You're reviews have been a great influence on my writing and thank you so much. Especially to Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, glitterglow, mgleteacher, and chrissy8887779999.
I hope you like this chapter just as much!
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Incredible Save By Malfoy
Yesterday's qualifier match for the Quiddich World Cup proved to be worth every sickle the spectators paid.
After taking a quick lead, the Worldwide Quiddich Society Team showed their stuff when Malfoy, seeker, performed an incredible leap off his broom to catch the snitch and claim the match.
Many have been sceptical since the selection of the team as to whether Malfoy deserves to be seeker of the team, after yesterday's performance there seems to be no more lingering doubts in anyone's mind.
Hermione Granger, Malfoy's fiancé, was also present at the match and the couple openly expressed their affection for one another after the match before the entire crowd. It seems that Malfoy can't go wrong. After years of hearing bad news related to the Malfoy name, readers will be surprised to find that Draco Malfoy has in fact brought much good light to his name.
Last week Mr Malfoy announced that Malfoy Inc. will be back in business in January next year after being frozen for the last four months.
The Granger-Malfoy relationship is strong despite earlier doubts and the couple now assure the press they will be marrying March next year.
Malfoy's amazing save on the pitch yesterday, it appears he unintentionally saved more than just the match.
"Interesting." Hermione mumbled.
She was sitting in bed the day after the match, Draco was still asleep next to her, his features relaxed in deep slumber.
She sipped from a coffee mug that room service had provided and settled comfortably on the pillows.
After the match Mark had taken the team to a local club where they had had a loud party with other fans of the team.
Draco had signed countless autographs and, much to Hermione's delight, was joking with Harry and Ron. She had felt almost as happy as he looked, letting herself be dragged to the dance floor by Ginny and then ceased to think about being self conscious and begun to dance herself silly.
Sometime during the night Draco had come to join her. She had been surprised but didn't mind when he began to dance with her, they were soon joined by Harry, Ron and Padma. She vaguely remembered consuming more alcohol than she would normally take but she hadn't woken with a hang over, unlike her fiancé was likely to later.
She recalled his relaxed demeanour and knew he must have taken in quite a lot to lose his usual poise. The thought made her smile.
She looked down beside her and ran a hand through his lose blonde hair, somewhere in his sleep he stirred and after a moment he opened one eye sleepily.
He looked just like a sleepy owl and she couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Mm?" He grunted disorientated.
"Morning." She slipped out from between the covers and fought back a laugh when his fingers brushed against her arm in weak protest.
He mumbled something into his pillow.
"What?" She saw he had closed his eyes again but was obviously awake.
"Where are you going?" He said, cracking an eyelid again.
She laughed then "To have a shower. You're more wasted than I thought."
He threw her a glare and ran a hand over his face in an attempt to wake up. A groan came from behind Hermione when she picked up a towel.
"Do you have any potions for a hang over?" He asked, his voice rasping slightly.
Hermione gave him a small flask that she had ordered this morning when she woken. He took it with a grunt of thanks and threw it back in one gulp.
"Is that how you were drinking last night?" Hermione asked, pretending to scowl.
Draco smirked "Pretty much."
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"Mr Emerson, do you think your team has the potential to win the cup this year?"
Mark was seated beside Draco on the long table prepared for their press conference. It appeared not everyone had the potion that Draco had that morning.
It was costly and was sometimes hard to come by.
"Yes, I believe they have the potential to." Mark replied brightly, Draco knew that Mark had some.
"And Mr Malfoy, what are your thoughts on your upcoming match with the French team?"
Draco met Harry's eyes for a moment before turning to answer the question "I have complete confidence in Harry's ability to win the match."
There was a rustling of parchment and a collective gasp. "You won't be playing?"
"No," Draco shook his head and shared a smile with Mark "Harry and I have reached an agreement to play alternate matches."
"Mr Potter, did you propose this?"
Harry took over with ease "No, it was a compromise we made. Draco's busy with other areas of his life and cannot guarantee his presence at every match as a player."
"Are you saying that you don't think you can take being on a professional team?" A loud voice asked obnoxiously.
Draco's smile disappeared and he found the man in the crowd "I am perfectly capable." He glared, just because he was a good guy didn't mean he wouldn't pull out the Malfoy glare when it was duly deserved.
"If Mr Potter wins the next match, you will be playing the Russian team?"
"Yes," Draco nodded, falling back to his pleasant façade. "And I'm certain that we will win."
"Do you think you're marriage will affect your playing?" A woman near the front of the crowd asked.
"We all have ongoing relationships and they don't affect our play." Anthony answered smoothly.
"If anything," Draco continued "they help."
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The Manor seemed so quiet after a week of the media breathing down their necks. Hermione was glad to see the snow covered towers of their large home and sat with a sigh on the nearest armchair.
Draco called to the house elves to bring them refreshments before sitting beside her, fatigue clear in his features.
"You need to sleep."
He looked at her "So do you."
Neither made any move to leave, simply revelling in the calm.
"What are we going to do for Christmas?" Hermione asked suddenly, realising the holiday was nearly here.
Draco shrugged "I've never been a big fan of Christmas."
"But it's one of the best holidays of the year!" Hermione protested in shock.
He laughed "Only to you and other Griffindors."
"We should have a party here." Hermione began.
"A what? And where?" Draco sat up abruptly.
"A party, here and the Manor." Hermione explained, excitement stirring within her.
"I think not." Draco announced firmly.
"Why not?"
"We're planning a wedding, isn't that a big enough party?" Draco took the drink a house elf gave him and drank deeply.
Hermione similarly took her glass but not drinking "But that's in March, what about Christmas?"
Draco frowned at her "You want me to openly welcome people I barely know into my household?"
"It's our household." Hermione said heatedly "And they won't be strangers."
"They'll just be people I don't know." He responded dryly.
"Please Draco?" Hermione went over and kissed him gently, her eyes turning to swirling brown orbs.
Draco fought with himself; he must be weakening if he could be convinced by a puppy-eyed woman. "Fine." He grunted.
Hermione laughed in triumph and hugged him tightly "You won't regret it."
She hurried out of the room, any previous fatigue forgotten in her excitement.
Draco ran a hand through his hair, since when had he been so easy to convince?
His comfort came from that fact that no one else could bend him to their will, only Hermione.
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Hermione remained busy with the wedding and organising her Christmas party while Draco dedicated his time to their growing business.
In the evenings when Ginny had gone home, Hermione would sit in an armchair by the fire of Draco's study and read while he worked quietly on his papers. Sometimes future business partners would come by Floo to try and strike a deal with him.
Some were clearly uncomfortable that Hermione was there, but Draco refused to tell her to leave for anyone. He never found a way to tell her, but he enjoyed having her there, just her presence was enough in the sometimes too big Manor.
During one meeting, Hermione left to find a house elf and his current guest relaxed considerably.
"You seem uncomfortable with the presence of my fiancé Mr Valasco." Draco picked up a few papers and shuffled them to one side, watching the large man before him out of the corner of his eye.
"I am not used to working with women in the room." He answered guardedly.
Draco smiled icily "She's my business partner in here."
"Of course," Mr Valasco began "I have not said I didn't want her present."
"You don't have to say anything," Draco said, his smiled gone "I believe we are done."
The man before him opened his mouth to protest but caught Draco's expression and stood up hurriedly. "Yes, I believe we are, it was a pleasure meeting you Mr Malfoy."
Draco stood and they shook hands "I believe you know the way out?" But it wasn't a question.
Just as Mr Valasco had left, Hermione re-entered balancing a tray of drinks. "Oh," She said, looking around "He's gone."
"Yes." Draco said, sitting down, not bothering to hide his relief.
"You shouldn't be so picky in business partners." She chided, placing a drink in front of him and taking one for herself.
"I didn't even want business partners in the first place, I have enough investors already."
She sat in the recently vacated chair and smiled "So arrogant, if you don't watch out, people might find that they don't like you."
He laughed then "And I'm so concerned about that why?"
"It's called sarcasm; you're very good at it." She replied dryly.
"One of my many skills." He said smirking.
"Of which 'social interaction' is not one."
Draco threw her an indignant look "I can interact with you, Potter and Weasley, now that's saying something."
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"It's beautiful Hermione! You've out done yourself!" Padma greeted them cheerfully at the door on Christmas eve.
Hermione beamed "Thank you, come in!"
Outside it was snowing lightly, matching the enchanted snow flakes that fell from the ceiling inside.
Ron followed her "Great job Hermione, looks fantastic."
She hugged him enthusiastically "Thanks so much."
The long dining table had been set so that all the two dozen guests could site and enjoy a spectacular lunch. Draco sat beside Hermione at the head of the table and ate quietly, making pleasant conversation with Padma.
After they had eaten, Hermione led her guests to the ball room which had been elaborately decorated with ribbons and enchanted ice crystals.
"It looks beautiful." Draco whispered into her ear as he passed her. She smiled at him and took Harry's hand to dance.
"Things seem to be going well between you two." Harry observed as they danced to the music a small chamber group were providing in the centre of the room.
"They are, I guess I never thanked you Harry." She said, reflecting on how much her life had changed since Harry told her about her fake engagement to Draco Malfoy.
Harry laughed "I never thought it would turn out like this, but you're very welcome."
"It's changed my life Harry," Hermione said seriously "I'm really happy with him."
"I'm glad you are. Everyone is pleased to know you're settling down, Hermione." He told her.
She couldn't find the words then to tell Harry how much his decision had made her life complete. But when she looked into his green eyes, she saw that he understood and there was no need to explain.
"It's been good for Draco too, he's changed."
"Yes, he isn't the same person anymore." She told him, knowing that it was true.
Harry led her to a table where drinks were served by some of the house elves. He was soon whisked away by Cho but Hermione was content to sit and watch everyone.
"Do you plan to dance?" Draco asked, standing in front of her.
She saw his smirk "I'm waiting for someone to ask me."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow "Would you like to dance?"
"It wasn't you." She teased but stood and took his hand.
He wrapped an arm around her waist "You're quite cruel sometimes."
"I never noticed."
Draco laughed "Not many people can see through that mask of innocence you wear."
"Mask? No this is the real me." Hermione grinned up at him.
He twirled her around, "You're so pretty when you're teasing." When she came back to him he whispered into her ear with surprising earnestness, "You're quite stunning every other moment."
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It was past midnight by the time all the guests had left and Hermione finally slumped, exhausted onto a chair.
Immediately house elves came in and began to clear away the glasses and wipe down the tables.
Draco offered his hand to Hermione who took it and they exited the ball room.
"Did you like it?" She asked, stifling a yawn.
"Yes, it was quite enjoyable."
When they reached their bedroom, Draco placed a hand on her shoulder and smirked at her. She was eyeing him suspiciously as he made a great show of opening the door slightly and peeking through the gap.
"What?" she pestered, trying to look over his shoulder, but he gripped her firmly by the elbow.
"Close your eyes." He whispered as though part of some conspiracy.
Hermione frowned, not used to this playful attitude he was showing and unsure of how to act.
"Live a little," He spoke softly "trust me."
Hermione gazed at him a moment longer before closing her eyes as she was told.
Inside Draco felt his heart relax slightly, until he had seen the sceptical expression in her eyes, he hadn't been aware how much it meant to him that she trusted him.
Hermione found herself being led gently through the door and heard Draco shut it gently behind them. Behind her eye lids she could tell that there was light coming from somewhere and she could smell a vaguely familiar scent hanging in the air.
"You can open your eyes now." He told her.
The sight that met her was astounding. The entire room was surrounded in huge bouquets of roses and so many colour flowers she had never seen before.
"Wow." She breathed, the light was dimmed and cast a soft glow over everything which she saw had been impeccably decorated with flowers and tiny ice sculptures which she could have held in her hand.
"Merry Christmas." He said, she turned and saw him leaning casually against the closed door, smiling at her expression.
"This is incredible Draco." She beamed, hugging him tightly and pressing a kiss to his lips.
He was blushing slightly when they parted and she realised that he had been quite nervous about this, she felt that he deserved the world for trying so hard and succeeding.
"I figured it was about time I gave you a proper bouquet of flowers." He smirked, slowly recovering his dignity.
Hermione laughed as the memory of an awkward and clumsy Draco filled her mind.
"I uh… It… well….this is for you." He blurted, handing the flower to her.
She took the flower gently, she gazed at it for a moment, then smiled.
"Thank you Draco, that's very sweet." She hugged him and leaned in to peck him on the cheek. The already burning cheek flamed up.
"You're welcome." Draco shifted awkwardly.
"They're so beautiful." She walked over to her dresser which was littered in large purple flowers which felt like velvet as she ran her hand down a petal.
Draco came up behind her "You like them?"
"Yes, I've never seen them before." She picked one up and found it to be quite heavy.
"They are very rare; I had to get them sent over from Iceland." He told her "I thought the delivery would be late."
Hermione chuckled "You must have paid an arm and a leg."
"What?" His puzzlement evident in his tone.
"It's a muggle phrase; it means that you paid a lot for them."
"Oh," He placed a kiss on her shoulder "they cost me quite a substantial amount."
"I won't even ask, but thank you." Hermione replied, admiring a sculpture.
It was a butterfly and its enchanted wings fluttered slightly when she neared it.
Draco yawned and caught Hermione doing the same thing, they laughed "I don't know about you, but I personally would not like to sleep here tonight."
Hermione raised an eyebrow "Why not? It's so pretty."
"Sure, if you like sleeping beside plants and the insects that inhabit them." He teased, returning to his normal self. "I'm going to sleep in the room next door, are you coming?"
She took another glance around the room.
"They'll still be here tomorrow, you can keep them however long you want." He said, taking her arm.
"Alright, I'm coming." She laughed.
Once they were in the hallway Draco kissed her with a fiery passion "I love you Hermione."
She was stunned, breathlessly she replied "I love you too Draco."
To Hermione, the smile that swept his face would have been worth all the galleons in the world.
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Aw did you get that lovely warm feeling at the end of this? I did! Ha ha!
Please review, I love to hear from you! Thank you so much for reading!
