He Did Not Have To Be
Chapter 21
The Proposal
Draco had done it! He won over Ginny's family! The road was clear; now he needed to plan how to ask her to be his wife. He first thought to ask her on the day they met as adults would be good, but that was Lily's birthday. That wouldn't work; that was Lily's day. As he thought some more, he realized he wanted to be more than some guy in Ginny's life before Lily's birthday.
Draco arrived back at Ginny's apartment after dropping Lily off at the Burrow. He hadn't told Ginny any of his plans; he just told her she would only need to dress casual. It was a warm spring day, so she wore jeans and a blue button-down shirt. "Do you trust me?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied with a smile.
"Good. I need you to wear this." He showed her a blindfold.
"Draco, whats up?" she asked.
He smiled. "It's a surprise." She nodded and he stepped closer to her. As she turned around, he tied it around her head. "It's not too tight, is it?"
"No, it's fine."
"Good. Now I won't let anything happen to you. We're going to Apparate." He wrapped his arm around her, holding her tight.
When they landed on the platform, he led her to the Hogwarts Express and guided her up the steps into the train. "Draco, I have the feeling I should know where I am," she explained.
"All in good time, Ginevra." He guided her to a compartment that was filled with red roses and white lilies.
"It smells like heaven, Draco."
He smiled to himself and got her to sit down. "I'm going to take off the blindfold now, but can you keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them?" She smiled and nodded. After removing the blindfold Draco knelt down on one knee, pausing halfway to steal a kiss. "Okay, you can open your eyes now." As her eyes opened, they darted around and she looked a little confused. "Ginevra Molly Weasley, I have known of you most of my life, but this last year, I have come to know you. You're the woman who looks great in anything. You're the most refreshing woman I have ever known. You have one hell of a temper, yet I could talk about you forever. I know wherever you are, that is my home, and there is nowhere else I would rather be. You're more than everything I have ever wanted and everything I need. Ginevra, I want you to be my wife, my partner, and the mother to all of our children. Will you marry me?"
She had a tear slipping down her cheek as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, Draco Malfoy, oh yes!"
After kissing her soundly, Draco reached into his pocket and removed a ring box. He was still on one knee. He opened the box, revealing the most beautiful ring Ginny had ever seen. It had a channel setting with baguette diamonds. Crossing over it were two delicate arms that held the main stone and each arm had six smaller diamonds. The whole setting was in silver. He pulled it out of the box and took hold of her hand, sliding it down her finger. "I can't wait until we're married!"
"Me too! But Draco, why the Hogwarts Express?" She looked around the compartment again. "I mean, it looks wonderful..."
"Why? Because Ginny, we're in the exact compartment you were in on your way to Hogwarts for your sixth year. This is where I first knew I wanted you for more than just a shag. After seeing you here, you filled my mind all the time."
"Oh, Draco!" She kissed him with more passion than ever before. Draco knew he had never been kissed like this on the Hogwarts Express!
When they finally broke apart Draco rested his head on her forehead. "Do you want to head to the Burrow to tell your mother?"
"Yes, and then to the Manor to tell yours!"
"Let's go!" He went to lead her out, but she stopped and reached out to the flowers. "Ginny, by the time we return to your apartment they'll all be there for you. I promise." She smiled and nodded.
"Oh, my baby's getting married!" Molly exclaimed as she hugged Ginny. Then she pulled away from her daughter and looked at Draco. "Welcome to the family, Draco dear." She hugged him too. "Oh Ginny, we have so much to plan! Have you given..."
"MUM! It just happened! Before we plan the wedding, we would like to tell the rest of the family, and Narcissa and Lucius."
"Oh. Yes, of course. You'll have to forgive me; it's not every day my daughter gets engaged."
"No, just three sons so far."
Molly pretended she didn't hear Ginny's comment. "So, what else are you planning for tonight besides visiting the Manor?"
"Nothing official. I wasn't sure how long telling everyone would take," Draco explained.
"Well, why don't you leave Lily here for the night?"
"I think Narcissa..." Ginny started.
"Ginny, I think Lily will be fine here. Mother can see her another time. Mrs. Weasley..."
"We're family now! Molly or Mum is fine," Molly insisted.
"Molly, we'll collect Lily tomorrow, around noon."
As they walked out to the Apparation point, Ginny asked, "Draco, why did you cut me off?"
He stopped and turned towards her. "Love, we don't want your mother to feel that my mother is taking over or replacing her. She wanted to keep Lily tonight, and remember what I said about time for the two of us. Don't you think tonight is one of those nights?"
"I guess. I just know your mother will be hurt if we don't bring Lily."
He shrugged. "So we make it up to her. How about for Lily's birthday we have everyone over to the townhouse for a party for Lily. It will mean the world to Mother to be there."
She looked concerned. "Do you think they will all be willing to do that?"
"They all know it's what we want, so I think they will try. Besides, that's the final thing you wanted: big family get-togethers for our children. The only way you can see that it will work is to see it happen. We should head to the Manor now."
They arrived at the Malfoy home and headed for the family parlor. When they entered, they found Lucius nursing a drink and Narcissa working on a cross-stitch. Lucius rose upon seeing the young couple. He hadn't voiced it, but each time he saw Ginny he was becoming more fond of her. "Draco and Ginevra! What do we owe this visit to?"
Narcissa took one look at them and dropped her work. "They're getting married!" she said, the excitement clear in her voice. "It's about time! Draco, I thought you were never going to ask!" she chastised Draco as she hugged him, then moved on to Ginny. "Congratulations!" she said as she hugged Ginny. "Let me see the ring!" She took hold of Ginny's hand and gasped. "Lucius, he has better taste than even your own excellent taste." She was giving no one a chance to speak. "Oh, we have so much to plan!"
"Narcissa, my dear, could you allow them a moment to think, or speak?" Lucius requested.
"Thank you, Father," Draco commented as he shook Lucius' hand.
"I never dreamed of anything this stunning," Ginny confessed to Narcissa.
Lucius took hold of Ginny's left hand and looked the ring over. "Only the best for a Malfoy bride. Welcome to the family, Ginevra."
She could tell he was being sincere. "Thank you, Lucius." She didn't know what else to say; she still feared him a little.
"This calls for some champagne," Lucius announced.
"Where's Lily?" Narcissa asked.
"We left her at the Burrow with Ginny's mother," Draco informed her.
After spending an hour or so at the Manor, Ginny and Draco headed over to the townhouse. "We're getting married!" Ginny stated, more to herself than Draco, as she was still trying to get used to the idea. She looked down at the amazing ring on her finger. She truly loved it.
"I think we need to return the ring. You have hardly taken your eyes off of it and it's taking away from the time you should be spending looking at me," he teased as he handed her a glass of wine.
"You come within five feet of this ring and I'll remind you of my Bat-Bogey hex," she shot back.
Draco sat down next to her and put his arm around her. "I'm pleased you like it so much. I worried you might think it was too much."
"Oh it is, but in a good way! I think your father is going to have to spend some time at the jeweler's. Your mother spent more time looking at the ring than me."
"Father enjoys spoiling Mother. I don't think he'll mind too much."
A/N Okay I really want to hear what you thing of this chapter! And I have another Ginny Draco story posted it's called My Soul Belongs To You, check it out!