As we approached the ballroom, I could hear the music and soft chatter of people. Narcissa was standing near the entrance waiting for us.
"Oh Hermione, love, that looks even better than I imagined!" She grabbed me and kissed both cheeks before releasing me and doing the same to her son. "You've done well in your choice, Draco. I want you both to know how much I support you and your relationship. Hermione, I know that our family has not always been kind to you." Understatement of the year, but I decided to let it go. "But I want to make sure you know that I have noticed the change in Draco since you have reemerged in his life and I am in debt to you for the things you have done for him and myself to be able to live free from fear." She glanced down at my left hand and smirked. It was a bit creepy to see Draco's smile on her face. "I suspected as much. I look forward to officially welcoming you as a daughter and spending the rest of my days showing my appreciation. Will you two be making an announcement tonight?"
Draco nodded. "Yes, I had planned just before midnight."
Narcissa shook her head. "There is no way you will keep people from noticing that. Best to get it announced during our welcome speech."
We shared a glance and agreed that that was the best plan before preparing to enter the ballroom. The music died down and I heard Lexi announcing the matriarch before opening the doors. We were entering a level above the others. Beyond the doors was a small platform with a grand staircase on either side. Narcissa curtsied and began her descent. When she was down and had said a few hellos, the room quieted again for Lext to announce Draco and myself.
I placed my hand properly in the crook of Draco's arm as I was becoming used to and he helped support me down the steps. We too said a few hellos as Draco guided us behind his mother to the stage where she quickly stepped up and cast a Sonorous charm.
"Welcome everyone! Thank you all for coming. I thought it was high time we had a reason to celebrate that was a happy occasion. Not that the Ministry balls aren't wonderful." She smiled at Kingsley and he bowed to her. "But we all need a time to just be ourselves around each other a bit without pressure and I am so glad you could all join us this evening to do so. I won't keep you all night with a boring speech, but I'm afraid my son has an announcement before I let you all get back to your evening. Draco?"
She nodded in his direction and Draco pulled me onto the stage with him. He too cast the charm and began to speak. "As my mother said, I would like to thank you all for coming this evening. We have come so far in the time we have known each other and at one point in my life the thought of all of us coming together as friends or even family was impossible to wrap my head around. I wasn't sure we would ever get there, but we did. And as friends and family, I would like you all to be the first to know that I have asked Hermione to marry me, and she has done me the honor of accepting."
There wasn't time to explain more. A thunderous applause broke out and people rushed to offer their thanks. In the front row I could see Molly smiling through tears and I approached her first allowing her to envelope me in a motherly hug.
"Oh darling, I knew there was something special there. I am so glad you have found happiness."
I barely had time to thank her before I was approached again. It went on and on like this for quite some time until it seemed we had made our way through the entire crowd. Draco had taken the time to introduce me properly to Blaise and I was glad he did. He seemed like a great guy who managed to avoid most of what Draco endured.
When the buzz of the news had died down and we finally had a moment, Draco grabbed two flutes of champagne and some fabulous appetizers. There was a large table spread with food and I would definitely be checking out the rest of Lexi's wonderful cooking later. For now, Harry and Ginny were approaching.
"it looks like Blaise could use a friend." Draco indicated to the dark haired, tan skinned wizard in the corner. "I'll leave you three to it."
I smiled in appreciation as he headed towards Blaise, nodding at Harry in greeting as he passed.
Ginny wrapped me in her arms. "Oh 'Mione, so much has happened so quickly. How are you?"
I reassured the red headed witch. "It may seem fast to you, Ginny, since you just found out this week, but this has been building for a long time. Draco and I really started to get close when I went back to school. I was with Ron and we were both so damaged at the time that timing was wrong, but our relationship began to rebuild then. We lost touch a bit after but we began getting close in August when he came back for the start of term. We've been nearly inseparable since and have had plenty of time to know this is what we want." I hesitated for a second. "We are following our hearts and what feels right for us but if we had any doubt there is the soul mate connection as well."
Ginny smiled wide and Harry looked generally confused. He obviously hadn't been filled in. She took the opportunity to give her husband a quick rundown of what that meant and a look of recognition fluttered across his face.
"Well, I suppose I can see how that would boost your confidence a bit."
"Though if he's been courting you since August, it's really not that quick by wizarding standards." Ginny interjected.
While I trusted Draco when he had told me the same thing, it was nice to hear it from Ginny as well.
"Thank you two for being so understanding. I know this must be a bit of a shock to you both, but he makes me so happy. I've never felt so confident in myself and what I'm doing in life. He brings out a side of me I didn't realize was there. He has the same work ethic and encourages me to complete my tasks while he does so right along with me. It makes things go quite faster and then hels quite good at getting me to take time for myself to relax as well. It's a great balance that I didn't have before. I'm sure had it not been for him I may have gone to the burrow for the holidays, but I would have gone right back to Hogwarts and worked through the break. Instead we have really had a nice time relaxing here this week and it has been so wonderful."
My two best friends were beaming at me and this time it was Harry who pulled me in for a hug.
"It's very clear the difference he has made in you. You're glowing! We had no idea what would happen when we were younger. We had no idea what the future would hold, but I can't say I saw this coming. That being said, he clearly makes you so happy I can't help but be thankful to him for having such a positive effect on you. I will make an effort to get to know him better."
My heart melted. "Thank you so much Harry." We hugged again as Draco reappeared with Blaise at his side.
Harry and Ginny excused themselves to go chat with Neville and Hannah.
"Love, I'd like to reintroduce you to Blaise Zabini."
Blaise took my hand in his and bowed as he kissed the back.
"The one who has always captured my dear Draco's heart."
Draco rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed.
"Sorry mate, you really weren't that discreet." Blaise returned his attention to me. "He's a lucky wizard from what I've been told. I'd love to get to know the witch that has captured him so completely."
I turned to Draco. "Harry said something similar. Perhaps we could take a weekend off and have a small get together?"
"That sounds wonderful love. The start of term will be slow. I'm sure in January we could have our pick of days off."
I nodded in agreement and started planning the evening in my head.
The hours passed quickly and before we knew it, the clock was close to charming. It was nice to see that some traditions spanned both the wizarding and muggle world as the room began to count down the seconds to the new year.
Draco had been on the other side of the room chatting which his mother and made his way quickly through the crowd to me just as the clock began to chime. He wasted no time in engaging me in a deep kiss as he dipped me low. I was barely aware of the cheers.
However, I very aware of my need to be close to Draco.
As he released me, I asked, "How long do we need to stay?"
His smirk told me he understood my need. "Just a few more minutes love. The party will go for another hour or two most likely, but now that the main event has passed it will be acceptable for us to leave our guests once making proper goodbyes. Mother will stay until the last guest leaves as the official host."
"Shall we then?"
He agreed and we began to make our way around to room saying our farewells. It had been a large group of people, but we weren't close with them all so the task didn't take too long. We were soon locked away in Draco's room.
He wasted no time in unfastening my skirt leaving me in the short cocktail dress.
Draco took a step back, sitting on the bed, and eyed me appreciatively.
"Do me a favor love," I cocked my head in question. "spread your legs a bit and put your hands on your hips."
I spread my legs about hip width apart and put my hands as directed on my hips. I could see his eyes heat. I wordlessly cast a charm to undo my hair and shook it out so it cascaded down my neck and back.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Merlin love. You are beyond my wildest dreams."
"Well, sometimes dreams come true."
We were amped up on champagne and the high of all the congratulations on our engagement.
My confidence was high. I walked forward and grabbed his hands pulling him to standing. "Care to try something?"
He readily agreed and I switched our position so I was next to the bed and turned away from him. My heels gave me more height and, though I still wasn't as tall as he, they would allow this position to work.
I spread my legs again and bent over placing my hands on the soft bed. Draco's gasp was audible and I heard the rustle of fabric as he got himself ready.
Without speaking he dragged his hands up my legs, gently lifting the fabric of my dress over my bum as he did.
"I am the luckiest man alive."
I didn't have a chance to respond as he quickly placed his mouth on me and I had to struggle to maintain my balance as my legs began to shake. It wasn't long before I was coming on his tongue. He gave me little chance to come down from bliss before he was entering me.
Gasps and moans and unintelligible words were spewing from my mouth as he pumped in and out of me. It wasn't long before we were both falling over the edge. Happy New Year indeed.
