Realisations

A/N: SO SORRY about the huge long wait. I have this thing called the Six Chapter Syndrome. I get to six chapters and my muse just dies. The good news is, I had the whole story completely planned out, so it's really just a case of sitting down and writing the damn thing. Thanks for everyone's support and for voting for me in both the challenge and the After-Voting Awards! I'm really thrilled to be second place since there was so much amazing stuff out there competing with me.

Now I can finally thank my wonderful beta, Katie (i.e. You-Know-'Oo), who puts up with all my whims and still sticks around (God knows why.) Thanks, you're a star!

Oh, and to keep up tradition:

Warning: Having your cake and eating it is not acceptable while reading. May have unwanted side effects.

To: Draco Malfoy

Congratulations, Draco. I would be delighted to attend the wedding, thank you for inviting me. I hope you are happy, as that is what matters most.

Sincerely,

S.S.

To: Severus Snape

Thanks, Uncle Severus. I really appreciate the support. I'm not sure Father is going to look at it the same way, which is why I informed him before announcing our engagement. I might be practically estranged, but I'm not heartless. He deserves to know, even if it kills him.

– Draco

To: Severus Snape

A Weasley! He's actually going to marry a Weasley! I'm going to be related to those filthy blood traitors! Malfoys and Weasleys! Oh Merlin, what is the world coming to?

Surely there's something in the family will that forbids this kind of thing.

Lucius

To: Lucius Malfoy

She's a pureblood, Lucius. Pureblood. Be grateful it wasn't Hermione Granger, or you'd probably be in Azkaban for trying to murder her on the spot.

Blast it, Lucius. Can't you just be happy for him? At least he was still willing to try.

Disbelievingly,

S.S.

To: Ginny Weasley

Oh Ginny! That's brilliant! He finally did it! I'm so happy for you. When's the wedding date? How are the Malfoys taking it?

Love,

Hermione

To: Hermione Granger

Oh, I'm just so over the moon about it! I knew it would happen eventually, but... oh, Hermione! I'm getting married! Me!!!

Not too sure about Draco's parents. I'm guessing no news is good news; Draco owled them the day before we announced it, but they haven't replied. Well, we haven't dropped dead or anything like that, so that's a start, I suppose. If they don't accept it, well... there's nothing any of us can do about it. I just hope that they can find it in them to support their son. He's definitely taking it hard, though he doesn't show it. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times of his life; they have no right to take that away from him. Even a curt "congratulations" would be good enough for us.

The wedding's in three weeks. I know it's really soon, but we'll make it just in time for New Year's, and frankly, I can't wait longer than that. It'll be a small thing with just our close friends, so I think we can manage it. Mum will blow her top when she realises how little time she has, but you know her. She'll get over it eventually.

Well, I hope so anyway.

– Ginny xoxoxo

To: Ginny Weasley

Can I come back in now? I don't hear anything, but for all I know, the apartment could be up in flames, judging by that Howler.

Geez, Ginny. Only your mum could send you a Howler about your wedding date, then soften it by asking if you and "that dear boy Draco Malfoy" are happy and saying that he needs to eat more.

– Chloe

To: Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy.

You are actually going to marry that filthy ferret? You're going to sully our name by marrying that piece of crap!? How could you, Gin? First Harry, now you? Daphne Greengrass, I can understand...at least her father didn't try to KILL him!

Don't bother inviting me.

– Ron

To: My Fuckwit of a Brother

Oh, Ronald. When will you ever learn? The war is OVER! People are different now. Draco, Daphne, even Snape...none of them deserve the kind of crap you give them. "You're going to sully our name"? That's exactly the kind of thing we hated Draco for! How dare you be so fucking hypocritical!

You know what, Ronald? I'm starting to think that if you were twice as smart, you'd still be a halfwit. I suppose it would be too much to ask that you should just be happy that I'm happy. Me, your little sister. Or have you been so intent on losing your friends that you've lost your family, too?

– Ginny

P.S. I won't.

To: Ginny Weasley

Ginny, love, don't worry about it. Ron's going through a difficult phase, and if he rejects all our attempts to reach out to him, then... well, there's not much we can do about it. I guess we just have to try to be there for him when he comes out of it. I'm sure he will.

In the meantime, we have a lot of planning to do. And I want to see that ring!

Love,

Hermione

To: Hermione Granger

Thanks for that, Hermione. I know you don't like shopping but that actually made me feel a lot better. I'm really glad I have friends like you. And of course, I would be thrilled if you would be my maid of honour. Draco and I agreed that it would be an honour for us.

So how are things with the mysterious Mr. Toby? It's been two months already, don't you think you should try and meet up with him? Make sure he's not, you know, a goblin or anything? Ooh, I just can't wait to find out who he really is. I wonder if we've met him before? Oh, the anticipation....

– Ginny xoxoxoxo

To: Ginny Weasley

Thank you so much, Ginny. It would be an absolute honour, and I look forward to it.

About Toby... I've actually been feeling the same way. I think it's time I asked him to meet up with me. The thing is... I think I'm starting to fall in love with this man. It's wrong! I don't even know who he is! And yet, I get this feeling that he understands me more than anyone, and vice versa. He seems like a really private person, but he tells me things that really make him human and real. I know it's only been two months, but I feel like this is the right thing. I can just feel it!

Looks like I'll have to thank you after all. Yes, yes, you told me so. Don't make me say it again, you lovable harpy.

Love,

Hermione

To: Hermione 'Miss MJ' Granger

Do it! I promise I won't spy on you or anything. Well, maybe. Depends on how I'm feeling that night.

– Ginny xoxo

To: My Husband-To-Be

Oh, it was so exciting to write that. It's like I'm a schoolgirl all over again, writing 'Mrs Draco Malfoy' all over my textbooks. Next thing I know I'll be saying 'hubby'.

... Hmm. Maybe not that far.

Any news on the parents? Also, do you think we should make Harry our best man? The twins would be so immature, and Percy's head would inflate to the size of a football field. I suppose Bill or Charlie could do it, but I'd really like it to be Harry. I think he'd really like that. Of course, before, I would have said Ron, but now... well, you know. I still can't believe it, you know. He's family. I'm still reeling from the blow.

Oh! Hermione's going to meet up with her penpal! Promise me you'll spy on her and find out where they're going so we can see who it is, too. I just know she'll keep me waiting as long as possible, that wench.

– Ginny xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

To: Toby P.

Dear Toby,

Thanks for your last letter; I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply for a bit, but I really enjoyed reading about 'The French Connection' and how French food may have some kind of influence on magical ability. I'm not sure I subscribe to it, but the next time I have a plate of escargot I'll let you know!

We've been writing each other for two months now, and I was wondering if you would like to meet up? I know you are a private man, and if you don't want to that's totally fine, I will completely understand. But I'd really like to get to know you in person. I've learnt so much about you and I've told you so much about myself, more than most of my friends know. And you're so intelligent, more than most anyone I've ever met. It's always a pleasure to talk to you. I hope you agree.

– M.J.

To: Mary Jane

I would be delighted to meet with you. I feel the same way; you know me far better than most people, and that says a lot about me, if you knew me. Well, I suppose you will, soon enough.

Why don't we test out that theory about French food? Let's meet at Le Carillon De L'Angelus at Diagon Alley, 8 pm this Saturday night. I've heard their salmon is excellent.

Let's wear a flower somewhere on our person so we can recognise each other. I will wear a white rose on my lapel.

I look forward to meeting you at last, Mary Jane. I have longed to place a face to your letters.

Hopeful,

T.P.

To: Toby P.

Sounds brilliant! I'll be there. I'll wear a white rose in my hair. Oh, I can't wait!

– M.J.

To: Mrs Draco Malfoy

Who are you, and what have you done with my sweet, loving, not-nosy fiancée? Come on, Gin. Leave her alone. I can think of far more enjoyable things we could be doing while she and Mr. Mysterious are getting to know each other.

Love you,

Draco

P.S. I have to admit, I enjoyed writing that too. I never thought I would, but I guess I'm just a sap like everyone else.

To: Draco Malfoy, My Fiancé

Boo. You're such a party pooper. But you have a point....

– Ginny xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox ;)

To: Minerva McGonagall

Oh, fucking Merlin.

Mary Jane is Hermione Granger.

S.S.

A/N: Hope you liked it! Tell me what you think. :]