Chapter Forty-Nine:
(A/n I'm so sad, only one of you got the book. It is indeed Shakespeare's Hamlet. Oh well, now you've all learned something. Horatio says it to hamlet's dead/dying body. Yup. Anyway I hope you like this chapter!)
When they had returned to school, most people had treated them with awe and respect. Hermione was almost used to it. She could remember so many times when Harry had saved the day. However, this time it had been Draco Malfoy that had, not only saved the day, but had also defeated the Dark Lord. The students had not been invited to attend Lucius Malfoy's funereal so it was quite a shock to most when Dumbledore announced the news at dinner one night a few days ago. Hermione had noticed that Draco hadn't been there that night. She was worried about him. He had been unusually quite and was avoiding everyone. Ginny had immediately approved of Hermione's relationship with the blond Slytherin, it had taken Harry a while but slowly he had realized how happy Hermione was when she was with Draco. Ron, however, was adamant that Draco's was just pretending. At the moment, Hermione was sitting in the Gryffindor common room reading a book. She had watched the sun set a few minutes ago and was now cozying up on the couch. Suddenly Ginny came running up to her, grinning mischievously.
"What's up, Gin?" Hermione asked, setting down her book. Ginny smiled slyly and grabbed Hermione's hand, hauling her up the stairs. Ginny led Hermione into the 7th year girls dormitory and Hermione smiled in delight when she walked in. Hanging on a chair was a long, beautiful dress.
"Who…" She asked but Ginny handed her a note before she could finish. Hermione took it and read it over quickly.
Dear Hermione,
Come have dinner with me, meet me at the Great Hall by 10:00.
Love, Draco
She grinned and reread the note several times. Seeing Hermione's expression, Ginny laughed hard and fell onto a bed.
"I'm guessing it was from Draco?" She giggled and Hermione nodded eagerly, showing her the card. "Well then, let's get you ready!"
A few hours later, Hermione walked out of the dormitory room. She was wearing a beautiful champagne dress. Her hair was up in a complicated twist. Strung into her hair were golden beads that shimmered elegantly. She walked down the stairs in her high heels, her long dress trailing behind her as she gathered the skirts up so she could walk; her earrings glittering like rays of sun. She saw Ron and Harry look up from where they were playing chess. Harry looked like a proud older brother gazing at his grown up sister and Ron…Ron glanced away but she could still see pain and jealousy written on his face. She walked past everyone and went out of the common room. She walked out to the Great Hall and saw Draco standing there dressed in a tuxedo, which made her smile realizing that all of his prejudices were gone. He smiled at her and kissed her long and hard. He pulled away and she could see that something heavy was on his mind.
"Do you trust me?" He asked and she chuckled softly, wondering why he felt that he had to ask.
"Of course." She answered. He pulled out a long black silk scarf and carefully wrapped it around her eyes.
"Come on." He said and led her out of the school. She could feel the night breeze brushing over her and she sighed in contentment. After a while, Draco stopped her and, standing behind her, pulled of the blindfold. She gasped. There was a small table, surrounded by candles that floated in the air. Everything looked perfect. He pulled back the seat and she sat down, still in shock. He smiled at her as he sat down. There was a soft pop and a small house elf appeared.
"Hello, Serby." Draco said and Hermione laughed, remembering the house elf from her stay at the manor. "Can you bring the food now?" He asked and the house elf nodded, disappearing with another soft pop.
"Draco, I can't believe you did this! It's so wonderful!" She said gazing around her. He smiled and took her hand
"You're wonderful." He said and she blushed. They ate dinner and talked quietly about everything. When they had finished dessert. Draco pushed the plate away and stood up. He slowly knelt down on one knee in front of her and took her hand.
"Hermione, I love you so much. You were the ray of sunshine in my dark world and you pushed me to be good. You are my everything. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" He whispered, his voice soft and husky. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a beautiful ring. It was a platinum band with two diamonds surrounding a glowing…
"Is that?" She said, startled beyond words. He smiled warmly, a smile that she would never get tired of.
"Yeah, it's a magically preserved ice. It will never melt." He said and she gasped touching the ring. She felt overwhelmed and she looked up into Draco's aquamarine eyes and realized she hadn't answered his question.
"Yes, Draco, I'll marry you." She breathed and he grinned. He took out the ring and gently slid it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. He stood and kissed her.
"I love you, Hermione."
"You'll never know how much I love you." She murmured and they stood there under the moon and kissed. Cherishing each other and forgetting all the pain they'd gone through, because in the end it had all been worth it.
(A/N. T-t-that's a-all folks! Heehee. I'm so sad! This is the end! No more wonderful Tale as old as time! I'm going to miss writing it so much. I've become attached. There's a sequel though! Song as Old as Rhyme so go reed it. I NEED to know how the other story is doing so go on and R/R. Love you all for your support and cooperation! THANK YOU!)
THE END
