Review offering insight to the story:

"Funny enough - do you want to know what my favorite part was? Where you said Winnie snuggled up to a green lion. How perfect is that? A mixture of Gryffindor traits (hence the lion) and mixture of Slytherin (hence the green). That just struck me as perfect. Development and creativity - I realized those are the two qualities which keep your readers yearning for more. You don't rush the story, but slowly progress it into something really important. Like how you had the little notes in Chapter 5 talking about the bubble bath and then bring it back up in Chapter 7. Is anything overlooked by you? As for creativity - You've just got an incredible imagination. Kudos to you!" - SeanEmma4Evr of FanFiction net.

Thank you to the following reviewers of chapter five: Angelo Del Ghiaccio, J-R-R13, Hanvu, ca803, tinydancer69,xkimchee, Jester08, kagami, liz, livelife-loveHGDM, lily1121, Toxxic-hugs, Laendra, AnaDry, Caligirl-HPLVR, oufan, Markitdownb4itsstruck, Aperira, bethygirl94, Emma, untamedspiral, Steelo, avchocaholic, Life is Truely Great, MiKaYGiRl, PurpleRose44, quiet-mg, mrs.draco.malfoy.2010, Zarroc, mskiti, MsRisa, Hanishi, Natural-181, lilmzhln18, ginnyginny and especially CrytalizedHeart, SeanEmma4Evr, laugh.live.learn, and galloping-goose (Zeus).

Secret Life
Interlude
-I Do-

May 2000

Draco paced the living room floor, running his hands through his hair every few minutes. The sound of the shower turning off reminded him that he had to get his anxiety under control. Hermione had to be at work in an hour, but they had agreed to stop in at their favorite coffee shop and share a coffee and something light to eat before they went their separate ways. He had it all planned out, up until the point where he woke up and found it was the day he'd been planning for weeks.

He had spent the day before with Blaise, telling him what conclusion he had come to and what he hoped would happen. After Blaise remembered to breathe, he was completely for the idea. Since Blaise was a notorious bachelor up until the moment he fell for Ginny Weasley, Draco knew it was fairly hard for his best friend to think marriage and a lifelong commitment were a blessing and not a curse. He even told Draco that he couldn't imagine Draco with anybody else, that he had found the right person and it really was the right decision. He promptly choked on his tea when Draco returned the same about Blaise and Ginny, who were still enjoying the spoils of a rich relationship, filled with traveling the world during Blaise's time off and exploring all that a strong commitment could entail. They weren't interested in marriage just yet, much to Mrs. Weasley's chagrin, but they were entirely happy with each other.

Draco and Hermione, on the other hand, were devoted to each other and expanding their careers. While she was off curing the Wizarding world of its ailments and promoting the rights of everyone and everything, he was working on helping the common man create lives for themselves in their business ventures. Surprisingly, to them at least, both Hermione and Draco were being quickly deemed two of the most generous and hard working people in Wizarding Britain. The papers were practically haling them as Saints at some moments and Draco was rather abashed by the attention. Hermione didn't care much for it, and shied quickly from it, unless promoting the rights of house elves, werewolves, goblins, or the such.

The attention had put a little strain on their relationship, having it become even more secret than before. Not only because they really didn't want to share it with the world, but because Draco was becoming worried about his father's beliefs and how he would take to the news of his son being in love with a muggleborn witch. One who had helped aid the bane of Lucius' existence, Harry Potter, in the destruction of his Dark Lord. Draco had already introduced Hermione to his mother, who was much more accepting and adoring of her son and his way in the world. They weren't the best of friends, but they got along well enough in the beginning. After a few visits, Narcissa admitted that she couldn't have found a better witch, pureblood or not, for her son.

Draco had an easier way of it when it came to meeting those important in Hermione's life. Her parents were very receptive to him and it wasn't long before Mrs. Granger considered him part of the family. Mr. Granger was a little more gruff than his wife and widely protective of his daughter, but he came to respect Draco and they learned to get along quite well. Draco wasn't used to men like him, father figures who were honest and hard working, rather than conniving and power hungry. Before long, he had a deep respect for the man, and couldn't help but wish his own father had been instilled with the ways of Bill Granger.

When it came to Arthur and Molly Weasley, things were only stifled for a few minutes in the very beginning. Having met them many times in the past, given that he was an informant for Dumbledore, they were understanding of his position in the Wizarding world. He had helped their side in the Final Battle, and revealed himself without remorse while the fight raged around them. On top of that, he had helped Mr. Weasley, without telling him, get a better position in the Ministry. Though he tried to keep it quiet, thinking only to make the Ministry a little less diluted, Arthur had found out and while unsure about the offer, he soon took it as his right to finally be recognized. It was Draco's father who helped hold him back, so it was only proper that a Malfoy right the wrong done to him and his family.

They didn't approve of the secrecy, but they understood it. Agreeing not to tell Harry or Ron, until Hermione felt it was the right time, they kept the secret for the couple and never criticized the decision made. It was shortly after finding out about Hermione and Draco that Ginny admitted her relationship with Blaise, though she didn't go into detail. Being a rich, pureblooded Auror, he was well known and Arthur himself agreed that the young man was a good chap. Ginny never admitted they were living together, but she did say they were very much devoted to one another. Draco was happy the interest had been taken off of him and Hermione, and also that his best mate had finally found someone to hold onto.

"Draco, what are you doing?" Hermione's voice interrupted his thoughts, making him jump. "You're only half dressed and we have to leave soon," she reminded. "Don't forget, you have to meet Blaise for lunch at The Corner Spot at one thirty. He's leaving to Edinburgh tomorrow and won't be back for three weeks, but he wanted to know how something went today," she told him, shaking her head in her confusion about what was so important about the day.

He stared at her and any reply got stuck in his throat. She was running a towel over her long, dripping curls. A soft, satin robe was wrapped around her damp form, clinging to her curves and hanging to just above her knees. She smiled at him before crossing to the bedroom and making her way to the closet. He could hear the movement of her going through her closet, searching for an outfit for the day. He followed her in and pulled a shirt from his dresser, slipping it on and buttoning it up.

Hermione laid out her clothes on the bed and began untying her robe. "So what's happening today that's so important?" she asked, tossing the robe away and running the towel down her body once more. "I mean, I know you have to meet with Flanagan of that big corporation who's been after you and Dimitri for awhile, but he asks to meet with you every couple of months." She snorted, laughing lightly to herself. "That man just can't take a hint. One more offer and I believe you will have a record of being offered the best position in a money grubbing corporation ever," she said, lightheartedly.

Draco was watching her dress, mesmerized by her fluid movements and easy grace. His fingers fumbled with his buttons and all he could keep thinking was, "Forever. I will have her forever." His throat tightened suddenly and he wanted to slap himself out of his sudden sensitive mood. Only when it came to her did he ever feel like this. This overwhelming need to be territorial and never let her go. Even now as she slipped her drab grey skirt up her legs, hiding away her soft thighs, did he want to just blurt out those few words that would mean a lifetime of togetherness. But he had to wait, there was a moment and this wasn't it.

"D'you know where I left my blue tie?" he asked, hoping to deter her from her questions about the day. He didn't want to lie and in all honesty, could not seem to think of anything but asking her to marry him. So he was fairly certain that if she asked again, his lie would come out as the truth and he'd say it in such a nonchalant way that she would be pissed at him. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth and he forced his jaw tight so the words wouldn't escape without his knowledge.

She nodded at him, walking over to the closet, wearing nothing but her hose, skirt, and a plain white bra. She pulled the blue silk tie from its hanger and walked back over to him. Instead of handing it to him, she wrapped it around his neck and did it up with an easy flourish. His hands lifted, resting on her hips without him having to tell them to move. The contrast between her supple skin and the rough material of her skirt was telling. It reminded him of their relationship. The business end of things, the secrecy and hidden parts of themselves that nobody but each other knew was the rough material, but the deep meaning, the thick emotions that clenched them to each other, that was the smooth feel of her skin.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, her hands lifting to run through his hair. "You seem far away in your thoughts this morning."

Looking up at her, he stared into her dark brown eyes, a slow smile gracing his features. "I'm fine. Better than fine," he told her. "I'm blessed," he nearly whispered.

She smiled at him, a look of amused confusion on her features. Leaning in, she pressed her lips against his, no reason, just because she could. His eyes fell shut instantly and he melted against her, his hands moving higher, so he was only touching her skin and his palms had no memory at all of the hard fabric of her skirt any longer. She pulled back, chortling slightly, and trying to lift herself off his lap after he had pulled her closer at some point. "I have to get dressed," she told him, her eyes wide with meaning. She reached across him, picking up her shirt and slipping it on, pulling her mass of hair from beneath the collar and letting it fall down her back. He helped her with the buttons, smoothing it down into her skirt when she stood and pressing a warm kiss against her neck before sitting back down to slip his socks on.

"You're acting strange today," she told him, her eyes half closed with her statement, not really suspicious, just sort of interested in the reason.

"Am I?" he replied, turning his eyes away as he picked up his wallet from the end table and stood up.

She nodded at him, looking up into his eyes before she shook her head slowly. "Hmm," she breathed, before turning away and walking out of the bedroom, a look of content on her face.

Draco followed her, grabbing his jacket from the back of the couch and slipping his shoes on at the door. She pulled her Healer's robe over her outfit and waited just outside the door as he cast a locking charm. Taking her hand, he walked with her in silence down the stairs to the outside of their building. The walk down the street to the coffee shop was spent in quiet, his arm draped down her back, hand resting on her hip. She leaned into him, her arm around his waist and her quickly drying curls bouncing around her. He could smell the sweet scent of vanilla, permeating off her hair. A smile came to his face and all the anxiety he felt that morning suddenly seemed pointless.

After standing in line for awhile, they picked up a muffin each and a tall French Vanilla coffee, a shot of hazelnut to give it flavor, and a dollop of whipped cream simply because they loved the stuff. She sat across from him, her fingers threaded with his on top of the table and her legs pressed against his. He could feel the box inside his coat pocket, pressing against his chest, where his racing heart lie. He stared at her left hand, ringless and commitment free. He could vaguely hear her speaking about a new intern at the hospital, but he was intently staring at her smooth fingers. He untangled his hand from hers and without thinking, he had trailed the tip of his forefinger right above the knuckle of her left ring finger, thinking of how right it would be when she wore a wedding band. How perfect it would look, and how the knowledge that it would mean she was his, was breathtakingly fated to happen.

"Draco," her voice called, whispery and barely getting past the soundless boundaries his ears had put up while he sat in his musings.

He turned his eyes up to her, seeing that same look of confusion, making her look peculiarly adorable. She really hated being left in the dark and he didn't want to be the one to leave her there, but he couldn't very well blurt it out, could he? It felt like so long ago when he saw her, standing at the till, shouting at the man behind the counter while he laughed a boisterous rumble. She was fuming and hardly holding her temper, but she was beautiful with her face flushed and her stance ready to pounce. For the first time since the war, he'd been overwhelmed with wanting to talk to somebody, to be in their presence. So many times he had avoided work functions and meeting people outside of his job, simply because it felt suffocating. He felt like nobody could understand, nobody could get how tangled and deep he had been in the war. But there she was, like a beacon of familiarity and he had reached out to grasp it. And right now, and every day after it, he didn't want to let go.

With that thought, he smiled at her, a warm, loving grin, before he slipped his hand into his coat and he bent down on one knee, taking her right hand, which had previously been resting on his knee, into his own. She stared at him, and he couldn't help but think that she almost knew this was coming, but looked a little shocked all the same. Tears were already rising in her eyes, but she gave him a shaky smile and a sharp intake of breath. He looked down for a moment, his thumb brushing the velvet top of the box, and he knew it was the best decision he'd ever made in his life.

"I could buy you every jewel in the world, but it wouldn't be enough. I could name every star after you, and they wouldn't be worthy. But I will love you every single day, in words and in actions, and I promise you, that there will never be a day that you doubt it," he told her, throwing a speech he had been working on for ages right out the coffee shop door. "I could shout from the roof tops of your every incredible attribute, and nobody would ever truly know your beauty. I could write a book on the wonders of your intelligence, and nobody would understand it. But I can love your body, mind, and soul with the greatest intensity any man could possibly put forth." He reached up, brushing the tear that slipped down her cheek from her skin and trailing his curled knuckle down her face. "Marry me, Hermione, and I will give you everything I am, just to love you forever."

She whimpered, shaking her head before she nearly toppled him over as she hurried into his arms. She held him tightly, crying, laughing, and kissing his neck. Pulling back, she wiped at her face quickly. "Since when are you romantic?" she asked, her brows lifting.

"I eased into it," he told her, grinning. "You deserve romance. Especially if you're going to be stuck with me for the rest of your life," he added, smirking.

Hermione sniffled before giving him a cocked brow of feigned indifference, that was sorely ruined by her happy tears. "And who said I was going to marry you? I'm not sure Hermione Malfoy really has a ring to it!"

"Yes, it does," he told her, softly. "Don't deny it, you know you want to marry me. Imagine what our children will look like. Brains and looks. Why, Hogwarts hasn't seen that in almost three years. They're sorely missing us, you know. Imagine how they'll feel when--"

"Shut up," she told him, kissing him thickly. "I'll marry you, but only because I'm the only who will have you." She nodded, her eyes wide. "It's widely known, Draco. You're simply unfit for anybody but me. So," she said with a sigh, "I'm doing you a favor, really."

Grinning, Draco slipped the diamond ring he had bought weeks before onto her waiting finger. Perfect fit, he thought. "Yes, you are," he whispered, feeling that nostalgic tightening in his throat once more. Her eyes filled again and she tried to say something, but it came out croaky and indistinguishable. He didn't bother asking her what, instead wrapping his arms around her again, and kissing her. He already knew what she was saying, it was the same four words she said every time he said or did something that made her weep with happiness. "I love you, Draco."

Two Months Later

"Draco, really, the tie is fine," Blaise told him, exasperated.

"No! No, it's bloody not," he told him, shaking his head with wide eyes. "Hermione always does up my bloody tie and it's bloody crooked! I cannot wear a bloody crooked tie to my bloody wedding, Blaise! Bloody hell!"

"Settle down, mate," he replied, leaning forward and running his hands over his face. "You're acting like a jittery bird! There's nothing to be nervous about. It's not like she's going to bolt on you," he told him, shrugging.

"Could you be a little more encouraging?" Draco asked, cocking his brow and untying his tie with haste as he glared into the mirror. "This is the biggest day of my life and I have a crooked tie!" he exclaimed, giving the long fabric another try, and messing it up again.

Blaise let out a loud, suffering sigh. His shoulders slumped and he dramatically threw his head up in the air and cursed the heavens, before turning his annoyance on the groom. "I don't think she's going to care about your tie. She's not marrying you over a bloody tie, Draco. Get a hold of yourself, man!"

"I know that. It's my classic good looks," he replied, though his joke fell flat as he found his hands shaking. "What if she does run? What if she gets nervous? What if she has cold feet?" he asked, anxiously. "I mean... Has Ginny said anything? She's not worried is she? She wants this too, right?" he asked, his face blanching. "Oh Merlin, she's not even here is she? You're just keeping me occupied as she runs out the front of the house until she gets to the apparating wards and disappears from my life forever."

"Were you always this dramatic?" Blaise asked, frowning.

"No! No, I never was! D'you think something's wrong? Am I coming down with something? My heart is beating out of my chest, d'you think it's a heart attack?" He started hyperventilating, shaking his head and bending forward so quickly he hit his head on the mirror. Moaning out in pain, he cursed the stupid thing and backed up. Fortunately, it took his mind off his sure-to-be panic attack and he rubbed his forehead. "There's no mark is there?" he asked, pointing at his head.

"No," his friend replied, rubbing his temples. "Are you done now? Can you finish with your tie and go stand at the front of the altar?"

"I want you to go ask Gin how Hermione is doing first," Draco replied, shaking his head.

"Mate, she's fine! I'm sure of it!" he told him, leaning back and sitting limp in his chair. "Gin told me that she was a little nervous, but that's normal," he assured.

Draco nodded quickly, but his thoughts were jumbled. He knew he was making the right decision, he had no doubts that he'd be happy. But what if she had doubts? What if she wasn't ready for this? Her two best friends didn't even know it was happening! Was that a problem? Was she going to regret forever the fact that Potter and Weasley weren't in the front row, grinning her on? Not that they would, given he's the groom and they still weren't buddy-buddy, even though Draco helped them during the war. He hadn't realized he was pacing until Blaise nearly tripped him, on purpose.

"I'll go check if it'll make you feel better," he offered, looking completely put out by the idea. "Although I think it's just plain stupid to question this. You guys have been inseparable since you got together, why start worrying now?" he wondered, rising from his chair. "I'll be right back," he assured, walking out the door and going down the hall.

He could hear the knock on the door a few down from the room he was in. And moving closer to the doorway, he could hear Blaise's faint voice, "Hey tiger, how's Hermione doing?"

"Fine," Ginny assured. "Why? How's Draco?" she wondered, sounding suspicious.

"Fine," Blaise replied, not sounding the least bit hesitant, which just made Draco suspicious that Hermione wasn't fine. Because if Blaise said he's fine, and he's not, then Ginny could say Hermione was fine, when she wasn't. Yes, that was possible. Probable even! Before he could process a thought, he had somehow gotten past both Blaise and Ginny to get into the room Hermione inhabited and locked the door before either could do anything. He could hear them shouting about how it was against the rules to see the bride before the wedding and that he should just suck it up and be a man, that was Blaise obviously, but he ignored them. Their shouting drowned away as he gazed at her, but he threw up a silencing charm in hopes that their voices wouldn't interrupt her.

She was mesmerizing. Swathed in white satin and lace, she stood before a tall mirror, her hands running down the lengths of her sides, palms running smoothly across her waist. Her hair was pinned up, various sized curls sprawling down from the pearl pins. She was stunning, simply and completely. All of the air left his lungs and he was left feeling as though he had just been given the key to the world, unworthy though he was. He wanted to say something, to break out of his stupor and tell her she was unequivocally the most incredible creature in the entire world, but the words got stuck in his throat.

He managed to breathe, sucking in air without making too much noise and he prayed that he hadn't interrupted her, because he was sure that if she turned to see him, he would most assuredly know that she couldn't possibly love him like he loved her. It just wasn't possible. There wasn't enough love in the world for them both to have the same amount of feelings. He had sucked it all dry and she would realize that, she would know that he wasn't good enough for her. Wasn't smart enough, or handsome, or ever funny enough to be in her presence for much longer. Yes, she would most assuredly figure it out. After all, she had been the brightest witch at their school, if not of their age entirely.

She broke the trance, with her melodic voice reaching out to him, a slight tremor in its beauty. "You know, after every night and morning we've shared, I'm fairly sure I shouldn't be wearing white," she joked.

And he laughed, though it sounded strangled and raspy. "Y-You look beautiful," he managed, cursing himself for stuttering.

She turned around, facing him, and the room though somewhat dark, seemed to glow around her. Perhaps it was just the rays falling through the curtain and hitting her form, maybe it was his imagination, but she was angelic standing before him. "Your tie is crooked," she said, letting out a soft chuckle, tears shimmering in her eyes. She hurried over to him, her feet bare and her gown swirling around her legs. She reached out, undoing it for what he was sure would be the tenth time that day, and redoing it, just like she always had before he hurried off to work. She smoothed it down against his chest, her hands shaking lightly and her teeth worrying her lip.

"I love you, Draco," she told him, her voice whisper soft as she stared up at him, tears hanging off the ends of her lashes. "And... And I'm going to for the rest of our lives," she promised, nodding. "I may not shout it from roof tops or talk about it in newspapers. I might not even tell Harry and Ron, but it doesn't change how I feel. Every day, Draco. Every single day I have been with you, has been better than the last. And marrying you... loving you, it's an incredible feeling that I know will never end." She sniffled, blinking quickly and smoothing her hands over his shoulders. "Are you ready for this?" she asked, staring at him with nervous adoration.

"Are you kidding? I've never been more ready for anything in my life," he told her, and suddenly it was completely true. He picked up her hands from his shoulders, kissing each of them before pressing his lips to her forehead. "I better leave before Gin breaks the door down and you're a widow before you were ever a wife," he kidded. She nodded, smiling sweetly. "I'll see you out there."

She backed up so he could open the door and returned to stand in front of the mirror, checking her make-up and laughing at the small mess she'd made with her tears. He backed out of the room, his eyes taking in every movement she made vividly. Turning around, he was a man of content. He walked down the hall, Blaise on his heels, and picked up his jacket before slipping it on easily. "Com'on, Blaise, my wedding is about to start," he told him, before making his way downstairs and out to the backyard through the porch doors.

Sitting in white chairs over the green grass were his friends and family, all looking happy and jovial. He spotted Arthur and Molly Weasley up front, speaking enjoyably with Bill and Liz Granger. Dumbledore and McGonagall were conversing with Hagrid, Tonks, and Remus nearby, standing beneath the shade of an old oak tree. Neville Longbottom and his girlfriend Patti were sitting down, talking quietly and looking quite like the couple in love as they whispered words to one another in private. And there, looking both stoic and excited, something only she could pull off, was his mother Narcissa, staring back at him with a calm smile and a handkerchief in her hands. She was dressed in a long, floaty, pale pink dress that looked quite reserved on her. He was so used to seeing her in expensive gowns or gold and lace trimmed robes that seeing her so casual was rather astonishing. But there was a polish and regal take to her wear, and she was really quite beautiful.

Lastly, beside his mother, stood the ever coy Pansy Parkinson, looking herself like a regular girl rather than the overdressed model type. A simple light blue dress hung down across her curvy form and she gave him a small smile before saying something to Narcissa, who smiled, nodding at her in agreement. He was happy to say that Pansy and Hermione had become good friends after the former Slytherin girl ran into some trouble and was forced to stay at St. Mungo's for a spell. Hermione had been the one to help her through her painful time there and they had grown to like each other after awhile. He hadn't spoken to her much since school let out, but he was always glad to have somebody else around to speak to. She, herself, was interested in starting up a business of her own and wanted to do it covertly, so her name wouldn't be the draw in or set back. He had gone into works with her a few months back and her business seemed to flourish almost immediately. Not only was she a great client, but a trustworthy friend of both him and his soon-to-be wife.

"Does this mean the festivities are about to start then?" Dumbledore called out, a calm smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Soon," Draco replied, nodding. "She's just adding the last touches to her make-up now," he told them, making his way to stand at the front.

The people around him all took their places in the chairs set in front of him. Mrs. Weasley turned a wide grin on him, already dabbing at her eyes. "My, don't you look handsome," she praised, nodding excitedly.

Draco nodded his head in gratitude, telling her she too looked quite wonderful in her new dress robes. When she waved it off, telling him that they were a gift from her husband, he was happy to see that she and Arthur did appear to be fairing well lately. Mr. Weasley's higher place in the Ministry had obviously been treating him well, and without the kids living at home, they were finally able to treat themselves. He had grown fond of the Weasley parents, as they had both treated him as one of their own in the time they had gotten to know him.

A light tune began to sound and everybody turned when Ginny made her way down the aisle, smiling happily at everyone before turning her attention to Blaise near the front. Bill Granger had disappeared after Draco informed everybody that things would be starting soon, but reappeared now as he walked Hermione down the aisle. She was a vision, and he was still moved by just how stunning she looked. It seemed to take forever for her to finally be right in front of him, but when she took his hands, he felt a peace run through him and he forgot all about the outside world. He heard Dumbledore's voice, as he was the one blessing their marriage that day, but his focus was purely on Hermione.

His former Headmaster spoke awhile about love and the journey of marriage which would entail trials and obstacles, but a commitment that would last the ages. He spoke of the magic of finding love, which had nothing to do with spells or charms, but the inner emotions of two people destined for one another. And he shared with them, his impression of two people he knew were right for each other. Of two former students who had shown great strength in the face of darkness. Of two lovers that he was sure would have a long, lasting, beautiful marriage.

Hermione swallowed, sniffling for a moment, before she stared up at him, "I, Hermione Jane Granger, take you, Draco Alexander Malfoy, to be my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner, any my one true love. On this day, I give to you, in the presence of Merlin, and all those here, my sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful wife. In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you in all your goals, laugh with you, cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live," she vowed, her voice shaky but certain.

Draco cleared his throat, blinking quickly and turning his face away from the guests for a moment to collect himself. He repeated the same words back to her, his voice quaking and his hands shaking against hers with his emotional honesty. He looked up when his eyes stung and got himself under control, though he could hear some of the guests awing over his moment of sensitivity. He returned his attention to Dumbledore when he began to finish the ceremony.

"Do you, Draco, take this lovely witch, Hermione, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only until death do you part?"

"I do," he replied, smiling at her.

Dumbledore nodded at him, before asking Hermione the same question, a lighthearted smile on his face.

"I do," she agreed, squeezing his hands in hers.

Ginny passed her Draco's ring, while Blaise handed him the band he and Hermione had shopped for the previous week. They slipped them onto each other's fingers while simultaneously saying, "With this ring, I thee wed."

"By the power vested in me, by the Ministry of Great Britain, I do pronounce you husband and wife," Dumbledore announced, a pleased ring to his clear voice. "You may kiss the bride," he told him, letting out a chuckle.

Draco moved swiftly toward her, capturing her smiling mouth in a deep seal of eternity. His fingers slipped into her soft hair while his palm held the curve of her supple neck. Her teeth grazed his lips and he shook against her, overwhelmingly content with the knowledge that she was his. Forever. Her arms were wrapped tight around his neck, while his free arm possessively draped around her waist. He broke away from her mouth, both of them in need of air and kissed a path down her cheek and over her neck, settling on her shoulder before he buried his face against her throat.

"I love you," he whispered, repeating it over and over until he was sure that entire world couldn't doubt it. She breathed it back, her voice soft and joyful. He picked her up off the ground a moment later, and she laughed from her perch above him, her eyes staring down into his. There was noise in the background, friends and family congratulating them. But he saw, felt, heard, only her. Hermione Malfoy. His wife.

A/N This is actually my favorite of the Interludes. Hope you enjoyed this:D It'll be back to the main story next chapter. If you're a Harry/Hermione shipper, you should definitely check out my new story, "Survivor," which is a four-parter that is 3/4 posted! It's complete and the fourth installment will be up soon. I'd love to know what you all think:D

Thank you for reading!
Please review, I'd really appreciate feedback!

Much Love,
-Amanda