Chapter nineteen:
The Proposal
It had been the next day and Draco had planned a day out with Mr. Lovegood in order to bond with his girlfriend's dad, in hopes of getting approval of marrying Luna. Draco had been up and greeted his parents while he sat at the dining table, reading the Daily Prophet with his mother as he sipped orange juice when Luna and Xenophilius had walked in. "Looking forward to today, Mr. Lovegood?" Draco asked, quite nervous. Xenophilius walked over to the dining table and took a seat, along with Luna. "Oh yes, yes i look forward to seeing magical creatures always, Mr. Malfoy." Xenophilius replied. Luna looked over at Draco with a warm smile. "I like that you and my dad are bonding, it makes it easy for me too, you know." Luna told Draco. Draco nodded briefly before noticing Luna put her hand into his and he intertwined his fingers with hers. He couldn't wait until the day he could call her his wife but knew in this moment, she no idea of what he had planned.
"I should get ready, yes, i should get ready." Xenophilius stated as he rushed out of the dining room to his guest bedroom to change robes. Draco watched in amusement before looking back to Luna as his mother exited the dining room. "I suppose i better get going. I'll be back later." Draco told Luna before Luna pulled him back gently for a kiss before he left, causing Draco to form a smile onto his lips before he exited the mansion. After leaving the mansion with Xenophilius, they apparated to Hogsmeade and went on foot to the reserve on Hogwarts grounds that Hagrid and another keep up. Upon arriving, Draco spotted Hagrid outside his cabin. Although he never was friends or spoke to Hagrid, Hagrid knew Draco and Draco wasn't fond of magical creatures but he was doing this to impress Luna's dad. "Malfoy? What are yer doin' here?" Hagrid asked in bewilderment. Draco stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets awkwardly. "Just wanted to, er, show Mr. Lovegood the creatures you look after. He's quite fascinated with magical creatures." Draco explained. Xenophilius smiled. "Yes, it's true. Did you know that the The Crumple-Horned Snorkack is still alive?" Xenophilius stated, honestly believing that they do though the rest of the wizarding world says otherwise. "No way. Yer sure about that?" Hagrid asked curiously. Xenophilius nodded and walked off with Hagrid, talking about his speculation of the creature. Draco hesitantly followed as they walked along the reserve, going to the forest and seeing the creatures of fairies, Bowtruckles, Gnomes, Hippogriff, and Common Welsh Greens though Draco stood away from the hippogriff from past experience. "Why stand so far back, Mr. Malfoy? Hippogriffs are magnificent creatures." Xenophilius stated. Hagrid knew why Draco was keeping his distance. "Eh, they're not my thing precisely." Draco replied politely. Hagrid couldn't help but keep a grin on his face. "Mr. Malfoy here had a run-in with a hippogriff here in his third year in class. I warned yer, Draco but yer did'nt listen." Hagrid explained. Draco rolled his eyes. Xenophilius was surprised. "Did he? They are creatures that are finicky but need respect. What happened exactly?" Xenophilius asked. "He got nothin' but a scrape on the arm." Hagrid replied. Xenophilius laughed before moving onto the grasslands.
Draco was a little irritated by being laughed at but simply ignored it for the sake of wanting to win over approval. As they moved onto the grasslands, they spotted Nifflers, Knarls, Porlocks, Pixies, and Abraxans. Hagrid stepped off for a little bit while Draco approached Xenophilius, watching the abraxans in the grassy pasture stretch their wings. "Now those i do not mind." Draco pointed out. Xenophilius nodded. "They are beautiful creatures compared to their cousin the thestrals. But each creature is unique in their own way." Xenophilius replied. Now was the time to ask. They were alone, Xenophilius was happy and they bonded over a creature - was there anything else needed before asking? "Just like Luna." Draco said to himself, grabbing Xenophilius' attention. "Mr. Lovegood..." Draco trailed off. Xenophilius looked over at Draco. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" Xenophilius replied. Draco was nervous for the words, in hopes that he wouldn't be disappointed. "I wanted to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." Draco stated. It was now out there, something he was anxious about for weeks and now looking at Xenophilius, he waited for a response. Xenophilius was taken back for a moment hearing what he had. But thinking about his daughter's happiness and how she would be taken care of, he had to make a decision. "That's something i did not expect, but i know that you make my Luna very happy and...kept her safe even through the battle not long ago..." Xenophilius spoke out loud. Draco waited in silence, figuring it would be difficult to separate Luna and her dad even with marriage but Xenophilius formed a smile on his lips. "You changed my outlook on your family, Mr. Malfoy. Yes! You can marry my Luna." Xenophilius approved. Draco's eyes widened for a second in shock of the approval before they eased with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Lovegood." Draco replied properly before Xenophilius pulled him into a hug. "Always be there for my Luna, Mr. Malfoy..." Xenophilius spoke softly into Draco's ear before pulling back. Draco nodded as Hagrid approached again. "What's all the racket over here? I reckon it ain't the abraxans." Hagrid stated. Xenophilius smiled proudly before turning to Hagrid. "Meet my new son-in-law." Xenophilius motioned to Draco. Hagrid's eyes widened in shock. "Draco? And Luna? Merlins beard, i never expected the likes. Congrats anyways." Hagrid replied.
Draco and Xenophilius had left the reserve and apparated in Hogsmeade back to Malfly manor. Draco knew he now had to look for an engagement ring for her, something beautiful and unique like Luna. Entering the mansion, Draco spotted Luna giving her dad a hug and wondering why he was so happy. "Did you have a good time?" Luna asked her dad. Xenophilius smiled towards Draco and nodded at his daughter. "I did." Xenophilius replied, curving a smile onto his lips. Draco excused himself and walked over to the room where the family's personal vault sat, put in the secret spell before opening it, gathering some money before locking it back up and putting the money into his pocket. Walking out to the living room once again, Draco gave some of the money he gathered to Luna. "You both deserve a father and daughter day out. I have minor business to attend to." Draco explaind. Luna didn't know what he meant by the minor business but understood as she studied his face. "Okay, Draco. Thank you for being very kind to my dad, he hasn't been out with anyone besides myself since my mum's death." Luna replied. Draco smiled softly, thinking if only she knew what he was up to. "It's no problem, he's part of your life." Draco said softly before Draco cupped her cheek with his right hand and kissed her softly before pulling back seconds later, out of respect for her father's presence. Draco then left the mansion and apparated to the Leaky Cauldron. He left to Gringotts in Diagon alley in order to exchange his wizarding money for muggle money before leaving into London.
Draco walked down the streets of London and found an expensive jewelry shop by the name of Goldsmiths. Entering the jewelry shop, Draco was immediately greeted by the woman working in the shop. "Can i help you?" the woman asked. Draco put his hands into his pockets as his eyes scanned the rings behind the glass before looking up at her. "I'm looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend." Draco replied. The woman thought he was a little young for an engagement as he looked about eighteen but it was her job. "What style do you have in mind?" she asked. Draco thought about it and parted his lips to reply. "Something beautiful and unique. Expensive too if possible." Draco explained. The woman directed him to a line of Camellia rings and let him browse, the rings had flower-like styles with beautiful diamonds and gems. He thought about color and then his eyes landed on a silver, blooming flower with a 2 carat blue sapphire diamond in the middle engagement ring. Blue is the color of her house of Ravenclaw and the flower of her beauty and uniqueness. "I'll take the blue and silver ring." Draco pointed out. The woman took the ring and put it in a ring box before placing it into a bag and ringing up the register. "That will be £4530.18." the woman said. Draco took out his muggle pounds and paid for it before leaving the shop.
Making his way out of London and back towards the mansion, placing the ring box into his coat pocket before entering the mansion. It had been empty at the mansion as he had Luna spend the day with her father so Draco had time to reflect on how he would propose. Taking out the ring, he put his blue gaze on it as it closely matched the blue sapphire before there was a knock on his door. Draco shuffled the ring back into it's box and shoved it into his pocket once again before spotting Luna entering his bedroom. "Is everything okay?" Luna asked. "Yeah, everything's fine. I was just caught off guard." Draco pointed out. Luna smiled softly as she walked over and sat on his lap gently, Draco placed his hands on her waist. Was this the perfect time to propose? He wanted to but he wanted it to be much more special. "Talked with my dad today...we wanted to go back to the house in the morning, see if we can salvage more things and begun fixing it, you know." Luna explained. Draco nodded, then he had an idea. "I'd like to join you, if you don't mind?" Draco asked. Luna wrapped her arms around his neck loosely. "Of course. I would like that." Luna replied. Draco smiled crookedly. "Yeah?" Draco asked, teasing a little. Luna chuckled softly in the silent bedroom. "Yes." Luna replied. Draco looked at her lips before leaning in and kissed her softly and tenderly as Luna kissed him back. Draco then rested his forehead gently against hers as there was a silence for a mere moment. "I best get to bed, early day tomorrow." Luna pointed out softly. Draco brought his blue gaze to lock with Luna's. "Fair enough." Draco replied. Luna kept her eyes on Draco as she slipped off his lap and walked to the door. "Goodnight." she said. Draco nodded. "Goodnight." he stated before turning in himself.
The next day, Draco had gotten dressed in his best black suit and opened the ring box with the shimmering blue sapphire gazing back up at him. Today was the day. Clasping it shut, Draco put the ring box with the ring into his jacket pocket and walked out to spot his parents in the living room. "We noticed the money missing from the vault. When do you plan to ask her?" Narcissa asked curiously. Draco looked around to make sure Luna wasn't around. "Today. Hopefully." Draco said simply. He fished out the ring box to show his mother the ring and she gushed. "Very beautiful, Draco." Narcissa stated. Lucius was still sitting on the leather sofa and just simply rolled his eyes. Luna and Xenophilius had gotten themselves ready and after breakfast, the Lovegoods and Draco headed to the crumbled home of the Lovegoods. Walking over the hill, they spotted the rubble. Draco noticed Luna looking at it and she had went to search through the many pieces of wood and plants that surrounded the house. Draco watched as Xenophilius dug out some more papers of his and his tea kettle that survived the destruction of the home by death eaters not long ago. Draco felt bad for Luna and her dad, glad that his hospitality at least helped them cope from the overwhelming battle that occurred - it was the least he could do since he felt he had been partially to blame for being considered a death eater then.
Draco went over and pretended to look through the rubble, kneeling to the ground in front of Luna. "Luna?" Draco asked to gain her attention. Xenophilius looked over and watched with a smile on his face, knowing exactly what he was witnessing. Luna looker over to see Draco on his knee. "Draco, why are you on the ground? You're going to get your suit all dirty." Luna replied in concern but watched as Draco opened his jacket pocket and fished out a small box. Draco opened the small ring box, revealing the silver, flower leaf mended with a blue sapphire diamond in the middle of the flower. "Luna Lovegood...i love you so much and I want to share my life with you, forever. Will you do me this honor of marrying me?" Draco asked, proposing to Luna. Luna widened her eyes in surprise for a second before easing them, so surprised and happy, she looked at her dad who nodded with a smile himself in approval. Luna looked back at Draco and nodded immediately. "Yes, i will marry you, Draco." Luna answered in a sweet tone. Draco smiled crookedly before taking the ring and placing it onto her wedding finger then stood up, giving her a happy and passionate kiss as she caved in before pulling back. "It's beautiful..." Luna trailed off, looking at the ring. "Beautiful ring, for a beautiful girl. Mrs. Malfoy." Draco smirked. Luna's smile widened before placing her hand into his, intertwining them. It was the beginning of a wonderful future, though Luna will be finishing her sixth year and then seventh year at Hogwarts, Draco decided to finish his seventh year along with her before beginning his career. Students that returned to Hogwarts had noticed the engagement ring on Luna's finger which made them curious on who she had gotten engaged to, despite seeing her with Draco for several years. When told it was Draco, most were in shock but some happy for her. Of course Draco was mainly by himself in the Slytherin house as Crabbe had died and Goyle was put into Azkaban for being a death eater but nonetheless the closest crony he had left was Blaise.
(Final chapter is chapter 20)