A/N: I graduate on Saturday! Oh I'm so excited! Today (Thursday) was my last official class! I had to go to school at 8:15 to dissect a fetal pig in anatomy class, which was disgusting, and then I went home at 9:45. Oh my high school career is nearly over! And then I have college…eh…well, until that day comes I enjoy no more school! Thanks for all your encouraging reviews and emails! Remember, after this Sunday I will no longer be emailing out my Harry Potter essay. Thanks for understanding!
P.S. I saw Star Wars Episode III for the second time last night, it was beautiful once again. But I did not cry this time! Whoop whoop for me! Go see it if you haven't already! It's soooo good, and Hayden Christensen is wonderful! Just a warning, my HP story might have some hints of Star Wars in it later on, MAYBE. I haven't really decided yet.
ON WITH THE STORY!
Chap. 15 PlanningOctober the 15th was chilly and many people thought it would snow, but the game would go on, snow or shine. It was Puddlemere United versus the Holyhead Harpies. Hermione was faithfully in the stands with Ginny Weasley. They were rooting for their men, Draco and Harry. Puddlemere United was winning by 150 points, the game was exciting, but nothing spectacular happened, unlike last week's game. The October 6th game was Puddlemere versus the Falmouth Falcons, whom are known for hard playing. The Falcons had taken out two Puddlemere players within the first ten minutes of the game. Harry, Draco, their Captain(and Keeper) Skye Walker, and two chasers were left in the game, while the Falcons had all seven members still in play. The Falcons were leading 70 to 30. Draco was feeling very downhearted as he watched his second teammate be taken off the field, most likely carrying a few broken bones. He saw a Falcon beater throw a bludger at Harry. Draco shouted and warned Harry just in time, the bludger flew past Harry, tearing his robes. A few minutes later, Harry saved Draco from a bludger that was thrown at him, Harry and Draco really were working hard on their teamwork this game. Falcons scored again, taking them up to 80. Draco screamed cheerfully when Harry knocked the Falcon's keeper to the ground. There was a minute time-out while they dragged the player from the field. Draco took this opportunity to fly over and consult with Harry.
'Alright, bloody good hit, their goal is undefended, so their beaters will have to work harder to guard goals, which allows me more freedom to search for the Snitch. You've got a great eye, Potter, so if you ever catch a glimpse of the Snitch, yell my name and direct me, time-wise.'
Harry nodded.
'With their Keeper gone we've got a better chance at getting this. You've also got to watch out for bludgers on your own a bit, and I'll watch for the Snitch.' Harry said to Draco.
A whistle blew, ending the time-out.
'All right, Malfoy, time to win.'
Harry and Draco flew opposite of each other, both looking out for bludgers and the Snitch. Within twenty minutes, Draco had dodged bludgers seven times and Puddlemere scored twice, bringing the score to 50 – 80. Draco looked constantly, in every direction, for the Snitch. He thought he caught a glimpse of it, and when he began to fly towards it, the Falcon's Seeker tipped Draco's broom, causing Draco to slide upside down. The Puddlemere fan-stands gasped, but then sighed in relief when Draco put himself right-side up.
'Watch yourself, Malfoy!' Harry called.
Draco narrowed his eyes at the grinning Falcon Seeker. Just as Draco was about to fly toward him with revenge, he heard Harry call,
'Malfoy! 9:00!'
Draco turned toward Harry's 9:00 position and saw a flutter of gold. He dashed towards it, the fastest he ever moved a broom, and the Snitch barely had time to move. Draco caught it within eight seconds. Cheers erupted from the fans and Puddlemere players. The Falcons cursed amongst themselves, but the Captain quickly said,
'Well, at least we broke a few heads.'
Harry and Draco have been on a first name basis since that game.
Well, as stated before, October 15th was chilly.
'How long do you think before one of the Seekers catches the Quidditch?' Ginny asked Hermione, who was huddled under a huge coat.
'I am not sure, they sure are taking their time out there. You'd think they'd want to be a bit quicker since it's so cold.' Hermione replied.
'They are actually exercising, Hermione. I don't think they're cold.'
'I suppose. So how did you persuade McGonagall to let you leave Hogwarts and come watch Harry's game?' Hermione asked her.
'I went straight to Dumbledore, actually. I told him about last week's game, and how terribly inhumane it was for me to miss it, and you know his relationship with Harry, so he granted me permission. He said for me not to worry about Professor McGonagall either, because he's personally speak with her.' Ginny said with a proud smile.
'Brilliant.'
'So, is it still difficult being away from Draco so many hours of the week? I mean you are in Oxfordshire, while he is in Wiltshire, and he has Quidditch training all day.'
'It's actually getting easier,' Hermione stated, 'if he's too busy to see me at least once, he calls me immediately after his practice. It's harder on him, really. Besides, you should know all about being away from a loved one for a long time, you still go to Hogwarts, and are rarely let out. You never get to see Harry.'
Ginny shrugged.
'He visits "Dumbledore" whenever he can, a.k.a. sees me. He also owls me nightly and I come home on the weekends. It's not too terrible, we're not engaged or anything anyway, unlike you and Draco. You guys get married in like seven months and you two haven't even begun to plan it have you?'
'Well, the season breaks in December until February, so we can plan a lot then, and then his season officially ends at the end of April.'
'Which is when you get married.' Ginny commented.
'No, I think we're getting married in May…'
'You think? Shouldn't you two have sorted this out already?' Ginny asked incredulously.
'Ginny! Stop freaking me out! It's only October, May is forever away!' Hermione sighed.
'I'm not trying to scare you, Hermione, sorry. I was just trying to make conversation.'
Hermione sat silently for a bit and thought.
'I'll have to talk to Draco about it after his game.' Hermione said.
She looked onto the field for Draco, and saw him, Harry and Captain Walker, strategizing. She smiled.
'Can you believe how close Harry and Draco have gotten?' Hermione asked Ginny.
'I was just thinking that.' Ginny replied with a smile. 'It makes since though, they have Quidditch in common and now are playing on the same team. They love Quidditch and would not do anything that could damage their playing, even petty childhood feuds.'
'But they even call each other by their first names.'
'What?'
'You didn't know!'
'No!'
'Oh, well, I guess you wouldn't know since you weren't at last week's game and this is the first time you've seen Harry since then. But yeah, since last week, whenever I talk to Draco about Quidditch, Draco goes off about different strategies and plays, you know, stuff I know nothing about,'
'Yeah, you're really ignorant and naïve when it comes to Quidditch.' Ginny laughed.
'You speak the truth, anyway, whenever Draco talks about plays and such, and addresses Harry, he says "Harry". Not Potter, not Pot-head, not Scarhead, but Harry.'
'Does Harry do the same for Draco?' Ginny asked anxiously.
'Yes! I called Harry two days after the game last week and he asked me if Draco was sore at all from their last game!'
'What?'
'I know! I'm so happy!'
'Does Draco realize he calls him Harry?'
'I don't know. I haven't said anything about it, just in case he doesn't realize it and he stops and goes back to "Potter".'
'That's a good call. I won't mention it to Harry, either.'
Both girls grinned at each other, and turned back to the game. Puddlemere United had 200 points, while Harpies had 30. Even if the Harpies did catch the Snitch, they would still be losing 200 to 180. But no need for that calculation anyway, because within the next five minutes Draco finally stopped being lazy and caught the Snitch.
(Some time after the game, after team meetings, and after goodbye to Ginny)
Draco was changed from his Quidditch robes, and was now wearing a thick gray hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans. His hood was pulled over his head, Hermione thought he looked very mysterious and sexy. She was waiting outside the Puddlemere locker room, when he walked out. He smiled at her from under his hood, and she moved underneath his waiting arm.
'Good job, Draco. Your team killed them!'
'Yeah, after about twenty minutes Harry and I pretty much got lazy and just slacked off, as bad as that sounds.'
Hermione smiled to herself, when he said "Harry".
'Why are you so happy?' He asked her.
'No reason.' She shrugged. 'Let's just get to your car.'
'Are you hungry at all, 'Mione? I'm not tired at all, and I'll take you out if you want.'
'Are you hungry?'
'I'd eat if you wanted to.'
'Sure, let's go grab a bite, I want to talk to you about some things anyway.'
'All right, there's a nice restaurant closer in the city we'll go there.'
'Sounds perfect.'
The couple reached the car and drove back to Oxfordshire. Draco drove up to a restaurant, but not the usual fancy Malfoy restaurant, because of their clothes, but a normal sit-in.
Hermione ordered a cappuccino and Draco ordered brandy.
'So, my love, what did you want to talk about?' Draco asked her.
'Spring.'
'Spring? My guess is the wedding, to what you are hinting at.' He said with a grin.
'Right, you are my young Padawan.' Hermione responded.
'What?' Draco asked in confusion.
'Never mind.' Hermione shrugged. 'Yes, I wanted to talk about the wedding. How are we going to plan for this?'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, first of all, let's decide WHEN we want to get married.'
'Spring.' Draco replied with a shrug.
'Yes, I know. But Spring consists of March, April and May. Which month do we want?'
'It's up to you, I don't care.'
'May?'
'May's fine.'
'Draco, please help me out here.' She pleaded.
'What do you mean? I didn't say anything wrong, I just said it was up to you. May is fine with me.'
'I don't want to be the only one planning it though.'
'My mother can help if you want.'
'No, no, no, Draco. I don't want your mother to help, I want to do this with you.'
'With me? You want me to be in charge of dates, places, flowers, food, etc…?'
'No, I want to do it all together.' She sighed.
'I'm not good at this kind of stuff.'
'Oh don't lie, Draco. I know you are a romantic. I bet I could leave this whole wedding up to you, and you'd make it beautiful…if you had time and weren't so busy.'
'Are you beginning to regret me making the Puddlemere United?' He asked.
'No! Not at all, I'm very glad to see you doing something you love.'
'But I am away from you a lot.' He said.
'I usually see you everyday, Draco. It's not that bad, don't worry about me.' She said with a smile, 'I just want to know that when the time comes around to begin really planning this wedding, hardcore, that you'll be there.'
'You know I will. I promise.' He told her.
'So, we're shooting for May?' She asked.
He nodded.
(Month later)
The wedding was to be May 11th. They were going to marry in St. Augustine's Church at 3:00. The guest list was large, but not extravagant, Draco made sure of that. Every free day Draco received, was dedicated to helping Hermione send out invitations. But until December, when the Quidditch season would be on break, Draco and Hermione had to put off every other wedding plan.
The Puddlemere United team was ranked third in the Quidditch League with a record of 16-3, and total point amount of 530 so far. The Montrose Magpies, were in the lead with a undefeated record of 19-0 and total point amount of 690, not too shabby. Harry and Draco still were playing well together, and still were on a first name basis. Harry was especially doing well these past few games because he was anxious for December to arrive, so Ginny could come home on Christmas Break. Draco was undecided about December. He was excited to spend more "quality" time with Hermione, and yet he knew that she was going to be gung-ho about planning out the wedding in December, and that discouraged him. He wanted to marry her, there's no doubt about that, but he rather just hire an expensive wedding planner and put all their free time towards having passionate sex. He was not about to suggest that to Hermione though.
—Last game before December break—
The Puddlemere United team won an easy game versus the Chudley Cannons; their record was now 17-3.
Draco did well, even though the entire game was dedicated toward finding Ron in the stands, pummeling him, then making sure Hermione was okay. Neither happened.
After the game, and locker room meeting, Draco hurried out to find Hermione. She was waiting outside the locker rooms as usual. He smiled when he saw her.
'Oh good, you're here.' He said just before kissing her.
'Where else would I be?'
'With Weasel somewhere comforting him since his pathetic team lost.'
'I talked to Ron before your game started, he went off with his girlfriend after that.'
Draco was taken aback.
'What did you say? I'm sorry, but I thought you said, Weasley had a girlfriend.'
'He does. Her name is Delilah and she's lovely. He met her in the stands after he tried out for the Puddlemere team.'
'What?'
'I didn't know either until about two hours ago when I met her. I don't even think Gin knows.'
'The girl stayed with him even after he didn't make it?'
'I stayed with you after you didn't make it.'
'I did make it.'
'But you thought you didn't, and I didn't leave you for that short period of time, did I?'
'No, but the Weasel's different.' He shrugged, 'What's the girl's name?'
'Delilah Redstone.'
'Redstone? They are a rich, pureblood family! What's a Redstone doing with a Weasley!'
'Draco, do you even realize what spews forth from your mouth? Our relationship is worse than theirs. You are a rich, pureblood and I'm a mudblood.'
'Don't call yourself that, besides…Weasel is Weasel. I bet Delilah doesn't know about his past with women…'
'She might not, and don't you go out of your way to make sure she does! Ron is happy and I want him to stay this way!'
'Fine…fine…' He grumbled.
'Good job on your game, by the way, another win.'
'Thanks.'
Suddenly someone ran out of the locker rooms behind them excitedly.
'It's December!' Harry cried.
'Yes it is, Harry.' Hermione replied.
'Ginny finally comes home for two weeks…in two weeks.' He told her.
'I know, she's very excited.'
'Well, I'm off to go Christmas gift shopping for Gin, bye 'Mione, bye Draco.'
'Bye Harry!' Hermione cried.
'Good game, Harry.' Draco called as Harry ran off.
'Yeah, you too.' Harry said back.
'Well,' Hermione began as soon as Harry ran off, 'It's December, time to start planning. We have two and a half months before your Quidditch starts back up.'
'Not to put a downer on your plans, but you do realize I have to workout everyday to stay in a shape right?'
'Yeah, but it won't be as severe as practices, will it?' Hermione asked.
'I don't know, it depends how unfit I feel that day.'
'Oh.' She said sorrowfully.
He immediately felt bad.
'I'll try to workout late nights though, so we can go do whatever in the mornings and afternoon.' He told her.
'I don't want to make you stay up late just to do what I want to do.'
'It's our wedding. I can stay up until like midnight, to get a workout in.'
'Maybe I should workout with you. I feel so…gross, because you are so in shape and you're constantly working out while I sit at home like a fat pig.'
Draco laughed loudly, as he wrapped his arm around her.
'No, you're fine, love. Don't worry about working out, I just keep it up to keep up my speed. You don't need to do that.' He responded, 'So what is on the agenda for tomorrow?'
'We have to set up a caterer and flowers.'
'Already?' Draco asked.
'We have to order the flowers early to make sure we get the ones they want and to make sure they'll be available in May, same with the caterers. What kind of food do you want?'
'Not fish.'
'I asked you what you wanted, not what you don't want.'
'Well, work with me here, 'Mione. I gave you what I don't want, now you can narrow it down from there.'
'Fine we'll talk to the caterers about it tomorrow.'
—January—
Draco and Hermione actually planned things together. They were still getting married the 11th of May at 3:00. They ordered tiger lilies and special ordered hibiscus flowers from Maui, as their flowers to adorn the church rows and alter. Hermione wanted it to be colorful, and Draco concurred. They ordered chicken parmigiana and filet mignon as their meals. Their cake was white with chocolate raspberry filling, four layers stacked on top of one another. Draco was practically drooling as they picked out the delicious pastry.
Hermione was sitting in her room alone, checking off things on a list. There were five things left on her "Wedding To-Do" list.
Vows
Wedding Dress
Shoes
Hair appoint.
Choose bridesmaids
'Well, Ginny gets Easter break in March, I'll have her go with me then to get my dress and shoes.' Hermione said aloud to herself. 'I'll call to make a hair appointment tomorrow. I can do bridesmaids now… Ginny is the maid of honor, Krista, Lavender, Parvati, Serene, and Jennie can be my bridesmaids. I'll begin to work on my vows in April.'
Hermione began to think about everything that was going on. She was going to be Mrs. Draco Malfoy in a little less than five months. FIVE MONTHS left to be Hermione GRANGER, just Miss Granger. She felt worried.
What if Draco and I argue constantly? What if all we do is fight? What if he divorces me? What if people speak up when the priest says, "Speak now or hold your peace?" What would we do? I'm never going to live in this house after the wedding. It'll be so different. I'm getting married before both my older siblings. Is this right? Are Draco and I rushing into this?
All the thinking she was doing began to upset her. Hermione's emotions overflowed and she began to cry.
'Can I do this? I'm only eighteen…Draco's only nineteen. We're still immature, aren't we? What if I accidentally get pregnant, can we raise a child?'
Hermione put her arms up on the table she was writing on, and her head collapsed into her arms.
What am I doing? Why am I crying? I'm so stupid…so stupid.
She then heard rustling. She looked up and saw Draco's owl, Demon, sitting on her desk.
'Hey,' She said softly as she removed the letter. She reached into a drawer and pulled how some seed.
Hey, baby, I haven't talked to you all day so I'm coming over. I'll apparate over in ten minutes unless you're busy. Owl me back soon. Love, Draco
She quickly wrote a letter allowing him to come, then sent it off with Demon.
She knew Draco would come within the next few minutes, so she quickly ran to her closet. She stripped off her pajamas, even though it was pretty late. She looked at the clock. It said 11:00 PM.
I wonder what he's been up to all day? We hadn't gotten together or talked until now?
She also wondered if it was a bad sign that she didn't even realize she hadn't talked to him that day. She began to cry again.
'I've got to stop!' She told herself, 'Get a grip on yourself, Hermione. It's not that big of a deal.'
She glanced in the mirror and noticed her eyes were red and blotchy. It was obvious she was crying.
'Oh no! Draco is going to laugh at me and tell me I'm crazy…' She said to herself as she rapidly began to wipe her eyes.
She then heard a pop behind her. She turned around and Draco stood there, wearing a navy sweater and khakis.
'Hey beautiful, sorry I haven't touched base until now. I was with Blaise today.'
'It's okay.' She said quickly…too quickly.
'Are you crying?' He asked with concern.
'No.'
'Were you?'
'No.' She lied.
'Hermione, when are we going to start being truthful with one another.'
'I was just being stupid, don't worry, Draco.' She told him.
He smiled and moved close to her, and wrapped his arms around her.
'Are you getting overwhelmed thinking about this wedding?' He asked.
'Maybe.'
'It's okay to be scared or stressed. It's completely normal. Don't worry about it, Hermione. We'll still be the same people, we'll just be living with each other and have the same last names. And have sex in good moral judgment.'
Hermione laughed at him.
'You make us sound so horrible.' She said looking up at him.
'I'm sorry,' He said, looking behind her shoulder, catching a glimpse of pajama bottoms tossed behind her dresser. 'Were you in your pajamas before I came?'
'No.' She lied.
'You don't leave clothes lying around normally. Did you change when you found out I was coming over?'
'No.'
'Liar.'
'Maybe.'
'Hermione, you don't have to change for me.' He smiled, 'It's flattering that you still are concerned about looking "good", but you could have worn a tea cozy and I would have still held you the same way I am now.'
'Well, thank you, Draco.'
'In fact…if you were naked, I think I'd hold you even nicer.'
'My parents are right downstairs.'
'Ugh, I cannot wait until May. You and me. All alone. Every night.'
Hermione laughed softly.
'Are we ever going to get sleep?' Hermione asked jokingly.
'Yeah, a few solid hours a night. I'd say, get used to working on three hours of rest a night.' He kidded.
'Oh that would be lovely.'
'So you're up for the challenge?' He asked, eyebrow raised seductively.
'We'll see how I feel about you when the time comes.'
'Let's hope you hold me with great adoration.'
'I'm sure my feelings won't change.' She said, 'Oh, by the way, Draco, I think I'm going to apply for the Ministry.'
'Why?'
'To work.'
'Why? You don't need to, we'll have more than enough.'
'I want to work. It's something to do while your training and practicing. I'm not going to sit at home all day.'
'You have friends.'
'Who also work. It's no discussion, Draco, I want to work.' She said more forcefully.
'Okay, okay,' He said raising his hands in surrender, 'Work, work for all I care, but who will take care of our children?'
'Well, when the time comes to maybe have children, we'll both do our parts. I'll stay home for the first couple months, then we'll discuss what happens next. It's far away.'
'What if I want children young?'
'What do you mean, like early 20's?'
'Like…20.'
'20? You don't want alone time?'
'I don't know. We'll talk about it after we're married.' He droned.
'Shouldn't we talk about stuff like this before?' Hermione questioned.
'Why? So if we have differences we can find them out and stop this whole thing before hand?'
'No, just so we know where we're both coming from, because you know tons of people at the wedding will ask.'
'Well, let's just tell them it's done of their business.'
'We can't say that. We'll just say, we aren't planning on any children, but we don't plan around them either.'
'All right, let's do that.'
'Okay…' Hermione sighed.
'You aren't having any second thoughts?'
'No. You?' She asked quickly.
He took her hands.
'I've never been so sure of anything in my life.'