Chapter 9
Diamonds and Friendship: Which Lasts Longer?
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"Do you like it?" he asks me.
I twirl around the mirror. The silky, snowy white fabric swishes around me. The gown is delicately beautiful. It has a low back and a revealing neckline trimmed with rhinestones, small gems, and an intricate lace. The fabric is a light material that seems to float almost magically.
I smile at myself, satisfied with my reflection. I shiver slightly, there are no sleeves therefore exposing my bare shoulders.
He walks up behind me, putting his arms around my waist. "Do you like it?" he whispers again into my ear.
I nod weakly; the conversation I had with Harry a while ago is still fresh in my mind.
"What's wrong?" he asks slowly, perhaps wondering if I wanted to ruin what we have built or afraid of what might come between us.
I juggled the question on whether to tell him or not. I can't lie to him. "Harry," he winces at the name, "almost proposed to me a while ago."
In the reflection of the mirror, I can see a flash of rage and jealousy in his eyes before vanishing into the slate gray. I feel slightly worried.
"But, he realized the engagement ring before continuing. I know you don't like him, but I miss him as a friend," I quickly add, worried about my own emotional and physical well being. Though he is going to be my husband, I still feel I know him as a stranger.
He says nothing, not knowing how to solve my dilemma. He kisses me on my neck. I look at our reflection. It is almost picture perfect, almost.
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I look at the diamonds at my ring finger on my left hand. I flick my hand back and forth making it catch the light. The serene glow of the two metals under the sun shines with warmth. I discovered later that carved on the inside of it is, "Together forever for eternity, we cannot be separated."
I smile lazily, bathing in the light. I reflect back on what has happened so quickly. The memories bring mostly happy moments.
"Hermione?"
I glance up to find Ron looking down at me.
"Can I sit here?" he asks. There is something on his mind.
I nod and make room for him on the wooden park bench. I wonder how he has found me here. I wait calmly for his explanation.
"Harry's pretty torn up," he says slowly. He turns to look at me.
I instinctively lower my gaze, not wanting to meet his eyes. "I know," I say. My voice is dry and raspy as I feel myself getting emotional about the subject.
"But still."
I look up at him, curious at where he was leading me to.
"Couldn't you have done better than Malfoy? I know he has money, but is he worth marrying for?" he adds slyly. There is a slight smirk on his face.
I stare at him, hardly believing my ears. A surge of anger courses through me like poison. I get up and slap him. "I don't believe you!" I yell at him, angry at his painful words. I turn from him and walk away, mellowing in my disbelief and astonishment.
"I don't know how he's tricked you, but you don't know the real Malfoy!" he retorts back at me.
"And you do?" I yell, without turning. My temper rises. How could he? How dare he? I used to think better of him, but now, I'm not sure. I walk away with an air of loneliness lingering around me. I've lost another.
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I knock on the cold wood. The rain wets my hair and clothes plastering them to my skin. Please be home, I think to myself. Finally, the door opens. Ginny looks surprised to see me. She makes a gesture to welcome me in. I walk into her home. An instant soothing warmth surrounds me as I take off my wet cloak.
I take a seat on her couch at the verge of tears. How can I loose and gain so much? My emotions tumble within me as she enters the room with a tray of steaming hot chocolate. She hands me a cup and sits down beside me.
"Hermione," she says, "What happened?" There's a familiar look of concern that makes me feel almost guilty for making her feel so.
"I've been in a fight with Harry and Ron," I say slowly, afraid that if I blurt everything out, I'll make a regrettable mistake.
"Over what?" she asks with a comforting smile on her face.
"I'm engaged." I stop talking, waiting for her reaction.
"To whom?" Her voice is curious. Now she knows that it's the engagement that has caused all this havoc.
I bite my lip. I'm slightly reluctant to tell her. I'm worried about her reaction. I can't loose anymore friends. "Draco Malfoy."
I watch as her jaw drops. Her eyes are wide with surprise. "The Draco Malfoy?" she repeats, stumbling from one word to the next, wondering if she's heard right.
I nod, looking down at the mug of brown liquid, extremely intimidated by my envisioned reaction.
She makes no reply for a long time. I look up at her.
"Do you love him?" she asks earnestly.
I nod. "With all my life."
"Does he love you back?" she asks again.
I nod again, wondering about her rather odd questions.
Suddenly, she smiles and sets her mug down, giving me a hug. "I'm happy for you then."
I look at her stunned and shocked, at her reply and reaction. "You are?"
"Yes, I am. He may not have the greatest reputation, but as long as he treats you well and you both love each other, I'm happy and grateful," she says firmly. She gives me another sincere smile. "Don't worry about what people say, if you do you'll have only yourself to blame," she says softly.
I smile for the first time in a long time. A sense of security rests inside of me now that I have a supporter. "Thank you."
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