Chapter Ten

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Hi
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Hermione

Hermione stared as the vibrant girl gnawed on her nail beds. Taking her hands she sighed softly.

"Ginerva, it's gonna be alright," she leaned in, tapping her friend's knee, "I'm here and I've got you."

With a smile Ginny pulled her hands back to her chest, clutching the ends of her hair. Hermione spun the chair and began working on pulling her friend's hair back. She brushed it through and pinned it up so that the comb could be placed in it.

Ginny looked beautiful, really beautiful. Her dress was cream and fit tight to her slim body. It had long sleeves with a lace trim, and it made her freckles bloom across her hands and throat. Hermione felt like crying but that was Molly and Arthur's job. She took a moment to look at their reflection in the vanity. The bridesmaids dress was a soft yellow that complimented Ginny's dress.

"I'm so happy, Mione, you have no clue. I love him so much, and he loves me too."

They exchanged smiles and Hermione squeezed her shoulders lightly, "I know."

Hermione left shortly after. The next minutes seemed to pass in slow motion, her coming through the doors just before Ginny. She scanned the room and saw all the eyes staring at her. It felt intense and strange and her belly rolled. She walked at the instructed pace, grinning softly like a maid of honor does. She breathed in relief when she locked eyes with Blaise. Who looked genuinely terrified and excited all at the same time.

She gave him that slow nod just as Ginny passed through the doors. There was a sharp intake of breath at the sight of her. In her veil, her bouquet made of buttercups flush to her bodice. Blaise's jaw dropped, his eyes welling up with tears.

Hermione didn't make it through the service with weeping like a child. Most of the room had the same sentiment. Ginny and Blaise fit each other so wonderfully.

At the reception everyone congratulated the newlyweds. Blaise received a slap on the back from Draco that knocked the wind out of him.

"Draco," Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, "behave like an adult."

Draco shrugged him off, dragging his buddy away to chat. Severus and Viktor stood on either side of Hermione, sort of awkwardly. They towered over her and even in heels she felt rather short. Hooking booths arms with them she resolved, "Let's get something to eat shall we?"

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Severus

He had a tolerance. One that Hermione noticed as the night moved on. He downed more and more drinks, coping with the noise and socializing of the party. He wasn't messy, like Hermione had expected after the copious amounts of liquor he had just ingested. In fact he was getting stiffer by the sip.

Draco was wildly drunk, doing what he did, which was throw it back on his friends, and Hermione, and Viktor. Who stood there taking it in a sober confusion. He wasn't light on his feet like his blonde counterpart.

"Severus," she whispered, getting his attention as he nursed what was possibly his twelfth drink of the night.

He grunted, "What is it, girl."

His lip peeled up in a distasteful sneer and Hermione frowned. Lacing her fingers with his, she stood and made him stand too. "I want to talk to you. Leave the drink."

Begrudgingly he did so and let her lead him away from the noise. The movement was actually quite welcome and he reminded himself to thank her later. They walked down a corridor and slipped around a corner.

Once Hermione felt they were out of sight she dropped his hand and turned to face him. He stepped closer, drawing a lock of her hair to his lips. He kissed it gently. He was always tender when it was just them.

"Are you an alcoholic, " she asked, taking the hand holding her hair in both of her hands.

Inhibition in the wind he shrugged, "I like a good drink. Maybe I have a problem, maybe I don't, who can say for sure."

She pressed her forehead to their clasped hands.

"I drink when I'm alone sometimes, "he admitted, chuckling and her concern. "Hush, little lion, I'm a grown man, don't worry about me."

He was dismissive about his problem, kissing her gently and guiding her back to the party. Hermione would think about it the rest of the evening. Her nerves peeked at she made sure that the bartender only served Severus virgins.

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