Thank you so much for your continual support and enthusiastic reviews. I love to read them after a busy day at school!

BlackRosePosion-Orchid: No, I'm afraid I'm not a huge fan of rugby, not a huge fan of any contact sports! But I believe if I had to pick a team, it would be the Crusaders (they seem to be good from what I hear) great to know another Auckalander is reading!

This is the concluding chapter so please enjoy!

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March 19th dawned a spectacular spring day, the sun shone brightly down on the people below, its warmth seeping through to every corner of Malfoy grounds.

House elves had been up since early hours of the morning aiding the caterers in their preparations.

Draco had been in a room near the west wing for the night and was grateful of Harry's presence even though he would never openly admit it.

He had awoken while it was still dark, heard the noise of many hushed voices outside his window and realised he wouldn't be able to sleep any longer. Throughout the morning, he didn't open his curtains, knowing he will see the gardens transformed into their wedding grounds.

Harry had arrived by Floo in his room around seven, dressed and smiling. "How do you feel mate?" He asked, brushing ash off his suit.

Draco had given him a lopsided grin "I feel like I'm about to be sick."

"I think that's normal." Harry laughed, settling himself on a chair by the fire. "You'll come out of this a man with a purpose."

"Are you going to preach to me?" Draco sat in the chair opposite him, a note playful challenge in his voice.

Harry chuckled "No, I wouldn't dare."

They shared the next few hours, talking and eating. Harry forced Draco to eat a slice of toast and drink a cup of tea to calm him.

He saw that despite trying to keep a calm demeanour, Draco Malfoy was probably more scared than he'd ever been in his life. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out for the cup; his eyes shifted from the clock to the curtained window and back to the clock several times.

"Looking at the time every three seconds won't make it move any faster." He teased, trying his best to lighten the atmosphere.

"Who says I want it to go faster?" Draco shot back, quickly regaining his composure.

Harry wondered how Hermione was feeling, he had told Cho to keep her company but no doubt, his best friend would want to oversee everything and make sure that the setting was perfect, down to the last blade of grass.

"This means a lot to us." Harry said quietly.

"This marriage?" Draco inquired, drawing his eyes once again away from the clock on the mantle.

Harry nodded "The fact that you're there for Hermione."

"Oh." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"We never really got on at Hogwarts," here Draco gave him a pointed look "alright, we hated each other. But you've done a great good for Hermione, and personally, it's enough for me to forget our past."

Draco considered his words for a moment, knowing how he and Harry had become friends. He had done it all for her, hadn't he? But no, that would be wrong.

He had done it for himself too. When he was younger, he used to wonder if the only thing to life was serving Voldemort; he had discovered that it wasn't. His ingrained beliefs had refused to accept it and since he had changed sides, he had wanted confirmation that there was more to life.

That's what he got when Hermione entered his life; something to live for, and now with their marriage, a purpose in life. His friendship with Harry had sprouted from the fact he faced everyday that he had no friends.

Being called 'mate' was something new to him of late; he enjoyed it. He had reasons for everything he had done since his decision to change sides during the war.

"I hope she doesn't decide she doesn't want to go through with it." He said dryly.

Harry laughed "Don't be so negative, she's probably bubbling with excitement right now."

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"I want it straight!" Hermione yelled for the tenth time that morning. She was sitting before an elaborate dressing table littered with make up and hair potions.

Her hairdresser who had been highly recommended by Ginny, had been trying to tell her that she looked most stunning with curly hair and shouldn't have it straightened.

Cho had been with her since early that morning and tried hard to be diplomatic but it was proving fruitless.

"I assure you, your hair is most becoming when it is curly; it's also natural." The hairdresser continued to say, smiling sweetly.

Hermione huffed "I'll do it myself if you won't."

Immediately she bent over Hermione's head and picked up a bottle of thick, clear liquid to straighten Hermione's hair.

"Thank you." Hermione sighed, knowing she wasn't thanking her for anything.

Cho smiled slightly "Calm down Hermione, everything will be perfect."

"I am quite calm Cho." Hermione assured her; inside her was a tumbling mass of butterflies.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"No thank you."

Cho held a cup out to her anyway "You should have something to drink."

Reluctantly, Hermione took the cup and sipped it. She looked down at her billowing dress and felt slightly better.

"Remember to breathe when you're out there." Cho laughed.

Hermione shot her a glare but she too soon dissolved into laughter. "It'll be on my to-do list."

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In a cleared area beside the lake, a large platform had been placed before hundreds of cushioned chairs.

Through the centre was a wide aisle bordered with tall arches decorated with flying red and silver ribbons. The gentle breeze that swept through the grounds ruffled the petals of hundreds of white and red roses that lined the edges of the platform.

There was an enchanted wall of water that would hide Hermione before she began her walk down the aisle.

Ron had been at the Manor for two hours, supervising the arrangement of tables and seats in the dinning hall. He had never been inside the grand room before; Hermione told him that they had never used it before.

It was huge, nearly as big as the Great Hall at Hogwarts. The sounds of caterers and house elves hurrying around echoed against the high ceiling. Hermione had instructed that all enchantments be lifted from the ceiling and the natural light of the day be allowed in.

He gazed up now, seeing blue skies and brilliant sunshine. In front of him were an uncountable number of tables covered in white silk table cloths with gold trim. Sparkling sets of china ware were set before each cushioned chair and silver cutlery which had been painstakingly chosen by Hermione one winter afternoon.

An area near the front of the hall had been left clear for dancing afterwards, a small orchestra was already setting up as he stood watching them.

"Is everything going well in the kitchens?" He asked a passing house elf.

"Oh yes sir." It told him, nodding enthusiastically. "Everything is going as planned."

Ron nodded and stepped outside to overlook and decorating. Some early guests were already milling around and waved at him in greeting. He saw that they were satisfied with the wine and non-alcoholic punch that had been supplied.

Padma was showing the minister to his place and had a pleasant smile on her face as he tottered over to the platform.

When all of the five hundred guests had arrived, he led them to their seats and told Padma to get Draco; the time was drawing near.

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Draco nearly fell out of his seat when someone knocked on the door. Harry fought down a laugh and answered it.

"Padma." She smiled "Is everything alright?"

Padma was dressed in a pretty pale blue gown that reached her ankles and a white shawl wrapped securely around her shoulders. She flashed perfectly white teeth in Harry's direction "Yes everything is perfect. It's time for Draco to come out."

Harry heard a shaky exhale behind him but when he turned around, Draco's mouth was set in a firm line and he appeared to have total control of the situation.

"You look wonderful Draco." Padma beamed.

Draco nodded slightly but otherwise said nothing. He felt that if he opened his mouth he would throw back the breakfast Harry had forced him to eat.

Harry clapped Draco on the shoulder on the way out, an unusual action but appreciated none the less.

"How are you holding up?" Padma inquired as they made their way down a flight of stairs.

Draco swallowed "Just great." She laughed at his sarcasm.

"It's a perfect day, I'm sure it will be perfect." He said nothing but smiled shakily in her direction.

All this excitement was making him queasy.

"Just wait here." She said when they were at the platform.

Draco looked around and nodded his head at a few business associates who had come and waved at Barry. The red and silver arches were picture perfect; he knew Hermione would be pleased.

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Hermione was standing at the door to her room with a dozen or so other women running around madly for last minute preparations. She stood calmly near the door, breathing deeply and trying to ignore the bustle of activity around her.

"They're drooping." Cho waved a hand in the direction of Hermione's flowers.

Ginny hurried over, wand in hand "Oh they'll be fine, just a moment." She waved her wand and the flowers in Hermione's hand which had begun to wither sprung up and released the sweet scent of pollen.

"I think we're ready." Cho looked around. Her and Ginny were the only bridesmaids and were dressed in identical gowns of green and gold silk.

"We should go then." Hermione said calmly. The hairdresser and make up people left with wishes of luck and she felt herself smiling in return. She was getting married.

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Draco held his breath when the orchestra began to play. Their notes soared up into the sky and spread through the crowd like ripples through a lake.

To his left, a family of swans who had recently made the lake their home, were drifting closer to him as though coming to watch as well.

Out from behind a large wall of water, Ginny and Cho appeared. Everyone was standing up but on the platform he could see them clearly.

They wore beautiful gowns that wrapped around their frames, he could see the silky gold under layer swishing at their feet. Hermione had chosen well.

As they progressed under the arches, soft white and red petals began to fall in their wake. They both smiled at him as they ascended the steps and stood on the opposite side of the platform to him. He didn't know if he smiled back.

When she came out from the curtain of water, he felt a sensation he had never experienced before. It seemed as though his heart had jumped into his throat.

She was dressed in an exquisite pearly white gown that billowed out and matching white shoes that could be seen as she stepped out and onto the path of petals.

He couldn't make out her features behind the veil but hoped very much she was smiling.

Everyone was in awe at the beauty of the ceremony and Hermione's dress. He was in awe.

The vows they took passed in a blur, he felt himself saying the words and saw her lips curve upwards behind her veil. An unmistakable joy spread through him as he slipped the ring onto her soft fingers.

When she lifted her veil he knew he was grinning like a mad-man, but for once, he didn't give a damn what anyone thought.

Their lips met with a flash of lightning; or it felt that way at least. He couldn't help but lean in for more. In the distance he heard loud cheering and clapping.

She was grinning up at him when they broke away and stood, basking in the joy of the moment. 'Nothing could ever compare to this' He thought.

"Are you hungry?" She whispered into his ear.

He laughed, finding the situation incredibly funny. She laughed with him and placed another kiss on his lips, silencing his loud rumbling chuckles.

"I'm starving." He whispered back, smiling against her lips.

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The ball room was the cause of much chatter during the wedding reception. The bright sunshine streaming down onto the hundreds of silk covered tables and glittering tableware.

Hermione, Draco, Harry, Cho, Ron, Padma and Ginny sat on the largest table with Barry, Bianca and Anthony who had brought his girlfriend, Melissa. There was a lot of chatter as everyone was seated and many came to the main table to send their congratulations.

When all the guests were finally seated, Anthony stood and cleared his throat. The hall fell into silence.

"Well," He began "I'm Anthony, best man. Draco and I haven't known each other long, but we don't need to be life-long friends for me to know that this is the best day of his life."

A swell of understanding laughter spread through the hall and it soon fell silent once more.

"It really is an honour for me to be here as best man and see how many of you have come to celebrate this new stage of my friends' life. On the quiddich pitch, we're labelled the 'best in the world' and in the office, Draco is the 'stern boss you don't mess with', but here, in this hall sitting with his new wife, Draco Malfoy is a loving husband who is caring, friendly and everything his pride won't let him admit."

More laughed while Draco's cheeks were tinged with pink. Hermione held his hand and smiled.

"And the crazy woman that agreed to marry him?" Anthony grinned down at Hermione "She's the bravest person I will ever know; not just because she married Draco here. She fought in a war, she saved hundreds of lives, she suffered her own personal losses, but she's still here and knows that she can still find happiness after the dark years of the war."

Many murmured their agreement and Hermione received many smiles across the hall.

"I'm haven't been around for a long time, but I know that Hermione is the best person for Draco, they're matched in stubbornness and intellect which will keep them occupied for years to come. All I'm trying to say is, this couple we came to see married today are two different worlds coming together to find peace and happiness; I wish you two can enjoy the rest of your lives with each other in bliss."

Applause filled the hall, Hermione wiped a tear from her eye with the napkin and gave Anthony a watery smiled in thanks.

Draco nodded slightly to a house elf in the corner and immediately the first course appeared before everyone. He took a moment to look around, everyone was eating and smiling.

He glanced down at Hermione who was apparently doing the same as him. She turned to him suddenly and her eyes were filled with an intriguing sincerity.

She leaned closer to him and he bent his head to hear her quiet words "My parents, they would have loved you."

He stared at her, she stared back for a moment before smiling softly.

Draco leaned in the kissed her deeply, he tasted forgiveness and devotion.

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Ta da! Wow that was incredible! That's it, 'Post war relations' is over. I must extend a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed. This has been a fantastic story to write and I have had a great time thanks to all your enthusiastic reviews!

If anyone is interested, inspiration for Malfoy Manor came from an image I saw of Moszna Palace in Poland (you can google it) which once belonged to the German Tiele-Winckler familiy. It's is fantastic and looks just like I imagined Malfoy Manor would be.

I appreciate every review I've received, I'd like to extend a special thanks to Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, OneWhiteTulip, White-Pink-Fluffy-Strawberriez, Chrissy8887779999, ProwlingKitkat, KandyGurl4, nikpik, seldom darling, glitterglow, and imagine I was a star.

If you're all keen, I'm thinking of writing a sequel. This has been great (if a little distracting) so I'd like to know how everyone feels about a sequel.

Once again THANK YOU for your support throughout this story, it's made it an enjoyable experience!