Dragon Hunt

The pair was greeted with enthusiastic and relieved hugs as people showed up for the Christmas Eve party. The evening was passed with story telling, catching the pair up on everything the papers didn’t report. And when Harry fell asleep on Draco’s shoulder, Draco decided to spend the night curled on the couch, watch the tree and feeling his mate beside him.

They got the quiet holiday on Christmas with just the four men currently residing at 12 Grimmauld Place. Well, four men and an egg that rolled further and faster each day. But, as Remus announced his intent to go to bed, Draco and Harry were true to their word, disappearing through the floo to what they would make their home.

Draco ravaged the place, burning down an entire wing and scorching a few rooms. He even knocked down the tower where he had killed his father. But, the manor began to change. Gone was the frigid white marble. It was replaced by shining wooden floor piled with warm rugs of varying colors. Everything had changed and slowly, the mental ward became a home.



“You’re going to Harry and Draco’s tonight?” Ron asked Hermione.

“Of course,” she replied, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“It’s not that,” Ron grumbled. “What time does your invitation say?”

Hermione did rolled her eyes at that. “Seven o’clock, same as yours.”

“Yes, but I was talking to Lavender and—“

“Lavender? Why?” Hermione asked suspiciously.

“We’re friends,” Ron shrugged.

“I suppose,” Hermione huffed. “She’s very pretty.” Ron nodded agreement, confusion rising. “And I guess she’s nice enough if you don’t mind the fact that she—“

“Her invitation says nine,” Ron interrupted. Hermione frowned, her focus off Ron’s ‘friendship’ with Lavender and on to Harry.

“My guess is Harry and Draco are planning a dinner and such for a few of their closer friends before the huge bash this is sure to be based upon the fact that it’s even made the newspaper.”

Ron nodded his agreement. “Will you go with me?”

“Huh?”

“To the dinner and to the party,” Ron explained, starting to fidget.

“Ron, I already said I was going,” Hermione snapped impatiently.

“With who?” Ron asked, nervousness slipping away to a little bit of anger. “Who are you going with?”

Hermione huffed at his tone. “I was invited myself and I don’t need an escort!”

Some tension eased out of Ron. “Would you like one?” he asked, nervousness returning.

“Why?”

“Because I’m asking you to go with me,” Ron said.

“Why?” Hermione asked again, her confusion spreading.

Ron shook his head, backing away. “Forget it,” he said, head down. Hermione heard the disappointment in his voice. “Forget I said anything.”

“Are you asking me out? Like a date?” Hermione asked, suddenly figuring it out and cursing herself she hadn’t let it click in her brain sooner.

“Like I said,” Ron dismissed. “Forget I said anything.”

“On one condition!” Hermione called out before he could escape the room. He froze. “Kiss me at midnight?” she asked self-consciously.

Ron turned with a smile on his face. “Do I have to wait until then?” Hermione smiled broadly and rushed into his arms.




Ron and Hermione approached the door to the manor arm in arm and were greeted by Dobby wearing an obscene parody of a tuxedo made out of socks. He bowed lowly and gestured to another elf not far away who led them out to the garden behind the estate. As they walked through the corridors, they were amazed. Neither had been there before, but they knew that this was not what it once was. It was warm and inviting, walls covered with wizard photos of men and women they recognized smiling at them.

When they entered the garden, it was warm, obviously under some sort of enchantment to keep it that way regardless of the fact that snow was falling gently everywhere else. There were already about a dozen people standing around, most with red hair. Others included Sirius, Remus, Snape, and a fat brown-haired boy standing nervously alone. And then they spotted Dumbledore standing of to the side, a twinkling in his eyes. They were about to approach him when Dumbledore cleared his throat. “Good evening,” he said with a smile. The group all turned to face him. “You’re probably wondering where your hosts are, but now that all of their guests are here, it’s time to get started.”

Hermione turned, watching as Harry and Draco approached from the house, their hands locked together. Both were dressed in black dress robes of what was surely the most elegant design. Harry’s mahogany hair, longer than it used to be, was still messy as always, but the added length and weight made it look styled that way. And Draco’s—Hermione was so used to seeing his hair slicked back and greased. Now, it fell softly in wavy patterns, almost brushing his shoulders making him look like an absolute angel. They both looked oddly nervous and yet completely content and then it struck her.

“We’re at a wedding,” she gasped softly, too quietly to really be heard.

“What?” Ron asked, leaning down to hear her better, but she didn’t say anything more. She didn’t have to. Everyone understood what was happening when Harry and Draco didn’t greet the guests, only walked through them to stand before Dumbledore beneath the willow tree where they had first touched.

“We’re gathered here to celebrate the joining of these two wizards,” Dumbledore announced. There was, of course, murmurs of surprise and confusion, but focus easily returned to the mates. “When they approached me, asking me to be the one to officiate this small ceremony, I agreed only if they would explain why. As a chorus of two, they replied, ‘He completes my very soul.’ No one could want more. No one in the world could deny their love, their commitment, or their need for eachother. And they know exactly what marriage entails, throwing themselves into that commitment with abandon and with knowledge and most of all with love.” Draco’s grip tightened on his mate’s hand as they looked only at eachother. “They also asked for simple when it came to their wedding, as their courtship was anything but. So, I will ask for nothing more from them but an exchange of rings.”

Both of them released the other, digging furiously into their pockets, each retrieving a simple platinum band. With a nervous giggle, Harry slid the ring onto Draco’s finger and Draco copied the action before kissing Harry’s palm. They stared into eachother’s eyes and from the blush that appeared on Harry’s face and the wicked smirk on Draco’s, they all knew that a conversation was occurring no one else heard.

“And with that, I pronounce you husbands, partners, lovers, and mates. May your joy last through all of time.” The group of family and friends surrounding them cheered as the pair met in a heated kiss.