"Would everyone stop fucking fussing over me!"

The small wedding that they had wanted had almost gotten out of control, and she was wondering why she didn't suggest getting on a plane and flying to Vegas.

They had both agreed that they didn't want a circus. Something small and intimate. Something simple, just family and close friends. But, of course, the minute they had settled on a date, their simple wedding plans had turned into a nightmare.

Just as he had predicted his parents had wanted a lavish celebration with every person that they had ever met in their lives invited. They had become demanding, and overbearing, his mother calling or texting everyday with some suggestion or other that would make everything perfect.

Hermione hadn't had the chance to lose her cool, he did it for her, telling both his mother and his father that they weren't going to turn his wedding into a business conference, that it was their day and that they would invite who they wanted, not a bunch complete strangers just to keep them happy.

After a month of silence, his mother called to apologise and to say that they wouldn't interfere. Cuthbert had clearly pulled them into line, again.

But it hadn't just been his parents. Molly, Ginny and Katie and surprisingly Pansy, had decided that they should also get involved and 'help' her. And their idea of 'helping' meant doing everything for her. Bridal magazines began appearing on the counter in the shop, randomly opened to a page showing a dress that Ginny, Pansy or Katie thought she might like. Molly started asking about who they were inviting, and if they thought they should add this person or that to the list.

She held her temper in check, telling herself they were only trying to help, until one morning she finally snapped. She picked up the latest magazine, and in a show of defiance she tore the pages out one by one, dropping each to the floor so they would have to clean them up, and told them if they wanted to repeat their own weddings they were more than welcome. But if they thought they could hijack hers, they were sorely mistaken. She added, before storming off, that if she saw one more bridal magazine in the shop, she would burn the place to the ground with them locked inside.

Their apologies came much quicker, with them all sheepishly approaching her just a few days later, and promising not to do anything she didn't want.

They had finally reigned in the craziness, and had organised everything within a few weeks. The B&B where they had celebrated Draco's birthday, where he had proposed, was to be the venue. They'd booked the entire pub, and the rooms upstairs, keeping the one next to their empty, as they'd done previously. And less than fifty people were on the guest list. Small, intimate, just family and close friends. Exactly what they had wanted.

Clara and Cuthbert had been more than happy to swap their week with Scorpius, having him for the week before Christmas, rather than the week after. And Hermione had asked them to stay with them in the days leading up to the wedding, and Clara had managed to keep her sane.

But now, Hermione's temper finally exploded. She'd been holding it in, not wanting to be angry on her wedding day. But her patience had been stretched to breaking point and she'd finally lost it.

The room went silent.

Molly, Ginny and Pansy all held their breath, waiting for the explosion to continue. But there was nothing. Hermione's shoulders slumped and she exhaled a long, slow breath. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose and knew that it wasn't her friends that had brought this on.

She could feel the tears in her eyes, felt them spill down her cheeks, and she didn't care. Didn't care if her make-up was ruined. Didn't care if her eyes were red and her nose snotty. She just didn't care.

"No, Hermione, don't-" Ginny started, but Molly stopped her. Ginny glared at her mother, but Molly ignored her, taking both Hermione's hands in hers and told her to cry her eyes out. Everyone could wait. This was much more important.

Hermione swallowed, and the tears fell in earnest. She stepped forward and Molly wrapped her arms protectively around her.

"It's okay, my sweet girl." Molly whispered, "They're watching over you."

Hermione sobbed against Molly's shoulder, while Molly ran her hand soothingly over her back. She hadn't felt like this at her first wedding. Hadn't cried over her missing parents. She had simply accepted that they weren't there and that had been it. But now her heart was aching. Her mother should have been the one fussing over her and driving her insane, and her father should have been by her side for this.

"Sorry," she choked out, "Sorry."

"Don't you ever be sorry for this." Molly told her, struggling to keep her own tears at bay.

"I don't know why...I wasn't before." Hermione sobbed and Molly brushed her now messed up hair from her face.

"Because this time it's different," Molly told her, "This time it's real, and this time you know he's the one. And they should have had the chance to meet him." Her eyes flicked to Pansy, who also looked about to burst into tears, and nodded towards the door. Pansy frowned, and then realised what Molly wanted her to do.

She slipped out of the room, and returned less than a minute later with Draco.

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked up, stunned that he was standing in front of her. Molly stepped away and let Draco take her place. He wrapped her in his arms and whispered in her ear, "Are you okay, baby?"

She shook her head against his shoulder, "No," she managed to say, closing her eyes and inhaling his scent.

"Breathe, Hermione," He whispered, his hands were warm and comforting and rubbing circles on her back, "Just breathe."

She pulled him tighter against her, pressing her face into his neck, and she felt herself calming. He was her family. He was her home.

Draco smiled at the three faces watching them, "Can you give us a minute?" They all nodded and his smile widened. All three were close to tears, and he felt he should hug them all. But he had a bride to comfort, so they would have to wait.

"Hey," he said, kissing her temple, his voice washed over her soothing her frayed nerves, "Talk to me. What's going on?"

"My dad should be here." She said between breaths, "My dad should be here and he's not."

She felt his hand on the back of her neck, his thumb brushing gently along the base of her skull, "He should be here." Draco said quietly, "And it's not fair that he's not." He rocked her gently, feeling her beginning to calm, feeling her relax against him.

"And my mum," she huffed out, "They both should be here driving me insane. I didn't care last time, it didn't matter. But they should be here to meet you. They should be here to...Scorpius...and," her voice cracked and her tears began to fall again.

Draco felt a lump form in his own throat, "I know, baby. I know." He cupped her jaw, "And I know it's not the same, but Molly and Ginny and Pansy and Harry are all here. And they love you more than anything."

"We're getting married," She said looking up at him, her breaths were still ragged from crying, "We're getting married, right?"

"We are," Draco said, smiling at her.

"We're getting married." She repeated, clutching at his arms, her pulse racing. "Why do you love me?

He held her face and pressed his forehead against hers, "I love you because I do. I love you because you are kind and generous, and slightly mental."

She huffed out a laugh, "How did I get so lucky?

"It's not you who is lucky. It's me. And Scorpius. We found you right when we needed to, and we're not ever letting you go."

She blinked away her tears and whispered, "I love you,"

"I love you, too." He brushed his lips across hers.

Hermione closed her eyes, her pulse had slowed and her breathing had calmed. Just another meltdown, she thought and he was here yet again to put things right. She kissed him, lingering against his mouth, silently thanking him for being there for her again.

"You okay?'

"I am," She nodded, "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about." He assured her wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"And now I'm a mess," she laughed and called for Molly, Ginny and Pansy to return, apologising to them all.

Draco smiled and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear told her, "No, you don't say sorry today. Not one more time, okay?"

Molly stepped back up beside her, and looped her arm around her waist, "He's right, you won't say sorry again today, I won't allow it." She smiled at Draco, "Now off you go, we'll have her out to you as soon as we can."

He kissed her again before stepping back, "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."

She had allowed Ginny and Pansy to fuss over her after her melt down, and they'd made her look presentable again. Her make-up was re-done and her hair was fixed, pulled back into a messy bun with loose curls framing her face. A simple blue diamond teardrop pendant adorned her neck, which covered her something old and her something blue. It had been her mother's and this would be the first time she had worn it. And she was glad she was sitting down because she almost burst into tears again when Ginny handed her a small velvet box, telling her it was from Draco.

She opened the box and sucked in a breath. Hermione touched the pendant at the base of her throat, "He knew?"

Ginny nodded, "Apparently someone told him that you would be wearing that," She glanced at Pansy and she grinned, "And he had those made to match."

Hermione took the blue diamond earrings from the box and put them in her ears. Pansy leaned down, resting her chin on Hermione's shoulder. Their eyes met in the mirror and they both smiled, "Perfect," Pansy whispered.

"That covers old, new, and blue. We just need the borrowed." Ginny said.

Molly piped up and said she had that covered, and presented Hermione with a stunning sliver filigree bracelet, the same one Hermione remembered Ginny wearing at her wedding. "This has been worn by all the women in my family on their wedding day for eight generations." Molly told her as she placed it on Hermione's wrist.

"Molly, no," Hermione gasped, "I'm not really your family. I couldn't, it's too much."

"Nonsense," Molly said, "You will wear it, because family is more than blood."

"You look stunning," Harry said as he entered the room, sucking in a breath when he saw Hermione, crossing the room and taking her hand, "Truly stunning."

It had come as no surprise to anyone that Hermione's dress was inspired by literature. It was both contemporary and vintage at the same time. She looked stunning in the Ivory A-line floor length gown. The neckline and short sleeves were inspired by her love of Jane Austen novels, with the high empire waistline and tulle overlay finishing the vintage look. The soft silhouette, scooped back gave it a contemporary feel.

"Thank you Harry," Hermione said blushing at her friends' words.

"Draco's waiting. Are you ready?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded.

"That's our cue, girls," Molly said.

"Hermione," Ginny said choking back tears. She'd been the most excited for her friend since their engagement had been announced and Hermione had loved her for her enthusiasm, even if she'd been pushing Hermione's buttons in the preceding months. "I'm glad he wasn't put off by your arse in the air."

Hermione laughed and hugged her, "I'm glad he wasn't either."

Ginny composed herself, "We'll see you in a few minutes."

Harry smiled at her, taking both her hands in his, "I mean it, you look stunning, and happy."

"I am happy," Hermione grinned at him, "Can you believe this? I'm getting married. Again."

Harry laughed, "You know, I actually can. I've watched the two of you together, and he loves you more than anything, they both do."

"And I love them." Hermione said.

"I know you do." Harry took her hand, "Are you ready?"

"I am." She took Harry's hand, and they took a step towards the door and she stopped. "No. I can't Harry."

"Yes you can," he reassured her, "You're just nervous."

She pulled away from him and slapped his arm, "No. I can't. Not like this. It's not right."

"Hermione?" Harry rubbed over the place where she'd slapped him, "What do you mean?"

"I can't do this. Not with you."

"Hermione, honey, is everything okay?"

Harry's entrance alone had caused a surprised gasp from their guests; they were expecting Hermione to be beside him. And after Draco's disappearance to see her earlier, a ripple of concern spread through the small group.

Harry had smiled at Draco and assured him with a nod that all was okay, and Draco grinned back. Hermione was clearly up to something.

And as soon as Harry approached Cuthbert, Draco knew what.

"Dad?" Scorpius whispered from beside him, "What's happened?"

"Nothing," he told him squeezing his shoulder, "Hermione is just being amazing, again." Scorpius frowned up at him, and Draco smiled, "Nothing to worry about, okay? Just a few more minutes."

Draco glanced to Clara, who had tears in her eyes, and he nodded when Clara mouthed, She's perfect.

"Cuthbert," Hermione said and held her hands out to him, "Everything's fine. Well, not everything."

He looked between Hermione and Harry, his face confused.

"Cuthbert," Hermione took a breath to hold her tears at bay, "My dad should have been here to do this. He should have been here to hold my hand and walk beside me, and ask me if I was sure that the blonde bloke in the suit was really the one. And you should have gotten the chance to do the same." She saw the tears well up in his eyes and squeezed his hands, "Would you please escort me down the aisle?"

He dropped her hands and brushed furiously at his cheeks. He took a deep breath and smiled, the beaming smile she had come to know and love, "You are truly wonderful, my dear. Your father would be so amazingly proud of you. It would be my greatest honour to walk beside you."

"He's right, you are pretty amazing." Harry kissed her cheek, "Give me a second to get to my seat?"

Hermione nodded and smiled at Cuthbert, "Thank you."

"No, thank you," Cuthbert told her, "You look beautiful, by the way."

Hermione laughed, "Thank you, but I'm sure you wouldn't have said that twenty minutes ago."

"Missing your parents?" Cuthbert asked gently so as not to set her off again.

She nodded, "Yes, very much so, but I'm fine now."

"Well," Cuthbert held his arm out to her, "In that case, let's get out there and get you married."

Draco stood waiting, dressed simply in a white fitted button down shirt and tailored black dress pants. He had no reason to be nervous – he'd already seen her - he knew she was upstairs right now with Cuthbert.

They had placed the seats in a semi-circle, wanting their families and friends to sit together, not to pick sides, and Hermione would come down the stairs and greet him in front of everyone, not actually walk down an aisle, as it were, and now he was just waiting for her to do so.

But a sliver of doubt resided in his brain and had him wondering if she would actually come down the stairs and marry him. He assumed that was normal, not having done this before, and not ever planning to do it again

Scorpius was beside him, dressed identically. He was the sole other person who would be standing with them. The decision had been made to not have attendants when they'd finally reigned in the out of control wedding plans.

"Dad?" Scorpius whispered and he looked down at his son, "Are you okay?"

He squeezed his shoulder, "I am. Are you?"

Scorpius smiled, "Yep. I bet she looks like a princess."

They heard footsteps on the landing and a quiet piano concerto began playing. Everyone stood, waiting for Hermione and Cuthbert to descend the stairs.

He heard several whispers of she's gorgeous, from the small group, and from the corner of his eye he saw his father squeeze his mother's shoulder, whispering something, and she smiled and nodded in agreement. It was the first sign of emotion he'd seen from either of them towards her. He quickly glanced at Ginny, who was watching him, a wide smile on her face. She winked at him and he grinned.

Draco sucked in a breath when he finally saw her. She was stunning. She had literally taken his breath away. He had been too concerned with her tears to take any significant notice of her earlier, and he was glad. This moment would not have been the same if he'd had.

And now here she was, walking towards him, about to become his wife. The twenty or so steps it took for her to reach him seemed to take forever. He wanted to step towards her, wanted to take her hand and walk with her, but he knew she need this moment with Cuthbert. Knew that Cuthbert need this moment with her. So he waited, settled and calm, knowing that this was it. This was the perfect moment he'd been waiting for.

"Are you sure he's the one?" Cuthbert said with a smirk and Hermione snorted a very undignified, very un-bride like laugh that made Cuthbert chuckle, "Because if he's not, you have about ten steps to go before your turn and run option is gone."

"I'm sure," She said, "Besides, the bar is in front of us, not behind. So there'd be no use in turning and running." Cuthbert laughed and she looked up at Draco, seeing the content look on his face. And in that instant she felt the same. Content and calm, but it wasn't until she was standing in front of him, with a smile that lit up the room, that she truly realised this was it. She was here with him.

His smile matched hers, and he watched as Cuthbert whispered something in her ear and kissed her cheek, stepping back to take his place beside Clara.

"Hey," Hermione said.

"Hey," Draco answered, "You look beautiful."

She took his hand, squeezing it, "Thank you."

"You really do," Scorpius chimed in, and she laughed.

"Thank you Scorpius."

Hermione looked over her shoulder at the faces smiling back at her, and she felt loved. Her parents might not be there with her, but this was her family. They loved her because they chose to, not because they had to.

The celebrant touched her arm lightly, gaining her attention and asked, "Are we ready?" They both smiled and answered in the affirmative.

"Wait!" Hermione gasped and looked down at Scorpius, who was partially hidden behind Draco, "You need to stand up here." She indicated the spot next to the celebrant, "So we can see you."

Scorpius stood where she pointed and grinned at her, "It looks like I'm in charge now."

"Was there every any doubt?" She winked at him.

The celebrant welcomed their family and friends, and started with a simple reading about loving the people around you, and loving the family that you made.

She then asked them if they would face each other and repeat after her:

From this day forward I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams; I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement; I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't. And above all I will love you, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, as long as we both shall live.

Hermione couldn't help the laugh that escaped her when they repeated 'in sickness and in health,' and Draco's eyes twinkled and he squeezed her hand. They had insisted on the traditional words being a part of their vows, despite their want for something simple and contemporary.

The celebrant turned to Hermione and smiled, "Hermione, if you would?"

Draco looked perplexed as she held her hand out to Scorpius. He took it and frowned at her, not sure what was happening, this was something that neither he nor Draco had been told about.

She crouched down in front of him, "Scorpius, today I promised to love your dad for the rest of my life, but I also need to make a promise to you too. You asked me a while ago if I would be your mum, if I could look after you when you were sick and do all those things a mum would do. So I promise you this; I will love you always, even if we get angry with each other. I will look after you when you're sick and I will read to you every night. I will always be your Hermione and I will do my very best to be your mum."

Scorpius leaned in and wrapped his arms around her neck, "Thank you, my Hermione. I love you too."

She stood back up and saw the tears in Draco's eyes. She took his hand and smiled as he kissed her knuckles, whispering Thank-you.

The celebrant looked to Hermione and asked, "Hermione, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To honour, love and cherish always?"

She answered without hesitation: "I do."

She turned to Draco and asked him the same thing, and Hermione squeezed his hand as his eyes welled up and his voice cracked. He swallowed and cleared his throat, and finally managed to say the words: "I do."

"Scorpius?" The celebrant said, "Do you have the rings?"

"Oh. Yeah. Wait just a…."Scorpius scrunched his face up as he dug into his pocket to retrieve them, "Got 'em!" He cried triumphantly and handed them to Hermione and Draco, the same rings that they had exchanged six months earlier. The celebrant laughed and thanked him and asked that they exchange rings.

Scorpius bounced on the balls of his feet, barely containing his excitement as the celebrant finally declared "I now pronounce you husband and wife," and his fist pump and whispered yes!, had everyone laughing.

"Go on Dad. Kiss her." Scorpius said.

Draco looked down at him, "Are you sure?"

He rolled his eyes, "Yes. Because you have to."

Hermione laughed, "Yeah. Go on. You have to."

Draco stepped towards her and cupped her face, leaning in close, "Well, if I have to."

"Turn this shit off, Charlie," Anthony yelled across the bar.

Draco had kissed Hermione and after declarations of Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, or Mrs. and Mr. Granger (depending on which point of view was taken) the party had started. Charlie had decided he would be the DJ for the night, and his current choice of The Sex Pistols clearly wasn't something Anthony appreciated.

Hermione slapped his arm, "This isn't shit," she said, and Anthony raised his eyebrows at her.

"You can't be serious?" He said, "You actually listen to this stuff?"

Hermione nodded, "This is pretty mild actually. But what would you prefer? Sappy love songs that make you want to vomit?"

Anthony looked at Draco, who hadn't left her side all night. "She's serious?"

"Oh, you bet she is," Draco wrapped his arm around her waist, "Under all this innocence is a heavy metal rock chic."

"And how do you dance to this rubbish?" Anthony challenged and Draco snorted.

"Wrong question mate."

"What do you—" But before he could finish his sentence, she'd slipped out of Draco's grasp and began dragging Anthony towards the small space that had been reserved for dancing.

She looked towards Charlie, her eyes sparkling when she yelled across the room, "Play something loud, okay?"

Charlie nodded and pointed finger at her, "You got it sweetheart."

"Try to keep up." She said sweetly,

The entire room had stopped talking and was watching the exchange with interest. Eyes were flicking between Hermione and Anthony, and back to Draco, unsure as to why he wasn't the one to dance with his new bride first.

But the smirk on his face told another story. He didn't care. And his childhood friend was about to discover the complete contrast between the innocent looking woman in her Austen-esque attire and the rock chic who was about to let loose on the dance floor.

The familiar guitar sounds began and Hermione threw her head back and laughed. Charlie had chosen one of her favourites; SOiL's Shine on.

"Come on Anthony!" Draco yelled, "Show us what you've got!"

Anthony pressed his fingers to his temples and shook his head, laughing as Hermione bounced around the floor like a complete nutter. He watched her for a few beats, she was grinning at him and gesturing for him to hurry up and join her. Dressed as she was she should have been demurely sipping champagne and saying things like propriety, and thither, and intolerable, and felicity. Instead, she was throwing herself around like a rag doll, her face screwed up, loudly singing every word.

He grabbed her hand and finally joined her, banging his head in time with the aggressive beats, and they both cracked up laughing as she slammed into him.

The wolf whistles and cheers broke out, and several cameras flashed, capturing Hermione looking sublimely happy sharing the first dance at her wedding with one of her new husband's best mates.

Within minutes several others had joined them, turning the dance floor into a mosh pit. And Scorpius and James, attempting to copy the adults, slammed into each other and tumbled to the floor, both laughing hysterically. Hermione bent down to pick them up, engulfing them both in a bear hug and laughing at them.

Draco felt an arm wrap around his waist, and he turned his head to see Rowena smiling at him.

"She's..." Rowena began and then laughed.

Draco slipped his arm around her shoulders, "Yeah, she is."

The music changed, still loud and aggressive, and clearly another of Hermione's favourites, if the loud hell yeah! was anything to go by.

Rowena laughed again, "She's a complete contradiction, this one." Draco grinned at her and she continued, "How can she look like that, and be – I'm not sure if you can call it dancing – but, dancing like that?"

"It's what I love most," Draco told her, his eyes glued to his new wife, "I never know what's coming next. It keeps me on my toes."

"She's great Draco," Rowena said, "More than great, actually. She's-"

"Insane? Barmy? Dancing like she's having a seizure?" He asked, laughing.

"Yeah," Rowena agreed, "She's all of that. I think it's called perfection."

"I think you're right," Draco hugged her shoulders tighter, and he knew she was right. He'd known it all along. Hermione had that something. That something that made everyone feel comforted and at ease, and it was that feeling, that natural charm, that made everyone want to know her.

The song ended, and Draco looked over to Charlie, who nodded at him. He slid his arm from Rowena's shoulders and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"What are you up to?"

"It's my turn," He told her and moved towards his wife.

Hermione was looking at Charlie, her palms up in a what the hell? gesture, when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned and her face lit up, "Hey!"

"Hey," He bent to kiss her. He'd asked Charlie to pick a song for them, something she'd love and that he trusted him to get it right. Charlie had grinned and told him that may not have been the wisest idea. But Draco knew Charlie wouldn't disappoint.

The dance floor cleared as the first few chords of the song began, an almost ethereal sound which switched quickly into heavier, grungier notes; Dead by April's Losing you. He knew it well. It was the last song on her run play list, the one she usually hummed while she showered afterwards.

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her cheek against his, "Thank you." She whispered. She knew he wasn't a fan of her music, even though she was slowly converting his son to it.

Several more camera flashes went off, but Draco barely noticed. He held her close, spinning her slowly, refusing to speed up regardless of the fact that the slow spin and sway were not even close to in time with the pulsing music. He wanted to savour this with her.

Hermione smiled up at him, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "You're so getting laid tonight."

"Is that a promise?" He asked and she nodded.

"This song will never be the same again. You'll probably have to get naked with me in the shower after I run from now on."

Draco laughed.

Charlie had chosen well.

"Hermione?"

She was sitting at the bar, sipping her vodka martini, taking a breather from the craziness that was the dance floor. She turned to see who it was and she smiled and indicated to the seat beside her. "Daphne. Hello."

"You look gorgeous," Daphne told her and sat down, "Amazingly gorgeous."

"Thank you." Hermione brushed an errant lock of hair behind her ear, "And thank you for coming."

Daphne was Clara and Cuthbert's eldest daughter. Hermione had only met her once, briefly, when she and Draco had gone to pick up Scorpius after his holiday with his grandparents during the summer. She was rarely in London, her husband Viktor was some famous football star in Belgium? Bulgaria? Spain? or somewhere, and she and their two sons , Andrei and Aleks, only made it back to England during school breaks.

"This would have to be the most fun I've had in a long time." Daphne laughed, "I'm not sure I'm actually at a wedding!"

Hermione grinned, "And that's exactly what I wanted. Fun, not sappy, teary crap."

"Mum and Dad were right about you." Hermione's brow creased and Daphne squeezed her arm, "They are completely in love with you. And they should be."

Hermione's face flushed and she mumbled an embarrassed thanks.

"And thank you for what you did." Daphne smiled, "Letting Dad walk beside you. I know it meant the world to him."

"Oh," Hermione was suddenly struck with the realisation that Cuthbert may have been pleased that she had asked him, but Daphne may not have, "You don't mind that I asked him?"

"Of course not," She assured her.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, good. I'm sorry, I didn't think about you when I asked him."

"And you shouldn't have. Your dad's not here and neither my sister, so it was perfect."

Hermione looked over to where Cuthbert was sitting. His three grandsons and James were all surrounding him laughing at something he just said, and she felt a pull at her heart. All of her scepticism about fate and destiny and kismet all subsided and she suddenly had the feeling that the universe had not only sent her Draco and Scorpius, but Clara and Cuthbert as well.

Draco stepped up behind her and slid his arms around her shoulders, and she leaned back against him, "You're not filling her head with teenage stories about me are you?"

"Of course I am," Daphne laughed, "The poor girl has to know that you're not always this put together." She winked at Hermione, "Ask me to bring photos of his teenage grunge years next time I'm here."

"Your dad already showed me," Hermione shrugged and shook her head slowly, "It really wasn't pretty."

"Hey now," he said indignantly, "I'll have you know I was the most eligible, most sought after bloke with all the girls."

Daphne snorted, "Try most awkward."

"I like you," Hermione told her with a laugh, "And I look forward to hearing more about, shall we say, the questionable stories? The ones the parents know nothing about."

"Oh you're in for a treat then," Daphne looked smugly at Draco, "I have an awful lot of those."

Draco groaned, "I should never have introduced you two."

"Do you like naked wives?" Hermione asked and Draco turned around, a look of stunned surprise on his face. Midnight had passed and the double celebration of their wedding and a brand new year was drawing to a close. And he could tell by the look on her face, a whole other celebration was about to start.

His eyes dropped to her mouth and then lower to the swell of her breasts, "Well, I'm not sure. I've not yet seen my naked wife."

"Well, you're in for a treat then." Hermione ran the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip, "But we have to say thank you to everyone first."

Draco grabbed her hand, "Right then, goodbye everyone, thanks for coming,"

"Funny," Hermione shook her head and pulled away from him, to say her goodbyes.

Draco watched as Hermione stood in front of Cuthbert, the two of them holding each other's hands, both looking to burst into tears. His heart swelled. He loved that he and Clara had accepted her and had come to love her.

Cuthbert stepped forward, hugging her. He whispered something in her ear, and Hermione nodded. A secret between the two. Then Clara took Hermione's hands in her own. She looked intently at her with shimmering eyes and nodded, also whispering something that made Hermione blink rapidly, fighting back her own tears.

Draco looked around and realised the whole room was watching them. Molly wiped at her cheek and Arthur wrapped an arm around her, a huge smile on his face. Pansy and Ginny were smiling through tears, Theo and Harry were hugging their respective wives. Blaise, with his arm wrapped tightly around Alicia's waist, caught his eye and shot him a knowing smile.

As much as he had become a part of her hodge-podge of a family, she was now a part of his. His friends all adored her, and even his parents had come around to her – an almost impossible task in his mind, but she had achieved it.

"Okay you lot," George called out, "You're turning everyone into sobbing gits!"

Hermione and Cuthbert looked around the room surprised, "Oh, sorry!" Hermione exclaimed, "I didn't mean to-"

Draco crossed the room and kissed her temple, "You didn't mean to nothing. It's your wedding and if you want to make everyone cry, that's your prerogative."

He scooped up his son, whose eyes were heavy and was struggling to stay awake, and hugged him tightly. Scorpius reached his arm out to Hermione and she stepped into the embrace, the three of them standing together for several long moments, and setting off the tears around them again.

Cuthbert walked over to them and plucked his almost sleeping grandson from Draco and told them to get moving. He along with Clara, Daphne and Viktor and their boys, would be taking him back to their flat and staying with him, while Hermione and Draco spent the night upstairs.

Draco took her hand, "Are you ready?"

"Are you?" Hermione arched an eyebrow at him.

Draco shot her a devilish grin and leaned forward, whispering close to her ear, "I was promised a naked wife-"

"Yours?" Hermione asked sweetly.

He pulled back to look at her, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. "Mine."