One year later…
Hermione stood in front of the mirror, a porcelain-like face staring back at her. The doll looked somewhat sad. As though painted in nostalgia. Her hair was pulled back, in a neat and classic shape, held by a small band covered in crystals that sparkled when she moved. Her skirt was so wide, she could lift her feet and remain upright. The white material hugged her waist in a criss-cross pattern. Her hands neatly folded in front of her as she cocked her head, not recognizing the figure before her. How did it get this far? And so quickly? She took a deep breath. Her pink lips shimmered. She didn't like it. Nor did she like the white. She had always preferred champagne. Or even a blush. Not this blinding white. There was a knock at the door. She jumped.
"Hermione,"
She ran to the door to hold it closed.
"Please don't come in, its bad luck," her words tumbled out of her mouth.
"No no, of course not. I just wanted to say I love you. And I can't wait to marry you darling."
She gave a weak smile, then realized he could not see her. "Yes, thank you, now please go before someone sees."
"Alright, alright. See you in a bit." His fading footsteps confirmed he had gone. She took another deep breath and made her way back to the mirror. The dress made a ruffling sound as her train dragged behind her. It was a mess to try and carry.
She sat down. The dress was heavy. And the heels squeezed her feet. She sighed, examining her neck. The thin necklace her fiancé had given her rested there. Her fingers traced the thin line. And for just a moment she wondered what it'd be like to marry another man instead. But she shook the thought quickly from her mind. Because that simply would not be proper, two hours before she was supposed to walk down the aisle. But still…it was a nice daydream. So much had happened in such a short time. They had graduated. She had gotten the internship at the Ministry, but she didn't take it. Somehow, it no longer seemed worth it. So she stayed home that summer. Which was where she was reunited with Mark. Before she knew it he was down on one knee. Why did she say yes?
The door burst open with such a sound she twitched in her seat. Draco stood, an impressive figure in the small door frame. He looked at her and seemed to gasp, admiring her beauty. He shut the door quietly, and locked it.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, watching him make his way to her.
"There's still time. Please Hermione. You don't have to do this."
She looked away. "Yes I do."
He held her hand. She looked down, seeing her small hands in his.
"You know I do." She insisted.
"You don't have to. We can run away, right now."
"And what would that prove?"
"That you love me."
"It doesn't make a difference if I love you or not."
"You love him too, don't you?"
Her teeth clenched. What did he want from her? Angry tears rose to her eyes.
"Please," he kneeled, her hand still in his. He pulled out a little black box. Her heart pounded hard against her chest.
"What are you-"
"Marry me." She pulled her hand away and stood up. Her head hurt.
"Stop it. I'm serious. Does commitment mean nothing to you? You're engaged. I'm engaged. Your wedding is two weeks from now! And mine in less than two hours. It's over. Stop twisting the knife, Draco. Why can't you see that?" she brought her hand up to her forehead. He pulled her close, despite the poufy skirt's resistance.
"Right now, I only see you." She couldn't breathe. It was the perfect moment. The perfect last moment.
"Draco you'll die."
"I don't care."
Molly came yelling from across the hall.
"You have to go," her voice was a rushed panic.
"Come with me." He urged.
"No."
"Please."
"Go!"
With a sharp crack he was gone, and Molly barged through the door. "Hermione! Oh Hermione you look gorgeous! I have your bouquet for you honey, don't you worry." As she got closer, Molly noticed the smudged makeup. "Oh heavens child! Have you been crying?"
"To be honest I'm terribly nervous." She lied, wiping the stray tears from her eyes. Molly gave a hearty laugh and pulled up a chair. "Sit, now, let's see if we can fix you up." As Molly worked to fix her face, Hermione could only think of Draco. Where had he apparated to? What if she had gone with him? What would become of the man fated to watch her walk down the aisle?
She sighed. There were too many 'what ifs.' Draco would die if he didn't marry Astoria. Hermione didn't have a choice. The least she could do was try to move on with her own life.
"This is such a happy day." Molly began.
Oh no, she thought.
Molly stopped to look at her, pride shining in her eyes, as though Hermione were her own daughter. "You look so beautiful. You'll make Mark very happy." Hermione smiled at her. She thought so too.
But will he make you happy? Draco's voice poisoned her thoughts. She'd be happy. Enough.
Draco paced furiously in front of his fireplace. A sudden burst of floo interrupted his thoughts. Astoria stumbled to get out. She was drunk. Again. "Can't your bloody bloke get you home at a decent hour?" he growled. She gave a drunk laugh. High pitched and loud. "Sorry hubby. I figured you'd be with your slut. Oh wait, isn't she getting married today?" she hiccupped.
He slapped her hard across the face. In her drunken state she fell to the ground. "Don't you dare disrespect her. She's twice the woman you'll ever be." His voice boomed.
"And Jason's twice the man you'll ever be!" she whined.
Draco calmly walked over to serve himself fire whiskey. "I'm sure. What is it he does again? Oh, yes. He's a waiter."
"He's decent and he's honest! He loves me!"
"He loves your money."
"I don't care how poor he is!"
"Because you're living off of your dead father's money. And soon you'll live off of mine. If you don't kill me first." He took a large gulp.
"Oh shut up!" she threw her purse at him. "Shut up shut up shut up!" With hands over her ears she stormed out of the room.
Draco leaned over the table and looked at the clock. One hour and twenty-seven minutes until she was lost to him forever.
He closed his eyes. She looked beautiful. An angel in white. But her eyes were tinted with sadness. His heart tugged at the fact that it was his fault. His hands slammed down on the table. He understood his side of the problem. He was betrothed to Astoria since before they had been born. As were his parents. And his parents' parents. And everyone before that. But Hermione? She was free. Mostly. But by the time he had gotten back to her it was too late. She was already engaged. To a bloody muggle.
Draco had to be at the wedding. Even if he wasn't waiting for her at the end of the aisle. He had been formally invited, after all. He grabbed his coat, some floo, and was off.
Upon arriving, he stumbled into the muggle. "Hey! Glad you're here. Hermione will be happy to see you." He gave an enthusiastic handshake.
"Right," Draco nodded, "Congratulations."
"Thanks man." He gave the goofiest smile. Draco made his way through the hall and out into the garden. A small ceremony, no doubt. That's all they had space for.
"Alright then, you got everything you need?" Hermione couldn't breathe. It couldn't possibly be happening already could it? She was almost sure she had another forty-five minutes of freedom. "I, um, I think so." Molly was grinning from ear to ear.
"My mother-"
"Tending to the caterers. Don't you worry, dear. We have it under control."
Hermione went through her checklist. Her hair was fine. Her face was made up again, thanks to Molly. She had her something old, her mother's bracelet hanging loosely on her small wrist. Her something new, her dress. Something borrowed, the sparkling headpiece which belonged to Fleur. Something blue. She checked the inside fabric of her sweetheart neckline. It wasn't there. Her eyes grew wide and she began to sweat. At that moment her mother entered the room.
"I don't have something blue." Hermione breathed.
"What's that dear?"
"I can't get married. I-I I don't have the blue. The seamstress, she…she didn't…I can't." she was starting to sweat. Her head was pounding. She was really panicking now.
"Oh it'll be quite all right deary, it's just muggle superstition-"
"It's tradition! This is important to me!" Hermione snapped.
Molly was taken aback.
"Sweetheart. Take a breath." Her mother insisted.
"I'm sorry, I just…I need everything to be perfect. I can't. Not without the blue."
"I'm not sure we have anything to substitute…" Molly began. Hermione thought she may begin to cry once more. The corset suddenly felt very tight. She shook her head.
"We'll take a look around the house sweetheart." Her mother insisted. Both she and Molly left the room together.
Hermione tried to pace around the room. But it felt so small. She felt so powerless. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Why hadn't she checked in advance? Where would she find something blue on such short notice?
She collapsed on the ground. The skirt spread like a cloud around her. Her hands were placed perfectly in her lap as she stared at the ground, trying to breathe. Maybe it really wasn't too late for her to back out. She could disappear right now. But where would that leave Mark? No, she couldn't do that to him. This is what was expected of them. And she'd complete it, as promised. Even if her heart didn't agree. But she wouldn't exactly be unhappy either. He was a good man. He truly was. And she'd forget Draco soon enough. Yes. Soon enough.
Draco had already drunk nearly all the champagne and was not in the least bit tipsy. If anything he felt as though his senses were sharper. The ceremony was due to start any minute. His hands itched. He didn't know where to put them. That was when Ginny and Harry approached him. "Good to see you Malfoy." Harry said, offering his hand. Draco shook it. "Potter." He said with a nod. Ginny smiled. "How're you doing?" she hugged him. "I'm alright." He said, swirling the drink in his glass. "Where's Astoria?" she said, looking around. "Oh, she won't be here. Got a bit sick unfortunately. We thought it best she stay home."
"Oh the poor thing! Please tell her I miss her. We haven't gone out for tea in ages!"
Harry shot him a look so as to say, 'Wives! What can you do?'
Draco assured Ginny he'd pass on the message. A few more words were exchanged and they moved on to one of the other guests. Perhaps that was why Draco couldn't stand Astoria. Despite her being an alcoholic. She was just like Ginny. Too bubbly and too annoying.
"Here we are!" Molly practically shook the walls. "Oh goodness gracious!" she nearly jumped backwards, finding Hermione still on the floor. "Get up child! You're going to wrinkle your dress!"
"Did you find something?" Hermione said, struggling to get up. The dress weighed her down. Molly had to hold her up for support.
"Alright. Now hold still." She pinned the thin blue ribbon to inside lining of her corset.
"Better now dear?" Her mother asked.
Hermione took a deep breath. "Yes." Her voice was shaky.
Draco did his best to avoid Lavendar and Ron at all costs. Those two were as whiny as they come. Instead he waited patiently in his seat and thought. He remembered the first time they had met. Well, officially met. How they had confided in each other. How they had become friends, and then, more than friends. And then the mess that was Hogwarts…he shook his head, and tried not to think about that part. It made his heart ache almost more than he could bear.
When Hermione emerged from the back door it was like everyone held their breath. The march began. Hermione was thankful for the obtrusive ball gown. It didn't allow anyone to see her legs shaking. Nor did it give her away. She held tightly to her bouquet. She had always hated the wedding march. It sounded so ugly to her. She could've sworn her ears were bleeding.
Draco couldn't help but to take angry breaths. He didn't exactly hate the man up at the altar. But that man was marrying Hermione Granger. And Hermione Granger would soon become Hermione Walters. And he wanted nothing more than for her to become Hermione Malfoy instead.
Hermione stared into the playful brown eyes. He smiled at her. She managed a weak smile of her own.
"Do you, Mark Walters, take Hermione Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." He said, rocking back and forth on his heels.
There was a loud crack and Astoria appeared at the end of the aisle. "I object."
A/N: And so it continues! Ok so, school starts tomorrow and I also have a job so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next. Thank you all for your support and for reading ^^ Hope you enjoyed this week's chapter!