Waiting to Exhale

He'd been so sweet, not allowing her to argue as he'd sent her off the day of their anniversary. He had demanded that she allow him to take care of her and so she'd given in, like always. Hermione had been massaged and pampered before being whisked away for hair, make-up, and clothing; a gorgeous deep green velvet sheath with tiny black stilettos and a beautifully fitted dress robe in forest green and black.

He'd met her at the foot of the stairs, his beautiful gray eyes skimming her form with love and appreciation. Her own gaze took in his perfect posture, tousled locks, sweet smile, dark robes and knew that he was beautiful. She also knew that she was oh so lucky to have found the man behind the evil little git of only two years ago.

"Come love. Our portkey leaves in three minutes." So saying he grabbed her hand and led her to outside into the smallest rose garden. He held an old, tin, toy boat in his other hand and, with a smile, he threw it down and stepped on it. The feeling of TWIST, SICK took over but soon enough she found herself in  Venice, within the vast confines of a premier wizarding hotel based on the likes of  The Gritti Palace~ Hotel di Venezia~ filled with suites appointed with sleek, beautiful furniture, deep plush carpeting, and beds that would easily fit five people.

Their own suite was the penthouse; six large airy rooms done in cream, light blue and gray, touched with gold and silver accents. Hermione could feel her breath catch, body trembling with delight. Small feet led her to the beautifully appointed master bedroom and with a sense of awe, she opened the armoire and gasped. A week's worth of clothing, both muggle and wizarding for herself and him. He had followed her, his strong arms enveloping her from behind.

"This is our honeymoon. Mother thought you deserved one, as did I. Scorpius will be well taken care of. So let me take care of you."

Hermione could only nod, smile and try not to cry all over herself. He'd done so much. He'd taken so much time. How could she ever make it up to him? He knew her though and stopped her whirling thoughts with a simple kiss.

"This is not JUST for you, love. It is for me too. Now, we have a reservation at Bistrot de Venise so let's lose the robes, muggle place you know though the owner is a squib, Blaise's cousin. However, I do have one little thing for you. A small thing, I promise."

Draco handed her a small flat box which felt almost empty though she could plainly hear something inside. With a tremulous smile, the young woman opened the perfectly wrapped gift, tearing away the green wrapping paper and silver ribbons before she reached in and withdrew a double picture frame. On one side, their favorite picture of Scorpius, one month after birth. On the other? A poem, handwritten on pale peach parchment, the flowing script so familiar as to be her own.

"The poem is by Christina Rosetti. I hope you understand."

I loved you first: but afterward your love
Outsoaring mine sang such a loftier song
As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove.
Which owes the other most? my love was long,
And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong;
I loved and guessed at you, you construed me
And loved me for what might or might not be –
Nay, weights, and measures do us both a wrong.
For verily love knows not ‘mine’ or ‘thine;’
With separate, ‘I’ and ‘thou’ free love has done,
For one is both and both are one in love:
Rich love knows naught of ‘thine that is not mine;’
Both have the strength and both the length thereof,
Both of us, of the love which makes us one.

Hermione smiled while tears flowed from her eyes.

"I do."
~End~

A/N: And so, we've come to the end of our journey. I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. Leave me a note and let me know what you think.