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Forgiven	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 18105 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned Harry Potter or the books or contents. This work is purely for my own pleasure, no profit to be made.

Chapter List
- 21
- 22
- 23
Hermione sat at her vanity and allowed Maisey to fix her hair. She was already dressed in what she thought was the most beautiful set of robes in the world. The top was pure white silk with small diamonds covering the corset. The white silk skirt was long and when Hermione stood, it actually dragged quietly along the ground. A diamond tiara sat on the vanity and Maisey picked it up.
The tiara was heart shaped, with princess cut diamonds all along the shape. The white gold band was about an inch thick and had two small combs, one on either side, to grip her hair more firmly. At the point of the heart, a single, teardrop diamond dangled into the empty space.
“Allow me, please?” Harry asked as he stepped into the room.
The Muggle born turned in her seat with the largest pink lipped smile she had ever given. Diamond teardrop earrings twinkled in her ears and her eyes shined from her happiness. “Harry!” she breathed as she stood up and rushed into his embrace.
They held one another tightly for a moment before Harry gently held her at arm’s length so he could look at her. “You’re beautiful, Hermione,” he said, smiling down at her.
She turned in his arms and looked in the floor length mirror standing next to them. “I feel like a princess,” she admitted as she leaned into him.
He frowned slightly at that. “Well, as a princess, aren’t you missing something?”
She stepped out of his embrace and watched him as he gently picked up the tiara. Her smile widened as he delicately placed the jewel encrusted ornament upon her head. “Now, you look like a princess,” he said as he kissed her cheek. He took a step back and looked at her again. “The Malfoys don’t hold back, do they? How real is this?” he asked, lightly touching the tiara.
Hermione sat back down and let Maisey finish her work as she replied, “Narcissa told me it is a family heirloom. It’s actually something every Malfoy bride has worn, and it is very real. The diamonds alone are no less than one or two carats, if not more. The gold used to be yellow until white gold was introduced in the ‘20s. I believe it was… Lucius’s father who had it replaced with white gold. Claimed it looked better.”
Harry raised his brows at that. “And the dress?” he questioned.
The Muggle born blushed and looked up at him. “It’s an original,” she explained. “And it’s new.”
“Let me guess. The diamonds are real and no less than at least a carat or two?” he teased. At her nod, he chuckled. “Like I said, they really go all out.”
She shrugged. “Well, marriage is an important part of a Malfoy’s life,” she told him, sitting up straight as Maisey placed a tear drop diamond necklace around Hermione’s neck. “Although, I have to admit this is rather extravagant.”
“It is,” the black haired man agreed as his wife stepped out of the bathroom.
“Oh my God! Hermione!” the redhead squealed. Ginny was dressed in gold and silver robes and had her hair pulled back in a tight bun. “You look gorgeous!”
The Muggle born giggled as Maisey finished. Standing up, Hermione did a small twirl towards Ginny and stopped when they met. “You look gorgeous too! Oh God, Gin. I’m so nervous! What if I mess up my words? What if…?”
“You won’t,” the young Pureblood said. “Remember? Narcissa and Harry will be doing most of the talking. You just have to say ‘I will’ when the time comes.” She looked at her husband. “I will say this is the first wedding I’ve ever been to where the vows were exchanged with an Unbreakable Vow. It almost seems a bit… old-fashioned?”
The wizard shrugged. “Well, the Malfoys are an old, traditional family. It makes sense,” he said. “Especially given how until recently, their marriages were arranged.”
Ginny shuddered. “Though, honestly, even if my marriage had been arranged, I’m sure my father would have chosen you anyway,” she commented, smiling up at the Half-blood.
They all turned at the sound of a knock at the door. Luna’s voice chimed through, “Hermione? Mind if I come in?”
“Oh, of course, Luna, please do!” the Muggle born called back.
The Ravenclaw entered the room with an absentminded smile. “Oh, Hermione, you wouldn’t mind if my photographer came in, would you? Maybe snap a couple shots for the Quibbler?” she asked.
The Muggle born shrugged. “Not at all so long as I get a copy,” she conceded.
Luna nodded in agreement and waved the short wizard inside. The next thirty minutes was given to the flashing camera and Hermione’s poses. Of course, Hermione had no idea how she was supposed to pose, but the photographer set her straight against a pale blue background. With a wave of his wand, the photographer turned the background into one that was red and green. Before Hermione could protest, the crests from Slytherin and Gryffindor emerged within the background.
By the time the pictures were finished, Hermione was exhausted, but there was no time to rest. Narcissa had come in and informed the small group of friends of the arrival of all the guests. “It’s nearly time, darling,” she told Hermione and she smiled. “You look lovely.” She turned to Harry. “I hope you have been studying your lines, Mr. Potter,” she said to him coolly. “Notecards are not allowed.”
The bespectacled man nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Malfoy. I’ve gone over them several times and have even practiced to make sure I have them sorted,” he told her.
The older witch gave him a tight smile and turned her attention back to Hermione. “Now, since Mr. Potter will be walking you down the aisle, Hermione, I’ve asked Theodore to walk with Mrs. Potter,” she said, glancing at Ginny. “I do hope you don’t object to this.”
Ginny shook her head. “This day is about Hermione and Draco,” she acknowledged. “I don’t really mind Nott anyway, but even if I did, I would put aside any differences so that my best friend would have a great day.”
The older witch studied the young Gryffindor for a moment before nodding and turning her attention back to Hermione. Her face grew kind as a soft smile spread upon her lips. She stepped up next to Hermione and placed a hand on either of the Muggle borns arms. “Draco is going to love the way you look,” she said. “Now, Maisey has your bouquet of flowers. Draco said you preferred lilies over roses. I hope that is correct?”
Hermione nodded and the Pureblood witch snapped her fingers. Maisey did bring Hermione the most beautiful bouquet of flowers and the Muggle born took a deep breath. She looked in the mirror one last time. “For better or worse,” she joked, swallowing past the lump in her throat as she turned to Harry.
He glanced at Ginny, who gave Hermione a hopeful smile. Offering Hermione his arm, Harry led his best friend towards the gazebo outside where Hermione’s soon-to-be husband waited just as nervously.
(II)(II)
Draco straightened his tie again and ran a hand through his hair. Glancing at the clock, he loosened his tie a little. Why did he put it so tight? It was almost time. He paced the length of the floor as Nott and Zabini entered the room.
Nott took one look at his childhood friend and immediately went to the bar. Pouring Draco a finger of firewhiskey, he lifted the glass up to the pale blond. Draco stopped, took one look at the glass, and shook his head, resuming his pacing. “Hermione would never forgive me if I attended our wedding drunk,” Draco told his friend.
“I doubt you’ll get drunk from one drink, mate,” Nott chuckled, holding the glass up again.
Stopping again, Draco blinked. “One?” he asked. He licked his lips as he stared at the drink. “One drink wouldn’t get me drunk, no. It’d just take the edge off.” The dark haired man smiled and nodded, as he tried to hand the drink to Draco, but again, the blond would not take it. The blond added, “Which is what I told myself for the past four drinks.”
Zabini burst into loud chuckles and slapped Draco’s back, rattling the pale blond. “And this is coming from the man who lived with the Dark Lord for a year!”
Scowling, Draco shrugged the black man off of him and roughly pushed him away. “Don’t remind me,” he growled, his lip curling at the corner. “Have either of you seen Hermione yet?”
“No,” Nott answered as he downed the drink he had intended for Draco. “But I reckon she’s even more beautiful than she was the night of the Yule Ball.”
“Of course she is,” Zabini readily agreed as he helped himself to a drink. “She’s much more mature now and she’s taken to wearing corsets. How’d your mum convince her to wear them, Malfoy?”
Draco shrugged. “Hell if I know,” he said. “You know Mother has her ways.”
“She probably gave Hermione a lesson in Malfoy tradition,” Nott suggested as he poured himself another finger of whiskey.
“Stop drinking that,” Draco snapped. “I need both of you sober for the next few hours.”
“Why? We’re not getting married,” Nott said with a frown as he capped the decanter.
The blond rolled his eyes. “If you think Hermione will be upset if I got drunk, what do you think she’ll do if either of you got drunk?” he asked. “Wait until the reception, then you can both get yourselves pissed.”
As he placed the decanter back behind the glass, Nott made a sour face. There was no fun to be had by anyone while Draco was nervous. “Would you like a Calming Draught, mate?” he asked his friend.
Draco shook his head. “No. That will just put me to sleep,” he said offhandedly as he fixed his tie again. “No. I’ll be fine. I just…” He took a deep breath and held it. Closing his eyes, he counted to ten before releasing the breath slowly. He did this several more times until he could feel his heart start to slow. Opening his eyes, he gazed at his friends and fisted his hand in determination. “I can do this.”
Turning, Draco looked in the mirror. Blinking once, he picked up his comb from the vanity and smoothed down his hair. He stared into his own eyes in the mirror. “I’m going to get married.”
(III)(III)
In the end, Narcissa had done the majority of the planning for the wedding, which was a good thing, in Hermione’s opinion. The garden was set up beautifully with a small, marble path that led to the white gazebo. What Hermione first thought were fireflies turned out to be small fairies who lit up the path and danced around the guests and in the trellises and arches along the path.
Hermione held onto Harry’s arm as they walked slowly along the path. She could see the flowers peeking out of the white trellises and couldn’t help but smile. Lavender. It was such a beautiful and delicate scent. When they came to the opening, Hermione’s eyes widened and her smile brightened.
Rows of white folding chairs were lined up neatly leading to the gazebo. Most of the people sitting in the chairs were people Hermione knew. Ministry workers, friends that she considered family, old Hogwarts teachers, and even a few people she didn’t recognize all sat, waiting and watching.
She didn’t know where the music came from, but as the music started, the people all stood and turned their attentions to her. The largest of them all was Hagrid, who had an actual blanket he was using as a handkerchief. And he was using it, too. People smiled at Hermione as she and Harry walked down the aisle, but the biggest surprise to the Muggle born was the sight of Molly and Arthur Weasley, who sat in the front. They both smiled at her, but Hermione could see the unease in Arthur’s eyes and the question in Molly’s. The young Gryffindor knew she would have to face them, to give them some sort of explanation, but she had no idea what she was going to tell them. As it was, she really did not think they would have even attended, though they were given the invite. She saw the other Weasleys as well, though Ron was blessedly missing.
Hermione glanced up at Harry and he gave her a reassuring smile. “You didn’t think they would miss this, did you?” he whispered in her ear.
Tears filled her eyes at that and she didn’t trust herself to speak. Instead, she just shook her head and turned her attention to the six people standing at the end of the walk, under the gazebo. Draco looked handsome as ever, with his hair slicked back and his black robes perfectly pressed. Next to him, Theo and Blaise stood in equal states of dress. Theo’s smile was reassuring, while Blaise looked as though he was laughing at something.
Ginny and Luna stood up there as well, next to where Hermione would be standing. They wore matching gold and silver robes and their hair was styled in buns. They both carried matching bouquets of lilies. Hermione knew that Luna’s photographer wasn’t far away, and indeed, saw him next to Molly, snapping a shot of Hermione and Harry as they continued their journey.
In the centre of the gazebo stood Shacklebolt. He wore black robes, and had an official Ministry seal pinned to the upper left side of his chest. Hermione turned her attention back to Draco and their eyes met finally. She could see the tears that refused to fall and the large, almost goofy smile plastered on his face. They stopped when they reached the gazebo and Harry turned to give Hermione over to Draco.
“Don’t hurt her,” the bespectacled man warned Draco one last time.
His smile faltered as he lifted a haughty brow. “I won’t,” he told his old nemesis as he gently took the offering. He gazed down at his bride and his smile returned, but softer. “You’re beautiful.”
She could feel the blush creep across her cheeks and she dipped her head down a bit as she smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You look handsome yourself.”
He winked at her and together, they turned their attention to Shacklebolt. The large black man smiled at them and addressed the audience. “We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Hermione Jane Granger and Draco Lucius Malfoy. If there are any who object to this union, please speak now or forever hold your peace.” He paused as his eyes drifted over the group of seated people. There was plenty of seat shifting and shared looks of dubiousness. After a few moments where no one spoke, he continued, “Albus Dumbledore used to always say that love knows no bounds. In the end, it is the heart, not the environment, which determines who we love. What we are witnessing today is the epitome of what Dumbledore often said. Two people from different worlds are joining today. Yes, there will be hardships, all marriages have them, but when there is love, you can conquer anything.” He looked down at the couple and gave them each a small smile. “As with all Malfoy marriages, Unbreakable Vows have been prepared for each of you to take. Do the two of you consent to performing this spell?”
“Yes,” Draco and Hermione said in unison.
Shacklebolt nodded. “Then grasp your partner’s left arm,” he instructed.
Hermione handed her bouquet to Ginny and turned to look at Draco. They lifted their arms and held onto one another as Shacklebolt stepped back and Narcissa took his place. Taking out her wand, the Pureblood tapped on their joined hands and looked at Hermione.
“Will you, Hermione Jane Granger, now known as Hermione Malfoy, swear to honour and obey Draco as his wife?”
The Muggle born’s eyes rested on Draco. “I will,” she answered.
“Will you, Hermione, care for him when he is ill and stay by his side when he is not, to be there for him during both good times and bad times?”
“I will.”
“And will you, Hermione Malfoy, promise to never leave him or lie to him?”
“I will.”
As Hermione answered each question, a golden string dropped from Narcissa’s wand and wrapped itself around the joined arms. Once she was finished, Narcissa moved to Draco’s side and Harry stepped up to take her place. Taking out his own wand, Harry held the tip over the pair of arms and stared at Draco.
“Will you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, swear to honour and protect Hermione Jane Granger, now known as Hermione Malfoy as her husband?”
“I will,” Draco responded, looking into Hermione’s eyes.
“Will you, Draco Malfoy, care for Hermione when she is ill and even when she is not? To be there for her in good times and bad?”
“I will.”
Harry’s eyes narrowed. “And will you, Draco Malfoy, promise to be honest with her. To never cheat on her with another woman, or leave her?”
Draco’s eyes shifted to Harry as he heard the slight alter of the vows. He lifted a brow as he saw the clear challenge in Harry’s eyes. Smirking, he let his eyes fall back to Hermione and answered, “I will.”
The last golden string fell from Harry’s wand and the bespectacled man stepped away to give Shacklebolt room. The Minister lifted his own wand and waved it over the couple. “Remember the vows you both have made, for they will last until your dying breaths,” he said as a thick golden rope replaced the golden strings around the couple’s arms. “Hermione Jane Granger, from this moment forward, you will be known to the world as Hermione Malfoy. Draco Lucius Malfoy,” he paused. When Draco looked at him, a smile curved up Kingsley’s lips, “You may seal your vows with a kiss.”
Draco smiled and gave a single nod. Turning to Hermione, he cupped her cheek and dipped his head, giving her a tender kiss. The room erupted into applause and the newly married couple broke their kiss and turned to the crowd of onlookers. Shacklebolt’s voice boomed over the applause, “It is my honour and pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy.”
(IV)(IV)
Hermione’s eyes lit up as she and Draco walked into the ballroom. She didn’t know how Narcissa had managed it, but there was a live band there. The wedding cake stand regally in a corner at the far side of the room and had several tiers of white icing with silver and gold piping. Two miniature figurines, looking like the couple, stood at the top of the cake and twirled around in an elegant waltz. Near the rather large cake was a long white clothed table with two tall chairs in the centre and four smaller chairs on either side. Hermione could only surmise that was where the wedding party would be sitting
There were smaller tables lined along the walls with silver tablecloths. Each cloth had gold etching and the Malfoy crest in the middle, also embroidered in gold. The cherry wood chairs had large golden Ms on the backs and the middle of the ballroom was cleared with enough space for multiple couples to spread out and dance. A wet bar sat in the corner of the ballroom closest to the door.
“Dinner first?” Hermione asked as Draco led her to the table.
He gave her a smile and nodded. “Of course,” he answered, pulling out one of the tall chairs for her.
Once Hermione was seated, Draco took his place beside her and the others joined them. Harry, Ginny, and Luna on Hermione’s side and Narcissa, Theodore, and Blaise on Draco’s. Hermione glanced longingly at the spot where Harry sat, wishing it were her father there instead. Though, she was grateful for Harry, there was something about a girl’s father and mother being at her wedding that Hermione had often dreamed of. Something she would never have.
After a moment of sitting and getting situated, Narcissa stood up and raised her glass. As she did so, all the wine glasses magically filled with a white wine. Almost in perfect sync with one another, Hermione and Draco lifted their glasses as well and glanced up at the Malfoy matron.
“I would like to thank everyone here for attending the union of my son to this wonderful girl,” Narcissa said. Though she had no microphone, her voice could be clearly heard as she still had an air of confidence about her that quieted the noise of all others. “I had not had the pleasure of getting to know Hermione before she and my son had started dating, but as I’ve gotten to know her, it is hard to imagine my son in a more perfect match. I am only remorseful that my husband was unable to witness this day.” She paused for a moment, seemingly lost in a memory, and Draco straightened his throat, effectively shaking his mother out of her daze. The Pureblood witch smiled at her son before looking lovingly at the Muggle born. “I have never seen my son as happy as he is when he is with you, Hermione. You may not see it now, but you’ve truly brought something beautiful in his life. Something neither his father nor myself could ever do.” Draco felt his cheeks grow warm and knew they were turning pink as he grinned sheepishly at Hermione. The Muggle born smiled brightly and giggled at Draco’s expression. Narcissa’s eyes softened. “You were right as well, darling,” she told the younger witch. “You and Draco deserve your own home where you can grow as a married couple and begin raising your children. In this, I believe Lucius would agree with me. As such,” she lifted her free hand and a scroll wrapped in green ribbon appeared in the hand. This she handed to Draco. “It’s not as large as the Manor, however, I believe it will suffice for a young, growing family.”
Draco placed his glass back on the table and unfurled the scroll. Inwardly, he frowned at what he was reading. He knew his mother had heard that conversation they had had and he wasn’t ready to leave. He also knew his own parents had lived in the Manor, even while his grandfather had been alive. However, none of this showed on his face as his smile widened and he showed the scroll to Hermione. “It’s the deed to a house,” he told her, though she had already guessed the contents.
The Gryffindor glanced at the parchment and then looked up at her new mother-in-law. “Thank you, Mother,” she whispered. “I don’t know how we could ever repay you.”
Narcissa wrinkled her nose. “Just don’t forget to bring the grandchildren over for Christmas,” she said and the couple laughed. Narcissa lifted her glass once again. “To Draco and Hermione. May their lives be fruitful and full of laughter and love.”
The rest of the guests echoed her sentiments and everyone took a sip of their wine. As Narcissa sat back down, Harry stood up. “Unfortunately, Hermione, I don’t have a house to give you,” he joked with a half-smile, causing the Muggle born to chuckle. “However, I do have a few words to say, and I’m going to be completely honest for a moment, if you’ll forgive me, Malfoy,” he stated as he glanced at the blond wizard. Draco frowned slightly, not really sure where the bespectacled man was going, but gave a single nod for him to continue nonetheless. “I’ve never liked you,” Harry began. “During our years in Hogwarts, you were a bully and you tormented my friends and myself for years. However, even I could see the changes you began going through both during and even after the war. You’re not the same person I knew in school and you did something that no one else had been able to do since the war has been over. You’ve managed to bring Hermione out of her shell. She smiles a lot more now and, while there is no doubt in my mind that she still mourns over her parents, she’s… getting through it. And you’re helping her. This is something neither Ginny, any of our friends, nor myself have been able to do.
“I’ve always considered Hermione the closest I’ll ever come to having a sister, and I couldn’t be more grateful that she has found you to help her through life. For that, I thank you. While I don’t wager we’ll ever be friends, I am content in the idea that you will take care of and love Hermione as much as, if not more than, I do. I wish you both the best. To Hermione and Draco.” He said, and the words were echoed through the ballroom again before everyone took a sip of their wine.
A shit-eating smirk lit up Theodore’s face as he stood. He propped a leg up on his chair, earning a derisive sniff from Narcissa. He winked at her before looking at Draco. “We had some great times, didn’t we, mate? Sure, Hogwarts was fun. Terrorizing the first years, pranking old Filch, breaking hearts, and Merlin knows you did your fair share of the latter,” he said with a laugh. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, Mrs. Malfoy,” he corrected, looking pointedly at Hermione. “Many of us would brag how he was, and still is, the Slytherin Prince of Hogwarts, but he was far more focused on his studies than you’d realize. He didn’t have much time to spend shagging slags.”
“Theodore!” Narcissa reprimanded with a hiss.
Blaise sniggered and Draco gave Hermione an apologetic shrug in response. The Muggle born rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“That’s not to say he didn’t, of course,” the dark haired Pureblood continued. “He just wasn’t as… consistent as Blaise or myself. And then his old man was incarcerated…” Theodore stopped then, glancing down at his glass. “I never thought I would ever see Draco look so dejected. So scared. He never said anything, but he didn’t really have to.” Glancing back up, his eyes fell on Hermione. “See? I’ve known him my whole life. We’ve been friends since we were in diapers. Maybe even before then. I knew the moment it happened, too. Blaise and I both did. We tried reaching out to him, but he wouldn’t have any of it.” He licked his lips. “After the war was over, when all was said and done, Draco pulled away even more. Not just refusing to return to school, but also just not being around. He just… shut himself off from the world.”
Theodore took a deep breath. “You did, too, Hermione. I remember being with you in the Common Room. The hours spent… I won’t go into detail of all we spoke of. I won’t disrespect your confidence in that way. I was grateful, am still grateful, for you allowing Blaise and myself into your world. In that year we shared a Common Room, you taught us just how closed off we had been our entire lives. When I saw Draco in that bookstore, looking at Muggle books of all things, it was my hope that he was doing it for you.” When she gave him a puzzled look, he smiled. “Like I said, I’ve known him for a long time and I know you and I have spoken of this. Remember that night after supper when you, Blaise, and I were sitting by the fire. I think we had taken our last Charms test earlier that day. I remember the three of us talking about the years before the war, in particular, the Yule Ball. Blaise and I both admitted to how beautiful you were, but even our compliments could never compare to what Draco had thought of you that night. I said as much then, too. I told you, though you laughed it off and didn’t believe me.”
Draco shifted in his chair. Putting the deed on the table, he slipped his hand into Hermione’s. Lifting their clasped hands up and kissed the back of her hand. They shared a look and he gave her a soft smile. They turned their attention back to Draco’s best friend as he continued, “I knew you were hurting, Hermione, just as I knew Draco was. When we were in that tavern the night Draco made a reappearance into society, he told Blaise and I that he was planning to pursue you. Oh, not in so many words, but neither of us are stupid. We both knew, I believe. And I couldn’t be happier for him. I knew he was the right kind of person to bring you back and vice versa. I want to thank you, Hermione,” he said. “Thank you for loving my friend and for giving him a chance at happiness.” He lifted his glass to her and gave her a wink before taking a sip of his drink and sitting back down.
“A chance at happiness,” Ginny scoffed as she stood. “Merlin knows you don’t deserve it, Malfoy,” she said, looking at the blond. “At least, I never thought you did. I didn’t know much about the feud between our fathers before I started Hogwarts. However, after I was Sorted, I quickly learned just how foul you and your father both were. When you weren’t trying to thwart or bully Harry and the rest of us, you were bullying others. What Hermione ever saw in you, I never understood, because I can’t tell you the number of times I caught her staring at you in the Great Hall or sneaking to the Quidditch pitch just to watch you practice. She would deny it, of course, but I knew the truth. We often talked about it, too, with Lavender and Parvarti in the girls’ dorm.” She shook her head as she placed her drink back on the table and leaned against the table. Harry held out a hand to steady her and she patted his shoulder. “I’m alright,” she assured him in a whisper. She cleared her throat and glanced up at Draco. Seeing the look of concern in his eyes, she gave him a soft smile. “And that look tells me all I need to know about you,” she said in a louder voice, so everyone could hear her. “Years ago, before the war, I never would have seen that look from you directed at me. In the past couple weeks, I’ve witnessed some incredible things about you that I still have some trouble believing, but,” she sighed and closed her eyes, “it’s hard to ignore a hippogriff in the room.”
Draco’s eyes fell to the glass Ginny had been holding and he noticed she hadn’t drank any of the alcohol. Or, if she did, it was very miniscule. He glanced back up at her. That’s when he noticed the bags under her eyes and the paleness of her cheeks. The hand that wasn’t on Harry’s shoulder rested on the table, in an obvious attempt to keep herself steady. Draco said nothing, but the question in his eyes translated to Ginny when he met her eyes again.
Her lips thinned and she subtly shook her head. “Nott is right. I don’t know what’s happening between you and Hermione. I’m no Seer, so I can’t predict what’s going to happen, but this isn’t Hogwarts anymore. And we are no longer in a war.” She paused again and turned to the other guests, stopping when she saw her mother. “The other night, my mother and I got into a row because I was still in denial that this wedding was going to happen.” She looked back to Draco. “I was completely convinced that you were, and are, just like your father, but then my mother said something that made me think. ‘You can’t judge a person based on the sins of their parents.’ The truth is, you aren’t your father. Yes, you’ve made some mistakes, some major ones. And you are going to have to live the rest of your life trying to make up for those. Honestly, nothing you do will ever be enough. However, I also see how much you’re trying. If you keep on this path, you may one day be a better person. If not you, then most certainly your children will be. You have a good woman, Malfoy. She’s my best friend. My sister. And she is one of the best people I know. I know she can help lift you up to be the best person you can be, if you allow her. I still don’t think you deserve her,” she admitted. “But I can say this much. You do deserve her far more than my brother ever did.” She paused again and pressed a hand to her abdomen. “My brother hurt her so badly. Not just once, either. However, ever since you began dating Hermione, not once have you treated her the way he did. All I ask is that you keep doing what you’re doing, Malfoy. Keep treating my sister well. Love her, take care of her, and make her happy… It’s all I ask. If you continue to do these things, I promise to never speak ill of you. The past is the past. This day is the day where everything has a new beginning. I won’t hold the grudge that our families have held for centuries. We are not our parents.”
She held his gaze a moment longer before returning to her seat. She didn’t pick up her wine glass, but instead grabbed the glass of water beside it. Ginny took a long drink before placing the glass back onto the table and watching as Blaise stood.
The black man cleared his throat and straightened his robes. “Well. Not quite sure how I’m going to top all of that,” he jested, as he picked up his glass. Scattered chuckles could be heard around the room, but they were quickly hushed. “I’m not really good at speeches,” Blaise said. “I’m even worse at being making clever quips over events of the past…” He gave a short, huffing chuckle and shook his head. “Honestly, Theo said pretty much all I wanted to say.” He looked at the couple. “After all these years, mate,” he told Draco, “I honestly didn’t think you’d manage to do it, especially after all that happened with the war. I’ve actually had the pleasure to get to know Hermione, too, and I have to say… She is the Gryffindor Princess in every way.” He glanced at Hermione. “And that’s not something to be mocked,” he told her. “You’ve earned that title, regardless of what anyone says. I can say the same thing about Draco, too.” He smirked. “Though, I almost beat him, he still managed to be Head Boy and received almost as many N.E.W.T.s as you did.” He shook his head. “I really wish you had been able to be at school that year. I do think you actually beat the record for the most N.E.W.T.s, and if I know my Hogwarts History well enough, the previous record had been held by… well…”
Draco straightened his throat and lifted an eyebrow when he caught Blaise’s gaze. The black man just shrugged. “I will say this much,” he continued. “I think the two of you make an outstanding couple and I can’t wait to see what you can create together.” He smirked as he added, “And I’m not just talking about offspring. Pairing the Gryffindor Princess to the Slytherin Prince… I can’t think of a better match. Congratulations to the both of you.” He lifted his glass in salute and took a sip from it before sitting down.
Luna did not stand, just sat staring at her drink. Finally, she glanced at Draco curiously. “One day, during my stay here in Malfoy Manor, Draco came into the cellar after Voldemort had left for the day. He wasn’t supposed to be there, but he knew Mr. Ollivander and I were hungry, so he brought us a small loaf of bread and a flask of water. He ordered us to eat and drink quickly…” She stared off beyond Draco and the Slytherin knew her attention was no longer focused on him. “It was such a thoughtful thing for a Death Eater to do. So brave, too, when he knew he would be punished if anyone found out.” Her eyes fell back to him. “You may not see it, but you are a good man, Draco, and you do deserve to be with Hermione. I didn’t get a chance to thank you for that bread and water that day, so… thank you.”
Draco gave her a small smile and nod and felt Hermione squeeze his hand. Looking at her, his smile brightened some as food appeared upon their plates.
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