Part I: The Proposals
Author email: alice_spinnet@yahoo.com
Category: romance/drama
Spoilers: All the books
Rating: R for language
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: The "thunder" is from Monica from the TV series "Friends"
The reasoning behind all the story of how they became friends will be revealed in the story. For now it is important to realize that it's a mystery for the reader. I am not giving out any guarentees on the ending of this story and you may be somewhat surprised. However, I am open to all suggestions which any of you may provide. (Some of the readers are failing to read this section so I'm making it bold)
Part I: The Proposals (1/10 for now, is subject to change)
"I've already told you Ron, I'm dating Harry. I'm not going to break it off with him just because you want me to. What is it with you anyway?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing. It's just that Harry may not be good for you, he's not who he seems to be," Ron said dully.
"So you plan to whisk me away from the "evil monster" and take me to the forbidden castle where we can happily reign together forever? Sorry to disappoint you but that's not going to happen. I don't want to sound mean but I don't understand you telling me this after I've dated Harry for five years!" Hermione retorted.
Ron gasped. 'Breathe,' he thought to himself. 'Relax, she doesn't know anything. The more you inquire this topic the more clingy to Harry she'll become.' He thought carefully. This was definitely a Hermione trait. Spite could have been her middle name. She does things all the time out of spite. "No! of course not!" he had lied, it felt bad but not as bad as not admitting to her that he was in love with her. "Alright, alright. I'm just telling you to watch out for yourself. Keep on your toes, okay?"
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself," she snapped but realized her sharpness and hastily added, "But thanks for your concern." Why would Ron suddenly be like this? "Is there anything you want to tell me? Anything I should know?" her voice was deadly calming but inside she was begging, screaming for just something that Harry had told Ron not to tell her. Perhaps he went to a bar once while they were dating and had gotten drunk. Maybe he was gay? Nahh, she thought to herself. Stop it and listen to Ron.
"Umm, well no. But do as I said, alright?"
"Sure," she smiled and could see a slight twinkle in Ron's eyes. He wants to tell me something she thought desperately. What is it? What could be the big secret? She quickly turned away so Ron couldn't see her confused features and focused only on what this meeting was meant to do. She thought. She whipped her head around to ask Ron what he had meant, "Ron---" but in his place stood a curious Harry. "Oh Harry! I'm so sorry! I was talking to Ron and then when I turned around I saw you and---"
Harry had shut her mouth with two delicate fingers placed on her lips. "Shh, he whispered. Come on, follow me. I want to show you something absolutely fantastic."
Hermione nodded and trailed him. Harry released his fingers and slowly took her hand in his and led her outside of their beautiful mansion with 6 floors, 10 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms 2 kitchens, 12 fireplaces, and a lovely 5 acre radius garden surrounding them. It was secluded from both Muggle eyes and prying wizard ones. This was their sanctuary that they shared with 5 other people. Him, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George. Draco was a frequent visitor when he was dating Ginny but since they broke up, they have remained great friends and graciously welcomed Draco to move in with them. However he firmly declined insisting that he wanted his own place so they let him. Recently Draco had hooked up with Pansy and she was also a frequent visitor. However, she wasn't as sweet-natured as Draco and wasn't appreciated around their home.
"Alright, now you have to close your eyes," said Harry.
Hermione was puzzled. She knew every inch of this garden better than anyone else and was going to say it but decided against it. She quickly shut her eyes and let Harry lead her to wherever since she could tell where she would be anyway. Suddenly she felt as if someone had started to spin her in circles. Harry was spinning her around so she wouldn't have any sense of direction. Smart guy. She could always open her eyes but a blindfold came tightly around her head and she sighed, defeated. She numbly allowed Harry to lead her to now a very unknown place and she was quite scared.
"Okay, open your eyes."
Hermione gasped. She was standing under the largest willow tree possible and she looked around. The leaves let light in but she couldn't see anything outside of it because they went all the way to the ground like a 360 degree "leaf curtain". She stopped and stared straight into the eyes of Harry. "It's beautiful here," she choked. Was she crying? Control yourself! she furiously thought to herself.
Oh God, thought Harry. Was she crying? "Don't cry Hermione," he gently kissed her and their tongues slowly danced. Quicker and quicker until Harry had suddenly pulled away. "Not yet," he said to a confused Hermione.
He had something behind his back. Flowers? Or possibly a gun? Hermione shook her head slightly as if to rid herself of those thoughts. She trusts Harry so why should she be suspicious of him? She quickly thought of Ron's warning and with a final shake cleared her mind and focused on Harry. She stood still and just waited for whatever it was. Harry wouldn't hurt her.
Harry's heart was pounding. Why am I even doing this? I love her yet I'm afraid. I will kill whoever put me up to this..his thoughts trailed and suddenly he pulled out the hidden object and got down on one knee. "Hermione, I have loved you since forever and always will, I can't possibly imagine any life of mine without you next to me. I love you more than anything in the world and would like to know, will you marry me?"
Did Harry just propose to her? Did he? Did he just ask her to marry him? She was ecstatic. Her heart was pumping madly and she thought about the question. Not difficult to answer. "No."
Harry felt his heart fall, crash and break into a million pieces. He looked up at her with stinging eyes and saw that she was smiling. She was joking! He felt the pieces of his heart suddenly leap back together good as new and he jumped with joy! He got up and gave her the sweetest, longest and most romantic kiss anyone could ever receive. "You really scared me Hermione."
She chuckled. "You'll be scared even more later."
Meanwhile, Pansy stared hard at Draco for a good 10 seconds. She was livid and her face seemed as if her eyes could kill. Draco asked himself what was wrong. After dating for almost 2 years, he had asked her to move in. To which she was furious.
"Alright, alright. I thought you were going to ask me something else, that's all." She replied
"Oh no! I forgot one little detail. Can I try again?" he asked her, his eyes were pleading and she could feel that he was sincere. She had half the mind to reject that but she let her heart took over.
"Okay"
"You wanna move in with me?" he asked
For Pansy, this was no different. She was about to point that out when Draco suddenly kneeled and asked, "Forever?" and took her hand, placed a ring box in it and closed her hand.. She gripped it tightly and realized why he was reluctant to ask earlier. Her eyes softened and she looked deep into Draco's beautiful gray eyes. His eyes were absolutely fascinating, like a storm. At the moment they were calm but anxious. Should she let the question linger? He was damn sexy, she thought to herself. Not going to let him know though.. Ha! She whispered "Yes." And before she could finish whatever it was she was going to say, her lips were sealed by Draco's.
Prior to dinner the following night. Both Draco and Harry had been unaware of each other's proposals and wanted to announce the wonderful news to everyone during the meal. Harry, who has always been sketchy about writing speeches decided he should work on his. He locked himself in his room all afternoon and when people knocked he would yell, "Sod off!" People in the house were starting to get concerned but knew better than to interfere. Even Hermione had no luck, she'd just sigh and return to her own room.
Draco on the other hand was much faster at thinking on his toes than Harry and had decided to wing it. 'It doesn't really matter that much anyway,' he thought, 'Either way, we'll still get married' He sighed. Dinner came far too quickly for both of them and they slowly trudged down the marble stairs. Everyone was already seated at the enormous dining table and the chandelier was being lowered. Winky and Dobby walked in at the moment telling everyone that dinner will be served in 2 minutes. They sauntered back out and everyone eyed each other suspiciously. Dinner was usually served when the person sat down. What was wrong? Finally, when both Draco and Harry were seated, Dobby walked in holding Winky's hand. He started stuttering. In fact he has been stuttering ever since Dumbledore released him and Winky because they were "going out" and Harry and family had decided to let them work in their home. Winky was fidgeting and Dobby slowly but clearly said,
"I have an announcement." All heads turned towards the door. "Tis' about me and Winky. Winky and I were married about a year ago, I would like to tell you that during this time, she was pregnant and now we are blessed with twins. One girl and one boy. Their names are Dinky and Wobby."
Cheers and hoots erupted from the table and everyone walked up to congratulate them on their new family. That is, all but Draco and Harry who were both scowling about Dobby stealing the thunder when they were going to make their announcements.
Finally, everyone went back to their seats and Dobby and Winky were allowed to join them at the table.
"Tis' an honor, sir" he replied to their kind request.
He sat and ate dinner starting polite conversations with his owners. Draco was furious with himself. I should be happy for the stupid elf. He has someone now. Ha! He thought cruelly. I'll just get it over with. So he looked at his plate to hide his expression and slowly stood up. He closed his eyes, "I have an announcement to make," his voice sounded tired but he heard someone else saying something. His eyes fluttered open and Harry was also standing. His eyes were still closed but were open a second later. They had simultaneously stood up and said those words but ignoring each other's voices. Draco slowly smiled. "So Potter, let's hear it."
"Alright. I'm engaged---."
"OH MY! Me too! How did this happen?" At this exact moment, the people around the table burst out laughing because it sounded like the two were engaged to each other. Suddenly, a flock of owls flew in. One for each of the members around the table save Draco. Everyone opened their message. It was from The Burrow.
Dear ____ whoever it was for:
I'm rather concerned. There's been a few Mad Cow Disease reportings and according to the Muggle news, they advise people not to have beef for a while until it cools. I know I may just be overly fretful about these things but I want all of you to watch what you are eating and be sure that there is no beef. Owl me back when you get this. Actually, why don't you all hop on over to the doctor's office and get yourself a check-up. Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying the spring, take a vacation. You've all been working too hard, why don't you stop by for dinner next Saturday?
Love,
Mrs. Weasley/Mum
"Oh God," cried George. "This is pathetic, I can't believe mum."
"I know!" agreed Fred. "Mum is just way too worried about us. Even now. Oh well, I guess we can ignore it," he snickered then giggled as Ginny cast him a sideways glanced. "Okay, I'll 'refrain' from beef. Well Ginny, I guess you're no longer welcome in this home!" Ginny scowled but said nothing.
"What are you all talking about?" Draco screamed. Ginny handed him her letter and he started laughing uncontrollably. He continued laughing even when everyone stopped eating and was staring. He didn't stop laughing when people inquired about his laughter. He was still laughing when tears popped into his eyes and his gray eyes glistened with laughter. He rolled out of his chair and doubled up laughing out of the dining room. The echoes could still be heard from the halls. Everyone looked at each other with a combined look of curiosity and concern.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Hermione. "It wasn't that funny---" she trailed off.
"That's because you have no sense of humor" a cool voice behind her had spoken. Draco had come back and strangely calm. "What is it? Why are the lot of you all staring like I'm in some sodding cage?" He paused, "Well?"
No one bothered to answer him. They exchanged glances and looked up at the impatient Draco.
" Well," Ginny spoke up. "We were just wondering what was so funny? And why you're suddenly so calm again---" her voice shrank and so did her body way into the chair as Draco stared hard at her.
"I don't know," he replied. "But, onto more important news, I know I've already said I was engaged but I didn't say to whom."
"Well get on with it, we all know who it is, just say it so we can finish dinner," said Fred dully.
"Well," he scoffed but his pride still intact, "It's the lovely Pansy Parkinson."
"Yay! Whoop-duh dee!" cried George. "What a complete surprise! We had no idea you were dating her since you wouldn't stop talking about her for 2 years and then telling us how you intended to propose for a month and then saying you were going to do it a week ago! Wow! Just stun me then! I can't believe you! I'm so astonished---"
"Can it Weasley," Draco retorted. "I'm just trying to tell you that I went through with it earlier tonight and---"
He was cut off by Fred. "So what are you still doing here? You should be with her. Yes! Finally rid of Draco Malfoy after all these years. Go! And hurry please, we have some celebrating here too."
"Excuse me then!" Draco scoffed.
"You're quite excused, are you leaving then?" cut in Ron.
"Let me finish and stop interrupting me! Now, as I was saying---"
"Wait. I'm not cutting in, I'm just not listening to you! Ha!" Ron continued while Draco took out his wand and mumbled an incantation. Suddenly Ron had stopped talking and bowed deeply at Draco. Then he said, "So, continue, I've quite eager to hear the rest of this story.."
"Thank you Weasley. Now, as I was saying, I wanted to announce this to you so that I can get on with a dinner with her instead, alright then, see you!" and walked outside to apparate.
Harry sighed, "Great, that completelyruins my announcement which was that Hermione and I are also engaged." He smiled broadly and everyone rose. Dobby brought in some wine for a toast. And after formally announcing their engagement, the two of them retreat to their rooms and start working on wedding plans.
Hermione stared intently at her engagement ring as Harry walked back in with an armful of catalogues for them to look through so that Hermione could design the perfect wedding. Harry would have been content with a simple wedding wearing jeans and a t-shirt for all he cared but he knew Hermione would call off the wedding if he even suggested that so he kept his mouth shut and pretended to be absorbed with the different linings on the robes. He nodded as she said something enthusiastically but his mind was traveling.
"Harry, are you even listening to me?" she inquired. She had just asked Harry if their wedding should be inside or outside and he nodded. "Oh, you must be tired. Here you can go off to bed, I'm going to keep looking through these and see where we can have the wedding and if I can, I'd like to have a location and a selection of robes chosen for us to decide upon tomorrow. Harry dumbly nodded again and she steered him out of her room and locked the door but first without giving him one of the longest kisses ever. Harry jerked awake and gasped as Hermione pulled away and smiled, then shoved him out.
Harry walked out with a large grin plastered on his face. He was still smiling when he bumped into Fred and whistled a bit. Fred eyed him curiously, shook his head, and continued down the corridor to his room. Harry wandered around the house until he noticed Draco in the distance. Beaming with pride while walking hand in hand with Pansy, the two were talking excitedly about something which Harry immediately concluded was the wedding. Harry suddenly
thought of Hermione and ran up the stairs in front of her door. He knocked quietly.
"What is it?" she asked in a faraway voice.
"It's me, Harry, the person. And isn't it supposed to be, 'Who is it?'" Replied Harry.
"Oh, um, right. Okay!" And she ran to the door and unlocked it for him. He gently pushed her back and closed the door with his foot. He grasped her neck and leaned in to give her a hungry kiss. She quickly pulled away. "Harry! Come on, we have work to-" he cut her off with another kiss and this time she let him.
He pushed her onto the bed and whispered, "I need you, right now. Please---" and she kissed him again and the intensity of their kisses built.
The next morning, Harry awoke much earlier than Hermione and lay on her bed watching her sleep. She was a heavy sleeper but was silent. No snoring and she rarely shifted at night unlike Harry who would constantly have nightmares about the return of Voldemort or some other dark force, in which he will need to defeat. At age 22, he had much, much more than the world on his shoulders. Especially after the defeat of Voldemort the year after he graduated from Hogwarts. Harry, sat and thought of all the events that happened.
He was with Hermione. They were sitting in a muggle restaurant to avoid the press and having a romantic dinner. Afterwards they went back to Harry's apartment at the time and we're well, 'Getting it on' when Albus (The professors insisted on being called their first names after graduating) suddenly apparated, interrupting them and announced that Cornelius Fudge was dead. He had been fine earlier that day when the 3 of them had lunch. Hermione's face flushed a brilliant crimson and she hurried off into his room to get her cloak and the 3 of them immediately apparated to the scene.
"I don't understand how this could have happened, I mean, how can someone just 'Drop dead' without any apparent reason," questioned Hermione
"Well, I'm not quite sure," replied Albus. "It's possible that they have found a new way to block the green light from the 'Avada Kedavra' but for us to figure someone like this out, we'll need to wait for the next person that this seemingly strange death has struck to happen again unfortunately"
"It seems that if this were the case, more energy would be needed to exert this spell. This is obviously the work a very powerful wizard indeed." Harry remarked. "However, we must ask ourselves how this could have happened in the middle of a such a public place?"
"Albus, do you know if anyone was with Fudge when this unfortunate incident occurred? I think we should ask a few questions. Perhaps he was poisoned or something else that was internal," suggested Hermione.
"Well, he was with Percy Weasley at the time but according to him, he was buying a drink while all this happened and when he came back, Fudge was already dead.."
Hermione paced around the small coffee shop. She had come here so many times. Who hasn't been to Starbucks? She even sat in the very chair that Fudge fell out of. She shivered inwardly and proposed this: "We need to speak with Percy Weasley immediately. And Albus, as you are the alternate for Minister of Magic, you need to make a decision. Do you plan to take this new challenge or continue at Hogwarts? I need to know now. I have an idea."
"Actually I haven't given it much thought since this happened so fast, why is it that you must know immediately?" he paused but Hermione shook her head and motioned for him to continue. Dumbledore sighed. "I don't know how to make such a decision. I suppose I'm going to pass it up then. I must remain at Hogwarts and try to keep the children safe. I don't think I can take the responsibility of taking care of all of the Wizarding World. I can't say that's my final decision though."
Hermione jumped with glee. "Good, I'm glad you made that decision. However before we appoint a new minister of magic, you are still acting the acting minister of magic and therefore we need to use your authority for a bit of investigating. That is, if you don't mind?"
"You know that I wouldn't mind but may I ask exactly what you are thinking?" he inquired." He was usually quite quick at thinking but apparently he seemed to be losing his touch, either that or Hermione speaks very little about what her brain is thinking and then runs off to the library. Harry, silently watching this conversation unknowingly agreed. Harry let his thoughts wander as Hermione exposed her plan to Albus. They need to find all the records about every act he's done since the return of Voldemort all those years ago at the end of 4th year. Harry let his mind wander, "So how many years is that? He was let's see, 11 when he first started, 12 second year, 13 in 3rd year, so 14 in 4th year. And now he was 18 so that mean it was 4 long years ago. He sighed softly. He couldn't believe how long it's been since Cedric. And of course who could forget Cho? She was the one who had betrayed them all anyway.
"Harry? Harry, can you hear me? Are you there?" Hermione asked waving her hand in front of her face a few times.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. What were you saying again? I wasn't listening, sorry. What was the plan?" he was so confused. Why didn't he pay attention? He stared back and forth between them. 'Well?"
"Oh right, we were just curious why you weren't listening, anyway, my idea was that we could tap into the ministry files with Ron's extensive knowledge in hacking into files even though now I don't think that will be necessary because I'm quite certain Albus can give us access to everything we need. Anyway, I was thinking, do you remember how he announced that there would be some weather "things" and the next day a blizzard came up? And a week ago, he was---" but Harry cut her off.
"That just means he's a diviner. He can tell the future. That doesn't mean anything."
"Not yet, but I've never heard him say so many announcements before Or should I say "never" since he never goes out. Why is suddenly so interested in interacting with the community. Remember, he used to hate you. Every time you defeated You-know-who, he would scowl at you like you were cheating or he still would say that he wasn't back yet. Do you remember? And---"
"Hermione, I really don't understand.Why is this important? And suddenly one day, Fudge realized that Voldemort came back and was now a big threat to the wizarding community? That just means that he was coming to his senses finally and acknowledging me for all the work that I've done. And risking my life so many times to try to fight someone that technically wasn't even there." Harry retorted.
"Fine. Obviously, this was a mistake, Albus, I'm very sorry but Harry has a point. I guess, I'll discuss this with you later when I come up with something else. Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't know that you had a choice. You could walk away with all the guilt and everything. And you know what? Maybe you're right, one day, after you don't do anything but write letters to people and mind that this person is me and owling them out to me every half hour and does nothing when I reply to ask him what's wrong. Then, when I owl other people that work for the ministry, they say that Fudge locked himself in his office 2 days ago and from his window, they could tell that he was sending messages not stop and they all went to in the same direction. For some reason he wouldn't let any of them in and continued owling whoever it was that he was owling, mainly me."
Harry mentally shook himself from the disturbing memory and stared at Hermione's face. "You're so beautiful," he whispered. "I love you so much." She stirred and he mentally slapped himself. He heard a muffled voice from her. "What?" she asked.
"I said, I know. You're not as beautiful as I am but that's okay. You have lovely eyes that make up for it," she replied.
"Is that so? I guess I should leave right now then. Humph!" he faked a stubborn look only to be met with Hermione's own nose stuck in the air. Then they both burst out laughing but Hermione gasped.
"Oh no! I forgot about the wedding. I was supposed to do some planning! Oh no. I'm so sorry Harry!" she kept apologizing. The repetition reminded him a bit of Dobby.
"It doesn't matter. We've only been engaged for a night. Trust me. We'll live. You can do some work to make up for it today and we'll both work on it together and we'll choose everything and that way, you won't work yourself to death before we get married., okay?" he kissed her forehead and smiled at her.
"Okay," she replied. But you're coming home at 5:00 sharp today, we're going to have accomplished something by the end of today and if I have to drag you out of the Quidditch field So be come back early, just in case," she said menacingly with an evil glint in her eyes. Harry faked large gulp and walked out of the room shaking his head. And Hermione burst into a fit of giggles.
"Draco!" Pansy barked, "What color robes do you want to wear for the wedding?"
Draco looked up at her and said, "Mm-hmm---" He continued looking through his work papers. Draco was trying to decide what job he should take since he resigned from the ministry. He was part of the team that came up with new ways to disguise themselves among muggles. However, now that he has perfected the Apparation Obscurer, he decided to move on to a new occupation. Partly because he was so tired of the strenuous hours and he's been working on this project for almost 5 years. It seemed hardly worth it to him. So he was flipping through the job offers that companies had started to send in. "I guess, someone leaked out the information that I quit." He chuckled slightly.
"Draco?" Pansy was getting impatient "Have you decided what color robes you want to wear?"
"How about white? Or better yet, silver, or a gray or something. Something between white and black. You can decide what shade if you want." He replied automatically without looking up at her. He continued to look through the offers. Gringotts, quidditch, ministry---I just quit from there, and they already want me back. "Fashion model?!?" he exclaimed aloud. "What kind of job offer is that?" he asked no one in particular.
"Well," Pansy misinterpreted his statement and said that fashion models were quite rich and went on and on about their pays and how they can tell if you're "model material" and at that Draco started to flip through them when he saw another one.
"I guess I am devilishly handsome," he stood up and went over the gold bordered mirror he owned over a large white fireplace. Nearly everything he owned was white. He didn't know why. Maybe it was because he was always in the dark during childhood so now he's making up for it. He sighed and continued looking through them. "Pansy, sweetie? I'm going to take a walk and try to decide what kind of job I'm going to take. I'll be back soon." And started for the door.
"Okay then. Bye!
"He apparated to the Gargantuan, which Ron named. He's obviously never lived in a nice home before. Poor little Weasley. He laughed to himself. He knocked on the front door knowing all the wards that were put up to protect everyone. Half of the charms on it were by Hermione and since she made them, no one knows how they work but her. He was no exception. This was the first time he's used this new system. He shivered nervously as he said his name, "Draco Malfoy"
"That was incorrect," the mechanical voice replied back to him.
"Oh shit," he thought. "I'm going to be sooo fucked."
"You will be charged 5 galleons for use of profanity Mr. Malfoy. You must state your full name," the emotionless voice continued.
"Do I have to?" He laughed, he was complaining to a machine. "Okay, Draco Ximilian Salazar Lucius Malfoy," he said and suddenly the drawl was back in his voice.
"Okay, give me your key. And 5 galleons please, in the deposit box on your left."
"WHAT KEY?!?" he was angry with the machine now. Just bloody let me in or I'll hack you to pieces you piece of shit!" he yelled.
"That will be an additional 5 galleons. Pay now, or you will not gain access to the Gargantuan."
"ARGH!!!" He wanted very much to break the machine and force his way in but even he knew that the doors, when not opened by the machine would immediately contact the ministry of magic and someone would apparate there immediately. "Okay," and he paid the machine and still the door would not open. "Hermione never gave me a key," he said calmly. I need to be let in right now.
"It's the necklace," the machine said. "You use your necklace to open the door. That's the key to the door. I cannot open it, you possess the key."
"OH! That necklace? She gave that to us years ago. I wondered why she gave everyone a unique necklace, never thought about it though. Okay, so he opened the door and stepped in to see everyone crowded around a screen and laughing hysterically. "What's so funny?" Everyone turned and the moment they saw Draco, they burst out laughing again. "Is there something on my face or something?" he demanded but he could tell that no one was really going to answer since Harry was rolling on the ground. Ginny was hunched over, and Hermione was supporting herself on a wall. Draco stared at the screen. "Oh shit, you guys have been watching me? Why the fuck were you watching me? You have a fucking security camera or something? Why the fuck won't any of you talk to me?"
To this, the machine was now programmed around the house, "Mr. Malfoy, you will now be fined with an addition 20 galleons. Please drop them on your way out. The deposit box will be on your right."
"When does this bloody machine shut the hell up?" he screamed. The machine interupted him but he ignored it and continued speaking "Anyway, now, Hermione, I suggest that you get rid of that machine before I do it for you."
Hermione chuckled. "Draco, when I made this program, I asked the members of this house what they wanted it to do and we came up with not swearing so we are starting a charity fund collected from when we break one of the rules in this house. Swearing is 5 galleons. Walking in wearing muddy shoes is 10 galleons and littering is 5 sickles. Since you're not exactly a member of this home, we decided to leave you out of it since we thought it wouldn't affect you as much. Evidently I was wrong," she smirked.
Draco glared at her and said, "My bloody fortune will go down the toilet if I stay in this house." After everyone stopped laughing, he continued, "I was just discussing with Pansy our wedding plans and---" he was cut off by everyone's groans. "No, stop it, this is important. I quit my job at the ministry, as you know and now I need to decide upon a new one and I thought you would guys would be more of a help since Pansy is now obsessed with the "fact" that I'll be a 'fashion model' for some fashion company. And that is not my new occupation so just get it out of your sodding brains. Weasley, I can see your grin from behind the couch. Now get up so you can all help me and see how long it'll be before she calls asking me to come back," he directed sternly. "Honestly, a month ago, I would've never noticed that she clung to me that much. Now she's starting to get annoying. Here, I'll leave you with a few of the job offers and I'll come back tomorrow." He walked up to the machine. "This is 100 galleons. I'm paying in advance for all the swearing that will soon come," with that, dumped all it all into the machine and apparated back to his apartment. And continued to discuss wedding plans with Pansy.
Back at the Gargantuan, Ron was staring into the space that Draco had just left. "I wonder what's wrong with him? I mean, yesterday, he couldn't stop laughing and today, he won't stop swearing and is as serious as ever."
"I know," agreed Hermione. "I wonder what was so funny. I mean, he was fine, before that."
"I bet you that Pansy Parkinson is finally getting on his nerves," chirped Ginny. "Probably realized his mistake in asking her to marry him."
"What, Ginny? You want him back? I thought you both decided that it was for the best if you split up," said Fred with a sneer. Ginny blushed and murmured. "Excuse me? I didn't hear you, could you repeat that?"
"I said," she repeated impatiently. "That, I am no longer interested in him but dating someone else. Are you happy now? I'm seeing someone else." She remained silent while others pushed to have her tell who it is. However, her foot was planted firmly on the ground and she was thankful. She wasn't really seeing anyone, she just said that so they wouldn't find out that she still wanted Harry. "I must stop thinking about him. He's engaged for Christ's sakes!" she cried out in her head. "No, I'm no going to say anything. I'm not going to say anything," this she said aloud and everyone was shocked at her sharp tone. They resumed their usual business and Harry and Hermione went up to Harry's room to continue planning for their wedding. She watched Hermione look at Harry with longing eyes. She had the exact same expression except for the fact that Harry wasn't returning the look. She sighed heavily and declared, "I'm going to go shopping. I must get some new robes for the weddings and I must start buying them some gifts. Bye everyone!" she shouted and apparated away at the front door.
Ginny was walking past a shop with wedding gowns in them and sighed. "I wish that were Harry and me," she sighed. She was depressed. She continued walking until she reached a bar. She walked in and ordered a beer.
This is my first fic, so tell me what you think? I know there are lots of holes in it right now, but it'll all come together when it's finished. I promise! Don't forget to review!
Love, Alice Spinnet