Dribble Three: Say 'Yes' To The Fish.

Length ~ 1.5k words

Rating: T

The Ministry office of Hermione Granger was a hub of activity. To reach the busy witch, Draco had to weave around twelve stacks of parchment, dodge six memos that whisked through the air, and quickly side-step one of Hermione's irritated colleagues, whose recent proposal to the Wizengamot she had deemed 'fiscally irresponsible'.

"Granger," he greeted her after finally reaching her loaded desk.

Hermione didn't look up. All of her attention was occupied by some important document in her hands. She was reading it very quickly, mumbling under her breath as she did.

"Granger," he tried again.

Still no response.

"Hermione, you're leaving work early today."

That did the trick.

"What?" she glanced up, scandalized, eyebrows rising. "I most certainly am not! Oh– hi, Draco." Her cheeks colored. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in. It's been crazy here, and what with Wilkinson pushing his agenda, which HE WILL ONLY ACCOMPLISH OVER MY DEAD BODY, I've just been swamped." The body part had been yelled out into the corridor.

"I've noticed," Draco said dryly as another memo tore through the office, almost taking off his ear before landing on Hermione's desk. "But, love, you need a break. And I, considerate boyfriend that I am, have booked us a weekend getaway. We'll be gone the whole time, and there will be no discussions of work, the Ministry, or of that incompetent kiss-ass Wilkinson. Just us, unending bottles of champagne, and the pristine beaches of Majorka. What do you say?"

"Oh, Draco, that's really sweet, but–"

"And before you say 'but', I just want to add that I've already spoken with your supervisor, and he said that while you're probably the best Ministry employee in at least the past two centuries–"

"Two?"

"Three. Three centuries."

Hermione smiled. "Alright then, go on."

"Right. So, he was saying that although you're the best employee here in the last five centuries, he is sick and tired of you staying late and being overly productive and thus casting a shadow that no other Ministry worker can dream to crawl out of."

"He said all that?"

"Well, not is so many words."

"Draco! I can tell when you're lying, you know."

"Alright, alright! Maybe I didn't go to your supervisor, but you've been working late every day, and I'm...I'm starting to miss you."

The wizard glanced down suddenly, looking oddly vulnerable, and Hermione felt ashamed. Ashamed that she'd let herself drown in work, letting her boyfriend of two years suffer in solitude. She knew he didn't have many friends. Life was still difficult for him, after the war. Too many people looked down on him; too many spat in his face, calling out for his incarceration in Azkaban.

The fact that the most vocal contingent of those spouting accusations had spent their war-years hiding safely in warm sanctuaries made her furious.

They'd even dared attack her, when she had started going out with him. She'd been called a whore and a sell-out, and it didn't bother her, but if people were willing to shame her, a war-heroine, then how much did Draco have to endure?

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, a pang of guilt in her words. "Give me a few minutes to gather my things and we can go."

Draco perked up so quickly and gave her such a sassy grin that she instantly knew she'd been duped. The sneaky Slytherin had been playing up the downtrodden angle in order to manipulate her into saying yes.

And look at that: she'd gone for it all; hook, line and sinker.

"I know what you did there, mister," she growled, but he was unfazed.

"Hurry up," he just said with a dazzling smile. "I've got the whole weekend planned out. The best thing comes at the start, though, and you know why?"

"Ugh." Hermione knew he'd wait till she asked. "Alright, why?"

"Because we're going hunting for a fish!"

"A fish? What– do I even wanna know?"

"Don't scoff, Granger, this is important." Suddenly, all of his playfulness was gone, and he looked startlingly serious. "It's very important that you say 'yes'. You have to say 'yes' to the fish. Remember that, ok?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'll consider it. Now let me go get my things."

Fifteen minutes later, Hermione was ready and Draco held out a portkey to her.

"Aren't we going home first?" she protested. "I'll need to pack some clothes, at least."

"Already packed."

"Huh. Thought of everything, have you?"

For a brief moment, a very peculiar expression crossed Draco's face – on someone else she would have called it nervousness – but then it passed, and he just softly said, "I think I have. Let's go."

. . . .

. . . .

"Ok, you can open your eyes now."

Hermione did so and gasped at the beauty of her surroundings. Draco's portkey had taken them to a clearwater koi pond covered in lilies that ranged in hues from the most vivid green to the silkiest pink. A soft wind blew through the air, carrying the scents of lilac and sakura. They stood on a walkbridge, painted white, and a vast, cloudless sky stretched above.

"It looks like, just like–"

"Monet's pond," Draco finished thought. "It's actually called that – because of the resemblance. I remember you told me that his lilies were your favorite series of paintings when we visited that muggle art gallery."

"I didn't think you were paying attention…"

"I always pay attention when it comes you, Hermione. You mean everything to me. You're the only one who's had the courage and the conviction to stand by my side – even when your own friends were questioning your decision."

"Harry and Ron…they worry, that's all."

"And yet, you stayed. You've made me the happiest man on the planet, dove. But...enough with the sappy stuff! It's not manly – or so your Weasel says. I told you we came here to hunt a fish, remember?!"

"A fish?!" Hermione glanced at the beautiful shimmering koi that were lazing around in the water. Their scales shined orange and white, red and black, purple and green. Her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Ah-ah-ah! We're not here to fish. We're here to hunt a fish. There's a difference, my dear."

"Are you quite finished with your condescending nonsense yet?"

"Almost...aha, there it is. Look!"

Hermione peered down and saw the biggest, most radiant koi fish she can ever seen. Its skin was like butter cream, and on its sides were speckles of rubies and emeralds.

"It's gorgeous!" Hermione gasped.

"I hoped you'd like it. Be careful now, it's coming closer. Get ready to catch!"

"...Catch?!"

Indeed, at that moment the koi fish began to gather speed, swimming towards the young couple on the bridge. When it was right below them, it thrust itself up and jumped right into Hermione's outstretched arms.

"Eeek!" Draco would always remember that squeal and tease her about it from time to time. "What kind of fish is this?!" It stretched itself passively in her grasp, looking like one giant golden lump.

"Well, it's not a fish actually. I transfigured something...made it into this. Took some studying too; had to grovel before McGonagall for her to teach me. Why don't you cancel the charm, see what it is? Oh– shoot, dropped something."

Hermione, her curiosity piqued, absently noted Draco getting down on one knee to search for whatever it was he had dropped. She took out her wand and, after spending a few more seconds admiring the beautiful koi (even if it wasn't real), cast a quick finite incantatem.

Hermione blinked.

The fish disappeared, leaving behind a single golden ring. Along its length ran an intricate pattern of tiny rubies and emeralds. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and yet, for some reason, her mouth became very dry and her heart started thumping insanely, like she was running a marathon.

"Herrmione Jean Granger." Draco's voice was very solemn.

She looked up – he was still on one knee, facing her with an open, yearning expression. She tried to say something, anything, but there was a lump in her throat and nothing came out. Instead, her vision became misty and she had to blink very quickly. Was he–?

"I love you with all my heart," he interrupted her scrambling thoughts. "You make me happy in a million ways, and I'd like to spend the rest of my life telling you each and every one. Will you share that with me? Will you be my wife? And, before you give your answer I just have to warn you – you did promise to say 'yes' to the fish."

"I. I…" Hermione stammered, pressing a hand to her chest. "I actually said I'd consider it," she finally managed faintly.

"And now that you've had?"

He was there, looking at her with loving eyes and she was drowning in their depths.

"Yes…" It was a whisper, but he heard.

"Yes?"

"Yes. Yes! YES!" she suddenly screamed, and then he jumped up, twirling her in his arms, and he was laughing, and there were tears streaming down her cheeks, although she couldn't figure out why, because she'd never been so happy.

She was glad she'd said 'yes' to the fish.

Written during... ahhh, just written!