Hermione snuck out of her room as darkness made its way across Hogwarts. She quickly checked her reflection as she exited the common room. Creeping down the hallways Hermione felt excitement and apprehension fill her but she kept going. She had someone to meet, he would be waiting for her. They met like this a few times a week, her love would wait by the lake hidden by the cover of night. Their relationship would be frowned upon, his family would never allow it and her friends wouldn't approve but she couldn't help the feelings she had for him. The love that flowed through her veins, the sparks that flew when he touched her and that feeling of safety and home that she felt in his arms.
Creeping along the dark paths that led to the lake she felt the same fear she felt every time she came to meet him. What if he wasn't there ? What if he didn't want to do this anymore ? What if they got caught ? The fears whirled in her brain as she neared the inky waters of the lake. She could see the tree they met out stretching up towards the sky and as she ran closer her heart skipped. Below the dark boughs was a silhouette and she knew it was him. His silver hair shone in the moonlight as his lips curved into a smile. She launched herself into his arms and heard him chuckle as he held her to him.
They sat for a while in silence below the tree before he broke the silence.
'Hermione I know we can't keep doing this. It's killing me and I know that it destroys you too. All this creeping around. I want to be able to kiss you in the sun and show you off on my arm. '
'Draco I want that too but you know we can't what would people say ?'
Draco looked at her before pulling them both to their feet. He saw Hermione's eyes shine with tears before he sunk down on one knee. He'd wanted to do this for so long and as he pulled the ring out he knew he was doing the right thing. They belonged together and when she held her hand out he slid the ring on to her.
'We're going to have to tell them all now'
'Draco what will we do if they don't support us ? What if your family disown you ?'
'I'd rather have you than anyone else Miss Granger. But I have another surprise for you'
Draco pulled out a piece of crumpled paper from his pocket and handed it over to Hermione using his wand to light the page for her. As she read the page Hermione's mind raced. This was really happening this was the beginning of their life together.
'You got us a house ?'
Disbelief coloured her voice as she voiced the question to her new fiancée. Draco's answer was simply to hold up a set of keys. He smiled as Hermione jumped into his arms content and smiling and laughing together as they contemplated their life together. The moon disappeared behind the clouds leaving the happy lovers under the light of the stars.