Chapter 20

Draco woke up sweating, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked around the room. His room. Just another nightmare…. Of course, this had become quite a regular occurrence. He simply got out of his bed and made his way down to the kitchen and started brewing himself some chamomile tea. When he finished his tea, he went back up to bed.

"Good morning, Draco," Narcissa greeted him the next morning.

"Good morning," Draco responded as he gathered some breakfast. He noticed there wasn't a lot of food left. "I think I'm going to have to go get some more food later on today." He grabbed most of what was left of the blueberries.

"Would you like me to go with you?" Narcissa asked.

Draco shook his head. "I'll be fine by myself."

"Okay, just… be careful."

Draco was very much aware of what his mother was talking about. Twice now, he had been attacked by people when he had gone out alone. He understood his mother's concern. But I can take care of myself. As much as he still loved his parents, he was looking forward to being on his own. Well – not completely alone. If everything went according to plan, he would eventually be living with Astoria.

One of the reasons he didn't want his mother accompanying him on his errand was because he wanted to buy a ring, and he didn't really want his parents to know yet. They had made their dislike of Astoria obvious.

Of course, they were going to find out eventually, and hopefully, it was going to be okay. They said I would still inherit the manor. Even if his parents weren't so willing to let him inherit the manor - even if they had decided to disown him - he couldn't deny that he'd still want to marry Astoria - because he loved her that much. He was still thankful that his parents weren't going to disown him, though.

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After getting what food he needed, Draco started heading to a shop for the engagement ring. As he was walking down the street, he caught sight of someone on the ground, boxes of food surrounding him. He was scrambling to get up, although Draco could tell he was hurt.

Draco stood watching. Should he help? It would be quite inconvenient for him to stop and help. Oh, for goodness sake, Draco! I might as well do something instead of standing here!

He approached the man and helped him up. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I–" The man paused in mid sentence as he looked right at Draco. Draco stared right back. He recognized this person! Years ago, he had been the one to attack Draco in the street. "You!" He said. "You were the one – I–" He seemed at a loss for words.

Draco glanced down, seeing the boxes of food that had been dropped. He picked up the nearest one and handed it to the man who had dropped it.

"Aren't you going to take it?" Draco asked when all he did was stare at him.

He finally grabbed it from him. "Why are you helping me? You were a Death Eater!"

"Keyword, 'were'," Draco said. "I was a Death Eater, but not anymore." It was still too recent, though.

"And I – I hurt you for it–"

"Look, do you want my help or not?"

"I appreciate it, but – I can take it from here. Thanks… and – I'm sorry. You weren't the one."

"The one what?"

"You didn't kill my father. The guy who did was arrested recently. I was just angry at the time, and you were the one I took my anger out on. I shouldn't have."

Draco sighed. "Okay. I should get going now. Bye."

Well that was a strange occurrence.

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Draco was feeding the peacocks, and as he watched them all pecking at the ground, he took out the ring he had bought. It glimmered in the sunlight. I wonder when I should propose to her, and where?

He looked up and caught Malfoy the peacock staring at him. "Oh, and what do you want?"

"Eeaw!" The peacock shrieked.

"Okay, cool." I have no idea what you're saying…. He looked at the ring again, then put it back in his pocket.

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"Well, aren't you awfully dressed up?" Narcissa said. "Where are you going?"

"I'm having dinner with Astoria," Draco said.

"I suspected you were," she said. "Have a good time, then," she added, a bit half-heartedly.

–

"I'm glad you worked things out with my parents," Astoria said, as they sat down.

"Yeah, me too," Draco said. "Unfortunately, I can't say the same about my parents and you."

"It's alright," Astoria said. "At least now I know how much you really do care about me. Enough to go against your parents!"

Draco shifted nervously and felt the side of his pocket where the ring was. "Um – do you want to go on a walk after dinner?"

"I'd love to," Astoria said. "Do you have a place in mind?"

"How about where you took me last time?"

"That sounds great!"

–

As the sun was setting, Draco walked down the trail with Astoria.

"How long do you want to be out?" Astoria asked.

Draco shrugged. "How long do you?"

"As long as it takes to get to where I'm taking you!"

"Oh," Draco said. "I didn't realize we were actually going somewhere specific." He smiled.

"This way," she said, turning onto a trail off of the one they were on. Draco followed her.

Draco began hearing the sound of water, which was getting louder the further in they walked.

By the time they reached the waterfall, it was dark. Draco looked up at the stars shimmering in the sky and at the water shining in their reflection.

"It's so beautiful!" Astoria said.

"It is," Draco agreed. "Astoria," Draco looked at her.

"Yes, Draco?"

It's now or never! Draco thought and got onto his knees. "Astoria," he said again. He could feel himself sweating a lot. "Will – will you – do you want to – will you – marry – me?" He took out the ring and showed it to her, then he stood up, still waiting for her answer.

She suddenly pulled him closer and kissed him on the lips. Shocked, but happy, Draco leaned into the kiss.

When they pulled away, Draco's heart was beating rapidly. He didn't know what to say. "Was that - was that a yes?"
"Yes!" Astoria squealed. "Of course! I'd love to marry you, Draco!"

Smiling, Draco slid the ring onto her finger.

"Thank you!" Astoria said.

"I'm the one who should be thanking you," Draco said. "For giving me a chance." His eyes were starting to water.

He could tell hers were, too. "So when do you think our wedding should be?"

"Hm, I was thinking sometime in the fall."

"That would be wonderful!"

They embraced each other in a hug once again. Draco didn't know what the future would hold, but he knew he could take it as long as he had Astoria by his side.

The End

A/N: We've come to the end! Feel free to say whatever you want about this fanfiction. I'd like to know what people like a don't like about it. It would really help me improve my writing, but thanks for reading, either way.