"So, Zabini, are you ready for this?"

Lowering the eyelash curlers, I whirled around, almost dropping them at the sight of Draco smirking at the bathroom door, casually leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his trouser pockets.

His eyes instantly widened as they swept my body, taking in the silk white gown which accentuated my curves, clinging to my body in all the right places. "Damn. You look... you look-"

"Drac, what are you doing?" I hissed, cutting him off. "You shouldn't be in here!"

"Why not?" He shrugged. "We're clearly throwing away all the other rules. So how can you blame me for wanting to chuck this one out too and say a final goodbye to Blaire Zabini, my best friend?"

For some reason, the way he worded this made me feel inexplicably sad.

"Don't say it like that, Drac," I said quietly, trying to swallow down the lump in my throat, "I'm still your best friend. I'll always be your best friend."

"I can't believe you just friend zoned me whilst you're standing there in your wedding dress, Zabini." He chuckled, eyes glinting with amusement as he straightened up to slowly saunter towards me. "Especially not when you're looking so exceedingly fuckable."

"Being friend zoned never used to bother you before," I drawled, my lips pulling into a sly grin as his hands grabbed my waist and pulled me hard up against him, a low groan vibrating in his throat. "In fact, I seemed to remember you enjoying the benefits very very much."

His eyes darkened hungrily as he immediately dipped his head, claiming my mouth. His kiss was sweet yet demanding and he tasted so good that I couldn't help but a emit a soft lingering hum, the eyelash curlers clattering to the floor as my hands flew straight to his head, threading my fingers through his hair.

We broke apart, our breathing laboured and our hearts racing. I found myself nuzzling my face into his neck, sighing as I caught the faint scent of his citrusy cologne.

"I missed you last night," he murmured as he held me tightly against him, his hands stroking my back. "I don't ever want to sleep in a bed without you again."

"You don't have to," I said, circling my arms around his neck as I tilted my head up to kiss the underside of his chin. His cool skin felt smooth and freshly shaven against my warm lips. "How are the boys?"

"Excited. Well, Scorp thinks a toilet brush is exciting so that's not saying much, but Jack is practically peeing his pants again. He put his suit on at four o'clock this morning and refuses to take off his top hat."

I smiled warmly at the thought of seeing the boys in their suits, waiting for me at the alter next to their daddy and 'uncle' Crabbe.

"I can't wait to be your Mrs Malfoy," I murmured, holding him a fraction tighter as I pressed myself against his reassuringly hard body.

"That reminds me," Draco said, his voice sounding slightly apprehensive. "Jack asked me if he could just be Malfoy like the rest of us. I said we'd have to check with Mummy, but-"

"Of course I don't mind." I said at once. "If I'm leaving Zabini behind then I'm glad Jack is happy to as well."

"I'll miss calling you Zabini, though," Draco said, somewhat wistfully as he lifted his head to stare down into my eyes. "You know, I fell in love with you from the moment I met you. I just didn't know it until much later."

"We were like three, Drac," I smirked. "And I tossed sand in your face."

"It was me who threw the sand!"

"Okay, Drac," I kissed the tip of his nose, "whatever helps you sleep at night."

His scowl softened immediately as he looked down at me, his eyes filling with love. "Anyway, I was referring to our first day at Hogwarts. I would never have gotten through it without you. For that I know for sure."

"Well, today is the first day of a new chapter in our lives," I whispered, my breath tickling the space between our lips. "And I, for one, can't wait to start it as Mrs Malfoy."

"Here, give me your bracelet," Draco murmured, reaching up to pull my arm down, unclasping the chain from around my wrist.

A smile tugged at my lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled from it a tiny silver trinket.

"A Vegas sign! How very niche, Drac," I smirked as I twirled it around in my fingers.

Our eyes met as he emitted a light chuckle, taking it back off me to fix to my bracelet, placing it next to the tiny silver Scorpion - the charm he had bought me for when I signed the adoption papers to become Scorpius's legal mother.

"Seriously though, I love it," I said as he clasped it back around my wrist, "thank you."

"For you, anything." He pulled me to him, catching my lips in his once again.

"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY GET YOUR BUTT OUT OF THERE RIGHT NOW!"

Draco let out a loud, frustrated groan as we reluctantly broke apart.

"For fuck's sake, Pansy," he muttered, turning his head to scowl at her. "I was simply having a moment with my soon to be wife. Is that not allowed?"

"NO!" She bellowed, her hands on her hips looking furious as she stood in the doorway in a long green dress. "Haven't you two had enough bad luck as it is? Why risk anymore?!"

"Chill, Pans," I drawled, rolling my eyes. "He was just giving me a gift."

I glanced down at the bracelet, my heart giving an unexpected tug at the amount of charms it now held, from the bucket and spade to the Vegas sign and all that's in between.

"And there'll be plenty more along the way," Draco murmured, lifting my wrist to run a finger along the empty chains.

Our eyes met and for a brief moment we stilled.

"I'll see you downstairs," he said softly, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. "Zabini."

"For sure," I smiled, my heart fluttering, "...best friend."

*****

Draco had another gift up his sleeve for me.

And it was waiting for me outside the chapel doors.

"Is that- is that- Tom Cruise?!"

"The name's Maverick, ma'am," The guy in the bomber leather jacket and aviator sunglasses stated with a smooth American accent, smiling as he showed off a set of dazzling white teeth, "and I'm here to make sure the happiest day of your life goes off without a hitch."

He cocked a finger gun at me and made a funny clicking noise with his tongue. It was so corny that I couldn't help but let out a loud snort of laughter.

"Blame your fiancé." Pansy drawled disdainfully in my ear. "For some reason, he insisted on this dork to be the one that marries you both."

I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with Draco any more, but in that moment, I just did.

And then, out of nowhere, I started crying. Not just the silent weeping sort, but loud blubbering tears that made 'Maverick' shrink back in horror and Pansy to get in a massive flap about.

"Quit it woman! You're going to ruin your fucking make up over some cheap look-a-like in a dodgy costume that wouldn't look out of place on a Chippendale!"

The officiant looked highly affronted, his face practically popping out from behind his Ray-bans. "I'll have you know ma'am, that my hourly rates are one of the highest in the world, and if you want me to take my clothes off then that'll be another-"

"Oh, just shut up Manhattan or whatever your stupid name is! Can't you see my friend is upset?!"

Not being able to use her wand, given our audience, Pansy pulled out a tissue from down the front of her dress and started frantically dabbing at my face with it.

"Nev- Neville," I choked, shocked at just how emotional I was feeling. I was usually so chill. "He would have loved this."

Pansy stilled, her expression softening as she lowered the tissue from my face. "Oh, Blaire," she said quietly, compassion filling her eyes in understanding. "You know what? I wouldn't be surprised if he's watching this as we speak."

I know Pansy was only trying to cheer me up, but the thought brought me a sense of immediate comfort, my heart filling with warmth.

"What do you think he's saying?" I pondered, looking around as though he might somehow materialise right in front of us.

Pansy didn't hesitate to answer. "Get your fucking act together, B, quit blubbering like a baby and go and marry that man who loves you more than life itself, you lucky lucky bitch!"

I laughed as I took the tissue from Pansy and dabbed the last of my tears away. "You're right. I'm being daft." I took a deep shaky breath. "Okay, I'm ready."

I turned to 'Tom Cruise' who was already looking fed up at being kept waiting, grumbling under his breath about being late for a date with somebody called Katie before slipping back inside the chapel to let the boys know we were ready.

I clutched the white orchids in front of me, my heart fluttering with love and anticipation as I waited for my cue.

"You've got this," Pansy muttered as she took her position behind me, quickly brushing out a crease from my dress before slapping my backside. "Now go and get him, Zabini, he's been waiting long enough for this moment."

And, as the first notes of the Wedding March began to play and the doors slowly swung open, I walked through and did just that.

*****