A couple of things:
I am completely overwhelmed at the fact that this story has almost 700 comments. This story truly took on a life of its own once I started writing it and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. The next chapter will more than likely be the last before I start on the sequel, once I decide how to do it and make it work with the other story I've started to work on in this same universe - "Show Me What I'm Looking For."
I really hope you enjoy this chapter as I wrap up my last week of graduate school (cue massive applause - as I am finally done with school forever).
Feel Free to PM me if you catch any mistakes/glaring errors. I have an offer for a BETA in my PM box right now, and I'm hoping to utilize this for the upcoming stories but since this one is so close to the end...well...I gave up caring about it. D
Hermione woke up the morning before her wedding day to the soft kisses of Draco's lips on the nape of her neck. She smiled a bit as she blindingly reached a hand around his neck, dragging her fingers through his hair. "Please tell me you're getting a haircut today," she murmured.
"Mmhmm," he replied, his lips moving up her neck. "Ten-thirty appointment, picking up the dress robes at eleven."
"Draco," Hermione half whispered before his lips found hers, noticing that there was a severe lack of clothing on his part as he rubbed himself against her under the covers.
"Hmm?" he hummed.
She kissed him back before pulling away, digging the back of her head deep into her pillow so that there was some space between her face and his. Her hands on his cheeks, she gave him a sympathetic smile. "As much as I applaud your attempt and believe me when I say you have succeeded in turning me on - you aren't getting any this morning."
Draco scowled. "Honestly Granger - I don't see why we have to wait until tomorrow. Don't you want one last final shag as a sexy…single woman?" he asked, a kiss in between his trailing words.
"I haven't been single since I walked off an airplane over a year ago," Hermione replied. "It just took me a few months to realize it." She lifted her head to kiss him again. "And my answer is still no."
Groaning, Draco crawled off her and flopped onto his back, sighing heavily. "Are you trying to kill me?"
Hermione laughed, rolling onto her side as she curled up next to him, resting her chin on his chest as she looked at him. "No - and stop sulking. We totally shagged in the shower earlier this week."
Draco huffed like a petulant child, despite wrapping an arm around her. "But that was on Sunday – five whole days ago! It's like you enjoy torturing me." It wasn't that he didn't attempt sex any other time that week – she just happened to be asleep before he crawled into bed, or busy with last minute wedding preparations.
Laughing, Hermione swung a leg over him, pushing her hands into his chest as she situated herself, straddled across his waist. "If I was going to torture you, I think it'd be a little bit more…obvious."
"Obvious, eh?" Draco replied.
She nodded, kneading her fingers into his chest as she bent down to kiss his bare skin. "And then, if I was being really obvious in my torture, I'd shed this Gryffindor t-shirt that I know you secretly hate."
He watched as she peeled the worn maroon shirt up and over her head, and tossing it towards the end of the bed. Draco's fingers slowly dragged up and down the smooth skin of her sides as he stared right at her. "This is what you call obvious? Certainly you could do better than that, Granger."
Smirking, Hermione rotated her hips ever so slightly so that the tip of his erection twitched, seeking her warmth. Draco did his best to keep a straight face but Hermione knew otherwise. "I'm still not going to cave," she seductively whispered, her hands braced on his shoulders.
Draco moved his hands down her body, caressing her bum as he kept his eyes locked on hers. "Oh I beg to differ," he said with a grin.
"I have more restraint than you," Hermione retorted in a low, seductive voice.
"You aren't going to win this," he whispered, thrusting his hips up ever so slightly as she continued to rock her hips against him.
"I'm going to win," Hermione stated. "I always win."
"Whatever. You want me to win," Draco breathed, leaning up to catch a nipple in his mouth.
She winced slightly at his touch, but the unexpected pain left as soon as it came. "If I wanted you to win, I would let you win - but I don't," she said, concentrating on her breathing so that he actually would not get her to cave. Eventually, she crashed her mouth to his, hoping it would prove to be a distraction for both of them.
Moments later, both of them nearing the point of no return, Draco grabbed her hips, ready for her to concede when the door of his bedroom flew wide open, the two of them freezing.
"You two better not still be sleepi - oh my Merlin!"
"Holy fucking shit!" Draco screamed in horror at the sound of Narcissa's shrill voice as Hermione shrieked, flinging herself off of him in an uncoordinated tangle of arms and legs as she scrambled for the sheets, desperately trying to keep a sliver of her and Draco's dignity intact. "What in the bloody hell!" Draco screeched, frantically grabbing for pieces of the bedding to cover him up with as well. "Are you out of your mind, woman!"
Narcissa clapped a hand over her eyes, her pale skin turning a deep shade of red. "How was I supposed to - "
"Who just barges into a grown man's bedroom like that!" Draco bellowed.
"The wedding is in less than thirty six hours and we have a million things to do and - "
"Shoot me now," Hermione groaned, burrowing deep under the covers. "Shoot. Me. Now."
"So you thought you'd just come barging in and –"
"Honestly Draco - I don't know why you're so embarrassed. I assumed long ago that you and Hermione were -"
"Oh for everything that is holy on this earth, please make it stop," Hermione whined.
Draco hands clenched the sheets so tight his knuckles were white as he stared incredulously at his mother. "Why are you still standing here!" he shrieked.
"Because we have things to do!" Narcissa exclaimed, a hand still over her eyes. "You two need to quit distracting one another and -"
"Mother if you don't leave this room in the next five seconds I swear to Merlin I will fucking lose my mind."
Narcissa dropped her hand and glared at her son. "You know how I feel about you swearing at me."
"About the same as I feel with you barging into my bedroom while I'm trying to -"
"Oh please don't say it!" Hermione shrieked, swatting him in the arm repeatedly.
Narcissa narrowed her stare. "You two have a half hour to get ready before I come back in here – with your father."
As she left, closing the door behind her, Hermione kept her face buried in the pillow, hoping that it would eventually suffocate her. Draco sat up in bed next to her, in complete shock at what just happened. He looked down at the covered lump next to him and pulled back the covers, exposing his naked fiancée as she groaned. Reluctantly, Hermione moved her face from the pillow and looked up at him, completely mortified. Lifting up the covers, Draco peered at his completely deflated erection with an unsatisfied sigh. "You win Granger– but only by default."
Standing in the middle of the reception hall at the newest luxury wizard hotel - The Buckleberry - Hermione couldn't believe her eyes at what Narcissa had managed to pull off. Vases filled with white roses, gardenias, hydrangeas, peonies, and azaleas floated through the air and landed on their assigned tables, which had eight table place settings in the finest china and silver. Cream and taupe colored bows were tied around the vases, matching the colors in her wedding dress. When she found her dress, she was afraid to tell Narcissa about changing the color scheme to more neutral tones instead of her original idea of fall colors. However, when Narcissa saw the dress, she knew exactly what to do.
As Hermione watched her future mother-in-law direct the hotel employees with the set up, she realized that she couldn't have picked out anything better had she planned it herself. The chairs were draped with cream-colored covers with white bows; each place setting had a place card with the guest's name elegantly scrawled across the decorative parchment. The dinner menus sat perfectly straight on top of the three-stacked plates at each setting. Heads of the various white flowers also decorated the tables at the base of the vases, along with some sparkling crystals of sorts, catching the lights from the chandeliers from the ceiling as they sparkled against the tabletops.
The embarrassment of the morning had nearly subsided, though she still couldn't look Narcissa directly in the eye as she heard her almost mother-in-law call for her from across the room. As Narcissa gave orders to another hotel employee, she held back a laugh as she heard her shout, "And I better not see any more carnations either! This is a Malfoy wedding for Merlin's sake - not a funeral."
"You rang?" she said, a hand scratching her forehead as she avoided eye contact.
Narcissa stifled a laugh. "Hermione. I really am sorry about this morning."
"I'd honestly prefer if we never spoke of it," she said, her cheeks flushing.
"Perfectly fine with me," Narcissa replied. She reached over for one of the extra floral bouquets and handed it to Hermione. "I thought you might like one of these," she said, her voice a bit softer. "Draco said you were going to visit -"
"Oh yes," Hermione said, nodding her head quickly. "Thank you so much - that was incredibly thoughtful of you." She reached out and hugged Narcissa, who returned the hug as she rubbed a hand on Hermione's back.
"I know how much you wish they could be here," Narcissa said. "But we won't forget them tomorrow, I promise."
Hermione blinked back tears as she nodded her head again. "We won't."
She managed to sneak away from the chaos that was Narcissa directing the workers as they worked to finish the reception hall before they went to the rooftop where the ceremony would take place at sunset. Wards were to be placed so that no one could see what was happening unless you were a wedding guest. Hermione wasn't sure of what she thought about a rooftop wedding at first, until Narcissa showed her the beautiful view of the London skyline and Hermione fell in love, just as Narcissa had. Draco of course was entirely apathetic to the situation - telling Hermione that the only thing he planned to pay any attention to at the wedding was his beautiful bride.
Disapparating from the hotel, she landed in the middle of Gunnersbury Cemetery with the flowers in hand. Making her way through the rows of headstones, she approached the corner where her parents rested and saw a familiar man with a cloak and a cane standing in front of her parents' grave. She slowed her steps, quietly approaching as she could hear him speaking.
"…You raised a remarkable daughter," she heard Lucius say, his voice slightly apprehensive, as if he felt awkward speaking to a stone. "My son, I have never seen him so happy or care for someone so much. He will take care of her." She watched as he paused, shifting his walking cane from one hand to the other. "I am…irreversibly regretful that I was not able to prevent what happened to you both, that you will not be here tomorrow to see what a charming and beautiful young woman she has become. She's incredibly forgiving to those who do not deserve it, most of all to me."
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," said Hermione, startling Lucius as she stood next to him. She placed the bouquet of flowers on top of the stone and smiled. "I didn't take you for one to speak to the dead."
Lucius made a face as he sighed. "I felt…I felt like I had to do something. I didn't realize it would be this until I got here. I'm so terribly sorry they aren't going to be here with us tomorrow, Hermione. I hope you believe me when I say that."
She nodded, crossing her arms against her chest as she gave a sad smile. "My parents would love what Narcissa has done…with everything. I was just at the hotel, and everything looks amazing." The two stood in silence for a few moments, staring at the grave in front of them. "I'm getting married tomorrow," she whispered. "It's going to be the perfect wedding on the perfect day to the perfect man…and all that will be missing is the two of you."
Tears silently rolled down her cheeks and she did nothing to wipe them away. Lucius hesitated for a moment, before giving into the unfamiliar urge to comfort her as he gingerly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "They'll be there…in their own way," he spoke quietly, offering her his handkerchief from his pocket.
She sniffled, accepting the handkerchief as she blew her nose softly. "Thanks." She kissed the tips of the fingers on her right hand before pressing the fingers to the top of the stone, letting them linger for a moment. "I have a few errands to run - if you'd like to accompany me, you're more than welcome to."
Lucius gave her a simple nod. "I have a thing or two to pick up in Diagon Alley as well."
"I have to warn you…there will probably be photographers…"
"Yes, but I'll manage," Lucius replied. "Are you certain you're finished here?"
Hermione nodded, wiping the lingering tears away with the handkerchief. "I am for today." She folded up the handkerchief, put it in her back pocket, and took his hand as he disapperated the two of them from the cemetery.
Draco and Harry sat in the waiting area of a local muggle barbershop while James sat in the black swivel chair, the last of the three to get his unruly head of hair tamed. James feet dangled off of the chair, and every time he got restless he kicked them, only to receive a look from Harry.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"You're the one who's going to be sorry," Harry replied. "You keep wiggling the nice man will cut off your ear and then you'll look like Uncle George."
Draco laughed as he flipped through a magazine. "Not a good look, James."
James rolled his eyes and sighed. He looked at the barber through the mirror. "Are we almost done?" he asked.
The barber laughed, shaking his white head of hair as he took his clippers and touched up the back of the little boy's head. "We will be if you quit wiggling," he teased. " Are you getting your hair cut for anything special?"
He scowled. "No – my mummy is making me."
"Hey!" Draco exclaimed, tossing the magazine on the table with the rest of them.
"Oh and my Uncle Draco is getting married," James quickly amended his statement. "Which is why my mummy says I gots to cut it."
"I see," the barber replied. "Are you in the wedding?"
"Yep," James said, a bit more proudly. "I'm the ring bear."
"Bearer," Harry gently corrected, watching with adoring eyes as his son talked to the barber while trying to sit as still as he could - which in all reality wasn't still at all.
James rolled his eyes. "That's what I said, Daddy."
The barber moved to the side of James, carefully trimming around his tiny ears. "Do you have big plans for today, other than this haircut?"
"Well, we gots to go get our wedding clothes, which are super fancy because you gots to get real dressed up if you're in a wedding, and then we have a big dinner after we practice the wedding," James said. "Daddy?"
Harry was leaning against the wall near the station his son was sitting at. "Yeah buddy?"
"Why do we gots to practice the wedding?"
"Because it gets the jitters out," Harry replied. "If we practice it, then tomorrow, Uncle Draco and Aunt Hermione won't get too nervous and forget what they're supposed to do."
James pursed his lips together, and Draco could practically see the gears turning as his little mind thought long and hard. "But Daddy, why would they forget what to do? They're getting married."
Harry shook his head and laughed. "It's too hard to explain, James. You'll just have to wait and see tonight, ok?" He looked over at Draco, watching as his friend itched the back of his neck. "I can't believe you left her with your mother after this morning."
"I'm not talking about it," Draco said, shuddering slightly as he thought about the horrifically mortifying incident earlier that morning. "I literally have no words."
Laughing, Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry – but it is kind of funny."
"It's going to take a long time to get to a point where I see any humor in the situation," Draco replied.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing," Harry and Draco said in unison to James.
"No one ever tells me anything," James huffed.
Harry shook his head. "You already know more than you should about most things, son – trust me."
The barber put his clippers down and removed the plastic drape with a swift flourish. "Young sir, you are indeed finished, and might I say that this is the best haircut I've ever done."
James grinned as he hopped out of the chair, laughing as the barber took a big brush to swipe away loose strands of hair. "That's my favorite part!" he giggled.
The barber grinned with a twinkle in his eye. "Really? I couldn't tell."
Harry and Draco paid the man for the three haircuts between them before leaving the barbershop, James with a lollypop in his hand from the barber as they walked down the street. The magic brick entrance to Diagon Alley was a few blocks away, so instead of disapparating, the three decided to enjoy the sunny October day and walk. James kept a hold of Harry's hand as he rested his other hand inside the pocket of his light jacket, just as his dad was doing. Draco had never seen anyone idolize anyone the way that James idolized his father, and to see the two of them together was truly as sight.
They crossed the street over towards The Leaky Cauldron, visible to those in muggle London if they were in fact a wizard. Harry picked up James and Draco muttered a muffalto charm around James so that he wouldn't hear anything Harry didn't want him to hear. The Leaky Cauldron, after all, wasn't know for their reputable cliental. As they walked through, Draco did his best not to laugh at James' scowl once he realized that he'd been charmed as murmurs from the bar patrons were heard. Harry gave curt nods to those that nodded first, while Draco followed behind him, not making eye contact with anyone. Exiting through the back door, Draco removed the charm from James.
"I hate it when you do that," James grumbled.
"Do we use the word hate?" Harry asked with a knowing stare.
James looked down sullenly and sighed. "No."
Harry pulled his wand out of his back pocket and looked at his son. "Buddy, I know you don't understand what I do sometimes, or Uncle Draco for that matter - but we're the grown ups and if we do something, you need to trust that we're doing it because we want what is best for you. Do you understand?"
Nodding, James looked at his dad with his big brown eyes he inherited from Ginny. "Yes Daddy."
"Now," Harry said with a glint in his eye. "Do you remember which bricks to tap?"
A smirk crawled across James' lips as he nodded. Harry handed James his wand and held up to the brick wall as he carefully tapped three bricks up and two across three times in a row. As the bricks began to shuffle themselves to reveal the opening, James clapped with glee as Harry took back his wand. "Nice to see the underage magic rule doesn't apply to you," Draco teased as they walked into the alley.
Harry laughed as he put James down on the ground, pocketing his wand before taking James' hand in his. "What can I say - being me has benefits."
Draco rolled his eyes as Harry laughed. They walked down to Twillfits to pick up the dress robes from the tailor in the shop, Mr. Riggle. They had robes for Harry, James, Draco, Blaise, and a small custom made one for Albus. Mr. Riggle took one look at James, noticing he was a tad taller than he was during the final fitting. "I fear young Potter here might have his pant legs a bit short - but I'm sure you're wife can conjure up something to lengthen them."
"I'm sure we can make it work," Harry replied. "If my wife can't do it - Hermione can."
"I'm not sure there's anything either of those women couldn't do," Mr. Riggle replied with a grin. "Congratulations again, Mr. Malfoy. You've picked yourself quite the bride."
Draco grinned. "She is something, isn't she?"
Mr. Riggle nodded. "She is."
"Hey! What's going on outside?" James asked, pointing towards the front window of the shop at everyone gathering in the street. "Uncle Draco - look! It's Mister Lucius!"
Hermione hooked an arm with Lucius, holding on to his upper arm with her left hand as they walked down the cobblestone street that was Diagon Alley. A few photographers spotted them, but with a sneer from Lucius, they managed to keep somewhat of a respectable distance as they walked into the goblin jeweler's shop, a bundle of bells at the door jingling as they walked inside.
"Ahh, Mister Malfoy," the grumpy goblin greeted as he hobbled towards them from behind the counter. "What brings you in today?"
Lucius approached the counter, peering in through the glass at the collection of pearl jewelry in the enchanted case. "I'm here to purchase a new necklace for my wife."
Hermione left him to his browsing as she looked at some of the intricate broaches in a case on the other side of the shop. They were quite ornate - much like the one given to her by Narcissa for her first birthday back in London. She made a mental note to talk to Draco about getting his mother one as a thank you gift for everything she'd done with planning the wedding, though something like a broach hardly seemed enough. She braced her hands on the glass as she felt herself feel a bit lightheaded. It wasn't the first time she'd felt lightheaded in recent days, but she had also been under a lot of stress with helping Narcissa get ready for the wedding. Hermione also wasn't sleeping well, and had been reluctant to admit out loud that she was indeed missing her parents more than she'd missed them in recent months as tomorrow neared. She took in a few deep breaths and steadied herself. All she needed was a nap, she told herself, which she would get later, once she picked up Draco's gift.
"Miss Granger," the goblin nearly sneered as he meandered towards her, holding a rectangle shape object in his hand wrapped in a bundle of tissue paper. "I expect this will be to your liking."
She took the object from the goblin and carefully unwrapped it. "Indeed. It's wonderful. Can it be wrapped?"
"Certainly," the goblin said with a drawl.
Moments later, the goblin returned with two gifts in hand, giving the much smaller rectangle box to Lucius, who tucked it away in his cloak while handing the larger one to Hermione. Both of them handed the goblin the required galleons for their purchase. "Might I ask what your purchase is?" Lucius asked as he gestured to the box.
She grinned. "Just a wedding gift for Draco. What about you?"
Lucius gave a flicker of a smile. "A wedding gift for Narcissa. Where else is it that you need to go?"
Hermione shook her head. "I think, actually, I'm going to send Jori out for the remainder of the errands. I'm not feeling all that well." She saw his face glance with worry. "It's nothing - I've just been more stressed out than usual this week. I think I'm just exhausted more than anything – your wife has turned this wedding week into a marathon sprint."
The elder Malfoy didn't look entirely all that convinced. "Let's get you home then - Narcissa and Draco both will have my head if something happens to you in my presence." He offered an arm to her, which she accepted as they walked out of the jewelry store. What neither of them was expecting, however, was the increase in photographers bombarding them with incessant camera flashes as they tried to make their way through the intrusive crowd.
"Get back you insolent fools!" Lucius spat, pulling his wand from his walking stick.
"Lucius no!" Hermione exclaimed. "You'll just make it worse." She pushed through the crowed with little avail as the cameras continued to flash. "Please!" she exclaimed. "Leave us alone!"
They shouted questions but Hermione couldn't make half of them out as they were all talking on top of each other. She heard 'wedding' and 'death eater' but that was about it. Everyone closing in on her made her panic, and her lightheadedness returned only this time, the loud shouts began to blur together as felt herself fall to the ground, faintly hearing the sound of Draco's voice screaming her name before she passed out.
Suddenly, photographers were being hexed and flown out of the way as Draco and Harry pushed through the crowd. Harry began shouting at them and threatening arrests as a high-ranking auror could for their intrusions while James stood by and watched, his face frozen as he stared at the chaos. As the photographers scattered, Draco quickly picked up Hermione out of his father's arms and held her as he knelt to the ground. "Hermione, wake up," he said frantically. "Come on Granger - wake up." He pulled his wand from his pocket and pointed it at her face. "Rennervate," he whispered, getting her to flinch slightly as her eyelids fluttered. "Granger look at me," he said softly.
Her eyes fluttered a bit more before she could get them to focus on his face. "Nice haircut," she mumbled.
"Are you ok?" he asked. "What happened?"
She pressed a hand to her head as she blinked her eyes into focus. "I…don't know. We were just leaving…"
Draco looked up at his father, who stared at Hermione with more concern than he'd ever seen his father emote before looking back at Hermione. "She said she wasn't feeling well," Lucius offered.
Carefully, Draco stood up, carrying Hermione with her. All of them were oblivious to the crowds of people that had gathered as they kept a fair bit of distance away after watching Harry and Draco ward off the photographers. "I'm taking her to the hotel," he said.
"Maybe we should take her to St. Mungo's instead," Harry stated.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm not going to St. Mungo's the day before my wedding. Absolutely not."
"I'm not sure the one who passes out in the middle of a street gets a vote," Draco replied.
"I agree with Draco," Harry chimed.
"Daddy," James whimpered, still standing off to the side.
Harry looked over; his face panic stricken as they all completely forgot James was with them. His son had never seen him that angry, or had seen him use his wand in such a fierce manner. "James, come here," he said, his voice softening. "It's ok." Sniffling, James walked over and Harry picked him up, hugging him as his son latched onto him. "I'm going to take him and the robes over to the hotel," Harry said.
Draco nodded. "Right. We'll be there after we get her checked out."
Hermione shook her head no. "I just want to go home," she mumbled. "I want to take a nap."
Sighing, Draco looked down at Hermione as he continued his cradle hold on her. "Hermione I really - "
"Draco," Lucius interjected somewhat forcefully. "Take the girl home. If she isn't feeling better after a nap, we can decide what to do next."
Draco didn't enjoy this plan at all. He looked at Harry, who merely shrugged as best as he could with an arm full of dress robes and his son. "Fine," he huffed. "But if you aren't feeling better, Granger, I swear –"
"Draco," Hermione interjected. "I know - just take me home, please."
Tucking her under the covers, Draco sat down on the edge of the bed and ran a hand over the top of her head, letting his fingers trail through her hair and down the side of her face. He repeated this action as she stared back at him, covering a yawn with the back of her hand. "Were you feeling ill this morning?"
"Not until your mother barged in - but I'm sure that was from sheer mortification," Hermione said, yawning again. "I haven't felt well all week. I've been tired, stressed, and -"
"You haven't been sleeping well," he finished for her.
Hermione stared at him, somewhat sheepishly. "How did you know?"
"Who in the hell do you think feels you tossing and turning all night?" he teased. "I don't know why you just don't take a sleeping draught."
She sighed. "I don't like how disconnected it makes me feel. I feel drowsy for hours when I wake up afterwards."
Draco pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You scared the shit out of me, Granger."
"I think I scared your father more," Hermione replied. "You should check on him."
"My father is the least of my worries at the moment," Draco stated. "Close your eyes and get some sleep."
She nodded, her eyes fluttering shut. "Will you wake me in an hour or so?"
"I will do no such thing," Draco said. "You will sleep until you wake up."
"But I have things -"
"Whatever it is - it can wait."
Hermione yawned. "Fine."
He bent down and lightly brushed her lips with his. "I love you."
"I love you," she whispered back.
Once he made sure she was good and asleep, Draco cast a silenco charm around the room so that she could sleep in peace. He found his father sitting downstairs in the kitchen, staring blankly into a cup of coffee. He looked up as he saw his son lumbering down the stairs into the kitchen, only to retreat back to staring at his warm drink. Draco walked over to the cabinets and pulled out a coffee mug, pouring himself his a cup. He went to take a drink, hesitating slightly as he looked to Lucius. "Who made this?"
"The elf," Lucius replied. "Why?"
"Just wanted to make sure it wasn't potent," Draco replied. He took a sip, walking over to the kitchen table where he sat down across from his father. "What in the hell happened?"
Lucius shrugged, not looking up. "She said she was tired and that she wasn't feeling well. There were…some photographers when we apparated into Diagon Alley, but when we left the jeweler's they had multiplied and I was going to blast them away but Hermione insisted that I didn't. They completely overwhelmed us and I think she just…fainted." He took a sip of his coffee and finally looked up at Draco.
"Why were you with her, anyway?" he asked, his voice plain. "I thought she was with Mother."
Lucius fiddled with his coffee mug for a moment. "We sort of ran into one another out at the cemetery -"
"What in the hell were you doing at the cemetery?" Draco nearly hissed.
"Paying my respects to two people who were unknowingly instrumental in changing all of our lives," Lucius bit back. "I don't know - it felt like the right thing to do so I went, and she appeared with a bouquet of her own."
Draco inhaled deep and exhaled slowly, trying not to take out his frustration on his father. "So from the cemetery –"
"We went to Diagon Alley," Lucius replied, softening his own voice. "I went to pick up a gift for your mother, and Hermione was actually picking up a gift for you as well. I asked what else she needed to do and she said she'd just send the elf because she was feeling tired."
Drinking his coffee, Draco couldn't help but worry, and he didn't bother hiding it. "Something's off with her. I can feel it."
"I'm sure it's just the stress of everything these past few months," Lucius reassured him. "The week your mother and I were married, she was so stressed out she broke out into these awful hives. Threatened to cancel the entire wedding unless they went away, until of course she remembered she was a witch who was particularly gifted with glamour charms."
Draco finished his coffee and sighed. "You're probably right." He set the cup down on the table and looked at his father. "The next time you get the instinct to hex someone for being too close to Granger – just do it and deal with her later."
Lucius couldn't help but laugh lightly. "I must confess – I fear her a bit more than most people."
"Fear or not – anyone gets that close to her again in your presence you best be blasting them into next week," Draco replied. I'm going to talk to Kingsley about some new privacy laws that the wizarding world desperately needs once the wedding is over with. I'm not about to be tabloid fodder for the rest of my life, and neither will my family."
The sound of the floo whooshed in the next room, and it wasn't but a second later that Ginny and Harry appeared with James in tow. "Is she ok?" Ginny asked. "Harry told me what happened!"
"She's sleeping," Draco replied. "At least she better be. I'm hoping she's just exhausted."
"I want to see Aunt Hermione," James half cried.
"He's been worried about her since we left," Harry explained. "Plus he needs an n-a-p as well."
"I don't need a nap!" James whined.
Harry shook his head sympathetically. "I beg to differ."
Ginny took her son from Harry and hugged him as he rested his tired head on her shoulder. "I'm going to go check on her."
"You'll have to repel the silencing charm," Draco said as Ginny made her way upstairs.
She waved him off to let him know she heard him, shifting James to her other hip as she approached their room. With a wave of her wand the charm was removed, and Ginny knocked lightly on the door before entering. Peeking through the door, she saw Hermione roll onto her side and yawn. "See James," Ginny said. "Aunt Hermione was just tired."
Hermione sat up a little bit in bed and yawned again. "And I'm still tired. I want to fall asleep but I can't."
Ginny pulled off James' trainers and helped him out of his jacket, setting them in the chair by the door. She walked over to the bed, put James down, watching as he crawled and snuggled up against Hermione. "Take a draught."
"I already told Draco no."
"You can't get married tomorrow looking like a zombie," Ginny argued.
"I'll be fine," Hermione said. "I just need to fall asleep." She looked down at James who was yawning himself. She pulled the covers up and watched as he kicked his little legs underneath. "Do you want to take a nap with me?"
"I think that's an excellent idea," Ginny answered before James could protest. "I take some of my best naps with this one here."
James grinned. "Mummy says it's 'cause I'm super snuggly."
"I'm sure," Hermione replied, wrapping her arms around James as the two spooned together, resting their heads on the same pillow. "Gin – will you wake me up in an hour or so? I have things I need to do."
Ginny shook her head. "What do you need – I can do them for you."
"No –"
"Yes," Ginny argued. "Mum has Albus, so I'm free to do whatever. Now tell me - where is your list?"
Hermione sighed in defeat, brushing a hand over James' freshly cut hair, his eyes slowly drooping. "In my purse, wherever Draco put it."
"You sleep," Ginny instructed. "Both of you."
Both of them closed their eyes and sighed, knowing it was best to follow Ginny's orders when she used her no-nonsense voice.
Three hours later, Draco hadn't heard a sound from upstairs. Ginny managed to get all of Hermione's errands finished and headed back to the hotel soon after. Harry took a nap in the living room of Draco's house while Lucius sat in a chair, reading a book. Not that any of the men would admit it aloud, but it was unspoken that they were all avoiding the hotel – not because of the paparazzi that were probably waiting for them but because they didn't want Narcissa putting them to work.
Blaise owled Draco sometime in the afternoon, assuring Draco he would be at the rehearsal dinner on time and that he would be bringing Luna with him. Ever since the bachelorette party, the two of them had been spending more and more time with each other, but Luna was still holding the majority of the cards, having done nothing more but kissing with Blaise, even allowing him a full on snog or two. Even though it wasn't the pace Blaise was used to being at with a woman, Draco could see that with Luna, Blaise was willing to do just about anything.
He couldn't believe either one of them had been sleeping that long, and neither could Harry as he woke up from his own little snooze.
"I don't want to wake him," Harry said hesitantly. "But if I don't the kid won't go to bed tonight which will make tomorrow an incredibly long day."
Draco glanced up at the clock, the second hand creeping closer to half past three. "I don't want to wake her either, but if I don't and she doesn't have enough time to get ready and whatnot for the rehearsal dinner she'll probably kill me."
"If by probably you mean definitely, then yes," Harry replied with a laugh.
Retreating up the stairs, Harry followed Draco as they walked down the hall to the bedroom. Quietly, Draco opened the door and grinned, just as Harry did as they stumbled upon the two, still sound asleep. Hermione was flat on her back while James used Hermione's stomach as pillow. One of her hands rested on his back as he lightly snored, both of them with their mouths slightly ajar.
James cracked an eye open, sitting up as he rubbed his eyes with his balled up hands. He looked as if he was regaining his bearings, as it wasn't habit to have naptime in his Aunt Hermione's room. He put a finger to his lips as his dad and Draco approached. "She's still sleeping," he whispered.
"Not really," Hermione mumbled, her eyes still closed.
Harry walked over and picked James up, hugging him as he rested his head on his dad's shoulder. "You took a good nap for someone who didn't need a nap," he mused aloud.
"Maybe I was just a little tired," James admitted, laughing as Harry nuzzled his nose against James' nose. "Is it time to practice yet?"
"Not quite," Harry replied. "But we need to get back to the hotel so that we can help Mummy and get everyone ready."
James looked over at Hermione, who sat up a bit as Draco sat down next to her on her side of the bed. "Do you feel better?"
Hermione smiled brilliantly and nodded. "I did – and your mummy was right. You are a super good snuggler."
"I am," James agreed.
Harry laughed at how impressed and proud James was of himself. "We'll see you both tonight."
Draco and Hermione waved goodbye as Harry walked out of the room with James in tow, shutting the door as they left. Yawning, Hermione stretched her slender arms up over her head and sighed as Draco watched her intently. "I'm not going to break," she said.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't say you were." Draco wasn't going to admit out loud that she looked loads better than she did when he disapparated them out of the alley, but only because he was still somewhat concerned.
"You're looking at me like I'm going to break," she clarified.
"You passed out in Diagon Alley."
Hermione huffed. "Yes, Draco, I'm aware. I was exhausted, and clearly it got the best of me."
Draco sighed. "How are you feeling?"
"Other than annoyed, much better," she replied, a bit cheeky. "I told you – all I needed was a nap."
His shoulders dropped as he looked over at her hands resting in her lap. He reached out and grabbed one with his, giving it a squeeze as he laced his fingers with hers. "You scared the shit out of me today, Granger," he confessed.
She cocked her head to the side and grinned. "You've said that already."
"It bears repeating," he replied, finally meeting her eyes with his.
She pulled on his hand and Draco, albeit reluctantly, moved so that he crawled onto the bed, hovering over her as she held his face in her hands. "I'm fine," she said, kissing him slowly, before digging a little deeper with one hand moving to the back of his head, pressing him closer to her as her other arm wrapped around his neck. Feeding off of her energy, Draco kissed her back, slipping his arms around her as he rolled them over, their mouths never breaking apart as she now rested on top of him, a bare foot of hers rubbing up and down his leg. "See," breathed Hermione, pulling away. "I'm fine."
Draco's hands slid up honey colored blouse, rubbing soft circles against her back. "I believe you," he replied.
She reached a hand between them, slowly unbuttoning his jeans. "How much do you believe me?"
He arched an eyebrow. "What happened to waiting until tomorrow?"
Slipping a hand in between the opening of his boxers, she stroked his growing erection. Hermione couldn't help but grin as she felt it come alive at her touch. "Do you really want to wait until tomorrow?"
"Where is this coming from?" Draco asked, completely confused. He sat up a bit as Hermione let go of his erection and began tugging his polo shirt off. Not wanting a repeat of this morning, he dug his wand out of his side pocket and threw four different locking and silencing charms for good measure on the door.
Hermione hastily peeled away her own blouse before shimmying out of her shorts. She helped Draco pull his pants and his boxers off as he kicked the offending clothing down his legs and off his feet. "Can't I just be incredibly turned on by my incredibly…sexy…fiancé?"
"Well, I am pretty sexy," he said with a grin, pulling her knickers away. He watched as she unclasped her bra and threw it on the ground, staring at her perfectly naked body. "Beautiful," he murmured, running his hands up the tops of her thighs as she straddled his waist. "You're certain you don't want to wait until tomorrow?"
She leaned down, her hands pressed into his pectoral muscles and kissed him hard. She tilted her hips as he reached a hand down to help guide him, the tip of his penis eagerly rubbing between her wet folds, halting right at her opening. "I want you," she whispered. "Now."
That was all Draco needed before his hips thrust into her, groaning as he felt Hermione tighten herself around him. He held her hips as she slowly began to ride him, her hands still braced against his chest as she threw her head back and gasped with each movement. "This will be over before you know it," he gasped, "if you continue moving like that."
"I don't care," she replied, breathing hard as she rocked against him. Hermione leaned down, changing the angle in which he pushed into her and purred in Draco's ear. "I need you."
Draco dug his heels into the bed as he grabbed her hips harder, thrusting in and out of her as she moved with him, moaning louder with each thrust. She reached down to touch herself, her two fingers rubbing fervently as she chanted his name. Hermione clenched around Draco's erection so tight it was pleasurably painful, if there was ever such a feeling as he drove as deep as he could into her.
He felt himself release as soon as he felt hers, watching her open her mouth as if to make a sound, but instead was silent as she caught her breath. He buried himself deep into her as he came, his hips involuntarily shaking as he cried out in pleasure. Draco couldn't remember the last time they had such a quick bout of it with such raw desire, both of them needing nothing but to use each other.
"Merlin," Hermione managed to say, clenching slightly as she moved her hips so that he could pull out of her before resting herself on top of Draco. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight, kissing her forehead. "That was amazing."
"I'm sure we'll top it tomorrow," Draco teased.
She placed a warm, open-mouthed kiss on his neck. "I honestly don't know what came over me," Hermione confessed. She had no idea how she could go from exhaustion to a hot and quick shag session in the same day, but once she woke up from her nap, she felt like an entirely new person. As much as she wanted to get married tomorrow, she was ready for the stress and chaos of it all to go away.
Draco kissed her forehead again. "I'm not complaining," he replied with a laugh. He glanced over the clock on her nightstand, keeping a snug hold on her. "We should probably shower and get ready for the rehearsal. Mother will shoot us if we're late."
"I'm honestly surprised she didn't come barging over here when she found out what happened," Hermione mused aloud.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Draco exhaled and groaned. "Son of a bitch."
"I cannot believe none of you told me!" Narcissa screeched, swatting her son, Harry, and Lucius thoroughly with a stack of wedding programs. "I had to find out from some hotel employees who were distastefully gossiping while setting up chairs on the rooftop!"
Draco tried to catch the programs a few times before finally snagging them away from his mother on one of her upswings. "For Merlin's sake, you insane lunatic - it was taken care of as quickly as it happened!"
"Don't you Merlin me, Draco Lucius Malfoy," Narcissa warned. "Something could have been wrong with her - she is more important than decorating a ballroom!"
The four of them were standing in the reception ballroom, off to the side while the handful of guest that had been invited to the rehearsal and subsequent dinner were mingling and talking as the dessert course was served. "Narcissa, do try to not cause a scene," Lucius said, placing an arm around her waist. "You were busy today getting everything ready - and we didn't want to give you any distractions."
"We really didn't mean to leave you out of the loop," Harry added for good measure.
Narcissa was still scowling. She looked at her husband and sighed. "Why were you in Diagon Alley anyway?"
Lucius slipped a hand inside his cloak and pulled out the long, narrow wrapped box and handed it to her. Draco and Harry took that as their cue to leave, escaping any more violence from the matriarch of the Malfoy family as she opened her gift. James and Victorie were running around, chasing each other in what appeared to be an amusing game of tag from the laughter that echoed through the parts of the ballroom they ran through. Albus sat on Arthur's shoulders, his tired head resting on top of Arthur's as his grandfather chatted with Molly, George, Kingsley, Bill, Fleur, and Blaise. Ginny and Hermione sat at another table with Angelina and Luna, talking in hushed whispers.
"I'm just saying, it's possible," Ginny said.
"It isn't," Hermione replied quickly. "Stop suggesting it."
Angelina wiggled her eyebrows. "But what if it is?"
"Again, it isn't," Hermione said with utter exasperation. "Honestly - I don't even know why I said anything."
Ginny playfully wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "Because even you think something isn't right."
Luna played with one of her long blond locks. "It couldn't hurt to just see, Hermione. You never know - crazier things have happened."
"Why don't you tell us how things are going with Blaise?" Hermione asked, desperate to change the subject to anything.
Luna's cheeks blushed as she cautiously looked around to see where Blaise was before scooting closer to the girls. "I really like him," she admitted. "I want to, do more…but I don't know…how. That might not make a lot of sense though, now that I say it out loud."
"Nah - it makes sense," Angelina reassured her. "There's nothing wrong with not having any, well, experience. Just tell him what you're unsure of and I'm sure he'll show you. I mean - if he can't teach you - no one can."
Hermione swatted Angelina's arm. "Geez, Ang!"
"I didn't mean it negatively!" Angelina exclaimed.
"It's ok," Luna replied nonchalantly. "I knew what you meant."
Ginny shook her head, suppressing a laugh of her own. "He's received warnings from both Hermione and I - so don't be worried or embarrassed to tell him anything. Because if he reacts in a way that you don't like - you just tell me and I'll take care of him."
"But only if I don't get to him first," Hermione added.
"You won't be getting to anyone in the state you're in," Angelina teased.
"I am not in any bloody state damn it!" Hermione exclaimed, not realizing how loud she was until everyone in the room was staring at her, shocked at her sudden outburst so much that neither Victorie or James pointed out her swear. "Fantastic," she grumbled, standing up from her chair. She politely excused herself from the ballroom, doing her best not to run out, causing an even bigger scene.
Draco looked over at the group of girls, utterly confused. He went to follow Hermione out but Ginny held up a discrete hand, giving him a nod that she had this one. Reluctantly he stayed behind, walking with Harry over towards Blaise and George. Kingsley extended a hand for Draco to shake, which he readily accepted. "Thank you again," he said to Kingsley. "For agreeing to marry us."
"Just do 'em a favor, Minister, and skip over the part where you ask if anyone has any objections," George teased.
Everyone laughed at George's joke, even Draco - though he gave him a look of disgust first. "It is my pleasure," Kingsley said with a smile. "I'm very happy for the two of you."
Molly gave Draco a reassuring pat on the arm. "Don't listen to George. Everyone can see how wonderful you and Hermione are together."
Draco nodded, smiling at Molly. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
"Molly," she corrected.
"You should give that up, because I just don't see it happening," Draco replied. He looked over at Arthur, who now had a snoozing Albus on his shoulders, bits of the elder man's ginger hair in his chubby fists. "Looks like someone's had too much fun this evening."
Arthur chuckled as he carefully maneuvered his grandson off of his shoulders and into his arms. "We should probably be getting the little ones back to the Burrow and off to bed."
Molly nodded. "They'll need plenty of rest for tomorrow."
Bill and Fleur helped wrangle James and Victorie, who were visibly upset that they had to leave, but it was getting late and Molly reminded them that no one needed a cranky ring bearer and flower girl for tomorrow's events. Harry kissed his sons goodbye and told James to be good.
"Where's Mummy?"
"Helping Aunt Hermione," Harry replied. "Do you want me to get her so you can say goodbye?"
James shook his head. "No - I'm a big boy. Just tell her I love her lots and I'll see her tomorrow."
"Will do," Harry replied. "Take care of Albus for me."
James nodded as his Aunt Fleur picked him up, Bill doing the same to his daughter. Along with Arthur and Molly, they waved goodbye and left. Kingsley bid them a good evening as well, reminding the men to stay out of trouble tomorrow during their golf outing - Draco's way of preparing for the big day while the girls were off doing their thing. The four of them made their way over to where Luna and Angelina were sitting, joining in on their conversation. Draco wanted to go and check on Hermione, but Harry stopped them.
"Give 'em a few more minutes," Harry said.
"Fine," Draco replied with a sigh.
Meanwhile, in Hermione's reserved suite on the fifteenth floor of the Buckleberry, Hermione laid flat on her back on the bed while Ginny stood over her with a wand in hand. "I still think it's ridiculous," Hermione replied. "It's entirely not possible."
"Spells don't lie, Hermione," Ginny quietly replied.
Hermione huffed, slightly propped upright by her elbows. "Do it again."
Ginny cleared her throat, pointing her wand at Hermione's abdomen. "Graviditas Revelio," she whispered, manipulating her wrist a quarter of a turn to the right as a soft yellow glow appeared underneath her skin. "See," Ginny said. "It did it again."
She let her elbows slide out from underneath her with a sigh, thinking back to the conversation she and Draco had a month ago.
"So…what you're saying is that we wouldn't be practicing anymore."
"Right."
"It'd be for real."
"Yes," Hermione replied. "But I see that look - and I'm telling you right now - it won't be instantaneous. Women who are on contraceptive medicines take longer to get pregnant."
Draco smirked. "We'll just see about that. I might have super sperm, you know."
"Hermione?" Ginny said. "You alright?"
She let out a sarcastic laugh, sitting back up on the bed. "He would have super sperm."
Ginny snorted. "Excuse me?"
"Trust me - it was his phrase, not mine," Hermione replied. "Get used to it too - because we're about to never hear the end of it."
Sitting next to her, Ginny held Hermione's hand and grinned. "Can I say I'm excited for you?"
"I'd prefer cautiously optimistic," Hermione replied. "For now, anyway."
"How about cautiously optimistic on the outside but over the moon excited on the inside," Ginny offered.
She laughed. "I can live with that." Hermione leaned her head on Ginny's shoulder as Ginny gave her hand a squeeze. "Don't say anything, ok? I mean, obviously I'll tell Draco, and I guess you can tell Harry if you'd like - but I don't want anyone else to know. Not yet."
Ginny nodded. "I won't tell Harry until you tell Draco," she said. "Just - don't be you and over think it, ok?"
Hermione laughed, nodding her head. "Of course."
"You want me to send Draco up? Or are you following the whole tradition thing of sleeping alone?"
"He's sleeping in here tonight," Hermione said. "Narcissa tried to get us to sleep apart but neither of us sleep well apart and tomorrow isn't the day to be exhausted."
Ginny agreed, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll give everyone your regards."
"Thank you," Hermione said. "For everything. I honestly do not know what I would do without you, Ginny."
The two embraced, hugging each other tightly for a moment. "I don't know what I would do without you either," Ginny replied as she let go, both of them tearing up just a bit. "But you know what the best part about this is?"
Hermione laughed. "That my healer apparently underestimated my soon to be husband's seed?"
"Well, sure, that can be part of it," Ginny said. "But the best part about this is that I finally know something about you first that my darling husband does not - and I cannot wait to suck the wind right out of his sails when he tells me what I already know."
Giggling, Hermione shooed Ginny towards the door. "You're terrible, Gin."
"Maybe. But it's why he loves me so," the mischievous redhead said with a grin.
Draco quietly entered the hotel suite, escaping his parents before his mother could lecture him about all the superstitions that came with spending the night with the bride before the wedding. In his opinion, if breaking that tradition was the straw that broke the camel's back, then the camel didn't deserve to walk to begin with. As he shut the door, he saw Hermione walk out in a green silk chemise from the bathroom, rubbing lotion into her hands and arms.
"You ok?" Draco asked, yanking at the knot in his tie.
She smiled. "I am."
"What were the girls doing to you that got you all riled up?"
Laughing, Hermione played it off, shaking her head as she turned down the bed. "Nothing - Angelina just likes to egg me on, much like George does to you. They're really perfect for each other."
Draco kicked off his shoes as he untucked his shirt, unbuttoning it from the top down. "Why don't they tie the knot already?"
Hermione climbed into bed, leaning against the pillows against the headboard. "Because of Fred."
His shoulders dropped slightly as he laid his shirt over the back of the sofa. Shedding his pants, he peeled his socks away as well, laying them on top of the shirt. "I forget those two dated."
"Yeah," she replied. "She never dealt with it. Properly, that is."
"Maybe she should."
"She will. Eventually"
Draco disappeared to the bathroom, quickly brushing his teeth and going through the motions of his nightly routine before joining Hermione in bed. He turned off the lights except for the small lamps on the nightstand with a wave of his wand. Pulling the covers up, he slouched down into bed as Hermione curled into him, her head resting on his bare chest. She sighed, smiling as she looked up at him. "We're getting married tomorrow," Hermione whispered.
"We are," Draco replied, hugging her close. "I know I've said it, but I don't know what I did to deserve you."
"I could say the same about you," Hermione replied.
"You deserve everything, Hermione," Draco said, brushing a hand against her cheek. "I want to give you everything."
Grinning, Hermione stretched her neck up and gave him a sweet kiss. "You already have, sweetheart."
He caught her lips again, kissing her until he was sure she could feel it in her toes before breaking away. "If you want to back out - there's still time," he teased.
Laughing, Hermione snuggled back into him as he pulled the covers up over her bare shoulder. "I hate to break it to you, but you're stuck with me forever."
"Lucky for you, Granger, that's my plan."