Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I tried to stick as much as I could to the facts of the Wizarding World and spent quite a bit of time consulting various sources. However, some things are changed to benefit the plot line. Everything about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
She couldn't believe he was late; on today of all days. She had been planning this dinner party for a month. They were celebrating his graduation from intern to resident Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. This was just as much his day as it was hers, and he was nowhere to be found. She entertained her guests with a smile on her face, assuring them that Draco would be there any minute and they could begin dinner.
Outside their simple two-story cottage in Falmouth, Draco paced back and forth along the white picket fence. His palms were sweaty and his stomach was knotted. He patted his pocket one last time, wiped his hands on his pant legs, and headed for the front door. Before turning the knob, he plastered on his trademark smirk, conjured up a simple bouquet, and finally entered their home where he kissed his girlfriend of a year and a half on the cheek. He apologized for his tardiness and presented her with the bouquet. She tutted at him and straightened his tie before taking the flowers and placing them in a vase in the kitchen. Draco went around and greeted his guests and apologized for his lateness; then they sat down to the delicious meal that Hermione had made. She graciously accepted the praise from her guests, her modesty showing as everyone made a grand deal over the roast duck. But he saw her pride glowing from her eyes. She had the most expressive eyes and by just glancing at them he would know in a second exactly what she was thinking. He only hoped that later, he would be able to look into her eyes and know the answer before she even voiced it. But that would have to wait; he didn't want to ruin the dinner right in the middle of it. So he indulged in light conversation with the family and friends that had gathered at their table, making jokes with the men and paying compliments to the women.
"Hermione, you sure are lucky you snatched him up before anyone else! A man as chivalrous and charming wouldn't have held out much longer," Ginny winked at her. Hermione turned to look at him and blushed a pretty pink; she kissed him on the cheek and nodded her agreement towards Ginny. "I am quite the lucky woman, I do agree." As their dinner came to a close, they moved the gathering into the sitting room where they continued discussions over a glass of champagne. Draco glanced over at Hermione, where she sat on an ottoman actively describing one of the insane people she dealt with on a daily basis as the Head of the International Relations Office; it was at that moment when he stood up to address his friends and family.
"Once again, I would like to thank you for all coming to help celebrate this exciting moment with us, it has truly been a blessing having you all in my life these past two years. However, there is one person I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without." He crossed over to where she was sitting and pulled her up to her feet. "Hermione, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. You've put up with my burned omelets and my dirty socks strewn across the floor. You were the one who pushed me to start my Healer training and supported me every step of the way. You've always been so independent, that it didn't surprise me when we fought over who would be moving in where. You, of course, thought that I should move in with you and not the other way around. But I'm so glad we came to the decision to get our own place. It hasn't always been easy, and I had thought up until this moment that the hardest thing I had done in my life was approach you at that conference two years ago. As I stood outside the house this evening, I worried myself on every possible scenario that would make this go wrong, but walking through the front door made me realize that I have nothing to worry about. You're the one I want to tease about your hair in the morning. You're the one who I want to leave me notes when I have to work through lunch. You're the one who I want by my side for the rest of my life." Draco got down on his knee and pulled out the small velvet box he had been carrying around for the last month. "And so, I want to ask my little Know-It-All the one question only she knows the answer to," he paused taking a breath to calm his nerves.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"