AN: So here's my latest story. It's loosely based on the film 8 First Dates starring Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Yes, that Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Before becoming President of Ukraine he had an acting career. I haven't been able to find the entire film, but the synopsis inspired this story. Hopefully you all enjoy it!
Thank you for the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
It was nice to be nothing more than a face in the crowd. After months of flashing cameras and barrages of questions, it was a relief for the reporters to turn their focus onto other people, people who had more to celebrate than she did at the moment.
The warm, early autumn evening breeze wafted through the white streamers, taking with it some of the yellow, red, and white rose petals from the floral arrangements. The neon orange hues of the sunset brought out the natural highlights of the woman wearing a white, mermaid dress. The woman raised her half full Champagne flute as her new husband pulled her into his arms. She squeaked before somehow managing to right her drink, preventing a sticky spill from occurring. Undeterred by the near disaster, he kissed her cheek, leading her to giggle. The audience clapped, with a few shouting for one more kiss.
Hermione watched from a distance. Despite being happy for her friends, she did not want to intrude on such a tender moment. Given the way she'd initially reacted to this union, keeping her distance was for the best.
Five years ago, she had spent all night trying to talk her friend out of dating the groom. She'd pleaded and begged the future bride to reconsider her options, and give her now ex-boyfriend the chance they deserved. The bride hadn't budged, instead deciding to follow her heart. In the end, the bride had been correct in her decision. The union of Draco and Ginny Malfoy was a happy one, the universe's way of assuring the Wizarding World that true love still existed.
Theirs wasn't any ordinary union though. No, the reporters made that clear from the moment the engagement was announced. The bride and groom confirmed the rumors with their matching patronuses and their increased magic levels. Soft sparks flew when they kissed, confirming everyone's greatest hopes and fears.
They were the first soul bonded pair in over one hundred forty years.
What all that entailed Hermione wasn't entirely sure. Some said Ginny and Draco could now read each other's thoughts, they would be able to sense each other's feelings from a distance, and they could now overcome any obstacle on the strength of their love alone. Hermione didn't know who or what to believe. All she knew was that Ginny and Draco were happy. In the end, shouldn't that be what everyone desired and deserved?
Ginny set her flute of Champagne down on a small table. The string quartet began playing a baroque song Hermione had long forgotten the name of. They, along with many of their guests, began to waltz across the sapphire tiled ground. For a brief second, Hermione wondered if she should fetch her wayward fiancé for a dance, but thought better of it. The last time they'd danced, he'd stepped on her toes five times. She didn't want to ruin these ruby high heels in such a manner, not after seeing the price tag.
"Odd to see them together, isn't it?"
Hermione turned to Neville, who stood beside her in his finest dress robes.
"It is," Hermione admitted. "I never thought Draco could make anyone happy, much less Ginny. Come to think of it, I didn't know he knew what happiness was."
"I never thought he'd have a soulmate," Neville exhaled, a smile still on his face. "He's a lucky man."
"He'd better remember every day how lucky he is," George stood beside them. "Or I'm liable to hex him into oblivion, soul bond or not."
"I think they'll be very happy together," Neville folded his hands.
"We'll just have to see about that," George scoffed. "He's still a Malfoy, and she's still a Weasley. They can't overcome his past with a few kisses."
"You shouldn't be so pessimistic," Neville replied. "People do change for the better. Draco will take care of Ginny."
"Don't give me that, 'Draco is a new man thanks to Ginny' pile of dung," George warned. "People also take advantage of situations to increase their social standing all the time, especially Slytherins."
"How is he taking advantage of a soul bond? You can't manufacture one of those."
"Not unless he found a way to trap Ginny."
"I highly doubt a year old Draco forced a soul bond on Ginny the day she was conceived."
"I wouldn't put it past Lucius to do such a thing though."
"Why would Lucius want Draco bonded with someone he considered a blood traitor?" Hermione cut in.
"Who knows?" George shook his head, unable to concede her point, at least not aloud.
"I'm still not sure what this whole soul bond thing entails other than making them more powerful together than apart," Hermione cut in. "The reports conflict with each other, and muddle the issue more than clarify it."
"That's because so little is known about soul bonds," Neville admitted. "From what I understand though, Draco and Ginny have an urge to be near each other, an attraction towards the other they find difficult to ignore, and a desire to bring out the best in each other. They understand each other on a spiritual level, a way deeper than any other two people ever could. Then, there's the fact that together, they will create something powerful."
"Like a larger Malfoy Enterprises Empire," George deadpanned.
"Soul bonds aren't about making more money."
"Most soul bonds may not be, but this is Draco. Malfoys only care about money and power."
"Perhaps that is true of Lucius, but when I look at Draco and Ginny..."
Ginny put her head back laughed as Draco twirled her around.
"It don't think they're going to create a new way to make money," Neville answered. "It's going to be something much more beautiful."
"Then what are they going to create?"
"I couldn't say," Neville answered with a dreamy expression. "It hasn't been created yet, but they both seem dedicated to its creation."
The music stopped, replaced by the sound of polite applause.
"Mrs. Weasley!"
Hermione suppressed a groan. The last thing she needed was Rita in her face. Perhaps she would be satisfied interviewing the bride, groom, and their families, giving Hermione a reprieve.
Molly took a shaky breath and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
"I was wondering if you had any comments on the marriage of your daughter to her soul-bonded partner?" Rita pulled out her quill and parchment while Dennis Creevey leaned in with his camera, ready for the money shot.
Molly let out a wail and erupted into tears. "Where did I go wrong?"
Rita and Dennis looked at each other.
"I raised Ginny so well, taught her all the right values. She knew what a good man was, and what to look for in a partner. How could she marry a Malfoy? Where did I go wrong?" She cried.
Arthur put an arm around Molly and looked at the reporters. "Please, our family is requesting privacy through this difficult time."
"Uh, sure," Rita drawled before glancing at her pad. After taking a moment to recover from the shock, she began scribbling down notes. Dennis took a picture of the distraught parents, knowing their reaction would make just as interesting a story as the soul bond itself.
"If they're doing interviews, you'd better find your fiancé," Neville suggested. "Merlin only knows what he's going to say without you there to soften his words."
"Indeed," Hermione glanced around. "Where is Ron?"
"The last time I checked, he was near the open bar," George pointed across the courtyard, where Ron stood beside a gazebo, nursing an almost empty flute of Champagne.
"Oh Merlin," Hermione rushed over to him as fast as her high heels would take her, hoping she did not trip over anything. Despite the full moon and the lanterns, the night was still dimmer than evening, and a broken ankle was anything but welcome.
"See, if anyone should be soul bonded, it should be those Hermione and Ron," George began. "They've been through so much together, fought and defeated Voldemort together. Ron is more capable of loving a woman that Draco could ever be, and Hermione has more sense than Ginny. They're perfect for each other, unlike the bloody Malfoys."
Neville hummed and scratched his chin, wondering if people saw the same things he did.
"What are you doing?" Hermione hissed as Ron handed the Champagne flute to the bartender for a refill.
"Getting through this sham of a wedding," he slurred, his breath reeking of the expensive alcohol.
"Well slow down," Hermione whispered. "There are reporters here."
"Good," Ron smirked. "I can tell everyone how I feel, and let everyone know what a sham this all is."
"And tank my campaign?" Hermione's frown deepened. "No, you will not say whatever comes to mind. You will remain respectful and classy."
"Respectful?"
She nodded.
"C'mon, somebody has to tell the truth about this farce," Ron took a sip of the Champagne. "Ginny should be soul bonded to Harry, not Draco Malfoy."
"From what I understand, lovers can't control a soul bond."
"Yes, but they can control whether or not to give into it." He snarled. "Ginny had no sense of self-control when she started flirting with a stupid Malfoy. She could have fought the soul bond if she'd tried harder and made things work with Harry."
"She didn't do that, so now we have to support them. That way, we don't look like a couple of raving killjoys who are trampling on true love."
"It's all about our appearance, isn't it?" He grumbled.
"When there are reporters around, yes," she hissed.
"Hermione Granger!" Rita called, quill at the ready to write down her statement.
"Hello Rita," Hermione forced herself to smile as Ron stumbled and put an arm around her.
"Do you have any comment on Draco and Ginny's soul bond?" Rita's grin was predatory, awaiting the exact moment where Hermione slipped and said the thing which would make the front page.
"I do," Hermione cleared her throat. "I am very happy for Ginny and Draco. A soul bond is a sacred thing, something most of us will never get to experience. I am thrilled for my friend that she is experiencing such a strong bond with another person. We are both happy for them."
Rita scribbled what Hermione had said. "Do you have anything to say, Ron?"
He belched before he burst out laughing. Hermione glowered at him and shoved an elbow into his ribs. He glared at her before rubbing the area where her elbow had been.
"Put him down as having no comment," Hermione demanded.
"Are you certain? He seemed eager to say something," Rita noted.
"There's nothing he has to say that hasn't already been said."
"I'm sure he can speak for himself," Rita turned to Ron.
"I say we forget the idiotic Malfoys and move onto something more pleasant," Ron slurred.
"Like what?"
"My own wedding!"
"Oh?" Rita leaned in closer. "Have you set a date yet?"
"No, but that doesn't matter. My wedding to Hermione will be much nicer, bigger, and better than this boring wedding!" Ron bragged.
"I'm sure Lucius will take great pleasure in knowing there's competition," Rita jotted down the quote.
"We aren't competing, just stating a fact. Hermione and I may not be soul bonded, but we love each other. That's all that matters," he sneered.
"I'll be sure to tell your sister and the readers that," Rita finished writing. With one last smug expression, she and Dennis strolled away, looking for new guests to victimize.
"There, I behaved," Ron slurred.
Hermione groaned before stomping away from him, biting her tongue in order not to cause more damage to her reputation.
She returned her attention to the dance floor. While the music had continued, Draco and Ginny had left the platform and were shaking hands with their guests. Their eyes gleamed as they saw the next well-wisher.
"Uncle Severus!" Draco embraced him. "It's so great that you could make it."
"Yes," Ginny stood behind Draco, her arms readied for a hug. "We know how difficult it was for you to make it. It means a lot to us that you'd come."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. What would make it difficult for Severus to come? Yes, he was a recluse, but there couldn't be anything other than his pissy attitude which would keep him inside at night.
Severus broke away from Draco and embraced Ginny. The red head continued, "thank you so much for coming."
Before she could overhear the rest of the conversation, a voice said, "they look happy together."
"Harry," she turned around. "I'm surprised you came."
"Why?" He shrugged. "Ginny and I are friends, and she invited me to her wedding. Where else would I be?"
"I can think of lots of places, like the Leaky Cauldron or the Three Broomsticks. I mean you and Draco..."
"Are fine," he interrupted. "He makes Ginny happy, that's all I care about."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Ginny and I were never going to be happy together, and she knew it. Sure, it took me some time for me to acknowledge that, but what I see her, she's glowing in a way she never did with me."
Hermione glanced at Ginny, who was saying something to Snape. He chuckled before coughing. For the first time all day, Draco frowned. Ginny rubbed Severus' back and said something obscured by the music.
"She glows when she's with Draco the way Luna glows when she's with me, and the way I glow when I'm with her." Harry continued. "That's all I ever wanted for her."
"You two are happier with your partners than you were when you two were together," she admitted.
"I'm glad things worked out the way they did. Granted, Draco wouldn't have been my first choice for Ginny, but she's happy," Harry answered. "That's all I care about."
"You're a bigger person than I would've been."
"You're capable of more than you believe," Luna began as she approached Harry and Hermione.
"Perhaps," Hermione replied. "I just hope I'm never in the position of needing to let Ron go."
"I'm sure you and Ron will be together for the rest of your lives, soul bond or not," Harry answered.
Hermione didn't miss the way Luna's lip twisted upwards, or how she bit her tongue.
Another waltz began, this one by Mozart.
"It's our song," Luna's eyes glistened.
"It is," Harry beamed. "I'll see you later."
"Yes, I'll see you around," she answered.
"The Malfoys are more than happy to welcome Ginevra into our family!"
Hermione glanced to her right, where a horde of reporters had swarmed Lucius. His grin grew with each flash of the camera. Beside him, Narcissa stood, her hands folded, her posture straight, as if she was a queen presiding over the court.
"We are so happy Draco has found his soul mate," Narcissa began. "He could not have asked for a better partner."
"Draco is happy, and we couldn't be happier for him," Lucius added.
"The fact that Ginny is a pureblood in good standing with the Ministry doesn't hurt," Hermione muttered before strolling away.
"I have no idea how you can be so reasonable about all this!"
Hermione groaned as she observed Ron with Neville, now with one Champagne flute in each hand.
"You should've said or done something during her sixth year. You could've prevented all this if you'd done something and told her to stop flirting with other boys!"
"Ron please," Neville began, "People are starting to stare."
"Let them stare! It's about time someone told the truth!"
"It's also about time someone cut you off," Neville took the flutes of Champagne from him.
"What are you doing?" Ron spat.
Neville dumped the liquid into the grass and set the flutes on the ground. "C'mon, let's get you some fresh air away from here. Once you've calmed down we'll find Hermione and she can take you home."
"I don't want to go home!"
"The sooner you go home, the sooner you'll be away from Draco Malfoy kissing your sister at every opportunity."
Ron considered his words as Neville led him away.
Hermione swallowed, not wanting to anyone to know she wanted to go home now. Still, she needed to give her regards to the bride and groom. Besides, she hated dealing with Ron when he was like this. Best to stay obscured by the moonlight until she could speak to the bride and groom.
Before she could contemplate her next move, she felt a presence beside her.
"Professor Snape," she turned around and frowned. "How much of Ron's rant did you hear?"
He grunted, his eyes betraying a hint of concern.
"Don't look at me like that."
He kept his gaze on her.
"Ron, he's fine. He doesn't tend to get drunk, at least not often."
He huffed.
"What, do you have something to say?"
He remained silent.
"Oh just say it!" Tears pricked at her eyes. "Go ahead and make your snide comment so we can get on with our evening."
He gave her one last look before continuing his trek to the apparation point.
"Wait!"
He stopped, but did not turn around.
Her voice was softer. "Do you think Ginny and Draco are really soul bonded?"
He turned around and raised an eyebrow.
"I've read the literature on soul bonds, but the whole thing confuses me. I mean, how close can two people be? How can souls be bonded? What is a soul anyway? How do they unite, and why?"
He rolled his eyes.
"Fine, you think it's bollocks, but I'm not sure I believe in it either. Still, Draco, and Ginny speak highly of you. They claim you're one of the smartest people they know. Do you think this soul bond thing is real?"
He examined her, as if deciding his next words.
"Do you think everyone could have a soul bond?" She asked. "Or is it just for certain people?"
He shrugged.
"Am I not even worth having a conversation with?" She snapped.
He frowned before apparating away.
"Fine, be a git. See if I care," she muttered before the crowd erupted into applause.
She looked at the platform. Draco and Ginny's lips met again, eliciting more cheers.
Hermione shook her head, wondering why during every wedding, she found herself alone.