Melanie sighed, a month before her wedding, and even with all the high hopes and major improvements, still Hermione had not awoken, though right now she looked a lot better, her cuts and burns were now only faint scars, though Melanie was told that some of the scars covering her body will never heal.

Christmas came and still Hermione wasn't awaking, so Melanie put that hope away, and just hoped she would awake soon, rather then before the wedding.

Everything was planned out.

The WHOLE thing.

And this time Melanie wasn't worried, Rodolphus had been imprisoned, Yaxley was killed. Voldemort wasn't likely to attack unless he knew this time he would win.

Finally the time came, Melanie was up a six am getting ready for the wedding, she showered and got herself washed. At Seven Ginny, Luna, Pansy and Keira walked in all wearing their bridesmaid's dresses, they were wearing sapphire blue dresses, it was a halter neck style, but the neck was like a choker, and tied at the back. It was fitted until reaching the hips were it flared out slightly, but ended at the knee.

Melanie climbed into her own dress, had her make-up and hair done, then with a deep breathe she walked down the stairs.

Draco was waiting nervously at the alter when the music started to play, Pansy, Luna, Ginny and Keira all walked down the isle, each looking stunning with their hairs put up in fancy twists. The Melanie came into view, walking down the isle, she took his breath away. Her gown was white, strapless, it had a fitted bust and flared out at the hips, it was made of silk, over the top was a layer, it covered all the torso, then met at the point where her belly button was and opened up, where there was more white silk, but it was covered in rhinestones. The effect was stunning. Her make-up was light and ever so slightly glittery. Her lips were ruby red, her eyes stood out against black mascara and sparkly, white eye shadow, which was very lightly applied. Her hair was put into a half pony tail, but extremely curly, with a small tiara placed on top.

Dumbledore smiled as he stood before the couple.

Most of the ceremony went over Melanie's head as she stood there with Draco. She was just so blissful to be there, with him.

Harry, Ethan and Christopher sat together as they watched their little sister get married, beside Harry sat Ginny, and Beside Ethan was Kate, he'd finally gotten up the courage to ask her out. Now everyone had to remember not to use magic.

And even through the happiness of it all, everyone missed Hermione.

"Do you Draco Lucius Malfoy take Melanie Lily Potter to be you wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Do you Melanie Lily Potter take Draco Lucius Malfoy to be your wedded husband?"

"I do."

"With the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!" Draco wrapped Melanie in his arms before kissing her deeply.

Melanie walked down the isle with Draco, she waited at the doors for Ethan and Kate, they needed to hide the magic going on in the house as the living room transformed.

Ethan was luckily the last to get up with his date.

"Hey!" Melanie said hugging her brother, she kissed his cheek before turning to Kate, she was really pretty, she had an oval face, with deep brown eyes, pale, flawless skin, and lightly curled hair in a rich brown. "So you must be Kate." Melanie said hugging the woman.

"Yeah, that's me, and congratulations, you look amazing," Kate said.

"Thanks, you look great too," Melanie said, and she was right, Kate was wearing a baby blue dress, it was tight around the bust then flared out, with a light yellow ribbon wrapped around the under the bust.

Harry popped out and smiled at the four people.

"You coming in?" He asked with a smile, Melanie took this as indication that it was safe and led Kate into the living room. Everyone was waiting for her there, sat down around the large room (magically extended) at the tables which went around the room, with an area that was kept free for a dance floor.

Melanie settled down at her place and smiled at all her guests. Draco stood to give his speech when there was a loud pop that echoed around the room, someone screamed, and Melanie turned to see Kate looking petrified. Ethan was freaking out, and then the person started to shout.

"Hermione! It's Hermione!" He shouted, panting and gasping for breath. Emma grabbed the young man and shook him slightly.

"What is it?" She shrieked.

"She's awake," The man gasped. Christopher stood up and was out of the room sooner then anyone could blink an eye. There was a slight silence before Melanie called out.

"Go on, go to her, we'll party later." There was a mass of pops and only a few remained behind, those being the ones who weren't part of the family or actually living with them. Ethan had remained with Kate who was having a panic attack by the looks of it.

Melanie went to help Ethan calm down the hysterical woman, Draco with her.

"It's alright, Kate let me explain," Ethan said desperately, he looked so upset.

"Kate look at me!" Melanie demanded, the older girl looked at her with wide eyes. "This wasn't how we planned on you finding out, I'm afraid that you know now though. Kate you can't tell anyone. We're so sorry, but our family it's magical. And this is all magic. Now I know this is all a bit frightening, but Ethan cares for you a lot, you're in no danger here." Melanie said softly. Kate eventually nodded, and then sunk to the floor, where Ethan sat beside her and wrapped her up in his arms.

Susan and Hannah Abbott walked over to Melanie and Draco.

"Hey, it was a beautiful wedding, but we think we should get back. Send Blaise my... Well tell him I'll see him soon. And congratulations." Susan said then left with Hannah. Soon after the Creevey brothers and a few others bid their farewells, wishing Melanie and Draco a happy life.

Soon it was only Melanie, Draco, Ethan and Kate in the room. They were all silent until there was another pop and Kate screamed again. There stood a ministry official.

"I'm afraid I've been sent about a muggle, she's been exposed to our world. No wonder if you invite her to a wizarding wedding." The man said curtly.

"Look she's dating my brother, she'd have found out, Kate won't tell, will you," Melanie said.

"No, I-I just shocked, I never knew… But I won't tell a soul," The man eyed her suspiciously then nodded and left.

"How do they do that?" Kate exclaimed as she stared at the spot the man had disappeared from.

"It's just something Wizards can do."

Half an hour later and Kate was more used to the magic, Ethan was telling her a bit about it, staying away from things like Voldemort and the death threat to their lives.

"I wish I was like you," Kate said as she settled down in the kitchen with a cup of tea.

"I think you're great the way you are," Ethan said then shut up pretty quick, but Kate smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.

"What about this Hermione, what's wrong, or well, not wrong with her?" Kate asked.

"Well… erm, there's things that you don't know. It's difficult." Ethan said slowly.

"Well then simplify it for me," Kate said. Melanie grinned at her, she liked this girl.

"When are we leaving?" Draco asked as he nuzzled Melanie's neck.

"Soon, the hotel is booked for ten pm, and it's nine. If they don't get back soon we'll have to leave without saying bye." Melanie said. "But I kinda wanna know how Hermione is doing."

"Ethan, you'll owl us when news comes in about Hermione right?" Draco asked.

"Of course I would, you two nearly held off the wedding for her." Ethan replied.

"We've got to go, you know the where we are right?" Draco asked as he caught Melanie's hand in his own.

"Ashdale house, Norfolk," Ethan said with a small smile. "I'll owl you or something if there is any news." Draco nodded, and then summoned his and Melanie's suitcases.

"It was so mice meeting you Kate, I'm sorry about all of this, but please do come back, in a week or so we'll be holding another reception as this one didn't turn as planned," Melanie said as Draco sent the suitcases straight to the room they would be staying at, then with a small wave the pair disappeared with a pop.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," Kate said, so just for the fun of it Ethan disappeared with a pop then reappeared on the other side of her.

"It's not so bad. Do you wanna stay here with me? I mean I'll be waiting for them to tell me how Hermione is, and you can stay with me, that's if you want to.." But Kate cut him off with a gentle kiss.

"Have I ever told you that sometimes to talk too much?" She asked with a laugh then walked back to the Living room.

Emma walked out of Hermione's room with a red face and panting. She smiled weakly at the large group waiting outside in the corridor.

"Chris, she wants to talk to you," Emma said as she slid down onto the floor beside Keira who was sitting with her Godparents, Remus and Belle.

"She's awake?" Harry and Ron asked frantically. She was after all their best friend, and yeah so were the others, but Hermione was part of the original trio.

"She's awake," Emma confirmed, there was a sudden cheer as everyone beamed and laughed.

Christopher smiled softly as he sat beside Hermione, he looked down at her slightly scarred face, and thought she looked beautiful, she always had looked beautiful. A few scars didn't change that.

He thought back to the night when everything went wrong, he had always liked Hermione in a not so brotherly way, but he realised then that she was no longer a child, but a fully fledged adult, then at nineteen she was an adult who could make her own decisions. She was now twenty, having been out right through her birthday.

"How much have I missed?" Hermione asked softly.

"You missed your twenty-first, and you missed Christmas, and new years. Melanie is so sorry, but she had Draco got married, today, they've probably left for their honeymoon by now. She wanted you there, but she wanted to get married, we had to convince her to go through with it," Christopher told her, from the moment he opened his mouth he had reached out and stroked a finger down her soft cheek, along her jaw, to her chin.

"I missed a lot then," Hermione said, she smiled though.

"I missed you." Christopher whispered.

"I've always just been here." Hermione replied with a slight smile.

"I didn't visit a lot. I-I... I just didn't want to see you in that state." Christopher said, he wanted to be able to tell her he never left her alone, but he couldn't.

"Hey it's alright, I understand..." Hermione said softly. Christopher smiled at her weakly, she reached up and held his cheek in her right hand, stroking her thumb over his smooth skin, Christopher took her hand in his own and kissed her palm, then the tips of each of her fingers.

Not another word was uttered between the two, the actions were enough.

Outside Pansy was swooning.

"Did you see that?" She gushed to Neville who was behind her, innocently resting his hands on her hips and he stood on tip toes looking over the top of her head. Then quite suddenly Pansy whipped around and kissed Neville, now although everyone had known there was something going on between the two, they hadn't ever seen the proof other then a few dances.

Pansy pulled away smiled up at the shocked boy then turned back to the window and peered through.

Neville turned to Ron and Blaise who stuck their thumbs up at him, then turned back to Pansy, and realised he still had his hands on her hips, quickly he took them away, that is until Pansy picked them back up and placed them where they were before.

A week later Draco lay in bed panting, it was early morning and he had just had the most amazing night. Melanie was lying beside him, trying to control her breathing. Draco smirked as he rolled onto his side and nuzzled into her neck, it was damp with sweat.

"I love you," He murmured into the soft flesh of her neck.

"I love you too," Melanie replied. "But I do hope you realise that we have to leave in a few hours, they want us signed out by ten this morning." Melanie muttered as she turned over so she was facing her husband.

"I know." Draco replied.

"Plus Hermione is up; I really want to see her," Melanie said as she traced a pattern on Draco's chest as he was now lying on his back. She kissed his collar bone before sliding out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Draco called to her.

"Shower, care to join me?"

Blaise was sitting in the living room with Susan when he heard a pop, the pair jumped apart as Draco and Melanie appeared.

Blaise was up in seconds hugging his best friend and his now wife.

"You're back!" He yelled as he engulfed his pale friend into a hug. Something that before would have never happened.

"Blaise it's great to see you!" Draco yelled just as happily. Melanie smiled at her husband and his best friend. She saw Susan and smiled brightly at her before plopping down next to her.

"How was the honeymoon?" Susan asked.

"Exhausting." Melanie said with a devilish grin. Susan laughed as Keira came bowling in.

"My baby sister! The first to get married!" Keira cried out as she engulfed Melanie into the tightest hug ever.

As Keira pulled back Christopher walked in followed by none other then Hermione, although the older girl was in crutches.

"HERMIONE!" Melanie screamed she rushed forward but didn't dare hug her friend. Too scared to hurt her. "How are you?" Melanie demanded.

"I'm fine," Hermione said softly, Melanie nodded, though noticed a faint scar passing over her cheek and cutting through her eyebrow. Melanie also noticed a few burns covering her arms, but didn't say anything, just smiled, she was so happy to have her friend back.

"I'm sorry I got married without you," Melanie said suddenly.

"What are you on about; you should have gotten married, with or without me. I think you did the right thing." Hermione said with a smile.

"So..." Melanie said looking at Christopher to Hermione pointedly.

"Yes." Hermione said getting the point.

"Really?" Melanie asked excitedly.

"Really." Hermione confirmed. Christopher looked down at her and smiled, he liked being taller then her, even if it was only by a few inches. She was taller then both Harry and Ethan, even Keira, Hermione was the only one who was nearly Christopher's height. "There's more good news." Hermione said.

"What?" Melanie asked excitedly.

"Belle and Remus can get married, be ready, it's two weeks away," Hermione told her.

"Wow. Oh Hermione this is great. I'd hug you if it weren't for fear of causing anymore pain." Melanie said as she hopped around slightly. Christopher laughed at his sister's antics, before leading the lot to the kitchen where Molly had just set out lunch.

"Melanie! You're back!" Severus called as he rushed over and hugged his god-daughter.

Then Sirius ran in.

"We need you now!" Sirius barked. "All of you!" Instantly everyone was up with wands drawn.

"Hermione don't even think of following us!" Christopher shouted.

"Hermione please, no," Emma said as she held the woman back, Hermione stamped her foot, the one that wasn't in plaster.

"Fine!" Hermione shouted and watched until it was only her and Molly left standing there. "I'll look after Juliet. She'll be lonely."

Melanie stood in the middle of the ministry near the golden fountain, her wand held to the throat of Bellatrix Lestrange, though Bellatrix also had her wand at Melanie's throat.

"Come on baby Potter... Neither of us needs to die right now," Bellatrix drawled. "You could service the Dark Lord."

"Oh really, and I wondered what my reason for being was," Melanie growled sarcastically. "And I'm a Malfoy now, I'm sure my husband won't be happy if I run off to your Lord."

"Oh of course, you are now my nephew's dear wife. What a pity, I thought he knew better!" Bellatrix snapped.

"If that's so, then why does Voldemort want me so much?" Melanie retorted as from the corner of her eye she saw Pansy get struck by a brightly coloured curse, then fall to the floor.

"Don't question him!" Bellatrix screeched, digging her wand deeper into Melanie's neck, any harder Melanie was sure the Deatheater scum would draw blood.

Harry was having no better a time. A large hooded man was relentless in sending killing curses. Not only was he worried about them hitting him, but what about those behind him.

One flew right past his ear, he didn't know if it hit a target until he heard screaming, the pained type. Then another went right by him, and the screaming stopped suddenly.

Rage like none other over came Harry as he sent his own curse. His opponent was covered in a green glow before finally hitting the floor stone cold and yet Harry couldn't bring himself look over his shoulder at who the curses had hit.

Ethan faltered slightly as he saw Melanie, he cast a stunning spell at the man he had been fighting, his hood fell back revealing a young man, no older them himself. But Ethan had bigger things to think about, running towards the fountain his aimed his wand and cast a disarming charm, Bellatrix's wand flew out of her hand, but so did Melanie's, though the younger woman didn't seem too bothered as she swung her fist and struck Bellatrix around the jaw, knocking her to the floor.

Ethan laughed silently as he saw this; he picked up Melanie's wand then threw it to her.

"Here you go little one!" He called to her; she smiled at him then continued to fight.

Christopher knew that things were going to get worse, he just knew.

He wasn't wrong.

Not seconds after Melanie received her wand another fifty or so Deatheaters appeared.

Keira tried her hardest to fight better, but she was tiring, for far too long they had been fighting, Melanie was getting slower, her aim was worsening, the same with Harry and Ethan. Tears had some how managed to find their way down her cheeks as she tried harder and harder, but soon the number became overpowering.

Fred fell to the floor exhaustion getting the better of him. George wasn't far behind.

Charlie fought on, but he was slowing down, Tonks was beside him fighting, her hair had changed somewhere along the line so the bubble gum pink was now mousy brown, and deep eyes now pale blue.

"Sirius! We can't!" Emma screamed.

"We can!" Sirius screamed. Somehow his voice was stronger and louder, it could be heard by everyone in the building. "We can fight!" He roared. "We will win!" He roared.

And it was simple. People took a deep breath and screamed their curses. They fought that bit harder, they curses were that bit stronger. Until finally once again the Deatheaters ran, but everyone had one question on their mind, why hadn't Voldemort been there?

It took several minutes before anyone had the strength to move and when they did they really wished they hadn't.

By the next day spirits were low, Fed and George Weasley were the ones who found the body of Arthur Weasley.

Christopher had recovered the body of Colin Creevey.

Hannah Abbott died later in St Mungo's.

The Patil Twins were found in their department, the Beast Division, by Louisa Babbling the head of that department.

Many other Ministry personnel were found dead.

The Weasleys were silent as they sat down and listened, words going over their heads.

"Great man... Loyal friend... Strong fighter... True Gryffindor... Loving husband... Caring father..."

Just the next day the family sat at another funeral and heard the similar lines.

"Great man... Loyal Friend... Strong fighter... True Gryffindor... Loving brother..."

It was just the same thing over and over; it was the most disheartening thing to hear.

For a while Ginny spoke to no one, family or friends, not even Harry, she locked herself away in her room, only leaving at dinner, she skipped both breakfast and lunch, and only ate part of her dinner, not enough to fill her up, surely?

"Please Ginny, talk to me," Harry begged through the door, he'd been sat there now for almost an hour finally though the door opened and Ginny appeared standing in the doorway, her eyes were red and puffy, she looked a state, pale and somewhat see through, like she had been ill for years, her hair was much like a birds nest, and her whole being didn't have the power it once did.

"I want my daddy..." Ginny said tearfully, her voice was hoarse, either from the crying or not talking for a week and a half.

Harry reached out to Ginny and engulfed her into his arms, pulling her close to him. He stroked her hair as he led her away from the doorway, closing the door behind him.

Harry let Ginny cry into his t-shirt, soaking it through very quickly. He waited until her breathing was calmer before saying anything again.

"It will be alright Gin, he's your dad, he'll always be around," Harry said softly, stroking her hair. "Just now you carry him inside. Here and here." Harry said pointing at her head and her heart. "In your memories and love."

It was a while before Ginny came back down; when she did her brothers were a lot happier. Charlie had her in his arms in seconds, kissing the top of his baby sister's head.

"Hey baby girl, Bill said softly as Ginny sat down beside him.

Ginny smiled weakly at her oldest brother, her father and brothers called her that when she was smaller.