Hermione's head was pounding. Between the nonstop chatter, the band playing the music, and the flashing lights from the photographers, it wasn't really surprising.
Lucius and Draco had made quick work of setting up an area for the photographers at the reception, keeping them out of everyone else's way. They had a table with food and drinks, but since the flashes didn't stop for even a second, Hermione doubted they had used it. She could tell some of the guests were uncomfortable with it, and she couldn't blame them.
She felt uneasy about it.
From her position at a table set up on a raised platform just for Lucius and herself, Hermione could see all of the guests and the dance floor. She could see that Harry was tense from the set of his shoulders and Minerva had rubbed her temple more than a few times. Hermione felt the same way they did, but she was also forced to keep looking happy since the cameras were mostly aimed at her and Lucius.
"How much longer is this going to take?" Hermione whispered to Lucius, hoping no one else would overhear.
Technically, we can end this at any time, but officially, we have another hour and a half.
"And what is planned for this next hour and a half?" As if on cue, the musicians paused their playing and looked up at them.
He replied, standing up. "Mostly dancing." He offered her his hand and she took it tentatively.
Lucius led her to the center of the dance floor. As the musicians began playing a slow, classical tune, he placed his hands on her waist. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and they started their first dance as a married couple.
"This is rather intimate for a first dance," Hermione says softly as they move around on the dance floor.
"Did you think we would be doing ballroom dancing all evening?"
"Actually, yes. At least for this dance."
There's a hint of humor in his eyes as he leans down to her ear. "Might as well give them something to really talk about tomorrow." Hermione huffs but has a small grin on her face.
Soon the song comes to an end and everyone is clapping for them. Apparently it's time to chat with everyone because Lucius starts walking towards the crowd, still holding her hand. Ginny and Harry are the first to approach them.
"You look amazing," Ginny explains as she pulls Hermione into a tight hug. "I'm so glad your hair is still in place because that took forever."
"Thank you, again, for helping me get ready. I'm not sure I could have pulled it off on my own."
"I'm sure you could have," the new Mrs. Potter says, smiling widely at her friend.
"You look great 'Mione," Harry says, pulling her into a hug as well. "Do you want to dance?" Hermione glances at Lucius next to her, who is staring at the reporters as they keep pointing at different people and snapping pictures.
"I'd love to." The two walk onto the dance floor, where a few people have started dancing since her and Lucius left.
Harry wraps his arms around her and she wraps hers around his neck. They sway to the music, and the whole moment reminds her of when they danced while on the run in that terrible little tent.
"I know this probably isn't what you expected your wedding to be like," Harry starts, looking very nervous, "but I hope you are happy. As happy as you can be given the circumstances at least."
"Thank you Harry. This really isn't what I expected, and it's not with the person I was thinking it would be with, but I think one day I might be as happy as you and Ginny are. Or I hope so at least. I do wish my parents could have been here though."
"Have you thought about trying to find them?"
"I have thought about it, but it seems impossible. For all I know they didn't stay in the house I sent them to, and if they somehow are still there, I don't know how to even go about getting their memories back."
"I'm sorry. If you need help, just let me know. I'm not sure what I'd do, but the offers out their." Hermione smiled at him sadly.
"Thank you Harry, it means a lot. I'm just glad I sent them to Australia. They always wanted to go their, so I know they have to be somewhat happy."
"I'm sure they are." A very bright flash makes them realize how close they are to the reporters. They move away as quickly as they can, almost running into Ginny and Lucius, who are dancing together, thought neither look thrilled.
"That's surprising," she says, moving her gaze back to Harry.
"Yeah, almost as surprising as the reporters. Why are they in here?"
"Apparently Ron was out front talking to them. I guess he got mad the gate didn't open and started saying mean things about us to them. So I figured I'd give them something else to talk about."
Harry chuckles as the song ends and everyone claps for the musicians. They walk together off the dance floor and he pulls her towards the edge of the tables, away from people.
"I'm sorry about everything that happened with him. I should have come to your defense right away, but I didn't." Hermione puts a hand on his arm and squeezes him lightly.
"It's okay, Harry, really. Everyone was shocked. The fact that he said those things in front of his entire family still makes me angry. But I'm glad that I found out about that side of him when I did."
"Everyone is still mad at him. Even Mrs. Weasley. She doesn't want to loose anyone else, but she's not happy with him."
Neville and Luna come over and the conversation between her and Harry is quickly pushed to the back of her mind. After dancing with Neville, Mr. Lovegood, Kingsley, and Mr. Weasley, Hermione was exhausted and her feet hurt. Lucius found her sitting with Minerva, her heels laying on the ground next to her.
"Mr. Malfoy," Minerva says tersely, "I suppose congratulations are in order." Lucius nods his head in greeting and rests a hand on the back of Hermione's chair.
"How are the efforts at Hogwarts?"
"Paused, I'm afraid. With the weddings happening people have been busy. And the snow complicates matters. I'm hopefully to start in September still, but we'll see I suppose."
"Let us know if we can do anything to help. I am more than willing to donate funds and help restock the library."
"Thank you for the offer Mr. Malfoy. I'll be sure to keep it in mind. I must talk to Harry before he leaves, but I will talk to you soon Miss Granger."
"Thank you for coming," Hermione says, smiling widely at her old head of house. Lucius takes the seat Minerva had been in and leans back.
"Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?"
"Yes, it was a lot more fun than I expected it to be."
"Did you think it would go poorly?" Hermione takes a sip from the glass in front of her before answering.
"I thought all of my friends would be more tense. With everything that happened with you and this house, I just didn't expect things to go this way. And all of the Weasleys invited were so nice and supportive, which was surprising but nice."
"I will admit, I expected the evening to go poorly as well. Especially with the opening event being Ronald Weasley at the gates."
"When can we leave? My feet are killing me and I'm ready to be out of this dress." One of his eyebrows lifts as he stares at her, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He leans forward, getting very close to her.
"If you said you wanted to take off your dress, we would have left an hour ago."
"So if I want something from you I just have to mention taking off my clothes, got it. I'll remember that." She smiles at him as she brings her feet to the floor and starts rubbing his ankle in much the same way as she did at the dinner he had a few weeks ago.
Lucius stands up abruptly, her shoes in one of his hands. When she stands up next to him he wraps his other arm around her waist. They start walking away from the reception, into the garden.
"Where are we going? Malfoy Manor and the gate are the other way."
"I changed the wards a bit. Now a member of the Malfoy family can apparate onto and the grounds and off of them."
"When did you make that change?" Hermione asks as she quickly steps in front of him, pushing herself against him.
"When you decided to let reporters in. It was a surprisingly quick thing to change. I thought we might need a quick escape." He somehow pulls her body even closer to his and starts kissing along her jawline.
"Let's test it out then," Hermione breaths out, gripping one of his arms tightly. And with a loud pop they are gone.