Apparation lessons continued every two weeks for the next two months, and slowly students were starting to get the hang of it, however none had successfully transported; many had splinched themselves in their attempts, including Gabe, who's finger, alone, was found inside the hoop.

Nichole was growing disgruntled. She'd been side along apparated before, she'd seen her mother, her father, and countless others disappear in a swish of their cloak, and she'd done hours of reading and research- yet despite all her efforts she'd yet to succeed, not even with a splinch.

It was mid March and usually those who were successful would move on to further training outside the grounds, yet the students were struggling and Harry had decided to postpone further lessons until more showed signs of success. He, himself, was a tad nervous that it was simply his lack of teaching skills that were causing the students to struggle- maybe he just wasn't cut out to be a teacher?

He was walking around the room observing the students; they all seemed to understand the technique and were executing the moves correctly- so why hadn't any apparated yet? He stopped in front of Hermione's daughter and watched, her face screwed up in concentration as she lifted a foot, spun a little on her toes- and with a loud crack she appeared inside the hoop, looking stunned, fully embodied.

Around her the other students had stopped what they were doing to stare at the Slytherin who had quickly morphed her face from one of surprise to one of gloating, her mouth closing and slipping into a smirk very much like her fathers from his teenage years. Harry had to force his own mouth closed and broke out into a smile as he raised his hands and began to clap. "Well done, Nichole!"

The others around her clapped as well before turning to their hoops, determined to succeed as Nichole just had. Harry walked up to the girl beaming. "How'd it feel?"

"Like I was being sucked through a tube," she mumbled looking contemplative. She shrugged. "But I'm ready to have another go!"

"Take a moment to regain your strength," Harry advised. "You'll need it." With a nod he walked away, passing the elder Malfoy on his way who inclined his head to Potter before walking to his daughters side.

"Well done."

"Thanks," Nichole grinned. "First of the class!"

"Not surprising," Draco shrugged, a smirk upon his own face. "You've given the others the drive they needed though. Now they are all determined to do as you have."

Nichole glanced around the room at her peers, all of which seemed to be concentrating a little bit harder. As she watched a seventh year Hufflepuff disappeared and reappeared inside his own hoop with a large smile on his face, a fellow sixth year Ravenclaw transported as well, and a seventh year Gryffindor landed on the edge of her hoop, but appeared pleased with her outcome.

She turned her attention to her friends. Mystique had her eyes squeezed shut, Blake was mumbling under his breath, Gabe looked like he was sleeping, and Bianca seemed to be shaking with her fists clenched as she concentrated. One by one she watched as her friends managed to disappear and reappear inside their hoops, exchanging goading looks with those around them.

"Keep up the good work, Nichole," Draco said resting his hand on her shoulder. "You'll make a strong leader one day."

"One more month." Hermione jumped as a stack of papers landed on the table where she was sitting at the Burrow, surrounded by Ginny and Mrs Weasley. Her eyes widened as Mrs Weasley pulled out a large piece of parchment and began tapping it with her wand. "Ron's wedding is only one month away and there's still so much to do!"

"Calm down mother." Ginny rolled her eyes and withdrew a list of names from the stack of books. "The guest list isn't that extensive."

"There are over a hundred names on there!"

"We've done this far too many times to count," Ginny sighed. "We'll manage."

"Has Kayla made any specific requests for cake flavors?" Hermione inquired sifting through a leaflet. "The baker needs a final decision."

"It's here." Ginny found the paper and passed it to Hermione making a face as she did so. "Not exactly appealing to me, but-"

Hermione glanced at the parchment and saw that she wished the cake to be topped with Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and two Chocolate Frogs as the bride and groom. Hermione smiled. "Nothing says 'marriage' like a candy coated cake."

"It seems she's hired The Weird Sisters as well," Mrs Weasley sighed looking at yet another piece of paper. "Honestly, I don't know how they expect to pay for all of this."

"Ron makes good money as an Auror," Hermione pointed out.

"He's far happier now than he was growing up, that's for sure," Ginny agreed.

Mrs Weasley nodded, "we've all come a long way since than."

The three women continued pouring over parchment notes and papers until Ron and Kayla came bustling in the door giggling, ready to help. Hermione glanced at the pair and smiled to herself, glad her friend had found happiness.

Later that evening Draco stuck with head into the fireplace and called on Hermione anxious to tell her the news about Nichole's successful apparation. Hermione jumped as he hollered out to her causing the book she was reading to fly from her hands and drop to the couch, but a smile quickly spread across her face as she recognized the figure in the flames. "Draco! You scared me half to death."

"Sorry Mione," he grinned. "I wanted to tell you before Potter could."

"Tell me what?" Hermione asked bending down so she was level with his face.

"Nichole apparated! It was blood brilliant, Mione. She was the first in the group to do so and others quickly followed inspired by her success, then she continued to do it thrice in a row! She's going to make a great leader some day."

Hermione smiled, not just because of her daughters success, but at Draco's admiration of it. He'd only known the girl a few short months and already he loved her as a father should. He took pride in her accomplishes and felt pained at her failures. "I wish I could have seen her."

"Potter said that due to the overwhelming amount of success the students had today that next lesson will be held in Hogsmead with Aurors and professors stationed all around the small town to assist any student that may over step their destination. Perhaps you could come then? Or even volunteer?"

"I'd have to get clearance from work," Hermione mumbled, thoughts floating through her head. "And there's still so much to do for the wedding-."

"What I don't understand," Draco interrupted with a drawl, "is why this wedding planning is on your lap? You are not the bride nor a bridesmaid, correct?" Hermione shook her head. "Then I don't see why it's your responsibility."

"Ron and Kayla agreed to keep the wedding party small," Hermione pointed out. "Harry is best man and Ginny is Maid of Honour. Kayla, being an only child, agreed to the selection. Besides, their guest list is extensive enough."

"How many is on it? Two hundred? Three?" Hermione's mouth fell open in shock as her face paled.

"Actually only one."

Draco snorted, "you can that extensive? The Malfoy weddings have a history of being an extravagant experience. My mother and father had nearly a thousand invites. A hundred is nothing."

Hermione didn't know what to say as she clamped her mouth shut and swallowed against the sudden dryness that lingered within. "I can't even imagine such an affair," she admitted quietly.

Draco raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth as if to say something but thought better of it. Instead he lifted a hand and rubbed his now aching neck. "Yes, well, I should be going. Too long in this position and I may never be able to bend my neck properly again. Think about Hogsmead, okay, love?"

"I will," she whispered before he popped out of the green flames and returned to his office, cursing to himself once he was fully back. Why had he felt the need to discuss the Malfoy weddings? Why had he brought up what an extravagant event it was? Was he trying to put thoughts into Hermione's head? With a sigh he walked over to his desk and began grading papers, however he couldn't get his mind off of his Gryffindor mate.

He couldn't deny that the thought had crossed his mind a few times over the last couple of weeks. He and Hermione hadn't even been together that long- but he wanted to ensure he'd always be a part of Nichole's life, the young witch was getting older after all and soon she'd be graduating Hogwarts and living the life she desired as a witch. What if he somehow lost Hermione once his daughter left home? No. He couldn't have that. But was he truly ready to wed?

Draco shoved his papers aside unable to focus on the words written on the essays. With a swish of his wand he distinguished the candle on his desk and made his way to his chambers, thoughts of Hermione in a white dress floating through his head as he closed his eyes and went to bed.

A/N

Another chapter for you! Hope you enjoyed it!