CHAPTER THIRTY NEW BEGINNINGS
AN: This chapter contains scenes of sexual conduct
Ginny had spent the night alone, tossing and turning in excitement, and now she longed for that solitude. Several of her friends raced around her as her mind stood still for the first time in days. Hermione noticed her friends vacant stare and stood to hug her.
Everything she wanted to tell her seemed empty, like promises she could not keep and she was left twirling Ginnys hair in her hands.
"You look incredible." Hermione felt this was the only complete truth she knew. Draped in ivory satin, Ginny looked heavenly as her red curls framed her face. Hermione turned and picked up the silver tiara from the desk and took in a deep breath. "Are you ready?"
Ginny nodded slightly as she smiled. "I just wish I had...I wish he..." she closed her eyes and nodded. "I love him." She nearly giggled with excitement as Hermione placed the tiara on top of Ginny's curls. The two girls kept their hands clasped tight as the rest of the group came over to awe at the new bride.
^__^
Draco sifted the dark amber liquid he had been heavily downing since re-entering his old room. He had willingly offered the manors grounds and even made sure that the roses were in full bloom but he didn't stop to think that meant he would spend an entire day there. He looked around his black leather chair and listened to the voices filling the gardens behind the mahogany drapes. He could only place a few of the voices and had just decided to chart the rest up to Gryffindors before he caught the steel glare of his father. The entire family stared down on him from the portrait over his fireplace and Draco suddenly realized he needed to refill his glass. He stood to cross to the bar when Harry entered, fiddling with his cuff links like he'd never dressed himself in his life.
"They fold in the other way." Draco said, referring to Harrys sleeves as the rim of the decanter noisily found his glasses top.
"Um, thanks." Harry said as he tried to fix the sleeve. Draco noticed Harry reach into his pocket and finger something gently.
"You shouldn't spend so much time getting dressed when it's just gonna come off later anyway." Draco saw that his humor fell on deaf ears and walked across to cup Harry firmly on the shoulder. "You better take care of her, fuck face."
Harry nodded as he reached back into his pocket. "This better work." Harry muttered under his breath.
"It'll work." Draco agreed without caring what he agreed to. He held up his glass. "Now take a drink, zip up your damn fly, and lets go attach the old chain."
^___^
Harry stood under the archway draped with ivy and knocked his knuckles against the stone alter.
"Harry dear," Harry jumped at the sound of his mothers voice, "You're going to knock over the candles." Harry turned and nodded to each of the portraits forming a half circle around him. Lily patted the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief before offering it over to a bawling Molly. In the center, wearing his best robes sat Dumbledore flanked on one side with the Potters, Sirius and Lupin, and the Weaslys down the other. They had been removed from their prison for the first time in six years and promised they would not have to go back. In a massive circle around Harry sat all of the people he had spent his entire life with, including, to whispers and raised eyebrows, Dudley Dursley.
After finding out who he was, Draco sat down firmly next to the only person here who once shared hatred for the groom. Several silent seconds crept by as Dudley squirmed in his seat and Draco stared bored around the crowd, finally resting on Harry as he once again reached into his pocket. Draco shook his head before slouching into his chair.
"He's such a fuckin' twat." Draco and Dudley shared a chuckle before Draco, growing bored with Dudley began looking for Hermione.
He found her in his parents bedroom still fusing over Ginny's hair. Katie and Angelina, who were taking turns making sure the other was ready, jumped as the door opened.
"Draco, you're not supposed to be up here," Katie scolded.
"That's only for the groom and he left." Hermione shot him a frightened look while Ginny rolled her eyes. "Said he got tired of waiting, hopped the first bird and rode her out of here." He ducked as Hermione threw a shoe at him and Ginny took the chance to move away towards the door. Ginny began impatiently tapping her foot as Hermione rounded up her shoe.
Hermione began fussing over Draco's robes as she buckled her shoe. "Just want you to look your best," she smiled as she fought the urge to kiss him in mixed company. "My parents might be here," she threw in hastily as she gathered her hair up and pinned it. She ignored Draco's raised eyebrows as she turned to Ginny.
"Speaking of parents, Gin, who's going to give you away?"
^___^
A light breeze was the only noise as the circle opened to allow Harry and Ginny their first glances of each other. Harry found his breath stolen as Ginny smiled sweetly and looked towards the ground. Fred on one side and George on the other, Ginny walked slowly towards Harry.
"I'm proud to lend you my daughter, Harry." Arthur handed Molly a second tissue. "Welcome to the family, son." Fred and George stepped next to their family as Ginny joined Harry at the alter.
After a long, but enlightening, opening by Dumbledore, Arthur and James put strengthening and happiness charms on their wedding bands. Ginny looked radiant and Harry only looked away from her when someone said his name.
"Harry?" Ginny whispered and he realized all eyes were on him. It was time. His sweaty hands trembled as he reached into his pocket for the scribbled parchment he had been up all night with. He unfolded the paper, praying he'd know what to say and that she would hear what he meant.
"Ginny. I know I can't always show you how I feel about you, or that, along the way the message comes out wrong, or I don't say what I really mean..." Harry paused. This had to be perfect. Several seconds crept by in silence as he tried to get his thoughts together. "You are my life. You're the reason that I breathe. The monotony of every day is broken in your laugh and forgotten in your smile. My face and voice may try to hide it, but it's you my arms will always reach for. It may not be much, but I poured my soul into my vows in the hopes that it would fill your heart and when I kiss you today, and forever after, "you" and "I" will no longer exist. We will be one and for the first time in my life, I will be whole."
Anything left on the paper was forgotten as Ginny leapt onto Harry, pulling him into a deep kiss, speckled with her tears of joy. The crowd erupted in cheers as, before they'd been asked to, Harry and Ginny gave themselves to one another. As Ginny backed away, a new set of tears began to flow as for the first time in six years, Harry smiled. A simple act that meant the world to the woman his jade eyes sparkled at.
^___^
The festivities were well under way when Hermione finally broke away from the wedding party long enough to search for Draco. She couldn't believe the difference in the newlywed couple as they laughed with friends and cuddled with each other. They seemed terrified of losing each other in the crowd and with good reason. The guests seemed to be multiplying as they danced and drank and Hermione quickly gave up hope of finding anyone in the pulsing throng.
Draco sat at the bar slowly enjoying his fifth drink of the evening. Or was it eighth? Not knowing, or caring, he slammed down the rest and motioned the barkeep for another. A girl from school sat on each side and many others surrounded him, pathetically readjusting and giggling, vying for his attention, which they didn't seem to be getting. Pansy broke through the crowd, obviously holding her skirt up higher than necessary had straddled his extended knee before he even noticed her.
"Drakie..." she whined in that nasally voice he had always despised. "You haven't asked me to dance one time this whole evening. I thought for sure you'd find me for a little "school reunion" tonight," she giggled as if this was the funniest thing she had ever come up with.
He stared at her blankly for several seconds before he realized that the knee of his pants was becoming slightly damp. He slammed down his drink and then stood up without telling her, causing her to wobble foolishly on her heels. "Have you seen Hermione?"
"Granger?!" Pansy shrieked like a woman possessed. "That bitch is fucking my man?" This last seemed to bring him back to his senses.
"Pansy, have I sent you one owl since leaving school? Any inclination that I wanted to see you or be with you?"
"But Drakie..." back to the whining, "we were Hogwarts hottest couple. I loved you and you loved me."
"Hi, I'm Earth, have we met?" Draco placed his hands firmly on her shoulders as if to drive the point home. "You were one of many casual fucks. A booty call, and easy. That's it. Now I'm going to ask you again before I go burn my pants; have...you seen...Hermione?"
Seeing she'd be no help he began walking away from her screams of "you bastard", "you owe me" and "I'll take you for everything you're worth". Reaching into his pocket he pulled out two knuts and threw them over his shoulder.
"Don't say I never gave you anything," he said still searching the crowd for a certain bushy head. Finally finding her standing next to the fountain with some guy he walked up quietly behind her and firmly grabbed her ass.
"Draco!" he heard Hermione squeal but it, horrifyingly, came from behind him. He closed his eyes and turned slowly around wishing the ground would swallow him up.
"Hermione," his voice sounded weak and distant. "I've been looking for you."
"I've been looking for you too." Hermione tried to suppress a chuckle. "I wanted you to meet my parents."
It was only at this awkward moment of realization that Draco noticed his hand was still somewhere it should have never been.
"Mum, dad, this is Draco Malfoy, the one I told you about." Hermione said as Mrs. Granger moved towards her husband, blushing slightly.
Draco's questioning glance was answered as Mr. Granger extended his hand in thanks.
"I'm glad I could thank you in person for protecting our daughter," he said still eyeing Draco suspiciously. "Malfoy, huh? Your fathers not a dentist is he? That name sounds familiar." Draco and Hermione shared a private chuckle at the thought of Lucius cleaning teeth.
"We really had no idea anything was wrong," Mrs. Granger added, taking her turn to awkwardly shake Draco's hand. "They had always seemed so happy. I'm just glad someone was there to get him the help he needs. Hermione's only just told us he was admitted to hospital for anger therapy. Hopefully he'll be well soon. I hate to think of Hermione being in their house all alone." Mrs. Granger began lovingly stroking her daughters hair.
"You're right." Draco stated looking deeply into Hermione's beautiful soft eyes. "She should never spend a single sleepless night alone."
Draco tried to eavesdrop after Mr. Granger had pulled him aside to discuss dental hygiene habits towards the conversation Mrs. Granger was having with her daughter about when she would be getting Ron back. Hermione, though not admitting her feelings of closure over him was trying again and again to steer the topic elsewhere. Draco, glad to have a scapegoat upon hearing the band announce their plans to retire for the evening after one last song, excused himself from Mr. Granger's enthralling advice and asked Hermione to dance.
As the parents watched them embrace as they rocked slowly on the dance floor, they noticed a happiness around their daughter long since missing.
"He's an odd one, Jean, I'll give him that."
"Um hum." was the only reply as she watched the two dreamily as they danced.
^__^
Fireflies lit the night sky as the festivities came to an end. Harry and Ginny stood hand in hand near the alter as everyone lined up to say goodbye. Fred and George headed the line, each with a very pregnant wife in tow.
"Won't be long now Gin, before you can be as radiant as Katie." Fred said lovingly rubbing his wife's large belly.
"Don't touch me, Fred." she slapped his hand away before kissing his cheek. "I've just got to get home, Gin. My legs are killing me."
"At least you only have a week Kat, I've got another three looking like I swallowed my cauldron." Angelina began to silently tear up. "The wedding was beautiful guys," she attempted to hug them both but couldn't and settle for a handshake. "Come on George." Both women began walking out of the grounds before Apparating loudly from the drive.
Fred smiled weakly at Ginny as he shook Harry's hand. "I bet you can't wait to get started on that, eh sis?"
George traded to Harry as he shook his hand, leaving behind a condom and a scrap of paper in Harry's palm. "Don't get started too soon," he said, only half smiling as the two walked after their wives. Ginny eyed Harry suspiciously as he shoved something far into his pocket.
Tonks, Dean, Padma and Parvarti, with Lavender in tow, most of the D.A. and numerous recognizable but long since past friends from Hogwarts, Oliver Wood, Viktor Krum...the faces began to blur with well wishers and drowsy acquaintances. Harry noticed the 'thank yous' becoming robotic before someone slapped his forehead with some kind of weed.
"For luck," came the airy explanation as Luna whacked Ginny as well leaving red dots on the newly weds foreheads. "I personally removed each nargle so your new home wouldn't have an infestation." Luna handed Harry the mistletoe and dreamily admired Ginny's dress. The two became fascinated with the topic of silk scarlies, who apparently ate fine silks as Harry examined the out of season plant.
"Fancy finding you and mistletoe, Harry." Harry's stomach twisted as he looked into the dark eyes of Cho. "Seems almost ironic." Harry saw Ginny move before he felt the brush of Cho's lips.
If it hadn't been for Ginny's form fitting dress and no where to keep a wand, Cho would have been dead before she hit the ground. Still, hair disheveled and lip bleeding, Cho seemed unaware she was sitting on the ground.
"Who the fuck invited you? Don't you know the hookers are before the wedding?"
"Back off, bridezilla. He was mine first."
"By that logic so was the entire eastern hemisphere." Ginny jumped forward ripping her dress skirt on both sides up to the hip and grabbed Cho's hair, ripping chunks out. Both girls were picked up off the ground and hung midair, Ginny by Harry and Cho by Draco.
"Let me get this straight, you're fighting over Potter?" Draco said as he tried to hide an astonished laugh.
"There's still some horses in the stables. Why don't you go spread your legs for something closer to your own species." Ginny flung furiously in the air obviously wanting to rip more than her hair off. "Or go find some hobo with the clap. You can't spread it if they already have it."
"Ginerva Weasly!" The entire crowd froze at the shrill voice of Molly. "Such language! And you...miss...miss thing will leave my daughter and her husband alone. Now!" Nobody breathed as Draco put Cho softly on the ground and they watched her Apparate off the grounds. "Now." Molly repaired Ginny's dress and hair as Harry released her. Molly smiled sweetly as her voice became sane. "Next."
"I could have taken her," Ginny said as she resumed shaking hands.
"I know love." Harry smiled.
"I say we schedule a rematch." Draco said as he pulled Hermione to his side his hand firmly on her ass as her bra strap, not for the first time that night, came undone.
"Draco!" Hermione playfully slugged him as she crossed her arms to support her chest.
"Race you to the master bedroom." Draco slugged Harry as they both chuckled. Then, as the girls both watched in embarrassment, the two grown men bolted for the back door.
^__^
Ginny rolled her eyes as the girls met up with the arguing boys. Arguing over who had won, they had reverted to best out of three odds and evens, at which they had also just tied.
"If it means that much to you," Hermione started, "you can both stay in there."
"Yeah," Ginny added as she started to walk away, "I hope you two have a wonderful night." She grabbed Hermione's arm and began to lead her down the hall, stifling laughter from the look she had left on their faces. She heard the sound of their fists hurriedly hitting their palms and turned around when she only heard it once.
"Damn it, Potter. You can't win if you don't throw." Draco said, obviously irritated. "In fact, I think if you don't, you forfeit, so we win."
"You know what, you win anyway." Harry said as he clapped Draco on the back. "We owe you. For the house and all. And..." he looked at Ginny and smiled, "well, for a lot of other things too."
Hermione crossed Harry on her way back and stopped to give him a hug. "Have a good night," she said, winking at Ginny.
"Yeah, you too." Harry said, but Ginny was surprised to see he was laughing when he turned towards her.
"OK, what's so funny?" Ginny asked when she was sure they were out of earshot. "I thought that was a real nice thing you just did for him"
Harry gave Ginny a real confused look. "How out of it was I?"
"What?"
"I don't care what he's done, that's still Draco Malfoy. I'm just sorry Hermione has to get pulled into this."
Ginny's brow began to look worried. "Harry, what did you just do?"
"Nothing," Harry said feigning innocence. "I just let them have the master bedroom, is all."
Ginny still looked confused.
"I just wish that I could be there when he realizes they're sleeping in his dad's bed. Like to see him get it up then." Harry laughed as Ginny slugged his shoulder then, just because she couldn't resist, joined him in laughing. It was, after all, pretty damn funny.
^__^
"Good luck, Potter." Draco said as he shut the door behind them. Hermione was surprised to find malice in his words.
"What did you say it like that for?" Hermione said as she looked around the immense room. It was as large as any house she'd been in, and nicer furnished, but she still wrapped her arms around herself at the ugly feeling the room gave off.
Draco crossed to her and took her in his arms as if protecting her from the rooms energy. "You have much to learn about being with a Malfoy. Lesson one: a Malfoy never makes a move without knowing he's getting the better deal." Hermione looked around the room, almost in fear and was surprised to see Draco's face expressing the same. "Now," he said shaking off his demons, "why would I fight so hard to make sure we got this fabulous room? " Draco sneered as he flung the furniture onto a pile in the fireplace and lit it in one motion. "Because, like always, I know something Potter doesn't." Hermione had become momentarily hypnotised by the growing flames and Draco nibbled her ear to get her attention back.
"And what's that?" Hermione asked, her need growing like the crackling fire.
"There's only one other bed in this house, and that's mine. AND, I'm pretty sure I broke it last time..." he smirked at her threatening glare, "I was in it. I'd like to see him get it up when he realizes who he's rolling in."
"Nice," Hermione scowled at his immaturity.
"Plus," he tenderly kissed Hermione's cheek, "like me, this room hasn't shown all it's cards." He stepped over and opened the two massive stained glass doors that had been hidden by pitch black drapes. Hermione stepped out and raised her hand to her open mouth. In between the two black pillars on the otherwise hideous balcony, Draco had hung a hammock and filled it with rose petals. Off to the side, a bottle of wine chilled in an ice bucket. Hermione walked past the dripping white candles to look over the railing. A large full moon stood centered above the gardens, still dressed in its wedding day finest. Draco joined her at the rail, fingering his wand as if unsure about something. Draco looked deep into Hermione's dark eyes and seemed to make up his mind.
"Kinda lame, but..." Draco said before raising his wand to the heavens. Hermiones' eyes began to tear up as the stars began swirling in and out of the clouds. The clouds positioned themselves over the moon giving it the apperance of a giant heart while the stars spelled out 'DM + HG'. Draco barly had a moment to admire his handy work before he was tackled onto the floor, the ice bucket spilling down his back.
^__^
Ginny ran a finger gently between her breasts as she watched the light flicker off Harry's hair as he prodded the dying embers. She had just removed his shirt when he noticed the fire dying and got up to feed it. She giggled at the thought that he was nervous. He turned at her laughter and lost his balance, sprawling out onto his ass, only making her laugh harder. He crawled over and began kissing her neck before laying on his back, his hands resting behind his head.
"Remind me again, why are we sleeping in the living room?" Ginny rolled over and pressed her naked form against his chest, running her finger down his 'happy trail' to play with the strings on his pajama pants.
"Because I don't want to wonder what the 'Malfoy coven' had done in that bed."
"'Malfoy Coven?'"
"You know there's been at least thirteen naked witches in that bed."
Ginny giggled. Like Draco would ever just stick to his bed, she thought, not wanting to hinder Harry any further.
"Plus, it's kinda romantic. In front of a fire, laying on furs, wrapped in silks." Harry got suddenly solemn. "One day, Gin. I'll take you on a worldwide honeymoon and be able to afford to buy you anything. I couldn't even buy you a gift on your wedding day."
"Harry, you are my gift." Ginny said, gently kissing his chest. "The real you."
"Yeah, but you knew you were getting that." Ginny made an unsure face as Harry rolled to prop himself up above her and play with her hair. As he kissed her cheek, his fingers came across a forgotten rose that lay buried in her curls. He pulled it up and twisted it in his hands. Ginny watched as it enlarged and hardened, turning into a crystal before her.
"Now, I know you already had this, and it's only a rose, but now it'll be more than that. It's the first gift I gave you as husband and wife, and I've made it keep as a reminder. And never again will you have to question if I love you because, even if I can't say it or I don't know how to tell you 'I need you', somewhere you'll find a rose, and you'll know."
^__^
Ginny was still tearing up as they rocked slowly together and she smiled when Harry raised his head and she saw he was too. He had been so nervous she felt she was taking his virginity as the fumbled and moved slowly around each other. They talked about their day and plans for the future as if being together was a natural state of being. There was no rush to finish, they wanted it to last forever.
"Harry," Ginny whispered seductively into his ear as she ran her finger through his hair. "I love you so much, but if we don't switch spots I'm gonna lose my leg. It's falling asleep."
Harry laughed as they attempted to roll without coming apart, only to find they'd need much more practice. Ginny positioned herself straddled across his hips, smiling as he slid back where he belonged. She admired his body as if she had never seen it before, running her finger along his outline as she slowly rocked, closing her eyes as the pressure increased. She stopped at three long marks on his cut bicep and paused.
"Horntail, forth year," Harry said smirking in pride.
"Ah, yes," Ginny said, biting her lower lip at his attempt to look tough as she increased her speed.
"And this?" she asked, placing his left hand on her breast.
"Uh...um...Umbridge, fifth year," Harry said closing his eyes as her breast increased his yearning.
She ran a finger down his right forearm along a three inch line.
"Wormtail. Fourth." Harry offered unaided as if he knew the game but wasn't fully playing. His hands moved down to her hips, trying to assist her movement, but she made it clear she wasn't ready.
"I still think this is my favorite," she said, kissing his lightning bolt and removing his hands, placing them above his head and, to her enjoyment and his irritation, slowing her speed.
"What can I say, chicks dig scars." Harry said, opening his eyes and attempting a cocky smile.
"I wanna give you something now," Ginny said suddenly becoming serious. Harry stopped and raised an eyebrow. "but you have to trust me."
"Do I wanna know?" Harry asked, chuckling nervously.
"I've been told there's nothing like it," she said reaching for her wand, "but you'll have to trust me."
Harry sat up on his elbows, pulling her into a deep kiss. "I trust you."
Ginny smiled devilishly as she began rocking again.
^__^
Two floors up, hammock ripped off its pillars and clothes hanging from all odd hooks and rails, Hermione sat up quickly as they heard an odd noise fill the house.
"Oh my God!" she said looking around for her shirt. "I think that was Harry." She was startled when Draco reached up to stop her search and she saw that he was laughing.
"Don't you want to know if he's alright?"
It took him a few seconds to control his laughter. "He's fine. He's probably better than he's ever felt in his life."
"What do you mean?" she layed back and wiped her matted hair out of her eyes.
"Let's just say I gave Gin a little advice." He began laughing again. "I told her it'd work."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she kissed his sweaty brow. "Why do I put up with you?"
"Cause I'm fucking brilliant in the sac, love," he said kissing her cheek as his fingers made there way down below her waistline.
"Apparently," she said, referencing the growing moans coming from the living room.
"I just hope they're happy," she said, pulling his hand up to her lips and kissing them.
"Who cares?" Draco said, but a flicker in his eyes told her differently.
"I just hope we never have to live with them," he said, pulling the pillow over his head.
"We?" Hermione asked the pillow next to her. Slowly the top of Draco's eyes peeked out and she thought she saw hope in them.
"Yeah," was all he said, but it was enough for her. She leaned over and kissed him, knowing they'd all get their chance to start over.
---------------------------------------------------------
So that's it, ya'll. Don't forget to R/R. Keep on the lookout for the sequel Anything but Ordinary, coming soon. I expect it soon since over 25 chapters of that are complete as well. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. I'm so thankful to everyone that has read this story. It really was my first and has led to so many other things. Let me know what you think now that you have a complete picture and please keep my page in mind when wanting to continue with this family. Trust me when I say...this is certainly not the happy ending they had all hoped for. They still have plenty of life to live. This is just the beginning.