CHAPTER XLIV

- The Granger's Home -

Hermione was giddy with excitement as Draco, Pyxis and Narcissa apparated into her childhood home. By the way Draco was smirking, she new he was amused by her giddiness. She couldn't help it. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so happy, so at bliss. And she couldn't wait to tell her parents and Narcissa that Draco proposed. She had asked her parents if they had anytime for all of them to have a meal together and if it would be okay to have at home for a change. Her parents seemed delighted at the prospect. They had told her not to worry about the food, that they would handle it all. Her parents could sense that something had happened over the phone and even Narcissa had noticed something was up. The only reason Narcissa hadn't noticed yet that they were engaged, was that they had placed a temporarily glamour on the ring so it wasn't visible on her hand.

They wanted to enjoy the first couple of nights of their engagement in bliss and they certainly made use of the time. Hermione had never had sex in her life as much as she had the last couple nights. The only one who knew was Headmistress McGonagall and that was because Draco had proposed to her romantically at Hogwarts and needed to make sure that none of the students stumbled across them and interrupted. Hermione wanted to inform their parents first before speaking to any of their friends and extended family. Hermione wanted to apparate right over to Harry's after dinner and let him know but Draco had somehow stolen Harry away from her.

Blasted, infuriating, loving man had kissed her senseless until she had no choice but leave announcing the news to Draco. She supposed that in-between his addictive kisses he had brought up some rather valid points and some more after he had stopped speaking.

Her father was there to greet her in a warm hug as they arrived in the lounge room. She immediately released herself from Draco's grip and flung herself into her father's arms.

"Hey Dad."

He hugged her tightly, and smiled at Draco over his shoulder. "Hey Pumpkin. It's great to see you. You're mothers in the kitchen putting the last bit of dinner on the table. Why don't we all sit down and eat, we can talk over dinner."

Except for the time Narcissa had come over to take her parents to Malfoy Manor after Ron's attack, Narcissa had never been inside the Granger's house. Turning around Hermione grabbed her mother-in-laws hand and led her into the dinning room in between the lounge and the kitchen. Hermione froze though when she saw how decorated the table was. Her mother had used her favorite dishes that she only ever took out for Christmas Lunch and Birthdays. The table was covered by a rich purple tablecloth littered with plates of vegetables, roast meats and candles. At the end of the table, her mother had placed her old baby chair, which she recognized from photos. Why had her parents gone to so much effort just for dinner? Sure she and Draco new how special the meal would be but her parents didn't know…

"You know…" Hermione breathed out in surprise.

Her father embraced his wife in a warm hug as they both smiled at her. She looked at Draco who smirked at her innocently; an expression that Hermione knew meant he was anything other.

Narcissa seemed just as confused, so she asked, "Know what Hermione dear?"

"But how..." Hermione continued.

Draco shook his head at his fiancé as placed Pyxis in the baby chair. "Really love," he drawled casually, "Did you think I would propose to you without speaking to your parents."

Before he could add anything his mother screaked at him, causing Hermione to smirk. "Draco Lucius Malfoy! When were you going to tell your poor aging mother that you had finally proposed to this amazing woman?"

Wincing as she used his full name, he amended, "Tonight. Hermione and I wanted to have a few days to ourselves before breaking the news to everyone." To soften the blow, he added, "and we wanted both of you to know first which is why we've having a family dinner."

Sighing, she turned her attention to Hermione. "Please tell me he at least proposed romantically and swept you off your feet for all those lost years?"

Seeing an opportunity to get one back at Draco, Hermione couldn't resist and watched the horror dawn on his face as he realized what she about to do. "Actually Narcissa it wasn't all that romantic. I mean we had a nice meal and all and then went for a stroll in the park but he sort of just placed the ring box in my hand and said be my wife."

Hermione had to bite back the laughter at the horrified expression on Narcissa's face. In a perfectly calm voice, which just made Draco pale more, she spoke, "Draco Lucius Malfoy. What kind of proposal do call that? Have I not taught you anything? And how could you just say 'be my wife'? Would an I love you hurt to say?"

Sensing that Narcissa was only just getting started, she decided to put him out of his misery. Leading her over to the seat at the opposite end of the table to Pyxis she amended, "I'm joking Narcissa. I couldn't resist getting him back. I assure you your son was nothing but kind and loving…"

"And romantic?" Narcissa added in hope almost believing that Hermione was simply placating her.

"And romantic", Hermione agreed.

"Thank god for that. You had me worried there Hermione dear. My boy worries me at time with what goes in that head of his."

Her parents chuckled quietly amongst themselves whilst Draco scowled, as they watched how well Hermione fitted in with the Malfoy's. Not that she hadn't fitted in well with the Weasley's, they were like a second family to her, her and Ron just never seemed to fit quite right their eyes.

As Draco passed by Hermione, to sit in between her and his mother he whispered in her ear seductively. "You're going to pay for that tonight luv."

Gazing up at Draco she whispered back huskily, "I'm counting on it."

Draco groaned and muttered under his breath as he sat down. "You're going to be the death of me."

"Now there's a mixture of meats and vegetables. Everyone help themselves to whatever they like. Now the meats are all slow cooked, so Pyxis should have any issues eating them, and there are plenty of veggies that he can eat. But I wasn't sure so I have some back up food in the kitchen for him."

"This will be perfect for him Alice." He had long since stopped calling Hermione's parents Mr. and Mrs. Granger upon their request. "You're spoiling him too much."

"Draco it's a grandparent's job to spoil their grandchildren. Now hopefully you all enjoy it. Eat up. Do you mind if I feed Pyxis? It's been such as longer time since I had the pleasure of feeding a baby." Draco nodded in response. "And please do tell us how to proposed to our baby. We've been very anxious to hear about since you asked us back at Christmas."

Hermione gasped again. "You asked them two weeks ago?"

"I've been wanting to ask you earlier than, but wanted to give you a bit more time to adjust to everything."

"And my answer still would have been yes."

Draco smiled at his fiancé, with a slow seductive smile that was almost inappropriate for their company.

"And also tell us what happened in between. I was always a bit muddled at how you two didn't end up a couple after graduating Hogwarts." His mother added.

"Well it all started in third year when Hermione punched me."

"Hermione!" Her mother gasped.

"Its okay Alice. I had it coming. I was still in my blood supremacist stage of my childhood. For such a small girl she packed quite a punch and she actually broke my nose. It was quite embarrassing for me to get injured by a girl, and the one girl who continually beat me at everything. But not as embarrassing as Blaise likes to point out was my near obsession that developed with her. I kept on bringing Hermione up in conversations because I couldn't fathom that she punched me. And that's when it all changed for me…"


Author's Note: I only wanted to do the ring unveiling once, so as not to repeat, so Hermione is going to do that in a later chapter with her friends, though they do show their parents the ring after the finishing talking about the proposal.