It had been almost two weeks since Potter and Weasley had come bursting into Hogwarts demanding answers, well Potter wanted answers, Weasley wanted blood. Hermione and Theo had been spending more time together but making sure to either have a Professor present or be in a group. Theo had to explain to her that if they were with Astoria and Draco or Blaise and Daphne that it technically didn't count as a group because the others were courting couples as well, but they were slowly finding their flow and Theo was thankful that both Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood had offered on more than one occasion to sit with them.
This coming Saturday was Hermione's birthday, Theo had asked special permission the week before to go to Diagon Alley to visit his vault for an official courting gift and to get her a present. When Hermione had questioned him as to why he was leaving the castle he hadn't technically lied, he said he was going to Gringotts to finalise some things as the head of his house. He just left out that what he was finalising was them.
He had spoken in length with Ginny about what Hermione might like and had even written to Potter, with no response back he might add, in hopes of forming some sort of understanding and to invite him to the birthday party he and Ginny had organised for Hermione.
"You nervous?" Draco asked leaning against the door to Theos room.
"A little, what if she doesn't like it?" Theo looked at the ring box in his head.
It was definitely a statement to give a ring as an official courting gift, Draco had opted for his grandmother's pearl necklace for Astoria and Blaise a diamond and emerald bracelet for Daphne. In his world to give a ring was a sign of serious commitment, generally a woman would receive three in her lifetime, her engagement ring, her wedding ring and then her eternity ring. On rare occasion, when a suitor felt his contracted match was also his love match then he would give a ring to signify the serious nature of their courting. The ring he held was given to his mother by his father for that exact reason. An opal stone sat in the centre to signify loyalty, faithfulness and passion, to the top left and bottom right sat emeralds to symbolise love and truth, and then clustered around them three diamonds for strength, innocence and purity.
"Do you think she knows what it will mean?" he wasn't trying to be pessimistic, Draco was worried for his best friend, to give this sort of a gift, his mother's ring, was a huge declaration and they had only been courting for a fortnight.
"I think she might and if she doesn't, I am sure the gasps from Tori and Daph might tip her off enough to ask." Theo chuckled lightly. "So, I am going to pull her aside, show her the ring, ask her to consider what it might mean before she wears it and ask her to go to the Halloween ball with me."
There was a knock on the door that startled both Slytherins, Draco moved off the frame to open it and see who was waiting.
"Tori! For the love of Salazar, you gave us a heart attack." Draco complained placing a small kiss on the witch's temple.
"Shhh, this isn't about you, let me see it?"
"See what Tori?" Theo raised an eyebrow.
"Don't play daft with me Nott, let me see what you picked for her courting gift!" she stalked toward him and even at only 5ft1 she was formidable.
His hands slightly shaking as he reached back into his pocket. "Ouch, Nott? So formal, you'll hurt my feelings!" he faked a pout as he opened the box.
She squealed, a high pitch squeal that led Draco to place his hands over his ears and Theo to wince.
"A RING!"
"Tori quiet! She might hear you!"
"Oh, she won't hear me! She is currently meeting with Headmistress McGonagall abou…. She's in a meeting not her room! A ring Theo, your mother's ring. Oh, I'm so happy for you!"
Tears were welling in the blondes' eyes as she wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. Tomorrow was truly going to be magical. She just hoped Hermione liked surprises.
