Yay here is the next chapter! I really expect a lot of reviews for this one(you'll see why after you read), at least I hope I get a lot of reviews! (hint hint)

Beta = awesome as usual.

And with that I'll let you get on to the chapter... but only if you review! :-P

"Do you swear this is our last party?" Hermione looked at Draco's reflection in the mirror as he dressed behind her, fixing his tie in a careless manner that only years of experience at these sorts of things could have created.

"Yes, love, the Segur Party is the last we'll be attending."

"We'll thank Merlin, because I'm sick of these parties! Why do we even have to go to this one?"

He came up behind her and kissed her neck. She's so cute when she whines. "So I can show you off in that spectacular blue dress…"

She slapped him on the chest. "Draco…"

"Fine." He huffed. "Because the Segur Family is very 'Pure' and very influential. It would do well for them to meet you." She still pouted. Draco grazed his teeth against her ear. "If you go, I'll do that thing with my tongue again…"

Fire flashed in her eyes as she recalled exactly what he could do with his tongue. "MOVE! I need to get my makeup!"

He chuckled and continued dressing, remembering just how she reacted to his tongue. Christmas may have been the first night they'd slept together, but they'd spent the following four nights making up for it by exploring one another's bodies until the early morning hours. And, now apparently, they had the same plans to bring in the New Year. Draco's pants tightened at the thought of Hermione writhing under him again.

He reclined in an armchair, having finished dressing. He knew that when she actually cared about what she looked like, Hermione took just as long as any other girl to get ready. Sighing, he caught a whiff of her perfume filling the air. I love her. I really, really do.

Having never loved anyone before, besides his mother, he had been surprised at the intensity of his feelings. He smirked to himself as he recalled the scene he'd had with his mother previously in the day.

Flashback***

Draco quickly made his way to his mother's room. Hermione was at yet another spa appointment made by Narcissa and he didn't know how much longer he had before she returned. In his rush to reach his destination, Draco entered the suite without knocking; something he knew he hadn't done his he was at least three years old.

Narcissa was facing him. She sat regally in a plush armchair with a glass of red wine in one hand. "I knew you would be coming to me at some point, Draco, but I didn't know you would do so inj such a rude manner."

Draco strode forward. "What are you talking about?"

"Son, I may be old, but I am not blind." She placed her glass on the side table and stood. "I've seen the way you look at Hermione. Anyone can see that you love her." In a business-like manner, she clasped both hands in front of her body. "Am I correct that you've come for the Family Ring?"

Draco's mouth gaped. He had been prepared to come for the ring. He came expecting to have to demand the ring. He had not been expecting his mother to readily hand it over to him. What the hell? "I-'

"You weren't expecting this reaction, were you?"

"Mother…" He shook his head. What is happening here!? Shouldn't she be refusing to give me this and shouldn't I be yelling that it's mine to have? "Are you giving me the Ring, just like that?"

"Yes, I am. It doesn't take a Hufflepuff to see that she's the one for you." She smiled through the sophisticated demeanor she'd had in place for the last twenty-or-so years. A few laugh lines that Draco, if he valued his life, would never admit to her having, showed themselves as the grin deepened with her amusement.

"B- but don't you think I'm too young? D- don't you think I need to wait to do this? What is going on here?"

"Yes, I do think that you should wait, but getting this ring does not mean you'll be married right now! I do expect that you plan on at least waiting until you get out of school; preferably after a nice, long, public engagement."

"I- yes, of course Mother."

"Then what does it matter when I give you the ring? Honestly, an engagement is not the biggest thing in the world!" She had walked over to a massive vanity and was looking through a proportionally massive jewelry chest. Finding what she was looking for, she handed the box to her son, who was still trying to figure out what was going on.

He opened the box to peer inside. The silver band held an exquisite diamond. At first glance, it was a stunningly clear stone; further glances showed a liquid, emerald colored, spinning core. He caught himself becoming mesmerized by the complicated pattern in which the clear and the green meshed. "Do you- What do you think she'll say?"

"Well, I don't think she will be expecting it after only two months of dating, so I suggest you wait a little longer before asking her… but she does love you."

"So you think she'll say yes?" He bit his bottom lip in a very Hermione-like behavior.

"If she truly loves you, then yes. She's a smart girl. I'd be willing to bet she's thought a lot about your future while staying here; I know I did when Lucius first brought me here." She smirked at the found memory.

"She's everything I could have ever hoped for." Draco sighed and then chuckled. "Can you believe that we used to hate one another? And now, I can't understand how I never saw her beauty…"

"You saw it." Narcissa stood there, remembering when she was in love with her husband, before his passion in the Dark Arts stole him from her. "You always saw it, son. You, like all Malfoy men, were just too stubborn to admit it."

"Err… thanks?" Even though he had always been close to his mother, it still made him uncomfortable to have her say such things. She was incredibly perceptive about him for someone he only saw now on school breaks.

End Flashback***

"Draco…" Hermione's voice broke him from his memory. She was standing over him, looking completely stunning in a deep blue ballroom gown. The material flowed around her hips, shimmering whenever she moved. He brought his strong hands to grip her slender waist.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something…" She laughed and bent down to kiss his cheek.

Hermione spun around, slowly. "Well, am I presentable?"

Draco groaned. No, she's entirely too sexy for anyone else to lay eyes on! Instead of speaking his thoughts, he pulled her into a rather deep kiss. Capturing her bottom lip in his mouth, he secured a moan from her.

Hermione pulled back, face flushed and eyes fluttering. "We need to leave now or we'll be late."

Now she's the one that wants to go and I'm the one that wants to stay… He stood and adjusted himself, giving her a pointed look.

"Well…?"

"I'm ready, my love." He offered her his arm and led them down the stairs. They exited the front door and walked to where they could Apparate.

"W- wait!" Hermione stuttered like she had before every party they had attended. "Tell me once more, please."

Draco rolled his eyes, trying to be patient with her but still finding it humorous at how nervous she always got before they departed. "We're going to the Segur Manor. Imre, the head of the family, and his wife, Leona have one son. His name is Adelino and he went to Durmstrang. He's a year or two older than us. The family is very 'Pure,' but not as well known as most because they supposedly prefer seclusion."

Hermione shivered against the cold. "Okay, I- I'm ready now, Draco."

Kissing her cheek, he Apparated them to a lavishly decorated Entrance Hall. Everything from the chandelier to the floor was elegantly showered in crystal snowflakes.

"Oh my…" Hermione gazed at the charmed room. "This is… spectacular!" The snow continued to fall while magically avoiding landing on them.

A house elf came forward to take their cloaks. "Can Keegan be taking yous' cloaks?" Draco already had his off and was helping Hermione with hers. "Thank you sir. Keegan will be announcing yous now." The elf beamed before leading them to a set of double doors. "I'll be needing yous' invitation now sir."

Draco handed over their invitations and they waited while the elf hurriedly disappeared down another corridor. The elf had looked surprised when he had read the invitations and Draco wondered why he had disappeared so quickly. Keegan quickly returned with a handsome looking middle aged man.

The man was tall and muscular, showing only a few distinguished grey hairs in his jet-black curls. He had a strong jaw and looked like someone who would be a secure ally or a fierce enemy. Striding after the elf, Hermione also noticed that he was a man of money, someone who looked comfortable in the lavish settings. From Draco's descriptions, this must be Imre Segur…

"Mr. Malfoy, it is a pleasure to see you again!" Imre greeted Draco with a warm handshake. "And you…" He turned to Hermione. "Well, I can remember when you were only a baby, Miss Mackenzie."

"It's Hermione!" Draco spoke up before Hermione could state so herself.

Hermione blushed. "I-"

"Oh, yes, of course! I apologize, Miss Hermione. I should have expected you would keep your name as such! Never did care for the name Mackenzie much anyway- far too Scots for my taste." Imre smiled at her in a fatherly way. He gestured to the still closed doors. "It would be my pleasure to announce you, myself. Shall we?"

Imre opened the door to a large Ballroom. Hermione thought back to Cinderella as they walked forward to a massive staircase and wondered if this manor wasn't the grain of truth to the fable. Tall, narrow windows framed the snow-blanketed forest outside, with rich tapestries and large, gilded paintings by the Wizarding masters hung between them. A subtly lush carpet ran underfoot, and more chandeliers, some garlanded in holly or mistletoe, others frosted with snow like before, lit their way.

Hundreds of eyes turned to take in the three people now stationed at the top. Tonight of all nights to be late! Imre gestured at Draco and Hermione standing beside him. "I would like to announce Mr. Draco Malfoy, escorting Miss Mac- Hermione Granger, the fiancée of our beloved son, Adelino!"

The crowd below burst into a polite applause, but Hermione's mind had blanked at the word 'fiancée.' What the hell did he just say!?

YOU CAN'T KILL ME BECAUSE THEN YOU'LL NEVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS!!! ***Hides under table***

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