A/N: 1230 words, okay?? (and it didn't take me three months!!) :::waits for mendacious-mix to tell her it's too short… still:::
Disclaimer: By now if you don't know that I don't own them, I'm in serious trouble.
Chapter Thirteen
Lucius felt very, very young again. However, this wasn't the good kind of young to feel. No, he felt as if he was about seven years old, and being scolded for running around in his nice clothes. And the look that Narcissa was giving him! Lucius was sure that angry mothers across the world were very proud of her.
"I think that he would do that because…" Lucius thought for a moment. He knew the answer—it was because he had threatened his son. But… Lucius didn't think that Narcissa would like that answer.
--
Hermione sighed. "Because Ron!" Harry's your friend!"
Ron raised an eyebrow at her. "Yes, he is. I am well aware of the fact that Harry and I are friends. However, Draco and I are not."
"Well, don't you think that you should at least give him another chance? For Harry's sake?" Hermione questioned, arms folded across her chest.
"No. I don't," Ron stubbornly replied.
--
Harry felt… happy. It seemed weird, in a way, since his two best friends were mad at him, and his fiancé (even the word made Harry smile) was holding a slight grudge. But, Harry figured that his happy mood could only help to mend the breaking relationships. And that would happen… tomorrow.
--
Narcissa raised one eyebrow at him, her facial expression beckoning him to continue explaining why their son would want him out of his life.
Lucius gulped. Perhaps he could just lie, and fix things with Draco later…
--
Hermione felt that arguing with Ron was pointless for the time being. She, however, was going to go apologize to Harry, and assure him that she would be there fore him—Slytherin prat or no Slytherin prat.
--
No way she would allow me to lie, Lucius thought, as the glare on Narcissa's face stayed there, telling him that there would be no way out of answering her question. With a dejected sigh, Lucius told his wife about his confrontation of Draco, and the subsequent interactions throughout the day. When he was finished, Narcissa raised one perfect eyebrow at him.
"And you really thought that was the best course of action?" Narcissa asked in a cold, calculating tone.
Lucius paused. "At the time, I did."
Her face registered a 'You're an idiot' look, before going back to its previous stoic state. "If that's the case, then it is up to you to fix matters." Narcissa ordered, and then turned away from her husband.
It was going to be a long night.
--
The next day, Ron was sullenly brooding over Hermione's decision to support Harry, as well as Harry's decision to date Draco. All in all, the entire situation was horrible, and Ron couldn't wait until they all came to their senses. Which, he hoped, would be sooner, rather than later.
--
Harry was surprised to be cornered by Hermione upon first walking into the ministry. "Yes?" He asked, his confusion quickly hidden.
"Ron and I, yesterday, were perhaps… a bit out of line." Hermione began. "But, I promise, as much as I'm able, I will be there to support you, as your friend, whether or not your dating Malfoy."
Harry smiled. "That's good. Especially since we're getting married."
Hermione's eyes widened considerably. "You're doing what?" She asked.
"Getting married!" Harry cheerfully replied.
"You can not be serious!" Hermione exclaimed.
Harry nodded, seemingly ignoring the incredulous expression on Hermione's face. "Of course I am! I wouldn't kid about something like that. And, I'm really glad that you're not mad at me, 'Mione, because, if you're not mad, then Ron will calm down quicker."
Hermione shook herself as if to regain her lost composure. "Well, Harry, I'm happy for you… really." But, her tone wasn't completely sincere.
--
Draco was whistling. Yes, whistling. The shopkeeper kept staring at him oddly, as if Draco had never been happy before. The grin that never left his face got Draco through several rather… annoying customers. And, the ring on his finger certainly didn't decrease his overly joyful mood (And, perhaps to the keen observer, the ring was why Draco was suddenly no longer his overly inanimate self). Despite the fact that he was slightly aggravated with Harry for the way he had dealt with things the days before, and the mild fear of not quite knowing what his parents were thinking, or planning, Draco felt that yesterday had been one of the best of his life.
--
Lucius had debated about when to go talk to Draco for hours. He finally decided to go around lunch, and hope that they could go someplace public—where angry outbursts would be less likely to occur. However, Lucius plan flew out the window when he realized that Draco was wearing a ring, and grinning.
Cautiously, Lucius asked his question across the table filled with various food substances he didn't care to recognize. "Draco, son, um… are you… engaged?"
Draco tipped his head to the side. "Did Harry not tell you yet?" He questioned, as if there was nothing abnormal about the situation (a fact that Lucius found rather disconcerting).
"I would say not." Lucius replied.
At that, Draco's grinned widened. "Well, he promised to tell you and mother, but I guess he hasn't gotten around to it yet"
Lucius opened his mouth to repeat his question, and then thought better of it. "Then I suppose I will just have to wait for Harry to tell me…" Lucius stated.
Draco nodded. "Yes, that would probably be best."
Lucius hoped that the answer to his original question wasn't "yes."
--
Harry and Ron were having a stare-off. That was the best way to describe it, Harry had decided.
"So… you mean to tell me that, even though you knew that we didn't like the idea of you dating him in the first place, you asked Draco Malfoy tomarry you?" Ron's voice had gotten dangerously low.
Harry nodded. "Yes, I would say that's the case."
"If it wasn't unforgivable, I would Avada Kedavra your ass." Ron growled, and stormed off to find Hermione and rant about Harry's latest round of stupidity.
Harry just sighed, and headed off to find Lucius. Then, then he wouldn't have to tell anyone else about the engagement…
--
"Yes, Ron, I know." Hermione patiently said as Ron ranted about Harry's engagement.
"I mean, he knew we don't like Malfoy! Next thing you know, he'll get McGonagall to be the surrogate mother!" Ron exclaimed.
Hermione frowned. "Ron, that's just disturbing."
Ron let out an exasperated sigh. "Well, then, they'll ask Pansy Parkinson or someone else from that bloody Death Eater-infested—"
"Ron, I'm sure that Harry won't try and find a surrogate mother." Hermione interrupted.
"You don't know that! We're no longer dealing with our Harry, we're dealing with crazy Harry!" Ron argued.
Hermione's frown deepened. "He's not crazy, Ron."
"Yes, Hermione, heis." Ron stated. "He's crazier than Luna Lovegood and Moaning Myrtle's love child!"
"Ron—" Hermione began, but was cut off by Ron.
"And, yes, I know, they couldn't have a child. But that's what makes the whole thing so crazy!"
Hermione sighed. "Ron, I think we just need to give it some time."
Ron stared at her. "People are not wine, Hermione."
"No, but sometimes it's best if you treat them like they were." She quipped back, then walked away, effectively ending the conversation.