AN: Thank you to my readers and particularly my reviewer; Don'tForgetILoveYou. I adore reviews, particularly positive ones when I know this story isn't great at all. This chapter is not my finest work, even considering it's five years old and unedited, so please keep reading and try to ignore the terrible structure. Apparently, I was a fan of a lot of dialogue back then – Sorry! I hope you're enjoying the storyline though!
Read and Review Please!
Song suggestion: Survivor, Destiny's Child.
Chapter Thirty Six: Planning Plans.
"Hermione! Hermione! What's wrong? Wake up Hermione!" Draco shook her shoulders.
"Mmm…" She mumbled and opened her eyes wide, "What happened?"
"Your head was blocked, what happened?"
"I…I got a visit from your Father's ghost." Rubbing her eyes, she looked still looked haunted by her visitation.
"What did he do?" He demanded, anger creasing his features.
"Nothing but words…he disgusts me."
"Why?"
"He was the one. He sent Crabbe and Goyle to hurt me." She whispered.
"So, he just confessed to you?" Draco's brow furrowed.
"No, he said other things but they are all harmless words."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, but how he got in, I don't know."
"Each ghost can access one dream for each person, tonight he decided to visit you."
"Has he visited you?"
"Yes, the second night after his death to lecture me and tell me I'm a disappointment."
"You are not a disappointment!" She had had enough of people calling him that.
"Ssshhh…who's being protective now?" He chuckled.
"Shut up." Hermione sighed, "What time is it?"
"Just past six."
"For Merlin's sake, when are they letting me out of here?"
"When your head is deemed good enough to outsmart us all again."
"You better believe that." Grinning, she nudged him playfully.
"I don't doubt it."
"Good, let's go." She said trying to move out of bed, but was stopped by Draco's restricting arms.
"Not until Madam Pomfrey gives the all clear."
"I knocked my head, not broke my back."
"You split it open and fainted."
"Hermione Granger does not faint."
"That's what you did." Slight humour and concern skewed his expression.
"No, I passed out."
"Okay." He sighed, unwilling to argue when she was deemed unwell.
"But seriously, I want to go, I've got to get ready for class."
"Well, not until you're cleared."
"You're annoying me now." She grumbled.
"Go to sleep." He hushed her.
"Can I go to the bathroom first?"
"Sure." He released her and she slipped out of the bed.
"Give me a minute." She smiled and walked out.
As soon as she was out of his sight she ran off down the corridor-no way was she staying there and missing classes. She raced to her room where she grabbed her bag and got ready.
"What do you think you're doing?" Draco commanded when Hermione walked out of the common room to leave for breakfast. He looked almost comical in his pyjamas, wearing an angry expression. Clearly, he'd figured out her plan a little too late.
"Going to breakfast." She explained simply.
"You're supposed to be in the hospital wing."
"Yeah, and you're supposed to support your soon-to-be wife in whatever she may do."
"You're a sly one."
"I learn from the best." She smirked, "Come on then, breakfast time."
"Fine, but one incident and you go back and stay there."
"There won't be an incident. Goodness you're worse than a paranoid mum!"
"Come on then." He sighed, knowing the argument was at a loss.
"You know what I fancy?" She mused.
"No. Because I can't get in your head."
"Only in my dreams." She muttered.
"Good dreams."
"Only you would say that."
"Actually Pansy gets the same treatment." He commented idly.
"You mean, I'll still have these dreams once we've…done."
"Yes."
"For Merlin's sake!" She huffed.
"Don't get excited." He said sarcastically.
"Shut up." She rolled her eyes, "We have plans to make you know!"
"Like?"
"Our wedding!"
"Ah, Bridezilla." Draco teased her.
"Shut up Ferret." She snapped, "Have you got your suit?"
"Suit?" He paused in confusion. Hermione quickly realised her mistake and corrected herself.
"Dress robes, I mean."
"Yes."
"Right, the colour scheme I was thinking of is red and green." They were good colours, safe colours. Particularly, when they would be married at Hogwarts.
"Very academic." He remarked drily.
"And flowers, how about Camellia?"
"Nice and very autumn."
"Hey!" Pansy rushed up and threw herself at Hermione, "What are you doing up?" Since Draco and she had settled as Mates, Pansy and Blaise were much more accepting towards her. Apparently, Veelas took their concept of interlinked families very seriously.
"I'm fine." She sighed.
"Good, now this wedding?" Pansy grinned.
"Yes, we're having…" They chattered off as Draco and Blaise walked along.
"Bridezilla?" Blaise asked watching the two girls.
"Definitely."
"It's not too bad really, just say yes in the right places." Blaise advised helpfully. He remembered Pansy going crazy about every single little detail every night, he'd barely got any sleep.
"I know, but what's the big deal?"
"Draco Malfoy! Did I just hear you say Weddings aren't a big deal?" Hermione turned around to him.
"Um…"
"Weddings are such a big deal, right Pansy?"
"Yep."
"They're one day when it's just about us and it's special because it only happens once and how dare you say it's not a big deal! Just because it just means sex to you does not mean it's about that at all!" She fumed, playing up to her Bridezilla image. If he wanted to call her Bridezilla, she'd be one.
"Sorry Hermione!" He held his hands up.
"Too right you are!" She snapped before turning back to Pansy and discussing the plans.
"Good luck man." Blaise patted his shoulder.
"Going to need it." Draco whispered back.
"Hermione, is this wedding plans I hear?" Ginny gushed, rushing up to the two gabbing girls.
"Yep." She smiled, "I have it all planned out."
"And Draco's money to fund it." Pansy giggled.
"No, I'll pay!" She insisted.
"Hermione, please, his bank accounts are loaded to him. It'll be more like knut to pay for it."
"But I'll pay for my own wedding!"
"So bloody stubborn."
"Pansy, I want to do this, my last time for independence." She reasoned quietly.
"Okay Hermione, whatever you say, it's your day."
"Thank you."
"Tell me all about this wedding then Hermione!" Ginny giggled.
"Like you did with you and Harry and Ron and Lavender?"
"That's different, we decided to have a double wedding and at the time you were dealing with your parents."
"I know, but still Ginny."
"Sorry. But we will renew our vows at some point and you can be involved all you want."
"Fine."
"Come on then, I want all the juicy details…"
"Well…Ron? Lavender?" Hermione gaped at the entwined couple in the hidden alcove.
"Hermione!" They leaped apart.
"You're lucky I don't dock points, now get to breakfast."
"Thanks Hermione." Ron sighed.
"Yeah, thank you." Lavender hugged her gratefully. Hermione patted her back awkwardly until she drew away.
"Go on now…and next time, get a room!" She called after the retreating couple.
"Who'll be reprimanding us when we're up to that?" Draco wound his arms around her waist.
"You either let go now or you sleep on the couch."
"Fine." He mumbled and moved away.
"Thank you, we don't want people to get the wrong idea." Hermione teased.
"No, we wouldn't want that." He muttered.