Nicest Thing

This is it! The Epilogue! I want to thank everyone who read and enjoyed the story! Draco’s POV shall be the next installment so keep an eye out!

Songs:
The Submarines – Peace and Hate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihpFwaPgOZU

“The Start of the Wedding”
Owl City – Rainbow Veins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EsMHFXdLxI

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One Year Later

She hated this. Absolutely hated this. Standing in front of hundreds of people was definitely NOT something she wanted to do. So much for ‘small’ and ‘simple,’ bloody idiot. Annoying people in fancy dress robes were buzzing around her as if she were some kind of princess, or worth a whole lot of money. Well, after today it seems that she would be worth a whole lot of money. Not that money really mattered. Manors, expensive dinners, extravagant galas were not her thing and she was happy never to have to go to them ever again.

Crookshanks slept throughout the entire ordeal – lucky cat. Hermione, on the other hand, wasn’t given the privilege as the entire thing revolved around her. Oh how she hated being the center of attention. She contemplated sneaking out of the back door, jumping onto a broom, and fly off into the distance. That was neither plausible or something she would do, only think. After all, the reason she was standing in front of a mirror wearing a dress far too expensive for her taste and having abnormal amounts of people prattling behind and around her was probably standing by just relaxing.

Draco was one lucky sod if he knew the pain she went through just to make him happy. Of course, he did propose and in a very Malfoy-manner. The top of the Eiffel Tower during New Years with fireworks and the usual bickering about how she doesn’t drink wine properly. She remembered that night perfectly and always grinned at what happened.

A surprise day at the office – she had just transferred to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement – and was literally dragged caveman style to Paris for dinner. After picking at her dinner habits, Draco took her up to the top of the Eiffel Tower to look at the fireworks. No Muggles were able to find the small restaurant that sat at the tip – waited by House-elves of course – which Hermione spent a majority of the time griping about their treatment until she learned that they were actually ‘paid’ elves. Dobby would have loved it there.

He snaked his arms around her as they watched the fireworks and once they were over, he turned her around and got on bended knee. The ring – was nothing like Pansy’s ridiculous rock – was very lovely and just her taste. White silver with a square diamond surrounded by deep emeralds, utterly amazing and beautiful. She said yes and watched as he dropped the ring off the Eiffel Tower when a House-Elf passed in front of them and accidentally tripped him. They spent the remainder of their night looking for the ring, but it was almost romantic.

Of course, nothing that came with Malfoy meant that it was simple and cheap. She groaned as Narcissa asked her to accompany her to purchase dresses, plates, and all the little things that went with weddings. Lucius was no where to be seen – which she figured he was against the marriage because of her blood. He arrived well enough, but his scowl confused her parents. Her parents met Draco shortly after their engagement where he nearly chopped his hand off trying to figure out how to use a lawn mower. He also helped her dad reshingle the roof – he looked good shirtless and her neighbors agreed when they brought lawn chairs out to watch him work – but ended up using magic to make them stay.

Their first Christmas together was loads of fun. She made her annual trek to the Burrow with Draco in tow and spent the entire night trying to worm Gabrielle Delacour away from him and watching James puke all over Draco’s sweater vest. He told her he didn’t want children – but that night they ‘practiced’ making children and he changed his mind. Mrs. Weasley adopted Draco into her family – despite a few of the other Weasley’s protests – and even made him the usual wool sweater with a large D on it. He wore it, until he got home, and she hadn’t seen it since.

They attended Ron and Luna’s wedding together where Ron got so pissed that Draco and Harry spent their entire evening keeping his head out of a toilet. Hermione couldn’t even dance with Draco because he reeked of toilet water and vomit – not that she minded. Luna looked lovely, of course, but ended up dancing her ‘first’ dance alone while everyone watched, although Nymphadora joined soon after as did the rest of the bridesmaids. Needless to say, Draco was very adamant on not having his photographs ruined by over drinking and constantly brought that day up whenever Theodore Nott or Blaise Zabini mentioned wanting various amounts of alcohol.

Moving day was particularly fun, in Hermione’s eyes. She moved to a larger, by larger she meant four times the size of her cottage with a beach front view, gardens and her very own House-Elf [who had threatened to hex her if she didn’t stop giving her socks], cottage with Draco in Falmouth. They decorated and moved their things in together throughout several weeks and she introduced him to the world of Chinese take-away. He spent the majority of the night on the toilet – never again. Crookshanks got a little too friendly with their neighbor’s cat and Hermione spent the latter part of a week apologizing for getting the poor thing pregnant – although Crooks didn’t seem to care at all and Draco didn’t either.

And now, now was the day. THE day. Everyone had already arrived and she was now hyperventilating. So many things could go wrong. She could trip and fall, rip her dress and end up standing butt naked in front of everyone. Although, she had a feeling Draco wouldn’t care – stupid git. A pregnant, again, Ginny waddled up to Hermione with one hand on her swelling stomach while Nymphadora – with bubblegum pink hair – followed carrying Teddy – who had bright green hair – into the large waiting room.

“You look beautiful, Hermione!” Ginny wept, hugging her closely.

“Are you ok?” Hermione asked, trying to take a breath.

“Yes!” Ginny wailed, “Don’t worry. Hormones. Another Potter boy. Oh Merlin I hope I don’t have to pee…oh got to go pee!”

She turned and rushed to the bathroom, cursing under her breath. Hermione smiled at the small toddler that was Teddy and picked him up, putting him on her hip.

“How is my little Teddy doing?” She cooed, watching Teddy’s hair turn pink.

“He’s in love with you, ‘Mione,” Nymphadora laughed, “Should’ve heard him on the way here.”

“Is that true?” Hermione asked Teddy, who shook his head vigorously, clutching onto Hermione.

He blushed when she pecked his cheek, his hair turning a fiery red, before giving him back to Tonks. Ginny waddled out of the bathroom a moment later looking calm and relaxed, but nearly toppled over when Luna skipped in carrying a basket of odds and ends.

“I found these, Hermione,” Luna chirped, handing her several odd ornaments and what looked like a stick, “It will bring you good luck! I wish I had them when I married Ronald, but they some how disappeared.”

She tilted her head to the side and thought for a second – more like five minutes – and in the same position. Hermione looked around as Ginny and Nymphadora were quickly relieving Hermione of all the oddities and hiding them in sofa cushions.

There was a knock on the door and all four swung around to look. Hermione’s father peeked in, covering his eyes.

“Ok, Bride to be. You ready? There are quite a few…people…waiting for you dear.”

“Oh, right!” Hermione said, running around with her hands grasping onto her expensive gown, a pearl white chiffon and silk dress that bunched together making it look like waves of cascading fabric.

“Ladies and Teddy first,” He said, ushering the group out.

Nymphadora nearly tripped on the threshold and take Ginny down – if not for her lopsided weight. They all stood in a line and exhaled in time. Teddy’s hair changed back to its normal teal color as he held onto Nymphadora’s hand with little James joining on her other side. Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini held their arms out for Luna and Ginny. Slowly, one by one they marched down the aisle across many rows of people.

Hermione took a breath and closed her eyes, clutching onto her flowers and smiled when her father held his arm out for her.

“Ready?” He asked, brushing a curled tendril out of her face.

“More than I’ll ever be,” she whispered, exhaling as the wide doors opened.

They moved slowly down the aisle feeling eyes of everyone she had ever known glued on her. Madam Nash and her thin husband, and Brutus, sat at Draco’s side smiling at them. Madam Nash babbled and began bawling onto her husband’s shoulder, sniveling and blowing her nose into his robes. Brutus nodded curtly and smiled wide, missing several teeth. Across on her side, she saw Seamus and Dean beaming at her, with Neville and Hannah sitting in front of them.

The Weasleys too an entire row up top and were beaming at her, even Ron. Harry nodded to Hermione, blushing when she smiled at him. Hagrid and many of her former professors sat together and bowed lightly, even Snape showed but he was on Draco’s side and looked utterly bored. Lucius and Narcissa sat up front looking as if they were royalty. Lucius’ face was pursed together but his face fell when he saw Hermione and she thought she saw him smile. Narcissa was beaming at her as well and whispered to Mrs. Malvini that Hermione was ‘lovely.’ A great compliment from the feminine Malfoy.

Her eyes scanned the floor and she nearly had a heart attack when they landed on Draco. Wearing pitch black dress robes, he beamed at her as well and stood stiffen if that were possible. His hair was mussed up but in a sexy way and when he extended his hand, Hermione couldn’t help but want to feel his calloused hands on hers.

She kissed her father on the cheek and stood in front of thousands – a wedding larger than Harry’s – as the Minister began the procession.

“We are all gathered here to witness the bond of these two individuals,” the minister began, waving his wand above Hermione and Draco.

“Their bond will be the testament of their love…” he rattled on, but Hermione hardly heard him.

“I love you, witch,” Draco mouthed, smiling brightly.

“I love you, ferret,” Hermione mouthed back, grinning wickedly as he took in the words and almost frowned.

Draco waggled his eyebrows during the middle of their ceremony, causing her to blush heavily. She noticed from the corner of her eye as Narcissa began tearing up and look around for a tissue. Her mother leaned across the aisle and nudged her, holding out a handkerchief where Narcissa took it and nodded. Hermione’s father and Lucius leaned over and gave each other a curt nod before looking back at the pair. Streamers erupted from the end of the Minister’s wand – showering the couple in beautiful ribbons.

An annoying buzzing sound flew past Hermione and over Lucius and Narcissa. Lucius quirked an eyebrow – having figured what the bug was and batted it away with his hand. Hermione’s dad, on the other hand, rolled up the announcement and growled, slapping the bug out of the air with the parchment where Crookshanks skated across the ground – chasing after the bug as it wobbled off to the side.

Her mother leaned over and whispered, “Was it me or did that thing scream?”

“It’s a bug, Flora. Bugs don’t scream.” Hermione’s father mumbled, looking to Lucius who had now tried to stifle a laugh.

Narcissa looked at him and he merely shook his head, stiffening in his seat.

“Solidify your bond with a kiss,” the minister said, nodding to Draco.

Hermione smiled at Draco as he leaned in to kiss her and seal her bond. But he hesitated. Her eyes grew wide, was he chickening out? He lunged and twirled her onto her back, holding her up by her waist as he pressed his lips against hers. Nope. He wasn’t chickening out. Hermione leaned up and wrapped a hand at the nape of his neck and leaned in, kissing him back with just as much passion.

The crowd, actually the Weasleys, shouted with cheers and were soon joined by everyone else. Lucius rose and clapped his hands as Narcissa broke down in a sob of happy tears. He stiffened when she hugged him but wrapped his arm around her and softened. Luna swayed back and forth holding onto her bouquet and hummed a random tune, her eyes glazed over.

When Draco brought Hermione up, they parted from their kiss and looked at one another, her cheeks flushed red. He waggled his eyebrows again and brought his hands to her face, cupping them to descend his lips on hers for a second time – but a brief chaster kiss.

“Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy,” the minister presented, waving his hand in the air.

“Granger-Malfoy,” Hermione interrupted in a small hiss.

Draco’s eyes widened and he glowered at her, “What?”

“Just kidding!” Hermione teased, watching his eyes change again.

“Good. I wouldn’t want to be a widower before our first dance.” He brought his hand to hers and both rushed out of the church as the Weasley twins began pelting them with changing confetti, one of which she swore had rocks in them.

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“What happened to Rita Skeeter?” Hermione asked when Draco led her out onto the dance floor.

He turned over his shoulder and stared at the reporter, who looked as if she had been through hell and back. Her eyes were black and robes rumpled, a broke quill lay beside her. Crookshanks sat besides her seemingly grinning while she shook with shock. When Hermione’s dad walked by, slapping his hand with the announcement, Rita nearly toppled over her seat and hid under the table.

“I have no idea,” Draco replied with a shrug, twirling Hermione under his arm, “I didn’t invite her.”

“I didn’t either,” Hermione scowled, resting her hand on his shoulder.

She watched Hermione’s dad trying to encourage the reporter to come out from under the table, but Rita shook her head and eyed the program in his hand. Flora, her mother, walked by and tried to coerce her to come out as well but was stopped when Lucius stepped up to her and extended his hand. Her eyes widened and she blushed heavily, nodding as he took her hand and led her onto the floor.

Her father looked positively livid and almost marched off after them if not for Narcissa who stood next to him and whispered into his ear. He nodded eagerly and held his hand out to her – taking her onto the dance floor as well. Both couples dancing lightly beside one another.

“But I did invite, Cormac McLaggen,” He grinned, swaying them in a circle.

“You what?” Hermione said with wide eyes, spotting the former Gryffindor sitting beside a yapping Pansy Parkinson. “He looks positively miserable.”

“That’s because he gets to listen to her shrill all night while I get to dance with,” Draco grinned, “My lovely self.”

“You’re such a prat,” Hermione teased, giving him a playful smile, twirling under his arm again.

Pansy waved her arms at Cormac, who slumped onto the table and muttered something. She then rose and stalked off – not before Cormac rose and tried to chase her down. Pansy threw a drink into his face and wailed loudly, making Cormac’s face turn violent red. He stalked away from her and Pansy’s crying instantly stopped – she now chased after him. Viceroy and Rockland sat a table behind them, laughing their arses off while clanking goblets. Madam Nash was busy pushing all available girls at Brutus, who had disappeared with a very grown up Gabrielle Delacour and had Viktor Krum and his wife cover for him when Madam Nash asked about where they were.

“Oh bloody hell,” Draco groaned as they spun around another fluid circle, “Weasley is at it again.”

Hermione turned and began laughing as Theodore, Blaise, Harry, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and various Weasley brothers were handing Ron drink after drink after drink. His face was positively tomato and he looked as if he were about to vomit but Luna intercepted the last shot and took it herself before pulling Ron onto the dance floor with her. Harry beamed with laughter but his face fell when Ginny wobbled to him and began wagging a finger in his face before pointing elsewhere

His shoulders slumped as he followed her to another table with Remus, who looked sleepy but content, James and Teddy. Fred and George broke out in laughter but became quiet when Ginny shot them a look. Nymphadora took little Teddy to the dance floor and put him up on her shoes, moving slowly. Snape, now retired, sat in the corner of the room brooding – until a petite red head Hermione remembered worked alongside her at the Ministry stood against the wall next to him looking around. Their eyes met and he instantly averted them – but she seemed more than interested and tapped him on the shoulder, extending her hand.

Snape looked around and rose slowly, touching her hand and bringing it to the crook of his arm as they made their way onto the dance floor. Dean and Seamus’ mouth dropped and the Weasley twins were speechless for once. Lucius, now dancing with Narcissa, nodded to Snape – who smirked only a tiny bit – before returning to a small conversation with the girl. She beamed at him and whispered small things while they spun around the dance floor, her dress moving in the same billowy fashion his robes had when they were in school.

“Family,” Draco grunted, bringing Hermione’s attention back to him.

“What about it?” She asked, smiling at him.

“They’re never going to leave us well enough alone, are they?”

“They’re called family for a reason,”

“Urgh, if I get another Weasley sweater I’ll…” Hermione raised her eyebrow and Draco chuckled, “I’ll wear it with pride!”

“Liar.” Hermione laughed, resting her head on his chest.

“Think if we make a break for it, they won’t notice?” Draco asked, looking over the now crowded dance floor.

“I think the question should be,” Hermione leaned back and grinned, “Can you keep up?”

She parted from Draco and dashed out of the dance floor, holding onto her gown. Draco chased after her, breaking through several couples. Ginny laughed when Draco jumped limberly over a table but Hermione had already made it outside before he caught up to her. Wrapping his arms around her, Draco twirled her around and pulled her to him before the pair Disapparated.


-FIN-