I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up, I'm still looking up.
Author's Note
Thank you all so much for support! Reviews, favorites and follows! Some violence in this chapter.
"Rookwood," Draco breathed. Rookwood's horrid grin never wavered as he walked forwards and backwards in front of them.
"Well if it isn't Draco Malfoy and his fiancee. Miss. Hermione Granger." he sneered at them. "The traitor to the pureblood society, proposing to the worthless mudblood." he growled. "A disgrace to purebloods, to Malfoy's! Your father and mother would be ashamed of you…" Rookwood continued pacing, throwing digs at the two of them. Hermione breathed deeply as she noticed beads of sweat appear on the nape of Draco's neck. Draco was cautiously and slowly moving himself in front of her grabbing her hand squeezing it. By the time, Rookwood was on his 14th round pacing back and forth, Draco's body was directly in front of hers, protecting it.
She felt slight annoyance as she attempted to stand beside him but the look he sent her was enough to stop her. Along with the fact that Rookwood was walking towards them predator like.
"Now….which one should I kill and torture first?" he asked almost kindly.
She glared at Rookwood defenseless and helpless as he neared.
Suddenly, Draco whipped out a small dagger and launched it at Rookwood. Draco grabbed Hermione as they tore towards the door of the apartment. There was a roar of anger and then silence. Was he dead? Was he injured? Where did he go?
Hermione and Draco crept into the bathroom as silent as they could be. Hermione shut the door after them quietly as Draco struggled with the window hatch. Hermione attempted to help him prise it open but it was sealed shut. Draco's teeth were grit as he glanced at the door and continued to twist the handle.
"Try turning it." Hermione whispered as Draco twisted the handle frustrated.
"Don't try running again." a raspy voice breathed into her ear. She screamed and spun around to see Rookwood's wand pointed at her forehead. Draco tackled Rookwood to the ground and the next several moments were a whirlwind blur of action. Rookwood's wand fired of a spell that hit Hermione as she dived into the tub and she screamed as a nasty cut appeared on her stomach, blood gushing down. Draco wrestled Rookwood for the wand as Draco tried to pin Rookwood down. Hermione felt her vision go in and out of focus as she crawled out of the tub. She dragged herself closer to the fight, when a strangled cry came from one of the two fighters as a jet of light exploded. She heard a thump and gasped as she saw Draco's body hit the window, the glass shattering. Draco's body slumped to the ground, his blue rolled up shirt tearing at the back. She felt herself hauled to her feet by the straps of her dress as the blood stained the blue printed flowers.
Rookwood's raspy breath was hot against her neck as he stuck the wand against her temple. She focused her eyes on the ragged man who looked like he'd been living on nothing for a few weeks, but his grip was surprisingly strong.
"Mudblood, you can escape death once from the dark Lord, but you won't escape it again." Rookwood smiled evilly as he nudged her wound with his wand causing her to gasp in pain.
There was a scream as Rookwood fell to the floor, a shard of glass stuck in between his shoulderblades. Draco ran as fast as he could, helping Hermione along as they rushed towards the main door. Hermione yanked on the handle but it was locked.
"Damnit." Hermione whispered as blood continued to trail from her stomach. Draco looked terrified as he lead them into Ginny's bedroom. She was visiting the Weasley's for the week because Charlie was spending one last week before returning to Romania since he had come for her wedding.
They clambered into her closet and Hermione collapsed on top of Draco's lap. He cradled her face as he yanked a cotton sweater off a hanger and pressed it to her wound.
"Go get help." Hermione breathed feeling hot blood trickle down.
"Like hell." Draco whispered back holding the sweater firm. He yanked another shirt and tied it around her waist holding the sweater in place. The sweater took place of gauze and the shirt-a bandage.
"Your bleeding too much. We can't really execute a fast escape." Draco grinned a little but it faltered as footsteps entered the room and swung the closet door open.
"I know Homenum Revelio too mudblood. But nice hiding spot. With the blood traitor's underwear." Rookwood jeered yanking Hermione out by the hair. He binded Draco with a flick of his wand and levitated him along. "First, I'll torture the mudblood. Then I'll kill her. For you, since I know and respect you father, I will kill you after. He wouldn't want a blood traitor running amiss either. Vengeance is a promise that will be served." he breathed as he dragged her towards the dining room. He threw her against the wall, where she hit it like a ragdoll and slid to the ground in a heap. She heard a mix of screaming and begging from Draco as the sectumsempra spell hit her in the back causing her to cry out in pain.
"Just kill me. Please, Rookwood. You know me, kill me instead. Rookwood!" Draco yelled jerking around in the seat he was bound to as he watched Hermione thrash in pain as crucio was performed on her.
"Oh but little Malfoy, vengeance is a promise that will be served. And I intend to serve it." Rookwood said shaking his head sadly. He levitated Hermione's limp and numb body onto the table and dropped it with a thud.
"Hermione…." Draco murmured his voice shaking. "Hermione I'm so sorry. It's all my fault….I'm so sorry….please don't be dead," he whispered.
"Don't worry, you will know when she is dead. I will make sure that you see the end of her dirty little life." Rookwood assured sickeningly.
"I'm going to kill you!" Draco screamed suddenly. "I'm going to kill you and I'm going to kill everyone of your pathetic friends. I'm going to make your death painful Rookwood!"
Rookwood chuckled. "I'm sure you will little Malfoy. But in case you didn't notice, you're in no condition to do any killing." Rookwood smiled. He lazily flicked his wand causing another cut to appear from her waist. "I'm wondering what kind of death to give her. Bleed to death, choking, beheading….or avada? Avada seems to quick and kind." Rookwood said thoughtfully.
"Go to hell." Draco spat. Hermione opened her eyes weakly as Rookwood yanked Draco up by his binds and pressed his wand against his throat.
"What would give you the most painful death?" he wondered.
Draco glared at Rookwood when a smile appeared on Rookwood's face. "Her." he nodded to himself. "Of course it's her. Well I think, I'll torture you by torturing her before I kill her then kill you." Rookwood decided dropping Draco.
"No! No, crucio, sectumsempra me!" Draco pleaded fearfully as Rookwood yanked Hermione into a sitting position.
"Oh I'm not doing any of that." Rookwood smiled. "A much more….disturbing method." he said fingering her dress strap. Hermione felt horror flood her mind as understanding came upon her.
"No….no….please…" Draco whispered as Rookwood slipped in between her legs, still holding her up. Hermione glanced around helplessly as he began unzipping her dress. She locked eyes with Draco's light and scared ones.
She winced as he bit her shoulder.
"Scream for me." he demanded. She defiantly disobeyed and screamed as he cursed her with crucio. "That will do fine." he said happily. He sniffed a drop of blood trailing down her stomach. "Disgusting."
She weakly opened her eyes as his hand lowered the zipper ever so slowly. The blood loss was not only weakening her strength immensely but it was beginning to lose her feel of everything. She spotted his wand on the floor at her feet. She mustered her strength, gritting her teeth as she slid down the table and fell against Rookwood who grinned as the zipper reached the bottom. She slowly kicked the wand towards Draco as Rookwood stuck a finger into her waist where blood oozed.
She screamed as he withdrew his finger and she fell hard against the table before sliding to the floor.
She did as best as she could. But at least she died fighting. She heard a scream in the distance and knew Draco was dead or being tortured too. But it was over for her. Her time was up.
There was silence.
Death is but the next great adventure, Albus Dumbledore had always said. Some wish for death. Some find fear in it. Some do all they can to prevent death. But death keeps coming. It finds the prey it wants. It will always come back. Because it is the end of all. Sometimes the most painful deaths are the ones that left a lot of unsaid things behind. Like how much she loved Draco and how much she tried to fight death but that in the end blood loss was too much. That she loved her parents, and her friends. And that she would never ever love anyone as much as she loved Draco.
Whether life was simply an intermission between life and death or that life was just like that sometimes. Short and sweet. Simple and plain. Ended before it even truly started.
It couldn't be prevented, it can't be stopped, it can't be slowed, it can't be helped, it can't be avoided or hidden from. Because it always finds you in the end.
People have tried as you know, to stopper death, prevent it and avoid it but they've ALL failed. So what does that mean for me?
Then there are the wise, who don't fear death. But simply accept it because that's when time says your time is up. That's when you're meant to part with the living and join the more living. It's not easy, but physically, it shouldn't be hard either.
Sometimes you die and you leave a mark behind on the people who love you and who will miss you but death is the next adventure you must pursue. And the brave will venture forth into the adventure. The wise will accept death and flow into it. The scared have no choice in the matter and join the adventure anyways. The angry can't do anything to reverse death because death was simply death.
But Hermione Granger was neither scared nor angry.
She was not done.
She felt cold bloody hands grope for her before a darkness crashed onto her again.
Hermione awoke in a cold, white room. Machines were beeping all around her and the sound of talking and alarms around her.
She turned to see Ginny Potter crying softly at her bedside as Harry had his arms around her crying softly too.
"Gin? Harry? What happened?" Hermione croaked her voice coming out hoarse.
"Hermione!" Ginny cried her eyes wide with surprise. "You….you're alive!"
"We thought you were dead." Harry whispered wiping his eyes.
"But the monitor watches my heart rate." Hermione pointed out. Her body was cold and numb as if a thousand numbing needles had been jabbed into her.
"The healers told us that if you didn't wake up in the next hour, your heart would probably stop working." Harry said his throat dry. "Thank Merlin you woke."
Ginny nodded her head tears cascading down. "Where's Draco?" Hermione asked trying to sit up.
"You sit down." a voice came from her left. Draco was sitting in a chair looking miserable and tired. Dark circles were under his eyes and a beard was beginning to show. His back was bandaged but he was otherwise unharmed.
"Thank God you're alive." Hermione murmured grasping his hand. "What happened?"
"When you kicked the wand to me, I had to lie down to pick it up in between my hands. I aimed a stunning spell at him and Rookwood went crashing onto the ground. Healers' think I've probably given him a serious concussion because of the force of the spell. I tried to wake you but the blood scared me. I sent an auror to Harry and he and the ministry came in 10 minutes." Draco explained his eyes studying her.
"Rookwood is being interrogated as soon as healers' say he's well enough." Harry added before walking over to open the door. In trooped none other than Matt Damon. "Go on." Harry said his voice stern. "Tell them both what you were doing when you should have been monitoring the mood scale and seen fear and danger." Harry prodded. Matt looked solemn and gazed at the floor. "Fine. I'll tell them." Harry rolled his eyes. "Matt here was entertaining a young friend as he was on guard for your safety. He didn't notice or check the mood monitor. He's been fired and sentenced to 2 years of house arrest and 4 years no magic."
Hermione stared at Matt but Draco had other ideas. He rose angrily and turned on Matt.
"Do you know what hell was going on in her apartment as you found better things to do?!" Draco demanded his voice low and deadly.
"Look mate, you know how your hormones get. Shit happens." Matt said sheepishly. Draco looked outraged as he stormed forward. Harry stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You can go Matt." Harry said gruffly. Matt shuffled out as Draco seemed to have smoke coming out of his nostrils.
"I will sue you for everything I've got!" Draco yelled angrily.
"Calm down Draco." Harry said rather gently pushing him back onto the chair. "Hermione doesn't need this stress." he said nodding towards her.
Hermione suppressed a smile at Harry's awkward friendliness.
"We'll leave you two alone." Ginny whispered dragging Harry out. The door shut after him and there was a small silence.
"I was so scared." Draco murmured pressing her hand to his face. He took a deep breath. "That was exactly the situation I was afraid of."
"But we made it out alive. We're okay." she said smiling weakly.
"On a slim chance. You nearly died. In fact, the healers said your heart stopped for 4 minutes and 32.4 seconds. You were dead for 4 minutes and 32.4 seconds…." Draco trailed off his voice choking. "I could have lost you."
"I'm here. We're okay Draco, love. It's over." she whispered tears threatening to spill. He remained silent as his breaths came out hard.
"It is over. He won't get to you again. I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
As Hermione spent the next three weeks on bedrest in the hospital, drinking plenty of blood replenishing potions and healing. Harry and Ginny visited her as often as they could. Draco spent nearly all day there, sleeping in the cot next to her or talking to her to pass the time.
After three weeks of painfully boring healing and being unable to do anything, Hermione was discharged and she and Draco left hand in hand.
Not to her surprise, there were a dozen cameramen and reporters outside.
"Miss Granger! Will you give an exclusive to Witch Weekly on the horrors of your experience?" a lady snapping gum in her mouth asked.
"Mr MALFOY! MR MALFOY! PLEASE! Over here! What's your take on you and your fiance's traumatic experience?" a lady screeched shoving a microphone in front of Draco's face. Draco grumpily shoved his way past the herd of photographers and lead her to the apparition point.
"Wait." Hermione said suddenly gripping his hand tight. "I can't go back there. That place...no way." Hermione shuddered remembering the dining table, the rooms, the shattered window, the fireplace.
Draco smiled sympathetically. "Don't worry. I thought of that. I got your stuff packed and we're going house hunting right now."
"Thanks." Hermione said gratefully. She allowed Draco to turn on the spot before they arrived at a large beach front house in front of a massive beach.
"Malfoy Beach House. Located in beautiful Italy." Draco said gesturing to the place. The house was large with long windows and a wrap around porch. When they entered, there was a mirror and table before leading to a grand staircase. The kitchen was a good size and had a back door leading to a large backyard with a garden about the same size of Hogwarts greenhouses. The upstairs had 9 bedrooms 7 bathrooms and the master had a large hot tub and balcony overlooking the beach.
"It's awesome." Hermione said when they finished. "When do we move in?"
"Oh we're not done. We're touring all the Malfoy estates I picked out. Minus the Malfoy Manor." Draco grinned leading them to the apparition point. In a whirl they were in front of a large mansion almost larger than the manor but not quite. They toured the Malfoy Mansion and got lost two times. Draco had to call a house elf to find the way out.
Afterwards, they made their way to Malfoy Condo which was in New York City in the centre of the city. Noise was everywhere as they toured the large condo.
After Malfoy House, Malfoy Estates (which included its own golf course), Malfoy Castle, Malfoy Palace, Malfoy Tower, Malfoy Colonial and Malfoy Victorian, Hermione was exhausted. None seemed to click with her.
"They're all so big! It's like we're in this hotel and we could get lost in our own home. Doesn't it seem to big to be a real home?" she asked as Draco smiled swinging their arms as they headed to the apparition point.
"I knew you wouldn't like any of them. I saved the one I thought you'd like best for the last." Draco grinned winking.
"What? You made me walk and get lost through all those damn houses even though you knew I would detest them?" she demanded scowling slightly. He laughed and pressed a finger where a crease formed between her eyebrows.
"I wanted to say I gave you options. I knew you wouldn't like these, and I don't think they suit us either. Now...we go to Malfoy Cottage." he said and turned on the spot.
They landed on a soft mossy green lawn that overlooked a big but not humongous cottage. Not an old, about to crumble cottage but a good sized quaint one.
There were flower beds and pots leading up the cobblestoned entrance to the front door which had a beautifully engraved handle and a wreath of flowers handing. Draco lead them inside to reveal a lovely family room that had three shelves of books and a fireplace. There was a couch and several comfy armchairs. To the right was a bathroom and closet. Leading down the hall was a modern kitchen that had a marble island and marble counters. There were muggle appliances and a nice window in front of the sink. There was a back door leading to the nice pool, garden and grassy greenery. The dining room was opposite, seating 12. Then there was a living room with a muggle telly, a couch, more bookshelves and lounge chairs. A door off to the side had a small den with even more books and carpeted floors. As they headed upstairs, there was winding staircase leading to a 5 bedroom and 4 bath second level. The rooms made an arc around a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The master was large with a king sized four poster bed. A balcony facing the backyard with the forest and sunset beyond.
Down the hall were two studies, side by side with a Mrs and Mr.
"Good guess Mr Malfoy. I do love this house. I think it's perfect." Hermione smiled squeezing his hand. Draco waved his wand and all their stuff settled in the right spots neatly in place.
"I knew it." he grinned. "Mother added the bookshelves."
"Smart lady." she laughed sitting on the couch beside him.
"My mother wanted to see you actually. Us rather. To discuss wedding preparations and such. But we don't have to. She'll understand." Draco said quickly.
"Actually, my parents wanted to see you formally too. We can just invite them over for dinner." Hermione suggested playing with Draco's fingers.
"Perfect. My mother wanted to throw us an engagement party but now this dinner can be it. Just invite some friends and bam, not need for any formalities and crazy planning from mother." Draco said kicking his feet out on the ottoman.
Hermione laughed. "Your mother is sweet. And she really loves you."
"But her parties. Her planning….don't let her get control of the wedding." Draco shivered. "It'll be so big and glamorous, the guests would require a map and a day program."
"I'll send some owls." Hermione said getting parchment and pen.
By the end, there were invitations sent out to Narcissa, her parents, Harry and Ginny, the Weasley Family, Andromeda and Teddy, Luna, Neville and Hannah, Blaise and Lara, Theo, Gregory Goyle and the Santiago family from Lucia's.
When she returned, Draco was casting some wards on the cottage.
"The date is set for next Saturday." Hermione said collapsing on the couch.
"Great, 5 days till this house becomes the Malfoy Club if Blaise has his way and Malfoy Teaparty if mother has her way." Draco sighed.
Narcissa came over on Thursday evening anyways and was squealing excitedly when she saw Hermione's ring.
"I'm so happy for you two!" she beamed hugging them both. "Draco dear it's lovely to see you and all but would you please get out? Hermione and I need to handle the girl stuff." Narcissa said pointing towards the door.
Draco humphed. "Getting kicked out of your own house by your mother."
"Hermione! There is this wonderful wedding dress boutique in Dryten Street that would be perfect for you to find a dress. I mean you could take your mother and friends…" Narcissa said excitedly as they sat on the couch.
"Of course. You're invited too Narcissa. I'll meet you there next Friday." Hermione said kindly. Narcissa's expression matched Draco's when he opened presents on Christmas morning. Hermione smiled.
"We need to pick a wedding date." Narcissa said turning professional.
"I was thinking towards the end of August." Hermione said taking out parchment.
Narcissa scanned through the calendar. "Draco dear! Come back for a minute!"
Draco trooped in looking a little annoyed as he sat down next to Hermione, draping his arm on the back of the couch.
"Wedding preparations! What date shall we have?" Narcissa asked. Draco shrugged and turned to Hermione.
"How about the 28th?" she offered. Narcissa smiled and jotted down a note.
"Location?"
"I was thinking somewhere outdoors for the ceremony." Hermione said looking at Draco. "Any ideas?"
"What about Marlee Gardens?" he asked. His mother nodded her head happily.
She summoned a photo album and shoved Hermione the pictures. It was a small and beautiful garden area with flowers everywhere and lovely scenery.
Hermione agreed and Narcissa stood to leave. "The two of you ought to plan the rest on your own, now that I've got you started. I'll go and book the locations and date for the wedding with Marlee Gardens." she said before disappearing into the fireplace in whosh.
"Food?" Draco asked playing with Hermione's curls and pulling her closer.
"Wizarding traditional food." she said automatically. He smiled and tucked the curl behind her ear.
"Of course. We'll go around the world till we find someone who can make a damn good Lavorittle Bisque." Draco promised.
"How many bridesmaids and groomsmen?" Hermione asked picking up the paper her future mother-in-law left.
"Blaise, Theo and Gregory. Three." Draco responded. "Greg's not bad. He's actually quite smart. Vincent used to drag him down."
"Okay then I'll have three. Ginny, Luna and Hannah." she said writing it down.
In the end, they had decided on everything from food, bridesmaids/groomsmen, location, date, created invites and mailed them, booked an officiant, hired a florist, band, caterer and photographers. They would each do fittings, ring picking for themselves and their side of the wedding party.
"One condition." Draco said yawning as they crawled into bed. "I get to to plan and pick the honeymoon."
Hermione raised an eyebrow as she pulled the covers over her. "That should be interesting. Fine."
"Oh it'll definitely be interesting." Draco smiled.
The day of the engagement party, everything was set up in Malfoy Cottage. Hermione had put on a turquoise and blue printed dress and Draco was fitted nicely in dress pants and a dress shirt.
Guests began arriving. More than they had anticipated.
"Mother." Draco said under his breaths as he smiled through his teeth at some stranger who handed him and Hermione a gift with a kiss on both cheeks.
Narcissa entered carrying a large box looking elegant and graceful.
"Congrats my lovelies." she said handing Draco the box. "I'm so happy for the both of you." she beamed. Hermione hugged her and Draco rounded on her.
"Who are all these random people in my home?" he demanded glaring at his mother.
"They're not random Draco. They're my friends." she said before disappearing into the crowd mingling merrily.
Draco rolled his eyes and Hermione laughed. "I love your mother already."
"Lover's spat?" Harry asked grinning as he handed her a gift and pecked her cheek. Ginny came in looking bigger and smiled.
"Nah, Harry, they're too smitten. Besides, any spat would be won by Hermione." she said smirking at Draco.
"I don't think so little red." Theo snorted as he entered with a bottle of firewhiskey. "Draco's quite convincing and seductive when he wants to be."
"Hermione's too strong to be fooled by that." Blaise commented entering with Lara at his side. Lara smiled and hugged Hermione. "Hermione would win any spat."
"This isn't relevant." Draco snapped getting irritated. "Go get drunk or something."
"I can't get drunk Draco." Ginny said turning and disappearing into the crowd.
"Hermione!" Mrs Weasley cried entering looking over the moon. "I'm so happy for you! And you Draco!" she said pulling Draco in tight. Draco looked taken aback and patted Mrs. Weasley's shoulder lightly.
The party was loud and crazy as ever since Theo and Blaise entered. Narcissa's friends were majority of the crowd and each of them congratulated them one by one. After an older man with hearing problems left screaming at his wife to come join him, Draco looked ready to murder his mother.
"Well isn't this fun?" Hermione asked laughing as Draco rubbed his forehead.
"No. Not at all." he said slinking towards her. "I had much better ideas in mind for our engagement party." he grumbled wrapping his arms around her waist. He backed them into the empty den. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. She would never get tired of this feeling, of electricity and passion flooding her veins every time they touched.
He began nipping at her ear, his hands moving in slow circles on her waist.
She moaned as they fell back onto the couch. She turned to face him and pressed her lips hard against his. He gripped her waist with one hand and held the back of her neck with the other. She straddled him and gripped his shoulders, mesmerizing the feel of his lips.
The door swung open as laughter followed and they broke apart to see Blaise and Lara kissing hard before Lara broke away and blushed seeing the two of them.
"Ah. Looks like we're gonna have to find another room. The Mr and Mrs of the house need their space." Blaise chuckled, winking before leading Lara out. Draco threw a well aimed lounge pillow that hit his head before sliding down.
Blaise cursed as the door shut and they were alone again.
Draco pulled her close, kissing her neck sweetly.
"We should get back to the party. We're the hosts." she reminded getting up. Draco looked severely annoyed but stood to join her.
He sighed. "Wherever you go, I follow." he said gesturing for her to go first. She smiled as they returned to the party.
Narcissa was chatting merrily outside with her parents as the party raged on.
Draco lead Hermione to the dance floor as they began dancing along with the crowd. Hermione tried to stay in the middle of the dancers, so her parents wouldn't see the type of dancing she was executing.
Draco spun Hermione and pinned her tight against him. His chest was solid against her back as he swayed them from side to side.
"I can't wait for you to be mine." he whispered into her ear as he held her close.
"I'm already yours." she replied leaning her head back. "Me, my heart, everything."
"I love you." he whispered rubbing his nose against her temple.
"I love you too." she replied, oddly feeling tears prickle her eyes. "When I thought I was dead, the last thing I thought was of you. You and your Draconiss. And your sarcastic, loving, smart self. I longed for a forever, I thought was over. I felt the biggest loss not from my life, but from leaving you." she said as a tear fell.
He turned her to face him. He wiped the tear gently and rested his forehead against her. "That was the scariest moment of my life. I thought I lost you." he said his breath warm and heavy against her chest. "You looked so broken but always so beautiful on the floor. That memory is scarred in my mind forever."
She sniffed and wrapped her arms around him. "All that didn't even compare to leaving you. I accepted death, but leaving you…..I could never accept that."
"I wanted to die. Seeing you in pain and then thinking you were dead….I've never wanted more to be dead myself and to kill someone else. It was like my world ended as I watched the life fade out of you. My life is you." Draco murmured as the continued swaying even when the music changed.
Hermione's breathing increased and she couldn't help the few tears escaping. She kissed Draco tenderly, not fast or lustfully but slow and longingly. Nothing terrified her more than the thought of all this being over in a second. It would never truly be over. Not really, Draco was a constant thing she needed in her life. And every moment she had with him was another moment she was grateful for.
His lips were soft as they moved with hers. They held unsaid things and feelings that were too lovingly complicated and confusing to put into words.
Hermione's workload was increasing as the days passed. The case of the death eaters on the loose, was creating issues and rises here and there. Aurors were often asking her for her take on the recent attack, her thoughts on the situation and what she thought was the best choice of action.
She eventually got so annoyed because she was balancing her work and their questions, she locked the door with a charm preventing people with noses to enter, which she found amusing since Voldemort could potentially walk in.
They eventually left her to her peace of mind but the next day restarted a long day of work. She rarely saw Draco as his final exams were coming up.
He was taking his last written exam tomorrow and was staying at the campus to focus.
She was about to go to work on Friday morning when the doorbell rang. She opened it surprised to see Narcissa, her mother, Ginny, Luna and Hannah waiting.
"Your bridal shopping remember?" Ginny asked smiling at Hermione's work attire. "I'll help you find more day-to-day clothes too."
Hermione was about to snap back when Narcissa dragged her to the apparition point excitedly and turned.
They arrived on Dryten Street where Narcissa actually shrieked with excitement and lead them to a store with bold letters spelling out-Witches are Brides Too.
They entered Witches are Brides too and Hermione decided to find the bridesmaid dresses first.
Their theme was a light blue shade and the bridesmaids and Ginny as the maid of honour, picked their own styles.
Narcissa and her mother were already in the bridal section, sifting through the massive racks of dresses.
After paying for the bridesmaid dresses, the girls returned to see Narcissa and her mother carrying loads and loads of dresses.
"We found a few we thought you'd like." Narcissa smiled as they headed to the changerooms.
After trying 32 dresses the two mothers picked, NONE were to her fit. Narcissa looked frustrated as she sorted through more dresses.
"This place has always been able to give witches the best gowns." she said heading to row number 79, column 17.
Narcissa was eyeing the big, fancy sections, Luna the unique section, Hannah the simple and sweet, her mother the elegant and dainty and Ginny the pretty and sexy.
Hermione wandered off to the One section, wondering if Draco wanted to elope. He probably would, so he could get her to the honeymoon faster.
She found a dress laying limp on the floor and sighed picking it up. She stopped halfway to the hanger. It was lace to the waist. The layer beneath was low cut leading down to the waist elegantly. The waist was encrusted with rhinestones, eventually leading to the dress which flared down with the lace sheet on top.
Hermione went alone to the changerooms and tried it on. Wordlessly, she called the others and they agreed immediately. She payed for the dress and headed out.
After leaving the shop, Narcissa and her mother left and the girls companied Hermione to meet the florists, photographers and caterers.
After the girls parted, Hermione visited a small store in muggle London for Draco's ring. He wasn't that elaborate with his clothes over the years and Hermione found a pure silver band. She requested that on the inside of the ring, there was a small message.
"Toujours et pour toujours."
Always and forever.
Hermione paid for the ring and left the shop, laden with many bags. She transfigured them all into a tampon box to insure Draco stayed out. She smiled at the thought of Draco coming across a muggle feminine amenity.
When she returned home, Draco had left a note saying he was out with his friends for his bachelor party. Hermione smiled and lay on the bed exhausted.
Ginny had insisted she have her bachelorette party the coming Saturday. Although she was nearing her second trimester, Ginny wanted to plan the whole event.
Hermione hid the tampon box in her closet, covering it with her clothes.
She fell into bed exhausted.
Draco hesitated on his I do's, not meeting her eyes. "I'm sorry." he mouthed before exiting the venue at a fast pace. The crowd gasped as Hermione fell to her knees at the alter. To come all the way down the alter and then being forced to walk back down alone, was painful. How could Draco leave?
Hermione felt her breathing become hard as tears tracked down her cheeks. She reached a hand forward and grasped the silver band she had chosen for him. It had dirt stained on it and it was bent out of shape from where he stomped on it on his way out. The words "Always and forever" were smudged and unlegible.
Her bouquet of roses was at her feet all trampled and down trodden. Just like her heart. To say I love you so many times and then when the sealing I love you came, to leave so abruptly and uncaringly? Hermione found the charm bracelet Draco had given her and slid it off slowly. She fingered it, each charm gently, turning it over and remembering every moment. ""The heart because I love you. The key because you opened the door for me to come into your life, for a better life. And the dragon so you can always have a piece of me with you.""
Where was he now?
"Hey love." Draco said climbing into bed next to her. She jerked awake startled and breathing heavily, blinking away tears. Just a dream. Thank God.
"Hi." she smiled. He immediately picked up on her distress and pulled her close.
"What's wrong? Mother drive you mad?" he asked caressing her cheek.
"Just a bad dream." she replied hugging him close, breathing in his scent.
"What? What happened?"
"The wedding. You left." she responded playing with his shirt, avoiding his eyes.
"Never. It was just a dream." he smiled lovingly kissing her.
"I know." she said taking a deep breath.
"Can we just elope?" he asked sounding exhausted.
"I was thinking the same thing earlier today. But no. Too much effort has already been put into this. And I want to say I do and I love you and make it official." she smiled.
"I don't need any paper saying we're official. I love you more than anything." he whispered sincerely. She kissed him sweetly.
He always made the good days better. The hard days easier. The sad days brighter. Her life more alive, her world clearer, her heart stronger. He made her doubts unimportant. Her dreams reality. Her fears, pathetic. Her mind, sharper. He was everything she needed. Everything she wanted. And everything she loved.
Author's Note
Sorry for late post. Appreciate all of you.
How many of you did I scare with the whole 'death' paragraph and the little nightmare? Hehe, just wondering how convincing it was.
Wedding time coming up….
Reviews?
