This chapter is written in the spirit of "not making Draco super nice too quickly," as has been suggested. However, I do want to really start moving the plot along so consider this chapter the compromise. xD Thank you for all of your suggestions, I do take them all to heart!
I'm also going to do some shameless self-advertising—I'm currently also publishing another Dramione and I'm actually much more proud of that one so please do check it out. :) (Don't worry, I alternate chapter updates so by no means is that one taking precedent over this one.)
Thanks to JK
Thanks to their latest conversation, Draco and Hermione's relationship had once again risen to new heights. They seemed to genuinely get along now instead of the previously forced cordiality. Their sharp intellects and hot tempers provided an excellent foundation for entertainingly heated debates that satisfied them both. Thy actually sat together in certain classes and chatted in the pod common room or hallways. It was on one such occasion that they found themselves walking to their latest marriage prep course together. Most of the students had grown used to this inter-house unity between the "couple," chocking it up to their impending matrimony. Several Slytherins however, were furious with their poster boy, feeling that he had betrayed his house and its beliefs. It was bad enough that he'd gotten paired with the Gryffindor princess; here he was acting kindly toward her as well. It was unclear whether or not Draco was oblivious toward their attitude or whether he was aware and simply choosing to ignore it. Both options seemed highly unlikely given his ingenuity and pride. The answer to that question was however, answered that day.
When the mish-mash of couples had arrived at the marriage prep course, Professor McGonagall was there to greet them with a strange announcement.
"The class today will be split. Boys will stay here with me and the ministry official, and girls will go into Hogsmeade to shop for wedding dresses."
There were squeals of excitement from several of the girls. A wedding dress was a wedding dress, no matter who the groom might be. Hermione was silent. A dress would make this entire ordeal even more vivid. Even if she was getting along with her fiancée, there were still some wrinkles to iron out. Though she was getting along with Draco, he was still friend zoned to her. She considered him a friend, but a spouse was a whole other can of worms. Furthermore, she could be marrying her prince charming for all she cared and she would still be facing this situation with trepidation. The fact remained that Hermione simply wasn't ready to get married yet. A wedding dress would be a tangible reminder of her arranged marriage; her first material symbol—yes, she didn't even have a ring yet.
"What will the boys be doing?" Parvati asked.
"That will remain a surprise for now," Professor McGonagall replied mysteriously. Hermione could have sworn that her eyes had twinkled as she said it.
Their excitement to go dress shopping outweighed their curiosity, and the girls filed off to Hogsmeade without complaint.
"Professor?" Theo asked in his typically abrupt way as soon as the girls were out of sight.
"Come," McGonagall said imperiously. "We have something important to discuss."
The boys entered the class quickly, their curiosity peaked.
As soon as they had taken seats, the ministry official began.
"It is now time for you all to pop the question so to speak. I know that some of you may find this exercise pointless," he continued quickly, noting several skeptical expressions, "but we want these weddings to be as authentic and traditional as possible, as well as believing this to be an excellent bonding opportunity."
Draco's palms were slick with sweat at the idea of asking anyone to marry him, let alone Hermione. Even though he was technically engaged, a ring made it seem so much more serious and final. There would be absolutely no backing out of this after he proposed. He tuned back in as the official continued.
"You must all propose by Halloween, as weddings will begin in December. There will be a dance on Halloween to celebrate the engagements. Just think boys, at least you know that you won't be rejected!" The official gave a weak laugh as though he almost felt bad for the predicament of these young people.
The boys spent the remainder of the afternoon excused from class, designing the engagement rings. It seemed that the ministry was trying to give them some free reign in their bleak situation. It was like feeding a captive animal gourmet food, Draco thought bitterly. He thought long and hard about the design of his ring. No matter the circumstance, getting engaged would certainly be a momentous occasion and Draco wanted to do it right. Secretly, he also wanted to make it something that Hermione would like. She seemed to like the simple, meaningful things in life, and it was with this thought in mind that Draco finally chose a design. It was a slim gold band with a traditional diamond in the center, cut in a square shape with a smaller square ruby on one side and an emerald on the other. Gryffindor and Slytherin, united by marriage. Draco felt quite pleased with his work.
He looked up to see that a few of the others had finished as well. Harry had designed an extremely traditional, though beautiful ring, gold with a large diamond mounted on it, and the ring itself inlaid with tiny diamonds. The Weaslette would love it. Draco was surprised to see that Theo had finished as well. His ring was silver, with a sapphire in it.
"Uh, wrong gem, Theo man," Blaise called out.
Everyone was shocked to see Theo turn red as he mumbled, "It matches her eyes." Blaise looked at him incredulously, as though questioning his sanity. Draco however, smiled privately as he observed the growing acceptance and adoration his friend was developing for the odd Ravenclaw. He himself was beginning to feel as though he could empathize.
xxxxx
Hermione hated to admit it, but she was having a good time. The girls had decided to take turns modeling dresses, giving each other comments and opinions until each girl had found the right dress. Hermione had enjoyed this, until it was her turn. She felt incredibly self-conscious and nervous, as well as not having a sweet clue what she was looking for. She tried on dress after dress, feeling increasingly guilty for taking so much time. Her indecision didn't seem to faze her peers in the slightest however. On the contrary, they seemed to be growing more and more determined to find her dress for her. When she did finally find "the one," it was worth the wait.
It ended up being a simple, modest dress that Hermione chose. White satin, with thick straps and pearl buttons down the back and a high neckline in the front. It fell seamlessly to the ground where it trailed behind her slightly. It was the adornments that completed it. The dress was covered with a subtle design, formed by silver thread sewn all over it. The thread could not have been anything but magical, it was so incredibly subtle that it seemed only to sparkle when the light hit it a certain way, yet it was always there, striking the perfect balance between seen and unseen, subtle yet incredible. It was the one. Hermione felt like a princess in it, as though nothing could touch her. She couldn't wait to see what Draco would think of it. She completed the walk back to Hogwarts with a new spring in her step. It was a shame it couldn't last.
xxxxx
As the boys were packing up their bags in preparation for the girls return, Blaise asked Malfoy about his ring design. After Draco had described it to him, Blaise commented,
"Man, you and Granger now are like night and day to you and Granger before. One would swear that you two have become friends."
An unpleasant voice joined their conversation uninvited.
"It's disgusting isn't it? What a disgrace he is to his family, to his house, and to his status. Drooling over that mudblood day in and day out." Adrien Pucey sneered.
"Adrien—" Blaise began warningly. Draco was seeing red. His defenses were immediately on alert.
"Did you see the way he concentrated when designing that ring?" Pucey continued with a terrible smile. "Total concentration, preparing his filthy ring for his mudblood fiancée. What a traitor. How could you like her Malfoy? What is it that attracts you? The bushy mane, bossy attitude or the prudishness?"
Years of hiding his true feelings in the name of self-preservation finally kicked in and Draco snapped.
"Nothing about her attracts me!" he shouted, his voice ringing in the silence, as the other guys had fallen silent to observe the exchange between Draco and Pucey. (McGonagall was finalizing details about the engagement celebration with the ministry official in his office.) "She's annoying and vile, and I burn with anger every time I think about how that hat dared to pair me with her. Can you believe that I'm going to be forced to spend the rest of my life with her, that I'm expected to touch her? I hope that my parents die in Azkaban so they never have to endure the shame of their son marrying a mudblood."
Draco felt utterly terrible as he spoke those horrendous words, but he couldn't stop. The idea of having his house hate him was too terrible. Adrien stuck out his hand to shake Draco's in approval of his words, and Draco shook it, feeling horrible but relieved the entire time. Adrien opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by a shout piercing the classroom.
"YOU ASS!" Hermione shouted. The girls were back.
