Waiting to Exhale

A/N: It had been my hope to have the first sex scene included in the wedding chapter. Alas, the wedding and reactions took up more words than I had planned. So, if you'll just give me a bit to recuperate, I will have the wedding night scene up at some point tomorrow. As always, leave me your thoughts.

"Breathe," Ginny directed the very nervous bride. "I went through this with Blaise, you know I did, but almost a month later and we get along better than I thought possible. " Ginny paused, her deft hands putting the finishing touches to her friend's makeup. "You look gorgeous. So calm down and breathe."

Hermione tried to listen, tried to take the red head's advice but it seemed to her that it was NOT working. Her pulse still raced, her heart still thundered out an uneven rhythm. So she closed her eyes and avoided the mirror because looking at herself, truly looking at herself would drive her spare. Instead, she allowed her mind to cast back for a moment, to think on all that Narcissa had accomplished. Immediately her eyes opened so that she could glance down at the ring Draco had given her last Saturday; a princess cut sapphire flanked by two small diamonds, mounted on a platinum band.

He had chosen well, and she wondered, not for the first time, how he had come to know her tastes so quickly. In truth, the things he knew had nothing to do with all of the conversations they had started, and yet, he knew. Could he possibly pay THAT much attention to her? Would this marriage work?

Her thoughts accomplished what Ginny's words could not and so she turned to face the mirror. The dress fit perfectly, showcasing her small curves and yet keeping them perfectly covered. The bottom of the dress did not allow for fast movement, only a stately sort of glide, but that did not matter. This dress would be one that she would gladly hand down to a daughter one day.

"Okay, Gin, I'm ready."

Outside Draco waited just beneath an arch that had been covered with lilac, lavender, and lilies.  The flowers would also make up her bouquet and his mother had believed that picking up that particular them on the arch would be fitting. Turning slightly, he glanced at the guests. There was a veritable sea of red as Weasley's seemed to be EVERYWHERE. Well, all but one. Ginny and Blaise were the Best Man and Matron of Honor, after all.

Suddenly, there was a momentary hush and the doors leading into the garden opened. Ginny and Blaise stepped through first, their steps measured and slow. Once the reached their designated positions, they parted with a clasping of hands. Another beat, a rolling silence and then he saw HER. 

No gloves covered her arms so that the scar of her torment could be seen. She had not tried to glamor or cover it, deciding instead that it was simply apart of her and thus not worthy of hiding. Her dress caressed each dip and swell of her modest curves, slipping along silken skin like a wave. 

Draco felt his breath stop.

Hermione had chosen to walk alone, to not be given, but to offer herself. It would have felt wrong to allow anyone other than her father to take that walk with her and due to her own actions, her father no longer knew that she existed. With that thought firmly in mind, she took the first step.

"Drake, shut your mouth before you let in some sort of insect," Blaise snarked.

By the time she reached him, Draco knew that he had lucked out. She was beautiful, her curls tumbling loose and hiding her back from sight, her veil obscuring her face and trailing back to gild her rump with lace. The young man smiled.

At last, the ceremony began and for all the pomp? Neither would ever recall exactly what was said. The only thing that mattered was the way their magic had entwined gleaming both gold and silver before joining into a bright white light which left the simple, platinum wedding bands practically vibrating upon their fingers.

The reception was also held outside, as the tables had all been placed beneath myriad tents and awnings. The entirety of the garden had been spelled to feel like late spring and so the air was warm, the laughter loud. The couple stayed long enough to eat, to throw the bouquet and the garter. to dance their first waltz as a couple.

But Draco could no longer wait and so with a kiss for his mother, he took his bride t the small home on the other side of the rose garden, The Dowager House. Once they reached the entrance, Draco scooped her up and carried her through it, a proper beginning for the new bride.

Once inside, he placed Hermione down and steadied her as she caught her balance. Her wide-eyed gaze took in the large living room and well-appointed kitchen before drifting toward the fireplace and the stairs that led up to the second floor and the bedrooms. Her breath caught, for just a moment, before she turned to Draco and softly told him, "I am untouched. Please be gentle."