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“You look beautiful Tori.” Daphne said softly, tears filling her eyes.
Her little sister Astoria looked at herself in the mirror and beamed, “Do you think he’ll like it? I know the dress is more traditional than what is currently in fashion, but I just wanted everything to be perfect when I finally get to marry him!”
Daphne choked back a sob, watching how absolutely happy her sister was in this moment.
Her sister who was shy and soft, who had spent most of her life sick and bedridden with a blood curse, had finally come out of her shell. Despite her many health issues as a child, she was finally better. The Curse wasn’t gone but it was dormant.
With her sister’s health on the mend, their parents had insisted that she marry, and had invoked the Malfoy family betrothal contract.
Daphne had been apprehensive, she had advised her parents against it, because she knew Draco and he would never marry Tori.
But her parents wouldn’t hear a word against it, and her sister seemed so happy with their choice that Daphne kept her mouth shut.
Oh how she wish he hadn’t because Tori was actually in love and couldn’t wait to get married.
She was incandescent in this moment.
Daphne wanted to scream, knowing that she was about to be the one to deliver the news that would utterly crush her sweet little sister.
It was unbearable.
Just a moment longer. Let her be blissfully happy for a moment longer and then I’ll tell her, she thought.
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“You look beautiful Mione” Ginny said beaming at her best friend.
Hermione looked in the mirror adjusting a few unruly curls and said softly, “Thanks Gin. I can’t believe we actually made it to this point. I get to marry my person.”
Ginny was surprised that Hermione looked so calm sitting there in this suite waiting to walk down the aisle. She guessed finally getting to marry the love of her life would have that effect. It hadn’t always been easy for Hermione and her soon to be husband, they’d had so many obstacles to overcome, but now after years of dating in secret, they were both finally free. And they weren’t wasting a single moment by being apart.
Looking at Hermione all calm and glowing with happiness, she couldn’t hold back tears from forming in her eyes as she took in what Hermione had said: Her person.
And he really was. He’d sacrificed his life as he knew it for her. It was beyond romantic.
If anyone deserves happiness and unconditional love, it’s Hermione, my strong resilient friend that everyone counts on, who never asks for anything in return.
Ginny couldn’t find words to describe how happy she was for her Hermione.
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“Tori, darling. Can you come here for a moment, theres something I need to tell you.” Daphne said patting the seat beside her.
Her sister was fiddling with her hair and said, “Can’t it wait Daph? I’m about to get married!”
It was unbearable to watch. Her sweet sister was so oblivious in her happiness that she hadn’t noticed the lack of any other wedding activities. There were no decorations, no caterers, no guests. Nothing.
Daphne sighed and when she spoke her next words, she couldn’t quite hide the tremor in her voice, “That’s what I want to talk to you about Tori. The wedding…” she hesitated before gathering her courage to continue, “the wedding is cancelled Tori. Draco isn’t coming… he found a way to break the betrothal contract. H-he got married yesterday.”
Tori didn’t react for so long, Daphne thought she hadn’t been listening at all. But when she replied her voice was cool, “That’s not funny Daphne, in fact it’s really cruel to joke about something like that! How could you!”
Taking a deep breath Daphne continued, unable to contain her sorrow, “I’m so, so sorry Tori, but I’m not lying. Gods how I wish I was lying. I’d do anything to shield you from this.“
The tears she had been holding back were falling freely now, “Mother and Narcissa both know, they asked me to be the one to tell you.”
Tori was standing there in the corner of the grand suite, looking like a statue, all color drained from her lovely delicate face.
Her next words were barely a whisper and completely shattered Daphne’s heart.
“Why…? Why would he do that? He married someone else? I thought- why Daphne? why did he do this to me? I thought I was finally enough for someone… Is it because of the blo- the curse that he doesn’t want me?”
The shock finally seemed to wear off and she was sobbing now.
Daphne rushed to her sister and hugged her tightly, she wished she could take away the pain.
Damn Draco Malfoy to hell.
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“Hermione darling, come here for sec!” Ginny called, she hated to interrupt Hermione when she was having fun, enjoying her wedding and being a bride, but she had promised that big prat that she would do this.
Hermione was in the middle of what looked like a lively conversation with her brother Charlie and Blaise Zabini of people, but allowed Ginny to lead her away to the conservatory, where said prat was waiting for her with a private surprise.
They had decided to do a magical bonding ceremony, which ment that they didn’t get to do their own vows.
Something she knew Hermione was sa about not being included.
Opening the door to the conservatory Hermione gasped as they spotted her husband standing before a flower arch filled with Gentle Hermiones and a muggle minister.
“Go ahead” Ginny whispered and nudged her forward. When Hermione reached her husband, he took her hand and said, “I love you so much darling, let’s get married again.”
Ginny watched Hermione’s face and she looked confused but also like she would burst with love, “Draco… wh-what is going on?”
“I know we agreed to a bonding ceremony. But I also know you, love. I know you miss your parents and wish we could’ve incorporated your heritage more to honor them,” he gestured to the muggle minister, who smiled at them, “I love you so much Hermione, I will work for the rest of my life to give you the world. I know you worry about what I’ve had to give up, but you’re more than worth it to me. You’re my life, my soul and my heart. You’re enough and I’ll love you for as long as I breathe.” He said voice cracking on the last word.
And for the first time Ginny truly understood why Hermione had risked it all for him.
Damn Draco Malfoy, he was good.