them their outfits either. The two dresses matched, like muggles did at their weddings. Knee length dresses that would spin out a bit when they turned, a sweetheart neckline that he thought would look nice on both of them. They were the same green as Harry's eyes, with a sash as silver as his own.

They both squealed when they saw them, their giddiness palpable in the air. Soon the dresses were on, hair pinned up away from their faces, but falling in delicate curls down their backs. Draco had slipped away to get into his own outfit, only about an hour now until they would be aparating to Luna's to start their walk over to the Burrow.

"HARRY! WAKE UP!" His eyes popped open and he was blinded by the afternoon sun that was suddenly blazing in through the windows. Ron was running around, grabbing all the things he needed before getting in the shower.

"Ron, what? Wait! WHAT TIME IS IT?"

"It's after three mate. Mom just sent Ginny up with my suit, apparently she thought we would have been up ages ago, but she's been cooking all morning and didn't realize it was so late. We gotta go. Do you need to shower?"

"Um, yes. I'll be fast though. Ugh! I haven't even looked at the clothes Draco sent me. Knowing him it's some over-complicated thing!"

Harry showered fast, magicked his hair dry, and tried his best, as always, to get it to behave. He rushed back to Ron's room, Ron whipped passed him in just his towel. Harry peaked out the window and saw what was at least 100 people milling around the garden, chatting and peaking into the tent, but not going to sit quite yet.

"Bloody hell Draco!" He shook his head at his almost husband, and went to find the garment bag with his name on it. He zipped it open and found a small note stuck to the front in Draco's writing.

Morning love,

I hope you had a good night, hopefully you didn't stay up too late. I don't need my husband having bags under his eyes. I thought you'd appreciate a more casual look, I know you aren't really one for dressing up. Please roll up the shirt sleeves, Molly said she knew how to do the tie, just in case you don't know.

I'll see you at the wedding, I'll be the tall, stunning man who can't take his eyes off you.

All my love,

Draco

He smiled at the note, and started to dress. Black trousers that fit him nicely, but luckily not too tight. Draco was always having him wear such tight pants. He tucked in the white shirt then rolled up the sleeves as he had been instructed to do. Black socks and shoes. He thought he knew how to tie a tie, but the dark green piece of fabric he pulled out looked nothing like the ties he's worn before. And there was something stretchy with silver clicks on it as well.

He passed the bathroom just as Ron was opening the door, the cuckoo clock by the top of the stairs said they had about 20 minutes until the ceremony started. Neville was in the sitting room in his simple but nice black suit, Harry assumed Ron's would match, "Do you know where Molly is?" He gestured towards the kitchen, where every delicious food smell Harry had ever smelled was wafting out.

was putting warming charms on the last few dishes when Harry came rushing it. " , is this a tie? A note from Draco said it was a tie, but I don't know how to tie a tie like this and I don't even know what this thing is and, and please help me!"

Molly chuckled at the nervous boy, at the now grown man that stood before her. "Here Harry. These are suspenders. They're a bit old-fashioned, but classic," She clipped them to the back of his pants, then brought what he now realized were straps over his shoulders and clipped them to the front. "This is a bow tie, and don't worry, most men don't know how to tie them. Oh, that Draco is good, it is the exact shade of your eyes." Harry grabbed a clean silver serving spoon from the counter and looked at his curved reflection. She was right, both the tie and suspenders were his exact green.

forced a bit of dry toast into his hand and told him to go eat over the sink so he didn't get crumbs on himself. Harry nodded, and looked into the backyard as he ate. The toast eased his stomach that was still in knots, despite being completely ready now.

Why the hell am I nervous! I love this man so bloody much.

But as Harry looked out over the sea of people who were all starting to settle into their seats inside the tent, he knew it was less about his devotion to Draco and more about his ability to make a fool of himself in front of people. He saw many familiar faces in the crowd, all the people in his auror training, a few faces he knew from around the ministry but didn't necessarily actually know, and then he saw Kingsley Shacklebolt moving towards the entrance to the tent, one of his guards on either side.

I am going to kill him. I'm gonna marry him, then when everyone's gone, I'm gonna kill him. What was he thinking, inviting the bloody minister?

Ron came bounding down the stairs, looking very put together for only having a few minutes. Neville came in too, and then they were all ready to go. Harry looked at the Weasley clock, all hands pointed to home, and rolled his eyes at himself. He always stupidly thought it would tell him the time. He could faintly hear the cuckoo clock on the top landing letting out four tones, so Neville opened the kitchen door and headed out.

They walked along the canvas wall of the tent to their entrance, Neville stuck his head in, spying Luna doing the same across the way. She smiled at him, love and joy in her eyes, then she turned her head and nodded at a small string quartet near the front, who started to play something familiar, slow but up upbeat. She centered herself in the middle of the entrance, her bouquet of white roses in her hands, resting against her chest.

Neville copied her, Ron and Harry peeking in to see. They started towards each other, matching their steps to the music, meeting in the middle. Neville offered his arm, as they did in the rehearsal, and Luna took it, and they made their way to the front. When they were halfway to the front, Hermione appeared in the doorway, Ron stood facing her and Harry had to give him a push since he hadn't started stepping when she did, too busy gawking at her. Harry went ahead and stood in the middle, but back a little so the crowd couldn't see him. Ron and Hermione linked arms, she gave him a quick smile, then they were headed to the front as well.

Then, across the tent, the afternoon sun coming in behind him, was Draco.

Oh wow.

Draco was in a fitted black suit, jacket hanging open over a black vest, a double row of silver buttons on the front. A black tie sat over a matte silver shirt, which cuffs were just visible at the end of the jacket sleeves, a matching pocket square folded expertly. The music changed slightly, and the crowd stood and turned, and Draco took a step towards him.

'Slow down' he smiled and mouthed at Harry, who did as soon as he was reminded. The two met in the middle, and Draco took Harry's left hand in his right.

"You look amazing! So fancy. You didn't want me fancy?" Harry whispered as Draco led them forward.

"And have you outshine me at my own wedding? No way. You look amazing too. Relaxed. Yourself." He brought Harry's hand up to his lips and kissed it, and Draco's favorite grin came across his face.

Harry looked forward at the raised platform in front of the crowd. The archway from yesterday, wrapped in vines with little closed buds in the center, the officiant standing on a stool so he would be level with the two men. Neville on the step to the far right, Luna on the same step to the far left. Ron and Hermione one step up and a bit closer in, only a short distance from where the archway sat, one more step up, on the platform.

Harry tried to look around and smile at the guests as they moved forward, but his eyes kept going back to Draco. He did see a nice sight in the front row that he did take in for a minute, , his arm around , both looking so nice, and both with a few tears of joy in their eyes.

Draco and Harry climbed the three steps and stood under the arch, turned towards one another, and held onto each other's hands. Almost in unison they breathed in and out, a calming breath.

"Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls," The officiant started, "this union, when forged in honesty and held together by truth, can last a lifetime. The feelings shared and celebrated today will stretch forward to carry this couple to their future.

Draco and Harry have both prepared a message for each other, to share on this day. Draco?"

Draco, being calm and prepared as always, delivered his vows from memory. "Harry James Potter, I have thought about you nearly every day since I met you. We grew up together, and even though most of our first interactions weren't what you'd call romantic in nature, I couldn't wait for every fight, every moment your attention was on me. Then, when we came back for our last year, I started getting more and more of your attention, and at first it scared me. But you saw that and would talk me down from my worry. You are such a strong man Harry, and when I need strength to borrow you have it to give. You care so much for everyone, you've risked your life more times for this world than you should have ever had to. And now I want to give you a quiet future. I want you to have as little worry and danger as possible. I want a boring, happy life with you," the sentence came out with a laugh, and the crowd followed. "I want to give you everything you could ever want, as long as you just let me come along. I will be there for you, Harry, for as long as you'll have me."

Harry nodded and smiled, his throat hurting with the effort of holding back his tears. His heart swelled for the man. The officiate turned to Harry and gave a little clear of his throat to get his attention.

"Oh, right. Ron?" He turned and Ron was pulling the paper out of his inside jacket pocket. The crowd laughed again, Harry having been caught ogling his man in front of the group. Harry gulped as he unfolded his paper. Draco could see through the parchment a bit, where Harry had crossed out some words here and there, scrunching in new ones in the space between lines.

"Draco. My life has taught me a lot of things about bravery and courage. I thought there wasn't anything I couldn't do if I just faced it head on. But then I got closer to you and I learned what real fear was. I know you think I didn't notice you before, that I didn't think of you, in this way," Harry waved a hand around to the wedding at large, "but I realized every day that I get to spend time with you that I have felt this way for a long time. Sometimes I think about that day in the room of requirements, when I thought you were down somewhere in the fire. I was so scared that you were gone. But then I spotted you, and the way you looked me in the eye as I took your hand, I knew that I never wanted to let go. And after today, I'll never have to. I love you Draco."

One tear fell from Draco's eye, and Harry raised one hand to wipe it away with his thumb while he cupped his cheek. Draco turned his head slightly and kissed the palm of Harry's hand.

"If I may have the rings, please?" The officiate held out his hand, Draco turned to Hermione who was pulling the ring box from the pocket of her dress. Harry turned to give Ron back the paper and get the ring, when he saw his 'oh shit' expression.

"Really Ron?" Harry whispered. He rolled his eyes as he pulled his wand from his trouser pocket. "Accio Draco's ring!" A few seconds later the little black box came bursting through the side of the tent. Laughter filled the air as Harry caught the box, and Bill, who was closest, repaired the hole.

They both removed the rings from the boxes and handed them to the officiant. "These rings are a sign of your love for each other, strong and never ending. Wear them with pride. And as Draco requested," he took out his wand, and tapped the rings while muttering to himself, and they glowed under the power of his spell, "They now will shine, and let the other know you are thinking of them, even when you are apart, with a single tap of your wand."

He held out the rings to the pair, Draco picked up Harry's and slid it into place. Once more it glowed, then shrunk to fit him perfectly. Harry did the same with Draco's, and then they were both smiling.

"By the power vested in me by the ministry of magic, I now pronounce you bound for life. You may kiss your husband!" He waved his wand over them and golden sparks erupted, circling them in bright light. Harry took Draco's face in his hands and kissed him, his ears full of the din that was now echoing around the tent. When they pulled away, the little buds on the archway vines burst open, releasing doves and covering them in white flower petals.

"Presenting for the first time, Harry and Draco Potter!" It somehow got even louder as the crowd moved to their feet. Wands everywhere were sending sparks into the air, lighting up the tent and adding to the noise. The officiant waved his wand and all the chairs disappeared. Everyone was coming forward to say congratulations to the happy couple, and as more floor was revealed, chairs and tables appeared on it. The sides of the tent disappeared, letting the warm July evening air in.

Soon there was a line as every guest waited their turn to talk to the couple.