part 23

Hermione was up before everyone, Narcissa was awake as was Molly, Fleur and Ginny. Hermione was panicking, she had received an owl from her florist, saying she couldn't do the flowers for the wedding as she had a family emergency. Hermione was over panicking, the wedding was a week away. They were all sending owls out, using the fireplace as a floo but no luck, no one could do the flowers in a week for such a huge party, and most florists were asleep.

It was Fleur who was lucky, she pulled a tall bald man into the kitchen where they were working from, "Jean de LaAtore, French florist who will be providing the flowers."

"I never said I would..." Jean began.

"You will be," Fleur glared at him and the man cowered. "Good. This is Hermione the bride."

"Nice to meet you," Hermione smiled.

"Pleasure is...all mine," he smiled. "So the flowers?"

Hermione spent the next half an hour explaining what to with the flowers. Jean left after that and Hermione hugged Fleur tightly, "Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome Hermione," she smiled.

"Well I want you to be a bridesmaid for me," Hermione smiled.

"Oh!" Fleur beamed. "I would love to!"

Hermione grinned.

"Twinky," Narcissa smiled. "We will have breakfast now."

They sat and ate, Ginny occasionally closing her eyes. As soon as Harry woke up, him and Ginny left, promising to return for the boxing day party, then one by one the Weasley's left and by late afternoon the house was empty again.

After four in the afternoon, the caterers arrived, the florists, the party planners, they all arrived ready to decorate the halls and the party room. Hermione helped Narcissa and Draco with the set up. She helped the caterers and soon the party hall was transformed. the dancefloor was set up in the centre of the huge hall, towards the left was the entrance, on the right there were chairs and tables and a bar at the front. The dining room was set for everyone to eat after everyone had arrived.

Draco then pulled Hermione into the gardens and kissed her lightly, "I haven't had any alone time with you all day."

Hermione smiled, "Well there's a party to organise!"

"I know," Draco groaned. "At least this year I will have you."

Hermione smiled.

"Our entrance should be good," Draco held her hand as they walked through the garden maze.

"We're...what? Entrance?"

"Yea we walk in, our names announced and you're introduced to everyone," Draco smiled.

Hermione nodded, she was nervous now.

"It'll be fine," Draco tried to reassure her.

"What if I trip?"

"No stairs, you can't trip."

"You have not seen my shoes!" Hermione moaned. "I'm going to mess up."

"You won't," Draco smiled. "Even if you do trip, I'll be there to catch you."

"That doesn't help, I can just imagine you bursting into laughter," Hermione pouted.

Draco suppressed a laugh, "I would never..."

"You want to laugh now!"

Hermione started to walk off when Draco pulled her back, "You will be fine. Relax."

Before she could argue, he kissed her gently.

"We better get ready, starts in an hour and we make an entrance forty five minutes after the start," Draco smiled as they began to walk back.

Hermione nodded, "Ok." I am so going to make a fool of myself.

"You're not," Draco said.

"Will you stop using legitimacy on me?" Hermione warned.

"Sorry," Draco replied. "But you'll be fine, trust me."

"But..."

"Trust me," Draco repeated.

"Fine," Hermione sighed in defeat as she entered her room and he entered hers.

She took a shower, she put her make up on and finally the black dress. It was an elegant ball gown. It had a feminine mermaid silhouette with under skirt netting to create volume. It was strapless, with small silver gems around the neckline. Around her waist there was a thin black lacy belt, which could only be noticed when someone was in close proximity.

Hermione was nervous and soon the time came when Draco arrived. She quickly gave her hair a flick with her wand, and the frizz disappeared. She looked at Draco who was just watching her from the doorway.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"You're missing one thing," he said stepping forward and handing her a box.

Hermione opened it, there was a silver chain and on it a pendant shaped like a butterfly. The butterfly covered in diamonds.

"It was my grandmother's. In her will she left it to me to give to my wife," Draco smiled as he took the necklace out of the box.

"It's beautiful," Hermione whispered as Draco put it on her. "I love it."

Draco smiled offering her his arm which she took as they headed downstairs. Hermione kept touching the small pendant and smiling. The smile disappeared as they neared the entrance. Draco stopped her and kissed her lightly. He smiled down at her before they both heard his mum's voice.

"Ladies and Gentlemen I think you all know my son Draco Malfoy, well today I would like to introduce you to his fiancée, Hermione Granger," Narcissa said as Draco led her into the doorway.

Everyone was clapping politely, she recognised many people as they headed into the party. After a while the clapping stopped and Draco introduced her to a few people. She smiled at everyone, she could have sworn she felt someone watching her again. She shook off the feeling as everyone sat for dinner. She sat beside Draco.

"Wasn't so bad was it?" Draco asked referring to the entrance.

"No, you were right," Hermione sighed.

"Sorry, what?" Draco smirked.

"You were right," Hermione repeated.

Draco continued to grin throughout the dinner, then during desert he slowly whispered, "You look beautiful tonight."

Hermione smiled, "Thank you." He was in complete black and she had to admit he looked really good. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Draco smirked, "I know I look good."

Hermione smiled, she was used to this and in a good way.

"One week," Draco said softly to her.

Hermione nodded, "One week."

"Dreading it?"

"Yep," Hermione joked.

"Me too," Draco teased.

They all finished their dinner and headed back into the party hall. The music began as did the dancing. Hermione was pulled aside by Ginny who was glowing.

"You look gorgeous," Hermione said, the red head was dressed in a beautiful gold gown.

"Not as gorgeous as you!" Ginny smiled.

"I was so nervous about tonight," Hermione admitted.

"Why?"

"Because all eyes would be on me and Draco and...I was just nervous," Hermione confessed.

"Aww bless, you're fine and you look hot, nerves are gone right?"

Hermione nodded, "I think I might need to powder my nose."

"Want me to come with you?" Ginny asked.

"No, I don't get lost in the Manor now," Hermione grinned as she waved at Ginny, she left the room and entered the downstairs bathroom. After fixing her makeup she walked down one of the hallways when someone came out of the shadows, from behind her.

"Hermione," a familiar voice said.

Hermione turned, "Viktor?"

There in front of her was Viktor Krum, looking as handsome as ever.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Good thanks," she replied. "You? What have you been up to?"

"Same as before, Quidditch mainly."

Hermione smiled as they walked back to the party room. Her and Viktor stood and talked for a bit before Draco interrupted, "Hermione, may I have this dance?"

Hermione smiled, she noticed Draco glaring at Viktor, "Yes. Excuse me Viktor."

Viktor smiled as Hermione headed to the dancefloor with Draco who held onto her tightly.

"I'm not going anywhere," she said to him.

"What?" he asked.

"You're holding on really tightly," she replied.

"Oh," he loosed his grip.

"You okay?"

"Fine."

"Draco what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, Hermione watched him as his eyes drifted to Viktor Krum.

"Oh," Hermione sighed.

"What?"

"You're jealous."

"Of?"

"Viktor. Well me talking to Viktor," Hermione smiled. "Don't worry you have nothing to be jealous about."

"I am not jealous of that! Why would I be jealous?"

"Oh, I thought you might be jealous because he's gorgeous, smart, strong, an international Quidditch player..." Hermione smirked as Draco began to glare at her.

"You and him, you're just friends right?" Draco asked.

Hermione grinned, "Yes."

"Even though he's good looking, smart and what ever else you said?" Draco asked. Hermione noted he looked very venerable.

"Yes," Hermione replied. "He may be hot but you're hotter, much more handsome, smarter, cuter, and a better kisser. You're all I need."

Draco smirked, his hands know playing with the lace belt, "You're amazing."

"I know," Hermione replied.

"I can't wait to marry you."

"I can't either."

"Less then a week," Draco smiled. "Just a few days."

Hermione smiled her biggest smile of the day.