Remain Nameless

Chapter 49

"Narcissa Malfoy is my future mother-in-law."

Ginny made her say it out loud three times in succession and found it increasingly hilarious each time Hermione finished that preposterous sentence.

Ginny, self-dubbed maid-of-honor, launched herself into the midst of Hermione's wedding planning for the Muggle ceremony with surprising zeal. Certainly more enthusiasm than she'd shown her own wedding to Harry, wherein she'd handed the planning over to a more-than-willing Molly and made statements like "I've never heard the term 'serviette' in my life and I certainly don't care about its shape, size, or color, just someone make sure Harry is at the end of the aisle."

Hermione strongly suspected her wedding to Draco served as an excellent excuse for Ginny to leave baby James in Harry's care for a few hours every now and then. Ginny and Jean got along like a house on fire, and when Molly also showed enthusiasm for lending help with planning the Muggle ceremony, Hermione found herself surrounded by three overly excited women who asked her seemingly simple questions that somehow required very specific answers.

What would the wedding colors be?

"Purple."

Yes, but which shade of purple?

"Oh! Um maybe more of a blue-ish purple?"

Like a hydrangea?

"That's fine, yes."

Now it's perfectly fine not to have traditional wedding attendants, but how did she envision the procession? Who's responsible for the rings?

"Uh... just me and Mum and Dad? And the rings would just be kept by the officiant?"

What about the music? You can't very well walk down an aisle in silence!

"Something simple, perhaps just a pianist? Or a guitarist?"

Which type of font for the invitations?

"A... um... cursive?"

And the flowers, which would she like in her bouquet? And for Draco's boutonniere? What about floral arrangements for the ceremony arch? And the flowers for the reception tables? Ooh and centerpieces?

"Oh, I suppose... something purple?"

Yes, but which shade of purple?

She often felt like a failure of a bride. She and Draco had already discussed the rather important things ad nauseum, but how was she supposed to muster boundless enthusiasm for colors and flowers and fabrics? Ginny tried to assure her that of course Hermione couldn't fail at being a bride.

"It's easier to be excited over someone else's wedding," shrugged her friend. "Trust me, what you're feeling is completely normal. If you really can't be arsed to form an opinion, just let your mum decide."

With Draco reticent to weigh in on the first ceremony and Jean and Molly all too eager, she took Ginny's expert advice and practiced nodding vigorously while smiling. She ignored the sinking feeling in her stomach at the thought that two Weasleys and zero Malfoys seemed interested in helping Hermione's mother.

Of course, she'd been the one to insist on the additional wedding, but if Draco could have a reaction other than to cough awkwardly or demur and sputter every time she voiced a question or asked his opinion it'd be much appreciated.

"So, how was the engagement dinner?"

Hermione huffed out a laugh and checked her mother was sufficiently embroiled in a discussion on centerpieces with Molly.