CHAPTER TWENTY TWO- The Reception
The red eyes she saw still felt like they were pressing into her soul. "Was that…?" She asked Draco quietly. Under the pavilion people were magically moving chairs and replacing them with beautifully adorned tables.
"Yes, it was. He will be watching the whole night," Draco said trying to sound brave. Still holding on to each other's hands they went into the manor until the reception was ready.
Once they were alone inside they dropped their hands from each other. Draco shot away from to stand at the other side of the room and Hermione absent-mindedly traced the designs of her dress and took off her veil.
Neither spoke for twenty minuets until Narcissa came for them. "Happy faces you two! The ceremony official will announce you now," she said. Instantly Draco put a charming smile on his face and Hermione attempted to do the same.
Hand in hand they walked back out to the party where a dance floor had been placed as well as all the guests sitting at their perfectly decorated tables. "Witches and wizards! I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy!" The old man announced.
The guests clapped and shot sparks out of their wands in celebration. Before Hermione could faint from hearing herself referred to as "Mrs. Draco Malfoy," her husband held her hand tightly and took her to the dance floor.
The music started and Hermione stood still, "I don't know how to dance," she whispered urgently to Draco. "Of course you don't bloody know how to dance," he said annoyed. "Don't you dare step on my feet!" he snapped quietly.
Drawing her in closer and putting an arm around her waist he guided them around the dance floor. While Draco led her around the dance floor she noticed the faces of all of their guests.
The only faces she knew were students of Hogwarts and a few professors. Pansy Parkinson locked eyes with her and gave Hermione a sour expression. Her gaze kept creeping back to try and find the eyes in the attic but she could not see them under the pavilion.
"Focus! Would you?" Draco snapped as they finished their dance. Hermione had come too close to his feet and tried not to stumble. They took their seat at the head table as Lucius stood for his toast.
"It is a happy to see my only son and heir married. Especially to someone as smart and beautiful as Hermione," Lucius started. Hermione could hear Lucius' pride choking on those words.
"May you two live a happy life together as man and wife. Narcissa and I eagerly await our future grandchildren!" Lucius said raising his glass. In one quick gulp he finished his glass and was already pouring another.
Hermione had only sipped her champagne and saw that Draco was well into his second glass. Hermione and Draco had no appetite even if it was the most exquisite meal either of them had seen.
By the time the party started and people began to dance Draco was still downing glass after glass of champagne. "Perhaps you should slow down," Hermione warned, knowing He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was watching them closely.
"Perhaps you should shut your mouth," Draco slurred. Hermione itched to pull her wand out and throw him across the tables like she had done in their second year. She was clever enough to hold onto her sanity and wait for the right moment to get him back.
The party was in full swing and everyone was happily dancing away. "Draco, why don't you go and dance. Show a little happiness?" Draco's father said. Reluctantly he took Hermione to the dance floor and joined the party.
It was even more difficult this time to dance due to the faster paced music and her heavy dress. The music went back to a slow melody and Draco took her closely again. They were swaying away when there was a tap on Draco's shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Severus asked the groom. Draco faked a smile, bowed out and went to dance with his mother. "You are doing well tonight," he said taking her arm and waist to dance.
Hermione did not feel the need to respond. When she was younger and admired her professor, she loved his praise and teachings. Now she felt the same contempt for him as the rest of the Malfoys.
Snape was displeased with her silence but was so happy inside to be dancing with her. He wished that he could tell her of the prophecy and reassure her that her current unhappiness would not last forever.
Instead of being able to comfort her with those words he told her, "You are so lovely tonight… You have grown up to be an astounding witch." Snape would never have thought that the scared and confused little girl he once knew would grow up to be the woman in a wedding dress dancing with him.
Bitterness crept though Hermione and took his compliment nastily. Hermione was ready to tell Snape exactly what she thought of him when the wedding cake was being brought out.
"If you'll excuse me professor, I have to go cut my wedding cake," she said picking up her dress and deserting him on the dance floor. As she left he felt a burning on his left forearm. The Dark Lord was calling him to the attic.
Snape left the party as the newlyweds were cutting the giant cake. Quietly he crept through the crowd and up the many flights of steps to the Malfoy's attic. "My Lord?" Severus asked as he approached.
Voldemort was standing at the window, fixated on the party below. "A superb wedding, if I do say so myself," the Dark Lord commented. Snape agreed and waited to see why he was summoned.
"I have no doubt in my mind that this prophecy will become true… But I am growing eager," he said. "It will take time, we must be patient," Snape said trying to pacify Voldemort.
"They are a stubborn pair. I hope you can persuade the young couple to fulfill their responsibilities. I would hate to reprimand them before the honeymoon. Return to the party, Severus." Lord Voldemort instructed Snape who bowed and slunk back to the wedding.