"WILL EVERYONE DO ME A FAVOUR AND CALM THE FUCK DOWN!" Hermione screamed into the voices. It was her wedding day and she was sitting up in her bed with Ginny and Pansy on opposite sides of her shouting things at her, Narcissa and Molly were moving things around the room to create space while arguing viciously about where to put things. Victoire, Fleur and Bill's daughter, was screaming in her mother's arms as Fleur tried to fasten her dress. Angelina was arguing with Luna about being calm and in the way while Harry was trying to escape. Hermione's scream froze everyone in their tracks and even Victoire stopped screaming in shock. "Will everyone just be quiet take a step back?" Hermione breathed. Ginny went to open her mouth as Hermione climbed out of her bed but she held her hand up. "This is my wedding day, my special day, and there is no way in hell I will be going down that hall to meet Draco stressed out and if I don't go down there, there will be hell to pay, do you all understand me?" Hermione breathed. There was a mute nodding all around the room and Hermione caught the raven hair of the man who was walking her down the aisle slipping through the door.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! YOU GET YOUR ASS IN HERE THIS VERY INSTANT AND MAN UP OR SO HELP ME I WILL CURSE THE BALLS OFF OF YOU, TO HELL WITH HAVING NEICES AND NEPHEW'S!" Hermione bellowed. Ginny looked shocked at Hermione's bold statement but then cut an evil eye at the sheepish man. "Okay now everyone calm down. First order of business, someone get me something to eat please. I can't leave this room as I know Draco's going to be racing around like a lunatic," Hermione sighed as she rubbed her temples.
For the next three hours Hermione remained in her bedroom getting ready. After eating a breakfast Draco had made for her, Ginny wanted to start on Hermione's hair which she magically re-dyed black. While Ginny did hair, Pansy filed, buffed and painted Hermione's nails in Ruby and Silver to compliment the silver of Hermione's engagement ring and the red ruby stone in the centre. When she was done with her nails Pansy went on to Hermione's face while the other bridesmaids and mother's got themselves ready. Narcissa eventually had to dip out as she was technically the grooms family and should (in her words) "witness the beauty of my son's bride alongside him when she walks down the aisle", but Angelina, Fleur, Luna and Mrs Weasley with Victoire on her hip remained while Harry was sorting the bouquets. The younger women were dressed in long strapless chiffon dresses of ruby red, with intricate silver designs across the bust and around the waist and their bouquets were made of red, white and silver flowers.
Ginny and Pansy had their hair and make-up done but as they finished with Hermione they quickly slipped into identical dresses to the other three bridesmaids only their dresses were silver with red designs, due to them being the maids of honour. Once dressed they unzipped Hermione's dress from the bag and took it out carefully, then complete with Harry's help to hold her steady they slipped the dress over Hermione's head and fastened the pearl buttons that ran down her back. Ginny then pulled the veil that Hermione was to wear down over her face and slowly turned her to the large ornate mirror Pansy had magically blacked out.
With a wave of her wand Hermione could see into the mirror and she gasped. Staring back at her was a beauty Hermione had never seen in her life.
Her hair was once again jet black and was curled in loose barrel curls that were allowed to spill over her shoulders and down her back and it was the simplicity of the hairstyle that made it so beautiful. But Hermione was held speechless as she looked at her dress once more. Her dress was pure white and strapless but unlike her bridesmaids' dresses which fell from the bust line, her dress was fitted across her body with the material criss-crossing softly until it started to flare out from her waist and fall like water to the floor. Inlaid in the material were silver patterns here and there. She looked and felt like a princess. Harry then appeared in the mirror with her to hand her, her bouquet. Unlike her bridesmaids' her bouquet was pure white and made entirely of roses and the only thing to add colour was the red and silver ribbon that tied them. Hermione then truly looked at Harry, his hair was still untidy, but he wore a crisp black suit like Draco was, only his waistcoat was silver inlaid with red and his flower was red. Hermione's bridal party was wearing red and silver as the bride was a Gryffindor and marrying a Slytherin represented with the silver. Draco's groomsmen would be mostly wearing silver with hints of red. All Hermione knew of her fiancé was that he was wearing a black suit. Then her thoughts of Draco suddenly consumed her. Any previous doubts about the wedding itself suddenly fled under the onslaught of the sheer size of her love for the man waiting downstairs for her. She knew deep down inside her that this was right despite anything that anyone may have said, Draco Malfoy was her destiny.
Ginny was suddenly snapping her fingers in front of Hermione's face and she glanced away.
"Two minutes until you're walking down that aisle Mi. we need to get our skates on and head out there," Ginny smiled. Hermione nodded and then left the room last with Harry behind Pansy and Ginny.
The bridal party made their way down the hallway and came to a stop outside the ballroom Draco had added, and just after they arrived and Mrs Weasley snuck in, Hermione heard the music that cued Angelina, Fleur and Luna to start walking. As they vanished through the doorway Hermione took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Mione its okay," Harry murmured as he patted the hand that rested on her arm, Ginny turned and gave Hermione an encouraging smile and a wink then she and Pansy were gone and Hermione was getting closer and closer to that doorway. She couldn't understand where the irrational fear was coming from, but her irrational mind was telling her he wouldn't be there, that he wouldn't want her, and that he would leave her there. Then Harry was pulling her forwards and she was walking to stand in the doorway.
The room fell silent except for the music and Hermione searched through her veil for Draco and when she found him she relaxed in an instant and an easy smile fell onto her face.
Draco watched stunned as the woman appeared in the doorway. She was beautiful and stunning and many other words he could not fathom at that minute, but as he saw her beaming smile through her veil he wanted to tell Harry to hurry up, but of course he reined in his desire and grinned as his bride-to-be made her way up the aisle to the soft music. When she arrived next to him he held out his hand and looked Harry dead in the eye. Harry held his gaze before taking Hermione's hand and placing it in his. Then the music stopped and people took their seats turning to face Hermione and Draco and the wizard who would marry them.
As bad as it may seem Hermione found herself drowning out the wizards first words until he turned to Draco and told him to speak his vows. Draco turned to look at Hermione then and her breath caught as she saw the liquid silver of his eyes.
"I asked you to marry me on Christmas day even though we'd only known each other intimately for four months. Yet those four months were the best months of my life so far. When you agreed you made me the happiest I've ever been. Despite having to walk through hell with you, I'd do it fifty times over if I had you by my side because I love you Hermione, and I always will forever and always until we're old and grey," Draco said softly, but by some miracle his voice carried. Hermione felt her heart swell in her chest as he slipped a white gold wedding band onto her finger above her engagement ring. Then she swallowed the urge to cry as the wizard told her to speak her vows.
"When you found me, I was a broken replica of who I was, but you didn't push me away or let me push you away, you stood by my side and walked solidly through my personal hell every single day without complaint. You slowly picked up the pieces and put me back together again and as you did so you made your way into my heart. The first time you told me you loved me I ran away because I wasn't sure what I was feeling was right, but that month away from you made me feel like I was broken all over again and I realised who and what I needed by my side. I needed you and I needed your love for me. Draco I love you so much and I will always love you and need you," Hermione spoke just as softly as she slipped an identical ring onto Draco's ring finger. Her voice broke slightly in the middle as the lump in her throat grew to a size large enough to choke her but the love in Draco's eyes allowed her to carry on and keep moving.
Once again Hermione found the wizards actual words becoming lost on her, losing herself in the two simple words that they spoke to one another to seal them together for life.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride," The wizard said and Draco slowly lifted Hermione's veil and took her face in his hands gently before lowering his mouth to hers and meeting her lips with a soft kiss.
"I love you Mrs Malfoy," Draco whispered as they broke apart. Hermione looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"I love you too Draco," Hermione whispered brokenly. Draco chuckled and took her hand, before pulling her into a hug. Hermione could hear the people there clap politely and she blushed against his chest.
*****Time Gap*****
When Hermione and Draco made their way outside to the grounds of Malfoy Manor for their reception they were greeted first by the Weasley boys. Bill, Charlie and Percy shook Draco's hand and engulfed Hermione in a hug, but George stopped. The first thing he did was hug Hermione.
"You look so beautiful… As an adopted brother I am proud of you for making it through this," George whispered into Hermione's dark hair. Hermione felt his emotion leak into her and smiled softly as he pulled away.
"Thank you George," Hermione whispered. George then turned to Draco.
"Right Malfoy, I know I've given you this speech once, but back then your relationship wasn't as serious so you're going to get an earful," George said menacingly. Hermione went to protest but saw Draco nod warily.
"I'm ready," Draco said quietly as he held George's gaze.
"Right, at school I didn't like you. You were an arrogant toe rag… and I reckon to others outside of your circle you still can be. The one person I would never have seen you being nice to though, is our Mione, let alone helping her out, so you redeemed yourself," George then sighed heavily. "Hermione has been through a lot. You know that better than I do because I've hardly been there for her, but Malfoy I'm here now; despite the fact she's a married woman and all. So if you put one foot out of line, I will be right there breathing down your neck waiting for an explanation," George's glare then relaxed into a mischievous smile. "However, since you're now a part of the extended family… Be prepared for much teasing…both of you. Welcome to the family… Draco," George then grinned with a wink at Hermione. Draco extended his hand and a smile flooded his face. George returned the smile and ignoring the hand he pulled him into a hug.
For the next hour Hermione and Draco were greeted by anyone and everyone. Unfortunately there were still a few purebloods who were disgusted by Draco's choice in bride and although they congratulated them to save face, Hermione could see the sneer on their lips and could hear the disgust in those who openly allowed her to see their minds. Knowing there was nothing she could do to change the opinion of those people she held her head high and thanked them with all the composure of a seasoned pureblood witch, throwing them ever so slightly.
When it was their turn to dance Draco led her out onto the floor and held her close.
"You're managing with the purebloods well Mi," Draco murmured as they waited for the music
"Thank mother," Hermione whispered back. Draco grinned then kissed her forehead.
"She is an amazing woman," Draco then murmured. Hermione laughed and allowed Draco to lead her in a waltz around the floor. After the dance finished Mr and Mrs Weasley and Narcissa and Carlos came onto the floor to dance the family dance which Hermione had learned at Narcissa' wedding to Carlos. After that, other couples joined the floor and Hermione found herself passed around from friend to friend before she finally became too tired and left the dance floor to take a seat, making sure her dress wasn't trodden on.
Draco followed with her and as they were sat down Professor McGonagall approached them.
"Congratulations Mr and Mrs Malfoy," McGonagall smiled.
"Thank you Minerva," Hermione grinned.
"Honestly, I could never have pictured you two here today. I once thought your opinions were too heavily set in stone for you to see that you would make an excellent couple. But once again the two smartest students of your age have proved me wrong and I am glad that you have done so, and I'm very proud also."
"Thank you," Draco murmured simply while Hermione blushed.
"Now am I to believe that neither of you are working?" McGonagall asked, her voice suddenly all business.
"We're looking, but no such luck," Hermione answered with an inquisitive frown.
"Well I would like to offer you both positions as staff at Hogwarts. Hermione I would like to offer you the position of Transfiguration teacher as I am too old to run a school and teach as well, and Draco I would like to offer you the position of Potions Master, as I believe that was your best subject at school. What do you think?" McGonagall asked. Hermione gasped and then nodded her head, speechless while Draco simply stared for a few moments as he tried to remember how to collect his thoughts. Hermione was the first one to recover.
"Yes. I would love to take the job. When would we start?" Hermione asked.
"Well I would hope that you would be able to do your training between now and September so you would be able to start straight away on September the 2nd," McGonagall answered.
"What would we need to do for training?" Draco asked.
"I will send you a letter tomorrow which explains it all, but for now, I'm going to leave you to mingle with your guests and I will see you soon," McGonagall said with an indulgent smile as she looked at her ex-pupils, then she wandered off into the crowd to be replaced by Harry and Ginny who dived on Hermione giving her a bone crushing hug.
"Congratulations Mione!" Ginny squealed in Hermione's ear. Hermione winced and managed to wriggle out of her friends embraces.
"How does it feel to be a married woman?" Harry asked.
"No different to how it felt being a woman in a serious relationship yet," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes. Ginny then turned mischievous eyes on Draco.
"And how does it feel to be a married man?" Ginny grinned. Draco winked at Hermione cheekily before answering.
"I can feel the chains already," Draco then said sadly. Hermione swatted at his arm playfully while Harry laughed loudly.
"McGonagall has offered us positions as Transfiguration teacher and Potions Master at Hogwarts," Hermione said happily. Ginny and Harry stopped and stared at their friend and then Ginny hugged her again.
"That's great Mione and congratz Draco!" Harry grinned.
The rest of the wedding passed quickly and all too soon Pansy and Ginny were dragging Hermione back upstairs and making her change into a short, elegant white dress before she left for her honeymoon with Draco. She had no idea where she would be going or what she would be doing past visiting the cottage Draco had hinted at multiple locations but not confirmed a single thing. But as soon as she was changed Ginny led her outside to the front gate of the manor where Draco was waiting, dressed in a blue shirt and grey trousers, with their suitcases by his side.
"Ready to go?" Draco asked. Hermione nodded and took hold of her suitcase.
"Yup, are we apparating to the cottage?" Hermione asked. Draco nodded and then took hold of his own suitcase, before waving to their friends and apparating away. Hermione cast a quick weightless spell on her suitcases and then waved to her friends before apparating away.
As soon as Hermione appeared on the porch Draco caught her up in a hug and kissed her deeply. Hermione felt herself melt in his arms and she allowed Draco to swing her up into his arms and walk her over the threshold of the cottage.
