Chapter 19: Hitched
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. - Groucho Marx
A/N: Quick note here at the beginning to say that this is a mammoth chapter! Longest I've ever written, but it's been a long wait for you guys so here you go, enjoy!
The mist had yet to melt into the morning air, hanging low over the single cobblestone street that wound its way up the village. Pass empty cottages, the butcher's and the bakery until it reached the elegant abode resting on the highest outcrop of the village, where it had stood for the past four hundred years.
A powerful Muggle-repellent spell had been cast to evacuate this tiny village with population of forty, convinced that they were all taking a big fishing trip for the next two days.
When asked if she felt guilty for essentially lying to the villagers, Pansy sniffed, "I rented the house legitimately, and I offered to pay the villagers to stay away, but they refused. So don't say I didn't try! And don't worry, I rented a fantastic yacht for them. They'll have the time of their lives!"
Hermione herself felt rather guilty for going into the baker's and taking a croissant (or two) that had been freshly baked for that morning, but she didn't think that she'd need any Muggle money, and she'd hate to see the bread go to waste.
She arrived the night before, and had a peaceful night's sleep in her guest room with a beautiful view over the river that sloped down the village in a gentle serpentine. The ceremony was taking in the back garden of the mansion, right by the river, and Hermione could hear the activity as workers rushed to complete the scene.
She paused and watched for a moment. A beautiful stone arch has been erected with the beautiful backdrop of mountains and distant villages, and was now being wreathed in flowers. One man was casting multiple Geminio spells on elegant white chairs on both sides of the aisle, and another was weaving a carpet of petals from his wand.
Finishing up the first croissant, Hermione magically shrunk the spare and tucked it into her jacket pocket. She was going to need the energy this morning - Merlin knew dressing women was probably more work than dressing children.
All the bloody doors on this corridor looked the same. Faded white frames with ornate door handles, in the typical rustically charming fashion of rural France. So far, he'd barged through five different but equally wrong doors and he still hadn't found Zabini.
Marching past yet another massive vase of sunflowers that Pansy undoubtedly picked out, Draco reached the last two doors on the carpeted hallway. Looking left and right dispassionately, he sighed loudly and reached out to fling open the door on the right without bothering to knock.
"Draco! What are you doing?"
He couldn't help the upturn of his lips into a genuine smile. Pansy was standing in front of a floor-length mirror in her wedding dress in the middle of the sun-drenched room, looking absolutely radiant.
"Walked into the wrong room," replied Draco at long last, and in two long strides he'd crossed the room and given her a peck on the cheek. "You look beautiful, Pans."
"Thanks darling," grinned Pansy, giving him a quick hug. "And you thought this day would never come. Proved you wrong, didn't we?"
Draco was about to reply when the door opened again with a click. Granger bustled through, levitating a trail of flowers behind her. "I got the flowers, they were just underneath the baskets... Oh, hi Malfoy."
He nearly winced at the way Granger's grin slid off her face when she spotted him. Nearly.
He gave her a small nod of acknowledgement. "Granger. I'd better go. I need to go help Blaise with his bow tie, you know how useless he is."
Pansy nodded and fluttered her fingers at him, already distracted by the flowers that were now hovering in front of her for her perusal. "Alright, darling. I'll see you at the ceremony!"
Pausing at the door, Draco looked over his shoulder with the intention of catching Granger's eyes for a "see you later".
She wasn't looking.
"So, how is Kate?"
"Don't know, don't care," answered Draco monotonously, staring out of the French windows in Blaise's room, which happened to be on an entirely different floor of the house.
"Why don't you just tell Hermione why you're going with Kate?" asked Blaise as he shrugged on his starched white shirt.
Draco snorted. "What, that I have to because I want to buy her father's company? Don't think so."
Stopping in front of the mirror to do up the buttons, Blaise said, "It's a better reason than none at all."
"Do you not know Granger? Principle is her bloody middle name. She's allergic to any kind of pandering. And what I'm doing is definitely Grade A pandering."
Blaise arched an eyebrow and stared straight at him in the mirror. "But Draco, pandering is what you do. If she can't take that then you're barking up the wrong tree, mate."
"Don't be ridiculous. Pandering is just one thing I do."
"True," agreed Blaise, now tucking his shirt into his dress pants. "Let's see, you also lie, make threats, blackmail, and I'm pretty sure you've had affairs with more than one married woman..."
"For fuck's sake, just get your fat arse over here and let me get that bow tie on you," interrupted Draco with a growl, snatching the said object from the dressing table. "I still don't understand why you don't just transfigure it. It's such a bloody pain in the arse."
Spinning around on his heels, Blaise walked over to the dressing table and sat down with a cocky grin. "Tradition matters, my dear boy. Surely a Malfoy would know that?"
Draco was about to slap the back of his head when the door opened without so much of a prelude. He promptly grinned at the panic in Zabini's eyes as their stares met in the mirror.
"Bugger me," he grumbled before putting on a forced smile. "Mother! How in Merlin's beard you find me?"
"That Granger girl pointed me this way," replied Ms Zabini with a dismissive wave of her bejewelled hand. Draco had only met Blaise's mother a handful of times after she retired from her highflying career as a West Midlands socialite. Still striking in middle age, she flipped her glossy hair over her shoulder and studied her son critically. "Well, there's not much we can do about that hair now, is there?"
"Oh, shut it, mother," grumbled Blaise as he stood up, and gave her a peck on the cheek before enveloping his much smaller mother in a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
"Pish posh, of course I could make it to my darling son's wedding! Merlin knows I've waited too long for a grandchild!"
"Well, I didn't think it was the right time when you were still busy getting married," replied Blaise smartly, which earned him a sharp slap on the side of his head. "Ow, mother! I was joking! Did you bring Callum?"
"Yes, and you would do well to be nice to him," said Ms. Zabini sternly, before turning to Draco. "Why, Draco, I haven't seen you in years, you look positively handsome!"
"And you are as beautiful as you were when I last saw you on the platform in King's Cross, Ms. Zabini" said Draco smoothly, pressing a closed-lip kiss on the back of her hand, knowing it would wind Blaise up.
Ms. Zabini chuckled. "Such a charmer, why do you never invite Draco over for dinner?"
Blaise grunted. "Alright, that's enough, why don't you go talk to Pansy? I'll see you at the ceremony."
Despite being ushered out of the room, Ms. Zabini managed to blow Draco a kiss before Blaise slammed the door behind her. "Must you do that? It's disturbing!"
"It's funny," corrected Draco.
"I really don't think watching my mother trying to get into your pants is funny, Malfoy."
"It's an acquired taste, Zabini," he winked insolently.
"Breathe, Zabini, breathe," instructed Draco under his breath.
Blaise had frozen, as stiff as a board, when the gentle music of the orchestra invited all 35 guests of the intimate ceremony to be seated. Among them Draco spotted familiar faces from Hogwarts - Theodore Nott, Astoria Greengrass and even some Gryffindors, including Bill Weasley who was going out with Fleur. A select few papparazi were dotted around the venue, snapping away with their cameras.
"I don't think I've ever been more terrified," admitted Blaise in a low murmur, running a shaky hand through his hair.
"What about when you proposed?"
"Yeah, that kind of cuts it. Except there was no audience and I could've just jumped off a building if she said no."
"Relax, you'll be great. And she won't say no, Pansy loves you," said Draco with uncharacteristic consideration and gave him a firm pat on the back.
Blaise turned to flash him a toothy smile. "Awwww, that's so nice, Drakey."
"You're such a wanker."
The master of ceremony was waiting by the arch, and any minute the bridesmaids would emerge from the drawing room. Draco had to admit that he was nervous as well. Irrationally, really, since his only role was to walk Pansy down the aisle.
His eyes scanned the seated crowd, and one head with flowing blond hair that matched his swivelled around with a red-lipped smile.
He smiled back politely.
"Hello Draco," cooed Blaise in a high voice as Kate waved at Draco. "I wanna be your special friend- oof! Was that necessary! Feels like you bruised a rib!"
"You deserve it for being such a twat," deadpanned Draco. "I don't have to deal with her and your shit."
Draco's head swung towards the glass doors on the patio as they opened with a quiet squeak, letting Granger out. She was wearing heels today, and she was tip-toeing down the three wide steps trying to make as little noise as possible. He let his eyes sweep from her side-swept updo to the glimpses of leg that peeked out from the slit in her floor-length dress. Appreciatively.
"Close your mouth, mate. You're embarrassing, really."
Draco shot Blaise a glare but did as he told.
Granger walked over to them, hitching the hem of her dress up and gave them a shy smile.
"The bridesmaids are ready," she whispered to Blaise when she got close enough. "So you follow them when-"
"When they've all gone down the aisle, got it," reassured Blaise with a wink.
She turned to Draco, and he noticed that she was wearing makeup today. Her eyes looked nice, lined in soft brown and bronze.
"- Malfoy, won't you just pay attention?"
Snapping out of it, he blinked, and took a wild guess as to what Granger was talking about. "And... I walk Pansy down the aisle?"
"Yes, then make sure you stand in such a way that you aren't blocking the cameras."
"I'm sure the photographers are perfectly capable of moving."
"Actually, there are some pretty strict wards set up, so they can only move so much. Just stay out of the way."
The lead cello glided into the first mellow notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. The glass doors opened as the violins joined in, and the three bridesmaids - Millicent, Tracey, Daphne - appeared, wearing dusty pink gowns that grazed their ankles.
"Good luck, mate," said Draco with a firm squeeze of Blaise's shoulder.
When Millicent started walking down the aisle, clutching a small bouquet of white and violet magnolias, Hermione shuffled closer to Malfoy and asked quietly, "Why are you walking Pansy down the aisle? Her parents are alive, no?"
"They're estranged," replied Malfoy quietly, his eyes ahead. "Her mother doesn't want her to marry Zabini, and her father is a pushover, so he wasn't allowed to come. He still gives Pansy money, obviously, since it's not cheap being a socialite in London."
"Why not Blaise? He's rich, successful and he's a great guy."
Daphne Greengrass walked down the aisle next, who caught her sister's eye in the crowd and smiled broadly.
Malfoy's eyebrow quirked at Hermione's comment. "You know he's about to get married, yes?" At her evil eye, he said, "His mother is a complete joke, pretty much the laughing stock of rich pureblood housewives. Not to mention she ripped apart some families in the process of re-marrying six times - the pureblood circle isn't that large. And Pansy was meant to marry someone better."
That piqued her interest. "Who?"
He shot her a cocky look. "Me."
Their brief conversation ended when Blaise started his brisk walk, following Tracey Davis who was halfway down the aisle. The poor man was fidgety and visibly nervous, and completely missed the looks of support Malfoy and herself were offering.
Staring at Blaise's back, Hermione decided that she couldn't quite tell if Malfoy was joking or not. However, rumours of an arranged marriage between them were rife back in the Hogwarts days. Before she could figure it out, she realised that Blaise had already reached the end of the aisle, and she turned around to see Pansy waiting by the doors.
A reverent calm befell the garden as all stood and turned to look at the bride. Happy tears stung her eyes, tears that she tried futilely to blink away. The dress looked perfect on her, and she was so utterly happy as the morning sun pooled around her. She felt Malfoy square his shoulders and step forward as Pansy gracefully descended the stairs. She mouthed "thank you" to Hermione as Draco took her hand and placed it on his forearm, closing his palm on the back of her fingers tenderly.
"Ready?" she heard Malfoy ask quietly.
Looking down the aisle, Hermione could see the love in Blaise's eyes even from this distance. She sniffed a little bit more as Pansy nodded with resolve, and declared, "Hell yes."
The silver and champagne gold balloons hovering close to the arch burst into doves and rose petals as the two shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Draco grinned widely and applauded along with the rest of the crowd, throwing in a wolf whistle for good measure.
"Well done for not stuttering over 'I do', Zabini," he joked, throwing his arms around his best mate for a tight squeeze.
"I'm married!" whooped Blaise when Draco let go, pumping a fist in the air before drawing Pansy close for another kiss. "I love you!"
Giggling, Pansy said, "I love you too, you sappy bastard. Let's go get some champagne!"
Draco chuckled as the newly weds walked back up the aisle, tangled in each other's arms, laughing and greeting friends and family, followed by the bridesmaids. He watched when they reached where Granger was standing, and both encased her in a warm hug.
Who would've guessed Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini would be hugging Hermione Granger like old friends? Pigs must be flying somewhere.
He turned at a tap on his shoulder.
"My, my, what do we have here?" he drawled, a lopsided smile creeping into his face.
"An old friend, you bugger," replied Theodore Nott, holding out a hand that Draco shook. "How have you been, you old devil?"
"Just fine," he said easily. "I heard you moved to Switzerland."
"No taxes, bloody amazing salaries, and Scandinavian women don't live that far away," said Theo by way of explanation, winking at the last part.
"I could've gone without knowing that," said Astoria Greengrass as she joined the duo, leaning close for a kiss on the cheek. "Hello Draco, I've missed you."
"Astoria," smiled Draco. "You look amazing."
"Eat your heart out," his ex-flame half-joked, flashing a pink diamond in his face. "I'm engaged!"
Draco's eyes widened in complete surprise. "Congratulations are indeed in order. Who's the lucky man?"
"Oliver, Oliver Wood."
He frowned almost quizzically. "The Gryffindor Quidditch player? My, your tastes have changed."
She shoved him playfully. "Well, he's out of the country with the Puddlemeres right now, so-"
Theo rolled his eyes. "I can't take this sexual tension any more. Let's go to lunch, shall we?"
"Alright. We have to take those boats," replied Draco, turning around to point to the swan-shaped boats waiting on the water. "Pansy insists on lunching on this tiny islet just down the river."
Theo scoffed. "What in the name of Dumbledore is an islet?"
"A small island," replied Astoria with a sigh.
"I just have to speak to someone before I go. Wait for me by the boats."
With that, Draco started to walk towards the house, where most of the guests had congregated and were slowly ferried onto the boats. He craned his neck, and caught sight of Granger, surrounded by Fleur, Weasley and the Patel twins. His feet slowed of their own accord. He knew Fleur well, but the rest-
"Draco!"
He all but cringed as the voice piped up behind him, knowing it could only belong to one person.
"Hello, Kate," he said through gritted teeth as he turned around.
She cocked her head to one side, one shaped eyebrow arched, as if waiting for him to say something.
Oh right, of course. He bit the insides of his mouth and said the obligatory, "You look lovely."
To be fair, she did. Wearing a classy red dress that swept the floor and loose blond waves, she was the very picture of glamour. He focused and tried hard to be interested, knowing that the paparazzi were probably fervently photographing their meeting now.
"Thank you," she simpered, clearly pleased with his attention. "Shall we fetch an aperitif before we get into the boats? I managed to get a private one for just the two of us."
Suppressing a sigh, Draco lifted his eyes to see Theo and Astoria waiting with champagnes in hand; then to Granger, who was still chatting away with her mates.
Taking Kate's hand in his, but careful to keep it palm against palm instead of something more intimate, he let her pull them towards the bar. He could hear the irritating pops of cameras as the paparazzi picked up on them.
Turning his head so she wouldn't see him, and not particularly caring if the photographers did, Draco childishly made a face and muttered, "Just my fucking luck."
The charmed swan boat sailed leisurely down the river, passing by picturesque cottages crowded onto the water front. Hermione was surprised that their balconies had not long collapsed from the sheer weight of the flowers and weeds that grew from pots and hanging bowls.
Fleur sighed dreamily and adjusted her sunglasses. "Ze wedding ees just so romantic. Pansy should plan weddings as a career."
Bill arched an eyebrow, tucking a blond lock behind his girlfriend's ear. "A highly rewarding career choice, I must say."
Hermione's lips quirked at the characteristically sarcastic comment from the more subdued of the Weasley's, but stayed quiet. Savouring the peace of the early afternoon, she drank in the impossibly green scenery in the first blushes of summer.
Sinking deeper into the comfortable pillows, Parvati asked, "Who's the girl Malfoy is with? She looks absolutely fabulous. I must ask her where she got her lipstick."
"You don't know who she is? Really, Parvati, I thought you were the gossip queen," replied Padma, putting on an expression of disbelief.
"And you say it like it's a bad thing!"
"I theenk she's zee daughter of some business mogul," interjected Fleur. She added with wrinkle of her nose. "Teepical choice of Draco's."
"How come you didn't bring a date, Hermione?" asked Parvati chattily. "We saw all those stories about Viktor Krum in the papers a while ago."
"Oh, gods no, we were just friends, and still are," she replied quickly, laughing it off. "I'm single. And since I need to help Pansy change into four other dresses today, I didn't think it would be fun for my date even if I brought one."
Parvati sighed heavily. "I just hate being single. Would you like to go man-hunting some time, 'Mione? Padma refuses to go with me. And all the Gryffindor girls are taken. They are such a bore." She whispered the last part conspiratorially, earning a chuckle from everyone on the boat.
Hermione grinned. "That could be arranged."
With a gentle bump against the bank, she realised that they had reached the islet. The boat wobbled as they all stood to admire the scene laid out before them.
"Oh, this is just so sweet!" exclaimed Padma, her palms closing over her heart in a quintessentially girly gesture.
And sweet it was. Two long wooden tables were decked out in white china and sprinkled with what looked like every flower that grew under the sun. Instead of individual chairs, sofas lined the length of the tables, topped with mismatched cushions.
"Climbing into a seat may prove interesting," remarked Bill dryly as he easily hopped onto the grass. "Come on, my love."
Hermione shrieked as the boat wobbled rather violently as both Fleur and Padma launched themselves onto the grassy bank.
"Oh, don't be such babies!" tutted Fleur as she turned back to give Parvati a hand, who was fretting over dirtying her expensive shoes. And suddenly Hermione was rather alone on the rocking boat.
She groaned as she half-crouched, willing the boat to steady itself. "Oh bugger! This is embarrassing." She looked up with flushing cheeks to see her boatmates all standing in an arc, suppressing their smiles rather poorly.
"Come on, 'Mione, brightest witch of our age, surely you can get out of a boat?" teased Parvati.
"The boat's charmed to not flip over, don't worry," said Bill reasonably. "Here, I'll give you a hand-"
Hermione looked down to gather the long hem of her dress in one hand, and reached out with the other, too occupied to notice that whose hand actually tugged her onto the islet a bit too hard. So hard that her left cheek smacked right against the person's chest.
"Ow-" she began to moan, lifting her eyes to chide Bill for the excessive force, but stopped short at Malfoy's amused smirk.
Hermione dropped the hem she was holding onto and rubbed her cheek self-consciously, mumbling, "Heavy-handed much, Malfoy?"
Ignoring her, he turned around and sniffed at the others. "Aren't you lot a helpful bunch?"
Fleur chuckled harmlessly. "Oh, Draco dear, 'ave a sense of 'umour! Bill was about to 'elp 'er up. Come and give me a 'ug!"
Only when Malfoy let go of her hand did she realise he was still holding it. She snatched it back belatedly, curling her fingers into her palms as the old friends hugged, not missing the still wary way Bill eyed the exchange. Catching the Weasley's eye, Hermione smiled reassuringly over the crest of Fleur's head.
A flash of red caught her eye, and her face swung towards Draco's companion for the day. At least a head taller than Hermione, she was imposing to say the least. Squirming, she berated herself silently for feeling uncomfortable.
In fact, she felt like the insecure teenager she once was back in Hogwarts.
Unexpectedly, this woman apparently named Kate caught her gaze and she flashed a brilliant smile - all red lips and perfectly straight teeth. "Miss Granger! Draco promised to introduce me, looks like there's no need now. Pleasure to meet you. I'm Kate Younger."
Slipping her hand in Kate's for a firm shake, Hermione offered a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Kate."
"These are my colleagues from Hogwarts," piped up Draco, staying by Fleur's side. Everyone murmured a 'nice to meet you, Kate'.
"I was just about to tell Miss Granger how much I admire her talent," said Kate with a gracious smile.
"You're really too kind."
"Draco told me about all these dresses you made for him," she continued, with a humorous arch of her eyebrows that made Parvati giggle, and Bill looked outright confused.
Malfoy coughed and looked like he wanted to roll his eyes, but didn't. Hermione smiled a little bit. "He is definitely a loyal customer."
"I don't want to be too forward, but in the future if you need a model for any campaigns, I'll be the first to volunteer!"
"I'll keep that in mind," replied Hermione noncommitally. She fancied she heard Fleur mutter to Draco. "Well, I'd theenk I was first in line!"
"Fantastic. Shall we head over to the table now, Draco? I'd like to get that seat right under the willow tree..."
Lunch was drawing to a close. Plates were disappearing with a pop here and there as guests finished up the delicious finale of Tarte aux Pommes. Somewhat prophetically, the Slytherins were seated at one table, and the Gryffindors were at the other. Draco quickly glanced over to the latter. Granger had her back to him, but he still saw her profile when she occasionally turned sideways to talk to one of the Patel twins.
Pansy was close to tipsy, bursting into shrieks of laughter with her bridesmaids as if they were still sharing a dorm in Slytherin. Blaise handled his champagne with a bit more aptitude, slurring over his words only every ten minutes or so. Despite the fact that they were talking to completely different sides of the table, their fingers were still tightly laced, and Pansy's giant diamond ring caught the afternoon light brilliantly.
Disgusting PDA, thought Draco sullenly.
Truth to be told, Draco was rather bored. He picked churlishly at the remaining bits of the tart when Astoria smacked the back of his hand.
"What?" He snapped defensively at her chiding stare.
"Really, Draco, you could be such a child. Why the moping?"
Astoria's comment garnered the attention of most of the Slytherins at the table, and Draco glowered at them. "Nothing. Just tired, that's all."
"Tired?" Shrilled Pansy. "But it's only three o'clock!"
"No need to shout, Parkinson," grumbled Draco with a wince.
Kate shot him an amused look, and said, "If I didn't know better I'd think you're bored with my company."
"Of course not," he said through gritted teeth.
"Don't worry, Draco has his moodswings," giggled Pansy, which was backed up by an "absolutely" from Astoria. Kate grinned, thoroughly amused.
"Merlin," grumbled Draco, standing up abruptly. His seat immediately disappeared, allowing him to step through the gap before re-appearing.
"Where you off to Malfoy?" called out Blaise.
"Taking a piss in the river," he snapped moodily.
"Flogging your log, you mean," said Theo loudly. "There's a bush down there if you fancy some privacy!"
What a bunch of idiots, he thought darkly, intent on catching some minutes of peace before he had to go back. His earlier good mood had dissipated like the sparkling wine at the table, leaving him with a dull, throbbing dissatisfaction. He pinched his nose, grimacing at the thought that the festivities would carry on way beyond midnight before he would be allowed to go to bed.
The grass crunched behind him and his shoulders tensed at the prospect of unwelcome companionship.
He was baffled when he heard a zipper being undone. "No peeking, Malfoy."
Draco groaned at the sound of liquid hitting water. "For fuck's sake, Nott, do you have to do this next to me?"
"What? I thought you were taking a piss. Just trying to be friendly."
"I was joking."
"I didn't find it funny." Finishing up, Theo zipped up and grinned.
"Nor are you," glowered Draco. "What do you want?"
"What, can't I spend some quality time with my mate?" clucked Theo.
"Say what you came to say."
Draco nearly jumped when Theo unexpectedly flicked him on his forehead. "For fuck's sake! What are you, eight?"
"Says the one who is sulking like a child."
"I'm not sulking."
"You look like you sat on a pineapple," said Theo. "Your best friends got married today and you have the most beautiful woman here sitting next to you. Smile a little, you ungrateful bastard!"
"You can have her if you want," said Draco uncaringly.
Nott whistled. "Careful now. You don't want the papers picking that up."
"What?"
"You think I'm dense? Katherine Younger is the heiress to Douglas Younger's fortune. A pretty young thing like her obviously wants her three minutes of fame, what easier way of getting it than coming to a grand wedding with heavy paparazzi presence?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow at his friend, who grinned, clearly pleased with himself. He went on. "And I hear there are quite a lot of bids on Younger Senior's business. What's a better way to butter him up for a good deal than giving his precious little girl some publicity? By the way, don't feel the need to bow at my feet for my intelligence, Malfoy."
Well, there was no point in denying the truth. "You've always been frightfully observant," conceded Draco.
Cockily, Nott folded his fingers neatly into his palm and rubbed his nails against his chest, blowing away imaginary dust. "I'm guessing your girlfriend isn't happy about it. Still, that's not an excuse. It's our friends' wedding, pull that pineapple out of your arse and smile a bit."
Twisting his lips into a pout, Draco sighed. "Fine, mum."
They lounged in a comfortable silence for a bit before Theo asked, "You know who I'm going to screw tonight?"
"Who?"
"Your girlfriend. You'd have to point her out to me first, though."
Draco rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long day.
The day crept away stealthily, and late afternoon - verging on dusk - saw Hermione draped on a hammock in the back garden, her heels abandoned on the ground beneath her. One leg dangled lazily over the side, and she cupped a cold glass of Pimms on her belly.
She had imbibed a bit more than expected, but not as much as Pansy, who was on the hammock next to her, nursing a hot chamomile to regain some sobriety before dinner.
The alcohol had loosened her tongue, and since they were alone, Hermione broke the amiable silence. "I heard something strange today."
"Mmmhmm?" asked Pansy, who had been admiring her wedding and engagement rings.
"Malfoy said... he said you were meant to marry him," she blurted out.
Dropping her hand abruptly, Pansy burst out laughing, and Hermione wasn't sure what that meant.
"So I guess that didn't happen?"
"No, no, I was. My crazy bat of a mother arranged that when we were children, but it was never going to happen. Especially since Draco's parents died and I fell in love with Blaise." Pansy gave her a meaningful look. "So don't you worry, Hermione."
"What?"
"I heard you're dating Draco."
She flushed and hurriedly corrected her. "I'm not. We went on a couple of dates, that's all."
Pansy flashed her a decidedly mischievous grin. "I think that's pretty big news in Draco-land. I can't remember the last time he went on a date that wasn't for the purpose of mass media consumption."
Hermione frowned. Mass media consumption? The cogs in her head creaked embarrassingly slowly, weighed down by the alcohol. Her eyes wandered over to Kate, who had changed into a mint green gown for the soiree, then to Draco who was standing next to her, then to the cameras flashing away. Younger, Younger... where had she heard that name?
Her eyes widened. Of course. Younger and Company, the private equity giant.
She must have looked like she was brooding, as Pansy frowned. "I don't know how well you know Draco, but I've known his all his life, through his worst and his best. As bad as it sounds, his business is all Draco has now. He does anything to make sure it does well. And I mean anything. That doesn't make him a bad person, just a pragmatic one."
"I don't think he's a bad person, though he is a right prick at times," admitted Hermione. "It's just -" she paused and bit her bottom lip. "I don't know if I'm good enough for him."
Pansy frowned. "Good enough?" Then her eyes widened. "If you're talking about the Muggle thing, I swear I will slap your silly head Hermione-"
"No, no! Of course not. It's not that. It's just," she hesitated, then swung her hand generally in the direction of Kate. "Look at her. She's the kind of person you'd expect to see with Draco. All glamorous, high society."
"Pish posh!" tutted Pansy. "Do you actually think Draco is that shallow?"
"It's not about shallowness, it's just how he's been brought up and how he lives. I mean, you and Blaise come from the same background but you manage to be absolutely lovely in spite of it. But Malfoy is the furthest thing from down-to-earth, and I don't think that's my type. At all," finished Hermione, her shoulders slumped.
Pansy wrinkled her nose. "Types! There are no types, 'Mione. There are men. And then there are more men. It sounds like you're rationalising all this, if you asked me!"
She pursed her lips in protest. "I'm not. I'm just thinking."
"Well, you sure are thinking too hard," teased Pansy.
"Shouldn't I be?"
Pansy gave her a knowing look. "But you said you're not even dating - why are you doing so much thinking?"
That silenced Hermione for a little bit, and she took a big swig of her Pimms and mumbled behind her glass an "I don't know."
The bride grinned. "There'll be a time for questions, darling, but not tonight. It's my wedding, and I forbid you to do any more thinking!"
A sweet tinkle of silver against glass seeped into Hermione's awareness, and the warm buzz of conversation under the marquee slowly dimmed to a low murmur.
Her eyes quickly found Malfoy standing up at the bride and groom's table. It was time for the best man's speech.
"How bad do you think this will be?" asked Bill, his voice filled with dread, before tucking back a mouthful of wine to steel himself against the inevitable.
Hermione propped an elbow on the table and rested her chin on her palm. She watched Malfoy as he stood easily, his shoulders relaxed. He had dressed in a sleek black suit instead of traditional robes for this warm evening, and he looked perfectly comfortable being the centre of attention.
Wetting his lips, he began in a mischievous tone. "Pansy and I were promised to each other when we were still in diapers, and for a while I thought it was going well, especially when she gave me my first kiss when I was twelve."
He paused as the dinner party laughed politely. "But being the unconventional woman that she is, she chose to marry my best friend instead. It still makes me cringe when I think of how I used to ask Blaise for dating advice." Blaise grinned widely and winked when he caught Hermione's eye.
"You know, the three of us came from broken families, that's probably one reason why we've stuck together throughout thick and thin. But it doesn't matter anymore," Malfoy paused dramatically, soaking in the silence. "Because these two are about to make a new one. So have fun on your honeymoon, I hope you enjoy my late father's house on the Amalfi coast - bless his rotten soul. And when you come back that's when the real work begins - I want a godchild onto whom I can pass my legendary wit and pranks. I love you two. I wish you both a wonderful life together."
Applause engulfed the marquee as Blaise got up and gave his best friend in what could only be described as a bear hug, before turning to hoist a teary Pansy up for a playful spin.
He looked so happy.
Hermione swallowed thickly. The alcohol was really getting to her now, and she felt the remnants of her self-control literally being disarmed by his smile. She had ignored Malfoy all day, and it hadn't been easy. Suddenly all she could think of was him, and she felt a flush heating the skin of her cheeks.
As if sensing her stare, Draco looked up, straight at her. She managed a smile and mouthed, "Good speech." He didn't smile back, and just stared back at her until she heard Bill threaten to smash his nose if he didn't look away from Fleur.
"No, Draco ees not staring at me, you silly man!" she chided.
Bill looked perplexed. "Well, who the devil is it then?"
Fleur grinned cheekily and gave Hermione a knowing smile.
She looked away and drank some more wine.
Draco tried loosening his bow tie, but it ended up falling apart. Jerking it from his neck, he flung it carelessly onto the table, and it ended up in his half-eaten plum pudding, next to about ten shot glasses.
Oh fuck, he didn't realise he'd drunk so much. He eyed the two wine bottles that he belated noticed, blearily. At least he was faring better than Blaise, who was currently passed out, sprawled face down across three chairs. Trust that wanker Theo Nott to start a massive drinking game.
Speaking of whom, he was currently dancing with Kate, his hand not too subtly on her arse, after he got tired of the shortlived game 'find Draco's girlfriend'. They'd been dancing the second the paparazzi were Disapparated away at then ten o'clock curfew. Despite everything, Draco couldn't help feeling a little bit rejected.
But in the grand scheme of things, it was just dandy. He leaned back to enjoy the consequences of the excessive drinking the Slytherins had been engaged in. Millicent was now dancing with a greying man he recognised as Blaise's uncle, and Astoria was being twirled about none too platonically by one Lee Jordan, her giant rock catching the strobe lights now and then. He couldn't see Pansy though. She was probably relieving herself of the recent dinner in a loo somewhere.
Biting back a chortle, Draco proceeded to balance one shot glass on each cheek of Blaise's arse, feeling particularly accomplished.
Damn, he was wasted.
And even in his wasted state he knew he was being cold-shouldered.
He turned away from Blaise, rested his chin against his shoulder, and watched Granger. He'd been doing a lot of that in the last half an hour. She was talking to Fleur, laughing over the rim of a glass of red wine. That was all she'd been doing all day and all night. Talking to Fleur, or the twins, the bridesmaids, and even Blaise's mother. But not once did she talk to a guy - only Bill Weasley and Blaise.
She wasn't even trying to make him jealous. Did she really not give a shit about him?
He got up, so clumsily that he knocked over a half-full bottle of wine, which spilled all over Blaise's head. He awoke with a yelp.
"Fucking hell, Malfoy!" he slurred, blinking, disoriented. "Where's Pansy?"
He shrugged. Then said, matter-of-factly. "I need to go get Granger."
Blaise actually grinned. "Yeah, you do that, mate. You do that. I'm just gonna-" He made to get up, attempting to lift his torso up with his hands. He promptly gave up and muttered to himself, "Fuck that, I'm staying here."
The party was winding down now. All the older guests (except Millicent's dance partner) had retired, leaving the twenty-year-olds to their own devices. Draco stumbled over an errant champagne flute, and his balance only just managed to survive that shock. He could literally feel the wine weighing down on his shoulders like lead, and the vodka and tequila and rum must have all run down to and decided to stay in his limbs, making him slow and sluggish.
Thank Merlin he didn't have the urge to throw up.
Reaching Granger's table, he stopped short, swayed, then stared at Granger again, who had noticed his approach and was looking at him too.
"Hi, Malfoy-"
"Please dance with me," he blurted out.
He didn't see Fleur's surprised face. Nor would he have cared if he did.
"Come on, Granger," he coaxed gently at her hesitation.
Snatching Granger's glass from her, Fleur more or less pushed her out of her chair and towards him. He wasted no time in grabbing her hand, in case she got away. Carefully, he laced each finger into the gaps between hers, his heart beating fast when he was finally holding her hand. It was the first time he had done that, he realised offhandedly.
They slotted into an empty space on the dance floor, and gently, he pulled her towards him, wrapping an arm fully around her waist. He brought her close so her head rested against his chest, and then he placed her hands on the lapels of his suit jacket. He sighed long and soft as they started swaying to the music that he didn't even hear.
"I've been wanting to talk to you all night," he confessed, his hands on the small of her back rubbing small circles.
Her voice was slightly muffled. "Why didn't you?" Before he could answer, she said, "Is it because of Kate?"
"No!" he replied quickly, holding her back slightly so she was looking at him. "Kate is just-"
"I know what she is," cut in Hermione, rather emotionlessly. "She's basically using you as a publicity tool so you can buy her father's business." He must have looked thrown, as she went on to explain. "I read the Gringott Times, Fleur told me who she was and Pansy mentioned something about the media. I connected the dots."
Draco wilted under her stare, and his whole body stiffened. "Pretty much."
He started to pull away, but she held on fast, still staring at him with her big brown eyes. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "I just figured.. You're Hermione Granger. You can't agree with any of this."
She shrugged. "So?"
"I thought it would... bother you... Doesn't it?"
She slid her hands down his chest a couple of inches, then moved them up again. "A little, but... Does it matter?"
Covering her hands with his, he asked, "What do you mean?"
"We're not going out or anything," she replied, talking to his chest. He waited for the elusive "yet" that never came.
"No. No we're not," he mumbled in reluctant agreement. "So...?"
"So... I think it bothers me, a little... But it's not relevant," she said, pausing as a pretty blush pinked her cheeks. "Because I still think you're really hot."
His eyebrows must have disappeared into his hairline and he grinned roguishly. "Really now?"
"I don't think there's anything wrong with acting on an attraction that's mutual," she continued with a lopsided smile. Moving a bit closer, she tilted her face to look at him. "And how you do business or whether I approve of it or not has nothing to do with this, right now."
He nodded, and he gently hooked a finger underneath a lock of stray hair, smoothing it back. "Right now, I don't think I give a shit about anything else."
And then Granger kissed him. Her hands slid slyly around his neck and pulled him close - very close. He gripped her hips and held her right there. The silk of her dress was impossibly smooth and he could feel the heat of her body underneath his fingertips. His lips parted and he drew a desperate breath that sounded more like a gasp, before angling them so he could slide his tongue into her warm and willing mouth.
Pulling back for air, Granger's eyes were dark and somber. She felt his hands travel down his front until her fingers curled into the pockets of his trousers. Then she stood up on tip toes and her breath brushed his ear. "I want you tonight, Draco."
Swallowing hard, he gave into his desires and reached down to cup her bottom, gathering her up and against him. He craned his neck so his lips lingered by the side of her neck and he nodded, feeling exceedingly foolish for not being able to utter a proper response before Hermione started leading them back towards the house, a shy smile gracing her red lips.
He didn't notice Theo's jaw go slack.
He didn't notice Fleur happily clapping her hands together, while Bill looked on in utter bewilderment.
He didn't notice Blaise lifting his glass to Pansy across the room.
But he did see a suspicious flash from a tall shrub of roses in the distance.
He would check that out in the morning after... you know.
A/N: I warned you, it's a big chapter! As I said in the sneak peek from last week, I've been crazy busy traveling and moving, and jet lag has been a complete pain in the ass, so I apologise for the late update! I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. I find ensemble casts really difficult to write, but I wanted the wedding to be real and lively, so it had to be done. As for the last part, I must admit I'm a bit nervous about the reaction. But both Draco and Hermione are consenting adults, and consenting adults sometimes make subpar decisions when they're drunk - it should be interesting to see how it plays out.
Thank you once again for the amazing response to the last chapter. As usual, sneak peeks will be sent out to all reviewers, which will hopefully be finished by next week. I'm starting a summer job for this month next week, but I will be churning out updates as quickly as I can. Have a nice week everyone!
