Chapter Text
Five years later
Hermione
“Well, it’s been a longer engagement than I think any of us were expecting, but we’re finally here!”
There was a ripple of amusement across the room, and Hermione saw Draco take a steadying breath. This was the part of the day she knew he had been most nervous about – standing up in front of everyone and giving a speech. He seemed even more nervous about this speech than the one he'd given at their own wedding.
“Daddy speech!”
Hermione smiled and gently shushed her three-year-old daughter, pulling her onto her lap. Carina was her father’s shadow and had been his practice audience for this speech a number of times already. Her twin brother, Leo, couldn’t have been less interested as he sat on the ground and played with the small toy dragon Hermione had won for Draco all those years ago.
Carina looked up at Hermione, an adorable scowl on her tiny face as she pointed at her father, who had looked over and given the three of them an affectionate smile. Hermione nodded to show she could see him, and kissed the top of her daughter’s head, the silver blonde ringlets tickling her nose.
“I’m honoured to be standing here as best man today, when Theo could have had his pick of anyone from the Minister for Magic herself, to the Captain of the Holyhead Harpies, to the Chosen One. But I’m thrilled he chose me. I’ve known Theo for almost our entire lives, and what a journey it’s been. I think he would agree with me when I say that there were times when we would never have believed that we’d eventually make it here. Never dared to hope that there was light at the end of a tunnel that, far too often, seemed endless.”
Hermione’s heart squeezed and she stifled a sniffle as she wiped a tear from her eye. To her amusement, Carina shushed her.
“But throughout it all, Theo’s optimism and determination to see the good in the world around him kept us going. I know I speak for both Pansy and myself when I say that, left to our own devices, we would have easily become bitter and jaded. But Theo didn’t let us. His steady friendship, unwavering support and willingness to call us out when we were being idiots, got us to where we are today.
Six years ago, I remember returning home after one of the more unusual nights of my life – my first experience of a sport muggles call ‘bowling’. Those who know me well will be unsurprised to hear that I was busy brooding, but I’ll never forget what Theo said to me. He had the biggest grin on his face as he proclaimed “I’ve finally found my type. Sexy, red headed dragon trainers!”
And, thank Merlin, he was right. Or, partially right. It was one, specific red headed dragon trainer who was Theo’s type (although Charlie subsequently explained to all of us that he didn’t actually train the dragons).”
Another ripple of laughter swept across the room, and Draco turned to Charlie Weasley.
“Charlie, you’ve made my best friend happier than I’ve ever seen him. You keep up with his mischief and have endless patience for some of his quirkier personality traits.”
At that, Theo gave a loud gasp and clapped a hand to his chest as though wounded. Draco spared him a quick smile, but his attention immediately went back to Charlie.
“In the early days of your relationship, I was sure Theo had to be exaggerating your fine qualities. Don’t misunderstand me, it wasn’t that I had anything against you, but I just couldn’t see how someone could possibly be as perfect for Theo as he claimed you were. But I’ve never been happier to be wrong. You two really are perfect for each other, and I wish you a long and happy life together. So, if everyone could please stand, let’s all raise a glass to the newly married couple – Theo and Charlie Weasley.”
Hermione set Carina on the floor, and echoed the toast. To her great amusement, she saw Leo raise the dragon in the air. Carina, of course, raised her juice as was only proper. She turned to Pansy and smiled. Pansy’s eyes were as watery as her own, though the other witch was trying her best to hide it, dabbing discreetly at her face with one hand while the other cradled her six-month old daughter, Daisy, with the other. She eventually gave up trying to hold back her emotions and handed Daisy over to Neville before stepping towards Hermione and pulling her into a hug.
“I can’t believe they’re finally married!” cried Pansy into Hermione’s ear.
Hermione and Pansy had grown close over the years. It had taken some time, but the turning point seemed to be when Pansy realised that Hermione was sincere in her insistence that she was going to use whatever clout she had at the Ministry to make changes in the wizarding world. Hermione thought it had helped that she had exclusively worn the Parkinson Line during her election campaign, helping Pansy fully launch the line in wizarding Britain.
The crowd cheered and clapped as Draco sat down and Charlie stood to give his speech. Charlie had taken up a role in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and had quickly risen through the ranks. Hermione was thrilled to be working alongside someone who actually cared for magical creatures, and was secretly hoping the current Head of Department would hurry up and retire – she knew who she’d be backing to take their place when the time came.
Years ago, Hermione had offered Theo a role in her old team at the Department of Mysteries, but he had declined. He decided that he would prefer to dedicate his time to helping his friends care for their children alongside their demanding careers. He was, by far, the children’s favourite uncle and had endless energy to play with his growing group of nieces and nephews.
Draco, to Hermione’s surprise, had followed Theo’s lead in declining a Ministry role. Harry, who had accepted the permanent position of Head of the DMLE, offered Draco a place on an accelerated Auror training programme in the immediate aftermath of the fight with Bellatrix. Draco had been grateful, but ultimately decided that he’d had enough fighting for one lifetime. He’d reopened his potions shop in a better location in Diagon Alley, and was happy there for a few years as his business flourished. When Leo and Carina had been born, however, Draco decided he wanted to step back from the shop to look after them full-time. He had been determined to be the father he himself would have wanted, and it made Hermione love him more than she ever thought was possible seeing him with their children.
As the speeches concluded and the dancing started, Hermione looked around the room full of people she loved. She saw Theo twirling Molly Weasley around the dance floor, Charlie dancing with his father, and Narcissa guiding her grandchildren in an adorable attempt at a three-person waltz. As Draco approached her, hand held out in a silent request for a dance, she smiled and thought about how far they had all come.
Really, Hermione reflected, her heart swelling with affection as she danced with her husband, this wedding was a perfect example of what they had been working towards for years. The perfect example of why she had gone to war as a teenager, and fought again as an adult. Family, love, peace and acceptance. Things she knew would always be worth fighting for.