Saving the Enemy

Chapter 24

Hermione

    “You look so beautiful, Hermione,” Ginny whispers, tears swimming in her eyes. Hermione smiles, looking at herself in the mirror after the dress was finally put on. It is mostly white, reaching the floor with a slight flare, hugging her waist. Intricate silver designs lining the bottom and the top near her breast area. It is strapless with a red ribbon wrapping around her just under the breast line, a few silver gems in the middle of the ribbon. The back has a triangle of red, the silver design lining that triangle that starts just below the red ribbon. Her shoes are silver flats, not wanting to put up with heels, but still aware that her feet are going to be seen.

Ginny had pulled her hair half up with a simple braid, curling the rest of the hair and tying a knot in the back so there is a small bump. The veil is white with a red leaf design lining the edges, reaching the floor behind her to meet the tail of her dress. Ginny had even helped her dye a small strip of her hair red, finishing off the look.

Draco was skeptical to have the wedding revolving around their houses, but she explained that this is a wedding never heard of before. They are unifying the Slytherin and Gryffindor houses, proving that prejudices can always be overcome. Draco agreed after much convincing, still wanting to give her the wedding of her dreams, sparing no expense, much to Hermione’s protests. She loves how involved he was in the planning process though, insisting on lightening the load for her.

“You do too, Gin,” Hermione smiles, looking over to her friend that is wearing a gold floor-length dress with similar intricate designs on the bottom and top of her dress, only in gold instead of silver. A gold ribbon around her waist and and intricate ribbon design on her back to connect the two sides of the dress, the back dipping halfway down her back, easily visible when her hair is pulled into an elegant bun.

“Yes, you do look beautiful,” Luna says dreamily, wearing the same dress and hairstyle as Ginny. Hermione didn’t ask for them to match, but they insisted. Luna was rescued from Amelia, still never losing her innocent aura through it all. Luna’s comment leading Ginny to peck her on the lips. After Ginny gave birth to James and Albus, she and Harry divorced after realizing they weren’t exactly happy together. They both explored themselves again and Ginny realized she didn’t like males and Harry finally realized he didn’t like females. Hermione was growing tired of him being constantly worried that the kisses only seemed wet instead of the sparks and passion Hermione described to him. Hermione realized that Ginny and Harry only married because of a sense of obligation after the war, both too shaken from the life-altering event to realize it wasn't live. She assumes that after the realization, the bond of marriage led them to fake happiness to cover for the fact that they never really felt too strongly towards each other, both hoping that the children would fix everything.

It didn’t of course, but Luna and Ginny look so happy together, Hermione doesn’t doubt this will go all the way to marriage, especially with higher acceptance rates in the wizarding world. A gay marriage isn't uncommon anymore unlike a few years ago, probably another reason they never explored the possibility that they really were in love with girls instead of boys or vice versa. Those feelings were suppressed for too long.

Harry got together with Ethan who was always eyeing him before. Hermione is happy for them, loving that they adopted a little girl, Lily, each loving all the children the same. Of course, James and Albus have to keep switching families, but their parents are so much happier that it doesn’t seem that big of a feat.

“Here are your flowers,” Luna says, drawing Hermione out of her thoughts, handing her a bouquet. It contains red, white, and silver roses, the silver ones bearing diamonds in the middle, to Draco’s request of course. She wants to display house unity through everything, even this simple flower arrangement. Hermione is so excited, finally getting to marry the love of her life after everything, all the hardships both were forced to endure. It has been a year and a half of discovery, freedom, and love. No worries of the other dying due to an insane woman. It has been pure bliss.