21 March, Monday, 1700 GMT
Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Joanna kept Hermione even keeled for much of the day. Draco and the boys did all the "heavy lifting;" picking up the catering food, setting up the chairs and tables for the small gathering of guests they were expecting, and setting up the wards.
Hermione and Dr. Masterson had briefed Hermione's Muggle guests, Nurse Amelia Rodriguez and Dr. Tobias Whitney about what Wizarding oddities they may see. Even the official with the Marriage Registry was briefed by the Wizarding-Muggle liaison.
Gregory, dressed in dark grey dress robes, stood at the front with the platinum blonde groom who was dressed in a set of black tuxedo robes. Draco took in a breath, trying to calm his nerves. Davis Michaels, the marriage official nodded at Draco and smiled at him to put him at ease.
There were four rectangular 8-setting dinner tables and a smaller one for the bride and groom. The thirty or so guests sat patiently waiting for the wedding march. Dr. Elizabeth Masterson and her husband, Dr. Tobias Whitney and his wife, Nurse Amelia Rodriguez and her boyfriend sat at one of the tables.
Mr. Weasley sat next to his wife who tended to Drew, sitting in her stroller. Harry sat on the other side of Mrs. Weasley, reserving three seats. Ginny, the Matron of Honor, James, the Ring Bearer, and Ronda, the Flower Girl would join them after the ceremony. Herbology Professor Neville Longbottom and his girlfriend, Parvati Patil, a Ministry attorney sat with them.
At another table, Joanna Goyle sat next to her youngest son Jacob, who sat next to his older brother, Greg, Jr. The Best Man would join them later. Blaise Zabini and his wife Pansy Parkinson sat with them.
The last table was full of Hogwarts teachers and staff. Hagrid, Professor Snape, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor Tomas Serhumano, Professor Trelawney, Madame Pince, Madame Pomfrey, and Head Mistress McGonagall waited patiently in all their best dress robes.
The guests stood up as the music started to play magically. The little ginger haired girl started to throw flower petals down the aisle towards the raised portion of the patio where her uncle Draco stood. The black haired older boy carried the pillow that housed the two wedding bands, one large and silver, the other small and gold. The ginger haired mediwitch followed her children down the make-shift aisle. She nodded at Draco and Gregory before taking her spot opposite the two.
All heads turned as they saw the bride wearing a simple, but elegant spaghetti strapped, ankle length white silk dress with a thigh high slit on the right side walk onto the porch. She wore her hair in a French twist with a few tendrils falling around her face. She wore very little makeup; just a touch of dark red lipstick and a light coat of foundation.
Draco held his breath as he watched her approach him. His lower lip quivered as she came to stand right next to him. Davis Michaels nodded at the couple, as he was ready to begin the ceremony. Draco took Hermione's hand and squeezed it.
Mr. Michaels waited until the crowd gave the couple their full attention. He smiled at the anxious couple. He nodded at the Matron of Honor and the Best Man before he finally addressed the crowd.
"We're gathered here today to witness two people affirm their love and commitment to each other," the official began.
"Draco, please repeat after me," Mr. Michaels said. "I, Draco, take thee, Hermione, to be my lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, to have and to hold from this day forward."
Draco repeated after the official, not once lifting his gaze from Hermione. Mr. Michaels directed Hermione to repeat after him. She did the same, also not lifting her gaze from Draco.
Ginny nodded at her son to hand the rings to the wizard next to his uncle Draco. James raised the pillow to Greg who took the two rings from it.
"Now, Draco," Mr. Michaels began. He nodded to the young wizard, "Accept the ring from Mr. Goyle and place it on Hermione's finger."
"With this ring I thee wed," Draco repeated after the older man as he placed the gold wedding ring on her finger. He smiled at her as he saw a tear roll down her cheek.
"Hermione," Mr. Michaels nodded at her. She accepted the silver band from Greg. She looked up into Draco's eyes. Her fingers shook as she placed the ring on his left ring finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."
Draco smiled at her. He squeezed her hands gently, keeping them in his own. The newly wed couple both took a breath as they turned to face the wedding official.
"With the power vested in me by the London Ministry, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other."
The audience clapped as Draco brought Hermione into his chest for the long-awaited kiss. They held the kiss for what seemed like an eternity. She blushed as she heard the crowd applaud. They both looked at Mr. Michaels.
"I present to you Mr. Draco and Mrs. Hermione Malfoy," the official said. Another cheer rang out from the guests. Flash bulbs flashed as cameras, both Wizarding and Muggle captured the scene.
Draco shook hands with Mr. Michaels before he led Hermione to the head table as Ginny led the rest of the wedding party to their seats. Draco pulled Hermione's chair out for her.
Draco addressed the crowd, "Thank you all for coming. I think the food line's ready for us to go through. So please, don't be shy," he looked directly at Harry's table. Harry led the way to the buffet table. The other guests took his lead.
Draco sat next to Hermione and placed his left hand over her right hand. She interlaced her fingers with his. She smiled at him.
"I love you Mr. Malfoy," she said, looking at him.
"I love you more, Mrs. Malfoy," he smiled back, kissing her on the mouth. "We did it."
They smiled at each other as they sat quietly. They watched their guests go through the line. Mrs. Weasley brought Drew to the head table. Hermione pulled the older witch into a hug. Mrs. Weasley hugged her back. The older witch looked into the Muggle-born's face. She smiled at the younger witch giving her a reassuring nod before heading to the buffet table.
o-o-o
Harry had enchanted Hermione's old boom box, a hand-me down from her father a long time ago, earlier that morning. The music was a varied mix; good for background music as they ate their dinner. Everyone was having a great time.
"Alright," Harry said standing as the dinner guests finished up their dinners. "I think it's time we see the bride and groom bust a move on the dance floor."
The guests clapped in agreement. Draco rolled his eyes at his old nemesis. The groom extended his hand to his bride. She smiled up at him as she took it. He led her to the makeshift dance floor in the center of the dinner tables.
He held her right hand in his left and placed his right on her hip. He smiled at her as he pulled her in closer to him. They danced their first dance as an official couple as the guests looked on.
"You're beautiful, you know that," he said as he smiled at him.
"You don't have to flatter me, Draco. We're already married," she smiled.
"I love you," he said as he kissed her cheek.
She looked up at him. "Why?" she asked.
"Because I do," he smiled as he pulled her in closer.
"I love you, Draco," she said. "I'm sorry your parents couldn't make it."
"Yeah, me too," Draco said as he led her around the dance floor. They danced quietly as other guests joined them on the dance floor.
o-o-o
"May we cut in," Pansy Parkinson-Zabini asked the newly wedded couple. Draco looked at Hermione and nodded.
Draco extended his hand to his former Housemate. The Ministry auror nodded her head as she accepted her friend's hand. The platinum blonde wizard led the dark haired witch on the dance floor.
"Shall we?" the tall wizard asked the Muggle-born.
Hermione gulped as she looked up at the former Slytherin. She smiled and accepted his hand. Blaise gently pulled her in close to him as he led her on the dance floor.
"With all the rumors flying around, I was absolutely surprised to hear that you were the one who landed the Slytherin Prince," Blaise said.
"Is that a good or bad thing?" Hermione asked, her breath hitched as she looked up at one of Draco's oldest friends. The wizard gently smiled.
"Draco has been billed as one of the most eligible bachelors in the Wizarding World since our last years at Hogwarts," he smiled at her. "Pansy even had a thing for him."
Hermione laughed remembering as much. The wizard took in a deep breath. "Draco's gonna kill me when he finds out I told you this, but that's okay. I could just Obliviate him," the Ministry Obliviator said. Hermione canted her eyebrow, curious as to what the wizard was alluding. "During the war, he told me that if we were going to make it through it all, he wanted to set things right.
"I guess he got his chance," he said as he turned her. Hermione trembled, a little as she looked up at the former Slytherin, her eyes starting to brim with tears. He nodded at her. "I think he's very lucky to have you, Hermione.
"Make sure he treats you right," he smiled. She nodded her thanks to him for the kind words.
o-o-o
"You look handsome as ever, Draco," Pansy said smiling at her former crush.
"Thanks, Pansy," he smiled back at his former Housemate.
"So why didn't you tell us about Hermione?" Pansy asked, canting an eyebrow.
"I've already had this conversation with Greg and Jo," he said. "I stupidly thought you guys would say something … awful."
"Come on, Draco," Pansy shook her head as he turned her on the dance floor. "We're not the spoiled Pure-blood brats anymore that we were at Hogwarts."
Draco laughed. "I guess we aren't," he smiled at her. They both looked in the direction of Blaise and Hermione. "You don't think he's telling her any embarrassing childhood stories, do you?"
Pansy just laughed. He joined in as they turned on the dance floor.
o-o-o
The guests talked and danced the rest of the night away. They congratulated the newlyweds. The motley group of young wizards and witches stood next to the bar.
"If I may, Draco, may I borrow your wife for this dance?" the scarred wizard asked. Draco nodded at his old rival. Hermione rolled her eyes at the two of them as she accepted her oldest friend's hand.
The two danced on the dance floor quietly for a while. He looked at his friend. "Could you have imagined the Wizarding World we live in right now almost twenty years ago?"
She shook her head. "The world continues to amaze me, Harry."
"You know Ron's probably rolling his eyes at you two right now," Harry smiled.
Hermione laughed. "Do you think he approves?"
"I think Ron would have been the first to congratulate the both of you," Harry said, looking her in the eyes.
Hermione's eyes welled up with tears. "Thanks Harry," she said kissing him on the cheek as they finished their dance.
o-o-o
21 March, Monday, 2300 GMT
Hermione and Draco made sure to thank everyone who was able to make the ceremony to help them celebrate. The Muggles left the Muggle way. They all enjoyed the celebration. They didn't notice any weird things from the other guests that they were previously warned about.
The Wizarding folk enjoyed themselves as well. They all congratulated the couple before leaving either by floo or by apparition. The Weasleys and the Potters stayed behind to help clean-up, something Draco and Hermione appreciated although they strongly declined, saying as guests they didn't have to. As always, they wouldn't take, "no," for an answer.
It took Draco, Harry, and Mr. Weasley only fifteen minutes to break down the backyard; clean-up was a breeze. Hermione, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley minded the children. Drew fell asleep a good hour ago. James and Ronda were out cold as well.
"Alright, you two have a good night," Harry said, hugging both Hermione and Draco. He then joined Ginny and their kids in the fireplace. Arthur and Molly Weasley had left five minutes before using the floo network.
Draco and Hermione both let out a breath as they watched the flames turn from green back to red as the Potters left the house. Hermione hugged her new husband. He held her left hand on his chest, running his finger over the small gold band. He nodded towards their bedroom.
"Remember that little disagreement we had about inviting my parents," he said smiling. She nodded. He kissed her cheek, "Well?"
"You're incorrigible," she said as she pulled him towards their bedroom, wiggling her eyebrows. He smirked as he followed her to the bedroom.
11