I do not own these characters or this world. Sorry this installment took so long, school started here for me and free time is hard to come by. I will try to keep up with it though, and this one has a bit of a side chapter that I will hopefully put out in the next few days.

Chapter four

Hermione gasped, the bouquet coming up to cover her face. Her eyes flitted up for a second, settling on Harry and Draco. Draco stood behind Harry, arms wrapped around his waist, chin on his shoulder, both their eyes on her.

That fucker knew and didn't tell me!

She looked back at Ron. At this boy she had known for years. At this man she had grown up with, grown to love.

"Hermione-"

"Yes."

Ron laughed, along with most of the room.

"Hermione-"

"Yes! Ron, yes!" Hermione jumped on him and they fell backwards into a heap on the dance floor. The crowd cheered, Mr. Weasley held his wife against him as they watched their youngest son laughing and helping his fiance to her feet.

The band started up the next song and everyone enjoyed the fast melody after the renewed vigor of love in the air. They were all much too busy to notice the newly engaged couple sneaking away into the surrounding darkness.

Draco and Harry descended back into the crowd, talking with the different people coming up to them to wish them good night on their way out. Harry spotted a large, familiar frame facing away from him at a table with George, Lee, Seamus, and Dean. As he approached, he caught the tail end of the story all four were working together to tell.

"Yeah, so then, this bludger, (a ball that flies by itself and tries to get you), slams into Harry's arm, breaking all his bones in one go, and he still went and got the snitch! (The flying gold ball with wings that gets you a ton of points)" You could tell Lee missed commentating on their old matches, and Dean and George were doing the best they could to fill Dudley in on the magic terms he was using. Seamus was just laughing at them all.

"So then he manages to land, and this complete twat of a teacher of ours says he's gonna fix Harry's arm, and do you know what the bastard does?"

"What'd he do?" Dudley was on the edge of his seat. Harry couldn't quite place what emotion he was feeling, but his heart swelled a bit seeing his cousin showing real interest in his life.

"He managed to remove every single bone from my arm." Harry chimed in from behind Dudley. The boys all turned, the ones in the know laughing, but Dudley looked so shocked and confused. Harry flexed his arm. "Yep, no bones. I had to re-grow them." Harry had to join in the laugher when the look of pure horror crept onto Dudley's face.

Harry took a seat in the chair next to his cousin. "What else have you boys been discussing?"

"Oh you know," George said with a smile, "Just how you're somehow the biggest bad-ass and a complete wanker at the same time."

"Ha. Ha."

It did amuse the rest of the table though, as Harry was soon forced to laugh as well at those surrounding him, they seemed to be more than a little drunk. The music changed around them, something fast that apparently the other wizards recognized, because they all gave a loud hoot of excitement and stood quickly, Seamus knocking over his chair and just leaving it there in their attempt to get to the dance floor. Harry turned to Dudley as he heard him chuckle at his friend's antics. It was so surprising, to see him so at ease here, surrounded by strangers, most of whom were magical.

"So, um, how are your mum and dad?" Harry instantly started mentally berating himself. The whole world of conversation topics and what does he blurt out? So, how are those parents of yours, you know, the ones that trapped me in a cupboard for the duration of my childhood?

"They're okay," Dudley looked unbothered by Harry's question, "Dad was sick for a while there, and it seemed to change something in Mum. Dad and I were always important to her, but she started using every opportunity to tell me how important family is. And then when I moved out, she acted like I was dying. Kept talking about fond memories like I wasn't ever gonna be around to make more. Then she started talking about you."

"Me? Fond memories about me?"

"Yeah, talking about you as a baby, and how much your eyes remind her of Aunt Lily's."

Harry had chosen the worst moment to sip his drink. He choked at the name and started to cough, Dudley thumping him on the back to try to help.

"She, she talked about my mum?"

"Yeah, the first time was the day I was moving out. She was going through everything, offering me different things she'd kept over the years, when she found a box of pictures. All of Aunt Lily. I guess she had tossed it in the back of a closet after her parents died and had never really gone through it. I found her crying in the attic surrounded by pictures. I asked her if she was okay, and she just sobbed at me and gave me the picture in her hand. I dropped it as soon as she gave it to me, shocked. It was moving Harry! Well, I guess you're probably used to that by now…"

"Not really, magic still amazes me." Harry answered quietly, not having wanted to interrupt, wanting to hear more, but he didn't want Dudley to feel uncomfortable and stop.

Dudley smiled as he continued, "It was a picture of you, as a baby, and you were zipping around on a little broomstick. And I guess it was your dad, it was just his legs, but he was chasing after you. And there was this beautiful red-headed girl sitting on the sofa, laughing at you both. And I looked at Mum and she just goes, 'That's my sister, my baby sister, Lily. Your Aunt Lily.'"

A tear crept into his own eye as Harry listened to Dudley. Aunt Petunia, talking about his mum. Crying. Missing her. And for one very short moment, Harry had the overwhelming feeling of missing his Aunt, something he had never felt before. But then the next second, he was second guessing himself. Did he miss her or what she represented? His only living blood family. Besides the man sitting next to him.

"So, you've moved out. That's good. Where you living? Where do you work?"

"Yup, day I turned 18. I couldn't wait to get out of there."

"Didn't wanna be mummy's little diddy-kins anymore?" For once the teasing was light-hearted, and Dudley cringed then smiled at the name.

"Exactly! It's hard enough for her to treat me as an adult now that I have my own flat, but if I was still living with them, I would have been treated like I was 5 years old forever. It's just a tiny little run-down flat in Croydon, only a few minutes til you're in London proper. I'm taking some classes at NCC Hackney and working in a pub."

"Nice. Do you live there yourself, or should I be expecting an invitation to one of these," Harry gestured to the wedding grandeur, "in the near future?"

Dudley laughed, making Harry a bit nervous. He was hoping the comment would seem casual, but he both wanted to know if he had someone and if they would be seeing each other again. Neither being something he would have cared about this morning.

"I don't think me and Jaz'll be tying the knot any time soon, but yeah, we did move in together."

"Jaz?"

"Jasmine." The large man suddenly looked to be floating on air, just saying her name.

"Well, when it happens, let me know, eh?"

"Yeah, I will." They both stood, and Harry went in for what he thought would be a brief hug, but was caught firmly in Dudley's almost-overwhelming embrace.

"I'm glad you're happy Harry. That you've made a life for yourself. I… I'm sorry for my parents. And for how they raised me. We put you through a lot and-"

"Thank you, but stop it." Harry pulled away so he could see the bigger man's face, a single line of tears coming from each eye. "It's okay. Really. Thank you for coming. I didn't know it, but I really needed it. Apparently Draco knows how to contact you, why don't we get together again soon?"

Dudley sniffed hard, but smiled. "I'd like that."

Harry found Draco slow dancing with . The two were smiling and chatting while moving gracefully around the floor. He went up and tapped Molly on the shoulder, "Can I cut in?" She smiled and hugged him close.

"You found a good one Harry." He smiled at her as she squeezed his hand before leaving the dance floor. Harry grabbed Draco and pulled him close.

"I feel like I've barely seen you all night!"

"Don't worry love, we have all the nights of our lives to spend together." The thought brought a soothing warmth over Harry, he moved closer, letting his head settle into the crook of Draco's neck, and he signed gently, as he let his mind wander to the possibilities of the rest of his life.

People came up to the couple in pairs, saying their goodbyes and wishing them congratulations. Andromeda came and gave Harry a hug, and while Harry said good night to Teddy, cooing over and tickling the toddler, Andromeda talked with Draco, the nephew that she had never been allowed to know. She invited the boys over for dinner when they had the chance then started towards the gate where she could aparate home with the toddler.

Different ministry members came up and said they'd see Harry at the office, and all of them shook Draco's hand as well. Harry had to laugh at most of his fellow trainees, who had drunk more than Harry had ever seen them consume at their occasional after work drink.

Luna had wished them a happy goodbye while half-dragging an almost unconscious Neville home with her, telling the newly weds what a beautiful couple they were like Neville appeared to be trying to nibble her ear, but looked more like he was drooling on her, but she didn't seem to mind. Dudley came and gave Draco a brief hug and almost knocked Harry over clapping him on the back so hard. "Have a good night you two," Dudley said with a wink, causing a blush to cover his cousin's face.

The party wound down, only a few pretty drunk stragglers remained. Dean and Seamus seated at a table in the corner, making out with an animal-like hunger. Ron and Hermione slow dancing very close, the first time Harry had really noticed them since the proposal. Kreacher was bustling around, talking with his staff as they cleaned up, packing up the dishes for the company to pick up tomorrow, cleaning then magicking the tables away to who knows where.

The band announced that this next one would be their last song, and everyone remaining grabbed a partner and made their way to the floor. Harry looked around at all his friends, and the people he considered his family. Then he looked up into the face of the man he loved, now truly his family. Draco was looking down into his green eyes, the silver ones reflecting the love that Harry felt.

Draco pulled Harry closer, holding him tightly in his arms. A single tear fell as all the good feelings of the day washed over him. Love, joy, family, friendship, and acceptance.

Far too soon the song ended, the remaining guests applauded and came over to Draco and Harry, saying their goodbyes. Harry watched Hermione hug his husband, watched him lean in and whisper something to her, a little jealous when she blushed and nodded at him, for a moment feeling on the outside of one of his oldest friendships. But then she pulled him into her arms and whispered, "I love you. Both of you. Thanks for helping Ron." She let go, squeezing his hand before totally breaking apart.

Ron was overflowing with happiness as he pulled Harry into a tight hug. "Thanks so much man, it went great. She loved it! Hey! Will you be my best man?"

"Um, of course. If you want that to happen though, you're gonna need to let go, you're crushing me." Ron laughed and let go, taking Hermione's hand and giving them one last smile before they headed into the Burrow. They passed Arthur on his way out, he nodded at them but gave his youngest son a warning look.

"Seems like Kreacher has it all handled, why don't you boys go ahead and head out, anything that's not done tonight I'll make sure it gets done tomorrow. And Molly had George pop over and drop off the gifts, he left them in the study."

"Thank you , it was everything I could have hoped for and more."

"I think most of that thanks should go to Draco, we just offered up our home, and I hope you know that you've always been welcome here, no matter the occasion." Harry nodded and hugged his surrogate father. Draco extended his hand, but Arthur hugged him too, for a bit longer than he held Harry.

"You are always welcome here as well Draco," Arthur whispered into his ear. "Harry is your home now, enjoy it. The quiet. The peace." He let him go and Draco wiped at his eye before he smiled.

The two grabbed hands and strolled to the garden gate, doing just as has suggested, enjoying the peace and quiet.

The couple took a deep breath in tandem, having just emerged from the uncomfortable pressure of apparation to appear on the front stoop of the house that they shared. The old door, with its worn black paint looking very welcoming. Draco turned towards Harry and smiled.

"Welcome home ."

"Welcome home to you too, ," Harry smiled, loving the sound, and pushed up on his toes to give his husband a kiss. He reached down and grabbed the handle, not wanting to break the kiss, and felt a bid downhearted when he felt Draco pull away. Draco read the look on his face, gave him a reassuring smile, and pushed the door open fully.

The smell of the rose petals enveloped him first. They were everywhere. Swirls of pink and white making designs in the mostly red display. Candles had burst into red flames when Draco had opened the door, illuminating the scene. Harry had paused, taking it all in, then Draco pulled him inside and turned him by the shoulders while whispering in his ears, "My wedding gift to you, love."

There on the front wall where the very stubborn portrait of had once been stuck, was a large portrait of the pair standing before it, from earlier today, standing under the archway as the white pedals exploded around them and doves took flight. Harry had never seen himself like this before, so happy. His portrait self wasn't looking back at him, he couldn't take his eyes off the man whose hand he held.

Draco clanked his ring against the metal bracket of one of the sconces on the wall, and the couple in the portrait smiled and kissed, as Draco pulled the real Harry in for a kiss as well. Harry moaned into Draco's mouth and thrust his pelvis forward, ready for their love to become more physical. Draco could take a hit, and surprised Harry greatly by reaching down and grabbing the back of Harry's thighs and hoisting him up onto his front. Harry wrapped his legs and arms around him and allowed himself to be carried to the bedroom.