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It was nearly seven and Hermione was rushing around her flat in search of her strapless bra.
She located it in her guest room's chest and had just shut her bedroom door behind her bare body when she heard the fireplace roar and Draco call out a greeting.
She let out relieved breath and shouted through her door, "Hey Draco! I'll be out there momentarily!"
She heard him reply with a sweet, "Take your time."
While he waited, Draco got himself some water to help his dry mouth. He couldn't believe how nervous he was.
He nearly spit the water out when Hermione entered the kitchen. She was wearing a deep purple cocktail dress, a pair of black heels and had her chestnut hair pulled up, off her neck in an elegant, loose bun.
She smirked, seeing his face.
"Draco?" She said.
He cleared his throat and met her eyes. "Yeah?" He said, sounding uncharacteristically dumb and she loved it.
"You look very dapper tonight, Draco." She said walking closer to him, her heels clicking on the floor.
Draco looked down to locate the sound and swallowed before croaking out a "Thank you."
Once his mind cleared a bit, he spoke, sounding much more like the man she loved.
"You look stunning." He said, stepping closer to her, "Absolutely stunning." He added, glancing at her lips but not leaning in.
"You can kiss me." She said quietly, wanting so badly for him to kiss her.
He inhaled and met her eyes, "I don't want to ruin your lipstick."
"It's magically sealed." She replied and a second later his lips were on hers.
She hummed in surprise but instantly kissed him back. She brought her hand up and cupped his cheek softly as they slowly snogged in her kitchen. Draco kept his hands on her waist, but she felt his grip tightening as they continued to snog.
She tilted her head, deepening it a bit more and felt, instead of heard, him let out a low groan of arousal.
It suddenly clicked in her mind that she was about to cancel their proper date and take him to her bed if they didn't stop…and very soon.
She slowly pulled back, leaving both of them with hooded eyes, swollen lips and wanting more.
Draco swallowed, and cleared his throat, "I'm sorry." He said quietly.
"For what?" She asked confused.
"Well, I sort of just attacked you…" He said.
"With your lips?" She asked, smirking, though the thought of being 'attacked' by Draco Malfoy's lips didn't sound bad at all.
Draco chuckled, "Yeah…I guess."
"Well…I don't mind."
He grinned, "Good to know. I'd have no problem with continuing this assault, but I owe you a proper date."
She laughed and nodded, "Right, you are."
He leaned in and placed one soft kiss on her lips before saying, "Well, let's get going then."
She smiled and let him Apparate them…wherever.
When she opened her eyes, they were standing by a large pond. It had a Black swan and a white swan gliding over the reflective surface together.
The surface also reflected the unbelievable number of stars that were visible from their location. She looked up, seeing several constellations, including the Draco constellation. She smiled to herself and continued to look around.
Draco watched her as she discovered their surroundings. Hermione noticed that on the edge of the water was a medium-sized, white gazebo. She furrowed her brow and looked over at Draco.
He smiled back and nodded.
She smiled as she slipped her heels off and walked over towards the gazebo. She felt her heart melt at the sight within it. There was a round table set in the center of it with candles floating above. Covered dinnerware was on the table along with a bottle of wine.
She noticed how there was a red rose on the chair she could only assume was hers.
"Draco, this is…this is absolutely beautiful." She said quietly before turning to look at him.
"I'm thrilled that you like it." He said, looking at her in a way no man ever had.
It made her heart clench in the best way possible because she knew that he truly loved her. She walked over to him and grabbed his hand in her smaller one.
"You really are very sweet, Draco." She whispered before pressing a soft kiss to his jaw.
He smiled and lifted her hand to his lips before kissing the back of it. "I love you, Granger. I am going to do everything I can to make you happy."
"You already do." She replied.
He smiled and nodded, "Come with me. I want to show you something." He said, gently pulling her away from the gazebo.
She let him lead her away from the water and towards a wooded area. He led her through it to the other side, revealing that they were on the grounds of a beautiful castle.
"Where are we?" She asked, looking around at the exquisite scenery.
"Are you certain that you want to know?" He asked in a serious tone.
She furrowed her brow but nodded, "Yes."
Draco inhaled deeply before saying, "We're at my castle."
Her head spun to the right to look at him, "You have a castle yet you're living in a townhouse?"
He chuckled, nodding, "Yeah." He replied.
"Why?" She asked.
He let out a long breath before looking at her, "I'm going to tell you a couple things that I've never told anyone."
She nodded, listening intently as she waited, as if afraid to miss a single sound.
"Let's go sit at the table in the gazebo, yeah?" He said, needing a bit more time to prepare himself.
When they arrived at the gazebo, after a silent walk back, they both stepped inside. Draco picked the red rose off her chair and handed it to her before pulling her chair out for her. She sat down and thanked him as she placed the cloth napkin on her lap and smelled the flower.
When she looked at him, she noticed how nervous he was and that concerned her.
Draco nodded to her food as he waved his wand. The wine poured itself into their glasses as their food was also uncovered. She noticed how lovely everything looked but her mind was still focused on how anxious he appeared.
He cleared his throat and took a sip of wine before saying, "So, no one knows about the castle. I purchased it in 2004, when I was first traded to the Magpies. I signed a major contract with them and so basically, I'm on the team until 2020 unless I want to trade or retire." He explained, "Anyways. We're currently in Montrose, Scotland. I erm…I was planning for my future when I bought this place." He said with a sigh.
"So, this is your future home?" She asked.
He looked thoughtful before replying, "Hopefully." He said, "I plan for it to be my family's home. First though, I need the family." He muttered.
"I'm telling you all of this because a year after I bought this place…" He paused and cleared his throat emotionally before continuing, "I erm…I almost got to start that family."
Her shock was substantial. She didn't know what he meant but she listened closely, waiting for him to go on.
He sighed before going on, "In 2005, I had gotten injured during practice. I was taken to St. Mungo's. While I was there, I went to visit the children's ward. I met a little girl there who had just been orphaned. She had never had a father and her mother had just been killed by the same curse that had grazed her." He sighed and went on, "Her name was Hannah, and she was three years old. I can't explain why but I just…I knew that she needed a home, and I had a home to provide. So, I began the adoption process."
When he stopped speaking, Hermione reached over and gently grabbed his hand. She didn't speak. She simply wanted him to know that she was there if he needed her.
Draco swallowed, "She erm…she passed away a week before the adoption approval letter arrived."
Hermione swallowed and tried to blink away the tears in her eyes as she watched him.
"I suppose that's why this entire Charity Match for the kids has been so important to me." He said.
He remained silent for a moment before saying, "You know…I can't quite explain it, but I truly believe that I would have made a good father."
"Oh, love." Hermione said. "You would have made a spectacular father for Hannah. And one day, Draco, you will be a spectacular father."
He smiled and squeezed her hand.
Hermione looked at him and quietly said, "I love you, Draco."
"I love you too…Hermione." He replied.
She smiled widely. "Are you going to start calling me by my first name?"
"I'm not sure yet but 'Granger' doesn't seem quite right anymore." He said.
She nodded in agreement.
"So…are there any more confessions?" She asked.
He chuckled, "Nope. That's all. Though Mother and I have begun speaking again. She revealed to me that she is dating for the first time since Father passed."
Hermione shook her head, smiling, "You're just full of secrets."
He shook he head, "That's all, darling. I swear."
"Darling?" She asked with a smile on her lips.
He nodded, "I'm trying it out. "
She smirked, "I like it."
They spent a while talking about casual topics until it was time for dessert; the atmosphere changed.
When Draco waved his wand and vanished the main course, some chocolate cheesecake appeared on their new plates.
As they slowly at the cheesecake, Hermione knew the tension in the air would only grow until they faced it. When she looked over and caught his eyes, she knew he felt the same.
"Draco…"
"Hermione…"
They spoke at the same time and then laughed. As they laughter died down, Draco cleared his throat and met her eyes once more.
"Hermione, if I'm being too forward, please let me know." He paused for just a moment before saying, "Would you want to come home with me tonight?"
She smiled and nodded, "Yes. I'd like that."
He inhaled deeply, feeling relieved and suddenly extraordinarily nervous.
Draco scratched the back of his neck before he stood up and held his hand out for her to take. She took his offered hand and stood before grabbing the rose, as well as her heels, from the floor of the gazebo.
"Ready?" He asked, though he felt as if he were partially asking himself that question.
She nodded and stepped closer, "Yes. I'm ready."