Visit 96
“Hi, I’m calling for Dr. Stone?”
“Yes ma’am, are you a patient?”
“Yes. Patient 760438.”
“Thank you, I’ll patch you through.”
The line rings once before the familiar voice comes through the phone.
“This is Dr. Stone.”
“Hi, it’s Hermione.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is great. I know it’s short notice but can you do a house call today at six?”
“Usually not, is it an emergency?”
“Not exactly but I would really like it if you could do a house call today at six.”
“Okay.”
“I left a handkerchief on your table, inside there’s a small thimble. This is a portkey and it will bring you to the right location at exactly six o’clock. I’m not going to lie, it’s going to feel super weird and you may get nauseous but it was the easiest way I could think of.”
“Hermione, I’m concerned. Are you sure everything is alright?”
“It’s 5:59, go unwrap the thimble and hold it in the palm of your hand. I’ll talk to you when you get here.”
“Alright, I’m going.”
Pop!
“Sorry about that, Dr. Stone. Do you feel okay?”
“You weren’t kidding, that was awful.”
“You get used to it. Come on, I have people I want you to meet.”
“Hermione?”
“Everyone! This is Dr. Stone, please do your best to not be severely overwhelming. Dr. Stone, this is Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Theo Nott, Pansy Parkinson-Zabini, Blaise Zabini, Violetta Zabini, Greg Goyle, and Veronica Goyle.”
“It’s nice to finally meet all of you.”
“Pleasure is all ours, mate,” Blaise shook his hand.
“Pansy, will you get him up to date and seated? I’ll see you out there.”
I took my first deep breath of the day and returned to my room. The ivory gown was hung from the curtain rod.
“Okay, he’s up to date, let’s get you dressed!”
“I’m so excited for you, love,” mum grinned.
“I’m so happy for you,” Ginny gave me a huge hug, “Even if it’s to the ferret boy.”
“I’m so glad you could all be here today,” I pull all of them into a hug.
“I’m so glad we met,” Veronica whispered through tears.
“Me too,” I wept, “Now, no more crying. It’s time for me to get married!”
We rushed through my hair and makeup, carefully zipping and buttoning the dress on.
“Dr. Stone is really excited to meet Draco, but I think Theo’s more excited that there’s no ring on his finger,” Pansy’s eyebrows wiggled.
“That’s so gross!” Ginny acted as if she was gagging.
“I’m joking, kind of.”
“Okay, okay. Are we ready?”
“I think so,” mum whispered, holding my face in her hands, “You’re so beautiful. Thank you for getting us back in time for this beautiful day.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Me either love.”
“Pansy, can you bring Dr. Stone here for a moment? I need to do a quick check in before we begin. He’ll know what that means.”
“On it.”
I pace the back room of the church, anxiety is rolling off of me in waves.
“Hermione?”
“Hi Dr. Stone.”
“You’re going to marry him? That’s wonderful.”
“As soon as my parent’s memories were fully restored, I didn’t want to waste another minute.”
“I’m so proud of you, the progress you’ve made is all for a beautiful moment like this.”
“Thank you. Can we do a quick check in before I go?”
“Of course. Any attacks related to anxiety since our last session?”
“Right now.”
“Let’s break it down.”
“I’m so happy that I’m terrified something will go wrong.”
“Do you have cold feet?”
“No.”
“Do you think he does?”
“No.”
“Do you feel loved by everyone here today?”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel like you’ll walk down the aisle to someone who will love and cherish you forever?”
“I do.”
“Then you just said the first ‘I do’ on your wedding day and it won’t be your last. The personal growth I have watched in you over the last three years has all amounted to this. You are the strong woman that opened doors to the mental health discussion within the wizarding world. The youngest witch to ever join the board of directors at St. Mungo’s magical hospital. You are Hermione Jean Granger, soon to be Granger-Malfoy, and you are about to have the most beautiful wedding surrounded by the people you love.”
“Thank you, Dr. Stone.”
The tears are rolling down my face in silent sobs.
“Of course.”
“Will you present me to my father before I walk down the aisle? I want you there when I walk with him. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you.”
“I told you I’d be there to support you every step of the way. Of course I will.”
“Thank you.”
We linked arms and made our way to my father. He was pacing with a single tear rolling down his cheek, waiting just outside the sealed doors to the chapel.
“Are you ready?”
“I am,” I whisper as they both smiled at me proudly.
“Mr. Granger, it’s my honour to present your daughter to you before the happiest day of her life.”
“Thank you for being there for her, Dr. Stone.”
“Of course.”
I watch as Dr. Stone goes to sit with Harry in the third row, the music starts as dad and I make our way down the aisle.
At the end, next to the officiant stood Draco Malfoy, his silver eyes gleaming. Beside him stood Theo, Blaise, and Greg. Pansy, Ginny, and Veronica stood waiting for me on my side of the aisle. Their forrest green dresses stood in stark contrast to the white and gold decorations strewn throughout the church.
Dad shook Draco’s hand before placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to join together two very dear friends of mine; Hermione Jean Granger and Draco Lucius Malfoy. They truly are a testament to reconciliation and the importance of forgiveness. They have each prepared their vows for one another and will bind them with a ring and a sacred magic.”
“Hermione Granger, I take you to be my wife. To have and to hold, cherish and love, through sickness and health. I will choose to wake up each morning and choose a path with you. I want to grow old together in a library with chamomile tea and classic literature with you.”
“Do you, Hermione Granger, accept this vow?”
“I do.”
“Draco, you may now present the ring.”
He slides the ring gently onto my finger before the officiant gestures to me to begin my vow.
“Draco Malfoy, I take you to be my husband. To have and to hold, cherish and love, through sickness and health. I look forward to our futures with one another, our personal growth that has perfectly intertwined. I choose to seek every new day with you and look to the future of love and prosperity by your side.”
“Do you, Draco Malfoy, accept this vow?”
“I do.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”