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Big thanks to Lain, for editing this story! Thanks again :-).
Chapter Sixteen: Of Proposals and Paint.
The days accelerated away, the trivial life he led flew by in a speed of nonchalance. Draco was still set on his idea, and had been busy those past few days planning everything. This particular day, which just so happened to be a Saturday, Draco could be found in the cavernous store of Brooks and Bentley, the famous wizarding jeweller. He was searching for a ring. An engagement ring to be precise. Draco had been searching for over an hour and had still not found anything, which he thought to be suitable. The staff at Brooks and Bentley were fawning over him, as if he were Prince Charles of Wales. They knew who he was, and they knew he was loaded, so therefore they were determined that he would spend a considerable amount of money in their shop. To be frank, Draco was getting progressively annoyed at their persistent attention. He had been fine with their excessive VIP treatment at first, but now he was simply itching to shout at them all.
"Anything I can get you Mr. Malfoy" asked the forty-something woman stood behind him, clad in a boring grey suit and rimless glasses. Draco glanced at her irritated. She was the bane of his current existence. This was the sixth time she had asked.
"No thank you" insisted Draco politely, resisting the urge to grind his teeth in frustration. He strode away from her and over to another glittering display of engagement rings which he had already seen. Glancing uninterestingly at them, he was surprised when one spotted his eye. Leaning in closer for a better view, he saw that it was simple yet exquisite ring. Made out of a simple band of platinum gold, a diamond sat prominently in the centre. On either side of the diamond, set into the gold, extremely thin strips of emerald glittered up at him. The ring was beautiful, and it would look perfect on Hermione. A combination of emerald and platinum gold. Draco smirked to himself. His old house school colours. What better way of marking Hermione as his, in a ring made out of pure Slytherin colours? Snapping his fingers slightly, he jumped startled when not even a millisecond later the same woman as before was stood in front of him, eyes gleaming behind her specs. Draco was positive she had just apparated.
"That ring," he explained pointing his long pale finger at the aforementioned ring. "Right away Mr. Malfoy" the woman said, grabbing a key hanging on her belt, with which she used to unlock the crystal glass display case. Placing the rings on the table, she plucked the ring out of the velvet case it sat in, and handed it to Draco. Up closer, Draco saw that this was definitely the ring he wanted. Without even glancing at the price tag (25,000 Galleons), Draco ordered the ring to be boxed, along with a silver diamond and pink sapphire encrusted charm bracelet he had picked out earlier for Libby.
Roughly ten minutes later, Draco left Brooks and Bentley, clutching a rather small royal red paper bag. Stepping out into the busy hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley, Draco headed towards his personal favourite store, Quality Quidditch Supplies. He entered the rather small shop, which was full of young boys and teenagers, all looking around the displays with wide, longing eyes. Brushing past them, Draco headed to the back of the store, where the Brooms were displayed. He had noticed that his son did not own a broom, much to his displeasure, and had decided that it simply would not do. His son had to live up to the infamous Malfoy reputation, and become a great seeker, 'like me', Draco summarized with an egotistical smirk. Focusing on the situation at hand, Draco scanned the brooms, his eyes falling on the most expensive one, "The Storm Evader 5000". His eyes slowly read the plaque placed next to the exquisite broom:
"The Storm Evader 500, Proved to the fastest racing broom in History! But have no fear; this broom comes equipped with astonishing safety features! Auto-Brake, Auto-Eject, Emergency-Parachute and Auto-Freeze, are just a handful of this extraordinary broom's advanced qualities! Made of strong supple mahogany, with a birch handle and oak seat, this is positively the finest broom on sale today! Plus, it's a doodle to ride, with a handle and seat that automatically fit themselves around you! Snap this broom up today, at the shocking price of only 600 galleons!! Speed away on the Storm in Safety today!!
Smiling in satisfaction, Draco headed to the front desk. "Hello chap" greeted the greying wizard at the counter, "What can I do for you?".
"I wish to purchase a Storm Evader 5000" he told the man, who smiled exuberantly at him. "Aye, a good choice sir!" he expressed. "Wait here a moment", he called before disappearing behind a closed door. Seconds later he emerged again, carrying a shiny broom in his left hand. Placing it on the counter in front of him, the man grabbed his wand and twirled it at the broom. Draco watched lazily as it was wrapped magically in crisp brown paper. "Anything else sir?" enquired the wizard eagerly. "No thank you" Draco answered politely, as he wrote a wizard's check. Handing it to the wizard, Draco reached forward and picked up the broom, making sure the red bag was still securely in place. As he left the wizard called after him, "Have a good day… Mr. Malfoy!"
Arriving home, Draco lay the parcel's down on the bed. Glancing at the time, he groaned. He had little over an hour to get ready, before it was time to collect Hermione. He had arranged for them to dine at a small, five-star sea front restaurant in West Wales. Narcissa had offered to baby-sit the twins, in the pretence of 'bonding' with them. They were to stay the night at Malfoy Manor, and these past few days his mum had been busy designing rooms for Leo and Libby. Draco smirked as he walked into his bathroom, and headed over to the bathtub. Switching on the hot and cold taps and pouring in copious amounts of manly smelling bubble bath, Draco proceeded to shed his clothes.
Approximately fifteen minutes later, Draco walked out of the bathroom, a black towel tied toga-style around his slim waist, his defined chest, wet and glittering slightly in the light. Trudging into his walk-in-closet, Draco proceeded to rummage through all of his clothes. 'Really', he thought, 'I have way too many clothes'. He pulled out a pair of black trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a black jacket. He required no tie, as this wasn't really a formal affair. He was opting for a smart-casual look.
A few minutes later, Draco emerged fully dressed, shoes and all. He headed back into his bathroom, where he glanced self-consciously at the refection staring back at him from the mirror. He combed his hair, but then rushed his finger's through it, deciding to go with the fluffy tousled look, that was currently in style. 'This is as good as it's gonna get. And it's pretty good!' he thought. Giving up on his appearance, Draco brushed his teeth, and left his room all together, clutching the broom and the red bag.
Narcissa was sat in one of the many lounges at Malfoy Manor. This lounge was special though, it had a homier feel to it, not the cold, unused feeling of three quarters of the rest of the house. Narcissa wrung her hands in her lap. She was nervous. She had not spent a lot of time with the twins… What if they hated her? They did not know her properly, they had only met once. But despite her nervousness, Narcissa was also indiscernibly excited. She had spent the last few days anticipating and preparing for this night. The twins each had a room each and she had planned a list full of activities for them to complete tonight. She hoped they would all have fun. She felt a pair of ice cold finger's on her bare shoulder and shivered.
"Draco" she acknowledged, as her son threw himself onto the couch. He was nervous. She could see it in his eyes. A large, long package lay in his hand, along with a deep red bag. She watched interestedly as he dug his hand into the ruby bag and extracted a square box. She smiled, and ordered him to let her see the engagement ring. He complied, and as soon as he snapped open the box, Narcissa breath was stolen away.
"Its beautiful my love" she breathed, her eyes wide, at the ring before her. Draco smiled widely, before snapping the box shut again and slipping it into his trouser pocket, where he could feel the comfortable, reassuring weight.
"Do you think she'll like it?" he asked, his voice laced with hope. "She'll love it" was his mother's truthful reply.
"Love what?" inquired a voice from the doorway. Draco jumped up startled at the sudden appearance of Hermione. "Nothing" he answered breathlessly, his mouth going dry at the sight of Hermione. She was wearing a simple black dress, which fell just below the knee, but a thin slit ended just below her hip, displaying a nice sliver of tanned honey skin. The bodice was a tasteful v-cut, which displayed a small amount of cleavage, and clung to her waist deliciously. The dress was sleeveless and held up by thin strips of a black material. The dress itself was either made out of black silk or satin, and all in all she stole Draco's breath away.
Hermione giggled self-consciously as she glanced down at her dress. She looked back up at Draco, who looked dashing. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone, displaying a nice glimpse of his hairless, defined chest. The black jacket supplied a wonderful contrast against his alabaster skin, and platinum blonde hair. He looked like a Veela. Averting her gaze, Hermione looked down at her children; already wearing their pyjama's which were covered with their heavy fleece dressing gowns. Ushering them forward, their slippers making a soft scratching sound on the floor, she placed them in front of Narcissa. Narcissa smiled at them lovingly, and opened her arms wide. Leo and Libby embraced their Nana happily. "Hi Nanny Narcissa!" greeted Leo, placing a smacking kiss on her peach powdered cheek.
Draco picked up the discarded broom and bag, and waited for the twins to look at him. When they did Draco handed them the gifts. "A happy belated birthday!" he wished with a wry smile. Leo tore into the wrapping on the broom, grinning in delight when the broom fell out with a soft clank. Next to him, Libby's face was graced with a surprised smile at the sight of the charm bracelet lying on the velvet inside of the jewellery box. She squealed and raced over to Draco, Leo hot on her tail. "Thanks dad!!" they called out gleefully, wrapping their arms around him in a half hugs.
"Must be going" he called out, untangling himself from his children's limbs. He stood up and directed himself and Hermione out of the door. "Bye" he called. Hermione however hurried back into the room, instructing Narcissa on general information, and playing the role of the protective, unsure mother. She left with a threat of what would happen to the twins if they misbehaved, their eyes gazing up innocently at her. Hermione wasn't fooled.
As soon as the door closed, Narcissa told the twins who were standing awkwardly near the door. "Now that those boring miscreants have gone, how about we have a bit of fun?" she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously, as she directed the twins through a adjourning door.
The room they had entered looked exactly like a barn, and was equipped with bales of hay and, many large troughs, scattered haphazardly around. The best part however, was lying innocently on a small table near the door. Three paintball guns sat there, begging to be used. Literally hundreds of paint and water balloons were littered in the buckets and troughs. The twin's eyes widened as they surveyed everything. Narcissa grabbed her wand, and pointed it at Leo first. A flick later and Leo stood before here, clad from head to foot in white overalls. Transparent goggles covered his eyes and a pair of white gloves protected his hands. Two more flicks later, and she and Libby were wearing identical outfits to Leo.
"Right then, first rule: Not a word to your parents. Agreed?" Narcissa said. The twins nodded their heads like a doggies on a dashboard. "Secondly, no physical harm. No tripping, no kicking, Nothing. Understood?" she said glaring mock sternly at them. "Yes grandma!" chirped Leo, eager to begin. Narcissa cracked a smile at this, and shouted, "Go!!"
They all grabbed a gun, and tried to run to safety. Leo unfortunately did not make it in time. Libby had hit him in the back with a pink paint balloon. It contrasted wonderfully with the starch white of his overalls. She laughed delightedly as she ducked for safety behind a bale of hay. Narcissa grinned, glad they liked her idea, and pleased that she had charmed the guns not to fire with too much pressure. She did not want her grandchildren to be hurt having fun. Plus Hermione would most likely kill her, if that did come to be. Narcissa was too busy thinking to notice Leo sneaking up on her, a red paint balloon posed ready to attack. When she did notice however, it was too late. She glared up at him, her face full of bright red paint, it dripping gently off her aristocratic chin. She was again extraordinarily glad she had charmed the goggle's to repel paint, as otherwise she would be finding it extremely difficult to retaliate against Leo with limited visibility. She grinned in victory when a blue paint balloon hit the back of his head, tainting his blonde hair with flecks of blue. He cried an outcry of rage as he began to chase his grandma clutching a yellow balloon. Libby soon joined in, and the room was full with the sounds of raucous laughter that Malfoy Manor had been so deprived off for so many years.
Draco led Hermione down a panelled corridor, listening to her mumble. "Do you think they'll be okay?" she asked him, eyes imploring. "Yes!" he answered her immediately. "Honestly Hermione, my mother is not an invalid. She raised me didn't she? And look how I turned out!" he ended with a cheeky smile. Hermione arched an eyebrow. "You mean a spoiled, misguided, prejudiced brat?" she asked innocently. "Ouch. I'm hurt Hermione!" he told her, pretending to wince. He placed a hand over his heart and his eyes gazed up at her, in an all too familiar pout. Leo's face often graced the very same expression. Hermione looked away grinning. Draco caught this, and lifted his long, slender fingers towards her cheek, his fingers tracing a path towards her jaw. Hermione blushed. Draco tilted her face towards his, and angled his lips onto hers. They stood there, joined at the mouth, for what seemed like an eternity, but in actuality it was only about a minute. Draco broke the kiss, panting slightly for air. He smiled at her, and entwined their fingers. "C'mon" he spoke softly, "Were going to be late…"
"For what?" asked Hermione. "It's a secret!" Draco said smiling secretively at her, as he led her into the frigid night air. They apparated with a loud POP, hands still tightly entwined.
Ten minutes later, Draco and Hermione were to be found on a balcony over looking St Brides Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. Before them lay a small circular table, crystal champagne flutes, plates and cutlery all placed in appropriate places. An unopened bottle of Cristal Champagne was stood at their left, cooling in an ice bucket. The sound of the sea crashing against rocks, and the surf rolling in delighted Hermione. She had always loved the ocean. The sands were almost deserted, except for a couple who were strolling hand in hand bathed in moonlight. Hermione smiled, when she felt Draco's hand on the small of her back. He directed her with a light push towards her chair, where he proceeded to pull it out for her.
"Madame" he spoke softly, bowing. Hermione giggled as Draco straightened, kissing her hand softly. He then sat down in his seat, as a waiter appeared before them, handing them each a menu. Draco smiled at Hermione, who sat opposite of him. He scanned the menu, finally deciding to begin with, tender steak, and sauté potatoes, followed by a large slice of chocolate-strawberry layer cake. He signalled to the waiter, and told of his order. Hermione gave hers next. She had chosen the Crispy Duck and Watercress, and the same dessert as Draco. The waiter sauntered away, leaving the couple very much alone.
"It's beautiful" Hermione said, indicating the beach bathed in exquisite moonlight. "It is" Draco agreed, not looking at the ocean, but at her. Hermione blushed when she realised he was not talking about the ocean. "Wonder what the twins are doing?" Hermione asked. "Knowing my mother, probably something they shouldn't" Draco said grinning. Hermione laughed, her loose wavy hair falling onto her collarbone. "Speaking of mothers'" Hermione began, "mine phoned me yesterday. She invited me and the twins on a skiing trip to Switzerland over Easter. I've agreed to go for the first week, and leave before the second. The twins however will be staying the full tow weeks. Lucky them" ended Hermione sarcastically. Draco looked terribly confused. "Skiing?" he asked. Hermione giggled, and tried to explain. "It's kinda like a recreational sport. People go sliding down snow covered mountains on two long flat skis, using two poles for support. Its incredibly hard, but exhilarating" said Hermione.
"Hold up" Draco said, "You expect me to let my only recently discovered children, and the love of my life go sliding down snow covered mountains??" he asked incredulously. "Yup" Hermione told him. "Don't worry about the twins. They've been skiing since they were three. Almost like pro-skiers now. They can ice-skate too. Incredible balance they were gifted with. Must be your genes" Hermione said, toying with her napkin. Draco smirked at the compliment. "So what about you?" he continued. "Can you slide down mountains?" Hermione laughed uproariously. "Me?" she said, "Yes. On a pair of skies, No. On my backside, Yes!" she said through her laughter. Draco joined in, but stopped when their food was brought out.
They ate in companionable silence, sipping champagne, from the bottle had been opened. "How's the food?" Draco asked, after swallowing a mouthful of potato. "Delicious!" Hermione told him, eating a forkful of watercress. Once their dinner had been eaten, they were presented with mints to cleanse their pallets, then dessert. "So how'd you become a teacher at Wands Way?" enquired Draco. "Well, after the twins were born, it was extremely difficult. I lived with my parents for many years, in fact I didn't move out till the twins started at Wands Way. Before Wands Way, I worked in a small muggle nursery, which was ideal, as the twins could come too. But the pay wasn't that great, so as soon as they turned five, I began looking for another, better job. I came across the advert for the Arithmancy position in the Daily Prophet, and thought I'd apply. Never thought I'd get accepted, but I did. That was three years ago. It changed my life wonderfully. The twins got a free private education, and I got a well paying job" she said, as she chewed on a chocolate covered strawberry. Draco smiled sadly at her.
"You never would have had to worry about money if you'd have come to me…" he said softly, his eyes downcast. Hermione shifted suddenly uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Draco… I was naïve, and incredibly stupid. I realise now that I should have told you the moment I found out that was pregnant. Can you forgive me?" Hermione asked, with bated breath.
Draco was thinking about all the things he had missed in the twins' lives. He had missed their very first milestones, their first smile, first word, first step, and first day at school. He had missed the first time they had uttered the word "Dad" as a baby… he had missed eight birthdays. He didn't even truly know much about them. He didn't know their likes and dislikes; hell he didn't even know they were virtually pro-skiers until today. But then, a small voice in the back of his head ordered him to think of all the things still to come. Their Hogwarts acceptance letters, what houses they would be in, their teen years, first boyfriend/girlfriend, graduation, marriage, and their children. That was all still to inevitably come. Thinking about this, put a smile onto Draco's face. Yes, he could forgive Hermione.
"Yes I can forgive you" he told Hermione, smiling at her. "But on one condition!" he said. "Of course!" Hermione said. "That if there is to be any more children, you'll tell me first?" Hermione laughed, "Yes of course I will, silly goose!!" and with that said she leaned over and kissed him soundly.
Draco and Hermione were walking on the beach hand in hand. Their shoes were dangling from their hands, and sand was getting stuck in between their toes. They walked towards the surf, the sand becoming increasingly damper. Finally they reached the surf, and walked along it, the water lapping their ankles gently. Hermione looked at Draco in the moonlight. He looked beautiful, like a heavenly body sent down to Earth. He truly did look like an angel. When he looked down at her and kissed her lips tenderly, Hermione knew that she would love him forever. He leaned his forehead against hers, and she looked into his intense aqua eyes, almost the same colour of the sea behind her. His eyes seemed to proclaim his love for her. Before Hermione knew what was happening, Draco was on one knee before her, a ring in his hand. It took Hermione a few seconds to comprehend what was actually happening.
"Hermione Granger, I love you more than I have ever loved another human being" Draco confessed, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "Would you do me the indescribable honour of becoming my wife, to have and to hold for all eternity?" he asked softly, the water lapping around this knee.
Hermione held her breath, tears making there way swiftly down her face, and falling into the never-ending ocean. "Yes!" said Hermione, collapsing on top of Draco, both of them landing in the shallow water. "What did you say?" asked Draco disbelieving. "I said yes! Of course I'll be your wife!" said Hermione joyfully, her eyes sparkling from the tears. Draco smiled the biggest smile Hermione had ever seen, and placed the beautiful ring on her finger. He then leaned over and straddled his fiancée, bestowing upon her the most loving and passionate kiss he had ever given anyone. The two lovers lay together, in the surf of the blue ocean, bathed in ethereal moonlight. It was that night, that two became one.
Authors Note: Hey guys!! How you doing? Lol, hope y'all liked this chappie. It was a mushy one. ). Remember I said this story would be finished by x-mas? I think I need to rewind a bit… I don't think it'll be fully completed in 20 odd days, but semi-completed. It will however, be most certainly completed by the end of January.
Big, huge, cyber hugs to all you wished me luck with my impending surgery! You guys are the best! Rock on!!
No personal responses today sorry! But it's like 11pm on a Sunday here, and I got school tomorrow. My mum's hounding me to get off the pc and go to bed, so no responses! I'm incredibly sorry…
But THANKS to ALL who reviewed! I love you!
P.S: If anyone wants to see a pic of the beach Draco proposed to Hermione on, there is a link to it on my profile page. Click the homepage button. I myself have visted that beach, studied it too, for my Phyiscal Geography exam. Beautiful Bay, it is! Check it out, you'll love it! :-). I have also visted 80 of all the other beaches on that particular website.