When we awoke the next morning, it was like a dream. The events of the previous day came flooding back and I looked at my hand to make sure I hadn't imagined it. I couldn't help the sharp intake of breath as I saw the beautiful engagement ring Draco has presented me with the night before.
"It looks lovely on our hand, darling."
I looked up to see Draco looking at me lovingly. "I thought it might have been a dream!"
"My whole life feels like a dream since you came to teach at Hogwarts." He pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head. "You know mum will spot that rather quickly at the party."
I sat up, the covers falling from my naked body. "My goodness Draco. We just announced our relationship to the press this week. What are they going to say when a week later we announce our engagement?"
He seemed to ponder that thought. "That's quite a brilliant idea. We can use the party as an engagement party! I'll make sure Mother has thought to invite the Weasley's and Harry."
I smacked his chest playfully. "Draco, I'm serious. Doesn't this all seem a bit fast?"
He sat up and his demeanor became serious. Taking my hands in his he said, "Hermione, I have loved you for years. I know it took you a bit to catch up with everything that was stacked against us, but we are soul mates, love. They are rare and never more than one for each person. I have no doubts in my mind that no matter how fast or slow we take this we are meant for each other. And as I said last night, marriages work very differently in the Wizarding World than you are used to. It's not uncommon for a short courting period of just a month or two or even for a couple to meet on their wedding day. In the pureblood circle arranged marriages are very much a thing. We can have as long of an engagement as you like, a year, two, or even more." He shrugged. "I don't care. But that ring carries a protection. It tells people that we are committed to each other. I need people to know that Hermione. I need people to know that you chose me, flaws and all, to be your husband."
His eyes were shining and I felt the familiar prick in mine as well. "Draco, I love you so much. I didn't mean to make you think I don't want this. I do! I just have had so much press since the war that it's made be a bit fearful of what others will think even though it's none of their damn business. I'm sorry to have made you worry. You're right. Damn what they all think! Let's tell the world!" He wiped his eyes and chuckled a bit. "But before we do that, let's have some breakfast and relax with each other. Yeah?"
He agreed whole heartedly. We spent the days that followed spending as much time together as possible. We talked of our hopes and dreams, what the future may look like and a little bit about how we want to be married. It was a lovely time for reflection and to get used to our engagement before telling the others.
We both admitted that we loved being professors. It allowed Draco to work on exciting new potions while at the same time teaching others to give the subject the respect it deserves. As for me, I had taken the position for a change, unsure if it was something I could actually enjoy doing long term. It ended up being the best decision I had ever made for myself. I was seeing the direct impact I was having on the students and their understanding of the dangers of the dark arts and how to protect themselves. If my contribution to the school prevented even one wizard from turning to the dark side, or allowed just one person to have the confidence to defend themselves, then it was worth it and so incredibly satisfying. With that, we decided we would continue on at Hogwarts as long as McGonagall would have us, or until we became bored. Though in all honesty the latter was unlikely.
In the end I decided I didn't want to wait years to marry Draco. We decided to have the wedding during the summer holidays. That would give us a long honeymoon period to travel. When the time came for children, we were sure that we would be able to work something out with McGonagall to stagger our schedules so one of us could always be with them.
It was a holiday break filled with big life decisions and instead of terrifying me, I was filled to the brim with excitement. By the time New Year's Eve came around, I woke for the day with enthusiasm and looking forward to sharing my news with friends. Draco had written to Narcissa and confirmed that all those involved with the Order of the Pheonix and Dumbledore's Army had been invited and most had already responded yes. Draco's only remaining close friend, Blaise Zabini, would be in attendance as well. He had had some owl correspondence with the wizard but hadn't seen him much since he moved to Italy after the war.
Draco wanted the day of the party to be as relaxing as possible. He ordered a full in-home spa day and it was quite the treat! He even had sent someone to do hair and make up for the occasion saying that this was our night and we needed to stay as relaxed as possible. I quite agreed and allowed myself to be pampered. I was in quite high spirits when it was time to pull on the evening gown that Mrs. Malfoy, or Narcissa as she had insisted I call her in the note, had delivered.
I hadn't peeked at the dress worried it would be some pureblood, Slytherin atrocity. Slowly, I unzipped the gray bag it was held in. What I pulled out did not in any way look as I had imagined. Remembering that this was the magical world, I decided to put it on to see if it may look different once I was wearing it.
First, I transfigured some knickers to match the cream color of the dress and put those on before stepping into the gown and pulling it up. I used the same sticking charm I had at the Hogwarts ball to ensure my breasts stayed put for the night without a need for a strapless bra. There was a second piece to the dress in the bag that I put on as well along with the shoes that had been included. When everything was securely in place, and a comfort charm placed on the shoes, I turned to look in the full-length mirror.
There was no denying it, I looked hot. The base of the dress was a decadently soft material. Around the bust and the waist was a black lace filigree. The bottom of the dress had the same filigree that was solid around the bottom hem, but rose from there, fading into a more sporadic pattern until it was two or three inches from my waist. The result left a patch of the cream to shine through undisturbed in its own pattern. The fabric between the waist and the bust was different. There was some ribbing, but between that the material was quite see through. This piece could be worn as a dress itself, but there was a second part to it. There was a skirt that was left completely open at the front that buttoned over the lace at the waist. The addition turned it from a cocktail dress to a gown as the chiffon floated to the ground. It made quite a graceful and flowing effect as I walked or spun. The shoes were gorgeous as well. Silver rhinestones covered the black peep toe four-inch heels on every surface and it made them perfect for ringing in the new year.
Honestly, I loved the look. With the low side updo the stylist had done earlier in the day I really looked ready for a fabulous night, but I wondered whether it was appropriate. The dress was quite revealing especially with the sheer panels around my torso. A part of me wondered if Narcissa was planning to make some type of fool of me.
Draco had wanted to give me space while I got ready so he was in one of the many other rooms doing the same and I had no idea which one to go and find him. Starting to freak out a bit, I tried to calm myself down long enough to figure out what I should do. It occurred to me that I could call Lexi, but I was sure she was busy with preparations. Aha! I could use my Patronus!
Summoning the memory of when Draco proposed, I shouted the spell. I was momentarily stunned to see that instead of my normal friendly otter, a dragon was staring at me expectedly. Blinking a few times, I was able to clear my head and realize what would have caused the change. Quickly I said my message and sent it off in search of Draco.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door and I opened it expectantly. "Sorry, love, I was..." His voice trailed off as his eyes raked over every inch of me.
"Merlin help me, love. You look amazing." He bent down to kiss me and through my nerves I accepted the contact. It was enough to clear my head for a moment, but as he pulled away the anxiety crept back in.
"Are you sure this is appropriate? I have heard of your mother's legendary balls and I imagined floor length full skirts, gloves and the whole lot. This seems a bit too informal."
"Don't fret darling. It's perfect. Like I said before, this is the one party of the year that is much more towards the edgy side. It's a time for celebration and letting loose, not some stuffy charity event where everyone needs to be on their best behavior." He played with the button that held on the skirt. "You see what she did here though, right?"
I looked down but came up empty.
"Pure blood etiquette doesn't state that legs can't be shown, just that the dress must reach the floor. The way she designed this; you are in fact wearing a full-length dress. She's just done it in a very fashionable way that skates around the rules."
At that I had to laugh. "Damn Slytherins and their cunning behavior."
He smirked. "Gotta love us darling. You really do look amazing. Everyone single person in that room will be jealous tonight. The men will be jealous that I'm the lucky bloke who put that ring on your finger, and the women will be jealous of your looks. And the best part is, the two of us don't have to care about any of that and just get to have an amazing evening letting loose a bit."
"What a wonderful evening it will be." It was my turn to kiss him and as I did so, I felt a tug on my earlobes. I backed up and brought my hands to them and let out a small gasp.
"Mother didn't tell me what the dress looked like, but I asked her how I could accessorize for you. She assured me dangle earrings would be appropriate."
I walked back over to the mirror, well aware the affect the heels had on my posture and walk. Draco made an approving sound at the sight of it.
The earrings were perfect, as usual. Draco seemed to have a knack for picking jewelry I would enjoy. At the end of a thin chain of diamonds held a teardrop diamond. Not too big of course, but it added and elegance to the dress which straddled that line between formal and inappropriate.
"they are beautiful Draco. Thank you."
"No need to thank me love, this is just the beginning. Now, if you'll take my arm, the party started a half hour ago so there should be enough people by now for us to make our grand entrance after mother." I nodded and took his arm.
