* Time jump - Two months*
Draco's mother married Kingsley Shacklebolt and her pregnancy was announced a few weeks later. Life at school was going great as well. Hermione and Draco were growing closer than ever. Hermione's father began dating a woman since his divorce from her mother was now behind him. Graduation was weeks away and they were taking their N.E.W.T.S. in a week.
Pansy and Seamus were going strong. Pansy's Pure-blood breeding and the expectations that came with it were long forgotten. Seamus's mother met her and instantly felt a mother/daughter bond with the raven haired witch. They had announced that they would be moving into a flat as soon as graduation was completed.
Blaise had been introduced to Luna's father last weekend in Hogsmeade, and it did not go as he had hoped. "He hated me!" Blaise complained to his two best mates. Theo sniggered and Draco tried his best to seem sympathetic. "It was so fucking awkward. Of course, Luna thinks he loved me, but I could see it in his face. He was utterly disgusted at the sight of me. I don't know. Maybe I am reading too much into it."
"Listen, it's not like you're marrying the girl, so who cares if he likes you or not. Just keep having your fun. School's almost done with, then you can drop her and get with the next one." Theo drawled as he looked around the room.
"What! I'm not breaking up with her when we graduate. Why the fuck would you think that? Why would I? She's the best thing to ever happen to me you ass. Yeah, maybe we aren't quite getting married, yet, at least, but I am not going to lose her because school finishes. I was actually going to ask her to stay at the villa for a few weeks with my mother and I before she starts her job at her dad's magazine. Mother is very eager to meet the woman that has me, what were her exact words, ahh, yes! Here's her letter, 'I cannot wait to meet this woman that has you spouting sonnets! She must come stay with us at the Villa!"
He showed Draco and a very annoyed looking Theo the parchment. Draco smiled, "That's great, mate. Hermione's excited too. My mother found us an amazing townhouse close to the Ministry. It's got a huge library, so my lady and I will be in Heaven. We're going to check it out next weekend after N.E.W.T.S. are out of the way." Suddenly Theo groans loudly causing both boys to look.
"What the Hell! Am I the only bloke here not eager to settle down? What's the damn rush!" Theo first notices the Common Room become quiet then the realization that everyone is staring at him. He scrapes his chair back and stalks to his room leaving his two bewildered best friends behind.
"Merlin, what is his problem?" they hear a voice turning to see Susan Bones. The boys shrug, and she disappears down towards the dorms.
"Hermione! Hermione, wait up!" The sound of Ginny Weasley's voice rang out through the courtyard. Hermione turned and saw her friend rushing towards her. "Shit! I'm...out of...breath." she huffed out in between large gasps for air. "Did you hear?" Hermione shook her head. "About George and Angelina? They've started dating."
"Did they finally figure out how mad they are for each other?" The girls giggled. "I bet your mum is excited, huh?" At the mention of Molly, she suddenly felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She had heard from Molly since the trial. Did she hate Hermione? Did she blame her?
"Stop that! I know where your head just went damn it. Mum loves you. Ron was guilty. She knows that now. Come here you daft cow." Ginny pulled Hermione into a tight hug. "And, yes, mum is very happy for George. Ang has been fantastic help George deal; I guess they've helped each other through their grief now that I think about it. Oh and Harry has three weeks left of training. He's planning on taking me on holiday after grad. Mum and Dad have given their blessings." The girls laughed again. They would be finished school in a few weeks time.
Hermione wondered where life would take her. She knew she would be moving in with Draco. Draco would be taking over the Malfoy Estate officially. Narcissa and Kingsley would be welcoming the new baby in 14 weeks and had asked her and Draco to be the Godparents. But, she did not know what she wanted to do. She'd received many offers already. She decided she would worry about that after N.E.W.T.S. and graduation. "There's no rush," she thought to herself.
"Oh, fuck!" Theo screamed out in ecstasy. He flopped onto the bed, panting. "That was... unexpected. What made you change your mind? I've been asking all school year to just take you on a date, and you rejected me every damn time." He felt the bed dip slightly and the auburn haired beauty draped her arm across his chest.
"Thought I tortured you long enough." she said with a laugh. "Honestly Theo? I didn't really want to date or anything because I need to do well. But N.E.W.T.S. are next week and I am third in our class behind Hermione and Draco, so I think I deserved some fun. Plus, you looked so pissed off and stressed so, me, being the nice Gryffindor I am, thought I'd help." She winked at the beautiful man next to her and looked into his eyes.
"Thank you, Susan. Such a pal." he said with humor in his eyes as he leaned down to capture her lips. "How about we go out to dinner next weekend after the exams are finished. A real date?" He smiled at Susan, and she nodded in agreement then gave him a quick peck on the lips.
Flashback to two weeks ago
"Pans? Are you almost ready? My parents should be at the restaurant in five minutes!" Seamus yelled through the door. Seeing Daphne approaching the loo, he pleaded with the girl. "Daphne! Please get that woman for me! I am begging you!"
Daphne entered the bathroom and saw her friend leaning against the sink looking positively ill. "Are you okay? Your Irishman is having a fit."
"What if they hate me? What if I say the wrong thing? Mr. Finnegan is a Muggle. What if I insult him? I'm gonna be sick." Pansy had never felt so nervous before in her life. She was truly in love for the first time and wanted to make a good impression when meeting Seamus's parents.
"They're going to love you, Pans. Now, get your ass out there. I love you." Daphne gave her a quick peck on the cheek and sent her out the room to a waiting Seamus.
"Wow! You look amazing!" Seamus exclaimed as he pulled her in for a hug. His smile instantly calmed her nerves. Never had anyone ever looked at her with such love in their eyes. They walked out of the castle gate to the Apparation Point. "Ready to go? Mum is so excited to finally meet you. Come on, Parkinson." And with that they popped out and landed in the alleyway next to the Muggle restaurant his father had chosen.
"There they are! Oh come on, Ian!" Seamus saw his mother dragging his dad toward them with the brightest smile on her face. "Shay Shay!" Seamus winced at the pet name his mother had called him since birth. He saw Pansy smirk at it, do he knew she'd be bringing that name out of the woodwork soon.
"Mum, dad, this is my girlfriend, Pansy Parkinson. Pans, this is me mum Sheona and me dad, Ian." The three exchanged pleasantries then made their way into the restaurant.
"So, Pansy. Our son tells us you are one of the most brilliant women he's ever met. Must be quite the contrast to his accident prone ass." His father said as he guffawed earning a laugh from his mother as well.
"Dad! I've gotten loads better. Haven't had an accident the whole school year, right Pans?" He nudged her and smiled.
"Yes, love, but I think that has more to do with me keeping you out of trouble." Turning her attention back to his parents, she added, "Seamus is much better at potions with my help. No cauldrons blowing up in his face. It's been quite boring actually." she giggled and noticed the look on his father's face. "Oh, oh my goodness. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Shit. Sorry. Now, I've done it." She hid her face in her hands. She hadn't meant to talk about Hogwarts classes.
"Babe, it's fine. Nobody heard." he took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Pansy, dear. It's alright. Sorry for my facial reaction. Just not used to hearing it out in public. My son is right. Nobody else heard. My apologies if I made you uncomfortable lass." His dad had a sweet tempered disposition. He looked so much like his son at that moment.
"So, Shay Shay, you said you had wanted to discuss something with us." His mom stated as the food arrived. Seamus squeezed Pansy hand under the table then cleared his throat.
"It's about our plans after graduation. We, that is me and Pansy, well we'd like to get a place together. She's gotten an amazing offer with Madam Malkin's to design, and there's a flat available above the shop being offered. I'm hoping to get a job as well with the Ministry. There are a few positions that I am interested in. And, well, we're in love and want to be together and..." Seamus was rambling, so his mother put her hand up to stop him.
"And your parents? How do they feel about this arrangement?" Sheona Finnegan spoke softly as she looked to Pansy and smiled.
"Well, my mother died last Spring and my daddy is in..." she trailed off. She couldn't finish the sentence. The way her face paled and her eyes filled with unshed tears, Sheona knew.
"Oh, oh my. I'm sorry for upsetting you dear. Come now. Let's go to the ladies room." She got up and took Pansy with her to the loo. Once they were inside, she made sure they were alone then locked the door. "Let's fix your makeup, wee little lamb." She did a charm to remove the streaks of black her mascara had left. "Now, my dear girl, we won't talk about your family unless you want to." She hugged Pansy to her chest.
Pansy instantly calmed. Her mother never showed affection. She was too busy being a socialite to care about such things. Her father was the only parent to give her any attention. "Thank you, Mrs. Finnegan. He's in Azkaban, my father. Ten years for Death Eater activities. Mum drank herself to death during the war. My grandmother is still alive, my father's mother. She's not speaking to me anymore though. She's not happy with my choices, namely your son not being a Pure Blood. But I don't care about that. You must believe me when I say that. Seamus, he's just so wonderful. He is the first man to ever see me, you know. Like, truly see me. He asks me about my thoughts and feelings, my dreams. I just, I love him so much, Mrs. Finnegan."
"Dear, please call me Sheona. Thank you for telling me all of this. You have my blessing. Besides," she smiled and caressed Pansy's cheek, "I've always wanted a daughter."
"Holy shit!" Blaise's mouth hung open as he slammed the door to his dorm room locking it behind him with the flick of his wand. Luna lay naked on his bed with a bright smile on her face. "Are you, are you sure?" He'd been hoping they'd take the most intimate step of their relationship, but he didn't want to rush her.
Besides snogging and touching each other over their clothes, they'd yet to have sex. Unbeknownst to Blaise, Luna had been ready for some time and was waiting for him to make a move. Only after talking to Hermione and Ginny last night, did she finally decide to make the first move. It was Ginny's idea to sneak into his dorm and wait for him.
"Would you like to join me? It's awfully lonely over here." He didn't know what to say, so he just smirked and slowly removed his clothing while making his way over to the bed where Luna lay.
Once he crawled up to where she lay, he leaned down and kissed her slowly. "You're so damn beautiful, my angel." He moved down to her slender neck, licking and sucking, causing her to wrap her legs around him. "Not yet, my angel. Have patience." She giggled and released her hold. She moaned as he began to kiss his way down her body.
He lifted her leg and kissed her inner thigh causing her to gasp in pleasure. "You smell devine, my angel. Good enough to eat." He met her eyes and smirked before taking his first taste. The moans that escaped Luna's lips made his cock twitch as he continued his assault on her clit.
"Oh, Blaise! What are you doing to me? Oh Gods! Feels so good. I need you, need you so bad." She cried out. She was loud and he smiled as he remembered he'd never silenced the room. " Now. Please." she begged. He hovered above her to kiss her once more before lining himself up to her entrance. He could feel the heat coming off her as he slid into her.
"So wet for me, my angel. Fuck, you are so tight." He had to calm himself before he blew his load like Franky First Year. He made love to her slowly as she hugged him closer and wrapped her legs tightly around him. " Sweet Salazar! I love you so much, my angel. Love you so damn much." He knew he shouldn't be spouting his confession of love for the first time, but he couldn't hold it in.
He'd known the first time he'd heard her singing at the lake that he was a goner. He looked at her to gauge her reaction and met her big blue eyes. She smiled and pulled him into a kiss. "I love you too." She moved her legs higher on his back and urged him to move faster. "Love you. Love you so, so much. Oh Gods, Blaise! I'm gonna, I'm gonna, ohhhh!" He felt her clenching around him as he reached his orgasm.
"That was, wow, so damn good." He whispered into her ear as he trailed kisses down her jaw. He laid his head on her chest as she lightly scratched up and down his back soothingly. "I really do love you, my angel. My mother wants you to come to our Villa in Portofino after graduation if that's okay with your father, that is." He could feel his heart beating faster.
Luna stopped her ministrations, so he looked up at her. "Your mother wants to meet me?" She asked with a sweet smile. "That sounds wonderful. I'll owl my father tomorrow. I told him in my last letter, you know." Looking at the confused look on his face, she explained, "That I am in love with you." Blaise groaned.
"He hates me, doesn't he?" he asked with a dick feeling in his stomach.
"Why would you think that? I told you he liked you. He just, well, I don't know if I should tell you." She looked nervous.
"What is it?" He sat up and faced her.
"Does your mother know my full name or does she just know my first name?" She looked quizzically at her boyfriend.
"I don't know. I don't think she asked me for your surname. I am pretty sure I have only ever said your first name. Why?" Blaise was trying to figure out why it matter if his mother knee her last name or not.
"My father and your mother dated while in school." Blaise laughed.
"Is that all? Oh man. You had me thinking the worst." He flopped back onto his pillow.
"That's not all, Blaise. My father was in love with your mother. They dated for three years. Then, one day, she just left him; it was right after graduation. He never heard from her again. She broke his heart. He had given up on love until he met my mum two years later and they had me."
"Oh, wow. Well, my mother is good at breaking hearts, that's for sure. So, what? Does he think I could do that to you? That's why he looks at me with such contempt?" She scooted up close to him.
"He thinks we are moving fast, but I told him that I am not him and you are not your mother. Maybe things didn't work out between them because the universe knew that we were meant to be." Luna looked at Blaise with her bright eyes, and he took her face in his hands.
"Do you really believe that, my angel?" He felt the pull to her. It never went away. "Because I do, I truly do." He smiled and she smiled back, leaning in for a passionate kiss, and melting into his arms.
Graduation
"So, I say this to you now. Go forth into this world. Find your passion. Strive for your best and exceed expectations. Make Hogwarts proud! congratulations to you all!" McGonagall ended her speech and the ceremonies. Parents and students congratulated me the Seventh and Eighth years for completing their schooling.
"Mother, this is my girlfriend, Luna Lovegood." He'd prepared his mother after learning about her past relationship with Luna's father. "And, of course, you know her father, Xenophilius, editor of The Quibbler."
"Elena, you're still as beautiful as ever." Xenophilius took her hand and kissed it.
"Xeno, it's been so long. I heard you had married. I also heard about her loss. I'm sorry to not have reached out to you." Blaise watched as his mother batted her eyes at his girlfriend's father. "You look good." She winked at him, so Blaise stepped in between them.
"So, Luna is all packed up. Shall we have dinner in town before our Portkey?" Luna took his hand and smiled over to her father.
"Of course, yes. Let me just say goodbye to Mr. Potter over there." He nodded then made his way over to Harry, Ginny, and the Weasley's. Elena Zabini kept her eyes on him as he walked away.
"Luna, my sweet? Did your father never remarry?" She asked while finally taking her eyes off the man in question.
"No, he raised me alone. He said he'd found love twice in his life and lost them both, so he didn't want to tempt fate. He keeps himself busy with the magazine and his gardening. He grows rare plants like Dirrigabble Plums and large radishes to keep the Nargles away." She smiled over at the two Italian beauties. "He was right. You really are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on."
Blaise smiled then kissed Luna's knuckles, "Yes, yes. Make her even more full of herself." he chortled earning a playful smack fr his mother.
"Quiet young man. I'm getting older, so I live off of compliments. Ahh, here comes Xeno. Shall we go?" Putting her hand in the crook of the tall, blonde man's arm, they headed to dinner.
"Dad! We did it!" Hermione squealed as she jumped into her father's arms. "All O's too! Draco got one Exceeds Expectations, but the rest were all Outstandings. Of course, he's brilliant, so it was to be expected." She looked over to meet his eyes. He was standing with Kingsley and a very pregnant Narcissa. "Come on, let's go say Hello to the Shacklebolt's."
"Ahh, Jasper! How are you good sir?" Kingsley asked as he hugged the Muggle dentist. They spoke together and Narcissa gave Hermione a hug.
"Oh, wow. You sure are growing fast, Narcissa. Did you find out the gender?" Hermione asked as she touched the protruding bump.
"It's a little boy. We've decided to name him Orion. Draco, dear, are you going straight to the new townhouse from here?" She asked her son who was being very quiet.
"Oh, well, I wanted to walk around the grounds before we leave. Granger, would you care to join me?" He said slightly blushing.
"Of course. Dad? We're going to walk around a bit. Did you want to join us?" Hermione asked her father. She knew he wouldn't want to be left waiting.
"Actually, peanut, Kingsley just invited me out to dine with him and his beautiful wife. You two go ahead. I'll see you at brunch tomorrow." He smiled and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. "Love you, kiddo. So proud of you both. Come here, son. Give us a hug." Jasper reached over and hugged Draco whispering something in his ear.
The Proposal Draco took Hermione's hand and walked out of the castle. They walked by the Quidditch Pitch, Hagrid's Hut, the edge of the Forbidden Forest, then finally came to the lake. Draco turned to to face her.
"Our spot. Seems right to be here in this moment. Eight years ago we met for the first time. You came barging into my compartment on the Hogwarts Express asking about a kids frog that had gotten loose. I was a total prat and you were a know-it-all swot." He smirked and continued his speech. "Fourth Year, the Yule Ball. I saw you and my heart stopped. I wanted to dance with you but because I had been such an asshole to you all those years, you turned me down. Well, I hope I have redeemed myself this past year. Hermione Jean Granger, I don't want to know a life without you in it. I want to go to sleep every night and wake up next to you forever...if you'll have me." Draco went down on one knee and Hermione gasped, "Will you make this slimy git the happiest prat that ever lived and marry me?"
Hermione fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, "Yes, of course I will, Draco. Oh my stars! It's perfect!" She took his face in her hands and kissed him, "Love you so much!" Draco was on Cloud Nine. Everything was coming together for him. Found the woman he was going to marry, check. Got the job at the Apothecary for the summer before he takes over the Malfoy Estate, check. Found a home for him and Hermione, check. They sat there, in their spot, and watched the sun leave the sky.
A/N: Been a bit. Hope you are still enjoying my fanfic. I like exploring all of the different relationships. Until next time!