Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I don't make money from this fic, and I am just a fan.
May 14, 2003 Crowthorne, Berkshire, England - The Granger Residence
Draco and Hermione had both taken the day off of work to visit with their parents, since it was Mother's Day. The couple had decided to make their way to the Grangers' by broom, as it was a lovely day, then later they'd Apparate to Malfoy Manor. Richard and Jean were ecstatic to see them both, and were eager to thank them for taking care of the house. Jean had baked croissants and drizzled butter and honey over them to go with their tea, and Draco was in heaven.
"These are entirely too good. I swear, it's like you're trying to fatten me up, Mrs. Granger." Draco proclaimed, popping his third croissant into his mouth.
"Fatten you up?" Hermione scoffed. "You have the metabolism of an anorexic teenage girl, Draco. I've seen you put away two boxes of fried rice and still be hungry, and literally not gain a pound."
"That's impressive," Richard commented. "I say enjoy that while you can. Once you hit thirty, it's all downhill from there." he chuckled, rubbing his belly, that was a bit pudgy.
"Mum's always had a thing for baking, since I've been little." Hermione said.
"Tried teaching 'Mione what I could, but more often than not, she'd nearly burn the house down. Usually got caught up in a book and forgot something was in the oven." Jean snickered.
"I've gotten better about that." Hermione blushed. Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you do that last week?" Hermione turned scarlet.
"Hey, at least I'm not doing it every time anymore." She said, crossing her arms defensively. Draco and her parents just chuckled. Jean stood, and tried to take Richard's empty plate, but the man refused, standing as well.
"Absolutely not, Jean. You know the drill. If you cook, I clean. I'll not have you doing both." Draco grinned at that. He took Hermione's plate as well, and stood.
"I'll join you, Mr. Granger. It'd do Hermione well to have some alone time with her Mum, I feel." Draco caught the glint in Richard's eye as he nodded at the assessment. He followed the older man into the kitchen, offering to wash the dishes while Richard dried and put them away. They worked in silence for a few minutes before Richard spoke up.
"Draco, what are your intentions with my daughter?" Richard said quietly, but not unkindly. Draco took a deep breath. This was gonna be a lot harder than he'd initially thought.
"Actually, sir, I have every intention to marry her, with your approval." Draco said, forcing his words to remain calm and maintain a normal speed. Richard grinned.
"I had a feeling." He said. "How long have you known our Hermione, son?" Richard asked. Draco thought about it.
"Nearly twelve years, sir. But we've only gotten close in the past year." Richard nodded.
"She loves you. I see the same look in her eyes when she looks at you as I see in Jean's when she looks at me. And it's clear you love her as well. I don't know of many men willing to create something as seemingly complex as a new spell for the sole purpose of returning his girlfriend's parents' memories. If that's not love, well, I don't know what is." Richard said, finishing drying the last of the dishes. He turned and clapped Draco on the shoulder.
"You have my blessing, son. You'd be a welcome addition to our family." Draco beamed. All the frustrating, endless night, the days spent in a laboratory, or library had paid off with those two simple sentences.
His mother would have a fit.
Later, Wiltshire, England - Malfoy Manor
"You asked her father? And?" Narcissa whispered, excitedly. Draco had suggested Lucius show Hermione the library. Of all the times she'd been in the house, she'd yet to see it, and Draco had expressed that it was a shame. Thankfully, Lucius had caught that Draco had needed to talk to his mother alone and had obliged. Draco was suddenly thankful for Lucius and Hermione's mutual love of books.
"And he gave me his blessing." Draco beamed. His mother was clearly trying very hard not to squeal like a schoolgirl.
"When are you going to ask her? Have you bought the ring?" She blurted. Draco put his hand on his mother's back and guided her away from the door nearest the library.
"Mum, calm down. I've no idea when I'm going to ask her, haven't had a chance to look for rings yet, and yes, you can help me plan everything. At this point, I'll need it."
"All I need is a time period, Draco. How soon do you want to propose?" His mother asked.
"Within a month." Draco said quickly.
"Your birthday party." His mother supplied. "You could do it then."
"On one condition, Mum." Draco said, the gears in his head whirring.
"What's that?" She asked, used to conditions from her only son.
"We have to invite the Potters, Weasleys, and Grangers. The only place big enough to hold all of them and us comfortably is the Manor ballroom, or garden."
"A garden party it is, then." Narcissa said, nearly dismissively. Draco was nearly shocked by how easily convinced she'd been. "I'll get started on the invitations. I assume you'll want Mr. Zabini present as well?" She asked. Draco nodded.
"I'll drop by once I get the ring to have you take a look before the day of. And suggestions?" Draco asked.
"Diamonds are a girl's best friend, Draco, and lots of them. But Hermione strikes me as a girl who appreciates simplicity in design over flashy rocks." Narcissa said.
"Noted." Draco said, thinking about the things that he'd need to get done. His mother touched his arm, gently.
"You leave the planning of this party to me. I'll reach out to your Aunt Andromeda, and perhaps even Molly Weasley. I'd say it's about time we witches get over what's in our veins and start taking care of what's really important. Our families." Narcissa smiled. Lucius and Hermione returned moments later, a little confused to find Narcissa hugging a close-to-tears Draco close to her. She merely shook her head at the two.
June 5, 2003 Wiltshire, England - Malfoy Manor
The day was finally upon him, and Draco was a nervous wreck. His mother had told Andromeda and Molly what Draco had planned, so they tried to keep him calm and practically stress free, but that was making him stress more. Finally, Harry, who Draco had taken with him to pick out the ring, to ensure that Hermione would love it, walked up to him with Teddy in tow.
"Teddy, Uncle Draco isn't feeling well. I need you to be a big boy and help me to get him feeling better." Harry told the little boy. He nodded, taking Draco's hand.
"Okay. Come on, Unca Draco, let's go play outside. That always makes me feel better." Draco shot a grateful glance at Harry, then wandered out into the garden with Teddy. He found an irate Molly taking a bundle of table cloths from Ginny, who'd just recently announced she was pregnant.
"Ginevra, I've told you that you need to think about the baby." Molly scolded.
"I'm barely a month pregnant, Mum! You can't possibly keep taking things out of my hands for the next eight." Ginny said, though she smiled at her mother's protectiveness.
"I can and I will, young lady! Now you go get off your feet this instant." Draco caught Ginny's eye and motioned for her to come with him and the toddler that was guiding him. She smiled and obliged. They found a bit of the garden that hadn't been planted yet, and Draco laughed as Teddy deposited himself in the middle of a pile of freshly-turned dirt and happily began humming as he dug in it. Ginny and Draco watched the boy dig quietly for a few minutes, sitting on a bench a few feet away.
"Nervous?" Ginny asked, knowing that the day was upon them.
"You've no idea. Harry had me watch the little runt to keep me from wearing a hole in the marble." Draco groaned. Ginny laughed.
"Observant one, my husband. Knows exactly how to keep someone occupied without wearing them down." Ginny smiled. "Where's Hermione?"
"With both of our mums. I suspect she's wrapping my presents as she wouldn't let me near the library since she got here." Ginny giggled.
"That's something Hermione would do. Stake out the library to wrap presents. So any chance you'll let me in on how you're gonna do it?" She asked.
"Let me guess: George has a bet running." Draco asked dryly. Ginny let a broad grin out.
"Really, Draco, you've spent too much time at the Burrow recently. I'm not sure if I should be upset or proud." Ginny told him, elbowing him in the side.
"That's just the hormones talking. The correct emotion is worried. For my sanity, that is." Draco grinned, then he sighed.
"Truth is, I don't know how it'll go. I'm sort of just going to play it by ear." Draco checked his watch, then stood. "We'd better be getting back to the house, though. Everyone else will be getting here soon." They heard a loud bang and a very distinctive voice screaming. Draco chuckled.
"Looks like the rest of the Weasleys have arrived." Draco smirked. They pulled Teddy out of the dirty and Draco cleaned him up with a flick of his wand. He took the little boys hand and they walked back towards the house, to the back terrace where the tables were being set up.
As it was Draco's birthday, a few of his former housemates were supposed to be in attendance. Thankfully, his mother had had the presence of mind to not invite Pansy Parkinson, who'd been all over him in school. Narcissa had only really invited the Greengrass sisters, Blaise, Theodore Nott, and Gregory Goyle, and she had made sure to inform them of the large presence of Gryffindors. Draco honestly didn't expect Greg and Theo to show up, but as he walked into the party area, he clearly saw Theo standing with his hands in his pockets, talking with Daphne, Astoria, and oddly, Ron. Draco let himself smile as he realized that Ron was blushing a little while talking to Astoria. He stored that information away for later.
Draco scanned the room. Everyone he considered family was present, from the Potters and Teddy, Andromeda, the Weasleys - the whole clan, right down to Victoire and Dominique, Victoire had found Teddy and they were weaving in between the adults, playing tag, while Bill held little Dominique on his hip. His parents and Hermione's were talking at the refreshments table, but he couldn't locate Hermione. Suddenly, a pair of soft, small hands were placed over his eyes.
"Guess who?" He heard Hermione giggle.
"Hm. Harry?" Draco asked, a smile on his face.
"Would Harry do this?" Hermione asked, spinning him around and drawing him down for a kiss.
"Merlin, I hope not." Draco murmured. "That would make things rather awkward, what with his pregnant wife and all."
"Oi, would you two stop snogging and get over here? We can't start eating if the birthday boy isn't present, now can we?"George yelled.
"Sod off, George, we're coming." Draco said, placing another kiss on the top of Hermione's head. Draco and Hermione took their seats at one of the many round tables scattered about the terrace before what seemed to be antique silver plates, and merely seconds later, their plates were filled. Steak, broccoli, carrots, roasted red potatoes, and a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon. Lucius Malfoy, who sat at the table with Draco, his mother, Hermione, and her parents, stood, greeting all the guests as one with a raised glass.
"A toast. To my only son on his birthday. You've achieved a great many things in the twenty-three years you've had on this planet so far. Here's to your achievements, and many more to come. To Draco!" Lucius drank to his son, a chorus of approval chiming from all around them. Draco lifted his glass to his father in acknowledgement before drinking himself.
The food was phenomenal. It'd taken Molly, Andromeda, Narcissa, and Hermione nearly all day to prepare everything. They'd had help from Ponky, but the little house elf simply wasn't able to produce that much food by himself. Ponky had been able to pull the sort of magic the Hogwarts house elves had during feasts, though, and for that, alone, the women were grateful.
After dinner, the assembly had sung Draco Happy Birthday, and cake and ice cream distributed. The gather fell into quiet conversations, people idly roaming from one table to the next.
"Have you noticed Ron's been talking to Astoria Greengrass for close to an hour?" Hermione whispered with a grin. Draco nodded, but turned to Hermione, grinning.
"I didn't take you for the gossipy type." He smirked.
"It's not gossip, merely an observation." She said, blushing a little. Narcissa took notice of this little exchange.
"Come now, Hermione. There's no shame in a little gossip. It's a woman's right." There was a glint in her eye and Draco went with it. He trusted his mother's instincts.
"Well, I believe a woman's right is to know her place, and stay in it." Draco said, as snobbily as he could.
"Excuse me?" Hermione said, looked shocked. Narcissa must have warned the Grangers somehow, because they didn't act shocked in the slightest.
"I said, a woman needs to know her place." Draco said again, raising his voice in mock anger. If he knew his Hermione, she'd be storming off any-
"Well, if that's how you feel, Draco Malfoy." She stood from the table, and Draco was quick to follow her. Luckily, Hermione wasn't paying attention as Mr. Granger sent him a thumbs-up.
"Hermione, wait-" Draco caught her wrist in the middle of the crowd of people, most of whom had now turned to see the commotion.
"Why, Draco? I've about had it with silly pureblood ideologies. I thought you were past those!" She said, crossing her arms over her chest with an indignant huff.
"I meant every word of what I said, Hermione. I believe a woman should know her place. She should know that her place is beside the man she loves. Not in front of him, not behind him, but hand in hand." Draco said, taking her hand and getting down on one knee. He pulled a small white box from his pocket, and Hermione immediately started to cry, a hand over her mouth. He flipped the box open. The ring inside was silver, with a round cut diamond as the centerpiece with two small sapphires flanking it on either side.
"Hermione, you've stood by me when no one else would. You've been there for me the way no one else could be. Through you, I've expanded my family, I've had the courage to do so much more than I could ever imagine. Hermione Jean Granger, I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?" Hermione nodded.
"Yes, yes, a thousand times yes, Draco!" She squealed. He slipped the ring on her finger and stood, embracing her and swinging her around while their families thundered to their feet, hooting and yelling their approval. When the commotion died down, Hermione looked over to George.
"Oi, you owe me five galleons." George burst out laughing. Draco raised an eyebrow at his new fiance, but she shrugged the look off.
"He bet me that you'd propose in private. I told him that you'd make a scene." She said.
"I love you." Draco murmured, moving in to kiss Hermione, but stopping short when they began to hear catcalls from the crowd.
"I love you, too, Draco." She said, giving his hand a squeeze then she was swept away by a sea of women demanding to see the ring.
Draco stood in silence for a few moments, contemplating life. He couldn't think of a better birthday present than to have Hermione as his fiance. He watched her for few more minutes before rejoining the men, who'd been waiting for him to come down from his high before congratulating him. Bless them, he thought, returning to their comforting presence and relaxing a bit. The hard part was over for now.
