Draco clapped, along with the rest of the crowd as Charlie and Pansy were announced as Lord and Lady Parkinson for the first time.

Pansy beamed at her husband, who was clearly as besotted as she was.

Hermione anticipated the reception with equal parts dread and hope. She knew that Pansy's mother was being escorted to the venue by an Auror, as he presence was required to complete the conditions of the cursed bracelet. She was being held in the Ministry while she awaited trial for deliberately cursing Pansy, and cooperating with Death Eaters to resurrect Bellatrix.

Molly Weasley was looking forward to the reception. She had become fond of the sharp-tongued girl who had captured Charlie's heart, and would not tolerate any disrespect on such an occasion. As Lord and Lady Parkinson, neither Charlie nor Pansy could physically or magically harm Posy without repercussions. Fortunately, others were not so restricted.

Pansy herself had been blunt when discussing her mother with Arthur and Molly. She had declared, "My mother is an uncaring bitch. She will go out of her way to ruin the wedding, just to bring attention to herself. Feel free to hex her if she steps out of line; as long as you don't end up in Azkaban because of it."

Posy Parkinson did not disappoint. Pansy had taken two steps into the reception hall when a shrill voice rang out;

"Is that the best you could do?"

Draco rolled his eyes; she was too predictable.

"Go away, Mother," Pansy said coldly, "I can feel the bracelet loosening already. As Lady Parkinson, I banish you from the family and remove you from all our vaults."

Posy Parkinson began to rant, and the Auror had to hold her back to stop a physical assault.

Hermione watched Molly move forward with intent; though her daughter was faster.

The sharp crack of an open palm slapping against a fleshy cheek echoed through the room.

"I have to wash my hand now!" Ginny complained, "Your brand of stupid could be contagious."

Draco couldn't even tell who cast the Silencing spell; he was simply happy that someone did. Molly stepped forward, and the sight of the witch who had killed Bellatrix made Posy close her mouth.

"With a psychotic bitch of a mother like you, I am impressed that Pansy turned out as well as she did. Clearly, her father shielded her from becoming a pathetic bully like you. I'm proud to call her my daughter-in-law!"

Pansy blinked rapidly, a sign that she was close to tears. The bracelet slipped off her wrist and landed on the floor with a heavy clunk.

"She's a great sister!" Ginny added proudly.

"The curse has been lifted," the Auror observed, "The prisoner can return to her cell."

"Goodbye to bad rubbish," Ron agreed with his usual tact.

"As eloquent as ever," Draco mused, "How is Daphne going to take you out in public, Weasley?"

"She'll have to take lessons from Hermione," Ron retorted with a grin, "It will be easy once she finishes extracting all the Prat traits."

"Then you will have to master toilet training," Draco continued, "You'll need to propose before Daphne finds out how badly you snore."

"I do not!"

"You do," Harry interrupted, "Like a chainsaw."

"What's a chainsaw?"

Hermione pushed Draco toward her two friends with instructions to get her a drink of something non-alcoholic. She smiled at the three of them fondly as their bickering continued.

The connection to her mate had strengthened enough to feel his emotions at the periphery of her own. She could feel his contentment like a warm hug.
Her life had changed since Draco arrived at the Burrow injured and unconscious, and Hermione did not regret it for a minute.