Draco 3 August 2017

Kissing her hand, Merlin knows I want to suck each of her perfectly manicured fingers until she begs, I finish my chardonnay - yes I drink that, it was pretty good too - and go to get ready for dinner.

Where we will talk.

Merlin give me the strength to tell her. Tell her that I love her. Tell her that I'm her husband. To slip her ring, with all that it holds, back on her delicate finger. Tell her that all I have ever wanted, is to be her husband and to love her properly.

I need the strength to tell her that she has been my one and only, she was the one that held my heart when I married Astoria, she was the one that challenges me to be a better man every day. I remember telling her something like that when we eloped, as part of my request for her to marry me.

I want her to remember. It would be so much easier.

But I realize that I slipped this afternoon. I called her 'honey'. *sigh* There are so many things I want to call her, want her to call me. I want us to have pet names for each other, ones that only we understand and can call each other. I wouldn't mind if she even screamed 'ferret' in a passion filled night; I might just start laughing at that though.

My thoughts then drifted to this morning, 'I almost told her. If only I wasn't interrupted.'

Now I have to find that strength again. Knowing that she didn't regret this morning makes it easier. I was ready to take all the blame, hell I'd say that I put her under a love potion if that was what was needed to save her and Potter's friendship.

Instead, Potter and I are becoming amicable. Not friends. I don't know if friends would ever be an apt description, but amicable for the sake of Hermione.

But now, I just have to find my spine.

The car was to arrive at 7:15 and it was now 7:00. Part of me wants to walk across the hall and greet my beauty before the valet. Part of me wants to wait. But all of me agrees that a drink of firewhiskey is needed to calm my nerves.

Trini was up to her tricks again. Which means that Hermione is going to be beautiful. This time, though, I had no hint other than "Gryffindor tonight". Does that mean she will be in a stunning red gown or something golden?

I must admit she looked so relaxed today when I stopped by. I don't know what number drink she was on, but it wasn't a buzzed type of relaxed. More like a 'world has been lifted from my shoulders' relaxed. Something I want to see in her more often.

Though I still say she is cute when she's frazzled.

I adjust my tie again. With Trini's hint, I found a Gieves and Hawkes (a Muggle shop in London where all their elite go) very Gryffindor-style red and gold tie stuck in the back of my trunk. I usually wear my normal black or Slytherin green, I didn't even know I owned a red and gold tie. Someone somewhere is dropping hints. I pair it with a black velvet dinner jacket - something out of my usual style, classic white shirt, and slacks. It is a little more 'colorful' than I'm used to, but anything for my beautiful bride. I adjust my cufflinks - sorry they are still my style, the gold Malfoy crest one - for the third or fourth time tonight.

I am nervous. Nervous about the second date with my wife.

Now I don't know if I'm setting the bar too high, or not. I mean when we do get past this 'oh by the way Hermione love, we eloped' stage, I do plan on continuing to date my wife regularly. I know our schedules won't allow for dates daily, nor will our pocketbooks - though we both are well off, but regularly. Every week. At least. Fridays and Saturdays will be for my lovely wife - even if I have to jump on a jet to get to her. Sundays will be family days.

Okay, now that that is scheduled.

I can't help but smile at the idea. Even if Sunday involves the Weasel and whoever he left Hermione to be with, the kids need their father. I can't agree more.

I am still pacing my hotel suite, looking at the clock again. 7:03. REALLY? Only 3 bloody minutes have past? I was never ever this nervous. Not at school, not on my wedding day.

The only real time that I was remotely nervous was the Yule Ball. And when I saw Hermione, my knees went weak - thank goodness for the banister that I was lurking at - and I handed her my heart. Metaphorically speaking of course. Because then I was a spineless, gutless, shell of a man. No I wasn't even a man, I was a shell of a boy. She was a beauty, a princess sparkling that night. Last night she was a queen; regal, confident, elegant, in control.

To watch her evolve from that 11 year old know-it-all, to the princess, to this queen has been something I am blessed to have witnessed. I should have witnessed it at her side, instead of in the shadows heckling her all the way.

How am I going to start this discussion again? It can't be like it was this morning, with me between her legs and Potter barging in. One day I know we'll look back on that and laugh, but today isn't that day. I need some inspiration, something to break the ice. Just something to get me from a bunch of caged Cornish pixies to 'honey, we're married and I want you to remember because I am blissfully happy.'

Okay that was terribly corny.
And now I'm making dreadful puns.
My head, absentmindedly, facepalms.
I have got to get my shit together. And fast. It is now 7:09.

"Damnit, I can't get this bloody clasp." I hear from the other side of the door as I'm pacing (again) around the room.

I step over and crack the door open, not to ruin the surprise. "Do you need help?"

I can hear her jumping up and down in frustration, dying to turn around and look.

"Not just yet. I am just trying to get this bloody necklace on. It was one of the few things that Ron was really good at."

"Necklaces aren't hard," I said befuddled, "when you actually can see the clasp. Have you tried turning it around to the front and using a mirror?"

"Bloody hell." I hear her rush back into her room. 'Brightest witch of our age' and still some basic common sense seems to be lacking when she's stressed. These are the moments that I always want to have, even if it is a little bit at my wife's expense. It makes her a little more human.

Now I'm really curious as to what necklace is giving Hermione so much grief. I step outside and attempt - hopefully successfully - to look composed.

I hear the elevator ding, notifying that the valet is here. "Hermione, it's time to go."

She steps out of her room.

Somewhere, floors below, is my jaw. She is in a beautiful deep red, low and wide cut V neck laced top with that start at about one inch straps and end nearly at her navel, and a beautiful multi-layered chiffon full skirt. The difference between the fullness of the skirt and the fitted lace top highlights her delicate and narrow waist, whereas that top shows just a touch of her breasts.

Then there is the necklace that caused her grief. It is a white and gold diamond, arte deco style, necklace with a drop golden diamond at the bottom. There are diamonds everywhere, from the chain links to surrounding the beautiful, large center pendant gold diamond, and the teardrop is just below, that lays at her sternum. My eyes at least have an excuse to look at her chest.

I am floored again.

"Trini needs a raise."

"Trini needs another job. I don't know if I trust her with my social life anymore." I jest. I am sending her out to find the perfect wedding dress for Hermione one of these days. "She's going to kill me and part of me thinks that's her plan. Cause then she'll take over my business."

Hermione is blushing. "Are you wearing a Gryffindor tie?"

"Not exactly." I show her the bottom of the tie. "No lion. You may influence me to wear those tacky colors once in awhile, but you won't get me in anything truly Gryffindor. I don't think my psyche can handle that insult."

"Consider that a challenge." She smirked, her brown eyes sparkling gold, like the diamonds dripping from her neck.

I am the luckiest man in the world.

Her hair is pulled upwards on the sides, and there are cascades of curls gravitating down past her shoulders, the many different hues catching in the setting sun's glow.

I hope there is a healer, or at least a Muggle medic nearby tonight. My heart keeps skipping beats.

"You look amazing. Those colors look good on you," her voice is like bells yet 'those colors' came out sounding a little flat to me.

"I am nothing compared to the beauty standing before me. You look like an angel."

Her cheeks need no rouge, her slight blush tints her cheeks with a little red. I caress that cheek gently as my eyes can't leave hers. Her blush is a red that matches the deep red staining her lips. Lips that I want to kiss.

I purse my lips together, trying to avoid the desire to kiss her. I offer her my arm so that hopefully she won't see my strain and the tear threatening to spill out. "Thank you" I whisper.

Her little nose crinkles, "for what?"

"Tonight. Yesterday. For giving me…" I can't find the words.

"You deserve a second chance." She closes what little gap we had between us. "You deserve to be happy."

"Not this happy." I look at her. "You don't know, you can't understand, how overjoyed I am right now."

"Maybe. Maybe not. Because right now, I don't think you know how ecstatic I am at this moment."

My heart skips (another) beat as my eyes must give away the shock that I am experiencing. I notice the claminess of my hands and try to tuck them away. "Thank you. Again."

The slight smile lingers on those luscious lips of hers.

"I should be thanking you. You've treated me like a princess these past few days. Spoiling me. Helping me with work. Being there when I completely lose it."

"Hermione," I take a deep breath, MERLIN HELP ME!, "hopefully you'll understand by the end of the night, you deserve someone who wants to treat you this way, everyday."

She looks at me accusingly. "What are you not telling me Malfoy?"

"I promise to tell you everything before the night's out. It's just…"

She laid her head on my shoulder. "You can tell me anything. Anytime you need."

"This isn't so simple. It's not like I'm telling you that the organization team is going to Luna's tomorrow to help her with the paperwork that isn't in order, and after that everything should be fine."

She giggled. "Nah you wouldn't be saying anything like that would you?" She looked into my eyes and I knew that she knew. She knew that she had my heart and there would never be anyone else for me.

I know my eyes give it away. They always have. Either they've lingered too long, like when we were in school and she thought it was creepy, or they look just a little too deeply and intensely. I think that's how Potter knew so easily.

By the time we reached the restaurant, we had at least 10 minutes of really awkward silence. I tried to start a conversation a few times, but the words just got stuck.

"I have something to tell you, Granger. It isn't something I think you expect. I know, looking back it isn't anything I would expect to hear."

"It probably isn't anything better than what I have to say. It's… weird at best."

"So um… who's first?"

She giggles, "What's on second."

I shake my head thinking, 'what the hell?' She had better explain that, because all I can do is think that this beautiful woman - brilliant too - has gone completely bat shit nuts. I take her hand, she's still giggling and looking slightly mentally unstable. "Honey," SHIT! Not again, "what is so funny?"

"It's a Muggle comedy routine from America. It has to do with baseball - their big sport - and weird names. The comedians are named Abbott and Costello. One day, I want to show you." Her eyes are twinkling.

"I hope so. Anything that gets you this giggly, I want to see."

"Good. Now Draco Malfoy, when did you start calling me that?"

"Don't." I cringe. It had slipped out again. "I just started today. It seems to fit you."

"What would you say if I told you…" She pauses. Dear Merlin, I really like all my bodyparts. I don't need them hexed off. "I really like it."

I still am holding my breath. Wait, what did she say? "What was that?"

"I like it. It sounds good coming out of your mouth."

I can finally breathe normally. Thank you Merlin.

"I think I had a small heart attack." She's giggling again and it sounds angelic. "Thanks. I have a least a panic attack and you think it's funny. I know where I stand."

"That's not it Dra-co." She drags out my name. "I am surprised that you were so nervous. I don't think I've ever seen you so nervous on anything before."

"Maybe because I've never been this nervous before."

"Never?"

I can't take my eyes off hers. I shake my head, "Nope. This thing… this thing I need to tell you… it isn't the easiest thing to tell you."

"Well does anyone else know?"

"Yeah," I say hesitantly and I'm probably blushing profusely.

"Who?"

"Blaise. And I think he told Trini. Actually knowing him, he probably told her and half the executive suite and board by now."

"Then why would you tell him something that you didn't want the world to know?"

"Because," I'm cringing slightly again, "he needed to know. Not just because of work, which is true, but also as my best friend. It's like you trying to keep something from the Potters."

I watch the cogs turn in her brain. She's weighing it over, probably trying to figure it out.

Trust me baby, you won't figure it out. Ever.

"Hmmm I see your point. I can't keep much from Ginny. Harry… well there's just some things I can't talk to him about."

"REALLY? Please elaborate." I thought she told the Chosen One everything.

"There's girl stuff. Like this morning I had to call Ginny, trying to reign her husband in, and she knows - well - pretty much what Harry saw."

I run my fingers through my hair. "So I suppose all the Weasley's know now too. There goes any cred I had." Her smile is better than any lumos spell, it's lighting up the whole restaurant. "I mean I knew Blaise would tell my mum, well what I had, even though I told him not to. I would not be surprised if it wasn't in the Prophet tomorrow. Which is why I need to tell you tonight, just in case it gets out."

"Draco, what could be that bad that you are this nervous?"

"Granger, well technically that isn't your last name anymore."

"I've been telling you that Draco." She's smiling at least. "It's"

"Malfoy." I interrupt her.

Her face is emotionless. I can't read anything she's thinking. Is she thinking? Oh hell.

"What? When? How?" Each question, there is a confused pause accompanying it. "Draco, was I?"

"All you were was more than a little drunk. And we didn't… well." I breathe. I didn't even realize that I wasn't. I need to remind myself to schedule an appointment with the healers, just to make sure this conversation didn't cause some permanent physical impairments. "It was two nights ago. You had been crying in a cafe when I came by. I was actually here for a little reprieve, after my father - well - his parole was denied. Understandably of course, even I wouldn't - nor did I - go and speak on his behalf. And before I lose Blaise to another baby Zabini."

"Draco," she reminds me of an irked McGonagall, "you're babbling."

"I know." I try to regain my train of thought. "Well you were crying and pretty much told me everything that you knew about Weasley, and you cried a lot. Really, a lot. All I did was hold you and let you cry. Though it was truly heartbreaking to watch. We shared a bottle of wine. And then the next thing I knew, you were curled up in my arms. I finally got the nerve to tell you something that I wanted to tell you since 4th year - that I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember. I don't know exactly what I said, but something clicked I guess because we were kissing."

"And we ran off and eloped. A little chapel with a giant stained glass window."

"What? You remember?"

"I thought it was a dream. It was an amazing dream too."

I think I went paler, if that was actually physically possible. "When?"

"On the way to Luna's. I was going to ask you about it tonight."

I watch her facial expression, but I can't tell what her feelings are about this revelation. "So, um, what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that we probably should be in one hotel room." She was smiling.

That was not something I expected to hear. "Really? You don't want to go slow or anything?" Please don't think it's a mistake.

"Do you?"

"Honestly, what I want is to put your wedding band back on. You've been all I have ever wanted and well…"

"Do you have it?"

"Yes, of course." That took me off guard. "But you should know about the few strings that are attached with it."

She's smirking. She's going to fit in with the Malfoys just right. "Of course there are. What are they?"

"Only I can take it off once I put it on. Which is why you aren't wearing it now. I took it off so that you wouldn't freak out when you couldn't take it off."

She nodded. "Is that all?"

"You can't cheat while wearing it."

"You make that sound like it's a bad thing."

"Well much of my family thinks it is a bad thing, since they aren't really faithful. But I honestly wouldn't cheat, even without the ring on."

"Did you wear it with Astoria?"

"Nah. I didn't ever cheat on her, but to me these were for someone worthy. And she didn't have my heart like you do."

"Okay." She was still thinking. I saw her eyes furrow and her brow crease. She looks like she did at school a lot, especially when she was working with Potter and Weasel. "So were you acting this nice to me because of this, um, situation?"

"No. It just seemed to work out. I wanted to spend time with you, and well I would have done much of that stuff even if we didn't…"

"Draco, I don't know. I mean it is fast."

"I understand. Do you want to think about it?" Please say no. Just say no. Say you'll be my wife. Or at least try.

"No I don't, but we shouldn't have it get out publically. Not yet at least."

PHEW! "I completely understand."

"Can I at least see the ring?"

I slide it off my pinky finger and show it to her. Her eyes double in size, and then start twinkling. The gentlest smile is peaking through the red lips of hers. "It's beautiful."

"It's yours."

"Thank you." She looked up from the ring with curiosity in her eyes, "why did you have this in the first place?"

Damn it. Bloody hell. GUILTY. "I had got it about a month or so ago. I kept it in my pocket, hoping to find someone that would be 'the one'. I never thought it would be you, but I also thought I would never find the one if I didn't have them. It was backwards logic, I know. But after my divorce, I hoped for happiness. And honestly, I haven't been happier since that evening."

"Well I don't remember much of that evening, but since the meeting about the World Cup, I haven't ever been this happy either." She looked into my eyes, and I know she saw the tears building. And I didn't care.

I woke up the next morning with the most beautiful witch's legs intertwined with mine. If it weren't that they were body parts, it would have been a tangle that a jeweler wouldn't be able to undo.

The night before went not as I expected, it was more of a dream. After dinner concluded, she had rationalized that we should remain in one hotel room - it was only logical.

That was the first thing that took me off guard.

She brought me to her room and if I thought she was beautiful - stunning, elegant, regal, the amount of adjectives that I could use to describe her could fill a thesaurus - in her evening gown, her nightgown was something I couldn't have imagined in my dreams. Cream silk chemise that went down just below her tight little butt, with layers of chiffon floating around like clouds. Her hair was down, curls gently gracing her shoulders and down her back. She needed not a touch of makeup, each of her individual features complemented the others. Her eyes glimmered against her tanned skin that enhanced the highlights in her hair.

I admit it completely, I'm going soft. But who wouldn't for Hermione Jean Granger Malfoy.

I honestly didn't know what to expect last night, did she just want to lay next to me like our wedding night? I was completely fine with that. Would she want to actually consummate our marriage? Oh please Merlin, that would have made me the happiest man alive. Something I have dreamt of since fourth year at Hogwarts.

I need a damn cold shower this morning.

No I don't. I have my wife laying next to me in all of her radiance. She's lying next to me, wearing only her wedding ring.

Last night she was confident in her love making, not controlling though. We balanced each other perfectly. The moment she stepped out of the bathroom, I knew this evening would be the one. The first thing I remember is sitting on the bed, thinking 'how is this going to work? Merlin I don't even know what side of the bed is hers.' I was looking down at the floor, only in my boxers, and I saw her little bare foot come out of the bathroom. My eyes followed upwards, her calves, her cute dimpled knees, her thighs. By this time I was standing in front of her, it felt like I floated over, and my one arm was encircling her waist, while my other hand was pushing her curls back out of her face.

"Honey, you don't." I began.

She only smiled and kissed me. I felt one of her hands in my hair while her other was tempting my boxers off.

I hold her hand, our rings next to each other. They are the two that are the same.
I look at the scars on our arms, the same arms that hold our rings. They show that we haven't always been on the same side.

But we have a new chapter opening in our life. One that is ours, together.