Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Warnings: Deaging, AU, nonslash.
Author's note: Sorry once again that it has taken so long to get a new chapter out. Its been written for a while, but finding time to type is becoming a problem, even working in a computer lab, I have to help the students so I often get distracted with their problems. Good news is that I have ordered a new laptop, which should arrive Saturday and alleviate that problem. I am very excited for my new laptop and printer to get to the store for pickup. The order remains as was, so next on the list is Hogwarts Marauders Era (though I might skip again, not likely though):
Pair Up, then Everything Unexpected, then A Cure for Loneliness, then Life Renewed, followed lastly by Hogwarts Marauders Era! Please be patient I am writing, but my stories have been sitting for way to long and I would like to try to finish them all.
New news: My sister is pregnant, so I will be an aunt three times over soon. Another nephew, I am severely stoked!
Chapter 7 – Making it Official
Draco awoke to a cold bed and a note on Harry's pillow.
Morning Dragon
Sorry I am not there, Mione was here at the crack of dawn insisting we should not see each other before the wedding. It's a muggle tradition for good luck or something to that affect.
Love
Harry
Hello Draco
This is Hermione. Fear not, I fully intend to have Harry ready and waiting for you at the altar. Ashlynn and Blaize will be by later to help you get ready.
Sincerely
Hermione
Draco wanted to frown at the fact the he could not see Harry, but found himself smiling at the tradition. It seemed to him to scream out Hermione's support of their wedding and their relationship. She wanted it to last, just as they did. Draco simply couldn't be angry, he did not think anything could ruin his day, so long as at the end of it he was happily married to Harry and they officially became a family. Draco smiled as he got out of bed and went to take a shower. Ashlynn and Blaize were extremely punctual, so Draco knew the pair would be arriving shortly.
"Harry, stay still, will you? Why are you fidgeting so much? Alison and Alyssa can both hold still longer," scolded Hermione as she attempted to tame Harry's wild locks.
"Mione, you know as much as I do that trying to make my hair neat is pointless. Even now that I keep it long it does its own thing," Harry complained as Hermione went about taming his hair with a brush.
Hermione frowned, "If I can tame my hair for the day, then I can tame yours too." She was finished brushing and proceeded to braid Harry's hair tightly.
"Ow, Hermione! What are you doing? It bloody hurts. Cut it out, leave it Mione," Harry complained loudly.
"Be still Harry, I'm nearly done. Trust me it will be worth the pain. Women have to go through this far more often than you ever will, "She said combing her fingers through a few tangles as she braided the last inch of Harry's hair.
Harry groaned wishing Hermione's fingers would fall off so he would never again have to suffer the torture when Hermione announced she was finished. Harry happily jumped up, but Hermione grabbed him and turned him around. She smiled at him as he looked in the mirror at his hair that except for a few strands in the front was neatly pulled back into a tight braid.
"You looked very handsome Harry. I bet Draco will be ready to cry when he sees you. Come now let get that tie on you and take care of that scar, I bet I can hide it. I promised Draco I would have you ready and waiting for him. We do not have much time left."
Harry was slightly surprised by what he was. No one had ever been able to tame his hair. Leave it to Hermione to the one, though it made sense as she was the one friend he had that had hair as wild as his own. As she spoke he smiled at her and when she moved to help him with the tie he turned to her unsure of what to say.
"I …" he started before losing his train of though and ending with, "thanks Mione."
"You're welcome Harry," said Hermione.
Ashlynn watched Draco twiddle his thumbs while he stood in front of the mirror looking himself over once more. It was a habit he thought he had broken, but picked right back up in his nervousness.
Blaize cracked a smile trying hard not to laugh at his friend. "You look great Draco. You should really stop worrying. I can count on one hand how many times you have looked anything less than great."
Draco turned to Blaize and flashed a smile, "I am amazing aren't I. I have a great family line, full of such beautiful people."
Blaize shook his head and Ashlynn laughed. "Overkill Draco. We all know you think highly of yourself," snorted Blaize.
Draco pouted slightly before returning his gaze to the mirror. "Are you sure my hair shouldn't be lowered. I'm not a girl. Hell, Harry has more feminine features than I."
Blaize shook his head looking to his wife for help on the question. She merely giggled, "I do not think Harry would agree. Dray you worry far too much. It is hardly a high ponytail, just because it isn't at the base of your neck."
She went up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, "Relax. Harry loves you no matter what your hair looks like."
There was a knock at the door and in popped a head full of red hair, in blue dress robes. "Five minutes until the ceremony begins. Ashlynn, Hermione needs your help with something real quick. Blaize I need your help before Severus hexes Sirius," said Ron with a frown.
He received a trio of frown from his announcement. Blaize turned to Draco and placed his hand on Draco's shoulder, giving him a look, before heading out to deal with his former head of house. Ashlynn slipped out behind him leaving Ron standing in the door looking at Draco.
Draco gave him a curious look, but he simply handed Draco a note and headed out to help Blaize. Draco opened the note and smiled at the words "I love you Dragon" in Harry messy scrawl. He tucked the little note into his pants pocket before checking his appearance once more and heading out.
Harry stood in the hallway leading to the ballroom of Malfoy Manor watching as their bridesmaids and groomsmen headed in paired off. Each smiling brightly as they passed many rows of guests, pictures flashing every few minutes. His and Draco's wedding was the event of the decade and so to avoid being hounded they personally selected the reporters they wished to write about their wedding.
Harry could not help, but to smile brightly as Alyssa and Victorie walked up the isle jointly holding a basket, tossing flowers, and waving as they made their way very slowly to the front. They were followed closely by Teddy and Joshua, holding the pillows' containing Harry and Draco's bonding rings.
Draco stepped up beside Harry slipping his hand into Harry's. Harry turned to Draco, his eyes filling instantly with love and appreciation for his soon to be bonded, his love. Draco returned his gaze admiring his love and feeling deliriously happy.
The pair headed down the aisle, keeping their eyes on one another hands linked tightly as they walked. They did not notice the eyes tearing up at the beauty of the moment or the soft smiled directed at them from all over. They just saw one another and the love they had for each other.
When they reached the ceremony master it was a moment before they looked to him, but he seemed not to mind waiting patiently. The ceremony master smiled at the pair as they looked to him and began.
"We have gathered here today to bond in marriage Harry James Potter and Draco Lucius Malfoy. They proclaim great love and devotion and wish to cement their shared feelings. If there is anyone who wishes to protest this marriage this bond speak now or forever hold your peace."
Harry could have sworn he heard so some say, 'and be hexed into oblivion, not likely,' and he smirked fighting laughter.
Draco however bristled slightly at the comment, his eyes gliding over to where his mother sat up front. He felt momentarily guilty as his eyes slid back to Harry his mother remaining silent and the ceremony master continued on.
Draco barely registered the words spoke by the ceremony master until he heard his name being said, "Do you Draco Lucius Malfoy take Harry James Potter in sickness and in health, war and peace, the good times and the bad, to be bonded to in love and in marriage till death do you part?"
Draco smiled feeling very sentimental in the moment. It was ridiculous, he felt like he would cry as he said, "I do."
He watched Harry who watched him while the ceremony master spoke to him, "Do you Harry James Potter take Draco Lucius Malfoy in sickness and in health, war and peace, the good times and the bad, to be bonded in love and in marriage till death do you part?"
Harry smiled brightly looking into Draco's teary eyes his own shining with unshed tears. "I do," he said breathing a soft sigh.
Draco sighed as well while the ceremony master pronounced them Harry James Malfoy Potter and Draco Lucius Potter Malfoy. Neither had to be told what came next as they leaned and shared their first kiss as husbands. The passionate kiss was met by much cheering and applause, but as they pulled apart the pair wished it could have lasted until the nights end.
Draco, Harry and the wedding party headed out making their way to the parlor room to receive the guest blessings and well wishes while the finishing touches were placed on the ballroom for the reception.
As the guest greeted one another and came to hug Draco and Harry, the pair found each other's hand once more holding tight and looking very much the picture of happiness.
Narcissa walked up to the pair holding her granddaughter with a small smile on her face. "It seems as though now I have two sons and a granddaughter to spoil." She handed Alyssa to Draco and hugged a surprise Harry before pulling away. "My threat still stands though."
Harry nodded giving a little laugh, "Do not worry you will never have to make good on that threat. That said I will not be forgetting it either."
Draco shook his head and hugged his mother. "Congratulations my little dragon in the night sky. Your mother is so proud," she whispered.
Harry and Draco sat at the wedding party's table, after they all made their way into the ballroom for the reception, enjoying a few moments to themselves with Alyssa while they eat. The other's around they seemed to understand and left the pair alone to talk.
"I will have to ask Hermione to teach me how to do a braid. You look delicious, love, it really suits you," said Draco.
Harry blushed and covered Alyssa ears for a moment, "You look far more delicious than my love. I simply cannot await our honeymoon so that I may ravish you."
Draco blushed and pulled Harry's hands away from Alyssa's ear, "until tonight," he said with a sly smile before proceeding to feed Alyssa the rest of her mashed potatoes.
The pair finished all too soon and it was time for their first dance. They held each other close and moved slowly about the floor, just the two of them until their song moved into another and they were interjected by Narcissa wishing to dance with her son.
Harry moved to retrieve Alyssa and returned to dance with his baby girl. Soon everyone was moving about the floor intermittently. From the corner of his eyes, Harry spotted Sirius ask Severus for a dance followed by Severus' refusal. Harry felt bad for his godfather as the man made his way onto the dance floor with some random guest. Who was that person?
A couple songs later Harry and Draco were seated for a much needed break, but Alyssa remained on the dance floor happily carried about by Severus as he gave her his first dance of the night. When they finished he passed his goddaughter off to her grandmother and made his way back to his seat only to be interjected by Sirius once more. Again Sirius walked off to dance with little Teddy. Harry and Draco frowned at the interaction thinking it would lead to nothing good.
The pair continued to talk and greet guest that come to speak with them, but kept a close eye on their godfathers.
Sirius had just finished dancing with Alyssa and returned the now sleeping girl to her parents. He turned looking across the dance floor for Severus, intending to get a dance out of the man even if Severus hexed him first, but he was becoming frustrated and a bit put out by Severus constant refusal. Despite what was said at Alyssa birthday it seemed Severus wasn't really willing to give him a chance.
Sirius walked over to where Severus walked over to where Severus sat and stood before him with a smile. "Third time's the charm," he question before holding out his hand, "how about if Severus."
Severus glared at Sirius his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Black, your advances are unwanted and you are getting on my nerves. Find someone else to dance with. I am not interested."
Sirius frowned, his temper flaring. He had been extremely patient with Severus thus far, but his patience was wearing thin and he was growing angry in his frustration. He wished things could be easier, but the hard road seemed to be the one he was destined for.
"Merlin pants Snape, it's just one dance. Quit being such an arse," Sirius growled before turning and stomping moodily out of ballroom to clear head.
Severus faced adorned a smug look until he felt someone looking at him and turned, slightly confused, to find the source. He found two someone glaring daggers at him, their expressions set in anger. They seemed to both be saying if you ruin our reception there will be HELL to pay. Severus frowned and his frown only deepened when Draco mouthed fix it how and turned to Harry who was trying to soothe him.
Severus was seething as he went to find the idiot Black. He was angry he was being blamed for Blacks departure when Black was the one who was being a bother.
He nearly collided with Sirius as he went to exit the ball room and was surprised to see the man appeared to be relatively calm and collected. He blinked for a moment before collecting himself, "One dance Black and then you had better leave me be."
Sirius was shocked wondering why Severus changed his mind, but nodded and pulled him onto the dance floor just as the music began to slow.
Severus instantly regretted his decision as Sirius' hands were placed just above his hips which left him to put his hands on Sirius' shoulders. It was very awkward as they swayed, Severus staring at the ground and Sirius frowning.
"What's your favorite color," Sirius suddenly asked causing Severus to look up slightly bewildered though the emotion only read for a moment.
"Midnight blue," he answered.
Sirius grinned and gave a laugh, "just like you eyes," he said.
Severus was surprised by the statement. He could count on one hand how many people actually noticed he had blue eyes. Lily, Draco, Albus, Minerva, Poppy, and now Sirius made six. He nodded in response to Sirius statement curiosity rising.
Sirius smiled, "Mine is blue as well, although more a sapphire blue I guess is what you would call it."
Severus nodded as they continued to sway wondering why Sirius was asking him stupid small talk questions.
"What's your favorite hobby," he asked next feeling a bit saddened because he knew the ending of the song was approaching.
"I enjoy brewing most, but I am sure are well aware of that, otherwise I would say I enjoy reading," he said before pausing for a moment.
Sirius was about to respond when Severus asked why he was asking stupid question. He bristled slightly fighting the instinct flaring up, but quelled the urge to yell. "Our first date was horrible because we really do not know anything about each other and so I figure if we did you wouldn't mind a second date."
Severus frowned at Sirius logic. Sirius seemed genuine in his intentions and affections and it was throwing Severus for a loop. It was true their first date had been horrendous, but it wasn't as though Severus was trying to enjoy it. He had forgiven Sirius to a point, but he wasn't sure he should try to be with him. He simply did not think it would work.
"Snape," said Sirius bringing Severus out of his thoughts to see they had stopped dancing. "The song is over," said Sirius as another began. He released Severus, but Severus did not release him.
Instead Severus' eyes slid over to Harry and Draco who seemed to be watching him, smiled plastered on their faces.
"Um, Snape …," said Sirius softly, " … Severus."
Severus eyes came back to meet Sirius and he decided, for now, just as at Alyssa party and to make Harry and Draco happy, to just go with it. He slid his arms behind Sirius neck and stated they should keep dancing. Sirius readily agreed putting his arms around Severus and pulling him closer. They simply swayed for a moment before Severus said it was Sirius turn to ask the question. Sirius couldn't help but to grin.
Harry and Draco smiled at the pair before turning to each other once more. "He really should not fight it so hard," said Draco, "I really think they would be good for one another."
Harry laughed and Draco gave him a look. Harry smiled, "yes, they would good from one another. Sirius needs more boundaries and Severus could stand to lose some."
Draco frowned, "not funny Phoenix. Be serious for a moment."
Harry only laughed harder while Draco glared for a moment before realizing his mistake, rolling his eyes, and laughing with Harry.
"Let's not think about tonight Draco. This is our night, come dance with me Dragon," said Harry softly.
Draco expected happily his sleeping angel off to his mother.