A/N: Still have no ownership of the HP universe. I only own my silly little plot.
Thank you to shealone, fabulous beta that you are!
Ch. 8
Tuesday Morning
6:30 am
Hermione's Room
Hermione's wand buzzed insistently at half six the next morning. She groped for the offending stick to end the incantation. Her head felt like it was about to explode. She got up and staggered to the new door in her room and knocked on it, only to find that it opened as soon as she touched the wood. Malfoy was sprawled on his bed, clad only in his boxer shorts. Hermione paused to enjoy the view despite the rampaging hippogriff knocking about her skull.
"Malfoy," she said. No response. "Malfoy," a bit louder. "Malfoy!"
He startled and sat straight up. "Wha?" Shaking his head, Draco immediately groaned and clasped his hands on his aching head. "Why are you in my room, Granger?"
"We need to get moving. We have to meet everyone in the common room at half seven, and we need to beat the rush to the showers this morning. And I need that Hangover Potion. Now. Please."
"Yeah, yeah. Just give me a second." Draco got up and went to a small cabinet on his dresser, selected a potion bottle, and handed it to Hermione. "Bottoms up."
"Merlin, that tastes bad!"
Draco nodded in agreement as he took his potion.
"I'll meet you in an hour," he said.
Hermione nodded and turned to the door. Draco took advantage of the opportunity to admire Hermione's legs on display under her sleep shorts.
Tuesday Morning
7:30am
8th Common Room
Hermione made her way into the common room and sat down beside Draco near the fireplace. He was reading the front page of the Daily Prophet.
"Do you think we will see reporters today?" Hermione asked.
Draco turned the paper around and showed her the headline:
"MARRIAGE LAW MAYHEM: GOLDEN TRIO PAIRED WITH SLYTHERINS"
Below that it, in slightly smaller font it read: Granger/Death Eater Malfoy; Potter/Greengrass (Death Eater's Daughter); Weasley/Davis.
"I would say, yes, we will definitely see reporters today." He sneered.
Just then, the remaining members of their group filed in, looking various shades of green. Malfoy pointed out the small bottles awaiting them on the table that they all took with some relief.
"Blimey, that Firewhiskey hit me harder than I expected." Ron looked at Malfoy, "Thanks for this." Draco jerked his chin up in the universal male action of acknowledgment.
"Have you seen the papers this morning?" Hermione asked them. At their negative response, she took it from Malfoy and showed it to them.
"Bloody hell, I wanted to send an owl to Mum before it hit the papers," Ron muttered.
"Agreed, Weasley. I plan to send an owl this morning explaining all of this to my parents. But I'm afraid the damage will already be done." Malfoy winced at the thought of Lucius's response from his cell in Azkaban. He wouldn't be surprised if he heard the howl of outrage here at Hogwarts.
Daphne spoke up, "Right then, do we all need to send owls?" At their nods of assent, she continued, "We can head up to the Owlery first, then to breakfast, and then to Diagon Alley for shopping."
"What are we buying today? Aside from engagement rings, I mean?" Hermione looked around the room for guidance.
Daphne was apparently going to act as the trip coordinator for the day. "Our first stop needs to be engagement rings. And we need engagement photo outfits. Those are the most pressing obligations. After that, we all need Yule Ball gowns and robes. We will have to settle on a wedding gown for Hermione within the next two weeks."
"Ahh, Daphne, what is it that you do for a living again?" Harry inquired.
"You don't know? I'm an apprentice event planner with "Events to Remember. "
"Well, I think you can consider yourself booked solid for the next three and half months," Hermione said. "That is, if you want to plan all of our weddings."
"Oh, I'd planned on it. And the Ministry will be paying my fees. These weddings will also enable me to move from an apprenticeship to a full partner." Daphne looked like the cat who ate the cream, or maybe the snake who ate the mouse. Hermione could imagine her rubbing her hands together in glee. "So, Parvati, you look fine. I don't think the reporters are going to make the connection with you and Blaise very quickly. Tracey, we need to spice up your makeup, and, Hermione, well, give your letter to Drake; he'll send it for you." Looking Hermione up and down, she added, "Actually, gentlemen, you can take all our letters and bring breakfast back here for us. We've got work to do." With that, she pulled Hermione, Parvati, and Tracey into Hermione's room.
"What is wrong with my jeans?" Hermione was a bit indignant.
"You did see the paper this morning, did you not?"
"Of course I did, Daphne, but I don't see what that has to do with my jeans and jumper."
"You cannot be photographed on the day after your engagement, while shopping for your engagement ring, in Muggle jeans, Hermione." Parvati pulled her head from Hermione's wardrobe. "And why do you have so much plaid?"
"I like plaid! And we are in Scotland! What's wrong with plaid?"
"Alright, let's work with it, rather than fighting it." Tracey took the practical approach and began pulling pieces out to put on the bed. Daphne, Parvati, and Tracey tut-tutted over the serious lack of choices. "I'd transfigure something, but it would be awful to be hit with a random 'finite,' especially if there were cameras nearby." Hermione blanched at the thought of headlines at being left in a towel in place of a skirt. "Golden Girl Has No Clothes!" Even her threat to Rita Skeeter wouldn't keep her quiet for that.
After forcing Hermione into a pleated, knee-length navy skirt, a red and blue plaid shirt, a camel colored blazer, and navy ballet flats, Daphne proclaimed, "You'll do. But you need to get permission to come shopping with me this later week. Actually, we all need to shop for wedding dresses."
"I always wanted a custom dress." Parvati looked disappointed at the notion of an off-the-rack wedding gown.
"I understand, Parvati. Maybe… let me think about this. I might have another solution." Daphne mused.
"We have time —" Hermione began.
"No, we don't," Daphne interrupted. "You are getting married in six weeks, Hermione! Six weeks! You do not have time to do anything but get ready for your wedding." Hermione had a feeling that Daphne was very good at her job. She gave them all another once-over. "Yes, well, you will all pass muster. Let's go get breakfast and get moving."
Thankfully, breakfast was waiting for them in the common room. As they were finishing, the boys returned and they readied for their trip to Diagon Alley.
"Engagement rings are at the top of the agenda. Where do you want to go? Harry?" Daphne continued in her role as the coordinator.
"Ah, well, I've never actually bought jewelry before, so I really don't know where to go." Harry looked a bit embarrassed by this confession.
"Don't feel bad, mate. Me either." Ron clapped him on his back.
Draco and Blaise rolled their eyes. "The place to for jewelry is Tromer's Jewel Emporium," Draco offered. "I need to go to Gringotts, though. The ring I want to give Hermione is in my vault. Blaise, what about you?"
"Mine is in a vault too."
"Excellent. Ron, Harry, do you want help buying the rings or do you want to do this on your own?" Daphne asked.
Ron and Harry exchanged glances.
"Tracey, if you would tell me what you like – stones and what not – I'll be happy to just go with Harry, but if you want to come, then I'd like for you to do that. It's really up to you." Ron really wanted to do this right.
"I think I'd like a surprise, Ron." Tracey smiled at him. "But I will tell you that I love emeralds."
"Daphne, which would you like to do?" Harry looked to his fiancé.
"I prefer diamonds set in platinum, but colored stones are always lovely." Daphne always seemed to have a definitive opinion. "And it is a tradition in my family for the groom to pick the ring, so I'll trust you to find the perfect one."
Harry looked a bit stricken at the thought of finding the 'perfect' ring.
"So, it's settled. We," Daphne pointed to herself, Hermione, Parvati, and Tracey, "will go to Madam Malkins for engagement photo outfits, and you lot," she said, pointing to the wizards, "will meet us there at half twelve. We can go to lunch from there. After lunch, we will shop for your clothes for the weekend. Now, we are going to have to deal with reporters. How should we handle that?"
"I think we should call Kingsley and have him call them off," Hermione offered. "Maybe arrange a press conference for Saturday afternoon and explain that we need privacy this week and if we are harassed, then those reporters will not be invited to the engagement announcement press conference on Saturday at Hogwarts. He won't be able to stop candid photos, but they will probably leave us alone."
Daphne nodded. "I like that idea, Hermione. If we do it that way, then we can control the message better. Go ahead and call the Minister."
Kingsley agreed with Hermione's assessment, but they delayed their departure for him to get word to all the magical press of the scheduled conference, not telling them that the group would be in Diagon Alley that afternoon.
Tuesday
Mid-Morning
Diagon Alley
Draco and Blaise entered Gringotts and retrieved their items without a problem and headed to Tromer's to help the Gryffindors with their first major purchases as engaged men.
When they arrived, Ron was huddled over a display of emerald rings. He looked a bit... overwhelmed. Turning to Harry, he said, "I don't know mate. Which do you like?"
Blaise stepped over and pointed to two rings. "She'd like those best."
"How do you know?" Ron was genuinely curious.
Blaise shrugged. "First, I've known her for seven years. She wears round gems as opposed to sharper corners like princess and emerald cut. And round cut stones have more surface area than princess and emerald cuts, so those rings will fit her finger without breaking the bank. Plus, she's always been discreet; she prefers quality over quantity."
"Thanks, mate! Uhh, could you help Harry? He's kind of stuck too."
Harry had narrowed his selection down to three. But his favorite was an oval diamond surrounded by rubies, set in platinum. He held it up and showed it to his companions. "What about this one?"
Draco knew Daphne better than anyone else there. He held out his hand for the ring and for a jeweler's loupe. It was a gorgeous. And he knew Daphne would love it. Draco handed it back to Harry. "That's the one Potter. She'll adore it."
"Really? Are you sure?"
Draco nodded. "I'm sure."
By the time Harry had arranged to pay for the ring, Ron had decided on a round cut emerald held in place by a gold setting, surrounded by diamonds set in white gold, with small diamonds set in the band. The emerald was beautiful, and there was a permanent Strengthening Charm on it to prevent breakage of the delicate stone.
When Ron joined them before leaving, Harry turned to the Slytherins. "Well, let's see them. What did you get for Hermione and Parvati?"
After exchanging loaded glances, Blaise pulled the box containing the massive square cut emerald, surrounded by small diamonds from his pocket. The band was gold. "I thought it was a good fit because it combines our houses. Emerald for Slytherin and gold for Gryffindor." He shrugged. "Do you think she will like it?"
"Like it? Have you met Parvati? She has never met a huge shiny bauble she hasn't liked. She will love this." Ron shook his head. "And this was just laying in your family vault?"
"No, it was in my vault. My great-grandmother left it to me for my bride," Blaise clarified.
"Care to share, Malfoy?" Harry looked towards Draco.
He pulled the ring box from his pocket. "This was also my great-grandmother's ring. I thought it would suit Hermione." Not as large as Blaise's emerald, the cornflower blue sapphire winked up from the platinum setting. It was flanked by diamond baguettes.
Harry and Ron both stared at the ring for a moment. Ron finally broke the silence. "She will love it. I know her, and she will love that ring. You think, Harry?"
"Yeah, she will."
Madame Malkins
Late Morning
Hermione was ready to revolt. She had tried on more clothes this morning than she had in the past five years. The keep pile was huge, and there were no comfortable clothes, either. She was really starting to resent the necessity of being a society bride. Thank goodness she was at the bottom of the pile.
"Hermione, come out and let us see it." Daphne, ever the drill sergeant, had insisted on seeing each piece. Looking over Hermione with a critical eye, Daphne proclaimed, "This is perfect. We just need those," she said, pointing to the comfortable ballet flats that Hermione wore, "to be three and half inch heels."
"No. I like flats."
"This dress and coat beg for heels. And you will have to get used to wearing them; you may as well start now."
Hermione groaned. "Fine. Two inches then."
"Nope. Three and a half."
"Two and a half?" Hermione sounded hopeful.
"Fine. Three. And just cast a Cushioning Charm; you'll be fine."
"It's not the comfort I'm worried about. It's the balance!" Hermione was quite convinced that Daphne had no clue how clumsy she could be.
"Are you a witch or aren't you? Use your wand. Cast a Balancing Charm. Honestly, Hermione, have you never thought about using your magic to tame your hair, do your makeup, transfigure your clothes?" Daphne wondered what they taught the girls in Gryffindor Tower.
At this, Parvati laughed. "Hermione tended to spend more time in the library than the rest of us, so when we were doing our beauty experiments, she missed out on them."
"Ahh." The Slytherins looked at each other in understanding.
"Crash course, then. I'll be at Hogwarts on Friday. We can spend some time that night on the some spells." Daphne turned to the girl on her left. "Parvati, could you work with her on the simpler ones this week so we have a good base? Oh, and walking in heels, too." Daphne, it appeared, was in her element. Turning back to Hermione, she said, "This is the outfit for your engagement photos. Go change clothes and we will meet you at the front to pay for everything."
When Hermione arrived at the front, levitating the massive 'yes' pile of clothes, she was startled to see that the wizards had arrived.
"Oi, 'Mione, are you buying everything?" Ron had never seen Hermione with that many clothes.
"Yes, I am, Ronald. It seems that living in a tent and out of a purse for most of a year was not good for my wardrobe. But thank you so very much for noticing."
Draco had never heard Hermione level that amount of snark at anyone except him, but given Weasley's goofy grin, he appeared to take it in stride.
Daphne, true to form, took over. She wrangled all the new purchases and arranged for them to be delivered to their appropriate destinations. "Alright then. Lunch?" Just before she stepped out of the store, she stopped on knut and turned back. "There is a bevy of photographers waiting outside. We need a plan and make this look good. Blaise, you and Parvati will lead the way. Ron, you and Tracey will follow next with Harry and I, and Hermione and Draco following. You need to hold hands, link arms, something to show 'happy couple.' And where are we going for lunch? We will get no peace here on Diagon Alley. Any suggestions?"
"Let's head to the Apparition point, and go to Hogsmeade. We can eat at The Three Broomsticks and return this afternoon for our..." Draco encompassed the wizards in his hand gesture, "dress robes."
"Excellent idea. Everyone ready? Look natural. No, check that. Look happy. Blaise, Parvati... go." Daphne was a general.
As they walked out of the store, the flashes of cameras blinded them. However, no one threw questions at them. It appeared that Kingsley's press conference gambit had worked.
Hermione, her hand resting in the crook of Draco's right elbow, struggled to keep a small smile on her face. In desperation, she turned to Draco. "So, did you have a successful morning?"
Draco shot her one of his patented smirks. "Of course I did. And it looks like you have a new wardrobe."
"Ha! It was miserable. I swear I tried on half the store. Daphne is a real drill sergeant, isn't she?"
"I heard that, Hermione." Daphne turned and laughed; Harry was holding her hand. She looked at Harry. "You know, you and Ron did not do her any favors by keeping her researching in the library or staying with you two all the time. She's perfectly lovely, but her fashion sense, ugh. We have some work to do."
"Hey, I think Hermione always looks nice." Harry felt the need to defend his best friend.
"Thank you, Harry. I appreciate that," Hermione called out to him.
Just then, the party reached the Apparition point, and with a pop, Disapparated, reappearing in Hogsmeade.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Hermione could only be grateful for the respite.
Hermione's Room
Evening
Draco knocked on their connecting door, which, of course, opened as he was knocking.
"Hey Granger, are you decent?"
"Would it matter if I wasn't, Malfoy?"
"Hell yes, it would matter. I'd come in faster." The grin he shot her was sinful.
Hermione humphed and rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm decent, as you can see. Come on in."
"I came over to give you this." Draco made to hand her the small velvet box containing her ring.
"What, no grand gesture, no romantic proposal?"
"Granger, you don't strike me as the type who would be impressed by a grand and romantic proposal, not now anyway."
"No, I don't guess so. At least not in this situation." Hermione could not keep the bitterness from her voice. "This is just so fucking unfair."
"Did you just profane, Granger?" Draco opted to tease her. "Hold that thought. I need to get my Pensieve and record this! Better yet, do it again!"
"Oh, get a grip Malfoy, you don't want to marry me. Do us both a favor and don't front about it."
Draco momentarily considered telling her the unvarnished truth: that if he had to pick a witch to marry, it would be she. But she wasn't ready to hear that yet.
"Well, it is happening, no matter what. So, would you like your ring or not?" He asked and her gaze dropped down to the box, and she looked at it rather sadly.
In that moment, he decided to make a presentation of it; she deserved it. "Let's do this differently."
"What do you mean?"
"Meet me in the courtyard in twenty minutes."
"Malfoy, don't be silly."
"Call me Draco, Hermione. Since we are getting married, we're done with this last name horseshite. Now, meet me in the courtyard in twenty minutes."
The Courtyard
20 minutes later
Hermione arrived in the courtyard promptly. Her mouth dropped. Draco, in the short time he had given himself, had strewn bewitched flowers around the courtyard like a blanket and floating candles gave the darkened area a romantic glow.
As she approached, he swept into a dramatic bow and then took a knee, holding the open ring box up for her inspection. "Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife and bearing my children?"
Hermione's smile almost reached her eyes. "Of course I will, Draco Lucius Malfoy." Then she looked down at the ring and gasped.
It was perfect. Set in platinum, the gorgeous 7-carat sapphire was cornflower blue, with just a few diamonds flanking the stone on the band. While a sizable ring, it would not overwhelm her small hands.
"How... how did you know that I've always wanted a sapphire?"
"I didn't. But it is your birthstone and sapphires have represented loyalty, wisdom, faithfulness, and purity for generations. Hermione, you are all of those things. What other stone would be appropriate for you?"
"I love it, Draco." As he took the ring out of the box and put it on her finger, she felt a glow imamate from it. "What was that?"
"There is a protective spell on this ring. As long as you have it on, you will be offered a measure of protection from ill intent. It was my great-grandmother's ring and is Goblin-made."
Hermione looked from the ring to him. "Thank you. I love it." She reached up and kissed his cheek.
A/N: Sorry about the jewelry description if it was a bit much. I used to sell nice jewelry for a living, and I adore colored stones. If you are interested in seeing the Pinterest page I have made with rings, dresses (including wedding dresses), outfits, etc, then let me know in the reviews and I'll send you the address.