Disclaimer; I don't own it!
Hermione stayed out for about a week. Draco stayed with her the whole time, calling off of work as she recovered.
She kept having bad nightmares. Many from the killing of the thousands of co-workers
Hermione would awake crying, and would curl up into a ball. Draco would then snake an arm around her waist and bring her closer to him. The first couple of times she tried to get away when she saw who it was.
"Get off me!" She'd kick her legs, and then cry out in pain from the stress inflicted on her body. Draco would just hold her, and whisper shushing her soothingly as he petted her hair, or softly stroked her arm. After a moment of fright, she'd usually calm back down and eventually go back to sleep.
She soon trusted him at the very least. After two days he helped her walk to the bathroom in his bedroom. She wasn't able to get across the bathroom, and into the tub by herself. She grabbed at walls, counters, and tubs but she wasn't able to get into the tub by herself. After an hour of struggling, she collapsed to the ground exhausted, and as Pansy came in looking for her, had to help her, though Hermione insisted that she was clean and didn't need any help. She didn't trust Pansy and wouldn't allow her to stay and so as soon as she was standing again Hermione shouted and made her leave.
"But my lady, I can help you. I would do anything for you. Please?" Pansy pleaded but Hermione wouldn't let her do anything.
It broke Pansy's heart, but she did as she was told. She watched as Hermione barely made it back to bed.
After two more days of this, she finally let Draco help.
He always gave Hermione her privacy, waiting in with her but with his back turned. He knew that he wouldn't keep the trust if he looked and embarrassed her.
Hermione met with Draco and her mother daily to go over arrangements. They mostly told her what they had planned and began briefing her in. This was the celebration they had been waiting for, for over twenty years. Hermione didn't mind too much, she would get her own wedding when she was ready, Draco said so. Here and there she made suggestions, and acted excited.
Mentally she didn't know how to feel. Draco had been very nice to her the past week. When she wasn't feeling well he held her. When she was vomiting up the poison from Lucius' evil magic whip, he held her hair and would afterwards get her a cold cloth. And when her bones were re-growing he squeezed her hand as she screamed in pain and told her that she was doing well, and that the bones would soon grow back beautifully and then they could even go for a run if she liked on her new legs.
Draco smiled as he watched his father's era end before him in that time. From hurting his queen, Lucius and Roberto had earned themselves to right to be spat at and cursed from anyone who felt the need to vocalize their distaste for their actions.
Hermione was still frail, but the big day was coming up soon. Draco was helping her walk more and more.
On Thursday she walked to the dining room.
"And so I said to Reginald, you better getter your filthy half-blood hands off my paperwork. And you know what he said to me?" Roberto asked while shoveling in the risotto and scallops.
"What did he say Rob?" Helena asked enthralled in her husband's story. Pansy had draped her arm around Blaise's shoulder and was resting her head down. The story had been long, and pointless. She was trying hard to stay awake but it had lasted for more than twenty minutes. Blaise thanked Merlin that it was a meal with the Zabinis and not the Malfoys otherwise her actions could have been inexcusable. His family was much more relaxed, and for lack of a better term was rather ignorant. They were rich in the gaudy way rather than with the elegance the Malfoys possessed.
"He said, 'Now Roberto now that the war is over, we're all equals. So we'll share the paperwork'! Can you believe it?"
It was the cue for everyone to agree with Roberto that the man was mad in a chorus of synonymous phrases.
Hermione's head was buzzing. She had Draco cast a filtering spell on her so she wouldn't say anything out of line. Whenever she was about ready to say something foul, or disagreeable to the ideology of the group, she would get a bitter taste in her mouth. From hearing Roberto's long-winded speech, she began to feel nauseated. Her head drummed, and all of a sudden her eyes grew wide. Hermione urgently whispered to Draco pleading with him to help her to the toilet as she felt she would be sick.
Draco sprang back to life from his previously starched back stage. The bathroom was down a long hall way and he threw her over his shoulder.
The pressure on her stomach caused her to begin to retch.
"Draco!" she pleaded and he put her down, and cast a silencing spell. Finding it'd just be easier to let her finish and clean it up. The others got up from their seats to see if the queen was alright. Draco quickly cast a cleaning spell.
Hermione began to sob. She crumbled sliding down the wall to the floor in the fetal position. She was embarrassed, she covered her face.
"I'm sorry Draco. I tried, I really did. I couldn't help it, I'm trying to be better and to understand your family and mine. But it's really difficult!"
Draco helped her up, and hugged her. He smoothed her curly hair, and rubbed her back.
"Shh, I know." He looked into her eyes, their usual hazel looked more green through all the tears. "I'm sorry, maybe we went too fast. It was my fault. I will try and prepare you better next time." He stepped back a little.
"Do you think you'll be okay? The walk up the stairs would be good practice..."
She thought she'd be okay for a minute, but her knees gave and she began to cry again. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can. And I don't know why I keep crying so much! I mean I'm upset, but it's like my hormones are completely out of whack or something!" She leaned on him, resting her head on his shoulder from the front. She still felt horrible. He pulled her closer, and hugged her tightly.
"Come," he said to her "I'm going to get you out of here." he whispered in her ear and brushed her hair behind her ear, and then wiped her tears with his thumbs.
He lifted her up, and carried her to the other room. Helena was smiling excitedly.
"Is this morning sickness? Has the conception potion I've been putting in your juice been working?"
Hermione whipped her head and glared at Helena, biting her tongue sharply.
Draco spoke for her "No, I don't believe its that. Hermione's risotto simply didn't agree with her too much her diet isn't very rich, and so it didn't agree with her. We will perhaps see you in the morning if she is feeling better."
"Fine then, but remember that the wedding is in two days. She will be walking down that aisle if I have to cast an imperious on her." Roberto reminded cheerily. Draco gave a curt nod, and left the room.
"Draco Malfoy, if you don't take that spell off me right now I will vomit on your lovely shirt." Hermione proclaimed half-upset half-jokingly.
"Oh no, not my lovely shirt!" Draco joked. He took the filter off of her. She rested her head on his shoulder again. It was one of her favorite parts of him, that and his chest. She loved his chest.
Hermione was grateful to Draco, he helped her without question. She could see that he truly cared for her. She pecked his neck.
"What was that for Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked her, it was his joke to her. As he had taken to calling her it as a pet-name, it weirded Hermione out though.
She raised her eyebrow at him and stated "I just wanted to thank you for always being there for me. That is all."
Hermione smelled his cologne, and her head began to swim. She wanted him. Ugh, I'm sure it was just something the mothers slipped into my dinner again. I'm sure I don't really want him. And so what if I did, it's just biology. It doesn't mean I'm in love with him, or that it was 'meant to be' or anything like that. Hermione rationed with herself.
He smiled at her, and opened the door, and walked down another hallway. "Did you just smell me Mrs. Malfoy?"
Hermione tried to deny it. "No of course not, but now that you mention it you do smell pretty great." She was swimming in delight as her stomach pooled into a sea of warmth.
Draco smiled at her again. He was fairly certain that he would not be sharing a bed with her tonight. She seemed to possibly be under the influence of something, perhaps as Helena had said a conception potion, maybe this was a side effect. But he had been something of a Slytherine sex god in his day, he knew his way around the road map of a randy lady, and the signs seemed to be quite it that favor.
As he set her on the bed, and went to leave the room. He didn't trust himself. He set up a bed on the far end of the room.
It was three in the morning when she screamed, she'd moaned and cried a little through out the night, but this one was bad. Another nightmare. Draco thought as he got up and went to her, he spooned her putting his arms around her amorously. It was a bad one, she shook and tried to get away. Then she actually called for him.
Now this was a first one. Hermione had never called for him before. Draco tried to wake her up, but she was in too deep. He hated using his magic on her, but she was sobbing and there was nothing else he could do. Grabbing his wand, he woke her up magically.
Hermione stared at him for a moment. Then nearly launched at him as she hugged him tightly. Never let me go, please. She cried again in relief.
"Hey, hey. It's okay. It's over now. Do you want to tell me about it?" Draco asked panicking a little. It was the worst he'd ever seen her.
Usually she had kept quiet, she barely talked to him. If she did it was usually about little things, about what she needed, but she had never actually conversed with him.
Hermione took a deep breath and said "It was two different things tonight. One was about when I was kidnapped. The other was about Harry."
They both sat up. The coupled leaned against their pillows and Hermione hugged her knees to her chest.
She turned to him. "Do you know what happened when they kidnapped me?" Draco nodded
"I have a fair idea, is there anything in particular you want me to know?" he asked
"Have you ever smelled the smell of thousands and thousands of people being killed, or felt their fear. Forget yourself, dying would be a salvation. But them? They were so scared. How about all the people that I condemned to die in London? I didn't think it'd be a problem going into that restaurant and asking for help, I didn't think they'd hide in the building like the muggles!"
Draco nodded, her eyes welled. She laid her head on her knees and looked away from him.
"What else?"
"I want Roberto gone. I want him and Helena out of the house. I don't want to see either of them. Helena isn't quite as bad, but Roberto molested me. He was hooded, but hearing his voice, it was the same. He was the one who also did this to my face. " She took the glamour off, it was what usually concealed the large scar she had from when he sliced her. It was a reminder of Harry's wrath, if he would have cared for her more, she would never have been in this situation.
Draco touched the sealed up gash, wet from tears. She flinched at his touch.
"Does it hurt?" he whispered.
"No, enough nerve damage can do wonders. If I didn't see you touching it, I wouldn't have known. I guess it was more of that you surprised me."
she looked at him "It's ugly, but I feel like it makes me stronger. I want him out. And I will not walk down the aisle with him. Will you tell your father to not come near me also?"
"I told my father not to come near you without me there. It is his home though so until we are wed, that is my best. When we are wed, they will be forced to move as I assume you do not wish to live in the dark lord's manor."
"No, and I want it burned down. I've thought about it a lot lately, and I would like for Blaise and Pansy to go through it, see if anything is left that we will need, and then I want it burned down."
"Surely you can't mean that, it has great value to our people!" Draco proclaimed
" 'Am I not his successor? This will the the beginning of a new reign. I don't want them to cling to their old ways." And it gives me the creeps, it shouldn't exist still.
Wow, she's acknowledging that she'll be their leader. I suppose she's had time to think on it, but seriously that is a big step! Draco nodded "Can you tell me about Harry?"
She nodded "I see now that I was just the girl on paper, the one who he was supposed to end up with at the end of his story of saving the world. I was convenient, I don't think he respected me for all that I was worth. I haven't had sex in eight months now. I begged him. He always was too busy. Keep in mind we had a flat together, we used to share a bed, but then he took to sleeping on the couch in his office. He always put my job down. I was the secretary of the minister. Not his secretary, who took down his memos. No, I bloody helped run the country, and because it had the word secretary in it he always made it seem as though I wasn't third in command, but more like I was setting up his arrangements at the garden meeting with the queen.
"And he always shouted at me. He didn't visit me when I was knifed and then blamed me for it saying I was bad press for him. I should be bad press for him he wouldn't walk me out because he was too behind and then I was assaulted on numerous accounts."
She looked directly at Draco and said "I think he was afraid of dying alone, and I was the fairy tale ending. Given what we've achieved, I should be the one he ended up with and had kids with. But he stopped caring, truly caring a while ago. I feel like he did the absolute minimum for us."
"Do you remember what your dream was about?" Draco asked
"He came after us, he tried to set our house on fire while we were asleep, and I couldn't get all of our children out alive. Then he killed you, and knocked me out when I tried to go to you. It hurt too. He used to get physical with me 'Put me in my place' he justified it to Ron one night when he accidentally did it in front of him. Ron was hurt, he didn't like it but he followed Harry, and trusted him. So he didn't say anything."
Draco smoothed her hair. "You're free now, that's the upside of all this for you. You won't have to see him anymore. He'll never hurt you anymore, and I as well as the rest of the family are protecting you, I just want you to know that."
She smiled and then climbed back under the covers, turning happily on her side. Draco got up to leave,
"Draco, just stay please. I know you want to give me my space or something, but its really okay. I want you to stay."
That was good enough for him. He got back into bed, with her back to him he pressed his front into her, holding her.
Draco felt elated, Hermione had just opened up to him. She had dreamt about them as a family, and she trusted him. She also preferred him in to stay with her in bed. He held her with glee. Hermione was happy to have Potter out of her life. They both slept peacefully for the remainder of the night.
It was mid morning before Helena busted through their doors.
"Wake up, wake up!" Helena sang. Draco opened one eye to look at her, then shaking his head he snuggled back into Hermione.
"Come on you love birds, wedding's tomorrow! Then you can stay in bed for weeks at a time. Now we need to finish planning! Draco, leave. Hermione get up." Hermione sighed and sat up.
She looked at the shirtless Draco, and blushed looking away. Hermione felt embarrassed, she really had shared a lot with him last night. It was like he knew her head inside and out.
He pulled her back towards him and looked her in the eyes saying "Don't ever be embarrassed for letting me inside your head. You did a good thing. I'm proud that you opened up, and I'm even prouder that you can see us having children. Now, I'm going to kiss you. Please try and follow along because your mother is watching us and would expect it from a betrothed couple who just woke up together and who currently look like he's whispering sweet nothings to her." So Draco tilted her head just a little and kissed her passionately.
Hermione followed along, it was their first kiss but they couldn't let Helena know that. So she put herself into it, running her fingers through Draco's hair and scratching his head softly then tugging on his hair lightly. Draco broke the kiss and smiled at her.
"Good girl." he whispered, thanking Merlin that she followed along accurately, then he said to her "Alright love, I suppose you've got a wedding to plan, I'll probably see you at supper tonight. Remember, its a big to do with the rehearsal and all, so make sure you're rested up because today and tomorrow are going to be long. Helena, can you please make sure she takes the potions I left for her on the dresser, one each hour to help her strength. Also if possible, I really think high healed shoes are out of the question given her lack of leg strength if that helps at all with the planning and such. And-" Draco tried to add more but was cut off by Helena
"Draco, she'll be fine. You forget I'm a mother, and Narcissa will be up shortly I think we can handle everything. I mean, this has been in the making for over twenty years now, us women will know whats best." Helena said triumphantly.
Hermione looked worried, Draco walked over from the closet where he had been changing into a pressed pinstripe suit. He looks sharp Hermione thought. Draco came close to her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Hey, don't worry. This can be good for you, get to know the mothers and Pansy. It'll be alright, besides Pansy will have your back. But if you do need me, just scratch a note down, and a house elf will bring it to me. I should be in my office here at the manor for most of the day, but I have lunch with a business partner. Even so, if you need me I'll be here in a flash." he said to her quietly.
Hermione nodded and whispered "Thanks".
Draco apparated away, and in a flash Narcissa apparated into Hermione's room.
"Did Draco just leave?" Hermione nodded "Ugh, that boy! You'd never think we lived in the same house, I mean I haven't seen him in days and he's practically just down the hall. I was hoping he'd at least stay for tea before heading off. Oh well, I mean he is stuck with us for most of tomorrow. So, aren't you excited Hermione?" Narcissa asked
"Yes, I think it'll be nice to have a husband. Especially Draco, I mean he has been so kind to me ever since I got here. He's always taking care of me, and he really is wonderful."
Narcissa nodded "Good. Alright first things first. The location. Helena wants it to be at their manor in Calabria. But I would like it to be at our summer home in Provence. What do you think Hermione?"
"Um, do you have pictures? Both areas sound pleasant enough."
Helena conjured both up so the floated above Hermione's bed where she was still sitting. "The menu would be regional, depending on where you were at, if that helps at all." Narcissa explained producing menus from both to Hermione.
The house in Calabria was large and close to the shore. The house in Provence was set in a large garden. "Well, I loved Provence when my family, I mean the Grangers and I went to France for the summer. But Calabria would be nice too..."
"Then it's settled. Provence it is, I hate sand and fish anyways. Next order of business" Narcissa went on, Helena looked dejected.
Narcissa went on "Alright Hermione, these dresses have been in both of our families for hundreds of years. You are to wear one of them. We can make slight changes to it, but the dress must overall have the same idea as we don't want to break tradition."
Hermione examined both of the dresses. The Malfoy dress was pure white. The sleeves were puffy, and the dress reached the floor. It was in the shape of a bell, and was embedded with diamonds, and pearls. It was without a veil, but instead had a grand tiara.
The Zabini dress was long the train had to be at least ten feet long. The bodice was similar to a corset type lacing up the back and sleeveless. In the front it clung to her hips, and then gathered with a diamond pendant on the lower hip, then poofing out as the shirt became full and ruffled. The train was long and luxurious. (A/N I really hate author's notes during readings, but here .?pageSize=100&page=1&style=A3446 is the dress, it's the one that inspired her dress)
Hermione liked the Malfoy dress, but jumped to her feet at the sight of the Zabini one. She was in love. She touched it, so soft!
"Mrs. Zabini, can I put it on please?" Helena nearly cried at the sight of her daughter putting on her dress. She sat down to help get the long dress on, she was put in 10cm platform heals instantly, and her hair was done in a flash. So much for heels aren't good for me, yes that's right forget Draco mothers, I mean he's only the groom.
Once she had it on, she had to hold it up. She was too skinny for it.
"Hermione are you sure this is the one?" Narcissa asked "Because I mean, you can try on the Malfoy dress too! I mean I was more slender, like you and it could fit better." Narcissa explained making a sly dig at Helena.
Pansy apparated into the room. "Oh wow! Hermione, that dress is perfect for you!"
Narcissa injected "Yes, but Pansy, wouldn't my dress be nicer for her? You know, given her coloring and such."
Pansy shook her head "No, I think the dress she's wearing suits her. I don't think solid white would look right on her, but I would probably add sleeves."
"What's wrong with it?" Hermione interjected clutching the dress.
"Hermione, look at you. I mean you're really holding onto it. You simply don't have much of a bust, what will hold that dress up, I mean even after we have Pierre come and take it in?"
Hermione let her arms fall down to her side slightly upset by it all, and the dress shimmied almost down to her waist.
They all laughed, Helena walked over and helped her daughter "See, look at you. Even I who thinks this dress is perfect think some sleeves may be good for you. I wouldn't fret too much, I mean my family had always been quite busty and I wouldn't worry, I don't think Draco will find you too small. I mean look at him, the boy dated Pansy! You'll be fine" She nudged Hermione and meant it in good nature, but some how Pansy and Hermione found themselves touching their cleavage and wallowed in early teenager insecurities.
Pansy bit her tongue, and decided it was better not to say anything.
"I'm going to go and make some tea real quick would anyone like anything?" She asked trying to find an escape. Her high heels click clacking against the hard floor hurrying along in her pencil skirt.
"Pansy, don't be daft. I'll call a house elf." Narcissa called out.
Pansy took a deep breath "Yes, alright then. Earl gray is good?" she asked pleasantly in a sugary voice that let Hermione know she was feeling sensitive.
"Yes, that's great for me Pansy." Hermione chimed trying to help her, she didn't really care.
"Hermione, you can't just drink like a commoner. Button!" Narcissa called
A small house elf wearing a tattered apron appeared "We'll have the monkey picked oolong from 1984 please."
"And a pot of Vietnamese coffee please." Helena requested as well. Narcissa clapped her hands twice and the elf was gone in a flash.
"Pierre!" she called out. A fragile yet flamboyant elderly french man appeared "Yes madame? Ah, is this the famous Zabini dress?"
Helena nodded proudly "Yes, I'm sure you've met my daughter Hermione. Well she's to marry Draco tomorrow, and will need some help filling out the dress. I'd also like you to add sleeves, just off the shoulders nothing too extravagant, just simple and made out of silk."
Narcissa could no longer hold it in. "Helena, your dress is simply not elegant enough for the woman who will lead our people, there must be a statement with the dress. Although I respect tradition just as much as you, I can no longer hold it in. This dress needs diamonds and lots of them. Fresh water pearls, and tiny emeralds embedded into perhaps the embedded into the hem."
Helena thought and then agreed "You know what, I couldn't agree more. Perhaps not with the emeralds. But there needs to be some extravagance in this dress, it will say a lot about us." Pierre nodded and set to work.
"Hermione what about your colors?"
"Well, I really like either a deep blue, or perhaps a plum color?"
Both mothers protested. "Are you serious?" The exclaimed going on about the symbolism of the colors they'd choose for this dress.
It was decided that the bridal party would be wearing green and black.
Hermione tried to disagree, but it would simply do no good.
The dress was coming along, and while the others sipped and clucked like hens going over the details they all knew so well, Hermione began to tire.
Pansy saw her head droop as she nearly fell over after three hours of standing. She immediately got up and went to her. Pierre swore quietly as she moved while he was sewing.
"Hey, are you alright?" Pansy asked putting an arm around her shoulder for stability.
"Yes, I suppose anyways. I'll be fine, you can go sit down with the others."
Pansy went to walk away, but then turned back. "You know, this would be a good time for us to get to know each other, and in turn I can help keep you stand."
"Alright, that's fine. Can you get a potion from the dresser, Draco left them for me to take."
Pansy left her for a moment, it was then that Hermione realized that Pansy's support had really been a help. Pansy returned with the potion. She clinked 'glasses' with Hermione and replied "Cheers"
They talked for another three and a half hours. Helena thought it could have been done faster with magic, but Pierre assured her that the quality would be better if she let him just do it by hand as the diamonds were fragile.
Everything was set after six and a half hours. By this time Hermione was fading fast, and wasn't able to walk. Pansy called Blaise to carry her downstairs as they were going to have some lunch.
"Hello Hermione" He said as he lifted her up.
"Oh, hello Blaise." Hermione said quietly embarrassed at her lack of strength.
"Sorry, you have to carry me I really 'am trying and it's just been a lot to handle today. I mean six and a half hours in heels" They had been walking down the hallway of Draco and Hermione's wing when Hermione asked him to turn back, saying that she needed to take her potion, only half the truth. The other half was that they wanted to talk without the mothers hearing.
"We'll catch up to you lot, we just have to run back for a moment." Blaise called back.
"So, what exactly happened to you? I don't know the details but it seems like you've been harmed quite a bit for it to still not be healed."
Hermione thought, knowing how close Draco was with Blaise she figured she could trust him. "When I was being tortured I lost a lot of my magic. My body is trying to rebuild it I'm fine, it's just that I'm weakened. I use up my energy twice as fast."
"Well, tomorrow try your hardest not to let on that anything is wrong. I hate to sound like a jerk, but if you let on that you're weak in any sense then people won't follow as easily. I'm sure you don't want to think about that and all. Also it will directly reflect on how the Zabinis and Malfoy raised their children and it could shame them if you don't act strong, not to mention they'll torture you again. So when you're at dinner sit with a starched back with perfect posture. When you shake hands it must be firm, when you eat or drink you must not get anything on your lip, on your fingers, or in your lap. I don't know how you were raised but when I was, manners were the most important thing to bring to a party."
"Blaise I think you should go. I'll make it downstairs myself."
Hermione was hurt, she knew he was trying to help, but it was as though they had expected her to be an animal because they chose for her to be raised by muggles. Him mentioning her strength was also hurtful. She couldn't help it, it was beyond her doing. Hermione knew he was trying to help, but he'd over stepped the boundaries.
"Hermione don't be silly, you can barely stand."
"Blaise, I need to be stronger. I appreciate your help, but I'll be fine. Tell Pansy thanks from me."
Blaise wavered a little, and she began to tear up "Go, alright!"
He stepped closer, thinking it was best to just help her she pulled out her wand "Blaise Zabini, leave now. I do not want you here." she snarled
"Hey, steady. I'll go alright." He left with a stack of books chasing him, hitting the door as he closed it.
Draco came in slowly, Blaise told him that it hadn't gone well talking to her.
"You know he's right don't you?" Draco asked
Hermione sighed "Of course I do. But it's just been a really long day. The mothers had me in 10 cm heels standing for the last six and a half hours, and I'm just tired. I know he's right, and although I don't like it, if I blow this our parents will torture and murder me. I mean this wasn't my first choice job, but I really think there could definitely be some good that will come out of it.
"Why can't we provide food for Africa? Why can't we set up scholarships for Hogwarts students in need? So that's not really an issue for me, its just that, the last time I saw Blaise he was making fun of me at Hogwarts, and I was hoping as my brother that he could possibly step up to the plate and that we could perhaps become friends."
Draco nodded "I'll talk to him, I'm glad you understand the impression our wedding will be making on the public. Now, would you like to go downstairs?"
"Draco, I'm exhausted. I think I'll just skip lunch and sleep. I have the dress I want and I really don't think I'm needed for anymore of the planning."
Draco nodded, but he wouldn't let her skip the meal and had lunch brought up for them. They spent the rest of the afternoon in bed talking, and eventually falling asleep. Draco awoke her at five, the dinner party would begin at six thirty.
She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. Though a little shocked, Draco smiled into the gesture.
"Well, good evening to you too. Come, let's get ready." He got up and tugged her hand a little as a motion for her to get up. She flopped forward on the bed
"But I don't wanna get up daddy!" Hermione mumbled.
Draco raised an eyebrow at her and Hermione sighed, going over to the wardrobe. She picked out a clover green dress, it went to her knees and had large pleats to make it slightly poofy. It had a black sash, and she wore it with a black sweater, and seven cm black brocade heels that tied around the ankle.
Draco smiled and said "That's my girl. You're doing great, really. I'm very proud. So where will the wedding be? I know our parents have been planning the details for quite some time just in case you decided to go to either place."
Hermione began changing and replied "Provence, I loved going there with my- erm I mean the Grangers. I found it to be quite lovely, and your mother said it would take place in your grand garden?"
Draco agreed that it would. He walked over and ran his fingers over her back gently before zipping her up.
She sat on the bed putting on her sweater as he put her shoes on for her, tying up her ankle straps tightly for a bit more stability.
She did a spell for makeup, and he did a spell for her hair leaving it down and curly the way he liked
They went to the staircase, and Lucius clinked his glass to get everyone's attention
"Everyone may I present to you the future Mister and Missus Malfoy"
The crowd of hundred applauded their arms wrapped around each others' waists as they waved going down the stairs.
Hermione thought to herself "Left foot, right foot. Don't miss a stair!" in those heels she was so worried she'd fall, she took a deep sigh of relief as they came to the bottom.
She looked around and saw elegance all around white silk streamers hanging from the ceiling of the ballroom. Waterfalls on some of the walls, and then a grand one on the far end of the room.
Hermione continued to to smile and shake hands as people proudly greeted her, many bowed, being deatheaters they knew all about the prophesy so meeting their queen for the first time was something of a thrill. Let alone to get to shake her hand? It was thrilling for them, and her future servants tried to hide their grins as they went from ear to ear.
Throughout the evening she felt she was regarded as though she was in a glass bubble. Everyone regarded her with much grace, and were so careful to touch her if they did, but otherwise just stared in amazement at the ornament of a queen in front of them.
She felt peaceful with this arrangement, like she was in her own world just being guided by Draco and engaging in pleasantries.
Dinner was served after the drinks course. She and Draco were seated at the head of the table.
Draco stood up and began to make a speech.
"Welcome all tonight! We are very pleased to have you here on this occasion. If you haven't already had the pleasure of doing so I'd like to introduce you my friends and followers to the Future Mrs. Malfoy, Hermione Zabini." There was a strong applause in which there was much whispering of quick discussion. Did Draco really just say that?
Hermione stood up, and his arm was placed around her waist. She really felt unsure about all of this. She bit her inner lip to keep from saying a word, and just smiled sugary sweet.
"Hermione has been undercover for most of her life as a muggleborn, and thus will be the ideal leader as she knows their ways, and is a trusted member of their filthy society. I know it may seem strange, but the late Dark Lord had revealed a prophesy telling all. It has been caught in a memory, and will be featuring at our first meeting when we get back from our honeymoon."
Hermione was a little shocked at the way Draco presented this information to them all.
"So mark your calendars!" She chimed in and all laughed. Her face burned she felt dizzy that it all felt so true, why did he have to say it like that? It made her feel terrible, like she was betraying her own kind. She bit her lip harder, and began to feel the blood leak onto her palate.
Pansy and Blaise stood up as Hermione and Draco sat. "To Draco and Hermione! May you both be happy, and triumphant in all that you do." Blaise smiled and raised his champagne glass, as the happy couple was toasted.
The happy couple enjoyed a small but elegant dinner. After dinner, the men retired to the smoking room for a brandy, and the women excused themselves for cocktails in the garden under the stars.
The couple was given many presents. They both had their authoritative dark marks drawn in in a henna fashion. Both of theirs had the basic dark mark, but theirs had a DHM inscribed along the bottom of the snake.
The parents decided that they wanted a burning ceremony done when they get back, so the dark mark would be official, but for those who weren't familiar the mark would seem real enough for the wedding.
Her upper arms were also drawn with an snake arm bands. As her body was decorated she was given much more champagne, and Pansy sat next to her opening the gifts. It appeared that this party was similar to a bachelorette party. She received numerous bits of lingerie, jewelery, fancy glasses, and of course "bedroom equipment" as Narcissa liked to call it every time she received a whip, or set of handcuffs.
Pansy kept an eye on her, so she wouldn't get too loose lipped. Though the crowd did find out that Hermione and Draco hadn't had sex yet, and cooed in adoration. They all seemed to find it very cute.
Hermione also revealed that although Draco wasn't her only boyfriend, that he had been one of her first. Right around the time that Victor Krum left she had found herself comforted by her fiance.
This was the story Pansy chose to tell. The real one involved Hermione pushing him away as he tried in earnest to woo her.
He knew they'd be together eventually, and had liked her. She however wasn't ready for him yet. It was all too much, and so to her "knight in shining armor" Harry it was. Who would have thought the tables could turn so much in later years?
She hadn't thought of that in years, back then Draco was a thorn in her side. Although Hermione did find him cute, she also couldn't stand him. And oh the things Harry would have done if he had found out.
I guess there wasn't very much to think of, it was all so pre-mature back then. Nothing more than flirting, and in his case persuading.
It was 1:41 and her highness had begun to fall asleep among the chirping of her followers. Draco was summoned and left his poker game to retire for the night. The followers would have them up early enough as they were staying over. Tomorrow was the big day.