Dramione - The Sweetest Dream

Chapter 59

"You look positively radiant," Narcissa cooed as she beamed at her soon-to-be daughter in-law.

"It is a lovely dress," said Hermione as she smoothed her hands across her bodice, the white silk rippling beneath her fingertips. The long sleeves draped delicately past the fine bones of her wrist, the skirts hanging in a soft silhouette, accentuating the narrowness of her waist and the feminine curve of her hips.

"Are you sure you're okay with me borrowing it?" She asked Narcissa, her lashes batting against her freshly powdered cheeks as she glanced down at the dress. Narcissa smiled sweetly, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind Hermione's ear, having fallen loose from her braid.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," she said softly. "I married Lucius in this dress. I know that he was by no means perfect, in fact, he was a rather troubled man, but I loved him." Her eyes became glassy as she blinked the moisture from her eyes.

"It means everything to me that my new daughter should wear it on her wedding day." Narcissa smiled and turned suddenly, her grin widening as a soft screech emitted from the crib in the corner of Hermione's room. She reached her hands into the crib and pulled out Angelica, her face round and pink, chin shiny with drool as she beamed up at her grandmother.

"Oh, and how is my lovely little granddaughter? I know, your brother is with daddy, but you'll see them soon." She bounced the baby in her arms, nuzzling noses. "Doesn't your mommy look beautiful?" Narcissa turned her head to look at Hermione, the baby's lips stretching into a wide, sweet smile at the sight of her mother.

"How is my wonderful baby girl?" Hermione dipped her face down next to her baby's as Narcissa shifted the small bundle into her arms. As the baby's weight settled in her arms, the clock in the living room struck, ringing throughout the house, sending jolts of excitement through Hermione.

"It's two o'clock," she said giddily to her daughter, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Narcissa took the baby into her arms again, smiling widely at her.

"Time for you to get married," she said to Hermione, beaming.

*

Hermione stood before the Great Hall, the tall oak doors shut, and her arm looped through the crook of her father's elbow. Professor McGonagall stood in front of her, about to go through the doors, when she tugged on the edge of her cloak.

"Professor," Hermione asked softly, tugging on her sleeve. The Headmistress turned, tendrils of brown hair, streaked with white and silver, curled delicately around her face.

"Yes, my dear?"

"What happened to the children affected by Bellatrix's spell? Are they all right?"

The corners of McGonagall's lips lifted into a smile, peering down the bridge of her nose.

"You know, Draco asked me the same thing when I had a quick chat with him this morning." She smiled, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "The children are well, and their magic has returned. The night Bellatrix died, the curse was broken."

Hermione felt a burden lift from her shoulders, a weight that allowed her to breathe deeply, and freely.

"Hogwarts is very grateful for what you and Mr. Malfoy have done, Miss Granger."

The sound of music seeped through the cracks in the doors, the soft quiver of violin strings and piano keys filling the air. Hermione's grip tightened around her father's elbow as he placed his hand on top of hers. She felt a tightening in her chest as the doors swung on their hinges, a beam of golden sunlight falling across her, as she began to walk down the isle.