Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the Harry Potter series and I only borrow them from JK Rowling.

Chapter 25

"Almost Perfect"

Hermione excitedly bit her lip while slipping inside the sophisticated black gown with stylish bold lines and classy slit. She received an owl from Draco asking her that she needed to go home so she did, thinking that it was urgent. She was surprised to see the stunning gown laid on their bed; with a note and a portkey beside it.

She had then read the note and followed all his instructions giddily. Perhaps, he was just trying to get into his romantic side again. She had noticed on how he'd been asking her about her ideal places for romantic dates and the lot so she supposed he was just trying to be a good boyfriend. Though he didn't really need to bother, as he was perfect just the way he was.

But a girl could always do with any pampering any time of the day, of course.

She beamed while she took one last look on her appearance in front of the mirror. Somehow, she had a feeling that she needed to look extra good in this dinner, though she didn't know why.

She was about to clutch on the portkey when the doorbell suddenly rang. She was too excited to go and she was just about to ignore it when she ended up sighing and decided it was too rude of her to do so.

Goodness, he loved Draco to death, but that didn't mean she needed to do the things he normally did, like ignoring some of their visitors for selfish reasons. No matter how tempting those reasons were.

"Just a second!" She called before opening the door.

This better be important to actually delay her little lovely dinner.

"Oh, hi Ollie," she smiled by the time she opened the door. She noticed he looked far worse than the last time she saw him.

"Can I come in?" He quietly asked her.

"Of course. Are you okay?" She couldn't help but ask. Conflicting emotions could be seen on his feature right now and it wasn't normal. They'd been together for years and he'd always been very composed and calm at everything. She wondered what it was that's bothering him too much to look like this now.

"Actually, I'm not, Hermione," he replied frigidly as he went in.

"W-What's wrong then?" She frowned. It wasn't the answer she was expecting. Oliver would normally say he was okay even if he's not.

Something was seriously wrong with him right now.

"Everything! That's what's wrong!" He suddenly snapped which made her flinch a little.

"O-Oliver?" Hermione was too shocked to say anything as she watched him pace around the room as if he was forced to carry the heaviest problem on earth.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked her forlornly while suddenly cupping her face. He was just too close that she had to step a little farther away.

"What are you talking about? Oliver, please just—"

"You just don't understand, do you? You just really don't understand how much I really love you! All these years, Hermione, all I just really wanted was to make you happy. Call me a masochist or just a lunatic, but I'm actually willing to give you up just to see you happy; but not like this, Hermione! Not to that man," Oliver uttered while taking her hands and squeezing them tightly to his chest. Hermione tried to back away but he was just too strong. "I can't go away like this. I can't just leave you to him. He doesn't deserve you, Herms. Please listen to me…"

"Oliver, please… I simply don't know what's wrong, but if this is about Draco, then you must know that I love him. I know he might have done a lot of mistakes in the past, if that's what you're trying to point out, but I know that he's changed now. I don't know who gave you this idea but please believe me that I love him no matter what. Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be fine. I promise you," she explained gently while squeezing his hands and trying to calm him. She knew that Oliver was just really worried about her. She didn't know what happened or who tried to convince him to believe what he believed now but the bottom line was that he really just cared for her.

"But I can't protect you much longer, anymore, Herms. I can't make sure you're okay, anymore…" Oliver whispered hopelessly as he let go of her hands and held her closer to him.

Hermione tried to get away but was suddenly taken aback when she saw the dejected tears from his hurt eyes. "Ollie," she suddenly whispered, frowning as she gently wiped the bitter tears on his pale face. "Please tell me what really is wrong, Ollie..."

"I hate myself, Herms. I hate myself because I'm sick, and this sickness is stopping me from protecting you just like I've promised. I hate myself for being too weak and for being too selfish to mind my own feelings before you. I hate myself for going away without trying harder to make you love me. I hate myself for giving up on the third time you said no. If I was any better, I shouldn't have given up and left. If I wasn't diagnosed of my sickness and if the healer hadn't given me options, I shouldn't have returned. I shouldn't have realized the mistakes I made and how it will cost you. I shouldn't have let you be vulnerable again. I'm so sorry, Herms. I'm so sorry for not trying harder. Now I'm dying and I can't protect you anymore. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for being sick like this," he shook his head as he cried and buried his face on the crook of her neck.

"O-Oliver," Hermione couldn't utter any word but his name.

No.

There must have been something wrong with the diagnosis.

Oliver had been one of her greatest friends.

He'd always been there for her.

This couldn't be happening.

"I-I don't believe you," she choked in a strangled voice.

"I found it out months ago. I was given medical options, both in muggle and magical ways, but I realized I'd only be wasting my time. It's a fast growing disease and it's very terminal. I didn't want to suffer while fighting for my life. I didn't want to just survive. I wanted to live. This is the main reason why I went back and found you. You're the only thing that's really keeping me going. I love you, Herms. I love you so much," he cried and had suddenly kissed her deeply.

Hermione was too shocked and too taken aback of what just happened that it took her a couple of seconds before she realized what was happening and pushed him away. "Oliver! What are you doing?" She struggled from his tight clutch before finally getting away from his grip, pushing him away too harshly that he ended up stumbling into the floor.

The scene was just too hurtful that she ended up crying and running into him to make sure he was okay.

"I love you. I just really do. Is that wrong? Am I really that worthless?" He cried when Hermione went down into the floor to embrace him again.

"No! Please, Ollie. Please don't think about it that way. I'm just not worth this. Please… You deserve better."

"You really do love him, don't you?" He suddenly whispered. Hurt was very evident on his eyes but she knew she just couldn't lie to her own feelings.

"Yes, Ollie. I love him. I love Draco so much…"

"Put yourself together, man. Stop hyperventilating like that," Theo uttered while dramatically tapping his best friend's back too much that he ended up coughing.

"Shit! Theo, get your bloody hands off my tux! You might get it frayed," Draco grouched while whisking away some invisible stain on his perfect, expensive designer tux.

No one could ever ruin this moment.

He had a very busy week in preparing for all of these, especially the fact that he needed to be with Hermione every time so she wouldn't be able to notice anything. It was a good thing that his mother was very supporting of him that she even asked him to take a week off from his work while he prepared everything for this big day. So, everyday, his girlfriend would have to fix his tie and kiss him good luck for his day's work, though in truth he was doing something else… like trying to be civil as possible to Potter and Weasley.

He wanted this night to be special to Hermione and he knew how special those dolts were to her. She had no family now, except her friends and the Weasleys. She had some far muggle relatives but she'd never been in touch with them that much after her parents died.

It was a good thing that Ginny was also very willing to help as she was the one who arranged a small dinner with everyone at the Burrow.

That was, probably, the most heroic thing he had ever done in his entire life. He sat there, awkwardly eating as almost all eyes were glued on him. Even Theo and Ginny's almost unaccepted relationship had temporary been forgotten just because of the mere fact that he, Draco Malfoy and snotty pureblood extraordinaire, was there sitting and eating with them.

It was a good thing that Hermione had already mentioned their relationship to them before, although he doubted if it had lessen the tension since Ron and Harry were still looking narrowly and fixedly at him as if noting for a slight flaw and loophole to prove their little theory that he was plotting something evil.

Honestly, those dolts seriously needed to move on.

But then again, it even took too much effort and pain, both emotionally and physically, to make Hermione move on and accept him.

Bottomline: he was such an unbelievable git before.

It was a good thing that Mrs. Weasley was kind to him and had even served him while constantly asking if he liked the food and her specialties. The only thing that he hated about her was her annoying habit of talking about 'Dear Ollie'. It was a good thing Ginny had already warned him on how Mrs. Weasley adored the bloke and was still hoping Hermione would get back to him, just as she would get back together with Harry.

How he loved it when she almost passed out when he finally told them his reason for coming there at the first place.

Fleur Delacour Weasley looked amazed, probably surprise or jealous that Hermione was marrying a Malfoy and wouldn't be stuck with the poor Weasleys, like her.

George Weasley looked amused while his wife, Angelina Johnson Weasley, threw Draco an angry glare; probably still carrying a huge Quidditch grudge on any Slytherin along the way. He hoped she wouldn't infect that frown on her unborn child.

Mrs. Weasley had mentioned some of her children couldn't make it. Draco, frankly, didn't care but just politely told her it was okay anyway.

Hell, he didn't even know how many the Weasleys really were.

Percy Weasley had the most indifferent expression of all. Still snotty and stuck-up as ever, he guessed. Draco wondered how he had managed to get a friendly and welcoming wife with two cheerful kids.

But then again, maybe people might wonder how he'd get a perfect happy wife like Hermione someday too.

He couldn't help but smile at the thought that they'd also have little children together.

That thought was the only thing that kept him from walking away, and stopped him from laughing at Harry and Ron's priceless expressions.

Harry looked like he was about to start another war while Ron looked as if he just swallowed slugs and was about to get sick.

It honestly brought back pleasant memories.

Ah. Life, sometimes, could be so rewarding.

"Draco, everything is just so wonderful. I'm very proud of you," Narcissa beamed while gracefully walking towards his son. She was wearing a long black gown and was holding herself with a poise that offered a unique combination of aristocracy, sophistication, refinement and beauty.

A pure embodiment of a Malfoy woman.

Draco couldn't help but smile on the fact that Hermione would be one too.

"Of course, mother. Nothing can ruin this moment," he smirked haughtily and sipped on his champagne while looking calmly around the refined place.

They were at one of their sophisticated villas. He had been very particular of the place, the details, and the designs and even on the food that would be served. For the past week, he'd been constantly asking Hermione about all the things she preferred.

He didn't want any flaw to this.

He was only proposing once in his life and he wanted everything to be perfect.

He looked around the beautifully decorated place and the large curtain that separated the peaceful romantic veranda to the large hall. He arranged the portkey to directly transport Hermione to the villa's veranda which was then romantically decorated for two people.

A table for two was placed next to the pool which was adorned by rose petals. Candles were also scattered everywhere, creating a very romantic ambiance.

He wanted to propose to her with only the two of them, which was why he requested to separate all the visitors from the both of them for the first moments. When she'd say yes, the curtains would then magically open to reveal another of his surprise… their whole family and friends applauding and accepting them as a pair.

Theo told him that he went too overboard and dramatic with everything, but he knew it was the proper thing to give to a girl so perfect like his bride-to-be.

He must admit that he couldn't take all the credits in all of these as he was dearly helped by his mother and he'd hired the most eligible planners in the wizardry world.

But he'd given each and every effort he could possibly give for this night. Giving up his pride and eating with the Weasleys were perfect examples to that.

"Wow. Really fancy."

Draco turned around and saw Pansy Parkinson clapping her hands in the most theatrical way while making her way towards him; taking all the attentions of the visitors.

He could see Harry and Ron throwing invisible daggers at him and glaring in accusing manners. It was as if they were waiting for something evil to happen, knowing that Pansy had been one of his regiments before, not to mention his ex-girlfriend.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered urgently through gritted teeth while dragging her by the arm into the corner and cautiously looking at the visitors who were now staring at them curiously.

"I'm trying to save your arse here, so drop it!" Pansy hissed back viciously while whisking her arm away from his grip.

"Just go away, Pansy. We've already talked about this. Don't ruin this for me," he breathed while problematically pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn't want to have any argument or unnecessary drama to come and Pansy Parkinson was the perfect personification of those.

"I won't go. Not until you hear me out," she griped back stubbornly.

"Fine! But remember that whatever you'll say to me won't change anything. I'm proposing to Hermione right now and nothing you'll say or do will ever prevent that to happen," he told her confidently while crossing his arms to hear whatever bullshit she was going to say.

It wouldn't change a thing.

Nothing could ever stop him now.

"Maybe you're right that nothing I'll say or do can change your stupid decision but I don't think you can say no to these," she uttered ruthlessly while shoving a bunch of photos in front of him.

With the first glance, his champagne had suddenly fallen down with a painful crash.

A/N: Oliver has an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia/leukaemia. It's a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It's a rare form of cancer and is challenging to treat, with only about 20-30% people cured. Those are the ones who have survived the aggressive chemotherapy. Some people would usually stay and look healthy before symptoms show just only weeks before they reach the terminal stage.

This will also explain the fact that Oliver wasn't able to attend his dinner with Hermione, as his symptoms had already started showing that time. He was hospitalized to control the symptoms, which was why he hadn't shown himself to her for a week. This will also explain his extra friendliness to the healer during the time when Hermione and Draco visited him after the fight for he had already been well acquainted with him during his week of hospitalization. It also clarifies the fact why he had endlessly coughed out blood after Draco had beaten him up. Draco and Hermione thought that it was because of Draco's rage and brutality, but in truth, Oliver already had bleeding tendencies because of his disease.

I know you guys will probably hunt me after this chapter is updated (haha) but you must know that I have planned this way back and it's necessary for the whole plot. Please review and tell me what you think?

God bless!

Sue