Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
A special thanks to Babii-JJ, actress007, tiarwen, random gal, many.boys.lil.time, emikitty0922, Weasley, DanRadcliffe5666, cute but evil, accidentaltackler, rhcproxmysox, krzychic14, paperpuppet, and yes, even you Ciladis for reviewing. I'm glad we have that whole thing behind us.
Chapter Twelve
Meeting the In-Laws
Snow was now beginning to fall even heavier now that it was getting deeper into the season of winter. Draco still didn't understand why I was angry with him. I didn't expect him to. I didn't tell him why. I stood on the snow-covered balcony that overlooked the countless, snow-speckled hills that lay behind Draco's mansion. I was wearing a white turtleneck and some heavy jeans that failed to keep the cold from creeping through to my body, causing me to slightly shiver. I stared into the hazy sky, veiled with gray snow clouds that drifted over the sun. My arms were wrapped around my small figure as my mind played the scene over and over in head like a movie projector with its repeat button jammed. The flashes of green and red, the pain of my back hitting the wall with much force, Draco carrying me to my room as anger filled my veins…all painful memories of last night that I hoped to forget…futile hopes.
"Miss, miss, please come inside. It is cold." Squeaked a small house elf that placed my lunch on my desk. I never came down for meals, no matter how much Draco begged and pleaded for me to.
"I'm fine. It's not that cold."
I didn't hear a response, assuming it left. Not even the scent of chicken soup, fresh rolls of bread, or hot tea could bring from the balcony. It was all I did, no matter how hard I tried. I attempted to drown my anger by reading large novels from the library, but my feet eventually carried me to the stone balcony of my room. So, I ended up standing here, arms crossed over my chest, hugging my body.
I felt his warm hands on my upper arms as he began rubbing them, the friction warming my body. His aroma was strong and smelt great, but I refused to take notice. I didn't even hear him come in.
"Hermione. Come inside. It's freezing."
I didn't respond. Just stared ahead of me.
"Hermione. Please. I don't want you to get sick."
No response.
"Hermione. We need to talk. Now."
I reluctantly allowed him to bring me inside and shut the large glass windows. We sat down on the edge of my bed as an awkward moment of silence followed.
"Ok Hermione. What's going on? You stand on that balcony day after day, and I wouldn't be surprised if you were there at night. I know you're mad at me, but I would like to know why."
I sighed and stared at his steely gray eyes that only turned that shade on a few occasions. I opened my mouth to speak and explain, but soon closed it as he continued ranting.
"You haven't been eating much, you still haven't eaten your lunch, and you look even skinnier."
"Draco-" I began, but once again I was cut off.
"I saying this for your own good. You've been acting so distant from me and you have yet to tell me why. Hermione," he said sadly, taking my small hands into his rough ones.
"I love you so much, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
"Draco-" I tried again with no success. I was beginning to get annoyed. How was I supposed to explain if he wasn't going to let me talk?
"And every time I try to talk to you, like in the halls, you just walk right past me, like I'm not there. What's going on Hermione?"
"Draco-"
"Please tell me Hermione. I really want to know."
"THEN SHUT UP AND LET ME TELL YOU!" I yelled taking my hands back and flinging them into the air, finally fed up with frustration.
"Do you love me Draco?"
"Psh. What kind of question is that? Is that why you've been distant? You've doubted my love for you? Because Hermione-"
"Just answer the question."
"Yes. I love you."
"What would you do without me?"
"What do you mean?"
"If I was dead."
"Don't talk like that Hermione. Please don't talk like that. I wouldn't be able to survive."
"Then why Draco? Why did you just stand there as Alania aimed the death curse at me? If it weren't for your father, I would be dead. You just stood there like a bump on a log with your mouth hanging open."
"Is that what this is all about? Because I didn't try to save you? I saw my father coming to save you!" he said in disbelief.
"Yes! This is what it's all about Draco! I have doubted your love once and I doubt it now. I've been thinking about what everybody's said about you. You're not a virgin. You've done the deed with almost every girl. What am I supposed to believe? I can't even believe myself. I just don't know what I'm feeling right now. I'm thankful that your father saved me, but you should have tried. You should have tried to save me if I meant that much to you."
"You doubt my love after all we've been through…House duties, Lucius, Alania, and Lenora, and you still somehow doubt my love? We've been engaged for a more than a month Hermione! If you doubted my love, then why did you say yes when I proposed?"
I hesitated. He was right. So much has happened to us that made our bond grow stronger. Sure, at the beginning it was just for pure lust, but it grew to something much more. I should've been ashamed of myself, but I wasn't.
"Because I didn't know that my so-called fiancé would just stand there as I was about to die. I didn't know that Lenora, a fat whore with an overlarge schnoz, would continue to hit on my boyfriend, even now that he's engaged! I didn't know that I would fall in love with you, the kid that caused me the most pain in my life. I didn't know anything about love, and I still don't. Harry was right." I replied conclusively.
"Pothead! What the bloody hell does he have to do with anything? I didn't cheat on you, if that's what he said."
"No, he didn't say that. He didn't say anything. It was just the way he looked at me, as if I was being hurt, but didn't say anything. It was look that told me he was concerned. Like he knew something was going to happen to me. Those looks made me doubt. I'm just…so confused. What do you want with me Draco? A good romp? Because I can't give you that."
"I don't want a good romp! You mean more than that to me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Because I love you."
"Draco! Stop! Just stop! What the hell do we know about love? I'm seventeen and you're eighteen. We're too young. I feel like I've made a mistake."
He looked at me forlornly. Like I just killed something…someone.
"You tell me that you don't want to be with me on the day the rest of my family is coming over?"
"I didn't say that. I feel like we're rushing. I don't know anything about you. I feel like this is just a relationship that is purely physical. Like all we do is kiss and talk, kiss and talk. What do we know about love? Because that's what I feel…like we don't know anything about love, so we can't possibly feel it."
"Oh but Hermione, it is. At least for me it is. I've loved you too long to let you go now."
"Draco, you've loved me for what, half a year is it?"
"Try three."
"Three! We didn't even like each other in the fourth year. We hated each other…"
"Says who? Pothead? Weasel? Because I've loved ever since you walked through the doors of the Yule Ball and enchanted me with your radiance. I've never seen anyone so beautiful. I was in denial for as I long as I can remember. Me? In love? With Hermione Granger of all people? Impossible! But that's all I ever thought about. Every time I saw you, my heart skipped a beat, no matter how hard I tried to make my feelings stop, they didn't. It killed me not being able to touch you, to hold you, to love you. It killed me to see you with a dumb bloke that was just swooning over you for your good looks. Over the years, I looked past your looks and eventually fell head over heels for you. I beat myself up every day, every moment I wasted. So don't you tell me that I don't know anything about love, because I know love better than anyone else…and you doubt it?"
I felt a lump form in my throat as tears rushed to my eyes. How could I do something like this to him? He's loved me in secret for three years and I was too blind to see it. I felt so stupid. Now I felt ashamed. I didn't know what to say. What was there to say? He was right. I was wrong.
I shifted awkwardly as I felt his eyes stare at me with anticipation.
"I don't know Draco. I really do love you, but I…I just want to take things slow." I whispered quietly as I walked and stood near the windows, watching as the tiny flecks of snow tumbled to the ground with grace and ease.
"Then slow it is. Am I forgiven?" he mumbled softly into my ear as he wrapped his strong arms around me.
I turned to face his angelic face. Gray piercing eyes, silky blonde hair, soft warm lips, muscular build…things Krum was never even close to.
I lay my arms limply at my side as he held me. My head on his shoulder, inhaling his cologne, I once again felt protected. I closed my eyes and smiled slightly. How could I not forgive him?
(Just so you know, I'm tired of doing the long line so I'm going to put these three plus signs in their place. This indicates a change in PoV's or later times.)
I hummed softly as I took out the curlers from my hair. The locks of chestnut brown hair came tumbling down in silky, loose curls that fell a little past my bare shoulders. I've never worn a red gown before, and I was quite nervous. It worked for some, and ruined others. My back felt unbearably naked since there were no straps. It tied around my neck. My face was glowing beautifully if I must say so myself. My cheeks had a slight tint of pink and my lips were deliciously full with the red gloss I applied. I had a fair amount of products on my eyes as well. Some black eyeliner and black mascara made my eyes look smoky and mysterious. I spun around a few times in my dress, just to see the loose, glittery fabric that dragged on the floor fly behind me. I gently sprayed on my favorite flowery scent on my wrist and neck. Sweet lavender and jasmine blossoms were my two favorite scents combined. Draco's too. I grabbed my crimson purse that had little ruby rhinestones placed randomly along with my wrap and walked out of the door. I glanced down the far hallway and saw an emerging shadow. The light from the top foyer gave this person a blinding outline. It was a woman. Quite skinny. Were the guests already here? No, they couldn't be.
"Hermione? I think we need to talk." Said the advancing figure.
My eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness of the hallway. It was Narcissa. Wearing a white gown that was nothing compared to her pale skin, she was stunning. With golden silk weaved into the seams of her gown and diamonds that glittered along the "V" on her neck, she was truly the Malfoy Queen.
"Um, sure. What about?"
"Everything. If you would follow me."
She led me down the marble staircase outside to her garden walkway. The crickets chirped as the sun was fading into the distance. A light layer of snow covered the ground as my heels crunched against it as she led me farther away from the manor to this small wooden swing that hung above the ground on a snow covered tree. She sat down and patted the spot next to her.
"I used to sit here with Draco when he was small." She stated dreamily, reminiscing of the days past.
"He would fly on his broom, and I would sit here, watching him fly around the grounds. I was deathly worried about him, but I knew he would be safe. He's smart enough to know what to do and not to." She continued, slightly swinging the hanging bench.
"I hope he still has that good judgment." She added, turning her head to gaze at me.
"Hermione," she sighed.
"I know he loves you. But I can't help but feel that all this is…"
"Too sudden?" I finished.
She smirked.
"Yes. I'm still deathly worried about him, but with you,"
She took my hands into her soft pale ones.
"I can sleep happily, for I know that he's going to be okay."
"Narcissa, I'm very thankful that you are not bitter abut Draco's engagement with me. I expected Lucius to be, less than understanding."
She laughed softly.
"Lucius has changed since the fall of Voldemort. It was difficult. This year has been hard on him. He has changed, for the better of everyone. But it took a long time and his progress was sluggish, but it was worth it."
"Is that why he accepted me into the family so easily?"
"Most likely. He's still resentful about what I did to him. But I needed to do it to him. It was for the better. It worked out perfectly."
"What did you do?" I asked confused.
"I sent him to St. Mungo's."
I gasped loudly. That was extreme. Even for Lucius's standards.
"He went with a tremendous fight. He even hit me multiple times the day before and even more as they pulled him away. He was furious. It took a fair amount of men to restrain him."
My eye widened as the image of Lucius back handing Narcissa while being pulled away flashed through my mind.
"He needed help. They did an excellent job with him. He started accepting more things, like the fact that there are people, no offense, but people like you. He became calmer, peaceful even. Repenting for the deaths of innocent people."
"That was very brave of you to do." I muttered quietly as I squeezed her hand in support.
"Not as brave as you. You almost died. You are engaged to Draco Malfoy, son of a former death eater, people that killed your kind and muggles for fun. You straightened out my husband in one conversation. Something St. Mungo's has been trying to do in one year. You talked to him about sensitive subjects that no one ever dared to even think about in front of him. You deserve all of the credit. You deserve to have that ring around your finger. You deserve to be happy."
I smiled as I closed my eyes, blocking out the oncoming wave of tears. A lump formed in my throat as she squeezed my hand gently and reassuringly.
"Thank you Narcissa." I finally managed to whisper.
"You're welcome. I can't say that I know how you feel, because I didn't marry for love. But I learned to love Lucius in time and I'm sure everyone in the family will love you in time too."
She stood up and hugged me tightly as she whispered one of the best phrases a mother-in-law can say.
"Welcome to the family, Hermione."
She left me there, sitting on the swing as the wind gently pushed it. Her retreating figure disappeared behind the door. Dark clouds shrouded overhead and slowly let a sprinkle of glittering specks of snow. They began gathering in my hair and eyelashes as a stared at the small frozen lake nearby. I could feel the coldness of the air raise goose bumps upon my uncovered skin, but I didn't mind. The days I spent on the balcony trained me for the cold. My mind was screaming at me to get inside, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was lost in thought, processing everything that just happened. I head small chattering and clinks of wine glasses from inside the ballroom, which was full of dancing lights. I saw a familiar blonde head, squinting at me through the flecks of snow.
Dressing in my best dress robe, which was made of the finest black silk, I walked alongside my "father".
"I expect everything to go smoothly Draco, unlike the other party."
"I'm sure no one will try to kill Hermione here." I scoffed.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that. Your grandfather will be coming."
"As in your father?"
"Yes, as in my father." He said rather harshly.
"Well, I may not be able to control you, but you better control him." I hissed menacingly.
He stopped in front of me and glared daggers into my eyes. But I did not fear him. My fear died when he was finally sent to the loony bin after Potter killed Voldemort.
"How dare you say that about your family. You wouldn't be anywhere without him or me! He gave us the fortune that was passed through the generations." He whispered deathly.
"He was the one who raised you to hate people like Hermione! You raised me to hate people like Hermione! When he finds out that she's going to be my wife and bare the heir to the Malfoy fortune, he might loose it. So for the better of his health, he had best keep his temper under control."
"Might? Might! He will loose it! I'm surprised at myself for accepting her in the family! You are very lucky your mother sent me to St. Mungo's for treatment after the war, and I would've killed her and then you!"
"Well, then I'm a lucky man."
"Man? You are no man! You barely went out with her before you proposed! You are no man in any way!"
"I didn't allow myself to gravel at some sickly old man that was killed by a teenager! I didn't bow down and kiss the ground he walked on because I feared him! I don't have a hideous scar on my arm that shows that I once was a slave to 'man' that was barely strong enough to walk, let alone lift a wand! I am more than man than you!" I barked defiantly.
Lucius's blonde eyebrows became one as he frowned and his lips curled into a snarl. His right hand clutched his stick roughly. His knuckles would have been white if they were viewable from under his black gloves.
I staggered back as he backhanded me across my face. My cheek was sore from the blow as I glared back boldly as he lowered his hand.
"You had best hold your tongue around me Draco. I have lost all patience for your disobedience. If you dare say a rude remark to or about anyone else in this family, I will Avada you into oblivion. Is that clear?"
Before I could answer, I was facing his back as his black robe was swishing behind him. I adjust my sore jaw and followed him to the large foyer, awaiting the large crowd of family members that were slowly walking up the long stretch of gravel. Snow was falling by the time they were halfway up the path and I was becoming impatient. I'm sure if they didn't wear so much heavy clothing, they could all be warm and cozy inside the ballroom. I huffed as the small group of family members stepped inside the foyer.
"Draco dear boy! How good it is to see you! I haven't see you in a while!" bellowed a very robust looking man. His head, of course, was blonde and beginning to bald.
"Good to see you too uncle." I replied in a bored tone.
"I heard you finally got caught!"
"Um, excuse me?"
"Engaged! That's what I heard. Is it true?" he whispered mischievously as he nudged my ribs playfully.
"Yes, it is." I said backing away. He was always so odd.
"I heard she's a…"
Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes were drawn away to my father.
"Lucius ol' chap! How long has it been?"
"Too long brother, too long. How are the children? Healthy I hope?" Lucius responded happily. He and Uncle Morris were always close.
"Dracie! Oh Dracie! Let me see you! You grew so much over the years!"
"Hello Aunt Margaret." I replied loathingly. She was one of the worst. She was indeed very beautiful, very intelligent, and single, however, she was very intimidating. She absolutely loved me, unfortunately. She showered me with kisses when I was little, and she still does. Not to mention she was the family gossiper.
"I heard quite an amount about your fiancé. Quite an amount."
"Oh?"
"Yes. She was absolutely stunning. Long blonde hair, sparkling green eyes. Am I right or am I right Dracie dear?"
"You're not even close. Shoulder-length, auburn hair with chocolate brown eyes, very bright." I stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh my, not blonde? Hmm. My sources must not be as reliable as they were before. Tell me all about her dear."
"I love her and that's all you need to know. You'll meet her later."
"I anticipate her arrival to the party. She you later love."
I welcomed the rest of my family with firm handshakes, hugs, and the occasional kisses. I was physically exhausted, but my mind was sharp and alert. Listening for the familiar click of her heels on the marble surface. Inhaling the air deeply, wanting a whiff of her intoxicating perfume. Watching for the swish of her hair as she turned corners. She was all I thought about. I was truly crazy for her.
My father led them to the second ballroom in the house. It was much more garlanded with antiques and tapestries than the other one. Not to mention much larger. There were tables and tables overflowing with gourmet food and bottles of the finest wine and champagne from all over the globe. The group slowly filled the room, stuffing their faces with hors d'oeuvres. I stood near a table, sipping champagne when my mother walked in from the side door. Her snow white dragged on the floor and was slightly stained green from the dragging of the grass. Curiosity getting the better of me, I walked over to my mother, who was happily chatting away with her sister, back facing me. I was about to tap her shoulder when something red caught the corner of my eye. I squinted my eyes through the snow ad saw her sitting on a brown wooden bench as snow was beginning to pile upon the ground.
"Hermione?" I asked under my breath.
"Oh, yes. That's her. Why she's still sitting out there is beyond me dear. Oh! My my my! Look how all of you have grown! Draco! DRACO! Come here and say hello to your cousins!"
I rolled my eyes as I heard the all too familiar high-pitched giggles that came from my cousins'. All blonde, tall, and slender, they were picture perfect. I turned around to face the trio and was very surprised by what I saw. Each of them clinging to the arm of a young man, they were now shaking, trying to suppress their fit of giggles.
"Oh Draco! It's been too long!" said the oldest one.
"Oh indeed has it! We've missed you so!" said the second.
"I've heard so much about your fiancé! Would you mind clarifying what I have heard?" said the youngest.
"Make it quick."
"OK! I heard she was very smart. Smarter you! Is it true?"
I sighed heavily. Hermione is outside, freezing while I'm stuck inside, answering absurd questions that happened to be passed around in the family.
"She smart and beautiful. Now if you'll excuse me."
"I heard she was a…a…a muggle."
"You heard wrong. She's not a muggle."
"I heard she has filthy blood. Muggle blood!" said the second.
"A mudblood! Absurd! Malfoys have more sense than that."
"Oh, on the contrary, she is a muggle-born. That word is not allowed to be used under this roof." I spat back impatiently.
They gasped loudly and began whispering furiously among themselves, shielding their mouths with their manicured hands.
"Um, uh, we need to go."
Without waiting for a response, they hurried away, practically dragging the men along with them.
I turned my attention back to Hermione, who was still sitting there. Wrapping my robe more closely around me and wrinkling my eyebrows in confusion, I walked across the path, snow quietly crunching beneath my expensive Italian shoes.
"Hermione? What are you doing?"
Her head snapped up in surprise and smiled at me brightly as I held my hand out. She took it gracefully as I hoisted her up and wrapped my arms around her body. She was shivering slightly and specks of snow melted against her rosy cheeks as I led her inside.
"So what were you doing?" I asked again as I took off my robe and placed it on her shoulders.
"Oh, I was thinking. I had a talk with your mother and, I just needed to think." She replied as she pulled my overly large robe around her shoulders.
"What did you talk about?"
"Everything. Did you know your father was sent to St. Mungo's for mental help after the war?"
"Yes. I was the one who suggested it."
"Why would you do that to your own father? Did you know he hit your mother?" she asked in incredulity.
"Yes, I knew. But I also knew that mother could take anything my father threw at her, so I wasn't worried. But look at what it did to him. He's a changed man. It was for the better. If I didn't, he would just try to find a replacement. I didn't want to see you get hurt, so I persuaded my mother to send him there. It is a decision I don't regret, and I highly doubt she does either."
"Are the guests here?"
"Yes and they're all waiting for you."
"Thanks. No pressure." She replied sarcastically.
I cast a heating charm as we stepped inside and she handed back my robe. The noise came to halt as Hermione's red heels clicked against the marble surface. The crowd parted as I led her to the stage. Whispers erupted as we past by, our backs facing them. I shot a glare over my shoulder as I held Hermione closer sensing her uneasiness.
I spun around and glared angrily at the people who were supposed to be my family. They looked back at me with interest and surprise and I enchanted my voice to boom through the ballroom.
"Everyone. I would like to introduce you to my fiancé, Hermione Granger."
Once again, whispers erupted from the crowd as Hermione looked down at her shoes.
"She is a muggleborn."
Gasps came from many mouths as my announcement rang clear through the large room.
"We will be getting married, and if you have a problem with that, you can take it up with me right now! SHUT UP! FOR MERLIN'S SAKE STOP WHISPERING AND SAY IT OUT LOUD IF YOU'RE NOT AFRAID!" I roared, causing everyone to flinch with a mix of pain and surprise.
"Draco! There must be a mistake! You can't possibly marry her kind! It is a disgrace!" shouted my aging grandmother.
"Here here! We all worked very hard to keep our family strictly pureblood. You're spitting on our faces if you marry her!" shouted my father's other brother.
Murmurs of agreement filled the room.
"You don't deserve the fortune Draco! I thought it was disgraceful enough when you decided that the being a death eater wasn't for you! You bring shame upon your family! You bring shame upon our name! But I can't blame you; I blame your sorry excuse for a father! First allowing your son to decline the Dark Lord's offer to join him, then allowing your wife to ship you away to St. Mungo's for mental help! Never have I seen more shame! Then, you welcome this creature with open arms? Have I not raised you well enough for you to get these simple concepts through your head!" bellowed a sickly old man that roared at me, than Lucius.
"Watch your mouth old man. You are not in the position to talk to anyone that way anymore. You are barely alive." I retorted.
He glared back at me from dark eye shielded by silver-blonde eyebrows.
"You had best straighten out your son Lucius, because I will not give my fortune to some spoiled brat."
"Too late you fool. You already signed the contract. It is hidden well, so don't bother looking for it. I already have the fortune ready to go as soon as graduate from school and enter this house the day after the fortune is mine by contract. So you can sod off you old fool."
More gasps. I was tired of hearing him bark orders. It was all he ever did. I was in control now.
"DRACO! How could you say that to your grandfather? He shaped our name into what it is today, a powerful wizarding family with not a speck of muggle in it! This cannot be allowed!" exclaimed my mother's sister.
"Fine then. Don't attend the weeding. I'm not asking you. I surely didn't ask you to come here. And I most definitely didn't ask for a lot of loud gossipers to be my family either! But stuff happens. Stuff we don't expect to. I didn't expect to fall in love with her, but I did. Now, if you have a problem with that, you may leave and never come back. And if you don't, I don't want to hear anything negative said about my fiancé. Is that clear?" I spat back, more calm than I had a right to be.
Everyone stayed in the same place except for my sickly old grandfather who just wheeled away on his chair, out the front door, muttering curses under his breath.
I turned to Hermione who was staring at me with awe. I smiled and kissed the top of her head before I led her off the stage. I signaled the orchestra and they began playing a slow song. I led her to the buffet table and poured her a glass of champagne.
"I can't believe you just told off your grandfather for me."
"I would do anything for you Hermione. I guarantee that."
I smirked at her and set my cup down to gaze at her. Perfectly toned skin, dazzling chocolate eyes, silky hair…what did I do to deserve this?
"Um, Hermione is it?" said my oldest cousin apprehensively, followed by the other two.
"Yes it is."
"Um, I-we would like to welcome you to the family. By Draco's speech up there, we all know he really does love you."
"Yes, we all find it very touching. It's good to see that my cousin has finally found someone to settle down with. He was always the free spirit. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
It was the same for most of them. It was obvious that half of them were faking it. But my glares set them straight. No one messes with me or Hermione. That was final. I loved her too much to let words hurt her.
I was purely exhausted after the party. Some of his family members had very tight grips and I'm sure they were trying to break my hand on purpose. Draco comforted me through each member, which I was very grateful for. Narcissa's family wasn't so bad. They were much more understanding than Lucius's was. Well, all except for one of her sisters. I didn't even bother changing before the comfort of the pillow called me into a deep sleep. I smiled inwardly, not having enough energy to actually smile, as Draco took off my shoes and tuck me in. He pecked my cheek gingerly as I left, looking back on my sleeping figure. He loves me…
A/N: OMFG! I'M DONE! YES! I know its been a while, but writers block sucks major beans. I have tons of homework but I decided to write this first! The next chapter is much more interesting than this one. I swear that it WILL be better. I think this is the last chapter with fluff. :thinks about it: Yup. This is the last one. I think I'll give you a really small preview of the next chapter just to show you.
"Hermione. I don't know. I don't want to push you." He whispered worriedly into my ear.
"This is my choice Draco. I choose to give it to you, because I love you."
"Are you sure? I don't want this to be one of those mistakes."
"The only mistake I will be making is giving it to you if you don't accept it."
He nodded his head and lifted me up into his muscular arms. I reclined back and rested my head against his strong shoulder. This was my choice. I'm ready. I'm ready…
A/N: Yes, that is the preview of the next chapter. Can you guess? R & R.