I sit on the living room couch again, tea in hand and sprawled out, exhausted from my long, sleepless nights. I am incredibly nervous, thinking of the events to come later today. All the planning and money spent and the day is finally here. Draco comes in and I gather myself, setting my drink down, ready to talk. He sits down next to me on the couch.

"So," he starts, "we're getting married."

"Yup," I say nervously.

"It's a - uh - " He gulps. " - a big step."

"The great Slytherin Prince is afraid?" I tease.

"No! No. Just...scared," he admits.

"Me, too, but I love you and I want to be with you, so...I guess we should."

"Yeah... I hope you know I love you too. I've always loved you, Collette. I can't imagine anyone in this whole wide world I'd rather marry today."

"Draco..." He cuts me off by gently claiming my lips. It sends a jolt of electric shock through my body and he pulls me close. The electricity is replaced by a warm, comfortable feeling. I melt into the embrace, feeling one with him. The tenderness in his kiss compels me to believe his words are true. There is no doubt in my mind that I really am the only girl for him. He runs a hand through my hair as I place my hands on his chest. Our bodies move in perfect harmony during this special embrace...at least until Narcissa breaks us up.

"Draco, get dressed. You're father is waiting for you. Collette, let's get you ready."

We break apart unwillingly but the bliss remains as a cloud around me. I go through the motions of putting my make up on and doing my hair, then Narcissa helps me into the dress.

"I just don't know, Narcissa. I love Draco, but I'm just not sure if I want this kind of commitment. I'm scared," I admit.

"You'll be fine. If you could give birth, this should be easy. You know, I had an arranged marriage," she informs me.

"Really?"

"Yes. My mother set me up with Lucius. I didn't know him that well when I was young. You see, as I went into Hogwarts, he was graduating. At first, I was a bit intimidated from the fact that he was seven years older than me," the pale woman explains.

"Wow."

"Yes. I did it because I was obliged to. I had no choice. I would never wish that on anyone." When she says this, the sad look on her face almost takes me back to the day she was forced to say "I do." She studies me hard before speaking again. "I have but one question, Collette: What would you do this for?"

Wow. She can be deep. I think about her question for a moment as she tucks some hair behind my ear.

"I guess I'd do it for the baby. It just wouldn't be fair to little Scorpy," I reply.

"Anything else?" She can obviously see deeper into my heart than I can.

"I would do it for Draco."

"What would you do?" she presses.

I am all of a sudden very sure of myself when I speak again. "For Draco, I would do anything. I would go to the ends of the earth." My confidence only makes me realize further that I really do love Draco Malfoy.

Tears fill her eyes. "This will be a happy day, indeed, but don't do this just for others. Remember to do what you think is right for you. Now, I need to go. Think about what I've said." She silently leaves the room. I stare at myself in the mirror, gaping at how beautiful I look. I do think about her words in those next few minutes that I wait for my cue. I think long and hard about her words until the last possible moment. I will say "I do." For Scorpius, for Narcissa and Lucius, for Draco and - most importantly - for me.

Or will I chicken out at the last minute?