Chapter Forty Two

Hermione smiled uncomfortably and turned away quickly. "Oh my gosh," Hermione whispered, "Draco's mother was staring straight at me! I wonder if she knows?"

"Don't be such a big softy," Aurelia said, "you're both grown ups! You're acting like a little girl who's been caught eating a chocolate frog in class!"

Hermione had to admit that she was acting childish, but she felt like a naughty little girl, after all, the last time she had seen Narcissa was as she, Lucius and Draco walked away from Hogwarts after the battle, and she didn't get the impression that Hermione would be her number one choice for a daughter-in-law.

"You're right," Hermione said, her cheeks glowing, "I just don't feel ready to meet her yet."

"Well it looks like you aren't going to have a say in the matter!" Aurelia said, waving at somebody behind Hermione, "they are both coming over."

Hermione gasped and then tried to compose herself. Draco and Narcissa appeared beside the table. Draco leant over and kissed Hermione gently, "fancy seeing you here," he laughed, "mum, this is Hermione," he said and Narcissa took her hand and shook it.

"I saw you at the Winter Witch Fashion Show last night," Narcissa spoke in a soft and controlled manner and Hermione held her breath wondering what she was going to say next, "you were a vision my dear," she said, Hermione let out a relieved sigh, "Draco is a lucky boy, you have my blessing."

"Thank you Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione smiled and Draco gave her an encouraging wink.

"And you know Aurelia," Draco said.

Narcissa turned to look at Aurelia, "Indeed, I do. I think I have risked upsetting your father with the amount of Galleon's I spent on this talented witch's wonderful clothing." She shook Aurelia's hand. "Can you spare me fifteen minutes of your time?" she asked Aurelia, "I would like to do a quick interview with you for my magazine, I'm sure Hermione will be safe in Draco's company for a short time."

Aurelia looked very excited at the idea of being featured in a magazine and looked at Hermione to gage her feelings. Hermione nodded, smiling. "I'd love to." Aurelia said enthusiastically.

"It was lovely to meet you Hermione." Narcissa said as she and Aurelia moved off towards their table.

"Sorry about that," Draco said looking sheepish, "I asked her not too, but she wanted to meet the girl who I had been writing about for two years."

"It's okay," Hermione said, "at least we've got that out of the way, early on in the game."

"Yeah, I guess we have," Draco laughed, "speaking of games, I was wondering if you would like to come ice-skating after dinner this evening?"

"Erm... why not," Hermione said, "but I'm not very good at it."

"That's half the fun," Draco said smiling.

"Oh and I have a gift for you," Draco said leaning down and taking a box out of a paper bag by his feet.

"You shouldn't have!" Hermione said, feeling overwhelmed.

"Well, it isn't much," Draco said, "I was going to give it you at dinner but now seems as good a time as any.

Hermione took the box from him, thanking him graciously, she removed some tissue paper from the box and saw a stunning gold necklace, with a dazzling silver and gold pendant upon it. The pendant depicted a quill with a dragon wrapped around it, the nib of the quill was crafted with a flawless white diamond and the dragon's eyes were made by rubies.

"Isn't much?!" Hermione said open mouthed - "it's stunning!"

"The quill is you and the dragon is me, entwined together for eternity." He said looking deeply into her eyes.

"I love it!" Hermione whispered, getting lost in his eyes.

Draco got up and picked the necklace up and brushing Hermione's hair to one side he fastened it around Hermione's delicate neck.

"I hope you will wear it always," he said, sitting back down, "or at least until I buy you a ring to go with it." His grey eyes sparkled and Hermione wondered how she had never realised how devastatingly gorgeous he was before.

Draco got up and kissed Hermione's hand, "looks like they're finished," he said, gesturing towards his mother and Aurelia. "Until tonight." He said and then he made his way back to his mother.