A/n: After some great food, hours and hours of FINALS recuperation through sleep, and awesome Christmas presents… I give you a new chapter… YAY!!! I reached over 500 REVIEWS!!! You guys are amazing of course!!!

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Malfoy watched her as her body moved with a natural fluidity, he didn't bother to join her. He watched as her body came alive, as her muscles relaxed and flexed under her controlled yet free movements. Her eyes were closed during the duration of the song and he slowly moved into the room. When it had finally ended he reached her and wrapped his arms protectively around her.

She turned around and he saw that her face was wet with tears. He didn't like to see her hurt, not like this. He instinctively wiped the wetness from her face.

"I can't do this," she whispered.

He had to suppress the sigh that wanted to escape his lips. He knew that Hermione was always hard on herself. The fact of the matter was that she was born to do this.

"Then don't do it," he replied. "If you don't want to do it then you don't have to."

"Really?" She questioned.

"Of course you don't have to, there's always a choice." He started. "Don't let anyone influence your decision. If this is what you love, then you will do it, it doesn't depend on what I think or what Elijah thinks, do it because you want to."

He gazed into her warm eyes and she looked back a small smile playing across her lips.

"I love you," she whispered. "But you already knew that."

"And I you, Hermione Granger…but you already knew that."

Hermione, panted slightly, it had been only three days and she was still working on the first piece of Elijah's routine. The choreography was the most challenging that she had ever received. Karyn who looked on at their practice was beaming happily at Hermione. Ever since Hermione had become the understudy Karyn seemed happier, lighter, and freer in her movements and in her general well-being.

"That's it Hermione," she said smiling. Hermione twisted her body around Malfoy's and came to a halt when the music had.

"That was great," Scott said standing. He had decided to sit this one out.

All of them had been working tirelessly around the clock to try to bring Hermione up to speed on each of the dances. When Karyn and Scott spent seven hours with her, she would eat dinner, take a break, and start all over again with Malfoy. He was patient and diligent in helping her perfect the moves, teaching her different techniques in the process.

"Ok wait…" Hermione couldn't hide the fact that she was struggling slightly. "I'm confused."

"You were fine, just do it like that again," Malfoy said standing upright.

"Alright," she replied. "Let's start again."

"Is that what Draco wants?" Cheryl asked softly. "He doesn't want to wait?"

"Yes, but don't tell Hermione she will never agree to it." Blaise replied.

"So, what am I supposed to do?"

"You're smart you'll figure it out."

"She's not going to like this…"

"She won't, but in the end she will love it, and love us for doing it."

"I can't do this anymore!"

Hermione couldn't help but yell out in frustration. This was too hard. There was too much pressure on her to do well. She wasn't trained, and she couldn't help but think of Ana's words. She got out of her last position and sighed heavily. Who was she kidding?

"I think that's enough for today," Malfoy's voice called out.

Hermione closed her eyes

"Tomorrow then?" Karyn's voice called out.

"Seven a.m."

Hermione stood still, her body tired. They've been going at it for six hours and it was only noon.

"You have to relax," he said coming up behind her. His warm breath made her arms erupt in goose bumps. He wrapped his arms around her but that didn't ease the tension. His lips softly tasted her neck, but she pushed him away. She couldn't deal with this right now.

"Hermione, we both know how you are when your tense, you just have to let whatever's holding you back go. You can do this."

"That's easy for you to say," she huffed.

She left the studio and he followed suit. They passed the larger studio in which one of her hired instructors were teaching the youngest students.

"Look how about we take the rest of the day off?"

Hermione laughed at the thought. How could he even suggest such a thing when she wasn't even close to ready?

"You want to take the rest of the day off?"

"Well don't you have to go dress shopping with Cheryl?"

"Cheryl doesn't need me for that…"

"Do you really think that you have a choice in that matter?"

Malfoy watched as she made a beeline for the bathroom once they were in the house. He went downstairs in the kitchen where he knew Cheryl and Blaise were waiting for them.

"Hey guys," he said smiling.

"How's Hermione?" Cheryl asked.

"Stressed, make sure you take her mind off of dancing for the afternoon."

"Can do," she replied.

"How about you mate, are you sure you want to do this tonight?"

"Of course, can you get everything done?"

"Do you need to ask?" Blaise said laughing.

"I just have to make a quick stop then I should be back in time to help you." He replied.

Cheryl didn't hesitate and put a plate steaming full of food in front of him. With the first satisfied bite he couldn't help but think in a few hours, he would be the luckiest man on this earth.

Hermione sighed and glanced down at her watch. This was the fifth bridal boutique they had been to.

"Cheryl, I thought you were getting a dress custom made from a designer?" Hermione called to her through the curtain.

"All of them had a fuss about being booked and such, so I am going to get an expensive off the rack number." She called back.

Hermione sighed and she looked around the sea of white. She had the sudden urge to thumb through the gowns. She would soon have to think of her own wedding dress, but she didn't even dare try to think about it, only because Malfoy hadn't asked her yet.

"What about this one?" She said pulling back the heavy purple curtain.

Hermione looked to Cheryl and nearly laughed. She looked like she belonged on top of a wedding cake. It looked more like a pageant gown. There was white, satin, and chiffon everywhere.

"Is it that bad?" Cheryl asked twirling.

An assistant came over to her and exclaimed how perfect the dress suited her, and how that gown was very popular.

Cheryl made a face at the last statement. When the assistant walked away Hermione laughed.

"Cheryl it isn't bad… it's just not you."

"Well, what is me?" She asked curiously. "Since you know me so well, why don't you pick me out a dress?"

Hermione stood, annoyed by her new task, but then again she was the maid of honor. She looked around at the vast amount of white dresses and picked out a few.

"I know you're tired of waiting for me, wouldn't it be fun if you tried on some dresses with me?" Cheryl said after Hermione handed her the dresses.

Hermione didn't think it would be fun, but it would be better than waiting. She looked around once again, her hands brushing against the fabric, maybe one dress couldn't hurt. She picked out a number decked out in lace and sequence and shuddered. She wanted something simple, something elegant and sexy but plain at the same time, and these dresses were far from plain. She picked out a promising piece. The fabric felt nice against her skin. She found just one other, and hesitated before entering the dressing room.

After ten minutes of struggling with the first dress she finally had it on her.

"I can't believe you talked me into this." She called over to Cheryl.

"Well c'mon let's see." By the sound of her voice she knew that Cheryl was smiling.

Hermione pulled back the curtain, and the smile that Cheryl was wearing fell slightly.

"Long sleeves?" She questioned raising her eyebrows.

"What you don't like it?"

"Well turn around let me see it,"

Hermione felt silly but she did a little twirl.

"Wait wait wait," Cheryl said smiling. "Let me see the back again."

Hermione turned.

"Wow, the dress looks great from behind."

She knew that Cheryl would love the back, just because it didn't have one. It reminded her of her first time she danced with Malfoy as her partner, back at the manor.

"I think I saw a similar dress just like it, but without the long sleeves. You have to try it on."

She watched as Cheryl searched the racks. Cheryl was also dressed in an elegant gown which suited her more than the one she picked out.

"Cheryl, you look amazing, the red trim makes it stand out beautifully, a little rebellious but completely you. I think we found your dress."

"And I think I found yours," She said smiling. "C'mon let's try it on."

"There's no need, we got what we came here for."

"Just try it on."

Cheryl handed over the dress.

"It's silk."

"And…?"

Hermione looked to the fabric and sighed, she always imagined getting married in the dead of winter. A winter wedding always appealed to her, she never knew why. She was instantly reminded of the blue flowing silk that made up her costume at the talent showcase so long ago. She reluctantly took the dress and went into the dressing room.

Malfoy disapparated from the familiar spot of Hermione's backyard. He hadn't felt this nervous since the first time he danced on a public stage, fresh from graduation. He sighed and looked around the unfamiliar road. He looked down at the piece of paper that Cheryl had given him. Her neat and tidy handwriting had the address of his final destination.

The vacant street was completely deserted, no houses, no cars. Cheryl told him to aim for the field near his destination. He walked a couple blocks and turned the corner. The street before him was teetering with children enjoying their summer holidays. He couldn't help but smile as their voices were carried over to him by the warm breeze. It didn't take long and before he knew it he was knocking on a large wooden door.

"Coming!" A voice yelled after a few seconds.

He waited in silence. The butterflies beat violently in his stomach once more. A few agonizing seconds passed and the door opened.

"Mr. Malfoy is it?" The voice said nicely. "Cheryl told us that you would be stopping by. Come in, come in."

He entered the cooled house, and blinked so his eyes could adjust to the light. The house was…cozy, it had that "lived in" feeling. He always wanted a house like this, instead of the dark coldness that Malfoy manor gave off. His home felt more like a museum than a house.

"Its tea time, just made a pot and crumpets if you would care to have some."

He kindly accepted the offer and sat down on one of the plush couches.

"Is Mr. Granger going to be here?"

"Yes, he will be here in one moment."

They waited for Hermione's dad to arrive. He felt his hands twitch nervously in his lap as he drunk the delicious tea and made small talk with Mrs. Granger, after all she was going to be his mother-in-law.

"So sorry I'm late dear," a voice called over to them.

Hermione's dad made his way over to them and Malfoy stood.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Malfoy noted that Hermione had inherited her father's eyes. He grasped his hand in a firm grip before taking his seat again.

"So what brings you here Mr. Malfoy?" Mr. Granger asked heartily.

The silk felt cool on her skin. When she gazed at herself in the mirror, the only thing that came to mind was "greek goddess". She turned to see the dress from all angles, she had to admit it was beautiful. The beaded silvery top that hug her tightly was complemented by draping of a shimmer white almost silver silk across the bust. That same silk made up the rest of the dress and it flowed nicely to the ground. The dress was held up by two thin spaghetti straps and the back was completely out but was complemented by the drapping of the fabric across the back of her hips which met the rest of the dress and fell softly to the ground.

At first she couldn't believe that Cheryl would pick out such a dress for her, but the more she gazed at herself the more it felt like the dress was made for her. The beading was intricate but not too over the top, she loved how comfortable she felt in it.

"Well come on then," Cheryl called to her.

Hermione opened the curtain smiling.

Cheryl let her mouth fall open at the site of her dress.

"Wow Hermione, you look amazing!" She squealed.

"That dress is lovely on you dear." The owner said walking forward to greet them. "Many have tried on that dress, but it never really suited them. This is the first time I've ever seen it fit someone properly."

"Your tan makes it look even better. I would have never been able to pull this dress off. "

Hermione couldn't help but beam happily, but she was planning on getting married in the winter, and this wasn't a winter wedding gown. Hermione went back into the dressing room and changed out of the dress.

"So we're going to get it right?" Cheryl asked next to her.

"I don't think so…" Hermione called over to her.

"Why not?" Cheryl's muffled voice called out. "It's a lovely dress, but Malfoy hasn't even proposed to me yet. There is not point in getting it."

Cheryl was silent. Hermione changed in silence. She was beginning to regret trying on the dress in the first place. Malfoy hadn't even asked her and here she was planning their wedding. She never knew when the day was going to come when he would get down on one knee and propose to her.

Malfoy brought his cup to his lips to sip, as the Grangers looked at him with interest. He placed his down on the table. He took a deep steadying breath.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger I was wondering if I could have your permission to make Hermione my wife."

A thick silence filled the room. Hermione's dad cleared his throat.

"You want our blessing to marry Hermione?" Mrs. Granger said smiling.

"Yes, I did not want to propose unless I had your permission first."

Malfoy looked to the both of them, but his eyes were caught by the wall behind him. There was a small fireplace and on the mantel there were pictures of Hermione from her earliest years until her graduation at Hogwarts, where a smiling Malfoy and Hermione waved happily toward him. He couldn't help but smile.

"Did you or did you not break my little girl's heart?"

Hermione's mother glared at her husband.

"Yes sir, but I've been making it up to her every single day that we have been together. Being apart from her made me realize that I had made a mistake, that she is the person I should be with for the rest of my life. Your daughter makes me happy Mr. Granger, and I know that I make her happy as well."

Hermione sighed deeply. This was going to be a long day. It was only four thirty and she could hear the rumbling of her stomach. She was waiting in the car for Cheryl. Cheryl had to go back in because she had forgotten her wallet. Ten minutes later she came back smiling, the dress shielded from view in a black dress bag. Hermione couldn't help but feel relief as she made it to the car. This nightmare was over, but she couldn't help but feel happy at the fact that she found her dress.

"What took you so long?"

"Asked if they did alterations, just in case," she said rubbing her belly.

Malfoy watched as Mrs. Granger beamed happily at him. She grabbed her husband's hand. He looked down to the ring that adorned his wife's left hand and looked back up at Malfoy.

"Do you swear to love her and take care of her no matter what?" He asked.

"Of course Mr. Granger," He replied without hesitation.

"Then you have my blessing, to marry my one and only daughter."

A/n: This chapter was supposed to be up on Christmas day, but I hadn't completely recovered from the end of the semester. I want to definitely finish the fic by New Year's eve. From the looks of it I have about 3 chapters left. Trust and believe that this story is far from over, even though there are only three chapters left… or at least I hope there are three chapters left. I want to say 3-6 just to be safe because my chapters in my head usually become two chapters each when I type it. Let's hope I get finished by my deadline. Thanks for being so patient with me and thanks for all the amazing reviews… I'm going to try my hardest to update ASAP!

As Always…Cherbi161