Unfortunate Events

Event Thirteen: The End, Part Two

'I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.'

Hermione held her breath as the groom leaned in. The kiss was perfect, just like in the fairytales her mother had read to her when she was a little girl. When the groom finally pulled away, the official turned to the crowd and declared, 'May I present to you Mr and Mrs Draco and Hermione Malfoy-Granger.'

Wait. That didn't sound right. Hermione tried again. 'May I present to you Mr and Mrs Draco and Hermione Malfoy.'

Much better. It wasn't that she didn't like her last name. But Hermione Malfoy had such a nice ring to it. In fact, it sounded quite perfect.

Merlin, she was pathetic. But in her defense she was dying to see Draco, and her withdrawal had probably damaged the part of her brain that dealt with rational functioning. And the impairment would not let up for another hour at least. Because Draco was part of the wedding party, their reunion would have to wait until the reception. But Hermione had chosen a seat near the aisle, just so Draco could see her as he walked by.

With a shake of her head, Hermione pulled herself out of another of her imagination's fantasies, hoping no one noticed the goofy smile on her face. As surreptitiously as possible, she moved in her seat, peering around Ron and Ginny, who flanked her. As far as she knew, no one in the vicinity was a practicing Legilimens. Indeed, every known Legilimens was dead. Still, if such a thought were to be discovered, she'd die of embarrassment.

'Hermione,' Ginny whispered through the side of her mouth. 'You're squirming around like someone put a Flobberworm down your dress.'

With renewed effort, Hermione managed to sit still through the rest of Pansy and Lance's wedding ceremony. Quite a feat considering Ginny kept poking her in the side, asking if Hermione had yet spilled her guts to Draco about her feelings. Knowing it would annoy her friend, Hermione smiled and placed a finger to her lips. After all, it was rude to talk during a wedding ceremony.

After Lance and Pansy had kissed, the recessional music rang throughout the building and the bridal party made their trek back down the aisle. Dressed in pink and black, Draco looked straight ahead, his face a mask of cool indifference. Probably necessary considering Draco was not a big fan of pink, even though it was only his tie, pocket handkerchief, and boutonniere that were tinged rose. Still, Hermione thought he looked smashing. And even more so, when just as he passed her, his face lit up in a brilliant smile.

'You told him, didn't you?' Ginny said, grinning like she'd just caught a snitch.

'I don't know what you're talking about,' Hermione replied, smoothing out the material of her dress.

'Sure you don't. And remember who forced you to do it.'

'Would you keep your voice down?' Hermione snuck a look behind her. There was no one she recognised, but unfortunately everyone knew her. After all, she was Hermione Malfoy. Er, Granger.

'As I recall,' Ginny said, not speaking more quietly in the slightest, 'you said that if things turned out well—'

Hermione clamped her hand over her friend's mouth. 'So help me, Ginevra, if you don't lower your voice, I'll tell Harry about how you walk around naked in his invisibility cloak!'

Ginny's mouth dropped open with a gasp. 'Who told you?'

'You did. Just now.'

Ginny's brown eyes glinted with murder, but she nodded her head in resignation.

'Did someone say my name?' Harry asked, peering over at the girls.

'No!' Ginny answered, standing up and taking Hermione's elbow hostage. 'Excuse us, boys. Hermione and I are going to have a little chat. Alone.' Ginny elbowed her way through the throng of guests exiting the church. Hermione stumbled towards the nearest lady's room, forcibly dragged there by Ginny. Pushing the door open with more force than necessary, Ginny slammed it behind them, and then rounded on Hermione, wagging her finger just below her nose.