CHAPTER TWENTY ONE- The Wedding
Professor Snape holding her up was the only thing making Hermione's feet walk down the aisle. In her anxiety she did not see the delicate snowflakes falling or the slowly setting sun that helped make the wedding so beautiful.
Nor did she hear the gasps of the guests noticing how lovely she was and unbelieving that she was "The Mudblood of Slytherin." The crowd was faceless to Hermione and she was only fixated on the man waiting for her at the end of the pavilion.
Draco's robes were tailored to fit his tall body exactly and his long hair was slicked back. If she did not hate the wizard only a few feet in front of her she would have thought he was positively handsome.
Even Draco couldn't help but notice the drastic change in her appearance. She was no longer in frumpy robes and the dark circles under her eyes were completely gone. The frizzy hair she was so known for was elegant and tamed, framing her face.
Draco had to remember that this was a dolled up version of a woman he despised but was grateful she looked the part. If the usual Granger walked down the aisle he knew he could never live it down.
"Who gives this witch to this wizard?" Piped the tottering old ceremony official. "I give this witch," said Snape. Unwillingly he let go of Hermione as Draco took her hand. His heart sunk deep as he turned around to take his seat.
"Witches and wizards, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls…" said the old man. As the ceremony official spoke of young love and devotion, Hermione had still not gazed into Draco's eyes.
With her hands holding Draco's cold ones she gathered the courage to look up at him. He seemed removed from the situation but still had a pleasant look on his face to please the crowd.
Malfoy gave her hand a squeeze letting her know it was time to pay attention. "Do you, Draco Lucius bond yourself to Hermione Jean and take her as wife?" The official asked. "I do so bond," he said with false joy. Quickly, Hermione slipped Draco's wedding band onto his finger.
"And do you, Hermione Jean bond yourself to Draco Lucius and take him as husband?" Asked the official. She looked to the crowd for an encouraging face but only saw that of Bellatrix Lestrange.
"I do so bond," she said quickly looking back to Draco. Bellatrix would love nothing more than to kill her parents tonight. Once Draco placed the matching band on her finger, they heard the words, "Then I pronounce this witch and wizard bonded for life!"
Lifting the veil over her head Draco leaned down and kissed his wife. It was the first kiss Hermione had ever gotten and was surprised at how soft and warm it was. The crowd began to cheer and Draco took out his wand.
"What are you doing? Get yours out too!" Draco instructed her. She reached into her dress and grabbed her wand. It shocked her to see her vine wood wand glowing. "We put them together," he said trying not to sound angry.
It was now dark out and when their glowing wands touched a single great light shone out from the two tips. "What just happened?" Hermione asked over the clapping crowd. "It was the first magic we made together as man and wife," he said.
Draco took her hand roughly and the two of them were ready walk back down the aisle when felt something staring at them. Looking up, they noticed a pair of glowing red eyes from a window at the top of Malfoy Manor.
Involuntarily Hermione held tighter onto Draco's hand. As calmly as he could, he led Hermione away from the ceremony and the snake-like eyes peering down upon them.