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A Second Glance by sammm
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Format: Novel
Chapters: 33
Word Count: 132,466
Status: WIP

Rating: Mature
Warnings: Strong Language, Mild Violence, Scenes of a Mild Sexual Nature, Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme

Genres: Drama, Romance, Angst
Characters: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Narcissa, Krum, Draco, Pansy, Ginny, Blaise (M), OC
Pairings: Draco/Hermione, Draco/Pansy, Harry/Ginny, Hermione/Krum, Ron/Lavender

First Published: 02/14/2007
Last Chapter: 11/26/2008
Last Updated: 11/26/2008

Summary:
Banner | silv3r_ic3

They had a past, they had a present. One could only hope for a future. Nine years ago, they were torn apart. Now past secrets and experiences are starting to unfold. Will they ever have a happy ending?

Chapter 24: Content: There's No Turning Back Now
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Chapter 22: Content, There’s No Turning Back Now

20 minutes, 56 seconds and she’d be walking down the aisle. She was a nervous wreck, figetting with every aspect of her dress, and most importantly her hair. Her friends had done wonders to her that she never thought imaginable. She felt like pacing, but her friends had her restrained on a chair for her not to ruin her gown.

“Stop moving!” Cried Rebecca.

“I’m sorry, I’m just really nervous.”

“Don’t worry, every bride-to-be gets this so called pre-wedding gitters. I know when I was about to marry Harry, I was a nervous wreck, but everything turned out alright, didn’t it?” Ginny said with a grin.

“Right you are Gin, you and Harry are perfect for each other.”
 “Don’t worry Hermione, everything will turn out alright.” Lavender tried to reassure her, only it made Hermione even feel worse about her self.

Small tears started to graze Hermione’s eyes. This wedding was a sham and she knew it. Marrying Viktor could very well be a mistake she’d regret.

“Oh Hermione, don’t cry, you’ll ruin your makeup.”

“So-rry.” Wiping her tears away, she couldn’t help it.

This was her last day being a Granger, and she didn’t know if she could handle it. Everything was messed up, the guest list was overbooked. They had made last minute changes, and the only person she really wanted to be attending wasn’t coming to the wedding.

She looked out of the room between the curtains to see half of the guests already seated, and Viktor standing there smugly up in front of the aisle. She’d invited her closest friends, and the rest had been all of Viktor’s friends. Rebecca was her maid of honor, she couldn’t decide between Ginny and Rebecca because they’ve both been close friends to her. But because Rebecca had been there for her for so many years she’d agreed that Rebecca was a better choice. Ginny didn’t look heartfelt because she was still part of the wedding as a bride’s maid as well as Lavender. Harry and Ron weren’t part of the wedding, but they would sit in the stands full of guests they didn’t know. Karla was the flower girl, and Dustin after meeting Hermione, she felt he’d be perfect as the ring barrier! She had invited most of her dance class to the wedding, but most had declined. The only people who had accepted were Jade and Laura, plus a few from her advanced class. Blaise was coming as well; he was also Rebecca’s date.

Then her bride’s maid and maid of honor left the room, leaving Hermione to herself. Looking in the mirror, she didn’t look like herself. She just didn’t feel right marrying Viktor. She could see her self looking back, she knew it now, she just wasn’t happy. Not like she was supposed to be on someone’s wedding day.

Her mother walked into the room, fully proud of her daughter. “Oh Hermione, you look so beautiful.” She said warmly, even if she knew she was loosing her daughter.

“Thanks mum.”

“You ready for this? My baby is finally getting married.” Her mother pulled Hermione into a motherly hug.

“I don’t know mum. Am I really ready for this?”

“You can always back out, it’s never too late. If you truly love Viktor then you’ll marry him, if not than it just wasn’t meant to be.” Sarah said, in a sincere voice.

Bradley Granger soon followed into the room; he was to walk his daughter down the aisle. “Ah Hermione, you look beautiful.” He said pulling his daughter also into a hug.

She wouldn’t be their baby anymore. She’d grown up into a women over the years and was about to be married to someone. She’d start her own family. He was going to miss her, but he knew he had to let her go. He’d always supported his daughter’s decision no matter how wrong or indifferent it was. Hermione had to learn her mistakes for her self, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t guide her on the way. He loved his daughter, and this was her moment.

“Ready for this?” He said, taking her arm.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Putting her veil overtop of her hair, ready to face the world; prepared to marry Viktor Krum.

XXX



“You know as vell as I do, that once this vedding is over Viktor, there’s no more sneaking around.” Voiced one of his buddies; and best man.

“Don’t vorry about that Hudson, everything’s under control. I got her right vhere I vant her, nothing is going to stop this vedding from happening.”

“So you’ll considering coming out then, even if the vife doesn’t suspect a thing?”

“But of course, what makes you think I’d stop, even if I did have a vife.”

“Yep, same old Viktor, you’re the man I tell you.”

“Why thank you.” Checking his watch, 10 minutes till the wedding started. This was the moment everyone was waiting for, the wizarding world, the family and friends of the bride and groom. This was supposed to be the perfect day, yet everything should have been fine but definitely wasn’t.

Viktor predicted the wedding of the century, almost half the Daily Prophet news reporters had already arrived, and of course Viktor wanted the status of being able to marry one of the famous ‘Golden Trio’ members of the war.

“Tis the day, vhere I get everything I could have ever asked for.”

“What if she backs out?”

“Ha! That’s preposterous; she’s been in love vith me since day one. I highly doubt she’ll back out now.”

“You’re probably right Viktor, just don’t blow this.”

“Trust me; you’ve got nothing to vorry about.”

XXX



“Shit, I’m going to be late. Now are you sure you don’t want to come?” Blaise said, fixing his tie in a hurry.

“I’m positive; this is something I would definitely love to miss.”

“You’re making the biggest mistake of your life Draco by not coming to this wedding.”

“And what could I possibly do Blaise? Would you have me show up at that wedding unannounced, profound my undying love for her, and what?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Even if I do show up, what’s to say she’ll leave Viktor Krum to be with someone she left nine years ago? That’s highly unlikely. She’s marrying him, and nothing I say or do is going to change her mind. Let’s just face it, she doesn’t love me anymore, and I need to move on.”

“You know that’s a lie, you damn well know it. Hermione does love you; everyone can see it but you. But you need to come this wedding, this could be your only chance at happiness.” Blaise said.

“No Blaise, just go, take Jade and hurry up before you really do miss the wedding. I’m sure I’ll hear about her happy ending in the tabloids before the hour is over.”

“I really just don’t know how to get through to you anymore.”

Blaise left the apartment, rushing to the car where Jade sat in the front seat honking. She’d been waiting for the past 10 minutes for her Uncle and father.

“He’s not coming is he?” Jade asked, sadly.

“No sorry Jade, he’s a stubborn mule your father!”

“I know I just wish… I don’t know anymore. I thought that if he came everything will be alright.”

“I know that you think your father belongs with Hermione, we all do, but it’s not our choice, it’s theirs. And…if they want to make a mistake that could ruin the rest of their lives like this then we’re not to stop them.”

“But why can’t we simply object to the wedding?” that had been Jade’s plan all along by coming to this wedding, even if her father didn’t say anything, it didn’t mean she couldn’t.

“No Jade, I don’t want you saying a word at this wedding. Promise?”

She sighed, but agreed. It was for the best even if she truly did disagree with it. “Promise.”

“Nothing’s going to be the same after this day that’s for sure. Come on let’s go before we miss this wedding.”

Driving to the church, this also happened to be nearly five blocks from Draco’s new flat. He was disappointed in his friend, if he loved Hermione that much, he should be going to stop the wedding from happening, and he had every right. Hermione didn’t deserve to be with Viktor everyone knew it but her it seemed. There was nothing he could do; he couldn’t stop the wedding, only Hermione could.

Once they finally found a parking spot in the mild packed church, they found seats in the back of the church. Luckily they got there just in time as the music started to play.

The music was strong and slow, it was peaceful, and something not everyone heard for a long time. They could all admit the chapel was beautifully decorated, along with the money spent towards this event. Everyone important was there. But none of that mattered to Hermione; she didn’t care about publicity, or the fame. She didn’t favor money; she just wanted to be loved for who she was. She only wanted something small; sure she was getting married but she never imagined this.

Karla, as the flower girl, was very petite in her white fluffy dress. She looked like a princess and was happy to walk down the aisle, every step she took, a flower peddle would be placed on the aisle as she walked. Dustin soon followed behind her, even as a four year old, he’d been explained very carefully to carry the rings delicately down the aisle, and he was a smart boy after all. They reached their place and sat in the front, for they were only children and couldn’t stand standing for a period of time- on the bride’s side of the church.

Lavender was the third to walk down the aisle, with one of Viktor’s groomsmen. She had only briefly met him an hour earlier. The walk down the aisle seemed like forever to Viktor, he wanted this wedding to be over with; it wasn’t so much as a sham but more of game of cat and mouse. He had enough money to last a lifetime, so that wasn’t exactly what he was aiming for. Hermione Granger had been an easy prey, convincing her he a shy honorable guy in her eyes in her 4th year. He wrote limited letters to her within the years until she graduated. He’d waited several years for this moment, and nothing would stop him from getting what he wanted now.

Next Ginny came down the aisle with another one of Viktor’s groomsmen. They all looked a like; all came from Bulgaria and couldn’t even speak proper English. It was really hard to tell what they were saying. But they had tried to learn. The walk was slow as each party went to their respected side. As Viktor waited for his best man to walk down the aisle so he could finally see his bride and get married. It couldn’t have possibly taken any longer.

Finally Rebecca and Hudson would be arriving to the front, Rebecca seeing Blaise at the back, gave a slight wave as she walked down the aisle. Now the only people left to walk down the aisle was the bride-to-be and her father. Bradley walked into the room with his head held high, happy to be giving his daughter away, to a well thought-out man. Bradley had disliked Viktor at first when meeting him and had always been wary of him, and still was to this day.

There was always something about Viktor Krum that would somehow make Bradley Granger tick. Only this wasn’t his decision and he was going to stand by his daughter no matter how foolishly her mistake was. He remembered the day when Hermione had brought Draco Malfoy to his home. Draco was so much unlike Viktor is so many ways, and he was well mannered unlike Viktor, who honestly didn’t seem all that frazzled about marrying Hermione in the first place.

In all honestly, that day he’d told Draco that his daughter had been happiest with him, he thought that maybe that would have triggered something. After Draco and his daughter had left, his wife had filled him in on the past between the two. Although he never would have suspected it at first, Draco and his daughter seemed perfect for each other. Only now, he had no control over this wedding anymore. It was Hermione’s choice, it had always been hers.

When Hermione finally reached the front of the church, her father took hold of her arm firmly, and kissed her cheek before handing her to her future husband. Hermione took hold of Viktor’s hand as they both waited the minister’s prayers.

“We are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses to unite Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger in holy matrimony. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.”

As Hermione listened to every word of the minister’s prayer, this marriage didn’t sound anything like it this wasn’t love. She couldn’t remember the last time Viktor had told her he loved her. She didn’t want to do this. Maybe she was too young? That wasn’t it, Ginny and Lavender had both married at an early age and they were blissfully happy. She couldn’t go through with this, this was wrong. She thought about it now as the minister continued his speech. It wasn’t the fact that she wasn’t ready for marriage, she knew she was. But it was in the matter of who she married. She’d always dreamed as a little girl, that a prince would rescue her from a castle from an evil witch and they’d live happily ever after. But this was no fairytale.

“If any person can show just why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” The Minister voiced out.

Hermione awaited anyone who would voice to object. Many of her friends knew deep down that she didn’t belong with Viktor only they never told her afraid of her reaction. They didn’t want to tear her down when she’d been in a ruckus for the past few months.

Hermione wanted to, she wanted to scream that she couldn’t marry Viktor. But her voice just didn’t seem to want to work. Everyone knew this was where the friends and family who didn’t want these people married, for all those believed that Hermione Granger could do better than this man. Harry and Ron were wary to Viktor, as he wasn’t exactly nice to them when first meeting them. Especially Ron, who also was a Quidditch player, and they were apposing teams.

Jade had wanted to yell out, that she didn’t want Hermione to marry Viktor, this wasn’t right. She looked to see the door of the church to see whether or not someone would rush through. But nobody did, the silence in the church told her everything, he wasn’t coming and he wasn’t stopping the wedding from happening. Hermione knew the real reason why she didn’t want to marry Viktor Krum; she was in love with someone else. She had always denied the fact that she forgot about him all those years ago. She fooled herself into thinking that she’d be able to move on, even after everything that had happened. But she couldn’t have him then, and she was sure she couldn’t have him now. They weren’t together anymore, and they would never be.

She wanted to pretend she was the happy bride ready to be married to the ‘love of her life’, but she wasn’t. She wasn’t the slightest bit happy, and she was ruining her chances at happiness. Now that she had her friends back, she didn’t feel as lonely as before, but her heart would never heal. She knew she couldn’t do this, she had loved another for almost 10 years, and couldn’t think of anyone else she’d rather be with. The only man, she thought of for the past few months as he resurfaced back into her life was Draco Malfoy.

The Minister continued his speech as he heard no noise from the church and took that as a sign to continue the wedding. “Viktor, do you take Hermione to be your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Hermione, do you take Viktor to be your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?

“I-….can’t.”

A look of shock came across Viktor’s face, as he didn’t think this was supposed to happen, “What?”

“I’m sorry Viktor, but I just can’t marry you.”

He was angry now, this wasn’t supposed to happen. He was supposed to married already, getting everything he’d ever wanted in life and now it was all her fault. “And vhy the hell not?” He asked in a vicious voice.

Hermione was slightly scared but wouldn’t show it, Viktor didn’t have any right talking to her like that. She knew in some ways of what Viktor was capable of but she’d never seen him this angry before.

“The truth is… I gave my heart away a long time ago, my whole heart, and I never really got it back.”

The church was silent, she wanted to run, she wasn’t going to be getting married, and she needed all the time to find out what she really needed in life. Her emotions were on a rollercoaster making it hard for her to concentrate.

“Do you think I care that you loved someone else in the past? You will marry me, vhether you like it or not.” Viktor said forcefully.


XXX



Draco was a nervous wreck at the moment, the moment he’d been sent the invitation to the wedding of the century was like when his world had crumbled into tiny little pieces. The women, he’d always had dreamed of marrying had moved on. Obviously to someone better, not like him. He left her, his own damn pride and the need to follow pureblood rules diminished every little dream he’d ever hoped at happiness. Why couldn’t he have refused to marry Pansy? It wasn’t like he was completely obligated to her, and the fact that he stay married to her for nine years was an obvious call for desperation to get out. He regretted every day of his life marrying Pansy Parkinson and not being able to be with Hermione.

He tried not to think of her because it was too painful. He regretted so many things in his life he wished he could take back, Jade weren’t one of them. He loved his daughter more than anything, and he would do anything for her except one thing. His daughter had tried repeatedly over the past weeks to try and get him to talk to her about Hermione, try and talk to Hermione herself when he’d go and pick Jade up from Dance Lessons. Draco had not spoken to Hermione since that day. He would never regret kissing her that day. He had meant what he said, he still didn’t think their relationship was completely over until she was married, which in fact was today. That was one of the reasons why he did not want to go to the wedding. He didn’t want to except that it was completely over.

He let his daughter to go the wedding because he knew Hermione wanted her there, and he really didn’t have a reason to refuse Jade from going either. Blaise was attending as Rebecca’s date, they’d been dating for two months already and things were going well for them at the moment. Draco tried to go back into his work promptly but now that there were more workers at his workplace there wasn’t much to do to preoccupy his time anymore. He only moved into a new flat the week before, so he technically had a lot of unpacking to do. He made an errand to return to the Manor only to pick up the remaining of his and Jade’s stuff.

Draco could not concentrate, he did want to be at that wedding objecting, but he couldn’t either. He had other obligations to do but he just couldn’t muster enough energy to get the work done. Finally fed up with trying to get some work done, grabbed his coat and walked out the front door.

The cold air hitting his skin, spring had just arrived, but it was still mildly cold outside still. Oh how he hated this weather. He arrived at a nearby lake near his home, and sat on the grass looking down into the water, trying to relax and collect his thoughts. He didn’t want this marriage to happen, but he wasn’t and couldn’t stop even if he were to leave now. She would be blissfully happy by now, and would start her life. Draco had the day to himself, there was no work involved and once the wedding was over, Jade was going to be taken to Draco’s mother to spend the rest of the weekend there. Once it seemed like he’d been outside for hours, he got up and proceed back into the house, and grabbed something quickly to eat.

He felt like flying would best help him. It was preferably better than Quidditch itself, or so Draco thought anyway. Grabbing his broom from the hall closet and pushing past the back doors, from the house, and took off at amazingly speed. He put an invisibility spell over himself so muggles if by chance were to walk by, Draco didn’t exactly want them seeing someone flying on a broom. The air felt cooler when Draco was on the broom, just riding around the city, in hopes of helping him feel better about himself, and not with the actual loneliness he actually felt.


XXX



“Excuse me? You don’t own me Viktor!” Hermione stated, after getting the shock of her life.

“Oh but I will.”

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t marry you.” Hermione stated again, more sternly. She truly believed that she would never marry Viktor Krum, this day had been a mistake and she wanted nothing more than to leave this church with her friends. A nice tall glass of fire whiskey sounded pretty good at the moment to her. Only god knows this wasn’t her day.

Hermione turned to walk away from the man she was almost about to marry; only he forcefully grabbed her wrist to bring her towards him.

“I will not have to tell you again Hermione, you will marry me.”

“Let me go Viktor!”

“Not until you agree.”

“NO! I told you already, I won’t marry you, I love someone else and that’s never going to change.”

He took his wand out of his pocket unoticed, “Than you leave me no other choice, Ти ще търпя , за my отмъщение е не още завършен.” He shouted, his wand pointed towards her. A light was shot out of his wand, a white shining light hitting Hermione in the chest. He was then restrained and held back by Harry and Ron.

“Touch her again, and you’re dead Krum.” Ron muttered.

Hermione started to run from being ruthlessly grabbed by Viktor, her wrist felt bruised. She’d been practically attacked by a man she once thought she loved. How foolishly could she have been? She was always taught to see the good in every person; even if they were criminals, of course there had always been exceptions such as Voldermort himself and Lucius Malfoy.

“Are you alright Hermione?” Rebecca asked coming to her best friend’s aid.

“Yes, I’m fine now, I- just want to go ho-me.”

“You should probably stay with your parents for now, it’d be best.” Blaise voiced out, standing beside his girlfriend.

Harry and Ron were busy trying to get Viktor Krum to talk about what he had just said to Hermione. They had never trusted him and knew he was up to something the minute they met him.

“I vill not tell you a thing, you have no business here.”

“I think you over estimate our power Krum, we are after all Aurors, and we could just take you to Azkaban if you really want us to?” Harry tempted him.

“That’s not likely to happen gentleman, for I won’t be here for long.”

“What on earth are you referring to?” Ron asked.

All of sudden, a gasp was heard, and for what seemed like only a millisecond, a rush of screams filled through the church halls. Halted to where she had been standing previously, Hermione held her stomach close, gasping for breath.

“Hermione! Hermione what’s wrong?” Rebecca called out to her.

“It hurts, it hurts, so much.” Hermione muttered between gasps at which she felt more pain. This felt worse than the Cruciatus curse. She didn’t understand what was going on.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME VIKTOR?!” Hermione screamed at him, once Viktor’s wand had been forcefully taken away.

“You’ll surely find out my dear, very soon.” Within the instant Viktor Krum had apparated somewhere where no one would find him. He disappeared before the guests of the wedding which was supposed to have taken place already.

“Hermione, what’s happened, what’s going on?” Harry asked, as he came to her side.

“I- I….don’t know.”

“Hermione, you’re bleeding, we need to take you to St. Mungos immediately!”

Author’s Notes: Hermione left Viktor!! At the beginning of the chapter, I kind gave off a vibe that Viktor knows more than he’s telling about the years in between where Hermione was in America, and why he waited 7 years after to persue her. This will be later explained in further chapters. I know you must probably hate me for leaving the chapter like this, and that Draco wasn’t much in this chapter, but he will be in the next. I know you all want Hermione and Draco to get together really soon, so do I, but i figured I’d make it more interesting. HA HA!

That little part at the end you won’t probably get but I had to find the actual translation for it which it is in fact bulgarian and it means, “You will suffer, for my revenge is not yet finished.” Hope that clears up some confusion.

sammm

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