The day of Draco's wedding had arrived.

And, just like on the morning of the christening, I woke up and vomited everywhere.

After one final wistful roam around my flat, I locked up and closed the door for the last time.

It was utter chaos when our team arrived at Peverell Manor, never had a wedding had so much anticipation as this one; the paparazzi lined the streets outside, although luckily none were permitted inside.

The morning was spent in a craze; the kitchen working furiously to prep and cook as wonderful smells drifted up and filled the entire manor.

I was kept busy in the kitchen, overseeing the staff and their tasks. I couldn't help but constantly glance up at the clock, knowing the time that guests were to arrive to oversee the nuptials was getting closer and closer.

Draco and Bambi were to exchange vows under a marquee set out on the sweeping lawns of the manor's impressive grounds. We were to quietly set up the canapés on the tables provided just outside of it whilst the ceremony was going on, so that when they exited the tent as man and wife, the buffet would be ready for them to tuck straight into.

I had a visitor not long before things got underway; someone who had some inclination of what I was going through.

"Hey Blaise," I smiled sadly as I allowed him to envelope me in a hug.

This gesture between us spoke volumes; it was not something I had ever invited before, but today was different. Today we were commiserating and not only that; we were also saying goodbye.

"You will look after yourself won't you, Weasley?" He murmured, looking at me carefully as we broke apart.

"I think you know by now that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself," I muttered wryly.

"Yeah, you're tough, I'll give you that," he chuckled good naturedly. "I just wish I had your strength." He paused, his demeanour suddenly dropping. "You think I'm a fool, don't you?"

"You've gotta do what've you gotta do, Blaise," I sighed heavily. "Just... just don't destroy yourself. No one is worth that."

"I am sorry about dragging you into all of this, Weasley, I really, truly am." The sincerity of his voice and the remorseful way he looked at me told me he really was, at least. "And the way I treated you; I was a selfish dick."

"Yeah, you were a complete fucktard," I agreed, not arguing in the slightest. "But you know what? I forgive you."

"You do?" He asked, his eyes widening at me in surprise.

"Yeah, I do, Blaise." I said, smiling amusedly at his expression, "There are some things in life you've just got to let go of, and besides, I know you were only doing it in your own pathetically desperate way."

"I'm going to miss you and your bluntness, Weasley," he chuckled softly, looking at me sadly.

Finding I was suddenly feeling too choked to reply, I instead held open my arms and we exchanged one last fierce hug before he left to go and join Draco and the other guests in the marquee.

The wait of the bride's anticipated arrival had begun.

I tried to busy myself with the checking and double checking of the rows and rows of canapés ready to go out, trying to ignore the slow torturous twisting of my heart.

"She's here!" One of the waitress' squealed excitedly as she came bounding into the kitchen.

Excited chatter instantly filled the kitchen as the staff all gathered by the large French windows which overlooked the grounds; giving us a distinct view of the huge white marquee.

We watched, waiting for Bambi to appear. Our cue to take the food down to the waiting tables would be from the moment she enters the tent.

"You don't have to come down with us," Luna said, watching my face curiously as I stared apprehensively towards the marquee where Draco waited inside for his bride. "There are enough of us to cope."

But I just shook my head. "I need to do this Luna," I simply said.

And then there she was; beautiful Bambi walking - no, gliding, across the lawn, arm in arm with that smug bastard of a father.

Her dress was beautiful, and her features, as usual; utterly stunning. But she still looked like a woman condemned.

There was a moment whilst they paused outside the tent entrance, and I couldn't help but wonder about the white-blond haired Slytherin boy inside. Was his heart breaking like mine?

And I thought about poor Blaise who had to stand at the front with them and watch whilst his best friend married the girl he loved.

I didn't even want to think about how they were going to work the honeymoon.

The sooner I left this fucked up life behind, the better.

"Okay, guys!" Luna said, taking charge the moment Bambi and her white train were swallowed beneath the folds of the tent. "Let's go!"

My heart was in my mouth as I grabbed a tray of canapés and followed the others as I made my way down towards the marquee where the waiting tables lay. I found myself straining my ears to hear any signs of the officiant announcing the joining of man and wife.

As I shakily placed the tray down, someone exited the tent, and the wind caught the flap so that it didn't fall back down, instead leaving a gap from which I caught a glimpse of white-blond hair at the far end of the tent.

I couldn't help myself. With my heart hammering in my chest, I crept nearer to the gap, holding the fold open so I could see completely inside.

With their backs to me, Bambi and Draco stood side by side, facing the bored looking officiant who was droning on and on about marriage being a joyful and loving union.

A funny noise was coming from the front of the tent but I couldn't make out what it was from where I was stood.

It wasn't until the officiant asked Draco and Bambi to join hands did I finally realise what the noise was.

For, as they turned to face one another, Bambi was quite clearly trembling and crying.

You could almost be forgiven for thinking she was crying with happiness; but I knew better. As did Draco, as did Blaise, and as did the father that stood on the other side of her.

And then the officiant spoke.

"Do you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, take this woman, Bambi Peverell, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

I looked at Draco's profile, not being able to tear my eyes away from him; his pale face was tinged with a greyness I recognised from our sixth year. Beads of sweat glistened his forehead, and he almost looked like he was going to throw up.

It seemed the whole tent was holding their breath as silence followed; Bambi's soft weeping the only sound to be heard.

I was paralysed, all except for my heart, which felt as though it was going to burst through my ribcage.

The officiant repeated his question, but Draco remained mute.

"Son?" I heard Lucius hiss from where he was sat at the front row. "Come on, son!"

"I- I..." he stuttered. And, as he turned towards his father's voice, his eyes caught mine and his whole body went still.

In that moment, it felt as though the whole world fell away around us, leaving just me and Draco standing alone.

For what seemed like an eternity, we simply stared sadly at one another.

And I wasn't prepared for what he did next.

*****