A.N. Thanks for all the reviews. Only a few more chapters left. Sorry for the cliffhangers =) and sorry so short.
Father Norris Today
The red and orange hues of the setting summer sun painted the clear sky of the backyard. It was a nice evening, quite cool. The Wizarding lights had just turned on within the past fifteen minutes. There was a slight murmur through the restless crowd.
"Ginny," Hermione said as she stepped out onto the patio deck. The ginger haired woman hugged her former Gryffindor housemate.
"You made it," the younger woman said. Hermione nodded.
Hermione looked at her friend, a little concerned. "What happened?" she asked looking down at her friend's abdomen.
"Wizarding labor. Hospital stays aren't as long and laborious," the younger Gryffindor smiled. "Ronda's with Mum and Dad."
Hermione gave her friend another hug. Hermione felt a gentle tug on her dress. "Ginny, Dean, I'd like you to meet some people."
She picked up her daughter. "This is a good friend of mine from work, Jonathan Diego. He's an English teacher. And this young lady," she said as Ginny and Dean shook hands with Jon, "is Lois, my daughter."
"Nice to meet you," the two year old said waving at the young couple.
"It's nice to meet you, too, young lady," Dean said as Mrs. Malfoy joined the younger adults.
"I hate to break up this lovely reunion, but we should take our places," she said as she saw her son walk out onto the patio.
The blonde wizard stopped in his tracks as he saw Hermione. His father walked past him. Mrs. Malfoy smiled. "Jon, I'll escort you and Lois down to a table."
Jon canted his eyebrows at Hermione. He shrugged as Hermione allowed him to take Lois. Hermione was about to follow her close friend.
"Ms. Hermione," Mr. Malfoy said calmly as Hermione halted in her tracks, "Glad that you could make it. Remain up here please."
"Draco," he said nodding to his son as the younger wizard finally reached his ex-wife's side. Mr. Malfoy nodded at the older gentleman who had headed the earlier ceremony. "Father Norris."
"Thank you, Lucius," the Ministry official nodded as the older platinum blonde took his place amongst the audience.
"Mr. Norris?" Hermione looked confused.
"Father Norris, today, Hermione," the head of Family Services nodded at the once mismatched couple. "Draco, shall we get started?"
"May I have the audience rise, please," Father Norris asked the three thousand guests that were left.
"Do you know what's going on?" Draco asked Hermione in a whisper as the guests behind them pushed their chairs back as they all began to stand.
Hermione shut her eyes for a moment. She turned and looked into his grey eyes, "I guess your father wanted to humiliate me one last time."
"I'm so sorry, Hermione," he looked sad.
She took in a deep breath, still looking into his face. "Draco," she began, a little choked. "I really do wish you and Celeste all the happiness in the world."
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