A/N — Thanks as always to TectonicTigress & TriDogMom for their glorious Alpha skills! I'm excited to share this chapter with you, it's a bit fluffy! For those that are curious, I got the idea for Blaise's hotel from a real place in France, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc after I saw it in the movie 'Killers' — it screams just the right amount of luxury for those Slytherin boys, no?
After another week in the sun, Hermione felt ready to tackle the mountain of legal jargon that faced her to formally end her marriage. Her determination, in part, was down to Draco. Since their date, their dynamic had shifted. Whilst sharing a bed was nothing new for them, it was different from before. They fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms, and when Hermione awoke in the night, as she was prone to do due to sickness or heartburn, Draco would always be stretching out trying to find her. It was the small changes that made her realise a bigger change was coming— they were going to be parents, and she couldn't keep putting off finalising her divorce.
It was as the sunlight poured through the window in Blaise's study that Hermione took off her engagement and wedding rings, rubbing the indentations on her fingers gently. Setting them down on the solid oak desk in front of her, she looked at the diamond as it glittered in the sunlight. Signing the paperwork meant so much more than just a divorce. It was her letting go of all the hurt Ron had caused her before their separation, letting go of all the emotions that came with thinking about him and Olivia, or him and Lavender for that matter.
There had been so many opportunities for both of them to take a different path. Hermione could have worked a little less, Ron could have spent more time with her, but neither of them had been willing to make the sacrifice. Which, at the end of the day, must mean that they weren't truly supposed to be together. If they had been, they would have moved mountains just to spend five extra minutes with one another.
Thoughts like that allowed Hermione to forgive Ron for his actions where Olivia was concerned. They were both responsible for the breakdown in their marriage. Sure, the events that followed complicated matters somewhat, and she was confused about how Lavender fitted into the equation. And she certainly wasn't going to forgive him for his brash actions with the wedding bonds which nearly killed her and her babies, but they were both responsible for the breakdown of their marriage.
Looking around Blaise's open and airy study, Hermione once again tried to process the fact that her husband had almost killed her. She ran a hand over her bump to soothe the flutters inside her as she thought of where Ron was now. Harry had written at the start of their break to inform them that Ron had been moved to Azkaban whilst the trial was prepared. She didn't like the thought of Ron stuck in that prison, even without the Dementors, but where else would he be?
However, with the date of the trial set, a week after their return, Hermione knew he'd only be there for a short time. Thinking of how all the sordid details would soon be public knowledge made Hermione nauseous. Leaning her head back against the expensive leather chair, Hermione closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She knew she was going to be asked about Draco, about the paternity of the children, the events leading up to their conception, everything. Not that any of it mattered. Ron still maliciously broke the marriage bonds, fully aware that it was only supposed to be done by trained professionals in a secure, controlled environment.
Hermione cursed herself inwardly. The marriage bonds had been quite a point of contention in the build up to their wedding. Ron, having come from a traditional wizarding background, had not understood her hesitation. Everyone was bonded at their wedding ceremony! No big deal! He had told her time and time again.
Yet to Hermione, it was a big deal. The marriage bonds tied your magic to another's, joining you so intricately it was difficult to tell where your magic ended and the other's began. She hadn't known, prior to Ron's flippant comment, that marriage bonds were even a thing. Marriage bonds made up eighty percent of the legality of a magical marriage. Without the bonds in the wizarding world, you were barely married. No matter who she spoke to, they all had the same opinion: It's not worth worrying about… You're going to spend the rest of your life together anyway… It's simple.
Just look at where it had gotten her. She had listened to all those false words of reassurance and ignored her gut feeling, agreeing to the marriage bonds that Ron had wanted. Feeling a stray tear roll down her cheek, Hermione shook herself. At least she and her babies were alive, safe with Draco looking out for them.
Hermione knew Draco was downplaying his anxiety about the trial. For the last few years, he had successfully been able to avoid the spotlight, and this was about to throw everything out into the open. There was going to be no hiding from the public scrutiny— everyone would have an opinion, a stupid idea that they were entitled to know every little detail about their life.
"You ok?" Draco asked as he walked into the room, glancing down at the papers that littered Blaise's desk.
"I'm sorry," Hermione answered blandly, rubbing a hand underneath her eyes.
"You're sorry?" Draco queried, his eyebrow quirking up as Hermione met his gaze. "What's happened?"
"For everything," Hermione sighed, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the desk and placing her head into her open hands. "This is all about to get very messy. Everybody is going to think they know our business. How are we supposed to prepare for being parents when everyone is going to be talking about what Ron did, what we did?"
"I'm not," Draco quipped, smiling as Hermione looked back at him slightly bewildered. "I'm not sorry for a damn thing. I'm glad we slept together. If we hadn't, you would be back with Ron, I would still be whining to Blaise about my crush on you and nothing would have changed. I don't care what everyone else thinks, our friends know the truth. Or they will when we tell them."
"How can you be so calm?" Hermione questioned, slumping back in her seat as Draco walked around the desk to rub Hermione's shoulders. "My divorce and pregnancy are about to become public knowledge, you're going to be outed as the father and no one is going to care about what happened before. We're going to be the scandal and no one will bat an eye at Ron's actions."
"Hermione," Draco spoke softly, his firm fingers skillfully easing the tension out of Hermione's shoulders. "When you're ready, you'll sign the divorce papers. We'll face Ron's trial the same way we face the press— together. The public will get bored soon enough and then we'll be free to raise our children away from prying eyes, if that's what you want."
"Mmm," Hermione mumbled, her head lolling forward as Draco continued to work his magic. "I hope you're right."
"I'm always right," Draco replied happily, dropping a kiss to the top of Hermione's head. "Besides, I'm a Malfoy. Even when I'm wrong, I'm right."
Unable to resist Draco's optimism, Hermione laughed. He really knew the right thing to say to cheer her up. "Thank you," she murmured quietly against his hand as she took it to press a kiss against it. "I think I'm going to carry on with this."
"I'll be in the library," Draco answered easily, giving her shoulder a squeeze as he walked away. "Shout me if you need me."
Smiling at his retreating figure, Hermione straightened up in Blaise's chair and picked up where she had left off.
Strolling down the corridor, Draco pondered just how he was going to make sure everything would work out for them. It wasn't like old times where the Malfoy name and a bit of gold to the right person could have influenced a decision, this would go through the correct legal channels. He just hoped his name wouldn't have a negative impact on the Wizengamot and their decision when the time came.
For now, Draco would do his best to ensure Hermione and the babies were happy and healthy. Everything after that point would have to wait. Picking up the glass he had left on the table, Draco sipped the cool water slowly, smiling as he recognized the owl flying toward him. He had written to his mother a week ago, suggesting he and Hermione visit on the journey home as he would be driving one of Blaise's cars back. Writing his response out quickly, Draco picked up his book where he had left it earlier and continued his research into runes, not that Hermione knew, of course.
Hours later, Draco walked back into the study to find Hermione facing the balcony, her arms wrapped around her body as she gazed out over the rolling hills. The sun was setting behind her, framing her silhouette in gold as the light poured in through the grand double doors.
"Hermione?" Draco questioned, stopping at Blaise's desk to admire her figure. From this angle he could see the graceful curve of her stomach, keeping their children safe from harm.
"Hi," Hermione answered, a small smile on her face as she turned her gaze away from the retreating speck against the sunset. "It's done, the divorce. I was just watching the owl fly away with the papers."
Stunned, Draco just stared at her, noticing how she seemed to glow against the sunset. He hadn't expected her to be done with the papers so quickly, he had anticipated long days of trawling through paperwork, making sure the divorce was watertight and Hermione got everything she deserved. Knowing that it was done, that Hermione was free, left Draco speechless.
Hermione watched as Draco's face flickered with different emotions. Shock turning to confusion. Confusion turning to relief and that relief finally turning to happiness. Draco's eyes shone as his mouth lifted into a heartwarming smile, Hermione felt her heart stutter as he stood there, looking at her. Before she could return his smile, Draco was moving, practically bouncing on his feet as he drew closer, only stopping when he was right in front of her.
Unable to stop himself— not that he could think of any logical reason why he should anyway— Draco embraced Hermione, pulling her against him tightly. As laughter escaped his lips, he lifted her, spinning Hermione in a circle as her legs flew out behind her. Hearing her laugh with him as her hands grabbed his shirt, only made him go faster. Draco stopped when the world began to spin far too fast and he settled Hermione back on her feet, keeping hold of her waist as she regained her composure, the sound of their laughter echoing through the room and into the open corridor behind them.
"Somebody's happy I'm now divorced," Hermione chided playfully, taking a deep breath and willing to room to stop spinning. If she was being honest with herself, until that moment she wasn't sure how she felt, it had been surreal to watch the owl fly off into the distance, knowing she was no longer Hermione Granger-Weasley. But now, with Draco holding her tightly, she felt overwhelmingly happy. She was free.
"You have no idea," Draco answered sincerely, his thumb rubbing small circles against her skin. He wasn't about to ask her to marry him, he knew it was too soon for that, but, he wanted to do something, to show her how much she meant to him. Draco knew he couldn't get ahead of himself, just because he'd been waiting for his opportunity— for what felt like an eternity— it didn't mean he could rush her, push her into something she was definitely not ready for.
"So, Mr Malfoy, what do we do now?" Hermione asked happily, her hands moving from where they rested on his firm chest to loop up, around his neck.
"Well, Miss Granger," Draco's heart pounding as he pulled her in closer, "we've been invited to see Blaise tomorrow at his new hotel. And then, then on our way home in a few days, I'd like to go and see my mother. Formally introduce the two of you, if that's ok with you?"
Hermione nibbled her lip, pondering her answer when she looked into Draco's eyes. They were burning with… Hermione struggled to place the emotion, they were burning so intensely she felt herself flush under his stare. "I'd like that," Hermione answered simply, her hand moving to her stomach automatically as she felt the babies move. "I think the babies would like that too."
Releasing the breath he hadn't realised he was holding, Draco placed his hand on top of Hermione's, his skin tingling as he touched her. "I'd like to tell Blaise and my mother," Draco began, somewhat hesitantly as Hermione ran her fingers through his hair, "that we're expecting twins."
"Of course Draco," Hermione responded instantly, her hand moving from his neck to rest against his cheek as she moved closer to him. "I want you, us, to be able to tell the truth. Especially before it all comes out anyway. Our family and friends should hear it first hand."
Smiling, Draco nuzzled his face into Hermione's open hand, pressing his lips against her open palm. Everytime he felt as if he was expecting too much, asking for something Hermione wasn't ready to give, she astounded him. Their minds seeming to work in unison, thinking over the same puzzles and coming to the same solutions, without the knowledge of the other.
The following morning, Hermione stood with Draco in front of Blaise's new hotel. He had driven them there in what Hermione liked to call, Blaise's devil car, as the Hotel wasn't connected to the Floo network yet. Hermione was somewhat grateful for that, if they had arrived inside she would have missed out on the spectacular structure that was the hotel.
After cruising down the winding driveway, they had been greeted by a valet, who stood behind his own podium next to the wide stairs leading up to the hotel lobby. Hermione had sat open mouthed in the car until Draco had appeared at her side, holding out his hand to help her. Looking up as Draco led her up the stairs she counted, one, two, three, no, four floors of rooms, the white stone of the building standing out in stark contrast to the blue skies around them.
Upon entering the lobby Hermione found herself stopping again, so enraptured by the white marble covering every surface she failed to notice Blaise approaching them and Draco's laugh at her look of awe. It was just so beautiful, everywhere she looked there was some small flourish of detail that captured her attention. Places like this just didn't exist in her world. This was a whole other level of luxury.
"Draco!" Blaise shouted, jolting Hermione from her musings, before her eye caught another bit of detail. "Hermione! It is so great to see you, how have you been enjoying the château? I hope you've been relaxing."
Realising Hermione hadn't really taken in a word Blaise had said, Draco replied, laughter colouring his voice. "It's been great, exactly what we needed, thank you for letting us use it. Sorry, she's a little distracted at the moment, I think your hotel has impressed her."
At Draco's gentle nudge, Hermione looked up, her head turning to look at Draco then at Blaise. "Oh my, Blaise, I'm so sorry. It's just, this place, it's… breathtaking. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it."
"Don't worry about it," Blaise replied, with a twinkle in his eye, "making Hermione Granger speechless is quite a compliment in my book."
Hermione giggled, her hand squeezing Draco's as she let go of it to tuck into his side. "There's um, actually something Draco and I wanted to tell you."
"Shall we go out to the terrace?" Blaise asked, raising an eyebrow at Draco as he kissed Hermione's cheek and entwined their fingers together. "The hotel hasn't fully opened yet so it's pretty quiet."
"Sounds great," Draco answered, trying to keep his emotions concealed so he could actually tell Blaise their news before he figured it out. Together, they followed Blaise through the grand lobby and out onto the sun kissed terrace, a soft "Oooh," leaving Hermione's lips as she took in the view.
Either side of them there were sprawling, lush, green gardens with trees lining the walkway. At the end of the walkway in the distance, they could see the sea, blue and sparkling as the brilliant July sunshine rained down upon it.
"Spectacular," Hermione murmured as Blaise stopped next to a table, laid out with tea and cake. Hermione smiled as Draco pulled out a chair for her, before taking his own seat beside her.
"So then," Blaise questioned as he poured tea out for the three of them, "what, could you two possibly have to tell me?"
Hermione felt nerves dance in her stomach, this was the first time either of them would announce their happy news. Obviously, Harry knew but he had been in the room when the Healer had given them the confirmation, but this was totally different. Looking to Draco, Hermione gave him a nod of encouragement, Blaise was his friend, he deserved to tell him.
Draco cleared his throat, shifting in his seat before draping his arm around Hermione's shoulder, looking Blaise dead in the eye, Draco spoke. "Hermione and I are expecting," Draco started, watching as Blaise's eyes widened in comprehension, but Draco wasn't done yet, "twins." He finished, smirking as Blaise's jaw dropped.
Blaise stared at Draco, waiting for him to shout 'April Fools' or something similar, as Draco only smiled at him, Blaise turned his attention to Hermione. Tucked into Draco's arm, she sat contentedly tracing patterns on the fabric of her dress as it rested on her stomach, waiting for Blaise to break the silence. They couldn't be… Draco had to be joking. As the silence stretched on Blaise realised they weren't joking, they really were going to have twins. "Champagne!" he shouted, waving his wand madly to summon it to them, complete with three glasses and an ice bucket. "I… I can't believe it! Congratulations," Blaise said sincerely, uncorking the bottle with a loud pop as the Champagne poured forth. "Seriously you guys, I'm so happy for you. A toast," Blaise continued as he raised his glass toward Draco and Hermione, "to the Malfoy twins."
Chuckling to himself, Draco sipped his Champagne, watching as Hermione politely pushed hers away before lifting her tea cup to her lips. It felt so good to finally share their news, although it had only been confirmed a couple of weeks ago, Draco had been bursting to tell someone, anyone. The best thing about it was that it felt natural, right, and Draco couldn't believe his luck.
As the conversation slowly turned to business, Hermione felt her concentration waver, it wasn't that she found their talk boring, it was more that she was struggling to keep up. Sitting out in the glorious sunshine— even with Draco's cooling charm— was taking its toll, her eyes felt heavy and her muscles limp. She wanted nothing more than to curl up and take a nap, moving to rest her head against Draco's shoulder, Hermione looked out at the view again, mesmerised by the natural beauty surrounding her.
Noticing the change in Hermione's demeanour, Draco turned to look at her, placing the back of his hand against her forehead as she moved to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry darling, we've bored you haven't we?" Draco asked, fishing in his pocket for his wand to renew the cooling charm.
"Not at all," Hermione answered quietly, smiling as she felt her body temperature reduce. "I just got a bit sleepy. Please, carry on."
Blaise clapped his hands together as inspiration struck, "I've got a spa, you know. You could get utterly pampered whilst we talk business, how does that sound?" He really wanted to keep talking with Draco, but not if Hermione was about to pass out on them.
"Thank you Blaise," Hermione began as she tried to sit up straighter in her seat, "but it's entirely unnecessary. I'm fine, it's just a pregnancy thing."
"That wasn't what I asked," Blaise joked as Draco picked up Hermione's hand, his gaze flitting between the two of them. "You'd be doing me a favour. Testing out the facilities before we fully open and I'd like to do this for you. Call it a baby gift."
Hermione squirmed in her seat, the thought of a massage sounded great right now but she didn't want to take any further advantage of Blaise's generosity. She was already staying in his château, for free, and making use of his facilities when the hotel wasn't even open seemed too much.
Reading the concern etched into Hermione's face, Draco spoke, "Blaise wouldn't offer if he didn't want you to do it." He looked quickly to Blaise for back up.
"You are far too used to hanging around Gryffindor's, Hermione," Blaise continued, smiling warmly as Hermione studied his face. "If I didn't want to offer it, I wouldn't have done. I've got great people here who will take really good care of you. You deserve it and it's the least I could do for the mother of my best friend's children. Whatever you want, it's on the house. Please."
It was the look of absolute sincerity on Blaise's face that had Hermione caving, she turned to look at Draco. "What would you do?" she asked as Blaise called for a member of his staff, "if I went to the spa?"
Draco shrugged, "When you go to the spa, I'll sit here, talk to Blaise, miss you. Nothing of much interest."
"Hey!" Blaise interjected, his face eyes narrowed in Draco's direction, "what I have to say is very interesting."
"You know I was only joking," Draco replied lightly, his eyes creasing with his smile. "Go enjoy yourself Hermione, you really do deserve it."
"Fine," Hermione huffed, even though she too had a smile on her face. "I can see I'm not going to win against you two."
"Brilliant!" Blaise commended, turning to talk to the person in uniform to his left. "Alexandria, I would like you to take Ms Granger down to the spa. She is to have whatever she wants done, but please make Emmanuelle aware that she's pregnant, so nothing heavy handed and not too much magic. When she is finished with her treatments, please notify us and we'll have a late lunch at the Grill."
"Of course, Mr Zabini," Alexandria replied with a smile before turning to address Hermione. "Ms Granger, if you'd like to follow me this way? I'll explain everything we have available."
"I'll see you later then," Hermione said, giving Draco's shoulder a tight squeeze as she passed him, turning to Blaise Hermione continued, "thank you Blaise, for everything."
"Not a problem," Blaise answered, pouring himself and Draco another glass of Champagne. "Go, enjoy yourself!"
"Bye," Draco called as Hermione smiled at him over her shoulder.
"You love struck fool," Blaise declared as soon as Hermione was out of earshot, a broad smile on his face as Draco whipped his head to the side.
"And? You've met her right?" Draco replied, his hand reaching up to muss up his hair. "She's fantastic and she's having my children. What is there not to love?" Being honest with Blaise wasn't a difficult thing anymore, of all his friends, Blaise was the one Draco trusted most. For the first time, in a long time, Draco had something, someone, brilliant in his life and they had something to look forward to. His soul felt as if it had been liberated from it's shackles, ready to share everything with Hermione. Then his smile faltered.
"What's wrong?" Blaise asked, leaning forward to place his glass back down. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
"No, no… it's," Draco fumbled, trying to find the right words, "it's nothing."
"Ah," Blaise replied smugly, he knew exactly how to push Draco to talk. "You're back to lying to me again, brilliant."
"Don't do that," Draco warned, his eyes narrowing in Blaise's direction as Blaise waved a hand of indifference. "You know I'm not lying to you, I just… there are things I want that I know Hermione doesn't. She might never want those things again."
"Marriage?" Blaise guessed, hitting the quaffle straight through the goal.
"She's just got divorced," Draco started to explain, the words racing to the tip of his tongue in their eagerness to escape. "Literally, she sent the papers off yesterday. There's just this part of me— the traditional part— that wants to get down on one knee and ask for her hand. And, I know it's irrational, and too fast, but I just can't shake it off."
Draco stood from his seat and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to compose himself. "She's having my children, Blaise. After everything that happened, I never thought I'd get this opportunity, with anyone. I gave up on that particular dream. Then Hermione and I met again, became friends, all the stuff you know, and those dreams started to kind of come back."
Pausing, Draco rolled his shoulders, trying to work out the tension that had crept into them, "and now it's happening. Really happening and I can't even propose to the damn woman as the Weasel has put her off marriage for life. Which I understand, I really, truly do, but it's no good for me."
Blaise pondered Draco's quandary for a moment, trying to think of some kind of middle ground as Draco watched him hopelessly. Then it hit him, Draco was trying to move too fast, for Hermione anyway, Blaise was pretty sure in Draco's shoes, he'd be thinking the same thing. "Why don't you just ask her to date you? Or be exclusive? However you want to put it, really. Have you guys even had this talk yet? Does she know you're in love with her?"
Draco shifted, Blaise's words replaying in his mind as he considered his friend. "Technically, I have told her I love her, but she was unconscious." Blaise laughed at his friend's admission, holding his hands up in surrender as Draco threw the napkin at him. "What? It was after her accident, I was terrified."
"Still," Blaise replied, leaning back in his chair to rest his ankle upon his knee, "you didn't think it might be an idea to have that conversation when she woke up?"
"Of course I did," Draco snapped, "it's not like there's been an opportune moment to bring it up."
"Apart from the entire time you've been shacked up with her in my château? Alone?"
Glaring at Blaise's smug face, Draco sat back down and took a long drink from his glass, nearly draining it. "I've thought about it every Merlin damned day, played out thousands of conversations in my head, and gone to find her a thousand times more. But, I guess it all comes down to the fact that, I'm scared."
Finally, Blaise thought, an honest admission. "She's probably just as scared as you are Draco. It's obvious watching you two that you're smitten with each other. I can see she's being careful, which to me says you mean too much to her to lose. You guys need to talk. The sooner the better really."
"Were you always this smart at school?" Draco muttered irritably as Blaise nodded. As always, Blaise had cut to the heart of the matter and left him feeling like somewhat of a fool. "Will you help me then? Figure out how to do this?"
Blaise smiled gently, pouring them both another glass of Champagne. "Draco, I think it's time you and I toured the estate. And I think I know exactly what you should do with Granger."
Hours later, Draco stood alone, gazing out over the calm blue waters of the Mediterranean. Off in the distance Draco could see the mountains and below him, he could hear the waves gently slapping against the rock. Blaise's plan was ingenious, simple and exactly what he needed. He stood there, patiently waiting for Hermione when he heard her voice carry across the empty restaurant.
Before he turned to look at her, he took a deep breath, trying and failing to calm his nerves. Taking one last look at the ocean, Draco twiddled the ring on his finger, turning to greet Hermione just as she tapped his shoulder.
"Wow," Draco blurted out, his heart frozen as he stared at Hermione, well, he thinks it's Hermione.
"You like it?" She asked hesitantly, her hand reaching up to play with the ends of her now short hair. It had been a spontaneous idea really, Blaise's hairdresser suggesting shorter hair would be much more manageable when the children came along. Not to mention the fact that she would no longer need to fight her hair on a daily basis with her hairbrush.
"I love it," Draco breathed, taking the time to truly appreciate her new look. Her long hair had been cut into styled wavy layers, a fringe coming in to frame her eyes with the rest of her hair coming to rest just above her shoulders. "It suits you."
"Thanks," Hermione answered, her hands still playing with her new, shorter hair. "Where's Blaise?" Hermione asked, turning to look around the rest of the empty restaurant for him.
"Busy," Draco said, taking Hermione's hand and spinning her into him, her back now flush with his chest. He and Blaise had walked for hours, discussing Hermione, weighing out the pro's and con's of each plan before settling on the simplest option.
Hermione relaxed into Draco's embrace. Emmanuelle had worked hard and Hermione felt wonderful, every muscle in her body was relaxed. Together she and Draco stood silently, taking in the view, his hands were cradling her baby bump and Hermione could honestly say, nothing had ever felt better. Draco seemed to be her perfect counterbalance, even now he was taking half of her weight to ease any strain in her lower back. They seemed to be so in tune with one another, it made Hermione wonder why she hadn't realised it before.
"Hermione," Draco whispered, his voice low as his chin rested on her shoulder. He could feel his heart beating erratically in his chest as he steeled his nerves.
"Yes, Draco?" Hermione hummed as she turned her head to look at him, his hands fidgeting against her bump as he drew in a deep breath.
"Will you wear my Malfoy ring?" Draco blurted out, his nerves getting the best of him as his well rehearsed sentences jumbled together. "It's not a proposal, I know you wouldn't want that. But it's important. You're important and I need something," Draco fumbled the ring off his finger and held it out as an offering, praying that Hermione would take it. "Something, to show the world that we're in this together. That I love you, that the children are mine. Hell, that we are exclusive, whatever label you want or don't want to put on it. I just need you, Hermione."
Hermione stood there stunned as Draco stared at her, his eyes beseeching her to accept. Although his words were rushed, Hermione knew what he meant. They had been dancing around their relationship for so long, never quite taking the plunge for one reason or another, but now was the time. Hermione knew she couldn't shy away from her feelings any longer. She had known for a while now that Draco was quite possibly in love with her, but hearing him say it, out loud as he asked her to wear his ring, made her heart stop. She didn't think she was quite there, yet, but she knew she was falling for him. How could she not?
With a trembling voice, Hermione asked, "which finger does it go on, Draco?"
Breathing a sigh of relief, Draco took her left hand in his, hovering his ring over her ring finger. He could still see the indentations of where her wedding band had sat and hesitated slightly. "Here," he answered, his words coming out quietly, "but, it's ok if you don't want to wear it there. I know what people will think it means, when all it really is, is my promise, to you, to always love you be there for our children. I don't want anyone else."
Feeling her stomach flutter, Hermione nodded at Draco, his answering smile knocking the breath from her lungs as he carefully slid the ring down her finger. When he stopped, Hermione felt it magically alter to fit her, staring down at the silver 'M' as it stood against the onyx stone Hermione spoke softly. "Thank you, Draco," Hermione giggled a little at Draco's bemused face before she continued, struggling to find the right words. "You, are more than I deserve but everything that I want. I will wear this ring with pride and I promise you, Draco Malfoy, that no one, nothing, will come between us. My home is right here, in your arms. Nothing can change that."