A/n: I loved the response to the last chapter, 11 reviews for chapter 24 and 16 reviews for other chapters…! I have the best readers ;) thank you Artemis-Max-Katniss-McLean, Dracos-Mione123, nellie445, TheHarryPotterGeek, MySweetSolace, lovebooks-P.M, Ceasar-Flickerman, Nicole, dracoginnyscorpiuswood, dutch potterfan, CrimeShowAddict0721, viola1701e for their lovely reviews.

Keep sending ur love ….

we are moving towards the end of this story and I am feeling nostalgic. Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout my first ever story. I re-read my story and I cringed at some points, I made some serious mistakes. But I have grown as a writer through this story so at the end of the day, it doesn't matter.

SHOUTOUT to NICOLE…I loved ur response..if u have an id, login n I'll PM u

Chapter 25

After nearly passing out due to lack of air they resurfaced while gasping for air, then with a flair Draco got up and picked a white rose from a nearly vase and gave it to an amused Hermione and said, "Madame please give me the privilege to call you my REAL girlfriend, no more acting for Weasley's sake, I want the real deal now."

Hermione laughed at his dramatics and quickly pecked him as an answer and then Draco picked her up like a little girl and swinged her around. Their laughter echoed through the house as they bathed in the bliss of being in love; everything was finally as it should be; finally..

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It had been three months since the fateful day when Draco and Hermione had professed their love for each other, three months since they told their friends about it and three months of a happy relationship. Obviously it hadn't been a smooth ride, there had been bumps, they were still Draco Malfoy and Hermione granger, ofcourse they had fought. But at the end of the day, they had overcome all the obstacles, as there had been love.

Their living arrangement had become permanent; they now had a mixed group of friends that comprised of some surprising faces, their friends became friends and some even started dating. All was well in their life, except a single thorn that pricked them from time to time; Ron Weasley.

Ron hadn't been happy to see Draco Malfoy in his house, during a Sunday brunch, holding hands with Hermione and looking like Christmas had come early. He had made this fact known and things had turned ugly and finally Hermione had been ready to leave when Mrs. Weasley had sternly stated that if anyone would be leaving, it would be Ron. An extremely furious Ron had stomped out of the burrow that day.

He kept barging in Hermione's office from time to time, pleading, warning, begging for her to take him back. At last Hermione had to put up some really tough and complicated spells to keep him out of her way. So he kept popping in her life from time to time, reminding them that he still existed to make their life less than perfect.

On their one month anniversary, Draco had taken Hermione to 'their beach', the place where he had seen Hermione after the war, the place where she had tried to kill herself. There they had spent the whole day talking about their past and Draco had confessed his reason for changing sides in the war as well as the events that led to Lucius's death at his son's hands. He also told her how he had wanted to help her and how he had lied about wanting a roommate. Hermione had patiently listened to all that he had to say and had given him a big hug after he had finished.

Through the months her friends had become extremely fond of Draco, even harry, who tried really hard not to show it. The most surprising had been Ginny Potter who had become Draco's confidante. She was the person he turned to when looking for suggestions, help or simple things like shopping.

Draco had hired Arthur Weasley as his creative head as he had great passion for muggle devices. Hermione had been fascinated by the hybrid products made by Draco's company, she had quickly made suggestions regarding various products and now helped Draco in running the company while working part time with the ministry.

Blaise and Luna had gotten engaged and were now expecting a child. If possible, Blaise had gotten more smitten and protective towards Luna who gave him a piece of her mind from time to time; so their life obviously stayed colorful.

Narcissa had taken an almost obsessive interest in Hermione and her style, now that she was her son's girlfriend (finally!). After she received the good news, she had taken Hermione on a 6 hour shopping trip and Hermione had finally realized what Draco had meant when he had mentioned that his mother could get "overenthusiastic". Gruesome shopping trips with cissa had become a part of a normal part of Hermione's life and she tagged along because she had come to love cissa like a mother and wanted to make her happy; and shopping obviously made her happy.

Life had changed and they had molded their life in a way that now there was no Draco without Hermione and no Hermione without Draco. They had quickly become the hottest couple of the wizarding world and the public fawned and gushed over the cute couple.

So now here they were, three months later, at Theo and Tracey's wedding reception. It had come as a surprise when Theo and Tracey had suddenly declared that they had eloped in Las Vegas, as no one had even known that they had been dating.

The reception was in full swing, with couples dancing all around the room, laughter echoing and soft music floating through the air. In a corner sat Hermione and Draco, laughing at Blaise, who was trying to persuade a furious Luna who had been denied a dance because of her "delicate condition" (she was just 2 months along!)

While Hermione kept laughing at Blaise's antics, Draco turned to look at Ginny potter who was cocking his head as a signal. Draco turned to look at Hermione and seeing the simple joy on her face made him smile. He said, "As fun as it is to see Blaise get an earful from Luna, I'd like to get some fresh air. Nott mansion has impeccable gardens, not as good as Malfoy manor's though."

Hermione took his hand and they walked towards the garden fully unaware that they were being followed. Draco led Hermione through the maze and to a secluded part of the garden. The place was totally filled with white roses in forms of ramblers, bush plants as well as climbing roses. It had an ancient looking stone fountain and a stone bench that was sheltered by crisscrossed plants. They sat on the bench in silence, rejoicing the fragrance of the white roses and the sound of rippling water.

Draco took Hermione's hand and placed a single white rose in her hand. Hermione looked at the beautiful rose and gave Draco a dazzling smile, and said "well you certainly remembered that white roses are my favorites."

Draco chuckled, " So you like this place?"

Hermione looked around and said, "I wonder how I didn't know that such a place existed. Ofcourse I like this place Draco; its filled with my favorite flowers."

Draco chuckled, kissed her knuckles and said, "You are one incredible woman granger, no wonder I fell in love with you."

Hermione giggled, " Yeah, no wonder you did." She placed a simple kiss on Draco's lips and got up. She pulled his arm and said, "Lets go inside now, Tracey will kill me if I miss her reception pictures.

Draco let her pull him upright but then suddenly he kneeled down on one knee, still holding Hermione's hand.

Hermione gasped but didn't retract her hand from his grasp. Draco took it as a good sign and started, "Hermione, as I said before, you are an incredible woman, you are compassionate, loyal, intelligent, wise, fiery, brave and so many more things. I love everything that you do and everything that you don't. You have changed my life more than you can ever realize, if it wasn't for you, I'd surely be dead or rotting in cell in Askaban. You taught me how to be courageous and do the right thing. I want to live each and every day of my life with you. Marry me Hermione." And then he took out a small box and opened it to show a simple but beautiful diamond that was shaped in form of a rose and was nestled in a platinum band. This ring was just like Hermione, simple yet classy.

Hermione looked at the ring that looked so much like a white rose and then in the eyes of her boyfriend. She could see sincerity as well as love in his eyes. This was the day she had dreamed of, but at that time the man on his knees had been a red head with a goofy grin and freckles. So much had changed since then, that dream seemed like a distant memory now.

She realized she had taken too long while thinking about the past, Draco now looked unsure and there was fear in his eyes. He mumbled a sorry and quickly got up and walked towards the fountain. He looked in the fountain and took a calming breath; he couldn't believe this had happened.

He heard some rustling as Hermione made her way towards him. He didn't need to turn to see where she was, he felt her presence behind him. She took his hand and finally Draco turned and was shocked to see Hermione granger on her knees, a smile playing on her lips.

She looked in his eyes and said, "Draco, you came back in my life when I felt I had no life. I felt my life was not worth living but you made me realize that I had so many reasons to keep living. You are funny, witty, vain, intelligent, infuriating, and so many more things. You became a life saver, then a friend and now I can't even explain what you are to me. I want to spend the rest of my life making you smile, waking up next to you, fighting with you and making up with you. I love you Draco, please marry me."

Draco didn't waste a second and picked Hermione in his arms and swung her around like a kid. Hermione yelped and laughed at his enthusiasm and finally when he placed her back on the ground she grinned, "Is that a yes."

Draco laughed and said, "Yes...you incredible….incredible woman. I love you so much." And then he kissed her, kissed her like she was the only girl in the world, kissed her like he needed her more than air, kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

When they finally pulled away and caught their breath, Hermione whispered, "So we are getting married."

Draco chuckled and then shouted so that the whole world could hear it, "We are getting married…!"

A/n: the link of the engagement ring can be found in my profile, go check it out.

Want an epilogue? Then you'll have to review… *evil laughter* haa…haa…. I hope u liked it. feedback is appreciated. I think this ending would be fine, what do you think? Want more?

Love

Ash