CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

'I made a wish on this tree years go.' Marco says.
'What did you wish for?' Bailey asks.
Marco leans forward and whispers in Bailey's ear. 'I wished for her.'
~Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus~

Astoria Greengrass hadn't been too pleased to see Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger attached at the hip all night. She'd nearly a seizure when she saw him lean down and plant a kiss on her lips after she said something that obviously made him very happy. She hadn't been the only to notice. All in attendance had practically been shocked and hadn't been able to tear their eyes from the new couple all night.

So it was really no surprise when the pair of them ended up on the cover of the Prophet wearing their fancy outfits from dinner with the headline: 'Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger Together?'

The letter from Ginny had been waiting on Hermione's bed as soon as she got home from the trip.

'Mione,

You're in Italy ALONE with Draco? WHAT DID I TELL YOU? This boy is madly in love with you and need to get on that. Harry told me everything. Well, not everything since he's a boy and you know how they are. They think five words is a story. Tell me everything as soon as you get home! Did you snog? Take silly pictures? Does Draco even do silly pictures? Is he too manly and stoic for such childish antics? Is he a good kisser? I bet he's a good kisser. Jeanie told me when she snogged him in fifth year it was wonderful and he has a magic tongue. HERMIONE, IS IT TRUE? Is Draco's tongue magic? I must know.

Thank Merlin this bleeding program ends next week so I can get home and SEE THIS FOR MYSELF. And drag all the answers out of you that you won't say via letter. Seriously, 'Mione, it is like pulling teeth with you. No pun intended- you know, since your parents pull teeth. I guess I don't make much sense right now since I'm on a Dramonie high. Yes, that it what I'm calling you two. You can call me and Harry Hinny or Garry. Our names don't really go well. Hinny is a bit weird, it's like you're calling us a ninny. But Garry is kinda growing on me.

Waiting impatiently,

One half of Garry

Hermione was in a fit of laughter by the time she reached the bottom. She knew her response would madden Ginny to no end, and maybe that was why she wrote back:

Ginny-

I cannot say anything via letter in case this owl is intercepted. You must wait until we meet in person. I will, however say that, THE SUBJECT's tongue is indeed magical.

Take care and I shall see you in a week. 'Mione

Maybe a bit of Draco was rubbing off on her. Either way, they'd have lots to talk about when Ginny finally got home. Hermione sent the letter off during her lunch break and then went over to George's.

"And there she is!" His voice boomed out, as she entered the store. "The future Mrs. Malfoy!"

"Oh Merlin," She blushed, slapping her hand across her face. Everyone in the store turned to look at her as George came skipping down the centre to meet her. "That's not true and now someone is going to tell the Prophet we're engaged and it'll be the next headline."

George didn't seem deterred by this in the slightest. He had some big, dopy smile on his face and he hugged her tightly. She squirmed and coughed, his strength squeezing her body like a boa constrictor. He lifted her up, just to keep messing with her and the ruffled her hair once he'd put her back down. "You!" He laughed, "And Malfoy! I know I saw this coming, but I can't believe it! I for sure didn't think it was gonna happen this quickly!"

"Yeah, okay," She shoved him away and started fixing her hair. She couldn't help but smile. Nothing made her angry or frustrated these days. All she had to do was think about Draco holding her hand or kissing her or the way he always greeted her at the door instead of waiting for her to get to the study, like he used to.

"You're so whipped," George grinned, "Ah, I remember that feeling. Never get engaged." She knew he was kidding- it was obvious in the way he kept smiling. Angelina appeared out of no where, her arms loaded with inventory. She had been stocking shelves evidently. She didn't seem as amused as George and Hermione did with the jab.

"Never get engaged, eh?" She asked, giving George a death stare.

"I mean-" George stammered, offering her a nervous smile, "Never get engaged unless you are absolutely positive you're madly in love with them. Just like I am."

"Better," She said, before flashing Hermione a smile, "Make sure he treats you right."

"I will," She grinned, before waving at Angelina as she walked away to continue restocking shelves.

"Good advice," George added, when they were alone again. "If he ever says or does anything-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I got the same speech from my parents, Harry, your mum- she actually figured out how to use the phone to call me." Hermione said with a giggle.

"I wish I'd seen that." George grinned, "She and dad were probably pushing buttons and holding the blasted thing upside down."

"Either way, I've heard the same thing over and over again. You don't need to worry about me. I know enough spells to threaten him with, if I have to. But I don't think I will." Hermione said with a smile.

George nodded, "We know that. We all grew up with you, after all. But if you ever need back up, we're all here and willing to kick some Malfoy arse."

After work she returned home and got ready for her dinner date with Draco and their parents. This time they'd be gathering at the Manor and so her mum was in her usual flurry of nerves as soon as she got home. It was eerily similar to the evening she was freaking out when the Malfoys were coming over for the first time.

Hermione decided trying to calm her down was a lost cause and so she went to straight to her room to get ready. She pulled on a casual spring dress and left her hair down, before sitting down at her desk where her mum had left Ginny's latest letter.

Except it wasn't a letter. It was a Howler.

MISS HERMIONE GRANGER,

HOW DARE YOU NOT TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT DRACO MALFOY'S MAGIC TONGUE. AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR YOU. I LISTEN TO YOU MOAN AND MOAN ABOUT YOUR CRAMPS EVERY MONTH AND I WAS THERE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE EMBARRASSING THING THAT HAPPENED IN FIFTH YEAR. AND I SWORE TO NEVER REPEAT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 16 ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. AND I HAVE NOT, BUT I WILL NOW. WE SNUCK OUT OF THE BURROW AND WENT NIGHT SWIMMING WITH THOSE TWO CUTE MUGGLE GUYS. AND YOUR BIKIN TOP CAME OFF WHEN YOU GOT HIT BY A HUGE WAVE. YES, RIGHT. I KNOW. I EXPECT THE MOST NOBLEST OF A RECAP OF YOUR TRIP TO ITALY WHEN I GET THERE.

YOURS ALWAYS,

GINNY WEASLEY

The letter tore itself to pieces. The Howler didn't have its desired affect as Hermione burst into a fit of giggles. Over the massive yelling, she hadn't hear the doorbell or the footsteps approaching her room.

"You flashed someone?" Her boyfriend's voice asked. She jumped and spun around in the chair, finding him staring at her in the doorway. He looked vaguely amused.

"Merlin," She blushed, "you were not supposed to ever know that. And what are you doing here?"

"Came to see you before dinner," He shrugged, walking into her room. He stopped in front of her and she grabbed his hands. "So you flashed someone?"

She groaned, burying her face in his stomach. "Oh my gosh, that means the camera filmed it. And now the whole world is going to know I lost my bathing suit top."

He pulled his hands free and wrapped them around her. "I can steal the film." He suggested. "I bet you made that fifteen year old's life."

"He wasn't fifteen." Hermione said.

"Younger?" Draco asked, and she lifted her head up to see his shocked face.

She blushed and shook her head, before hiding back in his stomach. "Hermione Granger, you naughty girl. How much older?"

"Three years older." She didn't know why she was telling him, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't stop herself. It's like she wanted him to know, because- well, because it felt like he was supposed to know.

Draco laughed and she felt her embarrassment fading. She looked up, "Okay, now tell me your most embarrassing moment."

Draco laughed again, "I don't have any embarrassing moments. I'm Draco Malfoy."

She rolled her eyes and pinched his side. He flinched and she grinned, "Sooner or later you're going to tell me."

"Maybe when we finally stop filming this show," He grinned, "I already had to bare my soul to you in front of it,"

"Fair enough," She smiled and the stood up, grabbing her purse. "Lets go find my parents." She pulled him out of the room and found both her parents already waiting in the living room.

Her mum beamed when she saw their clasped hands. "Ready to go?"

Narcissa and Lucius were waiting for them as soon as they got there. Literally. There was a table set up outside on their large estate. From the moment they arrived, fresh off an Apparating daze, Narcissa was waving them over.

Draco rolled his eyes, but was still smiling as he said, "She's obviously very excited." He turned to Hermione and added, "She tried to cook today. She barged into the kitchen and made Puffy teach her how to grill the meat."

Hermione smiled, "That's great."

Her parents were already exchanging greetings with the Malfoys and she took a moment to wonder how this was actually happening. If you had told her way back in first year that she would be happily dating Draco Malfoy and their parents would be friendly towards each other she would have laughed. But now she couldn't imagine anything else.

"Oh," Narcissa was saying, as they arrived at the table. "I forgot the cups. Accio-"

"Mum," Draco cut in, "I'll go get them."

Hermione's head swivelled around so fast she nearly broke her neck. "You'll what?"

Draco looked down at her, "I'm going to get the cups..." He trailed off.

"But you- and the magic- and..."

Draco took her hand and tugged her along with him, "We're gonna go get the cups!" He called behind his shoulder, as if he hadn't made that fact clear moments ago.

"Your home is so large," Hermione's mum said as they left. The door shut behind them and Draco squeezed her hand.

"You're not using magic." She said.

"Of course I'm using magic," Draco said, like that was obvious. "I'm just walking to get cups and using my hands to carrying them back out. Someone once told me that it would be nice if I did some stuff for myself every once and awhile."

She stopped walking and pulled hard on his hand. Draco stumbled and turned around to look at her. He had some goofy smile on his face and she was sure she looked mad as she pulled him down to her and kissed him.

She had no idea why his admission had meant so much to her, but it made her just want to kiss him and keep kissing him and feel him. His body was smooth and hard and he didn't seem to mind the slightly animalistic craze she was in. He pressed his pelvis against her, bracing her against the wall.

And then she realised everything they were doing was being filmed. So she pulled away and they went to retrieve the cups without further delays all the while glancing at each other with lovestruck grins when they thought the other wasn't watching.

"Did you two get lost?" Narcissa asked, when they arrived back outside.

Hermione blushed and hid her head in Draco's shoulder. Draco chuckled, "Hermione just lost her self contr- ow." She had stomped on his foot. "Merlin, woman. Know your own strength."

Hermione huffed and walked away from him, knowing he had a grin plastered on his face. He was always so confident, she noted. It wasn't anything new, but if her mum had been the one to say that she would have gritted her teeth and moaned, "Mum," but not Draco. No, he was just about to tell them all how she pounced on him in the hallway like it was no big deal.

Draco took the seat next to her and as was the usual, the food appeared in front of them. Her parents spent a few moments marvelling over this nifty piece of magic and then Narcissa launched into conversation about Hamlet, which she had finally read.

"That poor boy," She lamented, "Driven mad by the ghost of his father, his uncle's betrayal and his mother's, no less. And then his strange love for that Ophelia character. They were an odd pair weren't they? Why couldn't she have just told him she loved him instead of all that drama?"

"We have the film if you'd like to watch it. The modern one with that bloke from Hermione's show." Her dad said, "About that Doctor or something."

"Very funny, dad," Hermione rolled her eyes, knowing full well her dad knew name of the most famous tv show in all of England. The show had been around for nearly fifty years. She turned to Narcissa, "I've always loved Horatio's final words to Hamlet when he dies. Gives me chills."

"'Sweet prince.' Yes, yes, it's all touching. Can we talk about camping now?" Draco cut in, serving himself a helping of mashed potatoes (instead of using his wand, Hermione noted).

Hermione turned to Draco. She and Narcissa said at the same time, "You've read Hamlet?"

Draco cleared his throat and glanced down at his plate, realising he'd revealed one of his dark secrets. He glanced at Hermione and said, "Read mum's giant Shakespeare book a few weeks ago. Merlin, Hermione, do try and control yourself. I don't think either of our parents would enjoy it half as much as I would if you mauled me again-"

She glared at him and the effect was heavy enough to shut him up. "So camping," He added, steering the conversation away from Hamlet and how much Hermione wanted so snog him- or possibly jump his bones-, looking at her parents. "I heard there's a trip going on soon. So you sleep outside and eat fish?"

Hermione wished he had kept talking about how much she wanted to snog him. Except at the moment whatever passion that surged in her at the mention of her boyfriend reading Hamlet and remembering enough to know Horatio said something along the lines of 'sweet prince' at the end of the play disappeared and she wanted to kick him.

Her mum brightened up. "Yes, we're going this weekend. What you do is you sleep in tents and have a campfire. It's very nice. There's a lake and lots of trees."

"And mosquitos," Her dad added, clearly not onboard with the camping idea. "And no beds."

"Tents..." Draco trailed off, "No beds? But our tent-"

Hermione remembered the Weasleys' tent she stayed in during the Quidditch World Cup. It had been amazing and unreal. It had served as her inspiration for the magic pouch she'd brought along on her and Harry and Ron's journey to destroy the Horcruxes. Draco had also been at the Quidditch World Cup- she remembered. She'd seen him during the game and during the Death Eater attack.

"Not that kind of tent." She told him, "Muggle tents aren't magically enchanted to be as big as a house."

Understanding flashed across his features. "So how big is a normal tent?"

"Not big," Her dad said, with a roll of his eyes.

"Draco, why don't you come with us?" Her mum said, completely disregarding the death look her daughter was sending her. "You obviously seem very interested in the whole thing."

"Oh, I am." Draco said, sounding like the world's biggest kiss up. Hermione rolled her eyes and remembered why he had annoyed her in classes so much. "But Hermione here already told me I couldn't come."

"Nonsense!" Her mum went on, like Hermione had no say in anything. "You come along. We'd love to have you."

"That's great!" Draco exclaimed, happily. He had a smirk on his face, and Hermione realised he'd been planning this ambush attack and now he was pleased with himself for weaselling himself into their trip. His arm went around her shoulders and he tugged her close to him, "We're gonna have a great time, Hermione."

"Fantastic." She rolled her eyes.

When the Granger family arrived home, Hermione was instantly faced with her mum's questions. "Why didn't you want Draco to come on the camping trip?"

"It's going to be a disaster!" She said, falling down onto the couch. "Besides the fact that dad and I don't want to go, there won't be air condition or beds or running water and there's a million insects just waiting to eat us alive. Draco will go insane. He has silk pyjamas, mum. Silk. And have you seen his hair? He was raised with all the riches in the world. He's going to be complaining and- Merlin. This is going to be a disaster."

"Maybe it won't be so bad, 'Mione," Her dad said, taking off his tie and sitting next to her. He squeezed her knee in comfort, but it didn't do much.

"Dad, remember last time?"

Her dad looked very much like he remembered last time if the pure look of dread that flashed across his face was any indicator. Her mum sighed and took the love seat. "You two really don't want to go that much?"

"Yes," they said, without any hesitation.

They hoped she'd rethink this whole crazy camping trip idea. But instead her face hardened and she stood up. "Well you," She looked at Hermione, "and your boyfriend," then she turned to her husband, "and you, are going to have to suck it up. We are going to go camping and are all going to have a jolly good time! Good night."

"You did this to us." Hermione said, dropping her head onto her dad's shoulder.

"How?" He asked tiredly.

"You picked her."

A/N Hello! Happy 2013, guys. I hope you all have a great year, full of(,?) good food, good memories, and good health. Hope you liked this chapter and you'll leave me a review :D

Thanks to my FABULOUS reviewers (and to all those that understood my plight about Merlin. I'm not sad anymore, just mad.): FuryPossessed, alannalove1990, CheshireCat23, zzsheilahzz, Blah Blah Blah Monster, Lupa Eira, edwardsoneandonlylove, Honoria Granger, Nia Hazlitt, HarryPotterGeneration, Reipersecutoria, Guest, Loveable Leo, and vickifay27!