Part 11: Wedding Plans

January came in and Harry and Draco found themselves spending more of their free time together between Harry's classes and Draco's modeling assignments. They were also invited to Ron & Hermione's for dinner on more than one occasion.

It was one of their "family dinner" nights. Harry and Ron had taken the girls into Hogsmead on an ice cream run, leaving Hermione and Draco alone to talk. They were both sitting on the couch, not talking, enjoying the music drifting from the radio. Every once in a while, Hermione caught Draco looking at her from the corner of her eye, like he wanted to talk to her about something but didn't know how to go about it. She resisted the urge to smile and looked at him.

"Something on your mind, Drake?"

"Not really." he muttered.

"And I'd call you a liar. Talk to me." Draco took a deep breath.

"You and Ron have known Harry a long time."

"17 years, but it seems longer than that after all we've been through."

"Right. So then you're probably a good judge of his moods and whatnot."

"Sometimes. Why do you ask?"

"Does he love me?"

"Where is this coming from? Of course he loves you!" she gaped. "Has he done something to make you think otherwise?"

"No! That's not what I meant."

"Then what's going on?"

"I want to marry him." he blurted. Hermione was flabbergasted.

"Isn't that a bit sudden?" she wondered, secretly pleased that Draco felt that way about Harry.

"I've been doing some thinking. I want what you and Ron have. A home, family, children." Hermione noticed the hitch in his voice at the last word.

"That's a huge responsibility, Drake. Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life, other than my love for Harry."

"I'd love to see Harry settle down with some children. His aunt would be so happy." The wheels began turning in her head.

"Will you help me, Hermione?" he pleaded.

"Of course I will!" she vowed. Oh this was going to be fun.

Meanwhile...

"Phoebe, watch your sisters! And do be careful!" Ron shouted after the 3 squealing girls as they ran to the Wizarding Park. He and Harry found an empty bench near the girls and sat down. Harry watched his three godchildren play and sighed.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Ron wondered.

"When did you know that you wanted to marry Hermione?"

"The moment I laid eyes on her back in our first year of school. She walked in with her know-it-all self and made fun of my spell Fred & George gave me and I was hooked."

"That long eh?"

"That long."

"When did you know it was the right time to ask her?"

"I asked her after you and Dumbledore came back with the fake Horcrux."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why did I ask her then or why didn't I wait?"

"Both, I guess."

"I can sum that up. I asked her when I did because we were at war Harry. Nothing was certain then, not even if we'd come out of it alive. And if I had to die, I wanted my last memories to be of the woman I loved. Does that make sense to you?"

"Perfect sense."

"So what's all this about then?" Ron wondered. Before Harry could answer, Ron's eyes widened. "Harry, do you want to marry Draco?"

"Actually, yes I do. Is that wrong of me to want this so quickly?"

"Not in the least, mate! You love him, he loves you. I think it's wonderful really."

"But do you think I'm ready?"

"No one is ever ready to take that huge of a step in any kind of relationship. How can one prepare for it? You just have to know it in your heart."

"I want this, Ron. I want Draco forever if that's what it takes." Ron clapped him on the back in support."

"Then all you have to do is ask him."

"What if he says no? That's what scares me the most."

"Why would he say no, Harry? According to him and you, he's waited 10 years to have you." Ron smiled. "And Draco's always been one to know what he wants. And usually gets it too." Harry grinned and nodded.

"Ron, will you help me?"

"Do I have to tell Hermione?"

"No. I want to keep this from her for as long as possible."

"Keeping a secret from Hermione is like trying to keep a Dementor away from you." Ron chuckled. Harry grinned like the lovesick fool that he was. "So how do you want to go about this then?"

"I kind of have an idea." Harry grinned.