Once they decided on Blackmoor Hall planning fell into place quickly. Draco and Hermione had long ago decided on a small private bonding ceremony with immediate family and best friends only. A larger reception was to follow in the Halls ballroom. The Hall was thankfully in rather good shape for having sat empty for the last 40 years. The magic in the building had preserved it well. The couple spent the weekends up to the wedding redecorating each room to suit their needs and styles. The ballroom was just freshened up a bit because they both agreed they didn't actually need a ballroom. After the wedding they had contractors hired to come in and convert the room to a library.
They had decided on a two week honeymoon to Spain. During which any renovations needed would be completed and once they came back the new family of four would move into 'the Hall' as it had been dubbed.
Hermione had only 3 requests for the wedding. The first being she would wear her mother's wedding gown. It had been in the family for generations. Each bride would take it and make it her own. Second she asked Arthur to present her. The bonding ceremony they had chosen required a family member to present her to the groom and his family, similar to the father giving the bride away in muggle ceremonies. Lastly she wanted her and Draco to not see each other until the ceremony. She didn't believe it was bad luck but she did want that special moment when they saw each other for the first time. Draco had no problems and quickly agreed to his fiancés requests.
September 23 dawned bright and clear with a normal slight chill in the air for mid September. Draco and Hermione had agreed they didn't want to stay in the house until they stayed as a family. Thus Hermione had stayed at the Burrow while Draco slept at Blaise's penthouse.
Hermione arrived at 8am and went immediately to the master bedroom where she would be getting ready. While neither would have attendants they did invite everyone who would view the bonding to get ready at the Hall with them. Hermione and her family took the master bedroom and rooms in the family wing to get ready while Draco and family took the guest wing. They were on opposite sides of the Hall thus making it easier for the bride and groom to stay away from each other.
Hermione enjoyed a light breakfast alone then climbed into the tub in the master room. She insisted she get ready in the master suite for one reason. This tub. Large enough to sit 3- 4 comfortably it was a Jr. version of the Prefects tub at Hogwarts. She loved the different faucets, jets and settings of that tub but always felt awkward filling it for just one (or two) people. This tub had everything except the size. It was decadent.
By the time she finally pulled herself from the bath Hermione could hear the sounds of people moving about outside her room.
She put her hair up in a towel and slipped on her robe before sending a patronus to Ginny to let her know she was ready to begin hair and makeup.
Soon the room was filled with witches getting ready. Makeup and hair implements littered every available space as everyone got ready together. All were laughing and poking fun however a strange vibe was in the room. All the witches were fiddling with their wedding rings more than usual and Angie snuck out of the room at one point and was gone for an hour. Around 3 Hermione could no longer ignore the worried glances being shared between the Weasley women.
"So who is going to tell me what's going on?" Hermione asks as she and Luna finish adding flowers to Bryony's hair.
Angelina and Ginny share a worried look while Fluer suddenly becomes very interested in Katie's hair as Katie looks anywhere but at Hermione. Molly quickly rounds up the youngest Weasley's and heads out of the room. As soon as the little ones are out Ginny walks up to Hermione and takes her hands,
"Bill accepted a last minute job. He thought it was only going to take a day or two at most. He left on Monday, he was supposed to back by Thursday at the latest. He's still not back." Here she paused and looked at the others.
"What are you leaving out Ginny?" Hermione asked calmly. She loves Bill dearly and would be hurt if he misses her wedding but the others are expecting a bad reaction so she knows there must be more to it.
Ginny looks her in the eyes and continues, "George went with him."
Immediately Hermione pulls away and starts pacing. "George can't miss my wedding, he's in it for Merlins sake!" She exclaims. The bonding ceremony they have chosen has no officiant, they simply make their vows to each other and then they cast the spell along with representatives from each family. It is an ancient ceremony that not only binds the couple together but to an extent their families as well. Casting for Draco is his Mother along with Theo and Blaise acting as brothers. Hermione has Molly casting as her matriarch along with Harry and George as her brothers. The spell is strengthened by the bonds they share with those who cast with them. Technically any Weasley could cast for her but she is closest to George. And she just wants George.
"Why would George go? He has no curse breaking experience?" Hermione asks looking between Fluer and Angie.
"Well," Fluer pauses, looking at Angie, "George is the one who brought the job to Bill. He showed up at Shell Cottage about 2 weeks ago all excited, and said he needed Bill's help. They locked themselves in Bill's office for hours the first night." She finally looked Hermione in the eyes, "when they came out all Bill would tell me is it's a surprise but they needed to keep it a secret until they got it figured out. He mentioned needing to go on a trip but that they would be back in time for the wedding."
Angie adds, "George has been acting strange, secretive. Our house rule is that I know what's going on. On this he begged me to let him keep this secret. Said it would be easier if I don't know. Plausible deniability he said." She shrugs, "I've been messaging him all day. It looks like they did what they needed to but they were stuck wherever they are. A bit ago he asked me to get Theo for him. I think Theo is arranging a portkey for them."
Hermione looks at the witches surrounding her, all except Luna, of course, with worried looks. Katie just shakes her head, "I asked Ron last night, he just knows they are gone. Even he and Harry are in the dark."
The witches just stare forlornly at each other until the moment when Molly comes bustling back in insisting it's time for Hermione to get dressed. The ceremony was scheduled for 430.
It was as Katie and Audrey were buttoning up the dozen of buttons at the back of her dress that a familiar knock sounded at the door and a voice called out, "everyone decent?" Once they confirmed they were Hannah opened the door and let George and Bill in.
George took one step into the room, saw Hermione and stood still just staring at her. All the witches hugged Hermione and greeted George as they quickly cleared the room.
"You look amazing," George began, staring at her in awe.
Hermione cut him off before he could continue though, "and you almost missed my wedding." She said as she swatted at him.
George finally snapped out of his awe inspired stupor and stepped forward to hug her, "I'm sorry," he began sounding genuinely contrite, "but I promise it was for a good reason. And I promise no matter what, I wouldn't have missed this." He held her hands as he looked her up and down. He continued, "I always knew I'd get to see you wear this one day." He said, referencing the dress.
Hermione's wedding dress was actually her mother's dress. She is now the 5th generation to wear this dress. It has been handed down mother to daughter since the first time it was worn in 1898. Each bride makes modifications to make it uniquely their own but it's still the original material. With the use of magical tailoring the poofy sleeves that her mother had added were removed, it was given a more fitted silhouette and she added a rather daring slit up the side, almost to her mid thigh. However the lace overlay remained along with the modest neckline.
Years ago when she married Ron Hermione refused to wear it. She had always planned to continue the tradition and had already begun planning her changes when Fred proposed. However with the change in groom and inability to have her parents present Hermione refused to even look at the gown. Luna and George both insisted one day she would wear it while Hermione insisted it would stay packed away until it was Bryony's turn to get married.
A few days after they announced their engagement George came by the house. He calmly went up into the attic and came back down with the trunk it had been magically packed into to preserve it. He opened it up with her and they had a long talk, ending in Hermione happily beginning alterations on the gown.
"So are you ready to marry your wizard?" George asks, snapping Hermione out of her thoughts.
"I am" she smiles and takes his offered arm. While they were talking everyone else had headed out to the ritual circle. Hermione and George walk arm in arm to the base of the stairs to wait for Arthur to join them. Once she is handed over George pops away to join the others.
"You look stunning, Hermione." Arthur begins, tearing up. "You have always been and always will be one of my own. Today I am proud to expand our family once again. Let's go get you married."
Arthur turns them and side along apporaited to a small stand of trees just a few feet from the ritual circle. Once Hermione straightens out her dress and veil they walk together to the circle. The circle itself is about 8 ft in diameter. As soon as the crack of apporition was heard everyone turned and those closest stepped aside so Draco, who was already in the middle of the circle had a clear view of his bride. Arthur walked Hermione to the edge of the circle and kissed her cheek, presenting her to her groom. Once inside Hermione and Draco professed their love and made their vows surrounded by their family. Then Molly and Narcissa stepped into the circle flanked by the chosen 'brothers'. Together all eight cast the binding spell. And they were bound. The magic in the circle flowed out into everyone present. While not necessary to kiss the bride to seal the bond Draco eagerly kissed Hermione as their family cheered around them. Once they finally parted Scorpius and Bryony came running into the circle to join in on the hugs. Hermione was crouched down hugging Scorpius when Bryony called from where she was situated in Draco's arms,
"Mummy, who is that?" She pointed behind Hermione.
"Mum? Dad?" Hermione gasped.