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Unstoppable	By : Thunderbird Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 14474 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any affiliated characters. I make no profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
A/N: Another one down! I feel like I'm on a roll haha. Although I know it still took me a month to write this one, I'm still seeing it as an accomplishment. I'm balancing this with dealing with a lot of other things IRL right now. As are we all, I'm sure.
We've officially entered Wedding Territory with this one, and we'll be in the vicinity for a couple more chapters. Hope you like it!! <3
Chapter 31: Eye of the Needle
(Draco)

“What do you mean, it isn’t in yet?”
The lab technician blinked at Draco, seeming unfazed by his ire. “Exactly what I said, Healer. Your results aren’t in yet.”
“I was told they would be ready by 1,” Draco said. “I dropped them off first thing this morning and was told that if I came back at 1, they would be ready for me.”
“First thing in the morning?”
“Before 9 am.”
“Some of us have been here since 4 am,” the lab tech said flatly. “And on a Saturday, no less.”
Draco chewed on his tongue to keep himself from retorting. Because Draco had been at the hospital since 8 am Friday, and his shift was supposed to end 24 hours later. But then Madam Lorenz had shown up, Mila in tow, needing an emergency appointment. Her magic was acting up, and it was such a drastic shift from how things had been going for the past few months that they were very concerned.
And Draco couldn’t walk away from that appointment. He couldn’t, not even on this day of all days.
So he had given Mila an exam, diagnosed the issue, and ordered an analysis of her core membrane to confirm his diagnosis, as per protocol. He couldn’t follow through on treatment until he had confirmation. Unfortunately, the lab appeared to be understaffed and backed up on their scans.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I imagine that’s frustrating,” he said. If there was one thing he had learned in the past year and a half, it was to stay on the good side of the people that worked in the lab full time. They could really make things difficult for you, if they didn’t like you. “I’m sure you must be exhausted, given that you appear to be stuck here alone.” He looked around, confirming that. “Mortimer was in here earlier, though, wasn’t she? She was the one who told me she would have my results ready for me.”
“She’s on a lunch break,” the tech replied.
“Ah, I see.”
“So when she gets back, you can take it up with her.”
He began to turn away dismissively, which, as far as Draco was concerned, was unacceptable.
“I really can’t afford to wait,” Draco said. “It’s urgent.”
The tech turned back, eyebrows raised skeptically. “More urgent than the many other tests that are in front of yours in the queue?”
“Yes,” Draco insisted. “In this case, yes. I’m sure you hear that a lot, but this is quite time-sensitive, for multiple reasons.”
The tech remained unmoved. Draco looked at his watch.
“I’m getting married in less than three hours,” Draco said, going for broke. “My shift was supposed to end hours ago, but this is a special case I need to see it through. And I also need to be at the venue and dressed and not smelling like a hospital by 4:00.”
The tech’s mouth twitched, a glint coming into his eye. “That’s right. I read something about that. Who is it you’re marrying then? Someone rather important?”
“Oh sod off, you know who it is,” Draco replied with a roll of his eyes, before suddenly realizing that might have sounded quite rude. Luckily, the tech seemed merely amused rather than angry. “Obviously I’m not going to miss my own wedding, but I also can’t walk away from this patient. And I know what you’re thinking,” he added, seeing that the skeptical eyebrows were back. “But I can’t simply pass this off to another Healer. This is a very special patient of mine. She’s just turned sixteen, is moving into the third trimester of a pregnancy that is unprecedented in its potential complications, and already has plenty of trust issues from a painful and difficult childhood. My supervising Healer isn’t here today, and the patient doesn’t know anyone else. Only me. So I really need to be the one to give her the diagnosis and treatment plan. It needs to be me. And if you would be willing to help me out here, I will owe you a very large favor that you can trade in any time you like. How does that sound?”
The tech’s resolve appeared to soften. Whether it was from Draco’s heartfelt appeal to his humanity or the idea of Draco being in his debt, it was impossible to say. Draco found he didn’t much care either way, as long as he got his results.
“Very well,” the tech said with a sigh, standing up and making his way over to the stack of envelopes that represented the queue of samples he was meant to run. “I’ll move yours to the front. Come back in ten minutes and it will be ready for you.”
“I’ll actually just wait here for it, if you don’t mind,” Draco said. He didn’t want to give the tech any excuse to go back on his word, and he wanted the results as soon as possible.
The tech gave him the side-eye and said, “Suit yourself.”
“And thank you very much for your help,” Draco added quickly. “I deeply appreciate it.”
The tech merely grumbled and got to work, taking the vial with Mila’s sample out of the envelope and adding a few drops of a blue potion to it. He placed it on a rack to rest and process and returned his attention to the more complex test he had been running when Draco interrupted him.
“That’s it?” Draco couldn’t help but ask. “Just add the potion and wait?”
“Yes,” the other wizard replied. “That’s it. If the sample turns white, your diagnosis was correct.”
Draco chewed on his lip, biting back the very impatient thought that he definitely could have done this himself hours ago if he’d only had a bit more information. And access to the lab and equipment, of course. But implying to the tech that Draco could be doing that man’s job as well as his own would only breed more resentment, and he was dangerously close to the edge as it was.
So instead he leaned on the wall by the lab doorway and tried to think of other things, things that would distract him from looking at Mila’s vial every ten seconds to see if the sample was changing.
He thought of everything that was about to happen mere hours from now, about the garden that was now in full bloom, his friends in perfectly tailored suits, dress robes, or gowns milling about waiting for the ceremony to start, the gazebo his mother had had constructed where he would finally take Harry’s hands and say the vows he knew he was always meant to say. Vows he had been thinking about long before he and Harry ever got engaged, if he were being honest with himself.
But thinking about that only made him anxious to get this all over with so he could finally go to the manor and get ready. He needed to mentally prepare himself for this day, properly, and he could hardly do it here, at St. Mungo’s.
So instead he thought of Harry, wondering where he was and what he was doing at that very moment. Was he excited, nervous? Was he already being waylaid by his side of the wedding party, urging him to get ready ahead of time? Would be he resisting, fleeing at the sight of Hermione coming for him with a bottle of Sleakeazy’s and a comb? The thought made Draco smile.
He wondered if the photographer had already started taking pictures. He wondered if Pansy and Blaise were doing what he had asked them to do in the Patronus he sent them that morning explaining his lateness, making sure Harry didn’t worry about Draco’s arrival. He wondered if Harry was worrying anyway, starting to question whether Draco would make it on time.
Merlin, I need to get out of here. He glanced at the vial again, seeing that there was no change, and then looked at his watch. Only three minutes had passed. He sighed heavily.
“Where is it you’re going on your honeymoon, then?” the tech suddenly asked him, out of the silence.
Draco turned to him, though the man hadn’t looked up from his work. “Sorry?”
“Your honeymoon?” the tech said, doing some sort of tilting technique to coat the inner walls of a vial with a thin sheen of pearlescent potion, watching it carefully all the while. “I assume you’re taking one. Or perhaps not. With your schedule, I imagine it’s difficult.”
“New Zealand,” Draco answered. “Only for a week, sadly.” It was all the time he could afford to take off at the moment, but at least it was something.
“Mm,” the tech said. “I’ve never been.”
“Nor have I. Harry wanted to go somewhere really exotic,” Draco explained. “And I wanted to go somewhere warm. It’s summer there right now, you know.”
“Right, of course,” the tech said absently, and Draco thought perhaps that was the end of the conversation. The wizard was still very focused on his work. But then he asked, after a brief silence. “Are you staying in one place, or are you traveling around?”
“Traveling. Around the south island, mostly,” answered Draco. “If we had more time, I would have liked us to stay some places longer. But we want to see as much as we can.”
“Naturally. Better to take advantage of the opportunity.”
“That was our thinking.”
“My wife and I traveled around the Continent for our honeymoon. Tried to see as much as we could in one go.”
“Sounds nice.”
“It was quite fun,” the tech agreed. “We were young then – didn’t have a lot of money – and sleeping in any old place didn’t bother us the way it would now. My wife thought it would be charming to travel like Muggles, all our stuff in backpacks, taking the train everywhere.” He rolled his eyes. “The logistics of traveling internationally is a nightmare for Muggles, it turns out.”
“Well, not being able to Apparate makes a big difference, I imagine.”
“Very true,” the man said, smirking. “She wouldn’t want to do it the same way again. We’ve talked about going back to some of our favorite places: Italy, Spain, Switzerland… But if we were to do that, we’d be sure to travel in more style. And spend a lot more on accommodations, I imagine.”
“Like a second honeymoon.”
“Something like that.”
“Harry and I have talked about that too. Doing another trip just the two of us, once I make Senior Healer and we have more time.”
“Mm, not a bad idea. Better get on it before there are kids in the picture, though. That changes everything.”
Draco laughed drily. “A little late for that.” Not that he would trade his situation with Harry and Teddy for anything. But the other man was right. Children changed things. “You have kids?”
“Two daughters. Seven and ten. The older one will be going off to Hogwarts next year. A bit hard to imagine, I’ll be honest.”
“Sure. Well, you get used to having them around.”
“Indeed. I really think my wife will be a bit devastated when the youngest leaves us. I suppose I’ll be at a bit of a loss myself.”
“Perfect time to take a trip to Switzerland, then,” Draco offered. “Take your mind off of it.”
The tech chuckled. “That’s true.” He paused. “Your sample’s done.” He pointed to the vial, which was now full of a cloudy white liquid. “Your diagnosis was correct.”
Draco sighed in relief. “Well, that’s good then.”
“Hold on a second. I’ll write you up the official report, for the paperwork.”
“Thanks.” He realized the tech’s small talk had effectively distracted him, which he supposed was maybe the point. He found himself suddenly flush with a certain amount of gratitude for the man. “I’m realizing I didn’t catch your name.”
“Haversham,” the man replied, handing Draco the completed report. “Carl Haversham.”
Draco took the paper absently, fixated on the name. “Any relation to Kim Haversham, then?”
The man smiled. “She’s my wife.”
“Wow. I had no idea,” Draco said, reconciling that bit of information. “She’s an excellent Mediwitch. I request her all the time for my more sensitive cases.” She was the very Mediwitch that Mila had bonded with.
“Yes,” Haversham agreed. “She is quite exceptional. I’ll tell her you said so.”
“Please do. And thanks for this.” He held up the report. “I meant it, about the favor. Just ask, and it’s yours.”
“Just enjoy your wedding, Healer Malfoy,” replied Haversham, somewhat paternally. “With any luck, you’ll only have the one, so make it count.”
Draco huffed a laugh. “Right.” He waved a final goodbye, realizing he really ought to get a move on. All that talk of honeymoons and such had lured him into distraction, but if he wanted to actually get to his honeymoon, and the ceremony that came before it, he needed to get those results to Mila.
As he approached the MediStation, the witch manning the desk informed him that Mila and Madam Lorenz had returned and been placed in treatment room three. Thanking her, Draco made his way there swiftly.
They were there, looking at him expectantly when he opened the door. “I’m sorry for the wait,” he said. “The lab was behind this morning, and it took some… negotiating to get the results in a reasonable time frame.”
“Quite all right,” said Madam Lorenz, her voice tight with what Draco guessed was anxiety. Draco had tried to explain to both her and Mila that the condition was likely not serious and easily treatable, but their fears were not going to be assuaged until the diagnosis was confirmed. And Draco couldn’t exactly blame them.
“It’s as I expected,” Draco reassured her, looking between her and Mila with a small, calm smile. “A hyperactive core. You’ll be able to come away today with the necessary potion and a treatment plan that will correct with issue within a matter of days. And there has been no harm to you or the baby, I promise.”
Mila sighed in relief, but Lorenz didn’t look quite so comforted.
“I have to say that a hyperactive core sounds a bit more serious than that,” she said. “And the way Mila’s magic was behaving…”
“I know,” Draco said. “It must have frightened you both considerably, especially given Mila’s history. But it’s actually very common, particularly when the mother is under the age of twenty-five.” He looked at Mila again, not wanting her to feel left out of the conversation just because Lorenz was doing all the talking. “You might remember that conversation we had a couple of visits ago, about how your baby’s magical core develops during the second trimester, and how it can be a drain on your own magic.”
Mila nodded. “I remember. I felt really tired all the time. And I could barely do the simplest of spells.”
“Yes, but it also returned to normal after a couple of weeks, yes?” He saw both Mila and Lorenz nod again in confirmation. “That was your core compensating for the drain on your magic, working harder than usual to make sure you and the baby had what you needed. And while the baby’s core was developing, that extra magic was necessary. But your baby’s core is developed now, and your core hasn’t fully caught up with that change. It’s still generating more magical energy than it needs to. That’s why your magic feels unwieldy and a bit more… robust than usual.”
“’Robust’ is one word for it,” Lorenz said drily, and Mila met Draco’s eyes, giving him a sheepish smile. He smiled back in understanding. “Good thing I’ve mastered repairing charms from my many decades at the orphanage, or we’d have a real mess on our hands.”
From what Lorenz had described earlier when she’d first brought Mila in, that was probably true. Apparently it had been a problem for a couple of days: things flying haphazardly across the room when Mila tried to summon something, her practice of cheering charms sending the targets into wild hysterics, and her conjuring an entire mountain of quills when she just meant to conjure the one. It was when she had cast incendio to light her bedside lamp, only to set the entire nightstand on fire instead, that Lorenz decided something was truly wrong and needed to be checked out. It was probably for the best. Mila’s magic would have balanced itself out after a few more weeks, but it would be much better for everyone if she didn’t have to wait that long. Mila was already self-conscious and nervous about her magic as it was.
“I’ve already put in the potion order for you,” he told them, “which you can collect right after we finish up here. You’ll take that once with breakfast and once with dinner. Don’t take it away from food, all right?” Mila nodded. “Your magic is still going to be intense for a few days, so I have also compiled a list of recommended exercises and spells for you to do, which will burn off some of the excess magic and might make your other spell work a little easier on you.” He checked his watch. It was a quarter to two already, much to his chagrin. Harry was probably well and truly worried by now, if not also angry. He swallowed. “I’m sorry, would you mind terribly if I stepped out and sent a quick Patronus? Then I can answer any questions you have.”
“Of course,” said Lorenz, her brow crinkling. “But is everything all right, Healer Malfoy?”
“Yes, yes, everything’s…” He trailed off, looking at his watch again, on reflex. “It’s that I’m actually… getting married today, and I’m running a bit behind.”
Both women made noises of surprise and delight, Mila, for her part, smiling more widely than Draco had ever seen her smile.
“Well, congratulations, Healer Malfoy,” Lorenz said. “I had read something about it in the papers, of course, but I hadn’t realized today was the day.”
“It is,” Draco said with a sigh. “And the ceremony’s in just a couple of hours, so I just need to-“
“A couple of hours?” the older woman said, alarmed. “What in magic’s name are you still doing here then? Surely… surely you didn’t stay just for us?”
“No…” Draco began, although of course, that was a lie. “I had some things to take care of here, and then I just wanted to make sure… Well, this is an important case to me and I knew you were worried…”
“Oh, you sweet, ridiculous man!” Lorenz cried. “Hand me that parchment.”
“What?”
“The parchment you’re holding, with the potions prescription and all your instructions. The thing you always give us at the end of the appointment. Give it here.”
She suddenly sounded so stern that Draco merely did what she asked in silence. Lorenz looked it over with narrowed eyes.
“Yes, all right, very good. This is all in order. I understand it perfectly. Now go.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Go!” she cried, and actually made a shooing notion with her hand. “We’ve been through this all before. We’ll check out at the MediStation as usual, and we’ll owl you if we have any questions.”
“Yes, all right, but…” Draco said, feeling at a loss. He knew he ought to be hurrying, but it felt strange to leave it like this. “I’ll be out of the country on my honeymoon for the next week, so if you do have questions-“
“Yes, yes, we’ll owl Healer Iwu instead. Very good. Now go. You have Mr. Potter waiting for you, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Draco replied, a bit breathlessly. “I do.” He looked at Mila, just for good measure, to make sure there wasn’t more she needed. She was still grinning at him, her eyes wide and warm.
“Go,” she said, and though her insistence was quieter than Lorenz’s, it carried the same weight, if not more. “Go get married.”
“All right,” Draco said, finally accepting that they meant it. He grinned at both of them. “I’m off to get married then, I suppose. Um, goodbye!”
“Goodbye, Healer Malfoy!” Lorenz called after him as he fled the room. “The best of luck to you both!”
Draco would have thanked her if he weren’t already halfway down the hallway, making his way toward the floo. There was no point in sending a Patronus now; he would arrive at the manor before it did. He would just have to arrive unannounced and deal with the consequences. And he hoped they wouldn’t be too dire.
He had plenty of time to get ready, didn’t he? He’d always been adept at making himself presentable in a hurry. Still, he also knew everyone had been waiting around for him for hours, having no idea when exactly he was going to show, and that would likely stir up some irritation.
He entered the floo, calling out “Malfoy Manor” and praying that Harry wasn’t pulling his hair out already.
He was barely out of the fireplace before he was pounced upon by a shrill and aggressive Pansy Parkinson.
“Draco Malfoy!” she screeched at him. “You are in so much trouble.”
Draco sighed. So it was going to be this kind of experience, then. “I’m sorry. Everything took longer than I expected. But I’m here now, and we have two full hours for me to get ready, so-“
“Two full hours?” The woman repeated. “Not on your life, you complete idiot.” She began dragging him down the hall and towards his usual suite of rooms as she continued her tirade. “Have you forgotten that your mother wanted a whole set of wedding photos of both sides before the ceremony? In various venues of the house and during preparations, so that we all have to get ready at the same time?”
“Merlin,” Draco said. He had forgotten that little detail. But now that he thought about it, that was true. And it was also true, he was finally noticing, that Pansy, while already in her dress, did not have her hair done or any makeup on. Good Godric. It was lucky she hadn’t murdered him already. “That’s a ridiculous set of expectations.”
“Well, that’s Narcissa Black for you, so I’m not sure why you’re surprised. And it’s not as if I was going to argue the point with her. I like my limbs intact, thank you very much.”
They entered the suite to find the rest of Draco’s side of the party – Blaise, Hannah, and Theo – all dressed but, like Pansy, not yet groomed. There was also a photographer, standing around and looking a bit bored as he fiddled with his camera. There was a collective sigh of relief as they all caught sight of Draco and a round of “thank the gods” and “where have you been” before Pansy shut them all up.
“Draco is getting in the shower,” she informed the room. “And we can start doing our hair and makeup, so long as we don’t finish before he gets out, so at least there are some pictures of us all together. Are we agreed?”
They were.
“Blaise, would you inform Narcissa that her son has arrived and that we have everything under control?” Pansy asked the best man. “And inform Harry and his side, while you’re at it.”
Blaise gave Pansy a mock salute and Draco a knowing smirk as he passed them to leave the suite.
“How is Harry? Is he upset?” Draco asked her anxiously.
“Your fiancé is a true saint, Malfoy,” she replied. “He was completely calm about the whole thing. Kept insisting you would be here on time and that we shouldn’t worry. Of course, it’s not his job to make you fit for a wedding in less than an hour.”
“It’s not really your job either, you know,” Draco argued, removing his shirt now that Pansy was practically shoving him into the bathroom. “I’m perfectly capable-“
“The point is…” Pansy interrupted him. She’d followed him in and was now turning on the shower for him, as if he really wasn’t capable of doing such things himself. “…that were you marrying someone with normal reactions to this sort of thing… Well, let’s just say that if Theo had pulled this on me two hours before our wedding…”
“You’d have left him at the altar?”
“No,” Pansy said, smirking. “I’d have still gone through with it. And then strangled him in his sleep on our wedding night as punishment.”
“Lovely image,” Draco said, removing his trousers now, since he really did need to get in that shower soon and Pansy didn’t appear to be going anywhere. “Is Theo aware of your proclivities?”
“He’s been married to me for three years. Of course he is. Now get in the sodding shower before I shove you in there.”
“You’re still here and I need to remove my pants.”
The witch rolled her eyes. “Prude. As if it matters if I see you naked.” But she made her way towards the door anyway. “Make sure you scrub thoroughly,” she called to him as she left. “You smell like antiseptic potion and baby sick!”
“Wonderful,” Draco said under his breath when she finally closed the door behind her. He removed his underwear and, happy to find that the water was the perfect temperature, stepped into the shower.
Pansy had stocked it with all his favorites, everything he could possibly need to emerge smelling normal again. He wasn’t surprised, really, just silently grateful as he grabbed the exfoliating body scrub and set to work. He felt no need to impress Pansy, of course, but her approval would most certainly mean that Harry would approve as well, and that was the goal.
Harry. As the hot water ran down Draco’s back he also allowed Pansy’s reassuring (albeit snarky) commentary on his fiancé’s state of mine wash through him, easing some of the anxiety that had been knotting itself in his shoulders. He would not have blamed Harry if he had come barging in that very moment to give him a talking to, even if it meant breaking Narcissa’s steadfast rule that the two men shouldn’t see each other until the big “reveal” right before the ceremony was set to start. But to know that the man apparently had complete faith that Draco was going to show was the far more preferable scenario, not to mention a much more auspicious beginning to their life together. Draco made a mental note show the full extent of his gratitude later, when they could be alone.
The sudden opening of the bathroom door broke Draco out of his thoughts, and it let out an indignant squawk at having his privacy violated once more. The glass of the large and luxurious shower stall wasn’t remotely textured or opaque, and the layer of fog that had built up was hardly enough to shield him.
“I’m hanging your tuxedo trousers and shirt on the door,” Pansy called to him. “Now hurry up and get clean and dressed! The photographer is getting bored.”
She closed the door again, not bothering to wait for confirmation that she’d been heard and understood. Draco rolled his eyes, a temptation overcoming him to take an additional twenty minutes just to spite her. But the reasonable part of him was aware that it was his fault entirely that they were rushed, so he simply reached for the shampoo and proceeded to lather up his hair with efficiency.
Finally, when it was apparent that he was as clean and fresh-smelling as he was going to get, he proceeded with the toweling off and the very careful drying of his hair with magic, so that the strands were soft and smooth. He was so careful with the procedure, in fact, that Pansy started pounding on the door impatiently.
“I heard the shower go off five minutes ago!” she yelled. “Stop staring at yourself and get out here.”
“I was doing my hair, you tiresome cow,” he replied. “And I’m about to get dressed, so just keep your knickers on.” But he grabbed the clothes and rushed to put them on, nonetheless.
Soon he appeared with the rest of them, presentable and mostly dressed, and was descended on again by Pansy, who had his jacket and purple tie (amethyst, his mother had insisted repeatedly) ready for him to don and who also wanted the opportunity to get her own hands on his hair.
“No product, Pansy,” Draco said, throwing his hands up protectively and squirming away like a child avoiding his mother. “Harry doesn’t like my hair when it’s too stiff.”
“This isn’t like that god-awful gel you used to use in first year, for Merlin’s sake,” Pansy replied. “This won’t stiffen it, just let it holds it’s shape for the night so it doesn’t go flat during the reception and all that dancing you too are bound to do.”
Maybe it was the fact that she had a point, or maybe it was the photographer snapping away as they argued, but Draco gave in, standing there as still as he could while Pansy did her work, doing his best not to scowl and ruin the pictures. He was relieved when the photographer stepped away again to capture a few shots of Hannah finishing her eye makeup and Theo straightening his tie. Finally, after much longer than Draco really thought necessary, she declared his hair finished and left him to don the rest of his tuxedo while she worked on her makeup.
Blaise returned only a few minutes later, mercifully, and Draco immediately asked after Harry and how he seemed.
“He was telling the room ‘I told you so’ when I left,” Blaise replied. “Though I caught a bit of relief when I first informed him you were here.” He sat down on one of the sofas with a sigh.
“Of course you did,” said Pansy as she did her mascara. “We all know, whatever confidence Harry exudes, there is always a small part of him who doubts that he’s loved.”
The room was silent after Pansy’s frank insight, and Draco felt another squeezing of guilt in his gut. Pansy met his eyes in the vanity mirror.
“Hope your vows are good,” she said lightly.
“They’re exceptional,” replied Draco, hoping this was true. “There won’t be a dry eye in the house. Or the… garden, as it were.”
Harry will know he’s loved. I’ll make sure of it.
Perhaps sensing some of Draco’s distress, Pansy changed the subject, asking Blaise how the other side of the wedding party looked compared to theirs, including the other groom.
“He looks very handsome and presentable,” Blaise reassured Draco, though Draco didn’t much need reassuring in that regard. “The other men are in black, which I think is a bit boring if I’m honest.”
Draco grinned at Blaise lounging comfortably in his purple suit. If anyone could pull off color like that, it was Blaise. But not everyone had his versatility.
“Blame my mother for that one,” he said. “She was too intimated by that Weasley red hair, I think.”
Blaise smirked at him - likely amused by the idea of Narcissa Black being intimidated by anything - before the smirk softened into something else. “The women look stunning.” He paused, sighing dramatically. “Especially Vesper.”
This was met with a few beats of silence, until Pansy interjected, rather gamely, “Well let’s face it. For all her sportiness, Vesper can certainly wear a gown. I’d kill for her arms.”
“You have beautiful arms, love,” Theo said from the sofa, where he’d joined Blaise now that he was fully groomed and ready. “All that lugging our daughter around, I reckon.”
“Thank you, darling.” She’d been straightening Draco’s tie, making sure the shape was just right, but as she turned to smile at her husband she also seemed to catch sight of Blaise’s wistful expression. Draco had caught it too.
“I’m going to put a cheering charm on you if you can’t manage cheerfulness on your own,” she warned him. “This is Draco’s wedding! At least try to look happy.”
“Sorry, you’re right,” the man said, sitting up and looking a bit more alive. “What’s left to do then?”
Pansy took a step back and looked Draco over, her sharp eyes taking it all in. “Nothing,” she declared. “There’s nothing left to do. You’re perfect.” She looked around the room. “You’re all perfect. Now let’s go get the photos over with.”
What followed was a whirlwind of “wait and hurry-up” while Draco’s side of the party was dragged to various venues of the house, molded into different configurations, and then told to remain that way while lighting and focus was checked. It was a relief when the photographer would finally start snapping shots, but the relief didn’t last long. He kept rearranging them into different positions, different combinations, reminding them to stand up straight and smile, to keep their eyes open when the flash went off. He would take a whole series rapidly while saying things like, “lovely, beautiful, you’re perfect, nicely done,” before lowering his camera and rearranging them once again.
And when the series in the conservatory was done, they did it all over again in the ballroom, followed by the arboretum. By the end, Draco thought it was a true miracle that he hadn’t pulled his hair out. The only thing stopping him, really, was knowing he would face Pansy’s wrath if he so much as touched a single strand.
Narcissa made an appearance every now and then, swooping in for a few photos with her son before swooping out again to deal with some wedding detail or another. Draco barely had time to converse with her, which was probably for the best given that she would likely tell him off as well for being late. He was happy to avoid that, if possible.
Still, he had thought he’d get a bit more time with her before the ceremony started. He caught her slightly watery smile directed at him every time she whisked away to deal with an issue, and he thought that perhaps at least a part of her was having trouble keeping her emotions in check and didn’t want anyone to see.
Finally, by some miracle, the photo session was declared finished and the party was told to take their places by the doors leading out to the rose garden, where they would enter for the procession.
Everyone except Draco, apparently, who was slated to wait in a private powder room just off the ballroom for the ceremony to start.
“You’ll be glad, trust me,” Pansy said to him as she led him there. “Just go on in.”
He did, shutting the door behind him, and when he turned…
There was Harry.
They simply stood there for a minute or two, Draco, for his part, staring in wonderment at the almost painfully beautiful vision that was Harry Potter in a tuxedo. The suit was tailored to perfection, his shoes were smart and polished, his hair was sleek and well-styled, and his eyes had never looked so green. Draco swallowed, rendered utterly speechless.
“You look amazing,” Harry said, grinning in a way that was almost… shy.
“You look amazing,” Draco echoed, finally finding his voice. He took a few steps towards Harry. “Your hair. How did you…?”
“I know, right? It was all Hermione,” Harry replied, his eyes rolling up towards his hairline as if he could see his own head from there. Draco reached out, wanting to find out if the strands were as soft as they usual were, but Harry caught his wrist with Seeker reflexes. “Don’t even think about it,” he said, smiling again. “This took hours, you have no idea. Hermione and your mother will kill me twice over if I mess it up.”
“I suppose I can mess it up plenty after the reception,” Draco conceded, bringing Harry’s hand to his mouth and kissing it. “And it would be nice to enjoy it for a little while in its current glory, because I imagine I’m never going to see it this tamed ever again.”
“No, never. This is very much a one-time deal,” Harry said, and both men chuckled.
They were quiet for a minute, holding hands.
“I’m sorry I was late,” Draco blurted. “I really meant to be here hours ago, but I had a patient…”
“It’s all right,” Harry said. “Pansy explained everything to me. And I knew you would get here as soon as you could.”
“She said you were very calm. I wasn’t sure if it was because you weren’t actually worried or if you were just putting on a brave face for everyone.”
“I knew you would show.” Harry’s voice was firm and confident. “You’d never leave me waiting at the altar.”
“Or ever,” Draco added, for good measure, and Harry blushed.
“Did I have some… wondering if we were going to have to push the ceremony back a few minutes?” Harry went on, looking almost sheepish. “I mean, yeah, I did have that thought.”
“I would never have cut it that close,” said Draco, kissing Harry’s hand again as he held it in his own. “Not even to avoid the apparent hell that is taking wedding photos,” he added, hoping to hear Harry’s laugh.
He was well rewarded. Harry shook his head, still grinning. “We always knew it would seem like torture for me, at least. Though I always thought you liked having your picture taken.”
“I did. But this experience has cured me of that forever.”
“Such a drama queen,” Harry said, rolling his eyes, though they were still bright with affection.
“That’s the man you’re marrying. Better get used to it.”
Harry let out another small laugh, but it almost sounded a bit choked. His eyes were lowered, focusing on the center of Draco’s chest.
“Are you nervous?” Draco asked him.
Harry gaze rose to meet his. “Excited mostly.”
“Same here.”
“And I suppose I’m a little nervous too,” Harry admitted, after a few seconds of silence. “About messing up in front of everyone.”
“No one would care, or even notice, necessarily, if you did,” Draco said, though he did have a few butterflies in his stomach himself at the prospect. “I certainly won’t care if you do.”
“You won’t divorce me on the spot?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Draco said readily, deciding now was a time for sincerity. One of his hands reached up to brush Harry’s cheek.
“It’s difficult,” Harry said, leaning into the touch, “because I’m torn between wanting to just be married to you already and have it done with, and wanting to enjoy it while it’s happened like everyone says I should.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Draco said. “Maybe that’s why my mother had us take so many pictures. To remind us later in case it all goes by too fast.”
“Of course. Nothing like a wedding album the size of our dining room table to help us relive the event twenty years from now.”
They both had a good laugh at that image, and it was nice, to release some of that restless, excited energy. Draco brought Harry closer, so they were almost nose to nose.
“Merlin. I love you,” he said softly
“Yeah, yeah,” Harry replied, smirking. “Save it for the vows.”
“Trust me. I’ll have plenty more to say on the matter in just a few minutes.”
“A few minutes,” Harry whispered, as though he couldn’t believe it.
Draco rested his forehead against Harry’s, enjoying this one last, quiet moment.
It was a brief one too, as Draco heard the door open behind him. He turned to see his mother and Molly Weasley enter the room, both of them looking elegant in their gowns. Molly immediately wrapped them both in one of her famous motherly hugs.
“You boys look to handsome,” she gushed. “I’d kiss you as well, but I don’t want to cover you in lipstick.” She patted Harry’s cheek.
Narcissa remained by the door, standing more stiffly than was really necessary. But Draco knew that was just her way of managing everything she was feeling. He could see it in the shimmer of her eyes and the small curve of her smile.
“Are you both ready, then?” Molly asked. “The rest of the party is in position. They’re waiting for us.”
Draco exchanged a look with Harry, who nodded. “Ready,” Draco answered her.
The women exited in front of them, and Draco reached out a hand to his soon-to-be husband. “Here we go.”
Harry accepted it, intertwining their fingers. “Here we go.”
Up Next: Harry and Draco get married.
Sage of Discord: Yes indeed haha. But at least she told him finally. I’m just relieved about it at this point :)
goddess-of_dragons: Yay what luck that you managed to catch this update!! AFF does not make it easy to alert people about updates so I’m really glad it worked out. I understand why this chapter would have you tearing up. It did for me when writing it.
Sounds like you’ve been busy on the writing front! Let me know when you end up posting something so I can be sure to check it out! And yay for your hubby getting back into work. I hope the stress continues to lessen because I know there was a lot to carry there for a while.
Things are pretty good with me. Summer has started but I still have work to do (there’s this misconception that teachers get summer off, but many of us don’t get paid for those months so we have to find employment elsewhere to pay the bills). I’m writing every day, though, and I consider that an accomplishment! Can’t wait to hear what you think of this chapter! <33
Linek: Thank you, I’m so glad you’re liking it!! Characters and relationships are my favorite thing, so it means a lot that you noticed the effort I’ve put into that aspect <3
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