CHAPTER 13: 56 Dates, 72 Kisses, 108 I Love You(s) and 10,357 Texts Later

"Draco, dear. Come here for a moment, please."

"Yes mother." he flopped down beside his mother and did what he usually did when he's near his mother.

"When are you going to propose to her?" she asked.

"I don't know yet, mother. Probably next month, on her birthday. September 19th."

"I see. Would you sit properly for a second? I'd like to fetch something from my drawers." She got up and rummaged her top right drawer for something. Draco watched his mother pulled out a small black velvet box. "This is my mother-in-law's engagement ring. I want you to propose to her with this ring as how your father proposed to me. And this is how your son will propose to his love."

She opened the box and it revealed a platinum ring with a round emerald stone. Surrounding the emerald was white diamonds. It was beautiful and he was sure that Hermione will like it very much. He took it from his mother's hand and admired its beauty.

"Thank you, mother." he hugged his mother. He vowed to himself to guard the people he loved with his life and that includes Hermione, his soon to be fiancée.

Hey, love. – DM

Hi. What's up? – HG

Next week's your birthday right? I wanted to bring you to somewhere special. – DM

Really? Where? – HG

It's a secret of course. You've to pack for 3 days and 2 nights. The HG in your texts has been annoying me for a long time. I'd rather see a HM. – DM

Okay then. Can't wait for that. When are you going to change it to HM? – HG

When I turn 45 I guess. *smirk* - DM

I'll kill you before you turn to 45! I got a lot of work to do. I'll talk to you later. Bye, love. xx – HG

Okay - DM

Hermione couldn't wait for her birthday. She's wondering where Draco is going to bring her to, and whether he's going to propose soon. She felt nervous suddenly. She's going to be a Malfoy. As far as she's concerned, nobody knew about their relationship unless the ones those were close to them. Draco always brought her to private places or even out of the country for their date.

She remembered their first kiss. It was in Paris. Can you believe that? He brought her to a picnic on the Eiffel tower's ground. He laid the red and white checkered cloth down and they sat together savoring all the food Draco has prepared from home, or rather, his mother prepared. Hermione loved the chocolate muffins his mother made. They reminded her of her mother's.

As the night falls and became colder, she scooted closer to him and it surprised her a little bit when Draco put his arm around her after giving her his jacket. They chat like usual, teased each other and suddenly, Draco pulled her face up. He leaned in closer and seeing Hermione didn't pull away, he kissed her. It was the most intense kiss she ever had and she loved it very much. He was a good kisser and she couldn't wait to kiss him when she met him later. She was knocked out of her reverie by a knock on the door.

"Please, come in."

"Miss Granger, he insisted on seeing you?"

"Who?"

"Mr. Weasley."

"Tell him I'm busy and I never wanted to see him again."

"Okay."

A few moments later she heard her assistant arguing with Ron before her office door opened with such a force.

"I'm sorry, miss, he just –"

"Never mind. You may go. Keep the door open. What do you want Mr. Weasley. I told her to tell you I'm busy." She sounded stern.

"Mione, I'm sorry for what I've done. I want you back. Please." Ron begged her. He looked miserable.

"Don't call me that. No. I won't even think about it. Now you have my answer. Get out. I've lot of work to do." She said trying to concentrate on what she was doing before Ron came and barged in her office like that.

"Please Hermione. I just come to realize that I love you. And I miss you so much when you're not with me. I miss your smile, and when you laugh –" he was trying to persuade her but she ignored him.

"It's Miss Granger. And cut the bullshit. Get out from my sight before I call the security."

"Have you got someone else?"

"Why do you care? Last time I talk to you, you broke my heart and you said you didn't care about me. You. Never. Cared. Now get the fuck out of my sight! And for the record, I do have someone else. And he never missed telling me how much he loves me, and how beautiful I am. He told me those every single day. Not like you. The only time I recalled you tell me I'm beautiful was the first time we met after we broke up. You only remembered me when you're bored." She paused,

"You let me live by myself when you clearly knows that I need you. You made me independent and I don't need you anymore. I'm not going to live with someone like you. I know what I really want and need in a man and it's definitely what I saw in you." she paused and took a breath before continuing, "I didn't lose you, Ron. You lost me. I believe I don't have to show you where the door is. Good bye." a lone tear escaped from her right eye.

At that exact time, Draco decided to show up and strolled into her office like he owned the place and saw the tear. He brushed it off and by seeing Hermione didn't flinch at his touch, Ron become livid.

"This is the man is it? You fucked him, Hermione? Do you?"

"Watch it, Weasel. At least I tell her I love her every day. What do you do when you were with her? You ignored her. Yes, I knew everything you've done to her. Now, you heard what she said. Get. The. Fuck. Out." Draco fumed as he saw Hermione's tears. His face red making it stood out against his hair. As soon as Ron got away he embraced her rubbing her back to sooth her. She didn't cry but she was super angry.

"Thank you. How long have you been here?"

"Let's say, I heard you praise me on how I tell you I love you every single day and –" he teased her. His face was back to its normal paleness.

"Shut up, Malfoy." She cut him off. "Kiss me, Malfoy." She waved her wand to shut the door and they kissed hungrily. It was like they haven't met for a long time but it's actually been 12 hours, really.

"If I'm not mistaken, someone's busy but now she's kissing me like there's no tomorrow."

"Fine then. I'll never kiss you again."

"Oh, like you can live without kissing me." He smirked.

"I sure can. It's you who can't live without me. I heard somewhere that you'd rather be a man spinster if you didn't get to marry me." It was her turn to smirk.

"Oh my god, mother. I can't believe her. Talking about her, she invited you for a dinner at the manor tonight."

"Sure. Now, go away, Malfoy. I've got work to do."

"The love of my life, chase me away. I'm hurt." He faked a dramatically hurt face with his hand clutching the fabric of his shirt above his heart.

"I love you, Malfoy."

"I love you too, soon-to-be Malfoy." He gave her a flying kiss and went away. Hermione smiled and shook her head. He always knew when she was miserable and came to save the day. She truly loved him and would never trade him with anybody, especially with someone like Ron. Remembering Ron, she does sure will get an earful and hatred from people who didn't believe that Draco has changed for the better. She hoped Harry will understand. She'll never ask for more.

A/N: Sod off, Ron. You lost her long time ago. Much love xx

P/S: First of all, I am really sorry for not updating in a looong time. I was busy with assignments, and final exam is just a week away. So please expect delay for two or three weeks. And thank you for following, favoring, reviewing and even silent reading.