An Unlikely Relationship (A Dramione Fanfic) [Complete]

Chapter Eighteen

At the reception that evening, Hermione was conversing quietly with her new parents-in-law when she heard someone calling her name. Excusing herself from Narcissa and Lucius, who turned to engage with Headmistress McGonagal about funding a new potions lab, Hermione made her way over to the long table that housed her family.

"Hello, everyone," Hermione smiled. "I'm so glad all of you could make it! You didn't have any trouble finding us, did you?"

"None at all, dear," her aunt Isabella assured. "The venue was absolutely lovely, by the way."

"Oh, thank you, Aunt Isa," Hermione said, glad they'd all made it safely. "Draco actually picked it."

"Ah, yes, your new husband. He's quite the looker," Jordan teased. "How come none of us met him before today?"

Hermione was going to respond when an arm wrapped around her waist, and Draco's voice came from beside her ear, "I do apologize for that. It seems I've rather monopolized 'Mione's time. Nice to know you think I'm attractive though."

Hermione turned her head to look at her husband, trying her best not to laugh at him. "Draco! I thought you were still over talking to Pansy and Roman."

"Ah, yes, well they went to find their seats. Something about Pansy not standing for too long at once. You know how Roman gets," Draco offered a smile. "They did want to talk to you later though, love."

"Of course!" Hermione smiled back before turning to face her family. "Oh, I suppose you need introductions. These are my cousins Jordan, Hallie, and Alex; my aunt Isabella and her wife Cecilia; and my uncle Thomas and his wife Marie. And you've already met my grandparents."

"Yes, how are you, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins?" Draco moved to shake hands with them all before returning to Hermione's side. He chatted with Hermione's family for a couple minutes, easily skating around any magic-related questions by explaining that he currently worked as a coach but had hopes of pursuing a higher degree in another field in the near future.

Before any of her family members could turn their questions to her, Hermione heard someone clear their throat and tap the microphone. Blaise locked eyes with the newly-married couple and smirked. "I do believe this is the part where we embarrass our friends who were foolish enough to make us a part of the wedding party." A few people throughout the room laughed. "Well, I'll leaving embarrassing Hermione to Ginny, but, boy, do I have stories about Draco." More laughter. "When we all started school together, more than half our lives ago now, I thought there was no way Draco could get any prissier than he was. Then he met Harry, and I found out I was so very wrong." Draco flushed, and Hermione laughed quietly at him. "Then Harry made friends with the biggest knowitall I've ever met: Hermione, and the next thing I knew all Draco would talk about was Harry and his friends. Then it wasn't even Harry, just Hermione. Before any of us knew it, his teasing her in the classroom turned into us listening to him talk about her in the common room. And let me tell you, he could talk for ages, even when we all wished for nothing more than him to shut up. Now, it took way longer than it should've to get you two together, so you'd better not mess it up, alright?" Blaise was about to hand the mic off to Ginny when he suddenly added, "Oh, and Draco once talked about kissing Potter in his sleep!"

"You did what now?" Hermione looked at Draco in amusement, and the Slytherin alumnus looked caught between wanting to disappear and wanting to murder his best friend.

He quickly recollected himself, looking over at Hermione before responding. "I was fourteen," Draco said with a shrug. "I had a bit of a crush on him, and it was never supposed to leave our dorm room. Not to worry, love, the Weaselette can have him. I'd much rather have you."

"I was more worried about Ginny widowing me on my wedding night," Hermione laughed as Draco pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

"Well, I don't know that much of that was embarrassing so much as sappy," Ginny started, and Hermione was suddenly concerned about what in the world the redheaded girl might say, "so I guess I'll have to see what I've got..." She turned to smile at Hermione and Draco before looking back out at everyone else. "You know what, I've got the rest of our lives to embarrass them both whenever I want. Hermione has been one of my best friends for years, and Draco still gets scared I'm gonna murder him, so I think I'll just say what we all already know. These two have gotten as far as they have because of each other. They've made each other better, and they've made those of us around them better too. Now, they get to spend a lifetime together, and that's really all any of us can ask for."

"Who knew she could be so sappy herself," Draco whispered into Hermione's ear. The brunette just leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled at Ginny. A lifetime together was all she could ask for indeed.