Chapter Ten
"Hey, Hermione?" Draco murmured while relaxing in the sunshine, the sound of the babbling brook nearby almost lulling him to sleep.
"Yeah, Draco?" Hermione sighed happily, loving the warmth from the sun, the light floral scent dancing on the wind, and the way Draco held her hand.
"Have you ever thought about your wedding?" It wasn't exactly what he wanted to ask, but he could work his way up to it.
"My wedding?" Hermione spluttered. Didn't Draco realize you kind of needed a boyfriend first, before you could plan a wedding?
"Yeah," Draco drawled. "You know, that day where you wear a really gorgeous white dress and Richard walks you down the aisle and you promise to love somebody forever?"
"I know what a wedding is, smartarse," Hermione laughed. "But if I'm being honest, no, I've never really thought about it. Have you?"
"Only one part," he whispered.
"What part?" Hermione asked, closing her eyes and luxuriating in the warmth the sun was providing.
Draco hesitated. He really didn't want to tell her that, not yet at least.
"It's not important," he hedged so she let it drop. Draco loved that about Hermione; she knew when to push and when to let go.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, but Draco still held Hermione's hand. He brushed gentle strokes against her knuckles and studied her profile while her eyes were closed. He knew what he wanted, he was just worried she wouldn't want the same thing.
Would he mess everything up if he asked her? Would he make everything that much better? There was only one way to find out.
"Hey, Hermione?" Draco whispered.
"Hmm?" She responded, lazily turning to smile at him.
"Do you think, I mean, would you like…uh, well…damn it," Draco tripped over his words. "Would you be my girl? I mean, my girlfriend? Would you like to be—"
His rambling was cut off by her lips pressing gently to his own.
"Took you long enough," was all she said.