𝐌𝐎𝐂𝐇𝐀 | 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦

twenty-nine

"Hermione!"

Hermione turned to see Ginny running at her with a glass of tequila in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. Pansy trailed after her, chatting with Luna while pulling her sunhat over her eyes to shield them from the sun. The beach was beautiful at this time of the year.

"Wait up," Ginny said, out of breath from speeding across the beach. She jammed the bouquet into Hermione's arms, who took it, bewildered.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"I'm late!" Ginny wheezed.

Pansy laughed, having caught up with them. "Gin, I told you the wrong time so that you would be early."

"What?!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione chortled.

"Sorry, Gin," she said. "It was for the best."

"What- why-"

"You're on time now, aren't you?" Pansy said.

Ginny scowled, but a sip of her tequila cheered her right up and they walked along to the tents together. Narcissa, Molly, and Jean were waiting, chatting cheerily in a nicely-arranged setup.

"Oh, you're here!" Narcissa said brightly, standing and making her way toward Hermione.

"Oh, you don't need to get up," Hermione said, blushing.

"No, of course! Make way for the bride and all that," Molly said brusquely. Hermione smiled.

"Well, thank you."

"Hellooooo?"

Ginny whirled at the voice. "Blaise?"

"My lovely fiancee?" his voice came through the tent. She grinned.

"Is Draco with you?" Narcissa called through the fabric.

"Yes," he called back.

"Don't come in!" Jean shouted. "The groom can't see the bride-"

"I know, I know," Draco groused.

"We'll see you all later," Blaise called brightly.

Soon after they left, Fleur and Bill arrived.

"Ah! You look so tired!" Fleur exclaimed.

Hermione smiled. "I was so excited, I couldn't sleep."

Fleur tsked, dropping her handbag on the floor. It expanded from the ground into a full vanity, and she snatched a vial off of the counter. "Drink this."

Hermione uncorked it and drank it as Fleur circled around her, fingering her curls and peering into her face. It was distinctly of a blueberry flavor, and she felt wide awake after it passed through her throat.

"Zat is better," Fleur declared. Hermione glanced in the mirror as Fleur took the vial from her and was shocked to see that her skin did, indeed, look well-rested.

"Woah, can I get one of those?" Pansy asked.

"From Paris. I shall bring you some," Fleur said. "Now, sit."

Hermione did as she asked, and they spent the next hour chatting and laughing as Fleur worked her magic on Hermione. Molly brought in the dress halfway through, covered, and hung it on the side of the vanity. They had all picked it out together- all of the girls in the tent, save Fleur, as she and Bill had been on vacation in Paris.

"You'll look lovely, Mione," Luna said serenely.

"I hope so," Hermione said lightly.

"You will," Fleur said fiercely. Hermione wondered idly if that was a threat or a promise.

"Done!" she exclaimed. She spun the chair around and Hermione gasped in delight.

"Fleur," she breathed. "I look-"

"Like a goddess!" Fleur proclaimed. "But of course."

"Wow," Jean said, gazing at her daughter. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

"Nothing less than ze best for my seester on 'er wedding day," Fleur said, smiling. Hermione smiled back tearfully- she was still a part of the Weasley family, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Molly beamed at them, her hands clasped to her breast.

"Thirty minutes!" someone called through the tent's door- Harry, passing by to give them a time warning.

"I'm nervous," Hermione muttered under her breath to Ginny and Luna.

Ginny laughed, and Luna patted her hand. "It'll be fine, Hermione. Draco adores you."

"Well, I know," Hermione said. Luna smiled.

-

Lucius Malfoy stood, making his way to the back of the beautifully arranged tent. George, Bill, and Charlie's eyes followed curiously, along with several of Hermione's friends. Narcissa smiled happily as he sat down at the piano and began the wedding march. It was a little-known fact that the head of the Malfoy household enjoyed the piano, and was quite good at it too. Hermione had learned that was where Draco's affinity for classical music had come from- a bonding activity, despite his cruel treatment as a child.

Draco straightened, his eyes laser-focused on the opening. Blaise snorted lightly. Draco wanted to smack him, but all of that faded from his mind when Hermione appeared, glowing, accompanied by her father and Arthur Weasley. Molly and Jean trailed behind, and when Hermione reached the altar, Draco could see the overflow of happiness in her smile.

She was radiant.

And she was his.

Hermione beamed at him, her eyes teary. Draco smiled back, taking her hand, unable to resist. The ceremony was a blur, the only thing standing out was her, her smile and her eyes and the swish of her hair as she turned happily to the ring-bearer and slid the ring onto his finger. Her ring, sparkling in the light from the ocean as he slid it onto hers.

"You may kiss the bride."

And he was hers.