A/N: Harry Potter and the HP universe are the property of JKR and her assigns. I make no profit from this flight of fancy I call Unity.

Beta love: The one, the only, the incomparable Glittergrrrl05.

Ch. 20

Sunday Morning

Azkaban Prison

"Is it true, then? Has the Mudblood been accepted as a Malfoy?" Lucius's flat gaze held none of the warmth that Narcissa longed to see in her husband once again. That man, she feared, was gone forever.

"I believe so, yes." Narcissa nodded shortly. "But she hasn't visited the Manor as yet. The only thing that's certain is that they've got no plans to live there."

"So Draco implied when he – visited – me. Where do they plan to live?"

"They've seen the Castle and the Rectory, but they're still looking. Perhaps the Hall or the Place."

"When will they be deciding?" His idle tone set Narcissa's instincts on alert.

"I believe they'll be looking over the holidays; it'll give them a chance to decorate to their tastes before they leave school."

"What's wrong with how the homes are decorated? You did a superb job. I won't allow it!"

"Lucius, surely you're jesting. Every bride should be able to decorate her own home." Narcissa smiled in genuine humor. Lucius had sounded outraged that someone might have differing tastes. But her smile disappeared rapidly when Lucius spoke again.

"I don't accept her as a member of this family, Narcissa. No Mudblood will ever be a Malfoy."

Narcissa immediately rose to leave. "I suggest you reconsider, Lucius. My boy loves her. And this battle that you're fighting? It's already been lost." She turned and swept out.

Lucius felt a pang of conscience and a fleeting sense of loss. Narcissa's departure had felt strangely – final. Then he remembered. Draco and the Mudbood will look at the Hall and the Place over the holidays. That was information that Dolohov could use.

Friday Evening

Hogwarts

Draco admired Hermione as she smoothed the fabric of her deep red gown. The portrait neckline framed her beautiful face and elegant neck and shoulders. He reached out and ghosted his fingers along her delicate collarbone, smiling at her involuntary shiver.

"You know what would make this dress perfect?" He had moved behind her to whisper in her ear.

Hermione tipped her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. "What's that?"

"It needs to be green." He kissed his way from her shoulder up her neck, the caresses sending sparks down her spine. "Or on the floor." But before he could lift his hands to cup her breasts, she shook herself and slipped out of his grasp.

"No, no. We have to go."

"But…"

"No, Draco, we have to go. Daphne will kill us for being late."

"Okay, fine." Draco gave in with suspicious good grace.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at her husband. "Why are you being so agreeable?"

"It occurred to me that if I make you happy now, then you might make me happy later."

"Humph." Hermione thought about his answer. "You might be right."

The Great Hall

Hogwarts

"Why is the reception first?" Draco carefully selected a canapé from the table in front of them.

Hermione gave a short laugh. "Harry hates attention. And when he saw the guest list, he dug in his heels and refused to have so many people at the wedding. If he had his way, they would've had a small ceremony at home or something."

"What does that have to do with an early reception?"

"He finally agreed to have a big reception for the Ministry, but wanted a more private wedding like Ron and Tracey. And Daphne wanted to have a different kind of wedding than we did or anyone else." Hermione shrugged. "So she flipped the tradition. Reception first, then wedding."

Draco's lips curled into a small smile. "Of course she did."

"Besides, there's something mysterious and magical about being bonded at midnight, isn't there?" Hermione mused. "Midnight is the great in-between. I wonder if the magic is more powerful then."

"I think the magic that joined us was at least as powerful as this magic will be, love."

Hermione took her gaze from the affianced couple and smiled at Draco. "I think you're right." She rose on her toes and brushed a small kiss across his lips.

At the reception, Daphne wore an elegant, short-trained dress in a combination of lace and silver silk, the gown reflecting her affection for the color of her House. She was the picture of sophistication as she greeted guests with Harry by her side.

On the wedding cake table was the magnificent five-tier masterpiece, embellished with silver decorations, sitting on a bed of deep burgundy flowers, a nod to her groom's House. Hermione watched Harry closely. It was obvious that he didn't care about the cake or nods to his beloved Gryffindor House because he only had eyes for Daphne.

Finally, the late night ceremony began with only about fifty people in attendance, the closest friends and family of the bridal couple.

For the ceremony, Daphne looked the part of an ice princess in her wedding gown, a silk confection overlaid with a gauzy silver organza, embellished with diamond accents at the shoulders and waist. But in her hands, she carried a nod to her future husband. Her bouquet of dramatic deep red flowers included roses, dahlias, and lilies. Hermione blinked rapidly to hold back tears when she recognized the flowers that brought Harry's mother into this, his wedding day.

Hermione couldn't help but smile as Harry stood, gobsmacked, when Daphne glided toward him. She was a picture of grace and elegance as she made her way down the aisle, followed by her maid of honor, her sister Astoria, in her silver dress. The traditional wedding service proceeded without a hitch.

"I've never seen him look so happy," Hermione whispered to Draco. He nodded in agreement because even he could see that his childhood rival was ecstatic with his marriage.

When the bonding ceremony was completed, Kingsley triumphantly announced, "Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter!" to applause. And as had been pre-arranged, the Portkey taking them to their honeymoon activated and they disappeared.

The Yule Ball

Hogwarts

Hermione smirked just a bit as she pulled her Yule Ball dress from the wardrobe and stepped into it. Draco was already waiting in the Eighth's Common Room for her, and she wanted to surprise him with her gown. Given his response to her previous two burgundy dresses, she was positive that he was going to love her green dress; it hugged her waist and its sweetheart neckline made the most of her curves. And she felt like an Egyptian princess with the graceful flow of the fabric around her legs.

After a final check, she made her way to meet her husband. And the look on his face made the extra effort she put into her appearance all worth it.

"Now, that dress is perfect." Draco held out his hand to Hermione, looking her appreciatively up and down. "Maybe we should have a short night." He turned her around, his appraisal just short of a leer. "We're definitely going to have a short night."

"I thought you might like this dress." Hermione grinned mischievously. "I was saving it for tonight." She stepped into his embrace and wound her arms around his neck. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his in a teasing kind of kiss that made promises to be kept later.

Draco and Hermione entered the Great Hall fashionably late for the biggest event on the student calendar. They immediately joined Blaise and Parvati near the drinks table.

While Hermione and Parvati gushed over each other's appearance, Draco sent Blaise a sideways glance. "And the punch, how is it tonight?"

"Bland. But I can spice yours up if you'd like." Blaise flashed a bottle from his interior robe pocket.

"Absolutely not." Hermione's firm tone reminded them of exactly who Hermione Malfoy nee Granger was. "It's against the rules. And we're meant to be setting an example for the younger students."

Parvati giggled behind her hand. "Yes, Hermione, you're right. I think I see Ginny just coming in. Let's go talk to her." She linked her arm through Hermione's and pulled her across the floor, tossing a wink over her shoulder.

Hermione tried to give Draco a warning look, but he assumed his most innocent expression. And as soon as she was out of eyesight, he handed his cup to Blaise. "Hit me."

Ginny was stunning in a red and gold strapless ball gown with a pick-up skirt. "Ginny, you look gorgeous! And very Gryffindor." Hermione beamed at the redhead.

Parvati chimed in. "When you told me you were wearing red, I was worried it would clash with your hair, but you look amazing!"

"Thank you, Parvati. I love your dress, too." Ginny took in Parvati's straight red strapless gown adorned with shimmering crystals. "And Hermione, you look just incredible. I can't believe you went with green."

"Well, Draco's been a good sport about the last two dresses I've worn; besides, I love this one." Hermione turned in a small circle. "Do you like it?"

Ginny nodded. "I really do. I might ask to borrow it for something. I have no idea what, but something!"

Just then, a fourth year interrupted them and pulled Ginny away on a Head Girl task. Hermione and Parvati began making their way back to their waiting husbands.

The Headmistress and Minister for Magic stopped them before they reached their destination. "Ms. Malfoy, Ms. Zabini, do you have a moment?"

"Of course, Headmistress." Hermione stopped and smiled warmly at her favorite faculty member. "How can we help you?"

"Well, I just wanted to tell you both that you look lovely tonight and thank you for setting such an excellent example this year for our younger students," McGonagall said.

Kingsley added, "And the Ministry appreciates all that you and your husbands have done to show how successful marriages can be, even ones that were – unexpected."

"Thank you, Minister. I'll convey your sentiments to Draco."

"Did you enjoy your time away, Ms. Zabini?"

Parvati beamed. "I did. Fiji is wonderfully warm this time of year. We almost didn't want to return. And I'll be sure to tell Blaise what you said as well."

"Excellent. Excellent." As Hermione and Parvati turned to leave, Kingsley stopped them. "And Hermione."

"Yes, Minister?"

"Your choice of gowns tonight – it's quite the show of unity. Green is a good color for you."

Hermione gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Kingsley."

Parvati was a bit in awe as they resumed their progress across the room. "You call him Kingsley?"

"Well, he did save my life last year," Hermione mused. "Never mind about that. I'll tell you the story later." She changed the subject abruptly. "So, what are the odds Draco got that Firewhiskey he was after?"

Parvati had the grace to blush. "Fairly high, I'd say. Wait – you knew he'd ask Blaise when we left?"

"Honestly, Parvati, of course I knew. He's still Draco Malfoy, and rules were never exactly his friends, were they?" Hermione returned smartly. "I'm just hoping to keep his sneaky antics on the low key side."

As they gained their husbands' sides, a small commotion signaled the entrance of Harry and Daphne with Ron and Tracey. Daphne's dress, a simple black sheath with a short train was understated elegance, but left almost everyone speechless. Because down her exposed back, Daphne had a gold snake that looked to be in motion. Tracey had opted for a strapless silver number that offset her figure perfectly.

Draco smirked beside Hermione. "Have to love those Slytherin witches. They'll surprise you every time. Let's go say hello."

After several hours and only one minor prank later, instigated by Ron no less, Hermione and Draco made their way back to their quarters to fulfill promises made earlier.

And when the morning dawned bright and happy the next day, Hermione couldn't help but wonder when the other shoe was going to drop.

A/N: Thanks for reading along. Ch. 21 will be up next week. As always, positive feedback is appreciated so very much.