Chapter 16

Clearing his throat Draco stated. " I want to thank everyone for this honor. Working with dragons has been interesting and dangerous at times. There was never a dull moment. I am excited to have a reserve here in the UK, finally. Unfortunately at this time due to other more pressing obligations, I must decline."

"You see I have a more important job coming to me I hope." he pulled Hermione from behind the podium so everyone could see them. Then he knelt on one knee in front of Hermione and took her hands.

"Hermione Jean Granger, we have known each other since we were eleven years old. Even though you fascinated me with your brain, I picked on you and gave you a very hard time. But my eyes were opened to you in our third year when you broke my nose with your right hook."

The attendees all laughed.

"Then in our fourth year at the Yule Ball I knew you were the one for me. As times got darker I knew I could not divulge my feelings for you. So I kept them to myself. But when you walked back into my life at the reserve, I promised myself I would never let you go again. Hermione Jean Granger would you honor me by becoming my wife tonight?" he finished pulling out a black velvet ring opening it to Hermione.

The banquet hall was deathly quiet. Everyone was waiting for her reply. Suddenly from the back of the banquet hall, Ginny Potter, yelled, "Answer him!"

With tears streaming down her cheeks, she shook her head and said, "YES!" Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him with everything she had. After the kiss was over, Draco stepped back and placed a diamond and sapphire ring on her finger. Everyone in the room was cheering for them.

Looking at her like she was the only woman in the world, he said. "I meant what I said I want to marry you tonight." stepping back up to the podium, holding Hermione close to his side, he said.

"Pansy will you escort my mother, Ginny will you escort Mrs. Granger and Lisa will you and Madam Hostoff escort Hermione into the changing area?" he asked.

Hermione just stood there stunned.

"I told you I would never let you go. Everything is all planned. I will see you in a little while." Kissing her again, Draco led her to Lisa and Madam Hostoff who were waiting at the side of the stage.

Erik and Blaise came onto the stage and Blaise led Draco off to get changed.

"May I have everyone's attention please. We know that there have been a lot of surprises this evening, but we are hoping you will be patient with us as we make a few changes to the banquet hall. Please stand to the side or visit the bar while the house elves make the changes to turn this into a wedding. Oh, and yes it is an open bar. Tell the bartender to charge it to Draco's account." Erik finished.

House elves came from everywhere and began making the changes. The round tables were moved to the edges of the dance floor the elves had created. In the middle of the dance floor was a raised dais. The chandler above it was decorated with white roses, lillys, babies breath and lots of ferns and other greenery hanging down.

The tables were covered with white lace linens. Gold flatware, crystal goblets and fine china arranged itself under the house elves' direction. The center pieces were beautiful bouquets of the same flowers found on the chandler and dais. Softly glowing candles were floating above the room, as music began playing.

In a separate room down the hall from the banquet hall, Hermione and the other women were gathered.

"I can't believe he created this plan and pulled it off without me knowing or even suspecting a thing." Hermione said.

Lisa and Madam Hostoff were carrying out a garment bag. Lisa hung it on a rack and unzipped it. Hermione's mouth dropped open.

"Oh it's that beautiful lace dress I tried on when it ordered my dragon dress!" Hermione said with tears in her eyes.

"Draco had already told me what he wanted to see you in and I sent the description to Madam Hostoff. You were easy to sneak this around. " Lisa said laughing.

"Draco has exquisite taste in clothes." Madam Hostoff added.

Hermione was directed to go behind a screen to change into her wedding gown. Lisa and Madam Hostoff slipped her into the gown and secured it around her neck. Once she stepped around the screen everyone in the room gasp.

.

"Hermione, that is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen." her mother said hugging her close and with tears running down her cheeks.

Narcissa Malfory walked up to her with a black velvet box. "The ring you are wearing is from Analese Black. She married Regulus Antares Black, my fourth great grandfather. She was a muggle born witch. She was noted for accomplishing more and advancing the family more than any other witch. Until now, that is. In this case is the tiara that she wore on her wedding day. It matches your ring. I would love it if you wore it. "

Narcissa opened the box and there set a dainty and elegant three pointed tiara. It had a mixture of diamonds and sapphires. The center point was taller than the side ones and in the center hung a five carat sapphire.

Hermione was struck speechless. Taking the tiara out of the case, she gazed at it. Lisa brought over the veil she had tried on with her dress. Hermione was directed to a chair and Ginny began pinning up her hair.

"Please don't put my hair all up. Draco loves to wrap the curls around his fingers." Hermione said. Ginny pulled her hair up on both sides and clipped it. Then her mother places the veil over her head and Narcissa, placed and secured the tiara down.

At that moment there was a knock on the door. Pansy opened the door to find Erik and Hermione's father.

"Princess, you are so beautiful." her father said with a sad smile on his face.

Clapping his hands together, Erik said, "It's time to get this show on the road."

With that said everyone left the room except Hermione and her father. Once the other women had left for the hall, Erik motioned Hermione and her father to follow him.

They walked down the hallway and stopped outside the banquet hall doors.

In another area of the building, Draco and Blaise were preparing Draco for the ceremony. Since he was dressed for the awards the only change he needed to make was his robes. Over his black tuxedo he wore a black velvet robee. It was edged in blue sapphire metallic trim. As he was adjusting his bow tie Erik came into the room.

"Blaise would you go escort the two mothers to their seats? They know where they are sitting." Erick asaid.

Patting Draco on the shoulder, Blaise told him. "You are one lucky man. Don't mess it up."

"Are you ready? The hall is all done and everyone is seated. Kingsley is waiting on the dais for the two of you." Erik said, looking at Draco. Not sure if he could speak, Draco nodded his head. They headed out the door to the hall.