A/N: You guys, I don't know what's going on with my files! I was all organized and finished editing the story and took my time uploading them and naming them correctly, and this is the second time that the wrong one has uploaded (I didn't even reload it to the sight the first time, it just did what it was supposed to). So to those who reached out and read the previous CH. 25, please accept my sincerest apologies! Here is the CORRECT chapter and I'll post 26 tomorrow.

Sleeping in next to Draco was officially my new favorite thing. Well, maybe after waking up next to Draco. That had a whole different set of benefits.

Overall, the day had been quite blissful. It was nice to just relax for a longer period of time with Draco. We ate a lovely breakfast, sat on his patio while he played guitar and sang to me, and spent hours just talking and laughing.

I was almost disappointed we had decided to go the meetup Harry had invited us to. It was so easy to get caught up in the two of us, but we both decided that it was healthy to be social as well.

We were just getting ready to go when Draco stopped. "Are you sure you're alright with this?" I gave him a quizzical look. "I'm not sure if you've thought of this, but this is a bit of a coming out for us. Potter is likely the only one who knows of our relationship and us showing up together will make it a bit obvious."

I could see the inner turmoil in his eyes and gave his statement some thought. "It's been months. People were bound to find out eventually. Right? As long as we continue to be professional at the office, I really don't care who knows at this point."

"You aren't worried what they will say? I know I have proved myself a bit to the general public, but at the end of the day there is still bound to be many people who don't approve of you dating a death eater."

I hated to see that he still needed to be worried of such things. "Draco, I love you and I am honored to be the one you love. It was scary at the beginning when we were sorting out our feelings and the uncertainty of how it would all play out. I think we are in agreement that we are in this for the long term. I'm prepared for whatever kind of reaction we face because at the end of the day, I really don't care. What we choose to do in our personal lives is our own business. We've proven it won't interfere with our ability to work so no one from the office should care. Harry is the boss anyways and he's clearly given his approval." Draco's shoulders sagged in relief and it gave me a thought. "Draco, has the fact that we've been keeping our relationship private been bothering you?"

"No, not really. I completely agree that at the beginning keeping it to ourselves was the right thing to do. I'm just really proud of the relationship we have and I want to be able to take you out and show you the world without fear of others finding out on the back of our minds. I'm still worried what others may say, but as long as I have you, none of that matters much."

I came and wrapped my arms around him. "You could have said something, you know. We've just had a lot going on. Things should slow down a bit now that Lestrange has been arrested and we can move about a bit more freely. Now, come on. Let's get ready to do."

I was touched that Draco was so excited to, "come out," as he had put it. Over our time together as partners and now as lovers, we had grown so close together. It did feel a bit weird to be letting more people into our little bubble, but exciting at the same time. The more time that passed, there was less and less doubt that this was it.

Long ago I had thought Ron was right for me. I had gone into the relationship expecting it would lead to marriage because that's what everyone expected, not necessarily because it felt right. Looking back, I learned a lot from that relationship. Mostly, everything I didn't want in a life partner. When we broke up, I analyzed everything about our relationship that had made me unhappy and the time after allowed me to really be confident in what I want.

Draco ticks every box. I had gone into this relationship being apprehensive. I wasn't sure we could last long term or even short term. Oh, how that's changed! Do I expect us to be perfect? Absolutely not. That's unrealistic. There will be days we disagree and fight and maybe even days we can't stand each other. Honestly though, I'm ready for it all with Draco.

Before we left, we had a brief conversation about the possible outcomes of being seen tonight. We knew there was a good possibility of this information ending up in the Prophet and that it would be big gossip. It didn't take us long to decide we just didn't care what other people thought anymore. Our time undercover really solidified for us our comfort level with each other and that we make each other happy. Happiness is something to be shared, not hidden away.

With that conversation out of the way, we decided to just be comfortable with each other and not make our decisions based off of what others may think. So, we apparated to Diagon Alley together and strolled the streets hand in hand, with smiles on our faces and ignored all the looks we got. It was quite easy to do as I frequently got wrapped up in my own little world with Draco.

We were laughing as we walked into the small pub and made our way over to our table of friends. It was a good size group. Harry and Ginny, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, Luna Lovegood who was surprisingly sitting with Blaise, Ernie Macmillan had his arm wrapped around a woman I had never met and there were several others from school and work all sharing a drink and meal together.

Their chatter abruptly stopped as we made our way in. It was only for a few seconds before Blaise shouted loudly, "It's about time you two went public!" Before raising to give Draco a manly hug and offer us the seats next to them.

There was another moment while everyone decided what to do with the information and then it was as if nothing had happened. I looked at Draco and he returned my smile. That wasn't so bad at all. I hadn't realized there was a bit of a cloud hanging over us by keeping our relationship a secret. That cloud was lifted and I felt myself breathe easier. While it had seemed like a good idea at the time, now that we had shared it with our friends, I felt a joy I hadn't expected.

We were seated across from Seamus and Dean and the pair quickly included us in their conversation.

"So this," Seamus motioned with his fingers between us. "Is new. How long as it been going on?"

Draco piped up, "A few months."

"Well, congrats mates! Did you catch that quidditch match last week? It was terrible!"

Draco leaned forward in interest and I was glad to see him getting on with my friends. "No, we were out of town. What happened?"

My heart was so full I thought it might burst! That is, until a certain Ron Weasley walked in the door. He had as much right to be here as I did. It's not like I often made it to these things anyways. At first, he didn't notice us and stopped to talk to a few people on the end. But when he did, I could see the anger flaring from across the room.

"What is this?"

Draco tightened his hold on my hand and I saw Harry get up from his seat.

"I don't owe you an explanation Ron. You have no control over me. We've been over for a very long time." I was trying to keep my temper in check. He's the one who cheated on me. It took me a long time to consider another relationship and he was mostly to blame for that. I wasn't going to let him ruin my happiness.

"He's a death eater! He tormented you all through school! How on earth can you even consider being with him?"

While Ron was shouting, I managed to keep my tone calm and even as I stood up to be closer to his level. Harry was right at my back and Draco was giving me the space to say what I needed.

"Interesting that you care about that. I seem to remember you teasing and ridiculing me through school too. You know, it may have been that troll that brought us together first year, but need I remind you that I wouldn't have been in that position in the first place if it hadn't been for your own cruel words? You never took into account my feelings and continued to brush me off as we got older. You left us in the middle of the forest and then you cheated on me. After that, you continued to abandon me as a partner in our workplace. It's clear to me all these years later that you never had an ounce of respect for me." I kept my voice low. I'm sure Harry and Draco could hear what I was saying, but I doubt even those on the other side of the table could hear over the noise of the pub. "Draco has been nothing but attentive and supportive. I understand the reason why he acted the way he did in school because he has been open, honest and remorseful. All of his actions as an adult have proved to me who he really is, just as your own actions have shown your true colors. I'm in love with him and you'll never do or say anything to change my mind."

My heart was racing. It felt so good to finally stand up to myself to Ron. All these years despite my fiery personality simmering beneath the surface, I had never been able to truly tell him how I felt. Draco had given me a new confidence and it was positively freeing.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I was really having a lovely time."

I sat back down and snuggled into Draco, quickly picking back up into the conversation of those around us.

Behind me, I could just make out Harry telling Ron to leave and that they would talk later.

Draco squeezed my hand and brought his lips close to my ear. "That was bloody brilliant. Also, remind me never to piss you off."

I laughed freely. "Consider that your warning."

Still close to my ear he responded, "It was rather hot though. Watching you tell Weasley how much you love me."

I felt my face flush. His hot breath on my ear and his hand on my thigh were very quickly affecting me. I was ready to tell him we should go, but just then our food arrived.

Looking him in the eyes, I could tell he knew what I was thinking. "We eat then leave?"

He nodded enthusiastically, earning us laughs from Seamus and Dean.