Written for the Dramione Last Drabble Writer Standing Competition
Round 1: Lavender - Admiration

"What on earth is that disgusting smell, Draco?"

She's raging at me in all her temperamental glory as she comes barrelling out of the bathroom in a huff. She drops her towel as she reaches into the closet and I can't help but take an extra moment to admire her. With her face flushed and her hair flying about her head, she looks like an angry goddess and I sincerely hope she never changes, until the day I die.

She's made a sentimental fool out of me, she has. My wife. The love of my life. I smile like a besotted fool.

"What smell, Darling?" I ask gently. "There's nothing new in the bathroom since yesterday."

"The shampoo! It's dreadful! I've never noticed it before." she seems to shout and mutter all at once as she hurries around the room getting dressed. She's all efficiency and order in the morning. I can't help but grin a little wider.

"It's just lavender, dear. The same scent it's always been." I tease gently.

"I hate it. I almost retched in the shower," she states matter-of-factly as she slips on her shoes. She's pretending she's mad, but she forgets I know her better than she thinks, her nose always crinkles when she's upset.

"I'm sorry, love. I'll get something new later today. Are you feeling quite well?" I ask, knowing the concern in my voice is as likely to irritate her as comfort her.

"Yes...no. UGH! I was going to surprise you but my damn sense of smell ruined everything." she grumbles and looks at me apprehensively for a moment longer than I expect. It's enough to give me pause, my wife is not the uncertain type, ever.

I'm still confused when she walks over to me and kisses me gently on the lips, the same way she does every day before leaving to go to work.

"I love you. I'm pregnant. Have a good day!" she breathes out all at once with a smile that briefly brings out the dimples in her cheeks, before walking out the door and down the hall towards the kitchen and the floo.

I'm speechless, nothing new, to be honest. She never ceases to surprise me. We've been trying for ages. I'm ecstatic until I realise she'll be gone before I move at this rate.

"Hermione! Come back here! You can't just leave after telling me that!" I shout out the door after her. If I run, I just might catch her.