Signed, Sealed, Delivered

The next morning…

Hermione took the two hair combs and smiled as she placed them into the braids that formed a crown around her head. The combs were gold encrusted with diamonds and had been worn by Granger brides through six generations.

“Thanks, Mum.” Hermione smiled, feeling warm hands resting softly on her shoulders. Bria had outdone herself minutes ago, and Hermione’s dark hair fell down her back in large curls. They seemed to flow endlessly from the thick plaits that stemmed from her temples.

“You look beautiful, Hermes,” Elise said quietly. She had been sniffling more and more as the morning progressed. Luna and Ginny had been keeping her distracted, but they had gone to look for Nathaniel, and now the waterworks were starting.

“Mum, it’ll be all right.” Hermione turned and held her mum’s hand. She had expected that her mother would be emotional, but Hermione had prepared herself to be censoring her anger, not drying her tears.

Elise sniffed. “I know, I know. You’re a big powerful mage now. However, you’re still my little Hermes. You just look so beautiful, and I’m just so proud—”

Hermione watched as her mom broke down into full sobs. Hermione stood up and pulled her into her arms. She was shocked and didn’t know what to do besides rub her back.

Fortunately, Hermione’s father came in with Ginny and Luna after a few moments and relieved Hermione of her burden. She could hear her mother sniffling and trying to compose herself as they walked down the hall.

Hermione grabbed the chair from in front of the vanity and moved it to sit in front of the empty fireplace. She sat and sighed, centring herself to play with her fire. Bouncing fireballs off the back of the fireplace wasn’t nearly as satisfying as playing catch with another mage, but it was better than nothing.

“Everything all right, dears?” Molly Weasley asked, poking her head in. She moved immediately to Ginny, who was sitting at the vanity, and began to fuss.

As always, the Weasleys had shepherded her parents concerning the dealings with the Malfoys as they explained the traditions, which was invaluable. Of course, the Malfoys had their own wedding traditions, which Hermione had had outlined in the contract. Her wedding day would be singular simply by virtue of joining with Draco.

“Homesick, I think is all.” Hermione turned and absorbed the ball of fire. She stood, her dress flowing behind her.

Molly quit straightening Ginny’s robes and turned to Hermione. “You do look lovely,” she sniffed, tapping a handkerchief to the corner of her eye.

“Not you, too.” Hermione grimaced and reached out to embrace the matriarch.

“Just try to stop me!” Molly clucked and gave Hermione a full-out Weasley hug. Hermione was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love she was receiving but was delightfully relieved when Luna rescued her, pressing a cup of tea into Molly’s hands.

Nathaniel came back into the room. “I believe we are ready to begin,” he said, moving to take Hermione’s hand as they’d been practicing. They had had three hours the night before and three hours that morning to familiarise themselves with the motions.

“Define ready,” Hermione snorted, she and Molly moving to the mirror one last time.

“You are beautiful; trust me, young Mister Malfoy will not notice anything else once you are in front of him.” Her father moved and began to drag her out of the room. Luna and Ginny fanned out the train of Hermione’s dress behind her before trotting out to stand in front of them, Ginny at the head followed directly by Luna.

“That’s right, dear. I hardly remember my own wedding, and I practically had to move Arthur’s mouth for him, he was so dumbstruck.” Molly fluffed Hermione’s hair as she spoke, her actions in direct contradiction to her words. “I’m going to find my seat. Good luck, dear.” Molly kissed Hermione on the cheek and hurried away. Once in the proper positions, they proceeded to the ballroom.

Hermione could feel every eye in the room on her as she advanced along the aisle that led from the grand doorway. The audience filled the room inward from the walls, and the room was sectioned off into quarters. In the centre of the room stood the men of the ceremony. Blaise and Theo Nott stood at what Hermione had been informed were the east and west points of a compass inlaid on the floor. Draco, Lucius, and a Ministry official stood in the interior circle of the compass.

Behind Theo sat a crowd of Draco’s friends and associates, and behind Blaise was a crowd of ‘important’ wizards and witches Hermione had never met. As the procession entered the hall, Luna went to stand at the northern point, and Ginny went to the southern. Behind Luna were people Hermione could name but had never spoken to before, and behind Ginny was the final small crowd, which was filled with Hermione’s loved ones.

Hermione’s father led her down the path between Ginny and Blaise in the direction of Lucius. When they arrived, the ceremony officially began.

“I present my daughter to be united with your family,” Nathaniel spoke clearly and loudly.

Lucius felt a wave of magic wash over him and had to take a heartbeat to compose himself.

“It is an honour to accept your line into mine,” Lucius replied with arrogance that was undermined by a sense of overwhelming verity.

Hermione had protested the language of the presentation. Since she hadn’t anticipated having her parents attend the ceremony, they hadn’t discussed what would happen if her father were actually present to give her away. She had certainly never thought that the transaction would be so literal.

Another wave of magic passed through them as Lucius moved Hermione into place.

“Draco Calpernius Malfoy, do you enter into this marriage willingly and in good faith?” the Ministry official asked the young man.

Without looking at Hermione, Draco replied, “I do.”

“Hermione Jean Granger, do you enter into this marriage willingly and in good faith?” the Ministry official asked, turning his attention to her.

Hermione swallowed dryly. Taking a deep breath, she answered, “I do.”

Everyone in the ballroom gasped as a wave of magic pulled through the bride and groom.

Draco moved to take Hermione’s hands in his, left holding left and right holding right. From the other side, his father began to chant the Malfoy marriage rite. As it progressed, the whirl of magic grew faster and faster, coiling around Draco and Hermione. As it grew up around them, Draco pulled Hermione ever closer. By the end of the chanting, only a thin line of air separated them.

When the only sound around them was the intangible crackle of magic, Draco dropped his head to Hermione’s. The tip of his nose brushed softly against hers as he whispered, “Sealed with a kiss.”

Draco’s lips were pressed gently against Hermione’s, and she soon pressed back, returning his chaste kiss. When they broke apart, Draco Apparated them to the Manor’s Newlywed Suite, holding her tightly until they landed at the foot of the bed.