Chapter Twenty Four

Draco watched as Hermione lay on the sand. At first he was worried she had collapsed so he ran over to find that she was merely sleeping.

Her eyes closed, her mouth turned up very slightly. Her long lashes shadowed on her face. He picked her up gently after a moments hesitation. She stirred before cuddling into him, still asleep. Draco carried her back to the house. Laying her on his bed, he lay beside her, one arm supporting his head as he watched her sleep.

How could he ever leave her? He still loved her, of course he does, but he’s insecure about her and Ron’s previous relationship. Draco thinks she will be happier with Ron, who she’s known for years and loved.

He also thought he overreacted a little bit. Maybe he shouldn't be so jealous over her? But he couldn't help it.

‘Draco...’ Hermione moaned in her sleep, ‘Dr- no... no... Don't go...’

Draco's heart dropped a little as her eyebrows knitted together. He moved closer touching her small stomach. He lay his head beside hers. She turned around suddenly and cuddled into him, fast asleep.

Draco stopped breathing as her mouth was close to his. Her breath came in minty waves.

‘I won't leave you...’ Draco muttered, closing the gap between their lips.

She didn't wake up. Draco cuddled closer, sticking his legs between her thigh and a hand up the back of her shirt. He kissed her again before falling into a deep slumber.

---

‘Draco...’ Hermione muttered.

Draco opened his eyes to see Hermione still cuddling into him. His leg was in between her thighs and one hand was up her shirt, touching her bare back.

‘Sorry... I didn't... How did I get here? I'm sorry...’ Hermione muttered, turning red.

She tried to pull away but Draco grabbed her and turned on the bed so he was on top of her. Hermione frowned.

‘I thought... we were over?’

‘How will I ever be able to live without you?’ Draco muttered, ‘I've been such an idiot. Of course you love me, no other girl would accept my proposal so soon. Hermione, we’re meant to be. Will you take me back?’

‘Draco...’ Hermione mumbled.

‘I'm sorry... I'm not giving you up for Weasley.’ Draco said, his lips grazing her jaw.

‘Draco. I... I forgive you. But our wedding is today!’ Hermione said, frowning.

‘Don't worry, it's really,’ Draco kissed her neck.

‘I love you so much. You know I do...’ Hermione said as Draco roamed her neck with his mouth.

‘And I love you too...’ He said, looking her in the eyes, ‘Do you want some breakfast? I'm starving.’

‘Sure,’ Hermione sad, getting up and straightening her rumpled clothes.

‘I'll make breakfast, you go wash up.’ Draco said, kissing her head and walking out.

Hermione smiled and walked over to the bathroom. She looked in the mirror. Her hair was sticking up and her face was red. Her clothes were wrinkly. She splashed her face with water and looked in the cupboard. It was full of medicine and other medical stuff. In the other cupboard she found a bobble to tie her hair up and also face wipes to wipe her makeup off.

After she was 'decent' she walked out of the room and silently walked in the kitchen.

‘I didn't know you could cook?’ Hermione asked as Draco flipped an egg over.

He shrugged and placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of her and also two glasses, milk and orange juice.

‘I try. Anyway, dig in,’ Draco said, waving a hand over the food.

Hermione took some pancakes and they talked for a while and laughed as they ate. The sun shone in through the window and the birds sang peacefully outside. A brief silence fell over them as they both thought of their wedding.

‘Do you still want to marry me?’ Draco asked, glancing up at her.

‘Yes, of course I do, Draco. Don’t be silly,’ Hermione said, squeezing his hand.

‘Why?’ Draco muttered, before Hermione could say anything he spoke again, ‘should we go then?’

‘Sure.’ Hermione said, holding Draco's hand and they disapparated to the hotel.

‘HERMIONE! WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN!’ Ginny said, frustrated, ‘Your wedding is today and you look... Come on. you need to get ready.’

Ginny grabbed her hand and pulled away. Hermione waved at Draco, hardly getting to glance at him as she was pulled away.

‘Nice to see you too, Ginny,’ Draco shouted after them, rolling his eyes.

‘I'll set Harry on you. You better be ready, I'll come and check your outfit after Hermione,’ Ginny shouted back before pulling Hermione in their room.

------

‘Wow. You look beautiful.’ Hermione's mum exclaimed.

Hermione's relatives had come over for her wedding. They were all happy to see her and Draco. They thought he was a 'very nice young man'. Hermione's Aunt Lisa did her make up and hair since she owned a salon. She put her dress on when her mum walked in, practically crying a she saw her daughter.

‘Mum...’ Hermione whispered, smiling at her as she felt tears start to threaten to drop.

‘Don't you dare cry. Your make up is too pretty.’ Ginny said, coming out the bathroom, wearing her blue bridesmaid dress, ‘I'll check on Draco.’

 ‘I... I can't believe my daughter is getting married!’ Mrs Granger said, taking one of Hermione’s hand as Ginny left them to be alone.

‘I love you, Mum.’ Hermione said, hugging her.

‘And I love you too. This,’ Mrs Granger said, holding up a book, ‘are all the photos and memories I've gathered. I want you to have it.’

‘Oh, Mum, thank you so much,’ Hermione whispered, taking the book and smoothing her hand over the cover.

‘We need to get going, I think everyone is making their way down to the beach.’ Mrs Granger said, wiping away a small tear.

She walked out of the room and Hermione sat on the bed, waiting. After a few minutes her father walked in.

‘Oh, you look beautiful,’ Mr Granger said, walking in, he held an arm out, ‘shall we, ma'am?’

Hermione chuckled and took his arm, they walked out of the hotel. People looked at Hermione as she walked by in her long, white and green dress. Ginny and Harry stood by the hotel door and smiled as she walked to them.

‘Wow!’ Harry exclaimed, his eyes widening, ‘is that you, Hermione?’

‘Shut up, Harry!’ Hermione muttered, turning red and laughing.

‘Okay, so Harry and I go first then you guys.’ Ginny said as they walked down to the beach.

Hermione's mouth opened as she looked at the decorations. The entrance was grand. It was a white arch and blue and white flowers were entwined in it. She peered inside to see chairs with blue ribbons and the raised platform had tons of small hearts decorating it.