Hermione lay across the bench seat of the Hogwarts Express, her head resting on Draco's lap. They were talking merrily with Ginny and Blaise. Hermione was nervous about her first night away from Draco since the attack. Ginny was the only other person in their dormitory who knew the full details of what had happened. She knew that she would scream in her sleep and the other girls would spread gossip. She sighed sitting up. Draco wrapped his arm around her pulling her close.
"So Draco, are you ready to get beaten in the Quidditch finals?" Ginny asked teasingly.
"You really think that Gryffindor can win?" Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Of course I do. Yeah we don't have Harry as seeker but we still have a strong team. And I am captain this year."
"Your strong team won't be good enough. This is the best team that we have had in years. Besides, do you really think that your little fourth year will be able to catch the snitch over me?" Draco smirked arrogantly.
"He is pretty good Draco. Besides, if we get in front by more than 150 points it won't matter if you catch the snitch."
"So that is your strategy. Good to know."
To Hermione's surprise, the weeks went on without any gossip of her night time behaviour. Hermione had clearly not given the girls enough credit. As the weeks went on her "episodes" became less frequent. Ginny had taken over the role of comforter as Draco was unable to stay in the same dormitory. Ginny was an amazingly selfless friend.
Hermione sat in the Gryffindor Quidditch stand completely conflicted. Of course she wanted Gryffindor to win but she also wanted Draco to catch the golden snitch. She wasn't even interested in Quidditch but this was definitely a game to watch.
"Gryffindor leads Slytherin 90 to 40. That was a nasty bludger hit for Cormac McLaggen. But he seems to be able to play on. Oh but there is a goal for Slytherin. Play is getting pretty rough out there."
Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Foul against Weasley, unnecessarily rough contact."
"Slytherin gets the foul goal. 90-60."
Hermione watched as Draco circled the pitch, smirking as his team continued to gain on Gryffindor. He suddenly dove toward the earth, inches above the ground was the golden snitch. He caught it gracefully and pulled out of the dive. Hermione saw the Gryffindor seeker scratching his head as the whistle blew for the end of game. The Slytherin team raced toward Draco, crashing into him roughly, hugging him and patting his back. Madam Hooch bought the Quidditch cup over to the team and Draco raised it above his head to a roar of applause.
The Gryffindor team landed on the ground and walked toward the changing room defeated. Draco passed the trophy to Blaise and flew to where Hermione stood, pulling her into a kiss, causing an upsurge in applause.
"Hermione you need to calm down." Draco rubbed her shoulders from behind.
"How can I calm down? There is no way I am going to pass any of my exams." She was becoming more frazzled by the second.
"Hermione," Draco said gently as he stopped rubbing her shoulders and sat down in front of her. "You are the smartest witch at this school. You know things that other people here could only dream of. You are going to pass with your 112% like normal. You are just stressed. Come on let's go for a walk. It will give you time to clear your head."
"But..." she began to protest.
"Hermione, I'm saying this because I love you okay. Get up and come for a walk. You need to relax. You won't surrounded by all of these notes."
Hermione allowed herself to be pulled to her feet and led out of the Library. Draco led her into the grounds for some fresh air and sunlight. It had been a week since she had done something other than attend class, eat and study her notes. Newts were only weeks away and all of the seventh year students were becoming on edge. Draco walked Hermione around the lake until he found a secluded place for them to sit quietly, without interruption.
"Come sit next to me." He patted the ground beside him and she did as ordered. Draco spoke into her neck as he played with her hair, "what can I do to help?"
Hermione smiled slightly, she understood where he was going with that statement. "Distract me" she said looking into his eyes seductively.
Draco lay in his bed at Malfoy Manor, his arm around Hermione as she slept. It was odd to think that he would never go back to Hogwarts. Hermione was growing more impatient every day as they waited for their NEWT results. According to her three weeks was more than enough time to have to wait.
Crack. "Master, the post" Crawford said bowing low and holding up two envelopes on a silver tray. Draco removed the letters and dismissed the still bowing elf. Draco's eyes widened as he saw the seal on the envelope. He shook Hermione lightly to wake her up.
"What's wrong?" she said sleepily rubbing her eyes.
"NEWT letters."
Her eyes shot open and she looked nervous as she took the letter address to her. Draco read through his own letter. He sighed with relief, all the hard work had payed off. He looked up at Hermione; she was smiling back at him.
"How many?" she asked.
"11. You?"
She laughed lightly. "11."
He hugged her tightly. "Congratulations Hermione. See I told you not to worry."
"I know; the Slytherin Prince knows all" she mocked to a small laugh from Draco. "Congratulations Draco."
Hermione gasped. She stood with her hands over her mouth in shock, looking down at him. Draco was kneeling in front of her a red velvet ring box in his hands. He opened it to reveal a stunning square cut diamond ring, with a smaller emerald on either side. It suited her style perfectly; simple, elegant and not too pompous. Draco knew her too well.
"Hermione, will you marry me?"
"Of course" she said pulling him into a kiss. She could feel him smiling against her lips. He pulled the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger. He watched her as she smiled down at her hand. She looked into his eyes. "Are you sure?"
He chuckled lightly. "Of course I am sure. There is no one else for me."
Draco could barely contain his joy. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. He was the luckiest man on the planet. All of a sudden they became aware of their surroundings and all of the eyes on them. Draco had taken Hermione to her favourite muggle restaurant and all of the other occupants were starring at them and cheering. Hermione smiled at the patrons and gave a shy wave in thanks as they sat back down at their table.
Draco had laughed to himself when they had entered the restaurant. Hermione had been visibly annoyed by all of the woman starring longingly at him as they made their way through the room. Little did she realise that she was about to know just how little she had to worry about. She was so annoyed about the woman starring at him that she hadn't noticed all of the men starring at her, the same expression on their face. He had placed his arm around her waist and pulled her body against his own protectively as they walked.
They shortly after paid the bill and left the restaurant, walking to a secluded spot in the park adjacent to apparate back to Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was waiting for them; Draco of course had informed her of his intention. Hermione's parents also knew what he was planning, he had asked permission to marry her the day that he had met with her father in the garden.
Narcissa saw the ring on Hermione's finger and cried out in happiness; pulling Draco and Hermione into a hug. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."
Hermione lay on top of Draco in their bed; she had her head resting on his bare chest. She was smiling quietly to herself as she starred at her engagement ring in the moon light.
"What are you thinking about?" Draco asked quietly.
She lifted her head up to rest on her hands. "How happy you make me."
Draco smirked. He sat up slightly pulling her into a rough kiss. "I can't wait for you to me wife" he whispered into her ear.
