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Chapter Twenty-Four: A Very Eventful Year

Three days later it was finally time for them to leave Hogwarts and return home. For Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco it would be the last time they left the school so it was arranged for them to travel on the Hogwarts Express. Jaide would also be travelling with them, along with Remus. Severus had arranged his own transport and would say goodbye to Jaide at the train station. The Weasley family had already left, allowing the children some space on their last ride on the Express.

"Haven't Fred and George gotten rid of those ears yet Ron?" Ginny giggled as they boarded the train.

"Well duh. How ever did you guess?" he replied grumpily, turning red as the others snickered at him.

"Ignore them Weasel." Draco told him, "I think they suit you."

Hermione slapped him gently on the arm and gave him a reproving look before following him onto the train.

"Are you sure you won't come with us Sev?" Jaide asked once all the kids had gone.

"No. I have some things I need to take care of."

"Oh. Well, I guess this is goodbye then." She blinked as her eyes teared up.

"I'll come by and visit in a week." He paused and removed a small piece of cloth from his robes, "Uh, I don't know if you still want this but seeing as it is technically your's I thought I'd best give it back."

She curiously took the cloth and unfolded it. Inside was a beautiful and intricate silver ring set with a smooth, round emerald.

"Oh my god, I thought I'd lost it. Where'd you find it?"

"You left it in your apartment the night you left. I found it the next day."

"Thankyou Sev." She kissed him and quickly jumped onto the train as it pulled away.

Severus stood and watched as the train shrank into the distance before silently turning around and walking back up to the castle.

"Could I please talk to Ron alone?" Hermione asked.

"Sure." Harry said, leading the others out of the compartment.

Once they were alone Ron looked up at her, "What is it 'Mione?"

"Don't pretend like you don't know Ron. Are you okay with everything that has happened?"

"Honestly, no. I love you 'Mione and it hurts that you've chosen Draco…" he hesitated, "But, if he makes you happy then it wouldn't be fair of me to want it any other way."

"So, we're still friends."

"The very best."

She smiled and hugged him before they walked out to find the others. Draco eyed them suspiciously but chose not to say anything and they all sat down to talk about the year's events.

"I can't believe you're engaged 'Mione." Ginny squealed.

"Neither can I. What are my parents going to say?"

"What if they don't like me?" Draco asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, they'll love you."

"Who are you going to ask to be your maid of honour Hermione?" Ginny asked pointedly.

"Oh, I dunno. I can't think of a single person." Hermione said airily.

"Didn't you say you were going to ask Ginny?" Ron looked confused.

"I was messing with her Ronald."

"Oh, well how was I supposed to know?"

Harry laughed, "It was tad obvious. So, Draco, any idea who's going to be your best man?"

"Well, I don't have any friends do I. I guess it'll have to be you Harry."

"Oh, way to make me feel like you actually want me to."

"I'm only kidding." Draco grinned and got down on one knee, "Harry James Potter, will you do me the honour of being my best man."

Harry giggled in a high-pitched voice, "Oh Draco, I thought you'd never ask."

The others were in hysterics at the display and when Jaide and Remus walked in they seemed very confused.

"Are you guys okay?" Remus looked concerned.

"Y…yes." Hermione gasped.

"What's so funny?" Jaide asked.

"Draco proposed to Harry?" Ginny informed her.

"Huh? Okay, this is way confusing. Could you please calm down guys?"

Once the teens had stopped rolling around they sat down and started digging their way through the pile of sweets Jaide had bought them from Hogsmeade.

"So Jaide, when are you and Professor Snape gonna get hitched?" Ron asked.

Jaide looked startled, "I dunno, we haven't discussed it. I would like to wait a while though. I have no idea what Sev wants to do."

"But he gave you a ring? So, are you engaged?" Ginny said.

"What, this old thing? He gave this to me when he graduated but I left it behind when I moved to Australia. It isn't an engagement ring, it's a promise ring."

"That is so romantic. I can't believe you went out with him in school and now you're back together again. It's like you were made for each other."

Draco rolled his eyes, "I never thought you'd be Professor Snape's type."

"Why not?"

"I dunno. You're just so loud and outgoing. And nice."

"You do realise that whole mean and scary thing is just an act guys. Sev is really quite sweet once you get to know him."

"Sweet!" Harry scoffed.

"Okay, maybe not sweet. But he's heaps better than you'd think."

"Sure." Ron said sarcastically.

"Hey! Do you honestly think I'd be with him if he was as bad as you thought?"

"Uh, Jaide. I think it's just you that he's nice to." Remus told her.

"Why d'ya think that Remmy?"

"Well, you were the first person at Hogwarts to ever be genuinely nice to him. I think he trusts you for it but with everyone else he's always bitter."

"I knew I was his first real friend but surely someone had been nice to him before me."

"Not that I know of. Sirius was instantly popular and he instantly disliked Snape. Everyone sorta followed Siri's example."

"Geez, I didn't know it was that bad. So, see here kids, just remember that he's only the way he is because of how he was treated when he was young."

"Right, all is forgiven." Harry shook his head, "So, what are you going to name your kid 'Mione?"

"Haven't thought about it. What do you think Draco?"

"Er, if it's a boy I would like to name him uh, Draco Junior."

"Oh excellent, another Draco Malfoy set loose upon the world." Ron grimaced.

"Ronald! I think it's a lovely idea Draco. If it's a girl though I'd like to name her Jessica, after my grandmother."

"Okay love."

"Enough of this chit chat, lets play some Exploding Snap." Ginny exclaimed.

They played for the rest of the ride, stopping occasionally to go for a walk and stretch their legs. Halfway through the trip Jaide and Remus left the compartment and did not reappear until they arrived.

"They should be here any minute." Tonks told Hermione's parents.

"Good." David Granger sighed, looking at his watch.

Just as his watch ticked over to three thirty the Express pulled in and the trio ran up to greet its passengers as they disembarked.

Tonks hugged Jaide tightly, "It's so good to see you again Aunt Jaide."

"You too Nymphadora. You were only three the last time I saw you. Sorry I missed you after the big fight."

"No one actually calls me Nymphadora Jaide, call me Tonks. I wasn't really three was I?"

"Yup. That was just before I moved."

"God, I remember it so clearly."

"Well, it was great seeing you again."

"Definitely."

Meanwhile, Hermione had walked over to her parents with Draco.

"Hey mum and dad. This is Draco Malfoy."

"Hello Draco. Are you Hermione's boyfriend?" Lauren asked.

"Sort of…" he trailed off.

Hermione took a deep breath, "Draco's my fiancée."

"WHAT! You are not old enough to get engaged young lady." Her father bellowed.

"But dad…"

"No buts, now you will drop this nonsense and wait until you're older."

"DAD!" she shouted, making him fall silent, "I'm pregnant."

"Hermione, you're usually so responsible." Lauren cried.

"It's okay mum. I love Draco and he loves me. We want to get married and we're excited about the baby."

"Are you sure this is what you want dear?"

"Yes mum."

"Are you saying that you condone this behaviour Lauren?"

"If they truly love each other then yes, I'm fine with it."

David shrugged his shoulders, seeing he was outnumbered, "Welcome to the family then Draco." He said with a very forced smile.

"Oi Draco!" Jaide called, "We gotta go."

"I guess I'll see you later love." Draco kissed Hermione and followed Jaide out of the station.

"Welcome to the noble and most ancient house of Black Draco." Jaide said cheerfully as they stepped out of her car.

"It looks… derelict." He scowled.

"Nothing a bit of hard work can't fix. I do believe it's quite a bit better than it was when the Order first moved in."

"I'm sure." He rolled his eyes.

"Hey Draco, it's not that bad. Once you get used to the smell of decay and the creaking sounds in the night." Harry said.

"Hey Tonks, are my mum and dad in?" Ron asked.

"I think your dads at work but your mum should be there."

"Cool." He ran ahead and burst through the door, followed closely by Ginny.

"Well Draco, this is it huh." Jaide patted his shoulder.

"Yup, home sweet home."

AN: HaHa, two more to go.