I have a new favorite show! It's called TURN and it's amazing. And it's a book, which means I need it. Also, I need a bookstore close by. Yeah yeah yeah, I can buy books on the internet, but it's not the same as browsing the aisles and flipping through the books. Not to mention, that new book smell! I love new book smell. It's like new car smell but infinitely more satisfying.


Chapter 14

Padma's story ran two days later, and the letters had begun to pour in. Most claimed they never believed Rita Skeeter, while a few apologized for their harsh words. A large number saw it as a stunt to garner favor. The response seemed to bother Draco more than Hermione, as she was relieved to have her story out in the open.

"I talked to Kingsley," Hermione told him when he finished the latest fan letter to his girlfriend. "He's launching an investigation in the Prophet's more repugnant writers. Apparently, if you're a member of the Golden Trio and threaten to file a suit against the newspaper, you get somewhere. If Rita Skeeter is using illegal means to write her stories, we may not have to deal with her for a long, long time."

"You're devious and I love it," he remarked, kissing her forehead as he stood to refill his tea. "Pansy was talking about having the offices exterminated, you know, just in case. Your plan might be a little be safer for everyone's health."

She laughed as she continued to sort through the letters forwarded by Padma. "I feel like a weight's been lifted from my shoulders," she told him. "And now I can return my focus to the wedding and Ginny's many, many demands. I think I'd rather be lambasted by Skeeter than go dress shopping."

"Careful what you wish for," Draco advised. "Besides, Pansy will be there, and that woman can talk fashion all day long and well into her sleep. You might not have to do anything but try on a few things. Harry and I will rescue you at noon, as promised."

Half an hour later, Harry arrived, and he and Draco left for the morning. "So, what's this about?" Harry wondered as they entered the jeweler's shop.

Looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, Draco told him his intentions. "You're the closest thing she has to a brother, so I wanted to ask for your blessing," he said nervously. "I know...I know we've only been together a couple of months, but she's it for me. I love Hermione, and I want to marry her."

"Would you still ask her if I said no?" Harry asked. Smirking, Draco nodded. "You don't need it, mate, but you have it. We could have a double wedding. I'll be a widower when Ginny's head explodes, but it could be a fun pitch."

"And deny Hermione the chance to have cake twice? Never," Draco replied, chuckling at the thought of the angry witch who was denied dessert. "Plus, I'm not sure she wants a big to do. After all the stories the paper's run, a little less of a spotlight might be preferable."

Harry nodded, agreeing that small and private suited Hermione best. "Well then, let's pick out a ring."

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Hermione huffed impatiently as she was told to turn to her right. Wearing a long sleeve, gauzy, pink dress was the low point of her day, and she wanted to return home to comfortable clothes and a book. As it was, Pansy had confiscated the one she brought with her.

Ginny vetoed the fourth dress Hermione had tried on that day. Rolling her eyes, she returned to the fitting room and took it off. "Please let this be the last one," she said to herself as she changed back into her jeans and blouse. Returning to her friends, she sat down, lips in a pout and eyes pleading. "Have you picked one? Are we done?"

Frowning, the bride to be announced that she hated each dress she had chosen. Hermione groaned despite Ginny's apology. "We'll find something," she promised. "And hey, Mum offered to make us dresses, so think about that."

Hermione grimaced, imagining wearing something that resembled a sofa print. Pansy sat down beside her and handed over her book as a peace offering. "So, any updates on Rita Skeeter?" she asked. Hermione shared with them her conversation with the Minister of Magic. Pansy's eyes widened in shock at the thought of illegal recordings coming from her office. "What do I do? How do I stop this?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'm hoping Kingsley puts an end to it," she replied. "If not, I'll start looking into security measures to prevent this kind of thing in the future. Gringott's uses a revealing charm to prevent break ins in the vaults. Of course, it leaves you completely doused, but there could be something in that. We'll figure something out though."

Taking a deep breath, Pansy thanked her for being so level headed. Looking up, she spotted Harry and Draco making their way to the shop. Leaning close to Hermione, she smiled and whispered, "Looks like your liberation is here."

Turning her head, Hermione saw what Pansy saw. Draco grinned when he saw her, handed something to Harry, and entered the shop alone. "Ladies," he said, greeting each with a kiss on the cheek. "I've come to steal my girlfriend away for a little while. I'm a selfish man, and I refuse to be away from her for so long."

Laughing, she smacked his arm, said goodbye to her friends, and left with Draco. "You are a lifesaver, Draco Malfoy," she said, breathing a sigh of relief. Hand in hand, they walked to the nearest Apparition point and returned home. "You wanted to have lunch here? The place that has no food? Do you intend to imagine yourself full and hope that works?"

He held her hand tightly and led her to the sofa. "I wanted to talk first," he explained. "Depending on what you say, I'll know if I need to order dessert for two for one."

She looked concerned as he grew more nervous. "You're not breaking up with me, are you?" she asked.

"No! Merlin, no," he replied. "Lately, I've been giving our future together a lot of thought. There's no one in the world I'd rather be with than you. I just...I want to know if we're on the same page."

Relieved that he wasn't ending their relationship, she managed to smile. "We are," she said.

Nodding, he removed a few brochures from his jacket pocket. He looked at the top one briefly before handing them over. "I want you to have the baby you want," he explained as she looked over the adoption information. "I don't...I don't know if this is something you want with me, but I'd like to help however I can."

"You're thick, you know that," she remarked, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "I thought we were on the same page. That means we both want this. At least, I hope that's what it means."

"It is," he promised.