'Where have you been?' my mother hisses us. She's mad, so mad she doesn't see Smith walk up to us from behind.

'I just wanted to have my fiancée to myself for a while,' Draco replies. His words seem to both shock and relief my mother, but at least she's no longer mad. Smith's eyes lit up like Christmas lights. Obviously he's going to add this scene to the exclusive.

'Well,' says my mother with a sigh 'all the photographers are waiting inside. Whenever you wish to make an entrance...'

She walks into the house, Smith following her. He says something about some chocolate chip cookies. I turn to Draco, feeling completely exhausted. How can we feel so drained? And this day is barely half-way through. Draco looks down at me, and I know that he's feeling the exact same way. Both of just want to drop on a bed and sleep until next week. Or, at the very least, sit down and not be questioned about it. 'Let's just get it over with,' I whisper as we enter the home.

I see nothing at first. My house is it's usual self. Other than the several conversations occurring simultaneously in the living room, there doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary. But as soon as Draco sets foot in the living room, it begins: the flashes. I can barely make my way to the middle of the living room. They just don't stop. My arm locks in Draco's as I exhibit my engagement ring. 'I can't actually see any of you, but I see all the flashes,' I tell them and they all release a chuckle.

Many of the photographers congratulate us and they all have questions of their own. 'Draco, Eva normally has to go off for missions... Will that interfere with your marriage?'

Draco turns to me with a smile and then faces them. 'If she's gone for too long, I'll miss her. But it's what she loves to do, so she has my full on support.' Oh, that was unexpected. Many photographers even stop photographing us, as if their brain has frozen with his words.

'And Eva, will it be hard with Draco's long hours at St. Mungo's?'

'We're very organised with our time.' Did that sound cold? I turn to Draco with a smile. 'You always find time for your husband.'

'You have a wonderful hair comb,' observes a female photographer who reminds me of Rita Seeker. 'Wherever did you get it from, Wimply's Wizarding Jewlery?'

My free hand automatically finds the back of my head, where the comb is secured. How in Merlin's name did this woman see it? 'It was a gift,' I reply simply.

'From whom, might I ask?' Haven't you already? I have to tell myself several times not to roll my eyes at her.

'Draco's mother, Narcissa Malfoy,' I replied business like. The revelation of whom gave me such an exquisite piece of treasure sends a frenzy. Suddenly they're all asking me to turn around, to get a glimpse of this comb.

It seems like days before I find myself taking a shower - a quick shower. My mother lays down my white Chanel dress. In all honesty it's not quite white. It's grey until my waist and after that it's got horizontal grey and white stripes. My favourite detail about this dress is the neckline: it doesn't have one. Instead it's almost as if I'm wearing a necklace; a blue and gold necklace that forms a v.

There's a knock on the door. I look down at myself. I'm still naked, nothing but a towel wrapped around me. 'Hang on,' I ask and I quickly get my wand to dry myself before getting dressed. It takes me a total of two minutes before I open the door, barefoot and my hair still wet.

It's Draco and he seems surprised to find me in such a state. It's a good thing I got my stockings on so that I don't have to put them on in front of him, should he chose to stay. 'Sorry,' he says 'I thought-'

'Come in,' I ask, looking down the hall. Our parents are downstairs, entertaining the photographers, but you never know, one of them might try to do something funny.

He closes the door behind him and by the time he looks at me again, my hair is dried and falling down my shoulders like cascades. 'I thought you were just resting,' he says apologetically.

I smirk. 'You are my fiancé. You can visit me any time you like.' He snorts. I sit on top of my bed and slip my feet into the silver heels my mother has put out for me. I get up, looking myself in the mirror. I pass my hands through my hair. I can see Draco leaning against the wall, watching me, with his arms across his chest. 'Is there any particular reason you've come here?' I ask him through the reflection. 'Or did you just want to look at me? Because a picture would last you longer...'

Draco smirks. 'I was merely observing your exquisite beauty.'

'Aw, I'd thank you for such a compliment but,' I then turn to him. 'I bet you say that to all your fiancées.'

'Yes, because Merlin knows there are so many I can hardly keep count,' he replies, rolling his eyes at me.

'I should tell you that you look incredibly handsome this evening, Mr. Malfoy,' I say flirtatiously, as my hand runs down his black tie. 'I always said you cleaned up good.' He seems awkward with my sudden approach, so I release his tie but keep my smirk. I open my closet, wondering if I should take a jacket with me and, if so, which one.

'Mother was nagging,' Draco says, explaining why he's here. 'She wanted to know how I knew where to found you.'

I turn around suddenly. 'How did you know where to find me?'

There's that smirk again. 'Some things don't change,' he says. 'Each time we had an argument you'd go running to the stables.'

That was true, but I suppose after so long, I hadn't expected to ever find him at the stables again. After twelve years one usually stops expecting the impossible. 'Did you rat me out?'

'Never,' he smirks. 'But I had to get away from Mother, so I came here. You were right, each time I say I'm meeting you, they lay off me at once.'

'My mother's mind and your parents' works in similar ways,' I explain.

'And your father?'

I sigh, sitting on the bed again. 'He's suspicious. He wanted this at first, but now he's feeling guilty; thinks he's condemning me to a loveless marriage.'

'And aren't we,' he asks 'condemning you?' I look up at him. Of course he would think that. I want to roll my eyes at him, but it probably wouldn't help me at this point.

The thing with Draco is that he never thinks himself worthy. I don't know why that is... Lucius and Cissy have always loved him, spoilt him rotten even. And yet I could see it clearly. The way he looked down at me, almost as if he pitied me for being stuck with him.

'I don't want to freak you out,' I tell him 'and I most certainly don't want to fight in order to convince you. But, as kids, I really did love you. In a very innocent way, of course. I suppose that's why I felt so abandoned once you left. It feels like a lifetime ago, sometimes, you know' I laugh, but it's not a happy smile. 'We've been through an entire education since then, a whole war. We've changed... A lot. But inside you, somewhere, there's the boy I loved. That will never change. So I don't see how our marriage could be loveless.'

I wish I could describe the look on Draco's face, but I can't. It's unlike any look I've ever seen before. Confusion, disbelief, panic, suspicion, longing, astonishment... It's all the same, but all different. It comes down to shock I suppose. I probably shouldn't have said that; should've waited a little more before going this way.

I get up from my bed and look at Draco seriously. 'We don't have to talk about this. Just rest assured that I am not drowning in sorrow and that I'm not miserable. We will be fine.' My feet take me to the mirror once again. I don't want to be looking him in the eye. It'll make him feel awkward and hide in that rough shell of his. 'Are the photographers still going to be here when we go downstairs?'

'A few,' he replies after a moment. 'Mother says most will be dismissed, in order to have more room for the actual guests.'

'It's understandable,' I reply. I've been looking at myself in the mirror for far too long. I better just turn and face him again. 'Draco, I invited someone.'

He snorts. 'I think you invited more than a someone, Eva.'

'No, I mean I invited someone on your behalf.' At the time I had hesitated. In fact I still wasn't sure wether or not I should have sent the invite. But the recipient had confirmed their presence the following day so I took it as a sign that I had done the right thing.

Draco's watching me closely, as he waits for me to inform him. I'm just trying to make sure he's not going to snap. I've given him a great deal to think about... Our conversation at the barn, our conversation here and now this... I need to give this boy a break. 'Go on, Belby, spit it out,' he orders.

I arch an eyebrow at him. 'Last name basis,' I ask. 'I was actually expecting you not to ask me. To just get to the part with the lecture. You know, where you throw a fit for not having a say in the matter.'

'Eva,' he calls in a warning tune.

I sigh, crossing my arms in front of my chest defensively. 'Blaise Zabini.'

'Blaise Zabini,' he chews onto the word, as if tasting it. In reality, he's tasting the idea. It's true, him and Blaise haven't spoken in years. The last time they spoke must've been the day the war ended. They had dinner together at the Great Hall, shook hands and then went their separate ways. Blaise Zabini would go onto working in several departments in the Ministry, starting from the bottom. I've done my research. Apparently he wanted to proove that he really was on our side. He worked at the Ministry while studying and doing his Auror Training. Come to think of it, Draco and him have followed similar paths. And I'm sure he'd be glad to be here.

'See this as an engagement present,' I suggest, once I've decided it's been too long since the last time he spoke.

'Thanks,' he murmurs unwillingly.

I smirk, taking a step closer. 'What's that?' I ask, my hand lifting my hair from my ear 'come again...'

Draco rolls his eyes at me. 'If you're quite done, we have a room full of guests awaiting us.'

'I'm sure it won't take you more than a couple of seconds to repeat such loving words,' I smirk again. We're interrupted, which means Draco gets off the hook. Cissy's surprised to find that Draco is still here, but doesn't question us about it. She merely reminds us that the photographers are hungry for new pictures and many females have confessed to be anxious to see my dress.

We're greeted by those blinding flashes once we get to the top of the staircase. It's a good thing I'm holding onto Draco's hand or else I'd surely have tripped somewhere along the way. More people than I had expected are here. Minister Kingsley is here, which is a surprise. My parents arranged this, so I'm quite clueless as to who's been invited.

'I didn't think the Minister would be able to spear time for such events,' I say playfully.

'Well, normally I wouldn't. But you are one of my favourite,' he replies.

'That's not very democratic, Kingsie.'

'Well,' he shrugs 'I'm off duty.' He turns to Draco and shakes his hand, congratulating him and ordering him to take good care of me. Somehow, as he says the last part, his eyes warn Draco that this is somewhat of a threat.

A couple of people from the Ministry - who know me from work, and Draco because of Lucius - congratulate us and ask boring questions (the same questions that we've been answering all day). I am given the honour of meeting several Head Healers. They all tell me how fortunate I am to have such a skilled Healer in my home, if I should ever need assistance. I don't like to even think of that. Hopefully Draco's skills will never be needed anywhere else but at St. Mungo's. Lucius and Narcissa are doing an amazing job mingling. People crack at their jokes, although I'm sure they're all a little uneasy with Lucius' funny side.

'So, baby Belby is getting married...' says a voice behind me, making Draco and I turn around. It's Bill Weasley.

'That's right, old Bill,' I grin back at him before he gives me a quick hug. Fleur is beside him. She smiles and kisses me on both cheeks, but only offers Draco a handshake, as does Bill. They congratulate us and Fleur tells Draco she recognises him from his fourth year. She's obvious oblivious about the Malfoy VS Weasley thing. I feel something poking my leg. Looking down, I find little Victoire, who isn't three yet, looking up at me expectedly. Victorie is a strange little girl. She craves for attention, yet she won't let just anyone pick her up. She has to make the first step... Which is why she reminds me of Hippogriffs.

Victorie looks nothing like Bill, except for when she smiles. Her hair is just as blonde and straight as Fleur's, reminding me of silk. She has big blue eyes, which she has also earned from Fleur's side of the family. She's been dressed in a baby blue dress, which makes her look like the most beautiful child in the world. 'Hello, Victorie,' Victorie outstretches her arms up at me and I gently pick her up. 'You look beautiful tonight.'

'Thank you,' it's almost as if she sings the words. Her eyes turn to Draco. 'Who he?'

'Victoire,' represses Fleur.

Draco ignores Fleur but offers Victoire a hand. 'Draco Malfoy,' he says. Victoire analyses him before shaking his hand awkwardly. Her parents seemed impressed by Draco's gesture.

Victoire makes plenty questions regarding the wedding. It's her first, but Fleur has shown her magazines. Fleur and Bill said that they'd be more than happy to let us have Victoire be our flower girl and thank - both, Draco and I - for the honour. Draco and Bill don't have much trouble starting up a conversation. I think this is all Bill's doing. He is incredibly charming and understanding. He's very different from Ron and I can't understand how, seen as they were brought up by the same amazing people. Bill's not one to judge or hold a grudge. He also believes in second chances and for that, I am grateful.

'Mum won't make it,' he tells me, pausing the conversation he was sharing with Draco, while I spoke to Fleur about France. 'Dad's picked something up and isn't feeling too well.'

'Oh, but he'll be okay?'

'Yeah, yeah, just some sort of bug,' says Bill carelessly. 'But you know Mum,' he rolls his eyes and Fleur does too, though I suspect for different reasons.

'Excuse me,' Cissy takes Draco and I to the other side of the room to meet a few people. Bill and Fleur understood and were left in my mother's caring hands, so they should be alright. Little Victoire remains on my hip, as she's found some sort of form of entertainment fiddling with my hair. We make small talk with the witches and wizards Cissy introduces us to, nothing too deep tough.

'How long until dinner?' Draco asks.

I pull up the his hand - the one where he carries a silver wrist watch -, while my other arm holds Victorie firmly. It's still half past seven. 'Well, we have a good half an hour.'

'Why are all these people here so early?' wonders Draco. And I wish I knew. If they'd come at time, we'd be able to remain in our rooms a little longer, recovering from the very long day we've had.

Victoire entertains us, though. Until Ron comes and causes a bit of a scene, demanding to know what Draco's doing so close to Victoire. Bill comes just in time, before anyone can notice. 'That's my niece!' Ron points out.

'And that's my daughter, Ron,' Bill hisses quietly. 'Now, behave like a young man or Mum will know about this.'

That shuts him up, despite his glares. I glare back at him, while Draco ignores him, but even little Victoire glares at Ron and says: "You mean."

Hermione couldn't make it because she too has the bug. I find myself thinking about the disease Draco's been studying, but decide that it's just paranoia. Victoire gets tired and asks for Bill. If there's one thing everyone knows, is that Victoire is Daddy's little girl, but at least she doesn't cry on my lap, like she's done with Ron and Ginny.

'I see Ron's started the drama,' Ginny says as she, Harry and Teddy arrive. She's looking at Bill, who seems to be upset with Ron. 'I swear, he must have been a girl in his previous life. Oh, congratulations.'

I'm glad Harry's here. He's the only one who's given Draco a chance without me asking. From day one he always helped Draco within the Wizarding Community. Not that they were friends... I suppose Harry simply made an effort to understand.

'I've never seen so much press in one place,' says Ginny and when Ron shoots a glare towards us, Draco embraces my waist, pulling me closer to him. 'It's like a press conference in here.'

'Believe me,' I say quietly 'us, more than anyone, can't wait for them to leave.'

'How long have they been here for?'

'All day.'

'Though it feels like it's been a year,' murmurs Draco into my ear, humouring me. Ron seems curious, since he can't hear my fiancé, and glares.

Some reporter requests us to take a picture with Ginny and Harry and they ask them a few questions about us. I turn to Draco, when I'm assured that they can't hear. 'I'm glad it's them having the interviews now.'

'I'd never thought I'd see the day when I'd be glad to see Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter.'

'Play nice, Draconius.' He winces at the name.

'I hate it when you call me that.'

'Because you know that whenever I do, you're on a tight leash.' He produces some odd sound that manifests his annoyance at my words, but I don't really register it. I'll always know Draco's ways, no matter what. And that alone, is a small victory.

Ginny and Harry excuse themselves once some officials from the Ministry arrive to congratulate us. These ones come up with the same small talk as the previous ones. I want to simply turn my back and leave, but I find the patience and repeat the same answers. When I see Blaise Zabini, I instantly relax. Blaise used to hang out with Draco and I as a child. We saw each other three or four times a year. Of course, Draco and he were much closer and saw much more of each other, seen as they shared classes and dorms. He looked very handsome dressed in nothing but black. It was, perhaps, a little too heavy, but we were all very much used to Blaise Zabini's fashion sense.

I excused Draco and myself from the elderly's company - much to Draco's surprise. 'Where are we going?' He followed my gaze and soon recognised the face of the man I was looking at.

Blaise very rarely demonstrated any kind of affection. He wasn't like most of us. We knew how to disguise our feelings, not to shut them out completely. But Blaise, he could be having the greatest of heartaches and you still wouldn't be able to tell. He didn't even smirk much, like the rest of us. He was simply serious all the time. I was the first to speak, since Draco was taking too long for my linking. I smiled warmly at Blaise. 'We're glad you could make it, Blaise.'

'I don't think you should be speaking for Draco.' Damn it, he knows it was I who sent the invitation.

Draco shakes his head. 'She sent it, but I am glad that you're here. Someone normal in the middle of this...'

'Circus,' I suggest.

Blaise awards me with a really small smile which I suspect would've turned into a smirk, had he allowed it. 'Who would've thought,' says Blaise flatly, gesturing to the pair of us.

'I'll leave you boys to it,' I say. I know it must have been hell for Draco, these last couple of months. Other than myself, he hasn't had the chance to be honest with anyone else. He's been putting up an act for our parents and, any friend he might have, would have to be a fellow Healer. Somehow I don't picture Draco going to work rambling about his personal problems. Hopefully this evening with Blaise with help him let off some steam and bottled up thoughts.

I greeted George, who had come alone. Well, not exactually alone. He had three siblings here and he was very much entertained with Teddy and Victoire. What I meant was that he hadn't brought a date. I sat beside him, waiting for him to take notice of me but, right then, he was throwing Teddy up and down, making Victoire giggle. This was the only time George looked anything alike his old self - the self that had a twin. When he played with Teddy and Victoire, a very small part of him came alive. And I didn't want to pull him away from that. 'Training to become a father, George?' I ask once his green eyes turned to me.

He half-smiles, looking at Teddy once more. 'No, it's not for me. You, on the other hand...'

'Oh, no, no kids in the near future,' I reply.

'Pity,' and he seems genuinely disappointed 'more children would be nice.' I suppose I hadn't really thought about it. Teddy was about to turn five and Victoire would be three in a couple of weeks. They were still babies, but sooner or later they would grow up. What would happen to George then? Would we no longer be entitled to even a glimpse of his former self? The thought does not please me at all. 'Malfoy treating you right?'

'Yes, George' I sound bored, but this is another one of those questions that has been thrust upon me one too many times.

'Good,' he throws Teddy once more. 'Any bad moves and he gets a Mega Goyle Burner... Personally delivered.'

I laugh gently. A Mega Goyle Burner is a letter that when you open it, it makes your hands turn green, these pimples appear, then burst giving your hands the appearance of burnt hands. They don't actually cause any pain, but you do become sensitive so, even holding a pen hurts. Yet another one of his many inventions.

Victoire is craving her uncle George's attention, so he sits her on his lap, while Teddy is entitled to my hip. Victoire is the one person that can get George to talk about Fred without any pain or bitterness. When he tells her about the old days with Fred, he seems happy. He reveals that he misses his brother, but the sorrow and mourning don't show. I call Victoire his personal shrink.

Draco found me after a few more minutes, Blaise by his side. George and him acknowledged each other, but that was it. I allowed Draco to take my hand and lead me from the lounge to the dinning table. My father announced that it was about time we ate.

This dinner was a very awkward one, with me being pulled into the most dull conversations. I knew this would happen though, and I would have to endure it. It's a curse, the way my family knows everyone and it's almost like each wizard is worst than the previous one.

Teddy was seated by my side, which was one of the best decisions I ever made. Thanks to Teddy I had an excuse not to pay much attention to anyone, except for Draco. Draco also seemed to welcome the entertainment. Talking to Teddy was much better than talking to these dull older people. Besides, Smith took a special liking to Teddy (but, personally, I think it's because it's not every day that you watch a child's hair change into four different colours). Whatever pleases the masses, right?

After dinner, we lead the crown towards the living room area. We stand at the top of the staircase - our parents and us - holding our glasses of champagnes. Time for a speech. 'When my baby told me she wanted to marry Draco, I first asked if she was sure.' Good one, Dad. Let's just skip the part where you tell me to marry him, then back out. 'As a father, you don't really want to let your little girl go... Ever. But, this day had to come and even though it feels like only yesterday she was walking around in diapers, the day has come. I must say, I'm glad that, if I must give my daughter away, I give her to Draco.' And my father glances at Draco. He's smiling slightly, but not his eyes. His eyes are dead serious. 'Draco is a young man who understands the importance of family, that has always understood - through his parents - the meaning of marriage. I am proud that soon I shall be able to call him "son".'

Many people gasp. I didn't expect that from my father either. Smith's a little kid on Christmas Eve and his quill is dancing fanatically around him. My mother also makes a speech, but soon begins to tear up, so we don't quite understand some of it. 'I- I'm just so happy,' she says. 'My little girl.' I want the ground to swallow me now. Could this be anymore embarrassing? Ah well, you only have one of these suckers in a lifetime, so...

The room fills with claps and cheers and I'm quickly reminded about our date at Wonderstruck. I feel like an idiot! How could I have overlooked this? I hadn't really thought this throught. Of course we'd have to kiss. This is, after all, an engagement party. Oh, Merlin. 'Kiss!' Ginny demands and, for the first time since we've met, I want to hex her.

I know that if we don't grant them their wish, soon we'll have a whole room cheering us on, and it'll add more unwanted pressure to our backs. I look up at Draco but he is, as per usual, one step ahead of me. His arm around my waist turns me towards him and pulls me into him. 'We keep meeting like this,' he whispers and his breath tickles my lips.

The only reply I can offer him is a smile before he kisses me. It's longer than the one we shared at Wonderstruck, but this one is limited to our lips. It still sends shivers down my spine and makes me dizzy. What is it with this boy's lips that work me up so much?

There are claps and whistles filling the air. I look around and most people seem genuily happy. Bill is convinced that this is the real deal; I can tell by the way his smile reaches his eyes. Ron, on the other hand, looks utterly disgusted.

'Make sure she actually goes to bed,' Ginny warns Draco. 'She'll probably still go looking for files to go through.'

'Don't worry, Weasley,' says Draco as we reach the fireplace. 'She'll be in bed before one.'

'Good,' she turns to me and kisses my cheek. 'I'm so happy for you,' she whispers as she embraces me. I thank her with a small smile. Harry hugs me briefly as well before shaking hands with Draco and offering him a small smile as well. They disappear into the green flames.

Our parents are somewhere in the living room, giving instructions to the house elves. Ginny and Harry were our last guests. The exhaustion hits me suddenly. As if it's been hovering on me all day, just waiting to drop. And now it has hit me and I can barely hold myself on my own two feet.

My bottom hits the couch and my eyes close at one. 'Eva,' it's Draco calling me. I mumble some sound, unable to open my eyes or speak. 'Eva, you can't sleep here.' Like hell I can't. I produce another kind of sound that even I don't know what it means. 'Eva, for Merlin's sake!' You can be frustrated all you like, Malfoy, it won't give me the energy to move. He produces a sound of frustration and then there's silence. Finally; I may now fall asleep in peace. It would seem, however, that Draco did not plan to leave me alone. I learn this when I feel his arm underneath my knees and his other arm on my back. My feet leave the ground and I can feel his heart against my arm. I remove my arm from his chest and embrace his neck, aiding him as he picks me up.

I can feel him carry me up the stairs. I feel so comfortable I could actually just sleep here. Who would've thought that Draco Malfoy could be this warm and soft under my touch? I'm half-asleep by the time we arrive at my bedroom. The light is blinding in the state I'm in. Will he just switch it off?

Draco pulls the covers, settles me down and then pulls them back up. I don't think I've lived such an episode since I was a little kid. It's an odd feeling that I feel; a little nostalgic, being tucked in like this. I sigh into my pillow. 'Thanks,' I mumble. I'm not sure he can even hear me but soon after the lights go out and I'm lost in darkness, finally allowed to fall asleep.

AN: I know, I know, I took a little longer to update. But, in my defense, this chapter is a little bigger and Tomas was here distracting me. So I am really sorry. As per usual, my Golden Trio are entitled to big thanks. They keep me coming back for more. So thanks, Girls.

I am glad that, from now on, we'll get to see more of Draco.

I'd like to thank everyone who has Story Alerts on this. Thanks.

Well, the soundtrack still hasn't come back to me.. AHhaha, sorry. Anything else you'd like me to add or do in the future, advice, will be more than welcome in reviews. :)