Hey, guys! I will be entirely unable to update on Saturday like usual, so I'm updating now instead. I might be able to update on Sunday, though. Hope you enjoy this fluff-filled chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, though there is an OC named Anthea.

Chapter Forty-nine

During winter break-about a year and a half after Anthea and I went on our first date and almost two years since we first met-Harry and Ron somehow convinced me to go to Diagon Alley and get an engagement ring for Anthea. I didn't mind them helping me along, and I wasn't in denial that if they didn't, I might turn right back 'round and never do it, but I was so nervous about it that my hand would shake like I was having a nightmare. I managed to talk the two of them into letting Hermione come, too. Hermione's hand was a similar size to Anthea's, so it would be easier to find a ring that fit, and I would feel loads better if I had a woman's advice on which ring to get.

The four of us arrived in Diagon Alley, and they forced me into a jewelry shop that had thousands of selections that were so overwhelming that if it wasn't for Ron behind me, I would have walked right back out.

"Come on," Harry sighed, dragging me further into the shop. "You've looked your father in the eye and called him by his first name. You can get a ring for your girlfriend."

"I think I rather take Lucius right now," I muttered, swallowing deeply.

"Well, from what I know about her," Hermione began, "you'd want to get something small. Don't flash your cash around and get her some giant rock. You know what her favourite colour is?"

"Blue-green. Like an aquamarine," I answered.

"Then maybe surround the diamond with small aqua stones around it?" she suggested.

"You're getting married?" a voice asked, making my already shot nerves jump.

"Yes, he is," Ron answered for me, slapping my shoulder.

"He's going to ask, at least," Hermione reminded.

"Yep," I breathed. "She can always say no." My stomach churned at the thought.

"She won't say no," Harry, laughed.

The shopkeeper behind the counter chuckled. "Well, I can help you get a ring but that's as far as my aid can extend. If I overheard correctly, her favourite colour is aquamarine?"

I nodded.

"Alright, so if you'll come over here," he trailed off as he wandered around the counter.

The four of us followed him to a large glass box that held an extensive collection of rings. All of them had at least one diamond and aquamarine stone somewhere on it.

The shopkeeper told us about each option, pointing to each ring as he talked. Nothing seemed good enough for Anthea. Some were too big and others were too small. The band wasn't the right colour or the aquamarine was too much.

I leaned back to Ron as the shopkeeper continued. "Maybe we should do this another time?" I whispered. "Or visit another shop or something. Nothing seems right."

"Nothing seemed right for Hermione, either. Especially in my price range," he muttered back. "But if I can get one for her, then you can get one for Anthea. You love her, right?"

I had never said it aloud. Not to her, and not even to myself. But I did. Somewhere between Azkaban and here, I fell in love with her.

I glanced back over to the selection of rings and spotted one that had a small diamond and one aquamarine stone side by side. They were both entertwined with a snake that wrapped around them, forming a small heart.

I leaned closer to Hermione. "What about that one?" I subtly gestured towards the ring I spotted.

Hermione looked towards it and studied it. "The stones fit her, I think," she whispered. "But I'm not sure about the snake."

I smirked as I remembered Anthea calling me snake on an almost daily basis. "She likes to call me snake because I'm both a Slytherin and I sometimes win at the Muggle games she likes to play without meaning to."

"That's so cute," Hermione said, a half-contained smile on her lips. She turned back towards the shopkeeper and pointed towards the ring. "What about that one?"

"Ah," the man exclaimed, taking it out of the box. "Normally no one wants this one because the snake is a bit off-putting. We were about to discontinue it, actually, so your price will be reduced. Does this one suit her?"

"Yeah. I think so," I muttered.

"Wonderful!" the man almost yelled. "Now, what size would you like it?"

"About her size," I answered, gesturing to Hermione who held up her ringed hand for the shopkeeper.

He took her hand, measured her ring finger and wrote down the size. "If you pay now, It can be ready in two days."

"Great," I said as he named the price.

I pulled out the bag of galleons I gathered before we came. I paid his price, and Harry, Ron and Hermione finally gave me permission to leave. I rushed out of the shop, the nerves finally releasing.

Ron laughed as he caught up with me. "Feel better?"

"I have no idea," I sighed, Hermione and Harry coming up behind Ron.

"I know the feeling," Ron sympathised. "You're not sure if you feel better or worse after you get the ring. You just know that you feel like throwing up."

"At least I know what I have to look forward to when I propose to Ginny," Harry voiced.

"When are you planning on doing that?" I wondered, glad to have attention off of me for a minute.

"I have less of an idea than you do," Harry answered. "But you caught the bouquet at Ron and Hermione's wedding, so you've got to do it first," he laughed.

"I did not catch that thing," I refuted.

"It landed next to you, though," Hermione reminded.

"It's the same thing in the end, mate," Ron agreed.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I gradually made plans for me to propose to Anthea. Hermione tried to make a joke saying that it wasn't a good idea to propose where we first met like other couples, but I was so nervous about it that it had no effect. We kept it quiet at my request. Not even Molly and Arthur knew about it. I was afraid that George would hear and try to "help". Winter break was almost over by the time the secret got out.

"Come on, Malfoy," George groaned during dinner. "Let me help out."

"No," I refused. "I'm not gonna have you 'help' with my proposal."

"But-"

"George," Molly interrupted, giving her son a stern look. "If Draco doesn't want your help, don't keep offering it."

"Yeah," Ron agreed. "And Harry, Hermione and I have been helping him. We've got it covered."

Anthea was very proud of both her Muggle and Wizarding heritages, so it was logical to do it in a place where the Wizarding and Muggle worlds mixed evenly, but I couldn't find a place like that. Everything on Earth seemed to be from either world and never from both. MuggleBorns and Wizards who were raised by Muggles like Harry were the closest our two worlds mixed.

In the end, the four of us decided to do it at night in the middle of nowhere so we couldn't be interrupted by press or anyone else. The setting and gazebo we chose reminded me of one of the Muggle restaurants we went to that Anthea seemed to really like. She loved fireflies in the summer, so the plan was that the other three would hide and produce small lights as I asked that would look like fireflies in the summer night.

I was so anxious about it that I could barely sleep in the days leading up to it. Proprietary said that I should have met Anthea's parents by now and asked her father. I asked her about her parents but she said it wasn't a good idea for me to meet them. She said her mother was extremely anti-Death Eater and that her father's only knowledge of the Wizarding World came from her mother. Anthea said that they might not let me into their home because of my Mark, and I couldn't blame them. From their perspective, they had no idea if they could trust me or if I was a spy for Voldemort.

Either way, I knew I would sleep better if I at least sent them an owl. I worded the letter as carefully as I could, explaining everything without going into detail. I was so nervous that woke up in the middle of the night to write it, spending hours drafting and redrafting the letter over and over again as I tried to find the right words

To Mister and Missus Baker,

Anthea has told me that she has informed you of our courtship, and I understand how that can make you both uncomfortable. I do have a Dark Mark, but I was never a part of You-Know-Who's Death Eater army. I never agreed with them or the acts they committed, but my father, Lucius, did, and though my mother, Narcissa, was not a Death Eater, she agreed with their ideas about blood purity. Both of them and all of the Death Eaters surrounded me for years. I was forced to help them, but when the Battle of Hogwarts began, I took the opportunity and fought against them. I was the only one with a Dark Mark remaining at the end of the Battle, and that fact landed me in Azkaban. They didn't listen to me when I tried to tell them what happened, but I never lied to them.

I could never trust anyone for the past few years. My parents abandoned me in more ways than one, and Voldemort and the Death Eaters only ever hurt me. Your wonderful daughter Anthea was the first person I could fully trust. After a few weeks of being in Azkaban, I started to go hypothermic because of the Dementors' cold air and nearly died. Anthea saved my life and has been there for me since. It is difficult to cope with all that happened, but Anthea is patient and understanding. I trust her, and I love her.

I am asking you both for permission to marry your daughter. Though I am still in school, I have plenty of money and can get her anything she needs or wants. I can provide for you both, as well, if you ever need it. I am training to become a Healer and can protect her like she protects me.

If you are still undesirous that Anthea and I should marry, I understand and will not go through with the proposal. However, I do ask that you at least consider all that I have said and let me know of your answer.

Thank you.

Draco Malfoy.

I sent the letter off at six in the morning, making enough noise to wake up Harry.

"Have you been up all night?" he wondered as he squinted at the balled up pieces of parchment that surrounded both of our beds.

"Just about, yeah," I sighed, finally laying back down on my bed. "I wrote to Anthea's parents and asked permission."

"That explains all the ink you're covered in," Harry said as he put his glasses on.

I brought my hands up and groaned at the sight of the ink splotches that covered my hands. I rolled over and covered myself with the blanket. "I'll clean it off later."

"Don't fall asleep now," Harry cautioned. "Breakfast is in two hours."

"Exactly. Two hours. I've still got one."

I let my eyes close, and the next thing I knew, Harry was shaking me awake. "Come on, mate. ten minutes till breakfast."

I jumped up, remembering the Weasleys' eating tendencies. I rushed to get dressed and brush my teeth and bolted down the stairs with barely a minute to spare. I took my seat as everyone else started taking food from the table and piling it on their plates.

On the last day of winter break, I received an owl from Anthea's parents. I was terrified to open it, but I had to. My mind ran through a thousand different ways they would say no, but I opened the letter anyway.

I retreated into my shared room as I broke the seal. I sat on my bed and crossed my legs as I pulled the letters from the envelope, taking deep breaths to brace myself for what they would say.

Mister Malfoy,

Speaking as Anthea's mother, no one will ever be good enough for my daughter, but I admire you willingness to ask permission despite knowing what our opinions of Death Eaters are. I never imagined that someone with a Dark Mark could be forced into anything, and I wouldn't ever think that they could be remorseful. The Ministry let you go, and Anthea told us how you met when you were freezing in your cell. I remain cautious of your relationship, but what you said sounded honest. Anthea seems to love you like you say you love her. She talks about you all the time, trying to convince us that you're not a true Death Eater. If Anthea accepts, I am willing to get to know you on a more personal level.

Missus Baker.

Mister Malfoy,

As a Muggle, I do not know much about the Wizarding World and the Dark Lord. I know that he gathered an army to defend him as he searched for Harry Potter, but not much else. Unlike my wife, I was always curious why someone would join an army like the Death Eaters, cause so much destruction and think it right. After reading your letter, I think I understand at least you a little better. I admire your openness and willingness to explain it to us. My daughter seems to love you very much and seems happy with you, so if she accepts, I accept.

Please keep her out of the news, though. You might be famous, but that doesn't mean Anthea should be. Thank you for not talking about her to the press.

Mister Baker.

I let out a breath that I didn't realise I was holding and slumped onto the mattress. They accepted. I wasn't sure if I was more relieved or shocked.

When I finally got my breath back, I pulled out a piece of parchment and drafted another letter, thanking Anthea's parents for their acceptance and willingness to get to know me. I reiterated that I would care for Anthea and sent it off quickly.

It was the best winter I've ever lived through.

I waited until the summer to propose to Anthea, and when the day finally arrived, my stomach churned painfully, and my entire body shook the whole day as Harry, Ron, Hermione and I prepared. I paced the length of the gazebo in my suit, trying my best to calm down, but it wasn't working.

I've fought in a war and nearly died on no less than three occasions-probably more considering that I don't remember everything that happened in the cellar. I was just asking a question, so why would I rather go back to the Battle of Hogwarts than ask it?

"Will you stop pacing?" Ron laughed. "You're making me nervous."

"Well, my apologies if I feel like I'm going to throw up," I snapped. "Sorry," I sighed when Harry and Ron jumped. "Remember nothing big, okay? She doesn't like that kind of stuff."

I took the velvet green ring box out of my pocket for what must have been the hundredth time tonight. I knew the blue and diamond ring wasn't going anywhere, so why did I feel like it was lost the moment I took my eyes off of it?

"We know, Draco," Hermione assured, "so you can stop worrying."

"I was talking to George, actually," I added, still barely believing that he managed to talk me into letting him help.

"Hey!" his voice called from the tall grass that was quickly darkening in the setting sun. "I can be subtle!"

"Said the guy who chased me with a firework and literally blew up the O.W.L exams!" I shouted back.

"He'll stick to the plan," Ron said. "George is hyperactive, but he comes through when it counts."

Harry glanced at his wrist. "She'll be here in a half hour."

The trio of friends moved to the lattice walls of the gazebo and waved their wands, making magical ivy grow and thread itself through the holes in the lattice.

The reminder of the time renewed my pacing. Anthea was always exceptionally punctual. She would be here on time. Not early, which made me feel a bit better, but also not late, which somehow made me more nervous.

I forced myself to stop walking in circles as Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped out of the gazebo and found a hiding place in the tall glass. I took a deep breath and checked my watch. Five minutes.

What would I even say to her? I should have planned this better.

I've known Anthea for almost three years, now. Our interactions were always casual and easy, so this should be too, right?

"Draco?" she called.

I looked up at her and instantly decided that this was definitely not easy.

"H-hey. Anthea," I stuttered, taking deep breaths as I fingered the box in my pocket.

"Hey." She stepped up into the gazebo. "Why so fancy?"

"Uh. I've got a question to ask," I muttered, terrified that I was saying the wrong words.

"Okay," she said, taking a step back and smirking. "What's the question?"

"We-we've known each other for a while, and i-in that time, you've helped me quite a lot." My stuttering was starting to get to me, but I was determined to get through this. I will not stumble like Ron. "You saved my life the moment we first met, and gave me a companionship that I sorely needed. With all that happened, it can be hard to cope, but you're always there when I need it."

I glanced towards the grass where I thought the others were hiding and than looked back at Anthea as small golden lights floated up from the grass and filled the gazebo with a warm light.

I gulped down air as I pulled the ring from my pocket. "And now I'd like to be there for you," I finished.

I stood there for a moment before I suddenly realized that I was still standing. I moved to drop to one knee, but Anthea caught my shoulders.

"No need to get down there," she whispered, making my heart jump.

What did she mean by that? Was she saying no?

She glanced up at me and chuckled. "No need to look so startled either. I'm saying yes."

"Okay, good," I sighed, going weak with relief. If it wasn't for her holding me up, I probably would have gotten to one knee anyways.

I brought up the ring box and held it out to her, opening it for her to see the silver and blue ring inside.

Anthea's eyes widened at the sight of it. She gingerly drew it out of the small box and put it on her own ring finger. She smirked as her thumb traced the snake that held the diamond and aquamarine together. "You snake," she laughed, punching me in the shoulder. "You said we were going out to eat."

"Well, we are out, and if you want to eat, we can get that, too," I commented, earning a playful glare from her. "And just so you know, I did not make these lights. I kinda had a few friends help me."

"That's fine. Thank goodness you told me before I started kissing you though," she smiled, glancing around the grass.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and George popped up from the grass and ran up into the gazebo, shouting congratulations.

Hope you guys enjoyed! I can hardly believe that there's only one chapter left! I'm glad that I was able to write and post it quickly, but the fact that it's over is bittersweet, ya know? See you soon! Fingers crossed for Sunday update!