Hermione wishes that she could say that the ceremony wasn’t beautiful. That the venue wasn’t perfect. That her dress clashed horribly with her hair. That the vows were boring and meaningless. That his suit didn’t make him look entirely refined and handsome. That the magic that intertwined them was miniscule. She wishes that she could deny all of that. If she did it wouldn’t be true.
What she could tell herself was that she was okay. That she was doing good and that she was happy for them. That they were perfect for each other. She had repeated that to herself throughout the ceremony. She was okay. She was happy for them. They looked happy and in love. They were perfect for each other.
“Are you alright?” Harry had whispered to her during the ceremony. The bride and groom were listening to the officiator’s speech. He was discussing how true love ran in many forms and was in both of their hearts. She had tried to focus on something else but her mind kept running back to those words.
“Love ran in many forms.”
Harry had noticed her almost frozen expression and had leaned over, his hand moving to hers in concern.
“Yes,” she nodded, plastering a smile on her face.
“Draco?”
“Yes my darling?” He played with her fingers as she leaned into him.
“Do you think that we’re an odd pair?”
He chuckled behind her, twisting one of her rings on her fingers. It was one that Ginny had gotten for her birthday.
“Not entirely. We certainly have an interesting past together,” he nuzzled his cheek against hers. It made her giggle. He took this as a sign to attack her sides. She erupted in laughter at the tingling sensation. He was suddenly on top of her, pressing kisses to her cheeks. She giggled and tried to push him away. He finally stopped the pursuit of her and stared down at her. His cheeks had pink dust scattered across them.
“Do you think we’re an odd pair?” he returned. She thought for a moment before shaking her head.
“I think that our past makes our story even more interesting,” she admitted. He nodded in agreement. “I think that our love is unique and beautiful.”
He paused before pressing a light kiss to her lips. It sent shivers down her spine. “I quite like that Granger. Unique and beautiful."
The ceremony ended shortly after the bride and groom had walked down the aisle. Hermione clapped with everyone else. She couldn’t feel her hands as she clapped. She was only part of the crowd clapping. Everyone began to file out of the pews, heading for the following reception. Harry had offered her arm which she graciously took. They walked down the wooded path to the indoor pavilion.
The decorators had certainly outdone themselves, she thought. There were fairly lights strung around the room. Tables were scattered throughout the space. There was even a small dance floor located on one side of the room. It was dimly lit but in the perfect way. Levitated trays were floating around the room carrying various drinks. It was very romantic, that’s for sure.
Harry and her found their way to a table. She recognized some of her old classmates. She exchanged hugs with Seamus and Luna along with Ginny and Neville.
Hermione noticed as Narcissa and Lucius entered, their arms interlocked.
“What if they don’t like me? What if I say the wrong thing?” She wrung her hands. He simply smiled and fixed his bowtie.
He stepped in front of her, taking her hands. “Darling, they’re going to love you just like I do.” He placed a kiss on the back of them. She could feel her nerves slowly unraveling. He gave her a nod which she returned. Her stomach was still in knots. The doors in front of them opened and he took his spot next to her. Narcissa greeted them with open arms. She embraced him while placing a light kiss on both of his cheeks. She moved next to Hermione, doing the same.
“It’s so wonderful to finally have the pleasure of meeting you, Miss. Granger,” She greeted with a simple smile. She smiled in return.
“It’s wonderful to meet you as well Mrs. Malfoy!”
“My son has told me great things about you. Come, join me in the dinner hall." Without another word she stepped into the room. Hermione sent Draco a look which he returned with a wink and smile. Her nerves began to unravel more.
The bride and groom made a few announcements, thanking everyone for coming. They announce that there was free food and drinks and any gifts can be placed near the back.
The speeches nearly brought everyone to tears. They spoke of true love, of sacrifice and of happiness. Hermione herself was even moved by the beautiful words that they spoke.
“I remember when my sister first came home after their first date…” Daphne began.
“Harry!” Hermione rushed out of the fireplace, throwing her shoes off hurriedly. Harry poked his head out from behind the kitchen door, spoon in mouth. His eyebrows were up in surprise.
“That good, huh?” he had said. She nodded and joined him in the kitchen. She spilled all of what happened. Her stomach still felt the butterflies.
“...And all I could feel was happiness. I knew she was happy and that they were going to end up together someday. To the bride, my sister, and the groom, my now brother-in-law. Congratulations!” Daphne lifted her glass in toast. The room erupted in cheers and applause. Hermione once again clapped along.
She couldn’t think straight. She had tried. She was repeating her motto in her head. She was okay. She was happy for them. She had tried so hard to repeat this. After a while maybe she would believe it. Looking down at her drink, she didn’t know why she was invited in the first place. She closed her eyes, remembering back a few weeks ago.
“Harry?” she had called out to her best friend, setting the fresh mail on the table. She sorted through it and stopped. It was a gold card with calligraphy across it.
"Please join us for the joining of Draco L. Malfoy and Astoria K. Greengrass"
The card slipped out of her hands and she nearly fell back in her chair.
The joining. She couldn’t feel her heartbeat nor her breath.
Draco and Astoria
Harry rushed to her side, asking if she was okay. She couldn’t hear a word she said.
Please join us.
Hermione opened her eyes and her hearing came back slowly. It was a slow song playing now. She looked around to see that Harry was dancing with Luna, not too far away. He was nodding at something she was saying. A bit farther off from them was the bride and groom.
His arms were around her waist, his cheek against hers. Her arms were on his shoulders in a close embrace as they moved back and forth. Hermione’s stomach clenched.
“Come now darling,” Draco urged, his hand still outstretched. Hermione shook her head vigorously. “I don’t know how to dance,” she tried to explain. He huffed and pulled her closer, his hand on her hip.
“I’ll show you how.”
Hermione sipped her champagne. It was sweet and bubbly. It tasted wonderful and she wishes that she could fully appreciate it. Her eyes found a pair near the buffet table, their attention locked in a conversation. The woman reached for a cookie only for the man to do the same. They both smiled at each other.
“Miss. Granger,” Draco nodded respectfully to her.
“Mr. Malfoy,” she greeted back politely. She found that staying to the sides of the party would suit her best. She was not a social butterfly, after all. She was surprised that Mafloy had the same idea. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. Just content.
He sipped his drink. “I must say that these events are rather boring,” Malfoy drawled.
“I’m surprised you would say such a thing. I figured a socialite event would be right up your alley,” Hermione teased. Draco gave her a side glance.
“Hardly,” he mumbled. “I find them rather infuriating. They’re also a waste of time if you are aiming for even the slightest bit of a good time." She raised an eyebrow. This was coming from probably the richest heir she knew. Part of his title included socializing.
“You surprise me yet again,” she took a sip of her own drink. Draco glanced at her before grinning into his glass. “I’m sure I can surprise you even more, no?”
Her cheeks flushed at the suggestion and she let out a small laugh. Her eyes found him. “You just might.”
Hermione was staring at the empty space that the couple had occupied. She looked away before someone could catch her looking. Why was she here? Why was she drinking champagne like nothing was different? Like this is normal! None of this was normal. She flagged a nearby waiter and asked for another drink. He set it in front of her and she took a long swig. There was a collection of clapping. She looked up to find the bride and groom exchanging a kiss in front of the photographer. A flash went off.
“Draco, are you almost home? The food is nearly cold,” Hermione frowned through the Floo. Draco nodded, running a hand through his hair. He looked extremely tired. He was having a long day at work. Hermione had hoped that a nice dinner would work. She even made his favorite; apple pie.
“I’ll be there soon. I just have a few things to finish up,” The ends of his mouth upturned a bit.
“Don’t you worry Hermione! He’s safe with me!” A feminine voice rang out. Hermione’s stomach did a jump before a woman came into the picture.
“Astoria,” Hermione put a smile on her face. Why was she there?
“Draco is working extra hard but we’ll send him home immediately,” she smiled, putting a hand on the nape of his neck. Draco glanced down before back up at her. She said goodbye and the fire flickered out. Astoria.
Hermione sat down at the counter, collecting herself. Surely..no. Overreacting.
Another flash went off.
“Hermione?”
She refused to look up from her cup. If she looked up then they would have to talk. If they would talk then she would know-
“Yes?”
He sat down in the chair next to her.
“Hermione,” he said again, softer. She looked from her cup to him. His eyes were glassy. She had seen him cry, once. She didn’t mean to see him cry the first time.
“We both know this can’t go on,” He whispered. Hermione blinked a few times, the tears beginning to form. He sounded so..sad.
“Why not?” Her voice quivered. The tea was getting cold in her hands. She felt she was holding on for dear life. They could work this out, couldn’t they?
“Please, darling. It’s not fair to you...or to me.”
Hermione stared at him. At his perfect features, his perfect nose, and his blond hair. That hair. His eyes were light as he stared at her. Not fair to him. Not fair to her. Not fair to them.
“Do you love her?” She couldn’t look at him for this. Draco didn’t speak. Hermione closed her eyes as her heart dropped to her stomach.
Hermione didn’t realize that she was heading for the doors. Her feet were carrying her. She had to get out of here, she couldn’t be here. This was too much and she couldn’t…
She felt the fresh air and she let out a sob. She covered her eyes as she cried into her hands. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed into her hands.
“Hermione,” Draco grinned, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. Hermione froze, her mouth open.
“Draco!” She greeted back, putting a friendly smile on her face. What was he doing here? Has it been a year already? Her heart rate started to pick up. He looked really good. Healthy, clean cut, handsome. Maybe he was alone.
“How are-” the bell dinged and another figure stepped out. Her stomach lurched.
“Hermione! What a pleasure!” Astoria smiled, going in to hug her. Hermione patted her back and stepped away. She wanted to die right there. Please let her just disappear.
“I’d love to catch up but I have to go. I’m meeting a friend for some drinks,” the lie slipped through her teeth. Draco nodded.
“Maybe some other time then.” Astoria nodded too, tucking her wand into her coat pocket. Hermione nodded and moved away but Draco stopped her. A gentle hand on her arm.
“It was very nice seeing you, Hermione. You look as beautiful as always,” his eyes were calm. Those words felt too familiar on his lips. Oh, how she missed them. Hermione smiled and walked away. She didn’t cry until she turned the corner.
“Hermione?”
She looked up to see Harry outside of the venue, his green eyes looking around. He found her and his shoulders relaxed. Sniffing, she wiped her eyes. She didn’t want to look at him, she couldn’t.
“Practicing?” he nodded up at the birds above her head. She gave a small smile.
“I didn’t mean to do that,” She admitted. She hadn’t seen those birds since fifth year. There was no ginger to aim them at this time.
“You were always brilliant with magic.”
Hermione looks away. Harry sighs and puts his hands in his pockets.
“I still love him.”
“I know.”
“What do I do?”
His gaze lingers on the night sky. “You move on, you be happy for him. You know he would do the same for you.” Hermione follows his gaze. He’s looking at the Draco constellation. She wonders if they planned that.
Harry pulls her closer and gives her a hug. She wraps her arms around him and sighs. There’s nothing she can do.
“It just hurts so much,” she admits. Harry nods.
“I still love Ginny. Every time I see her I want to kiss her, to go back to where we were before. I want to be with her so badly it hurts.”
Hermione turns to look back inside. She can see Ginny dancing with Dean. Even as far as she is, she can see the light in her eyes as she looks at him. She turns back around.
“But she’s moved on,” Harry continues. “And I’m happy for her.”
Hermione stares up at the sky with him.
“What if I don’t find anyone?” she whispers. The question has been nagging in the back of her mind. She knew she was foolish to think such a thing about herself but they had been so happy. And now. Now.
“How about this? If both of us don’t find someone, we’ll marry each other?” Hermione chuckles and nods her head. She could do that, she could marry Harry.
“Deal.”
He smiles back at her before straightening. He extends his hand which she takes. The festivities are continuing inside, with no changes from when they left. Hermione doubts that their absence was noticed anyway.
Her eyes find the bride and groom talking to their friends. She watches him as he talks, throwing his head back to laugh at something that Blaise said. She watches as his hand, out of instinct, holds her waist and brings her closer. Hermione watches as she presses a kiss to his cheek, his head turning and smiling at her.
She could be happy for him. She is happy for him. Hermione looks over at Harry who’s talking to someone. It takes her a moment to register who it is. Who knew Theodore Nott and Harry Potter would be talking? She notices Harry’s cheeks start to darken in color and he rubs the back of his neck. Hermione smiles.
If Harry could be happy for Ginny, she could be happy for Draco. She could do it. She is happy for him. She is okay with this. She could do this. Standing up, she joins Ginny who is talking to Luna and Dean. She can do this. She can be happy for him. She is happy for him. She is happy for him. They are perfect for each other.