Something to Remember

Chapter 10 Eternal Love

**

Draco instantly hit the bed as he entered the guestroom at Cho's home, feeling more exhausted than he had all semester. He had so much on his mind ... Lucius Malfoy had murdered a classmate's mother ... She had been in the Order ... Snape had gotten inside information from Narcissa Malfoy that it had been indeed Lucius, her own husband, who'd done it. Yes, now, because of the Death Eaters, one more person would go through life without a mother.

And this was why Draco had (secretly) always despised the Dark Arts so much ...And then Draco thought of his own mother: her dark eyes and equally dark agenda, her pale skin and attractive features, her most memorable, mysteriously indiscernible motives, which no matter what were always well-intended on behalf of her family in the end. As Draco thoughtfully analyzed his mother like this in the grayness of his confused mind, he wistfully wondered how she was feeling at this very moment, what his mum was doing right now...

"...Draco, is everything fine?" called a sudden worried, soft female voice. Cho had walked in. She grinned at him bleakly; it appeared certain that she, too, felt a discomforting gloominess chilling the air tonight...

"Yes, Cho, I'm just tired you know ... And sad, naturally, too," spoke Draco a bit coolly, with unhidden reluctance which seemed to come off a bit defensive in his tone; and yet, still, he caught himself saying more than he'd originally intended.

"Because of your father," answered Cho gently, her voice bordering an unwanted darkness.

But rather than opening up, Draco almost seemed to rebuff her, speaking in a dry, almost emotionless voice. "I have no father. I am sad for Terry's family and how the wizarding world is in such trouble...And how only MORE peril is inevitably going to lead in the future..." But Draco's chest fell back into relaxation nonetheless, and he more calmly stretched out his arms, yawned, and then finally got under the covers, closing his tired eyes...

Cho sighed wearily, feeling underwhelmed by his response, and awkwardly just left it at, "Well, good night then, Draco. Sleep well..." And the young, very unsure-feeling Ravenclaw turned down the lights and left.

**

Hermione and Harry had already been at breakfast for a little while when Draco finally awoke. He had not slept well, but instead had suffered a restless sleep full of horrible dreams of Lucius Malfoy and fellow Death Eaters overpowering all; of himself left forced to watch a scene - again and again back to back, notably - of Hermione, Harry and Cho being gruesomely tortured.

"Morning, Draco," said Harry politely, smiling in spite of everything. He and Hermione both looked happier actually, at least to Draco, this early morning; it was a new day Draco supposed, even though they all knew that they'd never forget the traumatizing day just passed.

"Morning, Harry ... Hermione ... Where's Cho?" asked Draco, trying to sound as happy as possible.

"Cho and her mum left for the grocery store a minute ago," Hermione informed him, more brightly adding, "Breakfast is served!"

Draco sat down and began eating with them. He tried to glow back to color as much as he could, chatting engagedly, but to no surprise he nonetheless still couldn't fool Hermione. Alerted within mere minutes, she was straightforward to surreptitiously lean in - right into EXACT direct face of Draco, as a matter of fact - and ask whisperingly of him, "Something's wrong, is it?" Hermione's voice was inexplicable of her unbeatable, classic cleverness, which, empowered, would easily overcome any potential denial that he may have thought feasible in response. She looked at him very cautiously and very sharply, and he simply could not and would not lie to her.

Reluctant as ever, Draco then felt forced to reveal, "I couldn't sleep well last night. I had dreams ... Dreams of you, Hermione, and of Harry and Cho too, being tortured by the Death Eaters ... My father hurting us without mercy ..." He looked away, unable to face her as he felt his soul demean to a dark unknown. He'd told her and her alone the truth. He had never cared so much for anyone before that he was actually willing to selflessly admit his own inner weaknesses to ... It was an indisputable sign of their eternal love...

"Oh, Draco," said Hermione compassionately, and she put her arms around him. "Everything is going to be fine, somehow, someway; I promise you, Draco, no matter what it takes ... We WILL live to tell an honorable tale."

"I know that, Hermione," answered a very rarely humbled Draco, reassurance filling his soft, pained voice. "I am with you."

**

Hermione and Draco spent the next few days finalizing the musical. They had already hired dancers at school, and had written out most scenes. Now they only needed to finish a few of the staging issues and prop organization. Cho and Harry were spending more time together now than they ever had the chance to at school. Since Cho was a sixth year, she had no classes with him, and these days they spent sitting around the fireplace drinking hot cocoa, chatting happily, and to Hermione, they looked quite romantic.

And then sometimes they would all go out together to the park near Cho's home or the shopping center. They would watch television or listen to radios. Many of these things were new to Draco as he had grown up in a completely wizarding home. He enjoyed learning about it all, though. Other times Draco and Harry would find Hermione and Cho having whispered discussions full of giggles, and they'd know to leave them alone. Then Harry and Draco would have the opportunity to talk among themselves ... Sometimes on serious issues ... Sometimes laughing about the years they hated each other ... Sometimes on Hermione and Cho ... and sometimes on nothing, nothing at all, just chatting as good friends do.

"Harry, you git," laughed Draco one day, when Harry had made a funny joke.

Yes, by something of a true miracle, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy had seriously reached a level of friendship where such comments were genuinely warmhearted.

**

"What are you guys doing? Oh my God, listen, I have terrible news to tell you, stop what you're doing and please, please listen to me..." pleaded Hermione desperately, her face chalk-white as she iterated these words in a voice slighted by panic. It was two days before Christmas Eve, and she had just descended the stairs minutes after she'd abruptly received an alarming Owl from Headmaster Dumbledore himself. It sounded to her three friends like something quite urgent had definitely happened yet again! She looked stricken with anxiety as she glanced at them, wide-eyed as ever and pale as a ghost. She didn't even wait for a response. Gasping anxiously, in a rather shaken voice Hermione continued to inform them. "There has been an attack with giant activity in a town just a few miles away from here. A fleet of the Ministry's best Aurors is over there right now, casting memory charm after memory charm at this very instant. Ten Muggles were killed and so was ... Cornelius Fudge."

"WHAT? The Minister of Magic was murdered?" screamed a very shell-shocked Draco. "And it was at the hands of giants, too, really?! I thought Hagrid had tried to persuade them again..."

"He did, but he was nearly killed once again. It was no use. That's why Hagrid returned sooner. I guess now, at the very least, FINALLY everyone knows Voldemort is back in power," decided Hermione gravely, yet slightly sarcastic in her tone. She was still very pale. Catching their confused stares, she clarified, "Oh, Dumbledore sent me a letter telling me all this like five minutes ago."

"How did Fudge get killed?" asked Harry incredulously, his voice tainted with apprehensiveness.

"The attack had been on him. Muggles were simply killed in the process of getting to him," continued Hermione patiently. "Last but not least though, Dumbledore told us not to leave to go anywhere, to stay very safe. Cho's mum already had to go to the Ministry to help sort it all out ... She may not be back for a while. Cho's father is coming over tonight to check on us ... He lives about ten miles away."

So Hermione and the others sat together, not speaking much, listening to the news on the wizarding radio. They were very scared. The newscasters were warning people on the dangers of Voldemort and how to keep as safe as possible ... A few of the Ministry's top Aurors briefly spoke, advising the public to be vigilant and watchful of their every move ...

Then finally, one good piece of news was revealed: "Sirius Black has been wrongly accused all these years. He is innocent ..." At last the story Harry, Hermione, and Ron had learned in their third year was revealed right then. Wormtail had been one of the Death Eaters in that town, proving Sirius was indeed innocent, as Dumbledore had indeed confirmed. It seemed the entire wizarding world knew what they were up against finally ... And then, not long after, the radio began talking about Harry Potter, the inevitable "Chosen One", as many were apparently saying ... They all seemed to think that he, Harry, would be the one to destroy Voldemort once and for all.

And so the four of them, huddled together, continued listening like this, praying, and hoping for the better to come.

Amelia Bones, they in later hours learned, was the new Minister of Magic. Everyone in the wizarding community believed her to be unbelievably brave for doing so, as she was a marked target. Nonetheless she believed it was her duty to do this, which the four of them unanimously found especially noble of her. Yes, after her appointment was announced on the radio, Amelia Bones, newest Minister of Magic after an overwhelming vote of Ministry officials in her favor, the brave witch spoke to the entire wizarding public via radio broadcast. But of the whole speech, her most memorable words were contained in the speech's final sentence, which Minister Bones palpably delivered word-for-word so powerfully that it to some degree brought comfort to listeners: "Regardless of all things - of all social disadvantages, increased danger, and clear-as-day peril ever-surmounting in these days as of late - I assure you with 100% assertion that as the Minister of Magic, I, Amelia Bones, will find the means by which to apprehend all guilty parties as soon as possible, and thereby restore harmony and peace to the wizarding world."

It sent shivers up all four of their spines.

**

Remus and Sirius had stopped by to make sure everything was fine at Cho's house. They were all very scared, but they were basically alright. No one had tried attacking them in any way, and nothing peculiar was going on. Cho invited them to come over the next night for Christmas Eve, and they said they would try to stop by. The four could only hope to have the two Marauders' company for Christmas, as their warmhearted intentions and lively personalities would be a most welcome addition to what thus far was looking to be a bleak, depressing holiday.

The next day, on the actual occasion of Christmas Eve, mid-day Cho's mum sent an owl informing them ahead of time that she would be caught up at the Ministry for the next few days, and therefore, sadly unable to make it for Christmas; to make Cho's misfortune only twice as painful, shortly after she received an Owl from her father saying it was also too dangerous for him to visit for Christmas, emphasizing the recently-implemented sanction prohibiting anyone from leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary (as ordered by their newly-appointed Minister of Magic respectively). So it would just be the four of them most likely, and possibly Sirius or Remus (hopefully both) as well.

"I'm sorry, Cho," offered Hermione kindly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"No. It's fine. We're still going to have loads of fun just the four of us, are we not?!" reassured Cho, lightheartedly forcing herself to not sound too upset. "By the way, I want to talk to you about something."

"What is it, Cho?" asked Hermione, instinctively alarmed.

"Have you and Draco had sex yet?" asked Cho randomly, trying to sound casual in spite of her abrupt, crude change of topic.

"No! Why do you ask?" begged a very astounded Hermione.

"Well, I think it could be the right time for Harry and me, so I wanted to get your take on it. Why have you and Draco held out so long?" wondered Cho curiously.

"Well, we love each other very much. But we don't necessarily HAVE to have sex yet, do we? I suppose I just don't know if I'm quite ready yet, you know?" answered Hermione vulnerably, also trying to sound casual. Feeling she had the right to reciprocate an equable dose of shocking words now that Cho had opened that door, spontaneously Hermione decided to reveal to her close friend what was currently her deepest secret; she just hoped she wouldn't later regret it. "But look, Cho, I haven't told anyone this yet, but, um ... Draco and I are engaged."

Cho completely freaked out. "Are you serious? Oh my God, we have to plan this out just right! When is it supposed to happen, and how? You're both so young ... Well still, no matter what - CONGRATULATIONS, HERMIONE!" Cho reacted excitedly, trying to demonstrate some optimism despite the "complications" which she privately felt such a proposal would likely present.

"I can't answer any of that yet, but it's going to happen," answered Hermione happily, relieved to have her friend's support.

**

Christmas was pretty gloomy to Draco. The feeling in the air was cold fear. Remus and Sirius didn't stop by, apparently way too busy. Together they cooked a feast, and afterward drank some hot cocoa. Then, slightly underwhelmed the four decided to hang out in Cho's room upstairs, where they could sit by her huge window (the largest one in the Changs' entire seven-bedroom, rather sizable three-story home) and survey a vast, surreal-like view of the dark surroundings outside. Uniquely designed, the great, almost daunting impression which the grand window left had them quietly watching the scene outside with crestfallen gazes for several prolonged moments before they actually began talking.

"So Ginny is going out with Seamus Finnigan now? That's funny," commented Cho amusedly, half an hour later.

"I don't like Seamus much," resented Hermione disapprovingly. "He's so immature. It irritates me."

"Ginny just wants to date an upperclassman, most likely," suggested Harry dismissively.

"She's a good person and all, but she has a lot of growing up to do. I barely talk to her these days. I mean, she goes through boyfriends every other week, does nothing but gossip - disloyal to EVERY ONE of her "friends", might I add - and yet still turns around and has the audacity to run to me for advice when half the castle is calling her a whore," let out Hermione a bit testily, rolling her eyes.

"Wow, a little harsh there," replied Harry, astounded to hear her sound so judgmental. But Hermione looked as though she'd wanted to say all of that for a long time.

"She is seriously going out with that Seamus Finnigan bloke? Bloody hell, you're not gonna believe this but I saw her with Billy Carmichael a couple days ago, and they were kissing, too!" exclaimed Draco suddenly, sounding at first confused.

"She is such a slut, honestly!" Hermione burst out saying, looking utterly repulsed. Harry shrugged, but they could tell he privately agreed.

Cho was rolling her eyes. "She thinks she's so cool," she agreed, nodding before expelling into a mockery of laughter which her friends immediately joined in. Red in the cheeks, Cho only blazed the fire as she finished amusing them with a few short-handed, apathetic words. "The girl annoys the living hell out of me, simple as that."

And the four of them burst into giggles once more.

**

It was midnight. Draco and Hermione were in the back porch, and Draco was holding Hermione in his arms. They weren't talking much, just enjoying being in each other's arms together. It was cold outside, even though the porch was screened-in. They kept each other warm in each other's arms.

"Draco, I want to talk to you about something," said Hermione unexpectedly.

"What is it, Hermione?" asked Draco, concernedly stroking her hair.

"Why wait? Anything can happen these days ... and I want to get married, I don't want to wait. You are the love of my life, and that will never, ever change, I know it! It's not like Harry and Cho, our relationship is so strong and so rare ..."

But at that moment Draco kissed her, very passionately so too, and it felt like tasting a piece of heaven as their tongues connected. Then he very simply responded in an absolutely matter-of-fact way with...

"Tomorrow we will be married."

**

"Draco, are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Harry a bit nervously. They were in Diagon Alley together shopping even though they weren't supposed to go anywhere.

"Hermione is the one ... I can't explain, I just know it. And whatever happens, I want to be her husband. How does this look?" said Draco distractedly, trying on the best tuxedo.

"Excellent," said Harry automatically, wanting to get back on point. But his friend didn't seem to catch the hint.

"Good. I hope Hermione and Cho don't take too long ..." said Draco, his voice doubtful. "So, is Weasley coming?"

"Yes, he's flying over. He actually sounded really happy for you guys," answered Harry, continuing to uncertainly say, "And I am, too, mate, just so, so shocked, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. We're so glad you're being supportive, mate!" Draco was so happy.

Of course Harry supported his friend - Draco was getting married, for Merlin's sake! Nodding at his friend in an affectionate, though also patronizing manner, Harry responded, "Blimey, Draco, have you fallen spontaneously dense?! Would it be at all like me to totally go against you like that, or EVER, for that matter?" But he grinned reassuringly at Draco despite his sarcasm; it still felt unbelievable that Draco bloody Malfoy was seriously now a close friend of his...

Draco smiled back, and took the amusing diss with ease. "Now we need a suit for you, Harry, my best man and all..."

**

Hermione was ecstatic. She and Draco had made their final decision: Why wait?! Somehow, someway, they were so certain in their love, it was going to happen that night. There was a small wizarding church near Cho's home. They explained their situation to the priest and he would marry them without any consent. If they died in battle, they would not have died without having the bond of marriage in them. It was odd ... Most people would call them completely crazy ... But she knew she wasn't. The love they shared could not be put into words; it was just an amazing trust ... An amazing bond ... A physical attraction ... They were soul mates, and nothing would get in the way of their feelings.

"This dress is lovely," confirmed Cho, who was grinning delightfully. "I think it would look beautiful on you ..."

"And for you ... this ... I'm so happy you're going to be my maid of honor!" Hermione had a tear of joy going down her eye at this point. "I'm so happy, Cho, Draco is the one, and I just know it."

"I know. I have never seen such a connection in my life. And Ron is coming ... I'm surprised you invited Sirius and Remus and Dumbledore!" said Cho excitedly.

"They are sworn to secrecy. I can't believe they actually can come, though," replied Hermione, her tone chipper. "Ginny is also invited. I invited Susan Bones too, and Terry Boot. Ron is bringing Katie Bell as his date ... They're all going out of their way just for Draco and me - I'm just so happy!"

Cho beamed at Hermione, emulating all her friend's joy as they continued discussing the unbelievable upcoming wedding.

**

A mysterious tall, dark hooded character walked inside The Leaky Cauldron. The pub was empty these days, for fear of Death Eaters. The mysterious character went to Tom and asked for a martini. "Is Ollivander in business today?" he then asked a couple moments later, once he held his glass at hand and sipped the green liquid. His voice was a deep, unfriendly half-hiss, half-scoff.

"Yes of course," said Tom evenly, curious of the man.

"Need a new bloody wand," grunted the mysterious character. He left the pub not long after, just as he was finishing up a second Martini...

**

Draco and Harry were walking down the street to meet Hermione and Cho so that they could leave as quickly as possible. They felt nervous on Diagon Alley; everyone looked scared and was rushing through their shopping, not stopping to talk ... All in fear...

"Draco ... Was that ... Was that ..." cried Harry in an alarmingly panicked tone, looking stunned straight at Ollivander's.

"What, spit it out, Harry!" fretted Draco anxiously, looking at Harry, who looked beyond frightened.

"Your dad just walked into Ollivander's. I just saw his face. We should check it out," Harry decided prudently. He looked over at Draco seriously, who nodded his approval, and then Harry added helpfully, "I brought my Invisibility Cloak just in case..."

**

Three hooded Death Eaters strutted down the street, on orders by The Dark Lord to keep lookout for Malfoy. They were doing a dangerous deed for the Dark Lord, capturing Ollivander. He said it was imperative, and that he would be very angry if they did not succeed. Avery, Macnair, and Nott, the entrusted followers, walked up and down the street cautiously. They had to wait patiently for their success to come, this the three knew too well ...

Harry and Draco were huddled together in a corner, watching the scene very closely:

"You have no choice, Ollivander. The Dark Lord will have your services--" pressed a clearly unwanted visitor.

"Get away from my shop!" retorted the voice of Ollivander, which sounded highly agitated in tone.

"You, fool, you have no choice. Come with me now! I have been given permission to use the Cruciatus Curse, Ollivander, don't dare test me..."

Ollivander looked positively terrified.

"Harry, please remain under the cloak, I'll take care of it. Stay, mate," pleaded Draco in a whisper, so quietly that Harry only heard him by a bit.

"Draco..."

"Please."

"I guess you need to experience some true torture, Ollivander ... Here it comes ... Oh, the joy I take in this! Cru-"

"Expelliarmus!" shouted Draco straight at Lucius, and his evil father's wand flew right out of hand. He'd intercepted just in time!

Lucius gasped and looked back incredulously, so stunned to see Draco there. "Draco, son, what are you doing here ...You should be at home ... What is going on?!"

"You are no father of mine. Let Ollivander alone, Lucius," Draco commanded apathetically, sounding almost fearless. He spoke to Lucius with so much hate, so much loathing, it actually frightened Harry; he had never seen Draco so angry before ...

"What is wrong with you, Draco? I've heard the rumors ... mingling with Mudbloods and blood traitors now, are you?" spat Lucius disgustedly, glaring at Draco.

"DON'T YOU DARE EVER CALL THEM THAT!" screamed Draco menacingly, mobilized by a magnitude of hatred. And Harry knew Draco wasn't thinking when he did what he did next. "CRUCIO!"

Lucius was exploding in pain ... His eyes were bulging ... His body was shaking terribly ... And he was screaming in pain beyond pain ... It looked as though he was going to die ...

And it stopped.

But before Lucius could say anything, he stopped to listen. Outside there was screaming and lots of commotion. And before Harry could think, the doors burst open, and there were three cloaked figures holding wands straightforward, ready for a combative duel ... And before he knew it spells were bouncing back and forth between people... Spontaneously, Harry heard the voices of Cho and Hermione, listening closely...

"Petrificus Totalus!" shouted Hermione confidently, and one of the cloaked figures became completely frozen and fell straight to the floor, stiff like stone.

"Macnair, you blithering fool! Stupefy!" cried Cho, her revulsion practically screaming in her tone.

But the spell apparently missed, for Draco turned boldly back at his father, frowning furiously, and without wasting a moment yelled, "Stupefy!" Alas Lucius Malfoy went down.

Cho had meanwhile glided sideways just in time to avoid being stunned herself, and (ironically) was left, quite frankly, stunned, when through awestruck eyes she then saw that Draco had stunned his father. But she had no time to think. Nott and Avery were still up, and putting up a fight. Her heart was beating so fast ...

"Impedimenta!" yelled Cho at Nott, her voice fearful yet brave.

"Expelliarmus!" screamed Hermione at Avery.

But he at the very same time had hissed, "Crucio!" And unfortunately Avery's spell hit first.

Hermione was screaming in so much pain ... Her body was shaking as though she was having a seizure ... It looked as though every bone in her body would break ... And the look on her face was unbearable ...

And then it stopped.

"STUPEFY!" cried Draco furiously, and Nott fell. Then all three of them pointed their wands at Avery, who, defenseless now without a wand, remained helpless. They all ended up stunning him at once. Abruptly, it was only now that Cho noticed Ollivander crouching in the shadowy corner with his hands shielded on top of his head, sobbing feebly to himself ...

And then very suddenly Harry appeared out of nowhere, seemingly materializing out of thin air. He had stayed under his Invisibility Cloak the whole time. "Well done!" congratulated Harry in an overwhelmed but joyous tone.

Still, his beloved could tell he was horrified with what he saw. Cho immediately ran and held Harry. She noticed Draco and Hermione were holding each other closely just as well, and that they were both crying, too. Sympathy poured right through Cho instantly, her tearful gaze ever-caring...

"I thought I'd never see you again when he hit me with the Cruciatus Curse, Draco..." Hermione practically whimpered, her traumatized voice sounding vulnerable as ever; all her strength felt almost entirely exhausted of her.

"Oh, Hermione, it's okay! It's all okay now, I swear..." Harry cried consolingly, hardened by the tragic sight of his injured friend. Staying calm, he did a quick curse on all the Death Eaters so that they were all tied together helpless to movement, and of course only able to be unleashed if Harry murmured the counter-curse.

Then, as if by cue, all the sudden a flood of upset people ran inside the shop, instantaneously creating pandemonium. "WHAT HAS HAPPENED?!" cried a crowd of panicked voices all at once.

**

Later, Dumbledore stood outside the shop, consoling the four of them. "You four fought bravely, you know," commended Dumbledore proudly, smiling at them. "You saved an innocent man. I cannot express how proud I am of you."

"Where are those Death Eaters?" asked Cho worriedly.

"Azkaban -- they'll be awaiting trial in the secure custody of Dementors." The Headmaster spoke these words in an inspirited tone that assured he found this justified.

"Well, that's certainly a battle won," said Harry half-sincerely, relieved as ever and unsuccessfully trying to smile.

Hermione and Draco were kissing passionately behind them now ... And a flash from several cameras approached them.

"Oh, blimey, we have a wedding to attend now don't we?!" exclaimed a now entirely peachy-sounding Dumbledore out of the blue. He was beaming at the two lovebirds, making them turn even redder than they were already.

**

"You really love her, don't you, my son?" It was Narcissa Malfoy, speaking in a weak, unguarded voice to her soon-to-be-wed son. In accords with her insisted conditions, Draco had promised to hide Narcissa here at the venue, in the same harbor as himself.

"I do, Mother, I really do," emphasized Draco, begging for her blessing.

"How can I be against such a bond between people, even if it is a forbidden love? I love you, Draco, I'm sorry for what your father put you through and what I allowed ..." Alas Narcissa Malfoy began crying, her voice utmost crestfallen with each spoken word.

"Mother, please don't cry ..."

"Draco, I'm sorry, I really am. I never wanted you to be like Lucius ... Please, give me one more chance. I want to be a real mother to you ..." She was sobbing horribly now.

"I love you, Mother. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have requested you to be saved from Lucius' fate ..." assured Draco patiently, holding his mother.

There they stood, outside the church Draco would be married in within the hour. He still loved his mum no matter what ... She had taught him tolerance, if only subtly, as he was growing up ...Overshadowed by Lucius or not ... It was she who had made sure Draco would have good in him, would have the chance to be a righteous person ... It was she who'd made it possible for he and Hermione to have ever been together ...

"Congratulations, my son."

**

Many people had appeared now at the wedding. Everyone had heard about what happened in Diagon Alley, and the Daily Prophet had even caught them kissing, and it made the evening edition. Many of their friends from school and their families had come, distant friends, and people through association. In the end, the church was quite packed. And Ron was there, beaming at them, happy for them, something Hermione thought would never, ever happen ...

Hermione walked down the aisle, escorted by Dumbledore himself. She had decided not to tell her parents yet. She approached her to-be husband. The priest was smiling. Harry and Cho were the only others there ... Of course it wasn't as formal was it could have been ...But it wasn't important...

The vows began. And Draco and Hermione only smiled at each other. There were times when Hermione thought she was fifteen and too young to be married of all things ... But then she understood that an eternal love she felt for Draco was rare ... And the fact that it was returned was rarer. She had never felt the same way about anyone, and she knew she had made the right choice ... Perhaps more reckless, more unreasonable than she normally behaved ... But their love would keep them together despite all else...Of this both Draco and Hermione felt absolutely sure.

"...I do," uttered a sure-as-ever Hermione at last, finalizing everything.

And then they kissed.

**

Draco and Hermione were together alone, late after the celebration. They were in the room at Cho's home, and they were ready to give themselves to each other now. Hermione was half-naked in front of Draco. She had never looked so desirable. He wanted her so badly. He went over to her. He jumped on top of her, literally, and began kissing her so deeply, and each kiss was as though another piece of heaven was falling on top of him ...

**

Hermione woke up soundly in her husband's arms the morning after, following an unforgettable night of heavenly bliss. He was already awake, stroking her hair gently. The morning light shone in beautifully, and Hermione felt safer than ever in his arms. "Morning, love," said Hermione happily, yawning. She started reminiscing on everything that had happened the day before. "Oh my God, didn't we save the world yesterday or something?"

They laughed, and then with a long, easygoing sigh, Draco asked in a rather carefree voice, "Do you think we'll make it through this all?"

Hermione paused, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I do ... I really, really do."

**