Disclaimer: I own nothing but the storyline.

This story was originally published in January 2012 and subsequently abandoned in October 2012. As of March 2018, existing chapters are undergoing a minor rewrite with no plot changes, primarily just switching from first person to third before I go back to finish the rest of the story.

Prologue

Grey eyes flit around the crowded room once more, searching for someone, anyone, they knew. The results were the same as the first five times he'd repeated the exercise: Several people he recognized from Hogwarts or the Ministry, but no one he would consider to be a friend. He didn't know why he would expect it to be any different. It wasn't as if there were many people he considered to be friends to begin with and those that he did certainly wouldn't be in a place like this.

Why was he here anyway?

Oh, right. Because she asked him to come.

Two months he'd been working in her department and out of nowhere she blurts out the invitation:

"You should come to my wedding."

Well, he was here, wasn't he? He decided he'd stay for the ceremony, then duck out before the reception. He could do that much. It wasn't as if anyone wanted him there anyway.

As he thought the words, he could feel the eyes burning into him. He'd tried to slip in quietly and find a seat at the very back of the room to avoid notice, but if the glare he was receiving from the groom was any indication, he'd failed miserably.

Frankly, he was still stunned that he'd been able to come inside at all, but he guessed churches only kept out demons, not former death eaters, though if you asked him, he wouldn't have been able to tell you the difference.

The music changes and he watches as the wedding party enters, first a small boy carrying the rings. He looked on in amazement as his hair seemed to shift from blonde to brown before his very eyes. Behind him is the flower girl, a very young child with long blonde hair. He recognizes her immediately as the daughter of the female triwizard champion from fourth year. The french girl. He was never very good with names. The girl is soon followed by two bridesmaids in dark blue dresses, one with red hair, the other a blonde.

The music changes again and everyone rises. Because of his position in the back row, he's right next to the double doors as they swing open to reveal the bride. His breath catches in his throat.

She's stunning.

She catches his eye and smiles before beginning her slow walk down the aisle. She's walking by herself. From what she's told him at work, he knows that her parents are still missing even though it's been six years since the war ended.

As she joins the groom at the front of the room, the audience resumes their seats and the minister begins his speech. It's the usual speech, the same one you hear at almost every wedding, the same one that would be said at his own wedding in six months' time.

He reaches the part about objections and everyone holds their breath. It's always the most interesting part of the ceremony. The anticipation. Will anyone speak up? Of course, they never do, but it's still fun to wonder.

Then something happens. He hears a few gasps from the front of the room and looks up to see a girl in the fourth row has stood up. He recognizes her from Hogwarts. Her name was something ridiculous. Two colors put together or something like that. Lavender Brown. That was it.

Everyone waits with bated breath to hear what she's going to say. It seems to take hours, but in reality, it's probably only been five seconds since she stood.

"Because I'm pregnant with his child."

Well, that was certainly unexpected.

The room is silent for a moment, then chaos erupts. He sees the maid of honor, the Weaslette...Winnie? No. That wasn't quite right. Ginny. That was it. He watches as she decks her brother in the face. If the blood pouring down his dress robes is any indication, she certainly packs a good punch.

In the pandemonium that follows, Draco Malfoy is the only one who notices the train of the bride's gown whipping out of sight around the door next to him.

He slips out after her.

AN: This is just the prologue. The official chapter 1 will be up shortly depending on the response I get to this.

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