I hope you think it's worth the wait..

*HM pov*

This last two weeks have been exhausting! From moving into the manor last weekend, learning the manners of a pureblood with Narcissa, to work, and then planning the wedding on top of that! I'm on overload. Plus on Thursday night, there was a terrible thunder storm, so I didn't get any sleep at all.

The wedding plans haven't been too demanding. Narcissa is still in the process of eliminating the improper decisions for a Malfoy wedding. The wedding was going to be very grand, but the life at the manor is surprisingly homey. It hasn't been too chaotic. It's surprisingly been sort of nice. Once I get home from work I relax on a comfy chair in the library, and read. I usually get lost in my book, until Ginger comes in and tells me it's almost time for dinner. I've also already fallen in love with my bed. It's the most comfortable thing I have ever slept on!

Anyways, Draco has been kind of sweet lately too. He's always telling me little tricks on how to not get lost in this maze of a house, and is trying to make the move as stress free as possible. We went out to lunch again on Monday. His lunches on Monday are free for him to do whatever. Let's just say, for now, we're getting along.

Work has been semi normal, besides one thing. David. He isn't doing well. He's terribly sick because of the chemo. What's worse is, his gorgeous blonde hair has fallen out. His mum practically had a breakdown when it was on his pillow one morning, but eventually she got over it. Hair comes back. The thing I'm really worried about is that sparkle in his eyes.

It's gone. He's not his usual self, Ginny keeps telling me I'm over analyzing the situation. I mean I know I'm already too attached to this case, but how couldn't I be?! David is such a sweet heart! I know it's a little too soon to know if the chemo is totally effective, but I'm just so afraid I'm not going to be able to cure him.

I look up from the page I was 'reading' and stood up to stretched. I heard Narcissa come in. I had stopped reading a while ago and started thinking. There was something else about David. Something I couldn't quite place.

"Hermione dear, are you in here?" Narcissa's voice interrupted the peaceful silence.

"Right here!" I said as I walked towards her in the huge library. Draco had shown me it one day, and I had spent a lot of time in here since.

She smiled a little guiltily, "Don't be angry, but I told your Grandma's we would go looking for dresses, today."

"Oh" I said with a strained smile, "Where are we going to look?"

"I know this small, personal, store. we should be going. Sorry for the short notice, but Ginger didn't tell me you had an early breakfast and came up here. I just thought you weren't up yet. I was going to tell you at breakfast."

"I always get up early" I said quietly as we went towards the fireplace and floo'ed to the dress shop.

"Oh you will absolutely love this place. All the best dresses in England. There is also a great selection," Narcissa was saying as we started browsing. "I was thinking you are a classic style. What do you think?"

"I like the off the shoulder" I started to say.

"We have plenty of that particular cut, that are elegant. Very stylish, but unique. Are you with the party sitting over on the couches?" Came a short, stout women with brown hair.

I looked at her in shock, due to her boldness. I saw a red head, and nodded. She led us over to them and told us to take a seat, "I'll just go look for the off the shoulder dresses" and she was gone.

I sat down and started talking with everyone.

"You must have a traditional dress," Grandmum was saying.

"Will she wear a wedding dress? I wasn't sure if she would wear one, or robes," Grandma asked.

"Either are acceptable. I wore a dress," Said Ginny.

"Oh, I see," Grandma nodded.

"Here are our four best in this style. I also brought a couple others for you to look at, to see if you like them," she said with interest.

"That will be all, thank you," Narcissa dismissed the rather rude store keeper.

"Yes, ma'am," She said a bit nervously and walked away.

I stood up and walked towards the row of dresses. All the different styles were nice, but I had always pictured myself wearing an off the shoulder dress at my wedding.

The first was nice, but a little plain for the elaborate Malfoy wedding and it wasn't floor length. The next was a very traditional dress and it was beautiful. The only problem was that I didn't like how it was long sleeved. The third one had way too much bead work, but the last one was just right.

I walked into the dressing room and tried on the dress. Ginny came in and laced up the back of the dress, "Wow Mione! That looks beyond brilliant."

I blushed self-consciously and walked out to look in the mirror that was outside the little room. I was surprised how slender I looked, especially in my shoulders. It was a white dress with bead work on the bodice, that laces up the back and the skirt poufs out.

"Mione darling! You look splendid!" Gushed Grandma.

"Really? You like it?" I asked.

My Grandmum nodded with shinning eyes, "Perfect."

I looked back in the mirror. Would Draco like me in this dress? Was it good enough for a Malfoy, or Montresor? Why did I care if he liked it or not? I mean, it's not like he wanted to get married

"Miss!" Narcissa called the worker over, "We'll take the dress, and we would like to see the bride's maid dresses you have in stock. We were thinking a knee length, strapless, turquoise dress. Oh yes, and while you're in the back, look for a silver vest and tie for the grooms men."

She nodded and went back to check for what Narcissa asked for. I hurried into the dressing room and undressed. I smiled. That was easier than I thought. I felt as if I had found thee dress, and I was glad I found it quickly. That was lucky.

She hurried back out, "Here are some silver vest and ties, but we don't have any dresses like you described, but I can get them in soon."

"Oh I see," Said Narcissa a little disappointed, "Well we'll just be going then." She said and started to leave, but turned around, "Come Hermione, we must get back for dinner. Tonight after dinner Lucius leaves on business for a week, so we must have dinner at the Manor. We will see you all at Tea Wedding Planning on Wednesday," She said with a wave.

I said goodbye to all three of them and followed her back to the Manor. Great, now we couldn't go out to eat with Ginny and my Grandmas. Mr. Malfoy is always so intimidating. I always feel so out of ease in front of him. The décor of the Manor makes it a totally different place from when I was a prisoner here during the war, but Mr. Malfoy seems to be the same cold person

"Ginger!" Narcissa called, "How is dinner coming along?"

I hurried up the stairs to get ready for dinner. I walked into the room. I've decided this is the common room and sat down on the chair with a sigh. I was about to close my eyes for a moment's rest when I noticed him sleeping on the couch. I smirked and stood up.

I hurried into his room and opened the door to my closet. I picked up Doug, who had been placed hidden in the back and brought him back to Draco. I tucked Doug under his arm, and walked into my room to pick out what I was going to wear. I was in the middle of curling my hair when I heard a deep voice.

"What the bloody HELL," Came from the next room.

I hurried to the door way, "Draco are you alright?" I asked with an innocent look on my face.

He hurried and put something behind his back. If I hadn't put Doug there myself, I probably wouldn't know what he was hiding, "I'm fine. What time is it? Is dinner soon?" He stuttered.

"We have about twenty minutes till dinner is served. What are you hiding?" I asked with a smirk,that was treacherously appearing on my face.

He paused for a second, and I waited anxiously to see what he would do. Recently we had become friends per say. We were together practically all the time because we lived together, and we had a lot in common. But our new found friendship had taken a long time to make it this far and it hasn't been tested yet around outside parties.

"you …YOU did THIS!" He said as he pulled Doug out from behind his back and stood up.

"Now, now, maybe you got him while you were sleep walking, because you missed him," I tried to become serious but it didn't work.

Draco came towards me, "No, I know you did this."

"Doug was afraid of the pirates," I joked referring to Narcissa's favorite story from Draco's childhood. Draco blushed as he remembered his mum telling me about how him and Blaze used to play pirates. Doug would come along for the adventures, "Well I have to get ready for dinner, and your mum said we should match, so wear blue!" I said quickly before I shut the door.

whew, avoided. He gets a little touchy whenever I mention his childhood memories, and I do so quite often. I finished curling my hair and put on the bright blue dress with a white sash under bust, that had a bow tie in the back. The dress flowed to my knees and I liked it a lot.

That was one of the great things about living in this house. There was an endless supply of clothing that were all stylish. I finished my make up and decided to wear a silver bracelet when..

"Hurry up! We're going to be late," Draco called from the other side of the door. I put on the strappy high heel shoes and unlocked the door.

I gave him an apologetic look, "You're not still mad at me, are you Draco?"

He gave me a pained expression, "I guess not."

"Great, so what's your father going away for?" I asked trying to keep up the conversation on our way to dinner.

"He's not doing anything illegal if that's what you're asking," He replied rather rudely.

I looked at him in shock for a second, "I know. I was just wondering why you're not going, since you work for him and all." I finished and went into the dining hall without looking back at him. I sat down in my usual chair and looked around, but avoided looking at Draco. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were already seated, "Sorry we're late. It was my fault." I said quietly as the delicious dinner was served.

"It's quite alright," Mr. Malfoy said with a slight smile, "I remember waiting quite a bit longer on Narcissa, when she wasn't ready."

I smiled, but Narcissa protested, "What are you talking about? I was always waiting on you Lucius! Hermione, he always had to have more getting ready time then me. Don't listen to him." I laughed, and continued eating.

"So father, how long will you be gone?" Draco asked.

"I'm not sure yet Draco. You know how important this deal is, and I need to make sure they're absolutely convinced." He was saying.

They continued talk on the deal, but as dessert was served they quieted down. Probably because Narcissa was giving them a, 'stop talking about work' look.

"So, where is the closest of the hotels? I'd like to see one, if that's alright," I finished nervously as Draco gave me a weird look. I was TRYING to get on his dad's good side.

"I'd love to show you the hotel. Actually I got this idea from your father. A long time ago we had been traveling together. He made a comment about how you COULD just floo home, but it would be so much nicer to be able to stay and rest around the area you needed to be," He said with a small smile.

He seemed to have really like my dad. Every time he was brought up he seemed happy to talk.

"How interesting" I said with a smile. I held back a yawn. I was so tired. Still hadn't recovered from the night of the storm. I stayed a while and they talked, but eventually I had to excuse myself, "I'm sorry, but today has been a busy day. I'm tired, so if you will please excuse me" I said shly.

"Of course!" Narcissa said with a knowing smile, "Picking out your wedding dress can be very tiring."

I nodded and stood up to leave, "Night then, and see you when you return Mr. Malfoy."

I walked upstairs, and after what seemed like forever, got to my room. I changed into shorts and a tank top, and climbed into bed. I was so tired

I was running down the hallways of St. Mungos. I just couldn't seem to find what I was looking for. turn after turn I just became more panicked. Suddenly I came to a dead end, and I paused at the door and looked in. I saw David and his mum was crying over him as he slept. I hurried into the room to see what was wrong, when I realized he wasn't breathing. I tried everything to save him, but he remained unbreathing. I started to cry, because I had lost my patient, when he morphed into Draco. I screamed and

I woke up to a sudden *BOOM* and my whole room lit up with an eerie light. I was breathing heavily and sat up with a start. *BOOM* Why had David turned into Draco? I didn't understand …*BOOM* …ughh why am I such a baby? I mean it's not like my parents died BECAUSE of a thunder storm. They just died on a night that it was *BOOM* Why couldn't I have been brave? The storms always scared me. *BOOM*

I stood up and went to the bathroom, but even when I came back I had no desire to sleep. I pulled the comforter off my bed. I carried it and Pride and Prejudice into the common room. I stopped in surprise as I saw Draco sitting on the couch reading a book.

He looked up from his book in surprise, "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?"

I just nodded and closed my eyes as it thundered louder than ever.

"Don't stop on my account. Come on in," He looked down at his book, but then looked up, "I'm sorry about earlier. I know you weren't putting down my dad. I just thought you were implying …"

I just gave another nod and hurried to the couch and plopped down as it thundered again.

"You don't have to pretend to be interested" He said looking at me again curiously.

"Pretend what?" I asked.

"Pretend to care about our work," He said.

"But I am curious. I want to see how much it is like a muggle hotel," I replied.

"Yeah, right," He said skeptically. Then noticed as I sunk into the couch and pulled the comforter higher on my chin as it thundered, and then a bolt of lightning made a cracking noise, "Are you afraid of the storm?"

I smiled tiredly, "You found my childhood weakness."

"It's not just your childhood weakness if you're still afraid," He said with a raised eyebrow.

I glared.

He put down his book and then looked back towards me, "It's just a storm" He started, but I interrupted.

"But to me, it's not just a storm. It goes back to feeling alone as a child, because I was different. From traveling through the dark forests with just Harry, and finally, when my parents died storms haunted all of my worst memories. It's NOT just a storm, and I'm tired of people always telling me that!" I finished quickly. I took a deep breath, "Sorry, it's not your fault."

He looked at me with an expression that almost resembled one of concern, but then smirked, "So you came out here to be with me. Need me to protect you from the big bad storm?"

"Actually I was just wondering if I could borrow Doug for tonight," I said with a smirk, "But I understand if you'd miss him too much…"

He laughed and leaned back against the couch. He stretched his arms along the back of the couch and laid his head back. He really was good looking. Handsome … and in a way mysterious. It would look to someone else that he put his arm around me, but I know better than to think that.

He yawned, "Can I have some of the blanket? I'm too lazy to go to my bed, and I'm comfy. Plus, we both know you'll get no sleep if I leave," He ended with a smirk.

Hmphf. In his dreams. Will I share my blanket. With his jerk self.

He smiled at me this time, "Please."

"Oh, all right," I said with a sigh of defeat and moved a little closer and gave him some of the blanket. Before I knew it, the sounds of the thunder were not quite as loud as before and I fell asleep.

Hmmmmm?! Whatcha think? Think I should have then wake up tomorrow still on the couch? … REVIEW

-Grace