CVS has 99 cent nail polish if you have a CVS card. I'll let you know how it goes.


Chapter 17

Hermione bounced with excitement as she and Draco awaited their appointment before the Minister of Magic. They had decided to marry sooner rather than later in a small, private ceremony. Harry would serve as their witness, but no other guests would be in attendance. He had been sworn to secrecy, knowing that the smallest hint of a rumor would make its way onto the front page.

Reaching across Draco, Harry stopped Hermione's jittery knee. "Breathe," he advised.

"I'm fine," she insisted, removing his hand from her knee.

"You're marrying Draco Malfoy," Harry reminded her. "He takes two hours longer than you to get ready to leave the house. He leaves dirty dishes in the sink and doesn't rinse them. He lines up his shoes according to color, and he has more than you. Are you sure you're not nervous about this?"

Draco laughed mirthfully. "I'm sitting right here," he interjected. "Besides, don't you think that if Hermione didn't want to marry me, she'd have said no?"

Harry shrugged, knowing Draco was right but not wanting to concede. "I guess she has more patience with you than I do," he remarked. "Does he leave wet towels on your bathroom floor too, Mione?"

Grinning, she nodded. "Well, he tries," she amended. The doorknob now shocks him every time he forgets to hang it up. We have George to thank for that. Aside from that, I've had no complaints when we stays over."

"Yeah, but now you have to live together. He's not a houseguest," Harry said. "I'm not trying to dissuade you, far from it really. Merlin knows the two of you deserve a little happiness. I'm just putting in my two cents. Remember, Draco, you're in for a lifetime of book quotes and feminist rants."

Chuckling, he put his arm around the woman who would soon be his wife. "They don't bother me," he stated. "She's my choice, and she's a damn better choice than my parents had picked. No one should have to marry a Greengrass, no matter how much money that family has. Their daughters are the worst. I remember being around them in our common room, and wondering what it would be like if they were you lot. Probably less talk about hair and makeup and the latest Madame Malkin designs, no doubt."

"There was that," Hermione responded. "But it was mostly from Ron and Harry. Surprising, right?"

"You know he's going to ask if anyone objects," Harry reminded them. "I'd be nice to your only guest."

Leaning across Draco, Hermione pinched Harry's cheek. "We love you unconditionally," she told him. "You're an amazing friend, and I can think of no one I'd want here more than you."

"Suck up," Draco mumbled.

They were called into the Minister's office before Harry or Hermione could reply. Kingsley Shacklebolt smiled as he greeted them, remarking on the strange yet hopeful union of two former enemies. The ceremony was short, lasting no more than ten minutes. They recited their vows, exchanged simple platinum wedding bands, and signed their marriage license.

When the ceremony ended, Kingsley sat down behind the large desk. "So, rumor has it the two of you plan to adopt," he said casually. "I promise I didn't hear that from any journalists, which have been handled, by the way."

"How?" Draco interrupted.

"Rita Skeeter is going before a Ministry review board next week to discuss her unregistered Animagus status and breaking and entering charges," the Minister shared. "The Daily Prophet has been fined for invasion of privacy and illegally obtaining sources. We're also looking into other reporters who've filed questionable stories. Off the record, I have a feeling Ms. Skeeter will be seeing the inside of a prison cell for a while."

Satisfied with Kingsley's response, Hermione wanted to know more about the adoption rumors. "It's nothing nefarious," he assured her. "Your preliminary paperwork crossed my under secretary's desk. As you weren't married when you submitted it, she placed it in the discard pile. Luckily, I caught it. I'd like to sign off on it, if you don't mind."

Draco nodded enthusiastically. It had been the endgame since he learned of Hermione's infertility. She wanted a family, and come hell or high water, he would give her one. It didn't matter to him that they wouldn't biologically be their children. That they would raise them and love them and care for them would make them their children. "How soon before we get approval to adopt?" he asked.

"There are background checks you'll need to pass, home inspections, meetings with counselors. It could be a year or more," they were told. Dejectedly, Draco nodded. "Have heart, Mr. Malfoy. Despite your past, I think this change you've made since the war will help."

"It'll be okay," Hermione murmured, trying to sound optimistic. Her new husband's past as a Death Eater had weighed on her mind when she first considered adopting. Her rationale was similar to Kingsley's, and it was nice to hear it repeated back by the Minister of Magic.

They said their goodbyes and left the Ministry. "So, what do we do now?" Harry wondered. "Big honeymoon plans?"

The couple exchanged a look that said they didn't know. "I could eat," Hermione said. Harry and Draco laughed, but they made their way to the Leaky Cauldron for a celebratory meal.

Harry toasted the couple with butterbeer, wishing them a lifetime of happiness. "Um, I hate to bring this up," he said nervously, "but Ginny's said some things. She's just...she's concerned. You know marriages in the wizarding world are a lifelong bond, and extremely difficult to break. You two have moved quickly, and I think she sees getting married so soon as rash."

Lips pursed, Hermione leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't particularly care what anyone else thinks," she stated defiantly.

"Getting married has nothing to do with wanting a child," Draco added with a little more patience than his wife. "Yes, we want a child, but we also love one another. What does it matter if we marry now or in six months or in six years?"

Harry held up his hands as a sign of surrender. He wasn't interested in a fight, and a part of him regretted bringing up Ginny's concerns. "I just didn't want you to be blindsided if anyone in the family said something," he explained. Releasing a deep breath, Hermione apologized. "No, don't. You shouldn't have to justify your relationship. It's no one's business but yours. Frankly, I'm thrilled. Two of my best friends together, two people who hated each other as much as you did, makes me happy. In my opinion, not that you care, Hermione, I think you're doing what's right for you. I can't find fault with that."

Hermione gave him a tentative smile. "I don't care," she replied jokingly, "but thank you, Harry."