A/n- I'm excited about this chapter! I'm almost done this story, so I wanted an opinion from all of you on something extremely important.

I have two stories in the works. I'm just wondering your opinion on which one I should post FIRST. I'll be posting them both (most likely at the same time), but I'm starting with one and getting a few chapters up before the other one. Here are the basic ideas of each, and you can "vote" on which one. Ultimately it's obviously my decision, but I like input.

A. "Cat and Mouse". A fic that starts out Ron/Hermione and will end Draco/Hermione, where Draco likes Hermione first, and has to "convince" her to be with him. Hoping for this one to be funnier than the second choice. First fic written in first person from Hermione's POV.

Or

B. "Imprisonment". A fic that is Draco/Hermione eventually, but starts out with Draco being in a unique punishment for being a Death Eater. Starts about three years after Hogwarts. Third person POV from Hermione.

So, let me know. Let's get to this chapter!

--

I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in
If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
Make you believe, make you forget

(Come on, Get Higher, by Matt Nathanson)

Chapter 21: History in the Making

Draco and Hermione walked through the streets of Hogsmeade slowly, Hermione leaning a bit on Draco for support, although she certainly didn't want to. It was warm out, finally; the snow had melted away from the grounds, although the white could still be seen in the faraway mountains. Spring was already upon them. Soon enough, Draco realized, they would be graduating. It was already April.

April meant a lot of different things for Draco; the start of spring, new beginnings, and the last quidditch game of the season (for the cup) against Gryffindor. And it would also signify the month where Hermione and Draco would announce their engagement. He had an awful feeling that it wasn't going to be very pleasant to hear all the remarks. However, he would hold his head high nonetheless.

Hermione wasn't so sure it would be too horrible. According to her, everyone had already grown used to the couple by now anyways. The story of the final battle had reached the ears of most students, so the couple wasn't exactly hidden from the public eye. In fact, an article about it had appeared in the Daily Prophet a day after the battle, as though there was nothing else to report. It made Draco sick.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked him. "You look paler than usual."

"I'm perfectly fine," he replied, smiling at her. Truth be told, he was nervous at his mother's reaction. It could make or break this engagement. He would never tell Hermione that, but his mother's opinion was very important.

"You're worried she won't like me," she commented simply, not meeting his eyes.

"Yes."

She gripped his hand tighter as they neared the door to the restaurant. Draco took a deep breath and pushed open the door, pushing Hermione through it gently before him. They took off their jackets and hung them on the complimentary hooks by the door, and stepped inside. It was toastier than Draco expected; a fire roared in the great off to the side. It was simply, small, and elegant. Draco hadn't expected any less from his mother.

"Malfoy, table for three," he said to the hostess, who nodded and lead them off to the back of the restaurant. Draco noticed the area where was taking them wasn't filled at all; trust his mother to request a private table.

"Thank you," he said, handing the hostess a galleon for a tip. She smiled gratefully and blushed crimson. Narcissa was already seated at the table.

Hermione took a seat quickly, almost tripping over the chair leg. Draco shook his head and laughed under his breath, earning him a glare from Hermione in return. He sat opposite his mother, Hermione sitting on the end of the small table between the two.

"Hello mother, it's nice to see you."

"Draco," she squealed, getting up and hugging him and kissing his cheeks. Draco shooed her away, and she sat down quickly in her seat. The waitress who had been heading towards them faltered for a moment, hesitating, and then sprung forward to get their drink orders.

"Good afternoon," she said, staring at Draco. "Drinks for anyone?"

Draco cleared his throat. "I'll have a Firewhiskey," he said. The woman nodded and jotted it down.

"Same for me," Narcissa replied.

"I'll have water, please," Hermione mumbled, not looking at anything or anybody. Her cheeks were bright red.

"Very well. I'll be back shortly with your drinks." She curtsied a bit and bounced away to get their orders.

"So," Mrs. Malfoy began, looking edgily between her son and his fiancé, "this is Hermione, I take it?"

"Yes it is," Malfoy answered. Hermione nodded, wringing her hands under the table.

"Does she speak?"

"Oh," Hermione said suddenly, smiling, "yes, I do. How rude of me." She seemed to have finally found her voice. "I'm Hermione Granger, Mrs. Malfoy. It's really nice to finally meet you. Draco speaks of you so often."

The two shook hands, Narcissa smiley slightly. "Does he? Good things, I'd hope."

"I wouldn't have looked forward to our meeting if he didn't," she assured. Mrs. Malfoy seemed to like her answer and smiled brightly, showing a set of pearly white teeth.

"So, Hermione, you are… with my son now."

"Actually mother, that is what we came here to discuss," Malfoy interjected, but Narcissa shushed him.

"She can speak for herself, Draco. What is it Hermione?"

Hermione gulped, wishing she had a glass of water or something to do with her hands. After a long moment, she finally looked back in the grey eyes of Narcissa and smiled.

"Your son and I, by your blessing of course, are engaged." She held up the ring to prove it, and Narcissa's mouth fell open in shock.

She grabbed Hermione's hand rather roughly, staring and admiring the ring upon Hermione's finger. It was so expensive; it looked as though it didn't belong anywhere near the girl. Hermione had never worn anything that was worth anything as close to this value; she shuddered to think what his mother must think of him spending so much money on her. It was a tense moment as Narcissa's eyes probed over the ring and then stared at Hermione for a long time. Finally, she looked up.

"Interesting. Draco, you picked this out?"

"I had it specially made," he replied slowly, judging her facial expressions carefully.

"It's beautiful," she said, sitting back in her chair. Hermione released a sigh, but Draco didn't relax his grip on the table yet.

"And about the engagement…" he trailed off.

"What, I have a say in this? She's better than that horrible Parkinson girl, that's all I know. You're top in your year, aren't you?" she asked Hermione.

"I think so," she answered, her chin held up high.

"Don't listen to her, mother. She's top by a long shot." Hermione was shaking her head, trying to deny it.

"Well, that's fine then. I won't have you having an idiot for a wife, Draco. Other than that, I have no major issues. She's a pretty girl, smart, seems to care for you."

"You're aware she isn't a pureblood, though."

"Yes, well… you can't have everything in life."

Hermione bit her lip, and Narcissa looked towards her. "Don't be upset, dear. I don't hate you because of your blood. I want the best for Draco, and I know he is old enough to choose the best for himself. If he is sure that's you, then I'm sure."

Hermione's smile was radiant.

--

"That went surprisingly well," Hermione commented when they finally re-entered the common room after dinner. Draco hung up both of their coats on their coat rack.

"I was surprised. She didn't have anything bad to say while you were in the bathroom, either. Well, she thinks you lack fashion sense, but that's true."

"Shut up," she snapped angrily. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"They aren't designer brand, that's what. Don't worry baby, we'll buy you some nice clothes."

Hermione grumbled a little but didn't respond to that, knowing she wasn't going to win this argument. She was a Malfoy now; there would be some changes in her lifestyle. Draco knew that Hermione was aware of the lavish way of living he was accustomed to, and soon, she would be joining him.

"So, that was a bullet dodged. Still, we have to tell Harry, Ron, Ginny… my parents."

"You seem simply thrilled."

"I just know they're going to react, and it's not going to be pretty."

"Do you want to tell them now?"

"Harry isn't even out of the hospital! The last thing he needs is to have a heart attack."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Then when?"

"He's supposed to come home tomorrow. So maybe this weekend, or something. I'd appreciate, also, you putting in the extra effort to be nice to him. He's been severely injured after all, and he saved your ass."

"I'm aware, thank you," Draco said dully. He didn't want to have this conversation again with her. They constantly fought over Hermione's desire for Draco to get along with her friends.

"Why can't we all be friends?" she muttered.

"Because one of your friends wants to be with you, and the other is on his side."

"And your problem with Ginny?"

Draco paused. "She doesn't like me."

"She likes you more than the rest of them do. I think it'll be a good idea to start with Ginny, anyways. Why don't I go see if she wants to hang out here for the night? It's still pretty early. Ron went back to the hospital, so he won't be alone or anything."

He slouched on the couch, lighting a fire in the grate. "Sure, why not find more ways to torture me."

She came over and sat next to him, running her hand through his blonde locks of hair. He sighed contentedly as Hermione lips kissed his neck gently, up to earlobe. She pulled at it, ever so softly, and then released it. Her lips, however, didn't move away, and he could hear her ragged breathing in his ear. It gave him shivers down his spine.

"Do this for me and I'll do something for you?" she suggested. He felt himself go up and she giggled, her hand already on his leg.

"Okay," he quickly agreed, and she had her turn to smirk triumphantly. Skipping to the doorway, she winked at him and made her way out to find Ginny.

The two came back pretty quickly. Ginny didn't look very excited, but Hermione urged her inside and through the door, leading her over to the chair. She sat down, staring at Draco.

"Nice rock," she commented, looking at Hermione's finger. Hermione cursed, giving Draco a piercing look. "Were you trying to hide that from me?"

"You weren't supposed to know yet."

"The whole school knows. I heard a bunch of Slytherins telling everybody at lunch today."

"Draco, who did you tell?" Hermione asked roughly.

"… Oops."

"You told Blaise, didn't you?"

"Guilty," he said, shrugging. Hermione fumed.

"Does Ron know?"

"He has ears, too, Hermione." She sat down on the couch in a rage, crossing her arms. Draco rolled his eyes and Ginny glared at him but said nothing. She seemed slightly amused.

"Does Potter know yet?"

"I told him this afternoon. He really didn't care, but that might be the medicine. It has this weird effect on him."

"Great," Hermione said sarcastically.

"Well at least one of them doesn't mind, even if he is doped up…" Draco said thoughtfully.

"I don't mind," Ginny added. "As long as his company isn't forced upon me on a regular basis."

Hermione laughed weakly, but Draco took this offensively. Overall, he didn't think that he was that bad of company. Shrugging his shoulders, he crossed the room to his desk and grabbed some parchment, a quill, and a vial of ink. Hermione watched his movements carefully, but seemed satisfied that he at least stayed downstairs with the two girls.

"So when did this happen?" Ginny asked casually, more to Hermione than Draco. He began to block them out. Their girl chatter stayed as background noise as he sketched mindlessly, not particularly paying attention to what it was. This is normally how his best work happened.

When he focused on his drawing, it was the two girls on the couch. Draco chuckled quietly to himself; he had been staring at them as they conversed whilst he drew. Hermione's body and face were already complete, as he was used to drawing her. He did it so often. Ginny, on the other hand, was still missing some features. Her hair, carefully placed in a ponytail today, was hard to draw at this angle. He was careful not to blot or make mistakes.

The fireplace in the background of the sketch made a really good landscape for the picture. Hermione was sure to enjoy this one. He thought seriously about adding speech bubbles but went against it; he didn't like when things look cartoon-ish. He also didn't know what the two were truly speaking about; his listening had ended long ago.

"Damn," Ginny said, suddenly over his shoulders. "Does my hair really look like that?"

Hermione sniggered. "Yes."

"You can draw a fucking picture, can't you?" Ginny asked, looking at the drawing skeptically.

Draco folded the cover to the sketch bad over the drawing, not letting anyone look at it anymore. He placed it on the table, and Hermione shook her head at him. He never liked it when people fawned over his work, and Hermione knew that by now. She was always encouraging him to do more of it; she insisted people would pay money for it. But he really didn't think he was good enough.

"Thanks," he said quietly. Hermione beamed.

"So, quidditch this weekend," Ginny said. Finally, a topic he could actually talk about.

"Is Potter playing?"

"Are you mad? Of course not. I'll be playing Seeker. We found some chump third year to cover for me as Chaser. Ron's been acting as captain, but I think you knew that."

"Yeah, I did. So, basically, it'll be an easy win?"

"Very funny, Draco," she stressed, chuckling. "You'll be eating your words Saturday."

"I'm sure." He smirked.

"Considering half your crowd was captured… tsk tsk, no support."

"Because I've had so much support over these last six years. I'll be fine Ginger."

"Well, bring it Blondey."

The two shook hands.

--

The morning of Quidditch dawned a beautiful day. Draco went over all of the positive points as he led his team (with a few new members) down to the field. He pointed out the blue skies, the lack of wind, and the few clouds to block out the sun effectively. The ground was hard; a good kick-off, and not muddy. He told his new beaters (Crabbe and Goyle were in prison) about all these excitedly. They looked extremely nervous, but Draco was confident they would be alright. They had practiced throughout the year; he had been smart to keep reserves.

The Gryffindors looked in prime form; they were only missing Harry, who was sitting in the first row of stands, his cane next to him. He was having trouble walking, but he had urged the nurses to let him leave the hospital on schedule. Everybody spent all their time fussing over him, even Hermione. It annoyed Draco to no extent but he humored them, even spending some time with the Gryffindors in their common room. It kept Hermione peaceful at least.

Looking up, he could see Hermione in the Gryffindor stands, waving a red and gold flag. Draco scowled but didn't allow it to get to him; she was wearing his Slytherin gloves and scarf, so at least she was halfway supporting him. His eyes trailed over to the Slytherin stands, which were half bare. He shook his head, knowing this would be a tough game.

"Alright team," he said, turning back towards them, "we may be a little shaken up, but this is still our year. It's my final at Hogwarts, and I'd love to finish it on a good note. Let's go."

They marched to the center of the field to cheers. He could see Hermione faintly smiling at him and getting glared at by half the stands. His mother was in the teacher's stand, in deep conversation with Professor McGonagall about something. She didn't notice him, so he didn't wave. They met the Gryffindors in the center circle.

"Captains, shake hands." Draco shook Ginny's hand gently and stepped back.

"Mount your brooms," came the command. "I want a clean game. No more injuries please, we've had enough to go around for years. On my whistle then."

The whistle blew and the balls flew into the air. Draco watched long enough to see that it was in Slytherin possession before he took off. He spent his time circling above the field, not really paying any attention to the score. He knew Gryffindor was leading, but scores mattered little when the game was so close. It would come down to his skill versus Ginny's.

He kept one eye on Ginny the entire game, and the one scouring the field. He was much more practiced than Ginny at this; she seemed to struggle with which thing to ay more attention too. Harry cheered her on and shouted advice from the stands loudly, getting booed in return by the Slytherins. A few times, Draco thought he saw the gold glint, but it was just the sun peeking out from the clouds. He shielded his eyes and continued his search.

And then, he saw it. And it was going to be too late; Ginny was already after it. But Draco's broom had the upper hand. He twisted violently in midair, almost throwing himself off, and zoomed off after Ginny. And then luck came his way. The snitch had changed course, flying further away from Ginny and back towards him. He slowed just barely and came at it from an angle. His timing would have to be perfect.

Ginny was right on its tail somehow, a few feet behind it, just out of her reach. Draco came at from the left, swerving in front of Ginny and barely managing not to crash into her and stretched out his hand. His timing was impeccable; the snitch had no where to go except right into Draco's pale fingers. He shouted in triumph and raised his hand high in the air. Ginny was swearing loudly.

A pile of green-clad players swamped him just then; pounding his back, swearing and cheering and shouting in his ears, sweat all over their faces and hands. But none of it mattered; Slytherin had beaten Gryffindor. Draco knew, had that been Potter, he would have been done. But either way, he had defeated the Gryffindor team and gotten Slytherin their first Quidditch Cup in seven years.

"And Slytherin wins the Quidditch cup!" Draco heard it reverberate around the stadium, and the sound of cheers filled his ears until it was all he could hear save the ringing. He smiled, ear to ear, and sough out Hermione's eyes in the crowd. And there she was, the only one with a smile plastered on her features.

--

After Draco had managed to shoo away his slew of admirers (many girls included), he made his way up to the common room. He had changed back into normal robes, and was feeling very happy. The Quidditch Cup was in his hand; Snape had allowed him to keep it for the night before it went in his office for the year.

He stepped into the common room. I was dark; Draco assumed Hermione was still pouting with her friends in the Gryffindor common room. Although he wanted to see her immediately, he wasn't going to risk going into enemy territory just yet. They would most likely believe he was there to rub salt in the wound, and he definitely wouldn't be able to resist.

He heard the door open and looked towards Hermione's staircase. She had clearly just taken a shower; her hair was scraggly and wet. He looked at her awkwardly; she was wearing something odd. She lit the candles with a flick of her wand, and Draco smirked. Hermione was wearing his boxers and his wife beater that had the Slytherin crest on it. She smirked and Draco couldn't help but be turned on.

Putting down the Cup, he brought her into his arms tightly. They kissed, passionately. She bit her lip and Draco led her back to the couch. It was clear what was on both of their minds, and Draco was in such a good mood, he couldn't even blame this on luck. It was simply perfection.

They made love.

After they had exhausted themselves, Draco stirred slowly next to Hermione's naked form. She mumbled something and turned to him. His lips nuzzled at her neck before trailing up to her ears slowly. She shivered at his touch, like always.

"I missed you," Draco whispered.

"I never went anywhere," she contradicted.

"No, I mean, I was missing you my entire life. Until now." And he kissed her.

--

A/n- That was a decently long chapter. I hope you are satisfied. Reviews!