As always anything other than the OC or otherwise cited, belongs to JK.

Please enjoy!

Christmas this year was remarkably different to Sofia. For starters, she was actually home and not staying in France and she spent an entire weekend helping Olivia decorated their house and the Christmas tree, the one Caleb had magically cut and transported from the forest by their house and she couldn't have been happier.

Then, not only was she to visit her family with her parents as they always did, they had also been invited to the Manor and the Burrow. To make matters even more complicated, both Sofia and Draco were scheduled to work the morning and part of the afternoon on December twenty fifth. In the end, Sofia and her parents had lunch with Olivia's family and dinner with Caleb's on the twenty fourth and in between those visits they stopped briefly at the Burrow. On the following day, Sofia and her parents opened the presents together early in the morning before she left for work. Sofia's shift ended an hour before Draco's but she continued to work, helping the incoming brewers and when they were both done at St Mungus, they headed together to the Manor.

Caleb and Olivia were already there, enjoying drinks and appetizers with Narcissa and Lucius, when Draco and Sofia arrived. Because they were both tired and hungry after their long day, it was decided that they would eat before opening the presents. Sofia had always imagined that the Manor would not be decorated or would have very few decorations, but she was surprise to see that not only was it decorated but it rivaled even Hogwarts decorations. Everything was in the Slytherin colors, but it did not take away from the overall beauty of it.

Although there were only six of them, there was enough food for a small crowd. An enormous turkey sat at the very center of the table and on each side of the turkey were gooses. Other dishes on the table included Brussels sprouts, carrots, roasted potatoes, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, and turkey gravy. Sofia's stomach growled as she smelled the food and she blushed when her eyes met Draco's and he laughed at her, right before his own stomach growled as well.

Everyone's plates where full within instants and the conversation quickly died out as they were too busy chewing. By the time dessert was served the conversation picked back up, mainly between their parents as Sofia and Draco were too busy eating traditional Christmas pudding, their favorite Christmas dessert. When all plates were empty and they could eat no more, everyone followed Lucius back to the Christmas tree.

The Malfoys gave Caleb and Olivia a painting of Paris and gave Sofia a painting of Beauxbatons, both done by a famous French wizard painter. The Smiths gave them each an expensive dark green cloak and gave Draco a book about the history of the Healers. Draco gave Sofia black diamond earrings that matched her necklace and Sofia gave him a special watch that would keep track of his patients and when Draco needed to stop by and see them, a present he was absolutely elated to receive.

After they were done exchanging presents, Draco led Sofia outside to the lake behind the Manor and after they both had on their skates, he helped her onto the ice.

"Our first Christmas together" He said skating next to her, holding her hand.

"Yes, the first of many" She said, glancing at him with a smile.

"Without a doubt"

"Amazing how different things were this time last year…"

"Yes, I'm glad those days are over for good"

"Me too, don't know how much longer I could have gone like that, away from everyone"

"I'm not sure how much longer I would have gone either but I would like to think that, for you, I could have waited forever"

Sofia's heart skipped a beat and she stopped skating, placing herself in front of him.

"I love you Draco Malfoy, so very much"

"I love you too Sofia, more and more with each passing day"

Before long, they were in each other's arm, kissing. They lost track of time as they alternated between skating and kissing but eventually one of the Manor's elves came to call them. Sofia and Draco walked back inside to find their parents finishing a cup of firewhiskey in the study.

"Draco, will you please play us something?" Narcissa asked the moment her son came in.

Draco nodded and walked towards the piano. Before sitting down, he motioned Sofia to come over and he only began playing once she was seated next to him. After playing a couple of songs by himself, he asked Sofia if she would like to play something with him. As they played, their parents sat on the comfortable chairs around the fireplace.

"They look so happy" Olivia said, smiling at Draco and Sofia who were oblivious to their surrounding as they played.

"I still find it hard to believe they carried on for years without any of us knowing. I noticed a change in Draco when he came home for Christmas during their sixth year, even though he tried to hide it, but I would never guess it was because of her" Narcissa said.

"I caught him looking at her during the Ministry's Christmas Party but he said he was looking at someone else. Sneaky as always" Lucius joined in.

"I didn't take her feelings so seriously when she first told us about them" Caleb said "but as the days passed…. I had never seen her so sad before. It was like part of her was missing and she wasn't the same again until the battle was over and they reunited"

"Draco wasn't the same during that time either. I had thought it was because of, well, everything that took place during those months which in part it was, but after he told Lucius and I about them it all made sense"

In the hours before Sofia and Draco had left for France, they met with the Malfoys to tell them what Sofia had already told her parents. It was an awkward experience to Sofia, especially as Lucius kept interrupting to ask questions but in the end she was glad she had been there with Draco.

"I would never have picked her for him" Lucius said "but in the end, I am glad they found each other. Sofia is good for him… he needed her"

Caleb, Olivia and Narcissa looked at Lucius in amazement. He had been much better towards Sofia and her relationship with Draco as the months went by, but this was the very first time he said something like that.

"Thank you" Caleb said, feeling proud of his daughter for making such a difference "Draco is good for her as well. Both of them, like Potter and all those who went through so much at such a young age have seen and done things beyond their years. And yet, they have proven to be stronger than any of us could have hoped for"

The others nodded, and they resumed watching Draco and Sofia. After another round of firewhiskey and three more songs played by Draco, the Smiths were ready to leave. After they were gone, Draco whished his parents good night and went to his room. He shut the door behind him and walked towards the bed, ready to flop down, when he noticed something in it.

He opened the parcel, his jaw dropping. In his hands was a collage of several pictures of him, working at St Mungus. Draco looked at the pictures in amusement, wondering when and who had taken those pictures. There were several of him alone, of him with other healers and of him tending to patients although you couldn't see their faces, for privacy reasons he assumed. The only picture he remembered being taken was the one of him and Sofia, the day they finished with training. When he was done looking at the pictures, he reached for the letter next to the parcel

Draco,

I know you have been worried about people judging you because of who you used to be, so I wanted you to see the difference you are making in people's lives. The other healers were very eager to help me with this project, and it was with their help that I could put this collage together.

If ever you doubt yourself or your place in this world, besides coming to me for comfort, look at these pictures and remember that you are just as an important part of this world as the other people in it. More important, if you ask me.

I love you, always have and always will.

Sofia

He put down the letter and reached for the collage again, studying it a lot closer this time. The longer he looked at it, the more he could recognize like the day he helped an experienced healer treat the baby on the left corner, or the first time he watched a potions brewer help a healer administer the potion to patient pictured on the far right. Draco put down the collage, suddenly overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. Sofia had gone beyond herself to make sure he knew just how important he was and to help him fight his demons. She truly was the most amazing person in his life and he wanted her, all of her, forever. On that night, Draco made his final decision. He only needed to figure out the perfect time and place but he was ready to make Sofia his, once and for all.

The New Year came bringing a tremendous amount of work for both Draco and Sofia. As the weeks passed by, quickly turning into months, they continued to advance on their jobs and were consequently given more and more responsibilities. That year, they all returned to Hogwarts for the one year anniversary of the Battle, celebrating Voldemort's defeat while still mourning those who perished. Soon after, Hermione and Ginny completed their studies and left Hogwarts and Ginny joined a professional Quidditch Team while Hermione went to work for the Ministry. In between everything else, they celebrated many birthdays and the news of Fleur's pregnancy. Before they knew it, it was Christmas again and just a few days later, yet another year had begun.

In early March, Draco was given the job as a Healer and no longer worked under someone and just a few days after his promotion, Sofia was promoted as well. Her passion and natural talent never ceased to impress all those whom she worked with. Draco had been so pleased he had taken Sofia on a weekend trip to a wizarding community in Northern Ireland to celebrate and both had enjoyed the trip more than anticipated as it was their first time away by themselves since Paris, almost two years ago. Their busy schedules and exhausting hours had pushed Draco's plans for a proposal to the back of his mind and when he had finally decided on where, when and how he was going to ask her, he realized he would have to wait even longer. The time and place had to be just right, something it wouldn't be till the end of the year. Having decided all that, he turned his attention to the next two major things: the ring and asking Caleb for Sofia's hand.

Many years ago, when Draco was much too young to be thinking about marriage, his parents had shown him the Malfoy jewels and told him he could have any of the rings or other jewelry for his future wife. Of all the options, only one had seemed right to him at the time but it was no longer the case as he was positive Sofia would not care for a ring with an emerald traced by two snakes, no matter how sumptuous. He would have to find her ring somewhere else, or even have it custom made. He knew his parent were still in touch with the man who had made Sofia's black rose necklace, so he decided to finally tell them about his plans and ask for their assistance in contacting the man.

The night Draco told his parents he was going to ask Sofia to marry him, both his parents surprised him by uttering the words "At last!" before saying anything else. Draco had been so shocked by their response it took him a minute to collect himself. Once he did, he told them about Sofia's love for black diamonds, how the color black was their favorite and how he wanted to have a ring especially made for her. As he spoke, his father stood up and retrieved a piece of parchment, a feather and some ink from the desk and began writing even as Draco was still talking. When Draco questioned him, Lucius handed him the paper and Draco read the letter his father had written to Mr. Alexander, the man responsible for the Malfoy jewelry. In the letter, Lucius requested that Mr. Alexander came to the mansion as soon as his schedule would allow, for a very especial request. Lucius then summoned a house elf and ordered the elf to send the letter immediately. Once that was settled, Narcissa questioned Draco as to when and where he would propose but he refused to tell them, proceeding instead to ask Lucius how he had asked his father in law for Narcissa's hand in marriage. He was fairly certain of what he was going to tell Mr. Smith, but he still wanted to hear from his father.

Alexander arrived at the Malfoy Manor two days later, keen to find out what the especial request was. He was a very talented man who enjoyed creating jewelry master pieces, especially for people like the Malfoys who had both the money and materials for his services. His meeting with Draco and his parents lasted over an hour as he asked Draco to describe Sofia, her personality, and their relationship. He always believed in knowing the person he was going to create something for, as it was important for the jewelry to reflect that person. He was very enthusiastic about this request, especially once Draco told him the black rose necklace he had created so many years ago was a present to the same lady in question and he was absolutely delighted when Draco also asked him to create the wedding bands. Once they were done talking, Alexander left with the promise of having the perfect engagement ring in a few weeks' time and the two wedding rings by the end of the year.

With the rings taken care of Draco turned his attention to the remaining issue, asking Caleb for Sofia's hand. After much deliberation, he invited Mr. Smith to the Manor on a rainy Sunday night at the end of May with the pretense of discussing Ministry business with him and Lucius. When Caleb arrived, Lucius and Narcissa greeted him before taking Mr. Smith to Lucius' study, where Draco was already waiting for him.

Draco was staring at the ring, inside its black velvet box, when he heard them approaching the study. Quickly, he shrunk the box and placed it inside his pocket, together with the picture of him and Sofia he always carried with him. He watched as his parents told Mr. Smith that Draco was the one who wished to speak to him, before leaving and shutting the door behind them. Draco stood up and shook hands with his future father in law, glad the man couldn't hear his hearth beating out of control. Draco was very proud of his self-control and cool demeanor, but he was having a hard time maintaining his ice cold control today and he took a couple of deep breaths, preparing himself.

"Everything ok Draco?" Caleb asked, noticing how the young man was.

"Yes sir. I am afraid this meeting will not be about what you were told."

"I see… will it be about my daughter?" Caleb asked, with an understanding expression.

"Yes sir"

"Very well, and you don't need to be so nervous Draco. I knew this day was coming. To be honest, I had expected it sooner than now"

Draco looked at Caleb, studying the man with great care. He knew how much Caleb loved his daughter and how important she was to him, and even though he had expected Caleb to be scary and intimidating with the man about to ask for his daughter's hand, Caleb was neither. That gave Draco the confidence he needed.

"Well then, as you know, I have loved your daughter for many years now and her happiness and safety are my top priorities. I cannot imagine my life without her and I wish to make her my wife. Do I have your permission to ask Sofia to marry me?"

"I have dreaded this day from the moment we found out Olivia was pregnant with a baby girl. I am sure you will understand my feelings someday, if you and Sofia have a daughter…. I have always believed no man would ever be good enough for my little girl, that no man would ever be able to love her and protect her the way I do. Of course we love her in very different ways, but I have seen in you the kind of person my daughter deserves and you have proven yourself capable of protecting her. I will not lie and say I have always approved of you Draco, and you know that, but with each passing day you continue to show us all that you are a good, trust worthy man. You have mine and Olivia's permission to marry Sofia"

"Thank you Mr. Smith. I promise to make her the happiest woman alive and to keep her safe no matter the cost"

"I know you will Draco, but my warnings of before still stand. Don't hurt my little girl"

"I will not, Sir"

"Good, now tell me, how soon will this be?"

"Late November, I hope"

"November? I'm assuming you have a reason as to why wait so long… Is it the ring?"

"No sir, I already have her ring. It's about the weather"

"The weather?"

"Yes sir. I'm sorry but I can't say anything else about it, it will all make sense later"

"Very well. I guess you won't show me the ring either?"

"No, I want Sofia to be, besides the man who designed it and myself the first one to see it"

"I was like that with Olivia's ring as well. Tell me something Draco, have you told your parents yet?"

"Yes, I told them a couple of months ago. I have spent my time since then on the ring and in preparation to our conversation"

"I see Sofia and I were successful in frightening you" Caleb joked.

"I wasn't frightened Mr. Smith, just unusually nervous"

"And that is perfectly fine. Just wait until your wedding day or when you have kids"

Draco shrugged, causing Caleb to laugh. Soon after, a small house elf came in bringing a tray with tea and cookies and Draco asked the elf to call his parents. A few minutes later Narcissa and Lucius came in and they spent several minutes discussing their children's upcoming engagement. When Caleb was done with his tea he stood up to leave and Draco walked him to the Manor's gates.

"I am trusting you with the most precious thing in my life Draco Malfoy. Don't make me regret this decision" Caleb said, suddenly more serious than he had been all night

"I will not, you have my word" Draco responded, just as serious.

Caleb nodded, wished Draco a good night and crossed the magical barrier and Draco watched as he apparated home, unable to move. He had permission to ask Sofia to marry him, both of their families supported them and it was only a matter of time before November arrived… and he could hardly wait for that day.

I hope I didn't upset anyone with waiting a year before Draco got around to preparing for his engagement but I just couldn't have it happen so quickly. I wanted to give the characters the time to grow and mature, even if I didn't explore it, before making such a huge decision.

Please let me know what you think so far! I really appreciate your input ( :