The Wedding of the Century

12 Jun. Sat. 1055 (10:55 a.m.) BST

Draco wore a dark green dress robe. He looked at himself in his full-length mirror, adjusting his black bow tie unnecessarily. He felt the chain that he wore around his neck. He breathed in as he closed his eyes. The familiar round gold piece was not there as he remembered signing the parchment.

He turned to his nightstand. He had read the Muggle fairy tale once again. He gingerly picked up the tattered paperback. He ran his finger over the cover. "Get over it, Draco," he said to himself, as he headed towards the library.

*-O-*

Lucius Malfoy eyed the Muggle still, paying particular attention to the little girl in the photo. He saw his own eyes smiling back at him. He stood and placed the photo into the inside pocket of his robe as Narcissa Malfoy entered their bedroom.

"You look handsome as always," his wife said as she adjusted his tie.

"You look beautiful, Cissy."

"What's wrong, Lu?" she said caressing his face, "Did you get any sleep last night?"

Her husband just smiled at her. He kissed the palm of her hand, "We'd better get down to the back patio. Ceremony will start in ten minutes."

She looked into his eyes. "Everything will turn out fine, Lu. It's Draco's day today."

Lucius Malfoy thought he saw a twinkle in his wife's eye as if she knew something he didn't. He smiled at her and took her hand. They walked down together.

*-O-*

Draco wasn't even surprised as he saw the half-naked couple on the plush rug in front of the desk hitting their climax as he entered the library. He saw the reaction on his fiancée's face. Draco took in a breath as he nonchalantly placed the book neatly and carefully on a shelf close to the door.

He turned to face the couple that was rapidly dressing. The blushing bride was progressively turning crimson as she felt her fiancé's gaze on her.

"Look, Draco, it's not what you think," Celeste tried to explain herself.

"We'd better get to the backyard," Draco said half-heartedly. Corey Reimers quickly nodded at the groom and exited the library leaving his lover to deal with her fiancé.

"Draco," she said in an innocent tone.

"We're going to be late for our own wedding. Shall we?" he nodded towards the door.

"Draco, about Corey and I . . ."

"It doesn't matter, Celeste," he said holding the door open for her. "The guests are waiting.

"Oh, Celeste," Draco said as he allowed her a head start. "Don't step into this room ever again."

Celeste narrowed her eyes at him before leaving him. Draco looked at the library. He pulled out his wand and narrowed his eyes at the plush rug. He zapped the rug and it flamed and disappeared. Draco gritted his teeth as he quickly headed for the backyard.

*-O-*

Draco stood on the patio deck alongside Celeste. The ten thousand guests looked on as Father Norris nodded at Draco, prodding him to take Celeste's hand so that the ceremony could continue.

Draco hesitated. He turned his head towards the crowd, catching a glimpse of his parents. He shut his eyes before turning back towards Celeste. He gingerly took her hands into his.

The bespectacled old wizard took in a breath himself. He cleared his throat before beginning. "We're gathered here today to witness the union of two young lives. Marriage has always been a sacred bond between two people who love and respect each other. Ultimately, they believe they've found their match.

"In this day and age where we have been given back our opportunity to choose, these two young people have chosen each other," Father Norris gave Draco a small nod. The young platinum blonde wizard could feel his chest tighten.

The old platinum blonde wizard shut his eyes. He saw the little child smile. Her grey eyes sparkled. Lucius Malfoy took in a breath as Narcissa Malfoy squeezed his hand. He let it out slowly.

"Now, if there is anyone who feels that these two young people should not be together, speak now or forever hold your peace," Father Norris asked the age-old rhetorical question.

Lucius looked at his wife. Then he turned his attention towards his son. "Wait!" he yelled. "I object to this union!"

The crowd gasped in unison. Draco turned towards his father as he dropped Celeste's hand.

"There is a true someone for everybody," Lucius Malfoy began as he smiled at his wife. "I almost forgot about that. Initially I thought these two were meant for each other. Now, I'm not so sure.

"And I'm sure Ms. Profesi has found a better companion in Mr. Reimers," Mr. Malfoy said. "I cannot, in good conscience, allow this union. And I'm sure my son will agree with that."

Draco took in a deep breath. And for the first time during the ceremony, Draco actually smiled. Celeste's chin dropped. Draco couldn't be bothered.

There was a different set of gasps in the crowd. Draco looked over at one of the main tables where the Weasleys sat. Draco turned quickly to Dean and he nodded for them to go over there.

Ginny was going into labor, a month early. Dean and Draco hurried to her side.

"Breathe, Honey," Dean said as he took hold of Ginny's hand.

"You have to get her to St. Mungo's fast," Draco said looking at his best friend.

"Draco, accompany them to the hospital," Mr. Malfoy said as Draco turned to his father. Draco couldn't believe his ears.

"But, Sir," Draco said looking confused.

"The wedding is off, Draco," Mr. Malfoy said nodding for them to leave. "I'll take care of this. Family first."

Draco took in a deep breath, canting his head. He studied his father's face for a moment. He nodded and helped Dean to get Ginny on her feet. Lucius watched them apparate.

He himself took a deep breath as he patted his chest pocket, noting the small photograph was still there. Now to address the confused crowd, he smiled to himself.

A.N. Bracing for that tsunami. sirens been blasting every half hour. shouldn't be too bad, though (hopefully). Almost pau with the story; another 4 to 6 chapters or so. see you guys later.