In-Laws

Chapter Eighteen



Hermione Granger had been through a lot in her short life. All during her childhood she could never understand why strange things happened the way they did around her. Then, on her eleventh birthday, a woman by the name of Minerva McGonagall came to her house to explain to Hermione and her parents that Hermione was a witch. Furthermore, Hermione had been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.



The young girl had been grateful for the year to get used to the idea. Though she had been excited about the prospect of attending a school of witchcraft, she had also been a bit terrified. Her parents had been terrified as well. What had it meant? Was Hermione a vassal of Satan?



But, ever the practical thinkers, Amy and Henry hadn’t jumped to conclusions. With Professor McGonagall’s help, the Grangers had traveled to Diagon Alley and learned as much as they could about wizards and witches. Though Hermione wouldn’t be starting school until the next fall, it had fascinated her.



But, her first year at Hogwarts hadn’t started out the way she had thought it would. Apparently, she was still very much the outcast she had been when going to Muggle schools. Kids teased her for being too smart. Even the teachers, namely Professor Severus Snape, barely let up on her for being an “insufferable know-it-all.”



She would never forget that fateful Halloween night in the girl’s bathroom when Harry and Ron had rescued her from a mountain troll. From that moment on, they were best friends for life.



Of course, it hadn’t always been easy. For Harry, the constant threat of Voldemort kept the trio of friends on their toes. Year after year, the three had had to fight the monstrosity one way or another.



Hermione had been Petrified, Polyjuiced, tortured, and cursed. She had fought the likes of Bellatrix Lestrange, Fenrir Greyback, and Antonin Dolohov. She had helped Harry riddle his way to the Philosopher’s Stone, find the Chamber of Secrets, learn about the prisoner of Azkaban, win the Triwizard Tournament, start the DA, and uncover Voldemort’s Horcruxes.



She discovered passion in the arms of a boy who should have been her enemy. She found true love with a man she was destined to spend the rest of her life with.



She stood in front of the mirror and shivered. As she looked at the girl… no, the woman who stood in the mirror, she couldn’t help but wonder if it would have been better to take on the Hungarian Horntail that Harry defeated in their fourth year. That would have been much easier than this.



As Amy worked on her daughter’s hair, Ginny rolled her eyes. “Would you relax?” the red-head said in annoyance. “You’re making me nervous.”



“Sorry,” the Muggle-born squeaked as she allowed her friend to paint her face.



The young Gryffindor sighed as she put lipstick on Hermione’s lips. “I cannot believe that you were able to take on some of the most frightful Death Eaters without so much as a twitch, but getting married makes you this nervous.”



Hermione scrunched up her nose. “All right. We’ll see how you do at your own wedding,” she retorted. “It’s not as easy as it looks.”



There was a soft knock at the door. “Hold on,” Ginny called, placing the tube of lipstick on the vanity.



The red-head rushed to open the door. Smiling, she backed up to allow Henry and Harry in. “How’s my little girl holding up?” Henry asked.



“Nervous as a house elf,” Ginny commented.



Hermione shot her a quick glare, then smiled at her father and her best friend. Harry returned the smile. “You look beautiful, ‘Mione,” he told her.



The raven haired young man walked over to his best friend and gave her a hug. “Thank you, Harry,” the Muggle-born said. “You don’t look so bad yourself. I really like that bowtie.”



He smiled, then frowned a bit. He glanced over at Henry who sighed. “I suppose you’re not a little girl any more, huh?” the older man said. “You’re a young woman now. And about to be a married young woman.”



“Oh, Henry!” Amy sighed, tears in her eyes. She wrapped Hermione in a hug and the mother and daughter were engulfed in Henry’s hug.



“Oi! You’re going to ruin your make-up!” Ginny exclaimed as the family broke apart. As they all chuckled, the red-head gently wiped away the smudges and corrected Hermione’s mascara.



(II)(II)



As Draco picked lent off his shoulder and slicked back his hair, he thought to himself that he had never believed this day would come. Sure, he imagined himself married one day, most likely to some young bird his father picked out for him. But, he never thought he would find someone like Hermione Granger. Let alone actually be allowed the privilege of marrying her.



In fact, if someone had told him five years ago that he would be married to Bookworm Granger, he would have laughed in their face. Now he stood in front of a full-length mirror planning to do just that.



“Well, mate,” Blaise said, clapping Draco on the back. “I would say this is your last moment of freedom, but that’s not true. Instead, I’ll say good luck.”



Draco smirked. It was true. In fact, this is probably the first time in his life that he had ever truly felt free. No more Dark Lord. No more pureblood prejudice. “I don’t think it’ll be so bad. We’ll have our ups and downs, but we can handle it,” he commented.



“Besides, that’s what make up sex is for,” Blaise jested.



The two Slytherins looked at one another, smirked, and said in unison, “And a lot of it!”



They laughed together. Sobering up, Draco sighed, “I just can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her, mate. All bets are off now. It’s really happening. All that’s left is to say ‘I do’ and Hermione and I will really get to begin our lives as husband and wife.”



Blaise nodded. “I’m only joking about the good luck. The two of you? You’re going to make it. You already have. You’ve defied everything that any of us have ever believed. Slytherin versus Gryffindor, pureblood versus Muggle-born, man versus woman. You’ve overcome it all. You’re going to be fine.”



“Thanks, mate,” the blond said sincerely. “That means a lot.”



A knock came to the door and Draco bid the person to enter. His mother peeked into the room. “Oh, you look so handsome!” she gasped. “Now, hurry up, dear. It’s about to start.”



Lucius entered the room with his wife. He looked dourly at his son. “Any chance at all I could change your mind?” he asked, and Draco wondered if the older Malfoy was actually serious.



Draco shook his head. Lucius sighed, “Well, I cannot say this is the proudest moment of my life. You are, after all, marrying a Mud-”



“Lucius!” Narcissa practically shrieked.



“Muggle-born,” the man corrected himself with a cough. “Though, I will say I am glad you picked this Muggle-born over the others. At least she has brains.”



Draco raised an eyebrow. “Um, thanks. I think,” he said, glancing at Blaise. The dark skinned Slytherin shrugged.



The Malfoy men shared a quick hug, something that was rarely ever seen. Then, Narcissa, teary eyed, hugged them both. Blaise and Draco clapped hands together in a handshake and gave one another one-arms hugs.



“Well, mate, I’ll see you on the stage,” Blaise said, winking.



He watching his best mate and mother walk out of the room. Then, after straightening his robes for what seemed like the umpteenth time, he turned to his father and the two began their journey into the garden and into the rest of Draco’s life.



He hadn’t seen anything before today. His mother and Hermione had put everything together. His father gave him a slight nod and left to fetch his mother. Draco stepped onto the gazebo with the priest and looked around. He had to admit: The two most important women in his life did a great job.



He glanced over at the guests, surprised to see certain ones had bothered to show up. He nodded to Mrs. Weasley who had waved at him enthusiastically. He gave Professor McGonagall a soft smile, which she, surprisingly, returned. The one thing he did not understand where the two chairs all the way in the back, which he could just see over the guests.



He heard the music begin to play and could not help but smile. Though it was just a piano forte, the song was obviously their song. There was no mistaken the melody. Draco even found himself mumbling the lyrics for he had memorized the song.



Luna and Theodore Nott were the first two to begin the trek down the aisle. Draco nearly laughed at the comical expression on Nott’s face. Having Luna Lovegood on his arm was clearly not on Nott’s Bucket List. As they drew closer, Draco understood why.



“We must be careful of the nargles,” Luna was whispering to Nott.



Draco snorted, but then covered it as Nott shot him a nasty sneer. He’d pay for that one later.



George Weasley and Padma Patil were next. As they bowed to Draco and the priest, George shot him a look that clearly read: hurt her and die. Draco nodded in acceptance.



Mrs. Granger and Potter came behind them. Amy smiled at Draco kindly as she curtsied. Potter, like George, shot him a warning glance.



Next were his parents. Draco’s smile broadened considerably. He knew his parents weren’t happy with this arrangement, but their acceptance meant the world to him. Draco caught his father’s tight-lipped smile. Well, at least his mother accepted the marriage. He hoped that, eventually, Lucius would as well.



As his parents passed, Draco made eye contact with Blaise. The dark Italian just gave him an impish smile and a single nod. Draco inclined his head ever so slightly to indicate he got the silent message: Hermione was to die for.



Draco turned his attention to the girl latched onto Blaise’s arm. He knew Potter and the Weasel were Hermione’s best friend. But, he couldn’t help but think that the Weaslette was a nice substitute for her wayward brother. He gave her a nod as she curtsied to him.



Once everyone was in their places, the music changed into the time-honoured Wedding March. Everyone stood and turned. Draco held his breath. This was it. And there she was.



One ivory gloved hand was placed gently atop her father’s arm. The other held an elaborate bouquet of pink and white roses. Her sheer ivory veil covered her beautiful face. The ends of the veil were decorated with a white lace rose pattern. The dress itself was ivory silk. It had a long, full-length train. Like the veil, the dress was trimmed with white lace flowers. Atop the dress was a sheer ivory shawl with white lace accents.



Draco knew he was wearing probably the silliest smile he had ever worn in his life. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t care. Walking towards him was the most beautiful woman wearing the most beautiful gown. If ever there were a heaven, this moment was it. She was an angel.



Father and daughter stopped in front of Draco and the Slytherin swallowed the lump in his throat. Mr. Granger smiled kindly before turning to his daughter. He kissed her on her veil covered head.



“Who gives this woman away?” the priest asked.



Amy stepped up next to her husband. Draco looked in shock when he saw Potter and Ronald Weasley step up as well. The Grangers looked at the young men curiously. Then, they turned to the priest and four voices said, “We do.”



The priest nodded, a bit stunned himself, and swept his hand, indicating that Mr. Granger should hand his daughter over to Draco. Henry lifted his daughter’s hand and kissed the back of it. Then, turning to Draco, he gently placed Hermione’s hand into the Slytherin’s. “Take care of her,” Henry whispered to Draco before moving to join his wife. Potter and Weasley returned to their seats as well.



The moment Draco took her hand, he knew this was forever. When she had first mentioned an actual ceremony, he had thought it was silly. After all, they were legally married. Now he understood her reasoning. He didn’t really know why, but somehow, having her stand there, having the priest before them, and their friends and family behind them finalized it. This just felt right.



Hermione, for her part, was a nervous wreck. Well, perhaps nervous wasn’t the right word. She was in shock that Harry and Ron had stood up with her mother to give her away. She was truly touched. She was also giddy. She wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. She wanted to shout to the world: This is it! This is the beginning of the rest of her life.



For the most part, everything that was done was mechanical. The priest recited prayers older than anyone in the garden. When they got to the actual vows, the couple turned to one another. The veil was still over Hermione’s face, so Draco could only see a sort of shadow of her. Hermione, however, could see all of him.



He smiled at her. “I tried to write down a good set of vows. Something to say to express everything I feel in my heart,” he said to her. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the right words, so please forgive me. I’m afraid I’m just going to have to say what’s in my mind.”



As she suppressed a giggle, he sighed and continued, “You’re beautiful. You were beautiful from the moment I met you and have been growing more beautiful with each passing day. And I’m not just talking about your face or your body, though those count as well. I’m also talking about your mind, your kindness, everything. Everything about you is beautiful.



“I am honoured that you have agreed to marry me. I cannot go back in time and correct the sins of my past. I wish I could. I can, however, live each moment of my life making up for them. This is my promise to you, Hermione. I will love, honour, and cherish you until there is not a breath left in me. I will give my life for you if necessary. I will spend every moment of my life doing what I can to show you how much I love you. My life is entirely devoted to you.”



He kissed the back of her gloved hand and she smiled. Tears brimmed her eyes, but she was strong. “It’s ironic that you couldn’t put to parchment what was in your heart,” she began. “It’s ironic because I had the same dilemma. For the first time in my life, Hermione Granger was at a loss of what to write. There were no books for me to research, no internet guides to browse through. I couldn’t even find the appropriate words on television or in the movies. I was at a complete loss of what to say.



“But then, I realized: I don’t need books or the internet or television or the movies. I don’t need any of it, for it’s all right here,” she said, placing a hand on her heart. “I found out that the heart is the hardest to write about. The deepest, strongest, and most personal feelings lie within the heart. Therefore, the only way to hear it, is to speak it.



“We have both been through a lot. I cannot contemplate what you experienced through the darkest part of our lives. Just as you cannot for me. There are things that we may never speak of, memories that are best forgotten. But, I do know one thing, through it all, you were there for me.



“You were in my heart. You were in my thoughts. You were in my soul. Thoughts of you, of our love, of our life is what kept me from falling apart. In the darkness, you were my light. You were my angel of hope.



“Draco, I promise that I will live my life to repay you for what you’ve given me. I will do whatever it takes to be your angel of hope. I will love, honour, and cherish you until the moment my heart stops beating. My life is yours for eternity.”



“NO! HE’S MINE!” a voice shouted, causing everyone to turn and look.



An angry Pansy Parkinson stood on her chair and brandished her wand. “You stole him, you thieving, Gryffindor bitch! You nasty, filthy Mudblood! How dare you steal him from us! From me! You will die! Avada…”



“Expelliarmus!” Harry shouted before she could finish her spell.



Every wand was pointed at Pansy as her own gracefully landed in Harry’s hand. Draco had placed himself between his wife and the crazy woman. “Give me my wand, Potter!” Pansy snarled.



Harry looked at her as though she had grown a second head. “Back down, Parkinson,” he ordered.



She hissed, “No! That filthy Mudblood needs to die! If I have to, I’ll do it with my own hands!”



She started to run towards the gazebo until a Stunning spell hit her in the chest. Lucius approached the Stunned girl and picked her up by the arm with one hand. He threw her at Shacklebolt. “Get this wench off my property,” he ordered with a growl. “Put her in Azkaban. I will not have my son’s wedding day ruined by this trollop. Know that I intend to press full charges against her.”



Kingsley nodded and, levitating the girl, led her away. A silence hung over the wedding as everyone settled back down. Harry pocketed Pansy’s wand to hold until Kingsley returned.



“Are we to proceed?” the priest asked Draco.



Draco turned to his wife. “Do you wish to proceed?” he questioned her, taking her hand into his.



She nodded. “As your father said, on point in letting her ruin our moment. We only get one shot at this.”



He nodded and bid the priest to continue. The rings were exchanged, the vows given. “Is there anyone who believes this couple should not be wed? Speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest addressed the assembly.



On Hermione’s side, there was one who contemplated standing up. One who quietly wished to say so. For once in his life, Ron held his tongue. He had heard the words the couple had exchanged. He heard the depth of their love and devotion to one another. He knew no one would ever be able to replace it. Parkinson was wrong. Hermione did not steal Draco from Slytherin. Rather, the Slytherin had stolen the Gryffindor from Ron. And he knew there was no getting her back. So, he remained silent.



“By the power invested in me, by our Holy Father, before our witnesses, family, and friends, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the priest said.



That silly smile was plastered on Draco’s face as he lifted her veil. Hermione’s eyes were red, her face was wet with tears. He bent down and kissed her lips. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. There were cheers, laughter, and an explosion of clapping. There were even wolf whistles from George and Blaise. Draco nor Hermione heard any of it. All they heard was the rhythmic beating of each anothers hearts.



As they broke the kiss, the priest announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to present Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy!”

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Author\'s Note: Awwww! Yay! One chapter left and then the Epilogue. This story is drawing to a close, my friends. It\'s been a wild ride.