Hello Readers! I just wanted to give a shout out that I hope you're all doing well, staying safe and healthy in these troubling times. Hope this brightens your day a bit! Hugs!
Whatever Hermione had been expecting when she entered the Slytherin Common Room, especially after Harry and Ron's previous clandestine visit back during their second year, the starkness of it was far more imposing than had been explained.
It was quite austere and had an old world elegance that was difficult to define too.
Plus it was dark.
Draco led her inside, and the main room wasn't quite filled to capacity, but there were several groups of students milling about in different areas. Hermione glanced around wide-eyed as she took in the groups that were assembled.
"You alright?" Draco whispered into her ear, and she nodded because really? What could she say? In all her years at Hogwarts this was the very last place in the castle she'd thought she would be welcome in.
Then they were spotted by Blaise and Theo.
"Well, well, well..." Blaise purred with a grin, effectively halting all discussion as everyone turned to where he was looking at.
Bloody tosser!
"I didn't know we were allowing lions into the snake den, mate?"
Theo stood up and smiled widely, coming over immediately.
"Hey cousin," his voice was playful, "did you lose a bet?"
"Nice Theodore." Draco drawled with a smirk. "But no, there was no bet involved."
"Then why is she here?" Pansy bit out from across the room, and Hermione's gaze narrowed as she noticed the pug-faced witch sitting with her usual suspects.
"Piss off Pansy." Theo grumbled in disgust. "No one is interested in your petty posturing."
"Oh, I'm sorry?" Pansy snarled, "was I required to be pleasant today? I didn't get the memo."
There were a few chuckles, but one glare from Draco had them all shutting up instantly.
"We were just on the way to my room to drop off my school bag. I need to get a letter written off immediately." Draco eyed Theo with a heavy gaze, and Theo's eyes widened at the unspoken meaning.
"Really?" He whispered, reaching for his cousin's hand and getting her attention.
Hermione sighed and nodded. "Apparently he thinks I'm going to fry his arse if I don't read the blasted thing before he sends it to my Grandmother."
The room went deathly quiet before Pansy shrieked out, "You've got to be fucking kidding me?!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Shut it Parkinson!" Her voice carried over the room and she felt Draco's body shaking with mirth next to hers. "You know, I'm getting quite tired of your petty jealousy." She moved slightly out of Draco's embrace as she eyed the other witch like prey. "You didn't honestly think that Draco was going to choose you? Did you?"
Pansy just stared at her gobsmacked, her face turning an interesting shade of red.
"Oh you did, didn't you?" Hermione face morphed into a mock pout as she continued mockingly, "That's so sweet."
There were a few more coughs and a couple loud guffaws, although Hermione couldn't see where they were coming from.
"And delusional." Daphne piped up from behind a large ficus plant with a grin.
"I think that must be her middle name, yes?" Hermione grinned at the blonde witch, who smiled right back at her.
"It's one of them." Daphne moved forward and smiled in welcome. "I don't believe we've ever really been properly introduced. Daphne Greengrass, Slytherin."
"More like blood traitor." Pansy griped, causing the blonde witch to roll her eyes in disdain.
"Ignore Parkinson. We all do our best, for the most part. Her voice is like Professor Binns mated with a hyena, cross bred with a feral cat."
Hermione lost it as she threw her head back in raucous laughter—causing Draco, Theo and Blaise to follow suit.
As well as most of Slytherin House, too.
Apparently, Pansy Parkinson wasn't well liked within her own house.
Shocker!
"Laugh it up Prewett, while you can. But just know I'll be the one laughing in the end."
Pansy stood up and left the room with her smallish entourage, causing Theo to give Draco a confused look.
What in the ever-loving fuck did Pansy mean by that?
"She really is a sore loser, isn't she?" Hermione shook her head and chuckled.
"Always has been." Daphne agreed, grabbing Hermione's arm and pulling her further into the common room as she glanced back over her shoulder at Draco, Theo and Blaise.
"Go attend to your do diligence, Draco."
"Yes Ma'am." Draco quirked an eyebrow as he headed immediately for his dorm room, figuring Hermione would be safe with her cousin and his friends.
As he set his book bag down, he pulled out his best parchment, quill, ink and his Malfoy crest stamp as he got started on the first letter to his parents.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm writing this in hopes that you both are well. I have finally managed to somehow convince Hermione to allow me to offer for her hand to Lady Prewett. So this letter is to inform you both that this is my intention. I haven't discussed the specifics of the betrothal contract with Hermione, and if it's alright I would prefer to do so before you open negotiations with Lady Prewett. Technically, I suppose we need to put down something, but I'm not sure what the protocol is for this. Our situation is rather unprecedented as you both know.
As each day passes and we spend quality time together, I'm more and more convinced that I am her chosen mate. I believe she knows it too—deep down. She's stubborn, willful and utterly amazing.
If you haven't guessed by now, I'm rather smitten.
If there might be a way you can see fit help me with that request, Mum...I'd be ever so grateful.
Yours affectionately,
Draco
Draco set that letter aside and then pulled out a fresh piece of parchment. As he started to put the quill to words...he felt his heart racing a bit with excitement and a tinge of fear.
This was it.
Once this letter was sent, he'd for all intents be engaged by the end of next year. He knew that Hermione would want to do a Mastery, and truth was he did too...but it didn't change the sentiment of the fact that they'd be together.
He was fairly chuffed by the fact.
Taking a deep, cleansing breath...he locked down his Occlumency shields and set to task writing his thoughts down.
Dearest Lady Prewett,
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I suppose I don't need to explain the reasoning for this correspondence other than tradition dictates I make my sentiments known where your Granddaughter is concerned.
I know you've likely heard stories of how I was in my younger years. How I teased and was rather unkind to Hermione due to her perceived heritage at that time. You may think I'm not an ideal choice for your Granddaughter, and I don't think I'd be remiss in agreeing with that sentiment. The Draco Malfoy of a year ago would've never been a worthy suitor for Hermione's hand.
Now that my family is free of the shackles that have weighed heavy upon it for so long, I feel for the first time in my life that I can breathe the fresh air and take in the world around me with a vision unfettered by expectation. But the truth is such that when I look at my present and future, all I see is Hermione. It is with this regard that I formally ask for your permission to enter into a formal courtship with your Granddaughter.
The fact that she allowed this concession will baffle me until the day I leave this life.
You have my solemn vow as a Malfoy that I will treat her with all the deference and courtesy, care and support that she deserves as your Heir and as my future betrothed. (If she doesn't turn me into embers first)...
I can do no more than what honor dictates except follow my heart.
It is hers, and will only ever be hers.
I await your reply with the upmost felicity and expectation.
Your humble servant,
Draco Lucius Malfoy
Draco read, and re-read the letters several times each before nodding to himself, pleased with the final result. He then set them in his desk drawer and warded it shut temporarily, before heading back into the common room to get his witch.
When he entered—Hermione was sitting with Blaise, Daphne and Theo but also with Crabbe, Goyle and Tracey Davis.
"Hey." He moved towards Hermione, who was currently sitting in between Theo and Daphne.
"Hi." Her smile was part relieved and part happy to see him.
"I came to borrow you for a moment."
"Okay."
She allowed Draco to pull her up, but when Theo stood to follow, Hermione shook her head in the negative.
"Theodore, I'll be fine."
There were a few chuckles, but Theo didn't look too happy.
"You're being a bit over-bearing Theo." Daphne piped in with a grin. "Hermione's a big girl and if I'm understanding things correctly, after tomorrow, next day at the latest? Draco is going to be her intended."
Draco smirked, but didn't deny it as he led Hermione to his dorm room—blatantly ignoring the interested set of eyes following their every move.
Once he got her inside, he locked and warded the room.
He watched amused, as Hermione gazed with interest around his space...seemingly impressed with what she was seeing.
"You have your own room?"
Draco nodded. "First through fifth year's bunk together but starting sixth year each student gets their own room."
"Nice."
And it was. The room was decorated in the usual Slytherin colors, but with a tinge more black as was his preference. Everything had its place and it was neat and organized. As she walked over to the bookshelf, her eyes widened at some of the selection Draco had available—her expression registering awe with a bit of envy.
She heard Draco chuckling behind her, and she couldn't help the blush that stole over her cheeks.
"So I'm a bookworm? Sue me?"
"Nah, but I would like you to read these letters so I can get them sent off this evening."
"Okay," Hermione felt suddenly shy, "if you're certain?"
Draco moved over and grabbed her hand gently, leading her to the small loveseat he had by a window that looked out directly into the Black Lake.
"I am." His words were resolved, as he handed her the first letter—the one he'd written to his parents. He watched with bated breath as Hermione opened the letter and read through his words, her eyes widening as she got towards the end.
When she looked back up at him, Draco could tell she was having a hard time controlling her emotions. He could see her throat moving as if she was desperately trying to swallow back her feelings.
After a minute she nodded, so he took that as permission and handed her the second missive. Watching closely as she read through the letter to her Grandmother...
Her first response appeared to be shocked disbelief...
Then he swore she read it a second time...as her eyes flew over the page again...
And this time her blue eyes started to tear up slightly...
The third time her gaze flew over the parchment before her blue eyes lifted and met his—and he held back a gasp...as she launched herself at him and snogged him passionately.
His answering surprised groan couldn't be helped.
Then somehow Hermione was straddling him, her hands pulling his head back as she took control of the kiss and all he could do was grab onto her hips and hold on for dear life.
But fuck he wasn't complaining at all.
She tasted like fire, sunshine and sweetness all wrapped up in a perfect package.
After a bit, she broke the kiss...her eyes darkened with lust as she stared down into his own.
"Did you mean it?"
He just nodded dumbly, apparently too stunned to get any words out.
Her smile was blinding and he couldn't help but respond in kind as they just gazed at each other before a knock sounded on his door.
With an unhappy groan, he lifted Hermione off his body and placed her gently next to him as he breathed heavily through his nose, desperately trying to get other parts of his body to calm too.
Then the knock sounded again.
"Theo?" She whispered and Draco nodded.
"It's likely." He groaned slightly as he stood and then smirked at how disheveled Hermione looked, and by her shite-eating grin, he probably didn't look much better.
Waving her hand, Draco felt her magic settle over him and he winked.
"Do I look presentable after you tackled me?"
Hermione's blush was rather fetching as she quipped back, "I didn't hear you complaining."
Draco pulled her into his side and kissed her temple sweetly. "I wasn't."
"Good to know."
He just grinned as he grabbed the two letters, placed them into their respective envelopes—sealed and shrunk them for transport.
"Want to go to the owlry with me?"
"I suppose that might be a more appropriate use of our time?"
"Possibly, but definitely not as fun."
Hermione shook her head, as she grabbed his hand and led them both out of his dorm room and all Draco could think of, was—how in the fuck was he going to be able to wait until they were formally betrothed, to make Hermione his in every way!
Patience had never been his strong suit after all.
