I forgot to put a disclaimer at the top of chapter one, but I guess you guys are smart enough to realize I own only the plot line.
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The week had dragged by dangerously slow, not even work made things go any quicker. Papers where piled on his desk from numerous people asking about different laws. One was even from Percy Weasley (the Minister of Magic), which caused Draco to laugh. It was something about tighter control over the memory charms because of a prank George pulled on him using one.
He managed to make a quick stop in Diagon Alley to pick up Lily a present (a small dragon toy that breathed fire that tickled). He enjoyed the toy a little too much, sitting outside Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor playing with it for a good half hour after finishing his ice cream sundae. That's when he saw a small store across the street called Little Trinkets. It had stunning pieces of jewelry on display in the window.
He walked in the shop; it took only minutes to find a stunning star necklace. There were at least 15 stars connecting in the front at the tips creating a zigzag design.
"May I help you sir?" Draco looked up at a middle age witch in black dress robes. She reminded him of a younger McGonagall.
"AH!" she said before he could answer, "I see your looking at one of our more, valuable pieces. A spectacular identity...exquisite diamond necklace is an impressive 7 carat total weight. Hundreds of brilliant round-cut diamonds are set to perfection on the dazzling, 14K white gold star clusters. Shimmering star clusters form a radiant line of glamour on the 16-inch necklace."
Draco blinked, wandering how long an inch was, but then realized that 14 karat white gold and diamonds on Hermione would make her look like the Queen she was in his heart.
"Actually, Ma'am, I'm quite interested in it indeed. How much?" a smile grew wide on her refined face.
"700 galleons and 44 sickles." Draco drew out his check book and quill and quickly wrote a check.
"Could you wrap it up for me?" he asked handed her the check.
He called on his head house-elf Tibby as soon as he entered the door. The small hour-elf appeared instantly with long floppy ears and a small pointed nose. She wore a Childs night gown and a frilly napkin tied around her head. Her vibrant blue eyes look up adoringly at Draco.
"Yes Master?" she squeaked.
"Please let the others know that I would like a small meal for dinner, preferably green beans with red gravy and mashed potatoes. And I would like you to wrap Lily's present. Then meet me in the 1st floor study, I have some things I wish to get off my chest."
It was nearly a half hour before Tibby had arrived; Draco was off by the fire admiring a photo book he had made during his last few years at Hogwarts. Most where done secretly or bullied off of the late Collin Creevey, who died a month after the war from a curse Nott placed on him. All the pictures had Hermione in them, the earlier ones he had taken were of her back and she had no clue.
He smiled tenderly before closing the book. He rounded on Tibby, and looked at her for a moment before he spoke, offering her a seat in one of the read arm chairs. He sat down across from her, staring aimlessly into the bristling flames before speaking.
"Tibby, I'm nervous…"
"What ever for master? You is not having another meeting with stupid old Minister Wheezy? Is you?" Draco laughs at Tibby's reference to Percy Weasley, relieved to have something to laugh about.
"No Tibby, actually, Hermione is supposed to show up at Lilly's birthday party."
She mouths an "oh" before asking why he should be nervous about it.
He sets into the story he had told the old head elf before she had died. He forgot to tell Tibby on the account of depression, but noticed how it felt good to relive the story out loud. The next day seemed much closer now than it had only an hour ago, and Draco seemed happier, he couldn't wait.