(This is first fanfic and I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The chapters are short, and the storyline isn't brilliant but it is okay for a first attempt I suppose.

I don't own the characters; they belong to JK Rowling and her fabulous imagination. The plotline is mine though, unfortunately.)

Chapter 21

"Miss Hermione Jane Granger" Lucius began, using her full name. "I think I love you." Hermione's jaw dropped. Before she could say anything he continued hastily. "But before you say anything, I know you love me too because I heard you. Also don't think I'm telling you I love you because I heard you say you loved me, I knew I loved you before then. Even on Sunday night I thought I had feelings for you. Anyway. That's what I had to say. And my question, the thing I want to ask, is if you'd ever consider dating me."

"Yes." Hermione replied simply after listening to him talk.

"You would consider it" Lucius repeated, rather stunned. He decided to try his luck. "Well then. Will you? Wait, let me rephrase that better. Miss Granger, will you be my girlfriend?" Lucius asked, nervously hoping she'd say yes.

"Please call me Hermione." Hermione's replied. Lucius looked disappointed. "That means yes." She added, smiling cheekily.

Lucius's face broke out into a smile and he looked younger than he had in years, especially since Draco's death. Hermione couldn't help but smiling too.

"Would you consider someday maybe being my wife? You see, I think I could love you my entire life. I can see myself living in a home with you, returning home from work to you, having children with you, growing even older with you….just being with you. Can you see that too?" He asked, explaining the images that had filled his head the last few days to her. Hermione nodded, surprised he'd thought about the same things as her. Over the last year her mind had always conjured up fantasies about being with Lucius and as her feelings for him had intensified since Sunday evening, she'd been thinking about it even more.

"Oh Merlin; yes! I've thought about it too. I used to dream about it. It's what I wanted. I would never say no if you asked me to marry you, whether today or in two decades." Hermione said truthfully. Lucius beamed.

"Then…will you be my wife rather than my girlfriend?" He asked, taking out a small box from his pocket. He'd already bought a ring.

"Yes!" Hermione exclaimed, jumping out of her seat and hugging him. Lucius hugged her back before pulling her off him. He took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. Then he kissed her hand, just like he'd done on Sunday night. Hermione blushed happily.

"I want to marry you so much. I want to spend my life with you. I want to hold and kiss you everyday and make you feel loved. I want to live my life with you. Unfortunately, we can't do that straight away. We should wait until you've left school before we tell your friends, your parents and the staff. Once you've graduated and got your NEWTS though, we can marry. You'll do exceptionally well in your NEWTS by the way Hermione. I just know it." Hermione blushed modestly. "I can't wait to start my new life with you. As soon as Potter defeated Voldemort." Hermione smiled as Lucius used his ex-masters name without fear "We can live a happy, normal life together. Would you like that?"

"Of course I would. It's all I want. I want Voldemort dead. I want to be able to live with you without fear or shame. I can't wait either. I hope Harry kills Voldemort soon because I know that Voldemort is the only thing stopping us being together. Oh I hope. How I hope." Hermione said, holding Lucius's hand tightly.

"He will. Once Voldemort is dead, and you've graduated we'll marry. I'm just glad I took your advice in that lesson and made Potter and Weasley approve of me. It will make this whole situation easier for them to bear. I'm just ecstatic I get to be with you." Lucius told Hermione, squeezing her hand. Hermione smiled so brightly, Lucius would have been blinded if her smile were a light. He smiled back at her and leaned forward, cupping her chin with his hand, tilting her face up to his. He brought is face down to hers, leaned forward, brushing his lips lightly against hers. Then he pulled back and smiled. "I love you." He whispered quietly as he leant even further and leant his head on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of her hair. Hermione sighed happily.
"I love you too."