That statement would be classified as a whiplash statement. Draco hadn't expected anyone to be in the Heads' dorms. Draco stood and spun toward the sound of the voice only to see nothing. Draco quickly pulled Hermione off the couch and up to himself. He held her tight. The voice came once more.
"Don't be afraid Draco…I won't harm you're little girlfriend." Justin Finch-Feltchley stepped out from the shadows. "Good work you did out there. Especially you Granger…didn't think you had it in you…" Draco felt Hermione tense under his arms. He tightened his grip. "And you Draco…never thought I'd see the day that you would go up against your father. Not to mention Lord Voldemort. Most feared wizard in a long time was he? I see you have a bit of Gryffindor in you Draco…Granger rubbed off on you has she?"
"What do you want Finch?" Draco said menacingly.
"Just to congratulate you on your victory. That's all Draco." Finch said with an evil grin on his face.
"You've done so…now get out." Draco was slowly growing angry.
"Now, now, now Draco. Is that a way to treat a fellow Slytherin?"
"Only if it's you. Get out."
"Alright fine. I was just trying to be friendly and tell you that the Slytherins are very upset with you…"
"I don't care. I'll take them on too…I've stopped powerful wizards…they'd be no problem…"
"Don't be so sure Draco."
"Get out, now. And if I ever find you've been in here again you won't leave…get out." Draco was trying so hard not to go at Finch's neck. Now Hermione was holding Draco back. Finch smirked and walked toward the portrait hole. Once it had closed Draco turned to Hermione. She hugged him. He hugged her back and gave her a gentle kiss. "I hate him."
"Shhh…Draco calm down."
"How'd he even get in here?"
"I don't know. But he's gone now. It's ok."
"No it's not baby. If he got in here once, he can get in here again. I don't want you by yourself anymore. Especially not here."
"Draco -"
"Hermione please! I know him! He's not someone you can mess with Hermione. I don't want you hurt. He'll get the rest of the Slytherins in on it too. Please. Just have someone with you all the time."
"Ok. Alright I will. I promise." Hermione hugged him again. They stood there holding each other for a while.
Draco and Hermione were in their common room trying to concentrate on something other than the health of their friends and it was beginning to grow dark. Something outside caught Draco's eye. "Hermione?"
"Yeah."
"What's at the window?" Hermione turned toward the window to see Hedwig.
"That's Hedwig. Harry's owl." Hermione walked over to the window and opened it. Hedwig jumped in and held out it's leg which had a small piece of parchment tied to it. Hermione untied it and began to read. Draco walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What's that?"
"A note from Harry. It says that he and Ron have been released from the hospital wing but Ginny is still in bad condition. She's gone into a coma. Oh my gosh…"
"Hermione." Draco said as Hermione began to tear up and go weak. "Hermione don't. Please. Come on you have to be strong. Come on…we'll go see her." Draco was holding Hermione up by her arms.
"Ok." Hermione said softly. Draco walked Hermione over to the portrait hole and out toward the hospital wing. They reached the doors to the wing. Draco pushed the doors open softly, still supporting Hermione. "Ginny." Hermione squeaked as she saw Harry and Ron standing on either side of Ginny's bed. Draco walked Hermione over to the bed. Hermione broke down then. Tears freely flowing. She looked at Ron's sullen and quiet expression. Harry was looking quite depressed as well. Ron was losing his only sister, Harry was losing his girlfriend, and Hermione was losing her best girl friend. None of them knew what to think of the situation. Draco sat Hermione in the chair next to Ginny's bed. Hermione looked over at the only daughter to the Weasley family. 'She just has to pull through. She has to.' Hermione took Ginny's hand. It was ice cold. Harry would hold her other hand but it reminded him too much of his 2nd year when he had to rescue Ginny from Tom Riddle. She had been ice cold then too. It scared Harry to think he may be losing her again. They all sat in silence until Madame Pomfrey came to check on Ginny.
"Ah Miss Granger. Would you mind helping me? Just open her mouth if you would." Madame Pomfrey had a potion in her hand. Hermione nodded and quietly stood and opened Ginny's mouth. Harry turned not wanting to see his girlfriend in this state. Ron went to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Madame Pomfrey finished pouring the concoction and stood straight. "Now, Mr. Potter, please. Go shower and have something to eat. As well as you Mr. Weasley."
"I don't want to leave her." Harry said defiantly.
"Harry…go…we'll stay." Hermione said quietly. Harry looked from Hermione and Draco to Ginny to Madame Pomfrey to Ron, and nodded. He quietly walked out of the wing with Ron closely following. Madame Pomfrey walked into her office and closed the door. Hermione turned to Ginny and her eyes filled with tears again. "I shouldn't have let her go out there. She wasn't ready. It's my fault she's in a coma. She's only 16. She didn't need to be out there." Draco quickly walked to Hermione and held her close.
"Hermione it's not your fault. She went out there and did a great job. She went out there with the knowledge and pride of the Light Side. She finished with the dignity and knowing that she did a great job out there. It's not your fault baby. Things like this happen."
"Look at her Draco. Touch her hand. She's ice cold. If she doesn't make it -"
"Hermione don't talk like that. She will make it. She's strong." Hermione broke down with heavy sobs. Draco held her close. "She'll pull through. Just give her time. Madame Pomfrey will have her as good as new soon enough." Hermione didn't answer. She just sat there holding Draco.
"Harry…you alright mate?" Ron asked as the two walked toward Gryffindor Tower.
"Yeah." Harry said quietly. "You?"
"Sure." Ron fell silent. "Harry…d'you think…"
"What?" "
D'you think Madame Pomfrey can get Ginny back to good health?"
"Yeah. I'm just worried…"
"Me too mate. She's your girl and all and my only sister. Got to keep her in the family to keep my mother sane I suppose." Harry gave a small smile.
"Yeah I suppose so." The two said nothing for a bit. Harry finally broke the silence. "Ron…I've been thinking for a while now…I really do love Ginny…and I'm pretty sure she feels the same way…but, I've been thinking that after Ginny finishes her 7th year that I'll ask her to marry me…would that be alright with you?"
"Of course! You're my best mate! It'd be wicked to have you as my brother-in-law!" Ron was beaming and in turn so was Harry.
"Good."
"Hermione…Draco…we're back." Harry gently shook Hermione. She was still sitting on Draco's lap, both of them sleeping quietly.
"Oh. Ok. Feel better?"
"Yeah. Why don't you and two go get something to eat. You look like you could use a good meal about now." Ron said looking at Hermione.
"Yeah…suppose I could." Hermione smiled and stood. As did Draco. Draco smiled at Harry and Ron. He took Hermione's hand.
"We'll come back up after we've eaten." Draco told Harry. Harry nodded. Draco and Hermione walked down to the kitchens slowly. Many thoughts were running through Draco's head. The major one being Hermione. He loved her so much. She had been there for him when no one else was. She understood him. He understood her, for the most part. He loved the way she talked, the way she walked, the way she smiled. She was so beautiful. She was so intelligent. She was really funny. She fit into his arms perfectly. There was just no denying that they were meant to be together. They were so similar. It was like they were meant to go through the past 6 years to find out how they really felt about each other. He really did want to spend the rest of his life with the girl that was holding his hand. He only hoped she felt the same. Meanwhile Hermione was thinking the same thoughts. She was thinking of how great Draco was. He was smart, second in their year. He was funny. He understood her, for the most part. He was drop dead gorgeous, Quidditch had done the body good. She felt so safe in his strong arms. Like nothing in the world could ever hurt her if she was in his arms. As long as he was holding her, touching her, near her, nothing could come between them. She loved him with everything that was in her. This boy…man…that was holding her hand right now was perfect for her. She could feel it in her bones. She could spend the rest of her life with him. It felt right. She only hoped he felt the same.
They walked into the kitchen after tickling the giant pear. About 5 or 6 elves came bustling up to serve wherever needed. The two were lead to a small table where they sat and waited for their meal. Draco looked across the little table at Hermione. He took her hand and looked into her eyes. She smiled. He returned it. I hope she accepts. Draco thought to himself.
"Mr. Malfoy. Your dinner is served." Dobby came up carrying two plates.
"Thank you Dobby. Excuse me a moment, love." Draco said as he stood. Hermione smiled and nodded. Draco waved Dobby out of Hermione ear shot. "Dobby. Could please get a long stem red rose, tie a black ribbon around the stem, and put this ring in the center of the blossom?" Draco asked handing Dobby a silver engagement ring.
"No problem Mr. Malfoy. I will arrive back with it when you are through with your meals, sir."
"Thank you very much Dobby."
"You are very welcome Mr. Malfoy." Dobby scurried off and Draco returned to his seat. Hermione looked up at him.
"What was that all about?" Hermione smiled.
"You'll find out soon enough, love, soon enough." Please let her accept. I don't know what I'd do if she didn't. Draco just smiled. They began to eat.
"Mr. Malfoy." Dobby came up to Draco once he and Hermione had finished their meal.
"Yes Dobby. Thank you."
"It is no problem sir." Dobby smiled knowingly. He walked off and disappeared so as to give Draco the privacy he needed. Draco looked at the rose that Dobby had fixed. The bow on the stem was perfect. The ring was placed just right. He looked up at Hermione and took a deep breath. He handed Hermione the rose. She smiled and sniffed. Something solid hit her nose. She pulled the rose away from her face. She looked down into the blossom. She pulled out a gorgeous silver engagement ring. Tears began to well in her eyes. Draco took the ring and kneeled in front of her.
"Hermione…baby…love…you know I've liked you since 3rd year. Since we were 13. Now we're 17 and I love you. We're almost out of school. We'll be starting our lives. We'll get careers and go out into the big world and live our lives and grow old. Hermione, I want you to be the one I do all of that with. I want you to be my wife. And I want you to be the mother of my children. I want you. No one else will do. So Hermione…will you marry me?" Draco was looking at Hermione with utmost intent. If she said no… He noticed she was crying. Are those tears of joy…or sorrow…He didn't have time to ponder the question as Hermione flung her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the passion, lust, love, respect, and thankfulness she could muster. He kissed back with the same, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her onto the floor with him. When they broke apart she was sitting on his lap. She looked at him. "I'm guessing this means yes?"
"Yes. Draco I love you too. I want to go through life with you. I want to have your children. I want to be able to call you my husband. I want you to be the one by my side. Draco there's no one else that could take your place. After I've been with you…I would only compare any other to you. None would."
"I love you so much." Draco said. He slowly slipped the ring on her left ring finger. He looked back up and kissed her again.
"Draco…I don't want to leave but…I'm really worried about Ginny." Hermione said sadly. Draco looked in her eyes. He saw pain…the pain of knowing one of her best friends was slowly dying. He saw love…the love she had for him. He saw a mixed emotion of guilt and longing. He knew those to be guilt of leaving after he had just asked her to spend the rest of their life together. And longing to go to her friend.
"I understand. Let's go." Draco stood and took Hermione's hand. They thanked the elves and walked out into the corridor toward the Hospital Wing. They were almost there when Harry came around the corner running. He spotted the two.
"Hermione! Draco! Quickly! It's Ginny!" Harry turned and began to run back to the Hospital doors. Hermione looked at Draco and he looked back. There was fear on their faces. Oh no! What happened! Both took off at a sprint, all the bad thoughts running through their heads.
A/N: So there's ch. 16! Hope you liked Draco's little speech there...if only all males had the ability to be romantic like that...such a pity...