Yesterday I published "Away with the Nargles" but I've mistakenly associated that chapter to the last of Searching. The timeline of that one fits the end of this new part, sorry for my mistake.

Once again, all the thanks go to Magzillasaurus, my beta partner for this story.

Chapter Twenty-Three

After a few more acts, the line-up of witches gathered on the stage holding a number in their hands.

Hermione grasped Pansy's hand and dragged the witch to the centre, calling out Padma and Hannah to join them and motioning to the men to come up to the stage. Blaise pushed Ron forward, while Ernie and Michael came from the other end, "The pageant is the last of the several trials we went through in the search for our perfect partner. I want to use the opportunity to thank all my colleagues because, without their help, I wouldn't have been able to put up this event together." A round of applause rose, Blaise took the honours, pushing a blushing Ron forward and force the man to bend, as he did.

"Also, I want to thank you for the amazing participation, I hope that you have succeeded in finding your perfect match. I, for one, have." A soft smile lighted up, glancing quickly at her blond wizard. "For those who remained unsuccessful, I advise you to follow the Ministry's procedure. Otherwise, I congratulate you on your success."

This was it, she thought. I can't do more…

-oOo-

The majority looked incredibly happy. Some overjoyed with their match, others cautiously smiling, still wary of the outcome.

Hermione used the retreat to the backstage as a moment to ponder over the last few weeks.

Pansy and Ginny watched her saunter back, "Are you okay?" Pansy asked, touching her lightly on the shoulder.

"Yes, you go on, I need a minute."

"Are you having second thoughts?"

"Absolutely not, I just need to gather my wits…"

"You will meet us at the Leaky as planned, right? Celebrate the pageant?"

"Yes, definitely."

-oOo-

She sat with her gown folded in her hands, gazing into the distance.

The man who used to be her biggest nemesis, the bully teenager who never dismissed an opportunity to emphasise she didn't belong in his world, was nowadays the man that made her life feel complete. For him, she pushed out of her comfort zone to draw his reaction and he never disappointed.

Now, she stood here contemplating the future.

If not for this stupid law, the chances that she and Draco would come so far were probably none. Both their minds filled with long-lived prejudices, and pent-up anger. It wasn't the first time, she envisioned him approaching her to talk and meeting the end of her wand, as she didn't trust him for a second. Expecting the old arrogant prat to make an appearance and she acting proactively before he could hurt her.

Today, she knew the moment she stepped outside, that he would be waiting for her. Arms wide-open to comfort, probably horny as hell after her previous little deliberate act. She knew she would belong between them, her home, caring and protective.

This wasn't a decision made in the moment, but something that had been brewing probably since after their first banter at the Leaky. When he was visibly hurt by her actions concerning those crisps. The way he apologised. At this moment, easily ignoring the jolt of fire she felt when he ate the damn potato.

From then on, she couldn't avoid pressing his buttons. She gave as much as he returned, their bantering driving their friends nuts. Time after time, stirring an unknown feeling inside her. One that grew to respect, care and yes, feel attracted to a very handsome wizard.

While Ron had expressed his wish she would become a housewife, back in the days she thought he was the one - Gawd, I was so stupid… - Draco already assumed she would continue to work and even make her way up to the top. Not jealous of her success, but the supportive partner a woman longs to have at her side. She, at least…

"Having second thoughts?" Speaking of the devil, who sounded cautious from afar.

Her face brightened, while she folded her dress properly and set it away in her totem, "No, just thinking about the journey that got me here."

Her encouraging smile didn't yet ease his worry. Pansy told him she would come a little later, and the fear she was overthinking them kicked in viciously. He fretted that their history could still get in the way of his happiness, "Are you certain?"

"Draco, I don't doubt us. I stopped doing that after probably session number two…" She dropped her cargo to cup his cheek, "I just thought that not in a million years I could have guessed that you, the Slytherin Prince, and me, the Golden Princess would be each other's perfect match." She chuckled, "Imagine that we would have followed Kingsley's way and got matched to each other. The world would have been too small!"

"You have a point…" Following her reasoning, he might have burst into flames at such a moment. His eyes never stopped roaming her face, looking for signs of regret. Finding none.

"Of course I have a point. I could have drank your blood, a few weeks ago…"

"And now?"

"I enjoy tasting your other fluids…" One eyebrow rose, suggestively. "Let's go to the Leaky, stay there long enough to avoid being impolite, and when it's time we leave the place."

"Where to?"

"You choose..."

"Hermione…" He kissed her instead, the cube of ice around his heart had melted by now. Not seeing her exit with the other witches, scared the shit out of him. Now, he couldn't wait to bring her home, "I love you."

"Draco, so do I…"

"What?" He gave her a half looped smile.

"I love me too…" She giggled, watching his face drop. "You idiot, I love you to the moon and back." Grabbing him by the back of his head, she kissed him passionately. Making him feel that her words were not in vain. "I have fallen in love with the king of ferrets and gits… With a hell of a sexy body and a warm heart, that tends to be a tad too full of himself."

It was as a heavy burden that fell from his shoulders.

He hoisted her up, kissing her non-stop while turning around in circles, "I'm the luckiest bastard in the world…" He swirled once more, her giggles flying into the air, "I love you, Hermione Granger. This pureblood wizard can't imagine a life without his favourite muggleborn anymore."

-oOo-

They arrived at the Leaky, in the middle of a full-swing party. The place was probably exploding from its hinges from the number of people celebrating.

Tracey was surrounded by Greg's arms, Hannah looked adorably up to her Neville while Blaise pat another person's shoulders congratulating them with their partner, Daphne trying but failing at subduing her wizard - who didn't let her go for a second.

"There's my man!" The tanned wizard shouted their arrival, "He snatched the Golden Princess!"

"Mate, take it down a notch, will you." Both men hugged as good friends, pats on the shoulder included.

Two butterbeers were shoved into Hermione and Draco's hands. They toasted and sought a way to their friend's table. "Pansy, stop sucking Ronald's life out of him."

"Snog with your witch, Drakey, and leave my Ron and me alone." She returned her attention to the flushed wizard, who looked like a sixteen-year-old with his first girlfriend.

Ginny sighed deep, sipping from her own foam drink, "They've been at it since we've got here. He told her she was the most attractive witch in her swimsuit and then, pff!"

"I beg to differ, but there's no accounting for taste." He was reminded about a particular issue he wanted to discuss with his curly haired witch. A few items were from now on, for his two eyes only…

"Now what, Harry?"

"Now we settle for a date, we tell the Ministry that we have made our choice and they can put their spells where the sun never shines, and we live happily ever after."

"You got it easy, Molly already knows about you and Ginny." Hermione joked, "I still have to meet my in-laws officially."

"My mother only, love. My father's arse is warming up a bench in the most accommodating Azkaban hotel." Draco rubbed his nose against the column of her neck. "I'll write him an owl…"

"Does she know already about me?"

"I might have mentioned it a time or two, yes."

A plate of chips arrived at their table, Draco snaked one first, stirred it in the ketchup bowl and offered it to her lips, "There's a love potion in this one, care to try?"

"Should I trust a ferret?" She bit his finger eating more than half of the chip. He ate the remains.

In a corner, Theo and Luna were dancing softly to the beat of the background music. He was caressing her as his most prized possession, ignoring the celebrations around them. She was looking up to him, with her most radiant smile. Fingers stroking his short hair.

Hermione watched the display of pure fluff.

"Are you jealous?"

"Of what exactly?"

Draco turned her around, snaking her arms to wrap around his neck, copying Luna's stance, "Do you want me to turn into a Hufflepuff?"

"No, but I won't say no to a display of true romance. I want my fairy tale too…"

"Which tale exactly?"

"You kidnap me and take me to your penthouse, you feed me something delicious, then you pull me into your bedroom where you undress me and do all those things you've promised you would do in your bathtub." She tipped her head to the side, "I fall asleep in your arms exhausted."

"Is that your ideal fairy tale?"

"Almost. Perfect will be if my knight proposes to me in the most romantic way, of course…"

"Your knight?" He looked around her, "Where's the bloke?"

"I told him not to come, tonight. He would floor you with a swing of a sword, and I dread having blood spilt on my clothes." She gave him a cheeky smile.

"Is that so?" Draco watched her down his nose, "I do really need to kidnap you, don't I?"

Her giggles sealed the deal.

He waved goodbye to Harry and Blaise and apparated them into his penthouse. This sneaky witch needed to be taught a lesson...