The bonding ceremony had been perfect. She never wanted to let go of Neville's hand. Her husband. They were married. She still could not believe it. It had always been so strange... When they started dating in Hogwarts, the informal betrothal a few months later, moving in together, the formal engagement and then buying their first house together. And now? Now they were married.
"What are you thinking, Mrs Longbottom?" Her husband asked, kissing her cheek.
A chill ran through Pansy's spine at his words. "Say it again!"
Neville chuckled, pulling her close against his chest. "Mrs Longbottom." He whispered against her forehead, and then her temple, cheeks, lips, and jaw. "My wife."
"And you're my husband..." She whispered, raising one hand to stroke his hair. "My amazing husband."
"I knew it was not the grounds you had planned but was the greenhouse good and large enough?" He asked, summoning two glasses of champagne that had been left for them by the elves.
"It was much more perfect than I thought it would be... I'm so ashamed, I should have thought about doing the ceremony at the Greenhouse." She confessed, to him, only to him.
Neville's hands moved to stroke her left forearm, it was a gesture so well known for the two of them. It was, after all, what connected them. That full moon in November inside a greenhouse. After that, nothing was ever the same for Pansy. "How were you able to pull something so beautiful so quickly?"
"I had much help, many wands helping to make sure our wedding day would be perfect," he assured, holding her close. Pansy had feared that after bonding their magic by the wedding ritual, he would not feel the need to hold her as close as before. But he held her even closer if that was possible. "And are you ready for the reception? I think everyone is already inside..."
Pansy sipped her champagne, leaning against his shoulder. "I would like to enjoy just one more moment with you."
Neville smiled and kissed her. Pansy saw him smile when they pulled back, licking his lower lip. He had told her once how she always tasted like cherries, so the bride had chosen her cherriest lipstick for their wedding, so he could enjoy the flavour on her lips, all day.
Parkinson Nuptiae Hall was a huge room. It had been used for weddings for generations, sometimes even for celebrations outside the family. Since she was a little girl, Pansy dreamed of marrying there. And now her dream had become reality.
So many people congratulated her with hugs. She lost track of it. Pansy didn't enjoy people hugging her, the only exception was Neville, she would take as many hugs from him as possible through the rest of her life. But it was not like she could say no to hugs from his family. Could she?
And the look Neville gave to her when his Gran hugged her tight before leaving, so tender, so proud. She only hoped the magical photographer had caught the moment. Or she would have words with him, in the form of a jinx for not capturing that reaction of her newly bonded husband.
Everyone retired for the night, sated with the meal and the entertaining. Until it was just the two of them, dancing under the huge chandelier. The wireless was on, slow and love songs had been playing on her network for hours, a wedding gift from her colleagues.
She had rolled her eyes so much when she heard the discussion at headquarters, but now she was enjoying it, in her husband's arms, as they danced. "How are you enjoying your first day as a married man?"
"I don't feel that different, my love. You are mine and I'm yours. It has been like that for quite some time." He confessed. "But, being officially bound to you, with you. I love it, Mrs Longbottom."
"Say it again!" Pansy's smile was unsinkable.
Neville brushed his lips against hers. "Mrs Longbottom!"
