Married by Law

Chapter Thirteen: Honors and Halts

"Draco?" asked Hermione, coming into the apartment. She didn't hear him, but the shower was running. Hermione went over to the windows and opened them, letting in the warm, mild May weather. Ever since they had come clean to Hermione's parents, things between Draco and Hermione had been fantastic. They were really acting like a married couple now! Stolen kissed, whispered words, heartfelt glances. The whole enchilada. Well, except for a simple yet powerful sentence. Three syllables, three words.

"Draco?" called Hermione, walking into their shared bedroom.

"In here!" shouted Draco from the bathroom. Hermione pushed open the door and hopped up on the sink...as best as she could for five months pregnant.

"Ginny's on bed rest." revealed Hermione. During the day she had accompanied the young redhead to her doctors appointment. The mix of her being only eighteen, having twins, and being very active wasn't good for the babies.

"So she can't come tonight?" replied Draco, shutting off the shower. Hermione stood up and handed him his towel.

"Guess not. Harry's upset, obviously. But he's more over protective now. He barely let's her sit up alone. Gin's gonna go bloody nuts." sighed Hermione.

"More so than she currently is?" laughed Draco. Hermione shot him a serious look as she walked into the bedroom. Hermione went over to the wardrobe and pulled out her dress. It was a flow-y, lilac colored empire waist dress that fell to her knee. She pulled off her day clothes and slipped on the dress.

"Zip me up." ordered Hermione. He went over to her and zipped the dress up, planting a kiss on her cheek. She rummaged around in the closet and produced a lilac tie.

"Your tie, to match my dress." explained Hermione. Draco was already half dressed when she looped it around his head. "Now, I have to go talk to Ginny. I'll meet you out front in a half hour."

"Gin? You here?" called Hermione, letting herself into the apartment. She walked through the hallway, into their master bedroom.

"Where else would I be?" shouted Ginny bitterly.

"Ginny, stop brooding." Hermione heard Harry call, presumably from the bathroom. Hermione sighed and sat down on the bed. Harry walked out, fumbling with his tie.

"Goddammit!" snarled Harry. Hermione laughed and went over to him. She carefully tied it and pulled it down.

"There, you look nice. Now, go find Ronald and help him tie his tie." Hermione practically shoved him from the room. Once he was gone, she turned to Ginny. She laid on the bed. It was then that Hermione noticed the telly had been moved. Ginny was irritably clicking through the channels.

"Gin, perk up." sighed Hermione. The redhead turned to her best friend, glaring.

"How the hell am I supposed to 'perk' up? I've got two months left of this pregnancy, meaning two months of me sitting on my arse." spat Ginny. Hermione bit her lip, deep in thought.

"Dr. Lounge said light bed rest...didn't he?" Ginny gave a reluctant nod. "So, get up. You're going to come with me tonight. To the ceremony, but in order to you are going to sit the entire time. No getting up or yelling. You can attend, but you have to mind yourself."

Ginny's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Oh thank you Mione!"

"Hey, don't thank me. I'm just using logic." laughed Hermione. She went over to Ginny's closet and got out a dress and threw it to her friend. "Get dressed. Quickly! We have to be down there in five minutes."

Ginny used her wand to fix her dress and hair. The two girl slowly walked out of the apartment, where Draco was waiting. His eyes widened when he saw Ginny.

"I thought you said..." Draco trailed off.

"Just for tonight. It's something she shouldn't miss." explained Hermione. Draco nodded and took her arm. Ginny strode ahead of them. They walked out of their shared complex and across the grounds to the large area by the lake. The sun shone brightly, and the air was unseasonably warm. It was pleasant. About a hundred or so chairs were lined up in front of a podium. They were all marked with people's names. Of course, the Golden Trio was in the front row. Ginny was too, along with Neville and Luna. The head members of the Order of the Phoenix were seated on the other half of the front row.

"I'll see you soon." smiled Hermione, kissing Draco's cheek. He went and sat in his seat. Hermione caught sight of Ron and Harry and scurried over to them.

"Hello!" chirped Hermione, kissing both their cheeks. Harry glared at her.

"Mione, what is my dear bed rested wife doing here?" snipped Harry. Hermione smiled, ignoring his anger.

"Harry, I was at the appointment. The Doctor said light bed rest. Meaning she's allowed to move around, just not lift or do physical activity. Besides, Ginny deserves to be here. She was as much a part of it as us." explained Hermione firmly. Harry sighed and nodded.

"Thanks Mione."

"Come on, let's take out seats." said Ron, gently guiding his two best friends.

"Welcome all, to the One year Anniversary of the Second Wizarding War." said Kinglsey, his voice booming. Hermione stared intently, listening to him. He explained the war and the lives lost. Finally, he got to the trio. He puffed them up, but in a way that did them justice.

"I have an announcement. I'd like to invite Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Gra-Malfoy." said Kingsley. The crowd clapped and hollered as the three made their way to the stage. They stood right behind Kingsley, small smiles on their faces.

"You three have done notorious things. Great things, things so great that I, along with my colleagues, have decided to award you three Order of Merlin," Kingsley paused. " First Class."

Their mouths dropped as the crowd whooped and hollered. Kinglsey produced three medals and hung them on the necks. Hermione grabbed both of her best friends hands and squeezed them, her smile blinding. Kinglsey turned back to the crowd as the three returned to their seats.

"That's not all, I would like to invite Ginny Potter, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood onto the stage." The other three meandered onto the stage, Ginny being helped by Neville. Her face was twisted as she attempted to smile. Ginny was obviously in pain and Harry noticed.

"You three are being awarded Order of Merlin Third Class."said the Minister grandly. They were too awarded medals. The crowd clapped and hollered for the too. The ceremony continued for another hour before the attendants were released to the Great Hall for a grand feast.

"Hey!" greeted Draco, grabbing onto Hermione's waist. She pecked him on the cheek. Suddenly they were blinded by a flash of light.

"Bloody photographers." snarled Draco, shielding Hermione. They stumbled into the castle but were stopped by Harry. His green eyes were frantic and scared. Hermione stopped.

"Harry, what's wrong!" gasped Hermione, grabbing his arms.

"Gin! S-She fell down! Th-They're talking her to- to St. Mungos!" stammered Harry. "Please come with me! Draco, you too!"

"We can't apparate though." pointed out Draco. Harry shook his head.

"Because of the ceremony it was lifted. Now c'mon!" And they did.