Thank you again to those of you have read, and those who reviewed. I am so sorry for how long it took to update. I have been working non stop the past week, and have been exhausted.
To the guest who wrote on chapter seven. Thank you so much for your kind words! They truly made my day!
On a side note. I have published chapter one and two of my next story 'All That I've Got' if anyone would like to read it. A heads up that it will be darker with stronger language. I will not be updating it as frequently just yet as my main focus is this one right now.
Hope you enjoy!
-x-
Draco stood in the mirror fixing his tie. He was never a big fan of these sort of events, but tonight he was looking forward to it for one reason and one reason alone. Her.
He had seen her a few times since he asked her to attend the gala with him. He was fully aware that she was waking him up on the inside. Whenever she was near, it seemed as if the rest of the world slipped away. She would push back the dark clouds that he hung around himself and allow the sun to shine through. True to his word he was desperately trying to let go of some of his guilt. Her words about Dumbledore had stuck with him. A part of him, though miniscule, knew that she was right. Somewhere in the depths of his mind he knew that Dumbledore's death was not his fault. Just as he knew that his earlier prejudices were not his fault either. The thing he couldn't let go of, was what happened to her. He didn't believe he would ever be able to let go of that guilt, especially knowing everything he knew about her now.
Removing his pocket watch he saw that it was time to leave. He grabbed a handful of powder before stepping into the fireplace and called out Hermione's address.
It was quiet when he stepped inside her living room.
"Granger?" he called out.
"I'll be right out." she replied from down the hall.
As he waited for her to finish up, he stayed in his place looking over the photo's that were displayed along the mantle. She had some of her and Harry, a few of her with her parents, one of her wearing a scarlet red gown standing next to Ginny in her wedding dress, but there was one in particular that caught his attention tucked back in the corner. He removed it and was surprised to find a picture of the two of them. They had been about to walk on stage during their graduation ceremony, Hermione had stopped him to fix his tie. He remembered the moment and how off guard she had caught him. As he thought back to the memory, he didn't hear the light click of her heels against the floor as she made her way to him. As she reached the doorway she knew exactly which photo he had come across.
"My mother took that one." she said. "It's one of my favorite photos actually."
He turned to look at her and almost lost his breath at the sight of her. She wore a deep emerald green strapless dress. It hugged her every curve down to her knees where it fanned out. Her hair was swept back in a low bun with a few stray curls hanging out. She looked radiant.
"You look beautiful." he said in a somewhat amazed tone. He really did love that color on her.
She blushed at his compliment and made her way to him. She straightened his tie just as she had done in the photo. "You don't look too bad yourself." she lifted her head and placed a soft kiss on his lips. He pulled her close and kissed her back. When they separated he held her for just a moment longer before speaking
"You sure you want to do this?"
"I already told you, I don't care about the press."
"You're sure?"
"Yes Draco. I'm positive. Now let's go." she said stepping into the fireplace and pulling him with her.
Draco wrapped an arm around her waist as the green flames surrounded them. When the first stepped out, he thanked Merlin that the entrance was fairly crowded. Keeping his arm firmly planted around her, they made their way through the sea of witches and wizards. As they approached the ballroom doors they were bombarded by the flashes of camera's. Reporters called out with an array of questions. Hermione didn't pause to answer, she flashed a smile and moved her hand to Draco's and continued on. Draco followed her lead bet kept his features stoic.
Once they passed through the doors the camera's and questions ceased as no reporters were permitted to enter the event aside from the Daily Prophet. The room was decorated with shades of purple and cream, candles floated throughout providing soft light, and the ceiling had been enchanted to show the evening sky. As Hermione stood taking in the scenery, Draco couldn't take his eyes off of her. He remembered back to the Yule Ball and how he had secretly thought she looked beautiful that night. He thought of the previous gala's that he had seen her at, and how he still held the same secret. Looking at her now, he realized it wasn't a secret anymore, he leaned in and placed a kiss atop her head. She looked at him and smiled but before anything could be said her name was being called out.
"Hermione." Ginny called out.
Turning and seeing her friend, a bright smile grew upon her face.
"Ginny, you look gorgeous." she said taking in her friends appearance. "Where's Harry?"
"He's around here somewhere. You know how these things are, he gets pulled every which way but is too polite not to speak with someone." Ginny glanced over Hermione's shoulder. "Malfoy, nice to see you." she smiled at him.
"Ginny." he gave her a nod. "Nice to see you as well."
"I would love to stay and chat, but I should probably go find my husband. I'll come find you later?" Ginny asked.
"Of course."
Ginny pulled her into a quick hug and whispered something into her causing Hermione to blush. Draco did not miss her reaction but decided he would ask her about it later.
They made their way through the crowd, making small talk with those who stopped them. Plenty of heads turned at the sight of them. While Hermione kept a warm smile on her face, Draco remained stoic, shooting the occasional scowl towards hushed whispers.
As the elegant music filled the enormous ballroom, Draco lured Hermione to the dance floor, pulling her close to him as they swayed together.
"You look stunning tonight."
"Thank you." she said looking into his eyes. "Can I...can I ask you something?"
He didn't answer aside from giving her a look to suggest she continue.
"On Christmas. Why did you really want to by me a drink?"
"What makes you think I had another reason?"
She rolled her eyes before giving him a stern look. He laughed at it.
"Alright. After that night in your shop, what you did and all. I wanted to get to know you better, so when I saw you at the bar, I figured, why not?"
"So before that night, you weren't interested?"
His brows furrowed. "Were you?" he asked.
"A little. I mean, I had seen you in the store countless times, part of me wanted to talk to you, I didn't know what to say."
"Well that's a first."
"Shut up" she said playfully hitting his arm. "You still didn't answer me."
His face took on a more serious look. "You really want to know?" he asked.
"Yes."
He pulled her close, pressing his cheek to the top of her head so that her and her alone would hear his words.
"I've always been interested Granger. Ever since I first saw you levitate a feather in charms class. It wasn't always this way, but you were the reason I doubted my beliefs. It increased when you rose your wand to my throat third year and I became terrified knowing how capable you were. It peaked higher when you walked down the staircase for the yule ball, and I was amazed at how beautiful you looked, and angry later that night when I saw you cry. I was fascinated by your determination sixth year in potions class, the day Potter won the liquid luck. The night in the manor tore me apart, and I wanted nothing more that to take you away from all of it. Every time I came in the shop I found myself glancing around just trying to get a glimpse of you. I've always been interested Granger. I only wish I could go back and know you sooner. There was only one person that made me question anything and everything in my life. It was always you."
She blinked away the tears that had begun to sting her eyes and pulled back to look into his eyes. She could tell with certainty that he had meant every word of it. Placing her hand behind his neck, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him. Nothing more than a simple kiss that she held onto for as long as she could. They could both hear flashes as the photographer from the Daily Prophet snapped as many photos as they could. Neither one cared in that moment.
"Thank you for telling me." she whispered as she pulled away, still keeping her face close to his.
"I want to ask you something now."
"Go ahead."
"What did Ginny say when we saw her earlier?"
She gave a small chuckle. "She said that Slytherin suited me well."
Draco laughed as he pulled her into another kiss. "I'd have to say I agree."
-x-
Sorry if it wasn't great and so short, I had a bit of a block with this chapter. Please review!
