Chapter Four
Hermione woke with a start. Her daughter was shaking her.
"What is it?" She snapped angrily. What a way to wake someone up!
She was dreaning of bejewled tiaras and grand palaces…
"Father's here. He wants an answer today."
"I'm sleeping. Too bad."
"Mum! It's one oclock! Exactly how much sleep did you get last night, anyway?"
Hermione groaned and peered at the mirror on the wall. She was a mess, especially her hair.
"He's just siting there waiting?"
"Aunt Lav is chating him up. I'll tell him you'll be down soon. Man you need some serious fixing up."
She skipped off, huming.
Hermione got up and washed her face, then twisted her hair into a pony-tail, glamoured the dark circles off her eyes and applied some pink eyeshadow. Now that her face was done, she pulled put a v-necklined white shirt with swirly sleeves and a tight knee-lenthed black skirt. She posed in front of the mirror. Good, no evidence of her lack of sleep. After wearing her black and white sandals, she went out and descended the stairs.
Draco looked up at her, and she could tell he took a sharp intake of breath. Him, Celeste and the nosy Lavender were siting there, awaiting her decision.
"Good afternoon," she said, as if it was just another normal routine day.
They all returned the greeting.
"OK. Enough with the pretence. What have you decided?" Draco wanted to know.
"I'll… Well, Celeste and I will go back and live with you. It's high time we returned to England after all these years, anyway."
Celeste hooped with joy. Draco and Lavender beamed.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Accio your things and let's get moving!"
aa!a!
Hermione stumbled against her daughter at the address Draco had instructed her to side-along apparate at with Celeste. She found herself facing a rainforest.
Just then, Draco appeared by her side.
He lifted his wand, and waved it.
A huge castle, almost as big as Hogwarts, appeared before them.
Hermione gasped. Celeste was gazing up at it, dumbstruck and mesmerized.
"For future reference, the incantation is 'Materialize Malfoy Manor'- my great grandfather's doing." He turned and faced their impressed expressions, with amusement. "That's only the main one. Mother lives here too. There's another one located elsewhere, which is a tall tower. No one's entered it in a decade, I believe. The third one is merely a palace, which my great-aunt resides in. Well, let's not just stand there, get in."
While they passed the huge oak doors and into the enterance hall which size was equivilent to the Burow, Hermione felt herself very lucky indeed to be living in a spacious luxurious place. The three of them made their way down some corridors. There were doors everywhere!
"You didn't tell us that you lived in a castle!" Celeste accused, narrowing her eyes at her father.
"Didn't want you to think I was exaggerating." He shrugged. "Koolia?"
With a 'pop', a house-elf appeared before them.
"Yes, master?" The house-elf bowed.
"You are now appointed to serve my daughter, Celeste. You'll need to escort her places, and show her around. Take her to her room. We'll see you at dinner, sweets."
Celeste wordlessly left with the house-elf. Hermione felt nervous, strolling along with Draco all by herself.
"Where's your mother?" Hermione took a stab at attempting to break the silence which was lingering after Celeste's departure.
"Over at her friend's house. She tends to feel quite lonely when I'm not around." He said offhandedly. "I would like to talk to you, Hermione." He said, coming to a hault besides a huge portrait of a haughty yet beautiful witch. He pushed against it, it swung. A simple yet elegant siting room with antique furnishing and a fireplace stood before them. "Inside." He said quietly, and Hermione hesitated to oblige.
"Right. Well, now that you're living here with me," he said slowly, siting at a plump couch opposite her. "I want to discuss our situation. You see, the Malfoys are respectable amongst society, save for the Death-Eater situation which is now cleared up. We take pride in etiquette and living up to great expectations. Now, you know that it's considered a taboo for us to live together and initiate in inappropriate activities whilst we're not married. People will find out that you live here, and there will be raised eyebrows. It's quite acceptable in the muggle universe, but not with us."
"Malfoy," Hermione laughed, cuting in. "I don't even know you. And nor you me. You can't be suggesting we get married! It's absurd. I don't even love you. And you don't care very much about me, either. So.- oh, this conversation is ridiculous! I'm sorry, but no can do."
Draco's gray eyes turned to a darker shade.
"First of all, with marriage, we can really get to know one another as time passes. And as for love… Hermione, after your disappearance, well…"
He failed to carry on. He was no Gryffindor, expressing his emotions with pride after all. But his meaning was clear. Hermione was stunned.
He stood up and towered over her. She quivered slightly at his imposed figure. But he gently gripped her shoulders and lowered his lips against hers.
It was the most passionate kiss Hermione had ever experienced, and so she found herself returning it.
He gently broke it.
"Please," he said quietly, withdrawing a small box from his pocket. "Do me the honor of becoming my bride."
He opened the box. A six-carrot ruby on a white-gold ring.
Hermione paused to think about it. It was all too sudden… but it would do a world of good to Celeste to have a healthy family. And Draco was renown for a catch of a bachelor, and he did love her… so if she kept him on his toes, he might very well find someone else to maintain the 'respectable family name' he sought. And she wouldn't have that. Besides, she might like this improved Malfoy.
"Yes," she sighed. "Draco, let's get married."
Draco happily scooped her in his arms and led her off to a bedroom. Hermione knew that the memories of the rape that haunted her would now be replaced with pleasant reveries…
He placed her on a bed. She giggled when he nuzzled her neck. She wanted him now!
"Did you miss this?" He asked mischievously between kissing her. "I know I did."
Hermione smiled dreamily. Maybe she should start believing in fairy-tales…
aa!a!
Celeste made her way to the dining room, followed by Koolia as if she were her bodyguard.
"This place is huge!" She exclaimed at her parents upon entering, and seating herself. "And the library is definitely the best. I feel like Annie Warbucks!"
She stopped. Something weird was happening. Her parents seemed… happy. They were siting next to one another on the table.
"Is there something I should know?" She asked slowly.
"We're getting married." Hermione beamed, holding up her hand to show her the exquisite ring.
Celeste was speechless. Too much happy news all in one day.
"And honey, how would you like to be a big sister?" Draco asked her warmly.
At this, Celeste felt sick at the thought of them doing it… but she also beamed.
"I would like that very much!"
Awww… but you all know, that happy endings are sometimes for stories that haven't finished yet? I'm only considering a trilogy "Monster In-Law."… Narcrissa Malfoy isn't too happy about her only child marrying a 'mudblood', and will go at any length to destroyhis newfound happiness- including finding spinsters to woo the man. No promises though. So for now, THE END. Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews. I wrote this story for you people.