The game and love

55

Draco and Harry both spent the next month planning the wedding. Draco had insisted they get married before june because otherwise the season would make them have to wait another eight months to have their day. Hermione had been a great help to both of them, writing up invitations and planning the things to have and finding a way to pick people from the extensive guest list that Harry had drawn up. It was exciting times for Hermione, she didn't get to do big things that often and Ron certainly didn't mind the peace and quiet. Despite Kayla being with him, he had managed to avoid any major effort in the wedding and that's how he liked it.

Draco wasn't nervous at all. Quite the contrary, he wanted this wedding to be perfect in as many ways as it could for Harry and him. It was tough to keep his excitement hidden. Especially since he had secretly planned to invite a special guest for Harry. He only hoped that Sirius was right that it was a great idea. He shrugged as he mailed the special envelope off to it's recipient and turned to walk back into their home. Harry and Hermione were looking at cakes and trying to decide on one. He walked over to the fridge and picked out a green apple to eat. He walked up behind Harry and looked at the pictures of cakes for a minute before Harry spoke to him, looking between pages.

"Dray, which one do you like?" Draco smiled taking a bite out of his apple.

"That one looks like a naked guy could pop out of it if we wanted." Draco said with his mouth still half filled. His smile widened when Harry rolled his eyes. He bent down and kissed Harry's temple. "I'm just kiddin' sweetie...*swallow*....Get what one you like the most." He said patting Harry's shoulder. Hermione sighed. They were back to square one.

When they had reached the stage of picking out tuxes, Draco had asked Hermione to take Harry down to get fitted. He went with Ron. Draco was a man of simple taste and so almost imeadiately he picked out a tucx he liked and tried it on. It was white and had a dark green vest and bowtie. He liked it. Ron shook his head when Draco asked his opinion. Draco huffed his disappointment at his friend's lack of intrest and straightened the jacket of the Tux as he looked into a full length mirror.

"Hey, I'm not the one marrying you, so why do I care?" Ron said defensively. Draco shrugged and continued to look at himself with an feeling of satisfaction in the mirror. Ron's face showed his disintrest in this whole trip. A young gentleman who worked at the store walked by as Draco was admiring himself and whistled. Draco turned to him instantly and smiled. The young man was now fully red as he realized what he'd done.

"Hi, What's your name?" Draco asked kindly to the young man, who was quick to compose himself.

"Cedric Diggory sir." The boy answered nervousness still in his words. Draco chuckled a little bit at his discomfort.

"No need for the sir part, Cedric, do you think this looks nice on me?" Draco looked at the kid expectantly. He couldn't have been more than seventeen, but Draco needed someone objective to look him over. The boy nodded.

"Yeah, it looks nice on you. Sorry for whistling....I didn't mean..." Cedric stopped when Draco smiled ans shook his head.

"No worries here, everyone needs someone to admire them right?" Draco asked, still smiling warmly. The boy nodded again. "Thanks for your help Cedric." Draco nodded goodbye as he went back to change into his normal clothes. Ron sighed. Well atleast that part was over. He only could imagine the things he'd be dragged around to do now that the wedding was a week away.

On the flipside were Harry and Hermione. They were really into the whole thing of weddings. They'd been doing nothing but random shopping sprees and things for the last three weeks. Hermione had always wanted to be able to do this, but most of her friends had gotten married while she lived in Tennessee. Harry was a picky boy with an obsessive mind. He had a hard time making any choices and Hermione had to patiently walk him through his mind until he felt comfortable doing something. She was waiting in the Tux rental place with Harry trying on his eighth one. He huffed behind the door. Hermione sighed.

"Harry, just come out and let me see it." She siad annoyed. Harry opened the door and stepped out of the dressing booth. He felt like an idiot. He kept imagining Draco hating how he looked. He had a day dream earlier that the tux was defective and somehow had a huge hole revealing his nice well toned butt. He was an idiot. He knew it, but he couldn't help these thoughts. He only planned to have one wedding and he wanted it to be as perfect as it could be.

Hermione walked up to Harry as he looked at himself in a full length mirror. She helped him straighten it up and looked at him. This eighth one, she thought she'd just lie if it didn't look nice, but it actually looked very good. It gave Harry's always thinish look some definition and the Black tux with dark red vest with matching dark tie really went with his eyes.

"It's looks great Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, kissing his hair. "It really does." Harry looked down in embaressment. His cheeks now matched the color of his vest. Hermione felt relieved when Harry needed no further convincing about it and they checked out. Everything but last second checks were complete. 'One more week' Harry thought with an inward smile. One more week and Draco would know how much Harry loved him.

"Are you ready for this Harry?" Draco asked as they laid in bed the night before the big day. Harry nodded. He was ready. Perhaps more that the work be over. He was excited yes, but he was also glad that they only had to do this only once. So many major choices to make he about went crazy. His brain was exhausted. He was glad he had written his vows two weeks ago. Draco ran his hand along Harry's back, pulling him closer to his side. He still wasn't nervous. The only worry he had was wether Harry's surprise guest would make it. Harry shifted and closed his eyes.

"Draco, when this is over, could we just go on a vacation?" Harry asked sleepily. Draco grinned to himself. He'd already planned something with Harry's help, but Harry must have been so out of it that he forgot.

"We already planned to do that baby, don't you remember?" Draco asked softly chuckling. Harry shifted again and Draco moved to accomidate him, still stroking Harry's back lightly. Harry's eyes squished more closed as if the memory would be shown on his eye's lids.

"No." Harry said a bit upset that he didn't remember.

"Well we did, so I guess you can be surprised then, ok?" Draco kissed his forehead. "I love you Harry."

"I love you too Dray." Harry whined sleepily. "Goodnight." He said through a small yawn.

"Goodnight." Draco said softly, kissing Harry's forehead again. Tommorow was a big day. They needed their sleep.

The wedding was being held at Draco's Mother's home in California. Weather and the fact that they had thirty to forty guests on the list and most were from the area made it a good choice, perhaps the easiest to make of the whole day. Narcissa loved the idea and was also very excited that Draco had resolved his differences with Harry. She always loved big fancy parties and this just gave her the opportunity to Shine. It was a warm day in early may. The sun was out and bright, but not overheating the place and the sky was clear. Hermione was wowed by the work Mrs. Malfoy had done for this. The back yard was full of chairs lined up and a walkway was carpeted by a nice red carpet. The stage was set up with an white wooden archwway covered in red roses.

"If I get remarried, can I have you do my wedding?" Hermione asked, eyes still admiring the work put in.

"Oh Darling, I can only do this for my son." She said fiegning snobbery. Hermione laughed. In just a few hours they would have a wedding here. It was the most amazing feeling that only these two women seemed to understand. They turned to walk inside.

Draco had decided to wander off and pass the time. He may not have been nervous last night, but he was definitely today and he tried everything to make time pass faster. A shower, weightlifting, a shower again. Walking around the perimiter of the land his mom owned. He even fidgeted with his old football gear from highschool. This wasn't going to be easy. His face only sunk when he saw he still had an hour and a half to waste before he had to start getting ready.

Harry was in no better shape. He had spent time with Hermione for awhile, but it was clear to him that she had last minute things to do, as she kept making efforts to usher him away. He didn't know why he decided to go for a swim in the indoor pool, but he did. Though swiming wasn't distracting him, it gave him a way to expend his nervous energy. He ducked himself under water and when he came back up, he had to wipe his eyes to make sure he wasn't halucinating.

"Oh, so you decided to swim too?" Draco smiled. He wore red swim trunks. His body was very defined and Harry did a double take. Yes, he spent years with this man in front of him, but moments of pure admiration as a posed to just passion or lust can change your opinion on the form of a body. Draco slipped slowly into the water. Harry smiled as his soon to be husband swam up to him and they touched noses.

"Your breath stinks." Harry teased. Draco splashed water at Harry. He felt bad afterward because he had caught Harry by surprise causing him to breath and cough from the sudden water that had entered his nose. Draco snatched him up in a hug.

"Sorry love." He said as he felt Harry embrace the hug. Harry just breathed in. He loved when Draco hugged him. He always thought of himself as silly for something so trival moving him, but as his head laid on Draco's shoulder he just felt like the whole world stopped for them. "I guess it's bad luck if we see eachother today or something, but I don't care." Draco said now moving both he and Harry so he could lean against the side of the pool.

"I love you." Harry said to the moment more than to Draco. Draco placed his hand on the back of Harry's head and stroked it lovingly.

"Isn't that what today's about?" Draco smiled. There was redness in his cheeks as he kissed Harry's temple.

They knew they had to part ways when Harry's watch went off as it was sitting on top of his clothes. Draco reluctantly gave him up for now. Getting out and drying off in the changing room and getting ready for his third shower.


Harry looked at himself in the as Hermione helped him with his tux. She slapped his hands away as he tried to fidget with the collar. He knew better than to do that again. He was all nerves, but atleast he wasn't sweating. He couldn't wait, he thought he might explode.

Draco on the other hand, was messing with his bowtie. Realizing his friend Ron was useless. He asked his mom to help him look good. She ablidged kindly.

"You look so handsome sweetie." She said, fixing his bowtie and helping him straighten his jacket. "It's going to be a great day." She smiled and tears threatened her eyes. She was so happy. Draco remembered something he wanted to ask her. He looked himself once over in the mirror and spoke.

"Did Harry's guest come yet?" He didn't mention the name. No way did he want this somehow getting back to Harry. He trusted Ron, however, he did not trust Ron's wife.

"No honey, I didn't see the one you mean." She turned to walk out. "Five minutes boys." She left the two alone.

"So how do I look?" Draco asked Ron after a minute or so.

"I'd fuck you." Ron said an enormus grin on his face.

"Oh god, I told you, I'm not into ginger heads." Draco mocked and slapped his friend on the back.

"Hey, shut up." Ron was smiling too. "Ready?" Ron asked, placing his arm around Draco's shoulders.

"As I'll ever be Ron." Draco breathed deep as Ron opened the door and they started their short trek to the backyard.

Harry walked out into the back yard along the red carpet led by his father James. His dad had been great about this whole thing and very happy for the both of them. Sirius had also come to the wedding. He was glad his family and some friends could make it. He wanted to show off his future husband. As they approached the stage Draco was already waiting and took his arm and helped him up the remaining steps.

Draco watched Harry come down the Isle with his dad at his side. He couldn't contain the smile he had from excitement. He still in the back of his mind was upset that Harry's guest hadn't shown up yet. He put those thoughts away as he helped Harry up the last remaining steps of the stage and smiled as they now stood together.

The cerimony started the usual hooplah. Then came the exchange of the rings. Harry had spent the better part of a week looking a different styles of rings before realizing he was being dumb. He knew Draco wouldn't mind a fancy ring, but he also knew that simple was his love's preference. He eyed the inscription as he retrieved it from the pillow that little Kayla had so sweetly offered to carry at the rehersal a few days ago.

"Now Harry place the ring on Draco's finger and repeat after me." The minister said loud enough for the audience to hear.

"With this ring, I thee wed." The minister said

"With this ring, I thee wed." Harry repeated with a sweet tone in his voice. His eyes were locked on Draco and he could barely focus on what he was supposed to say.

"Now Draco, place the ring on Harry's finger and repeat after me."

"With this ring, I thee wed." Draco's words were soft and warm. He was lost in Harry's eyes, they were full of emotion, more than Draco ever remembered them.

"I understand that each of these persons has perpared a vow which they will now read to eachother. Which one of you will go first?" The minister asked them with a gentle smile.

"I will." Said Harry as he fished a piece of paper from his pocket inside his jacket. He unfolded the paper and cleared his throat. He fought against the knot in his heart.

"Draco, we have been together for almost eleven years." Harry's hands were shaking a little. "I can honestly say that I have felt like it has only been eleven minutes. In my life I have never been one to know what I want, often frightened of risk and afraid to let myself be happy. I can say now that you are what I want. You are the only thing or person or dream that I have fought for that I look at now and say it was all worth it. Without you I am only a third of what I am today. It was you, who in years past stayed up with me in my studio, even if you had a flight the next day to a game, just to tell me to be brave and not give up. I love you Draco. I love you more than you know. I make you this vow, in all the years that come I shall always repay your good heart with love and caring." Harry closed the note.

"Draco will now read his vow." The minister said after letting Harry's words hang in silence for absorption by several crying spectators.

Draco fished a couple of notes out of his pocket. Harry grinned. "Before I read my vow to you Harry, I wanted to read you a letter that my dad gave me with his ring." Harry looked at Draco shocked. Draco took a deep breath. His hands also shook a bit.

"Draco, I have made too many mistakes to count with you and your mom. I write this letter to you so that you might learn from my mistakes. I have watched you and Harry grow closer together as the years have moved on and I wanted to offer this advice. Marry him, I am giving you my ring as a symbol. You see, I spent my life always consumed with work and dreams, I never realized the reality that was right in front of me. Don't let that happen to you. Always make sure that as you persue your dreams, you don't forget the one who truly loves you."

Draco fumbled with the other note and then cleared his throat.

"Harry, you know I'm no good at these speeches, but I know that I have to only do this once, so here goes. Before I met you sophmore year of highschool I didn't really think there was anyone in life who cared about me. I was alone. When I saw you at the bleachers that day, drawing a picture of me, I found that I couldn't get my mind off of it. I didn't really understand why until I lost my only game in highschool and you were there for me. I hadn't done anything and yet you were there for me. I love you for that. However, it isn't the reason I am marrying you. My reason is much more sefish. I want to know that you are mine, that no one or nothing can take you away from me. I also want to spend my life sharing in both the triumphs and failures. As long as you're with me, this is my vow, I will go unafraid wherever you go, because I love you."

The minister again let silence absorb the words. Mrs. Malfoy was being comforted by James, her cries would occasionaly get looks from other people in the crowd.

"Draco, do you take this man to be your partner in life, to have and to hold, honor, love and cherish in sickness and in health for as long you both shall live?"

"I do." Draco said smiling softly.

"Harry, do you take this man to be your partner in life, to have and to hold, honor, love and cherish in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Harry replied fighting the excitement in his chest.

"Then by the power granted to me by the state of California, I now pronouce you, partners for life. You may kiss the groom." The minister's words were final. The eyed eachother for a split second before Draco cupped Harry's face in his hands and brought their lips together. A tear escaped Harry's eye. They parted.

"I now present to you, Harold James potter, Draconius Lucius Malfoy, partners for life."

Cheers were heard and the applause was loud as Harry and Draco both waved to the crowd and Harry whispered something to Draco. Draco chuckled.

"But there's cake sweetie, I want cake." Draco whined. Harry smiled as he turned to face Draco.

"Already our first fight?" Harry laughed as Draco caught him with a light kiss.

"We do things really fast." Draco smiled. Harry whispered in his ear and Draco blushed. "Harry, you've got such a dirty mind." He caught him with another light kiss.

The reception afterward was something to be hold. Narcissa had gone all out with the food. They went to one of the ballroom which was huge and held all the wedding guests easily. Harry and Draco sat at a table all their own of course and several people brought their gifts up to the table. Harry was quiet, Draco did most of the talking, he knew of Harry's discomfort for large crowds so he made it as easy as for Harry to try and enjoy himself. They smiled as they upheld a tradition of feeding eachother the first bite of wedding cake. Harry did a solid job of geting the bite in Draco's mouth, but Draco on the other hand smashed half the bite of Harry's into his cheek.

Harry laughed as Draco went to mend his mistake by eating the bite off of Harry's face and then kissing him gently. They were both laughing as several camera snaps caught this humorous disater. Draco pulled Harry into a hug. The time came and went. They had opened presents and thanked the guests. Somehow, Draco convinced Harry to dance. They walked to the front of the table and just slow danced to the music which was soft and kind. Harry rested against Draco's chest, just swaying with him a little bit. He was exhausted, there were just too many people here. Draco spoke softly, but Harry had almost fallen asleep angainst him, so he was startled when the man spoke.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, but I have to go use the little boys' room." Draco said gently, letting Harry collect himself and adjust his glasses which had become compressed against his face. "But listen, you won't be alone, I think there's someone here who would very much like to speak to you." Draco said warmly as he continued to assure Harry's stability before he left. He only hoped that this guest was going to be pleasant. Sirius said he'd take care of it, Draco trusted that.

As Draco left, Harry looked around the room two or three times. He didn't seem to see who Draco meant until he looked again and saw a woman, a woman with green eyes.

"Mom?" Harry said over the music in suprise. She seemed to spot him now. They instantly closed the gap between eachother. She opened her arms and hugged him, despite the confused look on his face.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

Harry asked, his confusion evident. She smiled. "Draco invited me." Her face screwed up. "I made a terrible mistake." She said softly. Her face seemed to scrunch with further effort not to cry. "Look at how handsome you got." She smiled in anguish. "Oh Harry, I'm sorry I missed this day." Her tears flowed. Harry was still confused as she hugged him again. He began to return the hug, as he did, he felt a connection that had long since been broken, reconnect.

"I'm glad you're here mama." He said simply. Feeling her grip loosen on him as she got a grip on her feelings. They didn't say much, they just hugged. It seemed like they could say it all in the hug anyway. There was forgivness and true repentance.

"Where is this Draco fellow who stole my son's heart?" She said suddenly.

"That would be me." A voice stated behind them both. Somehow Draco had snuck by them and was eating what was left of Harry's piece of cake. He put the plate down and came to shake her hand. She looked him over and her eyes were wide.

"I can certainly see why he likes you." Lilly potter said loud enough for half the room to hear and some folks to chuckle in the background. Harry looked up at the celling and swore with embaressment. Draco was not shaken at all.

"Why thank you." The blonde said in a appriciative voice. He bent down and kissed her hand.

"Oh my, a charmer too." She stated in an over dramatic tone. Harry was swearing up a storm of words that even satan would blush at. They talked this way for a few more minutes as Harry continued his silent embaressment. All of a sudden, Hermione burst into their conversation.

"I'm sorry to do this to you guys, but Draco there's so kind of fight out in your front yard." Hermione was out of breath. "It's...R...Ron he." Draco stopped here and they all went outside to see what was going on.

There was a large crowd outside now and people were watching two people who were fighting like idiots in the front yard. Draco laughed out loud as he saw who they were. It was Cruz and Ron of course. From the looks of it, Cruz had had his drink spilled on him by Ron and was now trapping him in a headlock. Draco thought he should interfere, but then stopped. He smiled.

"What the fuck are they doing?" Harry laughed as he watched the two men stuggle.

"Becoming friends." Draco said as if it was obvious.

"What?" Harry said confused.

"Watch." Draco said pulling his husband into a one armed embrace.

It was clear that the fight was even and the only way that the two men warring with eachother felt they could get the upper hand was by out swearing eachother. Draco was glad their were no children around as Kayla was the only child at the wedding and she'd gone to sleep. Finally, Draco saw the end coming. Both men were tired as they now swung wildly and stupidly at nothing. They were so exhausted, they didn't realize a fountain that was atleast as big as a small wading pool was behind them. With one final clash, they both fell into the water. Cheers and laughter were heard throught as all the guests had gathered to watch the fight. When they came out, they were laughing. They shook hands. Cruz patted weasely on the back. They were both smiling.

"What the hell?" Harry was now fully confused.

"This is how brutes communicate." Draco educated. He watched as the two men were intercepted on their escape root by their wives.

"Thank god I didn't have to kick your ass so I could Marry you." Harry said smiling happily.

Draco turned to face him and kissed him gently. "Truer words were never spoken my love."

End Chapter 55
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A/N: Next up is their honeymoon, what does that mean. SEX SEX SEX SEX SEX....YES IT DOES PEOPLE
If I get ten reviews by tomorrow morning, I may post a new chapter tomorrow night.