Thank you so much for the reviews/alerts. It is much appreciated. Hope you are still with me as we get very close to the end. Enjoy Chapter 24.
Draco sat at the kitchen table writing down his plans when he heard someone apparate in. "Hello?"
He heard a beautiful voice. "Hey it's just me." Ginny walked into the kitchen with two small children. "Harry said you took off and I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
He stood and made his way over to her smiling. "I need you to do something for me."
"Anything."
"I need you to go buy a wedding dress."
"What?" Ginny laughed. "A wedding dress. What f-" She stopped, realizing what was happening. "When do you need it by?"
"Tonight." Draco bit his bottom lip, thinking that maybe she wouldn't agree.
Ginny rolled her eyes as she smiled widely. "Consider it done. Anything else?"
"Any feminine touches you can think of." And they continued to quickly discuss the details. He had it all planned out including the short list of who would be there, what time, and where. Ginny was thoroughly impressed that he was able to come up with all of this so quickly.
She smiled again. "I'll have her ready by eight. That should be perfect because it will be dark by then. This is perfect Draco but I have ask you something."
"I think you know the answer."
She sighed. "Life's too short isn't it?" He nodded. "And you're going to Azkaban, aren't you?"
He nodded solemnly again. "It's more than likely."
"But you don't even know if he's dead, Draco." Ginny said sympathetically.
"I also don't know if he's alive and based on my mother's lack of communication I'd say it doesn't look good. I'm expecting the Ministry any day now." He sighed. "Please don't say anything to her."
Ginny laughed. "Of course you didn't tell her. Ridiculous."
"How can I tell her that? She just woke up after being unconscious for a month. I don't need her to know. This is supposed to be a happy occasion."
"Okay but after tonight you're going to have to tell her sometime."
"I know."
Ginny shook her head in disbelief. "Okay I'm off to make your bride the best looking woman on this earth."
"She already is." He yelled after her as she left.
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"Hermione it looks great. Stop messing with it." Ginny said as she slapped Hermione's hand and continued to fix her hair. She used Hermione's natural curls to her advantage and with a simple sleeking potion had turned it into a full head of ringlets in which she elegantly pulled out of her face.
"I can't believe I'm doing this. What has gotten in to him?"
Ginny avoided her best friend's gaze. "I think it's romantic." She fake smiled. "Okay now let's slip you into your dress. " Ginny walked over to the hospital bed, unzipping a large black bag and pulling out a long lace dress.
Hermione gasped still sitting down. "It's beautiful, Ginny. How did you-"
"I talked to Draco and he just trusted me." She smiled. "Come on we don't have much time."
Hermione slowly stood. She felt more weak and tired than ever but knew she wasn't going to turn this opportunity down. Her breathing became heavy but she ignored it and pushed past the pain.
"Where are we going? Who's all going to be there?"
"I promised I wouldn't tell you anything." Ginny unzipped the white dress for Hermione to step into. When it was positioned correctly, Ginny zipped the dress. "Fits just like a glove. Turn towards me." She gasped. "Bloody hell. I'm so good. You look wonderful."
"Ginny, all I've done all day is sleep. I feel like I could pass out at any minute I do not look-" By that time Ginny had drug her in front of a mirror and she was stunned at what her reflection looked like. "Amazing." She said gazing at herself in the mirror for a good five minutes.
"Yes I know. Now let's go."
Hermione tore herself from the mirror and turned to see that in the time she was staring at herself, Ginny had done her own hair and slipped into her own dress that was a beautiful emerald green.
"Wow. You look-"
"Amazing. I know." Ginny giggled. "Now seriously let's go. If we're late, Draco will kill me."
"Okay. Let's go." Hermione took a deep breath, closed her eyes and then took Ginny's arm. Then they were gone.
"No peeking." Ginny stated demanding.
"Okay, okay. Well I have to open them to walk down the aisle."
Ginny ignored her comment. "Here are your flowers." She pushed them in her hands. "Now when you hear the music playing, open your eyes."
"But who's going to walk me down the aisle? Where is Harry?" Hermione was fearful that she was alone.
She suddenly felt someone take her arm. "I'm right here. You look absolutely gorgeous, Hermione." Harry patted her arm.
She smiled with her eyes still closed. "Thanks Harry."
"Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be I suppose."
"Good because we're starting." Harry chuckled.
Hermione was more nervous than she had ever been. Her stomach was in knots. Then she heard music playing but when she opened her eyes all she could see was a large wooden door in front of her face and Harry at her side. She was slightly disappointed for she had expected to see Draco. She didn't have much time to relax though because then the large doors opened and she immediately recognized her surroundings.
She was once again in the Hogwarts courtyard but it didn't look ordinary. The stars in the night sky shone brightly and it was a clear sky. To light the courtyard, there were hanging, white lanterns that gave a romantic feel to the area. There were white rose petals that created an aisle.
Then her heart skipped a beat. At the end of the path stood Draco Malfoy. He looked perfect in his dress robes and standing next to him was none other than Blaise Zabini, Draco's best friend. Opposite Draco she saw Ginny and another girl she immediately knew as Pansy Parkinson, another of Draco's closest friends and Blaise's girlfriend. She too was dressed in a green dress similar to Ginny's. However none of those people are what attracted her attention. Instead, a small red haired boy, standing behind her soon to be husband and in front of Blaise, was what occupied her thoughts. He too was dressed in tiny dress robes and she let a tear escape at how cute he looked.
They finally reached the end of the aisle. Harry gently lifted her veil and placed it delicately on her head. He then kissed her cheek and whispered, "I'll always love you Hermione. I'm so thankful for you." She smiled at him. He turned to Draco and shook his hand firmly, nodding. Then he took Hermione's small hand and placed it in Draco's large one and went to stand behind Blaise.
For the first time Hermione noticed the figure that had been hidden behind Draco.
Professor McGonagall began to speak. "We are gathered here today,"
She continued but Hermione only stared at Draco and he stared back, smiling at her, only looking down when Draco Jr. hugged his leg and wouldn't let go. They all laughed at the matter and continued with the ceremony.
They each took a ring and Hermione slipped a ring on Draco's finger as she said her vowels. Then it was Draco's turn.
"I think we all can agree that our relationship was unexpected and happened at a time that was most unpleasant. However, what I thought was the worst day of my life turned out to be the greatest all due to a moment that occurred in this very spot; all because of you. I don't know what you saw in me and quite frankly I don't care. I'm just glad you saw something. You saved me and I will forever be grateful for that. I think we've proved to each other that we can get through just about anything; war, betrayal, time, cruelty, and a child." She smiled at his last word and they were now both crying. "I never wanted this but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love you Hermione Jean Granger more than you could possibly imagine and I love Draco Ronald Weasley just as much." He looked down at the small boy who was still grasping his leg. "I promise to love you both no matter what." He gulped releasing more tears and he could see Ginny's blue eyes staring straight at him but he quickly refocused his attention towards Hermione.
"With the power invested in me by the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." McGonagall professed.
They both smiled their brightest smiles before they took a step towards each other and pressed their lips together. His hands took her neck and her hands lay lightly on his chest and within seconds the moment was over.
McGonagall's voice rang again, "I give to you Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy."
Hermione giggled for it was the first time she realized her name was now Hermione Malfoy.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too."
All four of their friends clapped for them and Draco Jr. joined in as well yelling, "Yaaaaay!" They all laughed at the small boy and Hermione and Draco kissed yet again.
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After the small wedding they had all headed back to Grimmauld Place for dinner and drinks still dressed in their elegant attire.
"Who would have thought that Draco Malfoy would have married Hermione Granger?" Blaise boasted and laughed as he took a drink of champagne. Everyone else laughed with him.
"You were quite the arse to her." Harry piped in, receiving a glare from Draco.
"And she was quite the bitch to him." Ginny laughed but stopped when she saw the look Hermione was giving her. "Oh come on we all know it." Everyone else laughed with her this time.
"Bugger off. That was so long ago." Draco defended him and his wife.
"Yeah I mean can you believe it was the war that brought you two together?" Ginny stated.
"Can you believe it's almost been four years since the war?" Harry bluntly wondered.
"Yeah man seems like another lifetime ago." Blaise chirped, chuckling slightly.
Hermione smirked, reminiscing, "It was another lifetime ago."
Draco smiled at her as he rubbed her thigh attempting to comfort her. He noticed her eyes becoming wet. Everyone had continued on to other conversations so he whispered in her ear, "Are you alright?"
She only nodded then smiled and said, "Just tired."
He leaned in and kissed her temple.
"Well man it's been lovely seeing you destroy your pureblood name but I'm afraid we have to head out." Blaise took another drink and stood, followed by Pansy.
"Really man?" Draco held open his arms as if to ask you really just said that? But to Draco it was no surprise. It was just how Blaise was. He didn't mean any harm by it.
Blaise sarcastically rolled his eyes, "Okay okay I'm sorry. I guess I'm just jealous that you snagged "Bang Her Granger."
Hermione nearly spit out her drink with laughter, "What?"
Blaise grabbed his chest as though he had been shot. "Draco, oh Draco. You haven't told her about the nickname?" Draco titled his head and glared at Blaise begging him to stop. "Well if you won't tell her I will."
"Please do." Ginny hyped up.
"Well you see when Granger here came back for fourth year, she well to put it bluntly she had breasts." Hermione's cheeks turned beet red. "She was hot and everyone knew it. So we Slytherin's came up with the perfect nickname. Bang Her Granger. I mean granted we would have never thought about touching a mu- I mean uhhh, well point is we all knew you were the hottest thing to walk the halls."
Hermione only sat there with red cheeks. Ginny was laughing hysterically and Harry was scowling.
Draco stood, smirking. "Well if it's one thing you got man its honesty. That's for sure. Thank you for coming really." He shook Blaise's hand. "Now leave." He demanded, jokingly.
Blaise only laughed. "Okay. Hermione," she too had stood to say goodbye to her guests, "You looked beautiful," he encased her in a hug to her surprise and he whispered in her ear, "You take care of him ok?" She nodded and he kissed her cheek in a gentleman manner and left with Pansy.
"I've always been fond of him." Hermione joked but received a sharp glare from her husband. She held her hands up as if surrendering. "Only joking." She smiled and dropped her hands as he took her by her waist and led her back to her seat.
Thanks for reading.