Perfect Illusions (Drastoria)

Chapter Ten - Homecoming

Chapter Ten: Homecoming

Darrell, April's father, took my hands in his, a cool breeze blowing in the September air, moving my hair around slightly.

"Just breathe, honey. Everything will be alright," he smiled, and somehow, everything was alright.

I heard the organ start playing that familiar tune through the doors of the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle, and I looked down at my pure white dress, my emerald necklace around my neck, and my green high heels. Draco and I chose to accent in green because if the two of us hadn't been sorted into Slytherin, we wouldn't have met. Plus, green was also my favorite color, and Draco didn't mind to go along with everything I wanted to do.

I made sure my dress was straight and I wasn't going to trip.

Only a few seconds left until I would walk through the doors and down the aisle with April's father. I would see Draco, just in a few seconds. I would see my mother and Daphne, my mother's long-time boyfriend, Jason, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, April's mother, Blaise, Greg Goyle, Mr. and Mrs. Carrow, and countless other family and friends. And they would be watching me. I was sure my mother would start crying the moment she saw me, if she wasn't already.

Darrell squeezed my hand.

"You ready?"

"Nope."

He smiled, tucked his arm in mine, and the doors opened by themselves.

The first thing I saw was the organ. It was huge, filling the great hall with its massive sound.

And then I saw Draco.

He was standing there, his arms behind his back. He was wearing a black tuxedo, his hair combed and neat. His green button-up shirt collar was folded out over the tux collar, and in the pocket of his tuxedo jacket was a green silk cloth, folded out neatly. He utterly took my breath away.

I clung tightly to Darrell's arm-for everyone was looking at me now-and tried not to trip in my heels.

It seemed to take a thousand years to make my way up to the stage-part of the Great Hall, but when I did, and Draco took my hands in his, all my anxiety went away, if at least for a moment.

We both said our vows, and then Daphne came up with my ring, and Blaise came up with Draco's. Our rings matched, but they were slightly different: they looked like miniature silver snakes wrapped around our finger, but the eyes of the snake on my ring were emerald, and his were black. I took the ring from Blaise, smiled at him, and slid it onto Draco's ring finger, and he did the same with my ring.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the pastor barely got the last sentence out before Draco leaned in and kissed me. Everyone cheered. I smiled wider than I ever had. This was truly the happiest moment of my life.

Draco's parents didn't stay for the reception. Narcissa liked me, but I kept getting the eye from Lucius. Maybe it was because my family wasn't rich. Maybe it was just because I was marrying his son. I didn't know.

As we were cutting the cake, Draco looked at me mischievously. What was he up to now?

When the time came to feed each other the first slice of cake, Draco literally shoved mine into my face. I should have known. I laughed and threw my piece in his face.

As we were both cleaning off our faces, a man who looked to be around his mid-forties with brown hair and glasses showed up at the reception whom I didn't recognize. My mother did though. She screamed and ran to him, collapsing in his arms, sobbing.

Daphne just stood there with her face buried in her hands.

"What? What is it?" I practically demanded.