Disclaimer: I, Sarah Molloy do solemnly swear that I do not own these characters. They are all property of the amazing J.K. Rowling. I am not making any money from this story; it is solely for my own artistic development and the enjoyment of me and my fabulous readers.
Annabelle P.O.V
I was in yet another shop with Narcissa, my mother and Ginny. She was the only one that I told and of course she told Harry. When Harry told Ron he apparently laughed and said that he wouldn't believe it until it was officially announced. I knew that we had to announce our engagement soon or I'd lose Ron as a friend. We were shopping in another bridal shop to try and find my perfect dress, which we are nowhere near finding. I want something elegant and flowing while Narcissa wants something that can only be described as a meringue. I don't understand why we have to buy the dress if Draco hasn't proposed.
We decided that we would look for my engagement announcement dress and then go back to my wedding dress. I'm not even eighteen and I'm talking about buying my wedding dress. I haven't even graduated Hogwarts. We left the shop after another argument over the dress and went to a completely different shop. It was one I had never seen, granted we were in California, the joys of being a wizard. We went into a muggle shop and I think it's called Forever 21. They had nothing that I would be allowed to wear as it was a formal ball and they stocked mostly casual clothing.
We found a quaint shop that stocked muggle prom dresses and we decide to go in. There are racks upon racks of dresses. Long dresses, short dresses, pink dresses, green dresses. The shop has all the dresses imaginable. They even have all the accessories needed to complete the outfit. I knew we would find the perfect engagement ball dress in here. All I had to figure out was I had to hide it from Draco. I couldn't let him see whichever dress I got. The four of us split up to find my magic dress. Me and Ginny went and looked at the long dresses and Narcissa and Mother looked at the short dresses but I didn't really want one of those. There were so many dresses that I liked that both Ginny and my arms were covered in dresses. The shop assistant came over and took half of the dresses off us and put them into one of the fitting rooms. We called mother and Narcissa over and I went and got changed.
There were so many dresses that looked amazing on the hanger but not so well on me. When I had tried on all sixty-seven dresses, we were down to the last two. A long flowing purple dress with one shoulder and beading on the front bust or a green sweetheart neckline dress with a slit up the side that went to mid thigh.
There was a simple design up the slit of plain silver and black beading. Everyone said that they liked the green one better and it was Malfoy colours. What a way to enter the family, aye? We went with that one and got silver heeled strappy sandals and a silver clutch bag. Everyone thought it was simple but unmistakeably beautiful. Well that's what Narcissa said. I really didn't think I looked that good in it until Ginny spoke up.
"Ron's never going to live letting you go without a fight. When he sees you he's never going to forgive himself for ignoring you and laughing at you while you were at Diagon Alley. You do know that right?" She told me.
"He didn't really have a choice Ginny. I don't want to die because I refuse to marry Malfoy. But I told him that I still wanted us to be friends." I replied. I could tell she was itching to say something so I let her speak.
"Yeah, but it's his own fault. He could have fought for you or something, instead of wallowing in his sorrows like he did. He brought so many girls home the week after he got your letter Mum banned any sort of female company for them. I'm the only one allowed to bring a member of the opposite gender home, that isn't married. She's really overprotective of them." Ginny continued
"Your mother always has been like that. She'll take anybody under her wing and nurture them back to full health." I said
Mother and Narcissa came up behind us so Ginny just nodded her head in reply. We went and paid for my dress and the accessories and we were off to get the other three. Ginny wanted a shortish dress, just above the knee and Mother and Narcissa wanted the same style, simple but elegant. We found a gold coloured dress that cut off about an inch above the knee for Ginny. It was one shouldered with a puffball skirt. Some dresses make Ginny look washed out because of her skin colour but this dress, if possible, made her skin look slightly darker. Ginny got a golden coloured ballet flats and a large shoulder bag that could be used as an everyday bag as well. This was in the same shop that I got my dress.
Mother and Narcissa were a little more difficult to find dresses for. We eventually found their dresses; in the twenty eighth shop. They got the same dress just in different colours. It was a classic nineteenth century gown. Mother's was a pastel pink whereas Narcissa's was a pastel purple. They were perfect for the two ladies and Ginny thought so too.
"Wow, Mrs. Lytton, Mrs Malfoy, you both look lovely. Your husbands won't know what hit them." She exclaimed and the two women's faces lit up.
"Why thank you Ms. Weasley." They said in unison, except Mother said Ginny. We got their dresses and then went looking for their accessories
Father and Mr. Lytton dragged me all around wizarding England to get our robes. And you thought it took no time for men to find clothes. Well you were wrong it can take us up to three hours to find our robes. I got robes like Potter's Yule Ball robes, Father and Mr. Lytton got robes like the ones that Father usually wears. It took about five hours and that includes lunch. It took forever. I wonder if Hermione is as bored as I am.
When we got back to the manor Mother, Annabelle, Mrs. Lytton and Ginny weren't back yet so Father said that I should practice how to propose. Mr Grange completely agreed. They must have one brain between the two of them I didn't understand why I had to practice; do you not just get down on one knee and ask them to marry you? That's what I thought you did. The Lyttons were living in the manor now that they had been accepted back into the wizarding world and haven't had the time to get their Manor sorted. I heard the floo in the living room and I sort of ran down to them. I wanted to see Annabelle, really badly and I didn't know why. I think I'm starting to like her. As a friend, this is strictly business of course.
I can't feel anything for her even though we have to get married. When I got to the living room I saw her standing there, her honey brown hair blowing with the breeze that's coming in the window. I smiled meekly at her. Wow I'm whipped.
"Hello." I began, "How was shopping?"
"It was good. I got my dress." She told me. "Did you get your robes?"
"I did." I mentioned "But you don't get to see them until I see you in your dress." I told her jokingly. As her soft laugh filled the Manor I could see her cinnamon eyes twinkle.
"Aww, I guess we'll have to wait until the ball then won't we?" She said with a jokey tone in her, I responded with my trademark smirk.
"Annabelle" My father's booming voice spoke out. "Put your dress up in your room. I believe Draco has something to ask you."
"Of course Mr. Malfoy, I'll be right back" She told my father unbelievably politely, I'd never be able to do that. Well I can, because I'm so scared of him. She smiled at me before leaving the room, giggling with Weaselette.
"It's time Draco" My father said and left the room, leaving me there with my thoughts. I knew what he meant but Annabelle said that she didn't want a ring on her finger going into Hogwarts, but to be completely honest I can't wait for her to have it on there. Father handed me the Malfoy ring and I put it in my robe's pocket. Using that ring was daunting, the power it held, once given, the marriage can never be broken. Unless one of us die. I was getting more nervous by the second but I had to propose to Hermione before the ball tomorrow. I could hear the patter of her feet coming softly down the stairs and her saying okay to my father and walking into the room. I didn't think that she knew that the Ball was tomorrow and the ballroom in the Manor was already ready for it.
"Draco, your father said that you wanted to talk to me?" she said. So softly I could barely hear her. It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. This is it, the time had arrived.
"Hermione," I began.
"It's Annabelle, Malfoy. I already thought that you'd figured that out." She replied. I'm trying to propose to her and she has the nerve to be cheeky.
"Whatever Lytton, anyway I know you don't want to go to Hogwarts with a ring on your finger but, well." I dropped to one knee and looked into her eyes. The look in her eyes switched so many times but there was on constant emotion, I think it was happiness, I hope it was happiness. "Will you marry me?" I didn't know what she was about to say she just looked shocked.
"Draco… I don't know what to say?" I told him. I was in utter shock. There he was my childhood bully, on one knee asking me to marry him. Mother would be proud of me if I say yes or no but father would be severely angry and probably hit me if I did say no. Before I could continue, my Draco, well that sounds weird, my Draco, interrupted my train of thought.
"Well you could say yes?" He joked, I think. I couldn't help but laugh. An actual smile lit up his face as I did. I could feel people's ears on the door and in all fairness Draco did look worried. I decided to put Draco out of his misery. I didn't say anything I just nodded my head. Draco picked me up and twirled me around. We kissed, which we've been doing a lot more of recently, both because our fathers have been pushing us to and because, as much as it pains me to say, I'm starting to really like Malfoy. Ginny promised not to tell Ron or Harry, although I did get one weird look from Harry when we did meet up earlier this week, so I think she did. As we walked out the door we decided that it would be funny if we started to bicker.
"Uggh, Malfoy, must you be so annoying?" I yelled
"Well sorry, Lytton, for trying to be spontaneous." He yelled back. The looks we received were so funny. Mr Malfoy looked disgusted at his son. My father had a look on his face as if to say that he'd kill us because we were bickering so much.
"Don't complain. At least I accepted your proposal. I could have said no and just let us die." I spat, grinning like a Cheshire cat. We got so many hugs and congratulations. My mother wouldn't let me go. My father had to pry her off me. Mr Malfoy told me that I was to share a room with Draco from now on, just not to give him an heir so soon. Mother and Father looked disgusted at his comment but Ginny was trying to contain her laughter. Draco grabbed my hand and led me through his Manor and up to his room. My things, except for the dress, were moved into his room. He had a massive four poster king sized bed. The room unsurprisingly was green and silver. I had better get used to the colours hadn't I. Draco was in his ensuite was getting changed. When he came out he said something about being Voldemort's reincarnation but I couldn't hear him properly because he was speaking during our kiss.
Authors Note: Well guys what do you think of this chapter. Thank you all so much for all your reviews I love you all! And for the people that have added this to your favourites this and added it to story alert. I love everyone that reads this story, and I'd love for you to push the little button just below this to review. Reviews make me happy!
