Breakfast at Natalie's

"This is just a dream," murmured Hermione, touching the soft fabric of her dress. She couldn't believe that this was really happening. She looked at her reflection in the mirror again, playing with a curl that had fallen out of place.

She had changed so much in the past six months. At first it was difficult, trying to get out of all the bad habits that she had gathered over the years. The pregnancy had not made it any easier, and each day she marveled over the fact that she had made it this far.

After Joseph's trial, Malfoy had not had too much work to do--either the criminals were giving them a break or he was taking time off, she wasn't sure--and stayed with her as much as possible. She still worked the day shift; he accompanied her to St. Mungo's each morning and always waited faithfully for her outside the Children's Ward at the end of her shift. More often than not, he would come in during her lunch hour with a raspberry tart from the bakery or he would take her out to eat.

Sometimes he would walk in shyly and read stories to the children like he had before. All the Healers were fond of him and remarked that he would definitely make a good father, which made both of them blush. Indeed, it made her happy to see how gentle he was with the children, and how they looked up to him, their small hands tugging on the hem of his shirtsleeves, begging for another story. He would sit at their bedsides, telling fairytales, changing his voice for each character and making sound effects.

At the end of her shift, they would take the lift downstairs and take a cab home, since Apparition wasn't good for the baby. Cassie and Riley would greet them enthusiastically, having been picked up from school by Natalie before going off to work. Natalie had quit her job at the café and used part of her inheritance to start up her own restaurant. She'd asked Kevin to be her business partner, and he'd gladly agreed to help manage the restaurant. The place was called Accio, and it was across the street from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, which guaranteed many customers. It wasn't very large, but the food was superb and the live entertainment attracted a large crowd on Friday nights. It was also known to be a favorite hangout for Aurors, as Malfoy had introduced many of his coworkers to the bar in the back, and they usually met there for drinks.

A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she said.

"All ready?" said Natalie, coming in.

"How do I look?" said Hermione, doing a little spin.

"Fantastic," said Natalie. "I wish I could look even half as beautiful on my wedding day."

"Has Kevin asked yet?"

"Not yet," said Natalie, blushing and sitting down next to Hermione. "But I think he's going to really soon."

"That's wonderful! Draco and I will buy a house, and then we can be neighbors!" said Hermione, half joking.

"Hermione?" said Ginny, poking her head into the room. "Ten minutes until we start."

Hermione stood up and smoothed her dress, picking up the bouquet of wild sunflowers.

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Malfoy pushed aside the curtain, looking below. He could see all the way out to the lake where the guests were gathered, waiting. They were at Hogwarts, high up in the Slytherin boys' dormitory, which had been transformed into a lavish dressing room. It felt strange, yet comforting being back in the castle. The word that came to mind was "home." He and Hermione hadn't even really had to discuss the location of the wedding.

One evening, he had said to her, "What do you think of getting married at Hogwarts? By the lake?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking," she'd replied.

They'd contacted Professor McGonagall, who was now Headmistress of Hogwarts. She had been perfectly happy to allow them to use the castle and its grounds, as no other couple had requested to do so before.

"Hey, Draco?" said Goyle, from in front of the mirror. "Give me a hand with this?"

He held up his tie, which had been tied into several untidy knots. They had opted for Muggle dress, though the guests had come in wizard robes, and a couple of the groomsmen were having trouble figuring out what to do with the ties. One of them had even thought it was a belt, and had nearly gone outside with it tied around his waist before Malfoy spotted it. Malfoy sighed and undid the knots, then tying it properly around Goyle's neck.

"It's so tight," he complained.

"It's supposed to be tight," said Malfoy.

"Ugh, Muggle clothes are so uncomfortable," he grumbled, checking his watch. "Not much time left. We'd better head down."

Malfoy nodded and they began the long walk down to the lake, their shoes echoing against the stone floor of the halls. They tread across the well beaten pathway to the lake, where Goyle took his place next to Harry, Ron, and Watkins after escorting Pansy to the front. (They had needed a third person to even it out, and Kingsley had declined the offer.) The three bridesmaids were already there, looking lovely in their light yellow gowns. Natalie, the maid of honor, brought up the rear. They had arranged it so that there were three bridesmaids and three groomsmen from both the bride's and the groom's sides. Ginny, Pansy, and Amy stood next to each other, looking slightly nervous.

Music began to play, the melodious sound of the harp sweeping across the grounds. Hermione came out from behind the grove of trees, looking radiant in a simple, but elegant empire-waist dress that cascaded over her pregnant belly. All eyes were on her as she slowly made her way to the altar, trying not to trip over the hem of her dress and keeping her eyes focused on Malfoy. He gave her a boyish grin when she reached him, and took her hands in his. The minister began to speak. They had customized the entire ceremony, taking out what they thought was unnecessary, and adding bits and pieces of Wizarding tradition.

"You look so beautiful," he whispered.

"And you look really happy," she said, giving his hand a squeeze.

"I am," he said. "This is the best day of my life."

"...do you, Draco Abraxas, take Hermione Jean to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you apart?"

"I do," said Malfoy, his voice cracking.

The minister turned to Hermione and repeated the vow.

"I do," she said, looking straight into Malfoy's gray-blue eyes, which were sparkling with excitement. As the minister continued talking, they both took out their rings.

"I give you this ring, as I give you myself, with love and affection. Wear it in peace, always," said Malfoy, gently sliding the ring onto her finger. Hermione did the same for him, and they sealed the vows by tapping each other's hands with their wands three times. They turned to face the minister again.

"...I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

It took a lot of self restraint for Malfoy to merely give Hermione a chaste peck on the lips. Everyone cheered as he scooped her up and began carrying her down the aisle. All the guests raised their wands in salute to the newlywed couple, sending gold sparks into the air. Malfoy carried her all the way over to the reception tent, where a scrumptious dinner was served by house-elves, which for once didn't bother Hermione.

"Congratulations," said a voice from behind her. Harry and Ron had come by their table.

"Oh, Harry, Ron!" she said, standing up to give them both hugs, which was slightly awkward now that her stomach protruded so much. "How are you? I haven't seen you in ages."

"Doing great," said Ron, who was now manager of the Hogsmeade branch of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"Sir, would you like another glass of champagne?" said a squeaky voice from below them. Harry looked down, startled. He had not seen a house elf since he left Hogwarts, and he was glad of it: they all reminded him painfully of Dobby.

"Er, no thank you," he declined politely.

Suddenly, all conversation stopped as people gasped and pointed at the setting sun. In the distance came an eerie sound, and the Fawkes swooped down and landed on the empty chair next to Hermione. The magnificent bird opened its beak to sing, and everyone sat enraptured by its enchanting song. When the phoenix had finished singing, everyone clapped appreciatively. Fawkes blinked a few times as if taking in the sight of all the people, and then flew off again, leaving a single feather on the edge of Hermione's plate.

"Thank you, Fawkes," she murmured, picking up the feather and tucking it into her hair next to the sunflower.

"Cut the cake!" yelled a voice from the back, and everyone laughed, breaking the silence. The gigantic cake was cut and served, and then the real festivities began. As with any wizard party, there was a table with all sorts of crackers. Some of them contained chocolates, others joke items, and even live birds that flew off into the distance. The musicians began to play, and everyone crowded around the dance floor, where they watched Malfoy and Hermione sway slowly in each other's arms, joining in after a couple minutes.

"I can't believe this is happening," said Hermione, laying her head on Malfoy's shoulder.

"What? Us getting married?"

"It just doesn't seem possible that I have everything I ever wanted," she said.

"Everything?" said Malfoy with a teasing smirk. "What about those shoes I saw you admiring when we went shopping for maternity clothes?"

"You know what I mean," she said, giving him a playful shove.

"Hey," he said, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "you want to get out of here? I'm tired of dancing."

"How are we going to get away from all these people?"

"Simple," he said, then turned to face the guests. "Attention everyone! I just realized that we forgot to throw the bouquet, as is practiced in Muggle weddings, so we will be throwing it now. The person who catches it is the next one getting married, so you better invite us to your wedding!"

The guests laughed, and Hermione tossed the bouquet. It landed right in Natalie's hands, and she blushed, looking pleased.

"We're just going for a little walk," continued Malfoy, winking at the guests, who tittered, "so thank you very much for coming. We're glad to have you in our lives."

The guests clapped again, and then returned to dancing. Malfoy grabbed Hermione's hand and they quickly left the dance floor. Once they were away from the party, they slowed their pace.

"Where are we going?" asked Hermione.

"We're going on a quick tour of the place," said Malfoy, grinning jovially. "You know, just to reminisce."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but followed him into the castle. First, he led her into the Great Hall, where he took a seat at the Slytherin table.

"Come sit next to me," he said, patting the worn wooden bench. She came over and sat beside him, looking around.

"It looks exactly the same," she marveled. "It's like we never left at all."

"Want me to rent the place out for the summer? I bet you we could," he said. Hermione was silent. Sighing, he murmured, "I only wish we could've sat like this back then. I used to look over at the Gryffindor table and wish you weren't so far away."

"I'm not anymore," she said. After a few minutes of sitting there in the dim candlelight, they stood up and climbed the marble staircase until they reached the prefect's bathroom.

"Mm, perhaps my favorite place of all," said Malfoy.

"But how will we get in? We don't know the password."

"I do. McGonagall told me. It's 'true love,'" said Malfoy.

"You're kidding," said Hermione, but the doors slid open to let them in.

The bath was beautiful, hundreds of candles had been placed near the walls. As she approached the pool, she could see that it was already filled with water, and floating on top was a layer of pink rose petals.

"Did you do this?" said Hermione, using her toe to test the water.

"I had a bit of help," said Malfoy, taking off his shoes and tie.

"What are you doing?" said Hermione, turning around.

"Getting in," he said, now clad in only his boxers. Bright pink boxers with lurid silver hearts.

"No way," said Hermione, her eyes widening. "No. Way. I can't believe you still have those!"

"You remember?" said Malfoy.

"Of course I remember," she said. "I doubt there's anyone who doesn't. You, strutting out into the Great Hall in front of all those people, in just those boxers because you were dared to."

"That was the second best day of my life," he said, sniggering at the memory of everyone's flabbergasted expressions. "Or at least one of the top ten."

Quick as a flash, he peeled the boxers off and jumped into the water, splashing Hermione.

"You're going to ruin the dress!" she shrieked.

"Then take it off," he said, the rose petals sticking to him. Hermione shrugged and carefully hung the dress on a hook, then climbed in slowly.

"Why are you sitting there grinning like an imbecile?" she said, looking over at him.

"No reason," he said innocently, splashing her again.

"Why you little--" She dove onto him, pushing his shoulders down and dunking his head underwater. He came up again, his wet hair plastered to his forehead. He put his hands on her shoulders and moved forward to kiss her. She stood still and closed her eyes, waiting for the feel of his lips against hers. After a few seconds, when she felt nothing, she opened her eyes and he spit a jet of water into her face. Coughing, she sent giant waves of water toward him with her arms.

"Stop, stop," he laughed, dodging the splashes.

"Oh!" she said, suddenly putting a hand on her belly.

"What is it?" said Malfoy, swimming over. "The baby?"

"The baby is happy," said Hermione, taking his hand and placing it over her stomach. The baby kicked once and Malfoy jerked his hand away.

"It kicked me!" he said, looking astonished.

"It's kicked you before," said Hermione. "Maybe it doesn't like you."

"Oh come on, everyone likes me," said Malfoy. "What's not to like?"

He leaned forward, and this time he kissed her tenderly.

"The fact that you're a cocky bastard who can't even manage to bake cookies without burning them," she said, smirking at him after he pulled away.

"Hey, that wasn't my fault," he protested. "The oven door got stuck."

"Yeah, whatever," she said, rolling her eyes at him. They stood for a few minutes, holding each other and listening to each other's hearts beating. "Draco?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you," she said.

"I know you do."

"No, I mean, I really love you. I love the way you surprise me with my favorite foods, how you put up with me when I'm crabby, and how you had to run out in the middle of the night when I was craving pickles."

"It's my job," he said. "A difficult, yet rewarding job."

"I'm sorry for making it so hard."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. I'm not, so you shouldn't be," he said, stroking her back. "This is the best time of our lives. We shouldn't regret anything. Everything that happened before, all that stuff, was just part of the journey. But we're here now, and I don't want to waste a single second agonizing over things that have already happened, things we can't change. I just want to be with you."

She looked up into his eyes and said, "You already are."

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Three months later, in mid-August, Hermione gave birth to a healthy baby girl. As the baby was placed into Hermione's arms, she opened up her eyes for the first time: they were a brilliant blue, which would later be tinged with gray and come to look just like Draco's eyes. She already had a tuft of white blond hair on her head.

"What will you be naming her?" asked Healer Madgewick.

"Charlene," said Hermione and Malfoy in unison. They had agreed to name her in memory of Charlie, who had given his life for theirs.

"Middle name?" said the Healer.

"Narcissa," said Hermione softly, and Malfoy looked up in surprise. Hermione had told him that the middle name she'd picked out was a secret, but he never would have guessed. The Healer nodded, remarking that those were nice names, and left the room after jotting down some things on chart.

"Can I...hold her?" said Malfoy nervously, holding out his arms. Hermione placed the baby very gently in his arms, and he cradled her to his chest, amazed that this tiny being could invoke such an overwhelming feeling of love. "Charlene Narcissa Malfoy," he said proudly, "welcome to the world."