DISCLAIMER: HP is J.K., blessed goddess that she is.

A snippet of Draco/Astoria. Can be paired with my previous work. I don't know why I'm in such a wedding phase. I mean, I'm not getting married, hell, I'm 18 and can barely used a toaster.

Hope you enjoy. Please review!

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When the day came, I didn't quite…expect it, in so many words. I mean, we'd know each other for a long time. Dated. It was all moving toward a crescendo, a rising action pulling forward to the inevitable question; the ring, the white dress, the sugary-sweet tiered cake. I knew this, yet when presented with the small circle of silver, I was quite dumbstruck.

It was not very traditional proposal-nobody kneeled, there were no great declarations. The jewelry was presented without any grand gesture, and as soon as my finger bore its weight, all fell plainly quiet. I gawked openly. Draco snickered. "Suit you?" he drawled.

But of course, it didn't. I was a drab little bird, even then-and the oval diamond set in a cluster of opals and aquamarines was far too loud. Extravagant for my humbled tastes. And yet, it sat on my finger, sparkly and oh-so set.

And completely….completely…

"An heirloom," he had said. "Been in the vaults for generations."

I wanted to ask why, why would such a brilliant, gaudy thing be hidden away for so long, how stupid were those generation of Malfoys? But I didn't, simply kept staring at the faceted stones, their many reflective surfaces casting off a dazzle of fragmented white shards in the pale morning sun. Draco had kept talking, ever casual. He explained the setting, the karats, some ever-clean charm placed on by the jeweler, along with a discreet dissuader (used to deter thief-minded folk). How Aunt Narcissa had wanted the rubies set in rose-gold.

Anything would have been much too…grand. I did not need…I was a humble person. Gold and diamonds were not me. Yet, I could not help but admired the cut, turning my hand to the best light.

The bustled of the restaurant was white noise to my reverie. Our teacups would refilled at least twice before my thoughts were pierced. Draco had paused to savor the delicate mallowsweet notes in his brew, giving me an opportunity to speak. My voice had been halting, managing slowly, "Ah, a, um, ring? The occasion would be…"

"Well, I did have a little something in mind," Draco eventually said wryly around a ginger macaroon. "Or we can pretend it's just a pretty bauble. Whichever you prefer. Though, it will be hard to cast that story 'round with a ceremony coming up, you know."

At the time, I wasn't even sure if I could manage full sentences. For a few minutes, Draco observed my tormented features before he said gently, "An engagement. That would suit you, yes?"

"Oh. Yes, then."

"I was thinking April." It was just now January. I fidgeted, toying with my gloves and the tassels of my coat.

"Uh…June? At the Manor, with dress robes, not a tux."

He'd wrinkled his nose. "Too traditional. May. And you wear the tiara."

"Deal."

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