Chapter 37 (kinda)
“A wedding is one of life’s great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting, and joy. The great Merlin tells us that marriage is intended to be a creative relationship, as magic blesses husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, to share in the care and upbringing of children and to share life together. It is based upon a solemn, public, and life-long covenant between witch and wizard, declared and celebrated in the presence of your witnesses and your inner power. On this their wedding day, the bride and groom face each other, make their promises, and receive Merlin’s blessing. In the presence of family, friends, the ministry, and the whole of the magical community we have come together to witness the marriage of Hermione Jean Granger and Draco Lucius Malfoy. To pray for Merlin and Morgana’s blessing on them, to share their joy, and to celebrate their burgeoning love.” Hermione looked at the minister, a man a few centimetres shorter than herself and missing ninety per cent of the hair on his head, as he began the ceremony. Her heart pounded in her stomach as he spoke and she focused all her energy on maintaining an upright position and not passing out or running back down the aisle she’d just arrived from.
“Marriage is a gift given as witch and wizard grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in magic, heart, body, and mind. The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives.” Draco glanced at Hermione from the corner of his eye, noticing the deep blush on her face (even through her makeup) as the minister spoke. He held back a smirk at the notion that she could be embarrassed by something so trivial as this. If only he’d thought of such things back when he was still tormenting her.
“It is given as the foundation of a true family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad may find strength, companionship, and comfort, and grow to maturity in love. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens the community. No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of all who gather here. Hermione and Draco are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this, they will each give and receive a ring. Merlin, Morgana; from the time of your miraculous lives you have blessed our society. Pour out your blessings upon Draco and Hermione now, so that they may be joined in mutual trust and companionship and a commitment to each other and their family. Draco and Hermione, please face each other.” They did as they were told, the priest putting Hermione’s hands into Draco’s as he clasped his around them. “You will be making six vows in total to one another before me and these witnesses to bind your lives and your magic together as one. For each, I will ask Draco for his commitment first, and then I will ask Hermione. Once they have both affirmed, we will move to the next vow. Draco, will you share in Hermione’s pain, and seek to protect her from it and ease her of it?”
“I will,” Draco spoke clearly, his voice a smooth, dark tone in the silence of the garden around them.
“Hermione, will you share in Draco’s pain, and seek to protect him from it and ease him of it?”
“I will,” she prayed he couldn’t feel the clamminess of her hands or the fact that they seemed to be sweating more than she could ever remember them doing so before.
“Then let the binding be so. Draco, will you share in Hermione’s joy, rejoice in it with her, and look for the best in her always?”
“I will.”
“Hermione, will you share in Draco’s joy, rejoice in it with him, and look for the best in him always?”
“I will.”
“Then let the binding be so. Draco, will you share in Hermione’s hardships and toil, so that the two of you may grow together?”
“I will.”
“Hermione, will you share in Draco’s hardships and toil, so that the two of you may grow together?”
“I will.”
“Then let the binding be so. Draco, will you share in Hermione’s dreams and work with her to fulfil them?”
“I will.”
“Hermione, will you share in Draco’s dreams and work with him to fulfill them?”
“I will.”
“Then let the binding be so. Draco, will you use your anger to strengthen and temper the bond between you and Hermione?”
“I will.”
“Hermione, will you use your anger to strengthen and temper the bond between you and Draco?”
“I will,” he smirked at his bride, a glint of cheekiness in his eyes as he recalled their past.
“Then let the binding be so. Draco, will you honour and respect Hermione, treating her as an equal in this bond?”
“I will,” her eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly as she held back the urge to roll her eyes and glare at him.
“Hermione, will you honour and respect Draco, treating him as an equal in this bond?”
“I will.”
“Then let the binding be so. Now that the binding ceremony is complete, it is time to seal your bond in blood and the exchange of rings. Your blood shall mix to bring forth the intention of your unity,” the Minister sliced the tip of the bride and groom’s left ring fingers as he spoke before pressing them together. Finally, he gestured for Teddy to bring him the wedding bands. “And the rings are an eternal symbol of unbrokenness. A symbol of completion - as the two of you are now complete in one another. Draco, please repeat after me: Hermione, I promise on this day to share your pain, your joy, your burdens, and your dreams, and to help you navigate the maze of life together as our lives grow with us. I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body, I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”
“Hermione, I promise on this day to share your pain, your joy, your burdens, and your dreams, and to help you navigate the maze of life together as our lives grow with us. I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body, I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”
“Hermione please repeat after me: Draco, I promise on this day to share your pain, your joy, your burdens, and your dreams, and to help you navigate the maze of life together as our lives grow with us. I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body, I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”
“Draco, I promise on this day to share your pain, your joy, your burdens, and your dreams, and to help you navigate the maze of life together as our lives grow with us. I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body, I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”
“Will you, the families and friends here to witness the union of Draco Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Jean Granger, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?” Hermione looked out as the guests nodded and spoke along with their affirmations.
“We will.”
“In the presence of Merlin, the Ministry of Magic, and before this congregation, Draco and Hermione have given their consent and made their marriage vows to one another. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands, the sharing of inner magic, the intermingling of blood, and the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are now husband and wife. Draco you and Hermione may now seal your bond with a kiss.”