Graduation Day was here. Everyone in seventh year was shaking in fear and in excitement. The morning found Draco standing in front of his mirror trying to tie his tie. As he was about to give up, Ginny came out of the bathroom. Catching a glimpse of her in the mirror, Draco became a statue as he watched his wife cross the room to her wardrobe to get a pair of stilettos. She was wearing a black dress that went to just above her knees. It had a v-neck line that tied up in the back as a halter top. From the waist down the dress was flowy. Her hair was done up in a loose sophisticated bun that was set to the left side more so then the right. Two pieces of hair was curled on either side of her face. Around her neck she wore a Peridot and Emerald drop necklace. Hanging from her ears she wore matching earrings. She wore a matching bracelet around her wrist. Her makeup was natural with purple eye shadow. She looked up at him when she had put her shoes on and smirked when she saw that he was watching her.
"I'd tie your tie already Dray, or else we will be late" she said as she walked up to him
"Malfoy's are never late" he said
"Try telling Professor Dumbledore that" she said as she started to tie his tie for him
"Mmm... You look beautiful by the way" he said eyeing her up and down
"Thank you Dray" she replied blushing slightly
"Nice blush" he said smirking
"Oh shut it" she said sticking her tounge out at him
"How mature Mrs. Malfoy" he said laughing
"Shut it Draco" she said patting his cheek slightly "Now. Where is your Graduation robe?"
"Hanging in my wardrobe" he said as he went and sat on the bed to put on his shoes
After he had the robe on they walked hand in hand down to the Great Hall where all of the grad class was meeting. When they entered the Entrance Hall they saw Blaise, Alyza, Roderick and Pansy waiting outside the Great Hall doors for them. Alyza was dressed in a dress similar to Ginny's but was a navy blue. She had her hair down in luscious waves with it pinned back on one side by a dragonfly clip. After giving their respective husbands a kiss of good luck and their brothers a hug in good luck, they two girls watched them walk into the Great Hall and join the other graduates. Ginny and Alyza then turned and made their way down to the edge of the lake where the ceremony would be held. As they walked, they groaned together as they knew what they were about to endure. It was Hogwarts tradition to go alphabetically by house, and then they go alphabetically by the graduating members of the house. As they walked up to the ceremony spot, they were bombarded by Ginny's sisters. The Snape's and Zabini's were all seated together as well as Lucius. After quickly joining them, they only had to wait a minute before they saw the teachers appear in the front Entrance Hall doorway and begin to walk down to the seats that were reserved for them. After the teachers, they saw the Ministry officials that were going to speak and then Professor Dumbledore lead the graduates down to the ceremony spot and directed them to where they were to be seated. After everyone was seated, Professor McGonnagall stood up at the podium and started to speak.
"Gryffindors. I am very proud of you all. Some of you had the whole world watching you grow, some of you were in the back ground. Being brave is a true Gryffindor trait and you all have it. Use it well. Now when I call your name, I want you to come forth and receive your diploma of completion. Lavender Brown." Professor McGonnagall said
When she reached Hermione's, Harry's and Ron's name. They all got a standing ovation by majority of the attendents at the ceremony. After they Gryffindors, Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's had all walked across the stage, it was finally time for the Slytherin's turn.
"Today I stand before you, not just the proud Head of Slytherin House, but also as a proud father, and a proud god father, a proud secondary father, and a proud father in-law. I have never stood in front of a group of young adults that are so close to me. I know in my heart you will always be friends, and that makes me proud that the Slytherin House unity hasn't been lost through the ages. This graduation is most special to me because I have my first born, my son graduating. I also have his wife, my son-in-law graduating as well. Today they leave here with knowledge and strength I have had yet to see in a group of young adults. They leave this school to take over their family companies. To start a family of their own. To go overseas and work in a foreign ministry. They leave Slytherin House with wisdom and convidence that is beyond their years. Over the years, and this year especially, they have formed alliances, grew stronger as a group and became a close knit family, not just figuratively. Congratulations on all of your achievements, and good luck with your future goals. Now, come forth and receive you diploma of completion. Milicent Bulstrode-Goyle." he said
When he got to Draco, Ginny and Alyza grabbed each other's hands and held their breaths. After Draco had shook the Minister of Magic's hand and Dumbledore's hand, he stood in front of Severus with a straight expression that matched Severus'. Soon a smile spread across Severus' face as he shook hands with Draco and handed him his Diploma. Once Draco had walked off of the stage, the two girls let go of each other and clapped with the rest of their families. When Pansy walked across the stage, Severus' actions where the same.
When he got to Roderick, Ginny heard her mother take a deep intake of breath and exhale. Smirking at her mother's reaction, Ginny glanced at her sister Julia who just rolled her eyes. When Roderick was standing in front of his father, Severus' didn't even try to hide it. He pulled his son in for a hug and held him for a little longer than anyone thought possible. After parting, the Snape men pulled themselves together and shook hands before Roderick was handed his Diploma.
When Blaise got to Severus to receive his Diploma, he was congratulated in the same way as Draco and Pansy were. After Blaise had sat back down and the photographer had dispersed to the back of the ceremony, Dumbledore had stood up and started to give the last speech of the ceremony.
"Another graduation class has come and gone" he started "And with them, they take an education that they will use for the rest of their lives. An education that they learnt not only in the classrooms, but in the corridors, their common rooms and dorms, and in their circle of friends. An education they learnt not just from the professors, but from their friends, siblings, older housemates, classmates and the ghosts. They take with them the memories that they made within these walls. Memories that they will bring up while reminiscing with old friends. Memories that they will tell their children and their gradnchildren, and in some cases their great-grand children. They made friends, perhaps lost friends. They found love, or lost it. They grew stronger. They learnt of their strengths and of their weaknesses. They learnt life lessons. They learnt about them selves. They came to Hogwarts seven years ago as scared first years, and today they leave Hogwarts not as accomplished seventh years, but as accomplished adults. Congratulations Graduating class. You did it."
After the end of his speech the Graduating class raised their wand's and said a spell that shot fireworks out of the ends of their wands. After the fireworks had disappeared, the Graduating class split and tried to find their families. When Draco walked up to his father, all of the attendants of the ceremony stopped to watch the interaction between father and son. Without missing a beat, Lucius pulled his son in for a hug and held on to him even longer then Severus held onto Roderick. What shocked everybody the most is when they saw a tear fall from Lucius' eye. He pulled away from Draco and shook his hand.
"Congratulations son" he said "Your mother would be very proud"
"Thanks dad, don't worry, I know she would be." Draco said with slight smile at the thought of how proud his mother would be
"I will go and congratulate Blaise now, seeing as he is a son of mine now." Lucius said as he spotted Ginny coming up behind Draco
"You leave him in good hands Lucius" she said causing Draco to spin around
"I know" Lucius said giving her a quick hug before going off to find the Zabini's
"Congratulations" Ginny said once Draco and herself were alone "Happy?"
"Shocked more like" he said
"Why?" she asked
"Life is finally hitting me hard on the head" he said
"I'm confused now" she said quietly
"I can't believe I graduated. I'm married to the love of my life" he said pulling Ginny in for a hug "I'm just realizing how lucky I am"
"Oh... Okay. Makes sense" she said pulling away to give him a passionate kiss
"Oi! I don't need to see that you two" said Roderick as he came up behind Ginny "It's bad enough I know you two sleep in the same bed"
"Oh bugger off Roderick" Ginny snapped "Can't I even give my husband a Congratulatory kiss?"
"You can... Just not anywhere near me" he said causing Pansy to roll her eyes
"Fine." he said frowning
"So what next?" asked Blaise as he walked up
"Blaise honey, you already know. My father is taking us as well as Draco and Ginny out to dinner tonight, that is the reason why Ginny and I are so dressed up. Roderick and Pansy are going back to Snape Manor because Pansy can't eat anything and she didn't want to come." Alyza said rolling her eyes at her husband's forgetfullness
"What do we do until then?" asked Blaise
"I want to go back to the manor and have a nap" Pansy said "We had all of our stuff sent over there this morning before we came downstairs"
"Smart plan, but Ginny and I were running late. We have to go and pack now" Draco said grabbing Ginny's hand "Roderick we will meet you guys at the front gates in a half an hour"
"Alright" Roderick called out to the two as the ran up the slanted hill to get inside faster as the weather shield Dumbledore put up that morning for the ceremony wore off
Once back downstairs in the dungeons, Draco pulled out their trunks from beneath the bed and waved his wand and all of their belongings began to pack themselves. After only a matter of a few minutes their entire room was empty of any of their belongings. Shrinking the trunks, he shoved them into his pocket, grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her out to the common room. With a wave of his wand, a silent and entrance barrier was created.
"What did you just do Dray?" Ginny asked
"I made it so no one can enter the common room and no one can hear what is going on in the common room." he said sitting her on the couch
"Why?" she asked
"Because... I have a question to ask you" he responded
"Okay..." she said biting her lip because of nervousness
"Ginevra Snape. You have been the one girl that I can always turn to. When times I couldn't go to family arose, you were there. When all I needed was a hug, you were there to give it to me. You are my rock when I am weak. My shoulder to cry on when I need it. Without you, I have no idea how I could have made it through my mother's sickness. You went from just that Weasley girl, to that Snape girl, to my friend, to my crush, to my everything. It seems like weeks, but in actual fact it was years. I want to spend the remainder of my years with you by my side Ginevra Snape. Will you marry me?" he asked "Well... Formally marry me?"
"Yes Draco" she said between fits of laughter "Of course I will"
"Good" he said "I'd hate to have to return this ring"
"What ring?" she asked
"This one" he said pulling out a black velvet box from his pocket
When he opened the box Ginny got tears in her eyes. Sitting in the black velvet pillow that was nestled inside the box was a beautiful platinum band engagement ring. The band had a Celtic design to it. The stone was a brilliant sparkling black Onyx, that in different light had a tinge of different colors to it. Looking up at Draco's face she pushed the ring away and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. When they pulled away for air after a few minutes, he shook his head at her antics and slid the ring on her finger. Once it was securely on, he grabbed her hands again, kissed them each once, and pulled her out of the Slytherin Common Room. With a wave of his wand, the barrier he had conjured had disappeared. Together they walked hand in hand down the dungeon corridor, out into the Entrance Hall, through the Entrance Hall doors and down the path that lead to the Hogwarts Gates. Once there, they spotted Roderick and Pansy. When they were a metre away, Roderick raised his wand and summoned the Knight Bus. When they were on, Roderick conjured up a bucket for Pansy and created a protective shield around the four of them.
"So what are you guys going to do when you guys get to your place?" asked Roderick
"Unpack." Ginny and Draco responded at the same time
"We really won't have much time to do anything but that before we have to meet up with Lucius." Ginny replied "What about you guys?"
"I don't care what he does, but I am going to go and have a nap" Pansy replied as she laid her head down on Roderick's shoulder.
"I have Ministry job applications to fill out. Also, I have to owl Gringotts and get them to send a full listing of Snape properties." Roderick responded
"Don't want to live at home anymore?" asked Draco with a smirk
"Not if we are expecting a baby. It's going be bad enough having Mum visit every day just to see the baby, I don't want to live with her." she replied
"I get what you mean. That is why I am going to look for work. I will be too stressed if Mum is always over." Ginny replied with a smirk
"Yeah... but where would I work?" asked Pansy
"Become a mediwitch" Draco supplied
"No thank you" sneered Pansy "I'd perferably do something with clothes"
"I have no ideas," replied Ginny biting her lip
"Neither do I" replied Draco
"It'll come to you love" encouraged Roderick
The four were silent for the remainder of the trip. When the Knight Bus reached Snape Manor, all four got off. They said their good byes as Roderick and Pansy entered the manor. With a glance at the manor where Ginny spent her teen years, she grabbed Draco's hand and started to walk towards their own house on the hill. When they were standing in front of it, Draco let go of Ginny's hand and let her walk through the door. When she entered, she saw that it had been decorated since the last time she had seen it. She turned back towards the door to look at Draco. Smiling at him, he came forth and wrapped her up in his arms.
"Welcome home Gin" he said before kissing her passionately
"Welcome home Draco" she said after they had parted from the kiss
"What shall we do now Mrs. Malfoy?" asked Draco with a wink
"We shall... go upstairs and unpack" she said reaching into his pockets to retrieve their shrunken trunks before turning and running up the stairs.
When they entered their bedroom, she gasped at what she saw. In the middle of the room stood a queen sized bed. The bedframe was an untreated pine with a clear laquer. The headboard had rose carvings on the edges with carved vines up and down the sides. The comforter and pillow shams were a navy blue. The pillow cases were white. The French doors were covered by white curtain shams. A dresser that matched the bedframe was situated along the wall that had pictures hanging over it. She looked over at Draco as he entered the closet. Following him into the closet, she stopped short as she saw all of her clothes from her parent's house already hanging up. Putting down both of their trunks, she let Draco expand them. After they had put all of their clothes in one pile, their toiletries in one, and their books in another, they put it all to rest and decided to freshen up before they went to meet Lucius.
Two hours later they found themselves seated alone at a table set for five. Draco kept looking at his watch. When Alyza and Blaise entered the restaurant and saw that Lucius wasn't there yet, Alyza began to frown.
"Where is father?" asked Alyza as Blaise held out her chair for her
"No clue. We got here a half hour before the reservation was set for" Draco said
"Have you floo called him?" Alyza asked
"Yes. Twice. No answer either of the times" Draco replied
"I wonder what is keeping him" Alyza wondered aloud with a look of worry
After another half an hour of waiting, the waitress was leading Lucius to their table.
"So sorry I am late. I got caught up in work" he said as he gave Alyza and Ginny each a kiss on their cheek and shook hands with Blaise and Draco
"Really?" asked Alyza "You quit work at four everyday"
"That was when your mother was at home Alyza, without her there, I have nothing to do except my work." he explained "I got caught up on reading some of the new accounts we bought from Gringotts"
"How are those accounts coming along?" asked Blaise
"Well. Very well, I have met with have of the companies that start with 'A'. Hopefully Draco decides to come to work at the company soon, I could definitely use his help." Lucius said
"Dad, I will come to work as soon as I am ready" Draco replied giving his father a pointed look
"Oh yes. I forgot. You wished to take Ginny on a vacation. I remember now. Yes, after you return from that you come to work then." Lucius said as he took a sip of wine
"Excuse me? What vacation?" asked Ginny
"My goodness boy. You haven't even told her!" exclaimed Lucius
"No Dad. I had wanted to surprise her actually" Draco sneered as he took a sip of wine
"Oh... I'm sorry Draco. Forgive me." Lucius said "You said you were going to tell her before you graduated"
"I was going to father, mothers illness caused me to postpone a couple of things" Draco said
"And...?" asked Lucius
"It doesn't matter Draco. We can go on a vacation after the accounts are settled. You'll need it more then and I would like to be here and save Pansy from my mother. Thank you for the thought anyways Dray." Ginny said putting a reassuring hand on Draco's shoulder
"Are you sure?" asked Draco
"Yes. If I change my mind I'll let you know" she said kissing his cheek
Dinner proceeded it quit that way. By the time that dessert had ended Lucius had got the life plans out of all four of them. When they all parted ways, Draco was the last to give Lucius a hug. When they got back to their house. Draco climbed the stairs, dressed for bed and climbed into the bed without any words to Ginny. Rolling her eyes, Ginny copied his antics and fell asleep before her head even hit the pillow.