Forever

*~*~*~*~ Chapter Seven *~*~*~*~*~

Like the desert waiting for the rain
Like a school kid waiting for the spring
I'm just sitting here waiting for you
To come on home and turn me on

~Norah Jones , Turn Me On ~ Love Actually Soundtrack

A very nervous young woman in white robes of silk and lace paced in the middle of the formal living room on the Zabini estate. Outside the French doors in front of her, the sun was just about to set as a circle of close friends held hands as three figures stood in the middle of that circle while they waited for the last of the rays of sun to disappear for the wedding to begin. Hermione's long brown curls had delicate ribbons of maroon and silver to pull the hair to frame her face and formed some curls into a crown at the top of her head. Her stomach was doing somersaults as she nibbled on her lip and decided to recite ancient runes formulas to calm her nerves as she waited till the time she was join the man she was about to marry outside in the middle of the circle.

"You look lovely, Hermione," a voice called from behind her. She turned and saw her old friend, Neville Longbottom, on few steps that lowered into the living room from the main hall. He had changed so much over the years and had turned out to be a great fighter in the war. He was accepted into the Auror training with taking any tests, as was Harry. Hermione was to take her test in a little over a month to get to the Auror program hopefully with Ginny. But his smile brought her back to the reality of her current situation as he spoke again, "A most perfect bride, I must say."

She laughed at his attempt at charm. That was not his normal department but it was a good attempt, if she was to admit it. Hermione walked up and hugged him as she replied, "Thanks for coming. Glad you could make it. You're just in time."

"Yes, just in time," he stated as he wrapped his arms around her. Then the French doors opened and Remus stepped into the room. Hermione felt Neville tense but she assumed it was because he was nervous about being caught hugging the bride-to-be. Neville's voice croaked, "Lu-, sorry Remus. Is it time?"

Hermione took a step back but Neville kept a hand on her hip as she brushed out the invisible wrinkles on the beautiful material. The older man had an odd look on his face but then glanced back at the circle and raised his hand. The light music of flutes and violins began and Remus opened both doors as the Hermione and old Gryffindor friend moved closer to them.

Just as they were about to walk out, Neville turned to Hermione and asked, "Since your parents are.... I mean... May I walk you to the circle?"

"That is so sweet. Yes, you may," she said as she linked her elbow with his.

An unusual smirk crossed his lips for a second but changed into a smile as he kissed her hand. But she failed to notice his other hand reached into his jacket. Then a bright blue light hit square in the back, which caused him to fall into her. Luckily, she was able to move to the side as his body fell to the ground. Shocked by this, Hermione saw that Moody and Remus both had their wands drawn and pointed to where Neville once stood.

The circle of friends moved to the scene that happened a few feet behind them and Mrs. Weasley shouted, "What is the meaning of this Moody?"

The retired Auror bent down and picked up the thin piece of wood that the young man was going for. But Remus answered as the other examined the dark-brown wand, "That is not Neville Longbottom."

"Told you we should've had me at the gate checking for wands instead of that bloody fence," Moody commented as Hermione felt the strong arms of Blaise wrapped around her waist.

She felt her body start to shake as her nerves where getting worse from just being nervous about the wedding to an imposter could've abducted her. The figure of Severus Snape appeared at her side as he leaned down to the bond body in from of her. As he stood up straight again, he stated, "He would not have got far. Mr. Potter and I placed a deApparation shield around the entire garden."

"But he who?" Hermione asked as both the ex-Auror and ex-Professor lifted the bond body up as Snape uttered the spell to show the true identity of the impostor. The arms tighten around her waist as she saw the man transformed in her old nemesis. "Malfoy."

"Take him away, Moody. The Ministry has been looking for you, boy," Snape chuckled to the still frozen man, who was back to his true body of Draco Malfoy but in Neville's large clothes. Mad-eye Moody floated he constricted body of the blond Slytherin. Severus glanced around at small group of wedding attendees and participants. "Well, shows over. There is a wedding to continue with."

Hermione was turned around against the chest of her fiancée as he held her chin up and he asked, "Are okay, love? Do you need some time to settle down first?"

The sight of the Malfoy being taken away and her mind flashed visions of what could've happened, if he had been successful. She shook her head and stated, "No, I'll be fine. Let's get this going before anything else happens."

Blaise nodded and their close friends formed the circle around them. The air of the garden was lighted by fairies lights as the fragrances of the variety of flowers made the whole layout for the wedding perfect. Ginny stood to her right and Blaise stood in front of her as Harry took his spot to his left. Severus stepped into position between them as he was going to be conducting the ceremony and began, "Tonight, we come together to witness the bonding ceremony that units the souls of Blaise Dominic Zabini and Hermione Jane Granger together for all time. With the stars of the heavens above us and the ground of mother Earth below us, we ask for blessing on this couple for today and forever."

At that moment, Harry and Ginny both pulled out the cords to represent the binding of wedding. Snape took the cords and the couples hands as he continued to speak, "May these cords show all present the sign of your unity for the rest of your lives together. For with each cord, you are bond to the other as they are to you. Marriage is a status of living. But love is an action, which should be shown each day. We might not know the reasons why Fate has chosen to bring the two of you together in this fashion. But it is clear that your roads become one at this point.

"In time, you will find love in each other's arms in the happy times. Also, remember to use the other to hold you up when the times get hard. There will be good times and bad times will come and go but this union is strong enough to last forever," Severus recited as he tied each cords around their joined hands.

Blaise's eyes caught hers and he smiled sweetly at her as their mentor finished the last cord. Their three friends took a step back as Blaise spoke the words he created himself for the binding vows. "I, Blaise Dominic Zabini, freely bind myself to you, Hermione Jane Granger. I promise to support every dream you have, to be your strength when you feel you have none, to make any the happy moments even brighter, and to love you with all my heart, forever."

"I, Hermione Jane Granger, give to you, Blaise Dominic Zabini, my heart, body, and soul from this day. My heart is now yours to fill with love and happiness. My body is now yours to support and hold. My soul is now yours to guide and lead through the path of life that we walked down together. Forever."

There were low sounds of sniffling from several people in the circle around the couple, who each had a tear coming down from their eyes. Hermione closed them and made a silent wish for everything to workout and her life to be happy with the man that obviously loved her so much. The sound of Snape pulled her out of her own thoughts as he spoke, "You are now one soul in two bodies. May you both be very happy together, Mr. and Mrs. Zabini. Congratulations."

The cords around their wrist instantly fell to the ground and Blaise pulled her to him in a knee-knocking kiss. Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck as they were surround their friends and congratulated by each of them. Finally, a tear-filled-eyed Mrs. Weasley tuted, "That's enough you two save it for later. Your reception awaits."

They slowed they kisses to a stop and he pulled back but still remained in each other's arms. "You are so beautiful, Hermione. I'm one lucky guy. Thank you."

Hermione placed a kiss on his cheek as she replied, "You are lucky but I also consider myself lucky. Now, lets us join our guests, Mr. Zabini."

"But of course, Mrs. Zabini," he laughed as he lead for to the down the stone path of the garden to where the reception was already in progress. Blaise pulled out her chair as he leaned down to whisper, "I think I can get used to calling you that."

"I'd hope so," she teased and watched a salad appear in front of her on the white plate and white wine filled her glass. Hermione took her first sip of the liquid as she thought to herself; It will take me some time to get used to it though. But I am sure all brides have that problem.

The delicious dinner, wonderful music, and happy people enjoyed the evening as it continued on. Once everyone had their fill of dinner, the newly weds made their way to the clearing to begin their first dance together, ever. They swayed to the soft music as they simply enjoyed being in each other's arms. After their song finished, other couples joined them: Harry and Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks and Remus, and twins and their dates.

The night was magnificent and Hermione felt very content but then again that could be the five glasses of wine talking. At about midnight, they bid their goodnights and she pulled Blaise into the Manor behind her. Being against his firm body all night long had really gotten to her and she was dieing to get more contact before the night was over. He helped her up the steps but she almost missed one in the middle.

Once they reached the guarded off door to 'their' room, Hermione took his hand and with her other one pulled the silk tie off of it. She pulled his body against her and began to kiss passionately. The door opened when her back was pressed against it hard but he caught her from falling. Her giggles made him aware of her state of intoxication. Blaise held her still and looked into her eyes as he gently admitted, "Hermione, you know that I love you but I am willing to wait. This doesn't have to happen tonight. We can just sleep in the same bed. We can wait till-"

But her pulling him into another hot kiss cut off his sentence and she ran her hands down his back to caress his arse. Slowly he backed her up to the edge the large bed as his hands ran down the sides of her body and his tongue entered her mouth. The lights went off with a swish of his hand as they continued their explorations of their mouths, which was to be followed by exploration of each other's bodies.